Danny rocked nervously on his feet back and forth as he waited for the door to be answered. Soon, Samuel opened the door to stare surprised at Danny. Samuel had came in to drop off Clara. He was staying at a hotel on the outskirts of Green Grove.
"Lacey is at Blake's house, Danny." Samuel explained as he waved Danny in.
"Yes, Sir. I realize that." Danny inhaled deeply as he walked into the foyer of the Porter home. "I wanted to speak to you and Miss Judy."
Judy had been curled up on the sofa talking to Samuel about Clara's weeks with him. She also spoke to Samuel about her new relationship with glanced up with a puzzled look on her face. Samuel stood behind his ex wife and shrugged showing his own questions of Danny Desai being in their home when Lacey was not.
"Have a seat, Danny." Samuel suggested as he sat down beside Judy.
Danny licked his lips nervously then let out a breath of air. "I wanted to ask your permission to date Lacey again. Before you protest." Danny's eyes glanced between the parents. "I love Lacey. I guess that isn't news. I've not earned her love back. I've messed up a lot. I realize that. But I'm really trying now. I'm trying to change. With Lacey's help, I know I can. I'm not asking her hand in marriage. I'm asking to date her and enjoy having her as a girlfriend."
"I see." Samuel clasped his hands together. "Do you realize how we feel about that?"
"Yes. Sir." Danny swallowed but looked Samuel right in the eyes. "That is why I'm asking this time around, Mr. Porter. I don't want to go down the same path as Lacey and I did before."
"And if our position hasn't changed on the matter, will you sneak to see my daughter as you did before?" Samuel slid his hand to hold Judy's. They were divorced but had come to an understanding now that both were moving on from the pain of their marriage.
"Honestly, no. I care for her as I've mentioned. However, I know that having a relationship that is riddled with lies and deceit won't work." Danny smiled slightly trying to ease his nerves. "Frankly, sir. I know she deserves the best. I am far from that. However, Lacey loves me too. I can't promise that I can take her to the most expenses places or that I can buy her elaborate gifts. She hates that kind of thing." Danny chuckled knowing he was rich and could do just that but it wouldn't help with Lacey. She wasn't the type of girl to let trinkets and baubles sway her. "However, I can promise you that I will do my very best to make her happy."
Danny pressed his lips together before going on. "I won't pretend that I'm an ideal guy for your daughter. I know what kind of man I've been but I also know what kind of man I want to strive to be."
"And what is that young man?" Judy sat up rubbing her thighs. She looked at the young male calling himself a man when he was only a teen boy. Judy had became close to Danny as he withdrew from the drug abuse. There was something special about Danny. She understood how easily her daughter could fall for the charismatic teen. However, Judy also learned something else while helping care for Danny. She realized his life was riddled with hardships that no teen should face. She realized he was a boy but felt like a man.
"A man like Blake Simms." Danny smiled a little broader. "One with good ethics and morals. Sir and Mam, I've messed up all my life. I'm sure that is no secret to anyone. My morals have lacked all my life too. I'm changing that now thanks to your daughter. I'm trying to understand things. I don't expect you to open your arms to me. However, I am asking for a chance to prove myself."
"What if you hurt her?" Judy sat back against the couch and crossed her arms over her chest. She cared for Danny but Lacey was her first concern.
"Miss Judy, I don't plan to. Before, I wasn't trying to hurt Lacey. I was trying to hurt myself. I refuse to play the pity card with you. I don't need that. However, life is full of hurt. You can't protect Lacey from life. She will make her own mistakes. I hope I am not one of them. I want to show you, my mom, God…" He wasn't sure why he used God in the equation. He didn't believe in God. Right? Danny paused to stare straight into Judy's eyes. "..but mostly to Lacey, that I am a changed boy. I say boy because I've tried to be a man far too long. I want to be a teen boy now. A boy that dates a lovely girl named Lacey Porter."
"What do you think, Judy?" Samuel didn't want Lacey to date Danny However, he didn't want to push his daughter away anymore. He had done enough of that since divorcing his wife. His daughters deserved the dad he had forgotten to be.
"I respect you for coming to us first. I will give you that chance." Judy breathed out. "Please don't let us down, Danny."
"I'll try not to." Danny stood up to leave. He shook both Judy and Samuel's hands. He turned to leave but turned back around with a slight smile. "Now, I have to convince Lacey to give me another chance."
Danny shook his legs nervously up and down. He stared over at Lacey She was giggling to something that happened on the tv screen. Miriam and Cole were debating something about the script details.
"Danny, are you okay?" Lacey whispered when she saw his far off look.
"Ummm." Danny scooted closer to Lacey. He glanced to Miriam and Cole then back to Lacey. He pulled her up and out of the room towards the kitchen. Once he got to the kitchen table, he finally spoke again. "I was wondering if from now on I can be your date to all the dances?"
Lacey furrowed her eyebrows and scrunched up her nose with a giggle. "What are you saying, Danny?"
Danny popped his lips and took Lacey's hands. Why did he feel so off his game? He'd been with her before. Yet, here he was nervous about asking Lacey to be his girlfriend again?
"I was really jealous of you with Isaac. I know you're only friends." Danny blew out air from his lips. "I love you, Lace. I am asking for you to give me another chance. I want to be your boyfriend."
Lacey leaned up and captured Danny in a quick, simple kiss.
"Is that a yes?" Danny smirked as he wrapped his arms around Lacey;s waist.
"It is." Lacey tiptoed as Danny bent down. Their noses rubbed against each other. "Promise me that you will not be with another woman but me not even if your blackmailed." Lacey chuckled revealing her dimple as she made the statement in jest. "I want to wait until marriage for sex. If you are going to date me and be true, you'll have to wait with me. If not, this won't work because I'm not ready to try to understand all my confusion with sex and sin. Promise me...this time will be different."
Danny smiled at the fact that Lacey was giving him another chance. Lacey and Danny weren't taking anything for granted this time around. "I promise."