Dream Phantom

Chapter Ten

"Dani, you're a little late today," Oliver said, glancing at Jax as they entered the diner. A high school football team from a neighboring city had stopped on the way to a match and the diner was louder than usual.

"Forgive her, Ollie," Dolores grinned. "She probably has a very good reason to be late." Dolores placed a hand on Jax's arm and winked, "Is she pregnant yet?"

"Soon, I hope."

"It's a little too early in the morning to be talking babies," Dani muttered.

"I wouldn't mind being a grandfather," Oliver whispered. "A cute little girl like you, Dani. Or a son. Either would make me happy."

"Dani, you don't know this but Oliver here has been planning the menu for your baby shower for years," Dolores said.

"Years?" Dani's eyes widened.

"He was very optimistic you'd meet the man of your dreams," Dolores grinned.

"Oliver," Dani looked at the older man, "You know I'm not pregnant yet."

"But you will be," Oliver nodded.

"Everyone has baby fever," Dani laughed.

"Dani, I know I'm not your biological father but I love you like a real daughter. You know that, right? And Jax, you're like a son-in-law to me." Oliver grabbed Dani's left hand and Jax's right hand. He placed them together and squeezed, "You're lucky to have one another. It made me so happy that you two got married."

"Awww...Oliver are you trying to make me cry?" Dani asked.

"No, of course not. Wipe your eyes. You can't flavor the food with tears," Oliver said. "I just wanted you both to know how much I think of you two as family."

"We both do," Dolores piped in.

"And we consider you both family as well," Jax said, pulling Dani, Oliver, and Dolores into a hug.

A roar of cheers filled the diner and Dani laughed. The football team was hooting at them for hugging.

~~~

The sun still hadn't made an appearance when Oliver changed into some workout clothing and told Dolores that he would be leaving a little early.

"I'll be back," Oliver promised.

The drive to the park was short but he was determined. For the past few weeks he had been jogging at the park. He had made it his mission to get into shape so  he could live a long life and see Dani's children grow up.

He leaned over to open his glove compartment, pulling out his headphones so that he could listen to the King while jogging. His eyes briefly glanced at the newspaper from a few days ago that headlined a new murder that had taken place nearby at a secret concert. On his keys was a blue vial of pepper spray so Oliver wasn't worried.

The sun was just starting to rise and the park was still empty. No one to judge him while he huffed and puffed his way around the cement trail that made up his running path. He placed his headphones over his head and began his morning jog. Each heavy step getting him closer and closer to his goal. He lost his focus on his surroundings as his mind wandered off to thoughts of Dani holding a baby and smiled. He always wanted grandchildren.

After he was done, he wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand. He wanted to get home quickly to shower before returning to the diner. He was behind his steering wheel when he noticed a teenage couple making out at the swings, oblivious to everything except one another. They probably should've been on their way to school. Truants. Oliver hoped Dani's kids wouldn't turn out like that. He shook his head and flipped on the radio which always played the same Elvis CD. He looked at his side mirrors before his rearview mirror and gasped when his eyes made contact with those of a stranger.

He slightly turned his head to confront the stranger that had been hiding in his backseat but it was too late. A necklace of death had been placed around his neck in the form of a thin electrical wire. Oliver struggled to free himself before closing his eyes, the soft notes of Elvis serenading him.