Baby Brother Blues
By Silver Elf Child
A/N: I wrote this story a very long time ago and had it all ready to be posted, then my computer did the unthinkable. It ate the file. So after posting more stories and totally forgetting about this one, I decided to attempt another go at this story. But I'm glad the computer ate the original file. This version of the story turned out a lot better then the first or second drafts. Though there are some spots that are a little shaky. Please read, enjoy and live life to the fullest. Any and all constructive criticism is welcome and desired. Thanks. *winks*
Disclaimer: Disney owns the Mighty Ducks. I own Josh, Rita, Mrs. Haws, Mrs. Duckers, Randy, Leila, Anna, George, Jane, and Henry. God owns, correction, I am His.
The hotdogs and steaks sizzled on the grill. The soft breeze lifted the sweet smell of flesh cooking and charcoal burning past the picnic table and off towards the playground where Canard, Wildwing and Nosedive were playing.
"How are they coming George?" Henry Thunderbeak asked.
"Almost done, Henry, Anna dear can you call the boys."
"Yes dear. Wildwing! Nosedive! Canard! Dinners ready!"
The three boys continued to play a game they had just made up, shark. The rules were simple, one, don't get tagged. And two, you can't touch the water (tanbark). If you were it, you couldn't go on dry land (playground set), but you could climb on things to catch you prey. Wildwing and Nosedive were running away from Canard, who was it. Canard jumped up and climbed on the side of the jungle gym and grabbed Nosedive's ankle. "You're it!"
"Aw man, no fair."
"I didn't cheat, Nosedive."
"Yes you did."
"No I didn't."
"Did too."
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Did not."
"Too."
"Not."
"Too."
"Not."
"Too."
"Not."
"Not."
"Too."
"See I told you, you cheated," Nosedive said folding his arms across his chest and sticking his beak into the air with a curt nod.
"Ahh, shut up, Nosedive, your it."
Wildwing looked at the two and shook his head. He couldn't believe that they were fighting over something so stupid as who was it'.
"Boys did you hear me?" Anna Flashblade asked looking down at them.
"Hi Mamma," Nosedive said cheerfully. "Canard's cheating."
"I am not!"
"That's nice dear, its time for dinner, let's go get cleaned up."
Nosedive jumped off the platform he was standing on and ran to his mother, who was holding her hand out to him. He took her hand, chattering incessantly as they walked back into the house. Wildwing jumped off the jungle gym, landing next to Canard.
"Your brother's a brat."
"No he isn't, Canard," Wildwing laughed. "He just doesn't like being it."
"Why not," Canard grinned. "That way we can goof off, because he can't catch us."
"That's why he doesn't like being it."
"Oh you're no fun."
Wildwing smiled at his best friend. "Race you."
"You're on!"
The two raced towards the house, battling for position. The two smacked into the wall at the same time and fought to get into the house to wash up. They ran into Nosedive, who was splashing water in the bathroom sink. Wildwing quenched his brother's shower' and helped Nosedive dry his hands. Wing led Dive by his hand back outside to the picnic table, where his and Canard's parents were setting up the dinner. Wing and Canard sat next to each other, with Dive across from them. Anna Flashblade sat between her husband and Nosedive and across from Jane Thunderbeak. Henry Thunderbeak sat at the head of the table with George to his left and his wife, Jane, to his right.
The meal consisted of hot dogs for the kids and steaks for the adults. The side dishes included potato salad, macaroni salad, garden and fruit salad, corn on the cob, green beans, coleslaw, wheat rolls, and green Jell-O. The two families shared ice tea and grape juice to drink.
"This was a great idea Anna," Jane exclaimed as she filled her plate.
"Yes Anna," Henry agreed.
"Well, I just wanted the boys last weekend before school started to be fun."
"As it should be," George remarked. "But don't you think they had enough fun this summer?"
"Yes, but starting Monday, Nosedive will be off to school as well, and I'm going back to work."
"Anna, that's wonderful!"
The adults continued to talk about jobs, upcoming school events and sport activities for the children. Wildwing and Canard ignored the conversation and gorged themselves on the enormous amount of food set before them. As their bellies began to fill they slowed their meal and talked about hockey, the only thing they ever talked about. Nosedive tried to get Wing's attention, but his older brother was too involved in his private conversation to notice the wanna be tag along. Dive frowned, but his dismay was quickly quenched as he whipped out his favorite action figure and began to play with the food and Duck Man'. Wildwing heard Nosedive giggle as he made squishing noises. He looked up to find Nosedive marching Duck Man' across his potato salad to attack the evil Hot Dog Man with a Macaroni noodle on his head, representing a hat.
"Nosedive," Wing whispered. "You're not suppose to bring your toys to the table."
"So."
"Put it away before Mom and Dad see you. And stop playing with your food."
"I don't wanna."
"Nosedive!"
"But Wing"
Wildwing reached across the table and seized the food-encrusted figure from his younger brother. "Eat your corn."
"Yeah Nosedive, eat your corn," Canard insisted.
Dive watched his brother in disbelief as he went back to his conversation, without batting an eye at his brother's distress. Dive pouted, hoping the action would gain sympathy from Wing, but it did not phase him. Dive looked to his mother, hoping she would help him, but she too was involved in gossip. Nosedive looked back at his plate and growled at the food that had only been touched as an entertainment device, not nourishment. An idea sprang forth into his tiny head and an impish grin darted across his features. He quickly hid the smile, not wanting his intended targets to become wary of the impeding assault. Dive slid from his bench and grabbed his spoon. Climbing back onto the bench, sitting on his knees, Dive lifted his catapult' loaded with ammo and released an onslaught of gooey gunk at Canard. Canard jumped with surprise as cold potato and macaroni salad slapped him in the face. In his flabbergasted state he was unable to respond quickly enough to kill the little imp, but Wing was fast enough to catch Dive's arm before he slid off the bench. "Stop it Dive!"
Dive fought to free himself, but Wing released him with a little push. Dive turned to inspect the damage he had inflicted to the enemy lines. Both Canard and Wing glared at him from across the table. He tried to give the pair his best innocent smile, but it did not appease the older boys' tempers. Dive really didn't care what Canard did, but when Wing refused to lessen his angered glare he broke into tears. "Mamma! Tell Wing stop staring at me."
Anna Flashblade turned her attention to the boys, as did the other adults. She found Wildwing glaring at Nosedive without mercy and Dive reaching out to her. "Wildwing stop that! You know how much Divey hates that."
"Sorry Mom." Wing looked away, ashamed of being scolded in front of Canard and his parents.
"And what did you do Divey?"
"Nothing." Dive sniffled.
"Nosedive, what did you do?"
"Nothing," Dive said, tears refilling his eyes as he tried to crawl into his mothers' arms.
"Oh sweetie please don't oh all right, but only for a little bit."
"Mommy," Dive nuzzled against his mother's chest.
"Divey please stop this."
"I wuv you Mommy," Dive said wiping his tears away, now satisfied that his actions had gained the correct response.
"I love you too."
Anna wrapped her arms around Dive and rocked him back and forth, returning to her conversation with Jane. Dive, now content, ate food off his mother's plate in which he picked up with his fingers. He studied the plate and found a nice cube of steak. He pinched it between his fingers, posed with it in a traditional Vanna White style for Canard and Wing, before popping it into his mouth. Canard rolled his eyes and tried to ignore Dive, but it was evident that the actions of the younger duckling had perturbed him immensely. Canard looked back to stick out his tongue at Dive, which was returned to him with Dive's full of masticated food particles. Dive added "See food" as he dangled his tongue out of his mouth. George Flashblade smacked Dive's backside. "Stop that!"
Dive turned to his father, shocked by the unexpected beating. Dive looked to his mother for refuge, but she ignored his pleading eye. Dive burred his head into her chest and she pulled him closer and kissed the top of his head.
"Mamma's boy," Canard whispered. Wing elbowed Canard. "Shut up."
"Well he is."
"No he's not, he's my little brother."
Canard rolled his eyes and changed the topic. There was no sense in fighting with his best friend. After dinner, Nosedive helped his mother and Mrs. Thunderbeak clear the table and wash the dishes. Wildwing and Canard ran off to play on the jungle gym while the day light lasted as their fathers headed indoors to watch a hockey game on TV. Dive pulled his stool up to the sink and poured the bubbles under the running water.
"That's enough, Divey."
Nosedive continued to pour the bubbles.
"Dive, please stop."
"But Mamma"
"Nosedive," Anna Flashblade laughed as she took the bottle of suds away from him. "We've got plenty of soap."
"Not enough bubbles," Dive whined.
Anna smiled at her youngest son and placed her hand in the water. She swooshed it around a few times and watched Dive's expression as he watched what happened to the water.
"BUBBLES!" Dive happily exclaimed jumping up and down, nearly falling off the stool. Anna steadied him with her free dry hand.
"Yes bubbles."
Dive pounced upon the water, splashing it in an attempt to make more bubbles. To his pleasure more appeared. Anna and Jane giggled at the youngster. His excitement over the most mundane things lightened their hearts as they began to wash the dishes around him. Dive enjoyed standing between them playing with the water and attempting to blow bubbles. He blew a huge one and watched it with amazement as it floated away. "Mamma, look," Dive pointed at the bubble.
The two mothers turned and looked at the spectacle. "Ooh, what a big bubble."
"I made it," Dive smiled.
"You did?"
Dive nodded. Anna gave him a playful pat and returned to the dishes as Dive danced around the kitchen looking at the bubble. Wing and Canard came into the room not surprised to see Dive doing something weird'. The bubble floated past Canard's face and he popped the bubble with his finger.
"Awk!"
"Hey, Dive," Wing said cheerfully.
"Mamma!" Dive cried grabbing his mother's leg.
"Nosedive, please don't hang on me."
"Mamma, Canard popped my bubble!"
The mother's looked at Canard, expecting an apology.
"So." Canard shrugged nonchalantly.
"Canard dear, did you pop Nosedive's bubble?" Jane Thunderbeak asked.
"It was going to pop anyway."
"See he popped it! On purpose!" Dive wailed.
"Canard what do you say?"
"But"
"Canard!"
Canard lowered his head and mumbled, "sorry."
"That's okay," Dive said happily, climbing back onto the stool to make more bubbles.
Canard looked to Wing aghast at Dive's mood swing. Wing shrugged his friend off and walked up to his mother. "Mom, can Canard and I have a cookie?"
"Just one cookie? For both of you?" She teased.
"No, Mom, one cookie for him and one for me."
"But that's two cookies," Anna said with exaggerated innocence.
Wing placed his hands on his hips and gave her a playful annoyed look. Mrs. Flashblade laughed at his face. "Sure you can."
"Can I have one?" Dive chimed in.
"Of course you can. Wing, give your brother a cookie too."
Dive jumped off the stool to fetch his cookie from Wildwing. As he waited for Wing to fish the treat out of its jar he looked around the room for his favorite toy. "Wing, where's Duck Man'?"
"Outside on the picnic table."
Dive looked outside to the picnic table that was shrouded in dark shadows.
"Can you get it?"
"No, you get it," Canard interjected, annoyed by Dive's questions and existence.
"But it's dark outside."
"So?"
"I'll get it for you, Dive."
"Thanks, Wing," Dive hugged Wing. In their embrace Dive remembered the soap and water on his hands and used Wing's back as a towel to dry them off. Wing hurriedly broke the embrace looking over his shoulder at the wet spots. "Uh, Dive!" He turned back to see Dive's angelic smile and holding his hand out for his cookie. Wing gave him the sugar-inoculated dough before going to fetch Dive's toy. Wing returned with the toy and handed it to Dive. "I love you, Wing." Wildwing ruffled Dive's hair before the blond could dash out of the room to play with his toy and eat his cookie.
"Wing, why do you baby him?" Canard asked.
"I don't baby him."
"Yes you do."
"No I don't."
"Yes you do."
"I'm not getting into this, Canard."
"Okay. How come he looks like a girl?"
Wing stopped dead in his tracks. "Take that back, Canard," he growled.
"Take what back?"
"Dive's not a girl."
"Then why does he look like one?"
Wing did not hold back his anger. He lashed out and slugged Canard in the chest, knocking him to the floor. Wing pounced upon him and beat him without mercy. Anna Flashblade heard the commotion and ran to see what was wrong. Upon seeing the two brawling she called her husband to stop the fight. George jumped into the fray and pulled Wing off of Canard. Wing fought his father, kicking and screaming, attempting to continue his fight with Canard. Canard backed away into his mother's awaiting arms. She looked him over carefully and wiped the blood from his nose.
"I think we should go," Henry Thunderbeak told his wife.
"That's a good idea," George agreed, still fighting Wing. Anna walked the Thunderbeaks to the door as George sat Wing on the floor and turned him to face him. Wing refused to have his eyes meet his father's, but that did not stop his father from making him. "What do you think you are doing?"
Wing gave a blank stare and shrugged his shoulders. "Sit down!" George ordered pointing at the couch. Wing hung his head and marched himself quietly to the couch to pout.
