Britton woke up. A big smile formed on his face. Today, he was turning 7. He had a big party, and all his friends were invited. He talked about it all week long. He got dressed and ran downstairs to start his party. To his dismay, his mother smiled at his and reminded him that the party wasn't until later that afternoon.
"At 4?" he whined. "That's far away," he said with a pout.
"Funny say that, Britton. Your father wants to take you out to breakfast and spend the day with you. It'll be 4 o'clock before you know it."
"What if I want to say and I help decorate for my party?"
"I want it to be a big surprise for you. Your dad has a big day planned. You'll have fun, I promise."
"I will?" he questioned with doubt.
Britton feels his father's strong hands applying some pressure into his shoulders from behind. Britton looks up to his father's face, who is looking at him. "That's right, my boy. I've got a big day planned for us," his father said with a deep booming voice.
Brittany remembers that day like yesterday with a smile on her face. That day turned out to be so much fun. Brittany's father had taken her to her favorite breakfast place, took her to watch a movie, took her shopping for a new toy of her choice, and took her to a theme park. When they had gotten home that day, she realized the surprise her mother had gotten her. She had gotten her favorite superheroes from the party. It was amazing. Every year, she and her father would celebrate the same way. She looked forward to it every year. As she got older, the activities changed, but Brittany looked forward to it all the time. She eventually got to an age where she was able to tell her dad what she wanted to do, and he would always spoil her on that day.
Today is the first time they will have their birthday father-daughter day since her parents separated years ago. Brittany would be lying if she wasn't looking forward to it. She had missed her father more than she would have liked to admit many years ago. Brittany isn't afraid to admit that now. Since she had arrived, she has learned so much about him. Brittany deeply admires how amazing he truly is. Brittany still feels foolish for ever doubting his awesomeness because she had blamed him for the divorce. A divorce that she learned wasn't even his fault.
She smiles as her phone rings and answers it when she sees her father is calling her. She gets up and walks over to the window. She looks outside as she speaks.
"Hey dad," she says happily. "Yeah, sure. I will meet you there. I can't wait to get this day started. I really missed them, too." She says before adding that she loves her dad, too.
When she hangs up, she hears a mock on her door. She lets the person know that they can come in. To her surprise, Santana comes into her room with a unicorn cupcake and a lit candle singing her happy birthday. Santana had given her an amazing morning before she left, and here she was again, making an already fantastic day, even more amazing.
She didn't think she would see her until tonight when she went home from her day with her dad. Seeing her now, there is no way she can stop the smile from coming onto her face.
"You didn't get to see the cake at the party last week, so I called in a special order and had them delivered," Santana explains with a smile.
"This is so cute," she says as she takes the cupcake from Santana.
"I can't believe how adorable you are." She shakes her head, unable to handle how much of a softy Santana is. "Every day, I find another reason to love you."
"You're making me feel mushy and soft when I should be making you feel that way." Brittany hears Santana say.
"Being the one to make you smile makes me feel all soft and mushy inside, so we're even," Brittany said with a smile and wink.
Her stomach flutters when Santana's eyes look into hers. Santana's eyes are big, brown, and full of emotion. She can feel all of Santana's love just by looking into her eyes. They share a sincere smile before Santana pecks her lips softly.
"Make a wish," Santana tells her as she pulls away.
Brittany does. She closes her eyes and wishes to forever be surrounded by this feeling and all that Santana is. She opens her eyes, locks them with Santana's anew, and blows the candle out.
Santana takes the cupcake and sets it on the dresser.
"Now, what?" Brittany asks with a smile.
She knows what she is supposed to do, but she also wants to know how cute Santana can get.
"Now, you've got to kiss me to make sure it comes true," Santana says smoothly.
Brittany smiles even wider. This fucking girl has got to be the world's biggest softie, and it's just too cute. She wraps her arms around Santana's shoulders and pulls her closer. "You, Santana Lopez, are the world's biggest dork," she says once Santana's face is millimeters apart. "I love you so much," she whispers onto her lips before kissing Santana's plump, soft, limps.
Brittany is positive that her wish is going to come true. After all the shit the universe has thrown at her, the universe was on her side.
Santana's hands tighten at her waist affectionately, making her smile into the kiss. When Santana's tongue slides along her lower lip, she widens her mouth to accept it. It glides smoothly into the opening. She moans at the sensation of Santana's tongue moving in her mouth.
The butterflies start twirling in her stomach. Her heart rate accelerates. With each passing second, the need for oxygen becomes apparent. Still, she fights it, opting to keep kissing Santana for a little bit longer.
Santana can't help it. Her girlfriend is 18 today. It fills her heart with so much pride to be able to see Brittany so happy. She is a little jealous of not spending the entire day with Brittany, but she knows how much Brittany is looking forward to spending it with David. Brittany had talked about it many times.
She smiles into the kiss before she pulls away from the kiss and rests her forehead on Brittany's. Her hand comes up to touch her face.
"I am gonna miss you today," Santana reminds her.
Brittany chuckles at her. She cant hid how happy she is. "It's only a day, Babe."
Santana's widens her smile and rolls her eyes playfully. "Yeah, but a day without you is like the day without the sun."
"So dramatic." Brittany jokes before they both chuckle.
"Shut your pretty mouth," Santana says with a smirk.
She doesn't miss the sparkle in Brittany's eyes.
"Make me." Brittany taunts with a soft, playful voice.
Santana closes the space once more with a kiss. She doesn't have to be told twice. She will most certainly enjoy as much of Brittany as she can before she has to go.
Brittany pays the cab driver and steps out of her taxi cab. Out of habit, she looks up at the building. He makes her way past the sliding doors, greets the guest, and enters the elevator. Up, up, up she goes until the elevator dings and the doors slide open. Happily, she makes her way to her dad's hotel room number. When she reaches the door, she calls him. A few moments later, he opens the door.
She smiles when he greets her with a hug.
"Happy 18th birthday, Honey B." Her dad whispers into her ear.
Brittany smiles when she hears the words. Oh, how she missed hearing them. Brittany mutters, thank you into his shoulder. She pulls away from the hug and takes in her father's appearance. He has dark circles under his eyes. His hair is wet and a bit longer. The strong smell of aftershave is a quick confirmation that he's recently gotten out of the shower.
Her father lets her in, and he tells her that he has to change before they can go. She nods and walks around, stopping when she sees a congratulations card. She reads it aloud.
"David,
You keep breaking record numbers with the company. Congratulations on your latest achievements.
Phil"
Brittany's eyebrows furrow in confusion. Since they've reconnected, her father usually couldn't wait to brag about his achievement to her. Something in her gut is telling her that something is off. Before she can overthink, her father comes out of the room wearing white pants, a light blue button-up t-shirt, and a navy blazer. Brown dress shoes and leather belt. A watch completes his look. Causal yet still professional.
"You look really handsome, Dad."
She smiles widely when her dad winks at her.
"It's a Pierce thing."
"It's a Pierce thing," she repeats back like she had when she was little every time her father said the words.
They always did share a taste for fashion.
Santana flops onto Quinn's bed as she watches Quinn paint her fingernails. With Brittany being gone, she is bored out of her mind. She gets her phone out and looks through her pictures, sliding from one photo to the other. From the corner of her eyes, Santana can see that Quinn is observing her. She turns to look at her and raises an eyebrow.
"What, Q?"
"You can not be serious right now. It's only been an hour, and you're moping. Who are you and what have you done to the badass Santana?"
Santana gasps in shock.
With a little attitude, she says, "Oh, I am so badass."
Quinn laughs loudly. "Oh honey, face it, you're not."
"Quinn, I am about to go all Lima Heights on your little white ass."
"I may have believed you were from the hood when we first met, but we both know you aren't. You know I can take you. Plus, you were very much into my ass when we were going out."
Santana scoffs and throws a pillow at Quinn's face.
Quinn laughs in response and shields her face as she turns her head, catching the pillow. Quinn then sets it on the bed.
"We should go out." She says, moving her hands to dry them. "Instead of your moping over Brittany, we should go shopping and go dancing. Plus, I do need to get laid."
Santana thinks the possibilities are over. Shopping with Quinn sounds like a lot of fun. Getting ready to go out is one of her favorite things to do. She could buy herself a little something for Brittany to take off of her when she gets back. Plus, dancing can serve as the best distraction.
"Okay, I'm down."
Quinn squeals. "We're going to have so much fun."
Brittany follows her dad into the elevator and listens as he explains they need to take a helicopter ride to their first destination. She listens as he tells her he remembers it was one of her wishes in the world. Her father holds out her hand to help her into the helicopter. She puts on her headphones and buckles herself into the helicopter seat. She looks over to him, leans over, and offers a quick peck. She can tell he is caught off guard, but he appreciates it nonetheless. His smile is so wide the creases around his eyes become more evident. In response, he takes her hand in his and brings it to his mouth to kiss it. Brittany's dad makes her feel like a princess. She's her dad's little princess.
As the helicopter ascends into the air, she looks out of the helicopter and observes the tall skyscrapers, the million people walking, and the numerous cars. Higher, higher, higher up into the air and around they go. In a short time, they arrive at the airport where her father has rented out a private plane for them.
"I remember when you were 7 years old. You had this fascination with animals and the National Geographic channel. You would memorize all these facts about cats and ducks because they were your favorite animals. I remember your show got canceled, and you were so upset, but you watched the channel anywhere, and there was this video about the place we're going to now. Do you remember? I promised I'd take you someday. I wanted to take you years ago, but you were mad at me because of the divorce. I understood, but I still remember that promise I made to you all those years ago.
Her father speaks, and Brittany smiles as she listens, remembering the moment she had told her father. She had been 7 at the time, but she had told him she wanted to see Niagra Falls. Brittany can't believe her father remembered because, until that moment, she had forgotten all about it. To her, it was proof that she has the best dad to ever exist.
They arrive at the airport. Brittany's dad tells her to wait until the blades stop turning. Once they are, he opens the door and holds his hand to assist her as she got down. A few moments later, her father is once again keeping a door open and helping her into the private plane. Brittany smiles at how it makes her all feel like a princess.
Her stomach flutters as they ascend into the air. Brittany closes her eyes tightly. She can feel the pressure in her head. Her hands claw into the arms rest. She tries to control her breathing to try and keep calm. Taking off in a plane was the worst part of flying. She never did like it. She feels her father's hand on one of hers, comforting her. Her father always did know how to comfort her.
Britton felt like he couldn't breathe.
Britton had always known something was different about him. For starters, he had always felt more like a girl and had always referred to herself as Brittany. She felt more comfortable when she referred to herself as a girl. At least, that was how she felt on the inside, and she hid it. She hid it so well. Then her body started changing, and there was nothing she could do. Her body started growing breasts, and her features were more feminine.
She knew she couldn't hide it anymore, but it's not like she wanted to. She had questions, and she needed answers.
"Dad?" she said with a quiver evident in her voice.
Her father looked at her with a face full of worry.
"What is it, Britton?"
"Something is wrong with me."
Her dad hugs her. Tears fall from her eyes and soak into his shirt. His hand holds her head close to his shoulder.
"Whatever it is, I can assure you, nothing is wrong with you."
They talked. Brittany told him everything regarding her feelings, her secret identity, and the changes in her body. Her dad talked to her mom. She and her parents had a discussion together. They then made the necessary appointments to get Brittany's support. Her father held her hand the whole time they heard the doctors and therapists speak. True to his word, he made her feel like nothing was wrong with her.
"Nothing is wrong with you, Brittany." He said as he wiped her tears. "We will get through this together."
Her father was right. They did get through it. It wasn't always easy. Some days were really rough. Life got so much better for her.
When they arrive at the airport, a local driver picks them up. As they drive to Niagara Falls State Park, Brittany takes her phone out to text Santana, but before she can even touch Santana's contact name, she feels guilt built inside her. She has no choice but to smile back. The queasy feeling in her stomach intensifies, and her heart rate increases. She can feel her father's eyes on her as he talked on the phone with one of his associates. She turns to face him, and he smiles. She licks her lips, which feel dry. She sends a quick message and turns off her phone.
Her father hangs up and lets her know that his secretary confirmed that she had made reservations at a sushi restaurant near Niagara Falls. They were going to have lunch, take a hike near the river, and take a helicopter ride around the waterfall before flying back to the airport.
Brittany can't wait.