A/N: So this is my second attempt at uploading this. I wanted to get this chapter up before the weekend. I hope you enjoy it! We play on the road this weekend so I am hoping to steal some time to finish the next chapter on the plane.
I own nothing.
BJ awoke to the sound of her vibrating cell phone. She groaned and pulled the blankets over her head as she rolled over. This plan was definitely wearing her out. At least she had managed to keep Brittany and Santana away from each other for one last night. She and Santana took a two hour road trip to get their Christmas shopping done. Santana had asked her to stay over again, but she knew she had to take Brittany in for her interview and get to The Heights to make sure everything was set up perfectly. Finally reaching out of the covers for her phone, she opened one eye as she squinted to see who wanted what.
A text from Santana: You never told me what our plans were for tonight...what should I wear? What time? A girl needs to know these things!
Shit. She totally forgot to tell her what was up. Way to go dip shit she thought to herself as she began to tap the screen on her phone.
I'll pick you up at 8:30. Wear your best. We're going to The Heights.
The exhausted woman was about to set her phone back down when it vibrated again.
The Heights? Like the classiest spot in Lima?
Yes. Make sure you're ready on time. I don't want to miss our reservations.
BJ knew a quick response was on it's way.
You can count on it. Not sure what the occasion is, but I'm looking forward to it.
With that, BJ was up and moving. She needed to pick Brittany up at the store and get her over to McKinley. She was going to get a workout in while Figgins met with the alumna. Hopping in the Jeep she popped in some Gym Class Heroes and as she pulled up in the mall parking lot she found Brittany waiting at the main entrance.
Pulling up beside her and rolling down the tinted window BJ said, "You look like you could use a ride."
"Oh my gosh! You scared me! I'm not used to someone rolling around Lima in a ride like this." she said as she opened the door and climbed in.
"Meaning, you aren't used to seeing a white chick pull up in a black jeep with dark tinted windows and a beat bouncin'."
The new acquaintance next to her laughed. "That's exactly what I mean. At least it's a good beat." she said with a wink.
"The lady has taste in music! That's a plus. Now let's go get you a new job."
The drive was a fairly short one, but full of animated conversation as Brittany went thought BJ's music collection. Each of them knew they would be fast friends. As they pulled into the empty lot, a flood of memories came flowing back to Brittany. It seemed like a lifetime ago since she'd been here. Once inside, Brittany slowed her pace and took in the surroundings. There wasn't a whole lot that had changed. BJ hung back and let Brittany take her time. Turning the corner, the blonde woman stopped and ran her hand over a couple of lockers. The corners of her mouth turned up into a slight smile. BJ could only imagine what was running through the woman's mind. It was almost as if she'd been transported to a different time. They walked a bit further down the hallways before BJ had to break the silence.
"Brittany."
The blonde raised her head slowly to make eye contact with the coach.
"Hmmm?"
"I'm going to go and see if Figgins is ready to meet with you. Do you want to wait in the main office or out here?"
Brittany sighed. "I think I'll wait out here is that's ok."
BJ nodded. She thought she saw a tear fall. "Sure. I'll give you a few minutes even if he is ready." she said softly and disappeared through the door.
Ten minutes later, Brittany was in the principal's office and BJ was in the gym.
So far the day had gone very well. Brittany was offered and accepted the position at her former high school. It would be announced after the New Year when school resumed. BJ had asked Brittany out to dinner and she accepted that as well. Well, actually, BJ said that she had had reservations, but her plus one had canceled on her and she hated to lose a spot at such a highly coveted restaurant. The dancer thought it would be fun and after all, it couldn't hurt to get to know someone back here again. They decided to meet there and BJ asked her to meet her at The Heights at eight.
After dropping the blonde off at home, BJ dialed up Mrs. Pierce.
"Hey Mrs. P.!"
"BJ! How'd it go?"
"It went well! I'll let Brittany fill you in on the details. However, I'm going to need a little help tonight."
"Anything! You name it."
"I just need you to make sure that Britt is at the restaurant at eight. I'm picking up Santana at eight thirty. I'm going to swing by there now and make sure everything is in place."
"I can do that. Anything else?"
"Keep your fingers crossed."
"BJ, it's going to be just fine. Sometimes lost hearts just need to be pointed in the right direction. I don't think you realize the impact you are about to have on these two lives."
"I just hope it's a positive one." BJ said barely above a whisper. "Alright, I better get going. It's going to be time before we know it. Bye Mrs. P."
"Goodbye sweetie."
Climbing the stairs in The Heights, she wondered if anyone at all was around. It was so quiet. Climbing the last step, she stopped completely. It was a sight unlike anything she'd ever seen. Since it was December and late afternoon, the sun was already on it's way down. Just as John had said, white Christmas lights hung overhead and lit the perimeter. There was a single table set in just the right spot so that they'd be able to take the 360 degree view. The table was covered in a black linen table cloth. BJ walked over and ran her fingers over it. Remembering the items she had brought in with her, she reached down and picked up two lavender roses. She set them carefully in the center of the table. They were to represent love at first sight. After all, according to everyone that knew them, they were the last two to figure it out.
Taking in the rest of the space, BJ smiled seeing the piano. She picked up her guitar case and headed over to the corner. Running a finger over the keys, she sat down and played a few notes and then reached over opening her guitar case. She strummed a few notes and began playing in a picking style. Not like country style picking, but just a single note at a time putting an emphasis on each note. She hummed a couple bars and then played an acoustic version of the song.
"Wow!"
The guitarist jumped, opening her eyes quickly.
"Coach, you said you could play, but I didn't know you could really play!" It was John.
"Um, yeah. I guess. I've messed around with it for years." She did a little tuning and then set the guitar in a stand. "John, this is absolutely amazing. Thank you so much!"
"Like, I said, so happy to help. Is everything where you want it?"
"Yeah, I think so." It wasn't exactly easy to set up a romantic setting for two people when you really only knew one of them. "Brittany will be here at eight. I'm supposed to pick Santana up at eight thirty. Will you bring Brittany up and let her know that I'm going to be a little late? This will buy me some time to get Santana here and answer her questions when she wonders why the lot is empty."
"Of course. I'll spend a little time with her and then bring her up."
"Perfect. She's going to wonder why there's only one table up here. I'll text you when Santana and I arrive. Meet us downstairs and I'll come up and explain to Brittany why I'm late. Whatever you do, don't tell Santana that Brittany is up stairs."
"Got it. Relax. Everything is going to be fine."
"Everyone keeps telling me that. Listen, it's getting late. I've got to get going or I'm going to throw the whole thing off. See you tonight!"
BJ stood in the shower letting the hot water run over her. She noticed she was shaking. She wanted more than anything for this to go off without a hitch, but in the back of her mind she couldn't help but wonder if she was making a huge mistake meddling in two other people's lives. After all, she couldn't even get her own right, let alone help out two others. She sighed. It was too late to turn back now. The plan was already in motion.
Finally calming herself, she turned the water off and proceeded to get ready. What did one wear to something like this? She had told both Santana and Brittany to dress nicely. They each knew what kind of place it was. She didn't want to throw Santana off by wearing something too casual. She settled on some black dress pants, a fitted Express button down and a jacket with some black boots. She straightened her hair, parted it on the left side and pulled it back tight and neat. Glancing at her watch she realized that it was time to go. After a quick look in the mirror to check herself, she was out the door.
Brittany didn't have a clue what to wear. She couldn't even believe that she agreed to go to dinner with someone she had just met. It wasn't often that she let her guard down like this, but her mother seemed to adore BJ. There couldn't be any harm in dinner she thought. So, Brittany arrived promptly at eight o'clock. She didn't want to be late after all. Her mom dropped her off as BJ said she'd take her home afterward. Getting a ride from her mom made her feel like she was a teenager all over again. Stepping out of her mom's Kia, she smoothed out her blue dress. It hit her just above the knees and the color really made her eyes pop. The black heels that she had settled on made her legs look like they went on for days.
"Good evening Brittany." John held the door for her to go inside.
The leggy blonde turned and bent down to give him a hug. "So good to see you John." She looked around curiously. "Kind of quiet in here tonight isn't it?"
"Oh yeah, we had an event a little earlier. They cleared out faster than they had originally planned. You're meeting Coach Eckles right?" He said quickly.
"Uh, yeah. Actually, I don't know her last name. I just know her name is BJ. I wonder what that stands for..." She thought about that for a second.
"Yes, BJ. She's a great girl. Anyway, she called, she's stuck in traffic waiting on a train on the other side of the tracks. She said to tell you to go ahead and order a drink and she'll be here as quickly as she can."
Brittany smiled. "OK. That was nice of her to call. It's nice to know that the tracks still slow things down in this town."
"Some things never change."
The two chatted for a few minutes until John's cell went off. He excused himself as he check the screen. BJ would have Santana here in less than five minutes. It was time to get Brittany upstairs.
Britt, I've got a couple things to take care of, but let me show you to your table. He led her up the stairs. At the top, he stepped to the side and held his arm out. "Right this way."
Brittany held her breath as she took in the view. This BJ must have had one special date planned with her plus one. It's too bad they had to cancel. It was so nice of her to invite me instead of letting all of this go to waste she thought.
John pulled her chair out for her. "I'll be back to check on you shortly."
Heading back downstairs he felt the excitement overtake him. As he stepped down off the bottom step, BJ was holding the door open for Santana.
"I still don't understand why the parking lot is empty." Santana said.
"Oh hey John."
"Hey Coach. Welcome."
"Are you ready for us?"
"What is all of this?" Santana asked.
BJ smiled shyly. Quietly she said, "You'll see soon enough. Could you give me a couple minutes to take care of something?"
Santana eyed the brunette curiously and cautiously. She had no idea what was about to happen.
"I promise it won't take long. John, would you please get Santana a drink?"
John nodded and led Santana over to the bar. Once she sat down, BJ, turned and headed for the stairs. Taking a deep breath she whispered to herself, "This is it. No turning back." With that, she made her way to the second floor.
Her eyes met Brittany's and they both instantly smiled. "Brittany, I'm so glad you could make it and I'm so sorry I'm late."
"This place...is beautiful. Whoever you were supposed to come here with is definitely missing out."
BJ dropped her eyes and her nerves started to take over. "I, uh, I-I-I..." she paused to collect her thoughts. Here goes nothing. "Brittany. I know I only met you a day ago, but I feel like l know so much about you already. Your mom has told me so much about you and the people of Lima..."
Brittany had no idea where this was going. She watched BJ silently.
"Shortly after school started, I had the chance to meet someone who has become one of the best friends I've ever had. She's helped me through so much and doesn't even know it."
Brittany continued to listen.
"Things have changed so much for me over the last few months and I guess you could say that my outlook on love has changed because of her."
Brittany thought that maybe she was talking about the person she was supposed to be here with tonight.
"I wanted to get her something special for Christmas. After much thought, I realized the only thing that she really wanted, was you."
Brittany was so confused now.
"Brittany, I have Santana downstairs."
The blondes eye shot open. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
"Brittany?"
"Santana? Santana Lopez? My Santana?"
"The one and only."
Brittany couldn't believe this was happening. The one person that had all but consumed her mind. The one person that she wanted to see more than anything. She was here. In the same building. Right now.
"So, this wasn't for me. It's for the two of you and right now, I just need to make sure that you're ok with this and then I'm going to bring her up here. "
BJ waited for a response from the woman sitting across from her. Brittany dabbed at a tear trying to escape her eye. She didn't want to be a blubbering mess when she saw her for the first time. The thought never crossed her mind that this wouldn't go well.
"I'm ready."
BJ smiled and stood, stepping over to give her a hug. I'm going to need a minute or two to explain to her, but I'll have her up here as soon as possible.
Brittany smiled and nodded.
BJ all but sprinted down the stairs, catching herself near the last one. John handed her a white rose as she walked over to Santana. 'Thanks John."
The brunette slowly approached the Latina. She caught Santana's eye just a few steps away. BJ pulled out the white rose and handed it to her. Santana smiled. "What this for?"
"You. It symbolizes new beginnings."
"Thank you. It's beautiful." the smile remained on her face. "BJ, what is all of this for?"
Inhaling deeply and taking in the beautiful Santana Lopez, BJ began. "A few months ago I knew a handful of people in this town. I kept to myself and was really only sure about a couple of things in my life. Things had changed so drastically for me so quickly. Then, one day at practice, I met you. You liked me for me. You never questioned too hard or dug too deep. You never pushed, you just let me be me. You've shared things with me, made me think, made me want to be a better person. In a few short months, you've become the best friend I've ever had."
Santana had tears in her eyes now.
"A while back, I was trying to figure out what to get you for Christmas. I had no idea. It just seemed like nothing was going to be quite good enough. Then, I met someone and I had an idea. Things started to come together."
"Wait- you met someone and things started to come together? Who'd you meet?"
"Let me finish Santana before I can't get this out."
Santana looked concern. "Ok." she said softly.
"This kind of came out of left field, but when I was trying to figure out what to get you, I wanted it to be something that would make you happy. However, I didn't want it to be materialistic. Then, by chance, I met Mrs. Pierce."
BJ took Santana by the hand and began to lead her to the stairs. "I knew there was only one thing that could make you truly happy." she continued. "So, I went for it. I got you the one thing that you said would make your life complete." BJ stepped to the side and helped Santana up the last step.
Seated alone at the only table, was Brittany. The sight took the smaller woman's breath away. She felt her pulse begin to race and all of the sudden her knees got weak. Once she made eye contact with the blonde it was over.
BJ, took Santana's arm and hooked it with her own as she walked her over to where Brittany waited. In the few steps that it took to get there, she noticed that both woman had tears in their eyes. BJ unhooked their arms and stepped back and the dancer and the Latina took in the sight of each other. The sudden third wheel turned and walked at a good pace back to the stair well. Before descending the stairs, she took another look at the long lost couple and whispered, "Merry Christmas Santana."
