Work Text:
Chloe waddled out onto the patio and looked up. The sun was down, the moon had risen, and all the stars shone brightly. It was as if a thousand little lightbulbs had turned on at the same time.
She'd always thought the stars were pretty. After all, there were just so many of them. And somewhere among them, she'd hoped, was her mother, flying around in a rocket ship and having as much fun as she'd seen in all the cartoons she watched.
It was always different. The brighter stars were always in different spots than during other nights, and tonight was no exception. Every night, Chloe also tried to use the stars to trace little shapes. Sometimes they would be simple shapes, like squares or triangles, but other times, she would make other things, like planes or boats. She wondered if her mommy could see her all the way up there, looking up at the stars that lit up the sky at night.
She wondered if the stars took care of her mommy, or if mommy lived on her own and fought amazing battles with terrifying creatures like in Uncle Scrooge's stories. She wondered if her mommy was trying to get back to her, like she said she would, or if she couldn't because she had to find whatever space treasure she could find.
"Clarissa, dear, time to come back inside," Scrooge spoke up, getting her attention. He was standing where he always stood, with his top hat on his head, and his cane in hand, wearing his red robe and black spats. "You can look at the stars through your window."
That's what he said every night before offering his hand. And just like every night, she took it, and they went back inside. They walked through the halls, past little Webby's room, and into Chloe's room, where she used to sleep with Della before she left. Scrooge helped Chloe under the covers and tucked her in tight, just the way she liked it.
It was the same routine every single night. It was like a custom that they'd grown used to and even began to look forward to. And part of that custom was Chloe's question.
"Where's mommy?" she asked softly.
And Scrooge would always give her the same answer. "She's among the stars."
"I miss mommy. I want her to come back so we can play more games," Chloe continued as she grabbed Scrooge's finger with her small hand.
"So do I, lass, so do I," Scrooge replied.
Scrooge stroked Chloe's hair with his free hand and hummed Della's lullaby as best he could. Chloe's eyes slowly began to close as he neared the end.
"Why did she go?"
The question wasn't part of the routine and caught Scrooge off guard because of it. He didn't know how to answer other than what Della had told him.
"She wanted to give your brothers the stars."
"What about me? I want the stars too," Chloe asked again. "Did she want to give me any stars?"
"I, well, as much as I'd like to, I can't answer that question," Scrooge answered, stretching the collar of his robe. "Your mother was very unpredictable and... overbearing. She could have given your brothers anything, but she was determined to give them the stars as their present into the world."
Chloe rolled over and looked up at him. "But why can't I give them anything? Am I not good enough for them? For mommy?"
Scrooge leaned down and gave Chloe a kiss on the forehead. It was a sentiment reserved only for when she got hurt, and he felt this was such an occasion.
"Your mother loved you more than anything. If she were here right now, she would give you the biggest hugs she could and teach you how to be just like her," he assured her.
He began to hum and stroke her hair again until her eyes closed again, and her breathing became heavier. He wished her goodnight and sweet dreams and quietly left her alone.
In her mind, Chloe thought about what Scrooge had told her.
Mommy would teach her how to be just like her? But mommy left her family, and Chloe loved her family. She didn't want to leave her family. She didn't want to be like mommy.
——————————————————————————————————
Chloe quietly stepped out onto the balcony, where Louie was looking up at the stars. She hadn't said a word for five minutes before the nighttime breeze ran through their feathers, making him shiver.
She took off the blanket she had and draped it around her youngest brother's back, making him jump in surprise.
"C-Chloe! I-I didn't think anyone else was still awake, a-and I couldn't sleep, so..." Louie stuttered before she gently shushed him.
"It's alright, Louie," she cooed, putting her arm around him. "I understand."
Louie leaned into her touch. "I know it's late, but I just came out here since, you know..."
She nodded. "I know. I actually used to do the same thing when I was younger."
"Really?" Louie asked.
Chloe nodded again and looked up at the stars. "Almost every night. I'd come out here, look up at the stars, make little shapes out of them, try to find her."
"Mom. Y-You mean mom right?" Louie asked, looking up at her.
"Yeah, mom."
The words came out like venom. Ever since she'd stopped coming out to the balcony, nothing but resentment and contempt had grown for Della.
"What was she like... before she went away?" Louie suddenly asked.
"I was only three when it happened," she reminded him with a shrug. "According to Uncle Scrooge, she was brave, adventurous, she could take hit after hit without giving up, she was really stubborn. But... from what I remember, before you hatched... she was determined to give you the best childhood you could possibly have. And if anything that Uncle Scrooge told me was true, I guess you would've gotten it."
"Do... Do you miss her?"
Chloe didn't answer right away. Louie and his brothers left the manor over the truth of Della Duck. They clearly idolized and respected her, both things Chloe didn't exactly have for her.
"Well... I didn't just come out here to look at the stars," was what she told him. "Come on, it's late. You should get some sleep."
Chloe took his hand and led him inside, through the familiar halls and past all the priceless heirlooms.
When they took a few turns that were somewhat unfamiliar to him, Louie asked, "Where are we going? My room is the other way."
"Well, if it's alright with you... I could use the company," Chloe answered.
Louie shook his head. "Wait, what?"
"Aw come on! You're not too embarrassed to sleep with big sis, are you?" she teased.
"No!" he claimed immediately. "And... I guess I could go a night without listening to Huey's snoring."
They reached her door and went inside, allowing Louie to get his first real look into Chloe's room. She had her own desk, a couple of posters along the walls, and even her own window. It felt so big compared to the room he shared with his brothers, and she had it all to herself.
Without even realizing it, Louie was at the foot of Chloe's bed, which had it's own set of matching covers and comforter. They were light red, much to his surprise, since she always wore yellow.
He was suddenly lifted up onto the bed as Chloe climbed up as well and pulled the covers over them. She chuckled as she put one of her pillows next to him and beckoned him to lie down. He slowly complied as Chloe pulled the blanket fully over him and lie down herself.
"Uh, night, I guess," Louie said awkwardly.
"You don't have to sleep here if you don't want. I get it, you don't wanna..." Chloe said.
"No no! It's fine!" he quickly interrupted. "I just... can't sleep."
"Oh!" Chloe replied. "In that case, there's this old lullaby that... she used to sing to me. I'm pretty sure it was meant for you, so you wanna hear it?"
"I'm a little old for lullabies, don't you think?" Louie asked.
Chloe shrugged and turned over. "If you say so."
"No wait! I wanna hear it!" he suddenly pleaded, earning a chuckle from Chloe.
She sat back up to see he was sitting straight up as well. She laid him back down and pulled the covers up to his chest.
"Close your eyes, let all your worries wash away, just feel yourself fall asleep," she instructed before clearing her throat.
"Look to the stars, my darling baby boy~
Life is strange and vast, filled with wonder and joy~
Face each new sun with eyes clear and true~
Unafraid of the unknown because I'll face it all with you~"
When Chloe finished, Louie's eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell at a steady rate. She smiled and leaned over to give him a kiss on the forehead, much like Scrooge would do when she was little.
"Love you, Louie," she said softly before turning over and going to sleep herself.