A/N #2: Edited to remove pathetic whining from the author's note... Sorry about that! ;)
But the thanks to the people who've reviewed still applies.

Disclaimer: Dis - claim. Get it? Good!

5...

The sight of Marie's parents stumbling outside as I held her in my arms is something that's forever burned in my mind. Her mother looked like she was auditioning for a fright show with her face slathered in cold cream and curlers sticking out at odd angles. The vibrant coat she'd thrown on over her shoulders really completed the look. Nick with his satin kimono wasn't much of an improvement. They came toward us talking a mile a minute, not understanding that we were serious.

I let Marie down to her feet and she stood beside me, one arm wrapped around my waist, as she explained to her parents that not only was she marrying me, but she planned to do it as soon as possible. I think the surprise must of showed on my face because she turned to me and grinned, "Well Tony, if we're gonna get married, and you're leavin' to play ball next week, we gotta get moving. A day or two max and then we can be together. Sound good to you?"

Still amazed that she'd even said yes, I smiled and nodded in return. "Sounds wonderful." She looked so beautiful standing there with her hair glinting in the lamplight; it took me a moment before I realized I'd missed something in my hasty proposal. Hesitating only a little, I turned back to her parents. "Um, Nick, uh, sir. I know it's a little late, but I've gotta ask you this, 'cause it only seems right. I love your daughter, and I wanna take care of her. If you could maybe find it in your heart, could I have your daughter's hand in marriage?"

Nick regarded me silently, sizing me up. With a firm voice, he looked me straight in the eye and replied, "No."

Marie and her mother erupted into cries of disbelief and dismay. I stared straight back at him, my fingers straining to form into a fist. Carefully choosing my words, I began, "Eh oh. With all due respect, SIR, I don't think...."

It was at this point that Marie jumped in front of me, placing one hand on my wrist and the other on her father's chest. "Papa, don't."

"Don't what Bambina? Tony asked me a question an' I gave him a answer."

Marie gave him a look. "Don't you ruin this for me! Papa, I love Tony. I love him and I wanna marry him, no matter what you say. But Papa please, don't be this way, because I love you too and I don't wanna be mad at you."

Nick took one look at the glistening tears in her deep brown eyes and crumbled. He sighed heavily and looked down at the ground. "Okay Bambina. You can marry Tony."

"Oh Papa!" She flew into his arms.

Still wrapped in her embrace, he looked up at me and said warningly, "If you don't treat her right...."

I put up my hands in defense. "I will, I promise."

Nick nodded once more and then clung just a bit tighter to Marie, as if letting go would be saying goodbye.

My father took the news much better than Marie's parents. I came creeping in the door late that night half hoping he was sleeping and half hoping he'd wake up. He was still passed out in the easy chair, snoring happily to the white fuzz dancing across the TV screen. He was just 44 years old, but a hard life filled with hard work had aged his features. He'd been driving the same garbage route for 20 years and I figured that he'd still be driving it for 20 more in spite of the graying hair and deep lines running across his face. He was proud of that garbage truck, proud of the life he had built, but even so, he wanted more for me. He saw in me all the possibilities he never had, and in a way, his dreams became mine. As a kid, I worshipped the ground he walked on. It was him that taught me the secret to a perfect red sauce and curve ball and he never steered me wrong when it came to understanding a girl. And though he occasionally got serious with some of the ladies in the neighborhood, I never doubted that my mother had been the love of his life. She was the only woman he would've chosen to share his life with.

So this night, instead of quietly sneaking off to my bed, I turned off the TV and sat down beside him. Shaking him lightly on the arm, I called, "Pop. Hey Dad, wake up!"

The steady stream of snoring stopped abruptly and he snorted awake. "Wha...what's...Tony?" He struggled to gain consciousness.

"Hey Pop, I've got news."

He shook himself awake. "Tony? What time is it? What?"

I grinned. "I'm marrying Marie."

He was suddenly very much awake.

"I didn't know what to do about going to play ball and leavin' her, and then it came to me, I wanted to marry her. So I asked her and she said yes."

My dad's eyes twinkled, "Her father, he's going to love this."

"No. No, he's okay. He knows. I mean, he wasn't exactly thrilled, but..."

"I can't believe it!"

"Well, you know Nick...."

"Nah." He broke me off with a shake of his head. "My boy, he's playing in the minor leagues and he's marrying the prettiest girl on the block. I was proud before, but now I'm even prouder." He tossed his arm around my shoulder and hugged me tightly.

"So you're happy?"

"Tony, Tony. You're so happy, I'm happy. And Marie, she'll be good for you."

You want to know the funny thing about my Dad? No matter how much I doubted it growing up, he was almost always right.