Christmas was a time of year where even those who didn't know of magic's true existence could feel it in the air. That was one of the many reasons why Webby loved the season so much.

As she headed down the grand staircase of McDuck manor she casually began to brush her fingers along the garland draping the banister humming a festive tune thinking back to her first Christmas in the manner and how it lacked the festivity that presently surrounded her.

December 2010:

Moving from the small cabin she had lived in with her Granny to the home of Scrooge McDuck a few months ago was still a bit overwhelming to the three year old. There were so many rooms both locked and unlocked and she had instantly made it her personal mission to see what secrets lay behind each and every one of them. In the meantime however there had been something else she'd been curious about as she looked up from her watercolors toward the tall dog who had been dusting the portraits on the walls.

"Duckworth, can I ask you a question?"

"Yes young Webbigail." he replied as he placed his duster on the edge of a shelf and knelt down to the child's level.

"Why hasn't Mr. McDuck started decorating for Christmas yet? It's already December and this house is massive. There is no way he'll get done in time."

There was a moment of silence as the butler let out a long lingering sigh causing a bigger feeling of curiosity to swell up in the girl. There was a story…there had to be a story…and she loved hearing all about Mr. McDuck's adventurous history.

"You see, Webbigail, Mr. McDuck is a very busy man and so he uses the Christmas Holidays as a time to just turn everything off and refresh himself for the year ahead."

Webby simply nodded trying to wrap her head around the fact that the man she'd been living with just skipped over Christmas.

"But… How will Santa find me?"

It was as if she had said something naughty with the way that Duckworth reacted to her question about Santa. But she didn't…did she?

"Don't let Mr. McDuck hear you say the S word."

"S word? Santa?"

Duckworth simply nodded.

"Mr. McDuck and Mr. Claus had some…business dealings back in the day."

Webby's beak dropped. Scrooge knew SANTA! How OLD was he? Though she supposed those were questions to bring up when she was a bit older and had formed a stronger bond with the man.

"The company puts up a community Christmas tree downtown and Mr. McDuck and young Lewellen plan to be at the tree lighting so there is that."

Nodding her head she was glad to see that the holidays weren't completely iced out….ice…oh…she had an idea.

"Duckworth? Do you think Mr. McDuck would mind if I decorated the foyer with paper snowflakes?"

"If you promise not to get glitter on the rugs, I think that can be arranged."

Those paper snowflakes of her childhood had soon evolved into a small tree placed just off the breakfast nook. Through the years as Scrooge adopted her and especially once Goldie entered the picture the festivities became more lavish as a larger tree now stood tall in the foyer and was already gathering a small collection of boxes underneath it both to and from their massive extended family.

"But guys, aren't you the least bit curious," Dewey's voice spoke, filling the young girls ears as her feet reached the bottom step. Turning towards the sitting room she could spot her cousin along with Louie, Doofus and Lena. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of the other girl however in the moment she was more curious about the conversation at hand.

"I mean, Lewellen does have a shoebox full of articles on the guy," Doofus said before his eyes turned, making note of her presence , causing him to flash a flirtatious smirk.

'Thank goodness there was no mistletoe hanging around,'Webby silently thought as she hoped that Doofus would get the hint sooner than later that her feelings toward him wouldn't be anything more than platonic. Flashing him a polite smile back, she soon lent over the back of the couch casually resting her chin on Louie's shoulder edging her way into the conversation.

"Yes, it's true that I follow Mark Beaks from a business standpoint," Louie replied, reaching his hand up unamused by Webby's actions causing her to move to a cross legged position on the floor beside Lena instead.

"I mean he is decades younger than my dad or Glomgold and is like three successful product launches away from eclipsing the latter to become the second richest man alive."

"At least until you're of age, right pennybags," Lena asked with a smirk.

"I still have a lot of ground to cover to get those zeros even with my inheritance. Besides, my only goal is to beat this chump to become the youngest billionaire."

"Oh it's on Llewelyn," Doofus replied, shrugging back his shoulder.

Wondering why the topic of conversation had fallen to the tech mogul, Webby was soon given an answer .

"So, that's a no for going to the skating rink then?" Dewey spoke, "I mean it's a public place he wouldn't need to know we were spying on his date."

"Launchpad's sister apparently hit it off with him the other night," Lena said leaning down to clarify things to Webby before looking up toward the blue clad boy. "Anyway, as much as I'd love to slink around the shadows for old times sake, little brother, I have a bit of last minute Christmas shopping to do. anyone up for going thrifting?"

Webby could see Louie and Doofus shudder at the thought of buying something second hand however it felt as if her Christmas list was getting longer and longer and spending time with Lena was a good bonus.

"I volunteer as tribute!" Webby exclaimed before letting out a chuckle hoping that her cheeks didn't match the redness of the stockings hanging off the mantle.

Soon, Webby & Lena headed out of the manor making their way into town.

"If you need me any sooner I'll be at Burying Hatchets," Dickie replied as they reached the edge of downtown from the driver's seat of one of the family town cars.

At the mention of Abner's bar , Webby wondered if she should add the man to her gift list as a means to sway him into letting her toss some axes around.

Sure, her dad always instilled the importance of doing things squarely into her, however at the same time her mom had shown her on many occasions that bribery could get you anywhere.

There were rows upon rows of shops for the picking from high end boutiques to ones selling eclectic handmade crafts and anything in between.

With Lena saying she wished to thrift it was no surprise to Webby when the duo made their way into a consignment shop.

The girls began to rifle through the pickings of items on the shelves already dwindling down from the recent uptick of holiday shoppers. However, there were still treasures to be unearthed.

"Lena come here," Webby called out towards her companion who had been busy looking through various trinkets under the display case up front at the moment.

"Find something interesting Pink?"

Webby nodded, holding up a jacket with an air of pride.

"If you think a crew jacket from the Powerline 97 tour in impeccable condition is interesting then yes I have."

Sure, Powerline wasn't the kind of music she personally gravitated toward but she knew Dewey had been a fan and Della… well…she had seen the many posters that had adorned the walls of the older ducks childhood room at the manner and thought this could be the perfect gift for her first Christmas back with her family.

She was in the process of checking to see if in fact it was in Della's size when the sound of the bell above the door rang signaling a new patron had entered the shop.

"Ahh Dearest Lena, fancy seeing you here."

The voice seemed too deep to be someone in the age of their immediate friend group, peaking Webby's curiosity as she turned to face its owner.

If Tall, Dark, and Handsome had a definition in the dictionary she assumed this man would be pictured beside it. And yet, there was an eerie sense of familiarity that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Taking a step toward the man, Webby decided perhaps an introduction was in order after all he did seem to know Lena so he wasn't a total stranger.

"Hi, I'm…"

"Webigail McDuck, I know, your reputation precedes you."

Taking her hand the man raised it up towards his bill placing a gentle kiss on it as if this were some old movie.

"Poe DeSpell, but please don't hold my sister's actions against me. I was always the more level headed one in the family."

No no no it couldn't be. Lena didn't need this, their family didn't need this, not when it was so close to Christmas not to mention Della and Gyro's wedding was just a few months away.

"When did…how long has…"

Webby was rarely at a loss for words but here and now seeing Magica's brother she was flustered.

"Last month," Lena said clearly guilty that she had been bottling this up for long, "the day after my adoption came through. I was still relishing in my clean slate that a small spark of wild magic hit the Raven that had been following me around."

"You're familiar?" Webby questioned.

"Turns out he was familiar in more ways than one." Lena spoke with a nod.

"Just because Lena is my dearest niece, rest assured I have no interest in challenging Donald for her guardianship. Frankly my sister has caused enough drama when it comes to your family and I don't want to stir the pot. However…"

Webby watched as Poe's violet tinted eyes gazed toward her.

"…if your father happens to hold an artifact that could possibly recharge my powers a little bit I would love to borrow it. Doing things the normie way can be quite exhausting."

She didn't know how she felt about the idea of Poe restoring his powers after all she had just met him and she wondered if this charming nice guy act could just be a smokescreen. However Lena seemed to trust him and she trusted Lena and so she nodded. She couldn't promise anything at the moment however perhaps she'd do some canvassing after the holidays.

And speaking of holidays she had noticed another patron of the shop had begun sniffing around the jacket and she couldn't have that and so she stepped away allowing for Lena and Poe to finish their conversation.

Grabbing the jacket as well as a vintage denim floral hat that screamed Dickie, Webby watched as Lena and her 'Uncle' parted ways. Waiting for her friend to make her own purchase she couldn't help but to notice a tinge of guilt in her friend's eye.

"I didn't mean for you to find out like this. It's just the whole situation is complicated."

Knowing a thing or two about complicated family trees, Webby couldn't help but nod her head.

"Are you okay with him here? After the way Magica treated you?"

"He's different…I can feel it pink."

"Well, as long as you're happy."

"For the first time in forever I am. I Donald…Dewey…You…who could be happier?"

Webby wondered if her cheeks were flushing yet again and if they were if she could easily write it off as it being due to exiting the warmth of the consignment shop and reentering the crisp outdoors.

"Speaking of Dewey, do you think he's still at the skating rink stalking Mark Beaks."

Webby watched as Lena shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know, we can go and see….maybe head to the music shop after that…then get some hamburgers…"

"I think that's an offer I can't refuse."