Rodney’s talking about proposing. Again.

John takes a sip of his beer to disguise the frown that pulls at the edges of his mouth as he watches Rodney gesticulate wildly, debating the relative merits of a dozen different proposal ideas. Rodney hasn’t asked his opinion just yet, but John hates all of them on principle.

It makes him a little happier to think that even if Rodney does propose, the odds of him getting a yes are fairly low. It’s not that Rodney’s not great--though how great of a husband he’d be is debatable--but the women he dates very rarely see the relationship in the same way he does.

But unfortunately there’s still the possibility she will say yes, either now or some new woman in the future. That’s the last thing John wants, even if he knows it makes him a shitty friend to think so. But getting married means Rodney won’t have as much time to just hang out with him or do any of the things they do now.

He’s brought back from his thoughts by Rodney snapping his fingers right in his face. “Yes?” John drawls, raising an eyebrow.

“I asked what you thought of my idea,” Rodney says with an annoyed frown, though there’s something vulnerable in his eyes. “Do you think that’s what I should do?”

Hell no, John thinks, but nods before the words can come out of his mouth. “Sure, buddy, that sounds like a good idea.”

Kids grow up too fast. True fact. One minute you’re terrified, holding this tiny, vulnerable little scrap of humanity in your arms, and knowing your life is never going to be the same again. The next minute you’re holding this beautiful, elegant young woman in a long, white gown, she’s smiling at you, and you can’t help wondering where your little girl went.

Grace looks positively radiant, and Danny wants to be completely happy for her, but he can’t quite manage it, because this day is the final proof that his little girl is gone, never to return. He’s proud of the woman she’s grown into, but it still hurts, and he’d turn the clock back, re-live her childhood all over again if only he could, because he feels like he missed out on so much, but he knows that’s an impossible dream.

She’s taller than he is now, as tall as her mother, making Danny feel a little awkward dancing with her. He tells himself it’s the heels she’s wearing, but he saw her shoes, helped her to pick them out. Hell, he paid for them, and truth is they’re not that high; she’s simply grown, the way kids do. When did that happen? It seems like only yesterday that he could rest his chin on the top of her head when he hugged her. Now he’d have to stand on a box to do that.

This is Grace’s special day though, and Danny’s not about to spoil it for her by being sad and moody, so instead he smiles back, his heart filled with so much pride it might burst, and he twirls her across the dance floor, proving her old man still has the moves.

“You, are the most beautiful bride in the universe, you know that? Love you, kiddo.”

“Love you too, Danno.” Her eyes are shining with happiness, and that’s really all that matters; that Grace is happy. She’s not his little girl anymore, but she’ll always be his daughter. Nothing and no one can ever change that. He’d been right that first time he’d held her; she’d changed his life forever, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.


The End


A/N: Sorry, Steve is there, but he’s sitting this one out waiting for his turn to dance with the bride.