It was yet another morning where Dani woke up in Santana's bed. She stretched as she awoke, coming into contact with Santana's body in the process. Santana groaned and turned over, coming face to face with Dani in the process. Santana reached out her hand, tucking strands of Dani's hair behind the girl's ear and lingering there. Dani's face was so beautiful to Santana; it was an excellent representation of her strong, but adorable, personality. Dani's face, as well as her words, were what caused Santana to have such faith in their relationship. She was never left in the dark on what Dani felt or thought, as she often had been when she was dating Lauren.
"Coffee?" Dani asked of Santana, knowing it wasn't so much a question considering Santana's utter fixation with the drink.
"Please. But then come back to me," Santana pleaded.
"Always," Dani whispered as she leant forward and kissed the tip of Santana's nose. Santana watched from the bed as Dani rose and put on a t-shirt before exiting the bedroom they now seemed to share most nights.
When Dani didn't return after two minutes, and then five, Santana began to grow curious. She called out for her but heard no answer. Reluctantly she got out of bed and found her way into the kitchen. Her body relaxed as she found Dani, perfectly well, standing in front of the fridge. Santana approached her, wrapping her arms around the girl's waist from behind and holding her body tightly to her own.
"What's this?" Dani asked, motioning to a note on the fridge.
Santana scrunched her eyes as she read, not having seen it before. She read it out loud, "Mrs Harper, don't forget you promised we'd go to the club opening tonight. Don't bail on me. Q x x." When she realized exactly the words she'd said out loud, she was mortified, now understanding what had stopped Dani in her tracks.
"San..." Dani prodded, trying to bring the girl back to reality.
"I...uh...I think this is Quinn's way of saying I'm whipped. I'm sorry, it's a stupid joke but you know how she is."
"I like it," Dani said proudly.
"You...you do?" Santana asked. That had not been the reaction she was expecting.
"Yes." Dani turned around in the taller Latina's arms. "Are you saying you don't...?"
Santana's arms dropped from around Dani and she stepped back, a natural reaction to the narrowed eyes Dani was looking at her with. With every step Santana took back Dani took one forward, stalking Santana like prey. Santana's nervousness was evident by her stuttering, no comprehensible words coming from her mouth. She came to an abrupt stop as she walked backwards into the bench top; she had nowhere to go now.
"What's the right answer here?" Santana asked her girlfriend.
"Well..." Dani began, pressing her body into Santana's as she placed her hands on either side of her, resting on the counter. "Either you're appalled by the idea of one day being Mrs Harper, or me being Mrs Lopez...or you consider Quinn's attempt at a joke as flattery, her thinking that we're perfect together and she can see us being married."
"You don't...think it's too soon?" Santana raised her eyebrows. The feeling of Dani's body pressed against her own, all the skin on skin contact, did not leave her with much of a vocabulary.
"No one is saying it has to be today San. But if I'm honest, reading that note, well it prompted me to think that yeah one day I'd like you to be mine, in the most permanent way possible. We don't have to rush this by any means but the more time we spend together the more I come to appreciate the complete package you are. You're beautiful," she said placing a chaste kiss on the girl's lips, "smart," another on her left cheek, "talented," on her right cheek, "and you make me the happiest I've ever been."
"Wow you really love me huh?" Santana jested before realizing what she'd said.
Dani didn't seem worried about the use of the word though. She reached for Santana's hands, intertwining their fingers with each of her own.
"Yes, I really do. Santana Lopez, I love you," she said emphasizing each word. Her face was shining with happiness and Santana felt overwhelmed by the show of affection, surprising herself by how easily she believed the girl.
"Dani, my past hasn't made this easy for me. I'd been hurt so badly I thought I'd never get over it. I didn't want to date ever again as a way of protecting myself. That's why I was so scared when we met; I was scared that you could make me feel like I wanted to believe in love again. My past hasn't made this easy for me but you have. You've been gentle and patient with me and I hope you know how much I appreciate that."
Dani nodded, assuming Santana wasn't ready to use the L word just yet but wanting to reassure her it was okay.
"I'm not done just yet babe," Santana knew when Dani was about to go into nurturing mode. "In the process you've broken down my walls. Maybe the thought of marriage still scares me a little but I guess in a way I'm already sharing my life with you and I do love it. I do love you."
Dani couldn't hold back tears any longer. Her eyes were watering with the affirming words that had trickled out of her lover. Never before had a person made her feel that special, and she was glad that she was that someone for Santana. She was glad too that those three words were out in the open, it felt like nothing besides those could truly testify to how deeply she felt for Santana, the girl of her dreams...