When The Time Comes

Things were unusually quiet that night as Scrooge was setting up the tents for him and Goldie. They had just gotten done wrapping up a quest together when they decided to camp out for the night before heading their separate ways for old time's sake. Goldie was by the fire pit gazing into the flames in deep thought when Scrooge sat down beside her.

"What's on your mind Goldie girl?" Scrooge asked in a soft voice, he reached out and covered her hand with his gently. "Thinking of the Klondike again?"

Goldie shook her head and leaned onto Scrooge's shoulder. "No Scroogey, I'm just thinking about other things that I haven't thought about SINCE the Klondike days."

"Well my ears are open for listening if you wanna talk about those thoughts." Scrooge said with warmth in his voice. "We have all night to talk."

Goldie said nothing for a couple of minutes until she finally lifted her head off of Scrooge's shoulder and gazed into his eyes. "What are your thoughts on retiring?"

"Retiring?" Scrooge repeated with wide eyes, "I haven't thought about that life style since I was a wee lad. But I don't think it's the right life style for me right now, especially since I want to retain my status as the richest Duck in the world."

Goldie looked down at the blanket around her lap and gave a small chuckle, "I knew you were gonna say something like that. You never change Scroogey."

"You say that like it's a bad thing Goldie. There's more to that question than you're letting on isn't there?" Scrooge asked Goldie, stroking his thumb across the top of her hand softly. "You can ask me anything m'dear."

Goldie gave him a warm smile and nuzzled her beak against his, "I remember when we were younger and we worked on your claim to salvage gold from the great frontier. Those were simpler times and in our ecstasy we thought about getting married and starting a life together. Now that we're older and we aren't the Ducks we once were...when the time comes do you want to settle down with me?"

"I never thought the day would come when I would hear those words come out of your mouth." Scrooge replied much sweeter than Goldie had anticipated and he brought her hand up to kiss. "To be perfectly honest m'dear, I'm not sure when I'll swallow my love of adventure and discovery for a quiet life but I wouldn't want to spend it with anyone else but you."

Those words alone touched Goldie's heart and as Scrooge lowered her hand from his lips, he brought his hand back up to cup her cheek tenderly. "I hope you'll wait for me because when I'm ready to settle down, I'm coming for your hand." Scrooge said with such dedication that all he needed was a golden wedding band and that would've been his proposal.

Goldie responded with a kiss that made Scrooge's mind go blank. With the nighttime sounds all around them, it was like they were back on his claim salvaging gold together.

"My hand has been yours since we met." Goldie whispered after their lips parted and she leaned back down onto his shoulder. Scrooge rested his head on top of hers and together they enjoyed each other's company knowing that they have each other when the time comes to settle down.