She waited patiently clutching the stuffed panda bear close to her chest. Her butt was becoming numb from sitting for 3 straight hours at the wooden porch swing. Santana's Mom wanted her to stay inside but she politely declined and she gave her a sad smile as she took her seat in the swing. Her Mom would occasionally ask her if she needed anything but she would just give her a small smile and say no.

Last year on this very same day, the festivities started as soon as they were out of school. They watched movies and pigged out on junk food until the clock strike 12 and Brittany promptly took out a small cake with candles along with her gift, a stuffed duck and sang Happy Birthday to Santana. They cuddled all night and kissed until daybreak and Santana whispered that it was her best birthday yet.

Things have drastically changed since then, after skirting around her feelings for Brittany Santana finally admitted her true feelings to Brittany. It was a painful time for both of them, she was still with Artie and Santana was still inside the proverbial closet. When she and Artie broke up, it was Santana's reluctance to come out that made her hesitate. In the end they decided to just preserve their friendship because their confusing feelings for each other was putting a strain on their already delicate dynamic.

It was hard because they had to redefine their whole relationship with each other, the easy intimacy disappeared, the small touch here and there, yet they would still talk about everything and anything when they were together. When Santana finally came out, Brittany was there to offer her support, Santana even slept over a few times on her house until her parents was finally able to accept her for who she is. When she did sleep over, she insisted on using a sleeping bag instead of sharing the bed with her. It bothered her that some of the things that usually came naturally to them is becoming things that will be interpreted differently if anyone found out. She spent every night that Santana slept over looking at her while sleeping wishing so hard that she could feel her warm body against her again.

At 11:45 a car stopped in front of her house and she saw Santana come out of the car with a wide grin in her beautiful face. She knew that moments like this are rare especially last year, she rarely saw her smile touch her eyes but when it did it made her all the more beautiful. The car did not leave and Santana came to the door fishing around her bag for her key. Brittany took this chance to say hi in a very soft voice.

She was startled and looked a little confused when her warm brown eyes met mine.

"Is everything okay Britt?" her voice concerned. She placed her hands on either side of my shoulders as she looked at me from head to foot.

"Nothing's wrong, it's your birthday in like 5 minutes" Brittany said offering her a small smile.

She smiles back and says "I'm sorry we can't spend it like before Britt, but I promise I'll make it up to you next Friday."

Brittany smiled at her hoping she doesn't notice the sadness in her eyes. She held up the stuffed toy she's been clutching all night.

"I understand, I just wanted to give you this."

Santana took the stuffed panda and gave me a beautiful smile.

"Aww thanks Britt, he's cute"

They both heard the door of the car open and Brittany saw the driver lean over the car and looked at them.

Santana held the stuffed panda for Emily to see and Emily gave her a huge smile and waved at Brittany.

Brittany waved back and gave the girl a smile. Santana told Brittany to wait for her for a few minutes so she can change shoes.

Emily walked towards Brittany while they both waited for Santana.

"Hey" Emily said softly.

"Hello" Brittany said back.

"Thanks for giving her a gift, you're her best friend and you mean the world to her."

"But not in the way you mean to her " Brittany thought sadly. "Yeah she's my best friend in the whole world"

"So are you joining us tonight?" Emily asked.

"No, I just wanted to give her the gift and greet her a happy birthday, old habits you know" Brittany said offering her a small smile.

Brittany took the opportunity to study the girl beside her. She had long dark hair and she and Santana shared the same skin tone, she was definitely pretty and she understood why Santana was attracted to her almost immediately. She learned that Emily was smart and was on the varsity swim team on their school. She was also super nice and when she and Santana met at a PFLAG meeting while Santana was in Texas with her family they hit it off immediately.

When they both came back from their summer vacation, Santana couldn't help but gush about Emily, they both struggled with acceptance and in Emily, Santana found someone who understood what she was going through. Of course Brittany was still her best friend but their friendship still needs a lot of work after all the drama that happened last year.

Brittany had to get used to the fact that she had to take a backseat when Emily was around, they were in a long distance relationship and she understood that they need all the alone time they can get.

At first a small part of her resented Emily, but she had to remind herself that she chose to be friends with Santana and nothing more so she had to live with the consequences. When she first met Emily she was determined to hate her, but she was very nice and funny and she saw how Santana was around her. It was the Santana that she knew, the side of her she tries so hard to hide from other people before. Even the Glee kids admit that Santana was more calm and she insulted them less when Emily came into her life. It was hard to hate someone who made Santana happy.

"Santana said you've been practicing hard for Sectionals, I hope I can sneak here for Sectionals" Emily said breaking the silence.

"You should, we need all the fans we can get and also Santana would love that." Brittany replied.

The door opened and Santana walked out looking gorgeous in a little black dress. Brittany hoped that Emily did not notice her sharp intake of breath when she saw Santana.

"Hey Britt wanna go with us?. We'll just find a place to hang out and drink the champagne that Emily nicked from their cellar."

Brittany just smiled at Santana and said "No, I'll leave you two alone, I need to get up early tomorrow and set up for Fondue for Two."

"You sure?" Emily asked.

"Yeah and I'm a little sleepy so I'll just head home."

"We'll drop you off, it's already 12:30 am." Santana said to which Emily nodded to agree.

Brittany did not protest but just slid to the backseat while Santana took the passenger seat.

During the drive she noticed that Emily did not let go of Santana's hand, using only one hand to steer the wheel. She feels a slight pinch at her heart when she saw how perfect their hands fit each other. 10 minutes later she pulled in front of Brittany's house.

Brittany said thanks and opened the door of the car. She was halfway across the lawn when she heard Santana's voice calling her name.

"Hey Britt! I forgot to tell you something" Santana said

Brittany faced her and was not prepared for the hug that Santana gave her. It was all too familiar and if she had a choice she would never let go.

"Thanks Britt! He's the cutest panda" she said in her ear.

"You're welcome, introduce him to Mr. Duck so they can be friends, I said.

Santana was the first one to break free from the embrace to give her a smile. She cupped Britt's face and said "You're my best friend Britt, I love you"

Santana then turned around to go back to the car, to go back to Emily.

Brittany gave them a small wave while she stood outside waiting for the car to disappear in the distance. It was when the tail lights was just a fleck of light did she finally let the tears she have been keeping fall from her face.

"I love you too Santana."