Melendez adjusted his tie as Lim watched him from the comfort of their bed, where she had her laptop set to do some last minute budget reports. Melendez turned around and asked Lim, "So how do I look?"
"I think your date tonight is extremely lucky," said Lim.
Melendez sat down next to Lim and he said, "You know, you're still the number one woman in my life?"
Lim glanced up from her material and gave him a suspicious look, "Don't try to flatter me. We all know I'm second to a certain little lady."
The couple heard a knock and Mei-Li asked, "Is Daddy ready?"
"I'm ready mija," said Melendez.
Mei-Li entered her parents' room, wearing a turquoise dress, her hair in a French braid that Lim had arduously stumbled through creating, and she had a small bit of glitter on her cheeks, "You look very handsome, Daddy."
Melendez furrowed his brow and asked, "Where did you learn that word?"
"From Mommy," answered Mei-Li, pointing toward Lim.
"Oh," Melendez said and chuckled, "Well, you are the best daughter a father could ask for to take to a Father-Daughter Dance. Now wait downstairs; I'll be down in a minute."
Mei-Li nodded and turned to leave. Lim closed her laptop and sat it on her nightstand before she said, "Her last Father-Daughter Dance of elementary school."
"Don't remind me," said Melendez.
"Next time you'll be dancing with her, it'll be her quinceañera. And then her wedding," teased Lim.
"Didn't I just tell you not to remind me how fast our daughter is growing?" asked Melendez jokingly.
"Sorry," said Lim.
"So what are your plans for this evening?" asked Melendez.
"Carlos has challenged me to a Rocket League tournament after a gourmet meal of whoppers and chicken nuggets from Burger King," said Lim.
"Mm. Sounds like you're going to have a productive evening," said Melendez. He kissed Lim and said, "Love you."
"Love you too," she responded.
When Melendez and Mei-Li arrived at her school, the dance was already in full swing. To enhance the Winter Wonderland theme, there were paper mache snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and white lights twinkling overhead to represent icicles. A machine shot out fake snow every so often, the tables had blue plastic table cloths with snowmen centerpieces, and the cups and plates had snowflakes and snowmen on them, "It looks like Elsa came through and redecorated the gym," said Melendez.
"I think it was the teachers who decorated it, Daddy," said Mei-Li.
"I was just joking, mija," said Melendez, his heart sinking a little over the fact that Mei-Li no longer had quite the sense of childhood whimsy she once did, "Shall we take to the dance floor?" he held out his hand.
Mei-Li nodded eagerly and followed her father to the middle of the dance floor. A slow song was beginning, so Melendez draped his arms over Mei-Li's shoulders. A few tears streamed down his cheeks and Mei-Li asked, "What's wrong Daddy?"
"I just can't believe you're not my little girl anymore," he admitted, "You're growing up so fast. Next year, you'll be a middle schooler."
Mei-Li nodded happily, "I'll be going to school with the big kids."
"Remember the days we used to have tea parties and play dress-up?" asked Melendez reminiscently.
"Mmhm," said Mei-Li.
"Remember when we all went to Disneyland and how excited you were to meet all of the princesses, especially Mulan?" questioned Melendez.
"She's still my favorite princess," confirmed Mei-Li.
"The next time you and I will be dancing together will probably be your quinces," said Melendez.
"I'll get to wear a poofy dress and a tiara. Oh, and high heels just like Mommy when you both go to fancy parties," said Mei-Li.
"I wouldn't take tips from Mommy on how to walk in high heels," said Melendez, "Motorcycle boots maybe, but not heels."
Mei-Li giggled. The song ended and she glanced over toward a few of her friends, "Daddy, can I go dance with Amanda and Colleen now?"
"Sure mija," said Melendez. Mei-Li ran toward her friends and Melendez went to pour himself some punch. They shared a few more dances together before the evening was out, Melendez thoroughly soaking in every moment.
The father and daughter arrived home later that night and Melendez helped get Mei-Li ready for bed before going to his own room. Lim was still up and watching some serial killer documentary on Netflix when she heard Neil come into the room, "I don't understand how you can watch that crap before bed and sleep at night."
Lim chuckled and turned off the television, "How was the dance?"
"It was fun, but also sad. I can't believe that was our last Father-Daughter Dance," answered Melendez.
Lim smiled, "Well, there is always her quinces. And her wedding if she gets married."
"You mentioned that earlier tonight. Still don't like it," said Melendez, "How was the Rocket League tournament?" Lim gave Melendez a perturbed look, "What happened?"
"I got my ass kicked by a six year old. I repeat, I GOT BEAT BY A SIX YEAR OLD! And it's not like I let Carlos win, he legitimately beat me multiple times. He'll probably be bragging about his accomplishment well into adulthood," Lim complained.
Melendez laughed, "Guess you can no longer claim that you're undefeated in Rocket League."
"And my six year old son dethroned me," Lim huffed, "I literally grew a monster inside of me."
Melendez smiled and wrapped his arms around her, "Well, not everyone can be perfect in everything."
"No, but we have a near perfect family," said Lim before kissing Melendez.
