"Just relax," Mrs. B said as she adjusted Drake's tie. "You'll do fine."

"What if the judge says no?" Drake asked nervously, wanting to pace outside the courtroom door.

"He won't," Scrooge assured him. "Your case is strong, your paperwork is all in order, Gosalyn has made her testimony, and you've got one of the best lawyers in Callisota on your side."

Drake couldn't believe this was happening. It had only been two months since he started the process of adopting Gosalyn, and somehow—miracle of all miracles—the adoption should be completed today. He knew he was lucky, it never took this fast to get through an adoption. He knew Scrooge had pulled some strings behind the scenes, though the old duck denied it whenever Drake asked. But it had been a long two months of paperwork and coffee and background checks and home buying and visits that never lasted long enough.

He thought for sure that the Moon Invaders storming Duckburg—which of course happened during the very first full weekend with Gosalyn the social worker approved of, because of course that was how Drake's luck went—would have set the process back by weeks, but no.

All they had to do was get through this court date and that would be it. They'd be headed home to Duckburg, father and daughter.

Launchpad placed his hand comfortingly on Drake's shoulder. "You've got this, DW."

Drake took a deep breath, trying to take comfort in his boyfriend's words. He wouldn't have been able to get through this without Launchpad. He insisted on being the one to drive to St. Canard, even after Drake was finally free of his casts, to go with Drake on the visits with Gosalyn. He had spent hours with Drake poring over paperwork. Launchpad had even caught some mistakes that Gos's social worker and the lawyer had completely missed. Launchpad had helped him pick a house, move in, choose furniture…

It was lovely and cozy and domestic in a way that Drake had never thought he'd ever experience and he loved it.

The courthouse doors opened and Mrs. Cavanaugh, the social worker, and Gosalyn entered. Gos didn't seem too thrilled about the dress she was wearing, but when she started running to embrace Drake and Launchpad, Drake saw that she was wearing her favorite sneakers. He grinned at the subtle piece of rebellion, and picked her up, hugging her tight.

"Today's the day," He told her.

"Yeah!" Gosalyn said. "Adoption day! Finally! Feels like it's been forever!"

"It feels like that to me, too," Drake said, setting her back down again. But as he set her on the ground, he whispered in her ear, "LP and I've got a bag with jeans and a Duckburg hockey t-shirt in it for you after this. So you can ditch that dress as soon as possible."

Gosalyn beamed. "You know me so well, Drake."

"I sure hope so. I read a lot of paperwork all about you. I think I know you better than I know myself."

Gosalyn laughed, then went to embrace Launchpad and catch up with him, Scrooge, and Mrs. B. Drake straightened and glanced around. However, he caught sight of two people that made his smile disappear and his stomach tighten, his blood cooling.

Oh, of all the people… Of all the ways to ruin this perfect day…

"Drakey!" His mother exclaimed, rushing forward to hug him.

"Mom?" Drake mumbled, pulling out of her embrace slightly. "Uh, what are you doing here?"

"We found out about your case and we came to see!" Maggie Mallard said. "Oh, Drake, how could you not tell us that we were going to become grandparents again?"

"Easily," Drake said flatly as he looked at his father warily.

Saxony Mallard smiled at his son, clapping him on the shoulder. "Ah, son, we can't tell you how much it pained us when you left home… It's been so long. But now, look! Here we are by serendipitous fate! And we can be a happy family again, and all because of—"

"Excuse me," Launchpad said, stepping in, putting his hand on Drake's shoulder, Gosalyn on his hip, the young girl clutching to Launchpad's jacket. "But, Drake, Devin needs to speak with you before we go into the courtroom."

"Ah, yes," Drake said, grateful for Launchpad's provided escape route. "Excuse me, I need to go speak with my lawyer."

"And who are you?" Saxony asked, arching an eyebrow at Launchpad.

"Launchpad McQuack. Pilot and driver for Scrooge McDuck," Launchpad said proudly.

"And my boyfriend," Drake added, because he couldn't resist, slipping his arm around Launchpad's waist. "Now, sorry, we really need to take care of this before the judge calls us in."

Drake, Launchpad and Gosalyn walked towards Devin, the lawyer, who did not—in fact—need to speak with them.

"Thanks for the save," Drake whispered to Launchpad.

"Anytime, DW," Launchpad said. "That's what partners do."

Gosalyn, however, looked over Launchpad's shoulder and frowned slightly. "Drake, those are your parents?"

"Yeah," Drake said.

"They wanted to adopt me, too. Two days before you showed up, actually," Gosalyn told him. She was quiet, then she said, "I think I understand now. Why you avoided St. Canard."

"I had hoped you wouldn't have to," Drake said, holding out his arms to take Gosalyn from Launchpad. She stretched her arms out and wrapped them around his neck in a tight hug, then Drake gave her a kiss on the head and set her on the ground. "Ready to go do this?"

"More than," Gosalyn told him, taking his hand as the courtroom doors opened. She grinned up at Drake. "Let's get dangerous?"

Drake smiled down at her and squeezed her hand. "Let's."

Court was now in session…

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

To say that the mood was celebratory was an understatement. It had taken everything within Drake to not cheer and dance the moment that the judge signed the papers, making Gosalyn officially his daughter.

There was, however, a small dance party outside the courthouse.

There was another party waiting for them when they got home, which Drake hadn't been expecting.

From the backseat, Gosalyn gasped. "Keen gear!"

Hanging over the garage was a homemade banner that read: WELCOME HOME, GOSALYN!

There was Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby and Lena waiting on the front lawn of 537 Avian Way, all bouncing with excitement as the car pulled into the driveway. Inside, there was even more excitement.

"Surprise!" Della exclaimed as the kids led Drake, Gosalyn, Launchpad, Scrooge and Mrs. Beakley into the house.

Drake looked up at Launchpad. "Did you know about this?"

"Duh. Who do you think gave 'em a key?" Launchpad said proudly.

"Congratulations!" Donald Duck—Della's twin brother, whom Drake had met during the Moon Invasion—exclaimed as he shook Drake's hand.

"And welcome home!" Fenton said, offering his hand out for a high-five from Gosalyn.

"Glorious, glorious day!" Storkules exclaimed as he swooped Drake into a big hug. "Many felicitations on completing this arduous quest to achieve parenthood, Friend Drake!"

"Er, thanks, Storkules," Drake said, trying to wiggle free for fear of being permanently lodged between the deity's pectorals.

"Come on, we have cake!" Webby called out, leading everyone towards the dining room.

That, if nothing else, got Storkules to release Drake, who dropped to the floor. Donald sighed and rolled his eyes at his roommate, but helped Drake to his feet. "Don't worry," He told Drake reassuringly. "Della had no hand in making this cake, so it's safe to eat."

"Hey!" Della exclaimed, offended.

Sure enough, a large sheet cake was on the table that read: HAPPY ADOPTION DAY!

Drake looked around the room, his hands on Gosalyn's shoulders. Launchpad, Scrooge, Mrs. Beakley, Della, Donald, Storkules, Fenton, Gyro, Manny the Man-Horse, Lil Bulb, the kids…

"Thank you everyone," Drake said, his eyes watering with tears of joy. "For everything you've done, tonight and leading up to tonight, to help me and Gosalyn."

"Thank us by cutting the cake," Gyro snapped, his arms over his chest. "Putting up that banner was hard work, you know."

"He's got a weakness for frosting," Fenton stage-whispered from behind a hand.

"It's true," Manny confirmed in his clopping-language.

"Shut up," Gryo snapped. "Both of you."

Cake was cut and Drake soon found himself sitting on the couch, Gosalyn in his lap, Launchpad at his side, happily chatting away about superhero business with Fenton until suddenly the other duck smacked a palm to his forehead and said, "I almost forgot! I've got a gift for you, Drake!"

"For me?" Drake said, confused.

"Yeah, hang on," Fenton said, pulling out a small rectangular package wrapped in Darkwing Duck purple. "Go on, open it!"

Drake did so, pulling out a notebook, also in Darkwing Duck colors. "Uh, thanks, Fenton."

"Open it," Fenton encouraged.

Drake opened the notebook, and laughed at what was written at the top of the first page. "People Who Know I'm Darkwing Duck." He read out-loud.

"Its good information to keep track of, believe me," Fenton said, handing him a pen.

"Fenton, how much of your notebook is just—?" Huey started to ask but Fenton cut him off with, "Let's not talk about it."

"Well, I've got a lot of people to add to the list," Drake said, clicking the pen and putting down the first name. "Alright, so, Launchpad is first on the list, of course, since he's the one who actually convinced me to become Darkwing Duck for real…"

"Can I sign my name?" Gosalyn asked. "I never got to sign your casts."

Drake nodded and handed her the notebook and pen. She hopped off his lap and placed the notebook on the coffee table, taking her time. Grinning, she handed it back to him.

Drake looked at Gosalyn's curly handwriting and smiled.

Gosalyn Mallard.

It was the first time she had written her name with her new last-name.

Drake felt his eyes water with tears and he pulled Gosalyn back into his lap, peppering her face with kisses.

"Drake!" She groaned. "You're embarrassing me!"

"Get used to it, kiddo, I just signed papers that say I can embarrass you for the rest of your life!" Drake told her.

Gosalyn groaned again, but then giggled and initiated her revenge: tickling him.

Laughing, Drake tipped over, landing right in Launchpad's lap, Gosalyn on top of him. Launchpad also laughed and ruffled the feathers on the top of Drake's head.

Drake's smile grew fond as he looked at the two most important people in the world to him.

He had to be the luckiest, happiest duck in the whole world.