Chapter Five: Unplanned Parenthood

"Accept who you are. Well, unless you're a serial killer." - Unknown

The private rooms in Reaper's lair are small, only containing a couch, a table, and a chair. Nobody is sitting. We're all too wound up from the day's events.

By the time I finish telling my side of the story and explaining the concept of imprinting, Bub has recovered enough to float beside me with his spectral tail - another thing we just so happen to have in common, though his tail is white and mine is dark gray - wisps lazily beneath him.

"So, uh, yeah," I conclude, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'm a dad now."

Andrew lets out a low whistle from where he's leaning against the wall. "And, I thought the rest of us were having a day."

"And, this just started today?" Natalie asks.

I mull that over. "I don't think so. I've cared about Bub for a long time. It never occurred to me that imprinting could be involved. I didn't even know imprinting was a two-way thing, but it must be." I turn to Mira, who had been quiet this whole time. "I guess I come with a kid now," I say as my stomach churns. "Is that okay?"

Mira gives me a tender smile that puts me at ease. "Of course. It's not like you have any control over this, right? And, I like Bub anyway."

I'd kiss her if her parents weren't in the room. "Thank you," I say instead.

I look at my son, who had grown bored and is now sucking on his hand. He's so kind, so full of laughter and energy. Zac and Richelle are crazy to not want him. He didn't ask to die, to become the thing they hate. He wasn't even old enough to know what dying was. At the time, he probably didn't even know what he was!

He didn't ask to be chased down by them and their co-workers either. No one in this room did.

"I'm sorry," I say to everyone, wishing I could take this day back. "It's my fault this happened. I shouldn't have involved any of you. I-I should have listened to Reaper and learned more about Zac and Richelle first. But, I was too stubborn, and look what happened."

"Danny," Mira says, walking up to me and taking my hand in both of hers, "this isn't your fault. You didn't force us to come."

Natalie chimes in. "It's like I said; what matters is that we all made it out unscathed." Andrew nods.

My throat tight, I turn to my imprint. "Bub, I-I'm so sorry about today."

"It's okay," he says somberly. "It was scary, but-but I got to meet my human parents." He frowns deeper, and his face scrunches up like he wants to cry. "Am I gonna be scary like them?"

Just when I thought my heart couldn't break any further. "No," I say firmly. I take him by his tiny shoulders. "Bub, you may be related to those two, but that doesn't mean you have to be like them. You are the one who gets to decide what kind of person you become. You don't have to be anything like them if you don't want to."

Bub blows out a breath. "What a relief! They were really scary."

My human parents are scary too.

But…they aren't that bad. They may not be the most attentive, but they listen when it matters. Like when it was discovered that Eileen wasn't a human but a Shapeshifting ghost, they stood down when I and my fellow students defended her. When I confronted my parents on how much I care about her (not the true extent of it, of course) and about ghosts as a whole, they agreed to only attack ghosts who are attacking others. That means something, doesn't it?

Sure, they still don't hold back with my ghost-form, but that was after I accidentally put Jazz into a coma during a ghost fight. Everyone who knows both halves of me, Jazz included, says that wasn't my fault, but I still don't see it that way. My sister is fine now but only because I developed my Healing Touch at exactly the right time. Regardless of what everyone says, I know I'll never stop blaming myself. Why should Mom and Dad stop blaming me?

My human parents aren't like Bub's. They listen to reason.

But like Bub's human parents, they hate ghosts with a passion. If Zac and Richelle Pierce can attack their own little Anthony…

The knock at the door prevents me from going down that route. Reaper steps inside and closes the door. "I heard that you all had returned. Though, I am seeing some unhappy faces. Might I assume that it did not go well?"

"On a scale one to ten, ten being awesome," Mira says, holding her hands up at her sides. "Negative two."

I sigh and shake my head. "You weren't there for the big confrontation. Negative eight."

"I see," Reaper says. "I am sorry to hear that." They look down at Bub. "How are you faring, my friend?"

"Um," Bub bunches up the fabric of his onesie, "I was really scared, but then I was brave and it was okay." He brightens suddenly. "Oh! I have a new power! But, Daddy says I can only use it if it's dangerous and I can't do anything else."

If Reaper has eyebrows under that hood, I imagine they're raising one. "Your…father said this?"

Bub nods. "Uh-huh. It's called a Ghostly Wail, and Daddy can do it too! It's neat, right? That-that can do a thing like my daddy!"

I grin and grab Bub with one hand to pull him closer and press his cheek to mine, making him squirm and giggle.

To my surprise, Reaper is barely phased by this new knowledge. "The Ghostly Wail, you say? So, you have inherited one of your father's powers."

Andrew asks the question for me. "Reaper, did you know Bub imprinted on Danny?"

"I had my suspicions," Reaper says. "Now I have confirmation."

"Grim," I say, "is imprinting a two-way thing? Like with us. Do you feel the connection as well?"

"Wait," Natalie says, "you imprinted on Reaper?"

I turn to her. "Them and Eileen Merryweather. I assume you know her?" Mama and Mira became friends shortly after Mira died.

Andrew nods, still processing. "We do. Nice lady. Kind of looks like the chick from The Grudge."

Mira smacks her forehead. "I thought she seemed familiar!"

Reaper kneels down to my level and gets back to the matter at hand. "I do feel our connection in my own way. And, Eileen Merryweather feels it as well. This is how it is with imprinting, Danny Phantom. Not everyone is accepting of such things, but the connection is there. And, even those who are reluctant to acknowledge it do give in. It is an instinct as powerful as an Obsession."

Wow. That means I am Bub's father now. It could be that instinct talking, but I'm fine with that. More than fine.

But, I still don't understand. "Why me, though? Why would-" I look at Bub, who has regained his legs and jammed his foot in his mouth. "Why did you imprint on me? What makes me so special?"

Bub pulls his foot out of his mouth and tilts his head like a curious dog. After a moment, he says, "You're nice and I like you," before switching feet.

Why did I ask a baby that question?

"Why wouldn't he imprint on you?" Mira asks me as though the answer is obvious. "You're kind and thoughtful and courageous. Sounds like a good choice to me."

Oh, sparky. Bub should have imprinted on you.

Reaper clears their throat and rises to their full height. "Perhaps I might get a private moment with Danny Phantom."

"I'm gonna go find Mouse and Cornelius," Bub says. Reaper opens the door for him, and he adds, "I have so much to tell them! And, all the Gargoyles! And, Cujo if he's here!" He flies out of the room, listing all the people he wants to talk to, and Reaper closes the door as we all bid him goodbye.

Mira shrugs, saying, "I guess that's our cue to leave too."

She opens a portal and her mother gives me a hug. "Remember: nothing that happened today was your fault."

I make a small noise and squeeze her back. This would be easier to handle if they were all yelling at me. It would still suck, but at least I would deserve it.

I put everyone in danger. Why is no one mad at me?

"Let me give you some parenting advice, son," Andrew says to me when his wife pulls away. "You're gonna make mistakes. A lot of them."

Mira grins. "A lot of them."

Her parents give her tolerant looks before Andrew goes on. "But when you do get it right, it makes everything worth it."

What if I don't get anything right? I lower my gaze so he can't read the question on my face.

"You guys go first," Mira says to her parents. "I wanna talk to Danny, too."

"Alright, sweetie," Natalie says. "We'll see you around, Danny."

I raise my head and try to smile. "Bye, Mrs. Scott."

Natalie rolls her eyes at my formality and steps through the portal.

Andrew looks from me to Mira and warns, "Don't take too long. Danny's already got one baby in his life."

"Dad!" Mira exclaims.

Andrew laughs and gives me a military salute before returning home.

Reaper says, "Let me know when you are ready for me, Danny Phantom. Mira Scott," they add with a nod at her.

They walk out the door, leaving me and Mira standing in front of her portal.

"How are you holding up?" she asks.

I don't have to pretend with her. We've both been vulnerable in front of each other, me especially, albeit due to someone mind-controlling me to bare my soul. That had been an interesting week.

The point is, Mira already knows about my issues, so I don't have to fake it in front of her. And, I promised her, the team, and my ghost parents that I would be more open about my thoughts and feelings.

"I'm just worried about Bub," I say, looking at my boots once more and wrapping my arms around myself. "I don't know how good a father I can be. I'm stupid and temperamental and- Ugh. For god's sake, I'm only sixteen! I don't- I'm sixteen. I'm a teen dad. I'm a freaking statistic."

Mira snorts at that before sobering and taking my stark white gloves in her glowing green hands. "You're being too hard on yourself. Look at everything you do."

"Like putting you all in danger," I lament. "I don't care what you say. I know today was my fault. You could have been…" I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head, unable to finish that sentence.

Mira rests her hand on my cheek, and I open my eyes and take her wrist in my free hand, keeping her cold skin against mine. "You're not perfect, frosty," she says. "No one is. But, your heart is- Uh, your core- Whatever you have."

"Both," I say. "They're sort of combined."

Mira digests that then shakes her head clear. "What I'm getting at is that you're a good person. Perfection is dumb. You're amazing, Danny Fenton."

The tenderness of her touch. The affection in her voice. She's so raw, so beautiful. I kiss her palm as tears spring to my eyes. I've been wanting to tell her I love her since Christmas, but I don't want to risk saying it too soon.

It's so, so hard to keep those words in.

"I'm so glad I have you," I say instead, hoping my voice conveys how I'm feeling.

She blushes and gives me the sweetest smile in the world. She leans forward slightly, and I meet her awaiting lips with mine. The kiss is quick but says so much.

And tastes…spicy?

I giggle as I pull away. "Did you sneak some hot chicken?"

Mira blushes harder and pouts with her hands on her hips. "What makes you think I did?"

"I can taste it, silly. Plus, I'm currently going through my duplicate's memories, and you nearly gave it and your parents a coronary-"

Mira groans and tosses her hands at her sides. "Well, if I'm gonna make something I've never had, I need to know what it tastes like." I start full-on laughing at that. Mira's irritation slowly morphs into her own laughter. "You know food is my Obsession!"

We stand there, laughing hysterically because we both need it after the day we've had. Though, it's safe to say that I need it a bit more than Mira does. Considering that she found time to sample the local cuisine. That's my girl: a gentle soul with just the right amount of crazy.

Our giggles die down, and I watch Mira push her wild dark green hair out of her face. This perfectly imperfect woman who knows how much is wrong with me but still wants to hold me and kiss me and convince me that I'm not a loser. Who hates hurting people but will go after foes much stronger than her in an attempt to protect. Who makes me smile and accepts me for everything.

I pull her close and press my forehead to hers. She responds by resting her hands on my back. She always smells like whatever she was cooking that day, but right now I'm picking up the scent of some restaurant's fried chicken and spices.

"I love you, Mira." Mira freezes and gazes up at me, and I realize that I just said that out loud! I make a strangled sound and step back. "Uh, uh, y-you can ignore that if you want. It-it's not that I didn't mean it- Or, maybe I didn't mean it. It depends on a lot of things."

I blew it. I totally blew it. Ancients beyond, I totally blew it.

Wait. She's smiling. She's taking a step toward me and putting her arms behind my neck. Now she's on the tips of her toes and touching her lips to mine. Her eyes are misty when she pulls away while still holding on to me.

"I love you too, Danny," she says.

Every bad thought I've had today leaves my brain.

I place my hands on her waist and ask, "You mean that?"

She nods, and I press my forehead to hers once more. I close my eyes and just feel her presence. I haven't had the best luck in life or in death. But every now and then, something amazing happens. Something like the woman in front of me-

Someone loudly clears their throat. Mira and I leap away from each other, and our eyes shoot to the portal. Andrew's head is sticking out of it, and he's glaring at us with a raised eyebrow.

"Just popped in to make sure there was no funny business," he says meaningfully.

Mira groans out a "Da-ad!" and the only reason her face is greener than mine is because her skin is that color with or without embarrassment.

Andrew brings his hand through to point at us. "You two were taking a while."

Mira huffs and turns to me. "I guess I better get going. Call me later. Let me know how you're doing."

"I will," I promise.

Her father nods at me before ducking back into the portal. Mira gives me one last wave before following suit. The portal closes, and I wish I'd kissed her goodbye despite her father being there to see it.

I open the door to let Reaper in, and find them standing beside the doorway with their hands folded in front of them. If I didn't know the walls were soundproof, I'd accuse my grim of eavesdropping.

They look down at me, and I wordlessly wave them inside. Once we're in the room, Reaper closes the door. "I presume you are wondering how you will proceed."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Given your situation. Both with your imprint and with your life in the human realm."

Oh. I hadn't thought of that.

I can't bring Bub home with me because of my parents. I could theoretically live in the Ghost Zone, but that would mean abandoning my friends and human family. Not to mention, I have a duty to my town. Then again, my plan for after high school was to move into my lair. I could still take care of the town, even if it's a little less convenient. Then when Bub is older, we could move back to Amity Park.

Why should I finish school, anyway? There's nothing on Earth for my human-self. Unless some alien race required my assistance, my Obsession would prevent me from becoming an astronaut. It's not like I would need an income to take care of Bub. As for the needs of my human body, I could figure that out. Danielle does it, and she seemed fine the last time I talked to her.

But, that doesn't feel right either.

Reaper walks over to the couch and sits down and motions for me to join them. My feet are heavy as I do as I'm told and plop down beside Reaper.

I lean against them, and they wrap their arm around me in a side-hug. "I don't know what to do," I confess.

"I have a suggestion," Reaper says. "Two, actually. The first one is that you inform your human family of Bub's imprinting-"

"Are you crazy?" I shoot to my feet and ball my fists at my sides. Reaper sits patiently, as if having anticipated my reaction, which only aggravates me more. "Jazz will be fine with it, but my parents? Bub will be splattered all over the wall before I can get a word in edgewise! And if I tell them who I am, they'll do the same thing to me but slower! They don't care who a ghost used to be. They…they'll destroy us. Any of us. Even a baby. Even their own child."

Reaper leans forward with their bony hands folded in their lap. "I believe I know the answer, but do you…fear your parents, Danny Phantom?"

This isn't the first time someone asked me that. My mama once asked me if I was afraid of Mom and Dad. Even then, I didn't have an answer.

I close my eyes and focus on getting my hands to stop shaking. The lump in my throat is impossible to swallow. When I force myself to look at my grim, my vision has gone green and blurry.

Reaper nods, knowing that I'm unwilling to answer, knowing that there's a reason. "I am reminded of the day you came here injured. That was the day I realized that you had imprinted on Eileen Merryweather and myself."

They're talking about the day I came here seeking solace after my parents attacked me. That in itself was nothing new, but it had been the first time they drew ectoplasm. My father had sliced my open, leaving a deep gash on my side, starting at my hip and ending midway up my ribcage. Reaper had to apply stitches. I have a scar that carries over to my human-form. My first wound that wasn't exclusive to my ghost-form, though that was partly my own fault for stubbornly not transforming to heal faster. I never told anyone - not even the team - what really happened to me. As far as everyone knows, I got that scar from a deranged goblin-ghost.

Grim and Mama - who I suspect had been summoned by Grim - have always had their doubts about my story. This is confirmed when Reaper says, "I want you to be honest with me, my son. Were your injuries brought on by another ghost as you claimed…or were your mother and father the cause?"

I want to argue that Mom and Dad didn't know it was me, that they wouldn't have hurt me if they did. But, the horrible truth is that…they would have.

Mom and Dad are always working in the lab, studying ghosts without even trying to talk to them, thinking up new ways to hurt them or worse. No matter what I do, they refuse to believe that it's possible for a ghost to be anything but a monster who must be destroyed.

I tried so hard to deny it. I kept telling myself that I could change their minds.

But, I keep replaying the scene on the side of the road with Bub's human parents…and picturing my own in their place.

I've lost the ability to speak, but Reaper still gets their answer. I lower my head as teardrops slide down my cheeks. I clamp my mouth shut to keep my sobs in, but they break free in the form of sniffles and ragged breaths.

Reaper gently takes my hand and guides me back to the spot beside them on the couch. I don't resist. We're back where we started, with me leaning against them as they wrap their arm around me. They're kind enough to wait until I get my act together before continuing.

"Another question, if I may," Reaper says. "If you are unsafe in that house, why do you remain there?"

I clutch their cloak because I need something to hold. "What kind of question is that? They're family. I love them, Grim. No matter what happens, I could never walk out on them. It would hurt them as much as it would hurt me. Jazz would understand, but I know she'd be hurt too. She told me once that nothing could ever make her hate Mom and Dad, but-but if I left, I'm worried she'd take that back." I sniff and dab my eyes with Reaper's cloak. "The worst part is that Mom and Dad are good to my human-half. They love Danny Fenton, and no one in either realm can doubt that. But, they're convinced that Danny Phantom is their arch enemy. And, if they knew we were one and same…it would be game over."

I've never told anyone this before. Not one person, human or otherwise. Yet, there it is. Mama knows I'm afraid of my human parents destroying me, but that's as far as I've gotten until now.

"So, it is love that keeps you there," Reaper summarizes. "I understand this, but you must think of yourself as well."

"It's not just about that," I say. Now that I've started, I can't stop. It's like when Hutch Blairman used those specialized cameras to make me dump out all my emotional baggage. But, I know it's not him this time. This is me giving into…into… God, I'm tired. "I need Mom and Dad's Ghost Portal. I can't access the Ghost Zone without it. I could call you or Mira, but I wouldn't want to bug you guys all the time. The only other option would be Vlad's Portal, and I dread the day I become that desperate."

While I was venting, Reaper had brought their free hand to their "chin" in that way they do when they've got something on their mind. "My other suggestion was for things to remain the way they are. You would come to visit, and you would still be a part of Bub's life. Needless to say, young spirits do not always live with their imprinted parents. Although, a third idea comes to mind."

"Yeah?"

"It may be possible for me to teach you Portal Creation. That way, you would be able to come here whenever you please from wherever you are."

Portal Creation. As in, Grim could teach me to open my own portals. I wouldn't have to sneak past my parents. I would have instant access.

"You think I could?" I ask breathlessly.

Reaper raises a hand. "Let me remind you that no ghost can acquire every power in existence. It is entirely possible that you are physically incapable of Portal Creation. That being said, you do have the Healing Touch and the Ghostly Wail. Two exceedingly rare powers. What is to say that you cannot learn another?"

"That would be perfect!" I throw my arms around their neck and lay my head on their chest. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Grim!"

Reaper laughs at my excitement and brushes their long fingers through my hair. "You fail to listen, child. I am happy to teach you, but there is a good chance that you will never be able to wield this power."

I raise my head, so damn lucky that I imprinted on this demon. "But, you're willing to try."

I snuggle against them, and they return the embrace. "I am," Grim says. "My only hope is that you are not disappointed." That makes two of us. We pull away, and they say, "You still have your scythe, correct?"

Reaper gave me a scythe for Christmas. It has a thin gray handle without adornments, and the curved blade isn't as long as the one on Reaper's scythe but is just as sharp. All I have to do is summon it into my hands, and I do so now.

"Excellent," Reaper says. "Portal Creation requires the use of something sharp to…cut through the atmosphere, so to speak."

I picture Mira and Santa simply pulling at the air and say, "But, I've seen Mira and Santa open portals, and they just use their hands."

"This is because Portal Creation was one of their base powers." Powers that ghosts have as soon as they form. "If a ghost wishes to learn Portal Creation on their own," Reaper summons their own scythe into their hand, "a tool is needed." I wonder what that implies about Wulf, who uses his claws. Does that count as using a tool? "If you are indeed able to learn this power, you will be able to open a portal using something as simple as a butter knife. Although, your scythe will give the action a bit more flair."

I imagine them winking under that hood and grin. "You know me so well."

Reaper and I will begin my lessons next Sunday. For now, they offer to open a portal back to Amity Park, but I tell them I want to say goodbye to my son first.

Heh. I'm sixteen, and I have a son. If the birds and bees were involved, I'd be panicking. Life is funny when you're half-dead.

I find Bub outside, finishing up recounting our adventure to two Gargoyles. They nod at me, and Bub turns around and shoots through the air with a happy cry of "Daddy!"

I throw in a twirl as I catch him, and the Gargoyles give us some privacy.

"Are you going home, Daddy?" Bub asks. The idea doesn't upset him. He's used to this. He knows I'll be back.

"Yeah, I am," I confirm. "Someone's gotta keep the bad guys out of Amity Park." I sober at that. "Are you really okay after today, Bub?"

"I'm okay," Bub assures, sounding like he means it. "It was scary, but I'm not scared anymore."

I wish I was that resilient. "Good." I stroke his soft cheek. He wraps his fingers around my pinky and puts it in his mouth. My heart melts, and a soft giggle escapes me. "You're silly." He responds by kicking his feet and making happy noises while still sucking on my finger.

My sweet boy. How could anyone not love him?

Apparently, it's easy if you hate ghosts enough.

The lump returns to my throat. Bub senses my shift in mood and takes my finger out of his mouth, a silent question on his face.

I answer. "Bub…I want to be a part of your life. I'm going to keep seeing you. As much as I can. And, I won't let anything stop me from being your father.

Reaper's portal led to my backyard. A bit of a risk, but no alarms were going off when I stepped through and returned to human-form.

My house is oddly quiet. Jazz must not be home; she would have been waiting for me. I head down to the lab on a whim and find my parents hunched over some machine on the workbench. The machine must be in the early stages; it just looks like a hunk of metal and wires right now.

Dad notices me first and greets me with a jovial, "Danny boy! You're just in time to listen to me blather on about ghosts!"

Yes. That's what I want to do right now. About as much as I want to have tea with Skulker.

But, there is something ghost-related to talk about with Mom and Dad. I approach them before I lose my nerve. "Actually, I do have a question about ghosts."

Mom and Dad flash nervous looks at each other. I know why. The last time I asked a ghost-related question was the day after I met Mira. As far as my parents know, Mira is a human-friend of mine who was in a car wreck and died of her injuries. (Not a total lie. Mira was killed by being hit by a car, though she and I met after the fact.) I'd asked Mom and Dad what they would do if someone they cared about became a ghost. In summary, they said in the nicest way possible that people lose their humanity when they die, implying that they thought all ghosts were evil and had to be destroyed. Jazz found me hiding in my room and choking on sobs.

"Is everything alright, sweetie?" Mom asks me.

No. Nothing is alright. How can it be?

"All good," I say. I rub the back of my neck. "I'm just wondering… When you guys talk about destroying ghosts, do you…think you're helping? Helping the ghosts, I mean. Like, you think you're saving the person from, like, a state of madness or something. Is that what it's about?"

If the answer is yes, then I can at least say that they mean well in their actions. Not malicious, just misguided. "Misguided" can be remedied-

"I like the way you think, son," Dad says thoughtfully, stroking his chin. "Our only thought was to keep everyone else safe. You might be on to something."

Uh…

Mom smiles and pinches my cheek. "That's our boy. Always thinking of others. Now that you mention it, hun, annihilation must be a relief for the ghost. Who would want to spend eternity like that?"

Uh…

Mom must hear the dial tone in my mind. She adds oh-so-gently, "Now, I know we had our agreement to leave ghosts alone if they leave us alone, but given this new information, I'm sure you'll understand if we bend the rules a little."

Uh…

"Don't worry," Dad says. "We can still leave your teacher alone. At least until school lets out."

By the time I find my voice, Maddie and Jack- Mom and Dad- Those two are in their own world, and I am forgotten. It's not the first time this has happened, but it never hurt this much before. I walk out of the lab feeling more hopeless than ever.

Our agreement is toast. Mom and Dad are going back to shooting first and asking questions never. This time, no one can say that it isn't my fault.