So, surprise time.
I was sent a prompt in a PM to do this, so it's not just me enjoying my AU way too much (even if I do indeed enjoy it way too much).
The prompt was to write the same journey as New Beginnings, but from Alexis' point of view. I must say I had thought that a separate story with this AU Alexis POV might be fun, but hadn't really done anything more with the idea. I was happy to try it out and have spent a fair amount of time contemplating if this is something I'm really up for. But being the people pleaser that I want to be, I decided to give it a shot, and if you don't like it, tell me and I will stop torturing you guys with this.
If, however, you do like it and want me to continue, please let me know and I will use your enjoyment as fuel to write more. Also, I couldn't find an appropriate/original title for this story, so yeah, sorry.
If you've read my previous stuff you know this, if not then a fun fact about my writing. Inner monologue is in italics, super basic I know.
Of course, when she was already late to meet her study group, she drops her purse and her stuff scatters all over the floor. Thank god, she was about to get her fix, too bad that in order to get it she would have to pick up all her stuff and order.
She had finally picked everything up off, with a little help from some nice stranger, who even knew those existed in New York.
When she looked up to place her order, after making sure she hadn't missed anything, she was a little startled. She blushed, she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she looked at the barista, who just asked, "good afternoon, what can I get you?" Damn, she's not only stunning, but that accent.
"I'll have a cappuccino, with two pumps of chocolate and one pump caramel, extra foam," Alexis said quickly as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Sweet," the barista replied, almost sarcastically at the fact that the drink would, indeed, be very sweet. She was about to say something else, probably asking if she would like anything else when Alexis interrupted her.
"Yeah, finals are kicking my ass, so I'm treating myself." Alexis said with a soft smile.
The barista chuckled, still holding the cup. "What's your name?"
"Oh, it's Alexis," she told her, but the barista wrote something that was clearly way longer than her name on the cup. What is she writing? That's way longer than my name. Should I ask? Maybe I should just wait until my drink is called up. No, I'll ask.
"Uhm, oh," just as she was about to open her mouth to ask the cute barista, her phone rang, making any attempt at a continued conversation even more awkward. Still smiling at the barista, and shrugging in a 'what can you do' sort of way, Alexis just thanked the barista and decided to answer her phone as she waited for her drink.
"Hey dad," Alexis greeted, having seen his picture before answering.
"Hey pumpkin, how's school?" Alexis could clearly hear that the only reason he asked was because it was an expected 'dad-question'.
"Fine," she sighed, "I'm just taking a little coffee break."
"Great, so I'm not interrupting your studying." He stated, fresh excitement in his voice. "I was hoping you could, and would, help me."
"Sure, dad," Alexis couldn't help the smile on her face, when her dad got some crazy notion into his head, no matter what it was about, it was bound to be fun to help him fulfill his task. "What do you need?"
"Could you come meet me?" He asked hesitantly.
"Where? I just need to wait for my coffee and move a few things around," Alexis, ever the diligent scheduler.
"I'm on fifth avenue," Rick said.
"I'll be there in 20 minutes," Alexis said before hanging up.
She opened the group chat for her study group and told them that something had come up and that she wouldn't be able to make it today. Everyone seemed to understand and told her that they would be meeting tomorrow too, so they would catch her up then.
"Alexis, cappuccino," her drink was ready, so she hurried to the counter to pick it up. When she looked at the cup, she saw what the barista had written on it, Alexis – graceful ginger. Alexis couldn't help but giggle at it before grabbing her phone and taking a picture and tweeting it.
When you drop your stuff in front of the cute barista. #klutz #coffee #gracefulginger
Still smiling she looked over her shoulder, making eye contact with the barista and winked, before rushing out the door to meet her dad.
oOoOoOo
Instead of a greeting, her dad just said, "I need your help picking a ring for Kate. I'm going to propose to her. I want to marry her. What do you think?" He asked, smiling like a goof.
"I think it's about time." Alexis said, laughing at her dad.
"Yes, thank you. We are having a nice dinner at her place tonight. Cooking together, I was thinking of doing it then. Is that romantic enough? Should I do the big gesture thing? I should, I should take her to Paris or something." He was obviously nervous, and rambling.
"Dad, we don't really have such good memories from Paris. Besides, Kate is more of the low-key dinner at home kind of girl." Alexis assured him. "Just make sure that the food you make, is not just some toss it in the oven food, but something you need to spend time together in the kitchen for, then just see when the perfect opportunity arises."
"How did you get to be so smart," Rick teased.
"It's called school, dad, remember the checks you signed? With Colombia written on it" Alexis teased back.
"Wait, those were not charity? I need to call my accountant." They were both laughing now.
Calming down, Alexis looked at her dad and asked, "what kind of ring were you thinking of?"
"The most beautiful ring in the world? Is that possible?" Rick was joking, hopefully.
"There is no way to find out unless we go inside to look." Alexis said, pulling on her fathers' arm.
"Good afternoon, how may I help you?" The very polished and proper sales person asks from next to one of the display cases.
"Ah, yes, we are looking for an engagement ring," Alexis says, trying to match the tone of the lady.
Alexis can swear she sees some harsh judgement run across the lady's face as she hears this, so she feels then need to explain.
"My dad, wants to propose to his girlfriend," she continues.
The lady's features soften and she smiles politely. "Of course, this way, please."
"These are our engagement displays," she says as she softly touches two display cases. "Was there any special cut or style you were thinking about? Any place we can start you off?"
"I want a platinum band, but that's about all I had decided." Rick looked at Alexis, asking for help.
"Well, that's a start," the lady said as she pulled out two displays of about 12 rings each.
"Is there anything here that you think she would like?" She asked patiently.
Alexis looked at all of them, but they were all so flashy. Rick gasped, and looked at one and pointed for Alexis to look too. "What about that one, it has the biggest diamond." Alexis just looked at him, "who are you buying this ring for?"
"Right, Kate doesn't care about that," Rick said.
"Well, if you like diamonds, but don't want the ring to have one massive rock on it, you could always go with a few set into the band itself. It will give it some extra sparkle, but she will still be able to wear her gloves." The sales lady interrupted, making an excellent point.
"Even though the saying is bigger is always better, I don't think that applies to jewelry for Kate." Alexis pointed out a ring she had noticed. "I think this one might be more up her alley."
"Yeah, it's perfect. It appears simple, but is stunning, and intricate and it takes you a while to see all its beauty." Rick was smiling, "good job pumpkin."
oOoOoOo
Knowing her dad was having dinner with Kate, Alexis ordered pizza and was flipping through channels, when Rick stormed in. She was very surprised when her dad came in, huffing and obviously mad about something. He walked into his study, she stood up and followed him, he took out the ring, opened the box and stared at it.
"Dad, what happened? Did you ask her? Did she say no?" Alexis asked, in utter disbelieve that this night could have gone so wrong.
"No, I didn't ask her." Sadness edging into his voice, "she's leaving, she's leaving me and I just," he stumbled over his words. "I don't think I can be without her, I fought so hard for so many years just to be with her, and now she's leaving."
"What do you mean she's leaving?" Alexis couldn't help but feel like she was missing some vital part of the story.
"She had an interview for a job in DC, some taskforce." He muttered.
"Dad, that's an amazing opportunity for her, and DC isn't that far away." Alexis countered, "you could go down there for weekends or she could come here, you will work this out."
"Maybe you're right," Rick conceded.
"Dad, you love her, she obviously loves you too. Just because she got an offer to interview, doesn't mean she has the job, and even if she did, it's a great opportunity for her. Don't be a jerk." She finished.
"I thought you were supposed to be on my side," he whined.
"I am on your side, and to be on your side, I now need to push you in the right direction. The direction that leads to your happiness." She said as she pulled him up to a standing position to hug him. "Look, I know that her going for this interview hurt your feelings, but you not supporting her would hurt hers just as much. Take a moment, cool down and then call her and talk this through."
He mumbled something just as the doorbell rang, and Alexis smiled brightly and announced. "Pizza's here."