Hey guys sorry for taking long to update. It's been a crazy week. Hope you are all still with me! Thank you again so much for your awesome reviews! I don't know if you all will really like this chapter it's more like filler but I hope you do either way! Personally I love it!
Mistakes are mine. Don't own a thing. Don't sue me.
Enjoy
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Rachel walked into one of the five star restaurants in Manhattan. "Hello I'm here to meet Aria."
"Yes right this way ma'am."
Rachel followed the hostess and smiled when they arrived at a corner table. "The waiter will be right with you."
"Thank you," Rachel said.
"You must be Rachel," Aria smiled.
"Yes and you Aria," Rachel smiled.
Aria laughed and nodded. "Mali speaks highly of you."
"She lets you call her Mali?" Rachel asked surprised.
"Only when the King isn't around."
The two women laughed.
"I like you already Aria."
"Same here." Aria said as she took a sip of her wine. "So let's talk business."
"Yes please," Rachel smiled. "I can't wait to start."
"Tell me about it. I have a whole binder full of ideas at home but I didn't want to scare you off on our first meeting."
Rachel laughed. "Oh please Aria nothing scares me that easily, except maybe the King." She winked.
Aria laughed. "Okay well, I'll bring the binder next time."
"Yea and maybe we can meet at my place? This is way to fancy for me." Rachel admitted.
"I bet this is nothing compare to all the places you've been." Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Still it takes some getting used to."
"Your place it is then."
Rachel smiled and they both started to talk about their ideas and plans for the children.
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A month had passed and Rachel and Aria had become really good friends. The penthouse had become their place to bring ideas, work on a floor plan for the center, and make different posts with names to come up with the title, amongst other things.
"Would you like more wine?" Rachel asked.
"You should know the answer by now," Aria smirked.
Rachel chuckled. "I take that as a yes"
"What time is Santana getting here?"
"She should be getting here real soon," Rachel said bringing two glasses filled with red wine.
"Okay so we are getting close to figuring out a name," Aria said excitedly.
"I know!" Rachel smiled as she went to the posts they had out with all different kinds of names.
"But I'm still worried about the floor plan. We already have the building but the construction permits are being such a pain in the ass." Aria said.
"Yea I've been calling them but they always put me on hold."
"Have you told them who you are?"
"I don't think they really care," Rachel sighed. The doorbell went off and she went to open the door. "Hey San, right on time. We want you to be the tie breaker in the name picking."
"Okay," Santana smiled and went to join the girls.
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Two months later, the construction was finally approved and now Aria, Rachel and with the help of Santana, they had to choose the colors and furniture.
"Okay girls we have a deadline in three months we have to get this up and running," Rachel said.
"Yes," Aria started saying. "I have talked to a couple of sponsors and they are on board. They will start announcing the center next month."
"Perfect," Rachel made a check mark on the paper she had in her hands. "And I already talked to a few producers and they will call us back to set a date."
"Cool, which TV shows?" Santana asked.
"Good Morning America and Katie Couric."
"Oh wow that's amazing Rae!"
"I know. Thanks" Rachel smiled.
"What about this color Rachel?" Aria asked. "I think its very neutral and relaxing."
"I agree Aria."
"Great. I'll tell the painters. They start tomorrow." Aria said writing on the paper.
"Okay so they told us it will take them about two weeks to paint the whole building inside and out." Rachel said writing as well.
"Yes," Aria said.
"Okay then after that we can start bringing in the furniture. Did you call about the cribs?" Rachel asked.
"Yes I did, she told me she'll have them ready for when the painting is done."
"Cool," Rachel made another check on her list.
"Guys should we just order pizza since I know you two and we won't get out of here until really late?" Santana smirked.
"Yummy pizza!" Rachel said.
"Good idea Santana," Aria said.
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Rachel and Aria were backstage of Good Morning America and waiting for their turn. They both knew and planned what they were going to talk about and were nervous yet excited to do this.
"How do I look?" Aria asked.
"Are you kidding me? You should be a model." Rachel smiled.
"Thanks Rachel, you look beautiful too." Aria winked.
"Okay Rachel and Aria you two are on in five minutes," a producer said.
The minute the two women were on camera the nervousness disappeared. They looked incredible and did an amazing job talking about the new center they were about to open and the reason why they were doing this.
In Good Morning America, they stayed in the Centers topic.
Rachel wasn't so lucky in Katie Couric. She wanted to go into more personal stuff and it scared her a little bit but knew that it was important for the work she was going to do with the kids.
"So Rachel is it true you are married to a Prince from Africa?" Katie Couric asked.
Rachel cleared her throat and smiled. "Yes I am."
"And how is that? You're from here and lived there for seven months, so tell us about that." Katie smiled.
"Well, my husband and I have been married for nine months and he is the best thing that could have happened to me." She realized how true those words were. "I didn't have the best and privileged life growing up and to find someone who loves me even with all my flaws is incredible. He was a wild man for a while and I'm sure he has stories that he's ashamed off but I don't care about the past. I just love him. And living in Africa was an adventure in itself."
"And how does he feel about your work here with Aria?" Katie asked.
"He is in Africa because his has his responsibilities and a lot of work but we talk every day and he tells me how proud he is of me. He knows how important this is for Aria and myself."
"Why is this so important for both of you? I know you were an orphan at a young age." Katie asked Aria first.
Aria explained her story of how she went from foster home to foster home never having a stable life until she graduated from college as a business major.
"And what about you Rachel? I know we talked backstage and this is a touchy subject but you reassured me you wanted to do this," said Katie.
Rachel nodded and smiled. "Yea. I wish there would have been a center like this one so that I would have been raised and helped the right way."
Katie nodded.
"I didn't have anyone to look up to in the beginning once my fathers passed away so when I found my biological mother at 16 I was so excited. The next two years after that were incredible, she showed me the love I had forgotten but then things just went bad from there."
Katie looked at her cards. "And your biological mother is Shelby Corcoran and she was arrested for running an exclusive high class brothel."
"That's right. She even told me that if I wanted to stay with her, I would have to start pitching in."
"As in working in the brothel?"
"Yes"
"Did you?"
"No." She shook her head. "I almost did but the moment I turned 18 I was able to get out. I worked two jobs, waitress in the evening and overnight as nurse assistance, trying to keep myself busy and work on being an actress. It wasn't easy but it's what I knew in order to survive and not starve."
"The fact that you witnessed what you did and still became the person you are today is amazing." Katie said truthfully while Aria nodded in agreement.
"Thank you."
Rachel was so proud of herself for opening up a little bit about her past for the first time ever. She had talked with Santana who had told her that it might be a good idea to talk about it if only just a little bit to get people involved with the center.
"How did you and the Prince met?"
"He had a business meeting and late at night he stopped at the diner I worked at and before he left he had asked me out." Rachel smiled even though she was lying through her teeth. But this is what she had been told to say so she went with it.
"And you fell in love, got married and will run a center for unfortunate kids. You two are extraordinary women." Katie smiled. "Is there anything else we need to know?"
Rachel and Aria smiled.
"And the name of the center is?"
Rachel looked at Aria to answer.
"Little Angelz Help Care Center," Aria said.
"But it's not just babies and small kids. We accept all the way to 18," Rachel added.
Katie smiled and looked at the camera. "Well there you have it. We will post the link for more information on our website and call the number on your screen if you know any child that needs rescue and help." Katie said. "Thank you Rachel and Aria. Next up…"
When they went to commercial, the producers removed Rachel and Aria's microphone.
"Thank you so much for having us," Rachel smiled at the women from the show.
"Thank you for what you two are doing. God knows we need more people like you."
After taking pictures, Aria and Rachel left.
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Rachel was celebrating with Aria and Santana after a successful day promoting the center.
"To an awesome day." Aria toasted.
"To an awesome day," Rachel and Santana smiled.
"I'll be back guys have to go to the ladies room," Aria smiled and walked away.
Santana looked at Rachel and raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Rachel asked.
"How do you feel after doing that interview?"
Rachel sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "I am glad I spoke about it if it will help our cause. But I really don't wish to speak about it all the time you know?"
Santana nodded and smiled. "Well I'm proud of you."
"You know it wasn't easy but I really hope we can help as many kids as we can."
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Rachel looked at herself in the mirror and sighed so many different emotions. Today was a big day. They would finally open the center a week before Christmas Day and she would see her husband for the first time since she left Africa. She was nervous but she knew this was important.
She arrived to the building and smiled seeing the name in big letters. She walked inside and saw the chairs and tables being set up, the food also arrived and she just smiled proudly. Everything was going just as planned.
"The musical guest cancelled," Aria approached Rachel freaking out.
"What?"
"No musical guest, what are we going to do?" Aria asked.
"What about Santa Claus?"
"He is still coming," Aria said. "But who's going to sing?" she asked as Santana approached them.
"Rachel can do it," Santana smiled.
Rachel eyes widened and shook her head. "What? No."
"Come on. You have an amazing voice and who better than to sing to the kids than one of the women who started the center?" Santana grinned.
"I agree with her, that would be amazing" Aria said.
"No I can't do this," Rachel said.
"It's settled," Aria hugged them and walked away to go and oversee the rest of the things that needed to be done.
"Santana I can't do this." Rachel said desperately.
"Why not? Because of him?" Santana asked.
Tears appeared in Rachel eyes and took a deep breath.
"Mira Rachie, fuck him and fuck the royal family. Today is your day. You did this. Think about all the children you will help because you took a chance with an idea and went with it. You are amazing Rachel and I'm not just saying this because I'm your best friend."
Rachel chuckled.
"Okay? So por favor grow some cojones and go for it. Think about the kids. They had practice so hard."
Rachel took another deep breath and nodded. "Okay."
"Good," Santana smiled. "And the dress you picked for today is perfect."
Rachel smiled. "Now I have to talk to Santa Claus and tell him there is a change in plan."
"I'll see you in a little bit," Santana walked away.
Guests and children started to arrive and the employers welcomed all of them.
Rachel smiled at the women and men she had hired to help her run the center. She was blessed to have found amazing people and luckily for them their backgrounds had passed. She walked outside and spoke to a few press and reporters but then went back inside.
There was a stage in the middle of the back wall and it was decorated especially for Christmas Day. There was a beautiful tree, presents for the kids later, and a big red chair.
Now it was time for her to sing and her heart was beating rapidly. One of the employees brought a microphone with a stand up to the stage. And then Aria walked up to the microphone.
"How is everyone doing?" She smiled at all the cheers and applause. "Thank you all for coming. This means a lot to Rachel and I. We have worked so hard so that we can help as many children as we can. But before we cut the ribbon, we have a little surprise for all of you. Welcome to the stage, the children from Little Angelz and Rachel."
Rachel smiled as she walked up stage with her kids and saw the excitement in everyone's face. She sang Jingle Bell Rocks and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer with the kids and the employees who were dressed up as elves.
"Give it up for the kids." Rachel said and applauded with everyone. The kids from the center stayed on stage because now she was going to sing a solo and they were going to join for the chorus. She closed her eyes and began to sang.
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared
And the soul felt it's worth
The thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brinks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, o night divine
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error-pining
Till he appeared
And the soul felt it's worth
The thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brinks
A new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, o night divine
When she finished the last note there wasn't a dry eye in the room and the applause she and the kids got was amazing.
Aria joined her on stage and hugged her. "And now the moment we've all been waiting for."
Two employees held a long red ribbon on stage for everyone to see and Aria and Rachel held to big scissor and with the help of some of the kids, they cut the ribbon.
"Little Angelz Help Care Center is now officially open for business!"
"There's one more surprise for you guys," Rachel smiled at the kids.
"Ho Ho Ho!"
The kids gasped when they saw Santa Claus walk up stage and went to seat on the red big chair.
Rachel and Aria walked off stage and hugged once again.
"We did it!" Aria smiled.
"You my friend are amazing!" Rachel smiled.
They hugged one more time and Aria went to mingle with some of the guests.
There was a professional photographer who was taking pictures of the inside and everyone who was anyone. She knew she was going to have really good pictures.
"Hey Rach."
TBC
So what did you think? Things will get a little bit interesting.