D'accord. C'est le janvier 1; une nouvelle année. Mon but: faire ma demande de mariage à Viktor. (Alright. It's January 1st; a new year. My goal: ask Viktor to marry me.)
Joe had been able to get a modest set of silver bands with his Christmas bonus, and so he felt he was finally ready to ask.
He made sure to send a picture of the bands to everyone in the league (except for Von Kaiser, of course) to get their opinions on how and when to pop it. They agreed that tonight's get-together was perfect.
Alright. No more stalling. This is it. The moment of truth.
That night, everyone was gathered together in the WVBA arena for the first time in the new year. They were happy to chat, share drinks, and catch up.
Once everyone had arrived, Pierce brought forward a large woman in a bit too formal an outfit for such a casual occasion. "Fellas," said Pierce, "this is Lulu, the king of Hippo Island. She's our first new boxer of the year, and I expect you to make her feel welcome."
King Hippo looked at everyone. They all looked so short. Nevertheless, they were kind, and that was what mattered.
Joe anxiously looked at the time. Seven o'clock was ticking closer with every second. Was he really ready for this? This was going to be the most important question he'd ever asked in his life.
And what if Von Kaiser said no?
Joe shook his head. He and Von Kaiser had been in each other's lives for so long, and they loved each other with a passion. The chances of him turning down the proposal were slim, if they were even there at all.
He snapped back into reality when he realized King Hippo was standing over him. "Bonjour," he said awkwardly, brushing a tuft of hair from his face. "Peux-je t'aider?" (Hello. Can I help you?)
King Hippo simply cocked her head at the lanky redhead. Joe figured she must be wondering what was going through his head. He looked to make sure Von Kaiser wasn't listening, then leaned in. "Je demanderais à Viktor de me marier aujourd'hui." (I'm asking Viktor to marry me today.)
King Hippo picked Joe up and squeezed him. She was quite happy for him. Joe chuckled. "Oui, je suis excité aussi." (Yes, I'm excited too.)
Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.
Just two minutes until seven. Joe willed his heart to stop racing so fast. He didn't want to pass out at the moment of truth.
There was Von Kaiser, chatting with Bear Hugger and Flying Feather, completely unaware of what Joe was about to do.
He couldn't stand it anymore; he got up and went over to talk to him. "Viktor?"
Von Kaiser turned around. "Was ist los?" (What's up?)
"J'ai…" Joe wrung his hands. "J'ai une question pour toi." (I…I have a question for you.)
"Was ist deine Frage?" (What's your question?)
Oh god. Joe felt his heart squeeze. He couldn't do this! It was too soon! He wasn't ready!
"Joseph, du siehst ängstlich aus, geht es dir gut?" (Joseph, you look anxious, are you alright?)
Now or never. Now or never. At the exact stroke of seven, Joe dropped to his knee and presented Von Kaiser with the box.
"Veux-tu m'épouser?!" (Will you marry me?!)
Marriage?! But of course! Why, Joe had to ask that eventually! Why didn't he see it coming?
"Ja!"
Von Kaiser lifted Joe into his arms and the two of them kissed as the room exploded into whoops and cheers. Katrina ran to her father and soon-to-be-stepfather, and they both pulled her into their arms. "I love you, daddy! I love you, vati!"
"Je t'adore aussi, ma belle fleur!" (I love you too, my flower girl!) The two of them held their daughter up.
This was it! They were going to get married! This was the best day ever!
Look out, world, here comes a new family unit!
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH THEY'RE GETTIN MARRIEDDDDDDDD
In case it needed clarifying "vati" means "daddy" in German.
ALSO KING HIPPO YEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
