Less than an hour left before we make it into the city, and Rach calls me. "So, was it as awful as you thought it would be? How is she?" She asked as I heard a lot going on in the background. Something I have always loved about her, no matter how famous she gets she always makes the people she loves feel like they come first. I think that mostly came into play after she lost Finn.
"Things were better than expected. She's hurting, who wouldn't be. But she's strong. And she wasn't bitchy, not even once" I manage the giggle out the last sentence before hearing Mercedes tell Rachel to tell me hi. Rachel puts me on speaker so we can all catch up before they get back to business.
"I'm just so happy she has you. If I were there, I would be there as well no matter how much of a pain she thinks I am." Rachel states with so much conviction.
"Yeah, you would definitely be getting on her nerves. Ooh, I have to take this call! Love you, Quinn." Mercedes chimes in.
"Love you too! Alright Rach I love you too. We are almost there so if you wanna text me tomorrow feel free. We still need to unpack these boxes and eat dinner. Honestly, I might just crash there if it's not too messy." We said our goodbyes and as soon as I got off the phone with them San called.
"Yes Santana?" I look up at the Autumn sky as it is starts to get a beautiful orange and dark blue, and it seems like we made it back in perfect time.
"Pizza or Chinese food? I can call it in now, so we don't have to wait forever for delivery." Santana asked.
"Chinese please!" I probably sound way too giddy but all I had today was a parfait, a coffee, and lots of water.
"Same order as usual?" She gets out with a slight laugh knowing that even after all these years of knowing each other food still makes me happy.
"Always! I'm a creature of habit. What can I say?" I said teasingly.
"Mhm. Going to order it now then." San said as she hung up.
Within ten minutes we were at her place and packing boxes into the elevator. Some guys offer to help, of course we agree. It took us no time. Santana had been moving into this place for over a week now after work and last weekend. I expected it to be messy but instead it was clean and very sleek. Not thinking how even Santana's bedroom since we were kids was a space Brittany was in all the time, and that Brittany was the one with the awkward style and clutter, Santana just tolerated it because she loved Brittany. We unpack a few of the boxes while placing everything neatly in its spot before there is a knock on the door. Santana opens the door, greets the delivery person, and tips him as she had already paid for the food. They seem very appreciative.
"Q, can you grab a water outta the fridge for me and whatever you want to drink? I'll grab the plates." She said while she sits the food on the table looking right at home in her new place. I just nod my head and go grab the drinks, a water for her and an apple juice for me. I watch her put the plates on the table and go to wash her hands so she could plate our food. The older San gets the more she reminds me of her mother. The way that she holds space for others but demands you to respect her space without a single word. The way she just floats when she walks, it's not unlike my own walk, very dainty. She's dressed in an oversized hoodie and joggers but still is so put together and ladylike in the way she carries herself. I imagine this was what she was like as a wife. Then the weight of that thought hits me like a ton of bricks. Does Santana know that a lot of women are neglected and taken for granted? Solely because their partners get comfortable and forget to be thankful for the regular day to day things like having a clean house, having someone who is a teammate not just self-serving? I walk over to the sink to follow suit and wash my hands as well. She turns and smiles at me before we both end up back at the table where she plates my food and sits in front of the chair nearest to hers then she plates her own food. We sit down and start eating in a comfortable silence until I take my first bite of chicken and grunt because it is so good. Santana chuckles. We start talking about everything except Brittany.
"Thank you, Santana." I say as I place my hand on top of hers and begin to rub my thumb in a circle against her skin.
"No problem. It's the least I could do for you spending your Saturday driving eight hours and moving boxes." She said so nonchalantly.
"I meant for everything. For trusting me enough to be the person to be here with you today. For buying dinner. For making me feel comfortable in your home. For plating my food." I see her eyes light up after I say that, and I can tell it probably had been awhile since she really felt appreciated.
"I'll clean the table and put the food up." I offer because that's the least I could do. She says thank you and gets up to finish unpacking the one box before she shoves them all to the empty space by the living room wall. I finish cleaning the kitchen and putting the leftovers up. I sit beside her on the couch as she stares at her phone.
"It's my mom. She's been so worried about me. And I pretend I'm doing better than I am somedays with her, hell with everybody. I don't want to add stress to anyone's already hectic life." Santana offers as she takes off her hoodie reveling white t-shirt and no bra under it. I might have stared way too long. I realize she runs her fingers through her hair which she only does when she is nervous.
"You know I can be the person you don't have to pretend with." I slide closer to her and hold her hand. She squeezes it before letting it go.
"If you wanna spend the night you can. I can get you pillows and a blanket. If you need to shower, I can get you some clothes and a towel. Everything else should be in the bathroom for you." She says before standing up.
"Um, yeah. It is late. Thanks." I said not really noticing this person in front of me. I'm beginning to realize that Santana has probably grown more than any of us in my opinion. Where she was once snarky, she is tame. I know she's sad but that has never stopped her in the past. There is something so different, almost calming about being in her presence. I really like it, it's so unique compared to the energy I'm used to being around.