CHAPTER 4
Brittany tries to stay positive considering the circumstances. She goes about her days like normal and tries not to linger on the fact that Santana probably doesn't like her like that. Brittany doesn't even really know how she feels about Santana either; she hasn't focused all her energy on trying to figure out why it hurt so badly when Santana didn't want to come inside. She did, however, come to the conclusion that it was because Santana wanted to be just friends. But why can't friends watch movies and drink wine together? Friends do that.
She still sees Santana around and they make small talk in the lobby or at Lucy Q's while Santana stops in for a coffee, but Brittany feels that little bit of tension. She hates it but she doesn't know how to make it go away. Santana goes about her day looking completely unfazed though so either she's really good at hiding it or she really isn't bothered. Brittany wishes she could do the same.
Brittany doesn't get it and no matter how many ways she tries to spin it, no matter how many excuses she comes up with only to shut down herself, she still doesn't understand why. It really works her up and although she tries to say she isn't constantly wondering what happened, she is and it really puts a damper on her mood.
/
She's at Lucy Q's on her lunch break one day when she gets a call.
It's not who she was expecting, but she answers it anyway.
"Hey dad."
Brittany hears the background noise and can guess that he's using the hands free system, "Hey hun, can you hear me? The car is helping me but I don't know where to talk!"
Brittany pulls the phone away at all the yelling, "Yeah dad, I can hear you just fine. I think the speaker is in the sun visor."
"Huh, that's weird." He says and Brittany can hear the sound of him flipping up the sun visor no doubt, "Anyway, just checking in. Your mom is worried, we haven't heard from you in awhile."
The first thing that comes to mind is Santana but Brittany decides that probably isn't what he's after, "Sorry, I've just been busy with work and my PT sessions."
"That's okay, I told her she needs to stop buggin' cuz you're all G." Pierce says and Brittany feels embarrassed for him.
"Thanks dad." Brittany manages to say as Quinn walks into the break room.
"Santana?" Quinn mouths and Brittany shakes her head.
"Dad." Brittany mouths back and Quinn nods.
"Hey Papa Pierce!" She calls out as she grabs her water bottle from the fridge.
"Do I hear Quinn or is it the just the car?" Pierce asks.
"No that was Quinn," Brittany chuckles, "Why would the car call you Papa Pierce?"
"Siri calls me Pierce Pierce, PP for short."
"Yeah..you should probably change that."
"No, I think it sounds hip." Pierce says and there's a little more background noise, "Whoops, curb check!"
Brittany just holds her head in her hand, "Maybe I should go so you can concentrate on driving?"
"Wait, hold on! I remember why I was calling now." Pierce tells her, "Your mom and I were thinking about taking you out for dinner. We just want to catch up and see how things are going with you. You know how she gets when you don't call for awhile.."
"Right." Brittany sighs, remembering how worried her mom gets about her, "Well how about you guys come over for dinner? I'll cook."
"You cook?" Quinn gasps.
"You cook?" Pierce also gasps.
Brittany just glares at Quinn and turns back to her phone, "Yes..I cook. Come by on Thursday, it'll be cool."
"Word. Sounds epic, I'll tell your mom. See you then!"
Brittany hangs up and looks at Quinn as her shoulders drop, "I can't cook."
"Then why the hell did you say that?"
"I don't know, I panicked!" Brittany grumbles, "I don't want them to worry about me. At least if I show them I can cook they'll know I can take care of myself."
"Britt, you lived in LA for two years on your own. I don't think you have to prove anything to them."
Brittany frowns and stares down at her brace, "That was before I had this."
Quinn frowns too, not knowing what to say, she goes to kiss the top of her head before going back to work.
/
When Thursday rolls around, Brittany is so caught up in trying to plan the perfect dinner that she doesn't think too much about Santana. They've run into each other since then and it's been fine, but Brittany's found something else to focus on and it helps. She's thankful Quinn gave her the day off because it allows her to search Pinterest like a mad woman. She scrolls and scrolls but nothing really grabs her attention.
It's barely noon when there's a knock on the door.
The sound startles her so much that she drops her phone like it just burnt her before heading to the door.
A little bit of her isn't surprised when she opens it to find Santana there with LT in her arms. It feels oddly familiar but Brittany doesn't focus too much on that.
"I have someone that belongs to you." Santana smiles and sets LT down, watching him scurry away between Brittany's legs.
"Thanks. He doesn't usually get out during the day," Brittany tells her as she tucks her hair behind her ear, "He must've snuck right past me. Sorry."
"It's okay." Santana shrugs then looks at Brittany curiously, "Are you okay? You look a little stressed."
Brittany gulps then laughs nervously, "I've got dinner with my parents tonight."
"Ohhh.."
"I told them I'd cook." Brittany confesses, "I can't cook."
Santana fights a smile, "Nice one."
Brittany fights a smile too, "Don't judge me. I just wanted to impress them."
"No judgment." Santana assures her then boasts, "I'm a pretty great cook."
"Don't rub it in." Brittany pouts.
Santana just laughs, "I'm not! I'm just saying." Santana pauses and kicks at the ground a little, "I could help if you want?"
Brittany thinks of how confused Santana has made her feel over the past few days and how she doesn't really need that mixing in with dinner, "No, that's okay I should be fine."
Santana doesn't buy it and tries again, "At least let me help you pick what to make?"
"I'm okay."
"Are you sure? I don't mind."Her deep brown eyes sparkle and there's no way in hell Brittany could say no when she looks like that.
She tries hard to hold her ground but ultimately she knows how this plays out so she just sighs and goes with it. Besides, it's just dinner, what could go wrong?
"Okay fine."
"Great!" Santana beams then nods to the door, "Can I come in?"
Brittany blinks, a little shocked and a little confused because just a few days ago she couldn't get Santana to watch a movie with her let alone come in and now here she is wanting to help with dinner like it's nothing. But Brittany looks at the clock finds she really doesn't have time to figure Santana out, not when she has a dinner to plan.
"Yeah, come on." Brittany says and pushes the door open a little further so Santana can enter.
She makes her way to the couch where she has her notebook opened up and she picks her phone up off the floor as Santana looks around.
"Nice place," Santana compliments as she turns to the kitchen then looks over her shoulder to Brittany, "Looks like mine."
"Yup," Is all Brittany says as she goes back to scrolling, "So what do you have in mind?"
"Not sure yet, let me see what you've got." Santana says and Brittany can hear the fridge door open. Santana pauses, "Shit Brittany, we need to go shopping."
Brittany looks up from her phone to see Santana investigating a jar of..something.
"What is this?" Santana questions and her nose scrunches, "Looks interesting.."
Brittany gets up to look as well, "Hmm, I don't even remember putting that there."
"Okay hell no," Santana chucks it in the trash instantly, "I'm definitely helping you now."
Brittany just laughs at her disgust, "I thought you already were?"
Santana's still looking around Brittany's fridge, tossing various unknown items in the trash, "Yeah, but you need more help than I thought!"
/
They head out to the shops an hour or so later after they've come up with a menu that Santana's sure will please them. Brittany reminds her that they're easily pleased so they'll probably just be happy that nothing is burnt.
Santana assures her that nothing will be, not if she can help it.
They're going up and down aisle after aisle as Brittany pushes the cart and follows behind Santana. They've written a list and Brittany calls out each item while Santana directs her where to go and picks them best kind before tossing it in the cart. Brittany's surprised at how much fun she's having just grocery shopping with Santana; she doesn't even care how domestic it all feels. She usually hates grocery shopping but for some reason having Santana there makes it all better.
Brittany's gliding down the aisle, resting all her weight on the handle as she kicks up her feet, and breezes past Santana as she scans the jars for what she needs.
Santana looks up when Brittany flies by again and fights a laugh, "Get down before you knock into something."
"Where's the faith?" Brittany asks as she continues down the aisle.
"I've got your faith." Santana calls.
With a look over her shoulder, she finds Santana chasing after her. Brittany giggles and tries to go a little faster but then another customer turns the corner and their carts collide.
"Shit, I'm sorry!" Brittany blushes but the older woman just glares and skips the aisle instead.
Santana's close behind her, laughing quietly, "Oh my God.."
Brittany looks over her shoulder again and feigns a pout, "You shush."
"Awh, what's wrong?" Santana teases, poking at Brittany's sides so that she turns around, "Almost knock over an innocent old lady with your antics?"
Brittany swats away at her hands, still blushing, "No, no I didn't."
"You're so red," Santana points out around a smile as she continues to tease her, "It's so cute. You're so embarrassed."
"Stop, you're making it worse!" Brittany laughs but Santana just inches closer, still tickling her sides.
Brittany doesn't realize how close they've gotten until her back presses against the handle of the cart. Santana's hands rest at Brittany's sides and suddenly the world stops. Brittany's mouth goes dry and blue eyes lock on brown. There's a glimmer and it makes the tiny hairs at on the back of Brittany's neck stand. At her sides, Brittany grips the handle of the cart tight, her knuckles going white, her thumbs just barely grazing the backs of Santana's. Her heart is racing and the butterflies in her stomach are going wild, and when Santana licks her lips, she finds herself leaning in.
"Attention good people of Fresh Foods. Just a reminder, please do not ride the trolleys around the store as they are not toys. Anyone caught will be stopped immediately and their picture be taken for our Notice board for all to see. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your afternoon."
Brittany pulls away and Santana does too as they stare blankly at each other. Santana looks around shyly and runs her hand through her hair, "So what else did we need?"
Brittany is slow to pull out the list and for a moment she forgets how to read, still coming down from what happened.
Well, what almost happened.
"That was everything."
"Right." Santana nods, "Well, we should get going then."
"Yep." Is all Brittany says as she follows after Santana as they head to the registers.
/
Once they get back to Brittany's, Santana helps unpack the bags and goes through the recipes again with Brittany. Brittany nods, but she has a hard time following when Santana starts talking measurements. She doesn't have the courage to say she doesn't get it when Santana asks if she's got everything, too scarred from ex-tutors who gave up on her when she didn't understand something after the fourth time. At least with Quinn she knew how patient she could be, but Santana's different. She doesn't want to show that side of her, how she can be a little slow at things sometimes, so she just smiles and tells her she'll be fine.
Santana believes her and wishes her luck before heading back to her own house.
/
It's a little embarrassing how quickly the recipe stumps Brittany. She tries her hardest to work out what things mean but she feels like she's just confusing herself even more. It's getting closer and closer to the time her parents are meant to arrive and all she's done is preheat the oven. Finally, she relents and goes for her phone.
To Santana: What is 1/8 of a teaspoon and do I actually need a teaspoon for it?
Brittany already feels like an idiot as she sends the text and waits impatiently for Santana's reply.
To Brittany: Do you have measuring spoons? It should say the measurement on those.
Brittany frowns as she reads Santana's response.
To Santana: I didn't know there were such a thing.. I have a regular spoon, what can I do with that?
Santana texts back instantly.
To Brittany: You can borrow mine. I'll be over in a sex.
Brittany's widen at the last word but another text quickly follows.
To Brittany: *SEC* I meant sec. I hate auto-correct.
Brittany just giggles and sets her phone down, attempting to make the kitchen look like she's been hard at work before Santana comes by.
/
Brittany finds out after two minutes of Santana lingering in the doorway that Santana's not too easily fooled. She notices almost instantly that Brittany's pretty far behind in cooking and cringes at how disorganized the kitchen is. Brittany would laugh and tease her for how anal she's being if she didn't think Santana was so cute.
"Look, Britt, you're stressing me out a little right now." Santana says and Brittany can't help but smile at the nickname. Lots of friends call her Britt but it feels like a big step when Santana does for the first time.
"Sorry, I find recipes confusing." Brittany admits as Santana begins to pace around the island counter where all the ingredients are laid out.
"I don't care about that, that's fine. Most of the time I don't even follow recipes, but this!" Santana motions dramatically to the counter, "The chicken is so close to the peppers, I just can't! And the yogurt?" She rants and quickly puts it in the fridge, "You have to keep it cold until later."
"Sorry." Brittany apologies again, trying to be serious but finding it hard because who stresses about chicken and veggies? But she doesn't think about it too long because Santana begins to roll her sleeves up. Brittany rounds the counter as Santana starts to wash her hands, "Hey, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to help you cook." Santana tells her sternly then goes to dry her hands, "If you're going to impress your parents, you're going to have to do it without giving them salmonella."
"Well duh, we're using chicken. Mom doesn't really like fish." Brittany says but Santana just eyes her curiously, "What?"
Santana just shakes her head, "Go wash your hands and let's do this."
Santana looks determined and that makes Brittany feel determined too.
/
Whitney and Pierce arrive shortly after Santana takes the chicken out from the oven. It's golden brown and looking super delicious and as Whitney and Pierce walk around the counter the marvel at the aroma.
"This is my friend, Santana. She lives next door and she's helping me cook dinner." Brittany says as she stands between her mom and dad, "Santana, this is my mom, Whitney, and my dad, Pierce."
Santana smiles politely then hurries to set the pan down before going over to shake hands, "Nice to meet you."
"You as well." Whitney grins then winks subtly at Brittany.
"Stop." Brittany mouths, already feeling embarrassed. She knew having Santana over while her parents were there was a bad idea.
"She's pretty, Britt." Pierce says, not so subtly.
"Dad.." Brittany warns, a light flush appearing at her cheeks.
Santana just laughs and turns back to what she was doing.
"Alright, alcohol." Brittany mumbles then says a little louder for everyone to hear, "Who wants wine?"
Brittany goes around pouring glasses for her parents before coming back in the kitchen to pour a glass for Santana. She smiles graciously and Brittany smiles back as she goes to fill her own glass.
"Go hang with your folks," Santana tells her when Brittany starts lingering in the kitchen.
"I'm supposed to be helping you though." She frowns but Santana just shakes her head.
"You have, besides it's almost done. I'm just waiting on the rice now." Santana assures her then gives her a little bump, "Go on, it's cool."
"Thanks." Brittany smiles but she feels like she should do more than just smile as she walks over to the couch where her parents are.
They chat for awhile but maybe twenty minutes later Santana's calling out that the food is ready. They all gather around the island and Brittany points out what they've cooked and how good everything is. Her parents smile without a doubt and when Brittany starts handing out plates, Santana finds its time to sneak out.
"Good luck with the dinner." Santana whispers as Brittany's parents settle at the dining table with their plates.
Brittany looks at her with a frown, "You're not staying?"
Santana shakes her head, "I don't want to impose."
"Oh honey, you're not imposing. Don't be silly!" Whitney assures her, the girls not even realizing that she had come back to the kitchen.
"No, that's okay. You're here to spend time with Brittany." Santana says and starts to head for the door but Whitney just gives her that motherly glare Brittany's so used to seeing.
"Now you didn't work so hard with Brittany for nothing," Whitney tells her and gestures to the counter, "Join us, please."
Santana looks to Brittany and Brittany smiles in hope.
"Okay, I guess I can stay for a little bit." Santana relents and it makes Brittany feel so incredibly happy.
Once Santana joins them at the table, dinner goes on smoothly. Brittany knew it would be fine because even though her parents are a little out there and they can be kind of weird sometimes they're always welcoming and easy to talk to. They talk about their days and how Brittany's doing with PT and Lucy Q's but they don't pry too much about Santana's life which Brittany is grateful for. She doesn't know too much about her either but she doesn't think at the dinner table with her family is the best time.
They're just starting to have dessert when Pierce asks, "So how long have two been dating?"
Santana instantly chokes on her ice cream and Brittany's falls off her spoon.
"Pierce!" Whitney scolds and smacks his shoulder. She looks to Brittany and then Santana a little worriedly, "Is she okay?"
"Uhh.." Brittany stammers and starts patting at Santana's back, "Are you okay? I know the Heimlich.."
Santana's fully flushed as she shakes her head, "No, no, that's okay. No Heimlich."
Brittany nods and glares at her dad, "We're not dating."
Pierce throws his hands up in defense, "My bad, my bad."
"Unbelievable." Whitney mumbles and smiles apologetically at the girls, "Don't mind him."
"Hey, you were wondering too.."
"Pierce!"
"Okay!" Pierce sighs and digs his spoon into his ice cream, "Great ice cream guys, love Ben and Jerry's."
/
The rest of dinner goes without a hitch and Brittany's parents say their goodbyes and thanks for a wonderful meal. Much to Brittany's detest, Santana hangs back to help clean. She tried her hardest to get her to go home or at least sit down and keep her company while she cleans instead but Santana wouldn't have it. So Brittany just let her help because what the use in fighting it.
"Your parents are nice." Santana comments as she scrubs at a plate.
"I guess." Brittany nods, putting away the dried dishes, "They can be a little much sometimes."
"Still," Santana shrugs and sets the plate to the side, "They're sweet. I wish mine were like that."
Brittany looks to her and she can sense the sadness in her voice, "Oh?"
"They're divorced so, you know," Santana confirms, "It's hard having them in the same room."
"Really?" Brittany's curiosity gets the better of her because she doesn't really know much about Santana and she really wants to. So she tests her luck and asks, "How so?"
Santana pauses and Brittany thinks she's trying to decide if she should tell her more or continue to keep her personal life under wraps. Brittany's just about to apologize for prying when Santana takes a shaky breath.
"Have you ever heard of New Era Records?" She asks hesitantly.
Brittany nods, tilting her head curiously.
"What about Lopez Imperial?"
Brittany thinks she knows where Santana is going with this, but nods again, "Of course."
"Well, uhm..my parents own both of those labels. My dad is based in New York with Lopez Imperial; my mom is in LA with New Era Records."
Brittany bites her tongue, so surprised by this new information and that Santana is basically an heiress to two major record companies. So many questions run through her head, but she maintains her composure though and lets Santana continue.
"I started off working for my dad because I always wanted to go to New York after graduation which pissed my mom off because she thought I was just doing it to spite her." Santana tells her and Brittany can see the frustration in her eyes, "They were always pinning me against one another and I hated it. I just wanted to make music, you know? No bullshit. No drama."
"Yeah, I get you." Brittany nods in understanding then goes to clarify, "So you're like a professional singer?"
Santana shakes her head, "I produce."
"Oh, that's awesome." Brittany's even more impressed and begins to smile, "That explains your outfits."
"What's wrong with my outfits?" Santana tilts her head at her but Brittany just laughs.
"Nothing! I'm just saying you always dress so professionally." Brittany explains, "It makes sense now. Have you produced anything I would know?"
"Maybe." Santana answers vaguely, "I'm kind of giving it a break right now." She sighs and Brittany takes note of every little detail, honored that Santana's opening up, "I couldn't handle the drama anymore and it was too much pressure, so I left and now I'm here."
Brittany gets the feeling, of having to put your career on hold, and she can relate. She can only imagine how Santana must feel being jerked around by her parents like that though, but then she wonders, "If your dad is in New York and your mom is in LA, what brought you to Lima?"
"My abuela." Santana answers and smiles, "She's kind of the only one that's been a stable person in my life."
Brittany smiles at that too and tries to mimic the way Santana said the word, "Abuela."
Santana hums in response, "Well, enough about me. I've already said too much and I don't want to be a downer with my sob stories."
"You aren't, I like learning new things about you." Brittany says as she puts away the last of the dishes and goes to change the topic, "Thanks for cleaning up and helping me cook. They really did love everything."
"You're welcome." Santana grins as she dries her hands.
"You can come over for the next family dinner," Brittany offers around a smile, "I'm sure they prefer your cooking over mine anyway."
"It'll be a team effort." Santana ducks her head shyly and they kind of lull in silence as they finish up the last of the cleaning, "Well, I should get home now. It's pretty late."
Brittany notes the time and nods, "Yeah okay." She walks over to the door and opens it for Santana, "I had fun cooking with you."
Santana lingers in the doorway and smiles up at Brittany, her eyes sparkling, "Me too."
"Awesome." Brittany says and that familiar sweaty, heart pumping feeling is back. She doesn't know what to do but Santana's standing so close and she looks so pretty and she's been so great.
"Good night, Britt." Santana mumbles and she's a little breathless as she backs away.
Brittany lets out a breath she had been holding, "Good night."
She closes the door and just stands there wondering what the hell. She should've just done it. There's been too many times now, too many times she's let her get away. When is it going to stop? Santana makes her feel too much, makes those butterflies in her stomach too antsy, and she's too curious to let it pass. She needs to know what Santana's lips feel like on hers, if they're as soft as she thinks they are, and she needs to know tonight!
Brittany's pumped up on pure excitement and anticipation; she doesn't even care if this all goes extremely bad. She has to know, she has to.
So she swings the door open, ready to rush to Santana's door, but she's too late.
Santana's there in front of her like she never even moved.
Brittany looks down at her but she doesn't stop to take it all in, she doesn't hesitate because she's done that way too much already.
So she leans in.
When Santana closes the distance, she knows she didn't make a mistake.
Their mouths collide and Brittany's heart just about bursts at the contact.
It's everything and nothing she's expected and when she brings her hands up to cradle Santana's warm cheeks, she doesn't think it could get any better. She reminds herself to breathe because she already feeling so lightheaded.
But then Santana tugs a little on her bottom lip and dives back in and Brittany's heart soars.
She was so wrong; it could get so much better.
So she lets Santana kiss her back, but when she goes back in she realizes Santana's pulling away. Brittany follows after her, her lips already missing the contact of Santana's but she's getting further and further away.
"W-wait, wait." Santana mumbles and her voice is thick and husky. She has a dazed look in her eyes but she continues to pull away, pushing Brittany's hands away too. Brittany's confused and a little dizzy from their kiss, but Santana just takes a step back until all contact is lost, "This is a bad idea."
"What?" Brittany frowns and blinks slowly. She has so many more questions, but she's still reeling from the kiss.
Santana looks like she is too but she shakes her head and backs away, "I'm sorry."
She turns away and again, Brittany's left standing there wondering what happened. Only this time, she's left with the taste of Santana's lips on hers.
We're getting near the end of this short saga so prepare yourselves. As always, thanks for your reviews!