This one is so near and dear to my heart.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read these crazy ideas.
From my heart to yours,
Butterfly Kisses
The weather in Lima is beautiful this time of year. Miguel cruise's through the small town in his 1970 Chevelle with the windows down, just like he did when he was sixteen. Being back in the small, sleepy town he grew up and raised his family in, sure does take him back. Other than his beloved car, Miguel Lopez has been blessed with two great loves in his lifetime. The first being marrying his best friend and absolute love of his life, Maribel and the second, his only daughter, Santana.
Santana Marie Lopez was their miracle baby, the pair had tried for years to conceive with no luck. Maribel had all but given up until one day, on a hunch, took a pregnancy test. She rushed past the other doctors and straight into the gallery where Miguel was performing a routine surgery. Maribel tapped the glass, waving the pregnancy test around. Neither could contain their excitement. Santana had become their whole world, their answered prayer.
"Is something wrong with my dress?" Santana questions, a soft smile on her face as Maribel shakes her head, placing more flowers in her daughter's hair.
"Your dress is beautiful," Miguel smiles, entering the room.
"Then what's up Papi? Tell me" Santana says, standing from her vanity
"I'm just being an old silly man" Miguel shakes his head, heading towards the record player, turning up the volume.
"I'm going to check on everything, I'll be back. You two behave" Maribel teases, placing a kiss on her husband's cheek.
Mr Lopez extends his hand and Santana nods before adjusting the train on her dress.
"I can't believe my baby girl is getting married today" He finally exhales, attempting to control the emotion in his voice.
The pair begin dancing around the lavish changing room as the song plays and up until now, Miguel has been able to maintain his stoic composure.
There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
And I thank god for all of the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning And butterfly kisses at night.
The room fades away and Miguel remembers a six year old Santana helping him plant row after row of flowers in their garden, using the small handkerchief he had given her to wipe the sweat from her brow. The same handkerchief Santana is using today as her something old. Out of all the flowers, Santana had always loved the simplicity of white roses so Miguel made sure to plant a garden full of them just for his baby girl. Every sunday he would make sure to pick two flowers, one for Santana and one for Maribel. Miguel made a habit of taking Santana on father daughter dates on Saturday's, not only to spend time with her but to teach her the correct way a man should treat a woman and more importantly to never settle for less because she was after all, a princess. The dates continued until Santana turned sixteen, then like most teens her age, she became too cool to be seen with her dad but as a compromise, she agreed to always catch up and cook breakfast on Sunday mornings, this became their new tradition and continued until Santana left for college.
Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember...
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy
But if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
Oh with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right
To deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.
The chorus plays once more and tears begin to freely fall from Miguel's eyes. He now remembers back to a stormy night and a sixteen year old Santana sitting in the bay window of their family room
It was a stormy October night and the younger Lopez would not budge from her spot. At first Miguel thought his daughter was simply enjoying the storm but as he walked closer he heard a small sniffle. With his eyebrows now furrowed, he looks over his daughter's shoulder just in time to see the reason for his daughter's sadness.
It seems Quinn Fabray had just arrived home after yet another date. Santana had never admitted anything to either parent but they knew, it was too obvious not too. Santana's eyes always had a way of giving her away, when Quinn entered the room it was as if Santana's world would stop. Maribel and Miguel had several discussions about it but agreed to wait until Santana came to them. It pained Miguel to see his daughter heartbroken. He took a seat next to Santana, she in turn leaned her head on his shoulder and began to cry.
"Why can't we control who we love Papi?" Santana asks, Miguel exhales, noticing his wife now wiping tears from her own eyes I wish I knew mija. The heart wants what the heart wants. You know, love is such an amazing but at times difficult gift. Can I offer some advice?" Santana nods and sits up, using the sleeve of her Mckinley cheer sweatshirt to dry her eyes "If you're ever in love with someone, whoever it may be, you need to tell them even if the outcome isn't what you're hoping for. Otherwise the moment just passes you by and you might miss out on the greatest love story of your life"
Santana returns her attention towards the house across the street. After a few seconds she's running out into the storm. Miguel and Maribel now watch, huddled in the bay window as Santana pounds, relentlessly on the front door. A confused Quinn answers, the pair watch as their daughter waves her hands around a few times before turning to leave. Santana stops in her tracks, noticing her parents watching. Remembering her fathers words, she immediately turns back and knocks once more. The youngest Fabray again answers the door and in an instant, Santana pulls Quinn into her. Quinn is obviously caught off guard but doesn't break the kiss, instead she wraps her arms around Santana's neck. After a few minutes, the pair see Quinn leaning against the doorframe, waving as Santana slowly walks backwards towards their house. When she finally turns, the smile on her face stretches from ear to ear.
Fast forward, seven years have flown by. Santana and Quinn have returned to Lima, now having graduated from Columbia and Yale respectively. Both spend a few days catching up with their families but on Thursday, Quinn is busy helping Rachel set up for the high school play. Santana welcomes this distraction and invites all four parents to a secret dinner where she asks for and is given, the Fabray's permission to marry their youngest daughter. The following night, after the play, while being surrounded by all their closest friends and closest family, Santana takes a knee and asks Quinn to spend her forever with her. Santana promises to love, honor, cherish and protect Quinn all the days of her life and with tears in her eyes, Quinn agrees to do the same.
She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said
"I'm not sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over
Gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.
To deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses...
"Te Amo Papi" The song comes to an end and Santana wraps her arms tightly around Miguel
"Te amo hasta la luna y más allá, mija" Miguel whispers in return. "Estas lista?"
"Since I was sixteen?" Santana smiles, wiping her fathers tears.
Miguel takes a step back, his heart filled with both overwhelming love for the innocent little girl now turned grown beautiful woman and intense pride for the Wife, best friend and partner she is and will continue to be.
He smiles, interlinking their fingers, placing one last kiss on her forehead, as the two head towards the ceremony.
