Disclaimer: Go watch Luca, it's really good.
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It was a clear evening in New Brunswick, and the GUP-A was surfacing by the Green.
"You kids take care," said Captain Barnacles, "and say hi to your mum for me."
"I will," said Deborah, as she and Shellington climbed out of the GUP. Deborah was visiting home to introduce Shellington to her family. Everything was perfect; her mother was making her vegan chilli, her siblings were coming around, and best of all, her father was working late. She felt on top of the world.
"This is the place," she said to Shellington as they arrived on the doorstep of her mother's house. And how pleased she was to see her!
"Oh, Deb, darling," said Gertrude, hugging her daughter, "I was worried you wouldn't make it!" She turned to Shellington. "And you must be my new son-in-law!" She hugged him as well, and shooed them inside to the kitchen table, where Deborah's older siblings and niece were seated.
"There's the princess!" David joked, head-locking his sister and giving her a noogie.
Deborah giggled, and squirmed out of his grip. "Where's Pamela?"
"Pam's out of town until Thursday," said David. Little Stacy paid no mind to her mother's absence; she was more focused on getting to meet her new uncle.
"Sit down, all of you," said Gertrude, "the chilli's ready."
All six sat around the table to eat and discuss recent events.
"So," said David to Shellington, "what exactly brought you to my sister?"
"Well, truth be told, she kind of came to me," said Shellington. "She was assigned to the junior field researcher's position, which made me her mentor, and well, after that, everything just sort of fell into place. She's been absolutely fantastic to have in the lab with me."
Deborah beamed; she was very proud of herself.
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Later in the evening, the happy family had moved into the living room to chat and watch old reruns.
"Tell me, Margaret," said Shellington, "do you practice this?"
"Yes," said Margaret through peals of giggles. "It's actually quite simple." She then made the funny "boi-oi-oi-oi-oi-oing!" noise again, sending everyone into a fit of laughter.
And then the porch door slammed shut.
Humphrey was home.
Almost immediately, he looked up at his three children, and lit into Margaret. "So, look who finally decided to come home and visit."
Margaret said nothing. She simply sat there and glared daggers at her father. Seeing that he couldn't get a reaction out of her, he spied Deborah sitting with Shellington. "Who's this?"
"My boyfriend," said Deborah in a stern tone.
"Your boyfriend," repeated Humphrey in a mocking tone, "oh, what a great catch you've got there. Whatever happened to that nice boy Melvin from down the street?"
"I'd marry Satan before I would even be in the same car as that pervert," snapped Deborah.
Humphrey's face grew hot. "Young lady, I do not like your attitude."
"Well, I guess that's too bad," said Deborah, "because I don't live under your roof, and therefore your rules no longer apply to me." She picked up her bag to leave.
"Oh, Deborah, sweetie," said Gertrude, rushing to her daughter's side, "you don't need to leave. I'll handle your father-"
"It's fine, Mom," said Deborah. "I'll call you when I get back."
"Deborah," said Humphrey in a low, warning tone, grabbing her wrist, "you do not walk away from me when I am speaking to you."
"Like I just said," said Deborah, freeing her hoof from his grip and taking Shellington to the door, "not under your roof, don't have to follow your rules." She slammed the door behind her and walked down the porch stairs.
"Are you alright, love?" Shellington asked once they made it to the sidewalk.
"I never would have come out here if I'd known he was coming home early," said Deborah, fighting back tears. She contacted Captain Barnacles through her communicator to arrange for a ride back to the Octopod.
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The GUP-A surfaced in the Green. "What happened?" Captain Barnacles asked. "You weren't supposed to be home for another two hours."
"Her father," said Shellington.
Captain Barnacles didn't need to hear anymore. He loaded Deborah and Shellington into the GUP, where Lekona and Sarabi were waiting to comfort the dear deer.
"Deborah!" Humphrey pulled over on the side of the road and stormed down to the dock. "You get in that car and come home right now."
"Now hold on," said Captain Barnacles, using his cane to pull himself out of the GUP. "She's going back to the Octopod, where she belongs."
Humphrey was seeing red. "She told me she was going to university on a fully-paid scholarship."
"She told you that so she could get away without you looking for her," said Captain Barnacles in a low, almost scary tone. "You stay away from me, and you stay away from my daughter."
"Your daughter?!" Humphrey was ready to explode.
"Yes," cried Deborah, "because he listens to me and understands me better than you ever had!"
"And if you want her, you have to get through us first," said Captain Barnacles, narrowing his eyes at Humphrey.
"That's right," said Lekona.
"Eat crap!" Sarabi yelled.
Humphrey attempted to swing at Captain Barnacles, but the captain simply slammed his cane into his hoof. Humphrey yelled in pain, and Captain Barnacles took the opportunity to get back in the GUP and go under. "Are you okay, princess?" He asked Deborah, after handing the controls off to Lekona.
"I'm alright, papa," said Deborah, who had stopped crying. She melted into his loving arms.
"I meant what I said back there," said Captain Barnacles. "I care about you a lot, and I want to give you the love and affection that shitbag never gave you."
He hugged Deborah tight. And she hugged him back.
She had finally found her papa.
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Well, after almost two seasons, we finally see Deborah's waste of a biological father in person. How wonderful~
Stay strong, readers, the Season 2 finale is upon us!
