Mrs. Beakley wan't expecting to find the sleeping hugpile on the couch, but she also wasn't surprised. Quite the contrary, actually, as she could only assume Scrooge had finally made amends with his great-nephews. She smiled as she decided to leave them be for now, but a thought crossed her mind not too long later: Webby. Had he talked with her about what he had said to her yet?

Her brow furrowed, remembering her granddaughter's despondant look in the aftermath of that argument on the Sunchaser. She'd never wanted to actually harm her boss, but in that moment it had only been her knowing it would only worsen the situation that prevented her from decking the rich duck then and there, and opted instead to jump to Webby's defense. It was bad enough he had gotten defensive with the boys, but old man McDuck had crossed a line by snapping at her granddaughter.

This is a family matter-YOU are NOT family!

Mrs, Beakley shook her head as his words echoed back to her. She would have to ask Webby on the situation's status later, and talk to him herself if the duckling wasn't going to.

XvX

Webby had gone back to the old ways when she and Mrs. Beakley returned to the manor, leaving the head of the house to himself unless he sought her out first. In such time, she had realized that, though she was right, she had probably not helped anything by calling Scrooge out on his foolishness while tensions were high on that peak. She had been hurt deeply when he retaliated, but when the Ducks were going to leave to Cape Suzette and subsequently the whole incident with Magica had occurred, her heart made her push those feelings aside.

It was the late afternoon, as she had been absorbed in a book she'd nicked from the library, when the knock came to her door. She climbed down the ladder leading to the space her bed was, her mind racing. Maybe it was Huey, Dewey, and Louie wanting to talk? Nah, she would have heard them before she reached the door. It was probably her grandmother come to check on her.

"Lass?" came a soft voice from the other side just as she reached the door. She stopped, surprised. What did he want?

"Yes, sir?" she called, suddenly hesitant to open the door.

"Is it OK if Ah come in? Ah would like to talk about something with you."

If you were to tell Webby that what awaited her on the other side of the door was Scrooge McDuck looking like a defeated child, she wouldn't have believed you. She blinked, unsure of what to say, and he waved gently, a tiny smile appearing on his face.

"Hello," he murmured.

"Uhm... hi," she responded, gesturing him inside and closing the door behind him. "What, uh... what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Ah just wanted to apologize to ye for what Ah said to ye." She looked at him confused. "Ah won't try to make excuses. Ye were right, lass, Ah shouldn't have made that rocket for Della with the boys on the way, and it was nae right of me to yell at ye like that for it."

Webby stared at him, her mouth slightly agape in shock. Was this... actually happening? She was at a loss for words. A small part of her had forgiven him for it when they reunited after Magica's defeat, and it made the rest of her ache to hear him ask for that forgiveness. However as the last few days had gone on and he hadn't even tried to talk to her about it, she held the terrifying realization that maybe he wouldn't.

But here he was, and the sight of this hardened adventurer looking genuinely remorseful tore that thought in two.

"Ah will nae blame ye if yer still upset," Scrooge continued, pulling her from her thoughts. "Ah suppose Ah forgot in the heat of the moment that even extended family is still family."

"You still think of me and Granny as family?" Webby asked, words finally coming back to her.

"Of course. Unfortunately... it was only when Ah was alone after everyone left that Ah realized that, as well as what Ah'd done. So if ye'll accept it, Webby darlin', Ah'd-"

Before Scrooge was finished, Webby had launched herself at him and hugged him tightly. He was surprised for a moment before hugging her back, thankful she didn't show any outward signs of bad blood about it.

"Of course I do, Uncle Scrooge. Thank you."

XvX

"Mrs. Beakley! Might Ah have a word with ye for a moment?" The housekeeper turned to find her boss walking down the hall towards her, appearing to have his confidence in his stride back.

"What can I assist you with, sir?" she inquired, her curiosity peaked. "Though may I just say, I did see you asleep with the boys yesterday. I assumed you patched things up with them?"

"Ah did indeed," Scrooge replied. "And Ah've just done the same with Webby earlier today, but now Ah would like to apologize to you as well, Bentina, for the way Ah acted. Ye don't have to accept it, Ah'd understand, but Ah feel much better getting it off me chest."

"And if I choose not to forgive you, or to take a bit to think it over?"

"Then Ah don't blame ye one bit."

Beakley thought it over for a second. Scrooge did seem sincere, and he had at least mended things between him and the children. However, there was a tiny corner of her mind that nagged at her repeatedly: What if he did this again?

"All right," she decided. "I have decided to accept your apology, sir, but know this... If we experience a repeat, that's the end of everything. Thank you for apologizing, by the way."

"Of course, Bentina. It won't happen again. Ah promise."