Thanks for the love last chapter. One more chapter after this. I will be writing a sequel to this story at some point in the near future.
Senior Year
Ava sits on their couch waiting to be drafted. She's nervous as even though she's projected to go in the first five picks there's no guarantee. Plus, whenever she's drafted to it will be the first time she's going to be living away from her twin.
"Relax babe," Jess says kissing her cheek.
"I can't, I'm just so nervous and ready for this to be over." Ava says.
The summer between their junior and this year, Jess moved into the apartment too. She and Santana get along great and keep each other company when Ava and Brett had road trips. Ava's super glad that her twin and Brett both like Jess and were fine with her moving in with them.
"It will be very soon and we'll know where we'll be living for the summer." Jess says.
"I'm still so thankful that you're willing to come with me." Ava says.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Jess says smiling.
"You ready for this draft sis?" Santana asks coming in with Brett.
"I can't wait for it to be over." Ava sighs.
"I feel you and I still have three more weeks before my draft." Brett says sitting down next to Ava.
Once the draft starts, Brett heads into the other room not wanting to take the spotlight away from Ava which might happen if he's in there when they show her reaction to be drafted.
"Thanks for this," Mario says knowing exactly what Brett is doing.
"Today is all about her." Brett says.
Ava ends up being drafted at number six by the Seattle Storm.
"Yes!"
Ava is beyond excited to be drafted by Seattle. They're a great organization and already have some big-time players. They've won two of the last three championships.
"I guess we'll be headed to Seattle in a few weeks." Jess says.
"I'll help you with your contract honey." Maria reminds Ava before turning to Brett and Santana. "I'll help you too Brett when you're drafted and whenever you sign with that producer, honey." she adds.
"Mom shouldn't-"
"I'm your mother and a lawyer. I need to ensure that none of you are screwed over. Just let me handle all things legal." Maria says.
"Of course, Maria," Brett says happy to have someone looking out for them.
"Why can't you two girls be more agreeable like Brett here." Maria says shaking her head.
"Okay fine mom, I'll let you handle it for me. That would probably be for the best anyway." Ava says shrugging.
"Yeah, I'll send the contract to you." Santana agrees.
"Enough of this talk." Jess says interrupting. "It's time to celebrate."
Ava and Brett are off by themselves talking.
"So how does it feel?" Brett asks.
"Relieved," Ava says. "I got drafted in the first round and I now know where I'm going to be playing."
"I can't wait to feel like that." Brett says.
"They're comparing your game to Diana Taurasi, sis." Jack says smiling. "This is so cool."
"Don't put more pressure on your sister." Mario says to his son.
Later that night Ava and Santana are alone.
"It's going to suck being away from you." Santana says.
"Yeah, it will." Ava agrees.
"We've never not lived under the same roof." Santana says leaning into her twin.
"It will be weird." Ava says. "Though at least I have Jess and you have Brett."
"Yeah," Santana sighs.
The twins sit there in silence just enjoying each other company before everything changes.
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A few weeks later it's draft night for Brett who is a nervous wreck. Sitting with him is Santana, his mom, Gray and Mariam. Maria, Mario, Jack, Ava and friends are back at the apartment watching on TV.
"B," Santana softly says.
Brett turns to her, giving her a nervous smile.
"No matter where you get drafted, I'll go with you." Santana says.
"I want us to go somewhere like LA or New York where your career can really grow." Brett says.
"With social media it doesn't matter where I am. I just want to be with you and you don't have the control of where you'll end up." Santana softly says.
Brett leans over and lightly kisses her on the lips. "Thank you."
He still would prefer to be drafted to a team in a bigger market like LA or New York. Really anywhere in California would be okay. All he wants is for San's fame to continue to grow which he thinks will be easier in a bigger market.
"Mommy," Mariam loudly whispers. "I need to pee."
Susan groans, the draft is about to start and her daughter of course need to pee.
"I'll go with her." Santana offers standing up.
"Thanks Santana," Susan says smiling at her.
"I can pee by myself, I'm not a baby anymore." Mariam says as they walk away.
"I know sweetie, your mom's just worried about your safety since we're in the city. I'll wait right here for you." Santana says standing next to the bathroom door.
"Thanks San," Mariam says giving her a hug.
Santana leans against the wall waiting for Mariam to come back out.
"Oh my god!" a twenty something girl says coming to Santana. "You're Santana Lopez." she gasps.
Santana gives her a sweet smile and hopes that's enough. The last thing she wants is people taking her picture when all she wants to do is support Brett is peace. Her fame has even grown a lot over the last two years and when she performs at coffee shops, bars and clubs the places are completely packed with fans. The paparazzi has been following her and Brett even more as her fame has grown and he's projected to be drafted high. Since he'll be the first transgender man to play in the NBA, he's become very famous and sought after in his own right. Hence, they have become a national story again. With how much fame they already have, the media is sure that it won't be long before they become true super stars.
"Everyone! It's Santana Lopez!" she shouts.
Santana rushes into the bathroom to hid.
"San?" Mariam says frowning from where she's washing her hands.
"Sorry, there's a bunch of fans out there." Santana says.
"Great," Mariam grumbles. "I'll help get you back."
With Mariam's help they manage to sneak back into the draft area without anyone stopping them.
"Is everything okay?" Brett asks when he sees Santana looking all around.
"Fans," is all she has to say for him to understand.
"Sorry babe," Brett says hugging her to him.
"It's okay, I just want today to be about you." Santana says kissing him.
Brett just holds her, "all I want is you right next to me as I'm drafted." he softly says.
Susan is getting more nervous as the start of the draft to get closer and closer. She wants her son to be drafted as high as possible and for teams not to shy away because he's transgender.
"Honey relax," Gray whispers.
"I can't, what if he doesn't end up drafted because he's transgender? I couldn't live myself if that happened." Susan says.
"With all the interest from teams in him, that won't happen I promise you." Gray reassures his wife.
"Still," Susan starts before Gray stops her.
"Trust me, I've helped Brett with his career since he started playing basketball, I know what I'm talking about." Gray reminds her.
"I'm still nervous." Susan says leaning into him. "Thank you for helping him."
"He's my son, of course I'll help him anyway I can." Gray says smiling.
"And I love that about you." Susan says. "That you see my son and daughter as your own."
He holds Susan close to him.
"Mommy, why are you acting so weird?" Mariam asks.
"It's nothing sweetie." Susan says.
"What's wrong mom?" Brett asks noticing as well.
"Your mom just has some nerves. Don't worry about it." Gray says.
"It's okay Susan, I'm nervous too." Santana says reaching over to give her hand a squeeze.
Once the draft starts, the whole table is on edge waiting for Brett's name to be called. The first three picks go as expected with freshman superstars being picked. The fourth team the Knicks, who some think will take Brett ends up going a completely different way. The fifth and sixth pick also stay away from him.
"It's okay," Gray says as the whole table is tense.
That's when Brett gets the call. He's informed that the Warriors would like to take him with the seventh pick.
"With the seventh pick in this year's draft the Golden State Warriors select point guard from Saint John's Brett Pierce." Adam Silver, the commissioner announces.
The whole room is a buzz with the news. The TV announcers start talking about how he's the first transgender man to be drafted and get a chance to play in the NBA.
"B," Santana squeals hugging him and giving him a long peck on the lips.
She's beyond happy to be going to California. It will be easier for her career to be close to LA, though she'll go whenever he goes.
"My son's been drafted!" Susan sobs pulling him into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you." Gray says pulling him into a rare hug.
This means so much to him. He always wants to make Gray proud of him.
"This is so cool." Mariam says also giving him a hug.
Brett gives Santana one last peck before heading up onto the stage.
"Great job son, enjoy this day." Adam says to Brett shaking his hand before they turn to pose for a picture.
"I will, thank you." Brett replies before heading backstage to talk to a few reporters.
The first reporter he gets snagged by is none other than Holly Rowe.
"Hello Brett," Holly says.
"Hey Holly," Brett says giving her a hug. "Do I get to talk to you first?" he asks.
"You do, they figured since I did the interview with you, your freshman year that it's only right I get to interview you first." Holly says.
"Ask away, I'm ready." Brett says.
"How does it feel to be the first transgender man to be drafted?" Holly asks.
"Honestly I haven't really thought about it. I'm just happy to be drafted in the first round." Brett says.
"Well, you're blazing the trail for a lot of people." Holly says smiling at him. "Now onto more basketball questions. What do you think about going to the Warriors." she asks.
"I'm excited, they have a great team that was only in the lottery because of injuries. I'm also glad to be in California for my fiancé career." Brett tells her.
"That's right you're engaged to Santana now." Holly says. "Congratulations on that."
"Thanks,"
They talk for a little while longer before he has to move on. Twenty minutes later he finally gets to meet up with his family in the green room.
"All done for now." Brett says picking Mariam up and wrapping an arm around Santana's shoulders.
"Good, everyone's back at the apartment waiting to celebrate." Susan says all happy now.
"Of course, they are, it's a double celebration for both you and Ava getting drafted." Santana says snuggling into Brett.
"Cool,"
Back at the apartment the place is packed with the Lopez family, Ava's teammates and Brett's teammates.
"So, I hear Brett's game is compared to Allen Iverson and MJ, is that true?" Lauren asks Ava as they wait.
"That's what they say though I think he plays more like Sue Bird." Ava says.
Lauren came out to celebrate with the Lopezs this time. The kids are fast asleep in Brett and Santana's room since it's past their bedtimes.
"Here they come." Mario says and everyone turns to the door.
"Congratulations!" is shouted when Brett opens the door.
Brett is congratulated as he walks around the apartment with Santana on his arm.
"Hey man," Alex says smiling at him. "So proud of you."
"Thanks Alex," Brett says shaking his hand.
"So, when's the wedding?" Alex asks.
"Late summer, I expect you to be there." Santana replies.
"Congratulations on both, you deserve it." Alex says happy for them.
Maria and Mario come over to them once Alex leaves.
"You got what you wanted, California." Mario says smiling happy for both of them.
"I was so relieved. I wanted any big city or California for San." Brett says chuckling.
"I've contacted the team so they'll send me the contract." Maria tells him.
"Thanks Maria," Brett says giving her a hug.
"Someone has to look out for you two." Maria says shrugging.
She's glad that Brett's letting her help him.
"So, Ava when do you leave for Seattle?" Susan asks.
"We leave in three days." Jess replies for her.
"Training camp starts in five days." Ava says.
"Good luck, I'll see you when your parents go out to see a game." Susan tells her.
"You'll come too." Ava says a little shocked.
"Of course, we're family." Susan says smiling.
Across the room Santana and Mariam are snuggled together talking.
"Can I come to visit you?" Mariam asks.
"Yes," Santana says. "Once we find a place to live, you're more than welcome."
"Cool," Mariam happily says. "Are you going to live on the beach or by it?" she asks.
"I'm not sure," Santana says. "I don't think I'll know until after we get out there."
"You won't already have a house?" Mariam asks looking up at her.
"No, not until after we figure out if we'll be staying for a while." Santana says.
Mariam snuggles more into Santana, yawning. Across the room by the open door, Brett and Gray are talking.
"Has it sunk in yet that you're going to be playing in the NBA yet?" Gray asks just so damn proud of Brett.
"No not yet, right now I'm still on my high of just being drafted." Brett says.
"If you need my help with anything, let me know." Gray says.
"Thanks Gray," Brett says. "For everything you do."
The pair just relaxes not saying anything. They don't need to having an understanding of each other.
Once midnight hits everyone starts heading out. Their parents head to their hotel saying they'll see them in the morning.
"Night guys," Jack says carrying a sleeping Mariam out for Susan and Gray. "Congrates B."
"Well…" Brett says sitting on the couch, exhausted.
"Everything is about is change." Ava says sitting next to Jess as Santana curls into Brett.
"I'll be glad to be done with school." Santana says.
"Things may change, but we'll always be family." Jess points out.
"She's right, no matter what we're family and we'll get together no matter how far apart we live." Brett says smiling over at Ava and Jess.
He thinks Ava's going to propose in the next few years and couldn't be happier for the couple.
"The first one being our wedding at the end of the summer." Santana says yawning.
"Come on babe, let's hit the sack." Brett says standing up before swooping her up in his arms.
"Night,"
