"Dewey," Huey whispered into the darkness. "Are you awake?"
"How could I fall asleep after that?" Dewey asked.
Below them, Louie was fast asleep.
"Yeah, I figured you couldn't sleep either. Can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Dewey said, biting back a yawn.
"Did you know any of the stuff Uncle Donald told us? You were upset earlier, and we never got to talk about it."
"Webby told me we were related to Scrooge McDuck and that they stopped talking after mom left," Dewey said. "But that's it."
It didn't seem real that just this morning he was upset that he hadn't had the life that Scrooge could afford. Now that he knew what had happened to their mom, he didn't want that life at all.
"I wish you had told me," Huey said quietly. He didn't sound mad or disappointed, this wasn't a lecture. He was just deeply melancholic. Dewey had just learned that word, it fit this situation.
"Webby asked me not to. She wasn't even supposed to tell me."
Huey sighed.
"Yeah, okay."
"I'm sorry, Hue."
"It's okay, Dewey. It'll be okay."
"Do you remember Uncle Scrooge?"
"I've been trying to remember. It's a little fuzzy, but I think I remember some of it."
"I don't remember anything," Dewey bemoaned, admitting what hurt the most, "I don't even remember mom."
"Maybe that's for the best," Huey said, surprising Dewey. "It hurts more to remember her. To remember how much she loved us and know she left anyway."
"I can't believe you! I'd give anything to remember her. To remember just one thing about her."
Huey was silent for a moment.
"She used to sing to you. You would hardly go to sleep without her lullabies."
"It's not fair that you get to remember," Dewey said, dejectedly.
"No, it's not," Huey agreed, wishing that he didn't.
Dewey was so quiet that for a minute Huey thought he had fallen asleep.
Then, out of nowhere, "Do you think she's going to come back?"
Huey inhaled sharply. That was the one question he hadn't wanted to be asked.
"I- uh- well…"
That was enough of an answer for Dewey, who sniffled and shifted in his bed, unable to get comfortable or find rest.
"I don't know, Dewey."
"Do you even want her to come back?" Dewey challenged.
That lit a fire in Huey's chest, and he almost snapped right then. But he had to keep it together for his little brothers.
"It's late, Dewey, you don't know what you're saying. Go to bed."
Dewey didn't say anything else, though his outburst would weigh on him for the rest of the night.
For now, they both stayed silent and tried to get some sleep.
Dewey knew he'd been out of line. Huey knew that Dewey hadn't been. The truth of the matter was that all Huey wanted was his family to be safe. Della hadn't been a part of that family for nine years. If she came back, it would take a long time for Huey to consider her family again.
He wanted to want her to come back, but as long as the four of them were together, he knew they'd be okay.
Dewey was up and out of bed before anyone else, deciding the best way to start the day would be with apology waffles.
Uncle Donald found him toasting Eggos.
"Wow, what's the occasion?'
"Well… We kind of all had a hard night, last night. And I said something kind of mean to Huey, so I thought I would make breakfast. To make things better."
Donald smiled.
"You're a good brother, Dewey."
"I'm not so sure," Dewey confessed. "I kept a big secret from them, and then, last night, I argued with Huey… I just feel like I'm not doing anything right."
"Come here," Donald instructed, opening his arms out for a hug.
Dewey ditched the Eggos and hugged Uncle Donald as tightly as he could.
"No one is perfect all the time, Dewey. The last time I talked to your mother we had a fight. I didn't want her to take the rocket, but nothing could stop Della. Not even me. Siblings fight, and they make mistakes. That doesn't mean that they're bad siblings. Huey is going to forgive you."
"Are you going to forgive mom?" Dewey asked.
"I already did. I couldn't hold onto that grudge forever, it hurt too much. I love my sister, nothing is ever going to change that."
"I don't think Huey forgives mom."
Donald looked thoughtful. "How do you feel?"
"I don't know. I guess get it, kind of. I want adventure too. I just don't know if I'd be willing to risk as much as mom did to get it. I kind of like the life we have right now."
Donald smiled and ruffled Dewey's hair.
"I do too, buddy. I know I can't always give you the things you want-"
Dewey hastily cut him off, "I have everything I need."
Donald had to blink back tears, noticing something else out of the corner of his eye.
"Oh! Good morning," Donald said, nudging Dewey towards his brother so he could apologize.
"Hey, Huey. I, uh… I made waffles, if you want one. And I wanted to apologize for what I said last night. It was insensitive."
"Last night, I was mad. But I'm not mad now. You were right, Dewey. I don't know what I want. But whatever happens, we're going to stay together."
Dewey let out a sigh of relief and grabbed the waffles.
Donald nodded, "This is family isn't going anywhere. Now come on, let's eat breakfast. We'll let Louie sleep in, he can have a waffle when he wakes up."
Huey sat next to Dewey and offered him a smile, showing that all was forgiven, at least for now.
"Hey, Uncle Donald?" Huey started, wanting to move on from last night.
"Yeah?"
"Who's that friend you mentioned who will be watching us this week?"
Donald smiled to himself, "That would be my old friend, Dr. Gyro Gearloose."
Me Last Time: Next chapter will be more light-hearted I promise!
Me This Time: Haha just kidding we get the light-hearted stuff next time. Or at least part of it. Anyway, pacing is really hard.
