Unthinkable (Read 1,015 times)

Hi Everyone,

This is a one-shot fanfic of Daniel and Chelsea that I wrote in December 2008. Today I edited and added things in since the original, as I am debating whether to continue the story or leave as it is. I know some on here may not have been Daniel and Chelsea fans but I loved them and I sincerely hope you guys like this story of them.

Like I mentioned above, takes place December 2008. I altered a couple of things that happened during that time period for the fanfic, such as Danloe not being a couple during that time and a couple of other things that you will see in the story. The story is named Unthinkable. To me that word has so many different meanings for this couple.

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There was buzz going about the Christmas party that was to be held at Chez Rouge that evening. Chelsea came into the restaurant carrying a heavy box, which she more or less dropped onto the first table she saw. Man, she thought, stretching her back, I need to take some weight lifting classes or something. I am sweating as if I was carrying in a car. She decided to take inventory of what still needed to be finished, looking around the foyer of Chez Rouge. Yesterday some of the children from the hospital came to visit and sit on Santa’s lap, telling him their deepest wishes. There was also a special lunch with Santa. She smiled at the memory of the children, so sick they were, but how their faces brightened at the man with the long white beard and twinkling eyes. Chelsea herself was drawn in by Santa. Smiling to herself, she walked into the main part of Chez Rouge, to finish getting it ready for this evening’s dance for the children. After the children had left yesterday, her and Maggie, as well as a few volunteers, started working on the restaurant to get it ready but as there seemed to be not enough hours in the day, they decided to come back in this morning to finish up. As soon as she reached the entrance way, she gasped.

“Apparently little elves have come into Chez Rouge this morning” she said aloud to herself, in shock.

Chez Rouge was decorated beautifully. It seemed magical to her. The Christmas tree was as tall and beautiful as anyone could have ever imagined it to be. It was adorned in all different ornaments, and strung with bright multi-colored lights, giving it a glow of all the different colors. The star shined brightly on top as a beacon of hope over the restaurant. Decorations for the restaurant included gold and silver garlands, red and green garlands, fresh wreaths and mistletoe. Chelsea smiled with puzzlement and delight and thought all the ornaments and colors seemed to shine more bright and clear than she could have imagined, almost as if she stepped into a world of a HD Christmas.

She was wondering what little elves came in to help when Maggie showed up. Maggie also gasped and looked around.

“Chelsea, did you work on this all night? I thought I saw you leave just before I did.”

“No I did not work on it at all, and I have no idea who did.” She looked at Maggie, giving her an impish grin. “Do you think Santa ordered his elves to come help last night?”

Maggie shook her head, laughing “I don’t know. Maybe.”

All day long, Chelsea was running around like a mad woman. Despite the great blessing they received in the morning with the main part of Chez Rouge being decorated, which Chelsea and Maggie still were trying to figure out if it was Santa’s elves that decorated or someone that lived a little closer, there was still a lot to do. The foyer needed to be adorned with beauty, food prepared and cooked, drinks iced or heated, entertainment and a million other things that involved with putting together a dance party. Luckily the volunteers arrived not long after Chelsea and Maggie did that morning, which included Stephanie and Max, and after oohing and aahing over the main area’s beautiful arrangement, they immediately started to work on the rest. A little later in the morning, Daniel came to volunteer his services as well for a few hours, before he had to go into the hospital for a consultation. Chelsea was not sure why she was surprised that Daniel helped considering he liked children as well and was a good and considerate doctor and man. But she kind of wondered if there was a little more to it than that. Even with her busy schedule, she always knew Daniel was there, always felt his presense. She tried to avoid him but as she was one of the main planners, she had to ask him to do this or that or he had questions of where to put things. A couple of times she would be putting something up or carrying a heavy box and he would always come right over to help her. Finally he had to leave for the consultation and said he would be back later. Despite knowing he would be back later, Chelsea was somewhat glad Daniel had left as she had a breather. It was still hard being in the same room as him but decided to put her “stuff” aside for today because of the children.

A few hours later, Chelsea was looking at the younger children, all dressed up. Her and Stephanie, as well as some of the older siblings of these sick children, helped get them all dressed for their big night. Theo came running over to Chelsea and took her hand. Chelsea smiled and patted his head,

“Theo you look so handsome!”

Theo did not say anything but gave her a hug.

Chelsea hugged him back and said, “You’ll have to save a dance for me later.”

The dance was a success and people were milling about all over Chez Rouge, commenting on the decorations and the children having such a great time. All of Salem was there and then some, Bo and Hope, Abe and Lexie, Kayla, who came in to visit, Caroline, Victor, Doug and Julie and many others. Lucas and Chloe, Philip and Stephanie and Brady and Max were all talking and sitting at the same table. There was tension at the table with all the different pairs, but they tried to make do. Melanie had shown up at the last minute, to Max and Stephanie surprise. However, Philip seemed to be the only one not surprised but just sighed with resignation. Max asked Melanie to sit with them, for which Melanie sat immediately in the empty seat next to Philip, which Stephanie was just about to sit in.

“Oh I’m sorry, was this your seat?” asked Melanie, innocently looking at Stephanie.

“You know it was,” replied Stephanie.

“Oh I figured since you were helping with this gala, you would be up running around. I guess I was wrong to think—“

“Stephanie, Chelsea says she needs your help,” called Maggie, as she was rushing past her. Stephanie looked back at Melanie, for which Melanie gave her a smile and turned to Philip.

“So Philip how are you?” asked Melanie.

Stephanie gave Melanie a disgusted look and went over to where Chelsea was, tying up some of the little goody bags they would be giving to the children when they left.

“Thank God! Can you help me with these? I thought they were done earlier but apparently not.”

“Melanie is unbelievable!” said Stephanie, picking up a bag and ribbon.

Chelsea looked up at Stephanie with surprise “Melanie is here?”

“Yes and being her usual annoying self.” Stephanie looked over at Philip and Melanie talking. Philip did not look like he minded Melanie was sitting next to him, which annoyed Stephanie further.

“Why is it despite all that has happened, and all the times Philip says he can’t stand her, he never seems to shy away from her? They are both drawn to each other somehow which I cannot fathom. Well I can see why she is drawn to him, but Philip to her? Apparently I am missing something.”

Chelsea looked over and sighed “Yeah I can’t figure it out either. I do not like Melanie especially with certain things that have been going on lately, but I am not going to get into it tonight with her. I have way more to worry about this evening, and making sure the children are having a good time is my top priority.”

Stephanie looked back at Chelsea, feeling slightly guilty that she was thinking about her problems instead of the main reason they were there tonight.

“You’re right. Tonight is neither the time nor place for any kind of drama….I guess we will just have to grin and bear it. And we will have to try to keep our distance from any kind of drama.”

Chelsea gave Stephanie a quick hug and was able to tie up two more bags when she heard someone calling her name to help with something else.

“Go”, said Stephanie. “I got this.”

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Stephanie and Chelsea tried to keep their distance from Melanie or any kind of drama that night. Luckily, for Chelsea it was somewhat easy, as she was running around making sure everything was perfect for the children. She had seen Daniel and Kate come in but had not really spoken to them yet. Every time she saw them together, she felt like she was punched in the stomach. However, she kept telling herself as long as Grandma is happy and she is cured, that is all that matters. Still, even with that thought, she was still angry and hurt. She kept hoping these feelings for Daniel would go away, kept trying to tell herself, it was just a crush, but her heart kept calling her a liar. Especially now, seeing Daniel all dressed up with his dark green shirt bringing out his hazel eyes, he still took her breath away.

She still took his breath away. When he and Kate first arrived, Chelsea was the first person he saw. She looked beautiful in her silver dress. It was gleaming and shimmering, making her sparkle much like a star in the heavens. She had been surrounded by the children smiling and laughing and playing with them. It was times like this he felt the guilt and loss. The guilt that she would never have children of her own to smile upon and the loss that even if she could, he was afraid that it might not be with him. At that last thought, he shook himself. He should not be thinking of Chelsea like that, it was too painful. He was with Kate at the moment, which everyone thought that they were an item. Kate had turned to look at him and he smiled at her and suggested they sit.

The children’s dance got under way. Bo and Hope and Lucas and Chloe, Philip, Abe and Lexie, Stephanie and Max and many of the parents of the sick children all took turns dancing with the children. You would see father’s letting their daughters dance on their toes and mothers dancing with their sons, the older children dancing with each other. Chelsea also took her promised dance with Theo. There were many fast dances and everyone enjoyed watching these normally sick kids just come to life and keeping their rosy cheeks. During one of the last fast dances, Chelsea looked over and saw Kate sitting by herself. She looked back at the children and realized that her grandmother has been as sick as they are and felt like she needed to try to talk to Kate. She walked over to Kate and sat down.

“Hello Grandma.”

“Chelsea, hello” said Kate, a little surprised she came over. There was an awkward silence both were watching everyone dancing.

“So…how are you feeling?” Chelsea asked and turned to her, observing. “You seem to be looking better. I take it your recovery is going well?”

“Yes it is. Daniel has been a wonderful doctor. He has been helping me through…“ Kate’s voice trailed off. “Look Chelsea, Daniel and I—“

“Yes I know he is a wonderful doctor.” Chelsea cut off Kate. “I am glad he has been helping you. Does not mean I want to hear about you and Daniel,” was Chelsea’s quick reply.

“But Chelsea, you don’t understand…” started Kate.

“Oh I understand fine.” Chelsea gave Kate a tight smile. “Look, I decided I am not going to get into any kind of drama tonight, not with you nor Melanie nor anyone else. It is not about that tonight.”

Kate looked at Chelsea, opened her mouth, about to say something more, than closed it and sighed.

“You’re right. But we do need to talk soon.” Kate then excused herself to the ladies’ room.

Chelsea remained sitting there, trying to get her mind off the awkward conversation, watching the dance. She started to smile as she saw one of the kids doing a little break dance on the floor, and started to laugh as others came to join him, including a couple of the adults. She was smiling and laughing watching the kids enjoying themselves, when she heard someone say behind her:

“You have done an amazing job with this dance.”

She turned to find Daniel standing by her and watched him as he took the seat next to her. Her smiled tightened a little at him and then went back to looking at the scene. Daniel hesitated, than saw her smile relax and deepen at something and looked and saw one of the children trying to do the Moon Slide across the floor. They both chuckled and Chelsea said, “I think that dance step will live on for eternity”.

Daniel looked at her and smiled “Yes I do believe so too.”

A few of the children came over at that moment to talk with her, one of them sat on her lap and she was talking to them, asking them if they were having fun and teasing them. Even Daniel joined in. The kids surrounding Chelsea seemed to go grow, like moths to a flame. Daniel kept looking at Chelsea and a couple of times his throat tightened with how kind she was to them. Before long, the DJ announced that he was going to be playing the last upbeat song of the night and for all the children to get out on the floor and show their stuff. The children immediately wanted Chelsea to join them and she promised them she would go out in just a moment, but she need to check on a surprise first. Their eyes lit up and some asked her “what is it, what is it”, for which Chelsea just smiled and told them they have to wait and see and scooted them to the floor as the song started to play. Viewing and smiling at the scene in front of her, she started to stand up but Daniel stopped her by touching her hand and saying to her:

“Chelsea you are an amazing woman. The way you are with these children and the way you are with your family, I –“

“Daniel, please, I can’t do this right now.”

Daniel looked at her for a moment and then was about to get up himself when Chelsea said, still looking at the scene in front of her,

“Look at them.” Daniel looked at the children dancing. “They are sick yet you would never know it. And their parents, so strong for their son or daughter. Even though I cannot have children, I could still adopt. I just hope one day I will have a child I can be strong for, whether they are healthy or not. I hope I get to experience that.”

Daniel could not breathe. He looked back at Chelsea with so much tenderness and love in his eyes. Neither Chelsea nor Daniel had noticed that Chloe and Stephanie had been standing to the side at this point and they overheard what Chelsea had said and saw Daniel’s face. It hit Chloe that Daniel was not in love with Kate but Chelsea. Chelsea got up to leave the table and Daniel watched her go, and then looked back at the children and said to himself,

“I hope you do have that too.” Then in a wistful tone underneath his breath, “With me.”

Chloe pulled Stephanie away a little and whispered to her,

“Did you know that Daniel is actually in love with Chelsea?”

Stephanie smiled “I had a feeling for a while now. I am glad to see that it is true.”

Chloe looked back then turned back to Stephanie and said, “Come with me.”


The children’s party had been over for a few hours and the children had gone back to the hospital but everyone was still laughing and talking and mingling. The couples had danced and the wine drunk. Daniel and Chelsea had not spoken to each other since earlier but their eyes kept going to each other. Chelsea had danced with Max and Lucas and even Philip and Bo and a special dance with Victor. Chelsea was all smiling and happy and in her silver dress, very much like the star on the tree, she was shining. Daniel watched her shine with everyone. At least she seems to be happy, he thought. Chelsea however was anything but happy. She was masking the pain inside. She did not know how much longer she could be in the same room as him. It was hard watching him dance with Kate and Chloe and Stephanie and all the others. It was especially hardest seeing him dance with Kate.

It was the second to last dance; Daniel, Kate, Lucas, Chloe, Max, Brady, Chelsea, Philip, Stephanie and Melanie were at the table when the DJ said for everyone to pair up with someone they did not come with. Chloe and Stephanie looked at each other and put their plan into action. Chloe started by saying,

“Lucas, why don’t you dance with Kate and I’ll dance with Max? That is if Max does not mind two left feet.”

Max laughed and replied, “Nope, not as long as you don’t mind either. Let’s go.”

Lucas turned to Kate, “Come on Mom. Let me show you how well you taught me. Prove that I don’t have to two left feet.”

Kate smiled and replied, “Ok”.

Kate and Lucas went out on the dance floor. Chloe and Max were getting up and heading out to the dance floor when it hit Stephanie that she had not thought about that Chloe would be dancing with Max and unknowingly gave Chloe a little jealous look. Melanie turned to Philip.

“Philip, did both you and Lucas have the same kind of dance lessons? I wonder which one of you is a better dancer.” She looked out at the dance floor but before Philip could reply she seemed to answer her own question.

“Hmm…seems like Lucas can dance and well at that. Maybe I should go cut in.”

She started to get up, which Philip immediately started to stand up to, “I can too dance. Why would you think I couldn't dance?”

Melanie replied, “I didn’t say you couldn’t dance. I just said I wonder which of one of you is the better dancer. It looks like Lucas is pretty good out there.”

Philip smiled at her, showing all his teeth. “Melanie it is not going to work. You can’t goad me into dancing with you.”

Melanie looked at him innocently, “I do not know what you are talking about” and started to walk to the dance floor.

Not remembering he had an audience with Stephanie, Brady, Daniel and Chelsea, he watched her walk away for a moment, look down, than his audience heard him curse under his breath and saw him walk after Melanie. Neither Brady nor Stephanie seemed too thrilled Philip was going to be dancing with Melanie. They saw Philip pull Melanie onto the dance and in his arms and felt the heat between them even from the table. Damn it, thought Stephanie, I should have thought this one out more.

Chloe glanced over at the table and saw Stephanie still standing there, shooting daggers at someone. Chloe wondered what was wrong and followed Stephanie’s line of vision. Chloe saw Philip and Melanie on the dance floor and immediately thought, Oh crap! I did not think about the possibility of them paired up. Brady was drawing Stephanie out onto the dance floor, close enough to keep an eye on Melanie.

Daniel and Chelsea were the two left at the table which Daniel then stood up and turned to Chelsea and held out his hand and said,

”May I have this dance?”

Chelsea looked up at him and another memory hit her of him asking the same question underneath the stars. She could not breath and she did not answer at first. He thought she was declining him and started to take down his hand when she said,

“Yes, of course.”

He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. Daniel took Chelsea in his arms and started swaying to the music. It had been so long since he held her; he never wanted to let her go. Chelsea never wanted him to let her go. He leaned back a little to look at her and said,

“Chelsea, you are so beautiful. Being here with you today and tonight, I –“

“Daniel, please don’t. Now is not the time. Let’s just dance. Please just…dance with me.”

Daniel gazed into her eyes and drew her close to him again. He closed his eyes and just felt her soft body against his, inhaled her scent, felt her heart beat against his.

She felt his heart beat against hers, inhaled his scent, felt his hard body against hers and closed her eyes.

Chloe looked over Max’s shoulder at Daniel and Chelsea and Stephanie looked over Brady’s shoulder at them. Chloe and Stephanie looked at each and gave thumbs up sign to each other.

Kate looked over at Daniel and Chelsea with a mixture of emotions.

Bo and Hope looked over a little worried;

Philip looked angry and confused and thinking is it my mom or Chelsea Daniel wants?

Victor also looked over and was not too happy. However, Daniel and Chelsea were oblivious to everyone else but each other. They were living and holding this moment in time.

When the dance ended, they broke apart looking at each other for a moment. Kate had come up and put her hand on Daniel’s shoulder, asking for the last dance. Daniel turned to her and smiled and took her hand. Max had come up to Chelsea also asking for the last dance. This time everyone was on the floor, Bo and Hope, Abe and Lexie, Maggie and Mickey, Philip and Stephanie, Brady and Melanie, and Lucas and Chloe. While Kate and Daniel were dancing, Kate said to him,

“I saw you dancing with Chelsea. Chelsea still has feelings for you, I can tell, and you –“

Daniel replied, “What is important to me right now is that you get well. Like I promised, I will stand by you and be here for you through everything.” And smiled at her.

Kate smiled back and laid her head on his chest. Daniel looked up and saw Chelsea looking at them from across the room over Max’s shoulder. Chelsea’s eyes had such sadness to them and pain. Daniel wish he could take it away but like Chelsea said “now is not the time.” They gazed at each other across the room, each in someone else’s arms but their hearts were as one.

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Everyone was saying goodnight and getting their coats on, ready to step out into the cold. Chelsea said goodnight to Kate and went outside to leave. She saw Daniel standing outside and said goodnight to him. He stopped her and said,

“Thank you for the dance.”

Chelsea looked at him with the same sadness he saw in her eyes earlier and started to say something but turned to flee instead. She ran to her car, tears burning her eyes and got inside the car and started it up. God, why can’t this just be a crush? she thought. Tears started pouring down her face.

Daniel stood and watched her flee. His heart was trying to tell his feet to go after her, he saw the tears in her eyes but his mind kept arguing with his heart “now is not the time.” For the moment his mind won. Nevertheless, his heart had Daniel telling himself,

“One day, Chelsea girl. Like you told me once before, we are not over.”