A/n: This takes place a while after Donald and the boys move in with Scrooge. Yup, we're going to be jumping around in time a bit with these one-shot things.

III

Donald wasn't quite sure what he was expecting. And he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a little nervous.

He'd been seeing Daisy since the crash, and going on six months now, things were getting…well, serious. The whole issue with the houseboat and Scrooge had made seeing her a little harder than before—which had been a pain. Honestly, trying for any kind of discretion with three smart, nosey children was probably a bad idea. Donald was surprised he'd made it this long.

But they'd find out eventually, and he'd rather they learn from him and not figure it out on their own. Truthfully, it was far passed time they knew.

Plus, Daisy wanted to meet them.

So, Donald headed down to dinner this evening with a purpose. And not that the meal had all but reached its end, he knew that there was no putting it off anymore.

"Boys," he said, before they'd left the table, "I, um. Have something to tell you."

That sure got their attention—and that of Scrooge, Webby, Launchpad, and (to an extent) Mrs. Beakley as well, though Donald kept his focus on his boys.

Huey looked immediately concerned. "Is everything alright, Uncle Donald?"

"Everything's fine, don't worry. I just—" he was suddenly acutely aware that he was sharing this information in front of Scrooge, who was listening intently from his seat at the head of the table. Ah, well. Nothing for it now. "I've been seeing someone."

Silence reigned for a good few seconds, then all four children rioted at once. Donald could only catch bits and pieces of what they were saying.

"Wait a second, like…a girlfriend?"

"That's great, Uncle Donald!"

"Ahhhh this is so exciting!"

"Who is it?"

Donald held up his hands. "Easy, settle down." Mrs. Beakley attempted to reign in Webby but the girl's excitement was palpable. Donald waited until everyone had stopped talking. "Her name is Daisy. We met a few months ago. Remember when I had to take the car in to be fixed?"

"Yeah."

"She was in the car in front of me. We just kind of…anyway, we started, um. Spending time together."

Webby was starry-eyed. Huey looked genuinely happy and supportive. Louie, true to form, only seemed vaguely impressed. Eh, he'd take it.

But Dewey was skeptical. "Wait, that was like, a year ago."

"Six months."

"Whatever," he snapped. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Donald took a deep breath. "I was going to tell you before." He, again, addressed his boys specifically. "You three had every right to know. I didn't mean to hide it from you for so long, but then the thing with Atlantis, and moving in here," he chanced a glance at Scrooge, but the man had yet to react. "I just…pushed it off. I'm sorry. But, she wants to meet you. I hope that's okay." Because he liked Daisy. Very much. But he knew, and she knew, that the kids came first.

Thankfully, Huey wasted no time in voicing his approval. "Of course!" He said. "Oh, this is so exciting, Uncle Donald!" Don only chuckled and ruffled his hair.

Webby was enthusiastically nodding and bouncing on the balls of her feet, making incoherent squeaking noises. Donald chose to interpret that as a good sign. Louie shrugged, but smiled. "Sure. I'd love to meet the woman who decided she liked putting up with you."

Donald shot back a deadpan "Thanks," but he was smiling, too. His nerves flared again, though, when he turned to his usually outspoken kid. Dewey, face all scrunched up, hadn't said anything yet on the matter of meeting Daisy.

Donald ventured to say, "Dewey?" But, nothing.

It was Scrooge who broke the silence. "Have her over," he said. Donald tried his hardest to glean any sort of opinion from his facial expression, but the old man was staying perfectly neutral. "Invite her for dinner. She can meet all of us."

The kids answered in the affirmative before Donald had the chance to process the suggestion. Huey hugged his uncle's side, and said, "I can't wait to meet her, Uncle Donald!"

Louie walked up to Webby and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, easing her bouncing, but he looked at Donald. "Yeah, bring her around."

Donald narrowed his eyes a bit. "What are you scheming, Lou?"

"What, me? A scheme? Uncle Donald, I'm insulted." He wrapped his arms around Webby and a frowning Dewey. "We just want to make sure she's good enough for our dear Uncle."

"Louis…"

Louie sighed. "Easy, Uncle Donald, I'm just playing. Of course we'd like her over." When Dewey's frown deepened, Louie jabbed an elbow into his side.

"Ouch!" Dewey exclaimed. But with his resolute silence broken, he looked down at the carpet. "I'm kind of tired," he said. "May I be excused?"

A tense feeling permeated the room, and Donald desperately wanted Dewey to talk to him, but this wasn't the time nor the place. "Yes, you may."

Dewey walked quickly out of the room, ignoring the calls of 'good night' from the rest of them. Donald ran a hand down his face.

Huey placed a hand on his arm. "Don't worry about it, Uncle Donald. I know he'll warm up to her."

Donald smiles thinly and ruffled Huey's hair. "Thanks, kiddo," he said.

The tense atmosphere was quickly lifted by the kids and Launchpad, who had a knack for easing situations. They left to see the new "improvements" he'd added to the plane. Mrs. Beakley excused herself to tend to the dishes. And so, it was just Scrooge and Donald.

Scrooge rose from his chair, and approached Donald, who was still sitting at his place, fidgeting with his cell phone. Scrooge cleared his throat. "Beakley should be informed of any dietary restrictions, and I'm sure she'd also like to know Ms. Daisy's preferences."

Donald huffed out a dry laugh, but for a moment the silence between them returned. Finally, he said, "I should talk to him."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

Scrooge pointed with his cane in the general direction of where Dewey had gone. "Let him think it through for himself first. He'll only fight you if you bring it up now."

Donald didn't want to admit Scrooge was right, but…well. He was. "…I'd really like them to get along."

"Aye. But it can't be forced. Though, I don't think you should be too worried."

"Yeah? Why's that?"

"They both care for you, don't they?" Scrooge asked, pointedly. "Dewey will work it out." And then he turned and headed to the dining room's large double doors. Briefly, he turned back. "Donald," he said.

Donald looked up at him, eyebrow raised in question.

Scrooge just nodded once, face carefully blank as ever. "Good on you." And he left.

Donald almost pondered what that meant, but he'd never quite been able to fully discern Scrooge's feelings when the old man wanted them hidden, so he let it be. He glanced down at his phone, waking the screen to reread the text he'd left unanswered.

Did you talk to them yet?

What did they say?

He walked to the window and looked outside at his kids, sans one, playing a pick-up game of kickball with Launchpad. His shoulders lost some of their tension, and he actually started to believe his uncle's assurance that things would work out. He unlocked his phone and typed out a response.

What are your plans for

this Friday?

Donald knew, deep in his gut, that things would be fine. Though "fine" in the context of this family would likely come with a lot of pain and disagreement upfront. It was how they functioned. His phone buzzed.

I'm free :)

Daisy was tough though. Donald had to believe she wouldn't be chased away.

You are officially invited

to McDuck Manor for

dinner. Scared? ;)

As if! I'm so excited!

Thanks for talking to

them. Love you! x

I love you too