#delkit

Kit Cloudkicker.

Throughout her journey of becoming a mother, Della always seemed to forget that in the end, she was a woman. She always forgot that she was allowed to shy away from the mom role and play the girlfriend role. But whenever she did, guilt wracked her mind: she had already missed out on 10 years of her family's lives. She didn't want to spend even a nanosecond worrying about herself.

But he had always managed to find a way to make her forget that she had ties to her family. Being with him made her feel like a teenager again. However, she wouldn't let herself get too attached. She couldn't. What if something happened to her again? What if something happened so she wouldn't be able to see her sons again? She couldn't spend a second wasting her time on this pilot: even if he made her feel like the most amazing person on the planet. Even if he made her extremely weak in the knees. Even if running her fingers through his messy chocolate locks provided her with euphoria like no other. Even if—oh God, who was she kidding?

She was head over heels for the pilot.  

Della opened her eyes in time to see her boys exiting the stage, and she smiled.

ooo

The room Scrooge had provided Della with included a balcony. That night found Della up on the said balcony, staring up at the moon. As usual, she was wondering how Penumbra was doing:

Eventually, Selene had enough of Lunaris' damaged rocket acting as the moon, so she had pulled some strings, and swapped the rocket for the actual moon. Now that their home was back, the Moonlanders had gone back home, but always visited during the summer. Penny claimed that it was solely for business related reasons between the Earth and Moon, but Della had spent 10 years with the woman. She knew Penumbra went out of her way to see her. Now that Lunaris was out of the picture, she was General Penumbra, and was now in charge of the Moonlanders. Della knew she was a good leader, and unlike her nasty predecessor, she didn't keep her people in the dark about things going on outside of their own planet. Della found herself grateful for her friend's actions: it was much easier having conversations with the Moonlander when they weren't complete airheads.

"It's beautiful, right?" a smooth voice said behind her.

Della should've been frightened, but anyone could succumb to that deep, charismatic voice. She calmly turned around, and he smiled down at her.

"What are you doing here, Little Britches?"  

He smirked at the nickname she had given him way back in flight school and looked offended. "What? I can't see my favourite girl anymore?"

She smiled a bit. "No, no. You can't come see her this late."

He laughed. "Feisty."

She looped her arms around his neck, standing on her tippy-toes to beat their height difference. "I'm not going to change, Cloudkicker."

His eyes darkened as he linked his own arms around her waist. "Don't you ever think about doing that." He planted a small kiss on her forehead, and she let out a grave sigh. He frowned at her reaction. "Was the kiss not good?"

She giggled, but ultimately, her smile died down. "It was great. I'm just… I'm so confused. About everything. About us."

A cool breeze swept through the air, and Della shivered. Kit was quick to shake off his pilot's jacket, leaving him in a dark green sweater. He draped the jacket over her shoulders. Della giggled at how large it was on her, he was quite literally triple her size. She sat down, her back against the balcony door, and she beckoned for him to join her. Della leaned her head against his shoulder, and let out another sigh.

"What's so confusing?" he questioned.

"It's me, Kit. My own feelings. I mean, I spent a decade on the moon. I missed out on so much of their lives," she spoke, and Kit knew she was talking about Huey, Dewey, and Louie. "And when I spend time with you, I feel guilty."

He frowned. "Della, we both know you love those kids to the moon and back. But, you do know that you're allowed to take breaks from being a mom, right?"

The female pilot scowled. "Kit, I did that for 10 years!" she suddenly shouted, angry with herself. "I can never take back anything! Being a mom is much more of a priority than being your girl!"

He brushed a strand of her from her face and looked into her eyes. "I understand, Della," he said softly. "But hear me out. Are you just going to spend the next 2 years dedicating your life to playing mom? You've already been doing it for the 8 you've been home."

She groaned. "What choice do I have?"

They locked eyes, and Kit surged forward, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. She was quick to respond and allowed him to pull her onto his lap. Their kiss deepened, and she let loose a small moan into his mouth.

When they pulled apart, both were panting breathlessly.

She clenched her jaw, firmly placing her hands on his chest. "T-this is what I'm torn on. The way you make me feel. I've never been this torn between a decision before! Even when I stepped foot onto the Spear, I didn't think twice, even though I had 3 kids on the way. But with you… it's making my heart rip into two. One side of it wants to remain a mother, the other wants to be with you."

"Balancing them isn't an option?" he questioned, gripping her waist.

"It is," she agreed. "But I would feel guilty all the time. I can't make you wait another 2 years for me, Kit. It's not fair."  

He sighed. "I get it. But, Della, I would wait a hundred years for you."

She chuckled. "We're in our forties. Yet, my kids' love life is more stable than mine. Kit, I can't make you wait. When Dewey and I stumbled upon you all those years ago, I've been keeping you at arm's length. I can't keep doing that."

"You don't know me, then."

She trembled. "What?"

He smiled sadly. "If you don't think I'll wait another two years, then you're insane. With you, Della, I can't even tell I'm 44 years old."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she buried her face into his chest. He laughed, and enveloped her small figure in his arms. The hug soon turned into a kiss, and Kit blushed as Della grabbed his dorky blue hat, tossing it over her shoulder. She stood up and opened the balcony doors that led to her bedroom. She pushed him onto her mattress, and shrugged off his pilot's jacket, leaving her in her short nightgown. Kit pulled his dark green sweater over his head, and pulled Della on top of him.

"We're a mess," he reminded her with a chuckle, and she giggled.

She smirked, running her nails up and down his bare chest. "I know. But I wouldn't change what we have for the world."

ooo

The next morning found the pilot on her bed alone. Beside her was a green sticky note:

Morning sweetie,

Had an early flight today. Will see u tonight

Love,

Kit❤

Della smiled to herself and placed the note inside of the drawer beside her bed. She lied there for a moment, feeling content about their night together. He always knew how to make her completely slacken and relax. She kicked the covers off of her, and grabbed her bathrobe. Once she entered the bathroom, she recoiled at her nasty reflection.

"Oh my!" she hissed.

Her hair was ratted and teased up in the back, like she had been rolling on it. She blushed, and reached behind and attempted to smooth the tangled rat's nest. After a quick shower, Della headed downstairs to find Huey sitting at the table, immersed in his JWG. She smiled: like herself, he was an early bird.

"Hi, baby," Della chirped, placing a kiss on his cheek.

He smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, Mom."

Della noticed his tone and grabbed a bowl for some cereal. "What's wrong? Long night?"

"Something like that," he murmured.

Della smiled knowingly. "I know spending the night at your girlfriend's is—"

Huey blushed, and his arms flailed around defensively. "No, no! Mom, nothing like that happened… last night," he added in a much quieter tone.

"I heard that," she smirked.

He smiled, his face still bright red. "I… Violet and I actually went out for some late-night frozen yogurt, but we spent the night here. And… I was getting up to use the bathroom last night, and the window was open. I heard some snippets from your conversation."

Della nearly dropped the bowl, her eyes wide. Of all conversations, he had heard this one. She swallowed thickly. "I… you weren't supposed to hear that, Huey."

"Well, I did," he said pointedly. "Do you actually feel that way? About dating? About branching out to the other aspects of your life? Because of the guilt, you feel for leaving us for 10 years?"

Della faltered. "Huey, it's more complicated than that… but yes."

He got up, and Della found herself shrinking under his intense scrutiny, her gaze casting towards the floor. He and his siblings had all grown to be taller than her, and she was frustrated at how small she felt in the situation: both literally and figuratively.

He set his hands on her shoulders. "Mom, look at me."

Della averted her eyes from the floor, and gazed up at her eldest. His expression was soft.

He spoke. "You have done so much for us, including Violet, Gos, Lena, and Webby. Not to mention Donald and Scrooge. All you have had is a good effect on people. Never in my 18 years have I ever seen somebody bothered by your presence… well, maybe Aunt Penny. But she doesn't count."

Della laughed as her eyes welled up with tears.

He continued. "And you deserve every bit of being able to go out of your way, and fill the voids that haven't been filled since your return to Earth: and that includes your love life."

Della choked back a sob, and buried her face into Huey's chest. He wrapped his arms around her comfortingly, and gently placed his chin on top of her head. The duo stayed like that for a moment, before pulling away.

"I really like him," Huey spoke, with a small smile. "Kit, right?"

She nodded, wiping away her tears. "Yes, Kit Cloudkicker. We went to Flight School together, but Dewey and I ran into him a few years back. And… there was just an instant spark."

He grinned. "This is great, Mom!"

She felt a tremendous wave of relief wash over her figure. "I'm glad you're taking it so well. But before I finalize it with him, I need to talk to your brothers and friends first, okay?"

Huey bit back a frown. "You don't need their approval for this, Mom."

Della smiled sadly. "If the roles were reversed. But you kids have never had a father figure aside from your Uncle Donald. Neither have Lena or Webby, and Gosalyn didn't have a dad until Drake adopted her. I need to make sure you guys will be comfortable with it."

He seemed to understand. "That makes sense, Mom."

Della cupped his face, and he leaned down so she wouldn't have to tippy-toe. She beamed, and placed a kiss on Huey's cheek.

"I love you, honey."

"Love you too, Mom."

Huey grabbed his JWG, and was about to head back to bed to reunite with Violet, until Della called him.

"Huey?"

"Yeah?"

"How much of that conversation did you hear?" she asked nervously.

He blushed. "I left at the right time, if that's what you're wondering."

She avoided his gaze. "O-okay!"

He grinned, and left the kitchen.

ooo

That afternoon found Della seating Louie, Dewey, Huey, Webby, Lena, Violet, and Gosalyn down in the TV Room. They all looked confused, considering Della rarely called family meetings.

"Is everything alright, Mom?" Dewey asked, and Huey nudged him to be quiet.

Della took a deep breath. "Actually, everything's not okay, guys, I—"

"Louie was the one who told me to set Gosalyn's pants on fire, if that's what this is all about." Lena said nonchalantly.

Louie glared daggers at his girlfriend, while Della stumbled for words upon learning this sudden news.

"What? I… you know what, I'll deal with that after." Della flustered. "What I actually wanted to talk about was… well, me. And… oh, God, how do I put this?"

The kids all shared a knowing glance.

"You mean Kit?" Dewey guessed.

Della paled. "What?"

Louie wasn't fazed. "Cloudkicker?"

Webby continued. "You went to Flight School with him, and reconnected a few years back? And you've been dating him since?"

"No, no," Lena interrupted. "Not technically dating. They're just fucki—"

"Lena!" Della yelped. "I-I…"

Gosalyn scoffed. "It's more than just screwing around, Lena, she actually cares about him."

"I concur." Violet nodded.

Seven pairs of eyes glanced at her, and Huey was trying his best not to laugh: his mother had clearly underestimated them.

"Lay off, and let her talk, guys." Huey snorted.

Della took a deep breath. "Almost all of you are correct," she spoke, looking pointedly at Lena, who smirked. "Kit and I are… seeing each other. But it's not official yet, and that's what I wanted to talk to you guys about."  

Lena was confused. "Us? What's so special about us? It's your life, Della."

"All of you are such an important part of my life," the pilot sighed. "And, I know I haven't been available for some of you."

Huey, Dewey, and Louie exchanged glances.

"And, I just need to make sure that all of you would be okay if I… well, finalize it. Because, I don't want it if it means I'm not making up for the time I missed."

Louie stood up. He slowly made his way towards his mother, and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"You messed up. Big time," her youngest son said honestly, looking right into her dark orbs. "Mom, you never came back solely for us… you don't owe us anything. You've sacrificed so much for us, and it wouldn't be fair for us to not let you love this man… as much as he loves you."

Dewey was next. "He's right, Mom. We love Kit, he's great for you. Don't worry about us."

Dewey and Louie embraced their mother, and Della felt relief like no other wash over her body. The thing she had been fearing the most over the past 8 years, shouldn't have been a thing to fear in the first place.

Lena smiled. "You've been more of a mom to me than any woman in my life. Whatever makes you happy, I support you."

"I second that," Violet piped up.

Dewey and Louie parted ways so Violet and Lena would make her way towards their mother next.

Gosalyn smirked. "I don't have a huge speech, Della. But, I wouldn't stand in your way of being happy. Ever." she said, throwing her arms around Della.

Webby sat on the sofa alone. Della looked at the girl nervously.

"Webby?"

"Can we be alone?"

Della slowly nodded, and the rest of the teens headed outside. Louie shut the TV Room door behind him, and the soft click of the door prompted Webby to speak.

"I know I'm being overdramatic," Webby sighed, running her fingers through her light hair.

Della sat next to her. "You're not being dramatic, sweetie. What's on your mind?"

There was a moment of deliberation before Webby swallowed, and looked at the older woman.

"Della," she croaked. "You've been the closest thing I've had to a mother figure. I-I never had one, or even a dad. It was always just me and my grandmother. T-then she was gone, and you were all I had left. This family was all I had left."

Della was patient, and gently rubbed her back. "I know, honey."

"A-and like Gos said,'' she whispered quietly. "I don't ever want to get in your way of being happy."

Della nodded, enveloping the young woman into a warm hug. "I love you, Webby. So much. I will always be here for you."

Webby blinked a few tears back, and allowed Della to hold her.

ooo

That night, Della was perched on her bed, smiling brightly when she saw Kit's tall figure loom over her.

"What?" he asked, grinning.

Della got on one knee, and brought out a small box. Inside was a candy ring, and Kit tried his best not to chuckle.

"Kit Cloudkicker, will you officially go out with me?" she asked timidly.

He grinned widely, picking her up and twirling her around. "Della Duck, I will go out with you."