Thanks for all your reviews on the last chapter?
May 31st
"I'll get us some more tea." Brittany says with a smile as she kisses me on the cheek and stands up.
"Don't take too long." I reply with a big smile before turning it into a fake pout. "It's cold out, and I need your arms to warm me up." I add while dramatically rubbing my hands up and down my arms.
Brittany laughs. "I'll be super quick." She smiles before disappearing into the penthouse.
Brit and I both had the night off, well if you don't count the 60 cookies I had to bake and deliver, so we decided to stay up late and watch the sunrise. Brittany seems wide awake but I am slowly crashing, which Brit could tell, so she made us blackberry tea and we've been snacking on frozen grapes, our new favorite snack. Every since her mom showed up, and her aunt, Holly, Brittany has had a huge smile plastered on her face, it's like she on cloud nine and I absolutely love it.
I didn't think it was possible for any human being to be more adorable that Brit, but her mom is even more adorable than she is. One of the nights she was in town Brit had to work at the dinner late, so the two of us stayed up late talking, and watching movies. She told me the cutest stories about Brittany from her childhood, like how she used to run around naked with a tutu and tiara on, her first word was what, she had a mini heart attack when she lost her first tooth because she didn't know what the tooth fairy did with the teeth; the stories go on and on, and each one, even the smallest stories made me fall deeper in love with Brittany. Her mom talked about her with so many pride, it's amazing and heart warming. She showed me a ton of pictures of her younger brothers, who I just want to cuddle with too, they are so freakin adorable. I hate that Brittany is missing out on so much of their lives because her dad is a jackass, but my promise to myself to get her brothers to New York for a weekend, so they can hang out, bond, catch up, whatever they need to do. I didn't have siblings growing up, it was just my cousins, so I want Brittany to make the most of her gift of being a big sister.
Another memory I will hold on to forever with Brittany's mom was the following night I had to bartend Happy Hour and my normal night shift, so her mom brought me dinner to the bar; and not just a burger from McDonald's, she made spaghetti with the works, meatballs, mushrooms, green peppers, everything, and she baked garlic bread; she wrapped everything up and sat at the bar with me while I snuck bites in between helping customers. We talked more just about life, and current events, before she went to pick up Brittany from work at the diner around 9. That night when I got home, I saw that she waxed the floors, and the kitchen was spotless, I also noticed Chef's toy selection had almost tripled, and he was asleep on her feet as she watched TV, so safe to say he finally accepted her.
It's been a few weeks since her mom left, but it's like I can still feel her presence in the penthouse, and Brittany agrees; it could be the potpourri she bought us, or the digital picture with pictures we took from the day we all went shopping and hung out in Times Square, or just the feeling that our penthouse is finally a home since both of our families have eaten, slept, showered, laughed, and existed in our space. I can feel my parents, and Mrs. Pierce every time I walk through the door, and I love it.
"Here, baby." Brittany states while setting the two mugs of tea on the table in front of us, and sitting back down cuddling close to me again. She instantly wraps her arm around my shoulders, allowing me to lean into her embrace, she then takes her other arm and slides it across my waist and begins to rub my side while resting her head on top of mine.
I pull the blanket we have outside with us over our laps again and press a soft kiss to her neck before sighing in contentment. "Is Chef still asleep?" I ask her.
"Kinda." She shrugs. "He stared at me while I made the tea, but never left his bed."
"He's not in his bed in our bedroom?" I ask her while wrapping my arm around her waist.
"No, the one in the hallway just off the kitchen, so he can look in." She explains while leaning forward and taking a sip, she then hands me the other mug. I take a few sips and clear my throat softly.
"This tea is so good Brit, excellent choice." I tell her with a smile as I lean back into her chest.
We sit in a comfortable silence, sipping our tea, and staring at the black night sky while cuddling close, and exchanging sporadic soft kisses, her kissing me on the temple, me kissing her on the cheek.
"I will never get tired of watching the sunrise with you." I tell her as the sun begins to peek over the horizon.
"It is gorgeous, huh?" She whispers.
"Very." I nod before locking eyes with her and pressing our lips together, slowly molding them together.
"I have the perfect poem for this occasion." She smiles while grabbing her phone off the table.
"Really?" I ask excitedly. I love Brittany's poems and always get excited when she tells me she has a piece to fit the mood. None of her poems ever sound like another, they all have a different beat, rhythm, and feel to them.
"I've been writing it for a while now, well I started writing it when I was working the graveyard shift at the diner, and saw the sun rise every morning." She smiles. "I have it saved in my notes section, just one second."
I nod and take a sip while turning to face her completely on the couch. I rest my hands on her thigh and massage it slowly as she starts the poem.
A Rock, A River, A Tree
Hosts to species long since departed,
Marked the mastodon.
The dinosaur, who left dry tokens
Of their sojourn here
On our planet floor,
Any broad alarm of their hastening doom
Is lost in the gloom of dust and ages.
But today, the Rock cries out to us, clearly, forcefully,
Come, you may stand upon my
Back and face your distant destiny,
But seek no haven in my shadow.
I will give you no more hiding place down here.
You, created only a little lower than
The angels, have crouched too long in
The bruising darkness,
Have lain too long
Face down in ignorance.
Your mouths spilling words
Armed for slaughter.
The Rock cries out today, you may stand on me,
But do not hide your face.
Across the wall of the world,
A River sings a beautiful song,
Come rest here by my side.
Each of you a bordered country,
Delicate and strangely made proud,
Yet thrusting perpetually under siege.
Your armed struggles for profit
Have left collars of waste upon
My shore, currents of debris upon my breast.
Yet, today I call you to my riverside,
If you will study war no more. Come,
Clad in peace and I will sing the songs
The Creator gave to me when I and the
Tree and the stone were one.
Before cynicism was a bloody sear across your
Brow and when you yet knew you still
Knew nothing.
The River sings and sings on.
There is a true yearning to respond to
The singing River and the wise Rock.
So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew
The African and Native American, the Sioux,
The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek
The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheikh,
The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher,
The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher.
They hear. They all hear
The speaking of the Tree.
Today, the first and last of every Tree
Speaks to humankind. Come to me, here beside the River.
Plant yourself beside me, here beside the River.
Each of you, descendant of some passed
On traveller, has been paid for.
You, who gave me my first name, you
Pawnee, Apache and Seneca, you
Cherokee Nation, who rested with me, then
Forced on bloody feet, left me to the employment of
Other seekers- desperate for gain,
Starving for gold.
You, the Turk, the Swede, the German, the Scot...
You the Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru, bought
Sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare
Praying for a dream.
Here, root yourselves beside me.
I am the Tree planted by the River,
Which will not be moved.
I, the Rock, I the River, I the Tree
I am yours- your Passages have been paid.
Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need
For this bright morning dawning for you.
History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, and if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.
Lift up your eyes upon
The day breaking for you.
Give birth again
To the dream.
Women, children, men,
Take it into the palms of your hands.
Mold it into the shape of your most
Private need. Sculpt it into
The image of your most public self.
Lift up your hearts
Each new hour holds new chances
For new beginnings.
Do not be wedded forever
To fear, yoked eternally
To brutishness.
The horizon leans forward,
Offering you space to place new steps of change.
Here, on the pulse of this fine day
You may have the courage
To look up and out upon me, the
Rock, the River, the Tree, your country.
No less to Midas than the mendicant.
No less to you now than the mastodon then.
Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes, into
Your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.
She sets her phone down nervously and stares at me for a few moments. "You hate it don't you?"
I shake my head slowly. "I love it Brittany, seriously." I reply quickly. "Is the meaning of the poem, hope?" I ask her. "Like, hope of the world? It kind of sounds like you're pleading with people to take a step back and focus on nature, or to appreciate nature more." I start to blush. "I could be wrong but that's what it sounded like to me."
She nods and smiles. "That's exactly what it's about." She says as her eyes light up.
"Really?" I ask excitedly while she takes a sip of her tea briefly.
"Yeah, it's a renewal of hope for mankind, morning is a time of renewal, from the links between peoples and the links between people and nature and stresses the desire for unity between the peoples of the world and a return to nature." She tells me.
"Wow." I breathe out. "Your poetry always amazes me Brit." I tell her. "I love you, can you maybe just make me a special book, you know, with all the poems you've told me?"
"Sure." She says excitedly while opening her arms wide. "Now let's cuddle and finish watching the sunrise."
I lean on Brittany's chest and relax as she starts to slowly run her fingers through my hair.
1pm
"Can't you skip work today Brit?" I ask her as Chef and I follow her around the bedroom while she gets ready for work.
Brittany stops and turns to grab something and bumps into me. "Santana." She laughs out.
"Today is going to be boring without you home." I whine. "What are Chef and I supposed to do all day?" I ask her while bending down and picking up Chef. "Look at our faces." I say while lifting Chef high so our faces are side by side, and I put my best pout on. Chef on the other hand uses this opportunity to lick my face and ruin the moment. "You're supposed to pout." I laugh at him while bringing him down to my waist and holding him.
"What if someone is a having a super bad day, and they really need a hot chocolate to cheer them up?" Brittany asks me with a smile as she sits on the bed and slips her sneakers on. "I have to be there to make it for them."
"What if I need a hot chocolate?" I say lowly.
"Then you, Aunty Snixx, can come visit me and get one." Brittany says while standing back up and grabbing Chef from my hands, she tosses him lightly on the bed and pulls me into a hug. "You're tired, I can see it all in your eyes, we were up late to watch the sunrise, you only slept for an hour or two before you made that huge breakfast. Take a nap and relax, tomorrow is the big day, you're nervous right now."
I sigh, Brittany's right, the food truck opens tomorrow and saying I'm nervous would be an understatement. We have the menu all planned out, it has been for weeks, we have all the food ready in the fridge, and plan to do a little prep work tonight so in the morning we can just wake up and get started.
"Take a nap, relax, and I'll be home before you know it." Brittany whispers in my ear.
"You get off at 9 right?" I ask her while squeezing her tightly.
"Yeah." Brittany nods.
"Fine, let me make you a quick lunch to take with you." I tell her as I lean up to kiss her quickly and break the hug.
"I work at a diner!" Brittany laughs out as I clap twice at Chef to signal him to follow me out of the room.
I go to the kitchen and pull out the steak I grilled last night and shred it quickly, I grab a bun and place the meat on top, I then slice a tomato and place that on top, I add a slice of pepperjack cheese, and scoop some of my homemade steaksauce on, and put the top of the bun back on. I wrap it in plastic and set it to the side; I get some of the sweet potato fries we had for dinner last out and wrap them in foil for her as well, I grab a fruit cup, and a can of Pepsi and place everything in a lunchbox. I run to the living room and get a flower out of the vase and sprinkle the rose petals over the top of everything, and write a small, yet sweet and sappy note, on a piece of paper and kiss it, so my lip gloss leaves my lip print, before placing it right on top.
Brittany walks in the kitchen just as I finish and I turn with a big smile and hand her the lunchbox. "All set."
"What's this?" She asks happily. "I don't have a lunchbox."
"You do now." I shrug while handing her the bright pink lunchbox. "It's just left overs from last night."
"Even better, dinner was so good last night." She smiles. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, I don't want you eating the diner food, it looks sketch." I tell her with a frown. "And I'm not being a food snob, but the meatload I had there was….just….I don't want you eating their food." I shrug.
"Ok." Brittany says happily. "I was going to take your car? Is that okay, or do you have somewhere to go today?"
"No, that's fine." I tell her. "If I need to go somewhere I'll have Quinn take me."
"Ok." Brittany replies. "I'm going to head out, stay out of trouble today." She says while looking me in the eyes.
"What?" I laugh out.
"When you're bored and antsy, you get into trouble." She laughs. "Your little crafty mind starts working, and unless it's focused on a recipe, it's up to no good."
I laugh. "I'm just going to hang out with Chef and count the minutes until you get home." I reply. "Dinner will be ready for you as well."
Brittany smiles and pulls me into a searing kiss. "I love you."
"Love you too." I reply happily as she grabs my hand and walks to the door. "Drive safely." I add before kissing her once more and watching her disappear into the hall.
I turn to Chef who has his leash in his mouth. "Well, let's go for a walk." I tell him while grabbing the leash from him.
5pm
I've been lying on the floor for the past hour staring at the ceiling, bored. I never realized how much Brittany and I do together when we're both off of work. I hear Chef squeaking a toy and glance over at him and smile, he can entertain himself, so why the hell can't I?
I get a bright idea and jump up and run to the office off the bedroom, I hear Chef's collar jingle as he chases after me. I sit down in the chair and lift him in my lap.
"I have something fun for us to do." I tell him happily while going through some of the files on the computer and finding exactly what I'm looking for. I type in the necessarily information and print it out.
I change my clothes and put on a pair of black leggings and one of Brittany's Pierce Property Management t-shirts, I put my hair in a messy bun on the top of my head and grab my aviator sunglasses. I slip Chef's police t-shirt on him and smile when he starts to chew on it.
"We have official business to take care of Officer Chef." I tell him. I go to one of our closets in the hallway and grab a tool belt, I have no idea why Brittany has one, and put it on. I pick up Chef and we leave the penthouse.
We walk the block to Quinn's building, and I march right up to her door. I set Chef down and nod at him to stay as I start to bang loudly on Quinn's door.
A few moments later Quinn swings the door open. "What the hell are you doing?" She snaps. "I'm trying to take a nap."
"Rents due bee-yotch." I smile and hold my hand out.
"Go to hell." Quinn rolls her eyes and slams the door in my face.
I frown and stare at Chef. "Well that wasn't very nice was it?" I ask him while reaching in my back pocket and pulling out the letter I printed earlier. "Good think I'm prepared for such resistance." I tell him as I grab a nail from the little pocket of the belt, and slip the hammer out of the holder.
I start to hammer the note to the door loudly when Quinn swings it open again and I damn near hammer her in the head.
"Shit Q!" I say quickly. "I could have smashed your damn face in."
"Why the hell are you tearing up my door?" She asks while glaring at me.
"I'm evicting you." I shrug while turning my body so I can finish hammering the eviction notice to the door.
"What?" She asks as her eyes widen. "What the fuck Santana?"
"I came to collect rent, you slammed the door in my face." I shrug. "I'm sure that breaks your tenant agreement in some way."
"You are fuckin crazy. I paid Brittany already for June." She quickly snaps. "Does she even know you're doing this?"
"Here at Pierce Property Management we don't tolerate insubordination from our tenants." I tell her while lifting my sunglasses slightly and pointing at the logo on t-shirt. "I have our official guard dog, a cop dog mind you, and he's not opposed to attacking on command." I tell her while then pointing to Chef.
"Fuckin ridiculous." Quinn sighs out while snatching the eviction notice off the door as a couple walks down the hall, they stop briefly and watch us, before walking away. "You are embarrassing me." She says through her teeth.
"Miss Fabray, rent is due!" I yell out loudly with a smirk. "Or you will be evicted in 5 days."
Quinn rolls her eyes again and tries to close the door on me, which I certainly don't appreciate. "Attack!" I yell out to Chef, who jumps up and runs full speed towards Quinn and starts biting on her pants leg.
"God dammit Santana." She snaps while shaking her leg to get Chef off of her, while she pulls her cell phone out of her pocket and makes a phone call. "Oh hey Brittany, I just wan to let you know I'm getting ready to kill your girlfriend, would you to say goodbye?" She then throws the phone at me.
I laugh and hold the phone up to my ear. "Hey honeybee….I'm evicting Quinn…because I'm bored…oh she did…ok…what kind do you want…oooooooo that sounds awesome…love you too, see you later." I hang up the phone and reach down to pick up Chef. "Brit says you paid already." I shrug while pushing Quinn aside and walking in the apartment and sitting on the couch.
"I told you that." Quinn sighs while slamming her door. "What do you want?" She asks while curling back in a ball on the couch next to me.
"I'm bored. Let's go do something." I suggest while staring at her.
"No, I'm taking a nap." She replies while tossing the cover back over her and closing her eyes.
"Well, can I still hang out here?" I ask her.
She opens one eye. "Your place is like triple the size of my apartment, you have a pool table, a rooftop view." She lists off. "You want to hang out here, while I sleep?"
"The penthouse is boring without Brit." I shrug while picking up the remote and turning the TV on.
"Fine, just make sure your damn dog doesn't tear up anything." She says as she closes her eyes again.
11pm
After dinner, Brittany and I did all the necessary prep work for the big opening of the food truck in the morning, before we took a bath and crawled in bed to relax and settle down for the night. We're each lying on our sides and starting at one another. I lean forward and kiss her before resting my head back on my own pillow and closing my eyes for a moment.
"Tomorrow will go fine." Brittany says softly while locking eyes with me and rubbing my back slowly. "What are you worried about?"
"What if no one comes to buy food, or what if someone gets food poisoning?" I ask her while shaking my head. "We'll get sued…well, I'll get sued."
"Good thing I have a great lawyer." Brittany smiles while moving closer and lying on my pillow. "Close your eyes."
I close my eyes slowly, I feel Brittany pull the covers off of me and lay flush on my back, she rests her head on my shoulder and places a soft kiss there. "I want you to clear your mind completely." She states.
"I'm trying to." I whisper.
"No talking." She says quickly as I feel her hands start to massage my temples slowly. "Worst case scenario tomorrow is that no one shows up right? Well, if that happens, which it won't, then we'll drive to a new location."
"Ok." I nod slowly.
"I believe in you." Brittany adds as she rolls off of me and lays next to me again. "I believe in you so much."
I open my eyes and smile at her. "I believe in you too." I tell her. "Your books will sell crazy, I'm going to make sure everyone that orders food buys a book."
"So you're admitting that people will buy food?" Brittany laughs.
I roll my eyes. "I'm sure I'll get one or two customers."
"Can we sneak a cupcake tonight?" Brittany asks sweetly. "If you run out tomorrow, I promise to take full responsibility and tell the angry mob of customers."
I laugh and get out of bed and head to the kitchen. I made the cupcakes after I got tired of sitting by Quinn's house, well actually after she threw me out, Chef got a hold to a pair of shoes of hers when I fell asleep on the couch. It's not my fault, he usually doesn't chew on anything but his toys, so after giving her money for a new pair of shoes, I scooped up my pup and we came back home. I started to do a little prep work so Brittany didn't have to help me with so much after work. I grab two cupcakes and come back to bed, where Brittany is happily waiting while licking her lips.
"You licking your lips at me or the cupcakes?" I ask her with a tease.
"While your grey tank top and red pajama shorts are super sexy, I'm eyeing those cupcakes right now." She laughs.
"You do realize you called my breasts a pair of cupcakes the other night right?" I remind her while sitting back in bed and handing her one of the cupcakes.
"Touche." Brittany smiles as she leans forward and kisses the top of my breast. "So what kind are these again?" She asks while sitting back up and staring at the cupcake.
"Umm, the one I gave you is a York Peppermint Patty cupcake, and the one I have a Orange Dream cupcake." I tell her.
"Like the popsicle?" She asks excitedly.
I nod at her and laugh as she snatches the cupcake from my hand and takes a bite quickly. "This is so amazing." She moanss out while taking another bite and handing it back to me.
"Thanks for leaving me a bite." I laugh and pop the last bite in my mouth before kissing some frosting off the side of her mouth and licking my lips. "Try that one now." I tell her while pointing to the other cupcake in her hand.
She nods and takes a bite. "I love you and your magic hands." Brittany smiles out.
"Magic hands?" I smirk.
"Both in the kitchen and bedroom." She winks at me. "Seriously, these are amazing, baby, how many did you make?"
"60 of each." I tell her. "I made a little cupcake pack for Ashley too, I was thinking we could drop them off to her tomorrow maybe after school?"
"Sounds good." Brittany nods while offering me a bite.
"Oh, you're sharing?" I tease.
"Nope, just wanted to seem nice." She laughs before popping the last bite in her mouth.
I laugh and rest my forehead on hers as I straddle her and lock my hands behind her neck. "I love you." I whisper to her.
"I love you, too." She smiles while wrapping her arms around my waist and pecking me on the lips.
I smile and start to sing to her quietly.
Lovin' you is easy cause you're beautiful
Makin' love with you is all I wanna do
Lovin' you is more than just a dream come true
And everything that I do is out of lovin' you
La la la la la la la... do do do do do
Brittany smiles and sings the next verse to me.
No one else can make me feel
The colors that you bring
Stay with me while we grow old
And we will live each day in springtime
Cause lovin' you has made my life so beautiful
And every day my life is filled with lovin' you
Brittany starts to hum the melody as I kiss her on the cheek and sing the rest to her.
Lovin' you I see your soul come shinin' through
And every time that we oooooh
I'm more in love with you
La la la la la la la... do do do do do
"Minnie Riperton was a genius for that song." Brittany smiles.
"She truly was." I agree before pressing my lips all over Brittany's face and finally landing on her lips briefly before hugging her tightly and hiding my face in her neck.
10:30am
I'm standing in the food truck over the sink with my eyes closed collecting my thoughts and trying to keep my breakfast down. I'm more nervous right now than I've ever been before. My biggest fear is that no one will come, I mean if that happens we are going to take the food to a shelter and donate everything, well everything aside from the cupcakes. I'll probably sit in the corner at the penthouse and eat those non-stop while sobbing and spiraling into depression.
My abuela called me early this morning, and by early I mean 5am, I woke up and initially wanted to throw my damn phone against the wall, but Brittany convinced me to check the caller ID first, and once I did my face lit up and I answered. She told me I would be fine and that she prayed to a few Saints the night before so I had nothing to worry about. She sensed my nervousness was still lingering and prayed right over the phone.
"Hey, you okay?" Brittany asks as she walks up next to me.
I glance up at her. "I'm okay." I nod at her.
"Good, got everything you need?" Brittany then asks.
I look around. "Yeah, I think we are all set." I nod at her. "Are your books lined up and ready?"
Brittany nods. "I have some right on the ledge, both where we take the orders and where we hand the food out."
"Ok." I nod. "So the plan is to offer a book to every single person that orders food."
"Gotcha." Brittany smiles.
"Hello Mr. Moon and The Adventure of the Super Silly Snake will fly, well, slither right out of here." I beam at her as someone knocks on the truck. "Who could that be?" I ask her quickly. "We have the permits and everything to sell on the street right?"
Brittany nods. "Yeah, we do, got them on the driver's seat. Just go see who it is."
I frown and walk to the front of the truck and open the window fully prepared to tell whoever knocked that we would be opening at 11am. My eyes widen as Lio, Mathias, and Aliana all wave at me.
"We're here for our first shift, Santanita." Aliana smiles as the three of them step back, and I see they have Aunty Snixx's t-shirts on, and they put on matching caps, they then turn around and their names are all embroidered on the shirts, right under their names are pictures of the covers of Brittany's two books.
"I, uh, wh, how." I start to ramble out as tears cloud my eyes and I feel Brittany wrap her arms around me.
"Hey guys." She smiles while waving. "Did you bring the tables and chairs I ordered?"
"Yep, we got them, should we set them up?" Lio asks while winking at me.
Brittany nods. "Yeah, scatter them around a little bit on the sidewalk."
I turn it Brittany's arms and kiss her. "I love you." I tell her while pressing my lips firmly against her. "God, you have no idea how much I love you."
Brittany blushes. "I wanted to make sure your day would go perfectly."
I nod and allow her to wipe my tears and I run out of the truck and hug my cousins tightly. "Thanks for coming."
"Lio and I are helping you inside, and Mathias will act as your little waiter." Ali explains.
I pull her into another hug. "Thank you." I whisper in her ear.
"You're welcome, Rat." She smiles.
"You three didn't stay in a hotel last night did you?" I ask them quickly.
"Nope, with Quinn." Aliana tells me.
"Well, you're staying with me tonight." I tell her before winking at her and going back to the truck with Lio and Ali on my heels, as Mathias begins to set up the tables.
"Ok, so I have a few different entrees, soup, and a lettuce wrap for people that want salads." I tell them.
"Everything the same price?" Lio asks me.
"Ummm, kinda. The shredded chicken sandwich with the barbeque ranch sauce is $7, the chipotle burger with the bleu cheese sauce, is $7 too. They can make it a combo, and add fries or chips, and a drink for $2 more." I start to ramble out. "The lettuce wrap is $4, is they want shredded chicken in it then it's $6. The jerk chicken with mango salsa platter is $6, the soup today is white chicken chili for $4, seasoned fries are $2, if they want the SnixxBite fries; shredded chicken, jalepenos, and the spicey cheese its $4. Cupcakes are $1.50 each." I finish up.
"Damn how much chicken did you make?" Lio laughs.
"A shit load." I reply with a smile.
"Brit is going to run the register, Ali, you can help me cook and fix orders, Lio you are taking orders. Make sure you push Brittany's book. I want them all sold by the time we leave here." I tell them. "Mat!" I yell out the window.
"What's up Rat?" He smiles while chugging a bottle of water.
"Keep your muscles in your shirt, and try not to hit on every woman that orders." I laugh.
"I only have eyes for the lovey Miss Mercedes right now, but the guns may come out because it's hot as hell out here." He laughs.
"Make sure you push Brittany's books." I tell him.
He pulls two books out of his apron pocket and holds them up. "Got it covered."
Right at 11am on the dot I glance out and see a line of people and smile. Brittany runs over and kisses me on the cheek. "Let's rock and roll, baby." She winks before running back and grabbing Styrofoam containers to get ready.
I'm standing next to Brit, ready for Lio to yell out the first order when Ali reaches over and grabs my hand. "You're making the family so proud."
"Thanks." I tell her with a smile. "I really needed to hear that."
"2 shredded chicken sandwiches, one with cheese, 3 burgers, 2 SnixxBite fries, 2 cups of soup, and 3 lettuce wraps." Lio yells out.
"Damn, for one person?" I ask happily as the three of us quickly begin to make the order.
"3 jerk chicken platters, 2 SnixxBite fries." Lio yells out. "3 copies of The Adventure of the Super Silly Snake!" Lio then yells out. I glance up at Brittany and watch her eyes widen.
"P-people are buying them." She whispers.
"Of course they are." I nod and kiss her on the cheek as I pour my special sauce over an order of fries.
"How much are you selling the books for?" Ali asks while she adds bleu cheese sauce to a burger and wraps it up.
"$6." Brittany smiles as she piles the first order into a one of our Aunty Snixx's bags and takes it to the pick up window to work the register.
I immediately start making the next order as Lio yells out more and more orders. It hectic, my heart is pounding, and I love it every second of it. Brittany is selling her books like crazy and working the register so it leaves just Ali and I with the food, which was fine, I started to work the grill to make more burgers, and she was able to handle the lettuce wraps, and keep dropping fries. The SnixxBrite fries were such a hit, that my mind was in overdrive thinking of a way I could enhance them.
Mathias turns on some music from the radio in the truck, he plugs in his iPod and it's a full blow party. He runs in the back of the truck. "I need more business cards for both you and B."
"3 cups of chicken chili, and 4 SnixxBites!" Lio yells back.
"Front seat." I tell him. "There's a huge box with both of ours. There's a stack of menus and our location spots for the next 3 weeks, can you pass those out too?"
"Got it." He smiles while reaching over Ali and grabbing a pickle to eat before hopping before heading back to the front.
"3 burgers, no bleu cheese on one, 3 chicken platters, and a side of plain fries with with the BBQ ranch." Lio calls out. "4 books, 2 of each with that order."
"Damn, Lio is working those books." Ali smiles. "I have to get some for Maria, don't let me forget."
"Trust me, I won't, I was going to buy her some anyways." I laugh. "You're doing great Ali." I tell her as I watch her perfect make a lettuce wrap and a shredded chicken sandwich.
"Baby, did you remember to get extra singles from the bank this morning?" Brittany turns and asks me.
I nod. "In my apron." I tell her while pointing down to my pocket. I have my gloves on and don't want to touch the money.
Brittany smiles and pulls out the two bundles of singles happily. "You are doing great financially." She whispers in my ear.
"You mean we." I tell tell quickly. "We."
"Ratoncito, someone is requesting you take their order personally." Lio shrugs.
I look up from flipping burgers on the grill. "What?" I ask him as he simply shrugs again. I look eyes with Ali. "Watch the grill for me, medium well for all the burgers, and stir the chili again, please." I tell her as I take my gloves off and walk to the front of the truck. "Lio, can you help Ali then."
"Sure thing." He smiles while playfully pushing Ali who sticks her tongue out at him, and has him work with the chicken and fries.
"Thanks for coming to Aunty Snixx's Food Truck, what can I ...oh my God!" I squeal out when I see my parents. "What are you doing here?!" I ask happily.
"Mija, you didn't think we would miss your grand opening did you?" My dad says while puffing out his chest proudly. "My daughter has her own business!" He beams.
"We are so proud of you mija." My mom adds. "We'll take one of everything, and one of each book for Brittany."
"One burger, one chicken sandwich, one chicken platter, one order of SnixxBite fries, one bowl of chicken chili, and a lettuce wrap." I yell back. "Heavy on the peppers." I tell them knowing my dad would love that.
My dad pulls out a one hundred dollar bill and hands it to me. "This is way too much Papi." I tell him quickly.
"This is what we are paying you." He smiles. "We pick it up at the other window?"
"Si, and gracias." I smile before leaning over the counter and kissing them both on the cheek and watching them walk down to Brittany who screams in excitement when she sees them, and I hear Spanish being fired off as they catch up.
"Excuse me, are these the only two books this author has available?" A red haired woman asks.
I glance down at Brittany. "There will be more coming in the upcoming weeks. Did you like the book?"
"I loved it, My name is Emma, I'm a kindergarten teacher and guidance counselor over at St. Lawrence and I would love to include these books in our curriculum, or maybe even commission some other self help type of books for kids and teenagers. I read these two while enjoying lunch and was blown away by the pictures and the story."
"Awesome, the illustrator is right there." I point to Mathias who is collecting money for a stack of books. "Brit!" I then call out while waving her down.
Brittany looks over at me and walks down. "Hey, what's up?"
"This is the author of the books, Miss Brittany Pierce." I tell the woman.
"Hi, my name is Emma." She repeats to Brittany.
"She may want you to write more books for her school, Brit." I rush out excitedly.
"Whoa, I would love to." Brittany gushes.
"Great, I have your card and I'll be in touch, I need to get back to school, but I'll run these by the dean." She smiles as she waves and walks away.
"Is this really happening?" Brittany asks.
"Yeah, and so is this." I smile as Mrs. Pierce and two of the most adorable blonde hair twin boys walk up.
"Brittany!" One of them screams.
"Jordan!" Brittany says happily. "Tristian!" I see tears stream out of her eyes as she rushes off the truck and picks up her brothers and spins them around happily while peppering kisses to their little faces.
"It's nice to see you again Mrs. Pierce, I'm glad you could make it." I smile while leaning over and hugging her.
"I wasn't going to miss this day, I'm proud of you both." She tells me. "Let's see, can I order the fries without the jalapeños for the boys?" She asks while staring at the menu.
"Absolutely." I nod to her.
"Great, they'll share that, I'll have the burger, and 2 chicken sandwiches for them, and a cup of chili on the side." She smiles. "Oh, and 3 cupcakes for us."
"That'll be right up for you." I tell her as Brittany runs over to her and hugs her tightly. I run back and tell Ali it's a special order for Brittany's mom and little brothers.
"I didn't know you were coming." Brittany tells her mom as I rush back to the front to talk to them.
"Like I told Santana, I couldn't miss this day." Her mom smiles before hugging her tightly and reaching in her wallet.
"I'll pay for you mom." Brittany says quickly.
"No, you won't." Her mother laughs while handing me her card. I nod at Brittany to walk them down to the pickup area so I can run her card and hand it back to her.
"San, come out for a minute baby." Brittany smiles.
"The crowd has died way down," I tell Lio and Ali. "You two can make yourselves lunch after you finish this order."
"Thanks Rat." Lio smiles while quickly grabbing a bun and whistling loudly, something him and Mathias do to get each other's attention.
I walk out of the food truck where Brittany and her little brother's are waiting. "Jordan, Tristian, this is my girlfriend, Santana."
"Hi." I wave to them. "You both are so handsome." I smile.
"She's pretty." One of them tells Brittany.
"i know right, I lucked out huh?" Brittany laughs. "Why don't you two give her a hug?"
I bend down and open my arms as they run towards me and hug me tightly. "My mom says you make cookies?" One of them says sweetly. "Can we make cookies with you?"
"I absolutely do." I nod. "It would be really cool if the two of you helped me make cookies, maybe later on tonight?" I smile at them.
They quickly turn and look at Brittany, who nods to them. "I hope I get invited too." She laughs.
8pm
We have a house full of people; friends, family, co-workers, even though it's a Monday night, we are truly partying right now. Aside from our families surprising us at the food truck, Quinn, Mercedes, Rachel, Mike, Puck, Tina, and even Sam and his brother came and ate and they all bought Brittany's books from as well. Brittany's uncle, the one that helps her run the company, also came and had lunch and he came to check out the penthouse as well. I'm proud to say we pretty much sold out of food, and made a pretty penny doing it. As far as Brittany's books go, we took all 200 with us, and only have 20 left. So to celebrate our awesome day, we invited every over to the penthouse and we having a party. I cooked, ironic right, and now everyone is drinking, dancing, and having a great time. Brittany's brothers are playing with Chef, who is having the time of his life chasing them back and forth around the living room, the men are smoking cigars on the roof, our mothers are talking animatedly in front of the fireplace while sipping a glass of wine, with Lords Tubbs hanging out with them, and our friends are playing beer pong over by pool table. Brit and I are where? Tucked away in the bedroom, wrapped in each other's arms.
"Today was so amazing." I tell her while as I lift my head from her shoulder and stare in her eyes as I straddle her.
"I feel like I'm floating air right now." Brittany smiles. "I'm so proud of you, and your magic hands." She says while leaning forward to kiss me.
"I'm proud of you." I reply. "I'm proud of us."
I lean forward and mold my lips with Brittany slowly as the kiss deepens and she cups my face. "We should go back to the party." She mumbles against my lips.
"I like this party more." I smile while resting my head back on her shoulder and closing my eyes. Brittany hugs me tightly and kisses the top of my head.
I wake up from my phone ringing; I open my eyes and see I'm still straddling Brittany, but she's fast asleep. I crawl off of her and glance at my phone and see it's just my email alert going off. I take Brittany's sandals off of her feet and kiss her on the forehead before I leave the room to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen. I see the party has dwindled down, and Quinn and Mercedes are cleaning up the kitchen and living room with Aliana.
"Thanks girls." I yawn out.
"No problem." Mercedes smiles. "Everyone else is on the roof, do you want us to leave, you look exhaust."
I shake my head. "No, keep enjoying yourselves." I tell them while grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge. "Both of our families are staying here tonight anyways." I hug them each tightly before going back to the bedroom and stripping down to just a tank top, chugging my bottle of water and crawling in bed with Brittany, who apparently woke up and took her pants and shirt off already.
I snuggle close to her chest and fall asleep moments later.
Getting down to the wire here...Lol