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.
Santana spent all of breakfast making me admit that cereal was an awesome idea as Beth ate her own bowl. Meanwhile I harassed her about her fruit leather and granola bar breakfast. She claimed to hate breakfast anyway but I made her eat more of the snacks. Everybody else ate cereal as well while I ate some strawberries and cherries.
"Santana, I'm getting concerned. Fine, your girlfriend's not a minor, but why do your groceries suggest otherwise?" Quinn scowled into her bowl.
"She didn't want to buy real food, apparently a healthy diet isn't her biggest priority," I pointed at her with a cherry.
"First of all, cereal is real food, just like candy," she gave me a pointed look before continuing, "Second of all, you might want to be careful with that." She winked and I couldn't fight the slight smirk that came to my face.
"So you're the one with the toddler fetish," Quinn looked to me.
"I'm not a toddler!" Santana almost shouted.
"That's believable," the blonde rolled her eyes.
Brittany stretched from the couch, her own empty bowl in hand, " You two still argue like you're in highschool, are you sure you aren't a kid too, Quinn?"
"Yeah, I remember some major bickering," Artie added.
"Please," Puck interjected, "They had all out bi-"
"Puck," they all shouted at him.
"Bitter wars?" He offered, trying to appease them and the curious child.
"We're going to the park today right?" She smiled up at us.
"If mommy's not being," Santana smiled to Quinn, "Bitter."
"Of course, baby, but I don't think we should take Santana, the parents might not exactly welcome her with open arms."
"I'm not that small," Rachel mumbled.
"It could be worse," Artie added, "She could dress like a toddler too."
"She's cute," Brittany defended, "She's small enough San can carry her around."
"I don't like your friends nearly as much now," I groaned to Santana.
"Try spending almost eighteen years with them," she tossed back.
"San, you love us," Brittany grinned, wrapping her arms around Santana's shoulders. She stiffened up slightly, but forced a smiled up at the girl as she continued, "And you'll learn to love us too, Rachel."
I smiled at her and she went to put her bowl in the sink.
}{
It was entertaining, to say the least, watching Santana and her friends. We found a spot on the grass to lay out a couple of sheets. Quinn, Artie, and I watched the others playing tag with Beth. A few yards away they ran around chasing each other while odd shouts of "You're it," and "Not it," went out between them. Puck was clumsy, tripping over himself regularly, he barely caught anyone when he was it. Brittany and Santana were much faster and more agile. After some teasing someone would usually trip up and let Beth catch them. It was fun watching them.
"So, how did you and San meet again," Artie finally decided to start some conversation.
"The after party to her movie premier, we started talking there." I smiled.
"Groupie?" Quinn asked.
"Uh, no, a friend took me and Noah recognized me, they saw me after a performance and I followed him to the V.I.P. To meet San."
"Oh, yeah, I saw her movie. It was pretty epic. It was like Tomb Raider meets Ninja Assassin," Artie did some fake Karate moves.
"I haven't seen it," Quinn mumbled.
"Me either," I added.
"So, what's up with you two? You just a hook up or something?" She looked to make sure Beth wasn't nearby to hear.
"Sort of, I guess. We don't really talk much about it," I shrugged.
"That's just like her, she doesn't talke about anything."
It was a comfort I wasn't the only one, but instead I asked, "Is there a reason she seems so tense around Brittany?" I looked between the two of them for an answer.
Artie shuffled his hands a bit at that before Quinn sighed, "She was sort of San's first love."
"What she said," Artie added.
"What happened?" I grew curious.
"You should probably ask them." Quinn supplied.
"No, Britt would probably want her to know," he mumbled before looking to me, "I kind of happened."
"You can't take the blame," she shook her head but didn't look to me as she continued, "San was hooking up with Brittany too but she chickened out when it came to actually talking. So, Artie stepped up. When San finally decided she was willing to come out, Brittany wasn't about to just drop wheels. San took it pretty personally and they haven't exactly been the same since. Well Britt's been better, San just got worse with feelings."
"Wow," I hadn't expected all of that. I looked across to the two girls running around and jumping like little kids.
"Don't expect to much from San unless you think you can deal with her bullshit," The blonde warned. It sounded almost genuine.
"We don't expect anything from each other."
The blonde scoffed silently at that.
Soon the small group was back, Beth cheering on her mother's lap, Puck panting as he laid out across the sheets, Brittany grinning widely while she chattered with Artie and Santana with her head on my lap while she cooled down.
"So, if we keep Beth around long enough I might not need to find a gym," she grinned up to me.
"What? That's what you call a workout," I teased, playing with her hair.
"Yeah, San, can't keep up?" Noah prodded.
"You're one to talk Puckerman; at least I can stand on my own two feet," she tossed.
"Weren't you two "it" way more times than me and Beth," Brittany added grinning proudly.
The two supposed adults stuck there tongues out.
"Aren't you going to play, Rachel?" Beth asked.
"What? Me? No, I'm terrible at Tag. You guys would definitely win." At that Puck and Santana were all but dragging me out to play.
We did. And I was right. I lost every round and I was constantly it. Even Beth was better with me having to ease up on her. I got Noah once when he tripped but that was about it. Soon we were all panting heavily, strewn across the sheets while Artie and Beth watched, clearly amused, while Beth moved from stomach to stomach, claiming each as a new seat.
"Santana, Aunty Brittany, and Daddy's tummy's are too hard," the little girl finally explained, taking a seat on my stomach.
"Gee, thanks," I laughed at the girl.
"Do you and Santana come to the park a lot?" She asked.
"No, not really. We mostly just hang out at our apartments. Or I help Santana find her way around,"
She looked around the group playfully, and chirped "Do you guys want to play more?"
Groans echoed through the group until Quinn finally stood up, "Okay baby, these losers can't seem to keep up with you so I'll take you to find a playground or something so you can play with other kids."
"Aw, okay," the girl hopped off of me to follow her mom.
"Oh, god, I think I've worked off everything I've eaten the last month," San groaned from my lap.
"Is it really so hard to work off water?" I teased, my fingers finding their way to her hair again.
"It is very hard I'll have you know," she yawned lazily.
"You two make a really cute couple," Brittany chimed in.
"We aren't a couple Britt," San sighed.
"Why not?"
"Neither of us is really looking for that," I chose to answer, "We both have our careers, and we're to focused on those to support an actual relationship."
Artie looked at me knowingly, and Brittany looked a bit sad, while Puck rubbed his temple as if he wanted to say something.
"Besides," Santana started, "I wouldn't want to get in Rachel's little friend's way." She smirked at me teasingly.
"Who? Shay?" I blushed slightly.
"With the dreads," she grinned cockily.
"Trust me, she doesn't want you there anyway," I laughed.
"Like she has anything on this," Santana pointed to herself and the tenseness was gone. For the moment.
That first day was entertaining. We spent it at the park until I had to leave for work. Everybody but Quinn seemed dissapointed when I left. I didn't want to go but I knew I didn't have a good enough excuse to miss work. Instead I had to settle for texting Santana while I got into my make up and costume and in between scenes.
Santana: So, you plan on sticking around even though you aren't getting any?
Rachel: You make me sound like that's all I'm there for.
Santana: Oh, so you enjoy my cooking skills.
Rachel: Well...
Santana: The amazingly deep conversations I provide?
Rachel: Um...
Santana: It's my body isn't it.
Rachel: Pretty much, yeah.
Santana: I can live with that.
Rachel: You should probably find a gym if you want to keep it that way.
Santana: Hey, you weren't saying that the other day.
Rachel: I was a little preoccupied.
Santana: With what?
Rachel: You
Santana: Oh, right. With the body that apparently needs to go to the gym.
Rachel: That very one.
Santana: You think you're funny don't you?
Rachel: Very.
Santana: Are you coming back tonight?
Rachel: I don't know. I've been at your place for a while already. I should probably go home.
Santana: I could go get you.
Rachel: You really don't have to.
Santana: I could. I should probably get dinner anyway.
Rachel: Order in.
Santana: But that doesn't give me an excuse to get you.
Santana:Rach?
Santana: I don't have to if you don't want me to.
Rachel: Sorry, back to back scenes.
Rachel: Fine. Be outside in forty-five minutes.
I sent off a message to my mom that she didn't have to come. Eventually the show was over and Shay, although she was still upset about Santana, was still hanging around me as we headed to our dressing rooms. She'd actually dropped the topic of Santana all together.
"So, Rach, when are you going to let me take you out?"
"I've told you, Shay, I'm not looking for a relationship." I sighed.
"Come on, just dinner or somethin'," she urged, walking backwards in front of me.
"Not tonight," I shook my head.
"Is that a yes," she grinned.
"Not it's- Shay," I groaned, less inclined to let her continue flirting with me than I would have been a few weeks ago, "I'm just not interested. In dating anyone, much less my co-worker."
"Fine," she pouted, "Can we at least hang out? It's been a while since you went out with the cast much less just hung out with me. I mean, I shouldn't have left you at the party," she scowled slightly at that memory, but continued, "but come on."
"Alright, fine, we can hang out. But I have to go right now, want to wait for me and we can walk out together?" I gave her a hug as we reached my room.
"Sure," she hugged back, and then looked around, "Your mom must be running late."
"She's not coming tonight," I shrugged before heading into my room to change.
I went through my usual routine quicker than usual. I didn't bother taking off my makeup. When I went to the door Shay was there waiting, her more casual outfit on and we headed outside. I signed my usual playbills, took my usual pictures, and gave a final wave before a particular bystander caught my eye. I smiled and went to the girl.
"So, what's your name and what am I expected to sign?" I smirked.
"Well, my name is Santana, and I was hoping for a picture," She smirked back.
"That's a pretty name," I slid my arm around her waist before she pulled out her phone to take the picture.
"That's not actually the picture I was hoping for," she winked and I made my way around the barrier.
"Hey, Rach, wait up," I heard behind me and we both turned to see Shay.
"Goody," San rolled her eyes and I elbowed her slightly in the stomach.
"Be nice," I mumbled, "Shay, you remember San right?"
Her eyes visibly darkened as she caught sight of her, "Uh, yeah. Hey."
"Hey," Santana replied stiffly next to me.
"San's walking me tonight instead of my mom," I tried to explain but I knew she didn't care.
"Alright, bye." She sighed before turning and heading off. I worried my lip slightly.
"Maybe I should've just had my mom come," I sighed.
"Why? 'Cause she can't handle seeing you with someone else?" San mumbled, oviously upset as well.
"Well, I'm not actually with you, San," I pointed out.
She looked at the ground ahead of us, her eyebrows knit together.
"She'll get over it, I've been telling her no for months," I pointed out, looping my arm around San's.
She looked to our arms and smiled slightly, "I might have to check your show out sometime."
"I'd love that," I smiled and stood on my toes to kiss her cheek. "So, you weren't exactly going for the sex appeal tonight were you?" I looked her up and down in jeans and an oversized pink hoodie.
"Hey, I'm plenty sexy," she looked herself up and down too, "Even in a hoodie."
"Mhum, absolutely," I rolled my eyes and she pulled me against her to kiss deeply. My head sort of buzzed for a moment.
I moaned gently against her lips before she pulled back, "What were you saying?"
"Very sexy," I mumbled, pulling her back down by the front of her jacket.
"That's what I thought, now," She mumbled against my lips before standing up to look around, "I'm thinking pizza and salad."
"And you couldn't just order that?" I looked up to her as we started walking again.
"Like I said, I wanted an excuse to come get you," She grinned down at me.
"Because you aren't an adult with your own home and priorities,"
"Ha ha," she scoffed, "No, because I wanted to come get you without all kinds of questions."
"Speaking of which," I rested my head on her arm, "I have some for you."
"Shoot."
"Are you enjoying your friends being in town?"
"Of course," she grinned.
"All of them," I added.
She nodded, "Yeah."
"Brittany and Artie?" I looked up at her, hoping to gauge her reaction.
She waited a bit longer before asking, "I'm happy for them. Artie's always made Britt happy."
"But you liked her too?"
She nodded silently, then turned to me, "Who told you?"
"Quinn."
She groaned out some insult or something before asking, "Did she say anything else?"
"She said not to expect much from you unless I thought I could deal with your bullshit."
She cracked a smile at that, "Quinn would say something stupid like that."
"So, far I think I can deal," I teased.
"I'm not as bad as I used to be," she held me closer to her side.
"It might've been interesting to see you back then," I sighed.
"I doubt it," she mumbled.
The week continued like that. Us taking Santana's friends out during the day and her coming to pick me up at night. My mom eventually surrendered her backstage pass to Santana. Shay started avoiding me when Santana would wait inside my dressing room for me after shows. We'd always return to her place to entertain the small crowd, especially when Noah had to head back for work. The last day was particularly sad though.
Beth hardly let go of Noah. We took her back to the park to play and she rode on his shoulders the whole way. Quinn finally had to pull her down and have all of us but Puck take her to find lunch. We all took turns taking the girl towards the small hotdog stand nearby. Santana and I would take one hand and swing her every so often, or Brittany would piggy back her, and Artie would let her sit on his lap while he did wheelies or spins. It was fun, everyone got a hotdog and I got some chips, Santana chastising me for being the one to not eat. Soon enough we carried food back to Noah and Quinn. Puck avoided San's gaze as he handed him the hotdogs. We all figured out why soon enough.
"Hey, S, I bet you can't wait for this summer, huh?" Quinn asked, a devious smirk obvious.
San looked confused, "What's happening this summer?"
"I figure it's a good time to let you guys know, I'm letting Beth come up here this summer. It really helped my decision that Puck will be staying with you."
Noah finally looked up as Santana's glare bore into him, "He's what?"
"Yep, he said you were letting him move in, since he couldn't exactly keep Beth at your place." She grinned.
"So I get to stay with Daddy and Santana and Rachel for the summer?" She looked around, excitedly.
Santana's teeth were clenched together, obviously upset with Noah's presumption but her voice was surprisingly soft, "Totes Puckerminnie, but I have to talk to your dad for a second." She dragged the other man away, far enough that we couldn't hear her yelling but we saw her anger easily compared to the worried man who towered over her.
We were mostly silent until Noah and San came back, a scowl stuck on her face but a slightly victorious grin on his. She came to me and I let her pull me onto her lap, her face pressed to my shoulder to hide her annoyance. I felt how tense her jaw was and tried lacing my fingers through the ones currently on my stomach to calm her down. She eventually did calm down, but it was about the time her friends were leaving.
"You're coming to the wedding," Brittany commanded looking between us, "Both of you."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," San offered, smiling weakly as the blonde took her in a hug.
I simply nodded and let her pull me into an embrace as well.
"Was nice seeing you, San," Artie grinned at her and winked at me, "It's nice to see someone could finally get her under control."
"Hey," Santana shouted but couldn't help a smile.
I couldn't actually hear what Quinn said to Santana as she hugged her but she came to me and looked me up and down, just as she had when we first met, "Try to avoid getting picked up by any pedos," she shrugged, "And don't lead her on." She tilted her head toward San who was hugging Beth.
I wasn't sure what to say to that so I just nodded.
"Rachel, can I go see you sing on stage when I come back?" Beth asked as Santana brought her over to me.
"Of course," I promised, kneeling down to hug her, "We can hang out all the time."
Soon Puck was taking the group back to the airport and I was leading Santana to my place. My mom wasn't back yet so we just relaxed into my room. Santana had apparently become attached to the pink hoodie she now wore. As I rested my head on her shoulder I ran my hands over the material.
"What did Quinn say to you?" I asked, my eyes on the material.
"Something about not getting arrested with you," I got the feeling she was leaving something out again but she asked, "What about you?"
"Not to get picked up by a pedophile," I shrugged.
"Sound advice," she laughed and nuzzled my hair.
"Very funny," I straddled her playfully, "So, I guess now we have more time alone, huh."
"I guess, we do," she smiled and leaned up to kiss me.
