Who is Julie McDuck?!

First Date

(Julie's POV)

"Ow! Webby, could you please be a little more gentle with my hair?" I groaned, biting my bottom beak. "It's a braid, not tying a knot!"

"Sorry, Julie!" my honorary cousin said sheepishly as I felt her grip on my hair loosen a bit. "It's just so exciting! You and Cole are finally going on a real date!"

"By the way you're acting, Webby, I wouldn't be surprised if they were getting married and you were the maid of honor," Grace joked. Webby finally pulled the two braids on either side of my head together with a hairband before she put a small purple wildflower in-between them.

Grace was looking through my closet, trying to find a decent dress or skirt. "Hmmm... how 'bout this light purple dress, your denim jacket, and those Converse sneakers?"

"Perfect," I agreed, taking the outfit from her hold and walking into the bathroom. "I'm gonna change real quick. If Cole comes early, I'm counting on you two to keep the boys out of the way. Heaven knows they'll tease me for life."

Grace gave me a thumbs up and Webby struck a martial arts pose. I smiled and closed the door.

I zipped up the back of the dress, slipped my feet into the sneakers, and put on my jean jacket. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. It was hard to believe the girl in the mirror was even me. Della's words echoed in my mind: Breathe in and out.

I inhaled slowly and exhaled through my mouth. It's okay, it's just a date, I told myself.

"Aw, you look so pretty, honey!" a voice gushed behind me. I turned to see Della standing in the bathroom door, eyes sparkling with...admiration? Strange, that was only an expression that was usually reserved for the boys. "Gettin' ready for your date?"

I nodded eagerly. "Yeah, just....a little nervous is all."

Della knelt down to me. "Hey, listen kid, I've seen you take on the Gilded Man with that boy. Trust me, I know love when I see it. But don't forget, you're a McDuck. And if that boy looks at you the wrong way, I know that you're more than capable of taking care of it."

"Thanks, Della," I replied, rubbing my arm. She held out my necklace to me.

"Can't forget this," I giggled, clipping it around my neck. The doorbell rang in the distance. Della gave a reassuring smile and a thumbs up.

"Knock 'em dead, kiddo."

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(Cole's POV)

I rang the doorbell, nervously adjusting my dress shirt's collar and smoothing down my hair. I gazed down at the flowers that I'd brought. It's okay, dude; it's just a date. You've fought a giant android with this girl! It'll be fine!

The door opened and a nice lady with gray hair greeted me. "Hello, Cole; Julie's upstairs getting ready, but she'll be down in a moment."

I curtly nodded, stepping in and rubbing my arm a little. Mr. McD--I mean, Scrooge shook my hand firmly with a smile.

"Nice to see ya, lad. Yew pickin' up Julie for yer date?"

"How'd you-?"

"Please, I raised Julie; I know everything," he scoffed with a dismissive wave of his hand. "And it certainly didn't help matters that she's been talking about it for days now."

I felt my face redden a bit. "She's been talking about-?"

We both heard someone above clear their throat and looked up. I could feel my jaw hit the ground.

There at the top of the stairs was Julie, and she looked amazing. My eyes widened as she walked down the stairs and towards me. After what felt like an eternity, she was in front of me.

She smiled, blushing a bit. "Hey, Cole."

"Um..hey, Jules! Nice to...see you here...at your house! I mean, of course you'd be here!" I babbled, a drop of sweat running down my forehead. I mentally kicked myself.

If my face had been red before, it was on fire now.

Julie's eyes dropped to the flowers clutched in my hand and a red tint flushed her cheeks.

"Are those...Laelia Orchids?" she asked, tucking a lock of hair away from her face.

"Y-yeah...you said they were your favorites..." I started.

"When we first met," we said together as a goofy grin spread across my beak. I offered her my hand sheepishly, which Julie accepted with a giggle, and headed out the door. She waved back to Scrooge.

"See you at 9:00, Uncle Scrooge!" she called as I escorted her to the car.

"Love ya, lass! And take care of her, lad!" Scrooge replied, winking at me. I nodded with a grin, buckled my seat belt, and we were off.

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(Julie's POV)

I nodded my head to the music on the radio as I let my hair get blown in the wind. I glanced at Cole quickly and cleared my throat awkwardly.

"So...what were you thinking? Zombie movie? Arcade?"

Cole chuckled, shaking his head so that his bangs waved. "Same old Julie. I was thinking something a little more...sentimental."

He pulled the car up to our destination, and put the car in park before getting out of the driver's seat and signaling me to follow him. I hesitantly unbuckled my seatbelt and went around the back of the car. My eyes widened.

Cole shut the trunk and held out a picnic basket to me. "C'mon, let's go to our regular spot. The sun's about to set."

Our 'regular spot' was a small hill, void of trees and bushes, but covered with the most beautiful flowers and the softest grass. Cole and I used to come here all the time to hang out and goof off.

I passed a corner of the picnic blanket to my boyfriend and we laid it down on the grass. Cole reached into the basket and handed me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and with a can of soda.

I giggled. "PB and J and cherry Pep. SO romantic, babe."

Cole held back a laugh, instead letting out a snicker. "Yeah, sorry 'bout that. I don't know how to cook very well; heck, ask Grace-I can't even boil water right."

I looked down at the sandwich with a soft smile. "No, no...don't worry about it."

I gazed up as the sun began to set, turning the sky into a mix of pink, orange, and yellow. Leaning against my boyfriend as he wrapped an arm around me, I took a nibble of the PB&J and sighed happily.

"It's beautiful."

Cole turned his head towards me. "It's even better from where I'm sitting," he teased, giving me a playful wink. I flushed red and a strand of my hair began to glow purple again. Cole looked down at our intertwined hands before holding me closer.

"It's perfect, isn't it?"

Hey, guys! Sorry it's been so long, school's been crazy! But I wanted to get this chapter out because I've been foreshadowing Cole and Julie's first date in the story for a while. I'm thinking about adding a part 2 to this chapter, so let me know what you think in the comments! And if you have any other ideas you'd like me to put into this fanfic, please let me know! I love writing this story and thank you so much for your support through this crazy journey! :)

Until next time, 

chlobird99