Danny, Charlie, and Emily exhaled in relief as they arrived at school. Having encountered a few ghosts along the way, they still managed to arrive with time to spare. The trio made their way to their lockers to gather their belongings.
"Stupid ghosts," Danny grumbled.
"I may be an early bird, but that was just ridiculously early," Emily commented, punctuating her statement with a yawn.
"I'm beginning to see why Sera wants your parents to keep the portal shut when it's not being used," Charlie remarked, resting against her locker.
"So, we're all going to nod off in class, aren't we?" Danny inquired.
"Yep," the girls responded in unison, accepting that they were all to blame this time.
"Good. Detention's boring without you two," Danny quipped with a smirk.
"Be careful, Daniel. Sera might start to think you're leading me astray," Emily retorted with a smile.
They shared a laugh, aware that it was all in good fun. Unbeknownst to them, Tucker and Sam were eavesdropping, with Sam growling in their direction and Tucker letting out a resigned sigh.
"Give it up, Sam," he said, anticipating the response he knew was coming.
"No! Not until Danny sees them for who they really are!" Sam insisted, her voice still tinged with anger.
Tucker shook his head. Sam was just too stubborn to see the truth. He grabbed his stuff, deciding to part with words he knew would please her.
"At least they're in different classes," He remarked, drawing a smile from her.
"Yeah, they're not around him all the time," Sam agreed, visibly relieved.
Tucker shook his head once more. When would she give up? And when would she finally concede that she was mistaken about Charlie and Emily?
Lunchtime,
Danny, Charlie, and Emily collapsed at their table, too exhausted to even touch their food. Their attempt at a nap was cut short when Dash began to taunt Danny once more. The harassment didn't last long, as Charlie and Emily swiftly kicked Dash in the shins, prompting the weary trio to seek a quieter spot for their rest.
They found solace in the school library, where the librarian permitted them to sleep until the next class. As they dozed off, Jazz and Vaggie spied on them from around the corner. Danny was sandwiched between the girls, each with an arm around him, their heads leaning in close together. Jazz watched the scene with a smile, wishing for a photo, while Vaggie appeared somewhat annoyed—a detail Jazz picked up on.
"Vaggie," Jazz said, nudging her slightly.
"I know you find it hard to trust my brother, but can you please not act like he's going to snatch Charlie away? They've been friends for over two years, long before you met Charlie," Jazz explained.
"I get it, I do," Vaggie groaned.
"It's just hard. You know the kind of relationships I've had. I can't just warm up to him because Charlie saved his life," She admitted.
"Vaggie, you have to stop equating my brother with your exes. Danny is nothing like them, and deep down, you're aware of that," Jazz insisted.
"I'm aware. You've reminded me a thousand times," Vaggie sighed.
"And I'll remind you a million more if I have to. At least you're not trying to separate them like Sam is," Jazz pointed out.
"Don't even mention that. My distrust doesn't mean I'd interfere with their relationship. Unlike Sam, I respect Charlie's feelings," Vaggie said with frustration.
Jazz nodded, glancing back at the trio. She couldn't help but smile as Charlie and Emily leaned in closer to Danny, who enveloped them both with his arms. It was a heartwarming reminder of their bond and the day they welcomed him into their lives.
Flashback, 2 years ago,
Fourteen-year-old Jazz Fenton was surprised when her younger brother arrived home accompanied by two girls, both well-known in Amity Park due to their families.
"Nice place," remarked thirteen-year-old Charlie.
"Nice and spacious," added thirteen-year-old Emily.
"Thanks," responded Maddie, taken aback by their visit.
"So, has Danny mentioned anything about ghosts?" inquired Jack, prompting Maddie to nudge him aside.
"Ghosts?" Charlie asked, puzzled.
"Do you mean the spirits of people who haven't moved on?" Emily chimed in.
"Ghosts are no longer human..." Jack began, only to be interrupted by Maddie.
"Jack, it's not finished yet, and we've had enough ridicule. Please, refrain from discussing ghosts whenever we have guests," she implored.
"Alright," Jack conceded with a sigh.
"Hold on, now I recall!" exclaimed Emily.
"Sera mentioned you two! She's against meddling with the deceased in any way," she revealed, catching them off guard.
"Is she your mother?" Jazz inquired.
"Surrogate mother. My mom left me in her care," Emily clarified.
"And I'm clueless about my dad's whereabouts," She added.
"I'm sorry," Jazz expressed, concerned they might have stirred up painful memories.
"It's fine, I was an infant when it happened. It's all good," Emily assured her with a smile.
"And what about you, dear?" Maddie turned to Charlie.
"It's just my dad and me; he and my mom parted ways a few years back. But it's okay. Mom calls occasionally, so I still hear her voice," Charlie shared.
"So, what's your impression of our son?" Jack queried.
"He's in pain," They replied, misunderstanding Jack's actual question.
"How so?" Maddie probed.
"He fears us. He believes we'll harm him if he disobeys," Charlie said, her sadness apparent.
"That other boy instilled some foolish notions in his head," Emily contributed.
"Which boy?" Maddie sought clarification.
As Charlie and Emily recounted the events, Jazz noticed her brother stealthily observing from the stairs, evidently frightened and seeking refuge. Jazz glanced back at the two girls.
'Please help my brother, you two,' She thought, seeking assistance.
Present,
The ringing of the bell abruptly brought Jazz back to reality, simultaneously rousing the three sleepers. With a newfound sense of rest, they proceeded to their respective classes, prompting a smile from Jazz.
"Thank you, Charlie and Emily," Jazz said, expressing gratitude.
After school,
"Are you girls in for a little treat?" Danny inquired.
"We're still trying to convince the owner to lift your ban," Charlie responded, shaking her head.
"We've even threatened to involve Sera and Mr. Morningstar if he persists," added Emily.
Danny smiled, reflecting on how, two years prior, he had been intimidated by them, yet now they were his closest allies.
"It's unbelievable we stayed awake until lunchtime," Charlie remarked.
"Seriously. I'm just thankful the librarian allowed us to nap when we requested," Emily commented.
"Agreed." Danny nodded, his smile broadening.
"So, about that treat..."
His words were cut short as his ghost sense activated, eliciting groans from the group.
"Ghosts have the worst timing," Emily declared, her friends nodding in agreement.
They hurried to conceal themselves, aware that swift action was needed to confront this ghost.
One hour later,
Danny, Charlie, and Emily returned to Fenton Works, each enjoying a cupcake. As they entered, Maddie exclaimed in surprise, "OH MY GHOSTS!"
"Did she just say 'Oh my Ghosts'?" Charlie inquired, prompting a sigh from Danny.
Entering the kitchen, they found Maddie perusing a letter, with Jack appearing troubled.
"Mom? What's happening?" Danny queried.
"I've received a family reunion invitation from my cousin. We haven't attended one since I was pregnant with Jazz!" Maddie revealed, beaming.
"Really?" Danny responded, taken aback.
"It's scheduled for a few days from now! I'm eager for them to meet you and Jazz!" Maddie expressed, while Jack seemed less than thrilled.
"What's wrong, Mr. Fenton?" Emily questioned.
"You're not keen on meeting the rest of your family?" Charlie chimed in.
Jack sighed, aware of their ignorance.
"To be honest, girls, Maddie's family doesn't even like me," Jack revealed, catching them off guard.
"Why?" They inquired.
"They accuse me of influencing Maddie with ideas that contradict their family values. If you think Alicia was bad, you haven't met the rest of them," Jack explained.
"What do you mean?" Charlie asked, confused.
Maddie sighed. Changing Alicia was one thing, but dealing with her entire family was another.
"They believed that Jack and I would divorce within a year of our marriage. They despised Jack even more after I announced my pregnancy with Jazz. They even tried to persuade me to terminate the pregnancy," Maddie admitted, clearly distressed.
"THEY DID WHAT?!" Charlie and Emily exclaimed in shock.
"They attempted the same when I was expecting Danny, and that's when I confronted them," Maddie continued.
"Are you fucking serious?!" Charlie exclaimed in disbelief.
"And they're inviting you to a family reunion?" Emily questioned, perplexed.
"Perhaps they've finally accepted that I'm proud of my partner and our two wonderful children, whom I love dearly," Maddie said, smiling.
Jack, however, was not convinced. He sensed that something was amiss. For years, he was aware that Maddie's family had been attempting to arrange dates for her, despite her nearly 18 years of marriage. Despite repeatedly assuring them of his love and proper treatment of Maddie, her family persisted in their efforts to separate them.
"You're still planning to go?" inquired Charlie.
"Essentially. I need to call my cousin," Maddie replied, departing.
"Dad?" Danny queried, noticing his father examining the note.
"Yes, they're attempting to persuade Maddie to exclude me," He observed, noting the postscript.
Exchanging glances, Charlie and Emily both harbored a strong suspicion that remaining would lead to an unfavorable outcome.
Morningstar Mansion,
"Are you certain about that, Charlie?" Lucifer inquired after hearing the entire story.
"Yes. There's something off about Mrs. Fenton's family; I don't trust it. They attempted to prevent the births of both Jazz and Danny," Charlie responded, her brow furrowed.
"Do you want to be there in case they attempt anything?" Lucifer clarified, wanting to understand her motives.
"Dad, our wealth is of no concern to me, but they tried to eliminate Danny even before his birth! I'd hate to be forced to confront Danny simply because he's the son of the man they despise," Charlie declared, arms crossed.
"I'm aware that Jack can get overly enthusiastic, but he's a decent man who loves his family. The reasons for their animosity toward Jack elude me, but it's evident they fail to recognize Maddie's happiness in her life. So, yes, you may go," Lucifer consented, bringing a smile to Charlie's face.
"Thank you, Dad!" she exclaimed, embracing her father and planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Anytime, Apple Pie," Lucifer smiled, already formulating plans.
"I need to check in with Emily; she's interested in going as well," Charlie mentioned, heading upstairs swiftly.
"Heh, she hasn't been this gung-ho since she began dating Maggie," Lucifer remarked.
"It's Vaggie!" Charlie corrected, shouting from above.
Seraphim House,
"And that's the story," Emily said to Sera.
Sera sighed, finding it hard to believe what she had just heard.
"Do you both suspect there's something amiss with the invitation?" she inquired.
"Mr. Fenton indicated they were attempting to prevent Mrs. Fenton from extending the invitation. There's a significant chance they might target both Danny and Jazz," Emily elaborated.
"I concur," Sera admitted, equally concerned.
"Get your things together, Emily. We're attending that reunion," Sera declared.
"Are you certain?" Emily questioned.
"While I'm not fond of Jack and Maddie meddling with the supernatural, I'm aware of their deep affection for one another and their children. I must witness this firsthand before taking any action," Sera explained.
"Besides, I'm quite sure Daniel would appreciate your presence," she added with a smirk.
"Sera! He's merely a friend!" Emily protested, just as her phone beeped.
"That's Charlie; I'll be right back," She said, standing up.
Sera smiled, aware that Emily was deflecting her teasing about the boy. Yet, reflecting on Emily's story, her expression turned to a frown.
'Some people must realize they cannot coerce others into unwanted situations. Maddie, whatever your family is scheming, I cannot overlook it. Should they persist in mistreating your husband and children, I might be compelled to intervene in lawful ways,' She pondered.
A side story to my The Trinty series. The idea is after school was done, Maddie gets a invited to a family reunion hosted by her cousin. However, her family hates Jack and don't think Maddie should have married him. They even tried to get Maddie to get rid of Jazz and Danny before they were born and Maddie wasn't having it.
Charlie and Emily both believe something was up and told both Lucifer and Sera about it. They pretty much agreed to go as well, and Sera threatened to take illegal action should Maddie's family go too far. And don't worry, I'm still going to work on the next part of Control Freaks. I'm just taking a break from it for now.
This takes place after Bitter Reunions and My Brother's Keeper, but long before Control Freaks.