Disclaimer: We don't own the Ducks and probably never will because they belong to Disney. However, Emaliar Malfoy does own Bella, Emily, Alex, and Johnson. Bobcatwriter owns Annie, Mike, Travon, and all the characters at Lakeshore Academy.
A/N: This is the sequel to the other Mighty Ducks stories "The Way Things Are" and "The Way Things Were". We recommend you read those two first. However, this can also be read as a stand-alone story. Please read and review.
Chapter 19
July 9th, 1998
Bella's POV
This was the morning that we were to be leaving California. I decided to give Adam a break and not sleep in his hospital room. That and I wanted to sleep in a real bed again. Casey and I packed our stuff this morning and Gunnar and Charlie loaded the car with their gear and ours. I wanted to say goodbye to Adam, we got up to the hospital at about 9 just as Physical Therapy was finishing up with him.
We sat and visited for a little while and before I knew it Casey said, "Well, we need to be hitting the road, I have a shift on Sunday." Charlie, Gunnar, and Casey said their Goodbyes to Adam, leaving me last to hug my brother.
"You take care of yourself, don't make me come out here again," I said.
"I will you do the same, Cake Eater," Adam said.
"Not for long I won't be," I said.
"I hope so. I love you sis," Adam said.
"Me too, Ads," I said and then I gave him one final hug.
I gave a hug to Ollie too, "So when are you heading back to France?" I asked.
"Uh in a couple of days. I have a few things to wrap up here before I go," Ollie said.
"You will let me know when your back there?" I asked.
"Yep you will be at Connie's," Ollie said.
"Yes, and then we move into the dorms on Eden halls campus on August 23rd," I said.
"Call us when you get to where you're going," I heard Coach said to Casey.
"Of course," Casey said.
We loaded up in the car. I saw Adam looking out of the window from his hospital room. I smiled up at him, I only hoped that he would be okay. Casey was driving the first leg of the trip, Gunnar was in the passenger seat, Charlie was behind him and I was behind Casey. We were each allowed to drive for two hours on the road at a time before we could switch drivers. If we wanted to. To be fair in the driving lessons between us all.
Charlie and I kept looking at each other and then looking away. After 20 minutes of this happening Charlie said, "This is ridiculous. We can't spend the next three days like this."
"Why not, we are doing pretty good so far," I said.
"Bella, I love you. I was an idiot with kissing your brother and I have deeply regretted doing it, ever since it happened. But you need to know something, I only did it to get him to shut up about Lakeshore, cause he was freaking out over the whole thing," Charlie said.
"Yeah and?" I said.
Charlie sighed heavily before he said, "and I am sorry about what I said about your workout routine. I should probably shape up for the season."
"That is probably a good idea, considering we have 6 weeks until school starts and another 10 weeks until our sports physicals are due, and we start preseason training. You need to shape up," I said.
"Will you help me?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah I will help you," I said.
"Will you forgive me?" Charlie asked.
"Will see," I said.
When we got to Reno, we had lunch near the infamous sign that said Reno- The Biggest Little City In The World. Casey wanted our picture near the sign when we got done taking the photo. Charlie said, "Maybe we could go gambling."
"No Charles not until your 21," Casey said.
"Ah Mom, I can't do anything fun," Charlie protested.
Adam's POV
I was saddened to see them go. I really didn't want Bella to leave me behind. I turned around and headed to my bed and got back into it. I then saw something on my hospital tray. A folded-up piece of paper. I opened it up and saw the completed drawing of Bella's from the other day. It had a message in the top left-hand corner, "One Step at A Time! I am Cheering for you! Love, Bella". I smiled at the drawing I vowed then and there I was going to do everything that I could to get me stronger and back out on the ice. I wanted one more season with my sister on the ice. One chance to go after a state championship. I knew that my time would be limited this season coming up. But I wanted to be ready for the 1999-2000 season.
A few days later
Gordon's POV
I had dropped Ollie at the Airport to catch his flight back to France. He had several things to do to wrap up there and move his stuff home. He was to be back at Lakeshore Academy by August 15th. Dr. Binford had offered Ollie a position, to help them raise money, change a few things that is bad about the rehab place and make it into a better facility for the students now and in the future. When I had gotten home from dropping Ollie at the Airport to catch his flight Michele said, "So I have been thinking."
"Thinking? Uh oh that's not good," I said.
She elbowed me in the side, "Ow that hurt," I said.
"Oh, stop it Gordon! You have taken harder hits than that, and been fine," Michele said.
"I'm sorry, what have you been thinking about?" I asked as I kissed her cheek.
"Well with Adam being disowned by Phillip and Seraphina. And now that Bella is claiming emancipation from them. What would you think if we adopted them?" Michele asked.
"I think that would be great. But I think that Adam and Bella deserve a say in this too," I said.
"Well first things first, we have to get married first," Michele said.
A/N: What do you think? How will Adam and Bella react with being adopted? What will Adam's reaction be to Ollie working at Lakeshore Academy? Gordon and Michele getting married? Please be kind and leave a review!