Chapter 1: Wedding Preparations
Santana's POV
Wednesday 12th July 2017
I'm getting married in a few days and to say I'm nervous would be a complete understatement. If you had told me a few years ago I'd be getting married at 22 then I wouldn't have believed you. I mean I've always wanted to get married, isn't that every girl's dream, but I never thought I'd be marrying someone right now…in fact that's a lie. I thought if I was getting married already it'd be with…you know what, never mind. The bottom line is I'm getting married to my girlfriend of two years and it's going to be ok.
"Hey Santana, are you all set for the wedding?" Rachel asks cheerily.
"Yes Berry" I say annoyed.
"Wow what's up with you?" Rachel frowns.
"Just some pre wedding nerves, nothing to worry about" my mom smiles walking into the room. She and my dad arrived in New York a few days ago to help me with wedding stuff.
"You and Dani are meant for one another so don't worry Santana" Rachel smiles. "You're going to be going away on your honeymoon on Saturday night and wonder why you worried so much."
"Yeah Rachel is right" my mom smiles while giving me a reassuring hug. "So anyway, have you packed everything you need?" she asks.
"Yeah, I think so" I nod.
We decided to have a nice romantic wedding out in the countryside and since its summer we'll be having it outside and the reception will be at the hotel after. Since it's quite a distance away from where we stay then we're all staying at the hotel for a few days before. We get married on the Saturday but Dani wanted a rehearsal dinner which we're going to hold tomorrow night and then Friday we're spending the day separately with each of our families.
"Hi" I smile at Dani as she walks into the room.
"Hey babe" Dani smiles while kissing my cheek. "Are you ready to go to the hotel?"
"Yeah, I am" I smile.
"We'll start taking a few things out to the car" my mom smiles.
"Yeah I'll help her and let you two have some time before we leave" Rachel says and goes off with my mom.
"Are you ok?" Dani asks looking at me sceptically.
"Oh yeah, I'm just a little nervous because this is a big thing" I admit.
"Yeah I know" Dani nods. "I mean just think, the next time we come back to this apartment we'll be married."
"Yeah, we will" I say nervously.
"We should probably think about getting our own place though" Dani says.
"Yeah, maybe" I say quietly. Yesterday I was all ready to get married and now it's like I'm crumbling with nerves.
"Anyway, shall we go?" Dani smiles.
"Yeah, let's go" I nod.
XXX
As soon as we got to the hotel, we got settled in and then had dinner. It was decided that it was best if Dani and I didn't share a room because we'd need to stay separately the night before the wedding anyway so it would save us from having to switch rooms in a couple of days. I ended up sharing with my sister and Dani is sharing with her best friend who also happens to be her maid of honour.
"It sucks we can't share a room but I suppose it'll be nicer on Saturday when we go away and finally get to be alone because we'll have waited a bit" Dani says.
"That's true" I agree.
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?" Dani shrugs.
"Not always actually, I think being present makes the heart grow fonder" I smile.
"Well it'll still be nice on Saturday when we leave for our honeymoon and can finally be alone together again" she smiles.
"Yeah" I nod.
"Anyway I have some wedding stuff I need to take care of right now and it's a surprise for you so if you don't mind, can we just hang out later" Dani smiles.
"Yeah that's cool" I smile back.
"I'll come and get you later when I'm finished and then maybe we could do something" she says.
"That's fine, see you in a while" I say while kissing her cheek.
Just as Dani is leaving, my sister Ava walks into the room.
"Hey" my sister smiles while going over to her bed to get her phone.
"Hi" I smile back.
"Have you got any plans with Dani right now?" she asks.
"No Dani has some surprise thing for me so she's working on that right now so I'm not really doing anything" I reply.
"It's a nice night, some of us are going for a walk so do you want to come?" Ava asks.
"I don't really feel like it, I'd rather just stay here and relax" I admit.
"Ok well I'll see you when I get back" Ava nods.
"Yeah, see you" I smile and Ava leaves.
I started off just peacefully watching the TV on the sofa while texting a few of my friends that couldn't make it until Friday to come for the wedding. Once they had to get back to their busy lives, I ended up just browsing the internet but I couldn't settle doing anything because I was bored. I thought this peaceful time would let me relax and stop freaking out but it's only making me feel worse.
I want to marry Dani so bad but as soon as I woke up this morning something washed over me and I've been panicking ever since. It's like I also have this voice in my head telling me that I'm missing something and that Dani might not be the one I should marry. I mean I don't see why Dani wouldn't be the one I should marry because I love her, we've been together two years and she also gets me. We have a mutual respect for one another's passions and she's helped me get to where I am today.
I'm drawn out of my thoughts by someone banging on the door. I quickly flatten my dress and sort my hair in the mirror so I'm presentable for whoever it is and walk over to the door. As soon as I open the door, I almost collapse in shock.
"Hi baby" Brittany smiles smugly.
"Brittany…I…what…I mean how…" I don't know what to say because this is so unexpected. I never thought in a million years I'd see Brittany at my door three days before my wedding.
"Are you going to let me in?" she smiles.
"I'd rather not thank you very much" I state.
"I always loved you're stubbornness" Brittany smiles while gently pushing past me to walk into the room.
"Brittany, what are you doing here?" I ask annoyed. She can't just turn up here and act like we're friends because we're not. We haven't been anything in a long time, never mind friends.
"Oh popcorn, don't mind if I do" Brittany says taking some popcorn, completely ignoring what I just asked.
"I asked you a question Brittany" I state.
"I know and I chose to defer the answer until later" she smiles sitting down on the couch. "Hey come sit down, tell me what's going on with you."
"Um…no" I say seriously.
"Are you afraid you can't keep your hands off me?" Brittany winks.
"Not at all, my hands certainly don't want to be on you" I assure her.
"Ok, that's a little harsh" Brittany frowns.
"Sorry" I sigh. "Seriously though, what are you doing here Britt?"
"Britt, I always liked it when you called me that" she says smiling, "secretly you were the only one I liked to hear it from. I preferred it whenever everyone else would call me Brittany because Britt could just be our thing."
"Seriously, what are you doing here?" I ask while sitting next to her. "The last time we spoke you told me you were ending whatever charade we had so why are you here now?"
"Excuse me, you were the one that didn't want this" Brittany says seriously.
"It's not that I didn't want this, it was because we…look we're getting off task here. I want to know why you're here now not what happened six months ago" I sigh.
"Because I wanted to see you" Brittany shrugs.
"Yes but why?" I ask getting frustrated.
"Let's just say a little birdy told me the love of my life was getting married on Saturday" Brittany smirks.
"Oh" I say surprised.
"It was nice of you to tell me yourself that you were getting married" Brittany points out.
"Brittany we're not friends, I don't have to tell you everything about my life" I state, "and furthermore I don't even have your number anyway to be able to contact you."
"Fair enough about not telling me everything and not having my number but damn Santana, getting married?" she questions.
"What's wrong with that?" I ask.
"Well for starters you didn't even propose to me properly and secondly I haven't even picked out my dress yet" Brittany replies.
"This is not a time for jokes" I shake my head.
"I'm not joking" Brittany shrugs. "I mean I can't be right, because the only person Santana Lopez is supposed to marry is me."
"Why are you torturing yourself Brittany?" I sigh. "You know we could never work so why are you here pretending this is all some charade and that we'll be together again?"
"No Santana, you said we would never work" Brittany says seriously while turning to look at me. "Everyone can see I've been the one that has wanted us to be together forever and I'm the one who has fought for us the most so don't tell me I know we would never work when I know damn well we could've."
"You have to let me go Brittany because you're ruining your life thinking we could be something when we can't. I'm getting married on Saturday so I want you to go out there and find your perfect girl" I say.
"I don't need to because she is already sitting in front of me right now and I know she loves me but she's just too scared" Brittany smiles.
"Brittany stop this" I say frustrated.
"Tell me you don't want me and I'll stop this. I will walk right out of your life forever as soon as you tell me you don't want me" Brittany says.
"Brittany, we're not doing this now" I sigh shaking my head.
"I know I can come across really full on sometimes but you never actually tell me to go away so once I actually hear you say that then I'll go" Brittany says.
"Brittany, I'm getting married on Saturday. Doesn't that say something, doesn't that tell you what you need to hear?" I ask.
"You haven't actually said those words though" she points out.
"I mean those words though" I say.
"Then say it. Let me hear those words come out of your mouth and I'll leave you forever" Brittany says and I just sigh in response. I really wasn't ready to see Brittany. "If you don't love me anymore then tell me and I'll never bother you again."
"You're just getting hurt Brittany" I say deflecting slightly. The truth is I can't admit it to Brittany because it's not true.
"Hey Santana I thought…Oh. My. God." Ava says excitedly.
"Hey honey" Brittany says running over to hug my sister.
"What are you doing here?" Ava says hugging her back.
"That's what I'd like to know" I mutter while throwing myself back on the couch in exhaustion.
"Like I told Santana, I am here because it has come to light recently that a certain smoking hot Lopez is getting married" Brittany replies.
"Oh stop, I'm not getting married Brittany" Ava smirks while gently shoving Brittany.
"She wasn't talking about you obviously" I state.
"Yeah I was talking about your sister but you're still hot" Brittany winks at Ava.
"Thanks" Ava says blushing slightly.
"So what did you want Ava because I thought you were out with the others taking a walk or something?" I ask.
"I just didn't think it was nice to leave you alone so I was coming back to spend time with you" Ava replies.
"Well she's not alone right now, she has me" Brittany smiles.
"Does that mean that I need to leave now or…?" Ava asks.
"I don't mind but I did kind of come here to talk to Santana" Brittany replies.
"I'll go then and give you two some time to talk" Ava says while leaving the room.
"So…" I say hesitantly.
"Yeah" Brittany nods.
"Look you know I hate fighting with you Brittany but what's going on here. Why are you here and what do you think is going to come out of this?" I ask.
"Six months ago you were in a hotel with me screaming my name and now you're getting married to some girl?" Brittany questions. "It just doesn't make sense, that's all."
"She's not some girl, her name is Dani and we've been together for two years" I state.
"Hold on, you were with her six months ago?" Brittany asks confused.
"Yes" I sigh.
"But you never once mentioned her" she replies.
"It didn't feel right to say anything at the time, it'd make things worse between us" I say.
"But we slept together and you didn't think to mention you were also having sex with some other chick" Brittany sighs.
"It wasn't my finest moment obviously" I admit. I am really ashamed of what I did because I had a girlfriend and I cheated on her with my ex. It wasn't just Dani I hurt, I've obviously made things ten times worse with Brittany too and I never thought our situation could get any worse.
"So how does she feel about you cheating on her with me?" Brittany asks.
"She doesn't know" I sigh.
"I thought that might be the case" Brittany nods.
"So uh…who told you about my wedding?" I ask.
"It wasn't actually anyone, I found out through social media" Brittany replies. "You haven't posted anything that signifies you're engaged but I noticed you were tagged on a post someone else put up and she called you her fiancée. Then when I went through her Instagram and twitter, she talks about a wedding to Santana Lopez so I can only imagine that's you."
"Yeah, it is" I say quietly.
"She doesn't look like your usual type, I must say" Brittany says.
"I don't have a type Brittany, I just fall in love with the person not by what colour of hair or eyes they have" I reply.
"You usually like someone a little taller, someone a little more…"
"You?" I ask cutting Brittany off.
"Yes actually" Brittany nods. "I know everything about you Santana…well except the fiancée part but anyway, I know what you like and what kind of person you are."
"Not anymore though. I'm with Dani now and I've changed. I'm not the girl you used to date and love, I'm different now" I say.
"Listen…" Brittany says taking my hand in hers. "Are you 100% sure about this?"
"Brittany, come on" I sigh, trying to avoid eye contact with her.
"Santana I know we've had our ups and downs but you marrying this girl means we'll be over officially forever. This will mean there is definitely no going back" Brittany says.
"I know" I nod.
"Are you sure that's what you actually want?" she asks.
"I…"
"Hey babe I thought I'd…who's this?" Dani says just noticing Brittany sitting next to me.
"Brittany Pierce" Brittany smiles smugly while standing up to shake Dani's hand.
"O-k" Dani says confused.
"Dani could you give us a second please?" I ask.
"Um…ok" Dani says slightly confused but slight offended at the same time.
"I'll come to your room once I'm done" I say and she nods.
"Fine, I'll see you soon" Dani says while leaving the room.
"I saw the look in her eyes, she doesn't have a clue who I am does she?" Brittany smirks.
"If you are asking if she knows you're my ex then no she does not" I reply. "It's going to stay that way as well though."
"Hmm…building a marriage on lies" Brittany smirks, "what makes you think it'll last if you do that?"
"I'm not lying to her because she knows nothing about it, I'm just withholding the truth about a few things" I say.
"Why is it that you want to hide me and our life together?" she asks.
"Because it's not relevant anymore. We're over and I'm marrying Dani so why should I still want to talk about that aspect of my life?" I ask.
"Perhaps because you still love me deep down" Brittany replies. "Maybe you should still want to talk about it because you know we're meant to be but the only reason we aren't together is because you're scared."
"I am marrying Dani, end of story Brittany" I state seriously.
"You need to…"
"I don't need to do anything you say so I suggest you leave now" I say.
"Ok I get tonight has been a bit full-on so I will go just now but I'm not leaving until I make sure you're 100% sure you're marrying the right girl" Brittany says standing up. "I've got a room on the floor above so expect to see me again" she smirks before walking to the door.
"No Brittany, you can't keep turning up here like this. We're done and you shouldn't want to be with me anyway" I say in the most confident voice I can.
"Do you still love me Santana?" Brittany asks turning around to look at me.
"Brittany…" I sigh.
"Exactly" she smirks, "see you tomorrow" she says blowing me a kiss and then leaving.
Once I take a minute to digest things, I go and find Dani. She left the door to her room propped open with a fire extinguisher so I just walked right in.
"Hey" I smile when I see her sitting on the couch.
"Hi" she says quietly.
"Sorry about that earlier babe" I smile reassuringly. At this point though I'm not sure if that's to reassure myself or to reassure Dani.
"Things looked a little intense with you guys, what was going on?" she asks.
"Nothing babe" I smile before kissing her cheek. "I need a drink, do you want one?"
"Why are you brushing that off like it was nothing. That didn't look like nothing" Dani says.
"Ok, fine" I sigh. "Look she is an old friend and we sort of didn't leave things in the best way so we were just talking."
"What was the name again?" Dani asks.
"Brittany" I reply. God even saying her name does things to me.
"Brittany? I've never heard of a Brittany before" Dani says looking puzzled. "I'm sure you've told me about all your old friends before but that name really doesn't ring a bell."
"It doesn't ring a bell because I actually haven't mentioned her to you before" I admit.
"Why not?" Dani wonders. "I mean you just said she was an old friend so for her to be friends with you then she must have meant something to you at one point."
"It's complicated, I'd rather not get into things right now" I state.
"Why do I have a feeling there is more to this situation and you're lying to me about something?" she asks.
"I don't know what you mean" I say playing dumb.
"There you go again, I can tell you're lying to me. Whatever it is Santana just please tell me right now. I don't want us to get married knowing we have secrets from one another" Dani says.
"You really want to know who she is?" I ask.
"Yes I really do" Dani nods.
"She's my ex and I've never loved anyone like her before" I admit.
"You're ex?" Dani asks shocked. "Damn Santana why the hell don't I know about her?" she shakes her head. "I told you everything about my exes and you swore to me you only had a few flings and there was never anything serious."
"Like I said a minute ago, things are complicated between Brittany and me" I sigh.
"They do sound complicated when you just said you've never loved anyone like her before. Does that 'anyone' include me?" Dani asks offended.
"I love you Dani and I'm going to marry you, doesn't that say anything to you?" I ask.
"It says a lot of things but none of the things I initially thought. I thought you said yes when I proposed because you loved me and want to be with me but maybe you said it because Bethany was unavailable so I was the next best thing" Dani says getting upset.
"Her name is Brittany and that's not true babe" I say trying to put my arm around her to comfort her.
"Don't, just not now" Dani says pushing me away.
"What do you want me to say Dani, how can I make this better?" I ask.
"I want to know everything about Brittany and your life with her" Dani says annoyed.
"What like completely everything?" I ask confused because that could take a while.
"Yeah absolutely everything from the day you met until a few minutes ago" Dani nods.
"Ok, well…"
I'm just trying out a new story so let me know what you think.