Disclaimer: We don't own the Ducks and probably never will because they belong to Disney. However, Emaliar Malfoy does own Bella, Emily, and a few other random characters.

A/N: This is the sequel to the other Mighty Ducks fic "The Way Things Are". We recommend you read that one first. However, this can also be read as a stand-alone story. Please read and review.

Chapter 15

Nine weeks later

November 27th, 1997

11:30 am

Adam's POV

Thanksgiving. What words come to mind? Infuriating. Annoying. Sucky. At least that's how it is in the Banks household. The Bombay-MacKay household, however? A whole new adventure to be had. I've met Bombay's mom. We lived with her for a little while, while we were waiting for the house that we live in now to be sold to Coach and Michele. As for Michele's parents that's another story, hopefully they'll like me.

Ollie's back in France for the hockey season and the Ducks started playing again almost a couple of months ago, once again without me. Though to be fair I'm not back in person at Eden Hall yet. I have been taking correspondence courses, who knows if I am going back.

Gunnar's coming this year. He's good, we're good. He's been amazing ever since I got out of the rehabilitation hospital last week. I had to relearn how to walk and eat again. I don't think he quite gets it all the mental stuff; shall we say. He knows what's going on but apart from that, well, yeah. I don't think they talk about this kind of stuff in Iceland, they hardly talk about it here. Except for that one lecture Dean Buckley gave us after my first time in the hospital last year. That was excruciatingly awkward.

I think maybe I love him; I don't know. How do you tell?

I'd ask Gordon but then I think he'd tease me mercilessly. I'd ask Charlie but I'd have to listen to him go on and on about how hot my little sister is. I'd ask Michele but she's been emotional lately (Gordon says its hormones from the baby combined with that she's glad I'm okay). Which leaves just me and my thoughts.

…..

"Okay my parents get in at about two thirty so, I'm going to start the turkey in ten minutes. Gordon you said your mom would be here around three, right? Casey's agreed to come and help set up in an hour. I think that Charlie and Gunnar are coming at about three thirty, and…." Michele rambled until Gordon cut her off with a kiss.

"Babe, it's going to be fine," Gordon said.

"I know. It's my first-time hosting thanksgiving with more than 4 people," Michele said.

"I know babe, just breathe. Okay?" He said, kissing her cheek.

"Yeah, I will. Ads, can you go and set the table?" Michele asked.

I shot her a look.

"Just do it, Banksie," Gordon said.

"Fine. Don't worry Michele, this will be great," I said.

….

2:50 pm

"Eleanor, it's good to see you," I said as I opened the door for Bombay's mom, who was sort of my surrogate grandmother.

"And you Adam,' She said enveloping me into a hug. 'How have you been?"

"Good, Good," I said.

"I heard that you got out of the hospital the other day, is everything alright?" Eleanor said.

"Yeah just fine," I said.

"Good, well if you don't mind. I am going to head into the kitchen to see if I can help Michele after I stop to hug my son," Eleanor said.

"Hi mom," Gordon said.

"So, what are you boys watching?" Eleanor asked.

"Detroit Lions verses Chicago Bears. The Lions are kicking butt," Thomas MacKay, Michele's father said.

"GO, GO, GO, GO, GO AHH!" Charlie's Stepfather Fred said.

"Gordon why are you out here?" Eleanor asked.

"Patricia kicked me out," Gordon said referring to Michele's mom.

"Yeah Coach was getting in the way. So, he and all the men have been banned from the kitchen until after dinner," I said.

"I see. Well I should go and see if I can help them," Eleanor said.

"After you," I said as I bowed.

Eleanor giggled.

"Adam you make a better door then you do a window," Thomas said.

"Banksie, move," Gordon said.

"Right," I said.

Charlie's POV:

Gunnar and I crashed into the mailbox of Ms. MacKay and Bombay's front yard. Maybe we had been going a tad too fast. But we were running late and the last thing I wanted was an angry mother, stepfather, coach and tutor.

I checked my watch.

"We're 20 minutes late," I said, grimacing.

"Vell, ve did stop off at Goldberg's and Jesse's before coming so…." Gunnar said.

"True," I said.

We trudged into the house through the backdoor and made our way into the kitchen, where I grabbed a roasted potato and shoved it in my mouth.

"Charlie!' My mom hollered, 'I'd like to go one year without you sneaking all of the food."

"Hey, Charlie,' Ms. MacKay said walking out of the dining room. 'What did I say about skates in the house? You too Gunnar. Off, now."

I began to untie them.

"No, no, no. Not in here. Adam's in the living room ask him for a pair of shoes," Ms. MacKay said.

"On it," I said.

"Banksie, Ms. MacKay says that we need shoes stat," I said as I waltzed into the living room not quite prepared for the greeting that I would receive.

"Charlie, darling, How's the season going? Gordon's told me that you're on Varsity this year…" Eleanor Bombay said. Who is always bubbly and eager to hear what you have to say. That is if she's finished talking.

"Why don't you and Gunnar go and get them. I'll stay here and talk to Mr. and Mrs. MacKay," I said winking as discreetly as I could, though I did want to meet Ms. MacKay's parents.

"Yeah, okay, C'mon Gunnar," Banksie stuttered.

Adam's POV

Gunnar and I climb up the stairs and I locked the door of my room.

"Hi," I whispered.

"Hi," he whispered back.

I leaned in capturing his mouth with mine. Exploring every bit of it that I had missed. I hadn't been able to do this properly for months. Other than a peck on the cheek every now and again. That was not enough.

He kissed me back hard and slow, perfectly. His hands began to slip underneath my shirt and my own fiddled with his waistband.

Then we broke apart.

"Ve should probably go back downstairs," Gunnar said.

"Yeah," I said. Disappointed that we could not do more. I passed him a pair of sneakers and grabbed a pair for Charlie.

"Hey Adam,' Charlie said as I passed him my sneakers. 'Have you spoken to Bella yet?"

"No, why would I?" I asked.

"It's been nine weeks, since you woke up," Charlie said.

"So…." I asked.

"Well she was really cut up, blamed herself," Charlie said.

"She should," I said.

"She's your sister, the others have all forgiven her, why can't you?" Charlie asked.

…..

About 20 minutes after Gunnar and Charlie showed up, dinner was ready. I decided to take a little of everything. Like maybe a spoonful of turkey, roasted potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, corn and spaghetti casserole, stuffing, 1 deviled egg, 2 of each black and green olives, one small dill spear and one sweet pickle. I even skipped the roll. I wasn't that hungry. I was in between Gunnar and Patricia MacKay. Thomas MacKay was to the right of Patricia. Gordon was at the head of the table, with Michele to the right of him. Eleanor was to the right of Michele. Charlie was to the right of Eleanor. Casey was to the right of Charlie, with Fred to the right of Casey. Gunnar was to the right of Fred.

"So how is work going Michele?" Eleanor asked.

"It's great," Michele said.

"And the baby?" Eleanor asked.

"Great," Michele said.

"You're what 18 weeks now?" Thomas asked.

"Twenty," Gordon and Michele said.

"Oh, my halfway there," Casey said.

"Yeah," Gordon said.

"So, Gordon when are you going to make an honest woman out of my daughter?" Patricia asked.

I snorted.

"Um soon, very soon" Gordon said.

"You better," Patricia said.

"So, Fred how is business going?" Gordon asked.

"Fine, we are getting ready to pick up steam because of the holiday season," Fred said.

"What do you do Fred?" Eleanor asked.

"I manage a B. Dalton Booksellers in St. Paul," Fred said.

"Really? Casey I am surprised. I didn't think that you would be a reader," Eleanor said.

"Yes, a little bit although not as much as Fred is an eater," Casey said.

"Come again?" Thomas said.

"He dines at Mickeys, daily,' Casey said to Thomas. Then turned to Fred and asked, 'Which is what a 5-minute walk from your store?"

"Yeah, we try to carpool as much as we possibly can," Fred said.

"Which is basically impossible during Christmas and inventory season," Casey said.

"And anytime that your boss, Matt schedules you for an insane shift," Fred said.

"I can't help it when we have a waitress quit on us," Casey said.

"I know," Fred said while patting her hand.

"So basically, you what commute together for what two months of the year?" Charlie asked.

"Charlie!" Casey said.

"It's okay babe," Fred said.

"So, then I take it you have to work tomorrow?" Eleanor said.

"Yes Ma'am, it's the biggest shopping day of the year. We open at 7 am," Fred said.

"I may have to check out your Black Friday, sales," Eleanor said.

"Mom," Bombay said.

By then I noticed a roll had appeared on my plate. I looked at Gunnar and he shook his head no. Charlie tipped his head towards his left and cleared his throat.

"Patricia what are you doing?" I asked.

"Adam you are far too skinny. Today is a perfect day to start fattening you up," Patricia said.

I rolled my eyes I could not believe that this was happening.

"Oh, is that where my food is disappearing too?" Thomas said.

"Mom, Adam's weight is fine," Michele said.

"Yeah," I said.

"No, no, no look at him I could almost snap him like a chicken," Patricia said as she grabbed a hold of my shoulder and started to squeeze it tightly.

"Mom drop it," Michele said.

"But he is too skinny, Today is the perfect day to start fattening you up so that you will gain the weight you need. Michele what are you going to do when the baby gets here. Remember Adam is your practice baby," Patricia said as she pinched my cheek.

"Practice baby, yuk," I said and then I rolled my eyes. Charlie and Gunnar snickered.

"Mom if I promise you that I will watch what Adam eats, will you drop the weight issue?" Michele said.

"Fine. Subject dropped.' Patricia said and then she turned to me 'So, Adam, how's school been?"

"Um, I haven't really, uh gone, in a while," I stuttered. Gunnar, Charlie, Casey, Bombay and Michele went silent.

"Why not, son?" Thomas asked.

"Adam's moving schools," Ms. MacKay piped up.

I looked at her with disbelief. This was news to me. Her parents and Eleanor seemed surprised, but no one else did. Charlie and Gunnar looked down, avoiding my eyes.

"SINCE WHEN? WHERE? WHEN EXACTLY WERE YOU PLANNING ON TELLING ME?" I yelled, knocking over a glass of water as I leapt to my feet.

"Adam, calm down. You weren't supposed to find out like this," Bombay said.

I bit my lip to try and stop the tears before I said, "where?"

"Look Adam Alex recommended it," Michele said.

"WHERE!" I shrieked. Mr. and Mrs. MacKay stared at me, if only they knew.

"It's called Lakeshore Academy, in California. It's for rehab," Gordon said.

"I DON'T NEED TO GO TO REHAB, I'M FINE! ABSOLUTELY FUCKING FINE!" I yelled I could not help it, the tears started to roll down my face.

Then I ran. Like I had so many times before.

I ran to the rink and grabbed a pair of skates off a stand and slashed my wrists, not much but just enough to release it all.

Then, I don't know what inspired me to do it; but I ran home. My real home, the one I had grown up in.

450 North Hennepin Avenue, Edina, Minnesota.

A/N: What do you think? Please review, part of this chapter was written by me, Bobcatwriter! There is only one more chapter left in this story.