Why hello there everyone. Long time no talk. I've been crazy busy. Planning a wedding is hard work. Anyway, here's a chapter for you guys. Before I let you read I just want to let you know that I went back and posted the playlist that Britt made on the actual chapter. It's in my AN at the bottom for anyone that didn't get to see/hear it. Do with it what you will. Also, to my anonymous reviewer MORE QUICK: I promise there will still be some more Quick later in the story. right now there will be some Quintana friendship stuff though. Also, there might be some Puck/Britt friendship coming up. Do they have a fandom name? Lol. To Peks, my other anon reviewer: Thanks for reading and reviewing. All of you guys mean something to me. I could never begin to find the words to tell you how much I love you all for giving my story a chance. Anyway, on with the chapter. You know the deal. I don't own anything but my OC's.
"Looks like you had a good time," Quinn commented as she helped Santana lift her suitcase into the trunk of her little blue Audi. "I don't think I have ever seen you with that many hickys."
"Shut up," Santana responded with an eye roll. "And thanks for picking me up. I really didn't want to ride home in a taxi. Not during this time of day that is."
Quinn winked playfully before shutting the trunk and walking back around to the driver's side. When both girls had slipped into their seats Quinn put the car in drive and began to inch out of the pickup zone at LAX. Neither girl forced unnatural small talk because they knew this it would be a long drive through Los Angeles traffic anyway. Besides, they were never the type of friends that needed to be talking at all times.
Santana couldn't stop thinking about Brittany. An unfamiliar knot had already formed in her stomach and it ached horribly whenever she thought about how long it would be until she could see Britt again. When Quinn sighed melodramatically Santana managed to remember that she wasn't the only one in the car with a broken heart.
"So...I guess it's time we do the whole girl talk thing. You wanna tell me why the hell you fell for Puck?" Santana asked to be polite (and hopefully to take her mind of that certain blonde that really had complicated her life in the best possible way).
Quinn, for her part, smiled the kind of shy grin that turns a person's cheeks red and makes her eyes sparkle. "He's really great. I don't know. I never would have imagined falling for someone like him, but it happened. He gets me, you know?"
"Yeah..." Santana did know. She'd say the same about Brittany.
"He makes me feel good. It's like when I'm with him I feel safe and happy and just a little bit dangerous. He makes me feel alive."
"You're the least dangerous person I know, Quinn."
"Yeah. I know. But Puck has just enough bad boy in him to make me feel like being with him is reckless. But at the same time he showed me his heart. He isn't really a bad boy. He's a big softy underneath all that edge."
"By edge you mean mohawk, right?"
"I want him to shave it. He said no. But I am definitely working on it."
"Good because he looks like a twelve year old."
Both girls fell into a comfortable silence after they had a short-lived laugh at Puck's expense. Finally Quinn broke the silence again. "He's good with Beth. Like really good."
Santana didn't have to ask for clarification or any more details as to why Quinn had fallen hard. She knew her friend well enough to know that Beth was the most important thing in her life and that being good with kids was one of those deal-breakers that Quinn looked for in potential relationships. Quinn wanted a family of her own more than anything on the planet. She was one of those women that would give up her career and anything else for a family. Back when they were in college Santana always judged her for it, calling her anti-feminist and whatnot. But as the girls aged it became more and more evident that Quinn wasn't anti-feminist at all. She just really wanted a family. That was her dream. Her career was more of a place-holder—a way to kill time. Santana also knew that giving Beth up hadn't been in order to have a shot at said career. Quinn had given Beth up so that she could have a normal childhood filled with nice toys and a parent that could give her everything she wanted. At the time Quinn and Sam just couldn't provide that.
"Alright, your turn," Quinn added when Santana had taken too long to form a response. "What's the deal with Brittany? From what I hear, apart from the fact that she's hot, she doesn't seem to be your type any more than Puck is mine."
Santana sighed as she tried to find the right words to explain Brittany. All of a sudden she understood why Quinn had been so vague. It isn't easy finding a way to explain to someone why someone they have never met is so incredible. "Your right. She isn't really my type. She's better than that. I mean think about it. Where has my type gotten me? I would hardly call my love life successful up until this point. Brittany is different. But she's better."
"Puck said she is a blonde ex-cheerleader that has a rough past and a crippling fear of change. He described her as spunky, which I'm pretty sure was a polite way of saying she isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. I just don't get it. Amanda, Gabriella, and even Rachel were all polar opposites of her it seems. Have you ever even taken interest in a blonde?"
"There was that one girl in college. You know? The one with the briefcase."
"Ok. So there was once a blonde. But even she was in law school. All of the women you have been with have had big dreams, or practical expectations. I'm just concerned because Brittany seems like she lacks both of these. Does she have any plans?"
Santana hadn't really thought much about that, but now that Quinn had planted the seed in her head Santana knew it was going to tease her insides until she found an answer. "I love her, Quinn," Santana whispered when she realized Quinn was still waiting for an answer. "I can't help how I feel."
"I just hope you realize what you've gotten into. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I know love sometimes makes people crazy. Someone has to be a realist here. I'm just being a good friend."
"I know you are, Q. But can you just try and be happy for me? This is a big deal. I've never felt this way. And I'm doing my best to chain Snixx up so that she can't make fun of your choice of boyfriend. The least you can do is pretend to be happy for me."
"I am happy, Santana. I'm so glad you found someone. I guess I just don't really trust people with your heart anymore. Look what Amanda did."
"I trust Brittany so you should too...especially since you haven't actually met her yet."
"Ok. You're right. I was wrong. I'm happy for you." Santana opened her mouth to respond, but her phone vibrating distracted her. Thinking that maybe it was Brittany, Santana yanked her phone out of her pocket with a desperation paralleled by no other. Seeing the name on the screen caused her excitement to fade just as fast. "You're not gonna answer it?" Quinn asked, when Santana prepared to slip it back in her pocket.
"No. It's just my mom. I can talk to her when I get home."
"Your mom? Answer it!" Quinn exclaimed. "She'll invite us for dinner! I'm starving!"
"I don't want to go to my mom's tonight. I'm tired. I just want to go home."
"We have to eat sometime. And your mom's food is free. And better than anything you cook anyway."
"I use her recipes dipshit. And it already went to voicemail. Too late." Santana shot Quinn a smug smile before leaning her head against the window. The cool glass had a calming effect on her body. Just as she was about to doze off, she heard Quinn speak again.
"Hey Mrs. Lopez. It's Quinn." Santana's eyes snapped open as she bolted upright. When she saw Quinn on the phone she felt her whole body catch fire. She knew that Snixx was about ready to come out to play. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Call you Maribel." Quinn gave Santana a sideways glance that silently said she wasn't scared. Quinn was getting what she wanted. "Actually, I am driving Santana home from the airport now. She missed your call and I thought it rude not to call back. So I figured I could make her talk to you." Quinn laughed at whatever Maribel Lopez had said on the other end. It made Santana's blood boil.
"I would love to come have dinner tonight. You know how much I love your enchiladas. Santana can deal. Yeah. It will be fun. We do need to catch up. Of course. We'll be there in like a half hour. Yeah. Mhmm. See ya later, Mrs. Lop...Maribel. Uh huh. Bye."
The second Quinn's thumb had pressed the end button; Santana had begun her angry rampage. "What the hell? You called my mother? How do you even have her number? Esto es increíble. ¿De dónde saca el nervio haciendo eso? Ella es mi madre. Ese fue un movimiento puta. Seriously, Quinn."
"I told you I was hungry. And don't go mumbling at me in Spanish. I know what puta means."
"I don't give a fuck if you know I called you a bitch. You are one. That was a low blow. How would you feel if I called up your mother right now and invited her to dinner with us?"
"I wouldn't care. Unlike some people I actually enjoy dinner with my mom. Particularly if she is cooking and I just get to eat. It's nice."
"I can't believe you did this. Now I'm going to have to talk to her. And she's gonna ask a whole bunch of questions about Amanda."
"Did you not tell her you had broken up?" Quinn asked as she exited the highway.
"I emailed her. But that's all. I haven't wanted to talk about it. I know what she'll say. 'I told you so, Mija. I told you all along that you could do better than that Amanda.'"
"So what? She did tell you. That's her right as a mother."
"Sometimes I really hate that you have had kids, you know that Quinn? You side too damn much with my mother."
"I just like to play devil's advocate." Santana didn't bother continuing the conversation. Instead she looked out her window with her arms crossed angrily around her chest. She was pouting and she knew it was juvenile, but she couldn't help it. She was already peeved and she hadn't even made it to her apartment yet. She could tell it was going to be a long few weeks without Brittany. Mostly, she figured that's why she was so annoyed. She just missed her girlfriend already.
In what felt like only a few minutes, but was really twenty-five, Quinn pulled up to the curb outside of the tiny home her mother still lived in since the divorce. As much of a fit Santana threw about coming here, she couldn't help but feel the warmth of familiarity as she stepped out of her car. This was the first neighborhood that she was able to be herself in. It was in that very yard that she had kissed her first girlfriend (not that she really liked kissing Rachel). Regardless, in a lot of ways this was home.
Maribel Lopez had the door thrown open and her petite body flying through the front door before Santana had even gotten both feet out of the car. Quinn was already circling the front of the vehicle giving Santana a full view of the warm hug her mother gave Quinn. "Quinn, coriño. It's been too long. Let me get a look at you!" Santana stepped out of the car and straightened her shirt as Maribel held Quinn at arm's length. "Your glowing, Hija. Is there a boy in your life?"
"Actually yes," Quinn replied.
"Well you will just have to tell me more about him during dinner. And you definitely need to get some food in you. You're looking a little skinny. We need to fatten you up."
Quinn chuckled once before turning her attention to Santana. Maribel's eyes followed the direction until they locked on her daughter's. "Hello Santana," she said warmly. "It's nice to see you even if you don't share that same sentiment."
"Hola mami."
"When was the last time you ate, Mija? You're even skinnier than Quinn. And your neck!" Maribel closed the gap in order to get a better look at Santana's wide variety of hickys. When she poked a rather large one on Santana's collar bone Santana scowled and slapped the hand away. "These must be the result of Brittany."
"Brittany?" Santana asked, incredulously.
"Yes. Isn't that the nice blonde girl you're dating?"
"It is, but how do you know that? I never told you."
"She added me to her Facebook. She's a sweet girl, Santana. I prefer her to Amanda any day. I told you that you could do better than Amanda. You should have listened." Santana could hear Quinn giggling from behind her as her mother dragged her in the house, but she was lost in her own thoughts. Brittany added her mother to Facebook? They've been talking?
"You'll have to introduce us when she comes out to visit," Maribel added as she pushed Santana into a chair at the kitchen table. The table had already been set for three so Maribel set about bringing the food out to the table. The smell of the fresh chicken enchiladas almost distracted Santana enough to focus on one thing, but ultimately it wasn't enough.
She ate slowly while her mom and Quinn chatted freely about new developments in their lives. Santana could hear what they were saying, but none of it registered. She was picturing her mom and Brittany on a Facebook chat shooting the shit like old friends. She didn't know if she should be angry with Brittany for taking that big of a step without permission or flattered because her girlfriend just wanted to know her family. It was an entirely new sensation to be stuck somewhere in the middle of. Finally Santana could not contain her curiosity.
"When did you talk to her?" she exclaimed, interrupting Quinn completely.
"Who?" Maribel asked with her fork held midair.
"Brittany. When did you talk to her on Facebook? What did you say? You didn't tell her anything embarrassing, right?"
Maribel took the fork into her mouth and chewed her food slowly, purposefully making her daughter fidget. Quinn just watched with an amused smile planted on her cheeks. "Santana, you have nothing to worry about. I just told her about the time you dressed up as Uncle Jesse for Halloween. And about that time I had to pick you up from school early because your pants tore even after I warned you that they were too tight." Looking to Quinn, she added, "She never listens to her mother, this one."
"Ma! You didn't say those things!"
"I did. She thought it was cute. She wants me to send her some pictures."
"You're not allowed to. And you need to delete your Facebook. It's not cool."
"Santana, I give you your privacy. I don't comment on all your statuses. The least you can do is be sympathetic to my Facebook endeavors."
"Can you not talk to Brittany without my knowledge?" Santana huffed while her mom chewed another bite. "Please, Ma."
"I don't see what the problem is, Mija. She contacted me. And I already told you, I think she's a sweet girl. She seems great. You shouldn't be embarrassed of yourself. You're a catch, Sweetheart."
"It's not me I'm embarrassed about!"
"Well it surely isn't me so it must be Brittany. Don't be embarrassed. She's marvelous."
Santana couldn't contain it anymore. With a loud sigh she kicked back her chair and stood. "I'm going for a walk!" she shouted as she headed out the front door angrily. She could hear both women laughing as she slammed the door closed behind her. Their joy in her discomfort only fueled the fire raging within. In proper childish fashion, she stormed across her yard, stomping her feet as she went.
Santana only made it passed a few houses before someone's voice calling her name stopped her in her tracks. When she turned around Gabriella Martinez was waving at her from the swing on her porch. Glimpses of Santana's past raced past her eyes as she watched a woman from her past stand, straightening out her dress as she walked over.
"Santana," she said in her smoky voice. "Long time no see." Before Santana could respond she was pulled into a tight hug that felt too familiar. It had always been like that with them. They were so used to each other that they just fit. It had been years since they had had a relationship with each other, but Santana could still feel that stirring in her lower stomach. Gabriella had always been a good fuck. Unfortunately, they could never work it out as anything more. Neither woman had ever asked for more.
When Gabriella pulled away, Santana took a second to give her body a scan. The woman hadn't aged much at all. With her dark skin and curvy body she had always been a catch. Gabriella was the Latin beauty through and through. Her smoking habit gave her a thick voice that made Santana's sound weak in return. In fact, Santana had started smoking in the first place in hopes of sounding like Gabriella. "You look good," Gabriella added when Santana still hadn't replied.
"Thanks. You too," she managed to choke out.
"You still dating Amanda?"
"Uh no actually," Santana remarked feeling uncomfortable. It was already like old times. Gabriella was testing the waters.
"You got a minute? You could come in for some lemonade." Santana was one hundred percent sure going inside would not be for a glass of lemonade. It didn't matter that she had hickys covering her neck. Gabriella had every right to assume she had hooked up with a random the previous night. It wouldn't be the first time Santana went to Gabriella with the markings of someone else on her neck. But the previous night wasn't a random. It was a special blonde girl with eyes so blue they put the ocean to shame. And Santana was in love. So no matter how much her physical need wanted to have one more wild fuck with Gabriella, she knew she couldn't. She wasn't a cheater. And she never wanted to hurt Brittany.
"I would, but I think my girlfriend would be a little upset," Santana replied with a nonchalant smile. She was trying to play cool, to appear at ease with the situation.
"Another girlfriend? I never pegged you for a relationship girl?"
"Yeah, well...she chose me. I didn't really have a say in the matter." Santana hadn't meant for it to come out like she was bitter. What she meant was that Brittany kind of just happened to her. It was fate. She knew it. Santana opened her mouth to reiterate, but Gabriella was already moving on to the next subject.
"Well I'm sure she's a lucky girl. You're quite the catch, Santana. I know we have always been strictly about sex, but I want you to know you mean a lot to me. We were just always at the wrong points in our lives to work as anything more."
Santana was a little surprised, but mostly flattered at this sudden exclamation of emotion. "Yeah...maybe in another life we could have worked."
"There's still time in this one," Gabriella commented. "If you end up single again give me a call. I'd like to take you out."
"Ok." It was all Santana could think of to say. Somehow saying that she doubted she'd ever be single again seemed a little sudden and awkward. She and Britt had not been dating long enough to be talking forever. That would be clingy, and if there was one thing Santana was not it was clingy.
"Well I guess I'll let you get back to stomping up the road. I know how important it is for Snixx to have her time." Santana smiled even as a deep flush colored her cheeks. She hated looking childish in front of Gabriella. It had been one of her biggest insecurities since she had met the woman. The complex made since though since they were fifteen years apart.
"I'll...ah...see you around."
"Perhaps."
"Ok..." Santana trailed off. "Bye."
"Bye."
Before she could embarrass herself further, Santana turned and hurried back to her mom's house. As soon as she was in the yard she pulled her phone out. She needed to hear Brittany's voice—to be reminded about why she had turned Gabriella down.
The phone only rang once before Brittany's happy musical voice answered on the other end. "Hello there stranger," she giggled.
"Hey, Babe. I loved the CD."
"You did?"
"Hell fucking yes. It was better than funnel cakes, Dots, and cotton candy."
"You lie."
"Never!" Santana gasped melodramatically. "I miss you," she added with a small sigh.
"I miss you too."
"On the plus side, my mom thinks you're great."
"I hope you're not mad about that."
Santana had to think for a second. Even though she was mad earlier, now that she was listening to Brittany it seemed a whole lot less disastrous. Actually, she felt relieved that her mom knew already. And it was nice knowing her mom approved. "I love you, Britt," she stated as an answer.
"I love you more."
"That's seriously doubtful, but I'll take your word for it."
"Now you know how I knew your middle name."
"It's only fair since I know yours. But if you get to talk to my mom, I want to know yours."
"Nope." Brittany said, exaggerating the popping sound on the "p."
"Why not?"
"Because you know Kylie. One family member each."
"No fair."
"It is to fair."
"You're a dork."
"No. I'm a unicorn and you're a dragon."
"Not this again."
"Forever."
Santana liked the way that word sounded coming out of Brittany's lips. It felt right and warm and perfect—much like Brittany felt in general. "So, you catching up with Puck?"
"Yeah. He's in the bathroom right now. But we're going out for late night dinner soon. What about you?"
"I'm having dinner with Quinn and my mom. I snuck out though."
"Well you should get back to that."
"But I'd rather talk to you," Santana whined.
"I know. And I'd rather spend my whole night on the phone with you, but we have people to get back to. Puck is staring at me now waiting. I'll call you tomorrow?"
"Sure." Santana was pouting.
"I love you."
"Mhmm."
"Don't be that way, San. We have the rest of our lives to talk."
Now Santana had to smile. "I love you too," she said before hanging up. As she walked back in her mother's quint little home a full smile covered her face. And the rest of the night went without a hitch because Santana felt absolutely happy.
:) I hope you liked it even though the couples are split up. What do you guys think of Gabriella? She bad news or good? Tell me how you feel? Predictions?