Chapter 8

"Did Sam die?" Dani asked her sister and best friend while they headed to the kitchen.

"No," Valerie answered as walked into the kitchen. "She let a note, she's with Danny."

"I guess they're having the talk," Jazz said and grabbed a box of Fruit Loops, along with three bowls, three spoons, and a carton of milk.

"Talking's over," all three girls turned to see Sam and Danny stand at the doorframe, hand in hand. "But I've come to eat your food."

"Sam," Valerie noticed their entwined hands. "I'm guessing the talk went well."

"Something like that," Sam smirked and Danny grinned.

"It's about time," Dani mumbled with glee and Jazz nodded in agreement.

"You've got that right," Danny kissed Sam's cheek before releasing her hand. He walked over to Jazz and gave her a hug. "Are you okay?"

"Yea," Jazz hugged him back. "Thanks, little brother."

"Anytime," Danny released her and headed upstairs. "I'll give you girls some privacy. Let me know when the family meeting starts."

"Family meeting?" Dani raised an eyebrow at Sam.

"I told him that Jazz and you have something to tell everyone," Sam confessed while grabbing her own bowl and spoon.

"Thanks, now we just have to tell mom and dad," Jazz gave a grim expression. "Wish us luck."

"Luck," Valerie mumbled with cereal in her mouth, making the other girls giggle.

"So," Dani leaned towards Sam. "Tell us everything."

Sam told them the whole story, from the flying to the confession to the lake and kissing. The girls thought it was very romantic and heartwarming, claiming that it was about time.

"Now all we need to do is get Valerie and Tucker together," Dani announced, causing Valerie to nearly chock on her last bit of cereal and laughter from the rest of the group.

"Not funny," Valerie glared at the girls.

"Kind of funny," Jazz exclaimed with a smirk.

"Well, breakfast was great, but Valerie and I must be going," Sam announced and Valerie looked at her with a confused expression.

"And where exactly are we going?"

"To see your dad," Sam looked at the scared and shocked expression Valerie gave her. Sam walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I just figured you'd want a friend there. I didn't have that luxury when I told my parents about my problem. I was alone, and it sucked. But now I have Danny, and Jazz and Dani get to spill their secrets together. So let me hold your hand while you vomit the truth."

Valerie didn't say anything; she just smiled and took Sam's hand.

"Okay."

"So, what's this family meeting about kids?" Maddie asked her two daughters. They were all in the living room. Maddie was sitting in between her husband Jack and her son Danny. Jazz and Dani were standing in front of them with worried expressions.

"Well," Dani glanced at Jazz, who gave her an encouraging nod. "Danny and Sam are dating!"

Jazz slapped her forehead while Dani gave her a sheepish smile. Maddie and Jack nearly jumped out of their seats reaching for Danny and pulling him into a hug.

"Congratulations baby," Maddie cried with glee.

"It's about time," Jack boomed.

"Thanks, guys," Danny pushed his parents away before giving his sisters a serious look. "But I'm pretty sure that's not the most important subject at the moment."

"You're right," Jazz grabbed Dani's hand and squeezed it.

"What's the matter, girl?" Jack asked, worried about his two daughters.

Dani squeezed Jazz's hand and closed her eyes. "I'm gay."

When nobody said anything, Dani slowly opened her right eyes. Her family looked at her with emotionless expressions, but Jazz nudged her to continue.

"I don't know when I realized it, but I know what I am," Dani kept her head down, talking to the floor. "I tried to make the feelings go away, but they never did. I tried to stop thinking about her, but I couldn't. I was so afraid of what you'd think of me. I've only been here for a short time, and I didn't want to give you an excuse to kick me out. I was so ashamed for so long, but now I'm not.

"I love her," Dani finally looked up at her family with determined eyes. "And I love me. I'm not going to hide who I am anymore. I'm not sorry for who I am, I'm just sorry for the people who are going to miss out on my awesomeness because of their views towards the LGBT community. I wanted you guys to know because I'm tired of hiding a part of myself from you. And when I'm done here, I'm going to run to her. I'm going to tell her I'm sorry and that I love her. Nothing will stop me."

After a moment of silence, Jack finally broke the silence. "You're talking about Ray, right?"

"Y-yes," Dani was shocked that he knew who she was talking about.

"I always knew you'd end up with her," Maddie smiled and went to hug her daughter.

"H-how?"

"I know what love looks like," Maddie whispered into her daughters' ear. Jack and Danny joined the hug, as well as Jazz.

"We'll never stop loving you, you little monster," Danny joked after they broke the hug.

"You're our daughter, and we love you," Jack said as he stroked Dani's cheek.

"I love you guys too," She looked over at Jazz. "But we're not done yet."

"Hey daddy," Valerie smiled at her dad, who was filing a report at the kitchen table.

"Hey sweetie," he turned his attention towards Sam. "Hello, Sam."

"Hey Mr. Gray," Sam smiled at him.

"What brings you two here?" Mr. Gray put down his pencil and looked up at the girls. "I thought you guys would be hanging out all day."

"We're just making a few stops," Sam answered when Valerie didn't. "And Val has to tell you something."

"Alright," Mr. Gray gave them his full attention. "I'm all ears."

"Um-," Valerie couldn't speak, but Sam winced at how hard Valerie was squeezing her hand.

"What is it, sweetie?" Mr. Gray stood up and walk to his daughter. Sam tried to release Valerie grasp so she could fully look at her dad, but Valerie wouldn't let go.

"I, ugh," Valerie was at a loss for words. Mr. Gray noticed her squeezing Sam's hand and made a guess.

"Are you two, like dating?" Mr. Gray gently rubbed Valerie's shoulder. "Because I'm completely okay with it, even though I thought Sam had a thing for Danny."

"No dad," Valerie looked at her dad and rolled her eyes, while Sam held her lips together to hide her laughter. "Sam is dating Danny and we're both straight. That's not what I'm here to talk about."

"Okay," Mr. Gray let his arms fall to his side. "What is it."

"What was mom like?" Valerie looked up at her dad with curious eyes.

"Um," Mr. Gray wasn't expecting this question. "Well, she was amazing. Smart, funny, beautiful, and the strongest woman I knew. I see so much of her in you."

"Do you miss her?"

"Every day," Mr. Gray admitted, but was surprised to see Valerie's eyes start to water. "What's this all about?"

"Do you blame me?" Valerie finally released Sam's hand and whipped the tears off her face. "She died giving birth to me. And I see the pain in your eyes when you look at me sometimes. I know I killed her, and I'm so sorry daddy."

Valerie was in tears at this point, barely able to muster any words behind her sobs. Mr. Gray pulled his daughter into a hug, letting her sob on his shoulder.

"Of course I don't blame you," he closed his eyes, guilt rising in his chest. "I love you more than anything in this world. Your mother was a strong woman and she knew the risk. The doctors told her that she might not make it, and she didn't care. Having you was her final gift to me. I see you in her, and sometimes when I look at you I miss her even more. But don't ever apologize, because it wasn't your fault. Your mother left this world so that you may live. Don't live a life full of regret. I know she's watching over us, and I know she'd hate the thought of you blaming yourself. She loves you, and so do I."

"I wish I could've known her," Valerie whispered into her dad's ear.

"I know sweetie," he stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "I know."

Maddie, Jack, and Danny were sitting on the couch again. Dani and Jazz were standing, but this time it was Jazz who needed the encouragement.

"So," Jazz chocked on her words, and Dani wrapped her arm around her waist.

"I've got you," Dani whispered.

Jazz took a deep breath.

"So, last year I met this guy named Derrick," Jazz went on to tell the story. How they met, how their relationship grew, and what he did to her in the end. She even mentioned her encounter with him and Josh at the club last night. By the end of the story, her parents and brother looked like they wanted to rip someone's head off.

"I'll kill him," Danny grumbled before running up to Jazz and hugging her. "I can't believe he did that to you. I'll rip his throat out."

"No," Jazz pushed her brother away. "I don't want that."

"Then what do you need?" Maddie gently asked her daughter, dry tears staining her face after hearing what happened to her daughter.

"This is what I needed," Jazz confessed. "Closure. I couldn't keep it a secret anymore. But, even though I should be over it, I still feel his hands on me. I need help."

"We'll get that bastard arrested if it's the last thing we do," Jack placed his hands on his daughter's cheeks. "We'll fight this, together."

Jazz broke down. She jumped into her dad's arms and let the tears fall.

"I'm so sorry, daddy," Jazz sobbed.

"It's not your fault, baby," Jack stroked his daughter's hair and rocked her back and forth. "It's never the victim's fault."

Chapter 9

"The Team Phantom Movie Night can officially start!" Dani screamed after choosing a movie. It was her turn to choose, and after a long day of confessions, everyone needed a break.

"Not yet," Sam smiled and walked inside her house movie theater. "I have someone here who wants to talk to you, Dani."

Everyone turned around to see Ray standing a few feet behind Sam with an unsure expression.

"Ray," Dani dropped the DVD case in shock.

"Hey Dani," Ray played with her hands nervously. "I'm not sure why I'm here."

"I am," Jazz stood up and pushed Dani towards Ray. Both girls blushed like crazy when they were forced together.

"My parents aren't home, so you guys can talk in the kitchen," Sam and Jazz basically forced the two teens upstairs.

"You called her?" Danny asked Sam when she returned to her spot on the couch in his arms.

"Of course," Sam snuggled into Danny's arms. "It was a loose end that needed tying."

"So," Danny wiggled his eyebrows at Sam. "No parents?"

"That's not an invitation," Sam giggled and lightly hit Danny.

Meanwhile, Dani and Ray were struggling to start up a conversation in Sam's kitchen.

"So," Ray was about to say something, but Dani cut her off.

"I'm so sorry about last night," Dani blurted out. "I shouldn't have left you alone, especially after what Tony said."

"Dani," Ray rubbed her hands together. "I can't do this anymore."

"What?" Dani felt her heart crack.

"Pretending that these feelings aren't real is killing me." Ray couldn't meet Dani's eyes. "I like you. You know I like you and that I'm openly gay. But you're not. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you have feelings for me too, right?"

"Of course, and-," Ray didn't let her finish.

"And you're still in the closet, which I totally respect, but I can't keep dancing on eggshells with you. I don't think I can be your friend anymore."

"Ray, if you'd just let me talk-."

"No," Ray cut her off again, and Dani was getting slightly annoyed. "I don't want to hear any excuses because I know it'll be harder for me to leave. I have to do this Dani-."

"I came out to my family this morning!" Dani shouted after becoming very impatient.

Ray finally looked up at Dani.

"What?"

"I came out," Dani shyly stepped closer to Ray. "And I told them about this really special girl in my life."

"Was it Tony?" Ray joked and moved closer. "Because I always suspected that he had a vagina."

"Shut up," Dani laughed and Ray grabbed her neck and kissed her.

Dani had never been kissed before, but she knew what to do right away. It was a sweet, innocent kiss that both parties had been waiting and dreaming about. After a few moments, they pulled apart.

"Want to confirm some rumors and be my girlfriend?" Dani asked breathlessly.

"What do you think," Ray pressed her forehead against Dani's and smiled. "I've wanted this for so long."

"Me too," Dani confessed with the biggest smile in the world. "Do you want to stay? We have popcorn."

"I can't," Ray gave a disappointed sign. "My mom doesn't like me staying out late on a school night."

"Can I walk with you to school tomorrow?" Dani asked as she walked Ray to the door hand in hand.

"We can walk anywhere, as long as I'm with you," Ray smiled and both of them started to laugh.

"Too cheesy?" Ray asked.

"A little," Dani kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye," Ray smiled and turned to walk out the door.

After a couple minutes of bliss, Dani decided to stop humoring her friends.

"You guys can come out now!" Dani yelled, and five teens became visible a few feet away.

"It was Tucker's idea," Valerie automatically stated.

"Lies!" Tucker scream. "All lies! Why is it always me?"

"Because you're expendable," Sam answered him and walked back downstairs with Danny following her like a puppy.

"Expendable! How dare you!" Tucker stormed downstairs to confront Sam, with Valerie following behind.

"You did good little sis," Jazz wrapped her arm around her sister. "Really go."

"Yea," Dani looked back towards the door and smiled. "I really did."

"I'll see you guys tomorrow!" Sam shouted as five teens descended from her house a couple hours later.

"I'll be in your room in five minutes," Danny whispered before kissing Sam on the cheek.

"Okay," Sam blushed, but tried to hide it by turning her head away. However, Danny still saw it and thought it was adorable.

"Gross," Dani laughed beside Jazz.

"We're going this way, we'll see you guys tomorrow," Valerie yelled as she and Tucker turned to go the opposite way.

"You know," Tucker said to Valerie after a few minutes. "Now that Sam and Danny are a couple, and Dani has someone, I feel kind of left out."

"Do you?" Valerie played along.

"I mean, maybe we should try going on a date and seeing if it works?" Tucker tried to sound confident, but ended up questioning his statement.

They stopped in front of Valerie's house, Tucker giving Valerie a hopeful expression.

"Okay," Valerie shrugged, trying to look like it wasn't a big deal, but her heart did a little leap.

"Really?" Tucker nearly jumped out of his shorts.

"Tomorrow after school," Valerie walked towards her front door. "And not Nasty Burger."

"You've got it!" Tucker screamed before skipping down the sidewalk to his house. Valerie rolled her eyes, but blushed and went into her house.

"You're early," Sam said when she saw her favorite halfa sitting on her bed.

"Dani and Jazz said they'd cover for me," Danny replied.

"Best sister's ever," Sam stated as she grabbed some shorts and a t-shirt to sleep in and walked into the bathroom. When she returned, Danny was laying underneath the covers and was half asleep.

"I'm awake," he shot up when he saw Sam enter the room.

"No, you're not," Sam chuckled before climbing into bed beside him. He grabbed her waist and pulled her towards him.

"It wasn't like you were going to get any anyway," Sam joked.

"Ouch," Danny kissed her neck and Sam giggled.

"But seriously Sam, this is all I want," Danny whispered as her eyes started to close.

"Me too," Sam reached for her lamp and turned it off, then kissed Danny on the cheek and closed her eyes.

Everything's going to be okay now.

I'm finally done! I hope you enjoyed it! Review!