Chapter 9

Santana and Demi were both extremely busy over the next few weeks; Santana with work and some travel and Demi with re-scheduled radio and tv appearances not to mention general planning for the next leg of her tour. They talked most days either via phone calls or texts. Amazingly, they were able to squeeze in a coffee date after going so long not seeing each other. As Santana was about to head out to meet Demi, she received a text.

Demi: Hey, my meeting is running long here. I'm probably going to be an hour late tonight. Do you want to re-schedule?

Santana: Nope. I will just bring my laptop and do work until you get there. I have plenty to do so no rush. :-(

D: Ok. Sounds good. I will b there as soon as I can.

S: K – looking forward 2 seeing the whites of ur eyes! I'm beginning 2 forget what u even look like. ;-)

D: LOL – me 2!

Santana went back to her study and grabbed her computer and a stack of work. After kissing the kids goodbye one more time, she headed out.

Santana arrived at her favorite coffee place, Urban Java. Once there, she got her coffee and then picked out a booth to setup shop. She took her laptop and earbuds out of her bag. While her laptop was booting up, she plugged her earbuds into her phone, selected a retro playlist, and hit play. She internally sang with the Depeche Mode song that was playing. Listening to music always helped her focus. Soon she was plowing through the mountain of work she had to do for the next day. After about an hour, she received a text from Demi.

Demi: Just wrapped up. Headed 2 the car. Should b there shortly.

S: K – see u soon!

Santana went back to working trying to finish as much as possible so she could focus on catching up with Demi when she arrived. About 10 minutes later she got another text.

Demi: San – something just came up. Need 2 cancel. :-(

Santana frowned when she read the text from Demi. She was visibly disappointed. Moments later, she heard a familiar voice, "What's up, stranger? Surprise! Did you think I would miss my coffee chat time with you?" said Demi winking. Demi was always a practical jokester.

Santana pulled one earbud out as she said, "That's just rude. I mean, it's been years since I last saw you. You get my hopes and all and then just crush them like a tiny bug under some big ass shoe. You really shouldn't toy with a girl's emotions like that!" said Santana feigning hurt and distress.

Demi laughed. "I'm so sorry. I just didn't realize that my actions had that kind of an effect on you. Now, come over here and give me a hug. I've missed you!"

Santana pulled her other earbud out, got up, and gave Demi a big bear hug. "I've missed you, too." Santana had missed Demi more than she cared to admit. She had grown accustomed to having her in her bed, doing some pseudo-cuddling. But now their "real" lives had taken over making it nearly impossible to see each other live and in person.

Demi set her stuff down. "I'm going to go get some coffee. You ready for a refill?"

"Indeed." said Santana handing her cup to Demi.

"The usual?"

"Yep"

"Okay, I'll be right back and then we can do some serious catching up."

Demi came back shortly with piping hot coffees for both of them along with two slices of lemon pound cake. "I was totally hungry for something sweet so I got you a piece of pound cake, too."

"Yum. Thanks, Dem."

"No problem. So, what were you listening to earlier?"

"A little retro mix."

"Retro, eh? Like what?"

"80's music like Madonna, Depeche Mode, Erasure, New Order, Yaz, Flock of Seagulls, and several others."

"What made you in the mood for that type of music?"

"I listen to 80's, 90's, and some 70's music all the time. It's great music! You know how sometimes when you hear a song, you get transported back to a specific time or event in your life? Like you can see exactly what was going on while that song is playing?"

"Yeah – I do that a lot – especially with the songs I sing. Primarily because they stem from real events."

"I imagine that. For me, the retro stuff reminds me of high school. Everyone I hung out with listened to that kind of music. Certain songs like Madonna's early stuff reminds me of cheerleading. Other songs remind me of spring breaks, glee club, various parties, etc. It was a much simpler time then."

"Huh, well I learned something new tonight. I totally had no idea that you liked retro music."

"Yep. I do! Speaking of last century, we are still collecting items for our silent auction. Don't suppose you could donate some stuff that's maybe autographed?" said Santana flashing her pearly whites.

"Absolutely. I can have my manager send some stuff over this week. Where do you want me to have it sent?"

"You can just send it to me at work and I can get it over to the girls managing the event. Thanks, Demi. I really appreciate it. We really want to shatter the amount we raised last year and give the Make A Wish foundation a big, fat check!"

"I have no doubt that will happen."

"I know it's a few months away but do you think you might be able to come to it?"

"I can see what I can do. I'll talk to my manager about blocking that date off. Shoot me a text with the info."

"Ok." said Santana, taking out her phone starting to type. "I'm sending it to you right now. There – done! So what else are you up to these days?"

"Just busy with work. This week it has been a lot of radio interviews, some TV appearances, and working on tour stuff. Tomorrow I'm heading over to Nick's house to work on writing songs for both of our next albums."

"Nick Jonas?"

"Yeah."

"That's cool. He seems like a good guy."

"He is. We have been friends forever. He's a real sweetheart."

So, how are you doing otherwise? Have you heard from Wilmer?" said Santana curiously. While she thought that Demi was officially done with Wilmer, they had broken up and gotten back together many times before so she didn't rule out a reconciliation.

"He has called several times and has texted a bunch. I finally just texted him back and told him to stop, that we were over and there was nothing he could say or do to change that; then I blocked his number."

"Good for you. How are you feeling about the whole thing?" Santana's phone started to buzz. She glanced down at an incoming call from a number she didn't recognize. She silenced her phone, sending the call to voicemail.

"I actually feel pretty good. My mind wanders occasionally – it hurts that he cheated but I'm getting over it. Better to know now than to live in some surreal world. I still am dumbfounded how he could think that he would get away with it. I mean, we live in a time where there are so many ways to get caught."

"Yeah. He's a stupid S.O.B. What a dumb fuck. You are better off without him. So, got your eye on anyone now?"

"You could say that."

"Who is the lucky person?"

"Someone who doesn't know it yet."

"Well, when are you going to tell them?"

"Soon, very soon." said Demi smiling. "Listen, I'll be right back. I need to go to the bathroom. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm good."

"Okay"

Once Demi, left Santana looked down at her phone. The unknown caller had left a voicemail so Santana decided to check it while she waited for Demi to return. Santana heart went into her stomach as soon as she heard the voice.

San – it's me. I was hoping you would pick up but at least I can hear your voice on your greeting. I wanted you to know that I will be getting out soon. I really miss you and the kids. I'm so sorry for everything. I'm really doing much better and I hope we can talk. Will you come see me? Please? I love you.

Santana felt like her whole world was crumbling around her. Hearing Brittany's voice literally sucked the life out of her and so many repressed feeling came rushing back. Moments later Demi came back to the booth. Santana looked like she had seen a ghost.

"San? You ok? You look a little pale."

"Uh . . . yeah . . . I'm ok . . . I think."

"What happened? I was only gone a few minutes."

"I got a voicemail while we were talking and decided to check it while you were gone."

"Oh no. Is it the kids?"

"No . . . it was Brittany."

"As in Brittany, Brittany? Your Brittany?"

"Yeah." said Santana in a daze.

"Are you ok, San? What did she say?"

"I don't know if I'm ok. She said that she missed the kids and I as well as she said that she loved me and wanted me to come see her. Sounds like she will be getting out soon."

"Wow. What are you going to do?" said Demi starting to get on edge.

"I don't know. I just don't know. I guess I thought this chapter of my life was over."

"Well, do you still love her?"

"I will always love her. She was my first love." said Santana a million miles away.

Demi wanted to curl up into the fetal position and cry. She knew that she couldn't compete with Brittany. How do you compete with a first love? Let alone, a blonde bombshell beauty first love. "Are . . . Are you still IN love with her?"

"I don't think I am, especially after all that she did to the kids and me."

Don't think? Don't think? This should be a no brainer. Demi felt her insides hollow. She was really starting to believe that Santana could be the one. I guess I read everything wrong. I was always just a friend. It was obvious that Santana was hurting, so Demi pushed aside her own sorrow, to be a friend to Santana.

"Is there anything I can do, San? Do you want to come over to my house? We can watch movies or hang out."

"You know, I'm all of a sudden really tired. I think I'm just going to head home and get some sleep. It has been a long day and a long week."

"I totally understand. Do you need me to drive you?"

"No, I can drive."

"Ok. I'll check in with you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything. Promise?"

"Sure. Thanks." said Santana packing up her belongings.

Demi stood up. "I'll walk you to your car."

"Ok."

Neither of them spoke as they headed to Santana's car. Santana opened the driver's side door. Before she could get in, Demi pulled her in for a long hug as she whispered, "It's going be alright, San. I promise. I'm here for you. Just let me know if there is anything I can do."

"Thanks, Demi."

And with that Santana got into her car and drove off. Demi wiped away a tear as she turned towards her car.


A/N: These next few chapters are going to be hard to write. I love puppy dogs and kisses, not drama, but no drama makes for a boring story. Just know that Demi and Santana will get together, but neither of them is ready just yet.

Hang with me . . .