Thank you to everybody who read or left Kudos for the last section. I appreciate it.

Chapter 81: You do realize I'm an adult?

Extremely early morning in New York on September 18, 2010

Fashionista Marc: [7 Images attached]

Fashionista Marc: We're safely in our hotel room with baby Jade. Thankfully, I did not run into my mom. I was afraid that Victoria would bring her as a special guest.

Fashionista Marc: Fortunately, that didn't happen, and Hillary kept Victoria far away from us because she's terrifying. Anyway, I thought you would want to see a few pictures from tonight.

Mandy Cakes: I'm glad Victoria didn't do that. You look fabulous, by the way. Justin sent pictures earlier, but none had Jade with you. Is she wearing a matching dress? That's adorable.

Fashionista Marc: Yes, she's wearing a matching dress. She wasn't wearing that when we dropped her off. I feel like Brianna is to blame.

Mandy Cakes: Probably. So, what else happened tonight? Did you meet any celebrities?

Fashionista Marc: A few, but I spent most of my time brokering a deal with the Crimson Diamond Group. Cliff is the one who has celebrity pictures. He knows a lot of people from his work. I'll probably send more later once we've moved into the new place.

Fashionista Marc: Also, when I'm not in danger of possibly falling down. I want to get out of his suit and cuddle with Cliff.

Mandy Cakes: You have no idea how happy I am that you're actually acknowledging that now. You two were so exhausting during your denial phase.

Mandy cakes: Wait, that's this weekend? Are you going straight from fashion week to moving to your new house?

Fashionista Marc: Yes, we're moving immediately. The new place has security. With Victoria acting the way she is, it's for the best.

Mandy cakes: That's true. That woman is a mess.

Mandy cakes: I got video of Thursday's incident with Cory from DJ. He's very susceptible to a good bribe.

Fashionista Marc: Good to know. Although that was on TMZ.

Mandy cakes: Not the version I saw. Vicky definitely tried to hit Cory. Thankfully my cousin kept her from doing it.

Fashionista Marc: Victoria did try to start something last night with Matt and Cal Hartley's new girlfriend. Hillary Malick kept it from escalating. I think somebody got video of that.

Mandy cakes: I'll look for it when it's not in the middle of the night in New York.

Fashionista Marc: Also, I think you need to talk to Daniel about your suspicions sooner rather than later. Matt said some things tonight that make me think you might be right.

Mandy cakes: What did he say?

Fashionista Marc: I mentioned your dog biting the reporters. Afterward, I overheard Matt and Corey having an entire conversation in French. He was apprehensive about how his coming out would affect you and would check in with Daniel to ensure you were OK. He regrets not waiting until the babies were delivered to come out.

Fashionista Marc: Maybe his concern is because he still cares about you and doesn't want you or the babies hurt.

Mandy cakes: But it also makes it seem more likely that Victoria switched the paternity test, and he knows.

Fashionista Marc: Matt is still in contact with Daniel, so Daniel may also know.

Mandy cakes: And because Victoria is fucking dangerous, I should talk to Daniel.

Fashionista Marc: Yes.

Mandy cakes: They should have told me. I've been worried for months that I screwed up my favorite ship by getting pregnant by the wrong person.

Fashionista Marc: I know you are worried about that. They were trying to keep you safe. But you're right; they should have told you.

Mandy cakes: I don't like people keeping stuff from me. I could've gone along with the plan too.

Fashionista Marc: Maybe they were worried the extra stress would have impacted the twins. You weren't doing well when you went to London.

Mandy cakes: I understand not telling me back in June, but what about now? I've reached the OK point for delivery even if I got pregnant in January and not December.

Mandy cakes: Now I think my doctor knows too. She probably wants me to go until my actual due date, not the Daniel knocked me up in December due date.

Fashionista Marc: That seems likely.

Mandy cakes: They are idiots. I should have been told.

Fashionista Marc: I agree, but we want to keep you safe. The fewer people that knew what Victoria did, the better.

Mandy cakes: Knowing how dangerous the situation is will help me stay safe.

Fashionista Marc: You didn't tell people about the death threats. You tossed the roses in the trash the first time without even taking a picture.

Mandy cakes: I did tell Daniel about the death threats.

Fashionista Marc: [exasperated emoji]

Mandy cakes: Eventually.

Fashionista Marc: When it started happening more.

Mandy cakes: I need my decaf tea before having this argument.

Fashionista Marc. We'll talk more after I get some sleep. I will try to get Jade to sleep for a couple more hours. I'll text you more once I'm done with moving. Possibly Sunday.

Mandy cakes: Good, you can tell me how last night went, and I can tell you how much I screamed at Daniel in two hours.

Fashionista Marc: You should have Candy film it.

Mandy cakes: I will as soon as I find out if she knows Daniel is not my twins' daddy.

Fashionista Marc: You probably want to ask Daniel first. That way, his assistant cannot warn him.

Mandy cakes: You're right. I'll let you know what happens later.

Fashionista Marc: [2 images attached]

Fashionista Marc: Jade says night-night. We love you.

Mandy cakes: I love you guys too. I can't wait to see my God Baby.

Fashionista Marc: While you'll get to see mine this weekend.

Mandy cakes: This is true. I will send pictures.

XXX XXX XXX

Matt #6: I just wanted to check in before I turn in for the night. Marc mentioned something about Amanda's new dog biting reporters. I wanted to make sure she was OK.

Matt #6: I should've considered what the press would do to her before deciding to do the Player article. I'm sorry for not thinking about that earlier.

Matt #6: Things went so long at the ball that it's a decent time to text London. I just got back from the venue. Too many people lingered.

Daniel Amanda line: The dog thing happened Thursday when the article dropped. Per Candy, they mostly stayed away yesterday. However, I think Monique's aunt made one of the paparazzi cry. Lawyers may have also been involved.

Matt #6: I've met her aunt a few times, and that seems about right.

Matt #6: She is as terrifying as Vivian.

Daniel Amanda line: I'm going over for brunch with Baby William in a few hours. I'll let you know how she's doing. But the twins will probably come here sooner rather than later. We will know more when we see the doctor Tuesday.

Matt #6: If the babies come, Monique plans for me to have a sudden business trip, possibly to fill in for you on paternity leave. Tyler will also be making his way to London. He's the official chaperone for the kid's field trip along with their teacher Stephanie.

Daniel Amanda line: Smart. Best that she doesn't realize you're spending more time with Austin.

Matt #6: After tonight, or rather yesterday, I don't think that matters. Tyler threatened to go to the press about being a Hartley, and Dad backed him up. Also, was there actually a vote about Tyler using the last name Meade? That caught Victoria off balance.

Daniel Amanda line: Yes, there was a vote. Especially since the rest of us are dropping Meade, we thought it would be good to have someone carry the name but not necessarily the genes. DJ wants to become a Mead-Suarez with me.

Daniel Amanda line: Mercedes texted me pictures of them together. She says it's just a friend thing. And your father wasn't a dick? That seems to be his default setting.

Matt #6: Cal was on his best behavior, probably because of the new girlfriend. I'm as shocked as you are. Mercedes and Tyler sat at Victoria's table.

Daniel Amanda line: I'm sure that went badly. I will text Tyler and Mercedes later. Mercedes might tell me what happened.

Matt #6: Aunt Brianna rescued him during the first course. Mercedes spent half the night hiding in the bathroom with Antonella. We're all glad Victoria left early after Ryan started dancing with Victoria's escort. I saw them kissing in one of the alcoves later. I was tempted to take a picture but restrained myself.

Daniel Amanda line: Good for him.

Daniel Amanda line: Did the Vulture say anything Tiffany related?

Matt #6: No, although I did hear enough that I will ask my dad to get a security guard for Andie, the new girlfriend. Victoria is not a fan and doesn't believe she's a doctor.

Matt #6: [3 images attached]

Daniel Amanda line: Is Victoria reacting badly because his new girlfriend is Black? Your dad actually looks happy in those pictures.

Matt #6: Of course it is. I know there are at least two reasons why Victoria hates my new boyfriend. Also, I just found out my parents divorced, not because of the large amounts of infidelity but because Dad caught Victoria being abusive and racist to Aunt Brianna.

Daniel Amanda line: I'm sorry.

Matt #6: It is what it is. I have accepted it. The sooner we have Victoria in jail, the easier it will be for me to get on with my life.

Daniel Amanda line: Is there anything more on Tiffany?

Matt #6: The last update I got was before the party. The cadaver dogs haven't found anything yet. I'm trying to decide if that's a good or bad thing.

Matt #6: We're talking to Austin in the morning. I want to get at least a few hours of sleep before then.

Daniel Amanda line: OK. I'll send you an update on Amanda later.

Matt #6: Thank you. I want to make sure she and the babies are OK.

Daniel Amanda line: I know.

Daniel Amanda line: Although she is, I think, a little upset that you're moving on.

Matt #6: I didn't expect to find Cory. It just happened.

Daniel Amanda line: I'm the last person who will criticize somebody for moving on too soon. Technically I was engaged to Betty less than a year after Molly's death. Sometimes you have to find happiness where you can.

Matt #6: You want Amanda to be happy too?

Daniel Amanda line: Yes.

Matt #6: I get that, and I want that as well.

XXX

London, a few hours later

"Hey, I brought William and brunch," Daniel said as Candy let him into the house. Thankfully she grabbed the two bags filled with pancakes, French toast, and other brunch goodies. He already had his hands filled with William. The toddler was unhappy that mommy was working and left him with his almost brother.

"You could have cooked here," Beck said once they were in the kitchen. He was off to the side feeding his daughter. "Breakfast is one of the meals I know you know how to cook."

"He took cooking lessons with Betty's father, so he can cook most meals now." Amanda joked from the side.

"Finding the time to do it is another issue. Also, the smell of eggs cooking makes Amanda throw up. I thought it would be easier on everybody if breakfast were cooked somewhere else. Sumreen will be here soon with the drinks and fresh fruit."

"I appreciate you not cooking eggs around me. Morning sickness being a first-trimester thing is complete bullshit. So was calling it morning sickness." Amanda lamented from the counter.

"You're not throwing up near as much as you did when you first arrived." Daniel is very grateful for that.

"Because we know all my triggers. Give me baby William. I want to cuddle." Daniel quickly handed William to her.

"My daughter has been here the entire time," Bex commented.

"Your daughter threw a blueberry at me. Again." Amanda glared at the two-year-old. "You still owe me a new outfit for what she did last time I was babysitting."

"You will get that new outfit three months after delivery as agreed upon," Becks promised, and Candy laughed at that.

"I'm planning not to be a giant elephant as soon as possible. You will be watching the babies while I work out." She looked directly at Daniel.

"Of course, I'm going to help care for my kids. I will get you a new treadmill." Daniel offered.

"You should have Matt pay for it. He's the one responsible for all this." He looks over at Amanda, and he instantly understands what she means. Oh fuck!

"You figured it out?"

"I'm not an idiot contrary to what everybody else thinks."

"I never thought you were stupid." Amanda glares at him at that moment.

"Figured out what?" He asked, confused.

"Nothing, I'll explain later." He doesn't want to have this conversation in front of two other people. The fewer people that knew about what Victoria did, the better. Especially while they were still investigating Tiffany's disappearance.

"Matt's mom had the twins' DNA test results faked. Daniel and Matt knew about it." So much for trying to keep this quiet.

"But we did not." Candy was currently giving Daniel her you screwed up look. After working together for nearly four months, Daniel knows that look a little too well.

"I feel like you should tell your best friend this." Becks looks pretty hurt. Daniel wants to remind the man that Daniel knew nothing about baby Becks until they met in London last spring, but he thought better of it.

"I'm the best friend. You are his best male friend. Although I'm starting to doubt my best friend status because you lied to me." Amanda is now standing before him and poking him in the chest. "Do you know how guilty I've felt for the last few months? I thought I completely wrecked your relationship with Betty. Does she even know what's happening?"

"Yes. It was Betty's idea to go along with Victoria's stunt and move you to London with us because we both want you protected." At that point, Candy grabbed William out of Amanda's arms and got the baby out of there, with Becks and his daughter following behind. Daniel wished he could join them.

"I don't know if I believe you since you have lied to me since June."

"Text Betty. I'll bring you breakfast in a couple of minutes." Daniel suggested. Food was the best way to calm Amanda down.

"Those better be some awesome pancakes." Amanda glared again.

"I also brought you the mascarpone stuffed French toast with strawberries." Amanda's face softened at that.

"It's a start but don't think I've forgiven you for lying to me since June. I expect Prada at a minimum."

"I'm aware of that," Daniel said as Amanda entered the living room.

xxx

Mandy cakes: Are you aware that you're marrying an idiot?

Betty: Yes. But he's my idiot. What did he do?

Mandy cakes: Conspire with my ex-boyfriend to keep the fact that his crazy mom switched out the DNA test from me.

Betty: Oh, good, Daniel finally told you. He has wanted to for a while, but Matt didn't want him to.

Mandy cakes: I figured it out on my own, and Daniel confirmed it. Of course, Matt didn't want him to. That would mean he would have to take responsibility again, and that's not something he's ready to do.

Betty: It's a lot more complicated than that.

Mandy cakes: I know. I just wanted to talk to you before talking to Daniel about what happened. Did you agree to Daniel pretending to be the father of my babies? He said it was your idea.

Betty: No, I agree to help you co-parent. There wasn't any pretending involved. You're one of my closest friends, and maybe even have knocked Christina out of the best friend category. I love you and don't want anything to happen to you. This would keep you and the babies safe. When Breanna told us that Victoria was planning to fake the paternity test, I suggested we go along with it so that Victoria wouldn't do anything else to you.

Mandy cakes: OK. How did Breanna even figure that out?

Betty: I don't know. But it's probably one of the better things Victoria could have done. I think Daniel is more father material. When I had my pregnancy scare in December, I was terrified of raising a child with Matt. But the thought of raising that same child with Daniel didn't scare me. And I know you feel the same way even though you tried to deny it before.

Mandy cakes: In all fairness, Matt came over and kissed me that night, so your instincts were probably right about that.

Mandy cakes: Good luck, Cory. You are going to need it.

Betty: So much.

Betty: The ogre boss is here. I have to go, but we can talk more when I get home. I can come over with Christina, and we can drink lots of hot cocoa. Daniel can stay on William's duty.

Mandy cakes: After Christine leaves. I need a few days, and then we can discuss all of this. Maybe Wednesday?

Betty: That could work. Have Daniel give you one of our special phones. We probably shouldn't have had this conversation on our regular phones.

Mandy cakes: I'll talk to him about it.

xxx

After talking to Betty, Amanda feels a little bit better. Enough that she doesn't start yelling when Daniel sits down beside her with two plates filled with French toast and chocolate chip pancakes.

"You're still not forgiven," Amanda said as she took her first bite.

"I'm aware. However, I'm okay with you being mad at me as long as you're safe from Victoria."

"You believe that she's going to hurt me? That's why you did all of this?" Amanda asked.

"Yes. Tiffany is missing." Whatever she was expecting Daniel to say, it wasn't that.

"What?" Amanda asked, surprised.

"You're right. We were coddling you, and you need to know how grave the situation is. The postcards that Austin has been getting for the last few weeks are fake. The address that Tiffany gave everybody is a still under construction Hartley property. So is the place where the husband is supposed to be working. There's been no credit card activity since Tiffany left in August."

"Fuck!" Amanda places her fork down on the plate. She doesn't feel like pancakes and French toast right now.

"There are cadaver dogs now searching both properties." Daniel sighed in exhaustion.

"Does Austin know yet?" Amanda asked, worried.

"Not yet. Matt, Brianna, and Vivian are going to tell him later today. Austin always has a security team with him. So, do you, for that matter." She knew somebody was watching her at Mode and when she was working with Betty, but she didn't realize it was constant.

"And yet the paparazzi are always here." She joked.

"That's a protection. The more visible you become, the harder it is for Victoria to make you disappear."

"Is that why Austin did the fashion show Thursday?" Amanda asked.

"No, that was because Victoria decided to fuck with her former sister-in-law, which backfired spectacularly. Austin becoming more visible because of that is just a welcome bonus. Austin being Vivian Wyndham West's foster son is enough protection."

"And you decided to make me your Baby's Mama. Did you have the test switched? Betty said it was Victoria, but I know from the beginning you wanted me never to tell Matt that I was pregnant and just let you raise the twins. Before we were even aware that they were twins." Amanda remembered the conversation she had with Daniel months ago after that weird dream (?) that made her decide to tell Matt the truth. She could see Daniel forging the test for the sake of the twins.

"No, that was Victoria." that assurance filled Amanda with relief. "She's the one who switched the tests. Betty was telling you the truth about that. However, because we didn't trust Victoria, we had another lab do the test again in secret. Especially after we realize that Victoria was paying off your doctor." This does not shock Amanda.

"And was me coming to London part of the plan?" Amanda asked.

"It was our main choice. Because if you stayed in New York, Victoria would have been relentless." Amanda is sure that would have been the case.

"I know you know about the letter I found when I left the wedding early. That's why I accepted your offer to come to London. But what if I had said no?"

"You would have still received around-the-clock protection. I may have come back, at least until the babies were born. Betty and I talked about the possibility." Amanda is not surprised at all.

"Of course, you would have done that." Amanda sighed. "And I would have hated it, which is why I came here."

"I'm glad you are here. We need you around. I don't think Betty could have survived as long as she did at London Hub without you."

"You are right about that. We need to get her out of there. She called the man an ogre during our text message session." Amanda explained.

"Part of me hopes that she'll want to spend more time with the twins when they get here. But I don't think stay-at-home mom is in Betty's vocabulary."

"Not at all. You know the babies are not your responsibility. Or Betty's." Amanda realizes that, once again, she's a single parent because Matt will definitely not be there. Not with the crazy mom and new boyfriend. Honestly, Amanda is not sure if she wants him there. Not anymore.

"I'm still going to be here." Daniel places a hand on her stomach. "I've told you that from the beginning, I'm in this even if you just want me to be Uncle Daniel." But she didn't want Uncle Daniel. She needed Daddy Daniel.

"It would be so much easier if you were the dad." Because she gave Matt a chance, and he blew it. "I love you, but not like that. We could be our own special type of family. Which would have been better if Betty was the one with a flexible orientation, but I'll take what I can get." They would make such a great triad.

"You really did try to kiss her when you were roommates?" Daniel asked. "I knew you weren't that drunk."

"She freaked out, so I thought playing it off that way was better. I had enough alcohol in my system to believe kissing my straight roommate would be a good idea. I was drunk enough. This is why I'm giving alcohol up for good." Amanda realizes she doesn't make the best decisions on alcohol, like falling for Matt in the first place.

She doesn't regret the twins but wants them to have Daniel as their father. It hit her that she could still have Daniel as their father. As an adoptee, she knows DNA has little to do with fatherhood.

"That's probably for the best. I like you sober."

"I like myself sober. I feel like Faye gave me up because she didn't think she could ever stay clean. I want to prove that I'm better than her."

"You are better than her. We were always going to tell you what Victoria did after the babies were born. I insisted on that." Daniel explained.

"At least you were willing to do that much. Betty told me that you wanted me to know early on."

"I think Matt was afraid of you having a miscarriage," Daniel explained.

"I don't think he has a right to be afraid. You're here, and he's not."

"Because Victoria would probably try to kill you if he was here. I've been giving him baby updates constantly. We've been planning for weeks on how to get him here for the delivery without Victoria realizing it. Your relationship with Matt may be complicated, but he loves those babies." Daniel stated in Matt's defense which surprised Amanda.

"Is that why Austin and the other kids are coming to visit in a couple of weeks?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, we lined it up with your perspective due date. Although Tyler's now chaperoning the trip to help further distance Austin from Matt." Daniel explained.

" Victoria Hartley really is crazy, isn't she?"

"Not crazy, evil. Tiffany is missing. We knew about what she did to her the first time around when we found out about the switching of the tests. Tiffany faked a miscarriage to get away." Daniel explained.

"So, I should be grateful that Victoria just faked the DNA test instead of having me killed?" Amanda asked.

"I don't know how to answer that."

"I want to talk to Matt. I want to hear his side of this." She needs to know where he stands.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"I should talk to him before deciding if I want you to adopt the twins," Amanda confessed.

"What? That's completely different than what you said to me back in the spring."

"Things change." Like she's now 99% sure that co-parenting with Daniel will not result in the end of her ship, and Matt made an ass of himself when given the chance to do better.

"I can't pick which sperm fertilize the egg, but I can decide who will raise my children. I think that it might be better if you are the twin's father. Not just from a Victoria Hartley perspective, but as an actual parent. Some people shouldn't be parents. Faye Somers knew that she was not meant to be a mom. The best thing she did for me was give me to my parents. The second best thing she did was the trust fund." Daniel made a weird face at that statement.

"She was responsible for the trust fund? Or was that Matt's way of giving me child support without me knowing," Because that feels like something Matt would do.

"Both," Daniel answered. "You were going to get the same amount of money you were getting for caring for Halston. We just added the cash infusion so you felt like you wouldn't be stuck in New York."

"So, I could have left and gone elsewhere if I didn't come here?" Amanda asked.

"Yes."

"I need to talk to Matt. Betty told me you have a special phone. Hand it over." Amanda extended her hand.

"It's like 5 AM right now in Manhattan. Matt probably went to sleep 30 minutes ago after spending all night at the ball."

"Good, he can reply to me when he wakes up."

"It might be better to wait a few days. He will tell Austin his mother is missing, and Cal knows he exists in a few hours. That's messy enough for the weekend."

"Hand me your phone. I have to tell him this now. Otherwise, I won't say it. I need to get the anger out." Daniel sighed at that.

"Let me send a warning message first," Daniel said as he pulled another phone out of his pocket and started to text.

XXXXX

Daniel Amanda line: As promised, I checked up on Amanda. No paparazzi were standing in front of the house this morning. I take that as a good sign.

Daniel Amanda line: She also knows that your mom switched the test. I did not tell her.

Daniel Amanda line: I'm not entirely sure how she figured that out. I don't think it was DJ this time. However, he did give her the video of your mom attacking your boyfriend—the good version, not the one that was on TMZ.

Daniel Amanda line: Surprisingly, she's not as angry as I thought she would be. However, we will have a big discussion about this after Christina returns home. Maybe Wednesday? We'll figure out a way for you to be part of it.

Daniel Amanda line: I expect much groveling, in any case. She deserves a massive Prada gift card or something.

Daniel Amanda line: Or at least have your aunt send me more stuff.

Daniel Amanda line: OK, this is Amanda, and I figured it out because my doctor wanted me to go past my original due date. Then Marc mentioned that his lawyers feared that Jody forged the paternity test and made him get a new one.

Daniel Amanda line: Last night, you confirmed my suspicions. Did I ever tell you that Marc speaks fluent French? You probably shouldn't talk in that language in front of him with your boyfriend.

Daniel Amanda line: When you wake up, we need to talk. A phone call would be best. Daniel is letting me keep this phone so we can talk. This is going to be too complicated of a conversation for text messaging.

Daniel Amanda line: I am mad at you. I wish you would've told me what was going on. We could've dealt with this together. Instead, you just made it worse.

Daniel Amanda line: And I get that your mom is very messed up and has private investigators watching you. But I'm still angry at you.

Daniel Amanda line: Maybe it's best that things ended this way. You and Cory look happy. Maybe he is who you need. I am sorry I couldn't be that person.

Daniel Amanda line: Anyway, call me later when you can.

Daniel Amanda line: Also, I am sorry Tiffany is missing. I hope your talk with Austin goes okay or as okay as it can.

To be continued…

So recently, I got some reviews for the first story about the chapters where Amanda "visits" the other universes. Because of those reviews, I ended up rereading those chapters, and I realized I needed to show more of why springtime Amanda was completely against Daniel raising the babies, but ready to pop Amanda is OK with it. As Amanda stated in this chapter, things change. In spring, it was only super single Daniel helping her raise the kids. Amanda was afraid that would take Daniel away from Betty, and she couldn't agree to something that would take him away from her. Now it's Daniel and Betty agreeing to be her co-parents. That makes a difference.

There's also the fact that Matt was given a chance, and it didn't work. Yes, Victoria was a major contributing factor to the disintegration of the relationship, but not the only factor. This will be explored more in subsequent chapters.