There was alot going on in real life when I was in the process of writing this update from some non Covid related family medical issues to the continuious burn out of being an 'essential' worker in Florida during these present times. That in mind...I'm sorry if this chapter falls a bit flat for that reason and also because initially chapter 40 was going to be Donald talking to the kids about meeting Daisy but then I decided to actually SHOW the Donsy Date and make that moment a flashback and so here we are….also subtle Enchanted Tiki Room reference because why not…Thank you for continuing to read this fic in a post Ducktales World...your comments and favorites mean the world to me...
Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer do!
Donald began to whistle to himself as he moved across the deck of the Unchained Melody.
Food, Wine, Flowers…
Mentally checking off items from his list, he looked toward a small portable stereo equipt with a Caballeros demo as he checked off music from his list as well. Okay, why was he so flustered? He had taken the Melody out on many a romantic cruise before. Sucking in a deep breath he reminded himself that those cruises were for paying customers and this was his first date since sophomore year of college when Jose had set him up on a blind date with a cockatoo named Rosita. Sure, he had managed to get a second date out of it but not much else. Letting go of the breath he realized he'd still been holding he soon noticed a silhouette moving toward the boat. It was Daisy and she was a vision in blue, the skirt of her dress fluttering like the waves as she moved closer and closer.
"Phooey," he muttered hoping she hadn't heard.
What was he thinking, he was way out of her league and he knew it. Why had he been so confident that night telling her that he'd love to take her sailing and why did he have to let his kids pressure him into giving her a call and setting up a time and place?
Two Weeks Ago, The Morning After Gyro's Party:
Donald was humming an old Caballeros song as he began to straighten up the living room moments from the night before flashing in his mind
"Awww Daisy," he muttered to himself, still lost in a haze not realizing that as the moments replayed in his head the door opened and Dewey and Lena arrived home.
"Daisy!" the two tweens mouthed just before Donald finally noticed the kids were there.
"So, did you have fun at your Uncle Scrooge's?" he asked bracing himself to hear what happened.
"I played some video games with Huey and Louie until Goss facetimed me…" Dewey spoke while Lena added, "Webby was off with Penumbra but Goldie taught me to count cards , want to see?"
Donald watched as Lena made a deck of cards appear while Dewey placed a hand on her shoulder shaking his head.
"Dad doesn't have time for any card tricks Lena, he needs to tell us who DAISY is."
Donald couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the way that Dewey tauntingly pronounced her name as it reminded him of when he was just a year older than his son was now and Della told him about her first crush.
"I met someone last night kids, you see Gyro ambushed me and signed me up for open mic and…"
"You actually sang in public and I wasn't there," Dewey interrupted, "Please tell me mom filmed it."
Shrugging, Donald thought that surely she had. "Anyway, back in College it seemed that there was someone who came to our shows who actually liked and understood my voice."
"You asked her out right dad?" Dewey asked as he took a seat on the couch, "You deserve to be happy."
"I am happy, I have a wonderful son, and hopefully…"
Taking a pause, Donald turned to Lena placing a hand on her shoulder, his bill curling a bit.
"...soon a daughter, that is if you are okay with me adopting you."
He watched as Lena flashed him a nervous look.
"Are you sure? I mean my magic…"
"Hasn't been nearly as wild since you moved in," Donald heard his son say while placing a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"But my aunt Magica?" Lena questioned an air of vulnerability in her voice.
"If she comes back she will have to go through me and she wouldn't like it when I'm angry."
There was a moment of silence before Donald watched the girl nod her head.
"I've lost count of how many times in the last four months I've slipped up and referred to you as dad. I'd be honored to officially be a part of this crazy little family. And who knows, maybe as an added bonus I'll get a mom in the future."
"Let's not rush into things kids ," Donald replied, "I mean….we did exchange numbers and I did say I'd take her on the Melody to catch up."
"Catch up?" Dewey asked.
"Did I mention she went to college with me?"
"IT'S FATE," both tweens soon exclaimed and by the end of the day Donald knew he'd be making a call.
"Pretty impressive vessel you have here captain," Daisy spoke as she made her way toward the Melody causing Donald to smile as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"The best my uncle's money can buy," he spoke with pride in his voice before realizing that he probably sounded a bit conceited.
He hoped he didn't leave a bad impression as he tried to read Daisy's body language.
"For being someone who rarely parts with his money if it's not self-serving or for a tax write off my uncle gifted me a trust fund accessible when I turned twenty five. Dewey had just turned one and I figured buying a boat and offering sailing charters would be a great next act.
"Well it definitely suits you, as does that uniform...do you dress up like this for all your client's?"
Looking down at his naval uniform, Donald couldn't help but feel flushed as he shook his head.
"I figured I'd dress for the occasion. Anyway let me help you aboard Daisy."
"Why thank you," his date spoke with a smile as she began to board the boat however one of her heels got caught crossing the threshold between dock and deck causing her to fall forward, lucky for the both of them Donald managed to hold his arm out.
Now, if he was his cousin Gladstone his luck wouldn't have ended there, no, he would have caught her in a flourish and pulled her in for a dramatically epic kiss. But he wasn't Gladstone so while he did 'sweep Daisy off her feet' in a sense gravity took hold as she landed in his arms causing him to fall backwards onto the deck, his body breaking the ladies fall.
"Well that was some way to make an entrance," Daisy spoke looking at her broken heel before kicking her shoes off and pulling herself up off the ground.
"That was not how the moment was supposed to go," Donald spoke in an apologetic tone as he sat up on the ground himself.
"Well, at least no matter what happens, tonight will surely be memorable."
Nodding, Donald finished getting up as he began to cross the deck.
"So, shall we sail out."
He watched as Daisy nodded as he began to ready the Melody to pull away from the docks to begin its journey around the bay.
"So, you know about my brush with rock stardom in college and my present life as a single father and charter captain but what's your story?"
"My story?" Daisy asked clearly unprepared for what Donald had asked however it was clear that she had seemed ready and able to go with the flow.
"Well, as you know I was a Fashion and Design Major at Spoonerville State."
Donald simply nodded.
"Well, my senior year I was given the opportunity to showcase my designs at a fashion show and it was a total and utter disaster."
"Daisy I'm sorry?"
"It's not your fault that whoever built the runway for the student showcase didn't double check to make sure things were structurally sound….anyway thankfully it didn't count against my final grade and so the moment my diploma was in hand I fled to New Stork. My sister Dawn recently had triplets and so I figured I could watch the kids during the day and wait tables by night. By the time April, May, and June...those are the girls' names by the way…"
"I figured."
"Anyway, by the time they began Elementary School I quit waiting tables and started to work at a department store. Sure, retail isn't that big a step up from food service but I was back in my element surrounded by fashion. I easily rose up the ranks becoming a personal shopper which is where I met someone. He was dashing and charismatic and told me I had an impeccable eye which I knew but it was nice having someone notice…."
Donald began to regret wanting to know her story especially at the way she began to light up about a man whom he assumed was her ex...at least he HOPED this guy was her ex and she wasn't stringing him along.
"...So, we go out a few times and he tells me to meet him with my portfolio...next thing I know some of my designs are being sold at some swanky boutique. On the one hand it's cause for termination as a personal shopper...conflict of interest or whatever, but when one door closes another opens as Emma Glamor herself sees one of my designs and simply must know who designed it."
At the name Emma Glamor, Donald couldn't help but nervously bite his bill as he began to wonder if this dashing and charismatic mystery man just so happened to be Emma's son Mark Beaks which would make the most sense.
"When she asked to meet with me I THOUGHT she was going to announce that I would be featured on her IT list as the #1 fashion designer to watch however boy was I surprised when she asked me to be her personal assistant. So, I upended my life, moved to Duckburg and the rest as they say…"
'History,' Donald thought to himself while wondering what ever became of the man in her story though he decided not to bring it up as he didn't want to sound desperate.
"Anyway I'm talking too much."
"I was the one who asked you to tell me your story."
He watched as Daisy simply nodded before crossing the deck looking out toward the bay.
"This view is so enchanting."
'Yes it is,' Donald thought though his eyes were not on the glistening bay but were instead glued to the woman beside him.
"Would you like something to eat?"
"I could eat."
Donald smiled as he led Daisy toward where a small table was set up.
"I should have asked you on the phone when we set this up but you don't have any food allergies do you?"
Daisy shook her head causing a wash of relief to flood over Donald thinking that it would be just HIS luck for her to have an allergic reaction to their meal. Reaching into a cooler that sat beside the table, Donald let his beak curl into another Cheshire grin before placing a tray onto the table, removing it's foil covering.
"Bon Appetit," He spoke as Daisy looked at what was on the plate and soon let out a slight chuckle.
"I'm sorry," Donald replied in an apologetic tone. Sure, he was a good enough cook in the fact that they never starved but he was by no means a gourmet chef.
"You don't have to apologize, it's just PB&J Sandwiches? You're such a dad."
Phooey he blew it he absolutely positively blew it. He knew he was undateable and really wished he didn't build his hopes up. He was about to apologize once more and offer to take her to Hamburger Hippo once they returned to the dock however before he could open his mouth she opened hers again.
"I think it's sweet, and cut into the shape of hearts that's quite a romantic touch."
Romantic! She thought he was romantic! He was internally squealing with delight, glad that the universe finally saw it fit for them to cross paths with one another after all these long years.
They continued to eat, making smalltalk in between bites. The conversation was organic. They chatted about his kids and her nieces...of music and models...of everything and nothing… and it was as enchanting as the sunset that was piercing the sky above them.
"Would you care to dance?" Donald asked as they finished the meal.
"There isn't any music...unless?"
"I've made some arrangements."
With a slight wink, Donald pulled out a small antiquated boom box from under the table and began to press a button.
Hear my voice
As I'm calling out for you
Donald watched as Daisy's bill curled into a smile as his voice flowed out of the boom box.
"I may have had a few demo's lying around." He admitted.
"Do you have one to spare for a longtime fan?"
"I think that can be arranged," Donald spoke with a nod as he began to twirl her around the deck. Sure, he didn't get dragged into having to take cotillion like Della had been but despite that he had some fairly decent moves.
Hear my voi-voi-voi-
'No, no, no,' Donald thought to himself as the CD began to skip, this can't be happening not when aside from their fall at the start of the evening the date was going off without a hitch.
Voi-voi-voi-
The song continued as Donald took a step toward the boom box turning the song off an apologetic gaze in his eyes however in the moment he had an idea.
"Be gentle, I haven't sung this in a long time."
Pulling a water bottle from the cooler, Donald took a long sip hoping that he wasn't about to embarrass himself.
Hear my voice
There are things I wish you knew….
For even if my heart is strange
And hard to understand
I'll give all that I have for you
I'll help you take a stand
By the time Donald's voice lingered on the final note he noticed that his and Daisy's eyes were locked onto one another before her hand began to gently cup his chin pulling him in for a kiss.