A/N: Lalalala, the bunny just really likes this story. :) YAY! Okay, next chapter.
And thank you to my immediate reviewer, MrsSpeedleDelkoCaine. LOVE YOU!!!
Disclaimer: *talking to Jerry Bruckheimer* Uh huh, sure, uh huh. *hangs up on producer* Screw him, he said I couldn't have the rights!
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"Sid?! How on earth is Sid not here?" Sheldon asked, pacing the room.
"Look out the window hun, and then at the clock." Natalie said, moving Sheldon's head around.
"0800 hours on the busiest street in New York. They might as well get out and walk." He said.
"Okay, thanks Zooey, tell your dad and get walking." Elise clicked her phone off and walked over to her mom. "Zooey says they're less than a block away, but they're stuck. They're parking, getting out and walking. She said her dad found like 80 quarters for a meter so they can stay for a couple hours." She said, sitting on the windowsill.
(A/N: Any mis-information about NYC is my fault because I've never been there and don't pay attention to scenery on the shows about NY I watch. Sorries if I offend any native New Yorkers!)
"Thank God you and Zooey hit it off." Sheldon sighed.
"Yeah, sure Dad." Elise said, hopping off her perch and over to Lucy.
"When'd she turn 18 and leave?" He asked, looking at Natalie.
"In 8 years." Natalie dead panned.
"Stop being so melodramatic and watch for Zooey's dad." Elise said, threatening to chuck her shoe at Mac and Stella, making googley eyes at each other. "Will you two cut it out?! That's so annoying!" She yelled, then stomped to her room.
"What's wrong with her?" Stella asked.
"She had to leave her first boyfriend in Texas. Now, she feels like no one likes her because she's the youngest one at her high school." Natalie explained.
"Oh. I'm very sorry Natalie. I just-You know how it is? Right?" Stella asked pleadingly.
"I do." Natalie smiled at the older woman then looked to her boyfriend. "Are you going to deal with your hormonal daughter?" She asked, looking him in the eye.
"Yes ma'am." Sheldon said, walking towards Elise's room. Hurricane and Mai Tai, Natalie's cats, were standing guard. "Hur, Mai, Momma's got turkey meat all over the kitchen thanks to Ellie. Go clean." He ordered the cats away. They sauntered off to the kitchen to find the meat that Elise had left uncleaned. He turned to Elise's door again and raised his hand to knock.
"Don't you dare." Elise's threatening voice warned.
"Ellie, I'm gonna ask your mom." Sheldon whispered into the door.
"Really?!" Elise's voice lightened and got closer to the door. "I'm giving the papers to her as an early Christmas gift." She said. Three bolts were unlocked and the lock on the door was unlocked. The door swung open just as Sheldon stepped away.
"4 locks? Seriously Elle?" He asked, starting down the hallway, 10 year old on his tail.
"I want privacy sometimes." She said, passing him easily, running down the hallway on light toes.
Sheldon sighed and stopped when he could hear Elise's apologies to Mac and Stella. He leaned against the wall and pulled the box out of his pocket. He opened it up and stared at the diamonds. It had cost him a good couple of paychecks but it was worth it. So, so worth it. He pocketed the ring box and walked into the living room.
"Elise, go sit down." Sheldon said, gesturing with his head to where Flack and Angell were sitting.
"Yes Dad." She said, emphasizing 'dad'.
Sheldon gathered his wits and walked over to Natalie. He took a deep breath and took her hand.
"Natalie, in the past couple months since I moved in I've learned even more about you and your life. I was afraid to do this, after what happened the last time. But, I'm happy to ask," Sheldon got down on one knee,"Natalie Dawness, will you marry me?"
All jaws dropped to the ground when the words were said. Well, all but Haylen and Elise who started doing a happy dance.
Natalie's eyes were wide in shock. She snapped out of it when Elise jumped so high on the couch she touched the ceiling.
"YES! Yes, of course I will. I love you Sheldon Hawkes." Natalie launched herself into Sheldon's arms after he placed the ring on her finger gently.
"I love you too Natalie Dawness soon-to-be-Hawkes." Sheldon whispered in her ear.
"Okay, mushy crap over, parade's about to start!!!" Elise said, dragging everyone upstairs.
Sheldon ran into Sid on his way up the stairs.
"Ready for a parade?" He asked the older man.
"As I'll ever be." Sid said, smirking. "You ask her?" He asked, nudging the younger man.
"Yeah. She said yes." Sheldn took off after his fiance, leaving Sid in his dust.
"Kids will be kids, right honey?" Sid asked, looking at Alice.
"3 years and Zo will be taking off with some guy to Vegas." She reminded.
"At least it won't cost me as much as Jordan's or Leah's weddings." He said, grinning as the NYPD marching band started down the street when the couple reached the rooftop.
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A/N: So I'm not narrating the parade since I'd like the dinner done by Thursday morning so I can have it posted while I'm at home and not at my grandparents *shudders* I pray I have my laptop with me. Okay REVIEW! Flame policy stands and well, I'm off to write the last chapter.
Kisses and Diamond rings!
~Sarah~
