Waking up early in the morning was one of the many cons that came with having three kids and an early bird for a roommate. Donald Duck kissed his morning sleep-ins goodbye after the triplets were hatched; and even more so when his close friend José Carioca joined the mix as his roommate and added financial income. Of course it wasn't all that bad, and after all those years in the Navy, he was pretty much use to it at this point.

His morning routine was as always. He woke up and got in the shower as quickly as he could. Two bathrooms were still not enough for five people to use comfortably when getting ready for daily life. So showering at an ungodly hour in the morning was almost a necessity. After he showed he got dressed then went towards the kitchen to start breakfast.

As usual, the smell of whatever was in the kitchen summoned a happily hungry José into the room. He walked over to where Donald was flipping pancakes and smiled as he leaned on the counter.

"Bom dia meu amigo," José yawned drowsily. Despite being the type to wake up early even on a Saturday, José still woke up at a seemingly slow pace.

"Good morning, José." Donald moved around the other to grab the plates he had set aside then moved them to the pan to start shoveling pancakes onto them. "Sleep well?"

José nodded. "Sim," he said as he moved to grab the egg carton out of the fridge. "And you?"

"It was alright," Donald nodded as he moved the pancake plates onto the table in their respective seats. He started the coffee while José went to the pan to start on the eggs. It was an easy routine. One they had perfected over the years. Though something was a bit off that morning. José had placed his phone on the counter while he worked on the cooking and he kept looking over at it as if waiting for a call or something of the sorts.

"You expecting a ring?" Donald asked. He really wasn't that concerned over someone expecting a call. It was normal. And where José was not the type of person to be on his phone very often, the parrot still had obligations that in some cases did include receiving calls or texts or even emails. However, it was José face that concerned Donald just a bit.

The other bird looked up from his cooking at Donald as if caught red-handed. In fact, looking at him, Donald began to notice other concerning features of his appearance. His feathers were ruffled more so than normal. His usual eye makeup was nonexistent and he wasn't fully dressed, only having on his undershirt and an unbuttoned jacket. José was always prepared in the morning. This was very different.

"Ah, yes. My friend was supposed to call me this morning and he has yet to do so," José admitted.

Donald was about to ask if something was wrong, but before he could Huey waddled out of the triplets' room with a smile.

"Morning Uncle Donald! Morning Tio José!" The small duckling hopped into his seat at the table and fixed his hat over his feathers.

"Good morning," José smiled as he pushed the cooked eggs onto a single plate. He walked to the table to dish out each one onto their respective plates.

"Are your brothers still asleep?" Donald asked, putting his and José's full coffee mugs on the table then the boy's juices along with their plates.

"Well, Louie is. Dewey was just waking up and getting ready when I walked out." That was normal. The first to fall asleep was always the first to wake up when it came to the triplets.

"What time did Louie fall asleep last night?" Donald asked.

"He took his meds at the right time," Huey said as he grabbed the ketchup from the fridge for his eggs. "But I fell asleep around ten so I'm not sure."

Donald only nodded at the information. He would have to ask the green-clad duck when he woke up later. The last thing Donald needed was to get a call from Louie's teacher about him falling asleep in class again because he hadn't been sleeping. Donald and José sat down at the table. It wasn't long before Dewey came bouncing in with Louie staggering sleepily behind.

"Morning Uncle Donald. Morning Tio José." The two said in almost unison. They sat in their respective seats and Donald smiled, happy to see they hadn't slept in this morning.

"Good morning boys," he chirped happily in response as he leaned over to smooth out some of Louie's feathers.

The youngest triplet only grumbled and laid his head in his arms on the table.

"What time did you go to sleep?"

"Like, eleven-thirty-something," Louie mumbled as he sat up more to start eating on his food alongside his brothers. It was still later than Donald would have liked but at least the kid slept. It was good enough for now.

Donald shot a few quick glances across the room to make sure the three were dressed and ready for school. Huey had on his red polo and his cap. His feathers neatly sticking out a bit from under and on his wrist was the watch Donald and José had gotten him for the triplet's birthday last year. Donald was happy it was getting used well.

Dewey was dressed in his usual long and short sleeved blue shirts. The blue triplet never wore his hat out of the set Donald had gotten all three of them years ago. Instead, Dewey opted to let his feathers stick up wildly. The middle child had his contacts case sitting on the table beside him, telling Donald that he had yet to put them in. The older duck would wait until they had finished eating to remind him.

Louie was also in his usual attire. His green hoodie that was really much too hot to have on in the pre-autumn air was snuggly enveloping his upper body. His own green cap was haphazardly thrown backwards onto his feathers. Probably just because he was too lazy to preen this morning. Then to top off the winter-esk outfit, their mother's scarf was securely wrapped around his neck and shoulders. Donald had no idea how the young duckling could survive dressed like that in any season other than winter. However, it never seemed to bother the boy an as far as Donald knew it had never caused him any health issues.

Donald was content knowing they were awake and ready. It was a small weight off his own shoulders. After they had finished eating Donald got Dewey to put in his contacts then handed each duck their respective medications. Once those were taken he handed each backpacks and lunch boxes and watched them out the door towards the bus stop.

"A good morning if you ask me," José smiled at Donald.

"Smoother than Monday that's for sure," Donald agreed. "I just wish Louie would fall asleep earlier and that I don't have to remind Dewey about his contacts every morning."

José chuckled and shook his head. "You are a good dad, meu amigo." José gave Donald a pat on his shoulder.

"Uncle," Donald corrected.

"Whatever," José shrugged with a smile. It was then the silence of the house was broken by 'Aquarela do Brazil' beginning to play from José's phone. The parrot scurried into the kitchen where his phone sat and quickly answered it.

"Panchi?" He asked into it. He seemed to let out a relieved sigh. Before Donald could snoop into the conversation, José grabbed one of his cigars from the drawer and stepped outside.

Donald could tell his friend was stressed and that worried him. He wasn't sure who this 'Panchi' was but he could only assume they were somehow the cause of the parrot's distress, indirectly or not.

Donald should have been able to guess that his day couldn't go very smooth the whole way. In fact, it was the complete opposite of smooth. The duck sat across the table from Mickey Mouse, his close friend who had been by his side for many years.

Mickey's tail twitched in concern for his friend as his ears drooped down in sorrow. "Oh gee, Donald. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Donald sighed and shook his head. "At this point, I really only have one final option."

"Donald," the mouse sighed and rested a hand onto his friend's for comfort. "You know there's always a place for you at the house." In that context, Donald wasn't sure if he was talking about his actual house or the club he owned, 'The House of Mouse'. Either way, Donald was sure if he asked, Mickey would happily agree to either if not both.

The duck shook his head. "I already called my Uncle. He said he could give me a job at the bin."

"You're talking to him again?" Donald was sure Mickey wasn't trying to pry. The mouse was only worried for his friend.

Donald sighed. "We've argued a lot and had a lot of issues in the past sure but he's still my uncle." Mickey nodded as he followed. Donald picked at the sandwich before him. He wasn't really hungry but Mickey had been kind enough to pay. "We don't see eye to eye often. In most cases honestly. But at the very least we're family and we both know when to put down our petty arguments."

"Especially when it comes to the boys," Mickey added. And he was right. Scrooge was a prick but at the very least he cared a lot for Della's children. Just as much as Donald did.

"I just don't know what I'm gonna tell José."

"Why not just have him come with you?"

Donald shook his head. "I can't just ask him to move his life to Duckburg. But I am worried that he'll have to find a new place."

"I can always help out if you or he needs a little extra for a bill or something."

Donald shook his head with a melancholy smile. "You're always there to help, hum Mick."

Mickey only smiled brightly in reply.

Donald opened his door to see Max and the boys sitting on the living room floor all with controllers in their hands. They were playing the old as dirt Wii that they loved so much. Donald put his bag on the coat rack next to the door.

"Hey boys," he greeted.

The triplets only mumbled a hello. Max looked up from the game and gave Donald a smile. "They've all done their homework and had their snack," Max informed as his eyes went back to the screen.

"You should teach me your methods one day, kiddo."

Max only chuckled at that. "You and Mr. Carioca are home kinda early."

"Yeah," Donald nodded. His eyes widened when he registered the rest of the sentence. "José's home already?" Donald questioned.

Max nodded. "He came home only a few minutes after me and the boys did. He told me to wait till you got home to leave cause he was gonna be busy."

Donald looked down the hall towards José's door. Sure enough, there was just a bit of light coming from his door. He looked back over at Max. "You can go on home now if you want."

The triplets let out noises of disagreement and sorrow. "Just a few more games Uncle Donald!" Dewey cried.

"Only if Max is okay with it."

Max smiled and gave a shrug. "Dad isn't expecting me home for a while."

Donald gave a nod and left the four to their game. Max had been watching the boys for the longest time. He was thankful for the teen. That was just another thing Donald would have to account for when moving. A new sitter. Donald knew Max personally though. Being best friends with his dad, Goofy. Donald shook his head. That was a bridge he could wait to cross when he got to it. He walked towards José's door and gave a knock.

"Come in," he called from inside.

Donald opened the door and stepped inside. He closed it after him and walked closer to where José sat at his work desk.

"You are home early."

"I could say the same to you," Donald leaned on the desk and looked down at José.

The parrot looked up at him and seemed to scan the duck's expression. José looked back down at his laptop then sighed. "Donald," José began. "I really must speak with you."

"I actually had something I need to tell you too."

"You first, meu amigo."

Donald nodded. "I," he looked down at his hands. This was hard to admit to. "I lost my job."

José stood from his chair and put a comforting hand on Donald's shoulder. "Meu Deus," he mumbled in horror. "What happened?"

"They were cutting off a lot of employees because of budget cuts," Donald explained. "But that's not what I really need to talk to you about." Donald looked up at José. The parrot looked to him with worry edged in his features. "I'm moving back to Duckburg."

José's eyes widened a considerable amount. "You are?"

Donald nodded sadly. "I'm really sorry José but Scrooge offered me a job in his money bin. I can't wait for another job opportunity to pop up." Donald shook his head. "Especially not with the rent due so close by."

"Well, I guess my news is not so bad then," José gave a soft chuckle. "I am also moving."

It was Donald's turn for his eyes to widen. "You are?"

José nodded. "The friend who had called me this morning," he began. "His name is Panchito. He is from Mexico and is moving to America under some less desired circumstances. I was able to help him find a job waiting for him in Duckburg after calling a friend of mine. I was planning on moving my shop to Duckburg so he and I could get an apartment together."

"You're moving your store?"

José nodded. "I was afraid to tell you because I knew that this home is split very evenly on our incomes. But you must understand that Panchi is not in the best place right now and I felt it necessary to help him." José looked down with a sigh.

Donald couldn't help but chuckle. "Guess I should have guessed that you weren't going to stay in one place for very long."

"To think we are going to the same place too. Talk about birds of a feather," José laughed. When his laughter died down he moved to sit back in his chair. Donald followed and sat down at the edge of the parrot's bed.

"Have you found a place to stay yet?" Donald asked.

José shook his head. "No, not yet. Have you?"

"Well," Donald mulled over the question. "I have been looking at the idea of getting a houseboat."

"A houseboat?" José laughed in surprise. "Goodness that sounds like quite a way to live!"

Donald looked at the other for a moment. Was this… was this going to be the end? Would go back to living just him and the boys? It wasn't that the duck minded living with his nephews. They were his boys and he had been raising them since before they hatched. But for some reason, Donald couldn't help but fear he would feel alone. The boys were lively sure, but there was something about the Brazilian's presence that always seemed to lighten up a room almost instantly. He probably should have thought about it before actually saying his next words. But they came out almost on impulse.

"What if we got a houseboat together?"

José looked at Donald. He gave a melancholy smile. "You know I love living with you and the boys, but Panchito-"

"I meant him too," Donald interrupted. "Your friend is going to be in the country soon right?"

José gave a nod.

"Well, I already have a few pinpointed. I've been talking with Scrooge all morning about getting to Duckburg soon," Donald admitted. "I only have so much in savings so I'll need to get there soon to take up his job offer. Wouldn't it be best to already have a house and be settled yourself for when your friend does get here?"

"I would like for at least my shop to be up and running again before he arrives." José put a hand to his chin in thought. He then gave a soft chuckle and looked at Donald. "If I did not know any better I would say you were trying to keep me around."

"Me? Like your company? Of course not," Donald smirked at the parrot knowingly. "I can't stand you."

José gave a loud laugh from his gut and slapped a hand on his knee.

It was then when the door to the bedroom opened and three snooping ducklings looked in.

"Did you really get fired?"

"Are we gonna be Uncle Scrooge's neighbor?"

"Who's Panchito?"

Donald and José looked at one another then back at the three boys with a sigh. They pulled the boys in and began to explain the situation.