Fourteen years. That's how long Santana Lopez has been in love with Quinn Fabray. Fourteen days. That's how long she has to stop Quinn's wedding and finally confess her feelings.
"Miss Lopez, line one."
"This is ridiculous Santana, I warned you about keeping her in the lineup, and now look what she's done! She's ruined the entire show!
"Cowart please, this isn't as drastic as you think."
"My designs weren't meant to be displayed on plus sized models, Ezra, they were meant for high fashion! I mean for Christ's sake the fabric is vicuna! Vicuna! Do you know what I had to do to get my hands on it?
"No, but I know what you put your hands on to get it."
"Miss Lopez, line one, please."
"That's not funny Ezra! And neither is this catastrophe we're calling a runway show!
"Cowart-"
"Santana don't you have anything to say about this? About how you've ruined my career!"
"Please."
"Butt out Ezra, this doesn't concern you."
"Miss Lopez, line one."
Santana's hand moved to rest against her forehead as she rubbed the tips of her fingertips into the creases that had formed there, sighing deeply and closing her eyes as she tried to remain calm.
"Cowart, please relax."
"I'd like to see you relax if your career was on the line!"
"It is, because I agreed to work with you!" Santana snapped, Cowart now speechless as Santana lost her cool. "Now you shut your mouth and you listen to me for once. The show isn't over, and the only thing that's been ruined here is my day. We're going on as planned, because there isn't time to change anything and because frankly I don't care enough to readjust."
"I didn't agree to do this because you care, I agreed to work with you so you can make my designs look flawless!"
"Well I hate to break it to you Cow, but that was ruled out the minute you decided to cover them all in taffeta and call it high fashion." The gasp the man across her desk released was one that caused Santana to roll her eyes, leaning back in her chair and moving her hands to rest behind her head as she sighed.
"How dare you!"
"Look, I've spent my whole life putting up with divas, you aren't the first and you most certainly won't be the last, so you can take the show as it is or walk away looking like a fool."
"I want you-"
"There are two days until we go on Cowart, and I don't have the time, money, or patience to replace her."
"She is not walking in my show, I forbid it," the tiny man sitting across from Santana declared as he stood. "She will not be associated with my brand." Santana bit her lip as she tried to refrain from verbally attacking her client, still tied up in a very pricey lawsuit from the last time she flew across her desk.
"Then you're either going to have to take that design out of the lineup or suck it up and let her walk, I don't know what else to tell you."
"Oh, well this is just-this is just rich," Cowart laughed as he put his hands in the air, waving them around and letting one smack his knee before pointing it at Santana. "You know if I didn't know any better I'd think you were trying to sabotage me."
"Cowart please, I barely have time to answer my phone, much less plot the demise of your barely relevant brand." The only thing the slender man could do was gasp as he clutched his chest, his mouth completely dropping open as he held onto his shirt.
"Barely relevant? Miss Lopez I wouldn't be so quick to forget that its you who needs me here, missy, you're the one trying to get my company to merge with yours. You need me, you need my line."
"I don't need squat from you, missy," Santana snapped, pushing herself up to stand as she waved her finger. "And if you think you're the only designer out there then you are sadly mistaken. Honey this is Ralph Lauren, we don't take orders we give them, and if you don't like what we have to say I'm sure I can find some other small time bouji boutique who will."
"How dare you? Oh you-well, this will be the last we see of each other! If I decide to take the deal you can guarantee I won't be working with you anymore."
"Can't wait," Santana snapped as she pointed towards her door, Cowart slinging his jacket over his arm and spinning around hastily as he turned his nose up in the air.
"And you better take care of that thing. I find her walking down my runway I'll tie you up in legal paperwork for so long you'll die before you see the end of it." The door to Santana's office slammed shut as Cowart left, silence finally filling the brunette's head again as she sighed.
"Hallelujah," she whispered as she exhaled, falling back down into her seat and resting her head in her hands as she leaned her elbows on her desk. "Ez, remind me to never agree to work for him again. Or queens, for the matter."
"Then you'll never work again," Ezra replied as he furrowed his brow, Santana looking up and smiling for the first time that day as she laughed.
"Valid."
"So, you're not worried? About him not taking the deal?" Ezra asked cautiously, Santana waving her hand as she focused her attention on the papers scattered in front of her.
"Please, that's the third time he's threatened to tie me up in a legal battle this morning, he's just being dramatic. Trust me, he needs us."
"You sure?"
"Positive. This merger is the biggest offer he's ever had or will ever get, and the only reason the company picked him is because they're trying to appeal to a 'larger demographic.'"
"You mean a gayer demographic?"
"Exactly," Santana nodded, scurrying through the papers on her desk as she tried to find the right ones.
"Miss Lopez, line one is still holding."
"Hear ya loud and clear Connie," Santana groaned as she motioned for Ezra to answer the front desk, finding her documents and shoving them into a file as she stood.
"Can I take a messa-oh Santana, wait," Ezra hissed as he waved his hand, Santana grabbing her blazer and looking up to see him motioning for her. "Should I send someone down to talk to Lilly or…"
"Crap, I forg-no, no let me do it," Santana dismissed as she ran her hand through her hair, smoothing out the bottom of her dress as she nodded. "I can do it on my way to the meeting." Ezra nodded as he finished jotting down Santana's message, the brunette walking out of her office and down the hall as she waited for an elevator.
For eight years Santana had been working with Ralph Lauren, having started out as a lowly assistant to several higher ups. While picking up people's dry cleaning and coffee orders was an oh so wonderful start Santana had had her fill quickly, six months of barked orders and having her ass slapped finally causing her to snap at the finance coordinator who had run into her and sent green tea down her blouse. While Santana had been sure she'd been fired, especially after she was called into the conference room, she was instead offered a promotion because of her determination and spunk, Santana's life having changed drastically since that moment. From there she climbed the corporate ladder and had recently just been appointed head of the Consumer Intelligence & Experience Department, her first task having been to merge and seal a deal with Cowart & Co. to incorporate their designs in the upcoming Lauren fall line. So far she'd failed miserably, the small fashion show she'd been trying to put on in order to give her execs a preview of the potential designs having just fallen flat in her office. She was tired to say the least, and worked to the bone, looking at her reflection in the steel wall of the elevator and sighing as she noticed the bags under her eyes.
Santana had worked her ass off to get her current job and even harder now to keep it, things like friends and relationships having fallen to the wayside as she climbed to the top. College just hadn't been for her and apparently neither had Brittany, the two biggest things in Santana's young life having both ended for her after her twentieth birthday. She'd been desperate, and confused, the $350 she'd gotten from selling her books back on campus just enough to get her a ticket to New York. After packing what fit in her old Cheerios bag she'd boarded her flight and arrived in New York on May 3rd, 2014, not having looked back since as she started her new life. From there she crashed with different people, usually Blaine and Kurt but sometimes opting for Rachel, doing everything from bussing tables to selling train tickets in order to save up. There was even a stint where she drove a cab and that one week where she fell to her lowest and did a little side stripping, Blaine and Rachel having quickly put an end to that job after yanking her off stage. Still, through it all she managed to save up and finally afford the small studio apartment she still currently resided in, the twenty-eight year old's hard work having finally paid off as she lived comfortably in New York.
The elevator doors finally opened and Santana stepped out on the twelfth floor, a mob of barely dressed models walking by her as they all waved happily. "Hi Miss Lopez!" and "Looking good, Miss Lopez!" was all she could hear as she moved past them with a wave, keeping herself professional as she made her way to the fitting room.
"Lilly?" she called out as she peeked her head in the door, another group of girls turning around as they greeted her.
"Yeah, I'm here!" she could hear coming from behind a partisan, a mess of red hair appearing quickly as the young girl stepped out. "Hi! I'm sorry!"
"It's ok," Santana smiled as she nodded, Lilly yanking a tank top over her head quickly as she brushed her curls away. "Think I can talk to you for a sec?"
"Of course, of course!" Lilly nodded eagerly as she stumbled forward, Santana watching in amusement as her awkwardly long legs guided her forward. "I'll be back in a minute 'Berto!" Santana felt her stomach swirl as a knot of guilt grew, knowing that the young girl beside her wouldn't be returning as they walked.
This had to be, hands down, the worst part of Santana's job, having been fired enough in her lifetime to know how awful it felt. It also didn't help when the reason was something as shallow as weight gain or someone not having the right look, Santana having grown a soft spot for the uncommonly cute girl walking next to her. She'd been aware of this before she began working though and tried her best to suck it up as she breathed, the smile that met her eyes as she turned to speak breaking her heart a bit as she sighed.
"How are you? Everything ok?" Lilly asked sweetly as they reached the end of the hall, Santana leading them to a small bench and motioning for Lilly to join her as she sat.
"I'm great, good, everything's…" Santana trailed off as she tried to recall the speech she usually used, Lilly watching her intently as she tapped her toes. "Lilly you know I adore you. You've been one of my favorites since we first started scouting. You're sweet, and kind, and a genuine person inside and out. However, it seems that-thaaat…" Santana stumbled as she chewed on the inside of her lip, making sure to keep her eyes on everything but Lilly's as she spoke. "Sweetie I'm sorry, but we're having to cut a few girls from the show and unfortunately we're starting with you."
"Oh," Lilly said softly as she turned her eyes down to the floor, her legs no longer swinging as the news sunk in. "That's…well, that's ok."
"Lilly I'm so sorry, it's just-"
"No, Miss Lopez I understand," Lilly nodded as she finally looked up, her eyes misting as she forced on a smile. "I-I haven't exactly been working my best lately. I-I know I've put on a few pounds and…" Santana didn't know what to say as she sat beside the mumbling redhead, wanting to comfort her but knowing it wasn't exactly professional as she refrained.
"You've been a pleasure to work with, I mean that, and I plan on giving you the best recommendation, I swear," Santana said soothingly, Lilly only able to thank her as she ran the back of her hand across her freckled cheek. "You deserve a better job anyways, you know that, one where you're appreciated." The two of them sat there a moment longer as Lilly composed herself, Santana finally resting her hand on top of the model's as she squeezed it lightly.
"I'll do anything I can to help you, ok? This wasn't your first job and it won't be your last, you understand? You're gonna do great things Lilly, big things."
"Thank you Miss Lopez, thank you so much," Lilly finally smiled as she brushed her hair back, forcing herself to stand as she straightened her tank top straps. "I can't tell you how much this has meant to me."
"Well, I hope you at least leave having learned something…as much as you can from Queen Cow." Lilly released a laugh as Santana smirked, patting the girls shoulder once more before speaking. "Really though, you're wonderful, and if you ever need anything you know who to call."
"Oh Miss Lopez, I can't thank you enough, really. But before you go can I just-can I tell you one last thing?" Lilly asked as she talked frantically, Santana nodding as she crossed her arms and listened. "I just-I don't want you to think that I got lazy or that I wasted this opportunity and, well frankly I haven't told anyone else because I don't know what they'll say but-it's just that…" Lilly trailed off as she bit her lip, leaning in close to Santana and breaking out into a smile as she giggled. "I'm pregnant."
"Lilly! Oh that's-that's great! That's great, right? Yeah, ok, then that's great!" Santana smiled, moving her hands to squeeze Lilly's shoulders as she rubbed them. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you, thanks," Lilly whispered as she pulled away, a grin plastered on her face from ear to ear as cooed. "It's scary, but I think I'm ready."
"You're gonna be the best mom Lil, I mean it. How does Aaron feel?"
"Scared. Terrified, actually," the redhead answered with a nervous chuckle, Santana noticing the hesitation as Lilly shook her head. "But he's excited for the most part. I think he's excited."
"Well I'm really happy for you guys, honestly. I mean most people's children utterly disgust me, but I'll give you a pass."
"Well thanks Miss-"
"Santana, call me Santana."
"Santana, that's pretty," Lilly smiled. "Well I just-I didn't want you to think that I was just getting lazy or something."
"Come on, I wouldn't have thought that about you, I never could have thought that about you," Santana dismissed, Lilly blushing a little as she swayed.
"I guess I should let you get back to work," Lilly murmured, offering Santana another soft smile before waving her small hand. "Thank you, for everything." Santana watched as Lilly walked back down the hall, her hands moving to cup her mouth as she shouted.
"Lil!" her voice echoed, watching as the other girl spun around and smiling. "I mean it, if you ever need anything, work related or not-"
"I know Mis-Santana, I know." They shared another wave before going their separate ways, Santana off to another mundane meeting before finally returning back to her office.
On her desk sat more folders and files, papers stuffed into them so tightly that they had to be bound together with rubber bands. Her laptop was already blinking as her inbox flashed with new emails, Santana groaning as she tossed her things on her desk and plopped down in her chair.
She decided to check her voice-mails first and tried to slide open whatever iPad, iPhone, new fangled contraption it was the office had given her to use, resorting to smacking at it angrily until she heard them playing from the speakerphone. She grabbed the stack of sticky notes Ezra had left her with messages and began flicking through them, the voices of execs and partners filling her ears as her messages played on.
"Miss Lopez, this is Cath-"
"Miss Lopez, thi-"
"Miss Lo-"
Again and again she pushed the button on the machine as she skipped through them, Santana nodding off until one particular nasally voice caught her off guard.
"San? It's me, Quinn."
Shooting forward in her chair Santana planted both hands on her desk as she pulled herself up, straining her ears and pushing her hair away as she listened.
"Um, I'm not sure if this is you, I hope so…lady at the front desk just sent me through…" Santana jerked the gadget towards her as her eyes scanned over the screen, as if waiting for Quinn's face to appear and smile back at her.
"How are you? Well, that's a silly thing to ask in a voice-mail, huh? I hope you're doing well though. Listen I've tried to call you a few times but I guess you never got them. It's ok though, I mean I understand that you're a busy lady. It's just that I have some big news I wanna tell you, and I'd rather not do it over a message, so give me a call when you can, ok? I've really missed talking to you, I can't wait to hear back from you."
Santana's machine clicked as it began playing a different voicemail, the brunette letting this one go as her mind became preoccupied with replaying the message.
"I've really missed talking to you, I can't wait to hear back from you." Missed? She'd said she'd missed talking to her, right? Or had it been missed her in general? Santana didn't know and therefore gave herself an excuse to replay the message again, fumbling with her voicemail and erasing Claudia Lernout's message about a meeting as she hit rewind.
"San? It's me, Quinn." A chill shot up Santana's spine, hitting the back button once more just to hear her say her name.
"…I've tried to call you a few times but I guess you never got them…" When? When had Quinn been calling? Had it been a lot? Or just a few times? Who's definition were they playing by here and where had all these messages gone, Santana cursing Ezra and his obnoxiously bright colored sticky notes that she saw adorning her office as she listened.
"…I have some big news I wanna tell you, and I'd rather not do it over a message…" What big news? What could possibly be so important that it couldn't be divulged over a message? Whatever it was it had been important enough for Quinn to call after months of silence, that last time Santana and her having talked being over a year.
It wasn't that the two were on bad terms or anything but rather that they could never find the right time to catch up or talk, much less have any sort of relationship for the matter, that problem having plagued them their entire friendship it seemed. Santana closed her eyes and could immediately hear Quinn's voice in her head as the memory replayed from the night she still regretted, having been trying to shake the way Quinn's mouth trembled till this day.
"I don't understand why you're being this way."
"Exactly Santana, you don't get it! What you're doing to me, to us!"
"Quinn, I thought you understood."
"I do, I finally do. You're never gonna change and I'm never gonna settle. Guess this just wasn't meant to happen. Maybe in another life, huh?"
Santana felt her eyes sting and quickly forced them to open as she pushed her memories aside, making herself focus on the current situation as she replayed the message.
"I've really missed talking to you, I can't wait to hear back from you."
Could it be though? Despite everything that maybe Quinn wanted to try again? After all it had been eight years since they'd tried and maybe they were both in the right place now.
There was only one way Santana was going to be able to figure this all out and she quickly picked up her phone, noting the time but unable to care as she dialed Quinn's cell. It rang once, then twice, and just when Santana was sure she'd missed her the sound of a soft voice filled her ears, her skin crawling with goosebumps as she lurched forward.
"Hello?"
"Quinn? Hey, it's-it's-"
"Santana, hi." The brunette froze for a moment as she listened to Quinn say her name, only able to blink as her mouth hung open against the phone. "Sorry about all the messages, I hope it wasn't too obnoxious, I just really wanted to get a hold of you. How are you, how are things?"
"Fine, things are-are fine," Santana managed to get out, her brain a second behind her mouth as she tried to catch up. "How uh, how are you? How are things?"
"Well that's actually why I called," Quinn chuckled on the other end, Santana licking her lips as she leaned forward in her seat. "I uh, well…San I'm-I'm getting married."
