Disclaimer: We don't own the Ducks and probably never will because they belong to Disney. Nor do we own anything that belongs to the United States Air Force. However, Emaliar Malfoy does own Bella, Ollie, Seraphina, Alex, and Patrick "Paddy" Ridley. Bobcatwriter owns Annie, Mike, Travon, all the characters at Lakeshore Academy, Baby Hans, Paddy's family, The Lebrie Family, Reese, Mark, Judges Stone, Murray, a few of the other students and teachers from Eden Hall.
A/N: This is the sequel to the other Mighty Ducks story's: "The Way Things Are," "The Way Things Were" and "The Way Things Should Be." We recommend you read those three first. However, this can also be read as a stand-alone story. Please read and review.
Chapter 25
Tuesday April 13th, 1999
0825 am
Patrick "Paddy" Ridley, United States Air Force Brat POV
My Father woke me up this morning, "Get up son, Let's go you have to enroll for school," he said.
"I don't want to. I want to go back to Langley," I said.
My father is in the Air Force. He is a Colonel. Dad has been in the Air Force for over 30 years, at this point I don't think that he is going to retire ever. We had just moved to Minneapolis from Hampton Virginia. My dad's first day of command at the 934th Airlift wing is tomorrow. We arrived yesterday from Virginia. I had not even started to unpack my stuff and set up my room yet. We had an appointment with the Dean at Eden Hall Academy at 0930 sharp. "Let's go suit and tie, you want to make an impression on this school," My father said. I groaned how I wish we were back in Virginia right now.
I had put on the best suit and tie that I owned. My mother pressed them for me last night. I passed through the kitchen where she was currently setting up. I grabbed an apple off the fruit bowl. "Paddy you look fantastic, you will knock them dead," Mom said.
"Thanks mom," I said as I kissed her cheek. I had towered over her now, I was five feet eleven and still growing for just turning seventeen, I figured that I would stop at about six feet, which is what my father was. I was the youngest of three boys. William is ten years older than me, already thru the academy and was on his second base at Misawa Air Base in Misawa, Japan. With his seven and a half months pregnant, wife; Chelsea, carrying their first child a little girl. Randall is five years older than me and was getting ready to graduate from the academy in over a month. My Father walked into the kitchen and felt my hair.
"That hair is getting a little too long for you, son. When are you going to get it cut?" He asked.
I rolled my eyes and said, "When I find a barber."
"Hmm, I will give you one week to get it cut, or you are going to the base barber shop to get it cut, you understand?" My Father asked.
I rolled my eyes and said, "Yes, sir."
"Good, let's go we are going to be late," My father said.
"Yes sir," I said, and I kissed my mother on the cheek.
"Have a good day at school Paddy," Mom said and then I walked out the back door and climbed into Dad's '69 Camaro that he finished restoring when I was 10 years old, he bought it when I was seven.
When we got to the Eden Hall Academy Campus, I felt intimidated. I didn't know why I was going to be coming here. "Dad, are we sure that we don't want mom to homeschool me? I would be perfectly happy doing homeschool," I said.
"Your mother is going to be too busy, being a base commander's wife. Besides, I have already checked out this school, it seems like a good fit for you, and you will have a better shot at getting into the academy at a prep school," My father said.
"What if I don't want to go to the academy?" I asked.
"Patrick, we have been over this, our family has been in the military since the revolutionary war. It's a tradition that I would like to see continued with my sons all of my sons,' My father said I mimicked him. 'Stop mimicking me Patrick Thomas Ridley."
"You know dad if I was a little girl. You would not be forcing me into the academy," I said.
"Maybe yes and maybe no son. Ah here is the administration building,' My father said as he walked up the steps and opened the door. 'Ladies." He said to two girls that were about my age that were walking out of the door.
They giggled and said, "Thank you and thank you for your service."
"Your welcome ladies. Let's go Patrick," he said.
I met the Dean and all. He seemed like a nice person in a yellow bow tie, "Well welcome to Eden Hall," Dean Buckley said.
"Thank you, Sir.' I said, I now look at the clock on the wall behind the Dean. It was now 10:05 am. "Is that the correct time?" I asked.
"Why yes, it is, in time for 3rd period class," Dean Buckley said.
"Alright Patrick, here's your lunch money. Make sure you buy something nutritious," My father said.
"Yes, Sir," I said.
"And I will be back with your belongings for the dorm after school today. What time is that again Dean Buckley?" My father asked.
"3:50 or 1550," Dean Buckley said.
"Ah, military man. Which branch," My father asked.
"Navy, 5 years. Then in the reserves for 3 years. Went in after my father passed away. Made it to Petty Officer 1st class," Dean Buckley said.
"Very Good,' My father said, "Patrick, I will meet you at Black Hall at 1555 sharp."
"Yes sir," I said and then I saluted him. Then dad left the office, Dean Buckley started to get up.
"Well Patrick or do you like to be called Paddy?" Dean Buckley said.
"Paddy please," I said.
"Well Paddy, I will walk you to your 3rd period Pre-Calculus class," Dean Buckley said.
"Dean Buckley do you mind if I change out of my suit coat, shirt and tie. It's getting a bit stuffy, and I don't want to be ridiculed on my first day. I… I have something to change into," I said.
"Sure son, the bathroom is the 4th door on the left walking out of the office," Dean Buckley said.
"Okay I will be right back," I said.
I quickly found the bathroom and changed out of my suit and tie and into my grey Air force t-shirt and sneakers. I still had my black dress pants on, but I didn't care, since we could not find my jeans yet. Once I returned to Dean Buckley's office I said, "I am ready Dean Buckley."
"Good let's get you to Pre-Calculus. Here's your class schedule," Dean Buckley said as he handed me my class schedule. The Dean tried to point out as many buildings as he could, and he reassured me that the other students will help me find my way.
"I hope so," I said as we were walking into a building that said something about a Major's on it.
10:12 Am Bella's POV
We were sitting in Pre-Calculus, about 20 minutes in listening to the substitute read out the notes Dr. Anderson had left for the class. I was doodling in the margins of my notebook not paying attention when the Dean walked in; followed by a guy about his height dressed in a grey t-shirt with a logo I didn't recognize printed on it, black dress pants and sneakers. His hair was slightly curly and dark, it sat on his head perfectly, he had big brown orbs for eyes and perfect muscles, he ran a hand through his hair and looked around. I followed his gaze and apparently, I wasn't the only girl in a semi-trance.
Dean Buckley cleared his throat; "Everyone this is Patrick Ridley, he's joining Eden Hall for the remainder of the school year so I trust you will all treat him with the respect he deserves, I'm looking at you Mr. Portman," he said, the class chuckled. Portman gave a ha, ha look and rolled his eyes to Dean Buckley.
"Why don't you take the seat next to Ms. Banks, Patrick, it appears to be free. Bella, please fill him in on the lesson so far. Goodbye all," Dean Buckley said and then he turned towards the door.
"Goodbye Dean Buckley," we chimed.
The new kid made his way over to the seat next to mine.
"Paddy," he said holding his hand out.
"Bella," I replied, shaking it.
He gave me a small smile and turned his attention to my drawing that was on the desk.
"That's good," he whispered.
"Thanks," I said.
"So, what are we studying?" Paddy asked.
"I honestly have no idea, Julie will know," I said.
"Great, it will be our little secret," Paddy said, and he winked at me.
Once the bell rang Paddy asked, "Hey Bella do you know how to get to JFA 214?"
"Yeah, that's my next class. Let me see your class schedule," I said.
Paddy handed over his class schedule I looked over the schedule, "Yep American Government JFA 214. In fact, you are in all my classes except for 2 PE and Study Hall," I said.
"Cool, well I guess I just met my first Minnesota friend," Paddy said.
"Hey Bella, you need an escort?" Guy asked.
"Uh no Guy I think I will be all right. I am sure you have to make sure that Charlie did his homework," I said.
"Tell me about it,' Guy said as he rolled his eyes, 'Oh Guy Germaine." Guy held out his hand.
"Paddy Ridley. My dad just transferred here from Hampton, Virginia. He's in the Air Force," Paddy said.
"I figured that with your shirt logo," Guy said.
"We have to go, or we are going to be late, you know how Dr. Barber can be," I said.
"Right," Guy said.
Guy had been escorting me from class to class for a week. We were waiting for retaliation from Mark. "So, are you going to be trying out for the Varsity Ducks next fall?" Guy asked as we were walking across the campus.
"Excuse me," Paddy said.
"The Varsity Ducks. Hockey," Guy said.
"Oh sorry, I don't play hockey. I used to run cross country, but I tore my ACL out last fall before the season started," Paddy said.
Guy grimaced and then said, "ow, that had to hurt."
"Oh yeah, it did. Say uh do you know where the Black Hall is. I am supposed to meet my dad at 1555 sharp this afternoon. So, we can get me moved in," Paddy said.
"Yeah, that's the guys dorm. I hope that you are not rooming with Charlie and Gunnar," I said.
"Bella, Charlie and Gunnar have a double room since Adam's at Lakeshore," Guy said.
"Oh yeah," I said.
"Who is Charlie, Adam and Gunnar?" Paddy asked.
"You want to explain that one Bella, or shall I?" Guy asked.
"Yeah, Adam is my brother, he is at a treatment facility in California. Charlie is my ex-boyfriend…" I started to say.
"Twice removed," Guy said.
I gave Guy a dirty look, before I continued "and Gunnar is my brother's boyfriend," I said.
"Oh, that would drive my father up the wall. He hates don't ask don't tell," Paddy said.
"What's that?" I asked.
"It's a military policy, it basically says that people of a higher rank cannot harass someone that is gay or bisexual that is still in the closet. Yet it prohibits those that are out of the closet from service," Paddy said.
"Oh," I said as we just walked into the classroom, just before the bell rang.
After our classes, Paddy had to change quick, so he would satisfy his father's request for staying in a monkey suit all day long. I saw Paddy's father next to a car that was a classic and had been restored to cherry. Paddy's father looked exactly like Paddy, except at least 30 years older and had grey hair. Dressed in an Airforce t-shirt, pants, and sneakers. When we got up to Black Hall it was 4:00, his father looked pissed.
"Sir," Paddy said and saluted.
"Patrick Thomas Ridley, I told you to be up here at 1555 on the nose, to help with operation move in," Paddy's Father said.
"Sir, Yes Sir! I apologize sir. I was held up," Paddy said.
"Held up doing, what?" Paddy's Father said.
"It was my fault, I am sorry. Paddy had nothing to do with it. We were held up by one of my teammates that needed a favor, and it took him a long time to ask what he wanted to ask," I said.
"Hmm, I guess I could forgive you just this once. It is your first day." Paddy's Father said.
"Thank you, sir," Paddy said, and he saluted, Paddy's Father returned the salute.
"Who is this lovely lady, Patrick?" Paddy's Father asked.
"Oh, Dad this is Bella, Bella this is my father Colonel William Timothy Ridley, Senior," Paddy said.
"Sir," I said as I saluted him. I wasn't even sure if I was doing it right.
"At ease Bella," Colonel William said.
"It means relax," Paddy whispered in my ear.
I started to relax, "It's a pleasure to meet you Bella," Colonel William said.
"Likewise, so do I call you sir, Colonel or Mr. Ridley?" I asked.
"You can call me Colonel," Colonel William said.
"Ok Colonel," I said.
"Alright son, let operation move in commence, HOOAH!" Paddy's Father said.
I jumped at the HOOAH! "Relax Bella it's just a battle cry," Paddy whispered in my ear. I smiled at him.
Paddy's Father, Paddy and I grabbed some of Paddy's stuff. I noticed that he didn't have too much in terms of stuff, I would have guessed it was from the years in the service.
"Ah you must be Paddy," said Trevor Rogers the Resident Assistant.
"Yep, that's me," Paddy said while jiggling stuff, trying to find a hand to shake with.
"No worries, you will be in room 209 and your roommate is," Trevor said.
I perked up at this and said, "Guy Germaine."
"Your right, Bella," Trevor said.
"Oh, good I have already met Guy," Paddy said.
"I hope he has cleaned up his room," I said.
Guy had a double dorm room all to himself. His original roommate didn't show up for Eden Hall and he went through three more roommates in the last 7 months. The last one leaving during spring break. All of them said the same they could not stand Guy's messiness. Guy was never one to keep a room neat and tidy. I was stupid enough to ask for help on an assignment for American Government in November and I stopped at Guy's room, since the rest of the guys were gone. When I was done, I wish I would have waited for Julie, now it made sense why Guy was always over in my room. But it could have been worse, it could have been one of the Bash Brothers that Paddy was sharing with. The Lord only knew what kinds of things were growing in there.
We walked up to 209 and when Paddy opened the door, I was astounded at the mess there was. There was stuff everywhere, cookie and chip bags on the floor, laundry wherever it seemed to land, even the sink stunk. It was like Guy had not even heard of cleaning it.
"Oh, wow what a mess," Paddy said.
"Oh God, Guy," I said with my eyes closed.
"Patrick, I hope that you will never let it get this way again!" Paddy's father said.
"Sir, yes, Sir," Paddy said.
I sat Paddy's stuff down by the door and went over to the unmade bed and started to find a corner of the bed, by taking all of Guy's stuff off that bed and placing it on his bed, hopefully he would take the hint in that one.
"Hey everybody,' Guy said as he got into the room. 'I guess you're my new roommate huh Paddy?"
"Yeah," Paddy said slowly.
"Airman Germaine, You WILL CLEAN THIS MESS UP NOW!" Colonel screamed at him.
"YES SIR!' Germaine yelled back. Then I heard, 'psst… this must be your father?"
"Uh huh and you need to do what he says or else," Paddy said.
"Got it," Guy whispered back.
I spent an hour helping Guy, clean and organize. While Paddy was moving his stuff in and unpacking, "Look Guy a floor!" I said.
"Ha, ha!" Guy said back.
I pulled an article of clothing that was from underneath his bed, "Hello; what is this?" I said holding up one of Connie's bras that was pink.
"That's Connie's," Guy said as he reached for the bra, and I held it just out of reach.
"I know that Guy," I said.
"Give it back, Bella," Guy said.
"You want it, you are going to have to come and get it," I said, and I took off running for my dorm. I literally poured on the speed, Guy was strong, but I was quick as a rabbit. I made it back to the dorm and I locked the door.
Guy tried the door and then he pounded on it, "BELLA! OPEN UP!"
"What's going on, Bella?" Connie asked looking up from her Pre-Calculus homework.
"Oh nothing, just this, I said as I pulled Connie's bra out from underneath my shirt.
"My bra, I had been looking for that everywhere. Let me guess, Guy's?" Connie asked.
"Uh Huh," I said.
"BELLA OPEN THIS DOOR NOW!" Guy said.
Connie got up, took the Bra from my hand, went to the door, opened it and while showing the bra she yelled, "GUY WYATT GERMAINE! HOW DARE YOU KEEP SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME?"
"Sorry Connie," Guy said in a puppy dog voice. I could tell who wears the pants in that relationship.
After Guy and Connie made up, I followed Guy back to Black Hall. "You realize that I had to make you apologize to Connie for that," I said.
"Yeah, I get it," Guy said.
"So, what was it for?" I asked.
"Well, it was for…. Well never mind," Guy said.
"Your little fantasy's Guy. That's sick!" I said with my hand on my hips.
"That's a guy for you," Guy said.
I helped Paddy and his father finish unpacking and getting Paddy's room set up. Paddy had asked if he could change his clothes in the bathroom so he would not do anything to them. His father said sure. After his father left, I said, "So your dad seems nice."
"Yeah, he is for the most part but if you get him really mad, look out," Paddy said.
"I can imagine;' I said as I looked at one of the pictures on Paddy's wall. 'Those your brothers?"
"Yep, That's William and his wife Chelsea, which was taken on their wedding day. And that's my brother Randall."
Paddy looked young in that picture like 13 years old. "You were young," I said.
"Yeah, William is 10 years older than I am and Randall is 5 years older. I was the surprise child," Paddy said.
"Where are your brothers now?" I asked.
"William and Chelsea are at Misawa Air Base in Misawa, Japan and Randall is due to graduate from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in over a month," Paddy said.
"Cool so I guess that William and Chelsea will be coming home for Randall's Graduation?" I asked.
"No, Because, when Randall graduates, Chelsea will be due to give birth any day. I am going to go," Paddy said.
"Cool," I said.
"Okay, so I don't know anything about you except you have a gay brother that is in California for treatment, you play hockey, and you draw," Paddy said.
"Adam is my twin. He was born 17 minutes before I was. We have an older brother Ollie. He is twenty-two, he works for the treatment facility that Adam is in," I said.
"What's Adam in for?" Paddy asked.
"Cutting and Bulimia. But he is graduating and coming home in July," I said.
"And your parents," Paddy asked.
"That's a sore, sticky subject. Adam and I are in the middle of getting adopted," I said.
"Oh, I am sorry," Paddy said.
"No, it's cool, I love my soon to be adopted parents they are awesome. I have known my adopted father since I was nine and my adopted mother since I was eleven," I said.
"Cool, and then there's Charlie your ex-boyfriend," Paddy said.
"Yeah, but I just got out of a troubled relationship, not with Charlie with someone else. So, I don't really want to get into another relationship right now," I said.
"No that's cool. Neither am I; I just broke up with my girlfriend of two and ½ years about 2 months ago," Paddy said.
"So, Friends," I said.
"Yeah Friends,' Paddy said.
"So how old are you and where were you born?" I asked.
"I'm 17, born on St. Patrick's Day at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, You?" Paddy said.
"September 21, 1982, in Edina, Minnesota. Born and bred here my entire life. So, you've lived in Germany that is so cool," I said.
"Yep, I have been all around the world, was born in Germany then I have lived in Japan, California, Texas, Illinois and Virginia," Paddy said.
"And now here," I said.
"And now here," Paddy said.
I spent the next 3 hours with Paddy talking about different things and sharing stories I told him that I was on team USA for the Junior Goodwill Games. He told me that was cool, and he caught the end of the game between us and team Iceland, so he saw Adam's goal. He turned me onto Garth Brooks. By the end of the night, I was singing Friends in Low Places. I knew Dwayne would be proud of me, he had been trying for years to turn me onto country music.
"Cause I've got friends in low places
Where the whiskey drowns
And the beer chases my blues away
And I'll be okay
I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to the oasis
Oh, I've got friends in low places" I was singing as I was walking into my room.
"Well, someone had a fun time with Paddy," Connie said.
"I agree. So, is he as nice as he looks?" Julie asked.
"Oh yeah we spent the last 3 hours talking about different stuff. Paddy introduced me to Garth Brooks," I said.
"He's a country singer, right?" Connie asked.
"Yeah, he is," I said.
"Well Dwayne would be proud of you," Julie said.
"I think that we have a little crush on Mr. Paddy Ridley," Connie said. I just stood there and blushed.
"Bella and Paddy sitting in the tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First comes love then comes marriage and then comes the baby in the baby carriage
Get out the diapers, get out the pins, oh my gosh they just had twins," Connie and Julie sang together. I blushed harder. I was falling in love.
A/N: So, what do you think? Please leave a review! Thanks!