Hi all, I'm back with another snippet. I apologize ahead of time for any inaccuracies about Rome as I've never been.
Rome Takeover
"Are you sure that Spencer is old enough to fly?" Santana asks as they walk into the airport with Rachel and Quinn.
"Santana you looked up it several dozen times and called three pediatrician to double check." Quinn says rolling her eyes at her friend.
"Thanks for driving us and helping with our luggage." Brittany says giving each of them a hug.
"Please I wanted to see Santana freak out when you go through security." Quinn says smirking.
"Hey," Santana grumbles, hiding her head in her four month old daughter's back.
"Have fun in Italy and bring us back a gift." Rachel says waving as the young family makes their way through security.
"Don't kill anyone Santana!" Quinn shouts.
"AND IF SHE DOES RECORD IT SO WE CAN SEE!" Rachel shouts.
Santana grumbles under her breath as they go through security. She follows their instructions without incident and they get through security before Santana even realizes that they were there.
"They didn't-" Santana starts but Brittany cuts her off.
"No San, Spencer and me are okay."
Santana nods wrapping her arms around her family. She knows that she's overprotective of her baby girl and wonderful wife. But no one could blame her. They are the most amazing people on the planet.
"Come on San, let's go to the gate." Brittany says.
The plane ride was smooth as they are in first class and thus have space between them and other passengers. Brittany had insisted on first class while Santana had wanted to go the cheaper route of economy. Obviously, Brittany won that battle, as she knew that if they sat in economy Santana would get them not just kicked off the flight but also banned from flying.
"This is amazing." Santana says stretching her limbs out. "Why have we never flown first class before?" she asks.
"Because you inherited from your dad the cheap gene when it comes to flying. God forbid you don't have your own car to drive or the best room in a hotel but on a plane your fine being jammed in with everyone else." Brittany says having never understood her wife's thinking on flying.
"Well from now on we fly first class. I hadn't realized how much more space I'd have. Spencer's laying with me and not even touching me. We can play horsey." Santana says glad that no one is close enough to bug her.
All she wants to do is have a great trip with her wife and baby girl. No have some losers ruin it because they annoy her.
"And this is why I insisted on flying first class." Brittany says scooping Spencer up.
"I can't believe how well she's doing." Santana says as they are in the air and Spencer hasn't cried once.
"She's tough like me." Brittany says smirking.
"Hey, I'm tough." Santana pouts.
"Sure you are honey." Brittany says kissing her cheek.
"I am," Santana argues.
Spencer wakes up more than halfway through the flight and that distracts Santana until they land. Santana is still nervous about having Spencer with them on the plane as she thinks she's too young.
"We should have chartered a private plane." Santana mutters to herself.
"Oh really? This coming from the woman who wanted to travel economy with our four month old baby girl." Brittany says shaking her head.
Santana mutters some more under her breath but nothing loud of enough for Brittany to hear. Thankfully again Spencer distracts Santana as they go through customs. Brittany has Santana make sure that Spencer is okay while she does all the talking and handing over their passports.
"Business or pleasure?" the custom agent asks in English.
"Vacation, with my wife and daughter." Brittany says smiling at him.
"Have a good trip." the agent says.
"Where would we grab a cab?" Brittany asks him as she grabs their bags thinking she might not run into another person that speaks as good of English.
"Go out the baggage claim doors and go right. There should be a bunch of cabs there." the agent tells her.
"Thank you," Brittany says. "Come on San let's go get a cab."
Santana follows Brittany out to the cab. She sets up the travel car seat in and sits in the middle so she can protect either her daughter or wife. Brittany gives the cab driver the name of the hotel they are staying in Rome and they are off.
"Thank you, keep the change." Brittany says as Santana gives him the Euros.
They had exchanged most of their money for Euros in the airport, but have five hundred in US dollars hidden in Spencer's dipper bag just in case they need it.
"We're in the honeymoon suite." Santana says wanting to be in a romantic room as her wife always deserves to be swept off her feet.
"Awe honey, thank you for being your romantic self." Brittany says kissing her deeply.
"You deserve it." Santana says blushing.
Santana gets them checked in and is looking forward to having a night cap before she makes loves to her wife. This is going to be a relaxing vacation, she hopes.
"San you should go to bed. I know how much you like your sleep and we have to be up early for our tour tomorrow." Brittany says causing Santana to frown.
"Britt I thought we talked about relaxing the first couple days. We'll be here for two weeks." Santana whines.
"There's a lot to see San and I want to hit all the important landmarks." Brittany says pouting. "I did leave a few days in the middle for rest and recovery." she says.
Santana sighs, she could try to convince her wife to do things her way but that will fail, as she can't say no to Britt.
"Fine," Santana says.
"Don't worry; I left plenty of time for getting food into you and for a nap time for Spencer." Brittany says though the naptime is really for her wife since Spencer sleeps whenever she wants.
"Thank god,"
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The next morning Brittany has Santana up at the crack of dawn. She's cranky, but at least her wife got her a giant cup of coffee.
"So today we only have the one tour but we'll be hitting the Roman Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill." Brittany tells her wife. "It will take us about five hours but it could be longer if we're slow. It will be us and one other group of four."
"Do we have to go so early?" Santana whines.
"We do if you want to avoid huge crowds all day." Brittany says giving her a look.
"Fine," Santana grumbles knowing that her wife is right; she hates crowds and avoids them whenever she can. Crowds tend to bring out Snix more often than not.
"Okay, we're meeting the tour guide in twenty minutes." Brittany says putting things into the diaper bag that they will need.
Santana quickly gets dressed and has Spencer in a front carrier looking out ready to go when Brittany says five minutes later that they need to head out.
"So this is a legit company right?" Santana asks.
"Yes Sanny, it has five stars on all the sites and great reviews." Brittany reassures her wife.
"That's what you said about the diving company on our Hawaii trip." Santana says staring at her wife.
"Trust me Sanny," Brittany says giving him a little smile.
"Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to regret this?" Santana mumbles but as always follows her wife.
When they arrive at the meeting place Santana is shocked to see a nice tour van and a tour guide in uniform waiting for them. This shocks Santana as her wife normally gets the eclectic tours that she ends up hating; this one is more like something she would pick.
"Babe, this is really nice." Santana says letting out a huge sigh.
"I made sure it would be a tour that you would like and was safe for Spenc." Brittany says cooing at their daughter.
Santana closes her eyes and lightly chuckles. She should have figured that her wife would insure that everything was safe since their baby girl is with them. Brittany has become much more protective especially when it comes to their daughter insure that nothing will hurt her. It's honestly nice not to be the only overprotective one.
"Hi I'm Brittany; this is my wife Santana and our daughter Spencer." Brittany says to the tour guide.
"Hello, I'm your tour guide Jenna." a perky young girl says smiling at the couple.
"Are we ready to leave or what?" Santana asks a little grumpy.
"Sorry about her, she's not a morning person." Brittany says wrapping her arm around her wife.
"We're still waiting for the other family to arrive." Jenna tells them.
They end up waiting nearly twenty minutes before a middle-aged man and woman arrive with two teen boys.
"Sorry we're late, it took longer to get the kids up." the guy says.
Santana is about to say something, but Brittany puts a hand on her arm to stop her, shaking her head.
"Okay everyone, let's get this tour started." Jenna says. "We'll be starting at the Roman Colosseum." she tells them.
Spencer is sound asleep in the carrier, her head resting against Santana's chest even with all the noise the two boys are making.
"So here we are," Jenna says once they arrive at the entrance. "This is the Roman Colosseum where forms of entertainment like gladiatorial combats which are the most well known, hunts, wild animal fights and larger combats like mock navel engagements. It was commissioned around 70-72 A.D. by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the Roman people and was opened in 80 A.D. by his son Titus with a 100 days of games." she tells them as they walk in and take in the grander of the arena.
"It was first named the Flavian Amphitheatre before the name was changed." Brittany whispers to Santana.
"Did you study all the places we're going?" Santana asks staring her wife down.
"Maybe," Brittany says toeing the ground. "I couldn't sleep last night."
They walk around separately from the other family who is following Jenna taking in everything she is saying. Brittany is giving Santana her own version of the tour.
"Most of the Colosseum has been destroyed over the years, but they are restoring it since it's such a tourist destination." Brittany tells Santana as they walk back to the van where Jenna is waiting for them.
"Now we're going walk through the Roman Forum where religious and public life in ancient Rome took place. If any of you get tired please let me know and we can either take a break or have you come back to the van." Jenna says leading them down Via Sacra the main street in ancient Rome.
Brittany and Santana are lagging behind as Brittany has again decided that she can give the tour better to Santana and Santana isn't going to argue with her wife about that. It's much easier to stay calm if she's just interacting with her wife.
"I can't believe Spencer is still asleep. Normally she wakes up for her mid-morning for a feeding." Santana says staring down at her daughter.
"Well mid-morning here is much earlier than back home." Brittany hints.
"Huh, honey are you confused again?" Santana asks looking over at her wife.
"No, the time difference. Spencer woke up early this morning hungry so I fed her while you were still sleeping. She should be good until we're done with the tour. This is her usual after eating dead to the world sleep." Brittany tells her.
"Oh yeah," Santana says putting an extra bounce in her step at the thought of getting through this tour without Spencer waking up all crying and grumpy.
Spencer is very much like her and a very grumpy baby when she wakes up just like her. They both hate waking up as sleep is just so nice.
"So this is the main street in ancient Rome called Via Sacra that links the Piazza del Campidoglio with the Colosseum. We'll be walking through the Roman Forum but not actually going to the Piazza del Campidoglio today." Brittany softly says.
"Since you know all this information why are we on this tour?" Santana asks thinking that they didn't need to spend the money.
"Because through the tour we can get into some places faster." Brittany tells her as they walk.
"Why aren't we going to Piazza del Campidoglio as it seems like we'll be right there." Santana asks wondering why they would save it for another day.
"Because it's a lot of walking just around the Forum let alone adding the Piazza del Campidoglio into that plus it isn't part of the tour." Brittany tells her.
"Am I going to have to pay for another tour?" Santana asks narrowing her eyes.
"No, we'll be going on our own." Brittany reassures her.
"Good, now where are we and what is this arch?" Santana asks.
"This is the Arch of Titus." Brittany says stopping so they can look up at it. "It was built to commemorate Rom's victory over Jerusalem." she says.
They continue to walk and Brittany points out things she finds interesting as they walk through the Forum. Santana keeps an eye on Jenna who is with the family a ways ahead of them.
"Arches in general are interesting especially the ones here." Brittany says as they walk. "All the history that is here is very interesting and you would need more than a month to see it all."
"Please tell me you haven't extending our vacation?" Santana says not wanting to stay longer than the two weeks that they had planned.
"No, I'm just saying that there is a lot to see." Brittany says.
"Good now tell me what is next." Santana says looking around.
"Well right up here is the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina." Brittany says as they stop to look at the temple. "It's the best preserved temple and as we head this way we can see the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine." she says as they walk towards what looks like a disaster zone.
"This used to be a building, well it isn't anymore." Santana comments about the mostly destroyed building.
They catch up to the rest of their group where Jenna is telling the family about the Curia.
"This is where the Senate met to make administrative decisions about Rome." Jenna tells them as the family snaps pictures. "And if we continue this way we'll see the Column of Phocas, one fo the few remaining columns left standing. It's over 13 meters high." she says as she walks them towards the column.
"You know Britt, this place would be much cooler if we could go into the building and explore." Santana says as they lag behind again.
"Don't you like to see these historic sites? This is where the Roman Empire started." Brittany says, she's fascinated with history especially European history.
"Britt you know I don't share your love of history. I come on these tours with you to make you happy." Santana says shrugging.
"Aw," Brittany sighs leaning over and kissing her wife.
"Now tell me about this arch that we're approaching." Santana says knowing that this will make her wife happy and thus later tonight the blonde will make her very happy.
"This is the arch of Septimius Severus. It was built to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the emperor Septimius Severus." Brittany tells Santana. "And it's the end of this portion of the tour." she adds.
Before Santana can reply Jenna gets all of their attention.
"If everyone is ready to leave, we'll head to our last stop Palatine Hill." Jenna says as there's a murmur of agreement. "Okay, good."
The group heads to Palatine Hill and this time they follow the guide and other family though stand a bit back as Brittany wants to tell Santana all about the research she's done.
"Palatine Hill is considered to be the birthplace of the Italian capital. During the Roman period the upper class settled and built palaces here." Jenna tells them.
They walk around looking at the remains of the various palaces and houses.
"This is palace is called Domus Flavia." Brittany tells Santana as they look at the remains of a large palace.
"If we had lived back in the Roman times, I would have bought you a palace up here." Santana softly says kissing Brittany's right cheek.
"Sanny," Brittany says blushing slightly. "We wouldn't be able to live together back them."
"Oh you know nothing would stop me." Santana counters.
Brittany just smiles at this comment as she knows her wife would have figured out a way.
"This building up here, is the House of Livia and is the best preserved building here." Brittany says pointing to a much more complete structure.
"It doesn't look as gaudy as perhaps some of the others." Santana points out.
"It is more modest." Brittany agrees. "This next building is the House of Augustus and was the home of the first Emperor of Rome, Augustus. His great-uncle was Julius Caesar."
"Now that house has seen some history." Santana comments actually knowing who Brittany is talking about for the first time all day.
They continue on to the Farnese Gardens where Brittany stops to take some pictures.
"This is called the Farnese Gardens and was one of the first botanical gardens to be created in Europe." Jenna tells them before diving into more information that Santana completely zones out on.
With Brittany currently more interested in taking pictures of the structures then explaining things to Santana she zones out a lot only really catching the names of things. Only Brittany can hold her attention when it comes to history stuff.
"Sanny, come on." Brittany says as they move on to the next place.
"Where are we going now?" Santana asks.
"Right up here is the remains of the Hippodrome of Domitian. It was used for forms of entertainment for the emperor." Brittany tells her and Santana actually pays attentions. "It's too small for chariot races which took place at Circus Maximus over there." she says pointing in the direction.
"Up here is the Palatine Museum," Jenna tells them as they continue to walk. "We'll go through it before leaving."
"Britt you promised." Santana says pulling Brittany to a stop.
"I know, we don't have to go in. We can wait outside." Brittany calmly says.
"Okay," Santana says taking a deep breath.
Before coming on the trip, Santana had begged, plead and thus managed to convince Brittany not to make her go into any museums. Her main argument was that not only was she likely to get very bored in any museums but when she gets bored it's easier for her alter ego Snix to come out. The last thing they need is her going Snix on someone and getting arrested.
"Did you enjoy the tours today?" Brittany asks as they wait outside of the museum.
"Yeah, you know I love to do anything that you want to do and this tour company was very nice and planned out." Santana says so happy she was wrong.
"Good, I have a list of other places I want to go and I've signed us up for a few more tours." Brittany says all smiles.
Santana groans at the thought.
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Over the next week, they go on several other tours to visit various places including the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Catacombs. Thankfully, Spencer loves her sleep like her mami and sleeps during most of the tours. Something about historical tours seems to make mother and daughter sleepy. At the Pantheon, Spencer wakes up and starts screaming. Santana ends up taking her outside to feed her and calm her down leaving Brittany to walk around and take all the pictures she wants. Near the end of their trip, they spend more time in the Vatican City. Brittany drags Santana to St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The last of which, Santana again has to leave early as Spencer woke up and starts screaming again. Sometimes Santana thinks her daughter just likes to hear herself scream which is insane since her daughter is only four months old. With only one-day left, Brittany has planned one last tour for them to go, a visit to the Apostolic Palace where the Pope lives.
"Britt I don't get why we are going? Neither of us is religious." Santana says trying to argue her way out of this.
"San you can't come to Rome and not see where the Pope lives." Brittany argues back.
"Yes you can, if you just don't go." Santana lamely says.
"Sanny that was extremely lame. Just for that you're going." Brittany says shaking her head.
"Damn," Santana says under her breath.
When they reach the palace, Santana overhears some people talking about how you have to book tickets a month plus in advance. She frowns as she's fairly certain that her wife didn't book tickets for any tours that far in advance.
"Britt, how did you get these tickets?" Santana asks frowning. "I just heard someone say that tickets are sold out and you have to buy them a month out."
"You remember the two boys on our first tour. Well I got them to give us theirs." Brittany says smirking.
Santana just shakes her head at her wife. Only Brittany could pull that off.
The tour is actually enjoyable for Santana. Their tour guide has a good sense of humor that made Santana laugh. Brittany is just happy that her wife is having a good time on their last tour that she didn't even want to go on.
"So you enjoyed the tour?" Brittany asks.
"Yes Britt, you did a great job planning on all the activities we did." Santana says kissing her cheek.
The next morning they are ready to head to the airport first stopping to get a quick breakfast.
"Here San, I'll take Spencer while you go get us breakfast." Brittany says taking their daughter out of her wife's arms.
"But…." Santana says trailing off a pout forming on her lips.
"San, you're so picky about your coffee that if you don't go up now you'll just end up unhappy." Brittany points out.
Santana begrudging heads over to the counter knowing that her wife is completely right. She is extremely picky about her coffee. She is just about to give her order when she hears something that sounds like a crash of two people behind her, turning around she sees one of her nightmares come true. On the ground is her wife on her back, her arms wrapped protectively around their baby girl. Next to them still upright is some twenty-something guy who looks upset.
"Watch where you're going!" the guy yells.
Now just her wife being on the ground is enough to anger her let alone her precious baby girl but for the guy who knocked them over to yell at them it makes her lose her mind. Snix comes out completely.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" Santana shouts leaping at the guy.
He tries to make a run for it, but a few guys that were nearby and saw the whole thing, grab him before he can run.
"No you don't," one of the helpful guys says.
"YOU FUCKING HURT MY WIFE AND BABY GIRL!" Santana shouts kicking the guy in the nuts. "APOLOGIZE NOW!"
"Sorry," the guy softly says doubled over.
Santana gives him another kick toward the nuts before she hears her wife.
"Santana," Brittany softly says.
Santana runs over to her wife and baby girl.
"Are you guys okay?" Santana softly asks gently helping them up, Snix completely gone now.
"My back hurts a little, but Spencer is okay." Brittany says wincing as she stands up.
Santana wraps her arms around her wife and daughter. "You did such a great job protecting our baby girl, sacrificing your own body to make sure she's okay."
"She's our baby girl, we'd both do anything to protect her." Brittany says simply.
Santana just nods so relieved that her wife and daughter are okay.
"Let's go to the airport before something else happens and you end up arrested." Brittany says cradling the still sleeping Spencer.
"I don't know how she slept through that." Santana says in awe as they head out.
"Because she's just like you, impossible to wake up."
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"WELCOME BACK!" their friends from the glee club shout when Quinn pulls into their driveway.
"Why are you all at my house?" Santana asks frowning.
All she wants to do is sleep and recover from her jet lag.
"We're here to welcome you back." Kurt says. "And to see pictures."
Brittany whips out her camera and the group circles around her.
"You know she's going to show everyone all the embarrassing pictures she has." Quinn tells Santana.
"And there is absolutely nothing I can do to stop it." Santana sighs holding Spencer closer to her.
Around Brittany is Kurt, Blaine, Rachel, Mercedes, Mike, Tina and Sam all of whom either live in New York or just so happen to be in the city the same time they came home.
"It was fine up until the end when some guy knocked me and Spencer over and San went all Snix on him." Brittany says pulling up a picture.
"You bet a guy up!" Rachel says shaking her head.
"He hurt my wife and daughter." Santana defends.