Disneyland pt.1

[Haley Commentary]

"So, the last year has been a real rollercoaster for me," Haley said, a small smile on her face, though a hint of exhaustion was visible in her eyes. "First, I broke up with Daniel. I mean, we kind of hit a slump, you know? We were going in different directions in life. It was fine... I was fine." She shrugged it off casually.

[Cut to Haley crying, sitting on a friend's couch while two of her friends try to console her.]

"I can't believe he broke up with me!" she sobbed, tears streaming down her face as her friends patted her back and offered tissues.

[Commentary resumes]

"One of my friends set me up with a guy—she said a rebound would help," Haley continued, rolling her eyes. "He was like the worst ever." She paused, her brow furrowing as she remembered. "He was so dumb... I kept comparing him to Daniel."

"So i stopped dating for a while"

She took a deep breath, her face softening a bit as she smiled. "But one silver lining that came out of that whole mess was that I actually got a really good SAT score."

[Cut to the Dunphy living room with Phil, Claire, and Alex surrounding Haley as they check her SAT score online.]

"1406?!" Phil read out loud, his eyes widening in surprise. He looked from the screen to Haley, then to Claire, who was equally stunned.

"Our baby did it!" Claire beamed, tears of pride already welling in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Phil, and they both reached out to pull a still-shocked Haley into a group hug.

Alex, standing off to the side, crossed her arms, an incredulous expression on her face. "No way," she muttered, grabbing the laptop and peering at the score. She frowned, then her eyes went wide. "It's actually true?" she said, genuinely baffled.

[Commentary resumes]

"Ha! Sure showed her," Haley said with a triumphant smile. "Turns out, not dating and focusing on myself—maybe with a little misplaced anger at Daniel—was actually good for me." She shrugged, her smile growing wider.

"So now, I'm applying to a college that'll help me get into the fashion industry." She nodded confidently, leaning back in her chair. "Things are looking up for me. I mean, finally, right?"

[Commentary Ends]

Haley sat at the dining table, her fingers dancing over the keys of her phone as she typed out a message. Alex wandered into the room, noticing Haley's look of frustration.

"Who are you texting?" Alex asked as she leaned against the table.

Haley sighed, not looking up from her phone. "James."

Alex rolled her eyes. "Why haven't you broken up with him yet?" she asked, exasperation evident in her voice.

Haley shot her a defensive look. "I'm trying to."

Alex smiled. "Good. I hoped that after dating Daniel, your standards would've risen a bit."

Haley frowned, her attention pulled away from her phone. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Come on, Haley," Alex replied, folding her arms. "You know why you're struggling to find dates. Most of the guys in your friend circle are complete idiots. Sure, they look good, but I know you can't stand them now. You've outgrown that."

Haley scoffed, shaking her head. "That's not true."

Alex leaned in, her eyes narrowing. "Are you saying you never compare them to Daniel? Not even once in a while?"

Haley paused, her mouth opening slightly, but she quickly closed it, her expression remaining defiant. "No," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "No, I don't."

"Really?" Alex questioned, her tone dripping with disbelief.

"I've had plenty of dates, Alex," Haley insisted, her chin lifting slightly.

Alex smiled knowingly, a challenge in her eyes. "And aside from this one idiot, you ended all of them after the first date. Face it, Haley—your standards are way up now. Maybe it's time to start looking for guys somewhere else."

Haley clenched her jaw. "You know what, Alex?" she said, standing up and slipping her phone into her back pocket. "I'm not breaking up with James. He might be... a bit of a... umm... he's very sweet. As good as Daniel or any other guy." She spun around, her eyes narrowed with determination. "And you know what else? I'm going to invite him to come with us to Disneyland."

Alex watched, amused, as Haley stormed off. With a sigh, she turned and made her way toward the kitchen, where Claire was busy brewing coffee.

Claire stood at the counter, her hands carefully working the coffee machine. Phil was nearby, measuring Luke against a wall. He was positively beaming.

"Look at that, buddy!" Phil said triumphantly, pointing to the pencil mark. "You're officially tall enough to ride all the rides at Disneyland now!"

Luke grinned, excitement clear on his face. "Yes! Finally!"

Haley walked into the kitchen just in time to hear her dad's proclamation. "James is coming with us," she declared, her voice loud enough to interrupt the moment.

Claire's head snapped up, her eyes widening. "What? No, Haley. This is a family trip," she said firmly.

Phil looked over at Claire, scratching his head. "What about Ethan? He's coming too."

Alex furrowed her brow. "Who's Ethan?"

Haley echoed, "Yeah, who's Ethan?"

Claire shot Phil a pointed look, her irritation growing by the second. She sighed, the kind of exasperated sigh only a mom could manage. "Ethan is a nice boy. He's my friend's nephew, and he's going to come with us," she explained.

Haley's eyes narrowed. "So it's okay for this... Ethan to come, but James can't? That's not fair."

"Well, you'll just have to deal with it," Claire said, her tone leaving no room for argument. She turned her attention back to her coffee, clearly done with the conversation.

Haley huffed, rolling her eyes as she turned on her heel and walked away, frustration radiating off her.

[Claire and Phil Commentary]

"Haley has a thing for bad boys," Claire began, a slightly amused but exasperated expression crossing her face. "That's... so me," she added with a small smile, shrugging.

"Clearly!" Phil chimed in, his face lighting up with a grin, clearly proud of his role as a so-called 'bad boy' in Claire's life.

Claire shot him a sidelong glance, then continued more seriously. "The thing is, Haley can get into good colleges now, and I really don't want her dating choices to mess that up. Daniel was perfect," she admitted, her expression softening a bit. "I would have preferred that relationship to continue, but... well, that ship has sailed, sadly."

"Daniel was great," Phil agreed, nodding with a warm smile. "We still text sometimes," he added casually.

Claire sighed. "I just want Haley to dump her new boyfriend, James or whatever his name is, and maybe, I don't know, she and Ethan could get together."

"It's perfect."

[Commentary Ends]

The Dunphys gathered by the front door, ready to head out for the big family trip. Claire adjusted her bag on her shoulder, her eyes lighting up when she heard the doorbell ring.

"Oh, that must be Ethan!" she said brightly, her voice filled with excitement.

Haley and Alex were just coming down the stairs, both in a bit of a rush. Haley groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically at the mention of Ethan. "Great, the boy we have to babysit is here," she muttered under her breath, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Claire shot Haley a pointed look as she reached for the doorknob. "He's the same age as you, Haley. He doesn't need babysitting."

Claire opened the door to reveal Ethan standing there—a shy but friendly smile on his face. He looked like he was doing his best to be polite, even though there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "Hi, Mrs. Dunphy," he said, his voice steady, despite his obvious shyness.

"Hi, Ethan! Come on in," Claire said, her smile widening, clearly thrilled. She gestured for him to step inside.

Alex spotted Ethan and wasted no time, hurrying over to greet him. But before she could make it over, Haley deftly stepped in front of her sister, blocking her path. A wide smile spread across Haley's face as she approached Ethan. "Hey, Ethan, was it?" she asked, her voice turning sweet and her expression almost too charming.

[Haley Commentary]

"Oh yeah, I'm definitely breaking up with James now," Haley said with a wide smile on her face.

[End Commentary]

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Arriving at Disneyland, the Dunphys met up with Jay, Gloria, Cam, and Mitchell near the entrance of the happiest place on earth. Haley and Alex were too busy trying to get Ethan's attention, both sisters flanking Ethan, each trying to capture his interest.

Meanwhile, Phil and Luke were practically jumping with excitement, ready to make a beeline for the biggest, wildest rides in the park. Phil nudged Luke with a grin. "Alright, buddy, where to first? We've got a whole day of adventure waiting for us!"

Mitchell was lagging behind, his phone pressed to his ear. Cam stood beside him, looking increasingly annoyed. He crossed his arms, tapping his foot impatiently.

"You know what, Mitchell?" Cam began, frustration evident in his voice. "I'm going to call Daniel and give him a piece of my mind if you don't stop worrying about work today!"

Mitchell held up a hand, signaling for patience. "Just give me one more minute," he said into the phone, clearly trying to wrap up the conversation.

Suddenly, Lily made a dash towards the iconic Disney castle, her little legs moving as fast as they could. Without missing a beat, Cam quickly grabbed the leash attached to Lily's harness, tugging her back gently but firmly. The sight immediately caught everyone's attention, and a few strangers stared.

Cam looked at the rest of the family, holding the leash with both hands as Lily squirmed. "She's been running a lot today—you have no idea how much she needs this!" he said. "You can't judge us," he added.

Jay shook his head and looked back at his wife, frowning at her choice of footwear. "I told you it was a mistake to come in heels, Gloria!" he said, his eyes glancing disapprovingly at her stylish but impractical shoes.

Gloria waved him off, her chin lifted stubbornly. "No, Jay, I'm fine," she insisted, though her steps were clearly slower and more careful on the uneven ground.

The group paused to get themselves organized. Mitchell finally hung up his phone, taking a deep breath. He looked over to see Haley and Alex still in conversation with Ethan. He frowned, curious. "Who's that boy?" he asked, nodding toward Ethan.

Claire looked over and smiled. "That's Ethan. I brought him along to get Haley's attention. You know, I'm hoping to set them up."

"Of course he is going to catch her attention," Cam said. "Where did you find him?"

"He's my friend's nephew. He'll be going to college soon. He is the whole package," Claire said.

"Is he for her or for you?" Mitchell said, earning a glare from claire.

Mitchell then added more seriously. "Honestly, it's probably a good thing. I don't think Haley's fully over Daniel yet."

Claire's eyebrows shot up. "Really? You think so?" she asked, genuinely surprised.

Cam shook his head, dismissing the idea. "Oh, please, Mitchell. It's been like a year! Of course she's over him."

Mitchell shrugged. "I'm not so sure," he said quietly, glancing back at Haley.

Claire's gaze shifted back to her daughter, who was now laughing at something Ethan said. 

She sighed. "Well, if that's the case, then this is definitely a good idea. Especially considering the guy she's dating now," she added, her tone less than thrilled.

Mitchell nodded in agreement. "Oh yeah, way better."

Phil suddenly clapped his hands, a wide grin on his face. "Alright, everyone! Luke and I are gonna hit the first ride. Who's with us?" he declared.

Without waiting for an answer, Phil and Luke took off towards Space Mountain. Jay, Gloria, and Manny decided to head in the opposite direction, with Manny clearly not interested in being there. Cam, Mitchell, and a securely leashed Lily also went off on their own, Cam muttering something about finding a turkey place.

That left Claire, Haley, Ethan, and Alex standing there, a slightly awkward silence settling in.

Claire cleared her throat, putting on her best mom-smile. "Well, looks like it's just us," she said, looking between Haley, Ethan, and Alex. "How about we head over to Fantasyland? There are some great rides there!"

"Fantasyland sounds great," Ethan said, trying to break the awkward tension.

Haley sighed, but her smile stayed in place as she linked her arm with Ethan's. "Fine. Let's go, Ethan." She shot a look at Alex, as if daring her sister to say something.

Alex just shrugged, falling into step beside them, her eyes gleaming with amusement as the small group started to make their way toward Fantasyland.

====

[Haley Commentary]

"Things are definitely looking up today," Haley began, a smile on her face. "Ethan is very nice... I mean, he's super smart, knows so much about everything. He's—" she paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "He's really knowledgeable, funny, and he listens. He actually cares about what I'm saying..." Haley trailed off, her eyes widening as realization dawned on her.

She blinked, her face twisting into a mixture of shock and annoyance. "Oh my god... I'm literally describing Daniel, aren't I?" she said, her voice rising in disbelief.

The camera panned out to show Alex sitting beside her, giving her sister a deadpan look. "I told you," Alex said, crossing her arms.

Haley shot Alex an annoyed glare, grabbing a pillow from the couch beside her and hurling it at Alex. "No, this doesn't mean anything!" she protested, her voice loud and defensive.

Alex just smirked, catching the pillow and rolling her eyes. "Whatever you say, Haley."

[End Commentary]

"So, Ethan, do you read?" Alex asked.

Ethan smiled, nodding. "Yeah, actually, I read a lot."

"Oh, I read a lot too," Haley chimed in.

"Magazines don't count," Alex retorted.

"I have been rereading the Percy Jackson books lately," Ethan said.

Haley's eyes widened slightly, while Alex's face lit up with excitement. "Wait—you like Percy Jackson?" Alex asked, her enthusiasm evident.

Ethan's face brightened as he nodded. "Yeah! They're amazing. I've been reading them since they first came out."

"Me too!" Alex said, her eyes sparkling as she leaned in, clearly thrilled to have found common ground with Ethan.

Haley silently groaned. Why is Daniel's being mentioned everywhere today?

'No, no, Haley, you are not bothered by this,' Haley thought to herself.

"You know, I know Daniel personally," Alex said, her voice holding a hint of pride.

Ethan's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open slightly. "Really? That's so cool," he said, clearly impressed.

"Yeah, he sometimes gives me advanced copies to read," Alex boasted.

Haley, not one to let Alex get the upper hand so easily, shot her sister a glare. She stepped forward, cutting into the conversation. "The only reason Alex knows him is because I used to date him," she said, emphasizing the words, her tone almost daring Alex to disagree.

Ethan looked surprised. He glanced at Haley. "Oh, wait—that's why I remember seeing you before!" he said, recognition dawning.

Haley instantly regretted bringing it up. Her face fell slightly as she realized—once again—Daniel had somehow managed to find his way back into her personal life without even being here. She sighed internally but forced herself to keep her composure, offering Ethan a polite smile, as if it didn't bother her.

The group continued on, with Alex and Ethan animatedly discussing Percy Jackson.

Haley trailed behind, her interest in Ethan waning, while Claire tried—unsuccessfully—to separate Alex and Ethan to give Haley another shot. Haley had checked out of the competition, her mood darkened by the gnawing thought that maybe she was never really over Daniel.

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Daniel POV

"I'm not going to make fun of you for going to circus school again," Daniel said as he lay next to Margot in bed.

Margot laughed, her laughter filling the cozy darkness of their hotel room at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. They were nestled in the soft bedding, with the morning sun just starting to peek through the curtains.

"Oh, really?" Margot replied, raising her eyebrows in mock surprise. "Because I seem to remember you bringing it up every chance you get."

Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. "I promise. Not this time." He paused, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "Not after what you did to me last night," he added, as if reliving the memory.

Margot grinned, shifting closer to him, her voice soft and teasing. "Well, that isn't the only secret ability I have," she said, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She gave him a playful wink before slipping out of bed.

Daniel's eyebrows rose, his curiosity piqued as he watched her move toward the bathroom. She looked back at him with a grin. "Come on, get up. We're going to be late," she said, her tone urging.

A grin spread across Daniel's face as he swung his legs out of bed. "Well, if we're already late," he said, following her into the bathroom, "why waste time?" He stepped into the shower behind her, causing her to squeak in surprise as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Later, after their impromptu shower and getting dressed, they left their hotel room—Daniel in a casual tee and jeans, Margot in a summery dress with sunglasses perched on her nose. They made their way to the waiting car—a sleek black SUV Daniel had arranged for the day.

Once in the car, Margot glanced at her phone before looking at Daniel. "We should've left earlier," she said, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Daniel looked over at her. "Why are you so caught up in being early?" he asked, amused by her concern.

Margot turned to him, adjusting her sunglasses. "Because there are going to be a lot of people," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "It's my first time going, and I really don't want to spend half the day waiting in lines."

Daniel chuckled, which only deepened Margot's frown as she shot him a questioning glare.

"What's so funny?" she challenged.

Daniel shook his head, still smiling. "We're not going to be waiting in any lines. Trust me."

"Oh, really?" she said, tilting her head skeptically.

He nodded confidently, leaning back in his seat. "Yep. We're getting the VIP treatment," he said with a hint of mystery. "I recently became part of an exclusive club."

Margot's eyes widened with interest. "What club?" she asked.

"You'll see soon enough," Daniel replied with a wink, leaving her in suspense.

As they approached the park, Margot spoke up again, her voice softening. "You know, I always wanted to dress up as a princess and go to Disneyland when I was a kid," she admitted wistfully. "I could never do it." She glanced out the window, lost in thought.

Daniel considered her words, remembering that despite her father's wealth, she hadn't enjoyed a comfortable childhood. Her father had abandoned her and her siblings, forcing Margot to work hard to pursue her dreams—something he greatly admired.

"Maybe you could do it today," Daniel suggested.

Margot laughed, shaking her head. "I think they don't allow that for adults."

"Maybe I can ask around," Daniel said, already imagining Margot dressed as Cinderella or Belle. The idea made him grin, especially if she decided to wear it tonight too.

'Dammit, Daniel, get your head out of the gutter,' he scolded himself.

They pulled up to Disneyland. The car door opened, and they stepped out into the bright California sun.

A representative was already waiting for them, wearing a crisp uniform and a welcoming smile.

"Mr. Adler?" the representative asked, approaching with a nod.

"That's me," Daniel confirmed.

"Welcome to Disneyland," the representative said, shaking Daniel's hand before giving Margot a warm smile. "We've got everything ready for you today. Please follow me."

Margot looked at Daniel, her eyes wide with excitement as she squeezed his hand. Daniel nudged her playfully. "Told you we're getting the VIP treatment."

The representative led them through a separate entrance, bypassing the visitors at the front gates. They were whisked past security, treated with an air of importance.

Once inside, the representative handed Daniel a set of passes. "These are your premium passes for the day," he explained. "As part of your membership privileges, you'll have first access to all major attractions."

Margot's jaw dropped as she stared at the passes in Daniel's hand. She turned to him, her excitement bubbling over. "We get first dibs on everything?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"No long lines for us," Daniel said with a grin.

"Yay!" Margot squealed, unable to contain herself. She grabbed Daniel's hand and practically dragged him inside, her laughter ringing out in delight.

They started on Main Street, U.S.A., a street that seemed lifted straight out of the past, with horse-drawn carriages and turn-of-the-century storefronts—the kind of place that brought out the child in anyone who visited.

They grabbed Mickey-shaped waffles from a small cart and began strolling around, taking in all the sights and sounds. They paused in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, the sparkling towers and iconic pink walls providing the perfect backdrop for a photo. Margot wrapped her arms around Daniel, insisting they get the angle just right so the castle's towers were in full view.

Their next stop was Space Mountain. Margot practically vibrated with excitement as they approached the entrance, weaving their way through the line. Thanks to their premium passes, it wasn't long before they climbed into the sleek ride vehicle.

By the time the ride ended, Margot was still giggling, clinging to Daniel's arm. "I almost thought I was going to get beheaded!" she exclaimed breathlessly.

They continued to Pirates of the Caribbean and other nearby rides. As they wandered through Adventureland, a young girl—probably around fourteen—approached them. She hesitated for a moment, looking almost too nervous to speak.

Daniel noticed her and gave a friendly smile. "Hey there," he said gently, encouraging her to approach.

"Um, excuse me... are you Daniel Adler?" she asked timidly.

Daniel smiled warmly, nodding. "Yes, yes, it is I," he said in an overly dramatic voice, causing the girl to burst into nervous giggles.

She lit up, barely able to contain her excitement. "Could I get a photo with you?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Of course," Daniel replied. He handed his phone to Margot, who took the picture of Daniel and the girl standing side by side. Daniel made sure to give a warm smile and a thumbs-up, while the girl could hardly hide her happiness.

After the picture was taken, the girl looked up at Daniel. "Um... are there going to be more Percy Jackson books soon?" she whispered, as if she wasn't sure she should be asking.

Daniel leaned down, his smile turning conspiratorial. He glanced around playfully, as if to ensure no one was listening. "Let's keep this a secret between us, alright?" he said softly. "Yes, there's more on the way soon."

The girl's eyes went wide, her face lighting up with pure joy. She nodded eagerly. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" she said, practically bouncing before running back to her parents, who had been watching from a distance.

Margot watched the girl run back, a smile on her face. She looked up at Daniel, nudging him with her elbow. "Look at you, making people's day."

"It's what I do," he said as they continued on.

They found themselves walking back down Main Street when Daniel noticed a small, familiar figure darting toward them, her little arms pumping as she ran. He blinked, trying to place her, and then it clicked.

"Lily," he muttered as she ran right up to him.

She stopped just in front of Daniel and looked up at him with wide eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Daniel asked, glancing around in search of Cam or Mitchell. Sure enough, he spotted them hurrying toward them.

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This will be the beginning of slowly diverting the 'Modern Family' story away from canon, especially with Haley. And yes, I have been taking your suggestions for the final pairing into consideration--It's is still up in the air.

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