Author's note: lol I received a review asking me to update in the name of Brittana, so be it. Sorry about the lack of Brittana interaction but this is to build up the story a little.

Chapter III: Rumors, secrets, truths

Santana was walking one step ahead, letting Brittany linger behind her, walking afraid inside William Mckinley High School, the high-profile school where Santana attended and now she was going to do so. Brittany was trying to lower herself a little, pretending to be shorter than she really was, hiding and trying to avoid people. She wasn't like this in her usual days, but this wasn't a usual day: it was her first public appearance ever since she got married to Santana.

However, it wasn't that anyone was paying attention to them. Things had went back to normal once the Lopez-Pierce wedding had ended and they were not longer in sight of the entire world. Of course, economists would be checking on their steps, but this was more a matter between Maxwell Pierce and the secretary Lopez rather than two newlywed brats. Yet, they still had to deal with a bunch of prep kids who loved the smell of fear and insecurity.

Hence, there they were, walking with small steps across the parking of the school with some of their classmates staring at them, some friendly, some mockingly and some of them with no expression at all.

"San, why is everyone staring at us?"

Staring at you, Santana thought but it'd have been worse, so she kept herself shut.

"We're fresh meat." Well, that was better.

"We're seventeen; I don't think that's fresh at all." Brittany replied. They kept walking but Santana felt the damn entrance so far away.

She spotted known faces smiling and waving politely. There she saw Jacob Ben Israel, who approached her trying to get an interview. Israel was the youngest son of a well-known journalist who had successfully married his other 3 descendants, and unluckily for Jacob marrying the youngest child wasn't a priority, especially one as hideous as him.

She also saw Tina who awkwardly waved and turned around immediately. She was talking to Blaine Anderson, a handsome gay kid that according the rumors was most likely to get engaged to her.

The day went by as fast as it could, and the presence of Brittany helped a lot. She was being loved by everyone because once she got rid of her unusual shyness everyone saw why Santana was so happy of being married to that hot looking and naïve blonde and fortunately all Santana's previous hook ups were staying away. Everything was going nicely until the lunch time arrived.

There was huge fuzz going on the school cafeteria when they entered, but they weren't the center of attention. Everyone looked worried and yet, thrilled to share such a gossip; you could tell by their faces the news were really something juicy.

Another engagement, maybe? Perhaps the Cohen-Chang-Anderson engagement was a fact already. Engagements at such an early age weren't uncommon; the weird part was if they got married before their twenties, and that's why the Lopez-Pierce wedding had arisen so much of the media attention.

They sat at the first table Santana chose, Brittany always following closely.

"Hey, Hummel. What's the big deal about?" Santana asked to a well-groomed, pale boy with an innocent face.

The boy curiously looked towards Brittany, but returned his gaze to Santana.

"Another engagement has been confirmed." He answered getting very close to her. He sounded excited but also she saw concern in his eyes.

"Blaine and Tina?"

"Blai… oh no, thank God. I'm afraid it's not them… well, just an expression." It wasn't a secret that Kurt Hummel had a crush on Blaine but they weren't suitable for each other.

"Then who is it? Stop playing around and tell me. I hadn't seen people this weird since my engagement was announced, even though I was the only idiot who didn't know shit."

Kurt only bit his lower lip before getting even closer. It looked like they were about to kiss and that sent a pang of jealousy to Brittany.

"It came out as a huge surprise. No one knew, not even aware of the fact that an arrangement was being settled between those two families…"

"Dammit, Kurt, just fucking say it!"

"Fine! Christ, no one can build up a little emotion these days…"

"You want emotion? I will give emotion to your life if you don't start talking right now."

"Marley Rose and Kitty Wilde are getting married."

Santana felt as if someone had thrown a bucket of cold water on her. She was familiar with both girls and couldn't help but feel pity towards the first one. Marley Rose was the sweetest girl after Brittany she had ever known… the kind of girl you deeply enjoy having around and makes your day better; on the other hand, "monster" was a word that could easily define Kitty Wilde, Quinn Fabray's sidekick. Wilde had always been crazy for Quinn and had dreamed that someday perhaps the Fabray family could set their eyes on her, but unluckily for her that was aiming too high for her, the Fabray family being more interested in financial power rather than political, thus confirmed by Quinn's two potential engagements.

Apparently Wilde family was no different. Senator Wilde had definitely made a nice move by choosing the Rose family, who was currently catalogued as one of the richest families in the country with their canned food company.

"Satan? I mean, Santana?" This made Santana snap out of her thoughts.

"Oh, sorry. I was just…"

"Wallowing in sorrow for poor and charming Marley?"

"Yeah, pretty much." She truly felt sorry for her. "Where is she?"

Kurt sighed and hesitated before answering.

"I guess she's still in the bathroom with Unique, crying. Kitty didn't take the news very well, as expected."

"What the hell did she do?"

"She… she took a bunch of Rose's canned dog food and threw it to her as soon as she found her."

"What?! Where the fuck is Kitty? I swear to God I'll…"

"She left. No one has seen her and I think it's better that way, for her own sake."

"I have to find Marley." Santana stood up with Brittany doing the same. She had almost forgotten her presence; her blood was practically boiling… how could something like that happen to someone so nice?

"Britt." She caressed her face. "I have to find Marley; you don't need to come if you don't want to."

"I'll go with you." Brittany took the hand that was caressing her cheek and kissed the fingertips.

Santana smiled and kissed her innocently. She loved how supportive her wife was.

"Let's go" she said and they laced their hands heading to find Marley.

It turned out that Marley was hiding in girl's locker room while trying to take off the rest of dog food of her hair. Unique was her only companion in there, helping to wash the delicate locks of the brunette. She was still sobbing and that was the only sign that gave away her sadness, the water combining with her tears. As soon as they heard noise they nervously turned around to see Santana entering the room with her wife.

Unique felt nervous; had it been someone else she would have said "get out" right away, but she didn't want to face the wrath of Santana.

"Thank God I found you." Santana was relieved.

What any of the present people wasn't expecting was that Marley stepped out of the shower and threw herself to the arms of Santana, uncontrollably sobbing. They surely offered a weird scene: the newlywed Santana Lopez being hugged by a half-naked girl in front of her wife and said girl's best friend.

But not any of them did mind. Brittany was actually feeling sorry for her; Santana was feared in the school and this Marley chick seemed to be comfortable around the Latina.

"I received a call to go to principal's office." She started explaining. She wasn't sobbing anymore, although tears strolled down her cheek every once in a while.

"When I got there I didn't know what was going on, Kitty was in there with her parents. My mother was also waiting for me."

I thought something bad happened, but then I saw everyone was smiling. Even Kitty was smiling with that charming face of her, the one that makes you think she's actually an angel.

Figgins started talking about how happy he was for us, congratulating both of our families and giving his blessings… I didn't even know what on earth was he talking about and when I turned to see Kitty she shrugged. Everything was so weird and I felt like an outcast, because they were celebrating for God know what reason.

Then Mr. Wilde started talking about how grateful he was with my mother for giving his family that opportunity and my mother said that she was honored. God, I feel so stupid because I didn't suspect anything, who would have guessed what they were about to say?

Mr. Wilde turned to see me and said how pretty and gentle I was; we had previously met when attending the brunch he offered in his house few months ago and I managed to thank him the best I could. Then it dawned on me when he said "what an honor will it be to have such a charming young lady in my family".

I thought they were kidding. But then I saw his wife widening her smile and then looked at my mom, who excitedly laughed. I was still hoping all that was part of an elaborated prank, until I saw her face. She looked so… happy. That's when I accepted that I was going to marry Kitty.

However, when I turned to see Kitty again, she was still smiling but there was something weird about her face. Her facial muscles were twitching, as if she was struggling to keep them in place and yet, she was so nice to my mom and said how happy she was… she's such a good actress, even I'd buy it if I didn't know better. You know my background history with her more than anyone else.

Santana nodded, completely silent. Marley had been 'friends' with Kitty in the past, until she realized that Kitty only wanted to cause her problems.

I was so confused… never in my life I would have expected something like that… I mean, I always knew Kitty's dream was marrying Quinn although her family was settling a marriage with Puckerman's younger son or so I heard. Christ, Kitty started bullying me again when she heard my mom was also putting me as a candidate for that boy.

"Why didn't you tell your mom? I mean, Kitty may be an entitled bitch but a bitch after all."

"I can't…" More tears fell down Marley's pretty face.

"My mom loves me and I'm pretty sure she'd break the engagement but I can't let her do that. It must have taken a lot of effort to arrange this."

"Still, she wants the best for you and if you tell her the truth about Kitty…"

"No!" Marley looked desperate. "Santana, the engagement has been announced already. If we call this off…"

"Your family would lose reliability." Santana finished for her. She felt powerless knowing this.

"Exactly. No one would want to get engaged with the daughter of someone who backs off a commitment. I don't care about me spending my whole life alone, but you've seen how things are, Santana. The more we have, the more we can lose, and with the help of the Wildes we can achieve a little more security."

"When are you getting married?"

"In four months." More tears strolled down Marley's face.

"I don't fucking care, Howard, I must talk with my god damn dad!"

"Miss… I mean, Mrs. Lopez, please understand that he's been busy…"

"That's what you've been saying ever since I got back from my honeymoon, I'm not buying that shit anymore."

"But he told me…"

"Oh so he's got the time to talk to you but not his fucking daughter. Piss off." She pushed Howard aside and was ready to bring the security system down if she had to, when the door slid aside in that very moment, revealing a very surprised Mr. Lopez.

"Well, if it isn't my beautiful lovely daughter." People were getting out of his office, all of them congratulating her once again for her marriage. She politely thanked them until they all left.

"You know, now that you're a married woman you shouldn't be here spying on Terri and Holly…"

"Oh, cut the crap."

"Fine, then, let's get in my office."

Secretary Lopez's office was immaculate, as expected from a man of his position and range; his desk wasn't as ordered as other spots in the place, it was slightly messed for it had documents piled and some electronic devices on top of them.

"So, tell me… if you're not here to be a pervert about my co-workers, what can possibly be the reason you're here?"

"Stop playing dumb, dad, you know why I'm here."

"I'm afraid I don't, my dear."

"Why did you hide the fact that I was marrying Brittany? All this time, you knew. You knew about my affair with her. Why did you make me miserable thinking that I was destined to marry someone else if all this time you could have made me happy by just saying it?"

"Santana, don't be such a drama queen."

"I demand to know! I was literally wishing to die before my wedding, or for some sort of miracle to happen!"

Her father smiled. Santana didn't know what she could possibly hate the most: his mischievous smile or the fact that they were practically the same; all her was just a carbon copy of him.

He sat on his chair, playing with a coin.

"You know, Santana, I was just thinking about you. We're both the same, from my two children you're the one I feel prouder for. You're just like me."

"I'm not." Santana stubbornly said even though she knew the truth.

Her father laughed.

"Oh, really? Then I guess you're like your mother? I saw that little scene she made when you wanted to enjoy the proximity of your wife."

He stopped focusing on the coin and instead, stared at Santana.

"I was young when I got engaged to your mother. Not as young as you are and, believe me, I would have arranged your marriage for later if I could…"

"You're not saying what I want to know."

"Oh, right. Let's put it this way: as your father, I know you. And I expected you to grow tired of your fiancée as soon as you knew you were getting married with her."

"What? That doesn't make any sense!"

"You love her, but you knew you couldn't have her. Therefore all you're feeling now is pure bliss, which wouldn't have happened if you knew she was going to marry you from the beginning. Yes, you would have been so happy, but right now you'd be bored already and wishing for this to end. I was doing you a favor, my child."

"That's not true, I really love her. I won't get bored or stop loving Brittany until the sky falls down." Santana said.

"You cannot be tamed, Tana."

"I…"

"Don't try to prove me wrong… we both know you'll fail. Is there anything else you want to discuss?"

"What you said is completely stupid."

"If you say so. Can I help you, then?"

"Yes, there is something else. Why is Marley Rose engaged with Kitty Wilde?"

"Are they? Oh my, I must send my congratulations to both their families, in that case."

"Stop playing dumb!"

"Careful, Santana." He glared at her. Sometimes, Santana could easily forget how threatening he could be.

"You may be married but I'm still your father. However I feel your concern… I understand Marley Rose has been a beloved friend to you all this time."

She didn't like his tone; surely he was thinking they used to be fuck buddies.

"Why is this happening? They're getting married in four months!"

"Senator Wilde can be a little impatient."

"I would believe that if my wedding hadn't been two weeks ago, being barely seventeen years old."

Mr. Lopez sighed.

"We can't take anything for granted. Difficult times are about to come and we need to prepare as good as we can. I'm pretty sure that's what Mr. Wilde and Mrs. Rose see."

"Prepare? But at what cost?"

Silence was the only one to respond.

Santana was calmly walking through the hallways of the school, after taking Brittany to Figgins' office, who wanted to properly welcome her. The events from the past day hadn't allowed him to do so, so there was Santana, calmly waiting for her return while relaxing her muscles with a walk.

"Hello, Santana, is always a pleasure to have you here."

The vision of blonde hair and stunning green-hazel eyes blocked her path. Luscious pink lips were smiling, but not in a warm, legit way… in fact those beautiful eyes looked ice cold.

"Quinn." Santana nodded, acknowledging her presence.

"Back from your honeymoon so soon? Did you get tired of your dimwitted wife already?"

Santana glared at her.

"Careful with that tongue, Fabray. Either Puckerman or Berry will need it… oh, wait, maybe not. Is it true that maybe they will marry each other?"

Quinn frowned. She hated when her failed engagements were brought to the conversation.

"Someone's not getting enough sex."

"You wish!" Santana laughed.

"Yeah, I do. Maybe then I could… help." Quinn was lowering her voice on purpose, distilling sensuality from every word.

The Latina arched a brow.

"What do you mean?"

"With help I mean 'sex', Santana. Jesus, maybe she's affecting you more than you think."

"Why are saying this? Shouldn't you be offering your sorry ass to Puckerman or Berry?"

"For what? I'm getting married to someone; either it's any of them or someone else." She wasn't lying. "Why would a girl like you marry so young?"

"Sacrifice." Santana sighed, quoting her father. "It's not like I regret it, though."

"Sooner or later you're going to. And when that happens, I hope to be around. We're still young and having such a commitment at such an early age may be a charge."

"Why is everyone saying that?" The brunette was getting impatient.

"Why is everyone saying what?"

They both startled and saw Brittany standing behind them, with the confused expression of a dog.

"I was just congratulating Santana." Quinn politely said.

"Oh." Brittany smiled. "Thank you!"

"I'm Lucy Quinn Fabray." Quinn politely offered her hand. She was radiant, and looked like a true angel.

"Nice to meet you." Apparently Brittany had forgotten her grudge against her, offering her hand as well to shake Quinn's.

"We must go." Santana interrupted, taking Brittany by her elbow and earning a confused glance from her.

"Actually I shall go, too. Nice to meet you and congratulations again." She said but her sight lingered on Santana more than necessary, smirking.

Difficult times are about to come.

She was sure everyone knew something she didn't.

When being on Santana's arms, Brittany felt as light as a feather. The brunette was stronger than she seemed to be and her warmth cradled her so softly that she felt her single embrace was enough for her in life.

They were lying sprawled on the grass, as they used to do. Not even having an entire house was appealing for them, they just enjoyed their company the way they used to before everything started.

"When I met you, I couldn't imagine life without you." Brittany started.

"Me neither."

"But then I remembered I was engaged and I couldn't imagine my life with you while loving you… I mean, you as in, my fiancée and you as my beloved one… gosh, this is so confusing."

Santana laughed.

"I know what you mean. But right now I wouldn't bear my life without you; either it's you as in Toby or my fiancée, now wife."

"Say it again."

"I wouldn't bear my life without my wife."

"I like the sound of that." They kissed and stared at each other; Santana caressing her hands.

"Do you think… that we would have fallen for each other anyways, even if we didn't know each other before the wedding?" the dark haired girl asked, hesitant.

"I like to think so. It'd have been difficult for sure, but…"

"I feel sick even thinking about it… I'd have put a living hell in your life before getting to know you." Santana lowered her gaze.

"I know." Brittany nodded. "Everyone told me how ruthless you were, and I wasn't scared but I kept thinking 'what if she hates me'."

"That would be very stupid from me. No one can possibly hate you."

"I feel bad, you know? Somehow we were lucky enough to end up with each other but I've heard stories."

"Yeah." A shiver ran down her spine remembering the Karofsky-Smythe wedding.

"Do you think someday people will be able to marry whoever they want?" Brittany stared to the clouds; now she was lying beside Santana.

"I don't know. There was a time you could actually do that but it was the same."

"What do you mean?" the blonde frowned.

"They married so easily and divorced almost immediately."

"Well, I think that, if people had the right to do so again, they would think wisely this time."

"Perhaps. Or perhaps they would be used to marry for benefits."

"I wish I could do something to fix that… I'd want our children to marry someone they truly love like we did."

That made Santana turn around so fast that her vision went blurry for a second.

"Children?"

"Yeah, you know… those little midgets that pop out from your…"

"I know what children are. And I know they pop out from your vagina, thank you."

"They do?" Brittany was genuinely surprised. "I was gonna say they pop out from your mailbox, delivered by a stork."

"Oh."

"Damn… that must hurt. I wonder if I can't get a watermelon instead, it must hurt as hell too but it'd be cool."

Santana smiled. She loved being there, lying beside her wife and listening her ramblings. She knew that if heaven existed, it'd be something like this.

Nothing else mattered, or at least she could pretend that it didn't.

She just got on top of her again, kissing her and feeling the heat of her tongue. Difficult times were about to come, but in that very moment, the only times that mattered were these.