Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Mighty Ducks.
The next day at school the Ducks could hardly keep their eyes open. They had left my place around 10:30 but I knew they were worn out from the game. We had just gotten to Math class when the teacher said I was wanted in the principals office. I ignored the taunts from my friends and headed to see what I was in for.
"Good morning Miss Witts." The principal said. "I just wanted to give you your transfer papers for your mom to sign."
I took the papers in confusion. "Um… Thanks."
"We'll miss you." She said and sent me back to class. I looked threw the papers trying to find some clue to what she meant. When I walked back into math class, I found it. Shocked I dropped all the papers in my hand except for one. I dropped to my knees and held the paper tight in my hand.
"Miss Witts? Are you alright?" the teacher asked. I shook my head and my friends quickly came to my side. Charlie looked over my shoulder at the paper.
"No!" Charlie demanded. I looked up at him as a tear fell from my eye. "You can't. that's the day of the championship game!"
"What? What's wrong?" Connie asked concerned. I handed her the paper.
"What is it?" Karp asked.
"It's a transfer paper." Connie said as if she couldn't believe what she was reading. "According to this, Amore will be transferred to a private school in Los Angeles on the day of the championship game."
"What!" the rest of the team said in surprise. I shook my head. Mom had moved to LA a week before and I thought she had decided to keep me in Edina, but I guess she had changed her mind.
"Awe man." Peter said shaking his head. "What's Bombay going to think of this?"
"Nothing." I said wiping away my tears. "Because we aren't going to tell him till I do it."
The team agreed and we went through school without even the mention of my transfer. When I got home I saw Bombay's van sitting outside. I sighed. He must have been told by my mother. I walked in and Bombay had a huge smile on his face. I figured by that smile that no one had told him yet.
"Hey Coach! What's up?" I asked putting my things down.
"I have some news for the team, but I wanted to tell you first." Bombay said and his smile grew. "I've been asked to try out for the minors!"
"No way! That's awesome." I said giving him a huge hug. "When will you be trying out?"
"I leave two days after the championship game." Bombay informed me. My heart sank. There was no way I could let him find out I was leaving. He'd end up staying to fight for the right for me to stay, I couldn't do that to him. I was about ready to say something when the phone rang. Dad stuck his head out of the kitchen door way holding the phone. With out him even saying a word, I knew the phone call was for me.
"Hello?" I said into the phone.
"Hey honey. Did you get the papers from school." Mom asked. I fought the urge to hang up on her.
"Yeah, thanks for the heads up." I said bitterly.
"What do you mean?" Mom asked a little taken back. "Your father knew about it. It was his idea."
I fell silent. I even held my breath. It was my dads idea to send me away. I quickly shook off my shock. "Well is there any way to postpone it? Bombay leaves for minors tryouts and I'd like to see him off. So that's only two days longer than planed. And it will give me more time to pack."
"Your father hasn't told you anything has he?" Mom said annoyed. "You wont need to pack a whole lot. Just the things that mean the most to you. Maybe a few clothes that you like, but I've already bought you a new bed and things for your room. You still like the North Stars right?"
"Yeah." I replied. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I still couldn't figure out why dad hadn't told me about this. It then came to me when I look over at my dad, who was glaring into the living room at Bombay. He was sending me away because Bombay was my real dad and didn't want us to become close.
"Anyway I have no problem with you staying those extra two days as long as its ok with your dad."
"Mike?" I said with clinched teeth. He turned towards me, surprised that I had used his name. "He is not my dad. He's Mike."
"Now honey…" Mom started but I interrupted her.
"No father would just give up on a child that he raised just because she's not his. From now on he's just Mike to me."
I hung up the phone and turned towards him. my comment didn't even seem to faze him.
"I guess she told you?" Mike asked.
"No, I found out when the principal handed me my transfer sheet. But mom said I could wait a couple of days so I could say goodbye to my father."
Those words seem to hurt him a bit, but he bounced back quickly. "That's fine by me. But remember, you always have a place to stay here if you come back to visit."
I just nodded and walked into the living room.
"So when are you going to tell the others?" I asked Bombay.
"I'm going to tell Charlie tonight." Bombay replied. "They invited me over for supper… would you like to come?"
"Sure." I said excitedly.
"Is that ok Mike?" Bombay asked him. Mike was sanding in the kitchen door way watching us.
"Gordon, she's your daughter. As long as you get her back home by ten, I really don't mind." Mike replied and walked into the kitchen. Bombay looked at me awkwardly.
"I told him." I said "It's a long story."
"You can tell me on the way to Charlies." Bombay said a little upset with me. The moment we got into the van Bombay turned towards me. "So how did he know?"
"Phillip Banks saw the proud look, or whatever, the proud look you gave me at the first game Adam played as a Duck." I explained hurriedly. Lewis was listening closely. "he was accusing you of something bad, so I had to tell him because he told Mike and…"
"Mike?" Bombay asked.
"Yeah Mike. He's not claiming me, so I'm not claiming him." I explained.
"who else knows?" Bombay asked. I sighed. He was really making me think hard at that moment.
"Well, Mike, Jason and Mom, of course…Um." I really hated having to think hard. I never usually had to at school. "Phillip, Alex and Adam Banks…and I think Charlie kind of knows, but that's only because I called you dad and he heard… and maybe Larson, McGill and Brown."
"So your saying the Hawks pretty much know?" Bombay asked and I nodded. "Great. I'm sure they'll use that against us during the game. And by the way, how's your arm?"
"Good actually. The doctor said I could still play as long as I'm careful." I said looking down at the white patch on my arm.
"We'll see at the game." Bombay replied. "if any of the Hawks know, they'll try and force you to strain it."
We made it to Charlies and both Bombay and I got out of the van. Bombay knocked on the door and Charlie quickly opened it.
"Its about time…Mory?" Charlie said in surprise.
"I thought she would like to join us." Bombay said as Charlie moved to one side to let us in. It didn't look Casey wasn't home yet.
"I just put the pot roast in the oven so it should be done by the time mom get home from work." Charlie said and I smiled to myself. I was so right. "But I haven't started the mashed potatoes and green beans yet."
"That's ok." I said smiling at him. "I'll help."
Charlie and I headed for the kitchen and for a while we were silent.
"So why'd Bombay bring you along anyway?" Charlie asked.
"What don't like my company?" I asked and he smiled.
"She's my daughter." Bombay said from the doorway. Both Charlie's and my mouth dropped open. I couldn't believe he just blurted that out. Bombay smiled at us. "You know that was reaction when I found out."
"Is that what Banks said he would tell me when the time was right?" Charlie asked and I nodded.
"Cool." Charlie exclaimed. We all finished supper together and Bombay sat the table. When Bombay wasn't watching I threw an uncooked green bean at his head. He turned around and I quickly made it look like I was busy. Bombay laughed. He pointed his finger at me knowingly. How he knew it was me I had no clue.
"Oh yeah he is definitely your dad." Charlie said with a laugh. "Only parents know their child has done something with out seeing it."
I laughed. But it made since. Mike always knew when Jason had done something wrong but I always seemed to get away with it. Charlie noticed the awkward silence his comment had caused so he changed the subject.
"You know I heard the North Stars wore the same underwear all through the play-offs last year for luck. So I've been doing the same thing." Charlie said bringing the pot roast to the table. Bombay and I exchanged looks.
"Maybe I should have cooked." Bombay said sort of seriously. "You know, I've been thinking maybe we can all go down to the winter festival tonight."
"All four of us?" Charlie asked.
"Sure." Bombay replied.
"I don't think I should, cause I've got a lot of homework." Charlie said.
"Well then maybe I should take Amore back after diner, I'm sure you've got homework as well." Bombay said. I could see a little disappointment in Charlie's eyes.
"No, I'm still ahead of them so mines done. I should help Charlie with his though." I replied. Charlie hid a smirk and was glad I had caught on.
"You should go. With my mom. By yourselves." Charlie said. The front door open and Casey walked in.
"Mmm, smells great." Casey said not noticing me or Bombay. She set her purse down on the couch then finally saw us. "Hello."
I nudged Bombay as Charlie whispered to him. "Go for it."
"Hi." Bombay aid and I had to hold back from giggling. He was acting like a love struck teenager. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to the winter festival with me."
"All of us?" Casey asked.
"Um no. I'm going to help Charlie with some homework since I'm still a head of class." I replied and Casey smiled.
"Sure." Casey said smiling at Bombay. Charlie and I smiled victoriously at one another. Charlie's plan had worked. As we ate I could see something was bothering Casey. After a while she couldn't hold back and had to ask. "So did Charlie invite you over Amore? Because he knows he's supposed to ask me first."
"No actually, I brought her." Bombay replied.
"Oh." Casey said even more confused than before. Charlie and I exchanged worried glances. This conversation could end badly. Bombay looked at me and I nodded. She'd find out eventually and it would be better if she found out before she and Bombay got serious.
"See, Amore is my daughter." Bombay replied. Casey looked at him and I could tell she didn't like the sound of that.
"see Mom and Mike, that my other dad, had split for while before I was born." I explained hurriedly. "Bombay and my mom used to date back in high school so one night old feelings returned and wala her comes baby Amore. Whe n mom found out she was pregnant she got back together with Mike. She dint know I was Bombay's till I was about two or three. She kept it a secret till this year. But Bombay was my godfather so mom always made sure he was in my life. Can you pass me a roll?"
Casey looked shocked. She passé me the rolls with out saying a word. She then looked over at Bombay and to my relief she smiled. "So since you've found you've tried to make up for not being there before?"
"Well yeah." Bombay replied. "I mean as her godfather, I was there for her, but not like a father should. I just figured hey, she's mine why not claim her."
Casey looked at me then back at Bombay. "I can see a lot of resemblance now that you say something. How come no one has seen it before?"
"I look more like my mom and my pure luck my older brother got blue eyes and blond hair." I said. "Mike's mom had blond hair, but all four of my grandparent ha brown eyes."
"So how do you know Bombay's your father?" Casey asked.
"She has my eyes, and my mother's hair." Bombay smile at me proudly. "She has freckles as well. And not to mention the infatuation with hockey."
"You should have a DNA test just to make sure that you don't get to close and ruin your relationship with Mike." Charlie said to me and I looked over at Bombay. That wasn't a bad idea. If I wasn't, then Mike would most likely let me stay and if I was I'd still have Bombay as a father.
"Well is getting late." Bombay replied "We'd better get going if I'm going to be back in time to have Mory back by ten."
Casey agreed and they both stood up. Before they got to the door she turned back to me and Charlie. "You two behave yourselves."
"Don't worry mom, we'll be good." Charlie said ten acted like he was going back to his room to get his text book. "Hey Mory, I need help on question three. I know to make a water molecule you need one oxygen but is it two or three hydrogen?"
"Two. That why water is some times called H2O." I said and seeing that Charlie and I seemed sincere about doing homework, Casey and Bombay left. Charlie came back out of his room text book free. I knew he had his homework done because I had helped him with it in study hall.
"Lets clean off the table. That should give them time to get there." Charlie said.
"Better do the dishes as well. Knowing Bombay he'll linger outside a moment to see if he can catch us." I said and Charlie nodded in agreement. We ran from the dining room to the kitchen with our arms full of dishes. When the table was cleared, Charlie stared on dishes and I put the leftovers in Tupperware and put them in the fridge. We had everything done in about five minutes. Charlie did one walk through of the apartment and seeing that everything was good we headed out.