The next few days passed more quickly than had the few weeks prior, much to Santana's discontent. Her mother's words played in an endless loop in her mind -

She wants you to come home.

Leave Brittany.

"This situation."

She's coming anyway.

Leave Brittany.

Leave.

It was hard to come to terms with the fact that after five years, her abuela could still be so against what could easily be considered the most important portion of Santana's life - her girlfriend. She didn't understand how she could be angered by something so pure, so full of love and life. Worries haunted her, of how things would play out when her family arrived, how Brittany would be treated, what exactly would be said. Her thoughts frequently flitted away to the ring tucked at the back of her dresser drawer. She hadn't remembered being that happy in the longest time, perhaps ever, and Brittany could see the internal struggle Santana was facing, as the arrival of her family drew nearer.

They had finished decorating, and started cooking, if you could consider it that. Brittany was not allowed to work appliances, touch anything that might be hot, or stir too quickly. As Santana prepared, Brittany often sat on a stool in their kitchen, watching her girlfriend take out her frustrations on the pots and pans, singing softly to herself. Her parents and her abuela were set to arrive the next morning, Christmas Eve, and were meant to stay through New Year's, though neither young woman truly believed that would happen.

"Santana?" The petite woman, up to her arms in sauces and casseroles and cake preparation murmured something over her shoulder that sounded like an affirmative.

"Babe, look at me. I promise the cranberry sauce isn't going anywhere. The food fairies haven't been hiding things lately, but I know the trolls have been stealing my socks again." Brittany shook her head, attempting to clear her thoughts and get back on track. "But just, babe. Look at me, please."

Santana turned, walking over, ending up between Brittany's semi-spread legs, holding her thighs and looking into cobalt eyes, her walls cracking around her. "It's going to be okay Santana."

"Britt, I just, I can't believe that. I'm so afraid of what she's going to do, or say."

"You can handle anything."

"Not this, and especially not if she comes after you. I shouldn't have to choose between my blood family and my future one." She dropped her eyes, not meaning to let the last sentence slip out. Tears filled indigo eyes, sticking to the tips of Brittany's long lashes.

"Did you mean that?" A wavering smile played on her lips. Santana simply nodded, her words stuck in her throat, her mind flying back again to the ring in her drawer. She planted a soft kiss on Brittany's cheek before she turned back to stirring the pots on the stove. Finishing up everything, as her girlfriend continued singing, even more happily than before, Santana cleaned the kitchen, straightened the living room, and wandered into their room to take a shower before curling up in bed with Brittany.

She nuzzled into the blonde shoulder, taking in her familiar scent, a mix of vanilla and freshly washed sheets. Santana felt herself drifting off as her girlfriend gently nudged her in the ribs.

"B, I'm sleepy."

"I know. But we won't have a lot of time just us once we pick up everyone at the airport in the morning. I just want you to remember that nothing anyone can say will change what I feel about you. I won't ever leave until you ask me to."

"Te amo mi cariƱa."

"Love you too baby."

Both woman slipped quickly into sleep, not looking forward to the early alarms set on their phones so they would not be late to pick up Santana's family in the morning.

xxx

Just as she suspected, the incessant beeping of her phone mixed with the rap song rousing Brittany came far too early for either of the two women to feel truly rested. Groaning slightly as they simultaneously flipped their alarms off, they nestled back into one another quickly, relishing in the last moments they would have alone for the next week.

Tracing shapes on Santana's stomach, Brittany whispered to her, her voice shaking slightly. "Are you scared baby?"

"No, no. I'm fine."

"You don't have to pretend with me Santana. I'm kind of nervous too." A sigh fell from the lips of the Latina, and she nodded. Pulling her closer, the blonde pressed her lips against the dark hair covering them both. "It's okay to be nervous you know. This isn't going to be easy for you. You love her so much, and I know you wish she accepted us."

Hearing the every thought that had been floating through her head escaping Brittany's mouth, Santana was overwhelmed with affection, tinged with guilt. Her girlfriend knew her abuela was coming to New York, but she didn't know why. All Santana wanted was a perfect Christmas for the two of them, and it seemed as though the forces of the universe were working against her every attempt.

"Come on, we have to get dressed. Their flight lands in an hour, and you know how much Abuela hates to be left waiting." They both dressed quickly, layering to prevent what seemed like inevitable frostbite. Far sooner than Santana wished, they were heading out of the door to her car, en route to the airport to meet the demons she thought she had left behind in Lima. She felt Brittany slip her fingers into hers, the sensation somewhat calming her nerves, as she listened to her passenger sing along to a Chipmunks song about hula hoops.

The drive to the airport was quick, despite Santana's efforts to drive five miles under the speed limit. The traffic hadn't picked up yet, because of the early hour. Pulling into a parking spot, she let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Slender fingers squeezed her own before disconnecting to leave the warmth of the car for the frigid outdoor air.

The two hands found each other within moments of the doors shutting, and they wandered through the airport silently, bumping shoulders to a beat only they could hear, looking for the gate they were meant to meet Santana's family at.

Settling into seats to wait, Brittany leaned over to kiss her girlfriend's cheek, whispering encouraging words until the spell was broken by shouting in Spanish behind them. She couldn't understand what was being said until she turned and saw Santana's grandmother hiss at her daughter, "You said she wouldn't be here. I won't be spending my holiday under the roof of an abomination."

Brittany's eyes grew wide, and she gripped Santana's hand with everything she had before a single tear rolled down her cheek.