9/3/2024: Not gonna lie, I kinda hate the ending of the last chapter. I can't tell you how many times I wrote and rewrote it, but it just did NOT do what I wanted.

Guest Reviewer: Hello! You were not signed in so I could not respond, but thank you so much for your review and your kind words! It really made me smile. I constantly doubt my skills (past trauma) so it's really nice to know when people actually like my writing. Reviews like this really keep me writing!

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom.

–

Chapter 2: Revelations

–

Danny stayed on the roof until the sun started to rise, welcoming the peace the vibrant colors brought with them. Then, he floated down through the roof and into Sam's room. The goth was still sleeping, but DJ enthusiastically welcomed the ghost back, tail wagging. Danny smiled at the collie, stooping down to rub the offered belly.

The sound of a yawn made him look towards the bed. The goth rolled over, stretching her arms above her head, before slowly sitting up and blinking her eyes, legs now off the edge of the bed. She took a deep breath and let it out in a heavy sigh. Then, she turned her head to look for DJ and spotted Danny, causing her to freeze.

"Last night wasn't a dream?" she asked.

Danny gave her a small smile, standing and going to her to sit on the bed next to her. "No, it was not a dream."

She gave him a sleepy grin before she snuggled herself into his side. Danny wrapped an arm around her, once again noting how much smaller she seemed to be, and a worried look passed over his face before she looked up and he hid it.

When she moved, he got a better look at her neck and his brows drew down in concern. "How is this healing?"

Sam shrugged it off and yawned. "Stings a little, but otherwise fine."

The ghost nodded, letting it go for now.

"I guess we need to tell your parents today," she said, still groggy.

He hummed his agreement. "Are you up for it?"

She leaned away, looking at him. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"You just seem really tired," he responded.

The goth scoffed a little before standing and going to her dresser for clothes. "I'm fine. Besides, we went to bed really late." She then indicated towards the bathroom. "I'm gonna change and get ready." She headed off and closed the door.

Danny's brows drew down as he stared at the closed bathroom door. She wasn't one to care if he saw her changing, so the fact that she went into the bathroom and closed the door to do so only served to further worry him. He shook his head. Maybe he was being paranoid, but they were so in tune that he couldn't simply ignore that she was acting differently.

Several minutes later she emerged, stifling another yawn. "I know it's early, but your parents are always up early. We can take DJ for a walk and then head over now if you want."

The ghost nodded. "Do you have your phone? I'll call Jazz and see if she wants to meet us over there."

"It's on the charger on the end stand next to the bed. I'll get DJ's leash," she replied and left the bedroom.

Danny grabbed the phone and unlocked it, noticing the half a dozen texts from Tucker and Jazz. He hadn't meant to look at them, but the little previews showing their concern and asking if she was okay only served to unsettle him further. He called his sister, leaving the messages unread, and then met Sam in the living room.

"I think, at least until we tell your parents, that you should stay invisible while outside," Sam said, zipping her jacket up.

The ghost raised a brow and Sam smiled. "When you died, we might have told the entire town that Danny Fenton was also Danny Phantom. You'll be pretty big news if you're caught." She attached DJ's leash and reached for the door. "If you don't want your parents to learn about you that way, it's best you stay hidden until you see them."

Danny paused and Sam nearly snorted at the "Dwayne Johnson" eyebrow he was giving her. "I know, we let the cat out of the bag, but the whole town showed up for your funeral."

The ghost looked a little uncomfortable at that comment and Sam apologized. "No, it's okay," he responded. "It's just…weird hearing about your own funeral."

With that the pair made their way from Sam's place, Danny floating along beside her, invisible. The ghost remained close enough to Sam that she could feel the cold next to her. DJ kept stopping and staring at the space with his head tilted.

As they approached Fenton Works, Jazz's hatchback pulled up and came to a stop next to the sidewalk. Tucker got out of the passenger side and went to the back door, opening it before helping Vlad out of the car. Jazz got out of the driver's side and went to the back door, reaching in and carefully getting the still sleeping Chase from his car seat.

Sam waved when Tucker noticed her. The dark-skinned man made sure Vlad wasn't going to fall before closing the door and meeting Sam on the sidewalk. He looked around, not seeing the tall ghost. "I guess he wants to make a grand entrance or something?"

The goth shrugged noncommittally. Then burst out laughing when Tucker went to go up the steps and ran face first into an invisible wall.

Tucker held his nose. "Guess I found the ghost," he said, voice full of pain. He then glared at the space where the disembodied voice was chuckling.

Jazz shook her head at the antics, reminding them to keep it down, gesturing to the sleeping tot in her arms. Thoroughly chastised, the group went up the steps and entered the house, Danny giving Vlad some invisible help.

As predicted, the Fenton's were up early, though they lacked their usual pep. Jack was on the couch with the newspaper, sipping coffee. He gave the group a wave before he realized it wasn't just Jazz, Tucker and Chase, and lowered the paper.

Maddie came in from the kitchen at the noise, looking a bit ragged and tired, and gave them a surprised look, especially at the goth, whom they'd not seen since the funeral. "To what do we owe this visit?" she asked kindly.

Jazz walked over to the couch and sat down next to her father, her son a slightly uncomfortable dead weight in her arms. "We brought you something that might cheer you up," she said.

Maddie felt a cold sensation on her shoulders and it made her shiver. The hair on her neck stood up at the unfamiliar and eerie feeling, her body reacting to what it perceived as a foreign and unnatural threat. The redhead instinctively knew it was a ghost, having spent her life researching them.

The sensation on her shoulders settled into something more solid and, suddenly, she heard, "I hope I didn't keep you waiting," whispered into her ear in a familiar deep baritone.

Her hands came up to her mouth, tears springing to her eyes before she turned around and grabbed a hold of the form she could sense but not see. The cold arms wrapped around her and her now full-ghost son materialized, snuggling his chilled face into her warm neck, making her shiver more.

Jack sprang from the couch, doing his best not to shout in excitement lest he wake his grandson, and barreled to them, nearly knocking his wife and son over.

Maddie pulled away, feeling the juxtaposition of the chill from her son, and the warmth from her husband. "When did you come back?"

He smiled. "A few hours ago, but we thought it would be best to let you sleep."

Jack practically bounced with his enthusiasm. "You sure took your sweet time, young man! I was starting to get worried."

Danny chuckled. "I don't really have control over that. I don't remember where I was, but I'm sure time has no meaning there."

Maddie sniffed, wiping away more tears.

"Your mother couldn't be happier!" Jack said. "We all are."

The redhead nodded. "I'm also sad, though," she said softly, before looking up at the green eyes of her son. "You still died…"

He reached a hand up and cupped her cheek with a gentle smile. "My human body may be gone, but I've become something more, and that's okay."

Jack clapped Danny on the back. "Yes, it is okay."

Jazz, who had given Chase to Tucker, walked up to them. "How about some breakfast? I'll help cook."

"Sounds great Jazzerincess!"

–

Jazz and Maddie were in the kitchen making breakfast. Danny helped where he could, but had never been very good at cooking. Jack sat at the kitchen table simply enjoying the conversation.

Sam, Vlad and Tucker stayed in the living room, Chase in Tucker's arms.

The goth was getting tired of dodging questions on where she'd been and what she'd been doing. She knew she'd worried everyone by disappearing and not responding to calls, but shouldn't it have been obvious what was going on?

After another question from Tucker, she steered the conversation to Vlad. "How are you feeling?"

The billionaire grinned. "Better than I have in weeks. I've seen him return, now I can die in peace."

Sam winced. "Yeah, but only if you come back, too."

Vlad patted her leg. "I'm not sure I can, but I will try."

"You gonna go into hiding when it's his time, too?" Tucker asked, brow raised. The black-haired goth glared at her friend, but he shrugged, patting his sleeping son's back. "Look, I'm so glad you're okay, but someone had to say it. You acted like you're the only one who lost Danny, like no one else could understand what you were going through. We were so worried about you."

Sam clenched her jaw, debating on whether or not to ream him out, instead choosing to stand and go to the kitchen. Something she promptly regretted as the smell of food hit her nostrils and she immediately felt sick.

Danny turned, having heard her footsteps with his ghostly hearing and saw the moment she turned green. "Sam?" he asked, concerned, gaining the attention of the others in the room.

She held a hand over her stomach and another to her mouth. The ghost knew instantly she was going to be sick and teleported to her, grabbing her gently and flying through the ceiling to the bathroom. He set her down and held her hair back just in time for her to get sick in the toilet.

Danny rubbed her back, noting the fact that he could literally feel her spine, and did the only thing he could think of: he hummed a lullaby his mother used to sing when he got sick.

The only thing that came up was bile as she hadn't eaten anytime recently, but her stomach was still determined to get rid of it. After one last retch, she sat back, putting her back against the wall and nodding her thanks to Danny.

He looked her over as she sat there panting, sweat beading on her brow. "Is this why you're so small?" She bit her lip and looked away. "Sam, I'm not an idiot. I sensed something was up last night." He reached forward and moved a stray hair behind her ear.

"You're pretty astute for being a few hours old."

He rolled his eyes.

She looked down and started playing with the hem of her shirt. "After you died…I couldn't eat. It was like…my entire world was gone," she started, tears now falling. "I was so lost without you…but at the same time, I was so angry with you for leaving me. Then I started getting sick…" she looked up at him, determined to meet his eyes for this. "Danny, I'm pregnant."

Sam didn't think it was possible for a ghost to become even more pale, but Danny managed it. The ghost couldn't even describe the shock that tore through him. He was sure he would've been breathless if he needed to breathe.

The longer he was quiet, the more Sam thought maybe he was upset by the news, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Danny was definitely surprised she was pregnant, but his being upset was due to the fact that she had likely thought she was going to be a mother without him.

"When did you find out?" he finally asked.

"Just before you showed up, actually," she responded, a little wary.

Suddenly, he grinned, grabbing her wrist and pulling her to him. He held her tight, chuckling from both shock and happiness.

The goth furrowed her brow. "You're not upset?" she asked into his shoulder.

"Why would I be upset?" he asked, still unable to control the smile on his face. "God, this is the best news ever!" He pulled back, hands on her arms, looking like an excitable kid. "We're having a baby!"

The goth's apprehension began to melt away at the look on his face. He looked so much like his happy-go-lucky teen self. She returned his smile.

His excitement dampened, though, when he remembered her physical state. "We need to get you to a doctor. They have to have something you can take so you can eat." His brows scrunched in worry. "You're far too small."

She sighed, but nodded. He was right, and even she was worried about what it might be doing to the baby. "What do we tell your parents?" she asked. "You kind of rushed me out of there."

"If you don't want them to know, we can just say you're sick."

Sam thought about it for a moment before she shook her head. "I don't want to lie to them. Besides, maybe they could use more good news?" she asked tentatively.

He smiled again. "More good news it is."

–

Danny flew down the stairs to the living room carrying the goth bridal style. He set her down gently before heading to the kitchen and calling everyone over.

"Is Sam okay?" Maddie asked as she entered the living room.

Jazz, however, walked right up to the goth and gave her a knowing smile, eyebrows wagging.

Tucker shook his head. "I'm thinking she's fine, and I'm pretty sure my wife knows what's up."

Sam looked around the room, suddenly nervous as all eyes were on her. Danny, ever sensitive to her, put his arm around her for reassurance. "Uhh," she started, before clearing her throat. "I-I'm…pregnant."

The chaos that ensued after that statement woke Chase. Thankfully, instead of getting upset, the little boy looked around, bleary, trying to make sense of the shouts and excitement. Tucker rubbed his back and stood, bouncing a little, while congratulating his brother-in-law and best friend.

Sam suddenly found herself being suffocated by both Jazz and Maddie, her eyes pleading Danny for help. Danny, though, simply laughed, before he was practically tackled by his father. Sam was about to tell him turnabout's fair play, but the ghost went intangible and stepped back, cackling at the surprised look on Jack's face.

DJ, for his part, was running around from person to person, tail wagging excitedly, wanting in on the fun.

As the excitement died down, Danny switched gears and pulled Jazz aside, allowing the others to fawn over Sam, much to the goth's dismay.

"I'm assuming you have a doctor?" he asked his sister.

Jazz nodded. "Of course, does she not have one?"

Her brother rubbed the back of his neck. "No. She can't eat and she's lost so much weight. I'm really worried about the baby."

The redhead eyed the smothered goth. "She's definitely thin," she said before pulling her phone out. "I'll send her the details. Make sure you guys call as soon as you can."

"Thank you, though, I'm not sure what to do for breakfast."

Jazz thought a moment before sticking her finger in the air. "I believe I still have some things in the medicine cabinet from when I was pregnant. I'll grab them."

A few minutes later, his sister returned with what looked like little candies. "Tell her to suck on these, they should help with the nausea." She then handed him little wristbands with a white bump on them. Danny turned the oddities over in his hand. "Those go on her wrist with the bump on the inside. It should help too, and she can wear them all the time."

Her brother looked at her with a smile. "Thank you. I'll see if she can eat some with these."

–

Breakfast had been difficult for Sam, however, she had at least been able to eat a little and keep it down, but she was still nauseous.

"I already hate pregnancy," she groaned.

Danny squeezed her shoulder. "The doctor should be able to help."

Sam glared. "Shut up. This is your fault; you did this to me."

She then had the opportunity to see him blush and think how odd it looked as his cheeks burned green instead of red.

"TMI, Sam," he said, embarrassed.

Jazz scoffed. "Oh, come on, Danny. We all know how babies are made," she responded and then laughed when the ghost disappeared in embarrassment.

Tucker laughed along with his wife, juggling Chase on his lap. "I thought you were past the uncontrollable powers stage, Danny."

The disembodied groan sent a round of laughter around the table.

"Don't be too hard on him," Vlad started, still chuckling. "He's not even a day old."

"That's right," Jack said thoughtfully. "Do we still celebrate your birthday? How does this work?"

The young ghost, grateful for a change in conversation, reappeared. "As weird as it is to say it, that part of me is dead. The human Danny Fenton died at the age of 21. He's, and I can't believe I'm saying this, in a coffin underground." He paused thinking of how weird it was to know his human body was six feet under. "I guess now we celebrate my formation day?"

The billionaire nodded. "I believe that to be correct. If Jasmine is right and ghosts are a separate species, you're no longer tied to the human part of you. You should have your own day as a ghost."

Sam frowned. "Just, please don't do something morbid like celebrate your death day like some ghosts do. I'm not sure I could handle that."

Maddie nodded. "It was kind of traumatic."

Danny gave them a sad smile. "Don't worry, I won't."

Chase chose that moment to reach up and grab his father's glasses. "Dada!" He said with excitement.

There were wide eyed looks around the table. "Is that his first word?" asked Maddie.

Jazz nodded. "He started saying it last night, the little traitor. With Danny coming back I forgot to mention it."

"How do you know it's not just baby babble?" Danny asked, genuinely curious, especially now that he was expecting one of his own.

Tucker grinned. "Because he only says it in relation to me," he answered, standing from the table. He went around and plopped the fourteen month old in the ghost's lap. "Go to Uncle Danny for a little while."

Danny was not expecting that and looked slightly uncomfortable, having only held him once before. Chase was stable though, not needing help to stay in his lap, and he grinned up at his uncle, showcasing his little teeth.

Sam, who was next to Danny as always, reached over and started playing with the child, eliciting little giggles.

Jazz smiled at the scene. "You can use him as practice, though he's a lot bigger than a newborn."

Her husband nodded. "Sleepovers with Uncle Danny and Auntie Sam!"

The goth shrugged. "I used to do that when he was smaller, so I don't mind."

Danny looked at her, his nephew grabbing his hand. "You did?" he asked, then made a face when he realized his finger had found its way into the child's mouth.

Sam grinned at Danny's discomfort. "I didn't find evidence of you until he was almost eleven months old. We had a sleepover almost every other weekend before that."

The ghost tried to pull his finger from Chase's mouth but the child gripped it with his hand tighter, now gently gnawing on it.

Jazz grimaced. "Doesn't that hurt? He has teeth."

Her brother shrugged. "Not really, but I don't know why he's so adamant to have it."

"Teething," Maddie answered simply.

Vlad nodded. "As a ghost, you're cold to the touch. Your cool finger probably feels good on his gums."

Danny sighed. "Great, now I'm a walking binkie."

"Wait until it's yours," Sam smiled.

Danny was looking at his nephew when she said it, and the statement brought a smile to his face. Having a child was something he thought he wouldn't have in those final moments, so his happiness at being here and having one made his core feel light.

He didn't know if they could have more. While Jazz was adamant that being with Sam was not taboo as he wasn't technically dead, he was still essentially an entirely different species now. Whether or not that made them compatible for having more children was yet to be seen. And if they could have more, what would it be? Human, ghost, or something in between like he was before he died?

For that matter, what about the child she now carried? Would it be human or part ghost because of his physiology when it was conceived?

He shook his head. He had far too many questions and currently no answers. At this point, only time would tell, so he settled for playing with his nephew, using his free hand to tickle the back of the boy's neck.

–

9/6/2024: Neither chapter so far has been very long. Apologies for that. Part of that is trying to get enough chapters in place to start posting very soon after Taken is done posting (Which isn't quite there yet).

Off to the next!