Disclaimer: I still don't own Danny Phantom as it's the property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Viacom International. I am just a loyal fan and nothing more.

Unshattered Bonds

Chapter 17: Danny's doubts

In the castle

Morning

It was precisely 6 in the morning in the human world and Prince Daniel Plasmius has just gotten out of bed, not having a very good night since the dreams of the strange woman continued. It made him so confused.

Why was he so fixated on a woman that he had never even met before...and why did it feel like he DID know her?..

For a really, really long time...

"Rise and shine my son..."His father Vlad had arrived along with his mother, sister and the many of the servants to get him ready.

"Oh I see you are already up...eager to be married now...'Vlad said with a proud grin.

'I cannot believe this day has finally arrived..."Maddie said, though the look on her face seemed more in disbelief than happy.

His sister didn't talk and just looked disinterested, as if wanting to get on with this.

"Not really..."Danny thought semi-bitterly as he still couldn't believe that he let his father and Paulina convince him to go through with this, and that his mother sided with them.

He could still recall what went on yesterday at the engagement party, when they announced their intention to move the wedding up.

FLASHBACK

Last night at the engagement ball

His father had just made the grand speech, along with the announcement that the wedding would be tomorrow. Naturally it caused a lot of talk. Paulina was currently clinging to his arms as she kept bragging to her many high society friends about the wedding.

"Oh, Paulina, this is so romantic!..."Some red haired girl he didn't even recognized gushed.

"You both will be so happy..."A blonde girl in a fancy red dress said with a look of envy.

"Of course, we will...We're the perfect pair, aren't we darling?..." Paulina said as she turned to her future groom.

"I...I'll be back in a minute..."Danny said as he excused himself as he went to his family, needing to talk to them

He looked around and saw his father talking to his mother and sister, though his mother looked a little upset about something, though he wondered what they could be talking about.

"The young prince in question would not arrive to them until after they finished their conversation, and thus, he did not hear this exchange between his mother and the man he believed was his father. Maybe if he did, he would have seen just how messed up things were.

Vlad, I respect you but this is pure insanity!...'Maddie whispered to him, not wanting to make a scene but wanting to make her point.

"Now Maddie dear, Paulina and Daniel have made their decision...They want this..." Vlad said as he took her hand.

"But it's too soon! My baby boy isn't t ready yet! I'm not ready yet!...'Maddie said in desperation.

Vlad felt bad for her, he didn't want to see his beautiful queen upset, but this was business and he had to make her understand.

"Darling, Daniel is NOT a child anymore! He is a man and come tomorrow morning, he will be married and as his parents, we have to respect his and his bride's wishes..." Vlad said to her but she kept frowning.

"No...No...This is too crazy..."Maddie said as she was about to go.

"And where are you going?...'Vlad said as he took her hand to stop her.

"To find my son and Paulina and talk some sense into them...They have lost all of their senses..."Maddie said seriously.

"No! I'm sorry Maddie but I can't let you do that...'Vlad thought in desperation. He could not allow her to give Daniel ideas, especially with all of the circumstances with Ember still being transported to Walker's prison, where he will go to after the party to make sure she would no longer be a threat to his plans.

He quickly pressed his remote control that gave him the power of Aphrodite, and immediately pulled Maddie into a passionate kiss, sticking his tongue down her throat to keep her from leaving. His preferred method to fixing her when she begins to act out of line.

"Oh...Oh Vlad..."Maddie soon found herself melting into the kiss, despite being in a public place. She was so taken with the kiss, that she even ended up forgetting the entire situation as her husband and king dominated her mouth.

No matter how often they have had fights, Maddie could always feel such...passion whenever he kissed her like this. It always made her forget about her worries...or her sadness whenever she missed her first husband Jack.

Vlad soon parted from her and Maddie just gave him an infatuated look, clearly gone from the world for the moment. He smirked at that, loving every moment of this.

"Now my darling, I only want to give our son what we have...Don't you?..." Vlad said in a soothing voice to his queen.

'I...Of course I do..." Maddie said, still in a daze.

"And we DO want to have grandchildren don't we?..." Vlad said, while on the inside he didn't even care for such a thing.

"Yes..."Maddie agreed.

"Then the wedding couldn't come at a better time...' Vlad said as he kept his arms around her and held her close, making sure she would keep agreeing with him.

"I...I guess you are right..." Maddie said in a drawl as she only looked at him as his heart kept pumping fast.

"Of course I am, darling...' Vlad said as he pulled her into another kiss.

"Mother...Father..." Danny called, a look of embarrassment at watching them kiss.

He couldn't explain it but...watching his father kiss his mother was always a little unnerving to him...Sure most people would be grossed out by their parent's making out but...he only felt unnerved, which was strange to him since they were suppose to be his parents.

'Oh hello dear, enjoying the party..."He mother said, still having that strange look on her face whenever she kissed his father.

"I...I have to talk to you both..." Danny said, needing to this.

Suddenly he felt two arms around him and he realized Paulina has rejoined them.

"There you are pumpkin, I was looking everywhere for you..."Paulina said as she playfully kissed his cheek.

"Paulina...'Danny whined since he wasn't very comfortable with her doing that in front of his parents.

" Oh you two...I can't believe tomorrow is finally going to be the big day..."His mother said weirdly.

"I wanted to talk to you about that...'Danny started.

'Oh...Danny, tomorrow you'll be married...I hope the best for the two of you..."Maddie said with that strange smile on her face.

"Why thank you, mother..." Paulina politely curtsey to her, happy that things were going her way.

Danny on the other hand, was upset but tried not to show it.

"Even she's on board with this?...'Danny thought in disbelief and a little dread. He had been hoping he could talk to his mother and have him convince his father that tomorrow was too soon for the wedding.

His mother was usually more understanding than his father was but it seems she wanted him to do this as well...

"Anyway come on darling, I love this song..."Paulina said as she tried to pull him to the dance floor.

"Have fun you two...'Vlad said.

"We will father..." Paulina said cutely, while Vlad tried not to roll his eyes at that.

"Come on darling...'Paulina insisted as she tried to pull him.

"Yes, dear..." Danny said as he found himself dancing with his fiancé and the entire ball room was watching him.

He never liked this much attention, and tomorrow it will multiply when the wedding is broadcast everywhere all over the world. His father and Paulina would make sure of that. He sighed as he continued to twirl Paulina as they continued to dance and mingle for the rest of the evening.

End of Flashback

That was how it all went down, he had tried talking to his father again after the party was over but he kept insisting that he had to go through with this and that in the morning, everything would be alright.

If that was so, why did he feel like he was about to VOMIT?!

The wedding was in exactly four hours and he felt his hands clammy, his stomach quesy and he felt a little dizzy as well. it was just TOO SOON, he need more time but his father and Paulina kept insisting they had to have the wedding now but...but...but...

'Excuse me everyone...I would like to speak with my father alone for a moment...'Danny said to his servants.

They all turned to Vlad who nodded, excusing them for the time being. Danny also asked his mother and sister to give them a moment as well, which they complied and left the room as well. Now Danny was alone with the man who raised him, trained his ghost powers and who was the only father he has ever known.

"Father..." Danny started timidly.

"Yes, my son..."Vlad said and Danny knew he had to do this.

"I...I have to talk you about the wedding...'Danny started.

"Oh don't worry, I had the entire staff work all night to prepare everything...You and Paulina will have everything you want and more...'Vlad said with a hand wave.

"But...I was thinking that...don't you think it's too soon...to have the wedding now...I still would have preferred waiting a month...'He explained.

'Son, we have gone over this last night and I told you that the best time to have the wedding is now...' Vlad said with an impatient look on his face.

"I know but...but...but..."Danny stuttered now, which was getting on Vlad's nerves and he just sent him a fake smile to get him to listen.

"Now my son, it's alright to feel nervous but there is nothing to be worried about, everything will be perfect...'Vlad insisted.

"But...I only proposed to Paulina less than a week ago...and...it feels like everything is moving too fast...'Danny pleaded, hoping his father would understand his feelings and help him out of this.

"Son, don't tell me your experiencing pre-wedding jitters? Don't be nervous...The wedding will go off without a hitch..."Vlad said, while on the inside he was frowning.

He had to get him married to that spoiled brat in order to keep her off his back and fulfil his deal with her. Only then he could rule the world but the two of them leaving him be.

"Daniel, my father always used to tell me "why put off this tomorrow, what can be always done today"...'Vlad lied smoothly.

'What does that even mean?...'Danny asked in exasperation.

"It means that there is really no reason not to have the wedding today, the alter has been prepared, the guests will be arriving soon, the bakers and the florist had worked all night to perfect everything for today and everything is all set, including your bride who in just 4 hours will be waiting for you at the alter..."Vlad pointed out.

"But...'Danny tried to think of a counter but the glare his father sent him made him quiet.

"You love the girl, don't you?...'Vlad said to his heir.

Danny was going to say yes, but suddenly an image of the ghostly girl with blue hair flashed through his mind, in place of Paulina. He didnd;t understand why he couldn't stop thinking of her.

"I..." Danny hesitated and Vlad noticed and he quickly but discreetly pressed the button on his remote control in his pocket, the one that controlled Aphrodite.

Danny felt a strange feeling when the images of the girl were replaced by Paulina again...though oddly enough, he didn't feel the usual fluttering in his chest as he always did when he thought of his fiancé. He certainly felt something for her but... he didn't know how to explain it.

"Yes.."Danny answered, since he knew it was the answer his father wanted.

"Then, why are we arguing about this?...The moment you exchange your vows with Paulina, everything will be perfect...'Vlad said.

Danny wanted to argue more but he knew his father and his fiancé were dead set on having the wedding now. He felt so unprepared but maybe he was being a little selfish here. Was it really right to ask Paulina to not have the ceremony now just because he was getting the jitters? His father said this is what he needed, Paulina wanted this so much, his mother seemed to be siding with his father and...he guess he really should just go through with this.

He did want to marry Paulina, right? so he might as well do it now...right?

"Yes father...'Danny said, though he still felt his stomach queasy.

"Marvelous, now let's get you cleaned up and dressed, we are waiting precious time...'Vlad said as he ordered the servants to come back in and drag him off to prepare him for the wedding.

There was simply too much to do, especially getting him in that uncomfortable tuxedo Paulina had ordered for the wedding...Which was too soon as it is!

Later

At the Sanchez Estate

Paulina had woken up at the crack of dawn, her excitement of today was what fueled her. She was simply over the moon for the fact that in just a few short hours, she was FINALLY going to marry Danny and have all her dreams come true.

She had bathed in the finest bath oils and delicate applied all of her beauty products for this day, had a light breakfast before brushing her teeth to make sure nothing marred her pearly white teeth for today. She then spent the rest of the day being tended by the family servants to prepare her for the biggest, most important day of her entire life.

Her wedding to her beloved ghost boy.

"I cannot believe that it's finally here...'Paulina thought as she admired her reflection in a mixture of triumph and joy.

She was the vision of beauty in the flesh, now more than ever. Her wedding dress was perfect, her hair was styled in beautiful waves, her makeup was professionally done and her diamond tiara made her teal eyes sparkle even more. She was beautiful and now at long last, she was finally getting everything that she deserved.

She looked so perfect...She IS perfect!

"Oh mija, I cannot believe this day has finally arrived..."...Her mother said trying to fight back tears and not risk ruining her own makeup.

"Oh mama..."Paulina said, feeling so happy right now.

Everything was going to be perfect today.

After so many horrible years of pain, humiliation, abandonment and poverty, she was finally going to achieve her destiny and marry the ghost boy that she has loved since she was only a girl of age 14. She had her beauty and weath back, her parents loved her and Danny was all hers now.

"Perfect...'She thought as she smirked internally as her mother continued to gush over her.

"Miss Sanchez, it's time to put on your veil..."One of the servants said and Paulina frowned hard at that.

"No...It is NOT Ms. Sanchez, it's Mrs. Danny Plasmius..." Paulina said, though on the inside she tried not to cringe at how that sounded.

She still thought Mrs. Danny Phantom had a nicer ring to it, but whatever, she would settle for it since all that matter was that Danny now belonged to her and no one else.

In just a few hours, he would be all hers...forever.

Back with Danny

The groom to be was now alone in his room, he had eaten breakfast, received more words of encouragement from his father and was now dressed in his tuxedo, with the instruction of not to do anything to wrinkle or get it dirty before the ceremony. So here he was, waiting in his room as he awaited for his father to tell him when to get down. He still had a couple of hours before the ceremony, and he felt his anxiety eat him up.

He tried to pass the time by watching the big screen television in his room but practically every channel was talking about his wedding and he just gave up and turned it off. He wanted to talk a walk in the garden to distract himself but his father forbade him.

"That suit cost a king's ransom! I will not have you risk getting dirt on it!...'He recalled his father's angry voice say to him when he suggested doing that.

He then decided to go play some pool in his game room in the castle, but his father forbade it as well.

"You're hands get sweaty when you play that game and we can't wrist you getting sweat stains!...'He had said as well.

He even decided to just go and wait on the patio but his dad wouldn't even let him do even that.

"It's breezy this morning and we just got your hair to be perfect!...'He shouted at him.

With no more alternatives, he decided to just wait in his room until he was needed for the ceremony, and he still felt so scared and nervous.

"Am I making the right choice? Father said this is best for me but..."Danny felt so stressed out right now.

He loved Paulina...at least he thinks he does. He has been with her for many years and now they were going to get married and become husband and wife and spend the rest of their days together.

As a teenager, he had dreamed of marrying Paulina, he remembered the first time he saw her and was mesmerized by her beauty and he had been so happy when she returned his feelings and became his girlfriend. After so long, it was only natural to take the next step, since he loved her.

He did love her...right?

He had been with her for so long, and despite how high maintaining she could be, he knew that she loved him, even when they first started dating.

"Why am I like this?..." Danny thought, as his thoughts turned to that thief girl and why she was in his dreams lately.

He just didn't understand why he was so fixated on her. Maybe she messed with his mind since she did try to steal from the castle, overshadowing one of his maids in the process. He felt angry that Kate the maid had been possessed but he didn't feel as angry as he knew he should have been.

If anything, he just felt.. curious about that ghost girl.

For one thing, she was beautiful in the most unusual way. She had chalky white skin, glowing green eyes and he was really fascinated with her fiery blue hair. She was a full ghost obviously but she was still attractive. She had a punk like look and dressed in a dark blue leotard with gloves and boots...Normally he wasn't a punk fan but the way that leotard showed off her legs was-

'Wait? What am I doing? What am I?! A pig?!...'Danny berated himself for the direction where his thoughts were heading and toward a woman he wasn't even engaged to and didn't even know at all.

This was his wedding day and in exactly two hours he was due at the aisle and here he was thinking about another woman. Oh Paulina would have killed him if she ever found out about this!

"Oh man, maybe father was right and I am just getting wedding jitters...'He muttered in distress as he tried to forget about that strange girl and tried to think about Paulina and how soon, she was going to be his wife.

"Wife...'Danny thought about that word.

Paulina was going to be his wife, she has been his girlfriend for years but his fiancé in such little time. After today, everything would be different

Absolutely everything.

DAYDREAM

A slightly older Danny, maybe in his thirties or so had just returned from a diplomatic mission on his father's behalf. He had just arrived to his family's castle and was greeted by his beautiful wife and princess, along with their children, a boy and a girl respectively.

"Hello father..." His children greeted politely.

"How was the trip darling?..."His wife Paulina asked after she finished kissing him.

"Everything went exactly as father wanted it to..." He answered

"Wonderful, well let's go out and celebrate to Le Etoille..." Paulina said.

"Actually darling, I had a long trip and I am a little tired..." Danny said only for his wife to send him a look

"But darling, the children and I really wanted to go celebrating with you..."Paulina said, with a sad look in her beautiful eyes.

Danny sighed before nodding, realizing that she really wanted this. The sad look was gone and she smiled widely.

"Wonderful...'Paulina said before pulling him into another kiss.

"Now children, go get dress... We will be leaving in about half an hour..."Paulina ordered, their children obeyed and the crown prince and princess were alone together.

Paulina wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer in her embrace but the man wasn't even sure he felt anything anymore, but he wouldn't say that.

'I really missed you..."Paulina said as she nibbled on his neck, but it didn't make him feel anything.

"I know...'Danny said as he continued to feel her sensations.

"You know...We still have about half an hour before leaving and...as I said...I really, REALLY missed you...'Paulina whispered hotly in his ear.

Danny soon found himself following her to their bed chambers, where he was about to..."fulfill" his duty as a husband to her. As he closed the door and was about to lay in bed with his wife, he thought about his life and family.

He and Paulina have been married for years now, he had two beautiful children and she loved has loved him as much as she did when they first got married. He was considered the luckiest man in the world by everyone. He was the crown price, heir to the throne, married to the most beautiful woman in the world who absolutely adored him and he had two beautiful children who would carry on his father's legacy and he was happy.

He really was happy...that's what he kept telling himself that is.

End of Daydream

Danny shook away that very strange day dream, confused by it in totality. Of course he wanted to have children and have a long happy life with the woman he loved. He would be the luckiest man alive if he had that.

But why did that daydream seem...that he was feeling...He didn't know what it was but he didn't like it.

It looks like his pre-wedding jitters were just getting worse...especially when more thoughts of that girl came to his mind, along with another day dream. He imagined holding her in his arms again as he did last night, staring into her beautiful glowing green eyes and feeling...so many feelings he never felt before..

"No! Stop it! Paulina is the one I am suppose to love! I am MARRYING her today and that girl means NOTHING to me!...'He thought stubbornly as he tried to control himself.

He shouldn't be having these thoughts and fantasies. That strange ghost girl wasn't anything to him but a stranger and even then, she was a thief and being taken to prison. Paulina has been his love for nearly a whole decade of his life. He belonged with HER and no one else! He knew that!

"I need some air..."He muttered as he decided to open a widow, thinking that the fresh air would help clear his mind and that he would be able to get a hold of himself.

He would just wait here until it was time to the wedding and he would NOT keep thinking about that strange ghost girl.

He was marrying Paulina and he loved her and only her. His father was going to officiate the ceremony and no matter what, he only wanted what was best for him and this was going to be the greatest, most important day of his life?

Right?

To be continued-

Next time on Unshattered Bonds

The Infi-Map

A/N: First of all, Happy Mother's day everyone!

A/N(2): Poor Danny...Ember didn't make an appearance here but she will in the next chapter, so stay tuned.

REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:

Invader Johnny: You got that right.

Feurrige: Thank you, I'm very flattered.

Meilstoer: Nice way to summarize the situation.

:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)