I do not own any Glee characters.
Wild Ponies
Brittany watched as the stubborn horse threw Felix from his back, the man scrambling across the dirt to the safety of the fence, out of fear of being trampled by the angry stallion. Her father had just purchased the horse for her 20th birthday and he wanted it trained by then. He was beautiful. The darkest black she had ever seen. Look too long and it's like staring into a black hole. She's been trying to name him, but nothing seems quite magical enough. For now she calls him Midnight.
Felix was one of the best ranch hands they had. If Felix can't train him Brittany doesn't know who can.
Hector had taken a break from moving the cattle to watch Felix work with Midnight. Hector's only been working on her family ranch for about a year, her father finally able to steal him from the Evans' ranch when the old man died. Evans' son was a city slicker and didn't know much about running a ranch, and Hector figured it would be the best time to leave. He was loyal to the elder Mr. Evans, but he had no patience in trying to argue about the day to days of how to work a ranch with the younger Mr. Evans. He felt happier just to move on. Plus Brittany's father, Jack Pierce, paid his hands a good wage.
Hector knew that Felix's ways of training the horse were not the best way to train a wild horse. He knew he could train him, he also knew that there was someone who could train him even faster than he could.
Brittany watched as the horse threw Felix about six more times before she got bored of the scene. She walked around the ranch greeting everyone. She took one of the horses from the barn, Prince Charming, and mounted him for a short ride around the ranch. He was her first horse. All white, like a horse in a Disney movie. That's why they named him Prince Charming. She'd gotten him when he was just a pony, and they grew up together. Now she has Midnight, but Prince Charming will always have a special place in her heart.
Brittany was born on this ranch, right here just like a lot of the little cattle that run through it. It's the only life she's ever known. She goes to college, she has one year left, but most of her life is right here. The workers here, the ranch hands are her family. The ones who have been here a long time especially, sometimes the kids will come and learn about the work their parents do, and they become family too. Hector is the newest addition to the Pierce ranch, but Brittany likes him. He's quiet, but when he does talk he has a great sense of humor. She likes to watch him with the horses. Sometimes he's silly, he dances with them and is playful. Sometimes he's serious, like he's talking to his children. Brittany had seen him speak quietly with Midnight for a week now, but Midnight is just not interested in anything anyone has to say to him.
As Brittany finishes her ride, she heads back to the corral where Midnight is. Hector is just finishing up for the day, and he came by to see Midnight who looked none too pleased with anyone. Midnight had spent his entire life running free, and Jack adopted him when he was one of the mustangs that was captured in order to reduce the wild mustang population that was causing damage to many of the nearby ranches. So many of the horses remain in corrals, nobody to adopt them, but Brittany thought Midnight was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen, and so her dad decided to pay the fees and rescue him for her. He is a stubborn one, though.
Jack Pierce had never seen a horse with a spirit like Midnight. He was a tough one. He wanted the horse trained enough to gift to his daughter for her birthday the following week. As Mr. Pierce and Hector watched Felix struggle with the bronco, Hector offered a possible solution.
"I was thinking, my girl is home from school these days, and she has a way with horses. I've given her some tough broncs to deal with and she's made good headway with them in short time. Is it ok to bring my daughter tomorrow? Time is running short before Ms. Brittany's birthday, and she's probably better with a bronc than most. She has a way of reasoning with them it seems."
"Whatever works Hector. I'll even pay her a good rate."
"You can pay her if she gets the job done. She can't start tomorrow. She already has an engagement but I'd like her to stop by and meet him so she can see what she's dealing with." Hector says.
"Sounds good, see you in the morning Hector."
The next morning Brittany is up before sunrise as usual. As much as Brittany loves the ranch she loves to dance even more, and she starts each morning behind the house, dancing in honor of the sunrise. That's what her dad says anyway. She just likes to dance before the day starts, before there is anyone there to see her. She does her morning routine and then heads in to shower and change into something comfortable for the day.
She's just about finishing up when she sees a truck pulling up near the corral where Midnight is. She recognizes it as Hector's truck. It was followed by another old truck but not a work truck like Hector's. She can't see the girl in the cowboy hat getting out, just an outline, a perfect silhouette in the new light of day exiting and leaning on the truck waiting for the man to walk to her side. Brittany is intrigued.
Brittany makes her way down to the corral wearing a light flowered dress and short cowboy boots, her blonde hair a little messy as she hadn't had time to tend to it for the day. She tucks it behind her ear as best she can, and makes her way over to meet who she assumes is Hector's daughter.
Brittany had never seen anyone more beautiful. The girl had long dark hair under a cowboy hat, a tight black tee shirt, some fancy black coated jeans and black cowboy boots. She certainly wasn't dressed for a day of tangling with Midnight, but boy was Brittany glad to see whatever she was dressed for. All she could think of was how she looked in those pants, and how nothing ever fit a body more perfectly.
"Good morning Ms. Brittany", Hector greets the young blonde, "Brought my daughter with me today. Just want her to meet Midnight. If they don't get anywhere with him today she will start working with him tomorrow."
Brittany hopes with everything in her being that Felix doesn't get anywhere today.
"Mija, come. I want you to meet Ms. Brittany. Midnight is her birthday present. We're trying to get him ready for the big day next week."
The young woman walks over to her father.
"Ms. Brittany, this is my daughter Santana. Santana, this is Ms. Brittany."
"Hello," Brittany says.
"Miss" Santana says, tipping her hat.
"If you don't mind, Ms. Brittany, I'm gonna let Santana meet Midnight, get a feel for him. She's gotta get going early this morning but she'll be back bright and early tomorrow if we need her."
Santana takes off her hat and tosses it on the ground outside the corral. Her hair is long, wavy and thick, almost as dark as Midnight is himself. As she enters she stands still for a moment, letting the mustang regard her. She's tiny, and Brittany hopes Midnight doesn't hurt her. Slowly she moves towards him, almost like she's wandering into his space rather than moving purposefully. The bronc is cautious, not trusting people, but curious. Like magic almost, they begin to meet in the middle, close to the gate, and she's staring into his dark eyes, sharing a secret with him.
And that's exactly what she does.
She begins to rub his head, looking into his eyes, and she is talking to him, telling him something Brittany wishes she could hear.
"Hello handsome. It's so nice to meet you." Santana coos soothingly. "My papi says you don't want to be broken. I understand, who would want that? But maybe you can be trained a little, huh? You're just trying to teach these people that you demand to be respected. I get it, and who doesn't want to be free? Don't think of it as losing your freedom okay, think of it as helping someone else reach theirs. Do you see that beautiful girl over there? She probably wants to be free too, like all of us. Look into her eyes and see if you can trust her, it's all in the eyes mijo. Do you trust me? I wouldn't hurt you. Shhhhh, it's ok. Tomorrow I will come with a treat, ok?" Santana rubs Midnight behind the ear and he looks at her like it's bliss. "Ok boy, tomorrow ok?" She nuzzles her face against his briefly and he lets her without moving. "Oh you're a good boy, you just need someone who understands you like Santana does right mijo? I understand you. See you tomorrow, Midnight."
Santana rubs Midnight's back and then goes to exit the corral. She dusts off the hat on her pants and returns it to her head. She walks towards her father.
"Ok papi, I'll give him a try tomorrow. It's Saturday so I'll have the entire day." She kisses her father on the cheek. "Good day Miss", Santana says, tipping her hat again and walking towards her truck. She never glances back at Brittany or her father, she just climbs up into the truck and pulls off, Brittany watching and wondering where the beautiful woman was going, and wishing she could be there by her side.
Felix hadn't gotten any further with Midnight. He had other duties to tend to and since Mr. Jack had told him that Santana would be there the next day he gave the bronco, and honestly himself, a day off from fighting with him. If Mr. Jack thought some girl could break this horse better than he could then it would be less work for him and may even be fun to watch. Midnight had left Felix with more than his fair share of bruises. The next morning Santana showed up just before sunrise, even before her papi was due at work. She wanted time with the bronco and she brought treats as promised. She went into the corral and greeted the horse.
"Good morning handsome, how did you sleep last night? I had a good night too my friend. Let's get to know each other today okay. Soon, we'll have breakfast together how does that sound?"
Brittany heard the car pull up, but she didn't see the Latina as she got up for her morning dance routine. She headed out to her usual spot to practice dancing. She put on her earphones and began to sway to the music. She was really into it as usual, enjoying the feeling of the music sweeping her away. She never noticed the Latina leaning against the fence in the corral.
Santana couldn't stop watching the blonde move. She just had on a pair of baggy sweatpants and a tight tee shirt, but somehow she looked stunning. Santana watched quietly the entire time, admiring her skills among other things, until Brittany removed her earphones. Then she began walking towards her truck to get the treats she had brought for Midnight so that they could have breakfast together.
Brittany noticed the girl and watched her walk to her truck. She wondered if she should go over and say good morning or should she let her work. She decided that a quick good morning wouldn't hurt, and then she would leave her to her work.
"Morning." Brittany, greeted with a warm smile.
"Morning, Miss" Santana responded.
"Brittany is fine."
"Mmmhmmm", Santana replied with a smile. "Just about to have a little snack with Midnight, hope you don't mind. Plenty of apples if you want to have a little breakfast with us." Santana offers.
"No, don't want to bother you while you work."
"No bother. May do some good. He's your horse, he should get to know you."
"Felix said I shouldn't bother him especially when nobody is around." Brittany said.
"Nonsense. Besides, I'm around. He won't hurt you. Plus, you look fast. You feel like you need to get through that fence, get on through. Me and Midnight will do ok together."
Brittany walks through the gate as Santana holds it open. They walk towards Midnight and Santana hands Brittany some of the pieces of carrot while she holds on to the apple slices.
"Hey handsome, Ms. Brittany and I bought you a little snack before your breakfast. Won't nobody here tell you're cheating on your diet."
Brittany smiles. She hasn't seen Santana smile yet, but something tells her it will be at least as beautiful as the sun that's rising in the sky as they speak.
"Now we have apples and carrots on the menu, sir, so what is your pleasure? Oh, you're gonna try some apples first? Splendid choice."
Santana feeds him a few apples, and then nods for Brittany to feed him a few of the carrot pieces.
"Ok, ok. We gotta eat too" Santana says, handing Brittany an apple before taking a bite of her own.
Santana leans against the fence eating and Brittany follows course.
"Let's sit back, he'll come over looking for more. Won't be able to help himself."
The women eat quietly as the horse contemplates his approach.
"Don't pay him no mind, let him come to you. He's not used to folks sitting back and not trying to tell him what to do all the time."
Finally the horse comes back over.
"You feed him. Talk to him. Let him hear your voice."
"Hey there big fella. Want a little more to eat?" Brittany offers a few more carrots. She rubs him gently and he looks at Santana for a little more apples.
"Oh I see, you just want a harem of women to take care of you. I can understand." Santana says, feeding Midnight some more apples. Brittany sees the slightest hint of a smile cross the woman's lips, and she craves more.
"Don't want you to think I'm sitting around and relaxing miss, it's just the way I work with them. Want him to know me and to trust me before I go trying to jump all over his back. Don't tell him but I'm gonna charm him a little." Santana shares a slight smile again, and Brittany feels warm all over.
"No, it's fine. Whatever Felix was doing was never going to work, he may respond to a tender hand." Brittany says.
"Don't we all" Santana purrs, throwing a wink in Midnight's direction, but Brittany is not so sure who the comment was meant for. She feels a slight blush on her cheeks, which she hopes Santana doesn't notice. She tries to ignore it until it goes away.
Brittany stays with Santana and Midnight for a while, Santana getting to know Midnight a little better.
Hector had come to feed the horse, but Santana told him to leave it to the side, she would do it shortly.
"Morning Ms. Brittany. How's it going, mija?"
"Going good papi."
"Good morning Hector, well I'll leave you two alone."
"No Ms. Brittany, stay if you can. Santana will help Midnight get to know you."
"That's if you have the time, miss." Santana adds.
"I have the time."
"Ok ladies, I will leave you to your business." Hector tips his hat and leaves.
"My papi is right. The more time you spend with them, they see you as part of their herd. He's a wild horse, he's probably missing his herd something awful. Is this your first wild one?"
"It is, we adopted him."
"Yeah, I know the ranchers complain about how destructive the wild ones can be, but there's something so beautiful about seeing them out there on the range as they were intended to be. Maybe I relate too well with them, some consider me a bit of a wild one myself." Santana finally smiles fully, and why does Brittany suddenly feel like the whole world just became a better place? Brittany couldn't help but to smile in return.
"No wonder Midnight likes you so much then."
"It's nothing special really. Papi told me about how that old hand was trying to handle him. Nobody likes to be bossed around. This guy is a king, probably had a whole herd that would follow him anywhere, and now this grizzly old man is gonna tell him what he's gotta do. A horse has gotta stand his ground."
"I can understand that."
"Can you?" Santana asks, and for some reason Brittany just wants to blush.
The two women just look at each other for a while, before Santana turns her attention back to Midnight.
"He's beautiful. Glad you got him. I don't want to keep you from any duties you may have, but the more he knows you the easier it will be to ride him. He may like me, but he doesn't trust me, not yet. Sure he's met plenty of humans he doesn't like too much, he still hasn't made up his mind about us."
"Well, let's give him a good impression, then."
"That old man was dead wrong when he told you to stay away from Midnight. Too many people try and break a horse. Why would you want to break a perfect thing? You want to train him. Teach him that you can benefit one another, and that you will take care of one another. I prefer gentling a horse. Watch this."
Santana walked over to the horse and fed him the last bit of treats they had. Then she used her body to lean into the horse, putting pressure on his side. The horse began walking slowly with her after a while, her guiding him around the entire corral.
"Good boy. Soon you're gonna run again. Not in a little corral. Free. Free as you can be anyway."
Santana looked into the darkness of the horses eyes, hers almost as dark. Both seemed to be longing for something.
"Wow", Brittany said "He really does like you."
"He just wants some respect, someone to understand him. Just like we all do."
"That I know."
"If you have the time, would you like to go for a ride later? Would love to see how you handle your horse."
"Sure"
"I'm gonna need a horse to ride as well, Midnight here doesn't like me that much yet, but he will." Santana winks at the horse again, this time Brittany thinks that one may have actually been for Midnight. Still, can't blame her if she enjoyed witnessing it.
"That's no problem, we'll head over to the stables and saddle one up for you."
"We can go now if you like. It's gonna be a long day for Midnight and I. I'm gonna let him have his breakfast now, then I'm gonna get a rope around him and teach him to follow my lead. I want to watch you ride for a while, and then I want Midnight to see us ride around his corral. Let him see the other horses and how they take to us, how we treat them. Maybe get him a little company in the corral for a little bit. It will help with his trust."
Santana bids farewell to Midnight and Brittany does the same. She already loves that horse. It's giving her every excuse to spend time with Santana.
Brittany and Santana walk over to the stables, where Brittany says good morning to Prince Charming and introduces him to Santana. Santana lets Brittany choose a horse for her and she chooses a horse named Belle for Santana to ride. The Disney theme does not go unnoticed by Santana. She looks at how Brittany interacts so warmly with the animals. They seem comfortable with her. Animals can't lie, Santana knows that they feel loved by her. That puts her at ease. Santana hates to see an animal in distress.
They saddle up the horses and begin to ride around the ranch. Not only does Santana notice how Brittany interacts with the horse, she notices Brittany. Beautiful blue eyes, blonde hair flowing, she falls back intentionally sometimes, just to watch the way her body moves on the horse. Santana has always loved women, never had a confusing thought about where she stood on the matter. She's loved women since she was a child, and she's always been open, bold and unapologetic about it. If anyone objected to it she didn't really know, because it wasn't going to change a damn thing.
But this was the daughter of her father's boss, and so she's going to behave.
Or at least she's going to try to.
Her father always thought it had something to do with the way he raised her. Her mami had died when she was just a baby, and her papi had raised her on ranches, doing the things he did when he learned how to make a living as a boy. She was always rough and tumble, as tiny as she was, and she has never lacked in confidence or self esteem. Her papi may not have commented on her love of women, but plenty of others have. It never bothered her what they thought. Half of the girls who pretended to be bothered by the fact that she liked women have ended up behind some barn with her anyway, her hand up their skirt as their boyfriend searched for them at some party. She'd return and grab a beer, drinking straight from the bottle, as the poor girl would spend the rest of the night following Santana with her eyes. Meanwhile, Santana would be on to the next one. Her dad would often call her a wild pony, intent on living how she chose, even if her father worried about her constantly.
Brittany also was raised only by her dad, but not because her mother died. She simply left. She left her dad for another woman. Her dad is a good guy, her mom just couldn't keep denying her heart. She left Brittany where she could be cared for best, Jack had so much and Sherry Pierce had nothing but the clothes on her back. Once Brittany was older her mother had just been too ashamed to reach out to her. She had left her for so long, how could she just return out of nowhere, no matter how badly she wanted to?
So imagine Brittany's surprise when she discovered that she too was attracted to women? She's never acted on it, she worries about how the irony of it all will affect her dad, but having Santana this close can't be good for her resolve. Besides, she's attracted to boys as well, and so it shouldn't really be that hard to ignore her other feelings, she thought.
Santana is making it pretty hard, though.
Today she's wearing blue jeans that look like she was born in them, that's the only possible explanation for the way they fit. She's got on a short navy tee shirt and short boots, this time a hat hanging from her back in case the sun intrudes. Brittany really hopes that it doesn't. She likes the way Santana's dark hair bounces when Belle gallops.
"So your birthday is coming huh? How old will you be?" Santana rides up next to Brittany and asks.
"20"
"Good age, old enough to do what you want, young enough to blame it on youth."
Brittany chuckles.
"And how old are you?"
"Turned 20 myself two months ago."
"Nice, I figured you for a little older. Not that you look older, you look younger actually, it's just the way you carry yourself."
Santana smiles. "I get that a lot."
The girls ride in silence for a while before deciding to head back over to Midnight's corral. When they get there Felix is in there with him. Santana is none too happy. She was glad to see that neither was Brittany.
"Mornin' "
"Morning Felix. What are you doing with Midnight?"
"Just checking on him."
"Well this is Santana, Hector's daughter. She's working with him now. I thought my father informed you."
"He did, he seemed calm this morning just thought I'd say hello to the fella, see how it's going."
"Ok, but for now I don't want anyone but Santana or Hector handling him, ok?"
"Ok Ms. Brittany."
"Thank you."
Santana doesn't stop to say hello, she just walks past the man and into the corral with Midnight. He isn't as calm as when they left him, but he's not too agitated. She soothes him and then goes to bring Belle into the corral.
"Please wait here a minute, miss . Just want to see how he's doing and if he's up to having a little company."
Santana goes into the corral with Belle and let's her roam. Then she goes to talk to Midnight.
"Did that asshole bother you Midnight? You're a smart boy. I don't know if I like him either, Midnight. Don't you worry none, though, Santana is here and he's not going to mess up what we have is he?"
Midnight seems to be responding to her. She had intended to try and put a rope around him when they got back but she thought it should wait.
Santana spent the next 20 minutes letting Midnight watch her with Belle. Soon she told Brittany to come in with Prince Charming and she did the same, letting Midnight observe her with the horse. Soon Santana went over and told Brittany to take Prince Charming out the pen and she followed with Belle. She went to her truck and grabbed a rope and then went back into the corral with Midnight.
"Ok Midnight, do you trust me? Now we're gonna try this without treats first because I don't want to make you a fat ass. Now we're kinda becoming buddies so I'm gonna tell you a secret. See that pretty lady over there with those two horses? I wanna look good in front of her so I'm gonna put this rope on your neck and if that goes well we'll try something else. Now I'm in good with that mare she's holding over there and maybe we can help each other out here."
Santana was able to rub Midnight and keep him calm, and he really didn't put up too much of a fuss getting the rope around his neck. She heaped praise and love on him afterwards and then used her body to gently guide him like she did before and then began to use the rope to guide him. When he didn't want to listen she would use her body and the rope together. Soon she asked Brittany to come over and give it a try. Brittany tied the two horses to the gate and went inside the corral. She let Brittany take the rope and showed her how to lean into Midnight. After they did that for a little while Santana took the rope and asked Brittany to step outside of the corral.
"Ok Midnight, you're doing so good, and you're making me look good. I'm going to try something crazy and if you're with me you will get the last of the treats before we call it a day. You're going to get to relax and I'm gonna go flirt with a pretty girl I have no business showing off for, but that's the best kind ain't it Midnight? So here we go, ok?"
Santana brought Midnight to the center of the corral and spoke to him a little longer. She made sure Brittany was looking before she moved in one swift motion, so quickly you couldn't distinguish between the movements. She grabbed Midnight's mane gently and hopped from the ground and mounted the horse bareback. Brittany gasped and the horse seemed as surprised as Brittany was, but he didn't buck. Santana instantly started rubbing his back and talking calmly, staying on for only about a minute, praising him before jumping down almost as quickly as she had mounted him. She didn't want to push her luck. She reached into her pocket for the last few carrots and fed them to him, heaping praise on him.
"Good boy. You want Santana to get lucky don't you boy? If me hopping on you like a rock star didn't get her all hot and bothered nothing will huh? I don't want to look, is she looking at us Midnight? Is she checking out my ass? If I get lucky tomorrow I'm gonna buy you a whole apple tree okay boy?"
Santana turns and swaggers towards the gate. She's feeling herself a little. She got more done with that horse in one day than Felix got in 2 weeks, and she got to spend the day impressing a pretty girl, too. A pretty girl who is not full of herself. A pretty girl whose father is her father's employer, and so she's going to enjoy the time but she's keeping her hands to herself. Her papi likes this job and Pierce pays more than Evans did and so that's a bonus.
"That was amazing", Brittany said. "I can't believe he let you do that. I can't believe you can do that."
"He's a great horse. We're working from the beginning here so whatever Felix did or didn't do means nothing now. He won't be fully trained by next week but you will be able to mount him and guide him some at the very least. He's done a lot today, I'm going to call it a day and I'll be back early tomorrow. You're always free to join us if you want, it really helped to have you there while I worked with him so he could get to know you too."
"Sounds good."
"Ok, see you tomorrow then."
Santana leaves, again never looking back. Looking back suggests longing, and Santana doesn't do that. She wants to look back, though. She wants to see the blonde, With the hair that looks like the sun and the eyes that look like the sky. She's not even gone yet and she can't wait until tomorrow. This is trouble. Big trouble. Her family can't afford for her to become an issue with the Pierces. As much as she wants to take her time training Midnight, she needs to get it done and get it done fast.
Neither woman slept well that night, both experiencing the same annoying ache. Santana thought about calling someone to make it better, but she just didn't feel like dealing with them afterwards. She enjoyed her time talking to Brittany. She was easy to talk to, and she always listened like what she was saying was the most interesting thing in the world. Brittany didn't bother trying to fool herself, she knew what she had to do if she wanted to sleep that night.
Brittany pulled the sheets up around her waist, applying pressure and quickly gasping for air. The need hasn't been this strong in a long time, maybe never. Santana simply lay naked, never modest when it came to her sexuality, and needing to feel something else there, even if it was just the gentle touch of the night air. She let blue eyes and blonde hair flood her mind as her hand reached for the one place on her body that the night air couldn't cool. She brought her fingers to herself and began to move them in a way she hadn't done to herself in quite some time. She enjoyed the hunt, and when she wanted a woman she was always confident she would find someone that would do, but not tonight, tonight only blonde hair and blue eyes, a dancing silhouette, could begin to ease the nagging urge, even if it was all just an illusion.
Brittany's ache was quicker to quench. She worked her hands, panting, gasping for air, as the image of Santana invaded her senses. Her throat felt dry and she turned her head into the pillow, bucking up into nothing, left with a satisfaction that she knew would only be temporary.
Santana's want was insatiable, as she worked herself, searching for relief, until finally it hit her so hard she heard herself cry out softly in the darkness, calmer now, and yet unable to understand why she chose the mere thought of this woman over the contact she could have had with so many other women who she knew would appreciate her time. Santana didn't know the answer to that, all she knew was that she didn't need this shit in her life right now.
The next morning Santana showed up before sunrise as usual, partially hoping to find Brittany as she had the day before. She did, once again choosing to share breakfast with Midnight as she watched the blonde dance in the near darkness.
They spent the day much like they had before. Working together with Midnight, they went riding, they trained into the evening. They had lunch together under a tree and took a ride almost silently together on Prince Charming and Belle, for no good reason that they could come up with.
The following day Brittany again decided to spend the day training the horse with Santana, and things were going quite well. When they decided to break for lunch Santana went to grab her bag from the truck and Brittany had suggested that they eat near one of her favorite spots by the lake, a spot that was secluded and mainly unbothered on the ranch. She found it peaceful, and she had decided that she wanted to learn more about Santana before their time together ran out.
Brittany and Santana arrived at the lake and Brittany spread a blanket out. They opened their lunch bags and sat and looked at the water, Brittany breaking some bread and feeding it to the ducks. She was just stalling, wondering how she was going to start a conversation to get to know Santana better. Santana, however, beat her to the punch.
"This is a beautiful ranch."
"Thank you."
"Is it just you and your dad?"
"Yes, just the two of us. How about you, is it just you and Hector at home?"
"Yup, that's the way it's been for as long as I could remember. My mother died when I was three. She found out she had cancer when she was 7 months pregnant with me but it was pretty aggressive. She died right after my third birthday."
"I'm so sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, life can be that way sometimes. How about your mom?"
"Don't know if she's dead or alive to be honest. She just felt the need to leave. My father says that she felt I would be better off with him. Maybe she was right, he didn't do so bad I don't think. Still, it would have been nice to have a woman around."
"I know how that feels. How old were you when she left?" Santana asks.
"Three, just like you, closer to turning four though."
"So do you remember much about her?"
"Not really, sometimes I think I remember something, and then I think maybe it's something someone told me about her."
"Yeah, sometimes I feel the same way" Santana says
"So what are you studying in school?"
"I'm studying to become a veterinarian, what about you?"
"I'm an agricultural business operations major" Brittany answers.
"So you plan on managing the ranch one day?"
"It's been the family business for years, so I'm expected to know how to run it."
"Makes sense. So what are your plans for your birthday?"
"Don't have any"
"What?"
"Don't have any. My father usually will have a nice cake ordered and sometimes we go out to dinner but I really don't celebrate my birthday often."
"Well, on Friday nights I usually go dancing. You said your birthday was on Friday, you're welcome to drive out to town with me if you like. Not usually a lot of fellas where I go but I may be willing to go somewhere that's a little better suited for you to find a nice guy to dance the night away with, that's if you don't have someone who is gonna get all jealous if you go out." Santana smiles when she says this.
"Nope, nobody to get jealous except maybe my cat. I think I'd like to go, and no need to change where you normally go, I'm fine with dancing anywhere."
"Well, I tend to prefer the company of ladies, ladies who prefer the company of other ladies if you know what I mean. Don't know how you feel about that." Santana figured she mind as well put it out there before she goes being friendly with someone who is not accepting of her sexuality. That way they can keep it business and she doesn't get stuck dealing with someone closed minded on the one night a week she looks most forward to. "I'm not putting the moves on you, just inviting you out to celebrate your big day with some people your own age." Santana says with a sly smile.
"I'm ok with wherever you want to go, I appreciate the offer, really. I don't usually go out much when I'm home for the summer." Brittany replies, trying to hide the odd feeling of happiness in hearing that Santana likes the ladies and ignoring the pinch in her chest at the declaration that she was not putting the moves on her.
"Well then I can come by and pick you up, maybe around 6?"
"Six sounds good."
"Great. It'll be a good time." The girls sit silently for a moment before getting back to work.
The rest of the week goes great. Midnight has become quite easy to work with. Santana was able to get a bridle and saddle on him and began to ride him around the corral, training him to follow directions all while getting him used to Brittany. It was the day before Brittany's birthday when Santana had Brittany mount Midnight for the first time and the two spent a good part of the afternoon riding slowly around the corral, soon with Santana joining on Belle. They talked a lot as they lazily rode around before ending for the day. They would only work with the horse for a little while the next day, as Brittany wanted to give Santana time to get ready for their evening festivities.
The next day Jack Pierce came out and watched his daughter ride her new horse. He was quite pleased with the progress and even more happy to see his daughter happy. He knew she would be going out for her birthday and he was actually quite happy she would be spending it with people her own age. He knew that she was always worried about his feelings and so whenever she was home she tried to spend as much time as possible with him. He could never convince her that he was okay, no matter how hard he tried. It's like she carried the guilt for what her mother had done to end their family.
Santana returned to the ranch shortly before six that evening. She was wearing leather pants that fit her like her own skin, a tight black tee, and short black heeled boots. She had on a short leather jacket and a black cowboy hat with her hair flowing down in curls beneath it. All Brittany could do was wonder how she managed to work her way into those pants and how the cow that died in order for her to wear them died for a noble cause. Surely if there is a cow heaven that cow made it in. Her breath hitched when she saw her.
Brittany wore black skinny jeans, a black halter top with a short black sequined jacket and black heels. Her hair was also down and slightly curled, but Brittany knew that if the dancing was good before the night was over she would have it pulled back in a neat ponytail ready to work the dance floor.
Santana hoped that her face didn't betray her, because Brittany looked hot as hell. She was used to how sweet she looked when she dressed casually, but this look oozed sex, and Santana was not prepared.
"Hey, you look amazing" Santana said, opening the passenger door for Brittany and offering her hand to help her into the car.
"So do you, Santana", Brittany replied.
Jack Pierce waved goodbye to the pair as they drove off into town. Santana checked in with Brittany once again to make sure that she was ok with going to a lesbian club. They would have to drive a little further out to get there, but for Santana it was always worth the trip. This time she had the added bonus of having Brittany along for the ride.
"Happy Birthday Brittany."
"Thanks Santana"
"I'm gonna make sure you have a great time. Anything you want tonight is on me. I also got you a small gift, hope you don't mind."
Santana hands Brittany the box which contained a charm bracelet. The first charm was a charm of a horse. The second was of a ballerina.
"It's so beautiful Santana, thank you, you really didn't have to."
"It was my pleasure Brittany. When we get there if you're not comfortable we can leave or if you're looking for a dance partner just take my hand and I'll follow. I'm not as good as you but I'm not that bad, either."
"Wait, you've seen me dance?"
"I saw you one morning." Truth be told, she saw Brittany every morning that she could. "You're amazing."
Brittany blushed. "Thanks"
Santana and Brittany ride mainly in silence, Santana singing along to the music and Brittany silently impressed. Once they arrive at the club Santana parks her truck and hops down, walking around to open the door and help Brittany out of the truck.
Santana takes her hat and tosses it on the seat of the truck, shaking her hair out before walking confidently to the entrance of the club. She takes Brittany's hand and walks right past the line of waiting people.
"Hey Santana," the young man at the door greets her.
"Hey Dave", Santana answers. Dave gives Brittany a once over and smiles as Santana struts in eyes scanning the crowd. Brittany notices that Santana doesn't let go of her hand even once they were inside.
A number of people greet Santana, while others look quizzically at Brittany, and at the fact that Santana is holding her hand. Brittany doesn't attempt to move it. Santana seems to be making a statement, and Brittany kind of likes the feeling.
"Dance or drink?" Santana asks
"Dance" Brittany answers.
Santana moves to the middle of the dance floor and starts to sway to the music. Brittany follows her lead, loving the feeling of Santana's arms around her waist. Santana is a natural flirt, she really can't help herself, and so she closes the gap. They're moving against one another now. It happened so fast, it's like their bodies know each other. They catch the eyes of others on the dance floor. Santana is a regular here, and she has a reputation, so some are wondering who is the mysterious blonde with the ability to command her attention the way she is. Both women have women there who are interested in their company, and the sight of them together was a natural aphrodisiac. Brittany was born to be on the dance floor, and Santana loved the way she let her lead. They danced for quite a while before Santana went to get them drinks, and when she returned Brittany was dancing with someone else. Perhaps it should have made Santana jealous, but instead it just turned her on more. One of Santana's occasional hookup partners came over and began chatting but Santana barely heard her.
She had made up her mind.
Santana excused herself and made her way over to where Brittany was dancing. She slid her free hand around the blonde's waist and caught her attention, inviting her to free one of the drinks from her other hand. Brittany excused herself from her dance partner and took her drink. She took a sip and her eyes slightly widened in surprise.
"Sorry, I forgot, I can get you something non alcoholic if you like."
"No, this is delicious, was just wondering how you got it."
"I have my ways" Santana says cryptically, winking at the blonde. Her "ways" is a fake ID and the fact that Dave at the door vouches for her and anyone she brings with her. She and Dave have been friends for years.
Brittany and Santana sip their drinks.
"You don't have to babysit me, I'll be ok. I don't want to stop you from spending time with your usual friends." Brittany says, tilting her head towards a brunette who had been staring daggers at Santana since she'd gotten there.
"That's Laila, and if she had something to say to me that mattered she would have been over here by now saying it." Santana had no time to deal with jealous ex hookups. "However, you are free to dance with whoever you want as well."
"Gee, thanks mom" Brittany says sarcastically and Santana laughs heartily.
"Well, I'm about to hit the dance floor again, feel free to join me." Santana says and gulps the last of her drink. She heads to the dance floor and quickly finds her mark, gliding behind a beautiful blonde and placing her hands around her hips while swaying to the music. Brittany watches for a while, turning down the drink offer from a pretty brunette before ordering herself another of whatever it was that she was finishing in her hand. She watched Santana work the dance floor while she finished the drink Santana bought her and then the next drink, before accepting an offer to dance from a stunning dark haired girl.
Brittany danced with the girl for quite a while, almost forgetting about Santana and the way her hands wrapped intimately around the girl on the dance floor. They had danced before that night, Brittany could tell. They had done far more than dance, and Brittany had no idea why she was thinking about any of that.
She had made up her mind.
Brittany looked up and locked eyes with Santana, who was watching her even as she was grinding on the beautiful blonde with the perfect shape. Their eyes stayed locked for a while, and when the song ended Santana excused herself and made a move towards Brittany.
They had made up their minds.
Santana walked over to where Brittany was dancing. She took her hand and Brittany excused herself from her dance partner.
"Hope I wasn't interrupting anything" Santana says, standing far too close to Brittany to not be moving.
"It was nothing." Brittany said.
"Looked like fun", Santana said, her mouth close to Brittany's ear so that she could hear her over the pounding rhythm.
"Mmhmm" Brittany hummed.
Santana begins to move slowly, too slowly for the music that's playing, hips pressed close, face to face, Brittany's eyes close, and Santana leans in. Brittany closes the gap, lips barely touching, like a whisper. Just close to one another, no contact, not yet.
"I can't help myself", Santana whispers.
"So do what you have to do", Brittany whispers, and Santana kisses her, right there on the dance floor. Brittany's hands find her hair and it deepens before Santana breaks the kiss.
"Not here" Santana says.
"Where are we going?"
"Anywhere but here."
Santana takes her hand and leads her through the club and to her truck, where she looks at Brittany and pauses.
"What next?" Santana asks
"My father is home. How about your place?"
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Santana asks.
"Yes"
"You sure this is not the drink talking?"
"No"
"Ok" Santana answers, "but not my place. I know somewhere."
Santana spends a few minutes on her phone and then begins to drive. Soon she pulls into the parking lot of a hotel a little further outside of town. She had used her phone to book a room.
Santana helps Brittany from the truck and takes her hand and leads her inside. She goes to the front desk to collect her room key and Brittany takes that time to text her father that she's staying with Santana and that they would be at the ranch by noon. Jack is not used to Brittany staying out when she's home and she doesn't want him to worry. Plus she wants him to know that Santana is with her and not to wonder why she isn't training Midnight. He won't mind, he wants Brittany to have fun, especially on her birthday. Santana collects the room key and then returns to Brittany's side, taking her hand and leading her to the elevator. Once they get to the room Santana removes a flask from her jacket and takes a sip. She offers Brittany a drink, and she declines. She's nervous, but not in the way one would think. This is it, the moment she stops fighting her feelings. She always knew that one day a woman would come along and she would find it impossible to fight any longer. She loves her father, she doesn't want to hurt him, but at this point she needs this, she needs this like she needs air in her lungs.
Santana takes her time, takes the time to drink Brittany in with her eyes, to really look at her in a way they never had the chance to look at each other before. This is it for Santana as well, she had been with dozens of women she should have never been with for one reason or another, but she had never dragged her papi into it. This was his bosses daughter, his only family, and this is not the same. For some reason she doesn't feel the need to make it clear that they're just having fun here, because she's not sure that it is just for fun. It's not love, but it's still something she's not sure she's ever experienced before. It's the willingness to surrender to something, like Midnight is doing, to put on the reigns perhaps, to no longer be a wild pony.
It's Brittany who crashes their lips together hungrily, to Santana's pleasant surprise. She helps Santana out of her jacket and tee shirt and then does the same for herself. They take the image of one another in, admiring each other's forms, the smooth perfect skin, the deep expressive eyes. It was Brittany who moved them towards the bed, shedding clothing along the way. Santana was unaware just how hungry Brittany was for this, for a woman, for this woman that inspired her to take a leap she never intended to take.
It was one look at Santana that made Brittany accept that she had to find a way to be who she was, even if it hurt her father.
"You are exquisite".
Santana goes to reply, but Brittany pulls Santana atop of her, and Santana let's her take the reigns, let's her guide her, puts her trust in her, let's herself feel the feeling of losing control.
It feels ok to lose control right now.
Brittany lay her head against the pillow as Santana made her way on top of her, kissing a trail of long legs, worshiping her from head to toe, her body like a beautiful statue, each curve perfectly crafted, covered in perfect milky skin. Brittany digs her nails into her back, rewarding her with a deep kiss as she feels Santana move her knee between her legs and gently grind down. Santana takes a breast into her mouth, causing Brittany to moan as Santana enjoys the feeling of the heat between Brittany's legs. She wants to touch her, she wants to taste hot, wet flesh. She wants to take it slow, she never wants it to end.
Their bodies move in sync, their souls in synchronicity, something evolving in both of them. Santana places two fingers to Brittany's lips which she parts to take them into her mouth, wetting them. Santana stares deeply into her eyes as she moves her hand downward, teasing her and eliciting yet another deliciously low moan before sliding one digit into her. She's tight, and so Santana works her open, works her up, until her wetness allows her to add another slender digit and Brittany begins to moan freely, moving her hips to meet Santana's gentle thrusts, letting herself get lost in all of the sensations surrounding her, and the same was happening to Santana. She watched her intently, like she was watching a beautiful sunrise, taking in every quiver, every contortion, every melodic sound, as if she had never seen a woman writhe beneath her, as if this were the last women she ever wants to see beneath her again.
It was happening, happening too quickly, that moment they each had imagined a few short nights ago, and Santana increased her pace, using her knee to drive her hand deeper into her lover, curling her fingers and expertly applying pressure, pressure, pressure until Brittany burst, crying out and Santana desperately wanted to taste her, and yet she had time, she had all night, and so she opted to care for her, to hold her close, until she fell back to earth.
Santana peppered her jaw with kisses feeling the quickness of her heartbeat, the shallowness of her breaths, the way her blue eyes stared fixed upon the ceiling in an effort to focus again. A small smile was forming on Santana's face as Brittany rose up to straddle Santana, kissing her and looking softly into her eyes.
"My turn" Brittany says seductively.
"Not yet" Santana replied, lust darkening her eyes.
"Haven't had enough yet" Brittany says sarcastically, straddling Santana's hips.
"I don't think I'll ever have enough of you", Santana replies, even shocking herself.
Santana places strong hands on either side of Brittany's waist as she scoots herself down flat on the pillow. It takes a second for Brittany to realize what Santana wants but Santana's hands guide her, gently pulling Brittany up her torso until it's all quite evident. Brittany hovers above her before gently settling, her hands grasping the headboard, her sex covering Santana's face. Brittany gently begins to ride in a rhythmic motion while Santana works her mouth over Brittany's most sensitive spots, using her tongue to suck her, to taste her, to fuck her like she's never been fucked before. She can feel Brittany's weight begin to cover her more, she can taste her essence, she can inhale her sweet and sultry scent, and it's warming her even more than the drinks she consumed that night, and she can feel the buildup in her own sex, craving release as Brittany rides, and then bucks, and Santana has no desire to tame her. She listens as she comes, she imagines the look on her face, she uses her hands to steady her body, hot and moist with sweat, digging her fingers into her ass in the best way, letting her ride out her orgasm. When it's over she helps her down, helps her down in so many ways, and Brittany just curls into her arms, satiated.
"My goodness", Brittany says.
"My pleasure", Santana replies.
They rest that way for a moment, and this time when Brittany moves Santana doesn't stop her. Her own need for release is overcoming her, and Brittany seems more than happy to indulge that need.
Brittany kisses Santana, tasting herself on the Latina's mouth and becoming overcome by the sensation. Santana explores her mouth slowly, setting a pace, as Brittany gently squeezes her breasts, grazing a nipple with her thumb until it stands at attention, gently pinching it as she moves down and sucks the other breast into her mouth.
Santana let out a soft groan which urged Brittany's hand further down, playing in wet folds before entering her going in and out so slowly at first Santana can feel the entirety of each stroke. She quickly adds a second finger and begins curling, and she sees her face contort in ecstasy. Santana's face twists in delight, her eyebrows crinkle as she takes in the sensation, her full lips purse to suck in a sharp breath.
"Fuck"
"I plan on it", Brittany replies cheekily.
Brittany uses her knee to drive into Santana, sucking on her neck and marking her at the same time. Soon she works her way down, her hand slowing but still connected, further and further until she reaches her stomach and then removes them in order to adjust her body, bringing Santana's legs above her shoulders and burying her face in her warm, wet flesh. She has the strongest urge to taste her, to be with a woman like that for the first time. She doesn't have any performance anxiety, this feels so natural for her, too natural. Which was too much for her to even dream of. A novice. She guesses she's a quick study. Or maybe it's what her soul has been familiar with all along and has been crying out for her to feed. This hunger in her. This thirst quenched. It's nature exalting in the fact that she's finally doing what comes natural to her. She tastes her and moans out loud, before adding her fingers back in, working her hand in and out, in and out as Santana's moans intensify. Finally Brittany rubs hard tight circles with her thumb on Santana's clit and Santana's hips rise from the bed, Brittany sliding a hand beneath her ass to help her shove herself fully into Brittany's mouth, as she begins to taste the wet heat flowing from Santana's core. She grunts at the sensation, all of a sudden tasting her with a frenzy, the years of pent up frustration she's trying to suck from Santana's sex, the overwhelming need, the want, the desire quenched in that moment, and Brittany joins Santana as she spasms, her mind in disbelief that she's coming as well, trying with all her might to drink every drop of her as they both tumble over the edge.
Brittany can't move, and so she stays there, her head resting on Santana's stomach as it rises and falls aggressively, Santana's hands tangled in her moist hair, both women deliciously spent. Finally Brittany finds the strength to climb back into Santana's arms, and Santana takes Brittany's hand in her own, holding it as the other plays gently along the small of her back.
"Happy birthday" Santana says
"Best birthday ever", Brittany replies.
The women lay there in each other's arms and drift off to sleep. The next morning Brittany woke up and Santana was in the shower. Brittany thought about joining her, but instead decided to check her phone for messages.
"Hey, good morning sunshine, hope I didn't wake you." Santana emerges from the bathroom drying her hair completely naked. Brittany can wake up to that sight forever. Santana walks over and kisses her good morning.
"No, not at all, I'm usually up way before this."
"Well, I'm late for work. Got a horse to train."
"Don't worry about that, I text my dad last night and told him we'll be there at noon."
"Wish I knew that before I got out of bed." Santana said, wriggling her eyebrows. "He won't kill me for defiling his daughter, will he?"
"No, this is the last thing he would think we were doing."
"So, your first time with a woman?"
"Yes, among other firsts, but that's actually a long story."
"Well apparently I have until noon if you want to tell it."
"Sure. I guess we can talk. Do you need to text your dad?"
"Naw, sent him a text last night telling him I'd see him in the morning."
"Ok, Let me take a quick shower then we'll have time to talk."
Santana dresses while Brittany showers. While Brittany is in the bathroom freshening up Santana runs down to the front desk for a few complimentary toiletries. She grabbed some deodorant and a couple of toothbrushes and some toothpaste. Then she raided the free breakfast buffet and filled a tray with things to bring back to the room as well as some hot coffee. She returned to the room just as Brittany was dressing. She handed Brittany the toiletries and went to put on some deodorant and brush her teeth herself. They shared the sink side by side like they had done it a million times smiling at one another through the mirror. Then they went to eat at the small table in the room, Santana humming at the taste of the hot coffee and Brittany grabbing a pastry and some coffee. Santana sat peeling an orange and began to speak.
"Ok missy, I'm all ears." she started, staring at Brittany.
"Well, remember I told you my mother left when I was 3?"
"Yeah"
"Well she left my father for another woman."
"Wow, okay"
"They were young when they met, younger than us, they met in high school. My mother either didn't know who she was yet or had been fighting it. I don't know which because she never gave me the chance to ask her."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Anyway I realized I was attracted to women back in high school, but I would never hook up with one because I didn't want to hurt my dad. I know it sounds crazy, but it felt like I would be bringing the same thing to his doorstep again. I already look a lot like my mom, so every time he looks at me, especially at this age, I probably remind him of her. I just want to protect him, that's all. Since I've always been attracted to guys as well I thought it would be easy, but I guess you messed that up for me." Brittany laughs.
Santana smiles sympathetically.
"I don't know your mom's story, but her leaving you was due to her own issues, and I bet your father doesn't need protecting, but it's your life and the beauty is that you get to live it however you choose. Is your dad the only thing holding you back, or are there other fears?"
"Just my dad, he's all I have, and I really don't care what other people think."
"Well I must say you did not fuck me like you've never fucked a woman before. You must be a prodigy or something", Santana smiles.
"Maybe I had a good teacher" Brittany replies.
"Well, I just want you to be happy. I want you to live your best life. If you fall in love with a man the Honorable Society of Lesbians will mourn your loss. If you fall for me, well, let's just say I can do even better than last night. At least for now I can brag and say I'm the best lady lover you've ever had."
"You want me to fall for you?"
"It wouldn't be a bad thing for either of us, I promise you that."
Brittany smiles softly at the Latina. "Well anyway, you can brag and say you're the best lover I've ever had."
"I bet you say that to all of your lovers."
"You are all of my lovers."
"What?"
"I said that you are all of my lovers."
"Do you mean currently, or ever?"
"Ever"
"Brittany, no."
"What?"
"Last night was the first time you've been with anyone?"
"To that extent, yes. I wasn't exactly the virgin Mary, I've had some limited experience, but I've certainly never had the full body experience like last night."
"Oh Brittany, I wish I would have known, I would have made it so much more special for you."
"You don't think that last night was special, Santana?"
"No it was, it really was Britt. I mean I could have been gentler, more patient, more romantic."
"Santana, you were perfect, I wouldn't change a thing. I honestly thought I was about to lose my virginity in the back of your truck, maybe in your bedroom if your dad wasn't home. Instead, you booked us a room at a hotel that has a 3 star rating on Trip Advisor with no cleanliness complaints. Not bad."
Santana laughs.
"So you checked the reviews?"
"Hey, I was just keeping myself busy while you showered, Plus I needed to know what you thought of me, and I factored in your student's budget."
"How kind of you."
"Then you went downstairs and got us breakfast. You even got us toothbrushes and deodorant in order to make our walk of shame more dignified when we leave."
"I'm kind of a classy dame." Santana says smiling.
"So does that mean you take all of your girls to 3 star hotels?"
"Just you, darlin'."
"I don't know, that checkout seemed pretty smooth if you ask me, kinda like your credit card information was saved on the app or something."
Santana laughs.
"Well I'm willing to bring you back anytime you like."
"I may just take you up on that."
Santana and Brittany chatted with such an ease, no tension whatsoever, and when they checked out of the hotel they walked hand in hand to the truck like it was the most natural thing in the world for them to do. It was a new experience for them both. Santana first drove to her house and changed into clothes she could work in before driving out to the ranch. Santana stopped the truck just outside the ranch gates and gave Brittany a kiss, and just like that their magical time together was put aside and they were back in professional mode. Santana drove Brittany right up to the house and let her out of the truck. Felix gave the pair a curious look, while Hector wondered what that was about but he's never been one to reign his daughter in unless he truly believed that she needed it and honestly he's never really believed that. He was allowed to make his own mistakes growing up and he has always allowed Santana the same courtesy. He may offer advice but he has never forced her to take it. Because of that Santana tends to listen when he speaks up, because he never does it in an overbearing way.
Brittany and Santana went about their day as they had every other day that they worked with Midnight. Later that day, as Jack Pierce stopped by to have a look at the progress as usual, Felix made it his business to start a conversation with the man. Secretly, it seemed he had a resentment against Santana for coming in and having success with Midnight. He was the Pierce ranch's longest standing employee. Hector being a favored employee was enough of a blow to his fragile ego, having his daughter around was just too much for him to deal with.
"Mr. Pierce, do you have a moment?"
"Sure Felix, what's going on?"
"I just wanted to warn you sir, you might want to watch Ms. Brittany hanging around Hector's girl. You know she's a strange one, with her dealings with the ladies and such. I hear tale that she's entertained quite a few of the young women around these parts. Ms. Brittany might become vulnerable to her, all things considered."
"Felix, do your job. Your job here isn't to advise me on my life or to spy on two young girls. If you need a reminder of what your job description is I can get you a written copy by the end of the day. Whatever my daughter is or is not in this world is of no matter to you but I will warn you, hurt her, hurt either of those girls, and there will be hell to pay. Go home. Choose if you think you can still work here or if you want to work here, and if you come back in the morning come back here to do only that...work."
Jack Pierce turned around and walked away from the man, never giving him a chance to say a word.
Felix was stunned. He knew the story of Jack Pierce and his wife. Everyone in those parts did. Where everyone miscalculated things was believing that it somehow made Jack bitter towards gay people. In reality he didn't care who his wife had left him for, he just cared that she left.
It all made him think, what if something was going on with his only child? Would she know how he felt? Would she know that it's okay with him, that his only hope for her is that she lives a happy life and doesn't feel the need to force herself to suffer through a lie the way her mother had? He knew Santana was a lesbian, he didn't bother to think if whatever time they were spending together was two young girls who were the same age enjoying a friendship or perhaps developing into something more. Brittany had always been the most reliable and dependable person he knew, and who she chose to give her heart to wasn't going to change that. He knew his daughter spent the night out with Santana, doing what was none of his business, he trusted her. Now he had to make sure she knew that she could trust him.
That night over dinner, he made sure to talk to his daughter. He loved her with all of his heart, he needed to know she was okay.
"Brittany, so how was your birthday honey?"
"It was great dad, the absolute best."
"It must have been, I can't remember you ever returning home so late."
"Hope you weren't worried, but yes, best birthday ever."
"So what did you do?"
"We danced for hours, my favorite thing. Santana is quite a dancer."
"Well so are you."
"Thanks dad."
"So I don't think it's a secret that Santana is a lesbian, how do you feel about that?"
Brittany was shocked with the direction this conversation was taking. She didn't know if it was good or bad.
"I'm okay with it dad."
"I'm okay with it too, Brittany."
"Really?"
"Really honey. Can I ask you a question and I don't want you to be afraid to answer it honestly, do you like her romantically?"
Brittany pauses. She wants to see Santana again. This is her chance. This is her chance to live her truth. Her father is saying he's okay with it, if she doesn't speak her truth now she's the one with the problem not him.
"I think I might, dad. I think I've always liked women. I do like men as well, but Santana may be the first person I've liked this much."
"Did you just start realizing this or did you know for a long time?"
"Since high school I think, but after what you went through with mom I just didn't want to be another person that reminded you of her. It's bad enough I look like her, I didn't want you to have to see me love a woman as well."
"You are not your mother, Brittany. Maybe I had a hand in chasing her away. It was hard to look at the woman I loved with everything in me walk out the door to be with anyone else, man or woman, it didn't matter. It wasn't the issue that she was gay, what I had a hard time with back then was being caught up in her self discovery. As I got older, as my heart healed, I watched you grow up without a mother because I didn't have the courage to get over her quicker. I made it so hard for her to look at me that she stayed away from you. I have had many women but she was the only one I loved because I idealized her, that was my doing. I just couldn't let the hurt go and allow myself to trust someone else. I made a lot of mistakes Brittany, including making you think you had to hide yourself. Santana seems like a nice girl. If you like her, and she likes you back, well then you both have my blessings. Live your life honey. If Felix or anyone says anything or does anything to make either of you uncomfortable then you let me know and I will handle it."
"Felix, what does he have to do with this?"
"He took it upon himself to let me know about Santana, as if I were blind, deaf and dumb. I set him straight, you just let me know if he has any problems staying straightened out."
"Dad, you've been a good dad and I don't want you to blame yourself for everything. She left both of us. If she loved me no matter how hard it was to face you she would have been there for me. A girl needs a mother. I don't know what you did or everything she did, but I know for a fact she never came back to even say hello to me, to talk to me about becoming a woman, to teach me about my period, or how to do my hair and makeup or to talk to me about my first kiss or if I like boys or girls. You helped me get ready for dances and first dates. You said you had a lot of women but you didn't parade them around me. I had a stable home. I don't hate her, but I won't let you take the blame for her mistakes. She didn't want you, and the truth is she didn't want me either, or else nothing could have kept her from me."
Brittany has tears in her eyes but she's strong, and she refuses to cry one more time over that woman. She tries not to speak about her, she doesn't even say her name, but deep inside part of her is still a little girl that wants her mommy.
Jack gets up and hugs his daughter. He kisses her golden hair and holds on to her for a while. He never could take seeing her hurt.
"I told you that I would help you find her, you know that still stands, right?"
"She knows where to find me if she wanted me, that would be a lot easier don't you think?"
"She loves you Brittany, as a child you were her entire world. I thought about looking for her many times over the years because you were hurting, because I wish her no harm and wanted to know that she was okay. She was only 25 when she left us. We got married right after high school. We were so young. I didn't look for her because I didn't want to intrude in her life, but maybe I should have, for you. One day I'm going to die, and then you will have no family. Maybe we should find her."
"No, not now, and dad, I need you to live a nice long time, and I'll make my own family one day."
"And I don't care if it's with a man or a woman."
"I love you dad."
"You're the best thing that ever happened to me Brittany."
The next morning Santana came to train Midnight. She looked beautiful, black cowboy hat with her tight blue jeans and a white tee shirt covered by a blue button up shirt she was wearing to cover up the marks Brittany had left on her neck that hadn't faded yet. She had worn one to work the previous day as well for the same reason and Brittany had smiled at her then when she told her that she was going to sweat to death that day. She said she was wearing it because she didn't want any rumors to start about their night out. Brittany was hiding then, she's not now.
That morning Santana jumped down from her truck and locked eyes with the blonde. She smiled slightly and tipped her hat before walking over.
"Mornin' pretty lady" Santana cooed, tossing Brittany a discreet look.
"Mornin sexy lady" Brittany returned.
"Woah, look at you. One night with me and I have a complete player on my hands. Bet you say that to all of the girls."
"Just the sexy ones."
Santana gently lets her hand brush against Brittany's and they both feel a warmth rush through them.
"Hey, wanna go on a proper date with me pretty lady? I'll drive you a couple of towns over where nobody knows us and maybe have a little dinner and dancing."
"Sorry, I don't think so."
"Oh okay" Santana is crushed, but she's trying not to show it.
"I don't want to hide you, honey, so why don't we have that proper date wherever you want to. That's unless you're trying to hide me from all of your conquests."
Santana smiled widely "Nobody else matters, Britt."
"Well then yes, Santana, I would love to go on a proper date with you and if you're really good, I'll take you to a 3 and a half star hotel afterwards, my treat."
"MMMmmmm, well that's an offer I'll never refuse."
Seems like everyone is around right now as the two ladies agree to begin dating one another. Hector and Jack are talking near Midnight's corral, Felix is nearby doing whatever it is he does that always seems to have him near Midnight's corral. Brittany thought that this would be an excellent time to just get it done with.
"Santana, are we openly dating here?"
"That's what it seems like."
"And you're okay if I told people."
"I've never much been in the hiding business Brittany. Even the girls who I've been with have always known my intentions."
"Ok then, well first of all, it's too hot for this thing."
Brittany tugs on the sleeve of Santana's button up, helping her out of it.
"Britt..." She says, her hand snapping up to her neck.
"Second of all, I'd like a good morning kiss if you don't mind."
"Your dad..."
"Knows"
"He knows?"
"And he supports me, he supports us, if there is an us."
"I like us." Santana says, smiling.
"So can I kiss you."
"Not without starting a fire we can't put out here darlin'" Santana says coyly. "But you can give it a shot."
Brittany leans in and gives Santana the sweetest good morning kiss a girl has ever had, she thinks. She wraps her arms around Santana's neck and Santana pulls her in tightly by her waist and they press their lips softly together. It's not a passionate kiss, it doesn't deepen, it's just long enough to make the announcement that they want to make to the world. Brittany wants to tell the world that she's out and proud, and Santana wants to tell the world that she's hers.
It was a damn good way to start a new day.
Thank you all for taking time to read this story. I really enjoyed writing this one. Thanks to all who took the time to review and encourage me and thanks to those who simply chose to enjoy. Appreciate you all!