There was no sign of the green demon. Roddy woke earlier than Rita and looked around for signs of him. He climbed back into bed and put his arms around Rita's soft body. He rubbed her ear and moved his hand up to massage her temple. He heard her moan for a second before she rolled around and opened her eyes.

"Morning." He greeted with a warm smile. "Did you have a nice sleep?"

"It was fine. No nightmares or anything."

"What did you dream about?"

"Nothing." Rita chuckled at his question. "I don't get dreams too often."

"So how about breakfast? Want me to call room service?"

"Sure."

"What do you want?"

"What do you prefer?" she asked. "I know nothing about fancy breakfast food."

"I'll just get you what I like and see what you think." He picked up the phone on the counter. "This is Prince Roderick requesting room service."

Rita stood up in bed and listened to him as he spoke to the man on the phone, looking at him as if she never saw a person speak on the phone before. Roddy hung up and walked back into bed.

"We have a big day planned out. My parents were hoping that you family could join us on a winter cruise for New Years. You can relax at a spa with your mum, play with your siblings at the water park, go to the club and there are several more options."

"And this is all indoors?"

"Sure is." Roddy nodded. "I think you'll love it. It's an ice boat so we won't have trouble moving."

"That sounds fantastic!" said Rita. "We'd love to go. When are we leaving?"

"In a couple of hours. I'll inform your family."

"No I'll do it. I haven't seen them in years and I owe them a lot of time."

Rita went downstairs after breakfast in her servant clothes. Her parents were downstairs talking to the queen.

"It's just in our blood to steel." Nigel was discussing to Queen Rose why Rita went away. The queen was holding a perfume bottle, created by Princess Sharpay.

"Well here she comes." Said Rose. "How was your sleep dear?"

"It was fine." Said Rita. "So where is everybody?"

"Scattered around the castle I bet." Said Rose. "Either in the garden, the pool, the spa, so many places. Did my son tell you about the cruise?"

"He did."

"What cruise?" her mother asked.

"The royal family is taking us out on a cruise for New Years Eve. The whole family!"

"You must be joking." Said Nigel. He glanced at the queen. "Is she?"

"It's our treat." Said Rose. "We love your family. Besides, Rita's been through so much. You've went through a lot of trouble. You honestly disserve it. Were leaving in an hour. Good clothes will be provided for you and your children."

"Well how wonderful." Said Amanda.

"I'm going to tell the others." Said Rita.

"You do that darling." Said Amanda. She gave her a soft push. Nobody said a word until Rita was out of sight.

"You might not be poor anymore." Said the queen.

"Why do you say that?"

"Cross your fingers. Chances are my son is going to purpose to your daughter."

"Really? I didn't know he was in deep love with her."

"Believe me." Said Rose. "He's never acted so strange before. Usually he's miserable, but I saw him smile several times last night."

Rita walked to the sled, wearing a red trench coat over her peasant clothes. Roddy's arm stayed wrapped around her waist as he struggled to keep her warm.

"I know its freezing." He said. "We can sit by the fireplace in our room when we get there if you want."

"Our room has a fireplace?"

"And a walk in closet, coffee machine, flat screen, vibrating chair and internet."

"Do all the rooms have them?"

"Just first class. Your family is in first class with us dear."

"Where's the boat?"

"Right ahead." Rita looked up. Her face was previously hiding in his shoulder. "Oh my god."

The boat reminded her of the Titanic. It was a large ship with pearl white walls and gold lining. In gold was embroidered, Queen Saint James. Even the entry way stairs were elegant.

"Let's hurry up now." said Roddy.

They dashed over to the man at the front of the entry, dressed as a palace guard. He never twitched. His eyes gave them approval to go in. Rita almost slipped on the stairs as Roddy pulled on her hand. They were overexcited.

"Well, here we are." Roddy stuck his arm out. The entrance was the main lobby. Even it was beautiful, with plush red seats and gold tile floors. The stairs were gold and the elevators were made of glass. Roddy was in a hurry to get his room key. It was ready strange looking. It looked like an employ punch card they'd use to check into work with.

When they stepped into their room for the first time, there were French maids in there cleaning. They waited for ten minutes until they finally left. They went inside and spent an hour resting before Roddy sent Rita out to the spa with her sisters.

"Rita, how come you and mum get champagne?" Annie complained. They were sitting in a marble hot tub getting head massages.

"I'm eighteen now." Said Rita.

"No your not. You'll be eighteen at midnight."

"Shh." Rita silenced her. "Don't want the maids to hear now do we? Besides, it tastes absolutely vile."

"Then why are you drinking it?"

"Because I'm thirsty. Now drink your smoothie. We might never live like this again."

"Now why do you say that?" Mimi whimpered.

"Hm? You didn't think we'd live in their castle now did you?"

"What she means." Annie stated. "Is that she thinks Roddy's going to purpose tonight."

Rita sat still. She looked like a spoiled teenage girl with her union jack bikini and champagne glass.

"Annie!" Amanda snapped. "Must you always open your mouth?"

"I can't help it if things slip out."

"Kids, you gotta love em. Right mum?" Rita laughed off the conversation and put her arm around her sister. "So, enjoying the cruise? There's a water park here that I look forward to seeing."

"Is Roddy coming with you?" Mimi teased.

"Enough chatter about the prince. He's a polite young man but were not in love."

Rita dumped her champagne in the tub and stepped out. She placed a silk towel around her chest and went back to the suite. She didn't know why she denied the truth. Maybe it was still too hard for her to believe that it was happening to her. She stepped into the bathtub, washed away the chemicals the tub gave her and dried her fur. Roddy told her he wanted to spend time with her at the night club. She was excited because she loved to dance. It would be like back in the shelter, except with more alcohol, neon light and real music.

Rita wore the same pants she had for years because Roddy told her he loved them. Instead of her aqua sweater, she put on a red v-neck sweater, slightly low cut but not too exposing. After she put her hair in a ponytail, she met up with Roddy in the hall. They danced until eleven fifty at the nightclub and had a few drinks. In the middle of the dance floor, wealthy girls gazed at Rita jealously.

They went back to their room afterward, got their coats and went outside.

"Have you ever wanted to see the stars, the skies and the flowers they have?"

"Every girl does."

"It's sad how we can't look at it without risking our lives." He said. "But now we can. And we can stay safe too. Look."

Rita looked out. They were sailing in a small pond Up Top. The snow glittered on the ground as the stars glistened with them. The full moon shined out light a night like goddess on her wedding. Rita could only stare at the rare moment.

"It's beautiful." She gasped under her breath.

"It's a beautiful night." Said Roddy. "And it blends in perfectly with a beautiful girl."

Rita blushed. The cold wind was giving her chills but she stayed put in his arms.

"Rita, I asked you to come outside with me to ask you something."

He pulled away from her.

"Rita, I know we haven't been together for too long, but I feel like it doesn't matter since I know you love me too. When I compared you to Sharpay, you made her look like… a toad."

They both chuckled. In his mind, he slapped himself. He wasn't supposed to say that!

"Rita. I never had so much fun in my life when you were around. The girl in my dreams was an angel who had the same personality traits as you do. Now I realize that the angel was you."

He got down on his knee. Rita's eyes followed his hands with suspicion as he removed a velvet box from his pocket. There was nothing more to say after he opened it.

"Rita Malone, will you marry me?"

She stood there almost paralyzed. He saw her eyes flood as she cupped her hands over her mouth.

"Yes!" It took her thirty seconds to answer even though she knew immediately that it was the right answer. "Yes!"

"Let me see your hand."

She immediately let out her hand, nearly slapping him. He placed the diamond ring on her finger. He stood up and kissed her to celebrate the first second of engagement.

"Congratulations."

Rita turned around and saw Le Toad about one hundred inches away.

"It's sweet, but your time is not up yet." Right behind him stood Whitey.

Rita clung on to her new fiancée, quaking.