Chapter 1
"Congratulations Graduates of OSU! Go out and explore the world!" The speaker finally ended the ceremony. They were official graduates and ready to explore on jobs they mastered on for 4 years, but not Quinn. Quinn has stayed in contact with Mr. Jerry Sherlock and everything's set for her application at the New York Film Academy. Sam and Judy Fabray were her only companion at her graduation. Both of them went to the football grounds where the ceremony was held to meet the new graduate.
"There she is!" Judy Fabray said as she hugged her daughter.
"Aww, mom. Thank you so much." She hugged her back and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you mom."
"I'm so happy for you, honey. Finally, you're an official graduate." Her mom said.
Quinn smiled and faced her boyfriend.
"Yeah! Finally! Welcome to the team graduates!" Sam said as he kissed his girlfriend on the lips and hugged her.
"Thanks, babe. I was really worried you wouldn't make it."
"What? Of course, I have to be here! We got back from Orlando this morning and I immediately took the next flight to Ohio." Sam and his family went to Orlando for 3 days as his graduation celebration. He graduated a week before Quinn.
She ran her fingers through his hair and cheeks. "Thank you. I promise you'll get your sleep tonight."
"I sure hope I get to sleep tonight...after what's about to happen." He was really shaking and his hands were getting cold. He looked very formal at his girlfriend's graduation but Quinn didn't question him. He was looking extremely sexy with his red long sleeved polo and slacks with leather shoes.
"What... What's about to happen?" She asked feeling confused. She looked at her mom who was getting teary eyed but trying to control it.
Sam smiled at her and held her mother's hand. Judy squeezed it and nodded. He moved closer to Quinn and sighed deeply.
"I know you deserve a better one than this but... I don't know how. I guess my intentions are enough to make this feel special. I thought hard about a graduation gift to give. I even asked you what you wanted and all you said was for me to be there when you graduate...Maybe you'd want me to be there when you grow old and live life to the fullest?" He got down on one knee and opened a tiny red box. "I want to take care of you and cherish you for the rest of my life. Will you marry, Quinn?" He was starting to tear up.
Quinn was tearing up too. She was so speechless so she just nodded and made Sam stand up.
"Yes?" Sam asked and Quinn nodded, cupping his face as she kissed him on the lips. Everyone who saw applauded them and cheered on. They hugged and Sam lifted her and spun her around. When her feet were back on the ground, they kissed again.
"I love you so much. I love you." Quinn said as Sam repeated her words. Sam removed the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger and they kissed again.
"Mom! You knew about this?" Quinn was crying as she embraced her mother.
"Of course, I have to know before he does it. Sam asked permission about 2 weeks ago and I just knew I had to agree. I'm so happy for you, sweety. Congratulations!" Judy said in an embraced as Quinn kept repeating "thank you, mom" and "I love you so much".
When she released, Judy hugged her future son-in-law too. "Remember everything we've talked about, Sam. Take care of my daughter. I love her so much. Her father loves her so much." Judy was in tears again.
"Of course, mom. I will. I promise." Sam said. Quinn couldn't stop herself and hugged her newly fiancé once again. "I love you so much, Quinn." Sam whispered. They all went back to Judy's car and Sam drove them home. He dropped his stuff at their house before going to her graduation. There would just be a mini celebration at their house with a couple of relatives with the 3 of them. When they got home, Judy went straight to the kitchen to finish off her preparations while Sam and Quinn sat on the couch. Quinn's feet was is so much pain after wearing high heels for about 5 hours so she stretched out her legs as Sam massaged her feet.
"I can't wait to do this every day." Sam smiled at her and she was just staring at him.
"Of course, I'll rub your feet after a long day's work too. I promise to buy more cooking books so I'll have something special prepared for you when you get home." Quinn said and Sam just smiled. Quinn knew she had to open a topic that stayed on her mind after his proposal. "So... New plan. I'll talk to Jerry Sherlock tonight and cancel my application. Maybe I can come with you when you get back to Nashville so we could settle things with your parents too."
"No... No, no, no. You are not cancelling your application. You're gonna continue that. It's a one time opportunity you should never miss. Listen..." He pulled her closer to him and held her hands. "I was thinking... If you're gonna be in New York studying for 2 more years, I'll gladly wait for you. I'm not gonna rush things. We're still gonna be together...engaged. I'll wait for you to finish that film academy, and then we can get married. We can plan along those 2 years but I want you nothing on your mind but me when you walk down that aisle. Are you gonna be okay with that?" He asked and kissed her hands.
"Sam, I'm willing to give up that dream if it means having to start the rest of my life with you. I have a degree and I'm fine with not adding another one."
"But I want you to. Okay?" She cut her off. "Everything that's planned before I came will happen. And that's my dream...for you to live yours. We're gonna make this work together okay? 2 years won't be long. And we may not notice it but, our wedding day's gonna come sooner than we know it." He added.
She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. "You're the best. I feel so lucky and blessed. Thank you." She said and kissed him again.
"Anything for you, Quinn. Come here, Mrs. Evans." He whispered and they both laughed in an embrace.
Xxx
2 days after her graduation, Sam went back to Nashville. Quinn was spending some time with her mom and other relatives in France for about a week. She needs to go back soon because she'll have to prepare everything for her departure to New York.
Sam was sitting in his room when he remembered something he's been keeping for a long time now. He grabbed the piggy bank locked in his cabinet and went back to his. He remembered all the memories he had with this piggy bank. The first coin he put in, the first bill, the first thought about cracking it open and every little detail he had with it was still fresh on his mind.
"Ready to open that?" He was surprised to see his dad at the door looking at him.
"I've been saving up since I was 8. I told myself I'll open this when I need it for something really special." He said, smiling at his piggy bank.
His father went closer to him and sat on his bed. "Is she that 'something really special' you've been waiting for?" He asked.
"I didn't use it when the Backstreet Boys had their comeback concert here in Nashville so that must mean she's more than special to me." They both laughed hard.
"You're really ready to do this." His dad enlightened him with his decision. "I've seen you grow, son. Not only as a man but as a person. It's just sad we wouldn't see Quinn as your fiancé."
"She's spending time with her family before she goes to New York. But I'm sure we can work things out soon."
"When's the wedding?" His dad asked.
"We've decided to push it after she finishes her 2 year course in New York. I didn't want to be the one holding her back from her dreams."
"Well, do you have a plan for when she's in New York?"
"Of course, I do. I planned everything before proposing. I talked to her mom several times too."
"We better meet her mom soon, too. We have to make sure your mother-in-law is as good as your mom."
Sam laughed. "Of course, you will, dad. In time. I promise."
"Are you scared?" He asked his son.
"Of marriage? I have some fears but I'm ready. I'm sure of my wife."
"Of leaving us?" He added to his question. His dad was starting to tear up.
"Dad, come on." He hugged his father as he was feeling the tears on his eyes too. "We'll always come back here, of course. We'll visit from time to time."
"When... When your mom first heard about your proposal, I had to stay up all night to calm her from crying. She wasn't just losing her son; we were both losing our little boy. Our little Sammy."
Sam laughed with a bit of crying. "Stop crying dad. I'll always be your son. Nothing will change. I'll just be someone's husband and hopefully, one day, someone's dad."
"I'm really proud of you son. You're starting to live your life. I love you, Sam." His dad cried more.
"I love you, too, Dad. Thank you for everything." Sam cried too. They finally let go from their embrace and his dad gave him a hammer.
"Let's see how many you've earned from those 14 years."
Sam finally cracked open his piggy bank and saw the many coins and many bills he has earned over the past 14 years. He saw a lot of $5 and $20 but he felt really proud to see 5 $100 dollars. While trying to count his savings, he saw a note. An 8-year old Sam note for the future Sam written using a blue crayon.
"Dear Sam,
If you see this, congratulations! You just found something worth the wait.
Love, Sam; 8 years old"
Xxx
The time has finally come! Tomorrow will be the day Quinn leaves for New York. She's lying on her bed talking on the phone with Sam.
"All your stuff ready?" He asked.
"Yup. All set. I got one big luggage and a pretty big hand carry bag. My mom asked me to leave some stuff. She said she doesn't want to have the thought of me leaving forever." She laughed.
"Do you have an apartment already? Any plans when you get there?"
"Not really. I'm gonna have to check out some apartments when I get there. I might stay in a hotel for a while."
"How about money? Are you gonna get a job?"
"I plan to, of course. Well, my mom told me she got me covered for at least about 4 months until I'm settled. I have to budget everything at $1000 per month. I have some savings at my bank account anyway so I guess I'll be fine."
"That's awesome. Are you excited?"
"Nervous...really. New York was such a big place. I don't think I would've survived that before without you."
"You'll get the hang of it, I'm sure. I'm proud of you, really."
"Thanks, babe. I'm really gonna miss you though. You are gonna visit me, right? Time to time?"
"We'll see each other, no matter what. I promise."
"That's good. Or else, I'm shipping this ring back to you." She joked as they both laughed.
"Let's see if you can." Sam laughed harder.
"Don't dare me, Sam Evans!" She said.
"Okay, enough. It's late. Time to sleep, Mrs. Evans."
"I love it." She giggled a bit. "Goodnight, Mr. Evans."
"I love you so much."
"I love you too. Goodnight."
They ended the night with a smile on their faces. The next day, Quinn was feeling pretty hyped. She waited for Sam to message her for the day. She didn't look at her phone too much as her and her mom was getting ready for her flight. After a while, it was time to leave for the airport. When she was about to board, Sam still has made no contact. Quinn felt pissed and upset but she had to turn off her phone as she went inside the plane.
She got to New York at about 9 in the evening. The moment she landed, she immediately turned on her phone. Still, no message from Sam. She just decided to go to a hotel to rest her head down. Jetlag was adding pain to her head. She got a cab and when she was about to open the door, someone from her left held on the handle first.
"What the?" She said as she looked at the guy wearing a grey baseball cap, plain white shirt, black jeans, carrying a back pack with a luggage in hand.
"OHHHH MYYY GOD!" She nearly shouted while jumping for joy and embraced Sam really tight. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you call? Oh my God!" She kept going while feeling teary eyed and jumping but Sam was just laughing.
"Okay, okay, okay. Babe. Stop moving." He calmed her down while cupping her face. "Listen, get inside the cab. Let me handle things and explain everything later." He was still laughing at her reaction.
"Okay, okay! You just surprised me too much!" They had both their luggage put inside the trunk as they went inside the cab.
"Wellington Hotel, please." Sam said as the drive started the engine and started driving.
"Okay, will you please explain everything now? I'm still in shock mode, Sam. I will never be okay with your surprise! You're giving me a heart attack!" Quinn said, still feeling the joy he gave her.
"Later, okay? I'm still not over your reaction!" He laughed harder.
"Hey. I know you two." The driver said as he looked at the mirror.
"Uhm... Yes?" Sam asked.
"You were both my passengers about 2 years ago. You were the girl who got my cab first and you were the jerk who stole her ride."
"Not really a jerk...but yes, your facts are true." Sam said.
"Yes, you were, Sam. Such a jerk move." Quinn teased as she laughed.
"Seems you two aren't fighting anymore, huh? What happened?" The driver said.
"Well... We're actually engaged now." Quinn informed with such delight.
"Engaged?! Wow! Time flew by so fast. First was a cab fight and next thing I know, you're engaged. Are you sure with this man, lady?"
Quinn laughed. "Yes, I am. Just as long as he won't steal my ride anymore."
"Of course, I won't. We'll be riding the same ride from now on. Mine is yours; yours is mine right?" Sam said.
"Of course, babe." Quinn said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Well, that is true. A secret to a long lasting marriage is honesty and cooperation. You have to work together not let the other do things alone. The guy needs to provide for her lady in everything while the girl must support her man no matter what. That's how my wife and I stayed together for 40 years now."
"That's amazing! 40 years is such a good number! How many kids do you have?" Quinn asked.
"We have about 6 kids all in all."
"Wow, 6." She said, feeling amazed as not many marriages and family is as strong as that. "Sam, I want 6 too." She whispered to Sam and his eyes and mouth went wide open in shock. "Was marriage hard at first?" She asked again.
"Yes, of course. You're just starting to get used to be with your partner."
"But we've been together for about 2 years now. I'm so used to having Sam with me." Quinn said.
"You're with him, as your boyfriend. But everything changes when he becomes your husband. Trust me, you will found out something you still don't know about each other. Being in one roof and just the two of you, things will definitely change but the love you have with each other will make you stay under that roof."
Quinn looked at Sam and smiled. As a response, Sam smiled back and locked his hand with hers.
"Okay, we're here. Same hotel I dropped you guys off 2 years ago." The driver said and Sam paid him.
"Thanks for the talk. We really appreciate it and we'll definitely use it as a guide when we need it." They got off the cab and asked the bell boy to get their stuff. They went to the concierge to get a room.
"Reservation for Sam Evans." He said.
"You have a room reserved?" Quinn asked and Sam just smiled. "Okay, you really have to stop being cute and all and just tell me your plan!"
"We'll talk about it later okay?" He said as the on the desk gave them their key and they went up the room.
They didn't know, Finn was at the lobby and saw them but he decided to just back off. It's not that he didn't want to talk to them but he had a better plan in mind.
Xxx
"Okay, this is just too sweet." Quinn said as she entered the room.
"Or course, babe. You deserve the best." Sam said as he dragged their luggage inside the room.
"Mhmm. Can I just say? I love the fact that you got a room with just one king size bed." She winked at Sam.
"Well..." He pulled her close to him in an embrace. "I just thought if we're going to get used to living together, my wife and I need to share our bed. I haven't slept in the same bed as you for 2 years." He kissed her on the lips. "I missed waking up beside you." He added.
"I don't know how many times I've said this but thank you. I feel so spoiled with you though." She kissed him on the lips.
"Better get used to it, babe. You're dealing with that for the rest of your life." They both laughed.
"Okay, I'm gonna go take a quick shower and then we'll talk." She kissed him for the last time and went to the shower. While Quinn was showering, Sam unpacked and fixed their stuff. Sam went to take a quick shower after Quinn and they settled in bed. They decided to sat down first and cuddle a bit as they were about to talk.
"So, tell me. What's up?" Quinn asked.
"Okay, well, I talked to your mom after you got back from France. I told her, I'm staying in New York with you. At first she was hesitant but she said, she'll be more at peace knowing you're safe here with me." Quinn was just smiling all throughout.
"What about work? I thought you were in talks with a studio in Nashville?" She asked.
"I gave that up. I'll just look for a job here. Studios here will definitely pay me bigger and I get to be with you of course. I'll start looking for a job tomorrow, I promise. Then, we'll get our apartment."
"Okay." She whispered. "What did my mom say about living together?"
"First, she said no, straight to the point. I tried to give reasons and then she agreed. After that, we had about an hour of her giving instructions like taking care of you as though you are already my wife, no baby until we get married and all. It was such a long conversation that I almost fell asleep."
Quinn laughed out loud.
"Okay, here's the thing babe. I'll pay for everything we need. Apartment, appliances, food and all you need to do is pay for your personal needs." Sam said.
"What? No, no, no, Sam. We're paying together. My mom's sending me money every month for 4 months. We'll pay together. I can't let you pay for everything."
"I'm the guy. I'll support and provide for my family."
"Yeah, but remember what the driver said? Cooperation. I need to give my share. We're not even a family yet. Budgeting wouldn't be that hard."
"I'll look for a job tomorrow, plus I have a big saving in my card. You might need a lot of things for your school, too. Just use your money there."
"Okay. Can we not argue on this? You pay for the apartment, I'll pay for the grocery, and we'll both pay for the appliances. Our savings will go to our future and by future, I meant, during and after our marriage. Deal?" They we're both fighting for their own arguments.
He let out a big sigh. "Okay, fine." He said but he looked like he didn't want to agree.
"Baby, please." She held his hands. "I don't want to argue about this. We need to work together right?"
"Okay. Come here." She went beside him and he wrapped his arms around her. "We'll find an apartment tomorrow. I love you." He kissed the top of her head.
"I love you too. Let's go to sleep. Long day tomorrow." Quinn said.
"Yeah, of course. Goodnight." They kissed for the last time that day. He spooned her and called it a night.
Xxx
"Babe, come on. We're gonna be late. It's already 10." Sam called as Quinn was still preparing her stuff for the day.
"Okay, I'm ready. Let's go." Quinn said as she went to the living room of their hotel room wearing a simple yellow dress.
"Wow, good morning. I guess the sun just shined in this room." Sam said. He wore his sunglasses, teasing her girlfriend.
Quinn let out a laugh. "Shut up, let's go."
They went down to the lobby and saw a much unexpected guy who still had the guts to show his face to them.
"Quinn..."
"Finn... What are you doing here?" Quinn asked feeling very surprised.
"I saw you arrived last night. You look beautiful, as always." Finn said smiling at her. "Quinn, I'm sorry about last night. Please give me one more chance. My feelings never changed."
"Finn, back off. We've settled this before." Sam got in their way.
"Back off, Sam. I'm not talking to you." Finn pushed him. This triggered Sam to fight back. They kept pushing each other until Quinn cut her off.
"Stop it, you guys! Finn, I'm sorry but I don't want any more trouble. We're engaged and I want to ask you to respect that please."
Finn felt destroyed. He cried and just left the scene.
"Some things never change here." Sam said as Quinn held her hand.
"Enough okay? Let's go. Forget him." Quinn said.
They went out to find an apartment for them. Their plan was to get something simple and not too big since they plan to buy a house once they are financial able. They've been to 3 different apartments and none of them satisfied them. Some were too big, some were too expensive and some were just not their type. On the fourth apartment they went to, it was finally the perfect one. It has a kitchen, living room, dining area and 2 rooms. It was all for $500 dollars. The bills were separated from this. They cashed in the apartment and told the land lady they'll move in about 2-3 days after.
Both of them had lunch and went to their personal errands. Quinn went to NYFA to confirm her application while Sam went to find a job.
Quinn got to the front desk and told them about the scholarship from Jerry Sherlock and she was finally settled. She just had to get all her requirements and finish some appointment scheduling. When she turned to leave the desk, she bumped into a guy who was carrying some papers. Quinn's files were all tied up in an envelope but the guy's stuff was a mess.
"Oh, no. I'm really sorry, I didn't see you!" Quinn apologized.
"No, it's okay. I was moving the wrong way too." He picked up his stuff and Quinn helped him. "I haven't seen you before."
"Well, I'm just new. I just got here... I mean, literally." She laughed.
"You're enrolling too?" He asked.
"Just fixing my application. I got a scholarship from Jerry Sherlock."
"Wow, that's amazing. Welcome to NYFA."
"Are you enrolling?"
"Just a follow up. I'm a graduate her but I'm taking a 2 year course in addition. Acting classes."
"Ohhh. So you're an actor?"
"Trying...to be an actor." They both laughed. "Where are you going?" He asked.
"I'm gonna get my requirements at the Horizon hall. Do you know where that is?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm going there too. Let's just go together. I can easily help you get your requirements. I know a lot of people." They walked to the Horizon Hall to pick up Quinn's requirements.
Quinn got all what she needed easy with no stress and really fast. The guy returned her files after passing it to the heads of the department.
"So, Quinn huh?" He said.
"Yeah, what's your name anyway?" She asked.
"I'm Brody. Brody Weston."
"Nice to meet you Brody. Thank you so much for everything. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"A coffee would be nice though. I know a place here." He smiled and she just agreed to go to show her gratitude.
They had a really good conversation over coffee. Quinn knew she had to tell him that's she's engaged in a not obvious way. He congratulated him and told her he has a girlfriend in Australia too for 5 years in a long distance relationship and they both had a good talk.
On the other hand, Sam got an appointment with 2 studios in the following days. He knew he had to find another as the studios weren't a sure job for him yet. He passed by this resto-bar and saw a sign saying. "Wanted: Musical performer at night."
He decided to go in and ask about it.
"Hey. I'd like to ask about the sign outside. The one about a musical performer." He said.
"Yeah, I'm the owner. Are you interested?" She asked.
"I'm gonna asked for the schedule first, how it's gonna work and about the...payment."
"Well, just an acoustic performance from 8-11pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Payments are... $300 a week."
"Holy crap! I'll take it!" Sam was surprised. That was already enough for the apartment pay in half.
The girl laughed at his reaction. "Okay, sir. Thank you. Here's my card. Come by tomorrow night and we'll do some sound checks."
"Alright. This is amazing. I'm glad I passed by this place." He said as he smiled. "Elaine Brown." He read the card.
"Yes. And you are?"
"Sam. Sam Evans." They shook hands and talked a little bit more about music.
After a while, Elaine offered something. "Would you like a beer?"
"Oh, not really. No. Thanks. I'm actually in a hurry also. Me and my fiancé are having a dinner tonight. But I'll definitely call you tomorrow."
"Oh..." She was surprised to hear the word fiancé. "Okay, well. Thanks again, Mr. Evans."
"Call me, Sam. And no, thank YOU." Sam said as he went back to the hotel to prepare for the dinner with Quinn.
The dinner was awesome and they talked about their adventurous day but none of them told each other about their newly found friends. In the end, they went home full and satisfied. They had a couple more sexy time moments before officially sleeping the night off, ready for the new adventure New York's about to bring them.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS AS MUCH AS I DID! AS ALWAYS! READ, REVIEW AND SHARE! THANK YOU! :D