CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Walking through the automatic doors of their hotel, the kids started upstairs to regroup and hit the city. They huddled by the elevators, talking amongst themselves. Rachel's eyes were still glowing from the performance. She looked as if at any moment she would either break into song or start crying. Puck and Lauren crouched away from Mr. Schuester to talk about where to get liquor. From everyone's conversations, it seemed like they would all just be roaming around until curfew. Santana, however, thought ahead.
"Santana, I assume you made plans for tonight," said Kurt. He pulled the scarf from his neck before pressing the elevator up button a few more times.
"Yep, I got reservations at this nice restaurant a couple blocks from here, so we can all just meet in the lobby in fifteen?" she replied.
"Sounds good," Sam chimed in.
The elevator doors opened, and the kids piled in.
"Whoa there, Lauren," Santana started with a devious look on her face, "We don't want to be hitting the maximum weight."
Lauren rolled her eyes and stepped into the elevator, saying, "Back the fuck up before I throw you out."
"I'd like to see that," Santana said under her breath.
Brittany whispered to Santana, "San, stop being mean. This is supposed to be a really nice night, and I'd rather you not get into a fight with her. Okay?"
Santana pursed her lips and nodded. Only Brittany could make her back down and feel apologetic, which is not something she enjoys feeling. Brittany was also the only person that Santana would concede to. As much as she hated to admit it, the girl was right. This was going to be a great night, and the only thing standing in the way was Santana's attitude.
About fifteen minutes later—after checking in with Mr. Chaperone—Kurt and Sam met up with the two girls in the lobby.
"You boys look nice," Brittany regarded.
"Right back at you. Santana, those heels are to die for," Kurt spoke of Santana's studded black pumps.
"Don't I know it? I picked them up with Daddy's credit card, which is what I'll be using for tonight's dinner if you all don't mind," Santana said with a wink.
Sam chuckled, "Oh, of course not."
Walking the few blocks to the restaurant, the four of them marveled at the big city lights. Brittany became overwhelmed when she thought about all of the people that lived and worked in the skyscrapers. Santana humored the girl when she pointed out new buildings, which was about every four or five seconds. Santana couldn't help but admire the blonde in these moments. She watched the girl stare up at the grey giants and smile. Zoning out, Santana gave into dreams of living in the city with her, seeing her get excited about the world each and every day. They would never get bored with their surroundings or with each other. Santana thought about lying in a big comfortable bed with her in their tiny apartment with the lights off. She thought about wrapping herself around the girl, listening to nothing but the sounds of the city and Brittany's breathing. Nothing could compare to that. Nothing.
"San, are we almost there? I'm getting a head rush from looking up."
"Yep, this is it." Santana opened the door for Brittany who walked through nodding in appreciation. Santana shrugged and playfully slapped Brittany's ass, eliciting a high-pitched giggle into the room.
The restaurant was packed with all kinds of people all laughing and enjoying their respective conversations. The place was relatively big for it to be so loud, but it felt comfortable at the same time. It was the kind of restaurant where you could sequester yourself with a group and be as loud as you want without bothering any other table. Candles added to the restaurant's dim, yet boisterous ambiance.
"Reservation for four under Lopez," Santana spoke to the hostess.
The hostess gathered her things and said, "Follow me."
Brittany slipped her hand in Santana's and walked quickly behind the lady. With the boy's in tow, they reached their booth.
"Here we are. Enjoy." The hostess laid out their menus as Santana and Brittany slid into one side of the booth, leaving the opposite side for Kurt and Sam.
"Thank you," Brittany smiled towards the woman who then scurried away. "San, this place is so nice. Thanks for bringing us." She kissed the girl on the cheek and scooted closer so that they could hold hands in Santana's lap.
"Anything for you, babe."
"Yeah, thanks, Santana. I'm pretty sure this beats whatever Puck and Finn were trying to get me to do tonight," Sam said.
"It's nice. It's like our very first double date," Brittany spoke without realizing what she had said. Santana squeezed her hand, trying to make her renegotiate her statement. She understood, "I mean, uh, date where Santana and I are open and with other people. To eat. For a regular dinner."
Kurt rubbed his forehead with his fingers and scrunched up his face. He brought his fingers down to his lips and said, "Yeah, Brit, we got it. Thanks." He then looked at Sam, who was staring down at his menu, trying not to laugh. Sam looked up quickly at Santana who smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Okay, so," Santana jerked her head up with a devious grin, "Let's spend Daddy's money."
They all laughed and continued on reading their menus. The four of them were engrossed in conversation, laughing hysterically and gesturing heavily to aggrandize their stories. Sam and Brittany kept pointing to dishes they would love to eat, but ultimately couldn't definitely decide on. Once the waiter came to take their orders, Kurt ended up ordering for all four because Sam and Brittany still couldn't decide and Brittany distracted Santana, making her laugh too hard to actually order anything.
Kurt sat back in the booth, thinking about how this night couldn't get any better. He looked over at the boy next to him. Sam noticed him looking and pulled out of the conversation with Santana to wink at Kurt.
Dinner arrived soon enough to quell Brittany's hunger pains. She twirled a huge spoonful of pasta onto her fork and stuffed it into her mouth.
"My God, this is delicious," She said between bites.
Santana laughed, "Yeah, Brit, looks like it!" Brittany finished chewing and turned herself towards Santana. "You're amazing you know that?"
Santana choked on her food and blushed. Sam and Kurt smiled into their dinner, reveling in this rare vulnerable moment between the two. Brittany's genuineness made Santana look to the blonde utterly speechless. She bit down on the side of her bottom lip. Brittany leaned in for a quick kiss on the lips and then Santana's cheek.
Kurt took a deep breath in, happy but with a twinge of jealousy. Santana noticed.
"Oh, Kurt. It's not like you've got nothing going on for you right now," Santana said, gesturing her fork back and forth, implying that there was something between the two boys. Sam laughed at the fact that she'd addressed the elephant in the room.
"Sannn!" Brittany nudged her.
"What?" She smirked, "I keep it real, Brit."
They got over the awkward hurdle within moments, leaving the rest of their meal to ranting and raving about school, parents, and friends. Slowly, they finished their dinner. The check came, and Santana paid without hesitation. Her father could afford it, she reasoned. He was a doctor with loads of cash, and this was her way of appreciating him and all of his hard work. Brittany knew that even though Santana hid behind this confident exterior able to spend her father's money on a whim that when the bill came at the end of the month, she'd get a stern talking to from him. Brittany never talked Santana out of it because the girl had once let it slip that that was the only time where she and her father actually interacted. So, really, she was helping Santana…maybe just not in the best way.
Shuffling out of their booth, the four found their way outside.
"Ooh, it got chilly," Brittany remarked.
"Here, take my jacket," Santana said, draping the fabric over the blonde.
Kurt walked over to the curb.
"I can't wait to be in a city for college slash the rest of my life," he said to the group.
Santana agreed, "It's going to be amazing. I'm getting the hell out of Lima that's for sure. But, I'm thinking New York would suit me better."
"Oh, same here. Broadway is calling my name."
"Yes, it is," Santana said.
Kurt drew in a deep breath and clapped his hands together, "Okay, so, what now? We've still got about an hour and a half before curfew."
"Well, I was going to take a walk with Brits, and find our way to the park or something. Is that cool with you guys?" Santana asked, hoping that it would be.
"Of course, you two have fun. Kurt and I will just head this way. Thanks again for dinner, Santana," Sam spoke for the two boys.
Santana linked arms with Brittany and spoke, "No problem. And, hey, boys! Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Kurt pursed his lips and spun on his toes to face the opposite direction of the two girls. Sam followed suit, and the boys began walking away from the restaurant.
XXxxXXxxXX
"Where are we going?" Brittany asked.
"This way. Yep, right here."
Santana lead the two girls to Millennium Park. They weren't able to go earlier because of the play. Santana knew Brittany really wanted to see the Bean and play around in the park, but settled when the girls voted shopping over sightseeing. Her eyes sparkled at the sight.
"San!" Brittany jumped and ran towards the reflective sculpture.
"Brit, calm down. Quit looking like such a tourist." Santana crossed her arms, trying to retain any fraction of cool about which Brittany was obviously carefree.
"I am a tourist!" She looked back at Santana who was standing decidedly too far away, "This is awesome. Come here." Brittany took Santana by the hand and stood in front of their reflection. She then slid her arm around Santana's waist. Feeling Santana's eyes dart around the area and a little recoil, she shushed the girl saying, "Stop it. Let me put my arm around you. No one knows us."
"Sorry, it's just a reflex," she replied. "We look pretty hot," Santana said, admiring the image before them.
"Yeah, we'd make a hot couple," Brittany bit her lip, tilting her head downwards.
"I think so too."
Brittany began to walk away towards the overlook. Santana joined her. With the Bean and Jay Pritzker Pavilion behind them, they rested their arms on the banister and looked down at the closed ice skating rink. Brittany turned around, leaning back on the banister. Her palms rested on the stone, as she caught Santana eyeing her.
"So, when are you going to ask me?" Brittany said.
"What do you mean?" Santana was only slightly sure of what the blonde was implying.
"Well, I'm not seeing anyone else. I don't even want to think about anyone else. You're not seeing anyone else. And, I hope you're not wanting to."
"Of course not."
"I want you, Santana. I've told you that. I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine."
"Okay."
Brittany looked confused. "Okay…what?"
"I mean, okay. You're right. I want those things to."
"So…" Brittany drew it out.
Santana took one of Brittany's hands in her own, running her thumb across the girl's knuckles. She looked up at the girl awaiting her next sentence. "Be my girlfriend."
"Wait. Really?" Brittany's excitement lit up her face.
"Yes, really. I want you to be my girlfriend, and I want to be yours."
Santana could feel the happiness radiating off of Brittany. It was pure bliss, feeling that this beautiful girl was hers. She wondered why she had ever hesitated in the first place. In this moment, nothing scared her. Adrenaline pumped through her body as the words left her lips. She leaned in slowly. Brittany wrapped her arms around Santana's neck. Their foreheads came together, as Brittany said softly, "I am yours. Proudly so." Brittany kissed Santana, placing her hands on the back of the girl's head. It was slow and deliberate. Brittany felt Santana smile into the kiss. It was the first time that Santana hadn't given a second thought to kissing her in public. This was a feeling Brittany could get used to.
They pulled out of the kiss, but stayed close together. Santana's arms wrapped around Brittany, as she laid her head on Santana's shoulder. They stayed like that for a minute staring at the city lights around them.
"This is perfect," Brittany mumbled into Santana's skin.
"It really is. I wish it could be like this forever."
"It will be," said Brittany, nuzzling into her girlfriend's neck.
"One day, Brittany, we'll get out of Lima and thrive in a city like this," she spoke with confidence.
"We?"
"Only if you want to."
"I'll do anything with you. We can be independent ladies running the city by day, and come home to each other's arms every night."
"I could be down with that."
Santana reluctantly checked her phone. "Brit, we've got to head back soon, okay?"
"Okay, girlfriend," Brittany laughed, tugging on the girl's arm.
I definitely can get used to this. Santana thought.
Their fingers intertwined as the walked towards the Pavilion. Brittany stepped over the ropes that were there to obviously keep people off of the grass during the night.
"Britt, the grass is closed. Come on."
She walked backwards and called to Santana, "Who would have thought, Lima Heights Adjacent head bitch abiding! So unlike you, Santana." Brittany gave her a devilish grin.
"Hey, now. You really think I want to be getting these beautiful pumps dirty? You don't think I know my priorities?"
Brittany twirled around and started singing her version of "Maria" from West Side Story.
"SANTANAAA! I just met a girl named SANTANAAAA!"
Santana stood on the sidewalk, watching Brittany twirl on the grass. She was truly beautiful. "Come here, you goof."
Brittany flitted over. Santana reached out her hand and Brittany took it, happily. They walked like this, Santana on the concrete and Brittany with her feet in the grass. Brittany soon hopped back over the rope, slid her shoes back on, and walked towards the street with Santana.
"You're adorable," Santana said to the girl.
"I know," she shrugged.
They walked hand in hand until they reached the hotel. Entering the elevators up to their room, Brittany kissed the girl's shoulder.
"Thanks for tonight, San. It was really perfect."
"It really was."
"I know we're going to go back up there and just pretend to be friends, but do you think I could get some goodnight kisses in the bathroom before we go to sleep?"
"You don't even need to ask. If we're quiet, I wouldn't mind sneaking a few in bed with you either."
"Can we snuggle too?" Brittany asked excitedly.
"I think it'd be impossible not to. I'm not going to sleep in the same bed as my girlfriend without holding her."
Brittany stared straight ahead with her eyes wide open and a huge smile on her face. Nothing could compare to tonight. They both knew it.
So, fluff. I didn't add any of Sam and Kurt after their separation with the girls, so I'll definitely sneak that into the next chapter. I just wanted to get a foundation settled between Santana and Brittany. Things will build from here, now that they're girlfriends. Hope all is well. Let me know what you'd like to see happen. I'd really appreciate the input.