Emily stared at the ring, it was beautiful. It was Nirad gold, another type of gold found in the Nirad world, it mimicked Olympic gold but was harmless to the Nirads. In the middle of the ring was 4 small diamonds in a row and in between the second and third one was a beautiful Sapphire twice the size of the diamonds. Emily was to raise her eyes to the black box with the velvet lining, up to Joel, on one knee holding the box. He had obviously made. It was probably the reason he was in Vulcan's workshop day in, day out in the couple of weeks leading to her 18th. It was true they were both 18, and age didn't matter on Olympus but was she ready for this? She loved Joel and it had been a year since they were 'officially dating' but she got the feeling this was too soon. Pegasus trotted over to Emily and neighed softly nodding his head as if he was urging her to say yes. Emily nodded slowly.
'Yes!' She shouted, 'YES!'
Joel lifted her up in his buff arms and spun her around smiling before putting her down and presenting her with the ring and placing it on her finger. He stood up and smiled, she smiled back. He embraced her and they kissed.
'I love you.' he whispered in her ear. Before they were engulfed in a crowd of congratulations from Olympians and Nirads alike. Emily was able to get through the crowd to her dad. She looked at him in the eyes. His were welling up a bit.
'Imagine that! My beautiful girl 18 and engaged... on one night.' he said softly. 'I feel you slipping away from me already.' He was half joking but Emily embraced him.
'You will never lose me dad,' She replied her voice as soft as her father's, 'I'll always be your little girl.' Her dad smiled and chuckled a bit.
'And I remember when you used to get your hand stuck in the cookie jar.'
'Dad!' Emily whined but she secretly liked it when he did that. Paelen came over to them and her father went off in search of Diana.
'I always loved you, you know that?' He said softly.
Emily nodded.
'But I know you loved Joel and I didn't want to get in between you two. In saying this I still want to be close to you two, if that's alright.'
'Paelen! You will always be our friend! Nothing would change that, ok?.'
Paelen nodded his face lighting up a little.
'You two will make a wonderful couple and I wish you forever happiness.' He said disappearing into the crowd. Emily turned to see Joel and Pegasus behind her and she smiled.
'Let's go for a fly.' She said.