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I take full responsibility for all wordsmithing errors.

Rating will change throughout the story.

Trigger Warnings will be added as needed.


Chapter 7 - Swimming Hole

Rachel had called her the night before asking if she'd be interested in going to a pool party on Saturday, stating that all the guests would be the women from their party and that she'd only needed to bring whatever she needed, no food or drink required. Brittany had immediately said yes. Quinn and Rachel had picked her up in Quinn's SUV, the magnetic realtor signs now removed from the doors.

Sitting in the back seat behind Quinn, Brittany realized that wherever they were going was outside the city limits she asked: "Are we going to some water hole in the country where they have ropes that swing out over the water?"

"Oh God no!" Rachel replied, "We're actually going to a home that has a real in-ground swimming pool."

Quinn adding "We're going to the Karofsky estate, Brittany. I think you'll like it."

"I should've asked. Do you play tennis?" Rachel looked back at Brittany "They have tennis court too. Along with basketball court, in-ground hot tub, horses, ATV's,

"Putting green, driving range, firepit, "Quinn continued the list

"Media room, pool table, darts, arcade games, an outside entertainment area next to the pool, karaoke" Rachel added, "What have we missed?"

"Zee's play area to swing or go down a slide." Quinn laughed.

Rachel smiled as she tapped Quinn's shoulder with her fist "We forgot the baby grand."

"How could I forget that?" Quinn said as she turned right into a gated drive with red and white signs indicating private property under surveillance.

Brittany leaned toward the center ducking down a little to see the view from the front window "Holy shit! Dave and Santana live here?" stunned at the Mediterranean designed mansion that came into view as the SUV grew nearer to the front of the home.

Quinn in her realtor's voice started to list "15,000 square ft, includes 9 bedrooms, 8 full baths, 3 half baths, exercise room, elevator, second story balcony, six stall garage, an apartment for their nanny. The house is built on an old farm where Dave's Grandpa Murray grew up. I think they have about 280 acres. Quite a bit of it is wooded I think at least 80 acres. I know they removed some of the trees to get a better view across the river." Taking a breath, she continued, "Honestly have no idea what it cost to build, but everything is upscale from the tiled roofing to the imported marble throughout the house and the professional appliances in the kitchen."

"It's what a hundred years of selling ice cream will buy." Rachel said "And a little rum."

"The old Karofsky estate is now part of a museum and on the National Historic Homes registry" Quinn finally adding, as she pulled parallel to the front door of the circular drive to park.

"So, Paul, Dave and Santana live here?" Brittany curious to know who occupied such a large home asked.

"No Paul has a condo in town with his girlfriend, April …"

"Mistress, Quinn he's still married to Karen," Rachel correcting her wife.

"Ok mistress, April Rhodes. This is Dave and Santana's home," Quinn corrected herself, as she unlatched the car door.

All three women moved to the back of the SUV, as the tailgate gradually opened, to retrieve their bags "they must expect to have a big family someday." Brittany responded taking a step back as she looked at the front of the home amazed that anyone would need such a large home in Lima, even a successful one. The landscaping around the house was impeccable. Young saplings lined the outside of the round drive, slightly more mature trees closer to the house on the other side. Tall, slender evergreen shrubs lined the north and south sides of the front extension, flowering shrubs the east side. Small flower gardens of annuals lead up the walkway to the main entrance, the entrance covered by a second-floor balcony. The front yard was expansive, not covered in sod but sectioned off into smaller gardens like those that Brittany had seen in Europe. She wished her mother, Whitney were here to walk down the sod paths, she would have easily identified the plants. As it was Brittany could only make out rose bushes and a lilac bush. "Wow, all they need is a fountain" Brittany exclaimed. Quinn answered 'come back in a few years there probably will be.'

With their canvas bags in hand, Brittany followed Rachel and Quinn through the motor court where the two garages sat parallel to each other following a walkway with a side garden a small table with chairs sat beneath a pergola with hanging baskets. Brittany, getting a whiff of jasmine as she walked by. Once they entered the house, it was more than Brittany could take in, as they passed through the kitchen with polished tile floors, stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, dark walnut cabinets in the kitchen. Brittany smiled at the drawings that hung on the frig made by Zee. A breakfast nook, with table and chairs for adults, a small 'Cars' table and chairs for Zee, a high chair for the baby. Through a family room, with overstuffed furniture, that sat on a large area patterned area rug. The wall-mounted the television above a fireplace and floor to ceiling windows on the opposite side that looked onto the pool area. Quinn, pointing out the nearest bathroom down a hallway.

As they exited, the house through one set of three pairs of French doors off the family room Brittany could see over Rachel that the lounge area included a settee, with chairs on either side, a coffee table in front, beyond that a circular table where she recognized Mercedes and Tina. Following Quinn's lead, she sat her canvas bag on an empty chair at the table.

"Hey girls! Thought you'd been called away Quinn, for some last-minute house showing." Mercedes sitting at the table asked the shorter blonde-haired woman.

"No, mom is covering for me today," Quinn answered as she started to slip off her shorts and t-shirt to reveal her one-piece suit.

Brittany averted her gaze feeling unusually modest that she might be staring at the two women as they stripped down to their suits, once they were standing only in their one-piece swimsuits did Brittany think to herself wow attractive bodies.

"Heads up, Quinn, Dani is here." Tina confided to the women who'd recently arrived at the pool party.

"Who invited her?" waving the question off "Forget it I know the answer." Quinn glanced over to Rachel "Have you talked to her recently?"

Rachel lifted her shoulders in a shrug, "I guess she changed her mind since we spoke last."

"She's young Quinn." Mercedes sagely advised, "Anyway, she won't be here long. They're working OT at the plant this weekend, so she'll be leaving at some point."

"Not that young 'Cedes," Quinn replied as she neatly folded her clothes putting them in the canvas bag, taking out her lotion. "Can you put lotion on my back babe?" handing the lotion bottle over to Rachel who took it, Quinn turned to view the poolside. "Is that Jane and Madison? Since when are they part of the inner circle?" Recognizing them from the LGBT choir.

"We think Dani invited them," Tina answered. "Santana hauled her into the house shortly after they arrived, Dani didn't come out with a smile on her face."

Quinn snickered, "I bet Santana isn't too happy about being blindsided." Turning around to apply lotion to Rachel's back.

"Brittany do you want help?" Tina offered, rising from her chair walking around Mercedes chair taking the lotion from Brittany.

"What are you drinking?" Mercedes asked to change the subject. "Beers on tap, Tina does make a mean Long Island Ice Tea or margarita."

"Yeah, my college days as a bartender still come in useful now and then." Tina joked, handing Brittany back her lotion, wiping her hands off with the towel slung over the back of Mercedes chair. "Santana has offered all of us rooms for the night if you really want to make a party of it." Taking the drink orders, Tina moved over to the outdoor bar.

After getting their drinks in solo cups, the trio walked over to the pool area. Kitty floated on a chaise floater in the middle of the large Grecian 'L' shaped pool, the 'L' serving as a hot tub, a wall dividing the two where water cascaded over forming a waterfall into the main pool — joining Kitty, where Jane and Madison sat on the opposite side of the diving board with their feet in the water. All three-shouting encouragement to Marley who stood on the diving board mustering up the bravery to jump. It felt to Brittany that both Madison and Jane were purposely segregating themselves from the main party. Santana lay on a poolside chaise. Dani, sitting on the chaise next to her, leaning across Santana, her arm supporting her on the opposite side of the chair. Dani moved closer to Santana, whispering something to her Santana immediately laughing. Brittany felt a pang of jealousy as she heard the laughter and saw Santana's fingers grazing the side of Dani's bare midriff. Dani, leaning in to give Santana a brief kiss on her lips.

"Dani didn't expect to see you here," Rachel shouted as they neared the women to gain their attention.

Hearing Rachel Santana turned toward her friend "The Faberry's fashionably late as always." Motioning Dani off her so she could stand, smiling broadly when she saw the tall blonde woman "Brittany, glad you could make it." Glancing at Dani "Do you know Dani?"

Brittany caught her breath as she got a full view of Santana in a black string bikini, her black hair laid loosely over bronze shoulders, large black sunglasses, free of makeup aside from maybe lip-gloss to protect ample lips from the sun. Her breasts looked like they were ready to escape the bra that bound and hid them from the public. Slender frame, her skin smooth, stomach toned, legs that were strong yet feminine. A warmth spread through Brittany, feeling her face start to flush she gazed her eyes downward. "Uh … yeah, we've met."

"God! I hate you Lopez" Quinn said awestruck "You've already gotten your body back after what? Five months? Not even a stretch mark."

Santana half-smirked half smiled at Quinn her arms raised hands out to show off her body, "Roz Washington, worth every penny."

"Roz Washington? Personal trainer to the stars?" Brittany suddenly recovering from the shock of Santana in a swimsuit inquired.

"You know her?" Santana asked

"I know of her. Uh … she's worked with JLo, Kate Hudson. I follow her blog."

Smiling shyly Santana responded tilting her head slightly to the side, "Well you can add me to that list."

Dani who stood on the opposite side of the chaise, instinctively closed the gap between her and Santana, coming around to stand next to her placing her hand on Santana's lower back directing a wary look at Brittany. Brittany recognized the move. The look. Dani was taking ownership, telling all those around who the Latina belonged too. Or more accurately, her.

"Well, you've got drinks, help yourselves to the snacks inside. If you're staying for dinner, it will be grilled salmon with Asparagus and chickpea salad. Otherwise, enjoy" Santana said

Claiming one of the chairs around a canopied table, Rachel asking Santana, "Will Dave be joining us for dinner?"

"Uh no, he went to the lake with Finn, Sam, and Puck this morning. Finn took his camper down, and Dave took the deck boat. He hasn't had the boat out this year."

Rachel grinned, stifling a laugh "Good memories of Dave taking us out on the lake in the boat. Me, you, Quinn, and Blaine. It's a miracle Dave didn't get caught for drunkenness by the DNR."

"Blaine never went with us it was either Puck or Finn." Santana, correcting Rachel.

"Are you sure Santana? I swear I remember Blaine on the boat with us."

"Yeah! I've never been on the boat with Dave and Bow Tie." Santana chuckled shaking her head as she answered. "Think about it, Rachel."

Quinn who had yet to sit down, leaned over to whisper in Rachel's ear, Rachel responded "Oh! I guess that would have been … uhum … awkward for you Santana … and Blaine."

Santana snapped her fingers "Booyah!" She grabbed her solo cup with her free hand shaking it as she looked over at Dani sweetly, she asked, "Can you get me a refill?"

"Uh … Yeah, sure. Be right back" Dani taking the cup walking off toward the patio. Once she was out of earshot, Santana walked over to the chaise next to the one she occupied, grabbing the towel that lay across it, she tossed it to the chaise on the other side.

"Britt you can have this chair. It's free." Santana grinned, her eyes covered by the large black sunglasses.

Brittany concerned by Santana moving personal items from a chaise she looked over to Rachel who'd taken a sudden interest in her fingernails and Quinn who had diverted her eyes to examine the pool deck concrete. Brittany suddenly felt like a pawn in a chess game between Santana and Dani. Some type of revenge for the party crashers or the subtle hint by the placement of a hand on her lower back.

"Come on sit down" Santana urged Brittany on, as she sat back down on her chaise. "Dani won't mind," as she tossed her hair over her shoulders with both hands.

"Ok" she smiled moving over to the opposite side she spread her beach towel across the chaise stepping over it to sit across from Santana, their knees almost touching.

When Dani came back with Santana's drink, Santana gestured for her to sit with Quinn and Rachel at the table that she wanted to talk with Brittany. Brittany swore she felt daggers thrown at her from Dani while she sat in the chaise.

Brittany walked into the kitchen to grab bottles of water for herself and Santana from the fridge. Pausing to admire Zee's artwork, as she opened one of the containers. Strolling over to the counter eyeing the remnants of the snacks, chips, relish tray, fresh fruit, chocolate chip cookies. Grabbing a cookie, she turned to go back to the patio.

"Hey" Dani stood in front of Brittany, noticing her hair now a shade of dark blue.

"Hi Dani," Brittany said, trying to remain friendly to the shorter woman.

"I don't know what your plans are Pierce, but she's mine." Dani asserted, hands across her chest, shoulders back.

Brittany thought about what the production supervisor was inferring. "You mean ... Santana?"

"Uh yeah, she's mine. She's been mine for a few years now. Exclusive if you know what I mean."

"OK … uhum ... I get exclusive but not sure what you mean by mine?" she asked, waiting for a beat she calmly started her explanation "Are your referring to mine being the possessive of 'I'?" not giving Dani time to respond Brittany continued "Let me remind you that slavery was abolished in this country by an executive order, in 1863. Now if you mean mine as in rights of all humans, then the UN's Declaration of Human Rights states 'all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.' Though it doesn't reference women, our Declaration of Independence states that 'we are endowed with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'" Pausing to take a breath, holding a finger up not to allow Dani to interrupt she added "If you include the meaning of life in mine, then that would include various philosophical, psychological, religious, and scientific theories such as 'existence, consciousness, and happiness.' Of course, if you mean legally, then only Dave can say she's mine via their marriage contract, which they at their choosing can alter or break. If you're referring to merely social ties then the strongest, and only ones that really count in this discussion are the two that call her mommy." She stopped to see if any of this was sinking in. Instead, she saw a blank look on Dani's face now ending her diatribe with "My favorite meaning is 'to do the right thing' as in it's mine to choose." Looking Dani in the eye, she ended "Please step away, Dani." As Dani pivoted away, Brittany stepped around the shorter woman. Twisting off the cap of the water bottle to drink the cold water after her speech wanting to walk away from whatever it was Dani imagined her and Santana were doing.

"You know Pierce I don't care how fucking smart you are or think you are, her one-off affairs never last long. She always runs back to me." Dani spat out, angered at Brittany's condescending, dismissive attitude.

Turning around Brittany looked at the blue-haired woman "Appreciate the warning."

Regardless of the number of imaginary wounds Brittany received from the imaginary daggers, or words exchanged with Dani, Brittany wouldn't have changed anything that afternoon. She wouldn't change the moment when she stood at the pool wall as Santana jumped from the diving board staying underwater, coming out in front of her, the image of Santana her hair slicked back, water droplets on her face, sliding down cleavage, placing her hands-on Brittany's hips. Or the feeling Brittany had when her own hands landed on Santana's waist. She wouldn't change how Santana's hands felt when she applied suntan lotion to her back. Or how intimate a feeling it was to apply creamy lotion to Santana's back. She wouldn't change Santana asking her if she wanted her to refill her drink. She wouldn't change the house tour, something she found out later Dani had never enjoyed, Santana never showing Dani the house beyond the kitchen, family room, and the bathroom. She wouldn't change Santana showing her around the grounds, the gardens, the horse stable, and kennel for the hunting dogs, the tennis court, putting green and driving range. Brittany wouldn't change Santana taking her hand to stop her from touching the fence when they stood at the bluff that overlooked the river, saying to her 'it's electric.' She wouldn't change Santana telling her to sit next to her at the table during dinner. Or later in the evening in the hot tub as the jets frothed the water around them their pinkie fingers entwined beneath the water, out of sight of the four women also sharing the warmth of the tub. Brittany wouldn't change or forget anything about her day at Santana's home.

Well maybe one thing she'd change, the pang of resentment, mixed with jealousy and envy she felt when stepping into the master suite. A king size bed that looked small in the large bedroom. The baby crib and changing table that looked as though they were designed to match the adult furniture in the room. Separate alarm clocks on the twin nightstand, one with a baby monitor and iPad the other with Dave's Rolex. Next to the Rolex, his books, 'The Forgotten 500:' by Gregory Freeman, 'Make Your Bed:' by William McRaven, and, 'Man Up,' by Bedros Keuilian. On the wall a framed black and white portrait of Dave, and Zee, with Elle between them snuggling on an unmade bed. In the master bath the over-sized soaking tub or the elongated double shower stall that divided Santana's and Dave's private bathrooms and dressing areas. Yeah, that bit of happy heterosexuals married with children bliss she would like to forget.

By mid-afternoon, all had retreated to the patio, escaping from the afternoon sun. When Dani, Jane, and Madison needed to go back home to ready themselves for their evening shift at the plant, Dani went over to Santana giving a peck on the cheek, saying 'Bye babe,' Santana replied 'I'll call ya later.' Santana hesitated then saying she'd follow them to the door. When she returned, a collective squeal came from all the women who remained. Santana carried an infant in her arms Zee followed behind in black swim trunks with Burberry written down the side and a black t-shirt with a shark on the front. Behind them, a petite Asian woman with large black glasses covering her face walked onto the patio holding a foldable playpen and bouncy chair.

"Oh my God! I wondered if you were going to bring out Elle or not!" Mercedes cried out holding her hands out wiggling her fingers to take the baby "Come on let me be the first to hold her."

Santana carefully handed the baby over to Mercedes. "Here you might want this," tossing a towel onto the table in front of Mercedes.

Marley clapped her hands to get Zee's attention, inviting him to sit on her lap, guessing that he felt left out with all the attention his baby sister was receiving.

"So, tell about her, can she sit up? Does she sleep all night? Is she talking?" Mercedes, rattling off her questions as she adjusted the infant in her lap.

"Uh let see she can sit up briefly. She has a 2 a.m. wake up call, but unless she's screaming, I let her be. She's rolled over a few times. She'll sing to music," Santana answered smiling proudly. "Anything she can grasp will go into her …"

"Ouch!" Mercedes cried out as Elle held a tiny fist full of black hair.

Santana laughed, "Sorry Cedes, she pulls on hair."

"Not a problem Santana, I should know better with my niece and nephews. Plus, Tina's." Freeing her hair, she took the towel, to wipe Elle's chin of the drool that had seeped from her mouth, "She's not teething yet?" Taking the pacifier that suddenly appeared from the hand of the petite Asian woman who stood next to her, placing it gently back into the baby's mouth.

"Not yet, probably next month, at least the bottom front." Santana reached in to adjust the pink headband centering the small bow that Elle wore on her head.

"What's on her romper, Cedes?" Rachel curiously asked, "Are they white horses?"

"Unicorns" Santana answered glowingly as she looked over to Brittany, moistening her lips with her tongue, she smiled. "I found the outfit online," walking over to sit in the chair between Mercedes and Brittany. Zee sliding off Marley's lap to go sit with his mother. Santana, lifting him up onto her lap wrapping an arm around her son.

"So how many outfits have you bought that she can't wear anymore that still have the tags on them?" Quinn asked having noticed Burberry on Zee's swim trunks.

"Surprisingly very few Quinn, I learned my lesson with Zee. Elle's spent most of her short life in onesies, from Target."

"Slumming Santana? That's so not like you," Kitty jeered.

"Yeah well packing up Zee's unused clothes, to have Finn's wife sort thru them, then Shelia, Ronnie, and Mack go through them for their boys, hit a nerve."

"Oh my god! I'd forgotten about roller derby!" Quinn shouted out startling everyone at the table.

"Really, how did we make it through winter without going to a match or is it a game?" Tina asked as she suppressed a laugh "The Lima Skanks must have missed their lesbian cheerleading section." Tina laughing harder now "God we missed so much without you Santana."

Brittany confused asked "Lima Skanks? I thought Dani called them the Black Racer Snakes or Snakes for short?"

"Our nickname for the team," Kitty answered, "They have a few players who give a new meaning to 'white trash.'"

"Look at what we gained more time for theater, choir, OSU Women's basketball …" Rachel glowingly listed the events that her friends had attended.

"No way, Rachel, you never attend sporting events, unless you're selling tickets at McKinley games and that's only if you can't get out of it." Mercedes chortled at Rachel's comment.

"What are their names, your children?" Brittany blurted out. "Are they just Elle and Zee?"

"Uh … Zavier Lopez and Elleana Lopez Karofsky" Santana answered pronouncing both her son's name ZAH-vee-air and daughter's eh-lee-AH-na with a Spanish accent.

"Didn't Dave give him the nickname Zee? As in Jay-Zee?" Marley asked a mischievous smirk on her face.

"Yeah, like Jay-Zee," Santana confirmed nodding her head. "Why?" confused by the question.

"Brittany do you have Jay-Zee's number, he might like to know about his namesake," Tina asked barely suppressing a grin on her face.

"No, I don't, I'd have to call Beyonce," Brittany answered impassively, a blank expression on her face.

"You three are so not funny!" Rachel snorted knowing she was the butt of the joke as the women around her laughed. Brittany, Marley, and Tina high fiving each other. Brittany, giving Zee a high five too.

As the evening came to an end, Santana walked the three women out to the SUV, repeatedly asking if they sure they didn't want to stay. Given the option, Brittany would have stayed. Had Santana offered to drive her back the next day she would have stayed. Had Brittany known what the day's destination would be Brittany would've driven her car to stay longer. Instead, she strolled out to the SUV, Santana beside her, Rachel and Quinn in front, Brittany felt Santana hook on to the pinky of her free hand. Surprising as it felt, it also felt comfortable, warm, friendly, intimate, it just felt right. At the SUV as Quinn and Rachel loaded their canvas bags into the back, Santana remembered she owed Brittany a bottle of wine, as she turned to go get it from the house, Brittany pulled her back saying 'I prefer to have it delivered.' Santana a satisfied smile crossed her face, answered 'I think that can be arranged.'


Note on the Roller Derby Team – Black Racer Snake in Ohio's state reptile. Yeah I didn't know the state had a designated reptile either until I looked up State of Ohio emblems. Initially, I thought that was quite a mouthful for a sports team. Thought about Black Snakes, but there is a rock band called Black Snake. Then thought Racer Snakes, that didn't quite have a ring to it. So, I left it as is with the thought that their fans would shorten it to Snakes. Then it dawned on me if you drop the 'e' off Snakes add a 'k' after the 'S' shuffle the 'a' and 'n' around it would spell SKANKS! Anyway ...