It was the day of Ponyo's 15th birthday. As she woke that morning, she stretched and looked outside her bedroom window, overlooking the beautiful, blue ocean she so dearly loved. It had taken her a few seconds to fully realize, and to wake, that it was her birthday! She grinned ear to ear as she hopped out of her bed swiftly, grabbed one of her brightly colored beach dresses and slipped on a pair of her favorite sandals. The bright red color sandals were a gift from Sosuke last year on her birthday and partially the reason she favored them so much. If it were not for the fact that they can easily be worn out, as learned from previous years of gifted sandals, she would have worn them all them time.

Oh Sosuke, how much she had still loved that boy. Ever since Lisa, Sosuke's mother, took her in all those years ago, Ponyo has fallen in love with Sosuke, and even more ever since. They grew up together, and Sosuke even had to teach Ponyo about life outside the ocean. At this point they were practically best friends, but Ponyo saw beyond that. Sure every now and then they would go on dates to the movies or even to dinner; they even had a reputation at their school of being the 'it' couple. Even Mama Lisa and Papa Koichi saw the love between them. However Sosuke was rather shy about their relationship. He has always been, and that is what Ponyo loved about him. His shy charm, his sensitive ways, his kind heart and his passion for tennis.

Ponyo could get los in her thoughts of Sosuke for hours, until her thoughts were interrupted by some bubbles floating into her window. She smiled even more and went to the window to see her father, as eccentric as ever, pulled up to the edge of the shore in his submarine.

"I will be right down!" she called to him as he waved to her. She very happily ran out of her room, narrowly missing Lisa, who was trying to surprise her with the usual birthday breakfast cake. "Sorry Mama Lisa!" she said to her, and Lisa only smiled.

"Going down to see your father again?" she asked, knowing her father visited every now and then, especially on her birthday.

"Yes ma'am, I will be right back!" she called back as she ran out the door. The warmth of the sun hit her skin as she turned her running toward the beach, heading to her father now standing waiting for her with a beautifully wrapped box. As she ran, the hot sand was kicked up, gently kissing her legs as she came to a slow stop a few feet away from her father. He smiled a very loving and welcoming smiled to her. "...Hi daddy!" she said in a sweet voice, going to hug him tight.

"Hello dearest Ponyo, and happy birthday!" he said to her, hugging back with the small box still in hand "How are you today?" he pulled away gently and looked Ponyo into her deep blue eyes. Ponyo smiled even more when he wished her a happy birthday.

"I am doing really well," she paused to look around. "Where is mom? Is she coming?" Her father frowned a bit and shook his head.

"Afraid not, but she will come to visit you later in the week, but in the meantime," he started, holding out the small box to Ponyo. "She wanted you to have this gift." Ponyo smiled as she gently took the box from her father. She quickly tore off the wrapping paper, then opened the box carefully. Ponyo's eyes lit up from the awe of the beautiful gift. It was a small silver chain, and at the end was two small pearls hugging the larger pearl in the middle. The sun's rays glistened on the pearl's surface as she pulled the necklace out of the box by the chain. Her father smiled. "That is something your mother strung together for you. She misses you dearly and wishes you all the love in the world." with that said, Ponyo swiftly gave him another tight hug.

"I love it, it is so beautiful! Thank you so much!" she said, letting go of him only to place the necklace around her neck. Her father smiled, enjoying how happy she was with her gift. "So, how are you? How is everyone doing?" Ponyo finally asked turning her attention to the ocean. Fojimoto smiled as he spoke.

"Well, your mother is doing well from what I see of her. You know how busy she can be. Your sisters are all grown and off having their own families now..." he started, "Samantha just had a few hundred kids the other day." Ponyo looked back to him.

"No way, for real? Wow...I sure do miss them...well, send them my best wishes and tell them I love and miss them!" she said, then a smug look came across her face. "Also give them all kisses for me!" she giggled, after all, it would take a while considering she had a few hundred sisters. Fujimoto sighed, then folded his arms to her.

"So, where is Sosuke this morning? Did he not want to come and visit?" he asked in a somewhat stern, yet pleased tone. Ponyo rolled her eyes a bit.

"Nothing like that daddy, he must have slept in again. He has been studying really late the past week or so, Mama Lisa lets him get a few more minutes of sleep sometimes." she turned to look at the house, at Sosuke's window to be specific. Her heart really did warm everytime she would think of him. Fujimoto nodded a bit.

"Well, have you given any thought toward marriage?" he bluntly asked. Ponyo's face turned bright red as he head whipped back to look at her father.

"W-What? Me? Sosuke? Marriage? What is with that question all of a sudden?" she asked a bit frantic. It is not like she never imagined a wedding, one on the beach with the sunset behind them, but what brought the subject on? Fujimoto only continued.

"You know most all of your sisters have moved on with their lifes, found mates and had babies and what not. At this rate you might be the last one. So when do you plan on it? You did turn 15 today after all..." he said, cringing a bit. Ponyo was a bit confused, usually her father was trying to keep her in a bubble, both metaphorically and literally. Why did he care about this?

"...what is your game old man?" she asked, Fujimoto huffed a bit when she called him old.

"Look, you have been seeing this boy for 10 years now, you are not getting any younger with him leading you on like this. Why not go ahead and seal the deal? I just want you to be happy Brunnhilde." He used her real name. He never used it unless he was being serious like this. Ponyo was a bit shaken up, looking back to Sosuke's window to see he was just now getting out of bed. He had bed head, and looked like he just rose from the dead. Ponyo thought it was adorable, she smiled. She looked back to her father.

"...I will ask him today at breakfast! I am sure he will love the idea!" she brightened up. Fujimoto smiled a bit, then looked back to the ocean.

"I had better head back...happy birthday dear." he said with a smile before waving back to her "I will come back in about a week." he stated before climbing back on his sub. Ponyo watched him, waving back to him as well.

"BYE DADDY! BE SAFE!" she waved just as fast as she could. She watched as he sunk into the sea, then she spent a few moments staring into the ocean. She was condisdering what he said fully; marriage? She didn't see anything wrong with this and she also didn't see a problem. She grinned real big, turned to the house and began her giddy climb back up to the house. She was humming as she entered the kitchen backdoor, where Lisa was cooking a quick breakfast.

"Good morning birthday girl!" Lisa said in a very happy tune. "Your special cake in on the table!" Ponyo looked to see a special piece of cake at her spot at the table. Ponyo happily hopped into her seat and began to eat her cake.

"Good morning Lisa, thank you for the cake!" she said, casually eating her cake slice. Just then she caught a whif of the breakfast Lisa was cooking. "Fried ham?" she asked. Lisa chuckled and nodded.

"It has always been your favorite, I am not really sure why. It is kinda odd considering...It is your birthday!" Lisa had pulled herself out of her thoughts just in time for Sosuke to into the room. He was still half asleep, and his dress was rather sloppy. Ponyo could not help but giggle.

"Good morning Sosuke~" Ponyo chimed. Sosuke just looked her way and then half smiled.

"Good morning, and happy birthday," he said sitting in his spot at the table.

"Sleep well son?" Lisa asked, not looking away from her cooking.

"I slept alright" he stated while he was yawning. Ponyo's cheeks glow a bit red from blushing, she really did love this boy. This gave her the courage to speak up and ask the big question. She finished her cake and then looked to Sosuke and began to speak before Sosuke spoke up. "Mom, when is dad suppose to get back?" he asked. Lisa turned around with a plate full of ham and gently set it on the table.

"He should be back in 2 or 3 days. That is IF he does not pick up another shift..." she said rather annoyed. Ponyo stopped her question to check the tension, usually when Lisa spoke of her husband working, it was a real touch and go kind of subject. Sosuke seemed rather annoyed with that answer.

"I really need to talk with him." He muttered. Ponyo was curious, but she didn't want to divert from her goal. She began to spoke again but was interrupted again by Lisa this time.

"Ponyo hun, you need to get dressed for school. Why not go get that done quickly?" she asked. Okay, that was true she was still in her sun dress. She pouted a bit and then grabbed a piece of ham for the trip. Oh well, nothing was going to bring Ponyo down! Today was her birthday! She went into her room, and as if it was a dance for her she undressed. She always enjoyed wearing loose clothes, so the thought of her putting on her school uniform make her...cringe. Not as carefree, she slid her skirt up onto her hips, put on and buttoned her shirt, tuck the shirt in, and finally placed her socks over her feet. Oh how the cage was so tight! She walked back into the kitchen and flopped back into her chair. Ponyo grabbed a few pieces of ham and some toasted bread and ate! There was a moment of bliss, where it was just her and Sosuke eating breakfast. Ah, how she loved those moments. The sun shined into the windows, it was very quite and the sounds of the waves crashing over the beach could be heard. This was it, she was going to ask! Ponyo looked over to Sosuke, who was eating and then took in a deep breath.

"Sosuke, I have a question..." she began. Sosuke looked up with an content smiled on his face. Ponyo felt a shiver down her spine and a butterfly in her stomach. "Um...well...you see...I saw my dad this morning and-"

"Oh Fujimoto was here? How is he doing? Sorry I missed him." he said, taking another bite of his food. Ponyo smiled. It seems that is all she ever did when she was around him.

"It's alright, I told him you have been busy studying. We had a very interesting talk today." She spoke a bit rushed. Sosuke just continued to look at her.

"Oh? What about?" He was listening now. Here is goes, she was going to ask the question. Ponyo took in a big breath and then...Lisa came into the room

"Alright, I'm sorry I have to run. I will be home a bit late, but I will be home in time for dinner!" she said grabbing a quick breakfast, then going to give Ponyo and Sosuke a kiss on the head "Happy birthday Ponyo, have a good day at school!" she called back as she rushed out the door. Ponyo sighed and smiled, she really did love Lisa like a mother. Sosuke waved to his mom, then looked back to Ponyo.

"What is it you wanted to tell me?" he asked. Ponyo just sighed.

"Never mind." she said. Sosuke tilted his head, then stood up.

"So, what do you want to do after school? It is your birthday after all, and it is my treat..." he stated as if he was disappointed. Ponyo was confused by his mood, but smiled at his offer.

"I am happy with whatever you want to do Sosuke!" She cheered. Sosuske only laughed a bit.

"No Ponyo, we are going to do what you want to do. It's not about me today...now what do YOU want to do?" he asked again. This was a good chance, so Ponyo smiled.

"...I want to get married..."