Day One: Favorite Duck

It'd been a very long time since Scrooge McDuck had gone, hat in hand, to apologize to anybody. And even then, he'd only ever really apologized when it was diplomatic to do so - like that time he'd accidentally released the prized peacock of the Prince of Perching into the wild, or the time he accidentally insulted the Queen of Quackland, and almost lost his head.

He halted in front of his housekeeper's granddaughter's door, and took a deep breath. "Well, it's now or never, I suppose."

Scrooge knocked three times, and waited.

He'd gotten some "encouragement" from Mrs. Beakley, and planned out exactly what he'd say, but he felt his words dry up when Webbigail answered the door. She looked up at him in surprise.

"Mr. McDuck! How can I help you? The boys aren't here, right now." She looked away, but Scrooge had already noted that her eyes were red. He felt his resolve kick in. His grip tightened on his cane.

"Webbigail, would ye - I'd like it if ye would kindly join me for a cup of hot cocoa?"

"Oh," She looked up at him, eyes wide, then lit up with a watery smile. "I love hot cocoa!"

Scrooge smiled, "I know; Yer grandmother advised me on that point."

He held out his arm for her to take, if she wanted, and was alarmed when she burst into tears and ran to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Starting to panic, Scrooge looked up and down the hallway for assistance, but there wasn't a soul in sight. Realizing he was on his own for this, he stiffly patted Webby on the top of her head as her tears soaked through his coat.

"Child... I…" He began, awkwardly. He was having a hard time remembering the speech he'd planned to give her, so he simply went with the first thought that came to mind. "Can ye forgive this old curmudgeon, Webbigail? After all we've been through, how could I tell ye we aren't family?"

Webby let go of Scrooge and stepped back, wiping her eyes and nose. Scrooge pulled out a handkerchief and gave it to her. Webby blew her nose.

"B-but, I invited Lena into your home. If it wasn't for me -"

"Magica would've found another way, I assure you," Scrooge promised. "And anyway, I do believe she was your friend. She bravely fought that witch. And… she taught me something important about family."

"What was it?" Webby whispered.

You're family is amazing. You fight and get in trouble but it doesn't matter, because you… I don't know… love each other, or something.

"That I'd be a fool to give any of you up over some argument or hurt feelings."

Webby sniffled. "Do… do you really… think of me as family?"

"Aye, that I do. Now, more than ever." Scrooge looked at the lass who'd rushed into danger alongside him and his boys more times than he could count. Even after he'd pushed her away, she still came to the rescue of an old codger like him. He held out his arm again, and Webby grabbed hold of it.

"You said you had hot chocolate?" Webby asked, bouncing as he led them down the hall. "I love hot chocolate. Do you have the little marshmallows? Granny always puts those in. OH! Have you ever tried stirring a peppermint stick in? It's the BEST!"

*A/N: The Duckvember prompt was "Favorite Duck" - Webby's favorite duck was always Scrooge McDuck, and I wanted a scene where those two reconciled.