A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites! A lot of love for that last chapter. Thank you so much for supporting my story!
I'm so sorry the update is late a day. The new schedule is every week and a half. So, if you get an update on a Wednesday the next one will be the following week on Sunday and Vice versa.
A shout-out to the snugly DieZeitVergeht! If Gaby is the magic baby, she is the magic beta ;-)
Enjoy...
Chapter 25: Songs in A Minor
"You might wanna make the water a little warmer, Rox." Brittany chuckled. "Remember, I told you about him peeing when he's cold?"
Brittany leaned against the master bathroom counter and watched with amusement as Roxie attempted to give Gabriel a bath for the first time in the sink.
"Oh god, please don't pee on me, Gabe!" Roxie laughed out as she warmed up the water a bit.
Gabriel was in the Puj Tub being his adorable self. He responded by squealing and cooing at his sister as she used a cup to gently pour water over him. Every so often he would turn to look at his mom and wrinkle his tiny brows in confusion on why she wasn't the one giving him his evening bath.
"I don't think he likes bathtime with his Sissy..." Roxie half cooed and chuckled as Gabe suddenly became fussy. "Where's Tía anyway? She usually gives him his nighttime bath."
"She's working late again." Roxie caught the subtle tightening of Brittany's jaw as she said the words. Santana had been putting in quite a few late nights in the past few weeks.
"And, he's fine!" Brittany leaned over Roxie to get in her son's face. "Huh, Bubba? You like bathtime with Sissy?" she squeaked one of Gabriel's rubber froggy toys and instantly got her son laughing and squealing again.
"See, he loves bathtime," Brittany smiled and nudged her daughter. Roxie smiled as she started to lather baby soap on a washcloth.
"So, you figured out what three songs you're gonna perform for your audition yet? Are you gonna do all three on piano or guitar?" Brittany leaned against the sink and folded her arms.
Brittany was careful not to come off like she was pressuring Roxie, but it was important the girl had her pieces picked out and rehearsed before the audition. Brooklyn High School of the Arts was one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in all of New York. Alumni usually went on to all the major performing arts conservatories; in general, graduates went on to do amazing things. Auditioning could be nerve-racking and Brittany wanted to alleviate as much of her daughter's anxiety as possible by making sure she was prepared.
"I'm doing all three pieces on piano... I guess," Roxie shrugged.
"What do you mean 'you guess', Rox?" Brittany laughed.
"I don't wanna talk about it, B." Roxie continued to look down as she concentrated on washing her brother.
"Why not?" Brittany cocked her head. "Rox, your audition is in a few days."
"I know and I have my pieces picked out. I-I just don't wanna jinx anything," Roxie admitted. She leaned down to baby-talk to Gabriel, who was flashing his toothless half smile up at her as she carefully washed his hair.
"Jinx what?" Brittany laughed. "Rox, I already told you about Mr. and Mrs. Monroe. They're really old and run the music department with an iron fist, but they never pass up talent. You have talent, honey!"
"I don't know..." Roxie shrugged. "I guess I'm just having second thoughts about going to your school." Roxie again avoided eye contact with Brittany as she gently started to wash the soap off of Gabriel.
Brittany poked out her lips and inched forward with a towel. "What do you mean you're having second thoughts? I thought you wanted to go to a new school...?" Brittany was confused.
"I do! It's just..." Roxie paused to to lift Gabriel into the waiting towel in Brittany's arms. "I don't know if me and Zoe going to the same school is the best thing, Auntie B," she sighed.
Brittany knitted her brows and led the way to the nursery across the hall with a now clean and babbling Gabriel in her arms.
"Rox, I thought everything was going well between you two?" Brittany nodded for Roxie to hand her the baby powder as she finished drying off her son on the changing table.
"Everything is going well," Roxie handed the powder and a diaper to Brittany. "I don't know, maybe I'm just overreacting. We already spend so much time together and..."
"You're worried you'll start getting on each other's nerves?" Brittany finished her daughter's thought and smiled as she started to put the diaper on her son.
"Yeah..." Roxie nervously bit the inside of her bottom lip.
"I don't think it's gonna be a problem, sweetheart." Brittany chuckled and leaned down to blow raspberries into the soft pads of Gabriel's little feet, causing her son to laugh. "Music students and dance students don't share classes. So, your non-music curriculum will only be with other music students," Brittany reassured.
"Oh..." Roxie handed Brittany one of Gabriel's nighttime onesies then folded her arms.
"It doesn't matter anyway, honey." Brittany laughed. "You and Zoe will eventually have days where you'll get on each other's nerves. Believe me! Me and San went to high school together and definitely had some moments where we annoyed the crap outta each other."
Brittany laughed at the memory as she snapped up Gabriel's onesie. She looked up to find Roxie didn't share her amusement. She nibbled on her lip some more and uncomfortably shifted weight between legs. Brittany softened when she finally realized it was probably numerous things that were bothering her daughter at the moment. Even though Roxie seemed to be handling everything so well as of late, it didn't take away from the fact that dealing with a new family, girlfriend, therapy, and now a new school in less than a few months was probably overwhelming for the already overly anxious teenager.
Brittany lifted Gabriel to her shoulder and took a step towards her daughter. "Sweetie, everything is going to be fine, okay?" Brittany stroked Roxie's cheek with her thumb.
Roxie flashed her vulnerable eyes up at Brittany and nodded. She was immediately put at ease by her mother and was in awe of how easily Brittany could calm her anxiety.
"You're gonna do great at your audition, Rox," Brittany softly spoke and continued to lovingly stroke her cheek. "And, when you get into BHSA, you're gonna do great too. And, I'm sure you and Zo will handle any adjustments just fine, honey." Brittany added.
"Okay..." Roxie's smile widened as she nodded. She couldn't help but believe Brittany in the moment. "I'm gonna go call Zoe!" Roxie turned to leave.
"Nuh-uh!" Brittany caught the teenager before she skipped out of the nursery. "You're taking your brother, giving him his bottle, and rocking him to sleep!" Brittany laughed and handed a cooing Gabriel to a now disgruntled Roxie.
"Seriously, Auntie B?" Roxie whined.
"Yep! I just pumped, so warm a bottle from the fridge." Roxie scrunched her face in disgust at the task. "I'm gonna take a shower. I have that diaper and spit-up smell again." Brittany smelled the collar of her t-shirt as she walked out of the nursery, leaving Roxie with Gabriel.
Roxie sighed, then held Gabriel up to her face. "Oh, you're are so lucky I like you kid!" Gabriel let out a high pitched squeal and kicked his legs in excitement. Roxie chuckled, kissed his cheek, and lightly bounced her brother on her shoulder as she walked out of the nursery.
Santana smiled as she paid the Cabbie, then helped her wife out of the car in the business district of Downtown Brooklyn. She was all smiles because of the sheer magnitude of the evening. It was the night of Dru's album release party and it had been a long time coming for Ramen Records, Teo, Mercedes, and herself (not to mention all the countless interns and studio technicians that made this night possible as well). Santana had been putting a lot of hours in as of late. It was good to finally be able to sit back and relax a bit after the kid's album dropped in a few weeks. There was a lot riding on this moment financially for the label, but Santana didn't want to think about that at the moment. This was a time for celebration - a time to let loose.
"Wait, babe... hold on a second!" Brittany stopped just before Santana took her hand and ushered her into the private party. Brittany was attempting to readjust her cocktail dress in the reflection of the cab's back window.
"Britt, I already told you at the house," Santana lightly chuckled and kissed her cheek as the cab pulled away. "Baby, you're beautiful! C'mon..."
"Wait, just give me a second..."
Brittany again looked down at herself with a lack of confidence Santana had rarely seen before; not since Brittany went through the stage at the end of her pregnancy where she felt disgusting and didn't want Santana touching her. In Santana's eyes, Brittany had been getting in great shape over the last two months, but Brittany was still having a hard time seeing the positive results. She was getting increasingly worried she wouldn't be ready to take over her dance classes when school started in mid September.
"I'm just gonna call Shannon one more time and see how Gabe's doing," Brittany tried to stall and dug into her purse for her phone.
Santana laughed and walked up to her wife. "Brittany, I already called twice on the cab ride over here. Baby, he's fine. What's wrong with you?" Santana gently ghosted her hands up and down her wife's arms.
"I don't know, San..." Brittany pouted. "It's just there's gonna be a lot of big names and important people in there."
"Not as important as you..." Santana joked and leaned in for a passionate kiss designed to calm her wife's nerves.
"You know what I mean," Brittany smiled and whispered against Santana's lips.
"It's just gonna be a bunch of interns and people you already know from the label, sweetie." Santana reassured. "The others are just behind the scenes people like songwriters and techs; maybe some local radio DJ's and producers."
"I know..." Brittany still looked unsure. "It's just my first time out somewhere fancy and all dressed up since giving birth," she explained.
"By the way, you look deliciously fuckable in that cranberry cocktail dress, babe!" Santana threw her arms around Brittany's neck and leaned her forehead in close. "I can't wait to show you off in that party. Let everyone know I'm hitting that!" she hummed and giggled into her cheek.
"Okay, okay... let's go before we don't actually make it into the party and you try to fuck me in a cheap hotel around here!" Brittany laughed and teasingly pushed her wife away.
"That's actually not a bad idea, Britt!" Santana quirked an eyebrow.
Brittany rolled her eyes and grabbed her wife's hand. "Come on, nerd!"
"Tana and Britt, you guys made it!" Teo clapped his hands and was the first to greet the couple as they walked into the small club. "Looking good!" Teo did a quick check up and down the couple's cocktail dresses.
"T, so help me god if you check out my best friends again!" Mercedes pushed the back of her boyfriend's shaved head.
"I wasn't, babe!" Teo laughed. "I was just saying they look nice..." he held out his hands and shrugged.
Mercedes squinted her eyes and Teo got the hint to go mingle. He quickly made a beeline for some random guys enjoying a drink by a booth.
"What's up, guys!" Mercedes went in for a couple of cheek kisses and hugs.
"Whoo, looking good Wheezy!" Santana teased, but she wasn't lying. Mercedes was rocking a very hot strapless, royal blue cocktail dress.
"So, you guys wanna get a drink?" Mercedes didn't really wait for an answer as she whisked her friends into the main VIP area.
An hour into the release party and Santana was pleasantly surprised on how easily Brittany warmed up to the atmosphere. There were quite a few people there, but somehow things remained rather intimate and laid back. At first, she was worried about leaving her wife to go mingle, but it was clear a few minutes in she had nothing to worry about. Santana marveled as she watched Brittany mingle effortlessly. She also had to laugh as she watched her show everyone she talked to about a thousand cellphone pictures of their adorable son. It was good to see her wife's confidence slowly come back after a few sluggish months though.
The light beats of Dru's new album were being played on repeat in the background throughout the night. Santana, Brittany, and Mercedes found themselves posted up at a dimly lit booth enjoying some drinks as they people watched and gossiped.
"You know what we should have soon?" Brittany took a sip of her champagne.
"What, babe?" Santana nuzzled her nose into her wife's neck as they shared the corner of the booth. She had a few gin & tonics herself and was feeling a bit frisky at the moment.
"We should totally have a girl's night out!"
"Oh, I'm so down for that!" Mercedes toasted and drank to the suggestion.
"It'll be fun! We'll do it on your birthday in a few weeks, honey." Brittany turned to her wife. "We'll go to a gay club and dance all night!"
"Britt, there's a problem with that suggestion though. Shannon's gonna be in Tucson for that med student conference through October. And, you're kind of proposing we party with our only two babysitters," Santana laughed.
"What about Kur-"
"Cedes! Don't even suggest Kurt!" Santana quickly cut off Mercedes, holding up a finger. "Kurt is so not watching my son! He'll probably call the fire department if Gabe spits up on his Louboutins loafers or something!" she drunkenly giggled.
"Roxie is ready to babysit..." Brittany said, finishing off her champagne.
"No way!" Santana shook her head and sucked on her straw.
"Oh, c'mon, San! I wanna go dancing, babe!" Brittany slid into her wife's lap. She did that whenever she really wanted something. "Zoe can help her."
"Uh, doubly no, Britt." Santana chuckled and kissed Brittany's shoulder. "They're freaking teenagers! They'll be too busy making out or having sex to watch Gabe!"
"You're being ridiculous; they're not even having sex yet!" Brittany grinned.
"How do you know?"
"I just know!" Brittany chuckled. "I would just get that vibe... and I haven't yet," she shrugged.
Mercedes gulped her drink and watched the back & forth between her friends with amusement. "Wow, so you guys have like real life parent problems now," she laughed. "If the Glee Club could see you guys now..." she sarcastically shook her head.
The three continued to playfully bicker, drink, and work out the details of Santana's upcoming birthday as Teo walked up with a girl they hadn't seen before.
"Ladies, someone I want you to meet," he politely interrupted the friends. "This is Marley Hendrix. She just officially signed to the label a day ago!" Teo was beaming; it really was a big day for him and his label. All his hard work was finally paying off. "Marley, this is my girlfriend Mercedes Jones and our other songwriter, Santana Lopez-Pierce. They're the ones you'll mostly be in the studio with."
Santana smiled from across the table. She was honestly a little shocked the girl actually signed with Ramen Records as she was being sought after by bigger and richer labels. Marley politely flashed her million dollar smile and blue-green eyes. She had light brown hair and looked about in her early twenties. Santana remembered Teo telling her and Mercedes that Marley was a pop singer-songwriter type and she really did have the whole Zooey Deschanel hipster vibe going on (much to Santana's chagrin). She almost expected the girl to bust out a hipster ukulele right then and there.
"Nice to meet you, Marley! Can't wait to work with you, girl!" Mercedes extended her hand.
"Yeah, nice to meet you too!" Santana had to gently slide a reluctant Brittany off her lap to bend over the table and shake Marley's hand.
"I'm really excited to be working with you guys!" Marley exclaimed. "I heard Dru's album. You guys just did some really cool stuff. I can't wait to get into the studio and get things going."
Santana felt proud and at the same time a little bad she judged the girl so fast. She noticed in the corner of her eye Brittany give the girl a look Santana hadn't seen in years. Not since college did Brittany give off those jealousy vibes. She was taken aback by the strong emotion from her normally non-judgmental wife.
"Oh, Marley... this is my wife, Brittany." Santana overcompensated by kissing Brittany's cheek as she presented her to the girl.
"Nice to meet you, Brittany!" Marley chirped and extended her hand over the table.
"Yep..." Brittany reached forward with a faux smile and the one of the limpest handshakes Santana had ever seen.
"Check it out, I'm just taking Marley around to meet the staff and some other important people. You guys can catch up later at the studio on Monday," Teo whisked the girl away like a prized possession. She barely had time to say a goodbye before he had her at the next group of people.
"She's really pretty and seems nice..." Brittany forced the comment and subtly smiled.
Santana wasn't sure if it was a trick question or not. She knew better than to say anything that would put her in the doghouse though. She had been with her wife long enough to recognize the upcoming minefields and wasn't about to step into that mess. She gulped her drink to stall, thinking of a quick out. She smiled as she found one.
"So, about this birthday-girl's night out thing...?" Santana changed subjects.
"Yes! Where were we on that?" Brittany laughed.
"I was saying how I don't want to invite Quinn."
"Why!" Brittany and Mercedes said in unison.
"Because, she's a prude and will be all weird when girls try to dance with her or buy her drinks!" Santana shrugged.
"Honey, that's mean! You're being overruled. Quinn's invited!"
Brittany slid back into her wife's lap and threw her arms over her neck. The awkwardness of meeting Marley had been averted for the time being as the friends continued to bicker on what gay club they should go to for their girl's night out.
"Okay, I might be with you on firing Shannon and letting Rox be our main babysitter." Santana said as she swung around the corner to their bedroom. The two had just gotten home from the party and were getting ready for bed.
"Why?" Brittany lightly chuckled as she pulled on a sleep shirt.
"Because, I found Dr. Who recently watched on our NetFlix again when I turned off the TV; like Shannon literally watched a whole season with our son. Your sister is gonna turn Gaby into the biggest Sci Fi nerd, babe!" Santana whined and shimmied out of her red cocktail dress.
"Hey! Don't bad mouth The Doctor!" Brittany defended one of her and her sister's favorite shows. All the Pierces were the biggest Star Wars and Sci Fi nerds. Santana had sat through many mind-numbing marathons of shit she didn't understand throughout the last fifteen years.
Santana laughed and shook her head as she went to her dresser to pick out a pair of boxers and tank top. She stopped as she caught her wife bending over to pull the bedding back. She smirked as she quickly took off her bra and panties, quietly gliding to the bed to make her move.
"I told you how you looked deliciously fuckable in that cocktail dress tonight, baby..." Santana slid her arms around Brittany's waist and breathed into her ear. She took her wife's earlobe into her mouth and lightly sucked.
Santana felt Brittany's body go from stiffening with surprise to shuddering with arousal in a second. Brittany turned in her wife's arms and quickly pecked her lips.
"I'm gonna check on Gabriel real quick!"
To Santana's surprise Brittany wiggled out of her arms and tried to make a move towards the door.
"Britt, I already checked on him after I locked up and came in here." Santana giggled and pulled her wife back to her. "C'mon baby, get naked with me," she pouted. "I wanna fuck your brains out..." Santana whispered into her ear and was trying her best to pour it on thick.
"I just wanna check on him real quick, honey." she pulled away again, but Santana wouldn't release her hand.
Santana pursed her lips confused and frowned at her wife. Brittany had indeed been acting weird the whole rest of the night after everyone was introduced to Marley. She tried to shake it off because her wife was being extra flirty and cuddly late into the night and the cab ride home. But, something still felt off to Santana. It seemed like Brittany was simply trying to throw her off her scent. She knew Brittany too well and one thing she definitely knew was how her wife couldn't be inauthentic if she tried. Brittany Lopez-Pierce was a bleeding-heart and unlike Santana (who played everything close to the sleeve) her emotions could be easily read. You knew if Brittany didn't like you and Santana already could tell Brittany didn't like Marley. However, she didn't know why she was getting a strong jealousy vibe from her wife as it wasn't either of their styles.
"What's up with you, Britt? You've been acting weird ever since we met Marley. Babe, we don't get jealous..." Santana gently took both her hands and guided Brittany down to the bed.
Brittany sighed after she realized Santana had her cornered. "San, I'm not jealous of her. Well, I am... but not like you think."
"Brittany..." Santana shook her head confused and unable to get her question out.
"I don't know," Brittany mumbled. "It just all of a sudden hit me tonight how much time you're really going to be spending at the studio in the coming months."
"Brittany, you told me to take this opportunity, remember?" Santana reminded her wife. "And, I told you that if at any time I felt like it was taking me away from you, Rox, or Gabriel I would tell Teo to send me back to office work-"
"I know, baby..." Brittany felt bad. "And, you have been doing so well with it already. Even with the few all nighters you already pulled to get Dru's album finished. You've still managed to make the hearing, court date, and all of Gabe's appointments with Dr. Beckett."
"Then what's the issue here...?" Santana half chuckled and shook her head at her wife.
"I don't know, maybe a teeny part of me also doesn't like the fact that you're gonna be locked in a studio for thirteen hours a day with some hot girl," Brittany looked down at their hands. "It's probably just the breastfeeding, San. I'm still hormonal and probably being weird, I'm sorry."
Santana lifted Brittany's chin and leaned forward to plant a gentle kiss to her wife's lips. "Brittany, you have nothing to worry about, baby. Mercedes is gonna be in the studio with me, remember? Plus, you know I love you..."
"I know..." Brittany weakly smiled, but was still embarrassed.
"You don't have to blame breastfeeding and hormones for your jealous ways, sweetie..." Santana tried to lighten the mood. "You just have a super hot wife! It's okay to get jealous and possessive over me once in awhile," Santana shrugged a shoulder and flashed her famous smirk.
Brittany laughed and shook her head. She quickly flickered her eyes to Santana's chest and back up; almost as she had forgotten the whole conversation had taken place with her hot wife naked in front of her. Santana caught the subtle eye-fucking and pushed her wife to the bed, climbing on top of her.
"Now, where were we...?" she giggled and hummed up Brittany's neck. She found her wife's mouth and started to moan and suck on her lips, but still wasn't getting the reaction she wanted.
Santana stopped and stared down at her wife confused for a second. "You totally still want to check on Gabriel before we do it, huh?" she laughed.
Brittany nodded and bit down on her lip apologetically. She couldn't stand going to bed without seeing her son asleep and safe in his crib every night.
"Ugh, fine!" Santana rolled off her wife. "Fucking hurry though, baby!"
Santana playfully slapped Brittany's ass as she hopped off the bed in a hurry. She laughed as she watched her scurry out the door and to the nursery. Santana let out a content sigh and interlocked her fingers behind her head. It was moments like this that made her feel like the luckiest woman on the planet.
"Oh, fuck!" Roxie paled as she peeked behind the curtain out at the audition stage. "Auntie B, I think I just forgot the chords to all my songs!" Roxie turned and stared blankly at her mother.
"Sweetheart, no you didn't and calm down." Brittany laughed. "Also, no cursing in front of your brother!" Brittany subtly earmuffed Gabriel's ears as he stared up at her from the carrier on her chest.
"Yeah, Rox... just try to relax," Zoe sweetly smiled from her spot next to Brittany as the two watched Roxie pace like a madwoman backstage.
"Where's Tía anyway? She was supposed to be here already!" Roxie nervously folded her arms as she paced some more.
"She'll be here, Rox," Brittany reassured. "She's just running late again."
"God, this was a terrible idea!" Roxie started to panick. "Who's freaking idea was this...? I'm not even classically trained like all these kids! I'm gonna look dumb out there!"
Brittany and Zoe both couldn't hold in there laughter any longer. Roxie just stood dumbfounded at their 'lack of empathy'.
"Aww, Rox... I'm sorry, honey!" Brittany cooed, but was still trying to control her giggles. "I know what you need," Brittany reached down to unstrap Gabriel from his carrier.
"Here! Gaby will calm you down," Brittany gently handed an overall-clad Gabriel to his sister. Gabriel immediately started babbling and cooing. In fourteen weeks they already had a one-of-kind bond and Gabriel would generally be happy whenever he was placed in his sister's arms.
Brittany and Zoe watched in amazement as Roxie's anxiety seemed to vanish almost instantaneously as she baby-talked and laughed with Gabriel.
"See, the magic baby makes everything better!" Brittany grinned.
"I'm here! I'm sorry I'm late!" Santana came trotting in from one of the side doors to the backstage area. "You didn't audition yet, did you?" she quickly pecked Brittany's lips as she tried to catch her breath.
"No, she didn't, honey."
Just then, the 'on air' lights flashed, signalling it was time for the auditioners to wait in the green room. Roxie rolled her lips inward and took an unsteady breath. She stepped forward and handed Gabriel to Santana as he was already grabbing for his mama.
Brittany and Santana shared a subtle look as they walked up to Roxie. They both knew how big this moment was for their daughter. Roxie was putting herself out there like she had never done before. She may not have even been ready for this moment, but that wouldn't stop her mothers from supporting her to no end. This school was Roxie's chance - her opportunity to write her future. Santana wasn't a religious woman, but she hoped to God that he could help Roxie out on this one. The girl probably had the shittiest of lives and it was time she finally hit a string of nothing but good luck for awhile.
"You're going to be great, Rox! Go out there and kill it, mija!" Santana reached around her daughter's shoulder with her free hand as she held Gabriel against her other and gave her an encouraging hug.
"Just remember how talented you are, honey," Brittany led in with a hug and kiss to Roxie's forehead. "We love you, no matter what!"
Roxie nodded and smiled at her mothers as they backed away to give her and Zoe some privacy. Santana took the moment to look around the backstage area at all the other parents giving the same speech to their equally scared teenagers.
"You okay...?" Zoe timidly stepped forward and grabbed Roxie's hands.
"Yeah, I can do this," Roxie weakly smiled.
"Your moms are right, babe. You got this!" Zoe flashed that perfect smile Roxie first fell in love with on that snowy, January afternoon. Zoe calling her 'babe' for the first time didn't go unnoticed either. Roxie couldn't wipe the dopey smile off her face.
"What? Why are you being weird?" Zoe chuckled before she realized what she said. "Shit, I shouldn't have called you that, huh?" she panicked.
"No, Z!" Roxie shook her head and tightened the grip on her hands. "I-I like it. I mean, I can get used to it..." she shook some bangs out of her face as she flashed a bashful smile at her girlfriend.
Zoe grinned and slowly leaned in for a kiss. "Good luck, baby! Not that you're gonna need it, because you're totally awesome!" She smiled into Roxie's lips before letting her go. She left it at that, realizing she probably didn't need to say anymore.
Roxie awkwardly waved at her moms and girlfriend as she followed the last auditioner into a side room off stage. The three of them stood in silence waving back, watching as Roxie disappeared into the room and the door shut behind her.
"Okay, this really sucks!" Santana exclaimed as she readjusted Gabriel on her shoulder. "How closed is this audition, Britt?"
"It's really closed, baby," Brittany laughed. "The Monroes aren't kidding around."
"I'll break old Man Monroe's hip if he rejects Roxie!" Santana joked. "I'm not afraid to go all Lima Heights on some old music teachers!"
"Actually... I might know a way we can watch," Brittany smirked and looked mischievously between her wife and the teenager.
Whatever Brittany was proposing probably went against every ounce of the usually pragmatic and calculating Santana's being. Then again, all rationality was thrown out the window when it came to one of her kids. Santana was game for anything at this point.
Santana matched her wife's devilish smirk. "What did you have in mind, baby?"
"Zoe, did you just touch my ass?" Santana hissed as the three of them stumbled through a secret side production door on the upper level of the BHSA theater.
"Sorry, Santana!" Zoe whispered back.
"Shh!" Brittany snapped. "Gabriel is better behaved than you two!" she looked down and made sure their son's binky was secure in his mouth and that he was fast asleep in his carrier.
The three quickly ducked into some seats in the dark where they were able to get a clear look at the stage, but no one could see them from the lower lobby. There was some boy finishing up his audition on cello and Santana was able to make out the figures of the famous Mr. and Mrs. Monroe as they sat in one of the the middle rows, center stage. By their calculations, Roxie hadn't gone on yet as they could only make out the sounds of a violinist and trumpeter before they made their way up to the upper level to catch the end of the cello kid.
"What are the odds we can get arrested for this, Britt?" Santana whispered and did a quick check over her shoulders to make sure no security guard was creeping up on them. "Gaby's too young to go to jail," she snickered.
"Shh, she's coming up!" Zoe pointed. Roxie made her way on stage and again Santana whispered some prayers under her breath, hoping her daughter's nerves wouldn't get the best of her.
There seemed to be a delay as the Monroes looked to be conducting a Q&A with Roxie. They couldn't make out the words, but they could tell when one of them asked a question and when Roxie would answer. Brittany and Zoe assured Santana the Q&A was usually the first step in all BHSA auditions.
After the interview part was completed, Roxie started her audition. Santana remembered the audition guidelines paper saying she had to do three pieces: a popular music piece, a classical music piece, and an original piece. All three of them were deathly silent as they heard Roxie's voice come in over the sound system as she announced her first popular music piece. Santana had to smile as it was one of her favorites too; an instrumental jazz version of Ray Charles' 'Georgia on My Mind'.
They still found themselves holding their breath as the beginning piano chords came in. It wasn't until Roxie hit her stride in the second verse that Santana, Brittany, and Zoe began to relax and sink into the theater seats a bit as they watched Roxie improvise crafty blues and jazz licks on the piano blues classic.
And, it wasn't until Roxie showed her ambitious side by tackling Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor for her classical piece that Santana realized her daughter needed no prayers at all. Roxie Ortiz was an unequivocal badass and was making her own luck before their very eyes. She pounded Mozart's Allegro Maestoso out with conviction. Unless you were a trained ear, you really couldn't tell the girl wasn't classically trained either.
The three became emotional as Roxie announced her original piece to the Monroes. It was another piano sonata in A minor she had simply entitled 'Happiness'. In the dark, Brittany found Santana's hand and gripped it as they listened to the beginning chords of a song they couldn't help but feel they were the inspiration for.
The couple watched in amazement as Roxie did something they never thought possible just a few months earlier. They watched as the girl cleared another emotional hurdle - broke through another formidable barrier. And, with tears in their eyes, they beamed like the proud parents they were.
"I still can't believe you guys snuck into my audition," Roxie laughed and shoveled some more bell pepper omelet into her mouth.
The family was enjoying their weekly Saturday morning brunch a few days after Roxie's audition. However, this brunch was a little different than usual as Roxie had invited Zoe for the first time. It was getting increasingly hard for Brittany and Santana to not just stare and gush over the young lovebirds. Roxie and Zoe were so adorable it was almost sickening.
"Technically, it wasn't sneaking in, Rox." Brittany corrected as she peeled her tangerine. "I work there and Z is a student there, so..."
"Sooo... you guys just happened to be 'hanging' out in the upper level seats... in the dark... with a baby?" Roxie laughed at her mom's flawed logic.
"Shut up!" Brittany chuckled and lightly kicked Roxie under the table.
"Mija, you should be glad we snuck in," Santana attempted to feed herself with one hand as she bounced a squirming Gabriel on her lap with the other. "All our good vibes and silent support helped you slay that audition!"
"Yep!" Zoe agreed and nudged her girlfriend with her shoulder.
"Whatever, I did horrible..." Roxie mumbled and threw her fork in her plate; her appetite had suddenly gone absent. "They haven't even called yet," she sulked.
"Kid, it has only been a few days! Relax!" Santana readjusted Gabriel on her lap.
"It's a process, sweetheart," Brittany added. "I know when the dance department holds our summer auditions it takes more than three days. We put kids into groups based on skill, then make our cuts..."
"Ugh, I know you guys are trying to help, but... ugh." Roxie scooted her half finished plate out of the way and dramatically let her head fall to the table. She croaked out some muffled, incoherent sounds of anguish.
"I'm sure you'll get in, babe!" Zoe sweetly leaned over for a series of gentle pecks to Roxie's ear and rested her chin on her shoulder for a second.
"Aww, so when are you two getting married, mija?" Santana decided to take the usual banter route in hopes of raising her daughter's spirits and changing the subject.
"Tía!" Roxie quickly lifted her head and shook it in disgust. "What... w-why would you even say that...?"
"Freak-out face!" Santana and Zoe said in unison and pointed, then started laughing. Even Brittany was having a hard time keeping her giggles in.
"You too, Auntie B?" Roxie shook her head in faux disappointment.
"Oh, c'mon, Rox! It was funny, sweetie. Lighten up," Brittany winked as she took Gabriel from her wife.
"I have a question?" Zoe licked some honey greek yogurt off the back of her spoon. "Rox, are you gonna start calling Santana and Mrs. LP 'mom' after they officially adopt you?"
You could hear a pin drop as Zoe's question hit like a ton of bricks. Not that it was a taboo question in any way; it was just something the three of them had never thought about or discussed. It would officially be a year in September since Roxie had been with them and the couple had never known any other names besides 'Tía' and 'Auntie B' from the girl. They all turned their attention to Roxie, waiting for her answer.
"Uh..." Roxie tightly quirked her mouth to the side and looked deep in thought. She probably had never thought about it either.
She seemed to be struggling with it, so Brittany helped her daughter out. "Rox, can keep calling us whatever she wants," she softly smiled as she bounced a cooing Gabriel against her shoulder. "Whatever she feels comfortable with."
"Yeah, I kind of like 'Tía'..." Santana casually shrugged, helping her wife out.
"I-I think I'll keep things the same for awhile, you know?" Roxie stuttered. "But, I'll always refer to them as my parents or mothers to other people," she smiled.
The couple smiled back. They knew deep down Roxie probably had no intention of ever calling either of them 'mom'. It just wouldn't be her style and somehow that was okay with the both of them. They never wanted her to change - Roxie was special just the way she was.
Just as soon as Roxie seemed to relax and everyone went back to normal conversation, Brittany's cellphone went off. She quickly handed Gabriel to Santana as she dug into her purse. She licked her lips as she read the number on the screen.
"It's the music department extension from BHSA..." she flashed her eyes up at Roxie.
Everyone at the table froze and even Gabriel seemed to sense the mood change as he stopped his normal squealing and babbling, staring in confusion at everyone at the table.
"Hello," Brittany softly answered. "Hi, Mr. Monroe! I'm doing fine, thanks for asking!"
Santana leaned forward and rolled her eyes at the inconvenient exchange of greetings between colleagues. She just wanted to know like everyone else at the table what the status was.
"Right... I see." Brittany didn't dare look up as she kept a monotonous string of 'mhms' and 'I sees' going, nodding her head to whatever Mr. Monroe was telling her.
"Well, I'll let her know Mr. Monroe. See you and Elaine in a few weeks when school starts, b-bye!" Brittany casually dropped the phone back in her purse.
"Well...?" Santana asked.
"What did he say, Mrs. LP?" Zoe lowered her eyes as she held in a breath.
"Oh shit! I totally didn't get in, huh?" Roxie looked defeated as she slumped back into the booth.
"What did I tell you about cursing in front of your brother?" Brittany put on a faux stern face. "Also... you totally did get in!" Brittany flashed the biggest cheshire grin Santana had ever seen on her wife's face.
"She did?" Santana and Zoe said in unison.
"I did?" Roxie looked in disbelief.
"Mhm, you have officially been enrolled in the BHSA school of music, Rox!" Brittany bit her lip in excitement and wiggled her eyebrows.
"Alright, Rox!" Santana cheered and started a tiny chant of 'yay, Sissy, yay' as she clapped Gabriel's tiny hands together at the cadence. He seemed amused and started laughing hysterically in his mama's lap.
"I knew you were awesome, babe!" Zoe threw her arms around Roxie and engulfed her girlfriend in a strong hug. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Seriously, Auntie B? Why did you have to deliver the news like that?" Roxie half whined and giggled. "That was so cruel!"
"I don't know..." Brittany shrugged a shoulder. "I see it in movies and always wanted to try it!" she laughed.
"Aww, look at us making memories!" Santana mocked. "Mija, when you and Zoe bring our grandkids to these brunches in fifteen years; we'll tell them all about it!"
"Tía, why do you always have to ruin the best moments?" Roxie's face paled at the comment of her and Zoe being married with kids in fifteen years time.
"Freak-out face!" Santana and Zoe pointed and laughed at Roxie. Again, Brittany couldn't contain her own giggles.
"I hate you guys..." Roxie laughed.
The family continued to playfully bicker, tease, and laugh for the rest of brunch. Santana and Brittany couldn't help stealing moments of eye contact as they watched their daughter glow. And, Santana couldn't help thinking that maybe Roxie was finally hitting that string of good luck that she was so karmically owed.
"I can't wait for school to start," Zoe sang and scooted higher on Roxie's bed as the two lay together. She threw a leg over her girlfriend and buried her head into her chest as they cuddled.
"Uh, do you hear yourself right now?" Roxie laughed. "What kid wants school to start, weirdo?"
"You know what I mean," Zoe tightened her grip around Roxie's waist and looked up at her. "I can't wait to go to school with you..." she smiled.
Roxie smiled back and lovingly brushed a lock of hair out of Zoe's face. "You don't think it will be weird?"
"No, why?" Zoe moved and propped herself on an elbow. "Do you think it's gonna be weird, babe?"
Roxie shrugged. "I-I don't know what to expect..." she nibbled on her bottom lip. "It's this big, fancy school. What if I don't fit in?"
Zoe leaned down and pressed a firm kiss to Roxie's lips. "You worry too much Roxie Ortiz," she whispered into her lips. "You're also forgetting you'll have the hottest girl at school on your arm. So, you're kind of gonna be the shit on day one!"
"So much swag, baby. I love it!" Roxie laughed hard and did a quick check at the doorway to make sure one of her moms wasn't monitoring the open door policy too closely. She pulled Zoe on top of her and the two started to sweetly makeout. In the middle of kissing, Roxie suddenly stopped and looked up at her girlfriend. She searched her eyes and again tucked some hair behind her ears.
"What's wrong, Rox?" Zoe hovered over Roxie, confused.
"You're just so beautiful, Zoe..." Roxie whispered, searching her face some more. "I, uh... t-think I'm ready, Z," she stuttered. "...to have sex."
Zoe opened her mouth surprised for a second, then quickly shut it. "Uh, you want... I mean, you're ready?" She was having her own fit with words. "Like, now?" Zoe's eyes widened.
"No, not now, Z!" Roxie laughed and nodded at the door, forcing her girlfriend to remember her mothers' stupid rule.
"Oh yeah..."
"But, soon... okay?" Roxie nodded and leaned up to capture Zoe's lips.
"Okay, soon..." Zoe grinned against Roxie's lips.
The two continued to giggle and roll around on the bed for a while until something caught Zoe's eye stuffed between the bed and one of Roxie's nightstands.
"Rox, what's this?" Zoe laughed as she leaned over and grabbed the soft stuffed animal. It was quite possibly the cutest, spotted seal pup stuffed animal Zoe had ever seen.
"Oh god, I thought I stuffed that where you wouldn't see him." Roxie was embarrassed. "My moms got him for me at the Bronx Zoo a few months ago."
"Aww, he's a 'him'?" Zoe couldn't help teasing. "Does he have a name, babe?"
Roxie rubbed her blushing face and mumbled a name Zoe couldn't make out.
"What's his name?" Zoe tickled Roxie's sides and got her girlfriend laughing. "Tell me his name and I'll stop!" she continued her tickle attack on Roxie, who wasn't giving in too easy.
"Fine!" Roxie laughed through tears. "It's Ludwig! Just stop, babe!"
"After Beethoven?" Zoe grinned. "Aww, I love it, baby. But, I thought I was your only snuggle buddy? Now, I find out you've been getting your cuddle on with Ludwig!"
Roxie shrugged and wiped away the tears from her tickle attack. "He's always with me at night and he's an awesome snuggle buddy," she teased back, starting to lose her embarrassment.
"I bet!" Zoe grazed her cheek along the soft fur of the stuffed animal and subtly hummed.
"You wanna snuggle with him?" Roxie asked and patted the space between them for Zoe to lay Ludwig. Zoe chuckled and laid the stuffed animal between them.
The two giggled as they snuggled in closer to each other with Ludwig as the meat in their sandwich. "You're right, Ludwig's an amazing snuggle buddy!" Zoe whispered.
"I know..." Roxie mouthed, leaning her forehead against Zoe's.
The two continued to snuggle with Ludwig right into a Saturday after-brunch nap. Roxie knew she was dozing off with a smile on her face and she was sure she had never done that before. And, she was also sure she wouldn't mind if it kept happening forever.
End Note: My goal with this chapter was to make all of you almost explode from Gabriel cuteness, Brittana sexiness-fluffiness, and Zoxie snuggles lol! Did I succeed?
Random Note: If any of you were worried about me doing some cliche love triangle or Santana cheating on Brittany storyline with this Marley character? Imma stop your thinking right there before you complain in a review haha. There will be no such storyline m'dears!
Also, kinda random, but if any of you have the time and wanna know how badass Roxie Ortiz is lol? You should all YouTube Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor (First Movement: Allegro Maestoso) so, you can get a better idea of how she absolutely slayed her audition lol. Actually, why you're at it, go ahead and look up instrumental piano covers of 'Georgia on My Mind' as well ;)