Chapter Text
Her boyfriend being a part of the team that infiltrated a base of a secret evil organisation twice in less than 48 hours was far from being on Daisy’s list of favourites. She was in on the totally normal birthday plan and was told what happened during that first attempt, or rather, she knew the basics but enough to know that things didn’t go according to the plan.
So when Donald called her, telling her things have gone completely awry and that Huey and Webby were missing, asking her to get to the manor where she would be under Duckworth’s protection in case F.O.W.L. decided to come for her because of her connection to the McDucks, apologized profusely for putting her in danger by association and finally promising to tell her everything once they were back, she wasn’t surprised per se.
However, she was worried and scared like never before
Duckworth filled her in once she got to the manor and while the new information clarified things, it didn’t make her worry less. If anything, it made her even more worried. She almost wished F.OW.L. agents would attack the Killmotor Hill because a fight side by side with the butler would serve as a distraction from her worries. But nobody came and she was growing more frantic by the minute.
Finally, Donald called, and she was in such a daze she barely registered what he said. Only after he hung up- due to a freak accident involving Launchpad and the plane hatch-did, she realized what he proposed. She knew about the two clones they found, and it didn’t take a genius to connect the dots.
A part of her knew she should probably be mad at Donald for proposing what was essentially child adoption so of-handily, especially when she was already in emotional turmoil. But the bigger part knew that, were things reversed, she would probably do the same thing.
However, when the plane landed, they didn’t get a chance to talk. Somehow more people than those who were on the plane appeared on the manor grounds and between all the reunions she only got to hug Donald for a moment before they were interrupted by Storkules and Donald’s two musician friends.
She didn’t even get the chance to meet the two girls. She noticed the yellow and cyan-clad ducklings in the crowd, both giving her and Donald an occasional nervous glance but the two mostly stuck to Webby and the rest of the kids.
Finally, the couple managed to catch a moment for themselves. She had Della to thank for it for it, as the pilot lead Donald’s friends towards the kitchen, giving the couple a knowing look.
They moved to the top of the foyer staircase landing, hand in hand but neither spoke, both trying to find the right words. Daisy perched on the fence and Donal leaned on it, nervously wringing his hat in his hands. She knew what was on his mind.
“So, the two little stowaways?” she raised her eyebrow at him, finally breaking the silence.
“I’m sorry I dropped that on you just like that! It probably sounds insane, I probably sounded insane! It was inconsiderable for me to suggest it over the phone! Who does that?! You already have so much on your plate and you’re dealing with the weirdness that is my life and being a part of my family! I’m… I’m sorry. You deserve better than your boyfriend calling you like Hey, there are some kids here! Wanna take them in! But they were there and…” he was rambling to a point even Daisy could barely understand him.
She looked at her boyfriend with a fond smile, “Donald, it’s fine…”
“No, no it shouldn’t be, I dropped that suggestion on you completely out of the blue,” he looked at her apologetically, “and you must’ve already been worried out of your mind and-“
“Donald,” her tone was gentle but firm, “it’s fine. Ok, you’re right, you probably should’ve been a bit more tactful; you know not to drop the idea over the phone,” she said, and Donald averted his gaze, abashed, “but I know why you did it. You can’t look at someone in need and not help, especially when children are in question. That’s one of the many things I love about you.”
Donald snapped his head towards her, stunned, waiting for the other shoe to drop, “You really aren’t upset?” he asked when it started to become clear Daisy wasn’t going to explode on him like he assumed she justifiably would, “Because I understand if you are. You have every right to be and,” he swallowed, “if you want out…”
“Donald Duck!” she slipped of the fence, her eyes never leaving his. Her gaze burned with the same intensity that he started to fall in love with the moment they met, “listen to me. I’m not upset. I don’t want out. Of course, I don’t want out! I know people will tell me I’m crazy and maybe I am, but I don’t care! One of the first things I learned about you is how much you care for your kids. I very quickly fell in love with that,” she cupped his face gently and Donald could only stare at her, completely in awe, “And, sure, I expected children to come a bit later into the relationship, but I always wanted kids. You know that! Even before we planned our trip around the world, I knew I wanted them with you one day.”
“Are you saying you’re in?” Donald asked in hopeful disbelief, “Even though I put you in a situation that is completely removed from normal?”
“Who cares about normal!? I never expected things with us to be normal and I love that about us! I knew that when I started dating you! And today when I saw those two girls,” she said remembering how her heart melted at the sight of the two, how she wondered about the fate of the two young girls back when they were only known as the two clones discovered in the F.O.W.L. base, “There is something about them, I know that this is the right choice! If you weren’t the first to do so I would probably be the one with sudden adoption plans now! So, yes, call me crazy, but I’m in!” she beamed, her face flushed with happiness.
Donald looked at her for a moment, bewildered, then a wide grin spread on his face, “Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy,” he lifted her and spun her around as she laughed, planting a soft kiss on her lips, “you are the best girlfriend in the world,” he said putting her down.
“Aw you, flatterer,” she said playfully, “You’re not so bad yourself,” she kissed him on the cheek, as he was wiping away tears of joy.
“Our adventure is changing course before it even started, huh?” she said, her tone turning serious, but she was still radiating joy “I do believe that if we’re starting a family we should postpone the trip, at least for a while. I know you’ve been looking forward to it, though.”
“Don’t worry, I agree. Part of me still want to sail away, I admit,” he said wistfully, “but not at cost of your comfort,” he looked at her earnestly, “never at the cost of your comfort! Or the girls’. Us moving in together is one thing, but- wait, you are still moving in, right?”
Daisy stared at him blankly, “Don, how is that even a question? I just told you I wanted to adopt them the moment I saw them! Do you think I’m planning on raising two children with you from my old apartment on the other side of the city?” she teased, “Of course I’m moving in with you, silly!” she gave him a chaste kiss on the lips, “I just don’t think it’s high seas adventure time yet, because the girls will need their space, and, no offense to your boat, I love it, but it is a tad cramped!”
“None taken, you’re reading my mind perfectly,” Donald said, “I know from experience what it looks like to have a few pre-teens on a boat! And doing the same, in a completely new family situation and then sailing off to the open sea sounds like an absolutely terrible idea, even under normal circumstances!”
“Additional benefit of staying here is the support network we will have,” Daisy said, “I know you have experience and you did a wonderful job with the boys, you’re still doing a wonderful job, but I’m completely new to this.”
“Trust me, I’m glad for the support system too,” Donald said, “boy, when Della learns we’ll be staying here mostly for the sake of the girls, they will immediately become her second favourite family members!” he chuckled.
“Oh yes, your sister will most certainly be pleased to hear the news,” Daisy said, “How did the girls react when you told the idea to them?”
Donald scratched the back of his neck, suddenly feeling awkward, “On the plane, they seemed receptive enough…”
Daisy pinched her forehead, “Donald, please don’t tell me you haven’t even mentioned it to them after you all fell out of the plane!”
“And when was I supposed to do that?” he asked, “When we got back on the plane, I wanted to check if everyone was ok,” he explained and Daisy had to smile because of course, he did, he was her Donald, “by the time I was done with that, we were already landing. And then afterward well, you were here! I barely got to talk to you before Storkules butted in, let alone anyone else! Oh no,” he blanched “I left them to just ponder about it, without any proper explanation! Who knows what they are thinking now!” he looked at her, his eyes wide.
Daisy cupped his face with both hands calmly, “Nothing that can’t be fixed,” she said. “So, what are we waiting for, are you going to introduce us properly?” she asked him.
“Yes, let’s go,” he took her hand and they went looking for their kids.
……
May sat on the edge of the pool, June curled up to her side. Her sister played with the braided bracelet Lena and Violet gave to them on the plane, apparently some type of friendship ritual.
Her mind was in a jumble. Finding the truth about themselves, losing their mum creator, Black Heron. She didn’t even know what to think about that. She didn’t know what she felt about that, or what she was supposed to feel.
And then helping Webby out and deciding to join the McDuck’s allies and fighting Bradford and apparently being accepted as one of them. How was she supposed to feel about that
And then there was what Donald Duck suggested on the plane. They didn’t really get time to talk about it since, right as he suggested it, they fell out of the plane. They managed to board it again, thanks to the surprising number of members of their party with flying abilities and, before they managed to get to Donald and talk to him one on one, they were back in Duckburg.
It was probably just a spur-of-the-moment suggestion, right? He wasn’t serious about it, he couldn’t be. Why would anyone want the two of them around? Especially him, he almost died due to their actions! She didn’t dare approach to him about it, especially while he was surrounded by his friends, and neither did June, so they stuck with the kids, following Webby and the rest to the living room.
At first it seemed like June was getting along with everyone better, but once May got overwhelmed and excused herself to get some air, her sister followed suit and joined her. They haven’t spoken a word, June simply curled up next to her and softly cried. May, fighting her own tears, would occasionally glance over her shoulder, hoping no adults would come.
She wasn’t sure she could handle being berated and the family of strong adventurers would most certainly not be fine with them crying like babies any more than Heron and Bradford were. She could hear her mum’s Heron’s voice telling her to suck it up and stop being annoying.
And of course, that’s the moment she heard steps approaching. Two ducks, one barefoot, one in heels, she analysed. They still had a few moments,
“June,” she shook her sister, “June stop crying they’re going to see!”
June sat up straight. She tried to compose herself, but failed, let out a small hiccup, and then buried her face back into May’s sweater.
“June!”
The steps have gotten closer, and before she managed to do anything, two figures stood next to them. She steeled herself for the lecture that was probably coming, ready to defend her sister. But nothing like that came.
“Hey, girls,” she recognized the weird voice of Donald Duck, “may we sit?”
She turned around. He was standing there, hand in hand with a female duck she recognized as his girlfriend. Neither looked angry, in fact, both were smiling, but she didn’t dare relax.
May wasn’t entirely sure if she wanted them there, but felt like she had no other choice, so she nodded, “Sure,” she forced herself to say.
The two older ducks sat, on each side of the sisters. Donald sat on her right so that June was between them and the lady sat on her left.
“Hi, I don’t think we formally met,” the lady stated the obvious, “I’m Daisy.” She held her hand out to May.
“I’m May,” the duckling said, shaking her hand, “and this is June,” she looked at her sister who only buried her face deeper into her chest.
“You know what we’re here to talk you about?” Donald framed it like a question, although his tone made it young like a stated fact.
“Yes,” she said, keeping her voice level and emotionless, “about what you said on the plane.”
“That’s right,” Donald sounded hesitant. Why were they all so nice?
“You don’t have to let us down easy,” May said, her voice turning abrasive, she kept her gaze straight, not looking at either Donald or Daisy “I know you didn’t mean it so just say it!” she felt June flinch under her arm. She would apologize later.
“What?” came a joined response from the two adults, both sounded shocked.
“We’re not stupid, we know you don’t want us around so just,” her voice broke and she had to fight the tears, “just say it!”
“No, no, that’s not,” Donald sounded appalled. Great, she managed to insult him, “that’s not why we’re here. I would never suggest something like that without meaning it,” he said, and May dared look at him, scrutinizing his face. He didn’t look angry or offended. He was smiling, a worried crease between his eyebrows, “I’m sorry I dropped that on you like that and then left you to ponder about it without addressing it properly when we got here,” he said, which confounded May to no end. Why was he apologizing to them?
“We talked about it, and I’m on board with the idea,” Daisy said on her left and May turned to her. Just like Donald, she was smiling softly, not a hint of lies of insincerity on her face, “and we wanted to ask you two if you were you in?”
“No, it-it doesn’t make sense…” May’s voice wandered off, “we, broke into your home, you shouldn’t want us here!“
Before either Daisy or Donald could answer, June pushed herself up from under May’s arm and looked between them, her face tear-stained “I’m sorry,” she whispered, as the two adults turned to her, small frowns on their faces “For everything, breaking in, stealing…and I’m sorry for crying, I’ll get better at it!” she said, so quietly she was almost herder to understand than Donald.
“Apology accepted,” Donald said without hesitation, keeping his voice slow and steady so it was easier to understand, “for everything, as you put it. And I know I speak for everyone in there as well,” he said, gesturing towards the house. “But you never have to apologize for crying or feel bad about it.”
June looked at him, surprised, while May still looked suspicious.
“But mum, I, I mean Heron, said that…” June couldn’t finish, a sob cutting off her words.
“I can only imagine what she said,” Donald said compassionately, “and…I’m sure she believed she was doing the right thing. But we don’t do things that way here. You are allowed to feel your feelings,” he gently put his hand on her shoulder, “and you are allowed to let them out.”
“And that’s how things will always be if you decide to stay here,” Daisy filled in. If she was in love with Donald before, she was head over heels for him at that moment. She already knew he was a great parent; she saw how he interacted with the boys and Webby and their friends. But there was something special in the way he spoke to the girls, his voice filled with pure compassion and not even sounding accusatory towards Heron, knowing that might make the girls feel worse.
“You are serious about all this…” May said in disbelief, her eyes softening, on the verge of tears, “Just like Webby. But, but….why?”
“Because you deserve a good home,” Donald said, “and the two of us hope we can provide it,”
“Even if we…did bad things?” June asked.
“We’re evil clones, remember,” May rebuffed. “Agent 22 said so!”
“Forget about what Beakley said, I’ll talk to her,” Donald said, almost angrily, but his eyes remained kind, “You are not evil, I don’t think anyone is born, or created evil. You two were misled, given no choice. I know you were just looking for answers about yourselves, for a place to belong. But in the end, you helped us out, you were there by my side in the end.” He remembered how surprised he was to see the two girls helping him protect Scrooge against Bradford “That act must’ve taken immense bravery!”
“We know you don’t know us well, you just met me five minutes ago,” Daisy said, “but we hope we could give us that place, whatever you wish that to be!”
“Would we be living there?” June asked curiously looking at the boat in the pool. “On the plane you mentioned travelling.”
“If you’d like,” Donald said, “But Daisy and I decided to stay here for a while, until we all get used to each other.”
“You don’t have to coddle us,” May said, the sharp note returning to her voice, “we can adjust fine!”
“Hey,” Daisy said gently, “It’s not about coddling you. Although every child deserves a bit of coddling.” And after what you two have been through, you especially do, she thought but didn’t say out loud, “We will all need some time to get used to the new situation and each other. And any of us might end up needing a bit of our own space or some alone time. And I love Donald’s boat but there isn’t much space there or anywhere to go once you’re out at the sea. But if you girls want to go, we can pack up as soon as possible.”
“If we stay here, we can hang out with Webby and the others?” June asked shyly. “We could hang out at the manor?”
“Of course, you can do whatever you like!” Donald said.
“That sounds amazing, doesn’t it May?” June turned to her sister.
“It..it does sound nice,” May admitted, relaxing slightly.
“Ok, so, let’s make it half-official,” Donald said, his voice still warm but his demeanour much more serious now, “May, June, would you like to live with me and Daisy?”
“Yes,” May said, smiling at them for the first time, and June nodded.
“Yes,” she said, tears pooling in her eyes, “Does this mean you will be our,” her eyes darted between Donald, Daisy, and some unspecified point on the floor, her tone hesitant, “our parents now?”
May stiffened next to her. That was an unusually blunt question for her sister. She kept her gaze straight, afraid to look at either of the adults. You are just my experiments, Heron’s voice rang in her head.
“Well,” Daisy started, she expected there might be a question like that, “yes, at least legally speaking.” She said, carefully choosing her words.
“You would be out kids then,” Donald continued, and suddenly May felt much lighter. Not experiments, kids, “However, how you choose to view us is fully up to you.”
“And what should we call you?” June asked.
“Yeah, I’m not sure I can call you, you know. Not right away that’s for sure,” May said, surprising even herself by her openness.
“Whenever you are ready, and if it’s never that’s fine too,” Donald said, “as Daisy said, legally, we will be your parents, but you can refer to us in any way you are comfortable will.”
“I only have one request,” Daisy said in a half-serious tone, “Please, don’t pick up nicknames from his cousin Gladstone. One person calling me D-lady is already too much!”
This got a chuckle from both girls and an eye-roll from Donald.
“I think I’ll stick to your names,” May said. “Daisy and Donald.”
“I think so too.” June agreed. “Can we hug you?”
Daisy’s heart melted all over again, “Of cour-“ before she could even finish, she was cut off by a tight hug from June, who then released her and went to hug Donald, practically tackling him to the ground.
Daisy put her hand on May’s shoulder, who was a bit startled but turned around and, after a moment of hesitation, wrapped her arms around her, “Thank you,” she said to Daisy as June and Donald joined them for the group hug.
“There is nothing to thank for us, dears,” Daisy said, gently caressing May’s hair.
“Now come along,” Donald gestured towards the house, “Dinner is probably ready, and I want to get to Duckworth’s famous roast before Storkules gorges everything up!”
“Oh it’s too late for that,” Della suddenly approached from the door, startling all four of them, “Sorry, I was just coming out to call you to dinner, but then I decided to give you a moment, seemed more important than the roast,” she smiled warmly at them, “also I stood guard, you know, keeping the guys from barging in on you.”
“In that case, I’m glad Storkules had the roast do distract him,” Daisy said, but there was no ire to her voice. She eventually warmed up to Donald’s friend but, while Jose and Panchito were generally aware of what boundaries are-today was an exception, Storkules could be a tad intrusive.
“Please tell me there is something else to eat?” Donald asked, “I’m so hungry I could eat a whole roast!
Della laughed, “Well, Louie and Webby managed to convince uncle Scrooge to order in from Hamburger Hippo! And he didn’t even have any coupons!”
May and June exchanged a look between themselves and then looked between the three adults, “Um, could we go inside and eat, please?” June finally asked none of them in particular.
“Of course, you don’t have to ask!” Donald answered.
The two were hesitant for a moment.
“Go on,” Della said to them, a friendly smile on her face, “Webby saved you both a spot!”
The two finally rushed inside, May stopping at the door for a second, casting one last glance to Donald and Daisy but then her sister pulled her along.
“Thank you for earlier,” Daisy said, to Della “I like the guys but they can be a bit much.”
Della waved it off, “Nah, don’t mention it. Plus, I owed you for earlier, I may have…overacted when I learned you were going on a trip,” she said, “So, you’re taking the girls in, huh?” she asked them, her eyes shining with approval.
“Yes,” Daisy said, sounding a bit overwhelmed, “I think it’s only hitting me right now. I hope we do right by them. It won’t be easy for any of us, they’ve been through so much”
Della pulled her into a side hug, “You’ll do great. My kids like you and that’s a good sign. Plus you the best mand for the job with you right there, trust me,” she looked at Donald, “best parent in the world, I can tell you that!” her voice was filled with admiration and gratitude and she smiled at Donald who smiled back.
“I know,” Daisy said, “I wouldn’t be starting a family with him if I didn’t think so too.”
“It’s still going to be a heck of a ride,” Donald said, “after the way F.O.W.L. treated them, they deserve love and support. And we’ll need at the help we can get.”
“I would say I’ll be there for you, and I will, just…from afar.” Della looked at the two genuinely happy for them, “Listen just, make sure to call often while you sail the world, ok? Or I’ll just fly over wherever you are!”
“About that,” Daisy said, “we’re not going on the trip, not yet.”
“WHAT?” Della’s eyes grew wide and she stared at Daisy in disbelief. “Listen if you’re teasing…”
“We’re not,” Donald said, “we decided to stay for a while. As I said, we’ll need help, something we might not have out there, and so much has happened, and also we don’t want to overwhelm the girls by cramming them on the-oof!” he was pulled in Dell’s bone-crushing hug.
“Oh my, I’m,” Della’s eyes were filled with tears of joy, as she pulled Daisy back into a hug as well, “Listen to me you two, I’m sorry I gave you hard time before, and I was genuinely happy if you were happy, but I won’t lie I am glad you are staying for a while longer,” she released them, Donald was rubbing his ribs and Daisy wondered how was it possible that Della almost gave tighter hugs then Storkules, “I missed you so much and I don’t want to part yet,” she said to her brother, “and I want to meet my future sister-in-law better. And now my nieces. I call dibs on being the cool aunt!”
“Well, not much competition, since I only have two brothers,” Daisy said, “I do have a female cousin though.”
“Well tough luck, I called dibs,” Della said, “Now let’s get inside before Penny and Webby eat all the hamburgers or I’ll eat my hat!”
…….
While the three adults were talking, May and June walked through the kitchen and stopped themselves at the dining-room door. They hesitated for a second and then June opened the door slightly, peaking into the room.
Despite the ridiculously long dining table, the room was equipped with, there were still a few more added at the end of it, due to the sheer number of people in the room. The smell of food was enticing, especially since they haven’t eaten anything the whole day.
“Here you go girls,” a polite British voice said, and they looked up, seeing that Duckworth the ghost butler holding the door for them, “I’m pretty sure Miss Webbygail is expecting you,”
“Um, thank you, sir,” June said, awkwardly shuffling tough the door, May following close behind.
“Yes, thank you,” she piped up as the butler floated into the kitchen. Across the room, near the end of the table, Webby was excitedly waving at them and pointing to the two empty chairs next to her, between herself and Lena and Violet. As they crossed the room, May still expected the rest of the people to look at them scornfully but most barely seemed to notice them. The few who did either looked intrigued or, in a few cases, gave them small smiles.
As they sat between Webby and Violet, the triplets, and the red-headed girl from the plane sitting on the opposite side of the table, everyone greeted them warmly. Within a minute, the kids were in deep discussion over which burger the two should try first, and while the girls felt overwhelmed, they also felt happy. Everybody seemed to treat them as part of the group. June was even convinced she noticed Agent 22 gave the group of kids a small smile as she passed by.
As May was about to bite into her hamburger, she noticed Donald, Daisy, and Della walking into the dining room. Next to her June, who already tried a burger and decided she didn’t like it much, so Dewey brought her a pizza from the other end of the table, waved at them.
The two girls exchanged a look. They were still scared, they didn’t really know who they were or how they would fit in. They still had a lot to learn, but they felt warmth. They thought back to what Webby said back at the base, about her family. Our family, she said. And maybe she was right.
Despite the events of the day, everyone around them was kind and helpful. They seemed to understand that they were lost and confused. So the two were hopeful, they would learn and figure out who they are, they would find a way to belong in the family .