Summary: A mother's love for her child is a powerful thing.
Characters: Maddie and Danny
Prompt: Maddie (and kids)

Day Twelve

Jack was a mess. An absolute mess.

Maddie sighed at the memory of Jack panicking, running around in a crazy rush like he didn't know what to do. It was their second child. They went through the whole giving birth thing once already, but Jack acted like he couldn't remember how everything was supposed to go. Maddie decided it was probably best for him to wait out in the waiting room and watch over their daughter Jazz for the duration of her labor.

It was longer this time than when she had Jazz, and she felt drained when it was all over. Maddie smiled down at the little bundle of joy in her arms, all pink and wrinkly. Daniel. They decided on that name easily after learning the sex of the baby. Her precious baby boy.

When the door to her room opened, Maddie turned her smile toward it, expecting her husband and daughter to come in the greet the newest member of their family. Instead a strange man entered, his long graying hair tied back in a low ponytail. He looked much too young to have his hair starting to turn gray. His hands were shoved into the pockets of the long white doctor's coat he wore.

"Who are you?" Maddie questioned, her smile falling into a frown as she watched the man come to stand by her bedside.

"I just wanted to greet the special boy on his day of birth," the man explained with an eerie glow to his eyes. A fond smile spread onto his face as he stared down at the baby in her arms. "I'm sure he'll accomplish many great things."

"Of course, he will," Maddie replied stiffly. "He's a Fenton, after all."

The man turned his eyes onto her, and the way he stared at her made her feel cold and naked. "And you'll love him?"

"Of course!" Maddie snapped indignantly, insulted by the mere question. Her violet eyes narrowed at him. "I'm his mother. I'll always love him."

"I hope you remember that." After a sad twitch of his lips, the man turned to leave the room. He passed by Jack and Jazz as they entered the hospital room, not giving the man even half a glance.

Fourteen years later, the memory danced in her mind as Maddie gaped at the teenager lying on the ground before her, the barrel of her gun directed right at his heart. Blue eyes gazed up at her pleadingly as blood seeped down the side of his head from a bad gash he received after being slammed into the wall.

"Oh, my precious baby boy," Maddie whispered in shock as her arms fell slack at her sides. All this time! And she never once noticed it.

"Mom, I-" Danny's voice failed him as he bit down hard on his lower lip, his gaze falling away from his mother.

At his voice, Maddie started, coming back to herself. She dropped to her knees at his side, drawing him into a hug despite the way he jerked away from her touch, like he was terrified of her. "I love you, Danny. For always. No matter what." She buried her face into his raven hair. Slowly, tentatively, Danny's arms circled around her body, hands clutching at the teal material of her jumpsuit.

Author's Note: Happy Mother's Day everyone~ =)

midnight: Thanks~ =) Yeah, poor Boxie~ D: Poor guy never gets taken seriously, but at least his little girl loves him~