The next several hours were filled with dancing and karaoke thanks to the built in sound system in the living area. Even though the drinks were flowing no one had reached sloppy drunk levels, they were just at the edge though. They'd had enough to feel good but not enough to get completely smashed. It was still early in the day after all.
For the past half hour they had each taken their turn with the mic, getting down and silly as the others laughed and whooped it up. They even decided to do a girl group number for old time sake. Everyone had tossed a few suggestions out into the air but in the end they landed on Fifth Harmony's Work From Home. Maybe it was the drinks or all of their goofing but it was surprisingly easy to fall back in tune with each other as they worked out their version of the song. They only had to go through it a couple of times before they nailed it, complete with sexy, fun choreography and a solid vocal arrangement. Sugar was a little bummed because she was the odd woman out until Brittany reminded her that she could always do the rap part, which instantly excited Sugar who gave her best Ty Dolla $ign impression when it was her turn. Sugar was a surprisingly good rapper.
It was just like the glee days, performing for fun and for themselves as they danced up and on and around each other, bouncing on couches and coffee tables. They were into it, they were feeling it. It did eventually come to a halt though when during the ''work, work, work, work, work, work, work'' part of the song Brittany started backing her ass up onto Santana which led to some grinding which led to them getting hot and heavy and making out, which let to someone's boob getting groped, which led to them falling over the back of a couch.
''Okay, okay, okay,'' Sugar said, stopping the music and hushing everyone to settle down. ''That was fun but I think it's time for something a little more mellow. Everyone take a seat cause I got the next song.'' She grabbed the mic and started queuing up an instrumental track. It began with a gentle acoustic guitar. ''This one's for you, Quinn!'' she shouted and stood up on the coffee table.
The others stood and watched in awe and in amusement as Sugar began wailing. She moved through the verses slightly slurring and only really began to sing with fire and conviction when she started in on the chorus of her song.
''...Something-something-something, something-something-something, something-something-something, DES-PA-CITO!'' Sugar sang-shouted her tiny heart out. ''Something-something-something, something-something-something, something-something-something, DES-PA-CITO!''
''You are nailing this song Sugar!'' Santana said sarcastically before downing the rest of her drink from a party cup.
They let Sugar finish her weird but impassioned cover of Despacito before Mercedes spoke up and floated the idea that they all move the party outside to the lavish pool area, or more specifically the hot tub. Everyone was quick to agree to a change of scenery and they all broke to go back to their respective rooms. The plan was to take a half hour to change into their swim wear before heading out into the sun.
Santana was quick to shed her clothing and wiggle into her bikini. She left Brittany in their bedroom, snuck down the hall and knocked on one of the guest room doors. Mercedes, decked out in a one piece and poolside robe, answered.
''Hey, Quinn's sharing a room with you right?'' Santana asked, to which Mercedes nodded. ''Tell her to get her white girl ass out here.''
Mercedes rolled her eyes but disappeared from the doorway. Soon Quinn came and took her place. She was tying up her own poolside robe as she came face to face with Santana.
''What's up?'' Quinn asked and then gave Santana a once over. Santana hadn't bothered with a robe and stood confidently in her swimwear. ''Don't you have something to wear over your bathing suit?''
Santana let out a puff of air in amusement. ''Uh yeah probably but I didn't rent out this beach house to be modest up in here. For your informations Quinn one of Brittany's birthday wishes was for me to be in a permanent state of undress this weekend-''
''Ew.''
''-you're lucky I have a bikini on at all frankly. If you don't want to look at my bidness don't look at my bidness.''
''Fine, what is it that you wanted me for?''
''I need you to help me get the thing ready,'' Santana said. ''It's in your car trunk right?''
''We have to do that now? We were just about to get into the hot tub,'' Quinn whined. ''I really wanted to unwind.''
''Yeah well, I had to leave Brittany back in our room to put sunscreen lotion on herself. Trust me, I'd much rather be getting my grope on helping her slather that stuff on but we're all making sacrifices here, Q.''
''Let me get my keys. Meet me in downstairs in the garage in like two minutes.''
Quinn quietly shut the door. Santana turned around and was about to make a start of it only to bump into Sugar who was walking down the hall and holding her phone out and up while speaking.
''Hey Sugar Cookies,'' Sugar said to the screen, addressing her fans. ''So me and some friends you might recognize are about to hit up the hot tub. Keep checking my Stories to see some shenanigans and tomfoolery. Also I have some pictures and a poll up on Twitter, tell me what bathing suit I should rock today, I want to hear from you. Finally, I just want to give a shout out to Coppertone who's products I use and love!'' Sugar held up a bottle of lotion for the camera and was extra careful to display it so the name was in focus. ''Coppertone! The leading sunscreen in the United States! Protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays! That's Coppertone! Sun protection for the whole family! Anyways that's all for now Sugar Cookies. Catch ya laters.''
And with that Sugar ended her video, tapped a few buttons and looked up at Santana who was studying her open mouthed.
''Did you just do an ad on your Instagram Story?''
''Uh I just made myself five thousand dollars and yes,'' Sugar answered smugly.
''Whatever. I need a favor from you, Motta.'' Santana didn't wait to see if Sugar would agree or not, she just bulldozed on. ''I have to take care of something downstairs in the garage. It shouldn't take me long but I need you to keep Brittany occupied until I come back. You get her and the girls outside and in the hot tub and whatever you do, don't let her go looking for me or Quinn for that matter.''
''Why?''
''It's a surprise and you don't want to ruin Brittany's birthday surprise right?''
Sugar shook her head.
''Good, then do me a solid and keep Brittany busy until I get back.''
''Got it.''
Sugar was about to march off but Santana yanked her back, pulling her by her collar almost as if Sugar were a baby kitten being handled by her mother.
''And another thing,'' Santana started. ''This weekend is for us. You, me, Mercedes, Tina, Quinn, but most importantly Brittany, it is not for you to share with your strange little fanbase.''
''My fans are called Sugar Cookies FYI,'' Sugar said, almost offended.
''Well whatever you call them, I don't care. I don't want you posting anything about this weekend on social media. We have to do enough of that crap as it is, this is supposed to be a vacation from all of that. So no more Instagram or Twitter or Snapchat.''
''Can I still use Tumblr? The Sugar Cookie community is like really, really strong there.''
''No! No social media. Give me your phone.'' Santana confiscated Sugar's phone and turned it off.
Sugar however magically produced yet another phone from behind her back. ''Can I still use my secondary phone?''
''No.''
''How about my third?'' Sugar again pulled another phone out.
''Why do you have so many phones?''
''I'm an influencer, social media is my job. I have different phones that I use for different things.'' She produced one more phone from behind her. ''I use this one to anonymously write RPF about you and Brittany.''
Santana closed her eyes in aggravation, took a breath and calmly stated, ''Sugar I love you but you are a headache and I need you to go away from my face right now.''
''Okay I'm going, I'm going…''
When Santana opened her eyes again Sugar was gone. Santana sighed in relief and once again started to make her way downstairs. She stepped into the kitchen and pulled open a drawer where she then deposited all of the phones she had confiscated off of Sugar, from there she made her way to a white door at the side of the house that lead to the garage space where Quinn's rented vehicle was parked. She admired it for a few minutes until Quinn herself entered and shut the door connected to the house behind her. With a press of a button on a key fob the trunk popped open.
There in the middle of the compartment was a plain brown box.
''Here's the instructions,'' Quinn said, holding up a folded white sheet of paper.
''Puh, who needs instructions-aw shit why is this so heavy?!''
''Yeah, the packing slip that it came with said it's supposed to be over 40 pounds...uninflated that is.''
Santana and Quinn stared down at one of Brittany's birthday gifts.
A giant uninflated float.
But not just any float, this float was shaped in the form of a white unicorn with rainbow mane and wings. It wasn't the kind of float that you'd find in someone's backyard pool either. This float was almost raft-like in that it could seat up to six people and even had a built in cooler and cup holders. It even came with paddles. It was a float obviously meant for huge bodies of water.
Santana had seen a post about the unicorn float on Instagram several months back. Some 20-somethings had posted a series of videos of their group of friends drinking and partying with it. Santana wasn't sure why she clicked on the Amazon link to the product page and saved it but she was glad she did later on when she decided to do something grand for Brittany's 25th birthday.
It set her back three hundred dollars but it was worth every penny because she knew the smile she would get from Brittany in return would be bright and beautiful and priceless. She was going to love this big ridiculous thing.
Brittany deserved a unicorn and Santana planned to give her one.
''Okay so the inflation time is supposed to take around three hours,'' Quinn said as she read and picked up the pump. ''All we have to do is plug this in and wait.''
Together the two of them picked up the float and pulled it out, laying it on the floor of the garage. It was actually larger than Quinn's vehicle they realized when they managed to unfold it properly. Luckily the garage was suitable for multiple cars and had plenty of room because once inflated it was going to be a monster. It took them about twenty minutes to get everything set up, they plugged one side of a hose into the unicorn and ran it to the pump which they had plugged into a wall socket.
Then it was only a waiting game.
''Did you really mean what you said earlier?'' Quinn asked as she started to clean up, tossing the random bits of left over packaging away in a nearby bin.
''About you having a white girl ass?''
''No I mean, about me and my career,'' Quinn clarified. She was trying to sound casual but she came off as anything but. ''You said out of all of us you somehow knew I would be the one to pull a stunt like bearding.''
Santana shut the trunk and shrugged. ''I mean...I guess.''
''Oh.''
''Look I'm not trying to turn this into a thing, Quinn, okay? I'm just calling it how I see it.''
''And how do you see it?''
Santana exhaled, aggravated. She really didn't want to say this and she hadn't planned to, but if Quinn was asking...well. ''After all these years you're still looking for validation from all the wrong places.''
Quinn made a huffy-puffy noise. ''It's funny, I don't see you judging anyone else's choices.''
''Yeah well, I don't see anyone else compromising themselves,'' Santana snapped right back and then went quiet when she realized just how harsh it came out. And that, that was the last thing she wanted. They were done with high school, or at least she was. ''Can we just forget I said anything? I didn't invite you out here to do this.''
''By this you mean mean bite each other's heads off?''
''Yeah, so let's not. We're better than that and I know it's the last thing Brittany would want to see or hear.''
Quinn nodded with reluctance. ''You're right, we are better than that.''
''So can we please just put this,'' Santana made a wavy motion between their bodies. ''Behind us or at the very least on pause for the time being and enjoy our weekend.''
''Deal. The conversation is officially on pause.'' Quinn exhaled and seemed to relax for the moment.
Santana tugged on Quinn's arm affectionately and began leading them back into the house. ''Now let's go. Let's get our hot tub on…''
X
Lounging about in the hot tub and shaded by nearby greenery Mercedes, Tina and Brittany were enjoying the relaxing water jets as well as a few margaritas they had just whipped up at the outdoor bar area a few feet away. They listened intently as Sugar recounted her latest romantic conquest, giving them the down and dirty details.
They were intrigued in a grotesque sort of way.
''...and so then I was like Zac I know you're in love with me but I can't marry you! I can't be tamed!'' Sugar shouted, pulling exaggerated faces and placing a hand to her heart. ''What we had was one magical night I told him, one magical night wherein he wore his old High School Musical basketball jacket as we made mad passionate love and wherein I may have called out Troy Bolton's name in the heat of the moment. But I couldn't lie to myself or him, it just wasn't meant to be between us. And that's how I almost became Sugar Efron.''
''Are you just making this up or….'' Tina trailed off in confusion.
''There's no way all of that happened! You're pulling our legs right?'' Mercedes asked Sugar.
''She's totally pulling our legs,'' Brittany said.
''You didn't actually have a fling with Zac Efron did you?'' asked Tina.
Sugar grinned a sly little grin. ''Mayhaps...mayhaps not. I guess you'll never know for sure, will you.''
Brittany slurped loudly through her straw. ''Either way I don't think I'll ever be able to watch Charlie St. Cloud the same way ever again after that story.''
''I don't understand your life Motta,'' Mercedes said to her friend.
''Honestly, neither do I half the time,'' Sugar said of her wonderfully random life as a social media influencer.
''So enough about Sugar's weird-gross sex life.'' Tina moved the conversation down another path and made a playful splash of water towards the birthday girl. ''Brittany. How does it feel turning twenty-five?''
''You know, not that different to be honest,'' Brittany answered with a happy and contented shrug. ''I used to be so scared of growing up but now it's like the older I get, the more sure I've become of myself. I've been in a really good place for the past few years. I love what I'm doing and where I am. I'm happy. My career is great. Santana and I are still going strong. Life is good.''
''I have to say it's pretty sweet how Santana rented this place out for you,'' Tina said and cast a glance at the house from the outside.
''Oh my god I know right,'' gushed Brittany. ''But she's always been that way, generous and romantic I mean, that's just who she is. Like no offense cause I'm sure Artie is cool and Sam is whatever,'' she paused to make a wave to Tina and then another to Mercedes. ''...but like I almost feel sorry for everyone else because they'll never know what it means to be loved by Santana. She's attentive and sensitive and thoughtful, not to mention loyal and protective. Also she gives super awesome orgasms.''
The others smiled at her as she looked off into the distance as if she were in a blissful little daydream.
''I seriously have like the best wife ever.'' Brittany blinked and then looked around. ''Where is Santana anyways?''
''And Quinn for that matter,'' Mercedes also wondered.
''Beats me,'' Tina said with disinterest. ''But I really don't care cause I am feeling this margarita.''
''You know what? I'm gonna go look for them,'' Brittany started to stand up only to be pulled down back into the warm water by Sugar.
Sugar's eyes went large and alert. Stall, she remembered Santana telling her. ''You can't!'' she screamed unnecessarily.
''Uhhh. Why?'' asked Brittany.
''Because.'' Sugar looked constipated. ''She's busy.''
''Busy huh?'' Brittany asked with a twinkle in her eye. ''This wouldn't have anything to do with another birthday surprise, would it? Ugh, I knew it! Santana's so sneaky! What is it, you have to tell me.''
''What? No! It's nothing like that,'' Sugar pffted and searched for a reason to keep Brittany from searching for her wife. Logic and common sense flew out the window as she panicked. ''Santana's just uhhhhhhh hiding Quinn's body. Yeah that's it! She's busy hiding Quinn's dead body in the garage. While you guys were getting changed they got into an argument in the house and in a moment of passion things got a little bitchslappy between them as they tend to do and long story short it escalated and Q died and me and Santana were gonna Weekend At Bernie's this bitch of a situation so it wouldn't ruin your beach house birthday bash.'' Sugar looked almost mournful as she continued. ''But now the secret's out.''
''What secret?'' asked Santana who arrived on the scene with a very living Quinn at her side.
Sugar scrambled up and out of the hot tub to stand on the other side of Quinn and moved to act as a sort of puppeteer, moving Quinn's limp limbs in a semi-covert manner a la Weekend At Bernie's. Sugar went as far as taking off her shades to place her glasses onto the bridge of Quinn's nose.
Quinn swatted Sugar away from her. ''What are you doing?''
''I'm Weekend at Bernie'ing you!''
Santana glared at Sugar. That girl couldn't do anything normal. ''Motta, why don't you go fetch us all some more drinks,'' she ordered sharply. ''Get me and Quinn a couple of those margaritas.''
Sugar deflated and went off to do just that as Santana and Quinn stepped into the hot tub with the others. Santana of course floated towards Brittany and immediately cuddled up with her, settling herself in Brittany's lap. Brittany's arms immediately snaked around Santana affectionately.
''Where were you?'' Brittany asked and bit on her bottom lip, excited and intrigued at the prospect of another birthday treat. ''What were you doing?''
''You'll find out later,'' Santana answered cutely, gently hushing Brittany with a yummy kiss.
''Hey, keep it PG-13 in the hot tub will ya,'' Tina splashed them lightly.
Santana made a face and splashed back at Tina definitely like a toddler. ''My hot tub my rules, Chang.''
''So what did we miss?'' asked Quinn.
''Nothing much,'' said Mercedes. ''We were just sitting around and enjoying the jets.''
''Now that everyone's here though we should play a game,'' said Tina, who was still very much into her margarita. ''A drinking game.''
''Ooooo, how about Never Have I Ever,'' Brittany suggested.
''Wait how does that one go again?'' Mercedes looked between them.
''It goes like this,'' Santana took it upon herself to break down the game. ''We go in a circle and each person says something they've supposedly never done, if anyone within the circle has done it they have to drink. For instance, if I say never have I ever had a crush on Rachel Berry I wouldn't drink because if I haven't. Quinn on the other hand would have to chug something down because it's a known fact that she's a pressed lemon in love with that teacup chihuahua.''
Quinn stared at Brittany. ''Why is your wife so obnoxious?''
''She just is,'' Brittany sighed dreamily, hugging Santana closer.
''Your never have I evers can be as tame as you want but the game only really gets fun when you get to the juicy ones,'' Santana further explained to the group.
''I'm in,'' Tina said raising her glass.
''This sounds like a game that would normally be too much for me but I'm feeling adventurous this weekend so why not,'' Mercedes said with a slight air of caution. ''Though I reserve the right to opt out if you guys get too wild.''
''Why would this game get too wild?'' Tina asked.
Mercedes made a funny wave to Brittany and Santana. ''Because they're playing.''
''That's fair,'' Tina conceded.
''Uh excuse you Britt and I can be super wholesome when we want to be,'' Santana said in their defense as a couple.
''Mega wholesome,'' added Brittany.
''We walked in on you guys doing it over breakfast just a few hours ago,'' Quinn reminded them through laughter. ''You had Brittany bent over the counter.''
''We saw jam in places that jam should never be,'' chuckled Tina.
Mercedes joined in with their playful ribbing. ''I give you guys five questions before one of you goes off on a tangent involving one of your trademark Brittany-Santana sexcapades.''
''I say it's more like three questions before that happens,'' said Quinn.
''Whatever,'' Santana snuggled back into Brittany. ''You all are just pressed cause you're not gonna be having any sweet ass beach house sex this weekend and Britt and I are.''
''You know I personally don't mind Santana and Brittany's sex stories,'' Sugar admitted as she put the finishing touches up on Santana and Quinn's drinks and plopped two tiny umbrellas into their glasses.
''Yeah but that's because you're a freak,'' Tina teased.
''True,'' Sugar couldn't be offended by that.
Soon Sugar was stepping back into the hot tub, handing off drinks to Quinn and Santana so that everyone was now nursing a beverage. They turned the jets up to full blast in the hot tub and then the game began.
''I'll start us off gently,'' Quinn said, wanting to ease them into it and not spook anyone off the bat. ''Never have I ever dyed my hair.''
The looked around at each other. It was a soft ball never have I ever, nothing scandalous or titillating and soon Santana, Tina and Quinn were taking sips confirming that they had at one point in time dyed their hair.
''I know you were going through something at the time but your pink skank hair was pretty on point,'' Tina said, raising her glass to Quinn.
Quinn smiled and tipped her cup right back at her friend. ''It's too bad your style had changed by that time because we could've been moody and emo together.''
''All those missed trips to Hot Topic, such a shame. Okay me next,'' Tina said, wanting to take it a step further. ''Never have I ever broken the law.''
Again they all looked around amongst themselves. Quinn, Mercedes, Sugar and Brittany made no move to drink. Santana and Tina however both took quick sips.
''I know why I'm drinking, Chang. Why are you drinking?'' Santana asked.
''I have secrets I have you all know,'' Tina said, enjoying the idea she had shocked them all by taking a swig and thus confirming she had once done something truly naughty. ''I once got a parking ticket, technically that's breaking the law.''
''Oh my god that's so badass, you're turning me on over here!'' Santana mocked sarcastically. ''Lame!''
''Oh yeah, what have you done?'' Quinn countered.
''A number of things,'' Santana answered casually. ''Are we talking offenses I committed as a bright eyed and bushy tailed delinquent or do you want to hear about how at this years VMAs I bitchslapped Iggy Azalea for sitting in my seat?''
Sugar's shoulders bounced with laughter. ''I saw the footage of that. I have a GIF of it saved on my phone.''
''Alright, how about I go next?'' Mercedes offered. And because she was Mercedes she tossed yet another easy one out there. ''Never have I ever Googled myself just to see what came up.''
Mercedes, Sugar and Tina refrained as did Santana, Quinn on the other hand took a drink, confirming that she had indeed scrolled her Google search results in search of gossip and/or validation. The rest of them shifted in place a bit as they watched. Quinn didn't appear to be very proud of it.
Brittany meanwhile went to raise her hand. ''Okay wait, I never Google myself but I do have a Google Alert set up for Santana's name so I can read everything she's mentioned in. Does that count?''
Santana turned and playfully nipped at Brittany. ''You're so obsessed with me, I love it.''
''No, that doesn't count,'' Mercedes decided.
''Aw man,'' Brittany whined. ''Your turn Sugar, and make it good because I want to drink.''
''Hmmmm.'' Sugar hummed and stroked her chin like an evil genius. ''I think I'm going to crank it up a notch so prepare yourselves ladies, I'ma make this game interesting. Never have I ever…peed in a hot tub.''
They all looked at each other suspiciously though no one lifted their cup to drink. No one that is but Sugar herself who merrily took a gulp of her bright red margarita. Repulsed by her silent admission they all groaned and gagged.
''I swear to god Sugar if you just peed in this hot tub I'm kicking your ass!'' Santana threatened.
''Oh my gross I'm getting out of here,'' Tina screamed and started to pull herself out of the water.
''Ugh me too!'' Mercedes said.
''I'm joking!'' Sugar shouted through laughter. She looked like she was taking a twisted delight in freaking them out. ''That was a joke, gawd. I didn't pee in the hot tub. Calmate yo!''
They did indeed calm down and reclaim their seats when it became apparent by Sugar's childlike snickering that she was just screwing with them.
''Alright, for real though here I go,'' Sugar started again once everyone was quiet. ''Never have I ever...role played in the bedroom.''
''Yesssss!'' Brittany shouted, excited to finally have reason to down her beverage.
Sugar happily drank, dancing in her seat. Quinn made a wave with her hand as if she was above such things. Tina and Mercedes laughed but shook their heads, because roleplay was not something either of them had dabbled in. That left Brittany and Santana who clinked their glasses together before taking a celebratory gulp.
''What?'' Brittany looked at the others who had questioning eyes. ''Santana and I like to roleplay Betty and Veronica from Riverdale. It's a pretty elaborate scene when we do too. It starts with us sharing a milkshake at Pop's but then Santana as Veronica accidentally spills it all over her blouse so that has to come off and then I as Betty help clean her up by licking-''
''Please stop talking.'' Quinn closed her eyes and threw a hand up in Brittany's direction.
Mercedes was amused more than anything. ''That story is equal parts adorable and disturbing.''
''Nah that's totally yucky,'' Sugar scrunched her face up. ''I mean obviously Cheryl and Toni are superior in every way. You guys should roleplay them instead. Beronica is so basic you guys.''
Brittany gasped as if a lightbulb had just went off above her head. ''Oh my god, babe,'' she said to Santana. ''You would look totally hot with nothing but a Southside Serpents jacket on.''
''Yeah?'' Santana asked, intrigued.
''Oh yeah,'' Brittany groaned and wiggled her brows.
''Then we might just have to make that happen.''
Brittany was rewarded with a kiss that was only cut short when the girls splashed water at them.
''Break it up over there, it's your turn Brittany,'' Mercedes said warmly.
''My turn?'' Brittany looked stumped for a moment before decided to continue down Sugar's naughty path with another wicked question. ''Let's seeeee, never have I ever gone streaking.''
Everyone placed their cups down. Brittany was the only one who brought hers up to her lips.
''Oh yeah, I remember that,'' Santana said quietly.
''Let me guess, another sex story?'' Tina droned.
Santana made a face and leaned back into Brittany. ''No. It was nothing like that. It happened way back when me, Britt and Quinn met at cheer camp.''
Quinn smiled and seemed to lighten up with the memory. ''Oh my god I forgot about that.''
''So the squad would always have a campfire each night,'' Brittany said, explaining for the benefit of the others. ''We played a lot of games but I was the queen of Truth or Dare, nothing ever stumped or tripped me up. So one night Santana had gone off to bed and Quinn was off praying or something and I end up hanging with a bunch of girls around the fire. We're all sitting around, having fun playing Truth or Dare when some snot named Brenda dared me to go streaking around the tents.''
''Brenda and her clique had it out for Santana, Brittany and myself because we were Sue's favorites,'' added Quinn.
''So not one to shy away from a challenge I stood up and stripped,'' said Brittany. ''She dared me to run around the campsite and I did, only when I came back she and her friends had taken all my clothes and tossed them up into the trees.''
Mercedes, Tina and Sugar winced at the story, their faces were a mixture of amusement and embarrassment on behalf of their friend.
''So I had to double back,'' Brittany shook her head and laughed lightly as she recalled. ''Luckily I found Santana in her tent and just jumped in buck naked.''
''Oh I'm sure you didn't mind that, did you Santana?'' Tina teased.
''But she was the perfect gentlewoman,'' Brittany insisted sweetly. ''She gave me a set of her clothes and let me sleep with her in her sleeping bag. She let me cuddle with her while I told her what happened. She held me all night while I cried from embarrassment.''
''Awww Santana you're such a teddy bear,'' Sugar gushed at the married couple.
''Shut your mouth, I am not.'' Santana squinted at Sugar who just flicked her hand in response, unbothered by Santana's tone.
''So what happened after that?'' Mercedes asked.
''After that,'' Quinn said, taking on the role of storyteller as her memories suddenly flooded back, rushing back to her with fondness. Her face turned softer as she went on. ''Santana and I went on a panty raid in that bitch Brenda and her friends tents. They had to finish out the rest of their cheer camp stay going commando. And that, that's when it happened, that's when we became the Unholy Trinity.''
''God that feels like forever ago,'' Brittany said.
''Weirdly enough it was a bonding experience for the three of us,'' Quinn elaborated. ''Silly as it sounds it cemented us as a unit. Brittany, Santana and myself. We came together to defend Brittany but in turn it opened the door to a friendship between all of us. A sometimes complicated friendship but a friendship all the same.''
Santana nodded along. ''It was a shitty way for us to come together but I'm glad for it in a way. I'm glad Brittany leapt into my tent that night and I'm glad Q was just as petty as me to want some kind of revenge. If Brittany hadn't gone streaking that night, who even knows if we would've gotten together or made friends with Q or any of that.''
''We should do it!'' Sugar hollered.
''Do what?'' asked Tina.
''Go streaking! The six of us,'' said Sugar. ''We should do it to commemorate this weekend together.''
Everyone laughed under the assumption that Sugar was joking around with them yet again but she was completely calm and straight faced.
''What? I'm serious!'' Sugar tutted. ''This is a private beach right? Why not?''
''Yeah that ain't gonna happen,'' said Mercedes.
''Don't tell me you're ashamed of your body,'' said Sugar.
''No I love my body,'' Mercedes continued playfully. ''I just don't want to see y'alls bodies.''
''I'm with Mercedes on this one,'' Santana said. ''I am all game for bonding with you bitches but uh, ain't nobody allowed to see my goodies except my wife.''
''Yeah, yeah, yeah,'' Sugar said with a charming but dismissive chuckle. ''But this isn't about seeing each other's goodies. I can't care about y'alls either. It's not like a sexual thing or whatever, it's about letting ourselves be free and experiencing that together as a unit, all of us. Glee girls!''
Again they all laughed and groaned at Sugar, who discarded her idea as the others splashed water at her from every direction.
''Yo Despacito, why don't you go make us some more margaritas!'' Santana suggested with a friendly and almost warm bump of her shoulder.
They spent a good chunk of time after that sipping down more drinks as the hot tub and its jets relaxed their muscles and their minds, making them free of worry or real life obligations in the world. Later on they all got out and air dried under the afternoon sun, wrapping themselves up in their poolside robes as Tina and Sugar rolled out the groups afternoon snack. They had dipped inside briefly to put together a little something that they knew Brittany would very much enjoy.
''I still think this stuff tastes how a diaper smells,'' Mercedes managed to say between chews of fondue.
''Brittany, babe, I'm not eating this,'' Santana said apologetically. ''If I eat this I might barf. Probably on Tina cause her bathing suit is the ugliest.''
Tina cracked up with a piece of broccoli in her mouth and slapped Santana's shoulder with affection as well as just a little bit of force. ''You're the worst. Brittany, you married the worst.''
By the time they were dry and had their fill of fondue in Brittany's honor it was late afternoon. Santana estimated they still had at least a few hours of sun before it would begin to get dark so she suggested they make the most of their time by heading down to the beach to get some sand between their toes. It was just a short stroll down a boardwalk Santana instructed them towards. She shoo'd them all down the path except for Quinn and Mercedes. She pulled them aside and asked them both for a hand back at the house.
''What are you up to?'' Brittany asked.
''Nothing,'' Santana answered with a shrug and a smile. ''What makes you think I'm up to something?''
''Because you have that sneaky look on your face. I know all of your faces.''
''How many faces do I have?''
''I don't know, a bunch.'' Brittany held up her hand and began to count off her fingers. ''There's your 'I'ma 'bout to go all Lima Heights' face, there's your 'I'm horny, gimme orgasms'' face, there's your 'I need to be cuddled but I don't want to ask for cuddles because I think it makes me needy so I need you to instigate cuddles' face, there's your 'are you going to finish the last breadstick from Breadstix' face, I could go on for days. You have a ton of them but this one…'' Brittany pointed a finger at Santana's smug smile. ''This one is your 'I'm a sneaky-sneak' face.''
''Uhhh okay calm down stalker,'' Santana teased. ''But I'm not up to anything, for reals.''
Brittany hummed and let the matter rest, simply letting Santana go off though not without giving her a flirtatious swat to her rear. Once Santana, Quinn and Mercedes saw that their friends were a good distance away they started back towards the beach house. They made their way in through the side door and into the kitchen. With a sly nod from Santana Quinn disappeared into the connecting garage while Mercedes stood clueless alongside Santana.
''So what is it that you need my help with?'' asked Mercedes. ''And where did Quinn go off to?''
''Quinn went to help me out with one of Britt's birthday presents, I needed you for cake duty.''
Santana opened up the fancy fridge and pulled a large tray out of a hidden compartment. It was a small but beautiful birthday cake decorated with tiny frosting rainbows all over it. It was ridiculous and whimsical, just like Brittany.
''Awwww, this is the sweetest and gayest thing I've ever seen,'' Mercedes laughed.
''You think she'll like it?''
''She'll love it.''
Santana grinned and went about fixing up a picnic basket with a few items, loading it up with tiny plates and forks, napkins, bottles of water and a single chilled champagne bottle. They made their way out with Mercedes holding the cake and Santana carrying their basket of supplies. They walked slowly, careful of the cake in Mercedes hands, not wanting to drop it or let it slide off the tray.
''You know, you really out did yourself with this weekend,'' Mercedes said casually.
''Hm?''
''With Brittany's birthday bash. I know you did it all - renting the pimped out beach house, inviting all of the girls out to join you - to celebrate her but I just wanted to thank you for letting all of us be a part of it.''
''Yeah well...anything to make Brittany happy, right?''
''Mmmhmm,'' Mercedes made a sassy little sound with her mouth. ''But you have to admit there's a teeny-tiny-little part of you that maybe missed and wanted to see us too?''
''Pah!'' Santana scoffed loudly. ''Yeah no. I mean you're my homegirl and all and Q and I have tons of history and Tina's cool once she's got a few drinks in her and Sugar is...I don't know what the hell she is, but I left glee club behind in Lima a long, long time ago. My life's too awesome to have any room in it for nostalgia, Mercedes. It's not what I'm about.''
''Uh huh.'' Mercedes humored her and smiled on. ''Are you sure about that? Cause from where I was standing it looked like you were getting into our little karaoke session earlier, especially when we did the girl group number. I saw you, you were smiling, you were loving it. You've missed us, haven't you?''
They made it to the end of the boardwalk and stopped at the top of a very short staircase that led down to the sand. A short distance away they saw Brittany, Tina and Sugar sitting in the sand and facing away and out towards the water. They looked like they were all in silent contemplation as water ran up towards their feet, only to recede, come back and go out over and over again.
Santana and Mercedes paused there and watched their friends for a few quiet moments before resuming their conversation.
''You can't tell anyone,'' Santana warned playfully.
''I can't tell anyone what?''
Santana dipped her head almost bashfully. ''That maybe yes there was a part of me that did miss you and the rest of the girls. You can't tell - you can't tell anyone I have a heart.''
Mercedes gave her a warm, soft look. ''I think that secret's been out for a long time, Santana.''
They bumped their shoulders together fondly, lovingly. Just then Quinn jogged up behind them.
''You get it?'' Santana asked.
''I got it. I hid it in the brush over there.'' Quinn pointed a thumb to some tall shrubbery nearby.
''Hid what in the brush over there?'' questioned Mercedes.
Santana smiled wickedly. ''You're about to find out.''
Santana started them down the short set of stairs. Once their feet hit the sand they again paused and quietly went about grabbing a lighter from the picnic basket and lighting up Brittany's birthday candles. Once lit they started walking forward as they burst into a loud and jubilant rendition of Happy Birthday. Within seconds Sugar, Tina and Brittany were turning and standing up to join them.
Brittany was practically bouncing in place as they all came to stand around in a tight circle, serenading her. She was fanning her face with her hands, looking very much like she wanted to burst into tears.
''Baby,'' she said to Santana, drawing out the word with affection. ''What is this?! Why?! Oh my god.''
Santana gave her a kiss on the cheek. ''Blow out the candles and make a wish.''
The girls clapped and cheered, encouraging her on until Brittany had no choice but to smile and lean forward, blowing out the candles with one big puff of air.
''You guys are the best,'' Brittany said looking around at the others before pulling Santana into her side. ''And you are the sweetest. Thank you.''
''Let's dig in,'' Tina shouted.
''I call that rainbow on the side!'' Sugar called dibs.
''Nuh-nuh-nuh,'' Santana shushed them, stopping them all from having a go at the cake. ''We can't cut into the cake just yet. There's still one last not so little surprise I have.''
''What?'' Brittany asked, eyes widening.
''Well,'' Santana started as she gave a nod to Quinn who took her signal and disappeared into some nearby brush. ''Brittany every day you make my life feel magical which makes sense because to me you're the most magical thing in this world. And so I wanted to give you a little piece of magic, from me to you, on your 25th birthday.''
No one couldn't quite see what was going on but they heard Quinn rustling about within the brush for a few seconds before she appeared again. This time however she wasn't alone because with her was the giant white fully inflated unicorn float. It was a huge and towering thing that took everyone's breath away. Everyone's eyes lit up at the sight of the silliest, most absurd, most amazing thing they had ever seen.
Brittany squealed and ran towards it, her eyes glazing over in wonder. ''You!'' she shouted at Santana. ''You bought me a unicorn!''
''Well, a unicorn float anyways. Is it too much?''
''No way! Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, I'm in love with it!'' Brittany turned back around and ran into Santana's arms and covered her face in loud, messy playful kisses. ''This is the best birthday present ever! See I told you, you were totally wearing your 'sneaky-sneak' face!''
Santana accepted the sloppy kisses happily. ''I had to though, I wanted it to be a surprise.''
''I could seriously eat you up right now.''
''Maybe later,'' Santana quipped with a dirty chuckle.
''This float is the most Brittany thing I've ever seen in my entire life,'' Tina said equally as tickled.
''Right?'' Sugar laughed and swatted at Santana's shoulder. ''This is pretty bomb.''
''This is too cute,'' Mercedes added.
''Can we take it out?'' Brittany bounced like an overly excited toddler.
''It's yours, of course we can take it out.'' Santana marched forward and set the picnic basket inside of the large six person float and with Quinn taking up the rear they began to guide it towards the water.
She didn't have to twist anyone's arm either, they were all giddy to step aboard the float and ride the unicorn. It was pretty darn adorable. Who wouldn't want to take a ride in a unicorn? Even Quinn looked pretty pleased at how it turned out. Brittany was the first to get in while the others slowly eased it in a few feet before climbing up.
''Oh my god, it's huge,'' Brittany said as she relaxed into the seating. Even with the six of them they still had plenty of room to stretch out.
''Sugar, Tina, you're on paddle duty,'' Santana instructed, handing the two women the included paddles. ''Can you handle it?''
''Aye aye captain.'' Sugar did a cute little salute.
Quinn and Mercedes started the task of opening up the picnic basket and pulling out cups and plates, getting everyone's food and drinks served and situated while Tina and Sugar began to paddle their float. The plan was simple, they all wanted to get out a little further into the water and enjoy the scenery while they enjoyed some birthday cake.
It was supposed to be a nice little relaxing ride on Brittany's birthday unicorn.
Little did they know...