fic: Ambitions Trilogy Deleted Scene Two: Popping the Question
Title: Ambitions Trilogy Deleted Scene Two: Popping the Question
Author: slacker_d
Pairing/Characters: Rachel/Santana, Mike, Jen Bowers
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Santana proposes to Rachel.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: ~1,925
Spoilers: Previous parts of this series. Ambitions part One & Two, especially.
A/N: So here's the second "deleted scene" from part two. I guess I'm on a roll. Once again if there's something you wanted to see or know about, let me know and I'll do what I can to write it. Song is "Love Can Move Mountains" by Celine Dion.
2nd A/N: And just to let you guys know, I have NO IDEA when part three is going to be done, because I only have a general idea of what I want to happen. It took 10 months for part two and I actually had that plotted out. It's one of the reasons I'm writing these deleted scenes, since I'm sure part three is going to be the LAST thing I write. The high school stuff just seems to flow out of my brain better. That being said, I'm willing to write as many deleted scenes as requested, so feel free to ask for whatever, though I make no promises of what my brain will create.
3rd A/N: Unbeta’ed, so all mistakes are mine.
series masterlist| Part One: To Make an End is to Make a Beginning | Part Two: I Can, Therefore I Am
Because their original anniversary is just a month before their reunited anniversary, Rachel believes they should just celebrate the date of their original anniversary instead of the reunited one. Too happy that they're back together to care one way or another, Santana agrees. Rachel is also still counting the two years of high school in her count of the number of years they've been together. Santana finds this adorable, though she'll never admit it out loud.
Spring 2020
Though she'll never say it, Santana knows Rachel wants to get married. And it's not as if Santana is against it, per say; she certainly plans on spending the rest of her life with Rachel. But the word marriage has always made her a bit apprehensive.
Still, it'd make Rachel happy and that's always something Santana wants. Besides, she knows it'll look better if she's married. She wants to be the District Attorney one day and the city might overlook the whole lesbian thing if she's been happily married for decades.
It irritates her a bit that it's 2020 and homosexuality still seems to be such a major issue for people. Don't they have better things to worry about, like the national debt or the high unemployment rate or natural disasters?
…
Santana can't believe how nervous she is just trying to buy a ring. She's pacing in front of Justice Jewelers waiting for Jen to show up. It's not like she thinks Rachel will say no, but that doesn't mean she can completely ignore the little voice in her head telling her otherwise.
"Hey Lopez."
"Finally," Santana breathes, turning around. "You're late."
Jen looks at her watch. "I'm three minutes late, Santana. You need to chill the fuck out."
"I'm cool."
"Uh huh. Let's just go inside, all right."
…
"So what exactly are you looking for?" Jen asks as they step inside.
Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be anyone else in the store except for the sales clerk.
"I don't know exactly," Santana replies. "Something simple, elegant. I don't know. I was hoping I'd just know when I saw it."
"Hopefully."
"Hello, ladies," the sales clerk greets. "My name's Sandra. What can I help you with today?"
"This one," Jen says, pointing to Santana. "Is looking for the perfect engagement ring."
"Oh, well, congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Well, if you're not sure what you're looking for, we'll start with our most popular ones."
It takes longer than Santana thought, who knew there were so many damn choices, but she finally settles on the Radiant Star Diamond ring. Thankfully, Jen doesn't know about Rachel's previous gold star obsession, so Santana doesn't get mocked for her sappiness.
"Hey, I just thought of something," Jen says as Sandra goes to box it up.
"Yeah?"
"Who pays the bills?"
"Rachel."
"Won't she think it odd to see a charge from a jewelry store and not receive anything?" Jen asks.
"Thankfully, we take care of our own credit card bills," Santana answers. "Otherwise, yes, it would definitely be a worry."
"Lucky."
"Once in a while."
…
Mike answers his phone, surprised to see it's Santana calling. While they hang out all the time, it's almost always Rachel who calls.
"Hello?"
"Mike," Santana says. "I need your help."
"Uh, okay," he replies. "With what?"
"What are you doing right now?"
"It's 7 a.m. on a Saturday, Santana," Mike replies. "I was sleeping."
"Well, get dressed and meet me outside your building in twenty minutes," she tells him. "I'll buy you breakfast."
Mike sighs. "I'm not promising anything until I know what you want, Santana," he warns.
"That's smart, Chang. See you in twenty."
…
Santana is pacing on the sidewalk when Mike finally makes it downstairs. He's worried Santana's going to ream him out for taking twenty-five minutes instead of twenty, but she just grabs him by the wrist and drags him to the nearest breakfast place, which happens to be a little café a block and a half away.
…
"So what exactly do you need help with?" Mike asks.
They've finished eating and sipping coffee as they wait for the waiter to appear with their bill.
"First of all," Santana says, leaning forward. "You cannot tell Rachel about this."
"Um, all right."
"I'm serious, Mikey," Santana says, grabbing his hand. "I need you to swear on your mother's grave."
"My mother's not dead."
"Fine, on someone else's grave then."
"I swear I won't tell Rachel anything we talk about today," Mike says.
"Thank you."
Mike raises an eyebrow at that. Santana never thanks him, even when it's deserved. This must be serious. "So what's up?"
"I'm going to propose to Rachel."
"That's great," Mike smiles. "It's about damn time."
"We've only been back together for a year and a half," Santana scoffs.
"Whatever, Lopez," Mike teases. "You guys were basically married at McKinley."
"Shut up."
"Whipped," Mike coughs.
"I'm ignoring you now," Santana says.
"So what do you need help with?"
"I'm going to sing Rach a song first and--"
"Awww."
"Shut it," Santana snaps. "And I was hoping you could help me."
"With?"
"Practicing. And then maybe I could borrow a keyboard."
"Why?"
"Because I figure playing and singing is more romantic," Santana explains. "And I’m certainly not trying to haul a piano into our apartment."
"Fair enough."
"So you'll help me?" Santana asks.
"Of course I will," Mike replies. "Can't have our girl turning you down because you sing off key, can we?"
"As if," Santana scoffs. And then she pauses to think. "Oh god, you don't think she would?"
Mike chuckles. "I'm kidding, San. You know she wouldn't do that."
"All right. Of course. You're right. She wouldn't do that."
"You're still paying for breakfast, right," Mike says as the waiter appears with the check.
Santana nods and hands over her credit card.
…
Mike is nice enough to help Santana after work every day. Since Rachel has to be at the theater by six and Santana is usually just leaving work, she simply heads over to Mike's studio instead of the apartment.
Thankfully, the song doesn't seem to need to be rearranged for her voice. One less thing she needs to worry about. However, she does want to slow it down a bit, so she and Mike do end up reworking it that way.
"Who would have thought you'd be so romantic?" Mike says one day as Santana's finally playing the song from memory.
"Hey, I can be romantic. I just don't let others see it," Santana admits.
"Well, music is the way to Rachel's heart," Mike says.
"I know. The last time I serenaded her, it went extremely well."
"You mean senior year?"
"Yeah."
"She did seem rather pleased," Mike agrees.
…
Once Santana's finished playing, Mike can't help stand up, clapping enthusiastically. "Santana, that was amazing. Rachel's going to be blown away."
"Yeah?"
"Oh yeah," Mike says. "Even though I know there's no way she'll say no, no matter what, that song is like the deal sealer or whatever."
"Thank god." Santana stands. "Listen, Mike, I totally owe you. I mean, seriously."
"I'll keep that in mind, Lopez."
Summer 2020
Santana's thankful that Rachel's fine staying in for the night. They're on a tight budget at the moment and so they've both decided against gifts as well.
Instead they make dinner together, Rachel humming with a huge grin on her face, with Santana getting in the occasional grope because she can.
They sit down to a simple meal, eating quietly and chatting about their days. Rachel can't stop grinning while Santana fights off her nervousness. She assumes it's more about her upcoming performance than a concern that Rachel will say no. At least, that's what she hopes her nervousness is.
Once they're done, Rachel starts to clear the table, but Santana stops her.
"I know we said no gifts, babe," Santana starts. "But I, well, just wait sec, okay?"
Rachel nods as Santana sprints out of the room and returns a moment later with the borrowed keyboard and a stand. She sets up the stand, plugs in the keyboard and turns it on.
"It's been a while and I might be a little rusty," Santana tells Rachel. "So try not to laugh too much, okay?"
"Awww, San, of course."
Santana smiles.
The tempo is slower, but the melody is still familiar and Santana sees a grin spread across Rachel's face as she recognizes the opening chords.
There ain't a dream
That don't have a chance to come true now
It just takes a little faith baby
Anything that we want to do
We can do now
There ain't nothing in our way baby
Nothing our love couldn't raise above
We can get through the night
We can get to the light
Long as we got our love to
Light the way
With a little faith
Just a little trust
If you believe in love
Love can move mountains
Believe in your heart
And feel, feel it in your soul
And love, love can, love can
Move mountains
Oh yeah, baby
Ocean deep and mountains high
They can't stop us
Because love is on our side baby
We can reach the heavens and
Touch the sky
Just believe it, believe in you and I baby
If we got love that is strong enough
We can do anything, make it
through anything
Cause through it all love will always
Find a way
Yeah,
Just a little faith
Just a little trust
If you believe in love
Love, love can move mountains
Believe in your heart
And feel, feel it in your soul
And love, baby, love can, love can
Move mountains
You got to feel it baby
You believe in me
I believe in you
If we believe in each other
Nothing we can't do
If we got love that's strong enough
Love will find a way
Just a little faith
Just a little trust
If you believe in love
Love, love can move mountains
Believe in your heart
And feel, feel it in your soul
And love, love can
Move mountains
You need a little love
You got to feel it baby
Love can, love can move mountains
Rachel's clapping enthusiastically when Santana finishes playing.
"That was amazing, San," Rachel says. "I can't believe you call that rusty. That was incredible. And I love that you slowed it down to play on the keyboard."
"I'm glad," Santana says, stepping around the keyboard. "There is one more thing though."
"Oh?"
Santana kneels in front of Rachel, who is still sitting at the table. She pulls out the ring box and pops it open.
Rachel lets out a gasp.
"Rachel Barbra Berry, I have loved you for so long, that I can't imagine not doing so. When we were apart, I didn't feel complete. Having you back in my life has been so perfect, that every once in a while I think I'm still dreaming. I let you get away once; I'm never letting it happen again. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
"Oh San, of course I will," Rachel exclaims.
She holds out her left hand and Santana slips the ring on.
Rachel stands, pulling Santana up with her for a kiss.
"I love you," Rachel says when they finally pull apart.
"And I you."
Holding her hand out to examine, Rachel says, "Perfect."
"So are you."
"Awww, you're just going all out tonight, aren't you?"
Santana blushes "I just think this is one of those perfect moments I want to remember forever."
"Me too, tiger," Rachel says. "Me too."
Author: slacker_d
Pairing/Characters: Rachel/Santana, Mike, Jen Bowers
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Santana proposes to Rachel.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: ~1,925
Spoilers: Previous parts of this series. Ambitions part One & Two, especially.
A/N: So here's the second "deleted scene" from part two. I guess I'm on a roll. Once again if there's something you wanted to see or know about, let me know and I'll do what I can to write it. Song is "Love Can Move Mountains" by Celine Dion.
2nd A/N: And just to let you guys know, I have NO IDEA when part three is going to be done, because I only have a general idea of what I want to happen. It took 10 months for part two and I actually had that plotted out. It's one of the reasons I'm writing these deleted scenes, since I'm sure part three is going to be the LAST thing I write. The high school stuff just seems to flow out of my brain better. That being said, I'm willing to write as many deleted scenes as requested, so feel free to ask for whatever, though I make no promises of what my brain will create.
3rd A/N: Unbeta’ed, so all mistakes are mine.
series masterlist| Part One: To Make an End is to Make a Beginning | Part Two: I Can, Therefore I Am
Because their original anniversary is just a month before their reunited anniversary, Rachel believes they should just celebrate the date of their original anniversary instead of the reunited one. Too happy that they're back together to care one way or another, Santana agrees. Rachel is also still counting the two years of high school in her count of the number of years they've been together. Santana finds this adorable, though she'll never admit it out loud.
Spring 2020
Though she'll never say it, Santana knows Rachel wants to get married. And it's not as if Santana is against it, per say; she certainly plans on spending the rest of her life with Rachel. But the word marriage has always made her a bit apprehensive.
Still, it'd make Rachel happy and that's always something Santana wants. Besides, she knows it'll look better if she's married. She wants to be the District Attorney one day and the city might overlook the whole lesbian thing if she's been happily married for decades.
It irritates her a bit that it's 2020 and homosexuality still seems to be such a major issue for people. Don't they have better things to worry about, like the national debt or the high unemployment rate or natural disasters?
…
Santana can't believe how nervous she is just trying to buy a ring. She's pacing in front of Justice Jewelers waiting for Jen to show up. It's not like she thinks Rachel will say no, but that doesn't mean she can completely ignore the little voice in her head telling her otherwise.
"Hey Lopez."
"Finally," Santana breathes, turning around. "You're late."
Jen looks at her watch. "I'm three minutes late, Santana. You need to chill the fuck out."
"I'm cool."
"Uh huh. Let's just go inside, all right."
…
"So what exactly are you looking for?" Jen asks as they step inside.
Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be anyone else in the store except for the sales clerk.
"I don't know exactly," Santana replies. "Something simple, elegant. I don't know. I was hoping I'd just know when I saw it."
"Hopefully."
"Hello, ladies," the sales clerk greets. "My name's Sandra. What can I help you with today?"
"This one," Jen says, pointing to Santana. "Is looking for the perfect engagement ring."
"Oh, well, congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Well, if you're not sure what you're looking for, we'll start with our most popular ones."
It takes longer than Santana thought, who knew there were so many damn choices, but she finally settles on the Radiant Star Diamond ring. Thankfully, Jen doesn't know about Rachel's previous gold star obsession, so Santana doesn't get mocked for her sappiness.
"Hey, I just thought of something," Jen says as Sandra goes to box it up.
"Yeah?"
"Who pays the bills?"
"Rachel."
"Won't she think it odd to see a charge from a jewelry store and not receive anything?" Jen asks.
"Thankfully, we take care of our own credit card bills," Santana answers. "Otherwise, yes, it would definitely be a worry."
"Lucky."
"Once in a while."
…
Mike answers his phone, surprised to see it's Santana calling. While they hang out all the time, it's almost always Rachel who calls.
"Hello?"
"Mike," Santana says. "I need your help."
"Uh, okay," he replies. "With what?"
"What are you doing right now?"
"It's 7 a.m. on a Saturday, Santana," Mike replies. "I was sleeping."
"Well, get dressed and meet me outside your building in twenty minutes," she tells him. "I'll buy you breakfast."
Mike sighs. "I'm not promising anything until I know what you want, Santana," he warns.
"That's smart, Chang. See you in twenty."
…
Santana is pacing on the sidewalk when Mike finally makes it downstairs. He's worried Santana's going to ream him out for taking twenty-five minutes instead of twenty, but she just grabs him by the wrist and drags him to the nearest breakfast place, which happens to be a little café a block and a half away.
…
"So what exactly do you need help with?" Mike asks.
They've finished eating and sipping coffee as they wait for the waiter to appear with their bill.
"First of all," Santana says, leaning forward. "You cannot tell Rachel about this."
"Um, all right."
"I'm serious, Mikey," Santana says, grabbing his hand. "I need you to swear on your mother's grave."
"My mother's not dead."
"Fine, on someone else's grave then."
"I swear I won't tell Rachel anything we talk about today," Mike says.
"Thank you."
Mike raises an eyebrow at that. Santana never thanks him, even when it's deserved. This must be serious. "So what's up?"
"I'm going to propose to Rachel."
"That's great," Mike smiles. "It's about damn time."
"We've only been back together for a year and a half," Santana scoffs.
"Whatever, Lopez," Mike teases. "You guys were basically married at McKinley."
"Shut up."
"Whipped," Mike coughs.
"I'm ignoring you now," Santana says.
"So what do you need help with?"
"I'm going to sing Rach a song first and--"
"Awww."
"Shut it," Santana snaps. "And I was hoping you could help me."
"With?"
"Practicing. And then maybe I could borrow a keyboard."
"Why?"
"Because I figure playing and singing is more romantic," Santana explains. "And I’m certainly not trying to haul a piano into our apartment."
"Fair enough."
"So you'll help me?" Santana asks.
"Of course I will," Mike replies. "Can't have our girl turning you down because you sing off key, can we?"
"As if," Santana scoffs. And then she pauses to think. "Oh god, you don't think she would?"
Mike chuckles. "I'm kidding, San. You know she wouldn't do that."
"All right. Of course. You're right. She wouldn't do that."
"You're still paying for breakfast, right," Mike says as the waiter appears with the check.
Santana nods and hands over her credit card.
…
Mike is nice enough to help Santana after work every day. Since Rachel has to be at the theater by six and Santana is usually just leaving work, she simply heads over to Mike's studio instead of the apartment.
Thankfully, the song doesn't seem to need to be rearranged for her voice. One less thing she needs to worry about. However, she does want to slow it down a bit, so she and Mike do end up reworking it that way.
"Who would have thought you'd be so romantic?" Mike says one day as Santana's finally playing the song from memory.
"Hey, I can be romantic. I just don't let others see it," Santana admits.
"Well, music is the way to Rachel's heart," Mike says.
"I know. The last time I serenaded her, it went extremely well."
"You mean senior year?"
"Yeah."
"She did seem rather pleased," Mike agrees.
…
Once Santana's finished playing, Mike can't help stand up, clapping enthusiastically. "Santana, that was amazing. Rachel's going to be blown away."
"Yeah?"
"Oh yeah," Mike says. "Even though I know there's no way she'll say no, no matter what, that song is like the deal sealer or whatever."
"Thank god." Santana stands. "Listen, Mike, I totally owe you. I mean, seriously."
"I'll keep that in mind, Lopez."
Summer 2020
Santana's thankful that Rachel's fine staying in for the night. They're on a tight budget at the moment and so they've both decided against gifts as well.
Instead they make dinner together, Rachel humming with a huge grin on her face, with Santana getting in the occasional grope because she can.
They sit down to a simple meal, eating quietly and chatting about their days. Rachel can't stop grinning while Santana fights off her nervousness. She assumes it's more about her upcoming performance than a concern that Rachel will say no. At least, that's what she hopes her nervousness is.
Once they're done, Rachel starts to clear the table, but Santana stops her.
"I know we said no gifts, babe," Santana starts. "But I, well, just wait sec, okay?"
Rachel nods as Santana sprints out of the room and returns a moment later with the borrowed keyboard and a stand. She sets up the stand, plugs in the keyboard and turns it on.
"It's been a while and I might be a little rusty," Santana tells Rachel. "So try not to laugh too much, okay?"
"Awww, San, of course."
Santana smiles.
The tempo is slower, but the melody is still familiar and Santana sees a grin spread across Rachel's face as she recognizes the opening chords.
There ain't a dream
That don't have a chance to come true now
It just takes a little faith baby
Anything that we want to do
We can do now
There ain't nothing in our way baby
Nothing our love couldn't raise above
We can get through the night
We can get to the light
Long as we got our love to
Light the way
With a little faith
Just a little trust
If you believe in love
Love can move mountains
Believe in your heart
And feel, feel it in your soul
And love, love can, love can
Move mountains
Oh yeah, baby
Ocean deep and mountains high
They can't stop us
Because love is on our side baby
We can reach the heavens and
Touch the sky
Just believe it, believe in you and I baby
If we got love that is strong enough
We can do anything, make it
through anything
Cause through it all love will always
Find a way
Yeah,
Just a little faith
Just a little trust
If you believe in love
Love, love can move mountains
Believe in your heart
And feel, feel it in your soul
And love, baby, love can, love can
Move mountains
You got to feel it baby
You believe in me
I believe in you
If we believe in each other
Nothing we can't do
If we got love that's strong enough
Love will find a way
Just a little faith
Just a little trust
If you believe in love
Love, love can move mountains
Believe in your heart
And feel, feel it in your soul
And love, love can
Move mountains
You need a little love
You got to feel it baby
Love can, love can move mountains
Rachel's clapping enthusiastically when Santana finishes playing.
"That was amazing, San," Rachel says. "I can't believe you call that rusty. That was incredible. And I love that you slowed it down to play on the keyboard."
"I'm glad," Santana says, stepping around the keyboard. "There is one more thing though."
"Oh?"
Santana kneels in front of Rachel, who is still sitting at the table. She pulls out the ring box and pops it open.
Rachel lets out a gasp.
"Rachel Barbra Berry, I have loved you for so long, that I can't imagine not doing so. When we were apart, I didn't feel complete. Having you back in my life has been so perfect, that every once in a while I think I'm still dreaming. I let you get away once; I'm never letting it happen again. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
"Oh San, of course I will," Rachel exclaims.
She holds out her left hand and Santana slips the ring on.
Rachel stands, pulling Santana up with her for a kiss.
"I love you," Rachel says when they finally pull apart.
"And I you."
Holding her hand out to examine, Rachel says, "Perfect."
"So are you."
"Awww, you're just going all out tonight, aren't you?"
Santana blushes "I just think this is one of those perfect moments I want to remember forever."
"Me too, tiger," Rachel says. "Me too."