The song is Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it while you read this.
It's 2014. In late 2009, the Jonas Brothers split up due to Kevin getting married and everyone wanting to go different ways. Kevin, got married and now has two children. He has just started his own record label. Joe, is married to the love of his life, Rebecca and has a three year old daughter, Julia. Joe switched over to acting and has been in a bunch of action movies. Nick is engaged and started a successful solo career.
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
Joe walks into his house talking on his blackberry. He walks into the living room, where Julia is wearing a Cinderella dress and is running around, the way a three year old does. Rebecca is sleeping on the couch. Joe tries to sneak by without Julia noticing him, he really has to memorize his lines for the audition tomorrow. He turns his back and walks quickly, trying to get to his office.
"Daddy!" Julia yells and runs toward him, throwing her arms into the air. Joe sighs and spins around, putting a smile on his face. "Hey baby!" Joe puts out his arms and she jumps into them.
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you
He picks her up and hugs her and then sets her down. "Julia, Daddy has to work, but you can watch Elmo until Mommy wakes up okay?" He says excitedly even bribing her with tv. "But Daddy" Julia sticks out her lip and looks up at him with those big brown eyes she inherited from her Daddy.
There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
"Daddy." Julia continued, making Joe's heart melt while standing there. Her brown eyes stare at him while she tugs on her blonde hair. "I''m having a ball and you have to come." "But." Joe looked as her eyes started to fill with tears. "Okay, baby, but just for a minute." Julia smiled and pulled on Joe's finger, leading him to her room. She pushed him down into her kiddy chair. "Here daddy, drink some tea." She gave him a plastic cup and he pretended to drink from it.
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
"Time for dancing!" She squealed as she pulled Joe out of the chair. Joe smiled at her. She stepped ontop of his feet and they danced in a square, her standing on his feet. He held onto her grubby little hands and smiled down at her, his eyes filling with tears as he realized that the next time he danced with her, she probably wouldn't need to stand on his feet.
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
It's 2027. She's 17. Joe sits on his couch, eating chinese takeout straight from the box when his daughter and wife bust through the door, laughing and talking. "Hey you guys! Did you find a dress?" He stands up and walks to the kitchen. "Well, we decided we needed a man's opinion so we're taking you back tomorrow." Rebecca giggled as she searched through the fridge. "Oh god." Joe moaned as he leaned on the counter and covered his head in his hands. "I have to go prom dress shopping with a bunch of girls?" Joe groaned in mock horror. The next day, Joe stood awkardly in the mall waiting for his wife and daughter in the dressing room. "Okay, this one is the one, we think!" Rebecca poked her head out through the door. "You ready?" "No." Joe said. Rebecca walked out and Julia stepped through the door. Joe's eyes bugged out and his face turned white. "Your not going out in public like that." He muttered shocked. Rebecca smiled, "That's the one, Jules." Julia closed the door to the dressing room and Joe turned toward Rebecca. "She's too beautiful! She can't wear that! It's strapless!" He threw his arms around his head.
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone
Joe sat on his couch, the day of Julia's prom listening to her worry. "Dad, you know how klutzy I am! What if I trip?" Julia said for the gazillionth time. "Do you want me to dance with you Jules?" Joe said trying to calm her down. "It's not going to do any good." Julia moaned as she stood up. Joe danced with her and looked down at her. "Your so beautiful, you know that?" "I know, Dad, I know." "Just making sure." Joe smiled at her.
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
It's now 2033. Julia is 23. Joe stood in Nick's kitchen, helping him make dinner. The whole Jonas family, Kevin, Joe, Nick, and Frankie and their kids and their kids kids were all coming together. They were a close knit family and were together often. Kevin has three kids and a six month old grandson. Nick has four kids, and Joe only had Julia. Frankie has two year old twins. Everyone was at Nick's house, and they were just waiting for Julia. She finally came with her boyfriend, Hank. "Daddy!" Julia yelled and hugged Joe. An hour later, at the dinner table, Julia said she had an announcement to make. "Guys, I ahve something important to tell you." The crowd of almost thirty instantly quieted. "Umm, well, I'm engaged!" She threw up her hand and teh whole family erupted in sound.
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
Joe sat at his table at his daughter's wedding. He was laughing and watching his daughter dance with her new husband. The DJ came loud and clear over the speakers, "It's time for the bride to dance with her father!" Joe gave Rebecca a quick peck on the cheek and walked to the dance floor. Julia came up to him and the sounds of Steven Chapman's Cinderella filled the loudspeakers. Joe's eyes filled with tears when she let go of him. She was gone.
