Chapter Text
Daisy had to stop herself from pulling out her pepper spray or pocket knife or something because those were only for self-defense, and she could not be caught trying to harm her boyfriend’s twin sister. She didn’t want to hurt Della, but when people made her mad, it sucked that that was what her mind jumped to. Daisy sat seething for a second before she deemed herself ready to act civilly. Or, at least, ready to act in a way that wasn’t driven solely by anger.
She opened the front door again, to see a perplexed, maybe even a little scared, Della. Good. Let her be scared of Daisy. Hell hath no fury like an overprotective girlfriend, and she had seen the temper the Duck family had. Oh, this would be fun.
“Uh, h-hi, Daisy...is my brother here?”
“No.”
“Well, has he been here?”
“Do you really expect me to believe that, after a couple of days now, you care about where Donald is?” Daisy’s voice was frosty at the edges. Della had always been used to boiling hot anger from her family, but this? This icy, cold, stinging anger? It was downright scary.
“Daisy, please, I just want to talk to him.” All Della got in response was another stone-cold glare before Daisy turned abruptly from the door. But, she left it open, and Della scuttled inside. Was that an invitation to come in? Maybe it was better to ask for forgiveness later, because maybe she could figure something out about Donald from his girlfriend before she had to face the actual man. Maybe.
She ventured past the little kitchen with a bar, a plate of cookies and pitcher of lemonade halfway gone. She moved past a kitchen table, littered with a cutting mat, clear ruler, sketches and pattern paper. And then she came to Daisy’s living room.
Everything about it looked cozy, cute, and utterly inviting. Decorated in mustard yellow, lilac, gray, and burgundy, Della was astounded that those colors would look good together. Creativity had always been a mystery to her when it came to tangible things, but she was really impressed by the eclectic style in the room. Daisy truly was a designer. However, in the corner in a comfy looking armchair, she was met by the uninviting glare of Daisy Duck, a stark contrast to her surroundings.
Della gulped and felt paralyzed where she stood. She only found the courage to move when Daisy finally spoke to her:
“Have a seat, Della, and try to explain to me why it was ok to break Donald’s heart?”
OoOoOoOoOo
Huey had hardly ever seen Uncle Donald out of any kind of uniform, so it was really weird to see him in what he guessed were casual clothes: an old band tee, an unbuttoned flannel, and the sailor cap. Always the sailor cap, when they went out and about. Donald had never had time to do anything about his hat hair when he was taking care of them full-time, but right now, it didn’t seem like he had been in a hurry, but just didn’t care. Uncle Donald looked sad, sad enough that any smile he gave the kids didn’t reach his eyes.
It had been so long since Huey had seen that look on his uncle’s face, but it seemed like he was the only one out of all of them to catch on that the tired, stressed, and familiar look was back. As the kids piled in the car, Donald wanting to treat them since it had been so long since they’d been together to hang out, Huey called shotgun.
“Huey, you always get shotgun. And I called it first!” Dewey complained.
“I didn’t hear you call it though, and I’m oldest, soooo…” he replied with a smirk.
“That is so unfair,” Dewey pouted, but was surprised when Huey came up beside him and whispered:
“Let me try to talk to Uncle Donald, ok? Get him ready to open up? I trust you to keep Louie and Webby occupied.” Dewey’s demeanor changed drastically, which relieved him to no end. So it wasn’t just him thinking it, but Donald seemed off to Dewey as well. Dewey gave his brother a mock salute as he started to climb into the back seat.
“You can count on me, bro. You can Hue this,” he winked.
Rolling his eyes, Huey climbed in the Audubon. As they left the parking lot of Daisy’s place, Huey turned the music on softly, creating extra background noise to accompany whatever conversation Dewey had struck to distract their siblings. He took a deep breath, and steeled himself.
“Uncle Donald, we all know you’re really upset about something right now. Is it something we did?”
Donald kept his eyes on the road, but looked confused. “Why would you think you did something wrong?”
“It’s just...been so long since we’ve seen you look so sad. We’re worried. Is...is everything ok?”
There was that distant, distressed look again. Donald shook himself out of it, and answered, “your mom and I had some...different ideas about what family is, I guess. I was shocked, and a little hurt by what she said.”
A little hurt, huh? Uncle Donald was being annoyingly vague right now. “Junior Woodchuck Rule #216 says that fully voicing your thoughts helps others understand you.”
Donald chuckled wanly. “No one has understood me my whole life, and I don’t know if I’m ready to be heard now.”
“Can you try? Practice saying it to me like we used to practice for job interviews!”
Reaching a stop light, Donald squeezed his eyes shut, gathering courage to say the words out loud. Without looking at Huey, he quietly let out what had been weighing on him for days: “Your mom wants legal guardianship of you boys.”
Huey could only stare at Donald, bill hanging open.
OoOoOoOoOo
Della took a seat facing Daisy, nervous and hurt and a whole other mess of emotions. The past few days had obviously been a roller coaster for her brother, judging by the angry girlfriend sitting next to her, but she was hurting too. And wait, this wasn’t even the person she was aching to talk to! Donald had no problem voicing his grievances with her before, so what in the heck was she doing here trying to figure out the facts through his girlfriend? Phooey, she was Della Duck! She wanted to face the problem at hand head-on, not through someone else!
However, she didn’t want to burn any bridges. Daisy was cool, and she was obviously going to be part of the family, if she didn’t already consider herself adopted in. She had to keep her cool, and try and look at this from Daisy’s angle. She had spent far too long acting without thinking, but she was changing, and she could prove it. Family was what was coming before anything else for Della Duck, something she couldn’t wait to prove to her brother.
It was something she couldn’t wait to prove to her kids, too, which was how she’d ended up in this situation. Was she going about this the wrong way? She had been gone for so long, but she was back! Della may have never planned on being a mom, or to be missing for a decade, but she was living in the present, for her family. She had spent far too long living for herself. But...where was the disconnect? Donald knew how hard she was trying, so what didn’t he see about this mess, and what didn’t she see?
This was so confusing, and now she had to think about it all over again while face-to-face with Daisy. What a way to be put on the spot.
“Daisy, I’m not sure what to say. I really wanted to come and talk to Donald, and I don’t really know how to convince you that I don’t want to hurt him more by talking to him.”
“Did you even think about how he might feel about all this?” Daisy asked softly, in that quiet kind of angry way that would make anyone’s skin crawl.
“H-honestly I thought he would be really happy for me, and he would get it. Believe me, I’ve beat myself up over this for the past few days, and I’m trying so hard. I still want his side of the story about how he’s feeling, but I think I know how I feel about it.”
It had taken her days to come up with why exactly she had wanted to officially adopt the boys, and in that moment, she knew exactly how to get Daisy to see her side of the story.
“Sometimes, we get to pick and choose our family. Sometimes messy things happen, but in the end, it’s the people that you pick to care about that make it all worthwhile. For me, I want to show my kids that I care and have picked them above all else, and sometimes that takes something concrete and official; a tangible act of love, ya know? Wouldn’t you do that if you could? Donald and I have always been family, but for my kids, I wasn’t really their mom until I came back. I want to show them that this is real. I mean, for me that concrete thing it would be adoption papers, but maybe in the future for you it would be something like, say, a marriage license?”
Daisy’s steely gaze immediately softened as she took in what Della had said, and turned into something far more thoughtful and contemplative. Della felt herself relax a little as she put together that she had guessed right about her brother’s relationship and emotional status — this was something serious for both of them, which thrilled her to no end. Good for Donnie. But that was something she could think about later. Right now, Della Duck needed to talk to her brother.
“Daisy, will you please tell me where Donald is? Will you help me talk to him?”
OoOoOoOoOo
“Uncle Donald, I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“Well, that makes two of us, Huey,” Donald offered wanly as they were at a stoplight.
“It’s just that...Mom is our mom, but...you’re…” Huey trailed off, hesitant to finish his sentence. Donald let him try to finish, but after a minute or so, it seemed like this was something big.
“The marina is just around the corner, should we stop real quick? For old time’s sake?”
Huey nodded while still looking forward, brow furrowed as he thought long and hard about the situation.
They pulled in to the parking lot of the marina, just a couple of docks away from where the houseboat used to be. Donald and Dewey, Louie, and Webby filed out of the Audubon, but Huey stayed put, processing what was happening.
Being here was bittersweet, Huey decided, because this is where they’d grown up. The boys had made their own fun and adventure, and while he wouldn’t have it any other way now...things had just changed so much. They had had to grow up so much to fit into this new family dynamic they had known nothing about until just a short while ago.
A knock on the window pulled Huey out of his reverie.
Huey slid over as Uncle Donald opened the car door, and then promptly leaned into him. Huey’s arms wrapped around Donald’s torso tightly, as he said what he really thought he wanted to say. “Nothing is the same and I don’t know how to feel about it now that I have to think about it, you know? I really don’t know what to think about Mom having custody of us officially, because I don’t know what would change. I...I’m so confused about this. I don’t know why I’m so confused about this because it makes a lot of sense? Gosh, our family is confusing. But I think there’s one thing that I can have make sense to me.
“I’ve never had a dad before, but I’m pretty sure you are one.” He was met by one of Donald’s amazing hugs, gosh it had been so long since he’d had one, and they squeezed each other tightly.
“It...it hurt so much, when your mom talked to me about this. I guess it felt like she wanted to cut off all the memories we’ve made and the family we had. It...it takes me out of the picture. It’s another thing that’s making me wonder where I fit in, you know? A lot happened before you came along, but I never want to go back to that person. You changed everything about me. And I’m not sure of who I am without you boys.”
Huey wrinkled the bridge of his bill, and pulled away so he could look his uncle in the face. “You’d never be without us, though. We love you too much.”
Donald chuckled, and leaned back, relaxing a bit as Huey stayed glued to his side. “Well, obviously, because I love you guys too much too. I just...need to talk to your mom. I think I’ve let myself calm down enough to do that. Should I...talk to your brothers?”
“...maybe you should wait to talk to Mom first. But I know that they’re dying to know what’s going on.”
With one last squeeze, Donald nodded and opened the car door, walking out and tasting the sea. This was his happy place, being with the ocean and his boys.
Even though their family wasn’t conventional, Donald knew in his heart that they would always be his boys.
OoOoOoOoOo
Shortly after sunset, Donald and the kids were making their way back Daisy’s place. Donald was feeling ten times better than he had earlier in the day, and he managed to waltz up the front porch without incident. Whistling, he snagged the spare key from its hiding place, letting it dance across and through his fingers before putting it in the lock.
“Can you teach me how to do that?!” Dewey piped up beside him. “I didn’t know that you could do things like that!”
“I’m not always clumsy, you know. Learned some neat coin tricks when José and I were panhandling in Bahia, maybe I can show you sometime.”
“Wait, what?” Dewey’s question was left unanswered as Donald wiggled his eyebrows. They all filed inside.
“Hey Dais, just gonna grab the rest of my stuff and go ba—“ Donald froze in place as he realized Daisy and Della were in Daisy’s living room. He was starting to not feel so good. They were both on the couch, laughing...laughing at him? The ridiculousness of his outburst from a couple of days ago? Oh he was not ready to see her. He was going to gear up to talk to Della on the drive back, but she somehow found his safe place. And Daisy had let her in. Everything started to feel fuzzy, his heart sunk to the bottom of his stomach and fizzled as he started to feel weightless and dizzy. He knew what was happening, and if he didn’t get a grip soon, he was totally going to lose it as he got mad. Focus on the boys, what are they wearing? Huey was wearing red, Louie was in green, Dewey in blue. Thank goodness Jones had taught him to focus on what was around him, going so far as to bring in the idea of color coordinating the boys, because he started to find concrete things all around him as he calmed down before realizing someone was holding his hand. As the red faded from his vision, he looked to see who was hanging on to him.
Della.
She drove him nuts. They had never gotten along, and there were so many things about her that were never going to mesh with Donald, especially with the rift that about a decade brought. He had had to grow up in a totally different way than she had, both of them only 25 when things went south. But Della was his sister. She always went out of her way to be there for him, like when he had needed to start working through PTSD as a young adult, or through the silly activities and pranks that brought him out of his shell as a teenager. He loved her so much, he couldn’t stay madat her, but it didn’t stop him from feeling frustrated and upset at the situation.
“Can we talk now? Please?” Della pleaded. Donald was lost, was this even the time or place to be talking?
Someone else came and squeezed his shoulder. Daisy. She leaned in, whispering, “I’ll take the kids back while you take Della.” Relief washed over Donald. This woman was everything he’d ever needed, what would he do without Daisy?
OoOoOoOoOo
Locking up after the kids and Daisy had filed out, Donald found his hands shaking a bit as he tucked the key away from the rest of the world. Taking a deep breath, he did an about-face to Della.
She gave him a tired smile. “Geez, Donnie, how old is that shirt? I haven’t seen you wear that since college.”
“Well, I didn’t really need new clothes so why get new stuff? Daisy said it looked ok.”
“Using your girlfriend to cover your lack of wardrobe? She’s a fashion designer, but it doesn’t cover the fact that you’re still a dork.”
“Says the sister who’s literally worn the same outfit since we were 20.” Donald unlocked the car and tossed his duffel bag in the back seat. Della chuckled weakly.
“You’ve got me there. Sooooo, are we gonna keep skirting around the problem?”
Donald sighed deeply as he closed his eyes. “No.” He gasped as Della hugged him suddenly, tightly, taking his breath away.
“Oh thank goodness,” she breathed, voice wavering. “I...I haven’t seen you that upset since the Spear of Selene. And we didn’t talk to each other for years after that.”
“...not like you had much of a choice.”
“But still! Donald, I don’t want to fight, I just want to talk.”
He felt heavy and tired. Squeezing his eyes shut, he was a bit angry as he responded, “So you want to talk now? We couldn’t have had this conversation before you went to Scrooge and started setting things in motion?” Della looked lost as he got in the car and slammed the door behind him. He had to get a grip, he couldn’t get too angry to talk, or this would never get solved. Breathe in, breathe out.
Della scrambled into the front passenger seat. “Donald, it’s not like that! I didn’t mean to do anything behind your back. I just got so excited, and sometimes I do things without thinking. I just wanted to fix things!”
Donald stayed silent, processing what she had said. He turned the key in the ignition, and started the drive for Killmotor Hill. “...Della, what did you think you were fixing?”
“What was I fi— Donald, I want to fix everything! I was gone for so long, I wasn’t there when I should have been, and I tore you and Scrooge apart! For ten years!!! You did everything for my kids, and they’re amazing, and I’m so proud of them. I want them to be proud of me too, because I’m trying to be a mother, gosh dang it! Nothing I do seems to make up for lost time, and...and…” tears finally spilled over, Della angry, irritated that he just didn’t seem to get it, “I wanted to do something real, something that would prove once and for all that family comes first.
“Dewey is a lot like me, but I still can’t help but feel like Louie and Huey resent me. They still go to you for everything, and I’m still getting to know my own kids. They're my kids, for crying out loud! I feel like such a failure and I have so many regrets if I think about it too much, but I want to move forward! I want to be their mom! I want them to know, without a doubt, that I love them, and this seemed like a good way to do that, you know?”
“...I get it. What I don’t get is why you’d go behind my back and just try and...rip the most important thing in my life away. The boys...they mean everything to me.”
They buzzed in to the mansion, continuing to drive up the long, long hill. “Phooey, Donald, I’m sorry. I’m SO sorry. This is turning into another thing I gotta fix, huh?”
“Well, I think I need to fix some things too. It’s been so good to have you back, but now I don’t know what to do. It’s been ten years since I’ve been part of this family dynamic too.”
“We’ll get through it together, ok? Would you be ok with me adopting my kids?”
“I think so, as long as you don’t try and get rid of me for good.”
“Geez Donald, we might not be a normal family, but I’m not trying to out the best father figure the boys have ever known!” Della rushed out of the car when they pulled to a stop, and ran to Donald’s side of the car, yanking open the door and pulling him tight to her in a bear hug. “We’re gonna make sure that everything is 100, no, 200% ok before we move on, got it? It’s been a heavy day, we can talk more in the morning. Oh Donald, you are the BEST and I LOVE you and don’t EVER think I’m trying to erase you from my family again, or I’m gonna have to beat you up.”
Donald hugged his sister back. “Dells, please don’t beat me up again. And...thank you. For being so considerate. You really grew up on the moon, huh?”
Della only responded by smacking him on the arm. It seemed like things would be ok in their crazy family.
OoOoOoOoOo
After bidding Della farewell, Donald saw that the lights in the houseboat were on. He smiled; Daisy had let herself in, most likely, seeing as her car was still there. He made his way inside.
His house was less of a mess than he remembered, and looking into the boys’ room revealed Daisy cleaning up a little. “Heya, Toots,” Donald winked at her, feeling so much lighter than he had the last time he was in this room. Daisy scrambled to her feet.
“You gonna be ok, Mr. Big Shot?” She wrapped her arms around his waist, and Donald couldn’t help but look at her with the fondest adoration. His hands gently guided her face to be in line with his, and he kissed her. Slowly, softly, savoring every bit of it.
“I am as long as you’re here.”
“Good. I’m glad you feel that way, because I have a bone to pick with you.” Daisy pulled away from Donald’s embrace, and slapped him across the face.
“What’s the big idea?” Donald, more surprised than anything, was baffled by her sudden attack.
“Donald Duck, I know you said your life wasn’t normal, but I had no idea you did half the things your sister says you did. Being with her today was rather... illuminating.”
Donald narrowed his eyes at her. “What did she tell you?”
“Enough! Obviously! You’re remarkable, and why haven’t you shared any of your accomplishments with me?”
Donald winced. “It normally scares people away.”
“Well, those people don’t matter if they don’t stick around, do they? Please, let me in, let me try to be a part of your family’s normal. Can you at least promise to try?”
“One question for you first. What’s the craziest thing Della told you about me?”
“Gee, there were lots of things, like your rank in the navy, what your temper can do in adventure situations, you helped find Atlantis, you beat up THE Minotaur, alone, when you were 18…I’ll be honest, it’s crazy stuff, and I wouldn’t believe in any of it...except I live in Duckburg, and I know you.”
“Oookay, so she told you a lot. Can I at least try to ease you into this?”
“Donald, all I ask is that you try. After today, I really saw what family meant to you guys, and I want to be a part of it.” Daisy got a little shy, and looked through her lashes up at Donald. “I really want to be with you, Donald.”
She watched his shock turn into delight. “Really?! Oh boy oh boy!” He picked her up and spun her in a circle, dipping her as they kissed deeply after setting her down. “I won’t do anything too crazy with you at first, but when are you free next? I know Scrooge is aching to hunt for the lost necklace of Marie Antoinette, and I think I might know someone who would be an expert on jewelry and fashion who would be incredible in this situation.”
Daisy felt a thrill at his enthusiasm. “Donald, you better believe you can count on me.”