A is for ANOTHER IDEA SHOT DOWN

Prompt from malexfaith: So.. marriage proposal fic...Someone wants to propose... so keeps coming up with big elaborate ideas. Like a flash mob, aeroplane banner/ writing, singing it onstage, on tv, expensive dinner, billboard, at a wedding. (Full prompt at the end of the story; don't want to give it all away).

Chloe was biting her lower lip and shaking her leg in nervous anticipation as she waited for her best friend, Aubrey, to join her for lunch. She had decided the time was right to ask Beca to marry her. Now she needed to figure out how. Chloe sat up straight in her seat when she saw Aubrey finally walking to her table.

Aubrey gave Chloe a quick hug before she sat down. "Is everything okay? I could literally see your nervousness from across the room."

"I want to ask Beca to marry me," Chloe blurted out.

"Wow," Aubrey said. "What made you decide to do it now? I thought you had a three-year plan."

"I did," Chloe said as her shoulders sagged. "I don't know. We've been together for almost two years and I don't want to wait any longer. Plus, it's summer break and I have time to really plan something big."

"Do you think she's ready?"

"I don't know. But, the only way to find out is to ask her."

"What do you need me to do?"

"I need your help in planning something. I want it to be big. Something we'll remember for the rest of our lives."

"Do you have some ideas in mind?"

"Well, we're going to my cousin's wedding next month. I thought I could do it there."

"Bad idea."

"Why? I thought it would be romantic."

"You should never propose at someone else's wedding. It's their day. You'll be taking the focus off the newly married couple and I guarantee you that will not go over well."

Chloe thought about how her cousin would react and decided Aubrey was right.

"You're right. Maybe I could go it at one of her concerts. Just go out onstage and propose."

"That doesn't sound like something Beca would go for."

"How about one of those ones where people start dancing for no reason and everybody joins in?"

"You mean a flash mob kind of thing?"

"Yeah, a flash mob. I like that idea. She'd never expect that."

Chloe grabbed a notepad and pen from her bag and started scribbling down ideas.

"I guess you're doing a flash mob," Aubrey said. "What song are you going use."

"Bruno Mars' I Think I Want to Marry You," Chloe said. "It's the first one that popped into my head."

"That's rather cliché, don't you think?"

"Maybe. But it's perfect for this. I'm going to look at some videos when I get home to get more ideas."

Chloe started gathering her things and stood up. Aubrey grabbed her wrist.

"Um, can we have lunch first?," Aubrey asked. "That's kinda why I came."

"Sorry," Chloe said sheepishly and sat back down. "I'm just excited to get everything started."

~aAa~ ~aAa~ ~aAa~

Chloe spent several hours going through YouTube videos of flash mob marriage proposals. There were a lot of them! She made notes on ones she really liked and had just finished a video when she saw the time.

"Shoot," Chloe said setting her laptop on the coffee table. "Beca will be home shortly and I haven't even started dinner." Chloe thought for a moment. "I'll just order Chinese."

She searched for her phone and finally found it sitting on the kitchen counter. She heard the front door open as she was placing her order. She heard Beca call out as she finished the call.

"Hey, babe," Chloe said as she came out of the kitchen. "I just called in an order for Chinese delivery. Sorry, I got a little sidetracked."

"I see," Beca said looking at Chloe's laptop. She held her breath when Beca clicked on one of the videos. "Are they serious? Oh, my God, this is so cliché. There are literally a dozen songs I can think of off the top of my head that would be better than I Think I Want To Marry You."

"You don't like that song?," Chloe asked feeling slightly let down.

"The song is good," Beca said. "But it's so overused. And why in the world would anyone think to propose using a flash mob is a good idea is beyond me. What if they say no? Then you have all these people looking at you and feeling sorry for you. Not to mention all the rehearsal time you'd have to put in. No way would I want to get or give a proposal like that."

Chloe just smiled and didn't say anything. Beca set Chloe's laptop back on the table and stood up. She gave Chloe a quick kiss.

"I'm going to go change before dinner gets here," Beca said and started walking to their bedroom.

As soon as Beca was gone Chloe let out a heavy sigh. She picked up the pages of notes she made on the flash mob proposal and ripped them up. She took them and dropped them in the kitchen trash can before going back to her laptop.

~aAa~ ~aAa~ ~aAa~

The next day, Chloe was talking to Aubrey.

"The flash mob idea was shot down," Chloe said.

"Why? You were so excited about it."

"Yeah, but Beca's not. She saw my laptop open to some flash mob proposal videos and thinks the Bruno Mars song is too overused and cliché."

"So, what now?"

"I saw another idea I thought might be fun. I was going to hire one of those planes that fly over with a banner that reads 'Will You Marry Me, Beca Mitchell? Love, Chloe.' What do you think?"

"It's...different. But, where in the world would you find something like that?"

"I guess I have to find a plane first. Then have the banner made. I'm pretty sure there are probably specifications that have to be followed on the size."

"Good luck with that," Aubrey said. "Let me know if I can help with anything."

"Thanks, Brey," Chloe said.

~aAa~ ~aAa~ ~aAa~

"Well another idea shot down," Chloe said frustratingly a few days later.

"What happened?," Aubrey asked. "Too expensive?"

"No," Chloe said. "We saw one and I pointed it out to Beca thinking she'd think it was cool. She laughed and said 'Every person out there with the initials A.M. that's dating someone with the initials J.L. is going to think that's for them. Someone is surely going to be disappointed.' Then she shook her head and said it was way too over the top. A proposal should be simple and meaningful., and it should be totally unexpected."

"I'm guessing you've already got another idea."

"I do," Chloe said excitedly. "She's going on Ellen next week and I'm going with her. I'm going to talk to the producer and let them know I want to ask Beca on the show."

"That sounds like a bit much don't you think?"

"No, it's simple and meaningful. And she definitely will not be expecting it."

"I hope you know what you're doing, Chloe."

"I do," Chloe said. "I have to go. I need to do some planning."

Chloe spent the next two hours coming up with the perfect proposal. She went over it and over it to make sure that everything was perfect. Now all she had to do was wait until the day Beca was to tape the Ellen show.

Chloe pulled out her phone to call Aubrey and share what she had planned. She was so excited.

"Hey, Chloe," Aubrey said.

"Hey, Brey, I've got the proposal all planned out," Chloe said excitedly. She then went on to tell Aubrey her plan. "The only thing left to do is get the producers involved. To do that I'll have to get to the studio early to talk to them and go over my plan. Do you think Stacie would be willing to keep Beca occupied for a few hours on Wednesday morning?"

"I'm sure she'd be happy to help," Aubrey said. "I'll talk to her tonight and let you know."

"Thanks, Brey," Chloe said. "Oh, I have to go. Beca's home."

~aAa~ ~aAa~ ~aAa~

Beca had to work late on Tuesday, the day before her appearance on the Ellen show. Chloe had invited Aubrey and Stacie over for dinner so they could go over final plans for the big proposal. Dinner was done and they sitting around chatting over a glass of wine.

"I'm so nervous," Chloe said. "I can't thank you guys enough for helping me with this."

"That's what friends are for," Aubrey said sipping her wine.

"Hey, Chlo," Stacie said. "Can we see the ring?"

Chloe just stared at Stacie with a blank look.

"Yeah," Aubrey said. "I'd like to see it, too."

"The ring?," Chloe said and tears came to her eyes. She put her head in her hands and groaned in frustration. "I don't have a ring. How could I be so stupid? I was so focused on the proposal I totally forgot about getting a ring. Oh, God! I don't have a ring!"

Stacie bit her lip to keep from laughing. Ever since Aubrey told her Chloe was planning to propose to Beca, it's been one idea after another being shot down in some way by Beca. This time Chloe sabotaged herself by forgetting the ring.

"Can't you go shopping for it tomorrow?," Stacie asked.

"I won't have time," Chloe said. "Why is this fucking hard? This is ridiculous. It's like the cosmos is against me proposing." A tear fell down Chloe's cheek and she let it.

"Calm down," Aubrey said taking Chloe's hand in hers. "Stacie and I will go ring shopping with you on Thursday afternoon. We'll help you find the perfect ring and then we'll figure out another plan. Okay?"

"Yeah, Chloe," Stacie said. "There are plenty of ways to propose. We'll help you figure it out."

~aAa~ ~aAa~ ~aAa~

Beca could tell Chloe was in some sort of funk but Chloe wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Beca invited Stacie for coffee on Thursday before they both had to be at work.

"Has Aubrey said anything to you about what might be bothering Chloe?," Beca asked.

"No. Why? Is something bothering Chloe?"

"Yeah. No. Ugh, I don't know. She seems to be in a funk but she won't talk to me so I have no clue how to make it better."

"She's probably just bored," Stacie said. "It's only a month into the summer break and she's used to having school and the kids to occupy her days."

"You're probably right," Beca said. "Maybe I'll plan a little getaway for just the two of us. That might help."

"I'm sure she'd love that," Stacie said as she breathed a sigh of relief that Beca didn't push her on it.

Later that afternoon, Chloe went ring shopping with Stacie and Aubrey. She didn't know exactly what she wanted but she would know it when she saw it.

"How about this one, Chlo?," Aubrey asked pointing out a ring in the display case.

"This is one of our more popular engagement rings," the saleswoman said as she pulled it out of the case. "It's a princess cut 2-carat diamond with a silver gold band. You'll notice that there are smaller diamonds that go halfway down each side."

"It's beautiful," Chloe said looking at the ring. "But I don't think it's Beca. I think she'd like to have something more subtle."

"Chloe?," Stacie called out excitement in her voice. "I found it. This is the ring."

Chloe and Aubrey walked over and looked at what Stacie was pointing to. The saleswoman hurried over to pull the ring out of the case.

"This is one of our specialty rings," the woman said. "We only made six of this particular engagement ring and there are only two left. The ring is a one and a half carat princess cut diamond with a titanium band. We also offer several wedding bands made of titanium that go very well with this particular engagement ring."

"That's it," Chloe said with a big smile. She squealed and hugged Stacie. "This is perfect, Stacie. Good eye." Chloe turned back to the saleswoman. "I'll take this ring. And, may I see the titanium wedding bands as well."

~aAa~ ~aAa~ ~aAa~

That night, Beca had to work late again so Chloe had invited Aubrey and Stacie over for dinner and a movie. They were sitting in the living room enjoying a glass of wine as Chloe kept staring at the ring set she had purchased that afternoon.

"You made a great choice, Chlo," Aubrey said. "Beca will love the engagement ring and the wedding band."

"I'm glad I had them put an identical set on hold for me," Chloe said. "I want us to match. It will really feel like we're even more connected when we look down and see the same rings on our hands."

"You still haven't figure out how you're going to ask her," Stacie said. "Did you come up with any more ideas?"

"Not yet," Chloe said. "I'm going to give myself a break for a couple of days. And then think about it. I mean I have time so why not use it."

Chloe continued to hold the ring box and stare at the rings in it. Suddenly, there was the sound of keys in the door startling Chloe and she dropped the box. She quickly picked it up and stuck it in the pocket of her hoodie just as Beca came through the door.

"God, am I glad to be home," Beca said as soon as she entered. "This is been a cluster fuck of a day."

Chloe jumps up and runs over to Beca grabbing her in a hug. "I'm glad you're home, babe."

"Hey, Becs," Stacie said.

"Oh, hey guys," Beca said. "Sorry I didn't know you were here."

"Good to see you, Beca," Aubrey said.

"Are you hungry?," Chloe asked as Beca set her bag and keys down. "I can reheat some leftovers and you can tell us about your day."

"I'm just going to make a sandwich," Beca said as she started walking toward the kitchen. "I had a late lunch so I'm just a little hungry."

"Okay," Chloe said following her. She stopped and asked Stacie and Aubrey if they wanted to hang out in the kitchen with them.

"Sure," Stacie said and she and Aubrey got up to follow Chloe.

The three women entered the kitchen to find Beca searching through the refrigerator. Chloe grabbed the bread and set it on the counter. She then got a small plate and grabbed a knife from the drawer.

"Yes," Beca said as she pulled back from the refrigerator. "I thought we might still have some roast beef." She grabbed the mustard and hip-checked the refrigerator door closed.

"So, tell me what happened today," Chloe said as she sat at the counter.

"This morning wasn't so bad," Beca said as she took two slices of bread of the bag and laid them on the plate Chloe had provided. "But just as I was thinking about heading to the deli down from the studio to grab a cold cut sub, Theo comes into my office all frantic."

"Want some pickles?," Chloe asked as she moved to the refrigerator.

"Yes, please," Beca said as she placed a couple of slices of roast beef on the bread. "Anyway, Theo comes in and tells me we have this new artist that submitted a song. Rick, the guy's producer, said this kid was going to be the next great thing."

Beca squirted a little mustard on the bread and then spread it with a knife. Chloe opens the jar of pickles and grabs a fork to pull a couple out for Beca. She puts them on the plate and closes the jar.

"Thanks, babe," Beca said and Chloe gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Theo wanted me to listen to the demo and give him my feedback. Of course, I said yes. He played it and it was the worst thing I have ever heard."

Beca turned to put the roast beef and mustard back in the refrigerator. Chloe hadn't moved from her spot and Beca walked to stand at the end of the counter. She put the second piece of bread on top to complete the sandwich and was looking at Stacie and Aubrey.

"I asked Theo why Rick didn't fix the demo before he had me listen to it," Beca continued. "Theo said that was the 'fixed' demo. I was floored. I asked him what was I supposed to do with a piece of crap and he said to fix it. Like it was nothing. I spent the whole afternoon working on it. It's better but still sounds like crap."

Stacie let out a small gasp and grabbed Aubrey's arm. Aubrey looked at her and then followed her gaze. Beca picked up her sandwich and took a big bite when she noticed Stacie and Aubrey looking at her weird.

"What?," Beca asked with her mouth full.

She turned to ask Chloe what was wrong and found Chloe down on one knee holding up a ring box with a tear falling down her cheek.

"Chlo?," Beca asked somewhat confused. She started to say something more but still had a mouthful of the sandwich so she turned and spit it out into the trash can and turned back around. "Chloe, what are you doing?"

Chloe wiped her eyes and looked back up at Beca. "Beca, I've been trying to find the perfect way to propose to you. And, this moment seemed like the perfect time. I love you, so much, will you marry me?"

Stacie and Aubrey were looking on silently, both with tears glistening in their eyes.

"Chlo," Beca said her voice quivering as a tear ran down her cheek. She went to reach for Chloe and realized she was still holding her sandwich. She threw it down to the counter and took Chloe's face in her hands and whispered, "I would love nothing better than to marry you. Yes, a million times yes!" Beca leaned in and kissed Chloe. Chloe put her hands on top of Beca's and kissed her back. Beca pulled back from the kiss with a laugh. "I love you, so much."

Chloe let out a sob. "I love you, too." She stood and set the ring box on the counter and with shaking hands, took out the engagement ring and took Beca's hand. Chloe slipped the ring on Beca's finger and grabbed her for another kiss.

"Congratulations," Stacie and Aubrey squealed. They both jumped up and ran around the counter to hug their two best friends.

"This right here," Aubrey whispered to Chloe. "This was the perfect proposal."

Full Prompt: So.. marriage proposal fic...Someone wants to propose... so keeps coming up with big elaborate ideas. Like a flash mob, aeroplane banner/ writing, singing it onstage, on tv, expensive dinner, billboard, at a wedding. (Full prompt at the end of the story; don't want to give it all away). But every idea is wiped off the list when the 'potential wife' says she doesn't like it after seeing it happen or watching a movie or something. Eventually... the question is asked on one knee while having coffee and breakfast or something very simple.