8 years later
"If anyone has any objection as to why these 2 women should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." The minister said before something was heard that made Abbey's heart stop.
"I do." A voice said and collective gasps were heard as Abbey looked to Santana with shocked and teary eyes.
"We shouldn't be doing this. We shouldn't be marrying each other. We shouldn't even be together. It's just wrong." Santana says before starting to walk back down the aisle.
"San…" Abbey whispered but Santana walked out without looking back.
"No…no…no…" Abbey could only whisper.
0000000000
"No!" Abbey blurted, eyes abruptly opening as she lifted her head and looked in the mirror opposite her. She saw that her mascara was currently running down her face and let out a relieved sigh before a little laugh escaped her.
"So much for it being waterproof." She said as she grabbed a make up wipe sat snugly inside it's packet and gently wipe the streaming mascara from her face.
This was probably the most important (and nervous) day of Abbey's life and that didn't include the solos she had in competition in high school, including Internationals in Senior Year which they kicked butt at and won by a unanimous vote. High school had gone, college had gone and now she stared at herself in the mirror, taking a deep breath and thinking back as to how this rollercoaster even started.
She was brought out of her thought haze by a knock on the closed door behind her. The redhead turned on her seat to look to the white wooden door behind her.
"Who is it?" she called out.
"Your 55 year old manager with your 26 year old best man." A female voice said on the other side of the door. Abbey could only grin.
"Come on in." she said before carefully standing up as the door opened and a pale woman with long, wavy brown hair and soft blue eyes walked in, wearing a knee-length navy blue dress. Standing next to her was a tall, muscular, tanned man with a lightly shaven head, light brown eyes and a cheeky smile on his face as he smoothed out his black tuxedo blazer and straightened his black tie. But that smile soon vanished as he laid eyes on the girl in front of him.
"Well…what do you think?" Abbey asked and the two people could just stare. The woman had a proud smile on her face while the man's jaw was slackened to the max.
"You look amazing, Abbey. Truly beautiful." The woman said. Abbey could only smile.
"Thanks, Emilia." She said to her Aunt and also manager of almost 3 years before turning to the other person staring.
"What do you think, Puck?" she asked.
"Can I marry you?" he asked in a daze to which Abbey could only laugh at.
"Back off, Noah or Zizes won't be happy about her man playing away." Alice said before Puck grinned.
"Come on. Me and Zizes have been together for nearly 8 years, do you honestly think I'd stray now?" Puck asked before Alice shrugged.
"It could happen." She replied and Puck gave a sly grin before turning back to Abbey.
"You look…stunning." He summarized, gaining a blush from the Colorado native.
"Well you kind of have to on probably the most important day of your life." Abbey said, gaining a look and a grin from Puck.
"How did you even get to see Santana again after we all graduated. Didn't you both go to different universities…in different states?" Emilia asked. Abbey looked to Puck.
"You remember, don't you?" Abbey asked the now fully grown man who looked solemn as he nodded his head. Abbey sighed before turning back to Emilia.
"Well, it was probably the last place you'd expect…" Abbey started.
0000000000
Slamming the door behind her Abbey placed her messenger bag down, removed her leather jacket and threw herself onto the sofa of her student accommodation apartment.
After graduating from McKinley High, Abbey had gotten places at Ohio State University, Duke University, Emory University and 2 surprise ones from Princeton and Columbia. And she thought about it for a week and then it wasn't long until her Columbia Lions welcoming pack came to her door. She had decided to do Film Studies which wasn't originally her first choice but after getting a program, she decided that it was best suited to her. However, there was one thing that had weighed heavily on her mind.
Santana had gotten 4 offers and decided to go to Ohio State to study Psychology which meant that the couple wouldn't be together for a long while, which made both women crack as they said goodbye to Abbey at the airport. They held each other for so long, it could have broken the Guinness World Record before they let go and Abbey was on a plane to New York.
Seeing as Kurt, Rachel and Jack were selected as part of the 26 applicants that were accepted into NYADA, Abbey lives with them and her best friend in university: Music student Steph Beckett seeing as their schools were 15 minutes apart when you drive. Abbey loves her course and she has made a few friends, and both guys and girls have asked her out but she says she's taken. And it was true: Santana and Abbey never officially broke up before Abbey left for Columbia and she wants it to stay that way. She loves Santana and no one else.
As well as her course, she's a Flute I in the marching band, she's on the track and field team and has been picked a few times to sing a fighting song towards the other teams during football or basketball games. They would pick other people to sing the traditional stuff but they wanted modern, contemporary songs they would always pick Abbey. So overall, her school life was hectic but worth it because she really enjoys it. The only thing that would make it better was Santana.
They did talk on the phone at least 3 times a week until about 2 weeks ago when the calls became scarce and that worried Abbey. But that was soon put to the side as the door opened.
"Who's home?" a voice called.
"Just me, Kurt." Abbey replied as Kurt Hummel and Rachel Berry went to sit on the sofa opposite the one Abbey was slumped on.
"Where's Jack?" Abbey asked.
"Still at school. He's rehearsing for his audition for the school production of 'Rock Of Ages' and, of course, he's auditioning for the part of Drew Boley." Rachel replied.
"How come you 2 aren't auditioning?" Abbey then asked.
"It's not really our type of musical. I'm more 'Les Miserables' and 'Evita'." Rachel then said.
"And I'm more 'Funny Girl' and 'Phantom Of The Opera'. Jack, meanwhile, thinks he can audition for any musical." Kurt finished.
"Well…he kinda can." Rachel said.
"And you're kind of his girlfriend so you're obliged to say that." Abbey countered as she sat up on the sofa. Rachel could only smile while Kurt showed a small smile before looking down. Both Abbey and Rachel saw this and they both hugged Kurt.
Abbey and Santana weren't the only couple separated by their college choices. Blaine also decided to study at Ohio State University, History of Art to be more precise, going against his original plan to go to New York with Kurt. And that devastated Kurt, so much so that Blaine has wrote to him many times but he has never replied because he's too hurt that his boyfriend isn't physically there with him.
"Hey. Listen. I've been chosen to be the 'Fight Song Singer' at the next basketball game next Saturday which is the Lions against the Buckeyes." Abbey said and Kurt looked up with shining yet hopeful eyes.
"T-t-t-the Buckeyes? As in the Ohio State University Buckeyes?" Kurt asked. Abbey grinned and nodded.
"Yup. And you're coming with me." Abbey said and Kurt squealed before tightly embracing the redhead. Abbey can only smile as she held onto the countertenor.
"You're going to get your man and I'm going to get my woman." Abbey said and Kurt let out something that was crossed between a laugh and a sob as they held each other tight. Abbey finally broke it before looking to Rachel.
"You're invited too. And Jack. And Steph. She's always wanted to meet Santana." Abbey said and Rachel smiled, nodding.
"Did somebody say Steph Beckett?" a voice bellowed, resembling Draco Malfoy in the 'A Very Potter Musical', and Abbey smiled before looking to the doorway to see her best friend: Steph walk in. Abbey met Steph when she moved into their campus apartment a week before the semester started. Steph was an attractive girl: she was about 5'5" with a slim build and sleek black hair. She was a little bit of a punk rocker and she had one hell of a singing voice and is quite a piano virtuoso, explaining her choice in university courses.
But below her fiery, headstrong surface she is also very sweet and cares for Abbey as a friend, learning of Abbey's sexuality during the first week when Steph asked if Abbey "had any lucky guy on her brain" and Abbey replied with a confident no and "I do have a lucky girl". Steph wasn't homophobic and she was all for gay people, being an avid supporter of gay rights so she was fine with Abbey being a lesbian. But she was worried about her friend. Steph knew Abbey was head over heels in love with Santana but with them being so far away, Steph was a little concerned about Abbey's heart being broken.
But she wasn't thinking of that right now as Abbey had a big smile on her face.
"Hey, Steph. I've got great news." Abbey said and Steph's jaw dropped.
"Christina Aguilera is touring and she's coming to Madison Square Garden?" she asked hopefully. The redhead let out a laugh before shaking her head.
"Not this time. I've been chosen for the next 'Fight Song' against the Buckeyes." Abbey replied and Steph's eyes lit up.
"That's awesome!" she said, high fiving Abbey.
"I know. And you're coming with us. Me, you, Kurt, Rachel and Jack are going." Abbey said and Steph openly grinned.
"Really?" she asked with a high pitched squeal, which Abbey laughed at before nodding. Steph laughed before realizing something.
"Wait…Buckeyes…Ohio State…are you going to see Santana?" Steph asked and Abbey nodded.
"It'll be the first time I see her in 8 months. God, I miss her so much and now I finally get to see her." The redhead replied, gaining smiles from Rachel, Kurt and Steph.
As the 4 talked about their upcoming finals, the door opened and in came a booming melodious voice.
"Hey imbeciles and Rachel! Here I am!" Jack sung happily in the form of Rachel's signature song 'Don't Rain On My Parade'. Steph raised an eyebrow.
"I'm guessing you got the part." She said.
"Yes, Janis Joplin, I did. You are looking at the only first year student in NYADA to be in this year's production of 'Rock Of Ages' and I got the main part. Obviously." Jack said. Rachel grinned and walked over to her boyfriend.
"Well done, Jonathan." She said before warmly kissing Jack. The others could only smile.
[~~~~~~~~~~]
Saturday Afternoon.
Port Columbus International Airport
Columbus, Ohio
Stepping into the arrivals lounge, a grin lit Abbey's face.
"It feels good to be back." She said, letting out a happy content sigh. She then looked behind her to see Rachel, Kurt and even Jack looking around in awe.
"It hasn't changed." Kurt said.
"Well, yeah. You've only been gone 8 months. What's going to be different?" Steph said, looking around with a raised eyebrow.
"I can think of one thing." Kurt replied.
"So can I…" Rachel said with a wide grin before everyone looked to her.
"Look." She then said, pointing forwards and they all looked forwards to see a dapperly dressed young man stood with a wide grin on his face. He was also holding up a cardboard sign that had a red heart and the letters 'K.H' written over it. Kurt let out a disbelieving breath before his grip loosened on the handle of his Marc Jacobs shoulder bag, letting it drop to his feet as he started sprinting towards his boyfriend. Blaine just stood with the grin firmly in place before opening his arms and catching Kurt when the fashion fanatic literally leapt into his arms. Their lips pressed to each others for the first time in just over 8 months and the world melted away. Nothing could be heard except their names in a quite amused tone before another voice spoke up.
"Hey! Harry and Ginny! There are other people that Mr. Anderson want to welcome back to Hogwarts." Jack said and Kurt broke the kiss with him and Blaine, giving Jack the evil eye while Blaine just laughed.
"Still the same as ever Jack?" the dapper boy asked, heading over and shaking Jack's hand.
"He's actually less hostile. I think Rachel's tamed him." Abbey said. Blaine laughed before hugging Abbey and Rachel before laying eyes on Steph, his usual smile still in place.
"You must be Miss Stephanie Beckett." He said, taking the girl's hand and gently placing a kiss on it. Steph grinned.
"Watch your mouth there Anderson, you might slip with the gel from her hair sliding down her skin." Jack with another remark but when Steph stepped forward, raising a fist, the taller boy gave a small flinch.
"Did I just see correctly? Jack Harmon flinching?" Blaine asked.
"Well, there is a very valid reason. 6 months ago, Steph had courtside tickets to a New York Knicks basketball game where Christina Aguilera was singing the National Anthem. And she is a huge admirer of Miss Aguilera." Rachel said before Abbey carried on.
"Jack decided to hide them in his pocket to aggravate Steph…and the next time we saw them was in the washing machine after the half hour rinse." Abbey said.
"As long as you don't have an angry Janis Joplin next to a glass vase filled with bloomed violets, you'll be fine." Jack finished, pulling down the neck of his t-shirt past his chest where a prominent scar was that went across his left pec. Blaine's eyes widened.
"Will it heal?" he asked.
"It should. You should have heard Harmon squeal like a little piglet." Steph said and Jack looked to Steph.
"Well what would you expect when you have a glass vase shredding the front of your body!" he replied.
"I'm a junior mixed martial arts fighter. I wouldn't really worry about getting a little cut on the front of your body. Especially since there is a possibility that you will irritate me again and I will do worse, Harmon. Mark my words." Steph shot back and Jack took a step back to hide behind Rachel.
"Anyway, Jack and Steph's insane rivalry aside; it's great to see you again Blaine." Abbey said and Blaine smiled, pecking Kurt on the cheek before taking Kurt's bag and skillfully throwing the straps onto his own shoulder while Kurt linked with his other arm. Blaine hadn't really changed much since Abbey last saw him at a New Directions farewell party. In fact the only thing that had changed was his dress sense. He was wearing a pear of loose dark blue jeans a tight gray with a scarlet red Buckeyes emblem. And he had also grown a little bit of chin stubble which Kurt seemed to be fascinated by seeing as it was his and his boyfriend's topic of conversation as they headed to the taxi.
"Alright. So, Kurt and I will be staying in my student apartment seeing as my roommate is currently in Beijing on the International Studies course." Blaine said. Kurt looked to Blaine incredulously.
"Is he mildly attractive?" he asked, jealousy hazing his voice.
"She is adorable." Blaine replied and Kurt looked down. Blaine smiled at the countertenor before turning to the other 4.
"Since Abbey and Steph are the Columbus students, there is a hotel room in The Blackwell Inn booked for you and Jack and Rachel can stay in the apartment opposite ours. The last people that were there graduated last year and it hasn't been used for accommodation this year so it's totally empty. I asked the admissions about it and they're totally cool with you guys staying there for a couple of days just as long as you don't make a mess." Blaine said and the others smiled before Blaine looked to Abbey.
"Does Santana know you're here?" he asked.
"No, I'm going to surprise her tonight. Do you have her address?" Abbey asked with a smile.
"Actually, her room is just in the building opposite mine. We see each other all the time when we're not in class." Blaine replied and Abbey smiled.
"Perfect." Abbey finished.
[~~~~~~~~~~]
Later that night
Bradley Hall Building
Dressed in a pair of white skinny jeans, black shirt and black heels, Abbey slowly walked up to the door. She looked at the bouquet of red roses in her hand and smiled before looking up. Blaine said that you could actually see Santana's apartment window. It was on the third row, second on the left. When Abbey deducted and looked at the window, the lights were on so Abbey slowly crouched down, picked up a pebble and softly threw it against the allocated window. She then threw another before a figure came to the window and opened it. Abbey couldn't help but madly grin at the figure of Santana Lopez looking down into the shadows to see who was throwing rocks at her apartment window. Abbey was just about to call out Santana's name when she saw Santana look back and smile. And then a figure walked up behind her.
A slim, pale one with cascading blonde locks that wrapped around the front of Santana's shoulders. And long fingers that clutched at her waist as the paler girl started to mark the Latina's neck with her lips. And as Abbey heard an all too familiar giggle ring throughout her ears like a loudspeaker even though Santana was at a distance, it was all she needed before her fingers stiffened, the flowers dropping to the floor. Abbey could've sworn she heard a cry coming from them as they hit the cold stone of the sidewalk. Or maybe it was from her. She didn't care as she turned and walked away, trying anything to get this feeling of numbness out of her chest.
As Santana let out the giggle, it faded just as fast. She didn't know why she was doing this to herself. She needed to feel whole again as she was without Abbey. But even this thing with Brittany, a girl she thought she was in love with, didn't work. Santana let out a sigh and struggled away from her best friend, walking towards the door of her student apartment.
"What's the matter, San?" the usually airy voice of Brittany S Pierce asked.
"Britt…" Santana started before letting out a shaky breath.
"I can't do this anymore. I can't do this to Abbey. It kills me to know that I am doing this to her." Santana said. A flash of hurt was shown to spark Brittany's eyes.
"But…she's not here. I'm here." The blonde said and Santana's eyes scrunched shut. Those words brought her back to high school when Abbey sung the song from 'Next To Normal'. She saw a production of that the drama department put on and she didn't see what Abbey saw in it. It was just a depressing story about a family and a ghost. But hearing that one song made her head hurt as it did now.
"I know Britt but just because you're here doesn't mean that I don't want Abbey anymore. I love her." Santana said. Brittany just sighed and nodded.
"So…you like her sweet lady kisses more than mine?" she asked. Santana sighed.
"There's always going to be a special place in my heart for you Britt. But my place for Abbey is just a little bit bigger." Santana said and Brittany can only slowly nod.
"So the past 3 months don't count for anything?" she asked. Santana could only shake her head as Brittany retrieved her coat and left but not before gently kissing Santana one more time and heading out the door. Santana just sat down on the sofa, contemplating what she had done before her phone vibrated. Picking it up from the small table in front of her, she saw that she had received a text message. The Latina opened it to see it was from Brittany. She could only sigh and was about to delete it when she accidentally pressed open.
San
Thrs a bnch of rozs out her wth a crd tht hs ur nme on em
Luv u
B xxx
Santana used her 'Text Language Deduction: Brittany Edition' to decrypt the message which Santana deducted as Brittany saying that there was a bunch of roses outside that were addressed to her. Santana could only raise an eyebrow at this before looking out of the window and there they were: a bunch of red roses under a single streetlamp's glow. Santana could only slightly tilt her head to the side as she contemplated who they were from. Probably the one dude who keeps passing her perverted notes during classes and this was him trying to be romantic. Well it wasn't working. In fact, he was probably onto the stalking stage seeing as they were red roses and they were her favorite flower. But he was harmless so Santana thought nothing of it as she closed the window and headed to bed.
[~~~~~~~~~~]
Meanwhile, Jack and Rachel were settling in to their apartment. And by 'settling in', they were making out feverishly on the couch. That was until a knock on the door broke the session. Jack let out a dramatic groan as Rachel stood up and opened the door, where a trembling Abigail Hawkins stood. Rachel's jaw dropped as she took in Abbey's broken appearance: her body was almost doubled over as mascara infused tears ran down her face and she let out continuous disjointed sobs. Rachel pulled her into a tight hug while Jack watched on from a distance with a solemn look on his face as he watched Rachel guide Abbey onto the sofa, whispering comforting words. He knew all too well what had happened.
He and Pressman kept in contact since he left to study Biology at Ohio State. And, of course, Jack told him to keep an eye on the former McKinley students that reside there. Along with Santana, Brittany, Blaine and Ethan; there was Puck, Finn, Mitchell, Michelle, Lauren, Tina, Rory and Maxwell. Quinn, Adam and Artie were at Yale. Francesca went to UCLA and Mike and Tina were at Brown. When waiting at JFK airport, Jack got a text from Ethan saying that Santana had been fooling around with Brittany. Jack was torn as to whether tell Abbey or not because she did deserve to know. Jack had gotten to know Abbey a lot better ever since they moved to New York and she was actually tolerable. But she seemed so happy about going to see Santana and he didn't want to ruin it. He couldn't believe he actually cared about someone's happiness. He also couldn't believe it was wasted seeing as Abbey found out anyway. He could only look down with a twinge of guilt as Rachel rubbed gentle circles on Abbey's back with one hand and text Kurt, Blaine and Steph with the other. Kurt and Blaine were just in the room opposite but Rachel didn't want to leave Abbey when she was this upset.
Kurt and Blaine came rushing in seconds later, before circling Abbey and comforting her. Steph came in about 10 minutes after that and she just looked at Abbey. Abbey looked back at Steph and more tears threatened to fall but Steph pulled her into a tight embrace as the others looked on.
It took Abbey half an hour to calm down and explain what she saw, which made everyone's eyes widen, apart from Jack who just continued to look down. Blaine sighed.
"I'm sure this isn't the first time. Brittany goes to see Santana whenever she has free time." He said, making Abbey double over as her hands covered her face.
"I can't believe she would do something like that." Kurt said.
"Neither can I." Blaine said before Rachel tightened her hold on Abbey. There was a long silence before Kurt broke it.
"So what now?" he asked. Steph, who had remained silent throughout the whole thing, looked to him incredulously and stood up, towering over Kurt even though she was shorter than him.
"Isn't it obvious? We beat the crap out of Santana! Nobody treats our girl like that." She replied, Kurt cowering in fear before Blaine protectively wrapped an arm around his waist.
"No." an unfamiliar voice cut through the room and everyone looked to Abbey.
"No one will touch her. I'll just have to surprise her at the game." She said, a blanket of ice covering her voice.
"But she might not come-" Blaine started but Abbey cut him off.
"Then make her!" she snapped before standing up.
"I will regret every single time she touched that woman. But not with physical violence, oh no. I'm gonna show her what she's missing." She said before turning to Steph.
"I need your help with the song. You need to perform with me." Abbey said and Steph nodded immediately.
"What do you want me to do?" she asked and Abbey just sighed before beginning to explain her idea.
[~~~~~~~~~~]
Monday Night
Ohio State University
Value City Arena
"Good evening ladies and gentleman! We would like to welcome to you to the Value City Arena of Ohio State University where the our very own Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team will take on the Columbia University Lions for one of their last games of the season." A tannoy announced as the packed basketball court applauds.
"It's shaping up to be a great game with both teams being pretty evenly matched but with thanks to our rising stars: Blaine Anderson, Sam Evans and Finn Hudson, the Buckeyes have won one more game than the Lions. We would thank Noah Puckerman but unfortunately, due to his violent actions against the California Golden Bears, he has been banned for the rest of the season. We would just like to let you know that the player who had his jaw broken is not pressing charges against Mr. Puckerman." The tannoy continued.
"What happened?" Rachel asked, wide-eyed.
"Apparently he punched 2 players, the referee and after the game, he peed on the mascot." Jack said, voicing his half-brothers actions. Rachel and Kurt looked shocked while Steph nodded her head, impressed. But before anyone could speak, the lights went down save for a few spotlights that shone on an entrance at the bottom of the arena.
"And now, from Columbia University in New York City, give it up for the Columbia Lions led out by Roaree the Lion!" the tannoy announced as the visiting team came charging into the arena, clad in their white and blue lined jerseys. Of course, they were booed save for the traveling Columbia students and supporters. Once they were on the floor, the lights went down again.
"And now…from Ohio State University…led out by our very own Brutus Buckeye: Mitchell Mason…be upstanding and GIVE! IT! UP! For our very own…OHIO STATE BUCKEYES!" the tannoy announced as captain Finn led the team out. There was overwhelming applause as the mascot and the home team waved to the crowds.
As the teams prepared and each captains went to center court for the tip-off, Rachel, Blaine, Kurt and Jack could see Finn talking to the Columbus captain: Jameson "Jamie" King. Probably trying to trash talk him. Rachel rolled her eyes at this.
"Finn may have a considerable height advantage but just watch as his cockiness is his disadvantage." Rachel said and seconds later, the game started and King just leapt a monumental distance to get the ball into the Columbia half.
"Told you." Rachel just said and Jack smirked, putting an arm on Rachel's shoulder as the game sprang into action.
[~~~~~~~~~~]
At the end of the second quarter, it was half time and the Lions were leading at 17-28.
"Ladies and gentleman, we are now into the Fight Songs so now please turn your attention to center court where singers from the competing schools will sing a song choice for their teams. First up is the OSU so please give a warm welcome to Miss…Santana…LOPEZ!" the MC announced and Jack had to hold a struggling Rachel back, whispering warnings of ruining the plan in her ear as Santana strode out and stood behind a microphone stand that was situated at the center court.
"How are y'all doing?" the Latina asked, gaining a huge pop from the crowd.
"Let's go Buckeyes!" she then said before the opening of Pat Benetar's 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' rang out and the majority of the arena stood up for the girl as she sung with passion and fire. Rachel, Jack, Kurt and Blaine could only watch on as Santana sung the classic rock song and when it came to the guitar solo, Mitchell Mason came barreling on as Brutus Buckeye and played the solo on his guitar. The New York crew applauded for that but when Santana resumed singing, they stopped. When the song ended, rapturous applause rose from the Ohio State students and Santana grinned, blowing a kiss to the audience before walking back.
"And, for health and safety reasons, we cannot name the performers from the opposing schools but give them a hand anyway." The MC said and there was minimal applause before the lights dimmed and some audience members could just make out the outlines of two people walking to center court.
I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive
Applause from the Columbia and NYADA students ripped through the stadium as the lights shone down on Abigail Hawkins and Steph Beckett. As Abbey sung the chorus, she looked and gazed upon her New York Academy of Dramatic Arts compadrés along with Blaine who were cheering wildly along with the Columbia students. Abbey was definitely one of their more popular freshmen and they knew from listening that she was one hell of a singer.
I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise
To fly
To fly
As Steph rapped, Abbey coaxed the Away and actually some of the Home supporters to clap their hands.
I wish today it will rain all day
Maybe that will kinda make the pain go away
Trying to forgive you for abandoning me
Praying but I think I'm still an angel away
Angel away, yeah strange in a way
Maybe that is why I chase strangers away
They got their guns out aiming at me
But I become Neo when they're aiming at me
Steph could only feed off of the energy she was getting. This was just incredible and it was only a college basketball game. She then imagined what it would be like for a real supporting crowd full of fans as she supported Christina Aguilera at Madison Square Garden. Steph had this constant image in her head as she continued tearing through the first verse.
Me, me, me against them
Me against enemies, me against friends
Somehow they both seem to become one
A sea full of sharks and they all smell blood
They start coming and I start rising
Must be surprising, I'm just summising
I win, thrive, soar, higher, higher, higher
More fire
Steph then pointed to Abbey, who sung the chorus again but this time looking to one person and one person only. Her sea green eyes could only lock with the shimmering brown of the one Latina that made her and broke her in one lifetime.
I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive
I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise
Abbey suddenly felt this new burst of adrenaline rush through her and she sung with more power than she had ever had before, making sure every word was heard by everyone in the audience and especially to the one girl who broke her heart.
To fly
To fly
Steph was about to go into the next verse when Abbey stepped in, getting every word with precision yet still keeping a much needed flow that for ever rapper was essential. Steph could only watch Abbey with an open grin before more applause rung throughout the arena.
Everybody wanna try to box me in
Suffocating every time it locks me in
Paint their own pictures then they crop me in
But I will remain where the top begins
Cause I am not a word, I am not a line
I am not a girl that can ever be defined
I am not fly, I am levitation
I represent an entire generation
Abbey looked to Steph who nodded before smoothly taking the baton from Abbey.
I hear the criticism loud and clear
That is how I know that the time is near
So we become alive in a time of fear
And I ain't got no motherfucking time to spare
Cry my eyes out for days upon days
Such a heavy burden placed upon me
But when you go hard your nay's become yay's
Yankee Stadium with Jay's and Kanye's
Abbey then took over, with still wide eyes from Steph's profanity but she continued to sing.
I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive
I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise
To fly
To fly
The audience then waved their hands as Steph sung the bridge. They were putty in the girls' hands and they both smirked to each other before bringing the song to a harmonizing close.
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
I came to win
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
I came to win
I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive
I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise
To fly
To fly
Abbey smiled at the applause but as her eyes fell on an openly crying Santana Lopez, her feet led her swiftly out of the building with Santana hot on her heels.
Santana was running so fast, her lungs were burning and she still couldn't catch up to Abbey. But she had to. She couldn't let her slip away. Not again. She couldn't think straight without her there. Abbey was the only person who Santana thought was completely sane even though the lives of both women so far have had more cons than pros.
Santana managed to follow her outside but once the darkness shrouded her vision, any trace of Abbey had disappeared.
"ABBEY!" Santana screamed. Only the whisper of a lonely breeze replied to her call.
"ABBEY PLEASE!" she yelled as loud as she could with the fragments of air left in her now raw lungs. Once again, the only answer was a small breeze and Santana's eyes could only scrunch shut as she fell onto her knees, openly weeping feeling that this was the last place she'd ever see Abigail Hawkins: the love of her life, given to her and taken away.
0000000000
"I actually went back to New York that night. I couldn't even face her." Abbey then said.
"What about Rachel and the others?" Emilia asked.
"They came back the next morning." Puck said and Emilia nodded before Puck turned to Abbey.
"How long was it before you spoke to her again?" the tall man asked.
"3 and a half years. I was actually working at Golden Hill Productions in New York as a camerawoman. And I remember this one time, I was late for a meeting with a movie director about being one of the main camera people for his upcoming feature film…" Abbey said.
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After graduating from Columbia, Abbey stayed in New York and moved into her own terraced house on the same street as Jack and Rachel but they were hardly home seeing as their burgeoning Broadway careers were taking off after they graduated from NYADA with flying colors. Kurt and Blaine were living a few blocks down but they were both filming the film version of Spring Awakening in Germany.
Abbey was only looking for jobs for a month and a half before she got a job offer as a chief camerawoman from Golden Hill who were a big production company in New York and she had filmed some pilots that were never picked up before a huge director approached Golden Hill, needing recruits and the Chief put Abbey forwards.
As the day of the meeting arrived, Abbey was currently on the verge of internally creating a panic button in her body. She was already 5 minutes late for the most important meeting of her career and life so far and to make it worse? It was pouring down with rain with the angry rumbling of the Roman god Thor in the background.
Stood at the front door, she checked her appearance in the mirror and decided she looked decent enough to meet a big time movie producer who could give you your big break before heading out into her black 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. Her job did pay almost generously in Abbey's opinion, but hey she wasn't complaining. Not right now anyway, because right now she was panicking.
She sped out of the driveway and onto the freeway. The building was a 10 minute drive away but she needed to be there now. Flooring the acceleration pedal, she raced into the city.
She was actually quite quickly gaining ground as she expertly swerved around corners. She was thankful she had filmed some scenes for an action movie and had asked one of the stunt drivers to give her lesson and living in the city for over 3 years meant she knew every turn off by heart, even in torrential rain.
But as she hit this one turn, she heard this horrible loud thud coming from the front of a car and Abbey slammed on the brakes. She could only try and restart her heart which had felt like it had completely stopped. She then realized that someone could be seriously hurt so she rapidly opened her car door and stepped out, looking around and seeing a faint silhouette resting against a tree. Abbey ran over, now pulling her trenchcoat over her head.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Are you hurt?" Abbey asked and the figure could only shake her head but under the rain, she could see it shivering.
"You must be freezing. Come on, you can warm up in my car." She said, reaching for the persons hand and although they were sub zero, Abbey still felt this rush run through her when the hands touched. The figure apparently felt it too because as soon as Abbey felt it, the other hand pulled back before looking up. Abbey's heart ran cold. Those eyes. She knew them anywhere. And they were much less bloodshot when she last saw them but they were still hers.
"Abbey? Is it really you?" the voice whispered and Abbey's eyes scrunched shut. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening. There was no way in hell that this was happening. But it was. And Abbey kept her eyes closed as Santana stood up and examined the beautiful woman in front of her.
"Oh my god. It is you." the Latina could only whisper in awe before raising her hand to stroke the redhead's cheek, only to get it slapped away.
"Don't you dare touch me. You don't have the right. Not after what you did." Abbey whispered icily before turning on her heels and about to walk to the car when a hand stopped her.
"You're not going anywhere." She said. Abbey let out a scoff of disbelief.
"Since when could you tell me what and what not to do?" she said and Abbey saw a fire in Santana's eyes underneath the brimming the tears.
"After the basketball game, I had to find you. I nearly dropped out of college just to find you but I didn't. Nobody would talk to me after what I did. I just went on a downward spiral. I spent all of my money on alcohol and drugs. I couldn't pay the rent on my student apartment so I got kicked out. I had live in Blaine's although he barely talked to me. I'm lucky I even passed and graduated from Ohio State but the day I graduated, I hitchhiked to New York to look for you." Santana said. Abbey's bottom lip could only quiver. She could tell that alcohol and drugs had taken their toll on Santana's body: her skin was incredibly pale and pasty, her eyes were bloodshot and as Abbey looked over the girl's figure, she was very skinny. And that could only tip Abbey over the edge. Knowing she was once that skinny and went through so much pain and emotional torture to get there, could only make her sympathize for the Latina.
"I can't breathe without you, Abbey. Everything is incomplete if I don't have you in my life. My whole life is just a mess ever since you left. Even when you left for New York, I got home and I couldn't stop crying for 4 days straight. I needed you in my life again. I found out what it felt like to lose you and I don't want to go through that again." Santana continued with Abbey shaking her head before Santana stepped forward and lifted the auburn haired girl's head so their eyes locked. The rain mercilessly crashing down on both of the girls but neither of them cared as they just looked into each other's eyes.
"I'm…I just-" Santana then tried to begin before she felt her lips mold with her soulmates. It was harsh, it was firm, it was the complete opposite to how the girls kissed but again, neither of them cared as they felt their hearts implode with the contact.
"Why is this happening?" Abbey asked once it broke but with their foreheads still joined.
"It's fate. It always has been." Santana replied and Abbey let out a shaky breath before reconnecting their lips.
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"It was actually a meeting with James Cameron but hey, I heard he was a douchebag to work with anyway. And I'd take Santana Lopez over James Cameron any day of the year." Abbey said, gaining smiles from Puck and Emilia.
"So, how long were you together after that before everything changed?" Puck asked.
"A year and a half. And then I told her I was going to Atlanta for a week on a business trip and I asked her to come with me. And on our last night there, I asked her on a date. We spent one night in Downtown before going to this beautiful building…" Abbey said.
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"Here we are, ladies." Abbey's chauffeur sent by the company said. Both girls looked outside the car window and saw a towering building.
"Peachtree Plaza." The African-American man said. Abbey smiled.
"Thanks, Colton. I'll call you when we need picking up." Abbey said.
"No problem, Miss Hawkins. And good luck." He said, whispering the last bit as Santana headed out of the car. The man threw Abbey a wink which the girl grinned at before hearing a voice.
"Hey, you best not be winking at my girl?" Santana asked and Colton just threw his dapper smile before putting the 2015 Mercedes S500 convertible in reverse and driving away. Abbey turned to Santana who was still staring at the building before she turned to her girlfriend.
"You didn't have to do this. Just you helping me get through rehab was enough and now this?" Santana asked and Abbey smiled. Since they saw each other, Abbey did everything she could to get Santana back on track and now she was at a healthy weight and was a happy woman. She had also moved back in with Abbey after rehab and they were closer than ever. Even though she had missed the meeting with James Cameron, she worked hard for a pay rise and was invited to a trial and test in Atlanta with David Lynch for his upcoming movie, hence why she was there. But since the trial and test was at the beginning of the week, she and Santana had time to relax before Abbey decided to take her out, making reservations at a restaurant at Peachtree Plaza.
"Yes, because you are amazing and I love you and you are just the greatest person in the world. Plus, reservations were reduced when I rung up so I couldn't say no." Abbey said, gaining a grin from Santana. Abbey grinned back before holding out her hand.
"Shall we?" the redhead asked and Santana could only smile before taking her girlfriend's hand and heading into the building. They headed into the elevator before Abbey looked to the buttons, pressing the one for the 73rd floor.
"What the hell? We're going on the 73rd floor?" Santana asked. Abbey smiled and nodded.
"Yep. That's where the restaurant is: The Sun Dial restaurant. You heard of it?" Abbey asked, gaining a shake of the head from Santana.
"It's awesome." Abbey said before the lift started going up. Santana watched as the glass elevator completely bared itself to the view of Atlanta, Georgia.
"Oh my god, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." She said, taking the rail in front of her as she watched the view below her shrink. Abbey smiled before standing behind her, arms wrapping around Santana's waist.
"Second most beautiful." Abbey said, resting her chin on Santana's shoulder and Santana smiled before gently pressing her lips to her girlfriend's. Abbey returned it in a heartbeat, her hands still wrapped around her waist. Santana put one hand to Abbey's cheek and they and continued the session until the lift bell rang. The girls turned and headed into the restaurant.
"Can I help you there?" a male waiter with black hair, brown eyes and tanned skin said.
"Yes, we have a reservation under Hawkins." Abbey said and the waiter looked down for a few seconds before smiling.
"Here it is. I'll show you to your table." The waiter then said before leading the girls to a table next to the window.
"Might I say, you ladies look very lovely today." The waiter said. Abbey smiled.
"Thank you very much." Abbey said and Santana just smiled before the waiter gave them 2 menus.
"I'll be back soon to take your order." He then said before walking away. Santana smiled, sat back in her seat before looking out of the window. She then sat straight again when she realized something.
"Are we-but we're on-are we freaking moving?" she said and Abbey grinned.
"I think I forgot to mention that the restaurant actually revolves." She said and Santana looked to Abbey with wide eyes.
"Oh dear God." She just said and Abbey giggled, taking Santana's hand.
"I love you." She said and Santana just looked to Abbey, all hype about the revolving restaurant was gone and she just stared into her girlfriend's eyes.
"I love you too. So, so, so much." Santana said before raising Abbey's hand to her mouth and gently kissing it. Abbey giggled before they waited for the waiter to come back.
[~~~~~~~~~~]
Santana had just finished her vanilla ice cream sundae after her wild mushroom ravioli before going over to the other side of the table and feeding Abbey the last piece of her chocolate fudge cake. Abbey giggled while Santana went back to her seat.
"Tonight was amazing." Santana said and Abbey grinned.
"Yeah." She said before taking a deep breath.
"Look, Santana. I know I've said this so many times but I love you. I will go to the end of the earth and back for you, I love you so much. I'm quite thankful whoever threw that lemon slushie at me otherwise I wouldn't have met you. And when I went to New York for college, I couldn't spend one day without hearing your voice over the phone. And then when I saw you after not seeing you for 2 and a half years, I realized that no matter what happened between us, I just can't live without you." Abbey said while Santana grinned, shedding a single tear. Abbey then stood up and went over to Santana.
"You mean the world and more to me, Santana and I planned this whole day just to ask this one question." She said before slowly getting down on one knee. Just as her knee hit the ground, a violinist came over and played. Santana's hand rose to cover her mouth as she drew in a gasp. Abbey let out a laugh before pulling a small white box out of her cardigan pocket, sniffling as tears began to fall down her face. She tehn opened it to reveal a gold ring with quite a big diamond in the middle.
"Santana Maria Lopez…will you do me the greatest honor…of becoming my wife?" she asked. Santana just let out a cross between a sob and a disbelieving laugh before shaking her head as tears came down.
"Why didn't I wear waterproof mascara?" she asked. Abbey grinned.
"I kind of need an answer, I'm getting a knee rash." She then said and Santana lowered a hand away from her mouth to reveal an open grin.
"HELL YEAH!" she yelled and Abbey grinned before putting the ring on Santana's ring finger before pulling Santana in for a searing kiss. There was applause in the background but they couldn't hear anything except the blood roaring in their ears.
"I'm so ripping off your clothes when we get back to the hotel." Santana said. Abbey grinned.
"Not if I get there first." Abbey replied before Santana looked to her fiancé with watery eyes and a giddy grin.
"I'll pay the bill and you call Colton." Santana said.
"No, I'm paying the bill." Abbey said. Santana raised an eyebrow.
"You just asked me to marry you and made me the happiest woman on Earth, I think I need to repay you back by paying the damn bill!" Santana then said. Abbey grinned before looking at Santana's new engagement ring.
"Well then…you'd better get your purse out, bride-to-be." Abbey said, making the Latina grin.
"Only for you, bride-to-be." Santana then replied, making the girls grin to each other before Abbey got her phone out and dialed a number.
"Hey, are you all there?" Abbey asked.
"Yeah." One voice said.
"What did she say?" another asked.
"Well..." she said in a tone that didn't give away anything.
"Come on! Have you even asked her yet?" a different one asked.
"I have and let's just say I don't think she should change her surname. I think the whole Spanish thing sounds severely sexy." Abbey said.
"She said yes?" a group of voices asked excitedly.
"Yes, she did." Abbey replied before hearing applause and cheering from around the room
"We're so happy for you guys!" the second voice called out again.
"Aww, thanks Rory. I can't believe you're all in Jack and Rachel's house right now." Abbey said to the founding New Directions.
"Well, it's not everyday you hear two of your best performers get married." Tina then said.
"You two were made for each other so it was going to happen someday. We're so happy it's now." Rachel then said and Abbey smiled.
"Thanks guys. Are you all still there tomorrow?" Abbey asked.
"Hell yeah! We wouldn't be throwing a party without the happy couple there now would we?" Puck said and Abbey grinned.
"I'll see you guys there." Abbey said and they said their goodbyes before Abbey hung up and quickly called Colton to tell him the news and that they need picking up. Colton sent his congratulations before Abbey hung up.
"Hey, look what they gave us." Santana said from behind and Abbey turned to see Santana holding a bottle of champagne.
"They gave it to us for free." The Latina then said before Abbey gave a wicked smile before sauntering over to her fiancé and putting her lips to Santana's ear.
"Well it looks like we'll be having fun with that won't we?" Abbey whispered and Santana let out a shuddering breath before smirking.
"Lead the way, Miss Hawkins soon to be Hawkins-Lopez." Santana said and Abbey's smile brightened at the sound of the surname.
"I'll be glad to Miss Lopez." Abbey replied.
"No linking surnames for me?" Santana asked.
"Oh, no. I love it just the way it is, the whole Spanish thing is…really sexy." Abbey purred and Santana grinned.
"I can't believe I'm getting married." She then said, Abbey grinned while interlocking her hand with Santana's free one while the other carried the champagne bottle.
"Me neither, baby. Me neither."
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Song used is 'Fly' by Nicki Minaj feat. Rihanna. And Steph Beckett is played by the fierce Christina Grimmie. And Colton Trent (yes, I cast him)is played by Chris Warren Jr.
Woohoo! Okay, my first post in 2012. Let me say a belated happy 2012. And this is going to be a big year for myself, if I can just say :P
So the final final chapter is the wedding. This was actually going to be over 15,000 words so I chopped it a little. The wedding will be published next week today with a few surprises here and there. It's going to be epic.
Until then…cheerio!
P.S. Come back on the 24th! There's a special oneshot coming here in celebration of something :)