Alfie walked into the living room of the Millington household. Amber hadn't been kidding when she said that her family was rich. The room was large and elegant, with cherry hardwood floors and leather armchairs. The maroon draperies matched the Persian rug. Glass figurines covered every surface.
Alfie couldn't enjoy any of it. He was too nervous to crack a joke or even a smile. Since he and Amber had been dating for 5 years, 3 of which out of high school,everyone had been asking when he was going to purpose. That was just what he planned to do as soon as he got permission. If he got permission.
I came to see her daddy
For a sit down man to man
It wasn't any secret
I'd be asking for her hand
I guess that's why he left me waiting
In the living room by myself
With at least a dozen pictures of her
Sitting on a shelf
Mr. Millington had told Alfie to wait in the living room while he answered a call. He had been sitting on the sofa for about 5 minutes, staring at what appeared to be Amber's life in pictures. There were at least a dozen photos on the mantle. A 3 year old Amber was dressed in a princess costume. Then at 6, she was riding a pink bike with the word sparkles running down the side. Then there was a picture of her dancing with her father, right before coming to Anubis house. He had sen that one before. She had a copy of it sitting on her bedside table.
She was playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed
And looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinklers
With a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad
Looking up at him
In her eyes I'm Prince Charming
But to him I'm just some fella
Riding in
And stealing Cinderella
Alfie was getting up to look at a photo of her bouncing on her (very pink) bed at about 8 or 9. That's when he heard someone behind him. Mr. Millington was standing in the doorway.
"Ain't she something." said Mr. Millington.
Alfie didn't turn around when he answered, "She's quite a woman."
When he didn't hear a response, Alfie turned to Amber's father, only to see him staring back sadly. He didn't want to give her up. But he had to.
I leaned in towards those pictures
To get a better look at one
When I heard a voice behind me
Say now, ain't she something son
I said, yes she's quite a woman
But he just stared at me
Then I realized that in his eyes
She would always be
Alfie turned back to the pictures. Amber was still as innocent as he was. She had survived sibuna, and Rufus, and watching her best friends suffer. Yet she was still pure of heart. Alfie loved her with every fiber of his being. He heard a sigh.
"Hopefully, someday, when you have a daughter, you'll realize how hard this is."
Playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed
And looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinklers
With a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad
Looking up at him
In her eyes I'm Prince Charming
But to him I'm just some fella
Riding in
And stealing Cinderella
He slapped me on the shoulder
Then he called her in the room
When she threw her arms around him
That's when I could see it too
The men heard the front door open and close, accompanied by Amber's voice shouting, "I'm home!"
Mr. Millington shouted back, "In the living room."
Amber ran in and gave her a dad a hug before seeing Alfie. She quickly changed her course with a shout of "beau!"
She was playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed
And looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinklers
With a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad
Looking up at him
If he gives me a hard time
I can't blame the fella
Cause I'm the one
Who's stealing Cinderella
Alfie looked over Amber's shoulder with what he hoped was a look of absolute respect on his face.
Mr. Millington understood and nodded. "You have my permission."
Amber looked confused."What are you talking about?"
Alfie shook his head. "Nothing Amber. What did you get at the mall?"
Mr. Millington shook his head. "And I thought you had more common sense than to ask that."