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It was time for Scully to choose an engagement ring, he was going to pop the question to his fiancée and the mother of his son, Natalie. He had been with Natalie nearly three years now and he loved her alot. He felt now was the time to ask her and that's what he shall do. Scully is a traditional sort of a guy and would have asked Natalie's dad for his blessing but the truth be told, her dad is a waste of space and had nothing to do with Natalie since she was 4 years old. Natalie was an only child and her mum brought her up by herself, admittedly her mum did have a string of men in her life but she never stayed with them. Natalie's mother had been in a relationship though with a guy for the past five years and although Natalie got on well with him, Scully wasn't sure if it was reasonable to ask him, so Scully decided to ring his future mum-in-law. Scully sat in his car in the parking lot whilst Alfie got out, Alfie thought it would be good if he let Mike and his mother-in-law to be, speak one on one. Alfie needed the loo anyway so he went on his way to find one. The Skull Meister looked at his phone and tapped on the contacts, her name was first on the list, 'Anna'. His thumb hovered over her name, shaking, it was clear he was a little nervous as him and Anna haven't always seen eye to eye, 'can't get scared now' Scully thought, that line always reminded him of Home Alone. Scully pushed down on her name as it began to ring, he'd have to tell Anna to find another room to talk as she would most likely still be with Natalie. Scully takes a deep breath as Anna answers.

Anna: "Hello Mike." She answers bluntly .

"Hello Ann, you okay?" Everyone called her Ann for short although there was only one letter in it.

Ann: "Yeah I'm fine, Mike. You trying to get hold of Nat? I know what she's like, always got her phone on silent."

"I'd actually like to speak to you."

Ann: "Oh!" Ann said suprised.

"Okay are you still with Natalie?"

Anna: "She's just changing Astons nappy in the other room."

"Can you go somewhere else, so she can't hear you?"

Ann: "Sure." She replies suspiciously.

Ann: "I'll just go in to the front garden."

"Okay."

Scully can hear Ann walking to the front door, releasing the latch and opening the door. She then closes the door behind her.

Ann: So what can I do for you?"

"Well... Erm... I was wondering...."

Ann: "Come on Mike, spit it out."

"Well I don’t think I can ask Shawn..."

Ann: "Ask what?"

"Can I have your blessing to ask your daughters hand in marriage? Whatever."

Ann: That sounded like Frozen.. Let me think, okay?"

"Think about it?"

Anna replies sternly, Ann: "NO!"

"Wait? What? Really?"

Ann begins laughing as Skull feels annoyed, it wasn't the answer he was expecting.

"So can I ask why not?"

"Of course you daft get, I was joking!"

Scully laughs along with Ann, he now seen the funny side.

"I was worried then. What's her ring size? Do you know?"

Ann: "6 3/4 close to a 7 but just get a 7", I would.

"American ring sizes are ridiculous. At least in England it's just alphabetical order. "

Ann: "You chose to live here!"

Ann laughs as so does Scully. He can then hear the front door open and can hear Natalie's voice shout out in the background

Natalie: "Who's that mum?"

Ann: "Shawn... "

Ann didn't want to give anything away so pretended it was her fella on the other side of the phone. She quickly ends the call.

Ann: "I'll see you later."

"Thanks, bye."

The call ends. Skull was relieved that he had the nod from her mother but he didn't have a clue which ring to buy, the cost and he never really knew which jewelllers would be the best in Miami, Florida, where he lived. Skull had researched the Internet and used his trustee friend, Google to find the right place. After searching the Web he had a better idea of which jewellers to visit but still had no idea on the ring. However, his best friend Alfie did know the best place to go, after all he was quite good at that kind of thing. Skull gets out of the car and Alfie is there waiting, Skull locks the car and then taps 'Robbie Bourbon' on his phone.

Alfie asks, Alfie: "Who you ringing now?"

The call goes straight to the voicemail of Robbie Bourbon again, this time it didn't even ring.

Scully was getting frustrated, "I'm meant to be teaming with this Robbie Bourbon on Warfare in Lethal Lottery round three but the Cunt don't answer the God damn phone. Trax and Jim Caedus, the assholes we're facing seem to be on the same page. Well me and Robbie, seem to be in a different chapter, nevermind even being on the same page. "

Alfie: "I'm sure he'll get back to you?"

"I wouldn't bank on it."

Skull and Alfie begin to make there way to the jewellery shop, the one Alfie had in mind. Before they enter they have a browse in the window of "Barclays Jewelery", yep oddly spelt with one 'L' in the US. Scully's eyes are nearly popping out of his head as he stares at the selection of engagement rings, Alfie notices this.

Alfie: "What's the matter?"

Scully replies loudly, "3,000 dollars? I thought they were gonna be like 200."

Alfie finds this amusing, Alfie: "I didn't realise you were that much of a cheapskate?"

"I'm not cheap but this is just an engagement ring then when we get wed, I'll have to the wedding bands. Bloody hell, Rob me now!"

Alfie: "Think of how happy Nat will be.."

"Well whatever I choose she better like it otherwise I'll shove it up her fanny!"

Alfie: "Mikey.. Don't be so rude! She might say no yet anyway."

"If she says no, it'll be shoved up her rectum."

Alfie can't contain his laughter st Scully’s witty comments. They enter the store and are approached by a salesman in a full black suit.

Salesman: "Good afternoon gentlemen, how can I assist you today?"

"So what's the cheapest engagement ring you have?"

Salesman: "Let's show you what we have, sir."

The salesman walks in the direction of the engagement rings, Skull and Alfie follow behind. Skull quickly runs over as he see's something he's interested in.

"What about this one?"

Salesman: "That sir is a 14K TWO-TONE GOLD CARIZZA SEMI MOUNT ENGAGEMENT RING PRINCESS CENTER.. For $165"

Scully seems quite chuffed until...

Alfie: "You do know that doesn't include the centre stone? Does it?"

Salesman: "Not for that price, no."

"Well, I need a ring that has that aswell, please?"

The salesman takes shows Scully another display bit. Scully looks as Alfie points at different ones, Skull just shakes his head. The salesman waits patiently for Scully to make a decision. Hmmmm.. Scully thought, he wasn't sure.

"What one do you think Alfie?"

The salesman probably felt a little out of place but he was waiting to give his recommendations. Alfie then helps aswell as he points at one.

"Alfie: That one?"

Salesman: "ARTCARVED ALINE? Again the centre piece isn't included."

Alfie: "I guess it is only $615"

"Only? Anyway I thought you was good at this Alf?"

Alfie: "That ring would be nice if the centre piece was with it. Don't. You think?"

"Yeah but I like that one.. The Artcarved Nelly. Natalie's relatives nick named her Nelly. Can you give me a price with the stone included please? That's the one I want. "

Salesman: "Certainly sir. What size?"

"7 please?"

The salesman begins typing on his calculator. He then looks at SCULLY.

Salesman: Normally $4,123 but I'm going to give you a discount. I'll give you 15% discount, so it works out... $3,504.55"

Scully nods enthusiastically, "Okay you have a deal."

Salesman: "Great. I'll just get it all sorted for you. If you take a seat then when it's ready, come and pay?"

"Okay thank you, sir."

Scully and Alfie sits down next to each other.

Alfie: "Wow you chose a good a ring all by yourself. "

"Now listen here ya sarcastic git, wanna be my best man?"

Alfie: "Yes of course I will."

Scully and Alfie are both chuffed, they embrace in manly hug.