Chapter Text
It was the holiday weekend and the Valentes were throwing a party with all of their friends and family to celebrate. It was going to be an afternoon filled with eating, dancing, and music and Nina was looking forward to spending it with her boyfriend and her best friend. However, Nina’s day was not going to go as she had planned it. She knew this from the moment she woke up and her boyfriend was nowhere to be found.
“Gastón?” she called out, padding around the apartment in her slippers. “Gastón? Are you here?”
She entered the kitchen to see a large bouquet of flowers on the table waiting for her. Tucked inside them was a note.
Nina-
Good Morning my love. Today is a special occasion and to celebrate I am sending you on a scavenger hunt. It will take you all over Buenos Aires, so you might want to bring a friend along. Follow the clues and at the end you will find me.
Love,
Gastón
Nina smiled, holding the card to her thrumming heart. Leave it to her boyfriend to create such a fun surprise. She read over the first clue and then called Luna.
Luna was knocking on the door ten minutes later, looking disheveled from getting ready in five minutes. She wasn’t wearing any jewelry for once, except for the engagement ring that sparkled on her finger. Luna was quite literally bouncing with excitement.
“Nina, I love scavenger hunts,” she said, a giant grin on her face. Nina laughed.
“I know Luna, that's why I called you. Will you help me?”
“Of course! Hand me the first clue!
Nina handed her the card that read “A typical Friday isn’t complete without a trip here.”
Luna seemed deep in thought. “This could mean so many things.”
Nina shook her head. “I am almost positive that it means Full City Cofee Roasters. On Friday’s I get up later than Gastón, so I bring him coffee at work.”
Luna hit her arm. “That must be it! Why are we still waiting here, let’s go!”
The girls ran out of the apartment and called a cab to take them to the coffee shop. When they arrived, they were surprised to see Simón sitting at a table. Simón waved them over.
“I have been here for an hour, did it really take you that long to figure out the first clue?” Simón joked.
“I woke up like twenty minutes ago,” Luna said, giving Simón a hug. “You are part of this plan?”
“Sí, I am part of this plan. I’ve also got this for you.” He handed Nina a note. Nina read it, smiling softly at the words.
Nina-
The highlight of my work week is when you bring me coffee. I know that I can always count on you to make stressful days easier. I had Simón order your breakfast, so I hope you are hungry. Enjoy mi amor.
Sure enough, the waitress brought out tea and muffins for the trio followed by strawberry crêpes, which happened to be Nina’s favorite.
“Simón,” Nina asked, swallowing a piece of her breakfast, “What is Gastón planning?”
“I-”
“No!” interrupted Luna, “Nina this clearly is a surprise. Simón, tell her nothing!”
“Wasn’t going to,” Simón playfully shoved her, “I can’t tell you anything Nina. Gastón has me sworn to secrecy!”
Nina sighed, but knew that she wasn’t going to get anything out of Simón. Although she knew she was going to like the surprise, she wished she had some sort of hint.
After breakfast was finished, Simón got up.
“Well chicas, I am needed elsewhere.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. “Here is your next clue Nina.”
Nina gave Simón a hug. “Thank you, Simón . We will see you later, at the party?”
“Absolutely,” Simón said, and took his leave.
Nina turned the card over in her hands to read her boyfriend’s writing.
Where we had our first dance.
Luna wrinkled her nose. “Your first dance? Where would that even be? How are you supposed to remember that?”
“No Luna, remember when I danced with him as FelicityforNow in your bedroom? Do you think he means that?”
Luna gasped. “You are right! Do you really think it’s in my bedroom at the mansion?”
Nina nodded. “It seems like it would be.”
Luna grabbed her arm. “To the mansion!”
When they pulled up in front of the mansion, the girls hopped out and didn’t even stop to say hello to anyone as they ran up the stairs to Luna’s old bedroom. They walked into Monica sitting on the bed, smiling at the girls. Luna let out a loud laugh.
“Hola girls, I see you solved the second clue,” Monica said, standing up.
“You are part of this Mónica?” Nina asked.
“Sí, and I have this for you Nina.”
She handed over the second note.
Even though I couldn’t see you, I knew that you were the love of my life. I couldn’t fall asleep that night when I got home because all I could think of was your touch as we danced. As Felicity, it felt as if you were writing directly to my heart. I still feel that when I read your writing. I love dancing with you, mi amor.
Nina sighed and handed it to Luna to read.
“And I have a gift for you too,” Mónica said, walking over to the closet. She pulled out a white sundress. Nina put her hand over her mouth.
“What?”
“You better put it on,” Mónica said, handing it to her, “And Luna you better change into something different, we are having a party today. Did you even brush your hair this morning?”
Luna's face showed her guilt as she went to the closet and found something more suitable to wear.
“And I’ll help with your makeup,” a voice said, coming from the hallway. Nina turned to see Ambár standing in the doorway, with her makeup bag in hand. Ambár smiled at Nina and then looked over at Luna and sighed. “I suppose I’ll help you too.
Luna wrapped an arm around Ambár’s shoulders. “Gracias prima. This is so exciting!”
After an hour, Nina was wearing the new dress and some sandals. The girls walked down the stairs to Mónica and Miguel smiling at them.
“You look beautiful, Nina,” Miguel said. “And Luna and Ambár.”
Luna snorted. “Thanks papa.”
Mónica held out the third clue. “We will see you soon girls.”
“Want to come Ambár?” Nina asked, taking the clue from Monique’s hand.
Ambár shook her head. “I am needed here I think. But good luck.”
Nina turned over the third clue and read it aloud to Luna.
Where I found out the two girls I had crushes on were actually the same person.
The girls looked at each and said in unison:
“Jam and Roller!”
…………….
When they entered the Jam and Roller, the girls made a beeline to the stage where Nina had performed all those years ago and revealed that she was actually FelicityforNow. Pedro was up on stage, messing around with the drums. When he saw them enter, he stopped and shouted.
“Eyy! You found me! I am clue number three!”
Nina laughed. “Hola Pedro, do you have a note for me?”
“I do, it’s-” Pedro started to pat down his pockets. “Hold on, it's somewhere here. Ah! Found it!”
He handed Nina a slightly crumpled note. It read:
I remember the feeling I had when you sang that day and pulled off your wig. It felt like my heart had exploded. You and Felicity were the same person! I felt so stupid for not realizing it earlier. We’ve had a lot of great moments on this stage. I love singing with you mi amor.
The lights went dim and a video started to play on the screen on the stage. It was the video of Gastón and Nina’s performance at Open Music. It wasn’t the last time they would sing together, but it was definitely one of Nina’s favorite moments. Tears came to her eyes as she watched their younger selves singing on stage, so in love even then.
When the video was over, Nina saw that Luna was crying as well.
“You guys were such goals,” Luna sighed, wiping a tear from her eye. “Pedro! Where is our next clue?!?”
Pedro came out from the counter holding a card. “Relax, I have it right here! I hope you enjoyed that blast from the past.”
Luna ripped the clue out his hand. “Nina, read it, read it, read it!”
Nina eyed her best friend. “You seem to be a little too excited, Luna.”
“I can’t wait to see where it leads, please Nina read it!”
Nina read aloud the next clue.
Our first kiss.
Luna’s mouth fell open. “Well dang. Do you remember that? It was so long ago.”
“Sí, claro. Don’t you remember you and Matteo’s?”
“Sí it was on the rooftop after The Roller Band performed.”
“No, Luna it wasn’t.”
“It wasn’t?”
“The skating competition?”
Luna’s eyes grew wide in remembrance and then she shook her head. “That doesn’t count, it was for show. But still...don’t tell Matteo that I forgot. Let’s go to the next place!”
Nina led Luna outside to the fountain where Gastón and Nina had first kissed. They saw Ramiro skating around it, performing tricks.
“Ramiro!” Luna shouted, and waved him down.
“Hey chicas,” he said, skating up to them. “What’s up?”
Luna and Nina exchanged glances. “Do you have something for us?”
Ramiro raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
Nina’s face turned red, “Never mind, sorry to bother you.”
Ramiro grabbed her arm, laughing. “I’m kidding. Here is a note from Gastón.”
Nina unfolded it and Luna read it over her shoulder.
I should have kissed you as soon as I found out you were Felicity. I should have ran on that stage and professed my love for you. But it’s okay, because eventually I did which led us here, and I kissed you for the first time. I loved you so much Nina, but then I let you go. And it was the biggest regret of my life.
The note ended, leaving Nina confused. “Is there not another page?” she asked Ramiro.
“No, just the last clue.” He pulled out the card and handed it to Nina. On it was one short line.
Where I corrected my mistake.
Nina looked at Luna. “This is the last clue.”
Luna squealed. “So this is where Gastón is going to be waiting!”
“Oh and I have this for you too,” Ramiro said, skating over to his bag. He pulled out some headphones connected to what appeared to be Gastón’s phone. “You are to listen to this as you are walking to the final place.” Ramiro put the headphones on Nina and smiled as he hit play.
The sound of a piano filled her head and soon Gastón’s voice could be heard. Luna was dying to know what Nina was hearing, but silently walked by her side as they headed through the park. (Click Here to Listen -> X)
Prometer
Nunca te olvidaré
Como vencer, como
Amarte sin caer por tí
Te miro y puedo decir
Mis dudas se van
Alguna manera
Ya no están
Te acercaste…
Nina was not even paying attention to where they were walking, hoping Luna knew the way. She was completely engrossed in the sound of her boyfriend singing to her, for her.
Podría morir
Y esperarte una vida
No tengas miedo a sentir
Te amaría por mil años más
amarte por mil años más
As the song came to an end, Nina noticed they were coming to the river, where Nina would read to Gastón and where Nina and Gastón had gotten back together after five long years apart. Matteo was standing in front of them. Luna ran to embrace him, him laughing as he kissed her cheek.
Nina took the headphones out her ears.
“Matteo, what are you doing here?” Nina asked looking around for Gastón but not seeing him.
“I am here for this,” Matteo took the phone out of Nina’s hands.
“And for you,” he continued, facing Luna and grabbing her hand. “Come Luna, Nina needs to go ahead alone.”
“Que?” Luna asked, “I can’t go with her?”
Matteo laughed at Luna’s pouting face. “No, I’m afraid not. This is just for Nina.”
“But I was doing so well,” Luna grumbled. Matteo kissed her head.
“Will it make you feel better if I make you a scavenger hunt sometime? That leads to chocolate?”
Luna brightened up, letting go of Matteo’s hand so she could hug Nina.
“Good luck Nina, promise to tell me everything at the party later?”
“Sí, claro,” Nina replied, letting her go. She waved goodbye as Luna and Matteo walked in the opposite direction. Not much farther she could see the bench that was her and Gastón’s favorite spot. Waiting in front of it was Gastón.
He was dressed in a suit, pacing back and forth in front of the bench. When he saw Nina walking towards him, he lit up and stopped. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing his lips softly.
“Thank you for the scavenger hunt Gastón, and the lovely presents,” she said, holding him. “The dress and the song and the video, it was so wonderful.”
“I’m glad you liked them. I have one last thing for you.”
She pulled back and he took her hands in his. She had always liked how her hands seemed to fit perfectly inside of his.
“Nina. I have loved you since we were in school. You were my dream girl. Smart, funny, and caring not to mention so breathtakingly beautiful, inside and out. I can’t believe that I ever let you go.”
“But you have me now,” Nina reminded him.
“I do, and I never want to make that same mistake again. I want to make sure that you are there every morning with me. I want you to always be there to dance with me and to sing with me and go to movies and read to me aloud when I am sick. I want to be at your side when you win a Nobel Peace Prize in writing. Nina, I want to be your husband.”
Gastón knelt on one knee. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet box.
“Nina, will you marry me?”
Nina was at a loss of words. All she could do was nod, shaking as Gastón slipped the ring and it settled perfectly on her finger. He stood up and Nina wrapped her arms around his neck, crying as she held him. He kissed her, whispering I love you over and over in between the kisses. When they finally left the park, Nina was still shaking. She hadn’t imagined that she would get engaged today.
They entered the backyard of the mansion to an eruption of cheers. Everyone seemed to know now that Gastón had proposed to Nina. Luna ran up to her, tackling her in a hug. Nina was a little overwhelmed by the attention thrust upon them, but was smiling the whole time.
“Congratulations Nina!” Luna exclaimed, not letting go of her friend. “I couldn’t believe it when Matteo told me!”
“I can’t believe it either,” Nina replied.
Luna gasped and looked at her friend. “We can go wedding dress shopping together!”
Nina laughed. “Sí, we can plan together.”
“And what about me?” Ambár said, approaching them, “Can’t I be a part of this planning party?”
“Of course Ambár,” Nina said, giving Ambár a hug as well.
Luna joined in, squeezing her way in between the both of them.
“A triple wedding?” she asked.
Ambár’s face paled. Luna laughed.
“I’m kidding, but it will be fun planning three different weddings!”
Looking on, drinking flutes of champagne, were the grooms to be: Simón, Matteo, and Gastón.
“Well lads, I think we did well,” Matteo said, watching the girls.
“Agreed,” Gastón said, “And I am very happy with how everything turned out. I couldn’t have done it without you two, thank you.”
Simón patted him on the shoulder. “Of course. Now, mis amigos, we can celebrate.” He held up his champagne glass.
“To our three beautiful fiances!”
