A/N: Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Winter Solstice! Happy New Year! Did I cover it all? Hope so. My dear fine unicorn readers, your latest installment awaits. For all you who keep asking me for sexy times and admit to me openly in reviews and PMs that yes, you are a perv, this is your time. It's here because it fits the time in the story. Your wait is over. Shout out to my bad ass beta Slayhue. Give her some love on Twitter.
Brittany passed by the refrigerator Thursday afternoon and smiled at the 80s on her latest Chemistry and English exams. She stopped and looked at all her tests, neatly arranged on the side and doors of the fridge. Maribel made sure the best grades were placed at Brittany's eye level, and Brittany appreciated the gesture and the reminder that she can do well.
Maribel entered the house after work, and immediately kicked off her heels and hung up her purse. She saw Brittany lean against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, smiling at the closed fridge.
"Quinn not coming today?" Maribel asked.
Brittany shook her head and smiled as she turned to Mrs. Lopez.
"No. I did really well on my practice test; so we agreed I could give my brain a much-need Chemistry break," Brittany replied.
"Excited about your family coming home?" Maribel asked as she slid an arm around Brittany's waist, giving her a squeeze.
Brittany nodded, and leaned her head on Maribel's shoulder.
"What is it sweetie?" Maribel asked.
"Thanks for this summer," Brittany replied with a shy smile. "You and Dr. Lopez. You didn't have to. But you did. And you did great," Brittany complimented.
Maribel's heart fluttered with the sincere compliment. "You started packing up your room didn't you?"
Brittany nodded.
"You're like our second daughter, you know that. We'd do anything we could for you and your family," Maribel replied and drew Brittany into a full hug.
"And I think if Santana and you had anything to do with it," Maribel whispered, looking up at Brittany, "you two would make that official some day."
Brittany looked away with a chuckle and embarrassed smile.
"Yeah, I thought so," Maribel commented and released Brittany with a pat on the back. "Going to do more packing?"
"No," Brittany replied. "Santana's coming home early from work, and we're going to do grocery shopping for my parents. Make sure everything's set for them on Saturday."
"That's very thoughtful of you Brittany," Maribel complimented.
"I get it right sometimes," Brittany smiled.
"Most of the time kiddo. Most of the time," Maribel replied.
Santana came home and found Brittany sitting on her bed, writing in her notebook.
"Hey Britt Britt," Santana greeted, sitting down on the bed. "What are you up to?"
"Finishing up the grocery list," Brittany replied.
Santana leaned over and gave Brittany a peck on the lips. She looked around the room and saw the empty closet and Brittany's suitcase open and half full.
"Packing already?" Santana asked with a frown.
"Mmhmm," Brittany confirmed, meeting Santana's eyes and giving her a sympathetic smile. "It's just for a couple weeks you know. Then we'll be living together for real," Brittany reminded her.
Santana grinned at the prospect. "It's really happening, isn't it?"
Brittany nodded.
Santana took the grocery list out of Brittany's hands and tossed it aside. She crawled up over Brittany and ungracefully flopped down on top of Brittany.
"Ooof!" Brittany gasped then giggled.
Santana ignored her and nuzzled her neck, peppering it with kisses.
"We're going to live together," Santana whispered in Brittany's ear.
Brittany hugged Santana tightly. "Yeah, we are. We really are," she sighed.
Brittany took the lead grocery shopping. She went through, aisle by aisle, picking out her dad's apple butter, her sister's favorite cereal, and fresh fruit and yogurt for her mom. Santana followed along, pushing the cart and retrieving items as Brittany asked for them. Brittany broke the silence as they picked out produce.
"I like this," Brittany remarked.
"Grocery shopping?" Santana questioned. Not her favorite chore, but it beat cleaning the bathroom.
"Doing all the little 'life' things with you. Like this. I like grocery shopping and doing chores with you. It makes me think about…" Brittany's voice faded as she drifted off in thought.
"About doing all this together?" Santana ventured to guess.
Brittany smiled and nodded.
"Being all grown up. Together," Brittany confessed with a smile, dropping a head of lettuce in the shopping cart.
Santana just smiled at Brittany and let her walk ahead to find more items on their list. Santana really liked that thought too.
Brittany and Santana returned to Brittany's house and unloaded the groceries. Santana plugged in the refrigerator, the microwave and all the other appliances they had unplugged nearly two months ago. Santana turned on the air conditioner and made sure all the rooms were open and looked ready for her parents' and sister's return. Brittany brought her suitcase up to her room and unpacked her clothes. She sat on her bed and stared at her walls full of photos and decorations collected over the years. The fact that she was leaving this room, her room, started to hit her. Santana stopped in with a smile.
"Everything's set Britt," she said.
"Thanks," Brittany replied, her smile fading with a sigh.
"Something wrong?" Santana asked, moving across the room and stood at the end of the bed.
"Not wrong, I don't think. Just, weird. I don't know. In a couple weeks, this won't be my room anymore," Brittany explained.
"I'm pretty sure it'll still be your room when you visit," Santana said, trying to comfort.
"Yeah, I know. It's just weird to say goodbye to all this. There's a lot of memories in this room," Brittany mused, looking around.
Santana's thumb rubbed over the notches on the bed frame. She stopped at the first one and ran her finger lightly over it.
"Really good memories," Santana smiled. "Our first kiss was here."
"Our first sober one, yeah," Brittany teased.
Santana rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Brittany saw Santana's finger stroke the notch on her bed frame.
"A lot of firsts," Brittany whispered and shuffled down her bed and pulled Santana's hand away from the frame.
"Lay with me?" Brittany asked, pulling Santana onto her bed.
Santana just smiled and joined Brittany on her bed. Santana curled around Brittany and pulled her close.
"A lot of firsts," Santana said, kissing Brittany's cheek.
"I loved our first time," Brittany whispered, holding Santana's hand to her chest.
"Me too," Santana replied, nudging her nose against Brittany's cheek. "But I love our every time since just as much."
Brittany rolled over so they lay on their sides, facing each other.
"I remember being so nervous," Santana confessed as she played with the hem of Brittany's t-shirt.
"I was too, but probably more excited than nervous," Brittany admitted rubbing Santana's back. "You were so gentle."
"So were you," Santana said. "One more time here, before we go?"
Brittany nodded. "Yeah, since we checked your bed off the list of 'one more time' before we go last weekend and Mom's starting your mom's rule. Not while they're in the house."
Santana rolled her eyes. "Our moms really shouldn't talk so much. They're a bad influence on each other," Santana complained.
"Mmmhmm," Brittany replied as she leaned in and kissed Santana. Her hands sliding up the back of Santana's shirt.
Santana smiled into the kiss, then pulled away, sat up and tugged Brittany up to do the same. Santana lifted Brittany's shirt and pulled it over her head, only losing her gaze as the cotton t-shirt covered her face. Brittany took off Santana's shirt as well, and they sat for a few moments in their bras and shorts, taking each other in. Santana tucked Brittany's hair behind her ear, then let her fingers stroke over Brittany's cheek, down her neck, along her collarbone and stopped on Brittany's chest. Brittany mirrored Santana's actions and they both grinned as they felt each other's heartbeats quicken.
Brittany and Santana both leaned in for a slow, deep, soft kiss. It did remind them of their first time together, even their first real kiss, but without all the nervousness. They set the tone for each other in that kiss, and their hands that slid to their waists. There was no rush, just plenty of time for them to appreciate each other in this moment, this afternoon in this bed.
"Undress me," Brittany murmured against Santana's lips.
Santana smiled and kissed Brittany and got up off the bed.
"Come here," Santana invited.
Brittany stood in front of Santana and ran her hands over Santana's shoulders and down her arms, pulling the bra straps with her. Santana reached around and unclasped Brittany's bra. Her fingers gently grazed the scaly skin of the still healing tattoo. Santana took her bra off and dropped it to the floor. Brittany rolled her shoulders. Santana's gaze and palms focused on Brittany's breasts. She gently cupped them and pushed up on her toes to kiss Brittany again. Brittany removed Santana's bra and let her hands roam over Santana's back and waist and abs and up to her chest. They kissed and hummed at the sensation of their warm skin pressed together. Brittany pulled at Santana's shorts, unbuttoned and unzipped them. They fell to her ankles without Santana moving.
"I like these shorts. They're…convenient," Brittany chuckled.
"I like yours too," Santana said, as she pulled at the elastic waistband and they too dropped to the floor.
Santana slid her hands into the back of Brittany's underwear and squeezed her butt, then hooked her thumbs in the elastic and pushed down. She slid her hands forward to her hips and pushed her panties down to drop with the shorts at her ankles. Santana stepped out of her shorts and stood back a couple of steps, linked their hands out to their sides and took in the beautiful sight. Brittany smirked at Santana's darkened eyes as they finally met hers.
"Hi," Brittany whispered.
"Hi," Santana grinned back.
Brittany kicked her shorts and panties aside and knelt down in front of Santana. She kissed the front of her hip. Pulled on her underwear and kissed newly revealed skin. Brittany kissed her way slowly down the tops of Santana's thighs as she dropped her panties lower and lower, until Santana could finally step out of them. When she did, Brittany ran her hands up the back of Santana's legs, over her butt and kissed the crease at the top of her thigh. Santana ran her fingers through Brittany's hair, grateful and encouraging and comforting. Brittany looked up to meet Santana's gaze and smiled.
"Every inch of you is wonderful," Brittany complimented.
Santana smiled back and pulled at Brittany's arms to encourage her to stand up. She drew Brittany into a hug and stood there. Knees and thighs and stomachs and breasts and arms all pressed together in a warm blanket of everything both of them wanted. They returned to Brittany's bed, the one with so many memories. So many firsts. They lay facing each other on cool cotton sheets, their hands on each others shoulders, their legs entwined, kissing slow, deep wet kisses.
Brittany untangled her legs from Santana's and took Santana's hand from her shoulder and guided it down her body, over her breast, the dip in her waist and between her legs. Santana gently cupped Brittany, pressed into her and felt her swollen and slick. Brittany nudged Santana's legs open with her hand and felt her equally turned on.
Santana stopped their kiss, and nudged and kissed the tip of Brittany's nose.
"Hi," Santana gasped as Brittany's fingers started to slide up and down and around her clit.
"Hey," Brittany said, biting her lip as Santana returned the favor.
"How are you?" Santana asked.
"Fantastic. You?"
"Never better."
Brittany pushed a finger inside Santana then a second one. She drew lazy light circles around her clit with her thumb.
"Okay, even better," Santana sighed.
Santana's tongue was searching out Brittany's as soon as their lips met in another kiss. Her fingers sank into Brittany and stilled inside her. Santana just lightly pulsed her fingertips up and down.
Brittany and Santana stayed like that, minute after minute. Kissing and connected. Wet tongues and wet fingers seeking out dark warm places to touch and be touched. It was slow and soft and sweet and relaxed.
"More," Brittany asked, her pelvis nudging into Santana's hand.
Santana slid a third finger inside and Brittany just closed her eyes and grinned pressing more into Santana. Brittany's fingers and thumb continued their steady pace building up Santana. Brittany was kind of surprised she was so calm with three fingers pulsing inside her and Santana's thumb gently rubbing her clit. She kept the same rhythm with Santana, yet she too wasn't clamoring for release or seem desperate for it.
"You okay?" Brittany asked, as the tightening in her lower belly sent warm pulses through her.
"So good," Santana purred, kissing Brittany's jaw. "Not chasing an orgasm like usual. But getting awfully close," she drawled. "Just loving every little touch you give me and every little sound you make, because of me."
Brittany gasped as Santana gave a little thrust with her hand.
"Like that," Santana smirked.
Brittany rolled half on top of Santana and kissed her hard and sloppily.
"I wasn't chasing one either, but it's showing up anyway," Brittany said between kisses down Santana's neck.
"I want to taste you," they both said at the same time.
Brittany stopped kissing Santana's neck and hovered over her face. Her eyes danced back and forth with Santana's. They both just smiled, lazy and content at one another. Brittany brushed her nose against Santana's lips and sunk into a deep kiss. Her tongue slid along Santana's in the way she planned to soon taste her.
Santana broke away from their kiss and let her lips wander down Brittany's neck and chest. She pushed Brittany gently back on her side and pulled her thumb away from Brittany's clit, as she kissed and sucked Brittany's nipples. Brittany arched into Santana's mouth and pressed into her fingers more. Santana scooted down the bed and swung her legs toward the head of the bed. Santana laid on her side and kissed her way down Brittany's stomach and Brittany kissed her way up Santana's thighs, pulling one leg over her shoulder.
Their fingers slipped out of each other just long enough to wrap their hands around their legs and enter from behind. The both moaned from the full sensation. Santana paused over Brittany and nudged her clit with her nose. She breathed her in and felt Brittany exhale hot breath over her swollen, slick folds. Both soft warm open mouths and tongues painted love and adoration and desire from their fingers sunk deep to their clits, swollen and sensitive and on the edge.
Brittany's mouth and hips moved in sync with Santana's, as they licked and sucked and pulsed their fingers. Santana loved being surrounded by everything that is Brittany. Her head buried between her legs, her fingers buried deep inside her, Brittany's breasts rubbing against her belly. Everything felt connected and they both reveled in knowing they were both feeling the same thing at the same time and pushing each other closer and closer to the edge with each passing moment. It was a heady cocktail that both Brittany and Santana would happily drink for the rest of their lives.
Santana felt Brittany clench around her fingers and Brittany's mouth speeding up on her clit. Santana legs squeezed tighter around Brittany's head and shoulder, pulling her in tighter, to get herself as close as Brittany was to release. Brittany pulled away from Santana and said her name once before she bit the inside of her thigh as she came undone, her scream muffled by Santana's clenched thighs. Santana continued to gently pulse her fingers inside Brittany, and lick her clean, bringing her slowly down. Santana clit had other ideas and they weren't as gentle. She was so close and her hips involuntarily pressed into Brittany's fingers and sought out her mouth to finish what she started. She whimpered with need as she tenderly kissed around Brittany's mound and folds and inner thigh. As soon as Brittany felt she could breathe again, she focused all her attention on Santana wriggling against her. She pressed her fingers inside her and gave a few thrusts as she sucked on her clit. That's all it took for Brittany to hear and feel Santana come undone and gasp hot breaths of relief in between her legs. Brittany loosened her grip on Santana, and stroked her thighs and butt, gently kissing and licking Santana.
Santana groaned a sigh of relief and rolled onto her back. Brittany propped herself up on her elbow and smiled down at Santana.
"Come here," Santana beckoned and Brittany joined her at the foot of the bed.
"God you're covered in me," Santana chuckled, pulling a stray hair that clung to Brittany's wet cheek.
"Looks like we're even, then," Brittany grinned and pulled Santana in for another kiss.
Friday afternoon, after Brittany finished her exams, she packed up the rest of her belongings, plus Lord Tubbington, and dropped them off at her house. She returned to the Lopez's house for one last dinner.
Dr. Lopez arrived home before Santana, and greeted his wife and Brittany who were preparing dinner in the kitchen. He settled into his favorite chair, picked up a magazine and put his feet up. Maribel watched him as he frowned and looked around.
"The cat gone already?" Dr. Lopez asked.
"Yeah, I took him back today. You don't have to fight him for your chair anymore Dr. Lopez," Brittany teased.
Dr. Lopez continued to frown, but returned his attention to his magazine. Maribel smiled and shook her head. She knew it. She knew as soon as he complained about Lord Tubbington as much as he did this summer, he really was going to miss that fat cat. She made a mental note to take her husband to the animal shelter once Santana moved to New York.
Santana came home from work and Brittany greeted her near the door with a kiss.
"I really am going to love getting used to that," Santana grinned.
"Me too. Whoever gets home first gets to make dinner," Brittany winked.
"You just like me in an apron," Santana teased.
"Just the apron," Brittany whispered.
"Still sitting here," Dr. Lopez announced, not looking up from the magazine.
"I'm going to take a shower," Santana announced, straightening up her posture and attitude.
"Can I get you a drink Dr. Lopez," Brittany offered, clearing her throat and mind.
"I'm good Brittany, thank you," Dr. Lopez said with a raised eyebrow to soften his stern expression.
"Help me set the table Brittany?" Mrs. Lopez called from the kitchen.
"Sure!" Brittany agreed all too quickly to Maribel's rescuing request.
One good thing about moving back to her house that night, she wouldn't have be in a near constant state of on edge around Dr. Lopez. She seemed to have a knack for being just inappropriate enough to make Dr. Lopez lose his sweet smile and gain his protective father persona.
After dinner, Dr. Lopez and Maribel retired to the back deck with their drinks, while Santana and Brittany cleaned up the dinner dishes.
"You sure you don't want me to stay over tonight?" Santana asked, drying a serving dish.
Brittany sighed and shook her head. "I'd love that, you know that. But I want to get up early and make sure everything's set for tomorrow. And I know you promised to help Kurt pick out the moving van tomorrow morning."
"Vans. Two. I'm not making that trip with him. I have to live with him; I can't be stuck in a van for 10 hours and still like him. Or myself," Santana explained.
Brittany smiled, shook her head and rubbed Santana's back. "Well, thank you for doing that anyway."
"You're welcome. You've got a lot of family time to catch up with," Santana smiled.
Brittany kissed Santana's cheek and whispered in her ear, "You're my family too, you know."
Santana blushed and smiled. "And you're mine."
Mrs. Lopez called for the girls to join them out back. Brittany and Santana finished up and went out the back door. Brittany gasped at the chocolate iced cake decorated with candles.
"But it's not my birthday," Brittany protested.
"It's a 'Thanks for being part of our family this summer and congratulations on all your hard work' cake," Maribel explained.
"We've loved having you Brittany," Dr. Lopez added.
Brittany wiped away a happy tear. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything Britt," Santana said, her hand on the small of Brittany's back. "Just make a wish and blow out the candles."
Brittany squeezed her eyes shut and took a moment to gather her thoughts into a clear wish. She voiced her wish in her head, taking the time to be clear and specific, and blew out the candles in one breath.
The Lopez's and Brittany ate their slices of cake and spent the rest of the evening talking. At Brittany's first yawn, Santana nudged her to get up. Santana walked Brittany to the door and gave her a soft, long kiss goodnight.
"Have a good time with your family this weekend," Santana quietly said.
"Thank you," Brittany replied. "I think I miss you already."
"Soon. I'll see you Monday to start Finals review, okay?" Santana soothed.
Santana rung Kurt's doorbell with one hand and gripped her travel coffee mug with the other. Kurt opened the door with a smile that soon faded. Santana looked like she did after Rachel's Train Wreck Party Extravaganza.
"Are you hung over?" Kurt whispered.
"It's 8 in the morning on a Saturday. This is what you get Hummel," Santana grumbled.
Kurt invited her in and offered fresh coffee from his French press.
"You're alright Kurt," Santana said, eyeing the French press.
"Let me know when you're ready to talk dimensions and splitting up the Ikea stuff for moving," Kurt carefully suggested.
"How's never sound?" Santana weakly smirked. "Got anything to eat?"
Kurt directed her to the breakfast nook, where there was a bowl of fruit salad, yogurt, granola, a quiche and a carafe of orange juice.
"Jesus Kurt," Santana said as she sat down. "Is this what you do every morning?"
"Oh god no. No. I'm more of a brunch man myself. I started making healthy breakfasts when my Dad was sick. I do this on weekends sometimes, but not quiche. That's the special treat," Kurt explained.
"Britt tell you I liked it?" Santana asked, serving herself a piece.
Kurt nodded with an apologetic shrug. "You and I have had our moments of not hating each other the past couple of years. Since we're going to be living together, I thought we should try to have more of those."
Santana washed down her bite of quiche with a gulp of coffee.
"I can handle that. You bringing that French press will help," Santana replied.
"It's on the packing list," Kurt replied with a confident smile.
"Good," Santana with a tired smile. "Okay Prancy, let's do this."
Kurt and Santana reviewed their Ikea purchases in the garage and, Santana was impressed how Kurt had split them up into small piles. He had them in their most compact arrangements. They went to the U-Haul dealer and looked at cargo vans and small moving trucks.
Santana stood in the back of a small moving truck and looked at the space. Kurt stood outside writing measurements.
"I don't hate you Kurt," Santana said, staring at the wall of the truck.
Kurt's pen stilled and he looked up at the back of Santana.
"You can be a lot to deal with sometimes," Santana said with a shrug. "You being so…you…wasn't always what I wanted to be around."
Santana hopped down from the truck.
"Let's look at the vans," Santana said as she walked away and to another section of the parking lot.
"And now?" Kurt asked.
"Now what?" Santana asked opening the back of the cargo van.
"I wasn't what you always wanted to be around. But now?" Kurt clarified.
"You're still a lot. But I'm used to you now," Santana said climbing into the back of the van.
"And you're used to you now too, right?" Kurt suggested.
Santana stopped. Her shoulders stiffened. She didn't turn around.
"You don't know me Kurt," Santana said with a steeled voice.
"But I'd like to," Kurt replied in a kind, soft voice.
"We got time," Santana replied. "Just don't hold your breath."
Kurt and Santana returned to Kurt's house with truck and van information. Kurt walked through his scale diagram of the apartment and major furniture measurements.
"Looks like I have to go home and measure my bureau and Britt's, but it looks like we're good for the common living area," Santana commented.
"I think so too, and by the looks of it, we can get away with the vans and not the trucks," Kurt suggested.
Santana returned home and opened up her email. Kurt scanned his apartment diagram and emailed her the file.
She measured her bureau and tried to figure out how it would fit in their narrow bedroom. Even with the loft bed, it was going to take some creative positioning to get hers and Brittany's bureaus in that room.
Brittany spent the morning putting all her sister's favorite stuffed animals on her bed and prepping lunch so her family had a nice meal when they arrived home. She put all her tests up on the fridge, proudly displaying her achievements this summer. She even hung a banner in the living room that read "Welcome Home".
Brittany heard her parents pull into the driveway as she was putting the finishing touches on the lunch she had prepared. Brittany greeted her family at the car.
Her father was out of the car first to give his eldest daughter a hug. He picked her up and spun her around, so happy to see her after all this time. Her mother was next out of the car and drew Brittany into a bear hug. Brittany was surprised at how much strength her mother could pack into that hug. But it felt great to have her parents home, safe and only looking a little tired from the trip. She felt her sister slam into her back with a hug as her mother still held on tight.
"Hey Munchkin," Brittany greeted, reaching around to pat her head from behind. "Come on inside," Brittany said, taking a bag out the back of the car. "I've got lunch ready."
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce gave each other a surprised look, but said nothing. They grabbed the rest of their bags and entered the house. They beamed at the "Welcome Home" sign and the spread of sandwiches, salad and place settings at the table. Mrs. Pierce opened the refrigerator and found it full of fresh vegetables, fruit and all they would need for at least a week.
"Oh Brittany, you didn't have to," she smiled.
"I need to eat too," Brittany joked. "You had a long trip, it's the least I could do."
Mrs. Pierce closed the refrigerator door and read all the test scores. Her hand went over her heart and she let out a proud sigh.
"I told you I was doing well," Brittany reminded her as she came up behind her.
Mrs. Pierce nodded, "I know. Just seeing it in black and white. It's just…I'm so proud of you sweetie."
"Thanks Mom," Brittany replied and hugged her from behind. "Come on. Sit down, eat, and we'll catch up some more."
The Pierces spent the afternoon talking about Grandma and the trip and Brittany's summer. After they unpacked and settled in for the evening, Brittany went up to her room and started organizing her pictures and keepsakes she wanted to take to New York. Mrs. Pierce picked up the phone and called Maribel.
"Hey Susan, how was the trip?" Maribel asked when she picked up the phone.
"Long, but good. So glad to be home," Susan replied.
"I bet you are. Getting settled back in?" Maribel asked.
"Yes, quicker than we expected since Brittany apparently did all the shopping the cleaning, made us all lunch and even had time to put up a banner welcoming us home," Susan laughed in disbelief.
"She's a good kid, Susan. You know that," Maribel smiled. "She's probably doing your laundry too while you're talking to me."
Susan saw Brittany go upstairs so she knew Brittany wouldn't be doing laundry. But she put the phone to her chest anyway and listened for sounds coming from the laundry room. She heard the metal door slam, the buzz of the dial spinning and the water in the pipes kick in.
"What the hell did you do while I was gone?" Susan asked in shock.
"Exactly what you asked me to. Exactly what you were going to do," Maribel replied with a chuckle.
"And her grades! Maribel her grades!" Susan gasped. "God I wish she'd put this much work into all her classes for all those years," she sighed.
"No distractions. A ton of motivation. Two tutors to help her. It was the magic combination," Maribel reminded her.
"I don't know Maribel. It's like you did some real magic on that kid," Susan complained. "I don't know if I could've gotten all that through her head this summer if I wasn't gone."
"You definitely would've Susan. Brittany didn't have a job, volunteering, Glee or Cheerios. Just school and studying and tutoring five days a week. As for the house stuff. One solid laundry lesson, they were good on grocery shopping after the third time and cooking is an on going lesson, just like it is for most of us," Maribel reassured.
"I can't thank you enough," Susan replied.
"Actually I wanted to thank you," Maribel confessed.
"Why would you thank me?" Susan asked. "You did all the work."
"But you raised such an amazing, thoughtful, kind, honest, smart daughter. It was truly a pleasure having her with us. She's such a good person and so, so good for Santana. Those two together…well, they just work, you know?" Maribel replied.
"Some credit goes to her dad," Susan explained.
"You all get credit. Just don't sell yourself short. She's wonderful and you should be very proud of the job you did raising her. Really," Maribel concluded.
"Thank you Maribel. It means a lot. Coming from you. They're really leaving in a couple weeks aren't they? All grown up. I feel like I've missed everything and it's only been a summer," Susan sighed.
"I've been with them all summer and I feel exactly the same way. We can't win this one Susan. Either way, they grow up. They go to New York and we see them at holidays," Maribel replied.
"Want to come over for drinks tonight?" Susan asked.
"We'll be there at 8," Maribel agreed.