A/N: It's CRUNCH time. I promise I'll have the last 3 chapters up by Christmas Day! I PROMISE. If you have the ability this year, donate to your local charities. I know this has been a trying year. As someone who's been on the receiving and giving end of charity on the holidays, I know how amazing it is to give and receive holiday cheer! Lot's of love to all of you, Happy Holidays, and enjoy another chapter!
Chapter 7: It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year (2 days before Christmas, Dec. 23rd)
The night in the hotel had been absolutely magical and a dream come true for both girls. Their original intention for their first Christmas as adults (and a couple) had been to spend every single minute in bed. Together. Staying warm, Santana said, was much easier without clothes on. Despite that plan being thrown to the wayside, they'd made time to make up for it and get great use out of Brittany's favorite new lingerie. However, they both got out of bed bright and early. There was one Lopez tradition that Santana cherished, and she was overjoyed to bring Brittany along, knowing her girlfriend would absolutely love it. She was expanding on it a bit though, being invited by Sam and Mercedes to help at a soup kitchen that evening. They made quick work getting ready and left a hefty tip for the maid at the hotel as well as at the front desk. It was Christmas, and while they were a bit broke (being college kids), they had money to give thanks to the Lopezes. Their first stop was the toy store, where they'd buy as much as they could to bring to the Children's hospital. As doctors, Santana's parents saw how hard it was for children who were in the hospital over the holidays and had made it their annual mission to give them a Merry Christmas. In her teen years, the money Santana put in the swear jar went towards the fund, and as pissed as she was to give up her money, she always let it go when she remembered the smiles on the faces of the kids.
"This is so cool," Brittany said, filling a cart with stuffed animals and Barbies. She picked everything she and her sister loved, and Santana smiled, filling her own cart with action figures, Hot Wheels, and Legos. She had seen how big the kids' smiles got when they won a race with their favorite car or built a taller tower than their parents. She reflected fondly on all the years she'd accompanied her parents when she was young and she played alongside the children. She knew bringing Brittany meant those kids would get a big sibling for a while to play alongside them, while their real older siblings often resented them. Santana would always make sure to buy a couple of small things like Pokemon cards for those kids too. She may have never experienced it, but she was an only child with absent parents and sometimes that's how they felt. With two full carts, they racked up a hefty total, but every penny was worth it.
Pulling up to the hospital without her parents, Santana felt her heartache. She knew her parents wanted to be here, and she wished they were here. To see how perfect Brittany was, and to remind her why she loved them, no matter how many nights they got called away from dinner or she sat at Pierce's table because they were in surgery. Still, she was elated, and by the way, Brittany was loading bags on her arms, she knew she was thrilled to be doing something for these kids. As soon as they walked in, donning Santa hats they started handing toys out to the kids. Brittany would compliment them on their hospital gowns and tell them how cool it was that she was able to come on account of Santa to bring them toys. Santana hugged the thankful parents, some of who she recognized and it pulled at her heartstrings. No kid should be in a hospital as long as some of these children were. She watched how well Brittany interacted with the kids and knew why she loved her so much. The childlike innocence brought joy to the cold artificially lit ward, bringing sunshine everywhere she went. With the toys handed out, Brittany went and played with the kids while Santana talked to some of the parents and wiped her tears at their stories. The parents were given one hundred dollars for the grocery store, Santana knowing her life had been partially funded by their hardship, felt it was only fitting. Then she saw the older siblings and being able to talk to them and tell them they were brave too always made her year. She made sure that she'd met every single person in the ward that day before she spoke to the nurses, many of who she'd known since she was a toddler. She was talking to the nurses, her eyes glued to Brittany helping a few little kids build a Lego castle when her phone rang. She saw that it was a facetime from her parents and immediately picked up.
"Hola Mami, ¡Hola Papi!" she greeted cheerfully, letting the nurses say hello as well.
"Hola Mija. It's so great to see you're there. Is Brittany with you?" Maribel asked.
"Si. She's playing with the kids." Santana flipped the camera and showed her parents Brittany smiling with the kids. Brittany caught her and waved hi before going back to what seemed to be a very serious castle building "The kids adore her. You should've heard her story about Santa."
"I wish we were there! It looks like a very busy Christmas, it's so sad. But I'm glad you're there to bring them joy," Maribel smiled.
"They deserve these moments. The parents, the kids, the nurses, they all deserve these small moments of joy. Did you call just to check on our annual mission?" Santana stepped away to a restroom.
"Well, that was part of the reason we called." Maribel sighed "Santanita we have some bad news…"
"What's happened?' she asked, "Are you both okay?"
"Santana, both your mother and I are well." Hector took the phone from Maribel "It's your Abuela. She's very sick."
"What happened?" Santana had not spoken to her Abuela since she came out last year, and she feared she would never.
"It's cancer, Santana. We are flying home in just a few hours, but I asked if she'd like to see you." Hector paused "She would. And she would like to meet Brittany."
"I...when?" Santana wiped away the tears that were leaking from her eyes.
"She's in treatment in the full hospital across the way. Would you be able to see her today?" Hector asked.
"Si Papi, Brittany can head right over" Santana checked her watch. They would be able to visit for a half-hour before leaving for the soup kitchen.
"Okay Mija, I have to go, but I believe that seeing you may be a saving grace. Adios" Hector said, and Santana replied. She checked her makeup before regretfully pulling Brittany away and explaining the situation. They moved the car to the parking lot of the other hospital and were brought to her grandmother's room. Santana cringed at the wires, never having seen them connected to someone she loved. Brittany lingered at the door.
"Hola Abuela" Santana sat in the chair beside the hospital bed.
"Hola Santanita." the elderly woman said tiredly "I'm so glad you agreed to come to see me." she adjusted the bed so she was sitting up and turned her head to the door. "Is that her/"
"Si Abuela. This is Brittany, my girlfriend." Santana signaled for Brittany to come in. The blonde nervously shuffled in and held her hand out to the woman.
"Hola Abuela Lopez." Brittany shook the woman's hand.
"Deary, Lopezes do hugs, has Hector not told you?" the woman opened her arms, and Brittany nervously accepted.
"Daddy thinks he needs to scare Brittany so she'll treat me right Abuela." Santana laughed "It's very funny."
"I imagine so. But that's exactly how my Papi was when I met your Abuelo." she smiled "Shotgun and everything. Scared him so bad he ran away the first time he picked me up for a date."
"I can't imagine Abuelo ever being scared." Santana shook her head.
"Don't worry, he was very brave after that. Now Brittany" she turned her head to the blonde "Are you taking good care of Santana?"
"She takes care of me most of the time ma'am. But I like to think I take care of her too." Brittany bit her lip.
"She takes wonderful care of me Abuela. She makes me smile every day, teaches me to see the good in a bad situation, and takes care of me when I'm sick." Santana looked to Brittany "She's everything good in the world."
"You love her very much Santana, and I can tell she must feel the same she looked at the blush filling the pale freckled cheeks "So why haven't you put a ring on it?"
"Abuela!" Santana laughed nervously "We're only nineteen. But between you and me" she leaned down and whispered, so quietly that for once, Brittany couldn't hear her "I've got that planned very soon." a smile graced the older woman's face.
"Well, I wanted to see you say that I love you, Santana. I've prayed long and hard, and I see that your love is as blessed by God as my love for your Abuelo. Brittany, you have my blessing. I know Hector will give you a hard time, but trust me, he loves you. I love you and I've only barely met you." Abuela smiled sadly "I hope I get to see more of you."
"Is the cancer bad?" Santana turned serious.
"It's benign, and they should be able to treat it with surgery. It's breast cancer. The surgery could be a bit complicated with my age, but they're confident I'll make a full recovery." Abuela patted Santana's hand.
"That's so wonderful Abuela. I'd love to stay longer, but we promised to help at a soup kitchen this evening back in Lima and we need to get going." Santana kissed Abuela's head "Kick cancer's ass."
"You know I will." she smiled, kissing Santana and Brittany's cheeks as they left. As soon as they got to the car, Santana let her emotions free. Brittany rubbed her back as she tried to keep her tears at bay. She was so relieved to have her Abuela back and to know she loved Brittnay was even better.
"Are you okay Sanny?" Brittany asked as Santana patted her tears dry. The Latina nodded.
"Happy tears Britt, so happy." Santana kissed Brittany's cheek "Let's go make some more Christmases Merry."
They got to the soup kitchen and helped Sam and Mercedes serve Christmas dinner to those who were less fortunate. Santana had bought an extra bag of toys for these kids as well as extra grocery money. The smiles everyone had for a hot meal made her realize she wanted to more year-round. She was going to do everything she could to make sure that she used her money for good. Brittany stood beside her, smiling so widely that it lit up the room. She'd tell the kids that Santa helped make their Christmas dinner himself. The Latina couldn't believe how perfect Brittany was with kids. She knew she was great with her sister, but this was pure natural maternal energy. Their kids were going to be so lucky. After all the meals had been served, Sam and Mercedes asked them for one more favor.
"Hey everybody, Merry Christmas!" Sam said getting up on the stage. "We've got a real treat for you tonight. Stars of McKinley High School's Troubletones: Mercedes Jones, Brittany Pierce, and Santana Lopez!"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year
A/N: Love ALWAYS wins- GEK