Author's Note: Hi all. Sorry for the delay in updates. I've been super busy trying to update all my other stories too. Taking a break from the main chapters here, to post some deleted scenes from previous chapters. These were ideas I had in my head that I thought sounded dumb at the time and decided to scrap them from the fic. They're rewritten versions of what I had originally intended to post. Enjoy these next couple of chapters :)
Deleted Scene 1 Noelle's Bucket List (S1 during Nationals)
"Well, what should we do today since we're going to be here for two more days?" Finn asked as he and Rachel joined Noelle and Josh for breakfast in the hotel lobby.
"I was thinking of doing some more sight-seeing," said Noelle. "I have some things on my bucket list I need to cross off."
"You made a bucket list?" Finn asked Rachel.
"Sure," said Noelle. "Finn, there's no cure for MS. I'm going to die at some point in my life, so now is the time for me to start living my life." She pulled a piece of paper out from her bag and held it out to the others to read.
My Bucket List
Travel across Europe
Visit distant relatives in England
Visit all the places in London that are referenced in Harry Potter
Go to Disneyland, Disney World and Disneyland Paris
Visit Harry Potter Theme Park at Universal Studios.
Take a Tour of the NCIS Soundstage
Be an extra or guest star on NCIS
Visit CBS Studios in West Hollywood and be on Price is Right or go to DWTS Taping
Pay my respects at Ground Zero
Ride the Stratosphere in Las Vegas
Own a Brand New Ford Mustang or Dodge Charger
Visit the South from Alabama over to Arizona.
Go to Hawaii
Try Thai Cuisine
Visit Tokyo
Write a Letter of Complaint to the Academy for the numerous snubs Harry Potter got
Meet President Obama and First Lady Michelle
Learn how to snowboard
Write a Best-Seller
Record a platinum album
Get over all of my fears
Be able to dance one last time on my legs
Star in a production of Wicked
Set foot in the Pacific Ocean
Do everything in L.A. a tourist does.
Have my first real kiss, with fireworks and all.
Find my soulmate.
"Wow Noelle, I had no idea you wanted to do all these," said Carole as Finn handed her the list.
"I've started saving up for the world tour," replied Noelle. "I have a jar in my room in the closet where I stash part of my allowance."
"Why didn't you tell us this before, sweetheart?" Carole asked. "I'm sure your father and I could at least have helped contribute more to this."
"I wanted to save up and attempt stuff on my own," said Noelle, shrugging her shoulders.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" cried Josh standing up, smiling at the last two things on the list. He would make sure she knew he was hers and would give her a kiss soon. "Let's get this crap crossed off your list!"
Click, click, FLASH!
Click, click, FLASH!
That was the sound of Noelle's camera shutter as picture after picture was taken down Hollywood Blvd. as the group traveled in a double decker bus down the infamous street. They made stops at the Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Pink's Hot Dogs, and the Kodak Theatre. Then the bus pulled up to a stop in front of CBS Studios near the Grove. Will spoke a few words to the security guard who nodded and let the bus through the gate. As the group got out and took turns taking pictures, Noelle gasped as she saw a familiar face.
"Oh my god, you guys!" cried Noelle. "That's Mark Ballas and Derek Hough walking towards us!"
The group turned and gasped as the two professional dancers came up to them.
"Hey, are you the show choir the guard was telling us about?" said Derek.
"Yeah, we're the New Directions, we're from Lima, Ohio," smiled Will. "I'm Will Schuester, their teacher."
"Pleasure to meet you," said Derek, shaking his hand.
"I'm judging you guys tomorrow," said Mark.
"Seriously?" asked Noelle. "You're judging the show choir nationals?"
"Yeah, they asked me last minute," said Mark as the girls fawned over Derek and got pictures with him.
"Well, we won't tell you what we're doing," said Noelle. "We'll keep it fair."
"You must be Noelle," said Mark. "Actually, I already have your set list. I'm looking forward to your performance of 'Complicated'."
Noelle grinned.
"You and Sabrina inspired me to do that," grinned Noelle.
"Hey, would you guys like a tour of the stage?" Derek asked.
"Sure that'd be awesome!" said Noelle, her eyes lighting up.
"Cool, follow us," said Mark. Mark and Derek led them into the studio, and gave them the grand tour.
"Wow! This is so cool!" cried Finn. "A real television studio!"
"And a famous one at that!" replied Rachel. She noticed there were people practicing in a few rooms.
"Oh my gosh, is that Erin Andrews?" asked Quinn, poking her face to a door window. "Oh yes it is! And hellooo Maks!"
"Yeah, the finale's next week, right?" asked Noelle.
"Yeah, too bad you guys couldn't stay for it, we'd get you guys in," said Mark as Derek got the other two dance couples, along with his partner Nicole Scherzinger of PCD, to come say hello to their guests.
"Maybe next time," said Noelle as everyone started taking selfies with the celebrities. "How is your knee?"
"Better, thanks for asking," said Mark. "Shannen and I will dance tomorrow no problem."
"Good," said Noelle. "Oh and congrats on the EP, I love it! Sounds dope."
"Thanks, means a lot," said Mark.
"Of course," said Noelle. "Hey I think we should get going you guys, we still have a lot of L.A. to explore."
"And our final stop of the morning, Santa Monica Pier!" said Will. "Okay everyone, you have a couple hours to walk around the pier and ride some rides if you want, or even stroll on the beach. We'll rendezvous back here at 3:00."
The New Directions split up into two groups. Josh, Noelle, Burt, and Carole headed for the beach, while the others wandered around the pier. Josh wheeled Noelle across the sandy beach and parked her at the edge of the water.
"You sure you want to do this?" Josh asked. Noelle nodded.
"Yeah, may as well," said Noelle, holding her arms out to the side and taking in the ocean breeze.
"Hold up, let me get a picture of you two," said Carole, pulling out her camera. Josh grinned and kneeled next to Noelle. After Carole took the picture, Josh looked at Noelle and smiled and took off her shoes and socks for her, before removing his sandals. Noelle smiled back at him and as she looked in Josh's eyes, her heart leapt.
Oh my god, I'm so stupid... thought Noelle. Number 27 has been right in front of me all along...
"Okay, you ready?" Josh asked Noelle. "I'll pick you up and carry you." Noelle nodded and Josh picked Noelle up Bridal style out of her chair and carried her to the water. Noelle linked her arms around Josh's neck, holding on for dear life. Josh waded into the water between ankle and knee deep. The Pacific Ocean was calm today, and only a tiny breeze passed over the beach.
"Okay hold on to me, I've got you," said Josh, gently setting Noelle down in the water. He steadied her as her feet touched the bottom of the ocean floor.
"Oh my god, Josh, I'm standing," said Noelle, tears forming in her eyes. "I haven't stood in four years."
"I know," murmured Josh, brushing a tear from her face that had fallen down her cheek.
Meanwhile, Josh was also determined to do one more thing.
"Hey, I have one more thing I want to ask you since you're already semi-standing," said Josh.
"What's that?" Noelle asked, pressing her nose into his cheek, inhaling his scent.
"May I have this dance, Miss Hudson?" asked Josh huskily.
"There's no music," replied Noelle. Josh laughed and carried her out of the water to her chair and picked his phone up from the seat. Noelle was still holding on to him as he scrolled through his playlist marked "Noelle and Me". He picked the first song he had ever heard that reminded him of him and Noelle and their relationship. As the music started to play, Josh started to sing along, Noelle smiling as he swayed them back and forth.
Josh: I don't know but I think I maybe
Fallin' for you dropping so quickly
Maybe I should keep this to myself
Waiting 'til I know you better
I am trying not to tell you
But I want to
I'm scared of what you'll say
So I'm hiding what I'm feeling
But I'm tired of holding this inside my head
Josh and Noelle: I've been spending all my time
Just thinking about you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I've been waiting all my life and now I found you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm falling for you.
I'm falling for you.
Noelle: As I'm standing here and you hold my hand
Pull me towards you and we start to dance
All around us
I see nobody
Here in silence
It's just you and me
I'm trying not to tell you
But I want to
I'm scared of what you'll say
So I'm hiding what I'm feeling.
But I'm tired of holding this inside my head
Josh and Noelle: I've been spending all my time
Just thinking about you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I've been waiting all my life and now I found you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you.
I'm fallin' for you.
Noelle: Oh, I just can't take it
Josh: My heart is racing
Josh and Noelle: Emotions keep spinning out.
I've been spending all my time
Just thinking about you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you
I've been waiting all my life and now I found you
I don't know what to do
I think I'm fallin' for you.
I'm fallin' for you.
Noelle: I think I'm fallin' for you
I can't stop thinking about it
I want you all around me
And now I just can't hide it
I think I'm fallin' for you
Josh: I can't stop thinking about it
I want you all around me
And now I just can't hide it
I think I'm fallin' for you.
I'm fallin' for you.
Josh and Noelle: Oh
Oh no no
Oh
Noelle: Oh, I'm falling for you
"I love you," whispered Noelle. "I think I found my soulmate."
"I love you too," replied Josh. "And I think you're right. I know you're mine." As their lips gently met for the first time, Carole and Burt watched the two with a smile on their faces, and tears falling down their cheeks as well. Burt took a picture of the Kodak Moment on his smartphone.
"We'll show them this later," Burt replied, smiling at his soon-to-be wife. Carole nodded and kissed him.
"Looks like we're gaining another son in a few years," whispered Carole. "Let's let them do whatever they need to do."
"Agreed, life is too short and we need to make the most of it," replied Burt. "All of us."