Forever Hers
Chapter Thirty Five
Two years later, our "Amazing Trio" as we call them became the lights of our lives. We literally lived for them and their happiness.
Right after we brought them all home from the hospital a few days after their birth, my mother, Santana's Mom, and Abuelita decided to stay for an extra month and a half to help us with navigating this new world we created. They were so amazing and patient with us as we learned "Baby 101"! We didn't really know what to do with one baby let alone three. We had cousins, but nothing compared to raising three of our own.
Pretty soon we developed a plan of who would get up to feed them, who would get up to change them, and we both played with them all the time.
Once the door closed on the last day of our mothers and Abuelita's trip we kind of panicked, but I steadied her.
"Ok, Santana, we got this…you and me forever…" I said and smiled.
"And ever!" she said.
It was like the triplets instinctively knew that we might get scared. They must have had a meeting while in Santana's stomach when Angelina said, "Ok, we all are going to be a big surprise. Especially you, Jonah…" Jonah must have tried to kick her when Santana grabbed her stomach over the course of her pregnancy.
"Haha, you missed…I think we should be great as soon as possible for our Moms…Limited fighting…Limited crying…Maximum sleeping….Maximum happiness and good times. They're gonna need all the sleep they can get for when we can't help it," Caleb must have suggested.
"I agree. I know that I am a big old surprise thanks to Uncle Puck's rambunctious little swimmers…" Jonah had to have said.
Angelina probably put her tiny arm out in front of them, followed by Caleb, and then Jonah. They probably raised them up and over their heads signaling that they were "Team Lopez".
They made very good on their promise. They are remarkable kids. They allow us some Mom and Mommy time and we also spend as much time with them as possible.
In the two years since their birth, Quinn and Rachel welcomed their new baby Lucy Lea Fabray into the world eight months after. She is so cute. She has brown hair and the brightest brown eyes ever. She and Caleb play with each other all the time so who knows…
I want to tell you about my wonderful children…Wow! That never gets old.
Angelina is so smart. She must have gotten that from her Mom along with her beauty and timelessness. She is the most outgoing of the three. She enjoys just laying in Santana's arms until she falls to sleep. I predict that she'll be a model or at least in the entertainment industry. As long as she's honest and happy that's all that matters to me. We haven't begun to call her "Angie" yet and I think she's fine with it.
Caleb is the tallest of them so far. He is tough when he needs to be, but a complete teddy bear on the inside. He's starting to talk and has said, "Ma" when he looked at me. I smiled the brightest ever…well except on my wedding day. I nodded my head and said, "Yes, my boy, that's me!" I kissed his forehead and he smiled. He'll probably be totally into sports in school. Whatever he wants to do we'll be there cheering him on.
And then there's Jonah…Ah, Jonah. I'm not about to say I have a favorite child because they're all my favorite for different reasons. I will say happily that I connect with Jonah in a different way. He knows I'm his Mom and I know he's my son. We like to have cuddle times together when Santana is playing with Caleb and Angelina. Jonah easily falls asleep in my arms. Santana is a little bit jealous. Not because he won't go to her, but because I get him to fall asleep.
"I guess you're his favorite!" Santana said once.
"He loves you too," I answered when he was in my arms. I gently grabbed his hand and said, "Wave at Mami!" And he did!
"See…he loves you too…" I said and smiled.
Santana, my beyond beautiful wife, looked smoking hot during her pregnancy, but somehow after the pregnancy she looked even hotter. She kept some of the weight on which totally gets my motor running, if you know what I mean! She ate healthy during the pregnancy and she continues to after. So it's not like she doesn't take care of herself. I make sure to take care of her too. It's the least I can do knowing what she has given to me. I surprise her regularly with a dozen long stemmed roses. On the card I write "From the kids". I have them sent to "Britt's Place"!
"We'll watch them…" Quinn once said after she and Rachel got into their rhythm with Lucy.
"Are you sure? Four kids!" Santana asked.
"Between me and Rachel I'm sure we'll be able to do it," Quinn said happily.
"In fact, make it an overnight!" Rachel said as she wiped something from Lucy's mouth. "As long as you two do it for us one weekend," Quinn said.
"Deal!" I said as I extended my hand out to Quinn.
That Saturday morning we packed the kids' things up and brought them down to Quinn and Rachel's.
"Come on in!" Rachel said as she opened the door.
"Hey, Lucy," I said and waved as best I could.
"Hi, Bitty," she said since she is still learning to speak.
"Hi, Santa," she said to Santana.
"Hi, baby girl!" she said.
"Here are some friends for you to play with until tomorrow afternoon…" I said excitedly as I put Caleb down. He sprinted over and pulled Lucy in for a hug.
"Aww," Rachel said.
"Just watch him," Santana suggested.
"Ok, guys, me and Mommy are leaving," Santana said as she put Angelina and Jonah down next the two of them.
"Bye, bye," Jonah said. He waddled over and hugged Santana's leg tightly. Then he waddled over and hugged mine as well.
As we started to back away toward the door we started to get emotional. Us…not the kids. They were fine laughing and playing.
"They'll be fine," Quinn said as she pushed us further into the hallway.
"Call if you need anything," I said and wiped away my tears.
"Will do…Go have fun!" Rachel yelled from inside the apartment.
And with that Quinn shut the door. And then it was just the two of us. I wiped her tears away and she simultaneously wiped mine. Then we looked each other in the eyes and she asked, "What do you want to do?"
"Well, first, I want to cuddle with you, then we're going out for a 'thank you' dinner, and then we are coming home and seeing where the night takes us," I said matter-of-factly.
"Ok, you're in charge of tonight…Anything you want to do I am all for," she said. I grabbed her hands and kissed them. Then I led her to the elevator and we rode it up a flight still holding hands. I don't know how we managed not to make out, but we did.
As soon as we got into our apartment and locked the door, it was definitely a different story. We lunged at each other and nearly knocked each other out.
"Ouch! You okay," I asked.
"Fine…Kiss me," she said seductively.
I obliged immediately as I put my tongue directly into her mouth. I massaged her tongue with my own and she moaned in the kiss.
"You okay?" I asked when we came up for air.
"Absolutely. I love kissing you. I love you, Brittany Lopez," she said as she gazed lovingly into my eyes.
"I love you, too, Santana Lopez," I said as I stared at her.
Then she grabbed my body and walked with me over to our couch. She pushed me down gently and then she got on the couch and straddled my body.
"Wait…" I said.
She suddenly froze.
"What? You don't want to do this? Is it me?" she asked shyly.
"No, no," I said as I reached behind me and pulled out a plastic squeaking toy.
"Just this," I said as I made the toy squeak.
"Haha! We need to teach them how to put their toys away," Santana suggested with a smile as she looked down at me.
"First thing," I said, threw the toy on the floor, and grabbed her so she would be lying on top of me.
"I love you," she said as she rested on my body and looked into my eyes
"I love you more," I said as I closed the gap between our lips.
We kissed and caressed each other for hours. I have always loved being close to Santana. We don't need to make love each time. Just knowing that I can hold her any time I wanted was plenty for me.
"Where do you want to go for dinner?" I asked her hours later as my stomach rumbled.
"I don't care, just not 'Britt's Place'," she said, "No offense!"
"None taken. If we went there you'd probably feel like you would have to work. I want you all to myself tonight," I replied.
"Where do you want to go," she asked me this time.
Ok, I want to take you to the most beautiful restaurant because you are the most beautiful woman there is. Where do I take you? I want to go somewhere that will offer us an amazing view. Oh, wait...I got it!
"Earth to Brittany," she yelled to break my concentration.
"Oh, I'm sorry…I know where, but I'm not telling. Go get ready!" I said excitedly.
"Ok, what should I wear," she asked.
"Something sexy, but appropriate," I said.
"Ok, I got just the thing. I'm gonna shower and then get dressed," she said, got up from the couch and ran to the bedroom.
I yanked out my cell phone and called the Marriot Marquis hotel.
"Hello, this is the Marriot Marquis, Dan speaking,"
"Hi, Dan, can you transfer me to the 'The View' restaurant, please," I asked.
"Of course, one minute please," he said.
For a couple of minutes I was listening to elevator music and then I heard, "Hello, this is 'The View' restaurant. This is Heather, how may I help you?"
"Hello, Heather, I am hoping to make a reservation for two people for tonight at 7 pm. Is this possible?"
"Absolutely," Heather confirmed.
"Is it possible to get a window seat," I asked hopeful.
"Sure, anything else? Tonight we're having live entertainment. A violinist…" Heather told me.
"Would it be possible to have the player come to our table for a few minutes and play for us," I asked.
"I don't see why not. Is this a special occasion?" she asked.
"Well, this is the first time that me and my wife have been out alone since our triplets were born," I said honestly.
"Well now, that is a special occasion. I'll have a bottle of champagne chilling for you? What's your last name," Heather asked.
"Thank you…Lopez…I appreciate all of your help," I said.
Then I hung up. I ran up to the closed bedroom door and yelled, "Hey, my Santana…"
"Yea, Sexy Ass," she replied.
"The reservation is for 7 pm. I gotta go out for a few minutes. Be right back," I said as I moved away toward the front door.
"Okay, I love you," she called out.
"I love you more," I said as I grabbed my purse and slammed the door behind me.
I took the elevator and almost instinctively went to check on the kids. I trusted Quinn and Rachel so I didn't. Also I didn't want Santana to find out if I did.
Instead I walked out of our apartment complex and walked the block or so to a florist that I have begun to use quite frequency.
"Hello," I said as I walked in.
"Hi. How can I help you," the short florist asked.
"I need two dozen red, long stemmed roses. Is it possible to wait for them being that I need them tonight," I asked hopeful.
"Not a problem," she said, "Please take seat."
"Great…thank you. I'll be thinking of what I'm going to write in the card," I said happily.
"Okay," the florist happily said and then began her work.
Okay what do I want to tell Santana that'll fit in a small rectangle card? 'I love you'…nah, she knows that…'thank you'…nope, told her that so many times…'you are my world'…maybe…'you make me so happy'…no, she knows that…c'mon think…ooh…I got it!
"Hello," the florist yelled as she tossed a pen in my direction.
"Oh, I'm sorry…" I apologized.
"Where were you," she asked intrigued.
"Thinking of what to write on the card…" I said honestly.
"So what do you think?" she said as she carried over the huge bouquet of two dozen red roses in a big vase.
"Oh my God, they're gorgeous!" I exclaimed proudly.
"I'll ring it up then…oh wait the most important thing," she said as she picked out the biggest small card available.
I handed her my credit card and said, "Put it on this. Do you mind if I write it out here?"
"Not at all," she replied. She rung me up and placed the receipt and credit card next to me as I wrote out what I wanted to say. I started to use the back side of the card when she handed me another card. I smiled and then went back to writing.
When I was finished she quickly took the cards from my hands and attached them to the red ribbon that was around the vase. I took the credit card and receipt and put it in my pocket.
"There you go. Have a great evening," she said.
"Thank you," I said happily as I picked up the vase and carried it out of the store.
When I got home, I rang the doorbell.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"Delivery," I said in my best manly voice.
"I didn't order anything, yo," she said.
"Delivery for Santana Lopez," I said as manly as possible.
"What is it," she asked apprehensively.
"I need a signature…" I said.
"Ok, okay," she said defeated.
"Thank you," I said right before she opened the door.
"What the f-?" she asked.
"Santana Lopez," I said manly.
"Yeah," she replied.
"These are for you," I said.
She went to grabbed them from me. When she saw it was me and not some man she laughed out loud.
"Brittany," she squealed.
"Hey, baby, these were heavy," I said and smiled.
Immediately she grabbed me and pulled me into the sweetest kiss ever.
"You're welcome. I'm going to take a quick shower. Oh, here," I said after the kiss broke. I handed her the cards.
"Read these while I shower," I said. I then disappeared behind the bathroom door.
She walked over to the couch and sat down. She pulled out the cards from the small envelope and read aloud, "My Darling, Santana, there are no words to properly tell you just how I feel. We've been together for our entire lives and yet each day that I get to wake up next to you is a wonderful day. You are my life and my world. You excite me and love me unconditionally and for this I am grateful. You have my heart and will have it for the rest of my life and then forever after that. I simply love you, Santana! Thank you for wanting to kiss me and for wanting to see where we could go all those years ago. My life wouldn't be the same without you. I am forever yours, Brittany"
She got up from the couch, walked to the bathroom door, pushed it open, and pulled back the curtain of the shower. I anticipated her doing this so I wore nothing but a great big smile on my wet face.
"Did you like the card," I asked.
"No," she answered.
"No…" I said and looked down at my feet.
She gently raised my chin with her hand, looked me directly into my eyes, and said, "Brittany, this is the nicest thing anyone has ever written to me. I absolutely love it and I absolutely love you!" then she leaned up and toward me and we kissed passionately.
"We gotta get ready," I said disappointedly as the kiss broke.
"We have all night after dinner," she said seductively.
"You better believe it!" I said as I grabbed the curtain and pulled it back in place so that I could finish with my shower. I heard the door slam.
"I'm the luckiest woman there is…" I said aloud.
In the cab, I gave the driver the directions written on a piece of paper.
"Where are we going," she kept asking me like one of our kids.
"Not telling…it's a surprise," I said.
In a few New York City minutes we pulled up in front of the Marriot Marquis hotel.
"Baby, did you get us a hotel room," she asked me.
"Not quite," I assured her.
"Oh, okay, we're going in there, right?" she asked as we exited the cab.
"Yes, my darling, we are," I said as she took hold of my hand. We got into the elevator with a huge crowd of people due to people being kind of late to a play in their theater. I grasped her hand tightly as only I knew where we were heading.
We stopped at the theater's floor and she went to walk out of the elevator.
"No honey, not yet," I told her.
"Oh, okay…where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll see," I assured her.
In a few minutes the bell for our floor rang on the elevator and as soon as the elevator's door opened her eyes went wide with excitement.
"We're going to eat here," she asked totally shocked.
"Yes, my love, we are," I said happily.
"Wonderful," she mumbled, but I heard her.
"We walked up to the hostess and she said, "Hello, I'm Heather. Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes, the name's Lopez," I said proudly.
"Oh, I remember you. It was a pleasure talking with you," she said.
"Thank you," I said.
"Follow me," Heather said as she motioned to us to follow her. I grasped Santana's hand and we followed Heather all the way to the window. Once we were in front of our table I pulled Santana's chair out for her.
"Thank you, baby," she said as she sat. Heather handed her a menu after.
"Thank you, Heather," I said as I sat down and got a menu.
"You're waiter will be right over," Heather said and left us to look at the menu.
"This is so romantic," Santana said as she peered out the window.
"That was my hope," I responded with a smile.
"What do you want to eat?" she asked.
"I'm in a seafood mood," I said.
"Me too," she agreed.
"Do you want to share a shrimp cocktail as an appetizer," I asked.
"Of course," she answered.
"I'm going to have the two lobster tails with a side of mashed potatoes," I said excitedly.
"That sounds good. I'm going to go with the shrimp over rigatoni with marinara sauce," she said as the waiter walked over to us.
I ordered for the both of us and asked for a bottle of champagne.
"So…" I started after the waiter left us.
"So…" she repeated after me.
"Santana, um, I wanted to bring you to this restaurant…" I said nervously.
"Brittany, are you nervous?" she said as she tried not to smile.
"Yea, actually I am. You are so beautiful and I get nervous around you," I said honestly.
"Even when I have drool and spit up on me," she teased.
"Even more so at those times," I said totally honestly. As I said that I looked directly into her eyes.
"How do you do that?" she asked.
"Do what?" I asked.
"Totally make me feel like I'm drop dead gorgeous all the time. I love you so much for it, but I just want to know how you do it!" she said.
"Oh that…it's easy…I'm just being truthful…" I said and smiled.
"Am I really?" she asked honestly.
"Santana, sweetheart, you are so gorgeous. You've been everything I've ever wanted for my entire life. There could never be anyone else that could hold a candle up next to you. Hey…Do you remember the night that we became a couple. The spin the bottle game," I asked.
"Of course," she said.
"Well, I heard the whole conversation between you and Quinn after the game," I revealed.
"You did? Why didn't you tell me," she asked.
"I don't know. I never thought to," I said and shrugged.
"What did you think?" she asked.
"Well, first of all, I knew you loved me even when we were kids. And I was very willing to wait for you to realize that. I am so glad that Quinn talked to you that night. Would you have said anything to me if she hadn't?" I asked because I really wanted to know.
"I think I would have. It would have probably taken a little longer for me to muster up enough courage to, but I would have," she said truthfully.
"And I would have waited until you felt absolutely comfortable with telling me," I said.
"I never would have doubted that, Britt," she said honestly.
"You know what?" I asked.
"No what?" she said.
"I think we're actually living a fairy tale life…you're my princess who I love more than my life. I'm your 'knight' who'd slay any dragon for you or put her life in danger if needed. We have had years of happiness together and I can guarantee you that this will continue and get even better because of our three children…" I said beyond happily.
As if on cue, the violinist came over. She played the song, "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, on her violin. I got up from my seat and extended my hand to her.
"Would you care to dance, my Santana," I asked with a smile on my face.
"Why certainly," she replied as she grabbed onto my hand. I immediately pulled her up from her chair and pulled as close to me as possible.
"Do you care that we're making a scene," she asked realizing that all of the people in the restaurant that were staring at us.
"Nope…They're just jealous…You know why?" I asked.
"Um, no, why," she said.
"Cuz I get to go home with you!" I said happily. I then dipped her.
"Brittany," she squealed.
As I hovered over her I smiled and then gave her a peck on her lips. I then returned her to a standing position.
We finished dancing to the song. As soon as the violinist was finished the whole restaurant applauded her. Santana and I also applauded.
I then pulled out Santana's seat for her as she sat down.
"Thank you," she said.
"You're very welcome," I replied.
Then she looked deeply into my eyes and said, "I love you, Brittany Susan Lopez!"
"And I love you, Santana Marie Lopez," I said and smiled. I took her hand that was on the table and massaged it gently with my hand.