Stealing Cinderella Part 2 -- January 1999

I grinned.  "I'm glad to have helped," I said, hopping down and giving him a kiss on the lips.  "I'm hungry; want to get some lunch?" I asked him, going around and closing the windows.  The winter air had finally broke through the stuffiness of he potions brewing... and it was starting to feel chilly.  I turned to face him and saw a twinkle in his eye.  "What?" I asked, grinning at him.  I walked back towards him and took hold of his hands and kissed him again.  "Is that what you wanted?" I teased.

I chuckled.  "Well, yes and no," I replied honestly.  "I won't deny any kisses from you, babe.  But I don't really know what you mean... why do you think I wanted something?"  I wasn't sure what she was getting act.  I didn't realize that I looked like I wanted something.  I took her hand and smiled at her.

I grinned.  "Oh really enjoy my kisses do you?" I teased, giving him another one.  It was starting to get stuffy in there, but I didn't mind.  I pulled back and looked at him again.  "I just feel like you might be up to something... I don't like that."  I really wasn't sure what I was seeing... but it had me intrigued to say the least.

Was I up to something?  Maybe.  I didn't realize I was so easy to read.  "Why would I be up to something?" I asked her, being a little coy.  I had been carrying the ring on me lately in case I found the right opportunity.  So maybe she knew something was up... I didn't want to do it right now, though.  It didn't seem special.

I shrugged.  I guess maybe I didn't see anything.  "Maybe I didn't see anything," I said.  I started leading him toward the door.  He moved slowly and I went up to hiim and gave him a big hug.  "And I'm sorry... I don't think I've said this.  But I am so proud of you, babe," I told him, giving him another kiss.  "You are so amazing."  I whispered that to him, my lips still just a little bit away from his.  I was smiling at him while I had my arms around his neck.

Maybe this would be a good time.  "No, Lucy, you're the amazing one," I said, giving her a sweet kiss.  "You have no idea how much I love you, babe."  I pulled away slightly so I could see her face a little bit better.  "I don't think I'd be here if you hadn't found me -- or saved me.  I think I would've been lost had it not been for you."  I let go of her and got down on one knee.  I pulled the ring out of my pocket and opened the box.  "Lucy... I love you so much.  Will you marry me?"  I waited with baited breath.  I couldn't read the expression on her face -- which was a new thing.  Normally I could always tell what Lucy was thinking.

I couldn't believe what Ayden was doing.  Tears came to my eyes and I put my hands to my mouth.  We had been together for nearly three years now... he was my school-boy crush and love.  I wasn't really sure that this was happening.  But there was no way I was going to wake myself up from this dream.  "Oh, Ayden," I whispered dramatically.  I nodded and had to keep my voice down. "Of course!  Oh my god!  I can't believe this!" I said, pulling him up to give him a big kiss and hug.  I could not believe this!  This was amazing!

She didn't even let me put the ring on her finger before she pulled me up and was kissing me.  I held her and pulled back slightly . "Would you like to make it official?" I asked, showing her the ring again.  When she nodded I slipped it on her finger and pulled her in for another kiss.  I held her close and kept her in my arms as we pulled away from each other slightly and gazed into each others' eyes.  "You are so beautiful right now... I wish I had a camera to capture that look in your eyes right now,' I whispered to her.

I gave him another kiss.  Suddenly, I pulled away.  "Oh!  I need to let everyone know, Ayden!  I wonder if we could get a little gettogether going next Hogsmeade trip... I can't believe this!" I said, getting all excited in telling everyone.  "Have you told Steph?  You probably should... she's your sister, not mine."  I stood on my tippy toes and gave Ayden another kiss.  "Oh, Ayden... I love you!"

I kissed her and smiled.  "Why don't you go run off like I know you're dying to do... and go tell everyone," I said, kissing her forehead really quick before she pulled away again.  "I'll go find Steph... and we'll meet for dinner?" I suggested, thinking that it would give a few hours to spread the good news.

Oh he understood me so well. "Sounds great!" I said, giving him another kiss before leaving him.  Oh who was I going to tell first??!  My smile faded only slightly figuring I should probably go to my daddy before any of hte girls.  I had to tell Lenni and all of my other friends who were still here, owl mum and Aunti Em, and then owl anyone else too.  This was just so exciting!  I made my way to Daddy's office and knocked on the door before entering.  "Daddy?" I called out, realizing how nervous I was at telling him that I was engaged -- such a weird thing to say! -- to the man of my dreams.

I heard Lucy's voice and looked up from my grading.  I smiled at her and saw that she was radiant.  The smile stayed on my face but my heart kind of ached.  I knew that look; I had seen it on Chloe, Ember, and Lily when they all got the man of their dreams.  I knew what this meant; my baby girl wasn't so little anymore.  "Yeah, honey?" I said, setting down my quill and standing up.  I was surprised that she rushed into my arms for a big hug.  I wrapped mine around her and squeezed.  I wasn't expecting that.

I held my daddy tight adn then pulled away.  I grinned at him.  "Daddy... I have some news... I'm not sure if you might already know.  But... Daddy, Ayden just proposed!" I said, excitedly and resisting the urge to jump up and down.  "I'm sure he's asked you and maybe even Mum... but I wanted you to know first that he actually popped the question."  it was hard to read what my daddy was thinking.  I mean... I was his little girl.  He was smiling at me, so I knew he was happy.  But I almost sensed some sadness from him.  Which I supposed I understood.

"Honey, I am so happy for you," I said, bringing her back into a hug.  I really, truly was happy to see my baby girl so happy.  But I couldn't help but feel that I was going to be losing her.  I pulled away and kept my hands on her shoulders looking at her.  "Have you told your mum, yet?" I asked her.  Chloe and I had had long talks about Lucy and Ayden.  We both decided -- well, I was told -- to keep my nose out of it.  It wasn't really any of my business... and Ayden truly wasn't like his father, that was obvious.  It's just that I worreid about Lucy being connected to  a man like Fenrir Greyback.  He would be her father-in-law.  And it doesn't matter if Ayden disowned his father... if I knew Fenrir -- which I did -- he wasn't going to take that laying down.  Something would brew up again, and I did not want Lucy caught in the middle of it.

I shook my head.  "I was going to owl her," I explained.  "But with how fast news spread around the school... I didn't want you to hear it from anyone but me."  I kept an eye on my dad; I recognized the worry in his eyes.  His eyes were always the thing that gave him away.  "Daddy, you don't have to be worried.  Ayden's nothing like his dad."  I hated having this conversation again with my dad.  Couldn't he just stop worrying for one second?  Well, probably not.  He was a worrier... and I was jus tlike him.  It wasn't so easy to stop doing it.