"Santana, come in! You have to see this!"

Puck had opened the door, immediately dragging Santana in towards the house garden enthusiastically, while Brittany watched them amused.

"What's the matter? Why all this frenzy, Puckerman?" she trailed behind her friend, casting a perplexed glance at Brittany.

"You have to see what Will can do! It's incredible, San!" he said, bending down to call the dog.

Brittany had only been living in Puckerman's home for three days, but the man had already literally fallen in love with her dog. By then Puck and Will were practically joined at the hip. He was completely fascinated by the dog exceptional intelligence and by everything Brittany had taught him.

"Come on Brittany, turn the music on and show Santana what you two can do!" He addressed her friend who shook her head before walking to the stereo.

The music started: it was a Merengue. Dog and owner began a perfect choreography of that Latin American dance. Will could stay upright and was able to perform all the steps in tempo with Brittany. Santana opened her mouth incredulous. She had never seen something like that. While her friend Puck just looked at her, pleasantly nodding, as if he were the ball choreographer.

"Did you see it? Isn't it incredible? I have to make a video and send it to Sam!" he said.

After the performance ended, the two dancers took a bow. Britt petted her dog, thanking him for the umpteenth act of loyalty. She then left him to Puck, who led him to the garden to play some more.

Brittany took the brunette's hand and led her into her bedroom. All it took was a smile and they found themselves with lips glued together. They loosened the contact only to embrace each other more tightly.

Santana felt her heart throb wildly. It had been like that for four days. She had decided to spend all week, without Adam, as much as possible with Brittany, to make up for lost time. For the moment, she just wanted to love her without asking herself too many question.

Those had been some extraordinary days. Except for working hours, they had always been together, at Puck's house. And their mutual friend had completely respected their decision, always looking the other way. They had never kissed in front of him, but they all knew that he knew and discreetly kept quiet. Santana was surprised by her friend's sweetness, more so because Noah hadn't even joked about them and always left them alone as much as possible.

"How are you?" The blonde asked, lovingly rocking her in her arms.

"Now better... It's been a mess at work today," she replied, whispering softly into her ear before kissing her neck. Brittany trembled at the feeling of Santana's soft lips on her skin.

They pulled away and the blonde stared into her eyes

"I know what you need." She teased, smiling.

Santana mirrored the smile, waiting for Brittany to keep talking.

"I'll cook you an amazing Italian dinner!" she stated enthusiastic, before giving her a fleeting kiss on the lips and dragging her to the kitchen.

Brittany got to work. Santana couldn't help but stare at her spellbound at everything she did. Every Brittany's moves were incredibly elegant, a gracefulness that only Santana could see.

"Since when do you know how to cook?" She couldn't help but ask.

"Since I worked in several restaurants around the world" Brittany replied while slicing the onion thinly.

"I'll cook for you a delicious tomato sauce pasta," she continued gazing at her with tenderness.

"Wow! I can't wait to taste it!"

Their game of glances was interrupted by the personalized ring of Santana's cellphone that Brittany knew well already. The blonde jumped at it and felt a sharp pain in one finger.

"Shit!" she yelled, grabbing the finger. It was bleeding from a cut wound.

Still with phone in hand, Santana rushed to see if everything was ok. Brittany's finger continued to bleed profusely.

"Let me have a look..." she asked.

"It's nothing, just a cut. Don't worry... Just answer Adam"

"I'll call him back, it's not urgent."

"San! Answer Adam, it's just a stupid cut!" Brittany yelled staring into the brunette's eyes.

Santana was left speechless for a few seconds before answering the phone.

"Hey!"

"Hi love! What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just some cleaning."

As she lied, she remembered her house was a completely mess. Even if she was pretty much living with Brittany at the moment, only going back home to change clothes, she mentally took note to set her house in order for her husband return, before leaving for NY.

"Ah good good! We'll see each other in two days, are you ready?" he asked.

"I can't wait!" She lied again. That meeting scared her deeply because she didn't know how her heart would feel after those wonderful days she was spending with Brittany.

She turned around in search of the blonde but she didn't find her. She then saw some blood drops on the ground. She was used to worse but she panicked nonetheless.

"Baby, the pizza's here. I have to open the door." She made up.

"Did you order Puck's pizza?" he asked.

"Yes"

"San, I told you a thousand time that Gugliemo's is way better, it's the true Italian pizza! Noah Puckerman doesn't need our money!" He said irritated.

"Yes, yes I know... I have to go now. I'll call you later," she couldn't wait to end the call.

"No, I can't later. I have an important business dinner... I'll talk to you tomorrow!"

"Ok!"

"San, I love you! Even if you are stubborn and you never listen to me!" Santana could feel his smile.

"Me too." She tried to reply without actually speaking those three words. At that moment she truly didn't felt them.

Santana ended the call and rushed in search of Brittany.

"Britt? Britt, where are you?"

The blonde didn't answer. So, following the blood drops trail, she reached the bathroom.

She found Brittany with her finger in the sink, under the water stream. Santana noticed that she was upset. She decided to approach her nonetheless.

"Hey! Can I look at it?" she asked softly.

Brittany jumped, she had been lost in thought. She showed her wound.

"Mmm, it's nothing. The only problem is that the cut is in a place where the skin is extremely thin, so it bleed a lot." Santana turned towards the bathroom cupboard.

"Do you have a first aid kit?" she asked.

Brittany nodded and pointed to a drawer near the sink.

Santana opened it and with some gauze stopped the bleeding, tightening her hold on the finger.

"See? You just have to latch onto it here to stop the bleeding. After a little bit your platelets will do their job, cicatrizing your wound"

Brittany looked at her and smiled at her, finally reassured.

"What?" the brunette asked curious.

"Sometimes I just forget you are a doctor."

"I'm not just a doctor, I'm a very good doctor, the best!" she swelled with pride making Brittany laugh.

After few minutes she loosened her hold and softly disinfected the wound. Then she put a band-aid on.

"There! Now everything is ok! You don't have any more excuses. Go and cook me that tasty pasta,"

Brittany stepped closer and gave her a little kiss. Santana closed her eyes, basking in that sweet touch.

"Thank you," she said then.

"But maybe... If you still have to cut something, let me do it, ok?" They found themselves laughing madly with their foreheads touching.

XXX

They were sprawled down on the white sofa that Puck adored. It was after the amazing dinner the blonde cooked for them. They were channel surfing inattentively. Brittany was cuddled up on Santana's chest and was observing her finger. Puck had already gone out to work, he loved working at night, he always have so much fun tormenting his sleepy employees.

"Does it still hurt?" The brunette asked.

"It burns a little bit... It pulses," she said, pouting adorably.

Santana melted at the sight and leaned in, softly kissing her lips.

"You have to keep it high to avoid the pulsing"

"Like this?" the blonde asked lifting her arm high laughing.

"You don't need to lift the whole arm..." and she lowered it " But where is the brave and fearless Brittany gone? Where is the woman who lived by herself for 10 years and that right now is whining for a little cut?" she continued then.

"Actually I'm just pretending... I'm doing it just to get some cuddle from you," she revealed.

"You don't have to cut yourself to get some cuddle... I think of nothing else for my whole day!" Santana gazed at her sweetly before kissing her passionately.

The sudden ring of Santana's cellphone brought them back on earth.

"My favorite Chinese!" The brunette spoke answering Tina's call.

"Hey San, how are you?" the Asian asked.

"All good darling, and you? MJ?"

"Everybody's well. I know that Adam is away for a few days... You must be terribly sad."

"Indeed..." She said, watching Brittany playing with their hands, intertwining them in different ways.

"Listen, I called to tell you that we are having a little home party tomorrow for Mike's birthday... and I wanted to make him a surprise... Are you still in contact with Brittany?"

"Yes... I happened to talk to her from time to time," she smiled to the blonde who was looking at her curious, before silently bursting into laugh together.

"Ah good! Because I told Mike she was back in town and he was so happy... Certainly he doesn't expect her to appear at his birthday... Could you ask her if she would like to come to the party? I would love to see her again too." Tina said already excited just for having spoken the words.

Santana was moved nearly to tears at the emotions behind Tina's question. The Changs always had been fantastic to her, always straight-up and kind with everybody. And Mike had even been Brittany's best friend before she left Lima.

"Of course darling, I'll call her and ask her. I'll get you back for it, ok?"

She then hang up. Brittany stared at her with curious eyes, waiting for the reason why her name had popped up in the conversation.

"Tomorrow is Mike's birthday and Tina would love for you to be his birthday's surprise present." Santana reported caressing her blonde locks.

"Oh my God... Everybody is gonna be there, right?" She asked terrified.

"Well, it depends on what you mean with everybody... The husbands would be there, you don't know them... And you'll meet some people you haven't seen in ages..." She watched her pensive. "You don't have to, if you don't feel up for it, Britt." She continued.

"No... I just worry for everybody's reaction... I didn't stay in touch with any of them... for a long time... Mike is going to be angry with me." She replied, staring nervously at her hands, scratching her wounded finger.

"It's difficult just imaging Mike angry and I don't think he will be... I think he'll just be incredibly happy to see you again. You'll gave him an amazing present; but really Britt, you are not obligated to do it!" the brunette told her softly, pulling her close, before laying a gentle kiss on the blonde's temple.

"You'll always be next to me, right?" she asked, raising her head.

"Of course! And Puck will be there too"

"Okay." She answered happily.

Seeing that wonderful and brave smile, the brunette melted. She lifted her face and kissed her.

"Mmmmm Britt." Santana just barely pulled away from her lover's lips.

"Mmmm," the blonde muttered back, still lost in the moment.

"I was thinking of going back home to sleep today," she said hesitant, while staring at those longing lips in front of her.

"Mmmm I agree," the blonde replied before taking possession of Santana's mouth, nibbling gently at her lips.

The brunette's brain shut off immediately. She dove back into Brittany's mouth. She guided the blonde on her back, the same blonde who had already encircled her waist with one leg. Santana moved to the neck, basking in Brittany's scent, before going down to her half open shirt to uncover her breasts. She shivered inside.

"Britt?" She said panting.

"Mmm... San?" the blonde replied with closed eyes.

"Maybe I'll go home another day... Tonight I'll stay!" she said before attacking her neck again.

"Mmmm I agree." Brittany murmured back.

XXX

The alarm clock went off very early in time for her morning shift at the hospital. Santana still had to go home and change. She felt like she had slept only for ten minutes. She quickly put the clothes on, trying to not wake Brittany up, but she knew it would be impossible, in fact...

"Hey! It's too early!" The blonde rolled on her back, rubbing her eyes.

Santana walked to her and, smacking their lips together, she said

"I know... But I have to work. And I need to go home to change... Go back to sleep, since you can. I'll pick you up tonight for Mike's birthday." She told her quickly, while Brittany hinted a smile before turning around and going back to sleep.


The day passed quickly. The morning at the hospital had been rather calm. She had thought of nothing else but Brittany. She realized that their days together were nearly over and that in a few days she will be in NY with Adam, and felt the anxiety intensifying. Quinn was right, she wouldn't be able to keep two parallel lives. But at the moment she really needed to see her reaction at her husband sight and contact, after those passionate days with Brittany, before making a definitive choice. Among all those thoughts, there was another one that gnawed at her: Quinn's, her best friend. They had not see or talk to each other since the fight, and Santana missed her very much. Quinn would surely be at the party that night. Santana intended to talk to her and fix everything.

She was waiting for Brittany in front of Puck's mansion.

She watched her coming down the stairs, and completely lost her breath. Brittany was so beautiful. She wore only jeans and a shirt, but that simplicity totally disarmed Santana.

"Have you decide to kill everybody tonight?" She asked her, before greeting her lips with a soft caress.

"I don't think so... Since I'll have a good competition, Miss Black dress!" she replied, looking at her up and down, mischievously.

Santana wore a black sheath dress, incredibly short and tight, that, when sit behind the wheel, raised up to an obscene level.

"Well, this is the Lopez look, everybody's used to it. But, seeing this breathtaking beauty will totally be a surprise and not only for Mike." She replied, winking.

XXX

They arrived at Chang's house nearly immediately, since it was in close proximity to Puck's. They got out of the car and instantly Santana noticed Brittany's nervous gaze.

"How are you?" she took hold of her hand before entering.

"Am I still in time to change my mind and turn back around?" she looked at her terrified.

Santana smiled before ringing the bell.

"Everything will be ok, you'll see"

As the door opened, it was spontaneous for the two friends to release their hands holding.

"Oh my God, Britt! Britt, is that you?" Tina literally jumped into the blonde's arms without thinking, and Brittany just stood there pleasantly floored.

"Yes, it's me."She then said holding her.

"Oh God, you have become a truly breathtaking woman! How are you?" she asked, stroking her cheek.

The blonde just nodded, visibly moved by the unexpected warm welcome.

"Hey?! I'm here too, eh?" Santana interrupted her friend's emotional gaze idyll.

"San, hi! Sorry!" Tina said a little bit embarrassed.

"Don't worry. For once I can leave the role of the star to someone else." She said shrugging while noticing Brittany's look, incredulous and amused at the same time.

"Come in! I can't wait to see Mike's face." Tina said, letting them in.

Brittany was completely paralyzed of having to do a triumphal entrance, and being the center of everybody's attention for a few minutes. Breathing became difficult as she met Santana's reassuring gaze.

Tina opened the door of the living room decorated for the occasion. Brittany's head began to spin as she watched Mercedes playing with Quinn and two children. One was obviously Mike's son, they were identical. Turning around, the blonde's gaze stopped at Sam and Puck admiring their gifts, being unwrapped by an entranced Mike: it was the new McKinley football team uniform. She then noticed two unknown men aside from the party, sipping beers.

Suddenly Mike saw a new blonde addition to the party, a blonde who he would have recognized even after one hundred years. He took off the football helmet and yelled, incredulous.

"Brittany!"

The blonde looked away from the two men and met Mike's overjoyed eyes.

"Oh my God, is that you, Britt?" the man rushed to the girl who had been his best friend. He hugged her and lifted her in the air, whirling her around. The blonde could only nod, wrapped in that warm embrace, and watch others staring at their scene. She found Santana's proud and satisfied gaze, and Tina's moved one.

The man put her down to get a better look at her. Caressing her face, he said with glassy eyes.

"How are you? Why did you not stay in touch?"

Brittany was so touched by his open welcome that she was afraid to say something and could only cry. She swallowed and gave it a try.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you everything... But right now... Happy birthday Mike!" she said before hugging him tightly again.

The man decided not to persist for the moment and simply hugged her back, happy to be able to do it again after a so long time.

"Hey! It's not worthwhile coming with the stars, nobody looks at you here!" Santana slapped Mike on the shoulder to get his attention and distract everybody from Brittany, so she could lessen the blonde embarrassment.

"Santana!" Mike released Brittany before hugging the brunette.

"Happy birthday Bruce Lee" She told him as she mirrored his hold.

Meanwhile Sam stepped closer. He still hadn't met Brittany in person, but only on the phone. Since he was Puck's best friend, Sam had been immediately informed of the new resident in Puckerman's house.

"Brittany, you are a knockout!" the man looked her up and down before embracing the blonde.

"Sam! How wonderful! But... Have your lips swelled even more?" she grinned. The man pulled them back awkward, before understanding her friend was only joking. So he then gave her another hug with everybody laughing around them.

"Aunt San!" The brunette heard a well-known soft voice that raced towards her to get picked up.

"Mariah! My love, come here!" she picked her up while the little girl smothered her with kisses.

"Britt, this is my beautiful goddaughter. Her name's Mariah and she is Mercedes' daughter." Santana said.

Brittany extended her hand to introduce herself.

"Hi Mariah, you are very beautiful, you know? I'm Brittany." she shook her hand.

"Hi..." the child replied a little bit shy, before turning around to Santana and asking "Where's uncle Adam?"

"He is at work, he is not coming tonight. But he'll sure call, so you'll get to say hi, ok?" she answered, noticing Brittany cloud over.

"Brittany, what a pleasure! Where have you been? You have literally disappeared." Mercedes came closer to greet the blonde. Brittany couldn't even reply that Mike had already dragged her with him to introduce everyone she didn't know, another time saving her from the embarrassment of having to give further explanations.

XXX

The night was going well, the brunette saw that Brittany was beginning to be at ease. At the moment the blonde was with Mike, who hadn't left her alone for a second, and he was introducing his son while improvising a moonwalk. So Santana relaxed too and decided to let her free from her control for a while.

She saw Quinn on the other side of the room, serving drinks. Neither she nor Brittany had greeted the blonde doctor. She decided to approach her, feigning pouring something to drink.

"I miss you." Santana told her with a smile, and watched Quinn frowning, surprised at her friend's bold, closing to arrogant, overture.

"I'm sure you are in good company now." The blonde replied without even looking at her.

"Come on Quinn! Can we talk about it calmly?" Santana took off her cocky mask and looked at her friend pleading.

"I don't see how I could talk peacefully with someone that runs every time I say something she doesn't like."

"Obviously if you are a bitch?!" Santana said.

Quinn stared at her bewildered and, giving up, turned around walking away.

Santana huffed rolling her eyes. Leaving her glass on the table, she grabbed her friend's hand and dragged her out of the room before Quinn could utter a word.

"Ok... Ok... I'll stop being a bitch!" she gesticulated blatantly, before halting and staring at the blonde with sad eyes "I miss you Q. I really miss you."

The blonde crossed her arms and silently stared at her.

"You are a bitch, you know?" She then said.

"I know"

"And I don't agree with what you are doing."

"I know"

"Because you are making a huge mistake!"

"I know." It continued to be the brunette's automatic reply.

"And I miss you too!" Quinn then added with a smile.

"I know this too!" Santana replied, mirroring her smile.

Quinn couldn't resist anymore and hugged her friend

"You are as stubborn as a mule!"

They held each other tightly and cried. Santana needed Quinn, needed to fell her friend's soothing embrace, even though the brunette knew the blonde disagreed with her behavior.

XXX

"Welcome to one of the most fashionable theater of Lima!" Puck was sipping a beer on Chang's couch, with Brittany seated between Sam and him.

"Why?" she asked.

"Oh come on! It's the fair of falsity!" Sam said.

"Indeed... All around us there are perfect husbands and wives that pretend to be perfect." Puck continued.

"Ok... So tell me, who do you hate the most?" Brittany turned to look at him in the eyes before asking her question.

"Well... I'm sure Simon is the undisputed winner." He replied while Sam sneered concurring with his friend.

"Isn't he Quinn's husband?" the blonde asked again.

"Yeah... He and Puck had a fistfight once." Sam replied still grinning.

Brittany's eyes and mouth opened wide in surprise, staring at her friend who still had on a very satisfied sneer.

"It's an old story... He got pissed when I reminded him that Quinn have a teenager daughter."

"...And now they just ignore each other." Sam concluded.

"But anyway, today the centerpiece is missing: Mr. Superperfect-I know-everything Adam! You should see him, a perfect idiot!" Puck commented.

"Yeah... What a sad life they have." Sam said, nodding at his friend's description.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand... Why are you two here if you don't like them?" Brittany asked confused.

"Because of Mike! He is different! Mike and Tina... Well... Come on, Mike and Tina are... Mike and Tina! Surely I don't have to explain that, right?" Puck replied.

"Yes, he is still the greatest of friend, even if he spend some time with all these old people!" Sam stated.

"In my opinion, you are just jealous because they have a real family." Brittany provoked them.

The two friends looked at the other, surprised at the blonde claim, but then spoke in chorus: "Naaaaa!"

"We are still young. I was the one to introduce Francesco to Mercedes, when he was still a cool guy, sleeping with three women a week. Then he trapped himself... It's really sad!" Sam continued.

The three friends stopped talking, while they kept on looking at the scene in front of them.

Brittany gathered that Adam had finally called to wish a happy birthday to Mike because everybody was around Santana and her cellphone, children included. The children were competing with each other to get the possibility to talk to him first. To Brittany they seemed like a very tight group of people, and instantly felt sick at the revelation. Sick at the thought she could be a cause of division among them. In that moment she realized she felt more closer to Puck and Sam than ever.

XXX

"Well... How was it?" Santana asked while she drove Brittany home, since the blonde looked deep in thoughts.

"Strange..." she replied.

"How strange?"

"I don't know. You all seemed so tight that sometimes I felt like I was an intruder... A little like Puck and Sam."

"Britt, it's normal. You just need time. But they were all happy to see you again... And baby, don't believe Puck and Sam's bullshit. They are two men child, that insist on being alternatives, when maybe it's time they decide to grow up." she said before taking Brittany's hand.

The blonde nodded with a small smile.

"Have you made peace with Quinn?" She asked then.

"Yes... Did she tell you?" Santana asked.

"Yes... She was happy. Everybody could see that she missed you very much."

Santana puffed her chest out proud and pleased.

"Tina had invited me to join you next week for your poker." Brittany continued.

"Wonderful! You'll have fun! Quinn and I are masters of cheating and getting Mercedes angry!" Santana replied enthusiastic.

While they chatted, they reached Puck's home.

Santana parked the car and shut off the engine.

"Here we are..." the brunette said, looking at the blonde apprehensively.

"Here we are..."

"Tomorrow morning I'll fly to NY."

"I know..." Brittany didn't even wanted to look at her face. She didn't want Santana to know that she was scared as hell.

"Britt, if you want I can stay here tonight too, I'll..."

"No!" she interrupted, while Santana had already taken her face in her hands.

"No... Please, it would be too difficult. It's better we sleep separate tonight, each one in her own bed, alone." Brittany stared at her, softening her voice.

The brunette nodded. She felt her heart throbbing. She just wanted to stay in Brittany's arms forever. Everything else be damned.

They stared deeply into each other eyes for a few minutes. Santana got lost into the deep blue of Brittany's beautiful eyes. She knew the blonde was hurting, even if she tried to conceal it.

"I have to go now." The blonde said, shutting her eyes like it was the only way in which she could break their contact.

"Okay." Santana let her face go and lowered her gaze.

"We'll talk soon, ok?" the brunette asked her.

"Yeah... Bye San, have a safe flight." she looked at her one more time, and, opening the door, got out of the car.

Santana watched her walking towards the front door, and, taking a deep breath, she yelled,

"Fuck!" She opened the door and called for her "Britt... Wait!"

The blonde turned around. And, just like she had been waiting for it, she smiled taking her in her arms. They kissed passionately, while Santana caressed the blonde face so gently like she was afraid of crushing her, like Brittany were made of glass.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Britt! I'll think of you every single moment!" She told her, after reluctantly having loosened her hold.

"I'm going to miss you too." The blonde mirrored the feeling, with glassy eyes.

"Will you wait for me, Britt?" she asked then. But it felt like that question had a deeper meaning. It felt like Santana was asking for something more than just to wait for her return from NY.

"I'll be here, San... I'll wait for you, always!"