Pedro Pascal Character Imagines

Begin Again (Sequel to "I Almost Do")

Summary: Javier is back in Laredo and he decides to finally act on his feelings for Aubry.

A/N - Inspired by "Begin Again (Taylor's Version)" and a touch of "Holy Ground (Taylor's Version)". I decided to give you a happy ending after the angst of the first part.

Aubry locked her front door and slipped her headphones on, pressing play on her Walkman. Javier gave her so much shit when she bought it. He preferred listening to vinyl records, the snob.

She smiled when her favorite song started playing. Javier hated mainstream pop music, preferring to listen to Latin artists or rock music, but indulged her whenever they rode in his car.

Like every day, Javier was on Aubry's mind as she walked to the coffee shop where she worked.

"Morning, Aubry!" Myrtle greeted her.

Aubry stepped behind the counter and shed her coat and scarf. "Hey Myrtle, how has it been?"

"Not that busy surprisingly."

"Well it is only Wednesday." Aubry slipped on her apron and tied it around her waist.

"It's the middle of the week. By that logic, it should be busier. People need their coffee to get thru the rest of the week. Oh, by the way, how did that date of yours go last Saturday?"

Aubry blew a raspberry.

"That great, huh?"

Aubry sighed. For the last nine months, Aubry had been putting herself out there and tried dating, but none of them were him. Aubry didn't know why she even tried anymore. She only wanted one man.

Myrtle patted her on the shoulder. "You'll find someone, dear."

Aubry gave her a small smile, even though they both knew her someone was in Colombia. "Well, I'm gonna get started on inventory." Aubry disappeared into the stockroom, eager to get away from the conversation.

Work was quiet and there weren't that many customers.

"I'm going on lunch, Aubry," Myrtle told her.

"Okay, have a good lunch."

A few minutes later, the bell above the door dinged and Aubry rushed to the counter. "Hi and welcome to Mrytle's Coffee. How can I help you?" Aubry looked up at the customer and her heart stopped in her chest.

It was Javier.

Javier gave her a small smile. "Hey Aubs."

Aubry tried to stop her heart from fluttering in her chest. God, his voice sounded even better in person than on her answering machine. "What are you doing here?"

Javier rubbed the back of his neck. One of his nervous ticks. What reason did he have to be to be nervous? "Well, I kind of wanted to get some coffee."

He was trying to be charming like always, but Aubry wasn't falling for it. "No, I mean in Laredo. Why aren't you in Colombia?"

Javier sighed. "Can we...can we just not talk about that?"

"About what? The fact that you aren't there or the fact that..." Aubry stopped herself. The fact that you left me here alone. Tears stung at Aubry's eyes.

"I'm sorry," Javier said, "Truly I am."

Aubry laughed bitterly. "Oh, now you're sorry? You've been gone for a decade Javier."

"Can we talk? Please?"

"I'm the only one here right now, but maybe when Myrtle gets back."

Javier nodded and took a seat at a table at the back.

Aubry could feel all the eyes on her, so she retreated to the stockroom until Myrtle returned.

"Javier is here!" Myrtle said.

"Yeah, I know," Aubry told her, "He wants to talk."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Get out there." Myrtle practically shoved her towards Javier.

Aubry sat down across from him. "Well? Talk."

"It's...it's good to see you again. I didn't get the chance to stop in when I was here for Danny's wedding. I thought you would be there."

Aubry knew he was in town for his cousin's wedding. All everyone could talk about was the hometown hero Javier Peña. "Well, I had to work."

"Right. Of course."

Javier knew she was lying, but he didn't call her out on it.

They were quiet for a few moments, before Aubry said, "Well, this has been great and all, but I have to get back to work." Aubry was about to get up when Javier got out of his chair and knelt in front of her. "Javier, what are you doing? Get up."

"I love you."

All the breath left Aubry's lungs.

"I should have told you that night. I should have asked you to come to Colombia with me, but I was stupid and scared. God, I regret everything that happened. We could have been together and happy all these years and instead we were both suffering. So, please, put us both out of our misery and say you'll marry me."

Aubry's mouth dropped open. The Javier Peña was on his knees in front of her, practically in front of the whole of Laredo, asking her to marry him after not seeing her for a decade. "Javi..."

"Please, Aubs. I'll never ask you for anything ever again. I want you. Please, marry me."

"Javier, please get up."

Javier slowly rose to his feet and turned to leave.

Aubry grabbed his hand and turned him back towards her. "No, you silly man. I imagine running around communas has done a number on your knees and back."

"So you'll marry me?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

Javier smiled and finally pressed his lips to hers.