A/N: We now continue with our regularly scheduled World of Color program!
"Holy cats," DW breathed, sitting forward and straining his seatbelt to get a better view.
Nestled in the trees sat a three story cabin. The front yard was bracketed by a modern garage on one side and a classic carriage house on the other, making the area a "U" shape. With the gently falling snow and the picturesque mountains as the background, the cabin looked like something out of a fairy tale.
"Not too shabby for a Christmas getaway." Launchpad glanced in the rear view mirror and caught sight of his passenger's gobsmacked expressions.
"Sure, but I don't know if I'd call this place a cabin," Max said.
"Well, it needs more decorations at any rate," Goofy said. "C'mon, Maxie. Help me unload the boxes." He loped out of the car and headed to the trunk, only slipping on the quickly accumulating snow twice.
DW twisted around in his seat and caught Max's eye. "Please tell me he didn't bring his own decorations."
"Only a few boxes worth." When DW shot him an appalled look, Max held up his hands in surrender. "I made him leave some stuff behind. If he'd brought everything, we would've needed another car."
"It looks fine as is!" DW said, gesturing to the cabin where the trees surrounding the property were strung with strands of twinkling white lights. A wreath was mounted on the front door and the third level balcony had garland hanging from its railing. It was simple, but still felt Christmasy. Goofy liked to have a yard covered in decorations, though, all the lights color coordinated and a Santa incorporated somewhere.
Max shrugged and got out of the car to help his father.
DW glanced to Gos in desperation.
"I'm just glad we're staying in someplace civilized and not a rickety backwoods cabin with an outhouse. This," she gestured to the area, "is camping I can get behind." With that, Gos climbed out of the car and started carrying their luggage inside.
As his last port in the storm, DW looked to Launchpad, who smiled. "Looks like you're gonna have to accept it, DW. Easier than puttin' up a fight."
"On that, LP, we disagree." He glanced out at everyone walking up to the cabin with bags thrown over their shoulders and boxes tucked under their arms. "But I suppose if I go along with it, I might be able to contain some of the chaos."
"That's the spirit!" Launchpad said, clapping DW on the shoulder, turning the car off, and stepping out into the snow.
The cabin was massive, golden light spilling out of the windows and illuminating the front yard and was painted white. It would've been a striking contrast to the green of the woods around it, but it was right at home amongst the dark skies and snowfall. The carriage house to left looked to have been converted into more living space connected to the main house, while the garage to the right seemed to be separate from the rest of the property. Launchpad could park the their rental cars in there once everything was unloaded and everyone inside.
The main pathway to the house curled up to the front door and wooden staircases stretched up from the ground to the second and third floor balconies. The roof came to a point in the middle like houses did in children's drawings.
Excited chatter filled the frigid air as the group entered their temporary holiday home. If everyone had been impressed with the exterior, it was nothing compared to what the inside held.
The front door opened to reveal an open concept living space, a huge stone fireplace the focal point with large comfortable looking sofas and chairs grouped around the room. Two doors were on the right, nestled underneath the free-standing staircase. To the left was the ideal space for a Christmas tree; DW would surely lead the charge on cutting one down. Past the would-be-Christmas-tree space lie a dining room with a giant wooden table spanning the length of the room with enough chairs for the whole group gathered along the sides. Launchpad suspected the kitchen was around the corner, which would also connect the main house to the carriage house.
Huey, Dewey, and Louie were busy running around and exploring. They called out their discoveries as they found them while the rest of the party finished bringing in their luggage and boxes of presents and decorations.
"There are two bedrooms in that small separate house," Huey said. "We call dibs on one of them." He pointed to his brothers.
"It's a carriage house, lad," said Mr. McD. "When this cabin was first constructed, it was where the carriages were stored. I suspect the garage was the stable for the horses."
"Well, there's a lounge on the upper level of the carriage house, so super dibs," said Dewey, grabbing his belongings with the other two and darting back through the kitchen towards their room.
Mr. McD chuckled. "I've a mind to take that other room to keep an eye on them."
"We can take it, Uncle Scrooge," said Donald, Daisy nodding her agreement.
"Nonsense!" said Mr. McD. "Yeh take one of the master bedrooms. S'better suited to a couple."
Donald shifted their bags, uncertain, and Daisy asked, "Are you sure?"
"Aye, lass. With all the activities we have planned, I'll gladly take a room with less stairs." He winked at her.
Daisy smiled and followed Donald upstairs.
Mr. McD turned to Gos and Max. "The second master bedroom is on the third floor, which would suit the two of you."
"Gosalyn will be bunking with me," DW said.
"No, Gosalyn will not," Gos said, turning to face him. "Our last romantic getaway was crashed by Darkwing Duck. I'd like to spend this one with my boyfriend."
DW scowled at her. "I— heard F.O.W.L. crashed your weekend, not Darkwing Duck. He saved you! … Based on what I heard."
Gos picked up her bags. "Max and I are sharing a room. You can have your own, if my math is right." She glanced at Mr. McD.
"'Tis, lass."
"There you go." She grabbed Max's hand and led him upstairs, Max lugging his suitcase behind him.
Mr. McD smiled at DW. "They deserve it," he said. "They both work hard."
DW scowled at Mr. McD. "It's not about how hard they work. Speaking of how hard Gosalyn works, don't think I've forgotten about Hawai'i in all this chaos. I will find out what happened."
"I'm sure ya will, lad. When Gosalyn decides to tell ya. Now, I'm going to settle in. There are more rooms on the second floor, feel free to take your pick." With that, Mr. McD took up his bags and went to find his room.
DW turned to Launchpad, ready to keep arguing, but Launchpad shook his head. "Max and Gos already live together, DW. It makes sense they'd share a room."
DW pointed a finger at Launchpad's chest. "Don't you bring your logic into his."
Goofy, who had piled the last of the boxes in a corner of the room, grinned. "I sure was relieved when they finally moved in together. Maxie's been meanin' to ask Gosie to move in with him since they met." He elbowed DW lightly. "Seems he likes her a lot. Still gets himself all worked up and nervous over the small stuff." Shouldering his bag, Goofy glanced up the staircase. "Yeh have any preference on yer room?"
DW, grabbing his luggage and shaking his head, trudged up the stairs. "I'm never going to win an argument ever again."
Goofy glanced back at Launchpad, an expectant look on his face.
"I'll find a room later," Launchpad said. "I wanna park the cars in the garage before the snow starts coming down too hard."
"Need any help?"
"Nah. It won't take long."
Goofy nodded and headed up behind DW.
Launchpad zipped up his coat and yanked on a pair of gloves before heading outside once more.
Parking the cars turned out to be a stroke of genius as the evening wore on. Not just because the snow started to come down in droves, but Launchpad had found the woodshed on his way back inside, and had brought in a basket full of logs to start a fire. Everyone reconvened in the great room as Goofy and Daisy cooked dinner. The roaring fire gave off enough heat to keep everyone warm as they unpacked their Christmas decorations and the boys hung sprigs of mistletoe around the house.
When Donald and Daisy were caught under the mistletoe, the boys whistled and cheered when they exchanged a quick kiss. DW was careful to avoid the plant, looking up dubiously before settling anywhere.
At one point, Huey tried to hang a sprig above Max and Gos, but she glared at him until he moved away, the plant still in hand.
Getting the whole group together for Christmas — spanning over at least three families — was bound to lead to some interesting stories. And Launchpad was looking forward to all of them, excited that both of his families and his new friends were together in a grand cabin for the holidays.