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Della thought It was time for another high stakes adventure but this time with just her and her three boys. She skimmed through her old journal to see places she hadn’t yet discovered and thought it would be perfect to spend more time with her kids. So Della asked Scrooge if she could borrow the sub for this underwater adventure to find lost treasures of the sea. She just hoped she didn’t have to interact with any..fish.
She went to her boys room to announce the adventure and Huey and Dewey both beamed with excitement unlike Louie who remained in bed as his brothers got ready. Huey started to pack important supplies like rations, bandages, and of course, his junior woodchuck guidebook and headed out of the door. Dewey was already out before Huey, spewing about how he wants to drive the sub. Once her two boys were out their bedroom door Della looks over at her youngest.
Louie was lying down on his bed typing on his phone. Della aways wondered what he was doing on his phone or who he was talking to. She walked over to Louie almost anxiously. Out of her three boys she always felt like she was disconnected with Louie or like there was something mysterious about him she doesn’t know about yet. He’s more reserved than his brothers and tends to like being by himself lazing around watching Ottoman Empire and drinking pep.
“Hon?” She speaks up to which Louie looks up at her. “Are you up for this adventure? It’ll be fun.” She reassures with an upbeat voice.
Louie shrugs, “I’m good. Have fun though.” He looks back down at his phone. Louie hasn’t been joining the family on adventures which has become a usual as of recent. Dewey has become obnoxious about it and has begged him to come on their adventures, until eventually giving up on convincing him, while Huey believes Louie should be able to choose if he wants to go or not. Della agrees but also really wanted him to join this time. She knows Louie isn’t much for dangerous, high risk, adventures but that fear shouldn’t stop him from coming.
She sits down on his bed, “Who are you talking to?” She asks. Louie gives her a strange look as he didn’t expect her to start conversating with him. Usually when Scrooge asks if Louie wants to come on an adventure and Louie says no Scrooge disregards him but Della was pretty persistent and stubborn. She doesn’t try to overstep boundaries but she can be a bit much even when she doesn’t realize it.
“Uh..no one.” He says and hopes she doesn’t continue with the conversation and just goes on her adventures but she presses forward.
“Ok..sooo what’s your plans for the day..?” She asks.
Louie sighs at this question, “Does it matter?” He asks back.
“Well..no. I just was hoping we could all go on this underwater adventure together! I mean, there will be lots of treasure, im sure! And maybe we could even-“
“I’m good..” Louie cuts her off sounding more aggravated now. He looked back down at his phone and tried to ignore his mom.
Della sighs and looks down, “Well..ok. Uhm..” Louie looks back up at his mom and notices her sad expression. He rolls his eyes then sets his phone aside and sits up.
“Listen, I just don’t want to go. Plus you have Huey and Dewey so..it’s fine, right?”
Della looks up at him and shrugs, “But I wanted to have this fun adventure with all of you boys! It’ll be fun, I promise! Maybe we’ll discover something new! A-and if we find some good treasure we’ll give you the majority of it.” She rambles on.
Louie gives her a glare, “You’re bribing me to join you on this big, dangerous, adventure?”
Della tilts her head, “Well it won’t be THAT dangerous..it’s just an underwater adventure and we’ve got a-“
“You don’t get it! Just- never mind!” Louie leaned against the wall next to his bed. Della crawls into his bed and sits next to him.
“What’s wrong, hon?” She asks. This is something Louie hates being asked because then it implies something was ever wrong in the first place. But, being a worried parent like Della, something is always wrong especially when it comes to her youngest.
“Nothing..” Louie insists.
“But..it’s not nothing, is it?” She says while putting her hand on his shoulder. He slaps it away causing her to flinch.
“I just don’t want to go on this adventure, is that so hard to comprehend!? Sorry I don’t want a death wish but you..” Louie stops himself before going too far. He covers his head with his hood, keeping his head down. Della noticed this is something he does when he gets anxious as if he’s trying to hide himself from others.
“I..I what?” She asks, tempting him to finish his sentence.
Louie groans in annoyance. “You..you’re just like Dewey..I guess..” This isn’t the answer Della was expecting. Sure she relates to Dewey in some aspects but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t also have correlations with Huey and Louie.
“What do you mean, hon?” Della asks.
“You know what I mean! You both just..FLY into danger and-and you don’t care as long as you get that THRILL of adventure! He’s the spitting image of you!” Louie snaps, letting out thoughts he swore to never say out loud.
Della shakes her head, “We’re an adventure family! Nothing bad will happen as long as I’m here and..Scrooge is just as adventurous as me-“
“No, that’s not the point,” Louie sighs and focuses on his bedsheets rather than his mother, “Scrooge and Huey at least THINK instead of jumping into action.”
Della sighs, “So then why don’t you go on adventures with Scrooge anymore?” Louie pauses at this question. He didn’t know how to answer this and maybe he didn’t even know himself.
“It’s just..too much. I..don’t know..”
Della tilts her head, “Are you scared? It’s perfectly ok to be scared. Donald certainly was on our first adventure,” She chuckles at the memory, “Hey, did I ever tell you kids about when-“
“Yes, mom, probably a million times. Can we..stop talking now?” Louie didn’t like this. He didn’t like talking about his feelings or how he works because no one will understand him no matter how many times he explains himself. Dewey in particular was a hassle to deal with when Louie tried explaining his feelings about their mom returning. Dewey just didn’t get it and Louie never even bothered to continue to explain something Dewey will inevitably never understand.
Della starts to get frustrated by Louie’s sudden attitude but tries to remain patient, “I’m just trying to say that it’s OK to be scared and even I’ve been scared before-“
“Really? That’s hard to believe.” Louie cuts off sarcastically. Della started to question if this conversation was productive or not if Louie was never going to understand.
“I’m just saying I understand you and I’m here for you, ok?”
“No, you don’t.” Louie replies harshly.
“And HOW do I not? Get me to understand you, Louie. What’s..what’s going through your mind when we adventure? Are you afraid of death?” Della asks, a tint of annoyance in her voice. Louie notices this and that only bothers him more considering she was the one that wanted to have this conversation in the first place.
“You just DON’T! You’re fearless and reckless you-“ Della laughs at this.
“Fearless? DO you seriously think I’m fearless? Everyone has fear, Louie. Some may be as bad as others but just because I go on adventures doesn’t mean I don’t fear a chance of death or-or my family dying.” She explains in frustration. Louie rolls his eyes and hugs his legs to his chest. Della notices this and felt as if he wasn’t taking her seriously. “A-and when I was stuck on the moon I-“
“There it is!” Louie exclaimed. Della had frustrated tears built up in her eyes as she tries to catch her breath.
“W-what do you mean?” She asks. Louie glares at her in annoyance.
“OH, just YOU using being stuck on the moon as an excuse for EVERYTHING.” Della stood up in clear frustration as she directed her anger his way.
“Excuse? I-I thought I lost you boys, I thought I was going to die!”
“And whose fault is that?” Louie snaps and just like that it’s as if something cracked inside Della but before she could respond the door to the boys room abruptly opened. Della turns to see Huey and Dewey who were both waiting for their mom.
“Uh, hey, mom when-“
“Not now! Wait outside!” Della cuts Dewey off in a demand. The two boys, both confused, slowly shut the door back as Della turns her attention back to Louie.
“I know I made mistakes and I..DON’T know what else you want from me! I’m trying, Louie!” Louie fell silent and his throat started to feel sore in emotion as he tried hard to keep his tears in and not get emotional. “I..I could have DIED and YES it is my fault! I admit that! I never said it wasn’t I just..want you to understand me!”
Louie’s rage heightened, “H-how can I..?” he starts to choke up, “You left us! W-why? What tempted you to get on that stupid rocket?!” Della pauses at this question. It’s a question she’s never really been asked.
“I-I didn’t mean to leave any of you! I love you so much-“
“That doesn’t answer me at all! That is a shitty fucking answer! Give me a reason!” Louie cuts off. Della was surprised by Louies outburst and glares right back at him.
“Do NOT speak to me like that! I am t-trying my best to make it up to you!”
“Oh, yeah, right, you mean by making us go on even MORE dangerous adventures where we could die?!” Louie had tears streaming down his face now as he yelled back at his mother.
“I will not let anything bad happen to you, I promise! You are my KIDS!” Della reassures but Louie saw this as an excuse.
“Yet you left us! You can stay on the moon for all I care!” Louie snapped. Dellas mouth hung open and tears she hadn’t noticed before were flowing down her cheeks. She looked at her boy in hurt and even Louie was surprised by his own words. He didn’t dare look up at her and directed his attention to the floor. His throat felt sore from yelling and his stomach turned in nerves. He was ready to be hit or yelled at for what he said but nothing happened. When the silence finally became too much, Louie looked up at his mother. Her sorrowful expression was enough to make anyone feel guilty.
“Uhm..m-mom..?” Louie whispers in a tiny voice after the awful silence he couldn’t bear. Della shakes her head and rushes out the door. Huey and Dewey were standing outside and watched as their mom passed by in clear distress. Louie cringes and wipes his tears away with his sleeves. He felt guilty and even he understood that what he had said was too much.
Louie’s thoughts get quickly interrupted when his brothers walk in, “What..happened?” Huey questions but before Louie could even get a word out Dewey interrupts.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Dewey asked to Huey then directed his attention to Louie while crossing his arms. “What did you say to upset mom?”
Louie glares at Dewey but Huey responds to this, “Ok, forget I asked.” He says towards his youngest brother, trying to not start another fight. “But..whatever happened you two should..talk it out.” For once Louie actually agreed to this but didn’t state that out loud.
Ok, talk to your mother after you just said such a heartbreaking statement that she’s probably gonna be thinking about for the rest of her life..simple. No, not simple to Louie. All he could see is how negative this conversation could go. His mother must hate him now..he would hate himself.
“How could you say that to her? Louie, you idiot..”
Later that night when Louie felt it was appropriate to talk to his mother he went downstairs, his stomach turning in nerves. He searched the mansion for his mother until he saw light coming from the living room. He slowly opened the door and peeked inside. He noticed the tv was creating the light illuminating throughout the room. He tiptoed towards the couch and saw his mother sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Her hair was messy and her head was resting on her arm. She was still in her usual outfit and hadn’t changed. She had dark, swollen, circles under her eyes which only made Louie feel even more guilty.
He sighs and uses this as an excuse to not talk to Della. He turns back to the door until he hears a groan and to that he pauses. Della blinks lazily and sees her green son who just awkwardly waves at her.
“L-lou..?” She questions and winces at the pain in her arm that she had slept on, rubbing it. Louie sighs then sits next to his mom as Della gradually sits up.
“Hey..mom..” Louie says awkwardly but still ignores her eye. He was never the best with eye contact especially in situations like these. “I..I’m sorry..about all of that back there I just..lost it. And I swear I didn’t mean any of it..! I just..“
Dellas frown turns into a warm smile as she gives her boy a tiny side hug which catches him off guard. “I know..” She says and lets out a raspy, broken, sigh. She lets go of Louie and continues, “When..I got on that rocket..I’m not sure what I was thinking. I guess I was just..scared. Scared to be…a mother. So I wanted one last adventure. One last escape. I thought to myself ‘what could go wrong?’ But I was so very wrong..and naive.” She started to hug herself, “I should never have gotten on that rocket. And the moon was..so isolating. and..” Della pauses and looked suddenly angry, digging her nails into her arms. “I..missed so many..birthdays, your first talk, walk, I missed EVERYTHING..! I..” tears start to build up in Dellas eyes.
Louie looked over and noticed his mother’s anxious and distressed body language. He placed his hand in worry onto his mother’s side to stop her from harming herself. She looked over at him, understood, and dropped her arms down. Her head stayed down at the grown as she whispers out, “I’m a horrible..mother.”
Louie’s eyes widen in concern as he was quick to place a hand on her shoulder, “Hey, no you aren’t! I mean..you made mistakes, sure, but..you made up for them a-and..you try so hard to be there for us now. You insist on making us dinner every night, even if it isn’t the best, you gave advice to Huey involving his nerdy junior woodchucks, and you even went on Dewey’s weird Dewey Dew night show and dressed up in those ridiculous costumes! Mom you are the coolest and..I know I don’t say it often but it’s true..no horrible mom would do those things.”
Della smiles a warm, soft, smile and sniffs as she rubs at her eye. Louie smiles back and is now looking directly at his mom. He sighs and looks back down, “I just..have issues explaining how I..feel sometimes. It’s become a constant annoyance to have to..explain myself. And when you came home it..broke me. I became confused and not as..accepting as Huey and Dewey were. I don’t even understand my own feelings so I don’t know how to explain it to others. But it’s like..a stranger coming into my life. It’s weird, ya know? I know that sounds..selfish..”
“Not at all.” Della says and puts Louies hand in hers, “I completely understand..having someone new come into your life and claim to be your mother..well, that’s so much more different then, ya know, a great, great aunt or something! I mean..thats your mother! So..I understand. And I should have understood more..”
Tears started to pour down Louie’s cheeks. No one really understood him regarding their mom because in their eyes it’s ’what’s wrong with you?’ or ‘you don’t like mom?’ But having someone now understand him felt relieving.
Della couldn’t stand seeing one of her babies in tears. She got closer and wrapped her boy into a tight hug. Louie, who usually isn’t very fond of hugs, squeezes his mother back, gripped her jacket tightly as he cried onto her shoulder.
Della rubbed his back in reassurance as he tried to speak up again, “a-and I..I’m scared of these..adventures sometimes, I mean I know w-we are an adventure family but I..” He pulls away from the hug as he continues, looking into his mother’s eyes, “I’m scared..of losing my family..my brothers. You. I don’t want you to..disappear again, mom..I need you I-I can’t lose any of you.”
Dellas eyes widen in surprise and her heart completely shatters at just hearing her baby boy say this. Has he always thought this? That, at any second, on any adventure, he would lose his family..?
“Oh, hon.. “ Della felt more new tears fall from her eyes as she hugs Louie again tightly. She placed one hand on his back and the other going through the back of his hair. “You’re never getting rid of me..ever again. I will always be here for you..that’s a promise. But..if you feel something is unsafe or that we aren’t prepared just let me know, ok? I want you to feel comfortable.” She whispered.
Louie sniffed and sobbed as Della kept him close to her in comfort. Eventually Louie had calmed down and pulled away from the hug. Della rubbed at his back as he wiped his tears away with his sleeves.
Louie let out a big yawn causing her to giggle, “You tired..?” Louie awkwardly nods in response as she continues, “Would you like to sleep out here tonight? I could set the comforter on the floor and we can sleep out here together. Sorta like a sleepover!” Louie smiles at this and nods again. Usually he likes the comfort of his own bed but this time he was open with the idea of sleeping somewhere different.
Della went into the closet and pulled out a big comforter. She placed it on the floor then pulled out some more blankets and some pillows. Once everything was put down, Della and Louie got under the blankets and got comfortable. Della reached over and pulled her boy into another hug. Louie was caught off guard by it but didn’t mind as he hugged back.
“I love you, hon..”
“..I love you too, mom..”
