Chapter 13: Tax Benefits
It was a normal Tuesday night when Drake suddenly felt compelled to do it. He needed to do it.
Drake had a tendency that once he started thinking about something it was incredibly hard for him to stop thinking about it. Sometimes it was for small things, like the time he was 20 and he decided he wanted to dye his hair blue-and immediately regretted it. Other times, well, other times it was a bit bigger. Like when he'd met Gos. He knew there was something about her, the way she spoke, the way she carried herself-it was almost like looking in a mirror, it was uncanny at times. When he found out she was homeless and had been hiding from authorities he knew he had to help her. So he convinced her to let him turn her in so she could have a foster home, then immediately started the paperwork to adopt her. In the end it took him obsessively completing every class and form, passing countless interviews, and finally getting legal approval, but he'd done it.
Right now, well, it was one of the bigger things. Probably only the second biggest thing to adopting Gos. Jesus Fucking Christ, I'm going to propose to Fenton.
***DT***
St. Canard had a sizable shopping mall on its outskirts heading toward Spoonerville. It was a bit of a drive, but it was also one of the few places that had affordable jewelry. Over the past few years Drake had stopped countless thieves in Duckburg and St. Canard, unfortunately many of those were jewel thieves. While this meant that it was usually pretty easy to stop them-most of them didn't want a real fight- it also meant that any place they were tended to be a bit pricier. After all, no one robs the Zales when there's a Tiffany's on the next block. So Drake drove away from the glitz of the city and toward the suburbs. He plodded through rows of identical beige and white houses, getting lost more than once in the tracts of similarly nondescript homes, until he finally reached the massive shopping center.
After parking an obscene distance from the entrance he slogged through the cars and in through the sliding doors. Now where the hell is the directory? He looked around for a map or kiosk, but didn't see anything immediate. His slight frown deepened as he walked further in, trying to avoid all the parents toting around tykes in strollers and teenagers crowded in corners, Sheesh, did everyone decide to go shopping today? Eventually he found a kiosk, unfortunately it was digital. Drake wasn't keen on technology-That's Fenton's thing. He tinkered with the screen until eventually it let him type in "jewelry" in the search bar. A half-dozen stores lit up, and the kiosk tried to convince him to let it text him the best route. He adamantly refused, and eventually got a map to print out of a slot under the touch-screen with the stores circled on it.
Four hours and a new credit card later he'd done it. Drake had snagged Fenton's old class ring from high school and used it for measurement, Which was a good thing given that he had larger than average digits… As he glanced at the white bag emblazed with the curly silver font of the jeweler he couldn't help but fret slightly. What if he doesn't like it? Drake shook his head, trying to steel his resolve, If he doesn't like it we can always get a different ring. It's got a full month before I can't return it. He paused, his anxiety still creeping in, But what if he says no?
***DT***
"Drake, what's going on?" Fenton raised an eyebrow as he took the glass from Drake. The evening had been perfect. Drake had taken them out to dinner, then they'd walked along the pier, now he had a bottle of champagne and a blanket set up on the beach. Algo está pasando aquí… "This is… too perfect, it's like one of those Spanish romance movies my mother always used to watch when she thought I was asleep."
Drake fiddled with the blanket, "Fenton, I want to ask you something…"
Fenton's head tilted slightly, "Yeah…"
"I, um," Drake clenched his fist slightly as he exhaled, "Sorry, gimme a sec." He mentally counted down from 20 to try and slow his racing heart, "Fenton, I love you, and the last few months have been some of the best of my life. Before you and Gos I was alone, even if I didn't realize it, and when I adopted her I thought she was all I needed. I had a beautiful daughter and I was happy. But then I crashed into you-literally-and suddenly, there was more." He paused, the corners of his eyes creasing as he tried to blink away the dampness gathering, "Fenton, you are by far the kindest, noblest, and most loving person I've ever met. You saw me-a single dad who teaches middle school kids about drama-and you loved me anyway. Beyond that, you loved Gos." He lost the battle to his tear ducts, "I've seen how you care for her and how you try to always do the best you can with her. And, well," Here we go, Drake kneeled on the blanket and pulled out a small black box, "Fenton Armando Miguel Julio Martin Crackshell-Cabrera, will you do me the honor of being my husband?"
Fenton was speechless. His beak flapped open and closed a few times before he finally managed to squeeze air past his vocal chords to make a sound. "S-Si! Yes!" He nodded vehemently.
Drake smiled, "Well, then, I think this belongs to you." He flipped open the box to reveal a wide gold band with a brown striped gem neatly tucked in the center. The sunset glimmered on the bands in the stone.
"Drake, it's beautiful. What is it?" Fenton couldn't help but appraise the stone as he slipped it on his finger.
"It's Tiger's Eye. I thought it looked like your eyes…" Drake blushed.
Fenton grinned, "So, what about you? Y tu? Where's your ring?"
"It wouldn't be fair of me to pick both our wedding rings." Drake replied. "I figured you could choose it."
Fenton looked at Drake, "You really want me to pick an accessory you'll be wearing every day for the rest of your life?" He gestured to his clothes, which while functional didn't exactly match.
"I trust you." Drake said, "Besides, no matter what you pick it'll be from you, so that's what matters." He paused, "That being said, I did take a few pictures of ones I liked…"
***DT***
Drake had expected some reaction from M'ma, but being hugged wasn't exactly what he'd anticipated. The two had driven over shortly after they finished their beach blanket champagne. After they shared the news she squoze the two men tightly in her arms, not letting either escape her hug, "I'm so happy mi pollito is finally getting married!" A moment later she carefully returned Fenton to the carpet below and lifted Drake off the ground and pinned him against the floral paper on the wall, "But you could've asked me first!"
Drake wheezed, his eyes suddenly widening, "Sorry! I wasn't sure of what your reaction would be!"
"M'ma! Bajalo! This is why he didn't ask you." Fenton said, trying to keep his mother from suffocating his fiancée.
She sighed, lowering him from the wall, "I approve, but I need to make something clear." She motioned for Fenton to leave the room, he did, rolling his eyes knowing what would come next.
Once it was clear Fenton was out of earshot she spoke, "If you do anything, and I mean anything, to harm my son you will regret it. I know you are a good man, Drake, but if you hurt him…" She paused, fire burning in her eyes. The iridescent amber glow made Drake swallow dryly, "…I am a police officer and I know how to properly get rid of a body."
"Understood." Drake nodded.
"Good." M'ma returned to her usual expression, "Let's have some food to celebrate."
***Author's Note***
Hello everyone! Sorry this one is a bit shorter, I got a bit crazy with the last chapter and it led to me needing a little of a shorter, fluffier affair for this one. I promise slightly longer for the next one. Also slightly less fluffy. After all, these ducks are superheroes, they need something a bit more… sinister to deal with.
