A/N: So, surprises are in store. Can't wait to see what you guys think. Decided I wanted an early update 'cause I really like this story. Oh, and I will be getting back to Control soon enough, just been getting them creative juices flowing. Anywhosies, thanks to all the readers and reviewers and alerters, and favoriters. Criticism and the like are always welcome.
Warnings: I don't own Glee or any of the characters or any of the songs I may use. This will include lesbian sex, maybe some hetero but it's not likely. Possibly Finn bashing.
A week after the first time I let Santana stay at my house, I kept my promise to help her out. Our first stop was to the whole foods store I usually went to. She groaned as we made our way through each isle, me doing most of the shopping. She hardly seemed able to shop for herself, choosing treats over actual food.
"You'd make the worst vegan ever," I pointed out sifting through the boxes of cereal, granola bars, and fruit snacks, "Which is terrifying because I can't see you safely eating meat."
She shrugged as we reached the produce section, "Vegan food always tastes dry and I don't trust "meatless meat," but actual meat takes actual effort to cook"
"It's not always dry and you killed those "meatless" hot dogs," she pointed out.
"Well, would you have let me get away with not eating that night?" She was joking but I still heard a hint of bitterness.
"But how do you plan on living off of cereal, granola and fruit leather?" I held up the box.
"Better than I would with water bottles," she shrugged and went to start picking out fruits.
I rolled my eyes and followed her. She grabbed some strawberries and cherries. She brought them back to the cart and I pointed her towards the salads only for her to scowl at them.
"Do you have something against salads?" I laughed.
"I hate salad," she scrunched up her noise.
"Oh my god, you're like a five year old," I laughed and pushed the cart further into the produce section, dragging her with me.
"I am not," she groaned.
"How about melon?" She went over and grinned, holding up a cantaloupe and honeydew before her chest.
She put them into the cart, still grinning adorably, "You know you love my melons Rach."
"Shut up, now let's hurry before anybody here realizes I'm with the idiot with the melons," I giggled at her before we headed to the front to pay.
"Ouch," she patted her chest playfully.
She paid and we headed back to her place. I convinced her to walk and take the subway with me this time, although she regretted it a great deal more when she refused to let me carry any bags. By the time we actually got to her place I had to get her keys out of her pocket. For an instant I felt as if we were being watched but brushed it off, knowing how sore her arms must have been. Once we got upstairs she dropped everything on the counter.
"Oh, thank god," she sighed, rubbing her forearms.
"Now you can eat," I assured, taking one arm in my hand to rub gently.
"Mm, now?" I gasped loudly when she pushed me up onto the counter.
"No, not like that," I tried pushing her shoulders away.
"Why not?" She whined and kissed my neck gently.
"B-because," I felt my hands slip from her shoulders and around her neck.
"Because what?" She kneaded my soft skin between her teeth.
"Groceries," I moaned.
"They can wait," she slipped her hands on my shirt.
"Mhum," I finally nodded and stopped resisting all together, leaning back on the counter and tilting my head for her.
I almost fell trying to follow her hands when her phone went off and she pulled away quickly. I caught myself but pouted at her back, as she took a few steps away, taking on what I assumed was her professional voice.
"Hello, Santana Lopez speaking," she chanted, as if she'd said it a million times.
I couldn't hear the response on the other end but she visibly relaxed.
"What? Really? All of them? Even wheels?" Her tone was less serious.
I watched her curiously, patting down my shirt.
"I don't know, none of us really left on the best note." She sounded hesitant about something.
I slid off of the counter and I went to slide my arms around her waist.
"Fine, I'll go, for you, and 'cause I want to see how she turned out. I'll ask her too." She hung up the phone and turned to face me.
"Who was it?" I laid my chin on her chest looking up at her.
"Puck, he wants us to go to a gig of his tonight," she looked down at me questioningly.
"In Jersey right?" I grinned up at her.
She nodded, a slight smile settling over her nervous features, "Some friends from high school are going to be there too."
"I'm sure it'll be nice to meet them." I pulled her back to the kitchen, "But since I'll have to take you to the laundromat tomorrow we're putting the groceries away now."
"Aw, can't that wait?" She groaned, reaching for my skirt.
"No," I swatted her hands away before pushing a bag into them.
She spent most of the time pouting as we filled her empty cabinets. It was a comfort knowing she would be able to eat more often. We finished up and I was holding the plastic box of cherries. I took them to the sink to wash quickly before pressing her against the counter. Our hips met as I popped the lid up and took one particularly plump looking fruit between my fingers.
I popped the stem off with my others hand before biting half of the cherry and letting the red juice spread on my lips.
In one motion Santana brushed my hand with the cherry away from my face, gripped my cheek lightly, and took my bottom lip between her teeth.
I moaned into her mouth before pulling away slightly, "I heard, somewhere, that the faster you can tie a cherry stem in a knot the better you are in bed."
She plucked the stem from my fingers and held it up to inspect, scoffing slightly, "Then I must be pretty damn fast."
"Maybe," I shrugged, finishing my cherry and laying the pit in the top of the package.
I smirked as she took it in her mouth and shifted her jaw a few different ways. In about a minute or two she pulled out the mauled stem to inspect. There was no not, just a few frayed bends.
"What were you saying, San?" I smirked as she placed it next to my pit.
"That was stupid, I don't need any damn cherry stem to tell me how awesome a lay I am," she scowled at the fruits.
"Sure you don't, San," I smiled and took another stem for myself, making sure she saw me slip it into my mouth. A few seconds later I pulled it out, a perfect knot in the middle.
"You got a better stem than me, mine was to short," she accused and I couldn't help but smile.
"Whatever you need to tell yourself," I smiled, pulling my hips back from hers, "Let's get dressed."
At some point I'd started keeping clothing at Santana's place. Nothing, much just casual things like my yoga pants and sweats but I wasn't sure what to wear for this. While she just tossed on the pirate dress she'd worn the first time she went to my place, I just didn't know what was good to go see Noah.
"What should I wear," I asked, pretending to take in her outfit while checking out her curves.
"I'll lend you a band shirt, just keep the skirt." She began flat ironing her hair, only for me to stop her.
"Why don't you just leave your hair? It's so much sexier when it's curly." I pulled the tool away and kissed her hand.
"'Cause it's messy," she reached for it but I leaned away.
"Mmmhum, it is," I moaned the words as I put it on her dresser and ran my hands up her chest, her neck, and finally into her hair.
"How do you always manage to get your way," She mumbled into my neck, biting gently.
"You let me have it," I tilted my head back, biting my lip.
"I most certainly do," she growled against my skin and I felt her hands pushing my skirt up.
"No! No, no, no." I was mostly telling myself as I pushed her hands down, "You have to give me a shirt, and we're going to see Noah."
"Ugh, fine," she sighed and opened a drawer and pulled out a band shirt, I had no idea who Korn was but I switched it with my current button up.
Santana was digging through a drawer before she pulled out a small box with a cheer, "Yes! I found 'em."
"Found what," I tried to look at the box.
"Safety pins, now turn around," I did as she commanded and faced the mirror behind me.
I felt her hands on my back and heard the sound of the metal before I felt her pulling the shirt together behind my back, it tightened until it fit me like it was made for me.
"Perfect," she turned me around and kissed me, "Ready?"
I nodded and grinned, following her as we left.
}{
It took a few trains to actually get to Hoboken. Santana really tried to avoid cabs but when neither of us knew where the club was I relaxed into her side, trying to focus more on the soothing hand running up and down my arm rather than the rumbling of the engine, the squeal of the brakes and tires, and the horns honking around us. Finally we arrived, only to be pounced upon by the large former football player. Once more, I got the feeling of being watched but brushed it off once Noah released the two of us from his bear hug.
"Glad you guys could make it, the rest of the band's inside setting up."
"Lazy ass," Santana laughed.
"Hey, I did most of the unloading," he puffed out his chest slightly.
"Sure you did. So," Santana's tone became less playful now, "Where is everyone?"
"They went to grab lunch, the McDonald's up the street if you want to go catch up with 'em." He pointed to the left and we saw the Golden Arches clearly.
"Alright, we'll see you in a few Puckerman." She smiled.
"Good luck, Noah," I smiled up at the man as I followed her.
"We're going to see your friends?" I asked.
"Yep." She sounded nervous, her eyebrows were furrowed together a bit.
The short walk was quiet. Eventually we made it to the building and I ignored the smell of grease and meat. I looked up to Santana and followed her line of vision. She seemed so focused on a group in the corner, just outside the play land. Two blondes sat with a brunette man in a wheelchair. I tugged her sleeve to urge her forward and she nodded, plastering a cocky grin over the nerves that were there.
"So did everyone ride on Artie's lap or did you have to check his chair with airport security?" She asked outright.
My jaw almost dropped as I looked between her and the group. I wondered if she'd really just said that.
"We couldn't really all fit in Artie's lap." One of the blondes pouted before a grin broke out as she realized who was talking and jumped up to hug her.
"Hey Britt," Santana's smirk softened to a genuine smile.
"San, look," She held up her hand to show off a fairly large engagement ring.
"Aw, Britt," a slightly pained look crossed her face before she went on, "That's great." She looked to the man in the wheelchair, "You finally decided to get down on one knee?"
The boy rolled his eyes, "Totally, of course, Brittany had to help me get back to my chair," he laughed and rolled back before rolling up to Santana to fist bump her.
The last blonde finally stood up, clearing her throat, "Hey, S."
"Hey, Q," Santana went to the girl, both of their faces more serious as they looked each other up and down, before nodding their approval and hugging, although it was less intimate than with the other blonde.
"Guess your balloons haven't popped yet," the shorter blonde sneered.
"Nope not a bit. How ya been Lucy?" Santana shot back venomously.
"I've been fine, Brittany just decided to drag me and Artie down here once she saw you and Puck on television." She rolled her eyes.
"You were excited too Quinn!" The taller blonde pointed out, her hands on the back of Artie's chair.
"I was excited for Beth," She gave her friend a pointed glare.
"Where are your brats?" She looked around, no child in sight.
"Outside," Quinn went to the nearby door and shouted outside, "Beth, sweety, come inside."
A few minutes later a small girl, no older than seven rushed in, she looked over the small group before going to the shorter blonde's side.
"Baby, this is my friend from high school, Santana," She nudged the girl forward, "Remember, you saw her on the TV with daddy."
"Mommy said you were made of more plastic than my Barbie dolls," the little girl offered inspecting Santana.
I saw Quinn holding back a laugh while Santana blanched a bit but kneeled down carefully, "Well, your mommy must be mistaken, because, see," she held out her hand to the little girl, "No plastic."
"I guess," the little girl took Santana's hand between her own and turned it over, inspecting her.
"So, Quinn, been filling your kid's head with those kinds of things?"
"There's worse things I could tell her, for instance," Quinn looked at me, acknowledging me for the first time, "If this is your girlfriend, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with you around my child." She looked me up and down how she had Santana but there was no nod, "How old is she? You aren't just picking them up from the local high-schools are you?"
"I'm Rachel Berry-Corcoran, and I'm not her girlfriend." I replied, unsure of why I looked to her for reassurance when I said that.
"She's twenty-three, and I met her at a party," she grinned at me, standing up.
"Whoop-dee-doo for the both of you," she rolled her eyes, taking her daughters hand.
"Be nice Quinn, I think she's pretty," Brittany smiled at me and I smiled back.
"True dat," Artie supplied.
"Thank you," I smiled between them.
"Me too!" Beth piped in.
I finally kneeled down to hold out my hand to the girl, "Thank you, Beth."
The girl smiled at me before taking my hand and shaking it.
"Great, more mediocrity to add to our little family, let's go find your joke of a rock star father," She picked up the small girl.
"Daddy's not a joke, he's goin'a be a rock star like David Archuleta," she grinned proudly.
None of us could help but laugh at that, even Quinn seemed to crack a smile at that. I looked back to Brittany and Artie, Brittany seemed intent on pushing Artie but he quickly turned and pulled her into his lap and we all followed back towards the small club. Beth seemed the most excited as we approached.
"So, you're bringing your daughter to a rock concert?" Santana looked the blonde up and down.
"Puck and Beth double teamed me," she rolled her eyes.
"And we all know how hard it is for you to say no to Puck," Quinn threw a glare at San while mouthing, "My child."
"I wanted to see Daddy be a rock star and Aunty Brittany and Uncle Artie wanted to come too," the girl grinned excitedly.
"You going to a be a rock star when you grow up to, Puckerminnie?" She asked the girl, who giggled at the nickname.
"Daddy said he'd teach me to play guitar when he got older," she clapped, "And Aunty Brittany said she'd teach me to dance."
I went up behind Santana and watched her chatter with the little girl, before she brought me into the conversation, "My friend Rachel here sings, maybe you could ask her nicely for some tips."
"Really!" The girl almost jumped from her mother's arms.
"Yeah, I sing on stage all the time," I smiled.
"Like uncle Kurt! He likes to sing on stage but his voice is prettier than Daddy's," she seemed so excited.
I had to assume Kurt was another friend of theirs. As we entered the club, Santana giving the bouncer our names and abating his questions about Beth. The club had already started to fill up so we made our way to the V.I.P. Section where Santana, once more, got us through, although she had to sign a couple magazines this time. Quinn busied herself with keeping Beth from seeing the covers.
"So, that's what those are good for," Quinn smirked as she passed a seething Santana up the stairs.
"Bite me, Ms. Caboosey." She scowled at the woman.
We found a table by the stage and settled down to watch. Santana fell into conversation with her old friends while I watched, entertaining the idea that these could've been my friends as well. Inside jokes passed between them and memories were shared, and at some point I began to go down a road I never thought I would, wondering what a life other than the one I knew could have been like. I would have only allowed those thoughts to continue had a small hand not been on mine.
"Do you have any old stories about my mommy and daddy?" Big hazel eyes looked up at me.
"No, sorry," I smiled apologetically to the little girl, catching Quinn's calculating eyes on me.
"You didn't go to M'Kinley with 'em?" She looked confused.
"No, I grew up in New York, I didn't meet Santana or No-your daddy until a little while a go."
"Are you Santana's partner?" I had to look up after that question to see Santana choking on the drink she'd ordered, and the girl continued, "Cause mommy said sometimes girls like girls and boys like boys like Uncle Kurt and Uncle Blaine."
"Um, no, I'm not her partner, I'm her friend." I smiled, which wasn't too hard as I watched Santana calm down.
"She keeps looking at you like Uncle Kurt looks at Uncle Blaine." She shrugged.
"Uh," I didn't know what to say to that.
"So," Santana finally broke in, "Kurt and Blaine. That worked out?"
Brittany finally piped in, "Yeah, they're really cute. Kurt and Blaine got their Bachelor's and they're thinking of moving up here to get married."
Beth huffed at that slightly.
"You don't want them to get married?" I looked down to the obviously upset child,
"I don't want 'em moving. Daddy's already up here and Aunty Brittany and Uncle Artie are always traveling."
"Well, if so many of them are up here, maybe your mommy'll let you come visit." Quinn didn't look very happy about that suggestion.
"So, Puckerminnie's got a pretty big family going on," Santana offered.
"Yeah, I decided to try that whole, it takes a village thing. She turned out pretty well, I mean, she doesn't have a mohawk and isn't chasing and Hispanic cheerleaders from, "Lima Heights Adjacent.""
"It's never too late to start," Santana assured.
The music started soon enough and Beth left my side to sit by the banister. Noah was pretty good, the band was even alright. We watched for about half an hour. Then they got a break and Noah came up, sending the girl, shouting into his arms. It was nice to watch him pick her up and spin her.
"Hey, Bethy!" He hugged the girl into his arms.
"Daddy, I saw you bein' a rock star!" She grinned proudly from his arms.
"Hell yeah you did." He grinned matching her own.
"Puck, watch your mouth around my daughter," Quinn said it calmly but I could see her irritation.
"She's my kid too, right Bethy?" He looked to the girl again.
"Yeah," she hugged his neck, tightly.
"Okay, baby, I got to go back to the stage, alright? But maybe if mommy doesn't have her panties in a knot we can hang out after okay?"
She nodded, and hugged him once more before he let her down. He came to hug me, Santana, Brittney and gave Quinn a lingering one. He gave Artie one of those handshake hugs guys always do and then left, only to appear onstage once more. Another thirty minutes passed and soon another band was on stage. Noah met us up front, a gig bag on his back.
"So, where are you guys staying?" Santana finally asked the group.
"We were going to get a hotel," Quinn shrugged.
I saw Noah shoot Santana a look before she caught on and mouthed, "No way!"
"Please," he mouthed back, pouting, although it was funnier than it was effective, "For Beth."
Santana flipped him off when she was sure the child wasn't looking before sighing, "Why don't you guys stay with me."
"I was just about to offer, but I guess San has it." Noah grinned.
She rolled her eyes and Quinn shrugged, "I don't know, a hotel's really no problem."
"Trust me, it's fine, I have a king sized bed, a pullout couch, and a laz-e-boy." She thought of another selling point, "And plenty of cereal for Beth. And we can take her to Central Park." She threw me a cocky wink.
"Fine, but how're we getting there?" Quinn asked.
"Train."
"Where do you even live San?" Brittany asked.
"New York," she shrugged.
"Perfect," Quinn rolled her eyes as Puck began leading us to the nearest train.
}{
By the time we even reached Santana's apartment Quinn was upset about Santana and Puck splitting their time corrupting her child. I was entertained and a little worried as they took turns holding her and making faces at the small child joyously. The little girl seemed to have them outmatched as she turned her hands upside down and placed them over her eyes. Finally we were all loaded into the elevator on our way up.
"Daddy, will you play my song?" Beth asked before anyone even had the chance to move.
"Of course!" He grinned and pulled out a stool from the counter.
Brittany and Artie went to the couch and Quinn took over the laz-e-boy. San went to the kitchen and sat on the counter, and I followed her, leaning between her legs. Beth took the stool next to her father, and Noah pulled out his guitar checking the tuning a bit before playing.
I could hardly say Noah was a bad singer. He definitely had a nice style. The little girl next to him looked on proudly at him. Eventually he had to end the song and the tiny blonde cheered for an encore which he gladly gave. The rest of the night was spent catching up. Artie Britt and Santana sat in the living area while I joined Noah who'd pulled Beth onto his lap, only for her to fall asleep.
"She looks so much like you," I said amazed.
"I know, it's amazing." He smiled down at her.
"But how can you have a kid so young?" I looked up to him.
"I was really irresponsible as a kid, and while I'd made plenty of mistakes she definitely isn't one of them."
"And you and Quinn aren't together?"
He shook his head, "There was a long period of time when I would have killed for that, but no we aren't. And I'd love to be more involved with her life but I couldn't stay in Lima. And I tried giving her money but she won't take it."
"She's really proud of you," I offered, reaching over to brush the tiny girls hair.
"First person in a long time," He smiled sadly.
"How long will they be in town?" I wondered.
"A week. I think if I convince Quinn I can take care of her she might let her come for the summer." He smiled hopefully up at me.
"I hope that works out," I offered a smile before I felt arms around my waist.
"Hey, gorgeous, we're going to start getting ready for bed, you want to stay and take the laz-e-boy or you want me to walk you home."
I looked around hesitantly, there were so many people, "I don't know if I should."
"There's plenty of room if you want to," she stressed the last words.
"Alright," I smiled and nodded.
I called my mom to let her know what was going on. Santana helped Artie and Brittany pull out to sofa-bed and then led Quinn and Noah with Beth in his arms. When she came back out with some pajamas for the both of us, blankets, and Puck in tow I got a bit confused.
"So Puckerman, why couldn't anyone stay at your place?" San finally asked.
"I live in a rented house with my entire band. Five guys in three rooms and a living room. I'm not taking them there, and that definitely won't impress Quinn."
Santana nodded understandingly before leading me to her box filled guest room. Before I could berate her she kissed me gently, "So what do you think?"
"About what," I smiled up at her.
"My friends?" She shrugged, "Still think you would have liked Lima and McKinley?"
I nodded up to her smiling, "Noah, Brittany, and Artie are all really nice, but I don't think Quinn likes me."
"Q doesn't always take to kindly to new people." She shrugged apologetically.
"Her daughter is amazing, she's so cheerful and so proud of Noah."
"She really is," she admitted, "She's so much like both of them."
"Mhum," I hugged her before looking up, "Where are we sleeping?"
"You can take the Laz-e-boy. Puck and I can figure something out."
"You don't have to do that, I can leave," I looked to the door.
"No," she pulled my face back gently to kiss me, "Puck and I would feel like total asses if you left."
"Well, when you put it like that," I smiled up to her and turned around, "Unpin me, please."
"Gladly." She did and unzipped my skirt. I let it fall before taking the offered shorts.
We both changed into pajamas before heading back out to the living area. Santana helped Puck arrange some pillows and couch cushions on the ground and then I shoved her onto the Laz-e-boy, before a quiet cheer came from Brittany, Artie and Puck. We laughed silently before I followed, sitting on her lap and nuzzling her chest. Soon enough it was silent, and comfortable. The sound of Santana's breathing quieted the rest before I fell asleep in her arms.
