Warning: The character death from last chapter is revealed if you haven't already figured it out. Also, there's going to be a reunion in this chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom.
Chapter 19: Crossroads
"D.J.," I asked, my eyes widening. He looked like he was in his thirties… come to think of it, it was the same age Clockwork was able to morph like.
"Hello, Dad. I know you must be confused."
"Yeah," I nodded. I crossed my arms. "Where are you? Where is Clockwork? Where is Dan? What's going on?"
"I'm in my own time and you are able to see me because I am watching over this time until the new master of time can take over."
"New master of time," I asked, shaking my head. None of this made any sense. "What's going on?"
"Clockwork saw what was to come, Dad. He had known of the war for a long time and scoured time to find a replacement. He chose your not-yet-born son. So he worked fate to make sure I was born during this time. I had to be born at the time of his oblivion. When the ghosts neared, he interfered to allow the GIW to kidnap Mom, offsetting the original timeline. Lilly was your doing by going against your own set of rules but it turned out all right. We needed the extra power so it's great. When the ghosts escaped, he sealed the worlds and transformed you to where Mom, Jazz and I was. To ensure the time stream continues, he had to pass his power to me. When he hit me with that beam, I became the next master of all time. Clockwork's energy depleted and he was obliterated. If he didn't do it himself, the ghosts storming the realms would have done it and the time stream would have died with him. This was the best option."
"Clockwork's dead," I asked, my eyes wide. He's been gone two months and I'm just now finding out.
"Yeah," D.J. nodded. He morphed down to a small child and I jumped. I'm used to Clockwork doing it, not my son. "Don't worry, it's normal. You'll get used to it."
"Will my version do that," I asked, pointing a finger at the screen.
"Not until the King completes the coronation. You wait a while before you officially name me the successor but I take over at a young age. You and Mom give me a childhood and allow me to live my own life beforehand. Making it official wasn't really necessary as long as I was still alive. If I died, that'd be an issue."
"Where is Dan," I asked, swallowing. Is Dan dead too?
"Dan lives at the castle. Clockwork transported him before they left. Our family is probably finding it out right now."
"Probably," I smirked though I didn't feel so playful. "Shouldn't you know everything?"
"I've only been the master of time for eighty years. Give me a break." He chose that time to morph to the old man. I'm guessing he's a full ghost now.
"Did you do everything you wanted to do," I asked, hanging my head.
"I went to college, I got married, I had a couple kids, I saw the world; yeah, I think I crossed off everything on my bucket list before Dad made me an undead ghost. I miss my wife but she met a great man and my children found love of their own."
"You can't be married," I asked, furrowing my brow.
"Afraid not. After my kids grew up, I told you guys I was ready. We faked my death and here I am. I'm okay, though. I got what I wanted. My wife and my kids were taken care of; I can't ask for anything more."
"Maybe a life," I said, looking down.
"I lived to be forty-eight, Dad. Technically, I'm still alive. Hopefully, I'll never die. It kind of sucks. I'll never become a Superior."
"Forty-eight is still so young but at least you did have a good life," I said, looking up. "You did have a good life, didn't you?"
"The best, Dad," D.J. smiled at me. "You're doing a great job, Dad. Everything will turn out as it should be. Just listen to your instincts."
"Thanks for filling me in, D.J. I love you, son."
"I love you too, Dad," D.J. smiled. He morphed back to that of a young man. "Have fun with your version of me. Don't dwell on the past, don't obsess over the future and choose to live in the present. It's still a great time."
"The world is going to war," I said dryly. "I know you're trying to boost my spirits but don't treat it like a party."
"This is what we do, Dad. The world may have went to hell but we don't have to be miserable. Vlad forgave himself; it's time you do the same."
"Forgive myself? Forgive myself for what," I asked.
"You can use that gauntlet to erase your entire existence and the war would still happen. You could spend every waking moment of your life fighting this war, giving up the life you want and this war would still end the same way. It's not you, Dad. You are the solution, not the problem. One day you will find out that this was the way it was supposed to happen all along and nothing you could have done or not done would change a thing. As for what you need to forgive yourself for, I have no idea. I know you did nothing wrong but you think you did. Until you get over the fact that some things are out of your control, you're never going to live your life. Take a page from Vlad's story. He had everything before that day but he was miserable. Now, he has nothing but what matters and he's the happiest he's ever been. Vlad learned that money, possessions and size never brought him any happiness. You need that kind of lesson. There is something in your life that is incomplete. Stop making yourself miserable. Only you can forgive yourself."
"I have no idea what that is but if I find it, I'll get right on it," I nodded. "Take care, son," I said on a lighter note. "I hope you can find some happiness too."
"Hey," D.J. gave me a cocky look. "I can see anywhere, any when. I can relive a passionate moment with my wife or be looking up through the air vent in that infamous Marilyn Monroe moment. I am the master of happiness!"
"Yep, definitely my son," I groaned. "Bye, D.J."
"Bye, Dad," D.J. nodded. I flew out of the castle.
"Clockwork," I sighed. "I'm so sorry."
I arrived back at the castle to see my family in the longue, Dan standing in the corner. "Danny," Sam declared, standing up.
"I know," I said, hanging my head. "I'm so sorry, Dan."
"I could have protected him," Dan said, balling his hands into fists. "He did this to himself."
"He had to make a choice," I said softly. "If he stood and fought and lost, the time stream would have died and that would have helped no one. There was too much at stake. I will miss him but we all know he made the right choice. A choice we will all regret but the right one nonetheless."
"The choice he made had nothing to do with right and wrong. He took the coward's way out! There could have been another way."
"It'll take a while, Dan. Give it time," I said gently. We've all speculated but I think I have my answer. The only reason it wasn't obvious was because Clockwork couldn't have a mate. That prevented them from starting magnetism but it wouldn't stop them from getting close. "Sam, can we have a moment in privacy?
"Come on, Techno," Sam said, grabbing him by the ear. "If you're going to listen in, I'm going to invite you to."
"Ow, jeez," Tucker cried. "She's only gotten worse with powers."
"Don't I know it," I grumbled. "I told you two a halfa's life wasn't for you."
Sam and Tucker snorted as we left our lounge. I was wrong about it, of course. They both loved being halfas and even I enjoyed having them share my DNA profile. I didn't see that one coming.
"What did you find out," Sam asked.
"Do you remember that glow that hit D.J.," I asked Tucker. Tucker nodded. "Clockwork was making D.J. the next master of all time. He has to have a coronation from the King and Queen of the Ghost Zone but D.J. will be Clockwork's successor."
"How do we do it? You'd think the time stream would need D.J.," Sam asked.
"You don't understand," I said, turning to her. I could see Tucker reacting as the images from my head flashed in his mind. "That's the reason Clockwork and Dan couldn't be together, Sam. The Master of All Time can't have a life outside the tower. Once we officiate his coronation, D.J. will be forced to stay at the tower. I talked to D.J. a few minutes ago. He's watching over this time until he can take over; he'd been in charge for eighty years he told me. D.J. loses everything, Sam. He has a wife and kids and he fakes his death. His wife gets remarried. We let him have a life then when he's forty-eight we officiate it. He'll never die, not even to become a Superior. Our son is the future Master of All Time."
"Will he be targeted," Sam asked, covering her mouth.
"Possibly," I said, hanging my head. "I don't want this getting around. If anyone else finds out, that'd be a perfect way to destroy this world. The Observants tried it ten years ago. It's not a stretch to think the Forbidden Zone would try it."
"No," Tucker agreed. "What about D.J. though? How do you prepare him for that kind of responsibility?"
"I'm not sure," I sighed. "D.J. said he started looking after the tower at a young age but he didn't take over until he was forty-eight. What I take that to mean is he can do business as an acting Master of All Time but once we officiate him, he is bound to it."
"Like magnetism," Tucker said, looking to Sam. "The time stream is his soul mate. Nothing can come before it. That's why they can't have mates." He looked to me. "And what is it with you? You're the only Danny that is with a woman! Danielle has the Johnson twins, Blue has Vlad and Dan had Clockwork." He shuttered. "Meddling Minutes was real." I chuckled softly. "Are you just meant to be gay?"
I laughed. "I think it has more to do with Sam than me being gay. No other woman is good enough for me. If I couldn't have her, why would I want anything below her?"
Sam laughed. "Oh, come on. I doubt I could turn Blue or Dan straight and I certainly couldn't turn Danielle lesbian."
"Well, we'll never find out because I have you and no one else can have you," I said, pulling her into my arms. "I am so sorry, Sam."
"For what? You're not the one who came up with that terrible crack-pairing name."
I rolled my eyes. "Can we get off Meddling Minutes, please? I meant about D.J."
"How is that your fault," Sam asked. "There's nothing we can do. We can only give him as much of a life as we can. Maybe we can help him keep his wife like Clockwork and Dan had a relationship?"
"They didn't have a relationship, Sam," I said, looking to her. "That's why Dan is so upset. They never had a relationship. Dan loved Clockwork but Clockwork couldn't see anyone because of his commitment to the time stream."
"He could also see the future, Danny," Tucker spoke in Sam's defense. "Maybe he didn't start a relationship with Dan because he knew he would die eventually. D.J. might not have to give up his wife."
"Well, we are certainly nowhere near needing to worry about this," I said tightening my arms around Sam. "D.J. is only two months old."
"Danny's right. We have more important issues. We did this today so we could get back to living. Let's stick with the plan."
"Right now, the more important issue is with Dan. He hasn't lost anyone since the Nasty Burger accident. To him, that was twenty years ago. We have to make sure Plasmius doesn't become the dominate one again."
"He just needs support. You're right, though. If he tries to give up again, Plasmius will take over and we will have a whole other problem. He'll be okay, though. We won't leave him like he was left after our deaths in that other timeline," Sam said.
"Be there for him as a family would. Don't try to get him to move on. We don't need him angry at us."
"Of course not. What he needs is to know we're here for him. We need to find out if he wants to stay in the Ghost Zone or if he wants to come home with us."
Sam and Tucker agreed and we returned to the longue. Dan wasn't in the room anymore. "Where did Dan go," Sam asked.
"He wanted to be alone. What is his problem," Mom asked. "I get this Clockwork and him were close but he's acting…" Sam, Tucker and I must have given something away. "Oh."
"We've thought there was something going on for years," Danielle replied. "Those two are way too chummy if you get my drift."
"I don't think anything was going on," I said, crossing my arms. "I don't think Clockwork ever acted. Maybe Dan never even said anything. That could be a heavy weight upon his shoulders. First, he doesn't say anything to Sam and then he loses Clockwork."
"Regret lives forever," Jazz said, putting her hands in her lap. "That could be the problem. He's angered for not acting on those feelings."
"I'm not convinced they didn't have a relationship," Sam replied. "Just because Clockwork and Dan couldn't start magnetism doesn't mean they couldn't start something else."
"Okay, that image is worse than Meddling Minutes," Tucker said, shielding his eyes dramatically as he cringed.
"Shut it," I hissed between my teeth. I'll be damned if anyone else finds that damn cartoon. It's gone, adios, it's never coming back and only Tucker, Sam, Jazz, Valerie and I will know about it.
"Whether or not they had a relationship isn't important," Mom spoke up. "Dan lost someone he cared about. He needs us."
"Yeah, he does," I said, nodding my head. "Right now, though, he needs space. He knows he's not alone. He needs to know we trust him." That, to me, would mean more than sticking by his side. If we overcrowded him, even if it was an attempt to help him, Dan will only see it as us distrusting him. I will be honest with him and level my fears with him but if he truly knows me, he knows I do more than judge.
"Danny's right," Jazz spoke up. "Dan needs some space. He needs to know we support him, not expect him to fall apart."
"What if we do fear him falling apart," Sam asked. She released a slow breath. "Listen, I want to put full faith in Dan and say he'll be okay but let's face it, he doesn't handle loss well. Last time he lost someone, he turned his back on his responsibilities and separated the two halves of himself. There's a threat he'll do that."
"There's a difference between what happened ten years ago and what happened two months ago, Sam," I said, looking to my wife. "When the Nasty Burger blew up, I lost more than someone important in my life. I lost almost everyone important in my life. He turned his back on his responsibilities because he felt it was his fault they died in the first place. Dan is capable of riding this out but he's going to need support and trust. If he can't get that we trust him, we will lose him."
"If anyone knows Dan, it's you," Sam sighed. "If that's how you feel about it, I will go easier on him. I will not turn a blind eye, though. If I have to be front with my fears I will but I will not be taken by surprise. The last thing we need is to be reigning in Plasmius while we deal with the Forbidden Zone."
"I will be front with him," I answered. "He has to know we have doubts and fear. Telling him our insecurities from the beginning will erase some of those fears."
Jazz nodded. "Yeah. He needs to be told the truth. Lying solves nothing."
"We came here to discuss plans and prepare for the future." I clapped my hands together. "Let's get to work."
(04)
As we were preparing to leave, I waited until Sam and Tucker were busy before slipping away from the group. It'd only take me a moment so I should get away with this. I quickly made it to the prison division, breaking away from my family. My intentions would be unknown to everyone else. Only my warden, the arresting officers and I would know of this plan. The warden was sitting at his desk when I arrived.
"My liege," he said, coming to his feet. He bowed his head.
"I plan to lead the raid tomorrow. We will move swiftly, anyone obstructing will be arrested and no one is to know who is responsible. This bastard will not get away with touching my daughter."
"Of course, my lord," the warden nodded. "This information remains between us. Anyone breeching the agreement will be charged with treason. Princess Lilly, as well as anyone else, will never know our intentions."
"Thanks," I nodded. "I'll meet you here tomorrow morning, ten-thirty."
"I have the time keeper," the warden nodded. He was referencing the clock I gave him. It was digital so there'd be no dispute as to whether it was day or night. "I will gladly serve you."
"That will be all," I said. I walked away calmly but once I was away from my subjects, I darted back to my family. I would not let anyone know what I have planned. That bastard will be in an unknown portion of my prison. He's not getting away with this.
(04)
I had the children with me the next day. Sam had work and Mom and Dad were busy at the Headquarters and no one else could babysit. Lilly to Sammy were at school but no one available to watch Pammy or D.J. That meant I was on baby duty. Pammy was running through the chairs while D.J. slept in the bassinet by my desk.
"You are so adorable, Pammy," one of my students, Haley, cooed. "Whatcha doing?"
"Playing," Pammy replied, peeking her head out of one of the desks. She had crawled under the desk and peeked her head over the desk. She turned around, climbing on the chair. She leaned forward, resting her head on her hands. I thought I was going to melt; she looked so adorable.
"How did you have such an adorable baby, Mr. F," Allison said.
"She gets it from her mother," I said with a smile.
There were four girls in my classroom, which is more than average. I was supposed to lead the raid in Lilly's realm but now I had two kids I had to watch. I trusted three of the four kids here (Cindy would probably kidnap them) but honestly, I don't trust Pammy. She's got the bracelet on but Sammy taught her how to turn the bracelet off. She doesn't always remember how but my luck, she'd remember while I wasn't here.
Pammy ran away from the desks, coming to my side. I picked her up, sitting her on the top. Pammy put her hand in her mouth. "Dada," she asked me.
"Yes, wiggly worm," I asked, rubbing her hair.
"Cookie," she asked.
"You want one of Mommy's cookies," I asked. I opened my drawer, pulling out one of Sam's vegan cookies. They weren't bad, I have to admit. They weren't made with any vegetables; they just weren't made with traditional ingredients. Pammy took the cookie, chewing on it. I rubbed her hair again.
Allison stood up, coming around my desk. She peeked in on D.J. "He is so adorable, Mr. Fenton. How old is he now?"
"Eleven weeks," I answered. "He's doing great. He's a little mischievous, though. He learned how to manipulate us. I can already tell this one is going to be the most trouble of all our kids." I smiled down at him. D.J. is a little more advanced than his siblings were at this age. Only Lilly remains more advanced. D.J. knows how to use some powers. He loves to turn invisible and scare Mommy half to death.
"Aw, now, Mr. F. You know he's going to be a sweet darling."
"Yeah, right," I laughed. "He is my junior for a reason. My parents said he's me on steroids. He's going to be a handful." I smiled down at him. "Yes, you are."
It was almost time for this class to end. I didn't know what I was going to do. If this continues for the rest of the day, then third period is going to be a nightmare. I have to meet the warden at ten o'clock. The bell tolled and Allison returned to her seat. I decided not to use paper products for this assignment. Even I was starting to wean from the paper products. Tucker has created this great invention that turns the desk into a tablet. It almost looks futuristic, to be honest, but it's available for today. Only my parents have made it more accessible by making the desk nearly unbreakable, like the laptops.
Class went smoothly for five minutes and my students went to their next class. My second block arrived and I taught on the desktop tablets. When the five minutes was over, I disappointed the three students that stayed over. My two and I weren't sticking around. The three ended up staying in the classroom but they wouldn't get to see Pammy or D.J.
Being the king should bring some perks. I flew to the castle, dropping Pammy and D.J. off in the nursery. I went to the dungeon. "Okay," I announced. "We move now. I don't know if I can get another opportunity like this again."
"If you wish, sire," the warden bowed. He summoned those participating and we flew to the other realm.
(04)
In addition to the bastard that took Lilly, we arrested eight others. They would be released once their memory was swiped. No one would know about this besides those I trusted. I didn't fully hit a snag until I came home from school. I dropped the keys in the bowl to meet my wife in the hallway, Pammy on her hip. I left with Pammy this morning—crap! I forgot her at the castle.
"Care to explain why our kids were in the nursery," Sam said, tightening her grip on Pammy. She was my responsibility. Sam is so pissed right now.
"I had kids sticking around after class, honey. I'm sorry. I thought they'd be happier at the castle."
"You dropped them off at eight o'clock," Sam declared. "Honey, I would have watched them but we had politicians. We can't just pawn the kids off because we want to. We chose to be parents. I don't want our kids being raised by strangers. Eddie, Jake and Will are being done that way as it is!"
"Sam, they're not being raised by anyone else. D.J. and Pammy were dropped off for a few hours. It's not a big deal."
"It's not a big deal," Sam questioned. Oh, no.
"Okay, if it's a big deal to you then it's a big deal to me. I won't do it again. I promise."
"You'd better not. D.J. is two months old. I won't be having him going to the castle this soon."
"Okay," I nodded. "Allow me to cook dinner as a peace offering?"
"Fine. I'll accept."
I walked towards her, kissing her on the cheek. I rubbed Pammy's hair. "Sorry, wiggly worm. I didn't mean to forget you." Pammy giggled.
"Uh huh," Sam said, none too happy. I walked away in big bounds.
(04)
Two days later, Lilly discovered him missing. I feigned ignorance to the issue but I was busted. It didn't matter, though, because no one would find him. I locked him where the roaches wouldn't find him. Tucker and Valerie were married the next week so everything kind of worked out. We were dealing with Tucker and Valerie's absence and with the increase in ghosts, it was hard pretending that it wasn't affecting anything.
A little over a year after their wedding, Courtney was born. With the additional kids, the total was now at twenty children in Team Phantom. Sam and I had nine kids, Tucker and Valerie had Courtney, Jazz and Joseph had three, Danielle had the boys, Brit and Mikey had McKayla, Star and Kwan had three and Paulina and Dash had Rosalita. Our nest was busting at the seams.
September 2019, though, I heard about a request for two separate families to move to the area. With the Division owning everything, approval must be made before anyone can move into Amity Park. There were members who made those decisions but I was curious. Not many families relocated here. They were usually ghost hunters.
"One family is," Vic replied. He was in charge of security now. If anyone knew about these families, it'd be him. "She used to live here a long time ago so her and her family wanted to come here to help out. Both families used to live here but only one wants to join this district."
"Did the second family get clearance," I asked. They usually don't give clearance if they aren't wanting to help with the ghosts.
"Yeah," Vic said, surprising me. His voice even sounded surprised. Wasn't he the one who signed off on it? "I liked the idea of the Gates family moving here because their family was involved in ghost hunting. The second family though wasn't my decision. They were cleared without my input. I don't even know the name of the family. I was pretty much told it was none of my business."
"That sounds suspicious," I said. Vic and I were having a beer at C.J.'s. Sam had the kids today so I had the time after school. "How many people transferred here?"
"Two adults and three children for both families," Vic answered. "I know there are seven males and three females."
"How many per family," I asked. Sounds like one has a daughter while the other has all boys.
"I don't know. I know there are two adults and three children, that's it. I'm telling you, Radar, it's weird."
"I'll try to get to the bottom of it," I nodded.
"Don't sweat it," Vic waved it off. "You're the one who's asking questions. I know my place."
"Our place is to be informed," I said, standing up. I threw down the money for both of our tabs. "Thanks, Vic."
"No problem, Radar. Kiss the wife and babies for me."
"I will," I said, smacking Vic on the shoulder. We went our separate ways. This is strange. Who approved the second family's transfer and why? I went home.
"Hey, Dad," Doc asked me when I arrived home. "Do you think you could take us out for some ice cream?"
"Why not get some here," I asked, placing the keys in the bowl.
"There aren't any girls here. Duh," Jacky said, rolling his eyes. I snorted a laugh. Jacky and Jamie were twelve while Joey and Doc were eleven. I hardly think they're old enough to be thinking about girls. But they were.
"Okay. I can run you down to Elemer's," I said, picking up my keys again.
"Danny," Sam called out. Pammy's coming with us.
"Send her in," I called out. Pammy came running out of the kitchen.
"Daddy," Pammy cried. She was six years old. "D.J.'s not feeling well."
"Did he get sick," I asked, picking her up. I kissed her on the cheek.
"Uh huh," Pammy nodded. "Mommy says he'll be okay, though." With her, I don't know if she thinks that's a good thing or a bad thing. These kids are a handful.
"Of course he will," I replied. I jiggled my keys. "Let's go."
I took the five of them to get ice cream. We were waiting in line when I felt a tugging on my pant leg. I looked down. "Megan," Pammy called, pointing to someone. I furrowed my brow, looking in the sea of teenagers. I knew most of them but there was a girl in the crowd I didn't recognize. It wasn't Megan. Megan wouldn't be caught dead in that outfit.
"Doc, get your sister a cherry cone," I instructed. I picked up Pammy, walking towards the girl. She looked up abruptly, her brow furrowing.
"What—Dad," the girl asked. She eyed me. "Who are you," she asked after she realized I wasn't who she thought I was.
"Dawn," I asked, my eyes widening.
"How do you know my name," she asked. I covered my mouth, overcome with emotion.
"Oh, my God," I said, swallowing. "Your Vlad Masters and Daniel Rogers' daughter, aren't you?"
"That's my parents but Dad goes by the name Blue Masters now," Dawn answered.
"When did you move here," I asked. I couldn't come to terms with this. Vlad's back.
"A few days ago," Dawn answered. "I'm trying to make some friends."
"Do your parents know you're here," I asked.
"No," she said bashfully. "Dad would throw a fit if he knew I was here. They don't want me drawing too much attention to myself for some reason."
"Your fathers and I knew each other years ago," I said, holding my hand out. "My name is Danny but you can call me Red or Mr. Fenton."
"Your name is the same as Daddy's," Dawn asked. She looked just like Megan, even had her hair styled the same way. The only way I could tell the difference was Megan was more anal about what she wore. Megan was my diva daughter. Of course, this one is taking after her sister.
"That's why I go by Red," I nodded.
"I've never heard you go by Red, Daddy," Pammy asked.
"I used to when her daddy lived here," I answered, bouncing Pammy. "This is my daughter, Pammy."
"Hi, Pammy. I have a sister your age, just younger."
"Vlad and Blue had another child," I said, smiling.
"Adopted," Dawn said, looking down. "I have two younger siblings."
"I'd love to see them. Could you tell me where they're living," I asked.
"Sure. You can't miss it. They call it… Funtoneworks? No, that's not it. It's on…"
"Fentonworks," I declared. Well, that explains who gave clearance. Why would Mom give clearance to Vlad and Blue? I thought she'd never want to see Vlad again.
"Yeah, that's it," she declared. "The owners are renting us a few rooms for a while."
"Thanks, Dawn. It's really great to see you again, honey."
"Sorry I don't remember you," she gave me a shy smile.
"You weren't even a year the last time I saw you," I smiled. "I wouldn't expect you to remember me."
"Nice meeting you," Dawn nodded.
"Bye, honey," I smiled. I walked back to the boys. "Okay, I'm going to give you what you want. Call me when you want to come home. You kids stay out of trouble!"
"Of course, Uncle Danny," Jamie said.
"Behave and don't hit on that girl," I pointed to Dawn.
"She looks like Megan," Doc said, tilting his head. "Although…"
"It's not Megan," I replied. "Just don't hit on her. Make friends with her, but don't plan anything more. I'll explain later."
"Okay," Joey said, shaking his head. "Later, Uncle Danny."
"Bye, Dad," Doc waved.
"Behave kids," I said. I took Pammy out to the car.
"Later, Uncle Danny," Jacky said. I heard the boys exclaim happily as I left. I knew they'd want me gone.
(04)
I was so nervous when I pulled up to my parents' home. I hadn't talked to Vlad or Blue in twelve years. We have all changed. I didn't know what to expect in there. Would I even be welcomed?
I got out of the car, pulling Pammy out of the back. I walked up the steps, swallowing. I allowed myself inside, closing the door. No one was in the living room. I closed my eyes, sensing for a halfa. They were in the Ops Center. I took a shoot upstairs.
"Danny," Mom said as I arrived. I had shot right to where they were. It wasn't my intention but it served well.
I looked around the room to find Blue in a bed, equipment hooked up to him. "What's going on," I asked. I put Pammy down. "Go play."
I met Vlad's eyes and they held fear. "Hey, Red," Blue greeted me.
"Are you okay," I asked, walking to his bedside. He didn't look so good. He was sweaty and he looked weak. His signature was even weaker.
"He's destabilizing," Mom said, exhaling. "Vlad called us and asked for our help. We're trying to keep him together."
"How did you find out," Vlad asked, his voice soft.
"I was researching the two families that moved to Amity Park," I told a tiny fib. I was trying to find out who moved here, of course, but that wasn't how I found out. I wouldn't get Dawn into trouble. I forgot who I was around, though, and looked fearfully to Vlad. He had his full attention on Blue. "Are you okay, Vlad?"
"I don't know," Vlad said, sitting down. He held his head in his hands. "It's all my fault. We shouldn't have had Alexander. It was too much."
"Hey, I agreed," Blue said. "Everything is going to be all right, Vlad. I'm going to be okay."
"You had a son," I smiled.
"Yeah, and it just may as well kill Blue," Vlad sighed.
Vlad was really different. I liked it. "He's going to be all right. We'll get everyone on it. If anyone can reverse this, it's us. Danielle will probably be a big help."
"How have you been, Daniel," Vlad asked, looking up at me.
"I've been good," I said, taking a seat by him. "Sam and I have a huge family. Our youngest will turn four next week."
"How are the girls," Vlad asked. "I've thought about them so much over the years."
"Lilly is fourteen. She's in my class now so she's highly embarrassed. Megan gets it next year."
"Has Sam taken good care of them," Vlad asked me.
"The best," I nodded.
"I've missed you," Vlad said.
"I've missed you guys so much," I said, screwing everything. I pulled Vlad to me, hugging him tightly. "Blue is going to be all right, Vlad. We won't let him die."
"Red," Blue said firmly. I stood up.
"Shut up, Blue," I retorted, bending down to his level. I hugged him tightly as well. "You're family. I love you guys. I've missed you three."
"You don't have feelings for Vlad still," Blue asked me.
"Of course I do but it's not the same. A lot has changed, Blue. I'm not as weak as I used to be."
"To be honest, I didn't want you to know we were here. I didn't want to come in the first place but your parents are the best chance for my survival."
I knelt down in front of him, resting my hands in my lap. "It's over, Blue. Vlad and I both regretted our choices that day. You don't have to separate yourself from family anymore."
"I'm not staying. If I survive this, we're going back. I made myself perfectly clear. If Vlad wants to stay, that's his choice. The kids and I are going back to Connecticut."
"That's the reason Vlad left," I said, furrowing my brow. "Were you the reason he cut off complete contact?"
"Danny," Mom said firmly.
"I can't believe you, Blue. How could you force the man you love to choose? I know he betrayed you but you should have been more understanding. Vlad didn't deserve that."
"It's okay, Daniel. I made him that way, quite literal. Blue only did what I forced him to do."
"Vlad, Danny, can you two please step outside. I need to do some tests. I need Blue completely calm to perform these tests."
"Then don't send my husband out with his ex-boyfriend," Blue objected.
"You, cool it," I declared. "We won't do anything. Vlad is happily married and so am I. I promise, strictly professional."
"Uh huh," Blue added drily. "Maybe you won't get together but I don't believe it's going to be strictly professional. You're going to catch up."
"Strictly family, how about that," I gave him a smirk.
"Take the baby with you. I know you won't do anything with your daughter with you."
"I'll take Pammy with me," I rolled my eyes. I walked away, Vlad following me. I picked Pammy up from the coloring table, settling her on my hip. "This is mine and Sam's fifth born. Her name is Pamela Madeline Fenton."
"She and Lilly share the same middle name," Vlad observed.
"Yeah, well when I named Lilly, I thought she'd be my only child," I said, dismissing it. "I couldn't change either girl's name so I gave them the same middle name. They don't mind. There's a lot we share in this family."
Vlad took the lead, taking me to the bedroom units in the Ops Center. He walked the entire time and I found that astonishing. He opened the door, showing me a room where the occupants were living out of a suitcase. I noticed the two ghosts I sent from the castle sitting in mid-air. "You remember Faustus and Laelius, right?"
"Of course. How have you been," I asked.
"My lord," the two called, falling to their knees. "Congratulations on ascending to the throne," Faustus said.
"Thank you," I nodded. "Please, raise up. There's no need for that."
"Master Vlad, is Duke Blue all right," Laelius asked.
"There's been no change. The Fentons are running some tests on him."
"I am so sorry, my lord," Faustus bowed. I guess with Vlad and Blue getting married, Vlad's a duke now. Oh, brother.
"Thank you," Vlad nodded. "You two may take the rest of the afternoon off. Please return by dinner."
"Of course, my lord," Laelius bowed. The two flew away.
"This is Alexander," Vlad said, pulling a small child out of a crib. He was very young.
"Hello, Alexander," I said, rubbing his head. "He's beautiful, Vlad. Congratulations."
"Thanks," Vlad said, sitting down in a rocker. "We haven't had a lot of time with him. Blue hasn't even breast fed him yet. I thought I was going to lose him, Daniel, when Alex was born. He was sick during his pregnancy but when he went in labor," Vlad closed his eyes, holding the small child to his chest. "He started to melt, Danny. Blue was dying in front of me and there was nothing I could do. I had never been so scared in my life. I was so scared my children would grow up without a mother."
"Did everything turn out all right? How did the birth go?"
"Blue was too weak to deliver so I decided I was going to phase my hands in his womb and take him. There's an anti-ghost coating along the uterus walls and I couldn't phase the baby out. The only thing I knew to do was overshadow him. I sent Dawn and Mada out and Faustus and Laelius helped me. It was like I delivered Alex. Oh, boy, Daniel, if I knew that's what it was like, I would have never knocked you up all those times."
"Yes you would," I playfully retorted. "So you gave birth."
"In a way," Vlad nodded. "I've assumed the mother role. I breastfeed Alex now."
"Really," I said, raising an eyebrow. "You can do that?"
"I can," Vlad conceded. "It's terrible."
"It's not so bad, is it," I asked. "I didn't get a chance to breastfeed Doc. I tried for a while but he just couldn't do it. I tried to express my milk and feed him that way but it didn't work. After a while, I dried up."
"Doc," Vlad said, smiling softly.
"Daniel Reginald Fenton," I nodded. "Doc."
"It's beautiful," Vlad smiled.
"So, who's this Mada?"
"Madeline Daniela Masters," Vlad spoke softly. "Mada, honey, come here?"
"Yes, Dada," Mada bounced over. She wore an oversized dress, her black hair in piggy tails. She wore white strips of ribbon in her pig tails but I could see something on the surface.
"This is Danny, you can call him Red. He's a friend of ours," Vlad introduced me.
"Hi," Mada smiled. She noticed Pammy. "Who's that?"
"That's my daughter. Pammy, come here, sweetheart."
"Yeah, Daddy," Pammy asked, bouncing over to me as Mada had earlier.
"This is Mada. Why don't you take her downstairs and show her the play room?"
"Can I show her the aquarium room, too," Pammy asked.
"Sure, just don't fly her places she can't go herself."
"You can fly," Mada asked. Both of our girls looked to their respective father. I nodded and I saw Vlad do the same in my peripheral vision.
"Sure can, come on," Pammy declared. Pammy began to fly, phasing through the floor. Mada phased as well, giving chase.
"They're going to be good friends," I smiled. "So, I've got to see this. Breastfeed him."
"I never got to see you breastfeed," Vlad fake pouted.
"I never got to get you pregnant. We're even."
"Fine," Vlad playfully groaned. He removed his shirt with one hand while holding the newborn with the other. He shifted the baby until he was in front of the nipple and I watched Vlad's breasts balloon. I have to say it was quite satisfactory to watch it. The newborn attached in fervor. Oh, yeah, this was justice.
"Don't take that for advantage, Vlad. I used to hate it, too. They grow up so fast."
"Dawn is twelve. I can't believe it."
"I know. It seems like they were just toddlers yesterday and now Lilly is fourteen and Megan is twelve. It happened so fast."
"Fourteen, huh? Has she had any boyfriends?"
"No. She's looked, that's for sure. I can always tell when she's alone with a boy. She'll get her work turned in before the end of class. She tries to trick me but I know what's going off."
"I'm really sorry, Daniel. I never realized how much I screwed up."
"It wasn't just you, Vlad. I did you so wrong. You deserved to be happy but I kept getting in the way of that. I forgive you, Vlad. Will you forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive," Vlad said, looking gently to me.
"There is. I'm so sorry, Vlad. I should have never put you through that."
"Daniel, I was more to blame than you. I don't deserve your forgiveness. You never had a chance that day. I had been planning a way to make you mine again and it almost worked. Thanks to the keeper of the stars, though, that my plans always seem to fail."
"Sam thought you planned Megan's disappearance. Did you?"
"For the most part. I started transporting her to the island so she could know where to go. I never told her to transport there, I didn't know she had transportation, but I knew that was the key. To fool you, I couldn't have any contact with her. The plan was to be there for you and awaken those feelings. When you died, I thought all was lost. I thought my big payoff was going to be a deathbed confession. Hardly a big winner. But you came back and you had those feelings awakened in you, stronger than I ever hoped for. When we did that, I realized what a fool I'd been. I will always love you, Daniel, but nothing like I love Blue. He's my soul mate, not you."
"I know how you feel," I smiled. "I'll always love you, too, Vlad, but nothing like I love Sam. You made a mistake, Vlad. I think it worked out in the end. We're both happy. Isn't that the important thing?"
"But I nearly killed our children and did get you temporarily killed," Vlad objected. He flinched. "Hey, watch it, jaws!"
I laughed. "He doesn't have teeth yet. That is pure gum."
"Give me a baby shark any day," Vlad groaned.
"As I was saying, you made a mistake. You've learned from it and it turned out okay in the end. It's not like I haven't screwed up either?"
"What do you mean," Vlad asked.
"Preparing for this war," I said, hanging my head. "Knowing the kids are going to be involved, knowing the possible outcome of Sammy's future; the future isn't looking so bright."
"Just have faith, Daniel. I know you can do anything you put your mind to."
"Thanks, Vlad," I nodded. Alexander slowed his drinking. "I think he's falling asleep."
"Thank God," Vlad said, breathing out. He removed Alexander from the nipple and held him carefully in his arms. "I want to meet your kids."
"Vlad," I said softly. Vlad looked confused. "You can meet them. I have no problem with it, but you probably know about their memory. Lilly and Megan don't know who you are and we've never told them. I'm so sorry."
"I know that, Daniel. I'm not stupid. I told you to tell Sam to adopt them. That's what I wanted. I never imagined them forgetting me, but after watching Dawn and now watching Mada, I knew. It's okay."
"I just wanted you to know. I'm so sorry, Vlad. We never intended on them forgetting you. We did plan on telling them. We just haven't yet."
"I'm only a friend. I swear," Vlad said, holding up his hand.
"Thank you," I nodded. Maybe, if Vlad is still around, I'll tell them when they're older. I know we will tell them Sam isn't their mother when their older and tell them of their parentage. I just don't know if I'll give names.
We got the girls and took Vlad's two and Pammy back to my house. Vlad rode with me, never once using powers. Has he really given them up? I know he said he overshadowed Blue but that was an emergency. It's like that was the only time he used powers since he left.
I went into the study to see Sam before she could see Vlad. As I was explaining to Sam, trying to catch her up to speed, I heard Lilly's voice. "Daddy!"
"Lilly," I called, panicked. That wasn't a fearful voice, though. She sounded excited. Sam and I ran to where we heard her scream and Vlad was hugging Lilly tightly.
"I can't believe it's you, Daddy," Lilly exclaimed.
"Lilly," I asked. Lilly turned to me, releasing Vlad. He stood there, shell-shocked.
"What are you doing," Megan demanded. "That's not Dad!"
"I'm sorry," Lilly said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've known for a while. I was just so surprised."
"Did you get your memories back," I asked.
"Back," Lilly asked, furrowing her brow. She turned to Vlad. "Did I know you from before?"
"She doesn't remember. She found out," Sam said, crossing the room. Sam actually hugged Vlad. "I am so sorry about Blue. How is he doing?"
"The same," Vlad said, looking down. "You look beautiful, Sam. Ghost powers look good on you."
"Thanks, Vlad. It's been too long."
"Megan, Lilly, come here," I said, bending down to one knee. My girls surrounded me. "I wanted to wait to tell you girls this but somehow Lilly found out. Since Lilly let that cat out of the bag, I'm just going to tell you two. I don't know what I'm going to tell Doc yet, so can we keep this between us?"
"Sure, Dad. What's going on? Why did Lilly call that man daddy?"
"Because he is," I said, sighing. Megan's eyes widened and I knew what she was thinking. "You are still mine, Megan. Sam isn't your mother. I am."
"What," Megan asked, confused.
"Patrick told me," Lilly said, looking down. "He used to tell me why I was special to him. Why he chose me. He explained it to me."
"Both sexes of a ghost can reproduce, Megan. You know how Mommy gave you the birds and the bees talk. Guys can do it, too. Vlad lived here until twelve years ago and he was a part of your lives. Vlad and I had an affair before Doc was conceived and we both regretted it. Vlad's boyfriend, Blue, demanded that he make a choice. We lied to you girls about William. William is Sam's. Sam got pregnant a month after I did. We slipped up and we weren't ready to tell you the truth. We decided to bend the truth but frame it so that you'd understand. It's not about blood or biology. Those that love you make up your family."
"I can't believe this," Megan said, looking hurt. "All this time and you've been lying to us."
"No, sweetheart. Sam is your mother. No matter who carried you, Sam is your mother. When Vlad left, it hurt you. To spare you the pain, we stopped mentioning him. As you got older, you started to forget your younger years. One day, you saw a picture of Vlad and asked who he was. We never intended on letting you forget. That's just what happened."
"So I knew before," Lilly asked.
"I want to know who Patrick is," Vlad demanded.
"Later, Vlad. That's going to take a lot of explaining."
"So… you're my dad?"
Vlad shook his head no. "I gave that title up a long, long time ago." Vlad took in an abrupt breath of air. "Sam, could you maybe…"
"Sure," Sam said, taking Alexander from Vlad's hands. Sam held him just as still as Vlad was. We've spent many a night holding our children like this instead of letting them sleep in a crib. It helps when they're sick.
Vlad bent down, placing his hands on his knee. "You are so beautiful, Megan."
"I don't care what you did in the past. Dad's right. Family is those that love you. I'll ask you again. Are you my dad?"
"I'm family but I'm not your dad," Vlad replied.
"I can have more than one dad," Megan replied, running into Vlad. Vlad hugged her tightly as Megan started to cry. Vlad rubbed her hair, tearing up himself.
"I've missed you so much, Megan. I'm so sorry, baby. I've missed everything."
"Please, don't leave," Megan whimpered. "I knew our family felt incomplete. It's because of you. You're not here. Please, stay, Dad."
"I want to, baby," Vlad said, trying not to cry too hard. I could see him taking shallow breaths and looking off in the distance. Nothing worked, though. He continued to cry. "I screwed up, Megan, and now I'm paying the price. I can't lose Blue, Megan. I'm so sorry to put anything above you and your siblings."
"Do you not love me as much as you love Megan," Lilly asked softly. She looked about to cry.
"No," Vlad said, pulling Lilly in. "I love you all equally. I love you so much."
"Is that what's wrong with them," Sammy asked. She was nine years old so she was starting to grasp things. She knows I'd rather have dental work done with Ectoranium tools than see her fight a ghost but I do so anyway. She knows she's weaker than the rest. She knows Lilly, Eddie, Jake, Megan and Doc feel different than Will, she, Pammy and D.J.
"There's nothing wrong with any of you," I said, bending down to Sammy's level. "Ghosts have a way of identifying family. When you sense Lilly, Eddie, Jake, Megan or Doc, you sense a core that's made up of something familiar and something unfamiliar. When you sense Will, Pammy, D.J., or yourself, you sense two halves distinct that are familiar. That's because you know mine and Mommy's core but you didn't know Vlad's. Sense Vlad now and sense either Megan or Lilly and tell me what you sense."
"I can't believe it," Lilly replied. "He's right. That's the difference. All this time, I was comparing them to mine. My core was the foreign one."
"This doesn't change a thing, though," Sam spoke up. "I don't care who your biological parents are. I am your mother and Danny is your father. You can call Vlad Dad if you want, I have no problem with it, but you won't be calling Danny your mom again, Megan."
"I called Dad Mom," Megan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"When you were just months old, Vlad told you about your parentage. You didn't know back then either. You were so young, you thought you only had room for one mommy and one daddy in your heart. That meant you disowned Sam and called me Mom. You were young and confused and that's why I didn't want to tell you. As you got older, you started to understand that just because I carried you didn't mean I was your mom. You started calling Sam mommy after our wedding but you called her mama Sam and me mommy. Then you started calling her mom and me mommy. By the time you were two, you called me daddy all the time."
"I'm sorry, mommy," Megan said, breaking away from Vlad. She ran to Sam and she picked Megan up. "I love you the same, Mommy. I know I have room now."
"I know you do, sweetheart," Sam said, kissing her cheek. "I love you so much, Megan."
"I love you, too, Mom."
Lilly grabbed Vlad's hand and pulled him to me and Sam. "We're all a family. I love you all." Lilly kissed each of us, even Megan who protested. Sam and I laughed, Vlad chuckling afterwards.
"Where's Doc," Vlad asked.
"He, Jacky, Jamie and Joey went to the ice cream parlor. They're hitting on girls. They should be home soon. The boys will stay over here until Jazz and Dani comes and picks them up."
"Who's Joey," Vlad asked.
"Jazz and Joseph's oldest son," I answered. "He's a year younger than Jacky and Jamie and almost two months older than Doc."
"My, my, my, Jasmine was involved in a teen pregnancy."
"Yep. He was born after she graduated but before she turned twenty. We're all bad influences. Only Sam and Valerie didn't have a baby in their teens but Sam almost had William and the kids used to think Sam had Lilly at fifteen."
"Don't count yourself as a bad influence. It wasn't your fault."
"So help me if you tell them," I growled under my breath.
"No. I don't mention it anymore. I've forgiven myself. There's no point in torturing myself with the past. I've faced those demons and I won."
"Good for you," I smiled.
"What about Maddie and Jack? Did you win against those demons?"
"I think I earned their respect. After Maddie stabilized Blue, she beat the hell out of me for earning her respect, but she said she forgave me."
"Really," I said, my eyes wide. Never thought I'd hear that.
"Really. It's in the past, though, so I don't bother with it. I have too much to look forward to in the future to live in the past."
"Man, oh, man, is this a different Vlad," Sam said, smirking.
"I have changed. I made one stupid mistake and nearly destroyed both of our happiness. Daniel was only lucky that he had a girlfriend that was as smart as you are. You knew who was responsible all along."
"Yeah, I did," Sam nodded. "I know Danny. I still can't figure out how you knew Megan could transport but you had it planned from there. Megan still doesn't transport."
"I can transport," Megan declared.
"You did once," I remarked. "But it's in the past. Let's leave it there."
"Fine by me," Sam said, hooking her arm in mine. For the first time, Vlad was able to stand there and not get upset. He's finally moved on.
"You two look beautiful," Vlad nodded.
"So, did Blue wear the gown," I asked, crossing my arms with Sam's still in the bend.
"Not at the ceremony," Vlad smirked. "He did however treat me that night."
"Okay," I said, flinching. "I don't need to know that."
"And we have babies in the room," Sam said, equally as disturbed.
"Your daddy wears dresses," Pammy asked Mada.
"Only when they want alone time," Mada responded, causing us to laugh.
"I see you sat your kids down too," Sam laughed. "We didn't want any interruptions. With this many children, it's best to take precautions."
"I'd say," Vlad laughed.
"When can we meet your husband, Dad," Lilly asked.
"He's sick now, Lilly," Vlad said, looking to her. "When your grandparents give a green light, we can see him for a while."
"What's wrong with him," Megan asked.
"Girls, you know Danielle's story, right," I asked. We've explained it to everyone. Each time Mom and Dad blow up like a blow fish but we have told everyone.
"Of course. She's your clone but we consider her your sister," Lilly answered.
"Blue is the same way," I said, uncrossing my arms. I put my hands together nervously.
"Daddy's husband is your clone, too," Megan declared, looking to Vlad. "Man, you have separation issues!"
Vlad laughed. "Yes, I did. Your father is a wonderful man and I didn't know how to deal with the fact I had lost him. I wanted to hold onto a piece of him so I cloned him again. Instead, I fell in love with the duplicate more than I ever loved the original. We don't call him a clone, though. Blue is Daniel's brother."
"Really," I asked, raising my eyebrows. "I thought he liked friend."
"Friend didn't cover it. You two were so much alike that it was easier to see it as you were twins. We tried for a while to pretend he was you all along and the memories I gave him was how it happened but it didn't work. I didn't remember it like that so we made up a new cover story. Amongst ourselves but a cover story nonetheless. You two are twins and you and I dated first. I met Blue and you met Sam separately and we went our separate ways."
"Of course that's how you remember it," Sam said, rolling her eyes. "Couldn't you have said that you and Blue were together from the beginning and one day, Blue was away on business and your love had grown cold and you decided to find comfort in each other. You could even say Danny and I had a fight and that's why he had an affair with you when he was with me."
"I'm sorry, Sam, I love you dearly now but you still stole my man," Vlad said. He gave us a smile afterwards.
"Not funny," Sam said, shaking her head. We chuckled.
"It's in the past, remember. I don't want the fight revived you two."
"It won't be," Vlad said, walking up to Sam. He kissed her on the cheek, touching her shoulder that Alex slept on. "Thank you for stealing him. I have the life I always wanted now." I saw a jerk in Vlad for a split second. "Where's Dawn?"
"Uh, she, uh, she went to the library," Mada badly lied.
"That girl," Vlad declared. He pulled his cell phone out. A moment later, he was very upset. "Megan Dawn Masters, get your butt home right now!"
"Dad," I heard Dawn squeak.
"We told you not to go out, young lady. What if you were seen?"
"I'm fine, Dad. I'm just having some ice cream with some friends."
"Ice cream," Vlad said, looking to me. I gave a shy smile, knowing I was busted. "Are you with twins Jacky and Jamie?"
"How did you know my new friends' names," Dawn asked.
"I'll call Jacky," I acknowledged. I pulled my phone out, walking away from Sam and Alex.
"This is the Jack-ster. Your doctor of love," he purred.
"Hey, doctor of love," I greeted.
"Uncle Danny," he panicked. "It's… for a project at school. The unstable hormones of teenaged girls."
"Yeah. The only unstable hormones I know of are yours. Are you with that girl, Dawn?"
"Yeah. We decided to make friends with her. She's really cool."
"Her Dad is on the phone with her right now and he wants her home. Can you tell her I can arrange for her to get a ride home? I'm calling transport service."
"I'll tell her," Jacky said and I could tell he had his doubts. I nodded.
"Thanks. They'll be there soon."
"Yeah. Thanks," Jacky grumbled.
I hung up the phone, giving Vlad a thumbs up. I pulled out my communicator, sending a message to DHQ to pick up the boys and Dawn. Vlad focused on his conversation. "Those boys you are with are the kids of a family friend. I want you to come home with them."
"You want me to go home with a boy," Dawn asked and I fought not to laugh. I saw Sam cover her mouth as well.
"Just this once," Vlad declared.
"Sure, Dad. If it's okay with you, I'll get a ride with them."
"Good girl. Now, don't you go hitting on those boys."
"What's the difference between them and any other guy I might like," Dawn scoffed. "You never approve."
"This is a unique situation, Dawn. I'll explain everything when you get here."
"Whatever," Dawn said. "Bye."
"She sounds cool," Megan declared. "You named your daughter after me?"
"Your father didn't tell me what he had named you," Vlad said, looking down. "Blue and I decided on Megan Dawn but she goes by Dawn. We'll explain more when they get here. There's more." Vlad looked to me.
"There's no other option," I said, sighing. "Once she sees her, she'll want answers."
"She looks like you, Sis-sis," Pammy said.
"You saw her," Megan asked.
"Pammy thought Dawn was you but when I saw her, I knew it was Dawn. That's how I knew Vlad and Blue were in town."
"Yeah, investigation my ass," Vlad scoffed.
"I was doing an investigation," I objected.
"Language," Sam declared.
"Sorry. I ran a bank through the recession. I cussed a lot in 2008. SOBs would not listen to me. The entire branch nearly went under had I not intervened. They made me CEO eight months later."
"Are you rich again," I asked, furrowing my brow.
"I could be," Vlad nodded. "Blue and I donate seventy percent of our funds… well, we did before Obama decided the rich needed to pay their fair share. They took my share and half my ass, too."
"Hey, we need those funds," I declared. "I hate my taxes too. It's painful every April but I know it's going to a good cause. It's keeping people safe for at least another fifteen years."
"If we don't stop this spending, we will be going the way of Greece, though. How are we going to protect people if America is nothing but a memory?"
"It's too late to turn back," Sam said, crossing her arms again and looking down. "The best we can do is keep pushing forward until there's nothing in front of us. When we fall, we'll pick up the pieces and reform the world."
"You know we're on the road to self-destruction," Vlad said, his eyes widening. "Are you insane? Turn this damn thing around before there's nothing left!"
"There is no way to turn it around," Sam said, her eyes still down. "Prepare, Vlad. There will be a country here but it won't be strong enough to look after everyone. Those not prepared will not make it."
"I can't believe you'd steer the country in this direction. Daniel?"
"We didn't have a choice, Vlad. It takes too much money to fund these portals. We have too many people on active duty. As it is, the salaries are a quarter of what they used to be and we don't pay for ghosts anymore. We've cut out all the waste we could. It came down to protecting the world until 2035 or having a country in a world overrun by ghosts. We can protect the people for at least another fifteen years and we think it could be longer. When the energy crisis hits, the food shortages begin or the financial market collapses, it'll be too late but who knows how many millions we've saved in that time."
"But how many millions will you sentence to die," Vlad accused. "The least you could do is warn people. Give them a fighting chance! There are people out there that can't feed themselves in good times. What do you think is going to happen when no one is there to help them?"
"They'll die," Sam said, hanging her head. "We know, Vlad. We are setting up shelters and we are creating entire communities for people to flee too. We're not leaving them to fend for themselves. We just can't give them any warning. The last thing we need is mass panic."
"Communities," Vlad asked.
"We've marked locations out for people to flee too. It will have ghost shields and there are already Division G agents keeping it up. It's like Halfa Island without the island and without the halfas. It's for people. Maddie and I came up with it after we vacationed on Halfa Island. We had this retreat where our family would be protected. Getting to it will be difficult but it's there. We thought the people should have an escape to the same kind of safe haven. There are one hundred and fifty of them around the world."
"They're called Gates, aren't they," I asked. This is the first I've heard of this.
"How did you know," Sam asked, turning to look at me.
"I've dreamed of them. They become civilization hubs in the future. We don't know locations by cities or states. Estelle didn't know where California was or even what it was but she knew where the Grand Canyon was."
"Maddie and Jack developed the bunkers for the genocide attack so we started to plan where to put them worldwide. We were talking and it came up that there will be millions of people who couldn't live on their own. At first, we thought about storing food. You know, the MRE's but it wasn't enough. We have those for immediate use but we have seeds in storage vaults and we have gardens already being tended. We wanted to be prepared in case the gardens are compromised."
"At least you're doing something," Vlad said, sighing. "Have you taken into consideration big city commutes, though? People in rural areas will have time to reach these places but the cities will be gridlocked. That could make the people fleeing targets."
"Cassandra and I have discussed it," Sam replied. Cassandra was on the board, too. "She likes the idea of transit trains for emergency exits but we haven't come to a consensus. We're not sure what kind of conditions we will be facing. I have suggested putting bunkers in the big cities to house the refugees and transport them ourselves. Samuels seems particularly against that idea."
"He's probably against the idea of evacuation plans, too," I remarked. "We will be fighting ghosts when this happens. We won't have any additional agents to spare to evacuating civilians. I might be able to talk to Samuels. We can hash some ideas out."
"He loves working with you," Sam rolled her eyes. "Every time we get into it, he reminds me he'd rather have you on the board then me."
At that moment, I heard D.J. begin to cry. "Mommy!"
Sam sighed. "Would you mind," Sam asked me, looking back to Alex sleeping on her shoulder. She looked to Vlad. "Sick toddler." I nodded, taking Alex from Sam gently.
"Sick," Vlad asked, furrowing his brow. "He's a pure halfa, isn't he?"
"Yeah," I answered as Sam went to check on D.J. "The kids get sick for about a day. Doc is the exception. He can be sick longer."
"What did you do, Daniel," Vlad whispered.
"What," I asked, furrowing my brow. "When did I do what I did? What are you talking about?"
"Doc? Why does he get sick longer," Vlad asked, looking pale. Does he know about Doc? Maybe Sam told him but I thought he didn't read minds anymore.
"I didn't find out I was pregnant with Doc until I was three months along. I done a lot of bad things and he nearly died. We saved him but just barely. He's weaker than Lilly and Megan because of that and his healing abilities aren't that strong. He gets sick a lot. His lungs were undeveloped, he was malnourished, his powers are constantly low and it takes a long time for him to power up; he's just a lot weaker because of my behavior. It wasn't like Lilly, Vlad. I couldn't recover. With Lilly, I was stressed and not eating right. With Doc, I was severely depressed, not eating, not sleeping, overworked, and on top of that, I was taking hits on human fear. The hits was reacting like drugs in a normal pregnancy. It was bad."
"I'm so sorry, Daniel. I really thought you'd go home after a few days, maybe another week. I never imagined you holding out."
"I wouldn't have went back out if I didn't know I was needed out there. If I had known what I know now, I would not have left again. On one hand, I was pregnant and my son needed my full attention but on the second hand, I wasn't enough. I thought I could stop them. I thought I could save the planet single handedly. I was wrong. The only good thing I did was I found out about the hot spots. We would have lost everything in 2012 if I hadn't found out about the natural portals opening as soon as 2007. That was all, though."
"That's not true," Sam replied and I looked to the steps. She had D.J. on her hip, a thermometer in his mouth. "If you hadn't gone out there and found the demis, thousands of women would have died. Thanks to you, we have a way to save their life. Thanks to you, we have more help in the war."
"What are demis," Vlad asked.
"Born from a human and a ghost," I replied. "They are literal half ghosts. They feed on life so when a human gets pregnant with a ghost's baby, the baby literally sucks the life out of her. Thanks to an executive order passed in 2013 disguised under gun control, anyone who has the symptoms of being pregnant with a demi is redirected to us. We had our first set of twins born two years ago and the mother survived. We're working on triplets next. As of right now, when multiples are detected, the mother is given a choice of terminating all but one of the fetuses or risking the pregnancy. Most time, the others won't survive the birth but the off chance that two does, the mother is at risk."
"How are humans having ghost babies," Vlad asked.
"We still have portals undiscovered," Sam answered. "The ones we have discovered after 2015 have so far been in really remote areas. We discovered one in an underwater tavern. Most appear in the sky but some have been known to open in unusual areas. Ghosts escape into the Real World and they'll rape or even have relationships with humans. We had one ghost who returned to his widow and he got her pregnant. He didn't even penetrate her. I'm sure your familiar with the way I'm speaking of."
"Yes, I'm familiar," Vlad said, giving a knowing smile. Sam checked the thermometer.
"You have a hundred and one fever, D.J. You're going to be okay."
"I want you to hold me, Momma."
"I've got you, baby," Sam said, bouncing him up and down.
"Why don't you heal him," Vlad asked.
"He's already got healing powers," I answered. "It's rare for a second healing to help. Sam can boost his own healing powers by holding him but it's not healing. She is literally purifying his blood of the virus or infection. The kids will try to heal them when someone is sick, especially if it turns into a two day flu. For the most part, it only speeds up the healing but they still don't feel good for a while."
"I don't think Dawn or Mada has ever got sick," Vlad said, furrowing his brow. "That's probably Blue's doing. The man is a worry wart."
"So is Sam," I pointed out. "They don't stay sick for long, Vlad. They're probably healed by the time you get home from work and if they aren't, they will be better before school. You probably don't realize it."
"I'll have to ask Faustus and Laelius. They may know something."
Sam, Vlad and I looked to the exterior wall. "The kids are home," Sam replied.
"Here goes everything," I said. I motioned to Megan. "Honey, come here."
"Why," Megan asked, walking over to me. "What's wrong, Dad?"
"This is going to be confusing," I said, rubbing her hair. I picked her up and put her on my hip, holding both Megan and Alex. She may be twelve but she's still my little girl. Her friends weren't around so she didn't object.
The door opened and Doc, Jacky, Joey and Jamie walked in the door. I heard the car pull away as Dawn walked in, looking around the place in shock. "You live here?"
"He does," Joey said, pointing to Doc. "We only wished we lived here."
"Wait until you see all the cool places," Jacky declared.
"Dad, put me down," Megan whispered. I put her down and she walked slowly towards Dawn.
Overwhelmed by our house, Dawn hadn't noticed her twin.
"Oh, hey, Megan," Jamie said, smiling at his cousin. "What's eating you?"
Dawn looked to Jamie but when she saw him looking at someone else, she looked as well. I held my breath. Dawn stopped, taking an abrupt step back. The two girls walked towards each other, the door wide open. Megan and Dawn reached their hands out, touching each other.
"Is this a dream," Dawn asked.
"I've never dreamed not knowing who you were," Megan whispered.
"Me either," Dawn replied. Dawn was cautious while Megan was in shock.
"Your name is Dawn, isn't it," Megan asked. "Your birthday is the same as mine, a minute before. You are terrified of spiders and yappy dogs. When you form a shield, you lift your left hand despite it not being necessary."
"And your name is Megan. You have a fascination with spiders and have always dreamed of owning a yapping dog. You lift your right hand when you form a shield."
"How is this possible," Megan asked, turning to us. "I've dreamed of her my entire life! Explain!"
"Daddy isn't a twin, Dawn," Vlad began. "I cloned him from his DNA." He pointed his hand to me. "When I got Daniel pregnant with Megan, I duplicated out and impregnated Blue. You two are basically the same kid. You're twins."
"I can't believe this," Dawn said, shaking her head. "I've had dreams of her. At first it was just her but then we were together. I can't believe she's real."
"Me either," Megan said, tears filling her eyes. "All this time, I've had a twin sister."
"All this time, I've had a twin sister," Dawn repeated, her own voice filled with wonder.
AN: Tell me the truth, did you ever imagine Vlad returning? :) Also, if you haven't read Eternity, it might be best if you read Chapter 3. It compliments this chapter.
Let me know your thoughts. Review please.
This story will conclude next Tuesday. It's been wild, guys!