So it's been a long time since my last update. And I'm so so so so so sorry. But I won't keep you long this time! Thanks for all who reviewed last chapter and I hope you'll enjoy this one :)
Brittany's POV
2 weeks later, Tuesday, 8PM
"Stay still, otherwise you'll get a cut!"
I was kneeling in front of Santana on the bathroom floor, helping her to trim her toenails, but it was getting hard to do so because she was fidgeting around so much.
"I'm not going to do well tomorrow.." Santana said with a tremble in her voice.
"Hey," I squeezed her thigh reassuringly. "You're amazing, Santana. And you're going to nail it."
I then looked at the nail clipper I was holding in my other hand and giggled. "Literally, nail it."
"Very funny, Britt." Santana snorted and placed her hand over mine.
"Do you ever wish your parents would be there in the audience to watch you at your recitals?"
I heard her take in a deep breath before answering, "Yeah I do, more than ever. Even though the whole dancing biz wasn't as serious when I was younger, they were still so happy to see me dance. And now that I finally get to show my full potential they are not around to see it…"
As her voice trailed off, I just realised that I shouldn't have actually asked that question. This wasn't the right time to talk about her parents as it could trigger another of her emotional outburst and I felt like slapping myself. I quickly peppered tiny kisses to her hand, hoping it would help her to relax.
"But, its okay."
Much to my surprise, Santana was calm in the way she spoke.
"Wait you're not upset when you talk about them?" I asked.
Santana looked down at me, and smiled warmly.
"I am learning to cope. Besides, you always make me feel better Britt."
Hearing that made me so relieved and happy for Santana. I got up from my knees and kissed her on the lips this time.
"I'm so, so, proud of you San." I said, after pulling away from our kiss.
Santana blushed a little upon hearing that and I chuckled lightly.
"Alright, let's continue trimming deeeez nails!" I exclaimed as I bent down again in front of her.
Next morning, Wednesday, 7AM
I felt someone nibbling at my neck, rousing me from my sleep. My eyes were still closed however, so I curled my lips into a smile to acknowledge her presence.
The nibbles stopped, and I felt some movement beside me. The next thing I felt was her lips brushing against my ear. "
"Wake up, blondie." She let out in a raspy whisper which I thought was so sexy.
I swallowed as she tugged on my earlobes and gently sucked on it. Alright, I was so up now.
I was about to turn around to face Santana, but she kept her hands firmly on the side of my shoulder and stopped me from doing so.
"But not on the wrong side of the bed." She whispered in my ear again, sending chills down my body. I could hear her voice in the morning for hours.
She proceeded to press her lips to my neck, kissing the area gently, leaving a little moisture there as she ran her hands along my shoulders. Her fingers then slowly made their descent to trace the curve of my body underneath the sheets, and I tensed.
The tiny kisses turned into gentle sucking, and the tingling sensation that coursed through my body ensued. I curled my toes as she trailed her hands along my inner thighs. Occasionally she would brush her fingers near my crotch, and then pull away whenever I wanted more. Ugh, she knew, what a tease. It wasn't helping that I hadn't seen her face yet and it most certainly wasn't helping my already damp panty.
Her hands then went up to my shoulder again, but this time she spun me around and I was met a pair of desirous brown eyes. I didn't realise I have been staring into them for a while until she gave a tantalising wink and crawled away from me, pulling the sheets away as she did so.
Before I knew it, she straddled my bare thighs and gave a smirk as her hands went around her back. She unclasped her bra, and I watched as she slid if off her olive tan shoulders.
I didn't realise I have been staring for so long until Santana cleared her throat and I snapped out of my trance. She looked back at me with a grin on her face and I blushed upon knowing that I just got caught leering. She lowered her gaze and I followed, and that was when my eyes rested upon the white cotton underwear that she still had on. A smile crept up onto my face as I gathered my strength and pushed her down onto the bed.
"Hey there." I breathed out, as I took in the view of the brunette below me - her slightly arched eyebrows, brown eyes, full plump lips. I caressed her face with the back of my knuckles and reminded myself again that I was so, so lucky to be able to be greeted with this sight every morning.
I ducked down and met Santana's lip in a long, sensual kiss. I made my way downwards, kissing the top of her collarbones repeatedly and finally sank my teeth into them. She threw back her head as she let out a contented moan and I smiled in between the kissing and sucking.
I moved downwards, boldly cupping Santana's breasts as I trailed fervent kisses down her toned abs and she responded by thrusting her body upwards, her fingernails digging into my back.
At that instant, her shaking hands worked around my back and my bra was soon off my body. I nestled closer to her, kissing every inch of her perfect body until I stopped at the white cotton material stretched out against her crotch. As if on cue, she parted her legs slowly, enticing me to do what I was about to do next.
I pulled away her panties, and licked my lips as I stared before me. I fought back the urge to dive into her glistening wet entrance, and started by kissing her inner thighs instead. Her legs were jittery and she was panting wildly, and I loved how worked up she was getting.
"Please, Britt, I want you.." She rasped out.
I didn't want to give in to her, seeing that she was the one being a huge tease earlier on, but I decided to do so eventually because I couldn't take not feeling and tasting her anymore.
Hence, I spread her legs wider, and in turn she hooked them around my waist. I brushed my fingers gingerly over her smooth outer folds and she was already crazy over the slightest touch. She wanted me so bad.
I ducked my head down and parted her lips, then swirling my tongue inside of her. Her hands were frenetic; she grabbed fistfuls of my hair and tugged at them so hard such that if I had extensions they would be out in a second. It felt great, however.
"Yes, yes, yes.." She breathed out heavily.
I continued to flick my tongue over her hard clit as I delved two fingers into her. She pushed my head closer to her, her back arching further.
I moved faster and just before she tumbled over the edge, I felt her muscles tighten and she thrust her body upwards as she cried out loud.
I waited until the intensity washed away from her, and I tasted the dripping cum from her core. God, she tasted so good. I got back up and looked at her, as she slowly lifted her arms towards me. I grinned as I snuggled into her and wiped the sweat from her forehead, then pressing a gentle kiss on it.
"Big day huh?" I said softly.
Santana let out a giggle and gave a slight nod. "Big day."
The both of us snuggled for a while, until Santana shifted a little to sit up.
"We should probably get to the shower now."
I pouted as I watched her get out of the bed and put on a bathrobe. Today was her big day, that was for sure, but I wished we could enjoy being in each other's arms for a while more.
She noticed my dismay, and chuckled as she leaned in to my ear.
"I'm gonna make you come this time in the shower."
With that, I jolted out of bed.
As we approached the door of our bedroom, I realised that there was music blaring from outside and I instantly recognised the tune from the band MGMT.
"God, that Quinn doesn't know how to turn it down." Santana commented as she opened the door.
"Finally." I heard a mutter, and the volume of the song was turned down from the living room.
Quinn walked over to us, and she narrowed her glance as she did so. I lowered my head and blushed as I realised she probably knew what was going on in the room earlier on.
"You two are so insufferable." She said in amusement.
Santana snorted from beside me. "Now you know how I felt when you and Finn were doing your little thing in your own room."
"Amy Winehouse' music saved me." She said with a nudge on my shoulder.
Quinn returned her comment with an eye roll.
"Anyway," She started.
"I just got an invite from a 7-year-old girl last night, asking me to come watch her recital at her junior ballet school later and I thought you two could come as well."
"That's really adorable." I said with a smile.
"Hey we still have time before your own recital, we should totally go."
Santana shrugged her shoulders and nodded lightly. "Yeah, whatever, tell me more about it after-"
She looked over at me, and deepened her gaze "W-E"
"….finish getting cleaned up."
I stifled a laughter as I knew what she meant and she hastily opened the door of the bathroom, leading me in behind her.
"Also, you might wanna continue turning up the volume of your music Fabray!" She called out, before closing the door.
After we were alone in the bathroom, she did not waste any moment to get undressed again. Soon after, she pinned me to the wall of the bathroom.
"Wow there, bunhead." I teased the brunette.
"Mm hmm." She breathed out against my skin.
"If I'm with someone and I'm getting nervous for something, I tend to be really, really frisky." She rasped out into my ear.
"Well then, I'm not complaining." I answered with a wink and quickly met her lips with a deep kiss.
Santana's POV
10AM
"Miss Quinn, I am Nadya from the New York Junior Ballet School and I will be dancing in my first recital. You are my favourite ballet dancer in the whole wide world and I wish that you can come." I read out the crayon-filled letter in front of me.
Brittany, Quinn and I were having breakfast in a café downtown before heading to young girl Nadya's recital. I handed back the letter to Quinn who folded it neatly with a smile.
"That's really cute, Q." I said, before taking a bite out of my toast.
"I know, it surprised me actually. To think I actually inspire younger dancers out there." She replied.
"And you're going to inspire another one in there." Brittany said, in which Quinn responded with a giggle and a hand over her belly.
10.50AM
We pushed past the entrance of the ballet school and were greeted by pink. Loads of pink and fanciful wall decorations. It was so different from the main entrance of the NYBC, but I guessed it was kind of expected seeing that it was a kids' ballet school.
"Good morning!" A young brown-haired lady stood up from the counter and greeted us enthusiastically.
Quinn took out the letter from the young girl and handed it over to her.
"I got an invite from one of your dancer here to watch her recital."
The lady looked over the letter for a while until her eyes lit up and she looked back at us with a smile on her face.
"Nadya will be ecstatic. The recital will be held in dance hall B."
The dance hall was quite small, with only three rows of chairs positioned in front of the mini stage. Some of the seats were occupied by adults who were probably the parents of the young dancers. A sense of nostalgia crept up at me as I remembered how my mom would always secure flower pins into my bun before my performances. My dad would be there as well, calling me his 'little nutcracker'. I gritted my teeth as the memories came flashing back. I couldn't crash. I had to cope.
Just then, Brittany took my hand and she gave it a light squeeze. I turned to her and she was looking over at me with a concerned expression on her face. She knew.
I gave a reassuring smile, in an attempt to tell her that I was okay.
"Mommy, mommy! There's Miss Quinn!" A high-pitched voice reverberated across the room.
A young latina girl ran up to us, dragging her mother behind her.
"Oh my god, she's like a mini you!" Brittany cooed from beside me.
"Hi hi hi Miss Quinn!" She bounced excitedly in front of Quinn. As she jumped up and down, her light blue tutu flounced about as well and it was a rather adorable sight.
Quinn chuckled as she kneeled down carefully in front of the girl.
"And this should be Miss Nadya am I right?" Quinn asked sweetly.
"Yes!" She gave a toothy smile, and I laughed as I saw a hole where one of her front tooth have fallen out.
Seeing the young latina ballerina made me warm and happy inside, and I wanted to just wanted to do a fist pump and holler out 'represent!'
"These are my friends Santana and Brittany, and they are ballerinas as well!" Quinn exclaimed.
Nadya walked up in front of me, and I bent down to match her height.
"That's a very beautiful bun you got there!" I spoke, admiring her braided bun.
"Thank you, look at my eyes!" She started to open her hazel eyes wide, occasionally blinking and I took note of the outline of her long lashes that was probably accentuated from mascara.
I chuckled at the childish display of little latina girl, whom I was now starting to believe was my mini-me.
"You look really pretty, Nadya. What's your role for the recital today?"
"I wish I could be Cinderella, but it's my first recital so my teacher told me I should first start as Cinderella's friends. I was sad, but she told me I was just as important, so now I'm happy!"
This girl was so precious.
"Hey, every dancer starts somewhere." Brittany started to speak.
"Miss Santana here was once a little swan, but she'll be dancing as a white swan soon." She continued, alternating her glance between me and the young latina.
"Later, in fact." I chimed in.
Nadya's eyes lit up upon hearing that. "I want to be a White Swan too!"
I put both hands on her shoulders, "You'll soon be one, Nadya."
"May I have all parents and guests to be seated, we'll be starting in five minutes!" A voice echoed through the hall.
"I have to go now! I'm so excited!" Nadya hopped on her soft ballet shoes while holding up her left hand to wave goodbye to us.
I gave a high-five to her small hand. "You're gonna be amazing."
"Rub this little spot here for good luck?" Quinn asked softly, as she stretched the material of her oversized shirt against her belly, making her bump more obvious.
Without any hesitation, Nadya reached out and placed her palms on Quinn's stomach, rubbing it gently.
Watching a children's ballet recital was refreshing. The atmosphere was so much calmer, and all the young dancers' performing had on huge grins on their faces as they danced. There was no pressure, and they were having the time of their lives. My eyes were mostly on Nadya though, and I was amazed by the way she expressed herself, even while dancing in the background for such a tender age.
It was weird, I just met this girl an hour ago yet I was already feeling like a proud parent watching her dance. Perhaps this was how my own parents used to feel.
2PM
I stared at my reflection in the mirror of my dressing mirror, my hands in a frenzy to squeeze the remaining bits of concealer and patting it over the hickey on the top of my collarbone. And it wasn't helping that my costume for Odette, the White Swan was a strapless corset leotard underneath my tutu, hence leaving Brittany's incredible love-bite exposed.
I looked over to the empty space at the end of the dressing room, where Brittany was going through some warm ups with the Rachel, Kenzie, Sugar and Elaine. Great, she wasn't going to be able to help me with my situation here.
The makeup artist that did my makeup earlier on was busily working on Cece's heavy makeup for the Black Swan beside me, and I guessed it would be stupid to get her back here to help me cover a hickey.
I continued patting the area, hoping to make the cover up more even.
I saw a figure nearing towards me from the mirror, and I could recognise the person by the same grey oversized shirt and black 3/4 leggings.
"Quinn? The recital doesn't start till 5.45, what are you doing here? And in the dressing room to be exact." I asked, as the blonde began to sit down next to me.
"Shelby called me and invited me to watch from the wings instead of cramming with the audience. And since I'm feeling nostalgic over the dressing room pandemonium before recitals, I came in here."
"Huh, Miss Shelby is really getting her all-nice groove on." I said, my eyes never leaving the mirror as I continued to dab the concealer over my collarbones.
I heard a giggle coming from my side. "You know, the way you're doing it, it's like seeing a baboon's ass with its body."
I groaned as I realised Quinn was making fun of my complete failure over hiding my hickey.
"Come here." She said, and I angled myself to face her.
She took a cotton pad on my dressing table and wiped the mess on top of my collarbone away.
"I had to deal with a lot of these back when Finn and I had it going on."
I noticed the slightly dejected look on her face as she spoke. How was it that she was still thinking of this Finn thing?
"I never really knew why you were even with him in the first place." I commented.
She sighed as lifted the makeup brush with the concealer to my hickey.
"I left my family in New Orleans to come to New York alone to pursue ballet. Although I was doing what I loved, there was never anyone there."
I listened intently, as the blonde continued talking while helping me to apply the cover up.
"And then Finn started appearing with his friend at my recitals. Always at the front row. And he came back again, and again."
"It wasn't until the end of the Nutcracker recital last two Christmases ago that he found me while I was on the way out of the NYBC and told me how much he liked seeing me dance. I remembered him telling me how he doesn't actually have much interest in ballet, but I was the one who made him hooked. He said I defined ballet."
"Please don't make me barf on my costume, there is no concealer to clean that up." I regarded with contempt.
"Yeah," Quinn laughed softly. "It was quite stupid, but at that time I thought he was so sweet. I guess you could say I was desperate."
I was about to cut in and agree that Quinn was pretty darn desperate but I stopped myself from doing so because I realised that I was the same when it came to Madison La Fleur.
Quinn started dabbing the area with her hands in a certain repetitive motion before continuing, "We started seeing more of each other, especially on the weekends off. Sometimes his friend would join us, and at times I did notice how sketchy he appeared to be, but I soon ignored it because Finn was all that I cared about."
"We soon became even closer. We touched more, we kissed and made out, but never to third base. It was only until that night where you were there that we had sex, and then he left the morning after-"
"Because of a stupid bet to get into your leotards." I cut in, and the slight anger in my tone was evident.
"Yeah, I thought I could make him stay. I saw how he looked at me and I was certain he liked me, but who knew.."
"I was really angry for you that morning you know? I hated you, but you didn't deserve to get treated like that." I responded.
"Yeah you got pretty pissed off, and we had that fight in the dance studio."
The both of us laughed as we recounted the time when Quinn almost punched me in the face when I confronted her.
"It's done." She said, as she wiped her hands on a clean tissue.
I turned back to the mirror and I stared in awe at how clean the cover up was.
"You're welcome." I heard her speak from beside me.
I turned back to face her. "Maybe it's not such a bad thing that Finn decided to sink his Frankensein teeth into your body."
She curled her lips to one side, forming a sly smile.
"Anyway." I placed my hand on hers. "You're not alone anymore. You have me, Brittany, and your baby. Although I'm slightly grossed out that half of his or her DNA belongs to Finn."
This contact between us might have been new to her, so I noticed how her hands awkwardly came up to put over mine.
"I appreciate it, Santana." She said, giving her rarely-seen genuine smile.
"I didn't know distracting Santana could lead to scandalous hand holding." A familiar, sweet soothing voice came up from behind us.
Brittany came up to us with a bouquet of lillies in her hands, giving off a dramatic pout as she looked at the both of us with our hands touching each other's.
I snorted as I took my hand away from Quinn's and stood up to give my girlfriend a kiss on the cheek.
"How did you even get flowers? Weren't you coaching the other dancers over there?" I pointed to the spot where she was at.
Brittany shot Quinn a look and I looked at the two blondes in confusion.
"I wanted to follow the tradition of bringing you congratulatory bouquet before your recital even started, so I got the girls to continue the warm-ups on their own, and I got Quinn to distract you while I went down to the nearest florist to get you these."
She then extended the bouquet of lillies to me, and I accepted it. This was deja-vu, only this time, I got to lean in and kiss the blonde on her lips right after accepting the flowers.
"Oooh-kay can we keep this to a minimal? I don't have time to help Santana cover up another hickey." Quinn said.
Brittany looked at me in a dumbfounded manner, and I raised my brows as I pointed to the area at the top of my collarbones.
"You mean you don't even know what you created blondie?" I teased.
"Oops." Brittany said sheepishly and I rolled my eyes playfully at her.
"I swear you two…." Quinn huffed at the both of us.
5.40PM
"Alright, it's five minutes to curtain! Let's get into positions!" Miss Shelby barked out to all the dancers backstage who were on for the first act. I wasn't on till the second act, but I was still there with them, because it was my first time as a lead dancer and I wanted to be more than ready, even though I was freaking out so much on the inside.
"Nervous, Siegfried?" I asked Ethan, who was playing my Prince Siegfried in this recital. He was appearing in the first act and I could tell he was nervous by the way he was fidgeting around so much in his position. Or maybe it was just his crotch-hugging tights that he had on.
"Kinda." He laughed shyly. "But we'll be ok out there, we make a great team."
The chatters coming from the crowd outside in the auditorium soon came to a hushed silence and I guessed Miss Shelby has already stepped out on stage, greeting them.
"Good evening distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen."
Distinguished guests. Important people from Broadway scouting for dancers.
"The soloists for this fall recital will include Santana Lopez, as her first Principal Dancer role as Odette."
I bit back a grin as I heard that. I never thought I would actually get to hear my name and Principal Dancer in the same sentence.
"Ethan Crawford as Prince Siegfried. Cecile Deschamps as Odile.'
The introduction of the main roles went on until I could hear the orchestral sounds of Tchaikovsky slowly filling the auditorium. The stage manager scurried over to the row of dancers in Victorian-like costumes and beckoned for them to get onto the stage as the curtains lifted. I managed to catch a glimpse of the audience and I could feel myself shaking.
6.20PM
"Hey." Warm, soft hands slipped into mine, and I felt slightly embarrassed because my palms were sweaty from getting so tensed and wound up. The first act has been on for a while now, and it was going to be my turn to be on stage soon.
Blue eyes gazed into mine intensely and I gave a nervous smile.
"You look beautiful, Santana. And you're going to look extra beautiful later on."
"I don't know, Britt. What if I screw up? What if I fall again? What if-"
My words were cut off as Brittany kissed me tenderly on the lips. As we pulled apart however, there was a waxy feeling on my lips and I realised that she has just kissed my lips that was stained with chock-full of lipgloss.
"Oops." She giggled softly, pressing her fingers to her lips to wipe away the grease from the lipgloss.
"Great, first giving me a hickey and now messing up my lips?" I pretended to act annoyed with the blonde, but it was impossible because seeing her cute, dorky face just made me break out into a huge smile as well.
The next group of corps dancers in pristine white tutus shuffled over to where we were, getting ready for the next act. This was real now, I had to be out there really soon.
The swans, which were part of the background props floated into the stage, signalling the start of the second act. I swore though, Miss Shelby may have great dancers, but she definitely needed to work on her background props because those swans looked like they could malfunction at any time.
"Lopez you're on!" The stage manager said and I moved closer to the wings of the stage.
I heard the intro to my music and took a deep breath before getting on pointe.
I matched Brittany's height now, and she gave me a quick peck on my cheek.
"You're gonna be amazing." She winked.
I began to shuffle out from my position on pointe, and there was Ethan waiting for me on the other side of the stage with the crossbow prop on his hands.
I did a few arabesques and grand jetes across the stage, until I finally reached him, and we continued to dance around each other as part of our routine.
I have done this a lot in rehearsals, but getting the whole stage to myself in front of a large audience was so fulfilling, and I started to feel more relaxed. This was my stage – my performance.
Brittany's POV
As I watched Santana from the wings, I felt so proud. There she was owning the whole stage with her elaborate movements, and she was channelling the personality of the White Swan so well.
"Wow, she's really good." Quinn breathed out from beside me.
"Yeah, she is." I agreed.
I wasn't going to lie, I felt a little envious as well, because I missed performing on stage. I also missed all the little things like the backstage chaos, where we would accidentally wear the wrong pair of pointe shoes, or how our hair wasn't done up properly, such that it left a strand of hair trailing behind throughout the whole recital.
But watching Santana carry out her routine washed away all these thoughts, because it felt like she was helping me to continue this dream and I could be down with that.
The other dancers in white then filed out onto stage to join Santana and her dance partner. At the same time, Cece, who was dressed in a black tutu came out from the dressing room and into the wings.
"Looking great Cece!" I commented.
"Tanks, I don't feel great tou, itz like my stomach iz doing roller coasters insiiide." She said, twirling her fingers around to show how she felt.
I smiled at how the French blonde still looked so sweet and adorable under all those dark, heavy makeup.
"Remember, once you're out there, you have to project an evil personality. Smile like you're out to kill."
She started to scrunch her face up, and gritted her teeth as she let out a soft growl. I let out a chuckle as I nodded my head. "Yes, but leave that growl."
Just then, a storm of applauses filled the air as dancers began coming backstage. The curtains drawled close, and this had to be the intermission before the third act.
I looked out for Santana among the undulating sea of white and tympanic shuffling of pointe shoes. Soon, I could see the petite latina coming into view and as she came closer, I could see the large grin plastered upon her face.
"Oh my god that felt like such a good workout!" Santana squealed, as she hugged me tightly.
"See, you're doing great!" I rubbed my hands down her back, which was already a little damp from her sweat.
I led her into the green room to take a breather and cool down a little, before the intermission ended.
"I felt like I redeemed myself after that hell of a fall." Santana recounted.
"I'm so, so proud of you San." I cupped her warm cheek, and caressed it lightly.
We stared at each other for a while, and I tried not to lunge myself at her and kiss her fully on the lips because she still had two more acts to go on.
"You know what, screw it, kiss me, Britt."
I pulled her closer to me, and I could smell the fresh honeysuckle fragrance from her hairspray as we closed the distance. Soon, I felt her lips on mine and I melted into the kiss. I traced my tongue around her lips, and bit on her bottom lips gently. I heard her let out a soft moan as she put her arms around my waist and moved around on the couch we were sitting on.
Just then, there was a loud knock on the door and the both of us pulled away from each other immediately.
"Ten more minutes to curtain, Miss Lopez!" The stage manager barked out from outside the door.
Santana groaned and I laughed as I stood up and held my hands in front of her.
"To be continued, Miss Lopez."
She took it, and stood up, smoothing her tutu a little.
"To be continued, blondie."