A/N: Well it's certainly been a while…. Well this story just really wanted written, and who am I to deny a muse's bunny?

Disclaimer: Never gonna own It. Anything seen here.

Summary: Vlad lost an incredible opportunity the day he left Jack and Maddie's list of friends, however short it was. Danny lost many opportunities because of Vlad's error too; he lost an Uncle.

….But what if Vlad never left?

(THIS STORY WILL BE FOCUSED MAINLY ON VLAD AND DANNY)

Chapter 1- Times Change.

~Vlad's POV~

"Hey Vlad, it's time to check your vitals again, Sweetheart." Jenny my head nurse, a grandmotherly woman with a temper hotter than molten steel informed me with a slight grimace. I groaned and shifted myself so I was sitting upward. She smiled slightly and took a wipe from out of nowhere. She lifted the gown and scrubbed my forearm with it. As she brought the needle closer to my exposed flesh I turned my head and held my breath. I had really grown to despise needles in the seven months I had spent in the "St. Anne's Hospital" in Wisconsin.

To distract myself from the syringe, I glanced around my room. After spending so long here it was bound to reflect my personality a little… a few The Cure and Beastie Boys posters decorated the cold white wall, cards from Maddie where there also, the ones from that traitor meant nothing, on the food tray rested a single unopened letter. I had planned on opening it but then Jenny had walked in so it would have to wait for when Jenny was done.

I was slightly apprehensive about that particular letter, not for any viable reason except… it was addressed to me from both Maddie and Jack. I knew I was probably just being stupid, that it meant nothing. After all, I'd been getting cards from them both at the same time anyways…it just seemed natural that they'd want to send them together and save on postage, right? I gasped as the needle entered my skin. Jenny whispered something unintelligible under her breath and retracted the offending stick of metal.

"Good job today, Sweetie." She said, ruffling my hair as she turned to leave.

"Just like every day, Jenny." I said sarcastically. She smiled a dazzling smile.

"You never know, Sweetheart. Today might be different." I knew she was lying, but I appreciated the gesture and waved to her as she left. I dropped my fake smile the moment she disappeared out of sight. I made myself comfortable and prepared for a long day watching soap opera reruns as I remembered the letter.

I reached next to me and accidentally tipped my glass of water over. I cursed under my breath as the plastic cup fell towards me, soaking me in its contents. Sighing, I turned myself and the bed intangible, letting the water fall completely to the ground.

It was odd, I supposed, having ghost powers but, I never really was one to look a gift horse in the mouth so, I used my powers whenever possible. That was when I stole my first million. I felt bad, of course, but the guy was a jerk and I was a poor college boy with not enough money to buy food, let alone, monthly hospital bills.

I glanced down at the now soaked letter and turned it intangible as well. Carefully, I removed the white frilly cardstock announcement, proudly declaring in elegant handwriting

You are cordially invited to the marriage of

Jack Fenton and Madeline Jameson

Love can withstand anything

I dropped the offending piece of paper and scrambled back into my bed, the heart monitor beating faster and faster. They never said they were going out! My head seemed to shriekThat jerk! Another part seemed to say I can't believe he has the nerve to- The voices stopped abruptly as I noticed very familiar handwriting in the envelope. Cautious of blowing something up, I reached for the envelope, and saw something else in it, a letter from Maddie! Throwing caution to the wind, and just knowing it was some sick prank they pulled; I yanked the letter out of there faster than lightning.

Dearest Vlad,

I hope this reaches you in the best of health, and that you don't hate me.

Yes, I am marrying Jack, Vlad.

He's a good man and he can take care of me. I love him and he loves me, and that's what's important.

I know how you feel about me Vlad, and I know that I don't feel the same way though.

I love you…but I'm not in love with you. You're my brother Vlad, and I don't want to lose you.

Jack and I plan on having kids. You know that Jack's not really the fatherly type though, right. He'll love

them, but he won't be exactly the best role model for them. That's why I need you, Vlad. My babies will

need an Uncle, a second father, so to speak. You are the only one I would trust with my future

children's lives, Vlad. I also know how you feel about Jack, Vlad, and if I want my babies to be safe,

I need an uncle who is not going to turn them against their father. I need you to step in where Jack can't.

If you want to be around your Godchildren, Vlad you have to shape up and let go of the past. Jack loves

you and I love you.

I hope you can make it to the wedding

With love,

Maddie

I held back tears as I reread the letter. Maddie, my Maddie, was leaving me for a fudge-loving hick who was obsessed with ghosts. That was not a stable environment for any children they might have; children who should have been mine, that is. I groaned and laid down, hoping a nap would solve my problems.

I laid there for hours, just staring at nothing, feeling nothing. I was numb, a cold pillow settled on my chest, like swallowing an ice cube whole. I winced at every sound, my senses where hyperactive. Finally, at three o' clock, Jenny walked in to bring me a late lunch. I groaned and turned away from her as she lightly shook me to wake me up. She settled onto the bed and shook me.

"Vladimyr Masters! Stop moping around, young man. I turned towards her, tears streaming down my face, and told her everything. I poured my soul out to her and whimpered softly as Maddie was brought up. When I was finished, she pulled me towards her, stroking my hair gently as I cried into her chest. "What I think you should do," she said in her clear, German accent, red curls bouncing, "Is take your little friend's advice; forgive him." I growled,

"It's not that easy, Jenny! He ruined my life! He put me in here and doesn't have the nerve to apologize and he steals the woman I love with every fiber of my being." She frowned at my declaration, and rubbed my back soothingly.

"Sweetie, you know, I've been here for a long time. With a long time of experiences, Sweetie, comes with knowledge that arms you with a heck of a whole lot of advice giving. Now, one thing I've learned is that people will shoot you down, right?" I nodded, not knowing where this was going, "And when no one comes along, you have to pick yourself up. And next time, to avoid the same bullet, you've got to avoid being in a position to take it, but be in the position to be the shooter." She winked at me slyly. I frowned in confusion.

"I'm not sure I quite understand, Jenny." I whispered, wincing at how hoarse my voice sounded.

"Well Sweetie, remember when I taught you how to play chess?" I nodded happily, finally understanding something of the conversation, "You know how sometimes you have to pretend to let your opponent almost win, and then make a big comeback and take their King?" I nodded again, "Well imagine yourself as the King, and your ex-friend, Jack as the opposite King. So, what do you need to do to declare a checkmate?" I frowned as a thought hit my mind.

"You know, Jenny that you're trying to help me break up a marriage, right?" I asked her, steadily.

"What? Me? I'm just instructing a fellow player a couple of moves on the board. Now Sweetie," she leaned in close to me, "You go out there and claim you a Queen." She smirked and kissed me lightly on the forehead before she stood up.

"You're the Devil." I whispered smirking myself, now.

"Then that would make you my little apprentice then, wouldn't it?" She laughed; I joined in with her, it was impossible to not laugh around Jenny, especially when she was laughing too. She had successfully distracted me from my darling, darling Maddie, and my deep hatred for the sick twisted idiot of the man named Jack Fenton.

Jenny left and I settled back down on my bed. I stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything she had told me. I started to smile as I thought of how life would be like if I had Maddie by my side. We would have a kid…maybe two! Who knew, but that was the point of being in love, wasn't it? We'd be deliriously in love, and I would make more money, invest what I'd stolen, maybe, I had actually taken a business minor for a few years.

His name would be Daniel, I had already decided that much, his face would be alight with happiness, and we would vacation on a private island with a dog named JT. Daniel would be completely obsessed with technology, and would love animals. His face would light up as he talked and babbled endlessly about computer nonsense that no one understood. His nickname would be Little Badger, and he would have the face of an Angel. He'd go to ITT and graduate with honors. He'd get married to the heiress of a company and be deliriously happy until he died at a ripe old age with her in his arms.

Yeah, it was slightly creepy to have your child's life planned out before he was even born. Now I just needed to woo his future mother, because Daniel would mean the most to me of anyone I've ever meant. I rolled my eyes as I thought of the bumbling stupidity of Jack Fenton, I wondered if he ever produced if it was hereditary. I shivered at the thought of a mini Jack Fenton. A thought crossed my mind, and I sat straight up. Jack trusted me, Maddie trusted me, I could use that trust to my advantage.

The strings of a plan entered my mind. After a few moments, they became slivers. Eventually, they grew into something more, blossoming into something else. I smirked to myself as the plan came to fruition in my mind. It felt good to be the plotter for once, not the putty in someone else's hand. I was the sculptor, and boy did I have a sculpture to build. I laughed devilishly and mentally made a list of the things I'd need.

It would take a while, it would take work. I would have to make a few sacrifices. I would have to put a few things on the line. Maybe I'd even have to plan a bachelor party along the way, but it would be worth it. Of course, it would be worth it, anything would be, as long as I got the family I have always wanted, the family I know that I should have, the family that should be mine, because I deserve it. Jack Fenton does not deserve to live a perfect life when he cursed me so bad. I never really believed in karma, and it was my chance to prove that good things could happen to the victim of the hurt of another.

"Are you ready to play, Jackie, my friend? Because I'm prepared to fight to the death for her, I'm ready to attempt a stalemate for the time being, but at the first opportunity… I hope you're ready, because I want a Checkmate, swift and merciless." I whispered.

Three weeks after I got that horrid news, I was released from the hospital. It felt good to finally walk on my own again. I stepped out into a light spring breeze as the doors swung shut behind me. A taxi cab was waiting by the sidewalk like a golden bug on a leaf. I raced over to it and stuffed my few belongings in it and informed the driver, a pockmarked middle aged man with tobacco stains on his teeth, that I would just be a moment.

I turned around and gazed at the place that I had previously thought to be a living Hell and yet, I still mourned leaving. Perhaps it was because I had finally found a place I was accepted in, a sort of pseudo- home, the first home I'd had since my parents died when I was eighteen. But that wasn't what really made it kind of special. This was the place where I discovered my ghost powers, a place where I had people backing me no matter what my decisions were.

These people had managed to wiggle their way into a snarky half-ghost's heart. I smiled as that thought hit me, and I was overwhelmed by a wave of searing nostalgia. I would miss Marie, the other nurse and her smell of ground coffee beans, her dazzling smile, and her sharp attitude. I would miss Jenny's advice and her grandmotherly attitude that nearly sent me over the edge in frustration the first time I had had a conversation with her. It was incredibly frustrating in an irritatingly endearing way.

I would even miss the other staff members not as close to me. The orderlies, Jen and Ken were pretty nice, if not incredibly galling, with the way they always finished each other's sentences. The first time I met them, with a pounding headache, I vowed that if I ever had twins that their names would not be similar, or rhyme in any way.

I snorted in disdain. It was ridiculous, I decided, how people had the nerve to name their children similarly. Whatever happened to individuality? A single tear escaped my eye as I stepped back onto the pavement.

"Vlad, wait!" I spun around to see all of the people who had tended to me in some way or another during my nearly eight month visit standing in a row, a bunch of sad smiles adorning all of their faces. Jenny was standing in front of all of them with a silver wrapped package in her hands. She held her arms open, and I dove into them and gave her a hug reminiscent of Jack's. The staff clapped wildly and a few more tears escaped me.

"Guys, you didn't have to-" I started, but was cut off from Jenny,

"We wanted to Sweetie." She said hoarsely, on the verge of tears herself. I knew she was trying to keep it together for everyone else, but it was hard on both of us. I had grown to love this woman like the grandmother I never knew.

I buried my face into her shoulder again to hide my tears. I inhaled her sweet chocolate chip smell and she patted me soothingly on the back. Finally after what felt like a millisecond, I pulled away. She sniffed and handed me the box. It felt light, really light.

"Vlad?" one of the other nurses asked.

"Yeah," I said to him.

"Why don't you work here? We could get you a job, and then you wouldn't-"

"Jason" Jenny exclaimed. I chuckled wearily.

"I'm sorry guys, but I want a family, and honestly…I'm not too good with needles, as you all very well know." That brought on a round of chuckles; everyone knew how difficult I was when it came to needles. I sighed, a cold pain settling in my chest. "Guys, I have to go," everyone's attitude changed abruptly. "My flight leaves soon and-" I was cut off by a round of hugs. Everyone had decided it was time to hug me. I winced as I heard a crack. "Are you guys trying to take me back for broken ribs?" I wheezed out. They all laughed, but didn't answer.

Jenny was the last one to hug me.

"Stay safe." She whispered as she let go.

In the cab I turned around and watched the hospital, the one place that had felt like a home to me, and the people who made it special, slowly get smaller and smaller on the horizon. Finally when I couldn't see them anymore, I turned around. My attention was immediately diverted to the silver box they had given me.

Intrigued, I, with the care of a brain surgeon, gently removed the silver wrapping. Underneath it was a shoebox. I frowned slightly, shoes? Really? I grabbed the edge of the lid and took it off. I gasped. In the box, was a lot of money. And I mean there was a lot of money. I blinked back tears as I closed the lid. They thought that I'd have no money to fall back on. They thought I was broke, and being not well off themselves, and didn't have the money to spare it, helped me out anyway. A note was taped to the wrapping paper.

Sweetie,

We love you and know that you'd need something to fall back on. You've wormed your way into our hearts and minds.

Take care of yourself,

Jenny and the Hospital Staff

For the first time since I got the letter from Maddie; I cried.

It's odd how fate likes to play with people. Maddie and Jack welcomed me back with open arms. The helped me move into my new flat in a backwater town called Amity Park. Jack asked me to be his best man, I of course, accepted. It put me in a perfect position to ruin the wedding.

Five days later, they invited me over for dinner at Jack's apartment. Maddie had cooked, obviously, and Jack made dessert. Maddie made a delicious array of Spaghetti and garlic bread with a tossed salad and Italian dressing. Eventually the topic of ghosts came up.

"Hey V-man! I wanna show you my latest invention to get rid of those Spooks!" Jack rummaged around in his room for a minute before bouncing back in with what looked like a metal water bottle in his hand. "I call it the Fenton water purifier!" he practically shouted, "Basically it works the same as a normal one except it gets rid of any ghost trying to control me through my soda supply!" He looked ecstatic.

I withheld my groan; I knew what was coming next. "Hey, V-man, what if we both went to go try it out?" I absolutely was not going to get roped into another one of his drinking games, or his stupid 'ghost hunts' where the only thing we caught was the police on our tail.

"Jack, how about we just stay in for the night, you know; watch some action movies and binge on soda and popcorn?" I asked. His face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"That sounds great, Vladdie! How about fudge? Can we have fudge?" I smirked, knowing I had gotten him off his previous line of thinking and nodded happily.

"Wonderful, what do you say about Maddie and me going to the rental place and you making the fudge?" It would give me and Maddie some time alone. After Jack agreed, and had bounded into the kitchen, humming like some delirious idiot, Maddie and I left. We walked in silence for a few moments before I broke it.

"Are you positive Maddie? And happy, are you happy with him?" I asked steadily. She frowned at me.

"Yes Vlad," She sighed, "Are we really going to talk about this? I'm happy. Jack's happy. Why can't you be happy for us?" She asked almost desperately.

"I am, Maddie." I lied. "I just want to make sure you are. This is a big decision and I don't want you to make a mistake and rush things. I know you love him, but are you prepared to face being married yet?" I could tell by her face that she had softened up.

"Vlad." It gave me chills to hear her say my name. "I know this is a challenge I might not be prepared to face, but I know that Jack and I will face this together. We love each other and that's enough for me." I hadn't realized we had stopped walking and were underneath a single streetlight which bathed us in its artificial illumination. "I have faith in our love, Vlad. I'm glad to know I have you looking out for me, but I can make my own decisions." She hugged me and my heart fluttered dangerously. She hummed lightly, "You're just like you always were," she whispered "Warm, and unmovable. You're like a cuddly teddy bear, Vlad. I love hugging you." I almost wanted to cry as she pulled away and kissed my cheek lightly. "Come on, Teddy Bear, we have to get to the movie place." She took my larger hand in her petite one and pulled me along.

When we got to the movie rental place, we went separate ways. I went to the action and horror sections; she went to the romance and comedy sections. Eventually we got out of there, laden with about ten different movies. Afterwards, we went to the local drugstore to buy some sweets. For some reason, everything seemed incredibly funny that night. We got back to Jack's place and he made some lame joke that made us collapse with laughter. The look on his face was priceless.

We all crashed at Jack's. For one night it seemed everything was perfect, the way it was supposed to be. I smiled to myself as I settled down on the nest of blankets I had made on the floor. Yes, it was almost perfect, until I glanced around and saw Maddie and Jack sleeping next to each other, holding hands. I blinked back tears and rolled over. Almost perfect, this night was almost perfect. I frowned and snuggled into my blankets.

That's what it was wasn't it? Almost was what my life had amounted to. I had almost gotten the girl, almost spent the rest of my life on bed rest, I was almost human, for crying out loud. A sob threatened to escape me. Almost was where I was. Almost was who I was. A shiver raced down my spine. What if I would always be almost? I frowned, and sat up straight. No, I thought. I would not always be just almost. I was Vlad Masters, and I did not settle for almost. I vowed then and there to never be second best again.

I wouldn't ever want for anything, and neither would any children of mine. I stood up and walked over to the phone and made a quick decision. I picked up the wireless and dialed a number really quick.

"Yes, this is Vlad Masters speaking."

"….."

"Yes I am aware of the late hour."

"…."

"No I don't particularly care. And as my new personal secretary, I shouldn't expect you to care either. If you do, I could always just call someone else to manage my finances…" I trailed off, knowing what was coming next.

"…!...!"

"I'll see you tomorrow at the diner on first street okay, Charles? I look forward to doing business with you." I hung up the phone before I heard anymore thank you's from the incredibly grateful banker who was fired for fraud and other 'illicit' business dealings. I decided to never let another's suffering hinder me again. I would not settle for almost.

June 17th-

The day I never thought would come, the day I had dreaded, the day I had prayed every night would not come, would just pop off the calendar and disappear into the sweet oblivion. Jack and Maddie were finally getting married, and despite the array of strange and mysterious 'accidents' leading up to this day, despite the many arguments, and the swearing of revenge on the ghosts who were 'terrified at the thought of two such formidable opponents marrying', Jack and Maddie were more in love than ever.

I gnashed my teeth together; it was like fate wanted them to be together for no other reason than to spite me. Maybe Fate was just mad at me for escaping with my life intact the first time that it wanted to make sure it was my soul that suffered this time. Crush a man's soul; you crush his will to live.

I straightened my black bowtie in the mirror and turned to Jack, who in a moment of stupidity, bought an orange jumpsuit instead of a tux and was now dressed in the clingy polyester, a tacky blue and orange striped tie carelessly thrown over it. He had a goofy grin on his face as he combed his mullet backward and took a step backward.

"Hey Vladdie! I'm so glad you decided to be my best man! This is like the greatest moment of my life, dude, and I'm so glad you decided to go through this with me!" I put on a huge fake smile and sauntered over to him. I put my arm around his massive shoulders and said,

"You know Jack I wouldn't be anywhere else." Except in a reversed universe where you never existed. He smiled and pulled me into a bone crushing hug with tears in his eyes.

"V-Man I want you to know, I couldn't ask for a better best friend. You're truly a great person and friend." I felt a twinge of regret but snatched it and held it captive, steadily reminding it that it was there because we were plotting against the man who stole our happiness. The regret washed away almost immediately. I exchanged some brief pleasantries and escorted him outside to the altar.

As I stood next to him in the glimmering sunlight, I saw Maddie, my beloved Maddie, walk, no, glide down the aisle in a gorgeous strapless gown. I nearly screamed in frustration as I remembered that she wasn't wearing that ridiculously sappy look for me. No, she was walking down the aisle for a traitor who stole her. This was supposed to be my perfect day, but once again, Jack Fenton came out on top.

I put on a fake smile and hid my hurt as they kissed three feet from me and signed the marriage license. I had to sign it as a witness as well. It took more willpower than I had expected to not incinerate that document right then and there, kidnap Maddie, and go hide in a remote location for all eternity. Instead, I signed the blasted document, made a toast at their stupid reception, and stood alone outside the church as they drove away in the limo I paid for, waving frantically back at me with a bottle of champagne in their hands and a sign proclaiming proudly "Just Married" picturing a comical drawing of a cartoon Jack and Maddie, lying on a beach somewhere with a ghost dangling helplessly over their heads. Jack's mother's step-niece designed it personally, so Jack looked like an orange blob and, Maddie like a stick. Naturally I couldn't resist a little payback and made absolutely certain it remained on the limo for the duration of their honeymoon.

Pain and anger overwhelmed me as I watched them turn the corner, leaving me all alone. Alone seemed to be a favorite tune of Fate's to play to me. I was never the one taken along, always left behind as people moved on. Pain engulfed my entire being as I practically collapsed on the concrete steps outside the church, the insistent, mindless chatter of the guests from Jack and Maddie's wedding hitting me like a ton of bricks. A headache overwhelmed me as the heartache spread. A pounding spread from my temple all the way to my lungs.

Suddenly I needed to get out of there. I needed air. I needed space. I needed freedom. I sprinted across the yard and jumped into the air, doing an almost impossible somersault mid-jump and exploded outwards, forcing the transformation rings to wash over me faster than they ever had. I need to run. I flew out of there with the same force I would have used if a hellhound was on my tail. I raced to an empty field and started venting my frustration on anything and everything in sight.

I shouted profanities, I screamed, I yelled, I cried, I wailed, I sobbed, I let go of all the pent up emotions I had felt in the past nine months. I felt like a dam exploding and suddenly, out of nowhere, a laugh bubbled out of my throat. A sick, sadistic laugh, but a laugh none the less. Soon I was in hysterics, laughing in the middle of a scorched field while my ex best friend was smooching the love of my life. The sheer stupidity of the situation hit me like a wall of bricks, and I laughed harder. I fell on the ground in a pile of ash and literally started rolling with laughter.

I stayed there for a few hours, laughing insistently at nothing. Occasionally a tear would spring would spring up, but it was quickly quelled by another manifestation of hysterical maniacal laughter that would not stop. I laid on the ground in a helpless heap for a few more minutes, staring at nothing, until I decided to get up and clean myself off. I

I glanced down at the suit. It was a lost cause now. Not even ghost powers could save it. This brought on a few more giggles, and I decided I needed a stiff drink. I teleported to the nearest pub and promised to spend the rest of the night there. Trust me, I did.

It was night, a dark, black, night that made you want to tear your hair out at how dark it was. A scream split the silence. I was sitting in a hospital. Of course it wasn't the same hospital as I spent so much time in, but it held the same amount of reverence as the other one did. It had the same antiseptic smell, the same aura of unfriendliness that changes over time. It had the same cold, white walls, decorated with children's paintings.

An old lady hobbled by outside the waiting room. I sat on one of the hard guest chairs, running a hand through my hair as another scream resounded through the air. A sheen of sweat covered my forehead and I settled elbows on my knees. It had been three months after they married that I had received a phone call from Maddie…

"Vlad?"

"Yes Maddie?"

"I'm pregnant."

"…"

"Vlad?"

"…."

"Vlad?"

"…"

"Vlad?"

I had fainted. It seemed like Fate couldn't be satisfied with just stealing the love of my life. Fate wanted to make me miserable. I wasn't sure what I'd done to deserve this; I was a model person before my accident. I had gone to church, was a straight A student, never cheated, and had a girlfriend who I'd never cheated on. But, it seemed life went down the tubes after that. Life just wouldn't give me a reprieve; my girlfriend left me, married my best friend, and then cursed her with the child that should have been mine.

I was furious, no; beyond furious. My love was going to have a child, and not just any child, the child of the man I loathed. Nothing could redeem Jack Fenton now, the child, should have been my child. My only consolation was the hope that it wasn't a boy. I couldn't be held responsible for anything I did if it was. A tear leaked down my cheek as another scream hit me like a barrel of steel.

Jack was in that room with her. It should be me next to her, coaching her, egging her on. It should be my voice I heard shout,

"Go Maddie! Go!"

I winced as the shouting grew louder. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. Any minute now I thought. A final earsplitting scream resonated throughout the sterile place where so many hearts had been broken, mine along with it.

A new shriek joined the silence. This one was high pitched and seemed younger. I stood up and with my ghostly advanced hearing I heard a shout, this one deeper and more masculine. Jack came running out of there, his face slightly green. He saw me and shoved me towards the door. Unsure of what to do, I just stood there, taking in the scene with confused eyes.

Maddie was lying on the bed, her breathing labored; the doctor was holding a screaming baby with the umbilical cord still attached. There was blood everywhere and one of the nurses turned as I walked in. Wordlessly, she handed me a pair of scissors, and turned back to the heart monitor.

Finally understanding what they expected me to do; I glanced down in a mixture of horror and awe. This was a father's job; this wasn't the job of a family friend. Maddie's words vibrated through my mind, I need you to step in where Jack can't, Holding my breath, and I raised the scissors, and snapped them shut. A hand clapped me on the back and I turned to see a massive man standing behind me wearing a mask and nurse's uniform.

"Congratulations, Daddy." He said in a Jamaican accent, "It's a girl." I wanted to say thank you, I wanted to say this was the happiest day of my life, that we were finally a family, that I'd dreamed of this moment for years, but what I said was,

"Actually, I'm just the Godfather." His smile brightened as if he hadn't heard me.

"Well, man, sometimes that's better than being a father; you get to spoil them senseless and hype them up on sugar, and then just send them back home. I'm a Godfather myself, and I love it." His smile broadened and he proceeded to tell me, scissors in my hand still, about his little Christine, and how absolutely adorable her lisp was. Jack walked in the room, the same stupid grin on his face. Fifteen minutes of cooing later, he handed me a bright pink bundle that had the most gorgeous blue eyes peeping out from her hood.

"Hello Jasmine," I whispered, enthralled by how light and tiny she was, "I'm your Uncle Vlad, and you're going to grow up to have all of us wrapped around your finger, won't you, Angel?" She laughed bright and clear, like tiny bells. I reached my hand up so I could move her hood a little higher so I could see her better and a tiny hand reached up and enclosed upon my little finger.

I looked into her baby eyes and saw intelligence. She would probably grow up to have her mother's brain. She had her mom's petite nose and a small tuft of auburn hair. I had seen pictures of Maddie as a baby, and Jasmine looked exactly like her.

I felt blessed to be part of such a sincere moment of happiness. It intrigued me that such a small being held so much potential. Jasmine could grow up to be a doctor and save lives, or she could be the President, or she could be a rock star, or she could even be a businesswoman. She had the potential to be anything, she held the world in her tiny little hands, and I knew that I would stand by her no matter what happened.

April 30th- 11:55 PM(ish) – Four Years later

"Push Maddie! Push! You've got this!" I shouted over her screams. She had my hand in a death grip. She moaned in pain as the contraction subsided.

"Vlad, Where's Jack?" She whispered hoarsely, a catch in her throat.

"He's coming Maddie, he's about ten minutes away." I told her soothingly. Jack had gone to get us all something to eat about a half hour ago with Jasmine. Of course, he didn't know that Maddie would have to start pushing within twenty minutes. She had requested that I be her moral support until Jack got back. I was more than happy to oblige.

It was arranged that I be the one to cut the umbilical cord again. A fine layer of sweat stuck her hair to her head as she panted. Another contraction came over her and her grip on my hand got tighter. If I weren't half ghost, I was sure my bones would have cracked already. She gasped as it ended.

"Vlad, I- I don't think I can wait anymore. This baby wants to come and he wants to come now!" How she knew it was a boy I had no idea. What I learned from last time was that you don't argue with a mother in labor.

Naming me Godfather was one of the best days of my life. Jasmine and I had developed a special bond over the last two years, one I hoped I'd have with the new baby. I'd even taken Jasmine flying once or twice. She'd been terrified, so I stopped that. It seemed she had her father's fear of heights. Hopefully the new baby wouldn't, but I'd love them either way.

Maddie was positive it was a boy, but Jack was sure it was another girl. I didn't care but secretly I was rooting for a boy. Maddie's grip tightened harder than it had yet.

"Vlad, He's coming!" She shouted and within a few minutes, I had to cut another umbilical cord, this one for a baby boy. Maddie fondly held him in her arms gently. I glanced down at the blue bundle, and felt an instant connection. This was my Daniel, my Little Badger. He blinked his blue eyes sleepily up at me, and started crying in Maddie's arms.

A nurse handed him to me, and he stopped crying instantly. He giggled as a lock of my hair that escaped from my signature ponytail fell on his face. He gripped it tightly and smiled an adorable baby smile that melted my insides.

"His name is going to be Daniel." Maddie said, after taking a sip of water. "Daniel Vlad Fenton." I looked up in shock, momentarily taking my eyes off the being that now held my name. "You've held up your end of the deal, Vlad, You've been a second father to Jazz, and I know you'll be the same for Danny. I want him to always know you, Vlad." A tear fell down onto the soft sky blue baby blanket. My Little Badger babbled in baby talk, his eyes lighting up at odd intervals.

"What did I miss?" Jack shouted, running into the room, breaking the perfect moment, no, shattering the perfect moment. I hated Jack even more now. Jack was worse than someone who betrayed me, and stole my love; he stole my baby, my son, my Little Badger, the one who I now lived for. Daniel had become my life, now. It became my responsibility to make sure he never wanted for anything, to make sure no one hurt him, to make sure his life was perfect.

"Just the birth of your son," Maddie hissed dangerously, "other than that, no you didn't miss anything." She said sarcastically. Daniel was practically ripped from my hands and I nearly threw a punch. Instead, another tear joined the first and soon I was crying. For the first time in years I was crying. Daniel was too.

The moment he left my arms he started a high pitched wailing that crippled my heart. Jack didn't know what to do. I reached around him and lifted Daniel out of his arms, back against my chest. He started a contented cooing and yawned loudly. Jack looked a little hurt. But, he shook it off. Jack smiled and clapped me on the back like the old friend he assumed I was.

"Well, V-man it looks like he took a liking to you!" Daniel giggled and grabbed my hair, stroking it with his tiny baby thumbs.

I smiled at the child who stole my heart, knowing now that if he asked it, I'd give it away willingly if Daniel asked it. As I glanced down at his face, a smile joined my tears and for the first time in a while, I felt like I was home. I knew Daniel's smile could make me feel welcome anywhere, anytime, anyplace. Maddie could love me, and don't get me wrong, I would accept her with open and willing arms anytime; but Daniel, Daniel I could not lose, not now, not after I'd seen that face smile at me, not after I'd felt my heart meld with his. Not now. Not ever.

Daniel was mine; absolutely mine now, always and forever. Hellfire and brimstone could not change that now, God couldn't change that now, and I sure as heck wasn't about to let a fudge eating, greasy haired, fat, ghost loving freak named Jack Zachary Tobias Fenton take my Daniel, my Little Badger, the son who was mine in every little detail except that miniscule one of blood, away from the safety of my half ghost millionaire arms, ever again. I would not stand for it; my life would not be ripped away from me ever again. But guess what?

My life had a new name now, and it was Daniel Vladimir Fenton.

A/N: Guess what? This is the longest chapter I've ever written! 7,000 words! 15 Pages! I'm so happy right now, I could die. But are you happy? Should I continue this tory?