September 23, 2026
Dear Journal,
Today was a very special day.
In fact, I think this might have been one of the most important adventures our crew has ever taken.
It all started this morning when Peanut came running into the living room.
"Everybody wake up!"
Kiwi poked his head out from underneath a blanket.
"What time is it?"
"Time for an adventure."
That got everyone's attention.
The Quackers stopped arguing over a piece of toast.
Gracie, who was visiting, sat up.
And then the room suddenly became cool.
A soft glow appeared near the doorway.
It was the Ghost of Maybelline.
"I heard there was somewhere important we're going today."
I smiled.
"We're going with Hayley to her doctor's appointment. She's having her 25-week checkup, and we're going to see how the baby is doing."
Maybelline's eyes lit up.
"The BABY?!"
She floated several feet into the air.
"I GET TO SEE THE BABY?!"
"Well," Peanut said, "technically you're going to see the ultrasound."
"I DON'T CARE!"
Maybelline spun around excitedly.
"I'm coming!"
Operation: Baby Checkup
We immediately started getting ready.
I packed some snacks.
Peanut brought a notebook because she said somebody needed to keep track of everything.
Kiwi brought binoculars.
"Why do you need binoculars?" I asked.
"Baby surveillance."
"The baby is going to be inside Hayley's belly."
"Exactly. High-security area."
The Quackers brought their little backpacks.
Gracie brought absolutely nothing.
"Why didn't you bring anything?" Peanut asked.
"I'm the sensible one."
Peanut stared at her.
"You came with us."
"Okay, maybe I'm not THAT sensible."
When Hayley was ready to leave, the entire crew piled in for the trip.
We were determined to accompany her.
Well...
Most of us were determined.
Peanut was mostly interested in finding out whether the doctor's office had a vending machine.
Kiwi wanted to know whether doctors accepted birds as medical assistants.
The Quackers wanted to push buttons on the elevator.
And Maybelline...
Maybelline couldn't stop smiling.
She floated beside Hayley the entire time.
"This is wonderful," she whispered.
When we arrived, everyone became unusually quiet.
Even Kiwi.
We waited patiently while Hayley checked in.
The Quackers sat together in the corner.
Peanut pretended she wasn't watching everything.
Gracie sat beside me.
And Maybelline floated quietly near Hayley.
She looked happier than I had seen her in a long time.
Then Maybelline said something that made everyone stop.
"I've been waiting for this."
"For what?" I asked.
"To see my sister."
I looked at her.
She smiled.
"From where I am now, I can't be there for everything. But I can still be close in my own way."
Her ghostly tail wagged.
"I've been so excited to see how she's doing."
For once, Kiwi didn't have a joke.
Eventually it was time for the checkup.
We couldn't all go into the examination room, of course.
So we waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Kiwi paced back and forth.
"How long does a baby checkup take?"
"However long it takes," Peanut said.
"What if they're measuring the baby?"
"They probably are."
"What if the baby moves?"
"Then they probably notice."
"What if the baby waves?"
Peanut sighed.
"Kiwi, babies don't usually wave."
Kiwi thought about that.
"Maybe this one will."
Then Hayley came back out.
Everyone immediately gathered around.
"How is the baby?" Gracie asked.
Hayley smiled.
"Everything looks good."
The entire crew erupted.
The Quackers started quacking.
Gracie wagged her tail.
I jumped around so much I nearly knocked over Peanut.
Kiwi flew around the room yelling,
"THE BABY IS DOING GREAT!"
Peanut smiled.
"That's wonderful."
But nobody was happier than Maybelline.
She floated right beside Hayley, tears forming in her eyes.
"I'm so happy," she whispered.
Then she looked toward Hayley's belly.
"Hi, little one."
She gently placed her ghostly paw near Hayley.
"I can't wait to meet you someday."
It was one of the sweetest moments I have ever seen.
Of course, Kiwi eventually ruined the emotional moment.
"DOES THIS MEAN WE'RE GETTING A NEW CREW MEMBER?"
Everyone looked at him.
"I think so," I said.
Kiwi puffed out his chest.
"I VOLUNTEER TO BE THE BABY'S OFFICIAL BIRD."
Peanut shook her head.
"That's probably going to require training."
"I am highly trained!"
"You chased your own shadow yesterday."
"That was reconnaissance."
The Quackers began laughing.
"Quack!"
"Quack quack!"
On the way home, everyone was talking about the appointment.
We talked about how exciting it was that the baby was growing.
We talked about what the nursery would eventually look like.
We talked about how Hayley would need lots of help when the baby finally arrives.
And Maybelline listened quietly.
She looked out the window as we drove.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing," she said.
"I'm just thinking."
"About what?"
"About how strange life is."
She smiled.
"Sometimes you spend your whole life thinking about the people you love. Then even after you're gone, you still want to be there for them."
She looked at Hayley.
"And today, I got to be."
I put my paw against the seat beside her.
"I think she knew you were there."
Maybelline smiled.
"I hope so."
When we got home, the Quackers immediately began making plans.
"We need a baby-proofing committee!"
Kiwi raised his wing.
"I volunteer!"
"No," everyone said.
Peanut opened her notebook.
"First item: finish the nursery."
Gracie nodded.
"Second item: make sure everything is ready."
I smiled.
"And third item?"
Kiwi raised his wing again.
"Teach the baby to say 'Go Mountaineers!'"
Maybelline laughed.
"Give the baby a little time, Kiwi."
"I'M JUST THINKING AHEAD!"
And maybe he is.
Because before we know it, there will be a brand-new little person joining our family adventures.
And I have a feeling that when that day comes, our crew is going to have one more very important member.
Until next time, dear Journal...
Today wasn't about mischief, finding bottles, chasing snipes, or invading concession stands.
Today was about family, hope, and getting a little glimpse of someone we've all been waiting to meet.
And judging by the smile on Maybelline's face...
the afterlife has never felt quite so close to home.
With happy paws, excited feathers, cheerful quacks, wagging tails, and one very happy ghost,
Lucy 🐾
