My entire body shook as I walked into Timber Creek Medical. I can't do this. I'm gonna mess it up. No, I can do this. I can do this.

As soon as I reached the front desk, the nurse behind it looked up and smiled. "Good morning, Mr. Solaris." She said. "What brings you here today?"

"Hi, Bonnie... Is Alabaster here? I-I mean, I know she's here, but-"

Bonnie giggled. "She's up on the third floor, Mephiles. You're late."

"I know, I know...!" I headed to the elevator and as the doors closed, I felt the small object in my pants pocket. I can do this...!

Today was Alabaster's birthday, she was turning 43 really, but everyone else thought it was 22. We kept that a secret, and I planned to give her an excellent gift.

The hospital wasn't my favorite place, but it also reminded me of where Abbie and I had met... The day I became a different hedgehog.

When I became my own person, not half of a monstrous nightmare.

The doors opened and I quickly hurried to the room, decorated with balloons and streamers of gold and red.
I was so late, but I stepped inside, blushing as all eyes fell on me. "I know! I planned this whole thing and I'm late!" I said.

Alabaster was still in her scrubs, sweaty from working as a nurse, but she still looked beautiful to me. "This thing is fantastic, Phil! I can't believe you planned this whole thing yourself!"

"Well, I had some help, but it was my idea." I took her hands. "You deserved a real party this year."

"I can't believe you did this...!"

"I can't believe you did this after only dating for six months!" One of the nurses exclaimed. "I wish my boyfriend did that."

I grinned, looking over the gifts on the table. Mostly jewelry or gift cards for stores in town. I took a deep breath, reaching into my pocket. "To make up for my tardiness, Abbie, I got you a gift."

"What better gift can you give me than this?"

I smiled, then got down on one knee, opening my hand to expose a gold crystalline ring with white flecks all through it.
There was a collective gasp, then utter silence.
"Alabaster Delancy Katherine Lunar, I haven't known you for very long, but I didn't know any other way to express how much I need you here with me... Will you accept me as I am, even if who I am makes mistakes frequently?"

Alabaster was covering her mouth with her hands, but her joy escaped in the tears spilling down her cheeks as I watched her head move up and down.
"Of course...I will...!"

The room erupted into cheers and clapping as I got up and held her close. "That was the scariest thing I've ever done...I don't think even confronting Sonic would be that scary."

Alabaster laughed, kissing my cheek. "Well it's over, you have me, Mephiles Solaris."

I smiled, "Good...I also have to tell you something." I looked her in the eye. "I borrowed your great-grandfather's address to ask for his permission."

"You asked my grandfather if you could have me? That's so sweet...!"

She pulled me forward into a kiss, and I gladly returned it.

This was a prologue, the next one is set a few weeks later. Hope you enjoyed!