Chapter Seven: Shine
"Okay, baby, we're home," I whisper as I pull into the garage and shift the car into park. Her temple rests on the glass as she caresses my free hand with her thumb. She hasn't let go since we got into the car twenty minutes ago.
"Are Q and Rach here?"
"Mhmm, they're making dinner. If we're lucky, they haven't burned down the kitchen," she giggles that irresistible laugh as I help her out of the seat. She's still worn out, no matter how much she tries to deny it.
"Q's gotten a lot better at cooking…"
"You weren't the one who had to put out that fire at my parent's house," I think back to our high school days.
"That was a great night," San says, deep in thought.
"It was, baby. Alright, up you go," I brace my feet on the concrete as I move her legs over the edge of the car door, pulling her towards me.
I guide her to the door leading inside; I slip my arm around the corner and click the garage door button before following her into the house. When I see her fingers tracing the wall leading to the kitchen, I know she wants to help. But, if it's up to me, that pretty little butt will be resting on the couch for the night.
"Uh uh, you're going to rest in the living room, and I'm going to serve you, princess," I slip my arms around her waist and walk her away from the kitchen.
"But, I wanna help," she whines, and even though I can't see the pout, I can hear it. I almost surrender to it. Almost.
"Please rest, San, for me?" It comes out a little too desperate and worrisome than I'd like, but she sighs out in agreement.
"Only if I get to wear your sweater and curl up in your blanket," she bargains. I can't deny that, especially when she wears my clothes.
"You drive a hard bargain, S," I joke, following her into the bedroom. I can't help the smile that creeps up my face as I watch her smell my sweater when she pulls it out of the dresser drawer, her nose nuzzles into the material, before she pulls it over her head. "Alright, let's go get you horizontal."
"Wanky," she smirks.
"Uh uh, horn dog. You're laying down, doctor's orders."
"Don't make me break up the love fest, I don't wanna see that," Quinn yells light-heartedly from the kitchen.
"Not like you haven't seen it before."
"It's not every day that you walk in on your best friends going at it on the kitchen counter, I had to bleach my eyes," Rachel pipes up through a smile.
"S'not my fault Britt picked that day to feel exhibitionistic," San says quietly as she blushed.
The blush my girl lures out of me is unreal.
"Is this 'embarrass B day', or?" My pout leaves my face as her lips find my cheek.
"I'm sorry, baby, come help me get comfortable."
I lower myself into the leather rocking chair, holding out the blanket so she can straddle my lap. Her legs find a comfortable position against my hips as her arms lay between our breasts. I slip my hands beneath the sweatshirt to rest them on her lower back. My fingers caress the skin directly underneath the elastic of her pants. Her fingers fiddle with my necklace because they never stay still.
"What's goin' on in your head, baby?" I brush the fingertip of my pointer finger down the length of her nose, kissing it when I get to the tip.
"I thought I'd never get to feel you again," she says so quietly I almost miss it. I can tell she's craving more touch than words, so I place her hands on either side of my face and relish in the feeling of her fingertips on my eyelids. I kiss her palm as her thumb caresses just under my eye.
"Not if I have anything to do with it," I can feel the tears sting my eyes, but her fingers catch them before they get the chance to dampen my shirt.
"I'm sorry for scaring you," she whispers shamefully.
"You just owe me lots of kisses. I could also go for some naked cuddles," she giggles at that. Her stray hairs tickle my face as she nods. I kiss her hairline as Quinn and Rachel walk in with our dinner. I smile and pretend I don't see the hickey appearing on Rachel's neck, or that I don't see Quinn's shirt off by a few buttons. I help San off of my lap so she can eat.
"Hey, Q?"
"Yeah, S?"
"Britt has makeup in the bathroom if Rach needs it."
Quinn's eyes dart to me and I smirk, shrugging my shoulders.
"Come on, it's grub time," I chuckle out as I help San with her clock positions. She's sitting cross legged at the coffee table, mentally noting each item. It feels good to have my baby home where she's safe.
"S'good," she hums in approval over her bowl of spaghetti.
"She didn't even start a fire," Rachel cackles out as she moves to sit on the couch behind Santana, her hand resting gently on her shoulder as she gets settled.
"One fire, I started one fire, and Marisol put the fear of God into me. I think I've proven myself with dinner tonight, though," Quinn quips as she sticks her tongue out at Rachel.
"Mom lights fires under peoples' asses, it's what she lives for," we all murmur in agreement.
"Remember that time she caught me climbing into your bedroom window, baby?"
"You were so scared /I/ could see you go pale," San snorts as she reminisces. I smile at the memories of me trailing the terrace to her bedroom window.
"Once I got over the fear, it was kind of romantic, huh?"
"That's the night you typed 'I love you' in braille, of course it was romantic," I can hear the smile in her voice.
"Who knew B was the mushy, knight in shining armor type?" Quinn smirks jokingly. Rachel softly slaps her shoulder with the back of her hand, and Quinn gently raises it to her lips for a kiss.
Santana gets up to bring her dishes to the kitchen, so I take the opportunity to show Quinn and Rachel the princess style engagement I've been hiding in the living room plant for three months. I hear her make her way back into the room, so I gently close the black box and store it away. The smiles on our best friend's faces have never been more cheerful, even as tears brim in their eyes. San guides herself back over to the chair and into my lap. I wrap the blanket around us as the room fills with light from the DVD we just inserted. The gentle rocking of the chair causes her arms to shift ever so slightly against my chest.
I hum "My Only Sunshine" into her temple, and I'm reminded, in the glow of the television and the warmth of our company, that she's my light that never ceases to shine.