"B-But Daddy, I don' wanna go on da' s-stage…. Wha' if I get s-scared an' feeze' up well I-I am standin' up there." said 5-year-old Maria, as she held tightly onto her father's leg.
Mickey chuckled a bit, "Don't ya' worry Maria, I'll be right beside ya' the whole time. Plus, it's easy, all you gotta' do is walk out on stage and introduce the next cartoon." He said, grabbing her off his leg and holding her in his arms, fixing her light purple bow.
"I don' know, Daddy. Can't I wait until I'm olda' to try and go out on stage with ya?" she replied, bowing her head a bit in shame.
"Maria, What are you so worried about? You'll do great!" Mickey replied, rubbing his daughter's head a bit, making Maria looked up.
She smiled a bit then frowned again, "I-I just don't wanna disappoint ya' or mama." she said very quietly in her squeaky voice.
Mickey frowned at her comment, setting her back down on the ground and got on one knee, so he was eye level with her. She bowed her head again and closed her eyes, unsure of what her father was about to say.
"Maria? What made ya' think you could ever disappoint your mom or me?" he said, putting his gloved hand on her small shoulder, rubbing it gently.
"It's just…. You and mama are big stars and I don' wanna' mess your guys' repu-repat" "reputation?" mickey corrected her. "Ya'…that…." She said looking back down again, her eyes closing again. Mickey chuckled a bit, for a five year old she really did think things through.
'Musta' got that from Min….' Mickey thought.
"Sweetie, ya'd never ever disappoint us, we love ya'; doesn't matter what ya' say or do out there, as long as your have'n fun. And so what about our reputation, as long as your safe and happy, I could careless about what the others think." Mickey said smiling down at his daughter, Maria looked up at her father and a small smile playing on her mouth.
"Thanks daddy…" she said and pulled him into a small bear hug, which Mickey happily returned.
"So how about we go out here and destroy our reputations together." Mickey said with a smile. Maria chuckled a bit and nodded, grabbing her father's hand and walking out toward the stage.