Chapter 10 (Meeting with the Lopez's)
Every day, Santana receives flowers from anonymous with a matching note that Kairi gives her with the usual tease moments Kairi always gives Santana. Today was no different well maybe a little. She walked to the information desk and received a bouquet of forget-me-nots and chocolates. Santana waited for Kairi to give her the note but instead it was her dad that walked up to her. Dr Lopez smiled at his daughter lovingly as he walked up to her in the information desk. Earlier today, Kairi, his always energetic niece, asked him if he can give Santana a note from someone special. Dr Lopez asked Kairi who this someone special was only to be told that Santana will be the best person to tell him and left him with the note. He didn't read it for he respects his daughter's privacy. So right now, he stood in front of his eldest daughter handing her the note Kairi had given him. Santana looked at her dad as she took the note from him. Her dad motioned them to go to his office and Santana obliges by following her dad down the hall. Dr Lopez notices the flowers Santana always get which started on a Monday, today was the 5th day his daughter received another bouquet of flowers of a different kind. They arrived in her dad's office and she sat down. Santana was nervous alright. She knew the flowers didn't go unnoticed by her dad, so she was ready to whatever her dad will ask her.
"Who is this brave suitor my Santana?" Dr Lopez cut right to the chase. Santana smiled at her dad.
"Brittany. Brittany Pierce" Santana said simply loving the name that came out of her mouth. Dr Lopez was okay with his eldest daughter dating women but he was still wary after Santana's last relationship that didn't end well for his daughter's well-being.
"A woman with exceptional taste. When can we meet her?" Dr Lopez meant what he said in the first sentence seeing how radiant his daughter's smile was when she talked about Brittany. Santana thought about it before shrugging.
"I don't know dad. I mean, we're not really a couple"
Dr Lopez chuckled at Santana's statement. "Mija, even if you two are still dating, don't you think your family needs to meet this brave suitor that puts a radiant smile on our daughter's face?" Santana smiled and looked down. Dr Lopez leaned back.
"Bring her to tomorrow's family dinner since you're mom and your sister will be here." Santana's eyes bulged. Great, her mom and sister were visiting from Palm Springs meeting her Brittany. Wait, did I just call Brittany mine? Santana fondly thought of calling Brittany hers. There was a knock on the door that snapped Santana out of her thoughts. Kairi stepped in the office with a huge grin on her face.
"Hey Kairi. You're coming to tomorrow's dinner right?" Dr Lopez asked his niece who nodded enthusiastically. She sat on the other chair besides Santana.
"Good. I told Santana here to bring Brittany tomorrow so I can finally meet her." Kairi nodded in agreement and smiled her famous smile.
"So Sanny, you bringing Britt tomorrow?" Kairi asked knowing Santana was debating whether she should let her crazy family meet Brittany.
"Sure. If you bring Quinn with you" Santana countered. Kairi frowned in confusion before turning her head to her uncle.
"Can I?" Kairi asked and got her permission to bring their roommate with them tomorrow. "Thanks" she said. Santana got paged and excused herself to see her patient. Once the door closed Dr Lopez spoke up.
"Kairi, you know this Brittany woman right?" Kairi looked at him with a smile.
"Do you think she can…" he trailed off, Kairi knew what his question was.
"Uncle, I can honestly tell you Brittany is good for Sanny. I know you can tell how cheerful Santana now after she met Brittany." Kairi's features went soft thinking of how happy Santana was when she's with Brittany.
"You'll love her uncle. She's a rare one" she added with a wink, Dr Lopez laughing.
Saturday
Brittany was nervous to say the least. Santana told her the news of meeting the Lopez clan during their Friday night date. She's excited alright but was nervous meeting the family of the woman she loves. Kairi already likes her but what if Kairi was a different kind of Lopez from Santana's? What will Santana's parents impression will be on her? Brittany has tons of questions running through her mind. She packed some clothes that were good for two days since she was going to spend two days with the Lopez's and Quinn.
Santana on the other hand thought of a plan to make sure her mom won't embarrass her in front of Brittany. She notices the restlessness of the blonde sitting beside her in the backseat. She took Brittany's hand in hers and squeezed it lightly. The blonde turned to face her with a smile.
"You okay there Britt?" Santana asked.
"Yeah. Just nervous" Brittany responded breathily. Santana smiled genuinely as she reassured the blonde that her family will love her. Santana leaned her head to rest it on Brittany's shoulder as she enjoyed the warm feeling of one Brittany Pierce.
Quinn sat in the passenger seat while Kairi was the official driver. They were going to one of the Lopez's house in Westhampton for a family dinner. No one knows why they were having dinner but no one really cared. Quinn kept staring at the road to avoid letting her eyes linger to one brunette whose head was bobbing to the rhythm of some rock song. Kairi on the other hand, watched the two women in the backseat through her rear view mirror, with a small smirk plastered on her face, oblivious of how Quinn steals glances at her. The thoughts of Aunt Angela teasing Santana brought thrill to Kairi knowing how much Santana gets embarrassed by her mom. Kairi chuckled to herself which didn't go unnoticed by Quinn.
"What's funny?" Quinn asked. Kairi looked at her for just a second before focusing her attention back to the road.
"The thought that Aunt Angela will tease Sanny once she meets Brittany" Kairi whispered so only Quinn could hear although she doubted the two women in the backseat would hear her since they were asleep but she's not taking the risk of Santana lashing out at her. Quinn followed Kairi's gaze and smiles of what she saw. Santana's head resting on Brittany's shoulder while Brittany's head rested on the top of Santana's, their fingers laced together resting on Brittany's thigh.
"Aren't they cute?" Kairi said which Quinn nodded in total agreement.
"So, how are you and that Noah dude? Going strong I assume?" Kairi questioned out of curiosity. Quinn snapped her head back to look at Kairi who was giving her a side glance. It took a minute for the question to finally sink in Quinn's mind.
"We're doing fine really. We haven't seen each other for weeks now" Quinn said. Kairi nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, noticed it. You guys got busy with your works aren't you?" Kairi inquired.
"You could say that" Quinn played with her fingers.
"How 'bout you Kairi? Aren't you dating anyone?" She asked although not wanting to hear Kairi's answer. She heard the brunette laughed.
"No. I haven't dated anyone since my freshman year in college" Kairi said which made Quinn's mouth gaped at this revelation. Kairi looked at the blonde on the passenger seat and laughed.
"What's so shocking 'bout that?" sensing the blonde was not going to respond she continued.
"I don't know, I guess I don't want to get into a relationship with anyone until I see Santana and my sister with someone who'll take care of them" she shrugged as she turned left. Quinn leaned back on her seat as she contemplated what Kairi had said. Quinn knew Kairi's personalities but she still found herself speechless with how much Kairi would sacrifice for Santana and her sister. Before Quinn could utter another word, Kairi stopped the car in front of a huge house. There, standing on the porch was the Lopez family.
Santana held Brittany's hand as they walked out of the car towards the awaiting Lopez's whose smiles were brighter than the sun itself. Santana had butterflies in her stomach as they took the necessary steps to reach the other Lopez. Kairi immediately ran and hugged Angela, Robert and Nikki. They went inside after Santana hugged her family. Once they settled their things in their rooms, Santana sat down with her mom and Brittany.
"So you're the girl Santana has been hiding from me" Angela started.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Brittany. I'm Angela, Santana's mom." Angela held out her hand to the blonde who shook it.
"It's nice to meet you too Mrs Lopez" Brittany said placing her hand back to her lap.
"Psh. Mrs Lopez is my mom, call me Angela sweetheart." Angela smiled at Brittany before turning to her daughter who was restless.
"Santana, why did you hide such wonderful girlfriend from us, especially from me?" Santana's eyes bulged and she blushed furiously. Brittany was the same.
"Mom! Brittany's not my girlfriend" Santana all but whispered.
"Oh. That's too bad. I really like you for my Santana, Brittany, so if you ever have plans on making this workaholic, joy killing daughter of mine yours, I'm giving you my blessings" Angela laughed as Santana's face became redder than a tomato. Brittany's throat felt dry as she absorbed Angela has just said to her, all she could do after regaining herself was nod and smiled gratefully at Angela. Nikki appeared from upstairs announcing they should head off to the city to see the museum. Santana immediately turned her sister down stating that only tourist roam around the city to see some old things in museums. Kairi came up to Nikki's back with Quinn on her tail whispering something to Nikki which made Santana uneasy.
"Hey Brittany, I'm Nikki by the way, Santana's younger sister" Nikki greeted Brittany with that oh so irresistible smile of hers.
"Hi. Nice meeting you Nikki" Brittany greeted back. Santana glared at Nikki as she sauntered down the stairs to stand behind the chair occupied by their mom.
"So Brittany, you like arts?"
"Yup! I like looking at those paintings. It gives me peace and relaxation" Brittany answered with enthusiasm which gave Santana new knowledge 'bout the woman.
"Want to go to the museum with me? It showcases arts from different period" Nikki smiled. Brittany didn't get to be asked twice as she agreed.
"Come with us San. It'll be fun. I promise" Brittany turned to look at the woman she loved with eyes that were way too irresistible with matching smile that crumbled Santana's will.
"I don't know Britt. I'm not really a big fan of paintings and stuff" Santana willed herself to say no.
"Please San. If you get bored then you can totally leave us behind" Brittany pouted which made Santana gave in. 'I'm gonna kill Kairi and Nikki' the Latina thought to herself.
By the time Santana's resolve crumbled to dust, Kairi was already behind Nikki.
"Bet you 50 bucks Santana will agree" Kairi whispered to Nikki which Nikki grinned to. If she knew her sister well, she knew Santana will never give in to anyone. When she saw Santana nodded, she thought it was the end of the world.
"Yey!" Brittany exclaimed hugging Santana.
"Told ya" Kairi said knowingly. Nikki's mouth was opened by then as she watched in amusement. Brittany made her sister agree to go to the museum which never happened before.
"Close your mouth dear, or a fly will settle in it" Nikki heard her mom say with a chuckle so she closes her mouth quickly before giving Kairi 50 bucks. They drove to the art museum in New York and Nikki noticed how Santana gives in to Brittany's every request no matter how stupid it may have made her sister. Santana didn't even leave after an hour inside the art museum which only made Nikki's amusement and respect over Brittany heightened.
"I like her" Nikki whispered to Kairi as they walk around the museum behind Santana and Brittany. Kairi laughed.
"In all honesty, you like her because she can make your sister do silly things" Kairi said and looked behind her to see Quinn. She stretched her hand out for the blonde to take. Quinn smiled and took Kairi's hand.
"That and the fact that San's happy again. Haven't seen her that happy after…" Nikki trailed off; she knew how her cousin felt when Santana's ex was mentioned so she rather not risked it.
"Hey guys, hurry up" Brittany shout's at them. They didn't notice how far the two were so they power walked till they reach Brittany and Santana.
After looking at the exhibits, the gang decided it's time to go home and help with dinner. Kairi was and will always be the official driver.
"Hey Kairi. Can I ask you something?" Brittany said while chopping some onions.
"Sure what is it?" Kairi smiled up, stirring the sauce.
"Why is Santana and Nikki banned from the kitchen?" that wasn't what Brittany wanted to ask but she thought she'd ask later on. Kairi laughed and looked at the living room.
"One time when those two were cooking back in Palm Springs, San and Nikki almost burned the house down" Kairi chopped some carrots. "They were making pizza when they forgot about it while they watched Grey's Anatomy. Ever since then, they've been banned from the kitchen" Brittany couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. They resumed to preparing the food with Angela and Quinn while Santana, Nikki, and Vance prepare the table.
"Hey, can I talk to you outside?" Brittany whispered to Kairi after they prepared the food. Kairi nodded and followed the blonde out.
"What's up Britt?" Kairi leaned on the banister.
"Well…will you tell me what happened with Santana's last relationship?" she said reluctantly. Kairi's smile faded as she thought about it.
"I think it's best if Santana herself tell you about it Britt. I hope you understand" Kairi said apologetically. Brittany nodded in understanding.
"Girls, dinner's ready. Come in now" they heard Angela's voice. Kairi smiled.
"Come on Britt. I'm starving" Kairi walked to the door. Brittany shook her head at Kairi's switched. As she stepped inside, she thought of ways to persuade Santana into telling her what happened before she came to the Latina's life without shutting her out.