Up In The Air ch. 5
It felt like Tuesday was dragging its ass to get here because if even Rachel says that this ain't a date but a this is a fuckin' step in the right direction and I'm wearing down enough that she's willing to go out to lunch with me. I know that the tiny diva's hesitant to step with after what she's gone through with her ex-husband and making her believe that she's the not worthy of having someone care about her but I care. I care with my entire being and I don't care that she has kids because they're an extension of her that I like about her as the ninos are pretty cool and fun to be around, making it an added bonus. I don't know what Mercedes might have said to Rachel to convince to take this chance with me even though she says that didn't have anything to do with it but I'm thankful that I have and I'm not about to let it go to waste.
I decide on wearing a simple blue V-neck shirt with a vest and a pair of skinny jeans before lightly curling my hair and brushing my teeth because the last thing that I need to have stank breath. I make sure that I have my keys and my wallet before leaving Wheezy's place, unfortunately having to witness her and Trouty Mouth making out on the couch and I'm fuckin' glad that I'm getting a place of my own soon. I don't know how much I'll be able to deal with them constantly sucking face all the goddamn time before making my way towards the tiny diva's place as I turn the corner and up the steps. Before I could even knock ring the doorbell, I could hear muffled arguing through the door and I instantly recognize them as Marley's and Harmony's voices as I chuckle quietly when the door's open by Bailey. He rolls his eyes at his little sister's antics while allowing me inside, kissing his forehead and lightly ruffling his hair in greeting before the twin stop arguing long enough to notice my presence and jump into my arms.
I pepper their faces with kisses while my fingers dance up and down their sides causing them to squirm and giggle in an attempt to get away but I held fast to them until they're gasping for air. This is something that I could get used to. I finally set them down on their feet to look up to notice that the goddess gliding down the stairs in a hot pink blouse with three-fourth quarter sleeve and a pair of form-fitting navy blue jeans. I have always thought that the tiny diva was beautiful but this moment solidifies it for me as she reaches the bottom of the stairs and she looks up at me shyly through those long eyelashes of hers.
"Wow mi amore, you look beautiful" I said smiling.
"You always say that" Rachel said ducking her eyes under her bangs.
"Hey but it doesn't make it any less true" I said lifting her chin so she looks me in the face. "You Rachel Berry are completely and utterly breathtakingly gorgeous"
Rachel's cheeks slowly gain a pinkish tint to them when the girls giggle before asking when they were going to the park again and I tell them that I would take them soon but they will have to be good while I was out with their mother. The tiny diva had asked her other best friend to watch the ninos while we're out and before I could ask who was the friend, a slender guy with pale skin that almost looks transparent and it was obvious that he uses more moisturizer than I do. I could easily tell that this guy is gay as they come if the man bag and the small scarf tied around his neck are anything to go off of as he looks me up and down, obviously sizing me up and I return the favor as I'm not honestly impressed.
"You were right, Rachel. She is gorgeous, I'm Kurt Hummel-Anderson by the way" Kurt said holding out his hand.
"Santana Lopez" I said shaking his hand before letting go.
"You crazy go have fun and I'll entertain the kiddies" Kurt said ushering us out the door.
We look at each other for a moment before slowly walking down the street, I wrap my arm around Rachel's shoulders as I pull her in close, my mouth hovering over her ear.
"So you think that I'm gorgeous, hm mi amore" I whisper seductively.
"W-Well I… I mean, I h-had to talk to someone" Rachel stutters adorably.
"It's okay, I'm actually honored that you've been taking to your best friend about me. It just means that I'm heading in the right direction" I said grinning.
"Oh yeah and what direction is that?" Rachel asked raising an eyebrow.
"Of having a place in your heart" I said honestly.
I know that I'm young and in the music industry so automatically people assume that I'm going out all hours of the night partying, drinking, or bring different women into my bed but I'm not. That's not what I want as I only had two other serious relationships but neither of them had planned out like I wanted them to as I put my heart on the line for them with the one time, my heart ripped out of my chest and stomped on so I know about heartbreak. I understand a little the reason that the tiny diva is hesitant about jumping into another relationship after getting her heart broken by someone that she had thought someone could trust. That's why I'm okay with her setting the pace in this relationship and it could possibly become as long as I have a place in her life and in her heart then I can be content as I snap out of my thoughts by a hand around my wrist. I notice that we stopped in the middle of the sidewalk as the diva looks me with the intense gaze that sends shiver down my spine as she gently caresses my cheek before placing a lingering kiss on my oppose cheek.
"Thank you"
"What for what, Tiny?" I asked curious.
"For being so understanding, considerate, sweet and the many other things that you have been the last few weeks and I know that I haven't been the easiest to get along with at times"
"You've been perfect"
"No, I'm not but when I'm with you, I feel…" Rachel trails off slightly.
"Like what?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Like I'm worth loving again. It's in the way that you look at me, the way that you hold me, the way that you want to get to know me as you're not pressuring me into anything that I'm not comfortable with. I appreciate that and I want… I want you in my life but I'm not exactly sure just yet so I'm asking you to be a little patient with me for little while longer"
"For you mi amore, I got all the time in the world because I want you to be sure how I fit in your life" I said gently caressing her cheek. "Because you're worth the wait but doesn't mean that I'm giving up on seeing us together"
"Oh my god, you're such a flirt" Rachel laughs.
"Hey! Don't use the Lord's name in vain" I said swatting her playfully.
We walked to this small restaurant that serves regular food and vegan substitute and we talk at our leisure as I learn that Rachel used to sing as she was attending an performing arts college until she dropped out when she learned that she was pregnant with Bailey.
"How come you didn't go back when Bailey was old enough to be left with a babysitter or at least with friends?" I asked munching on a French fry.
"I had every intention of doing but I allowed my now ex-husband to persuade me into becoming a stay-at-home Mom since he thought that he would make enough money to support us" Rachel said shaking her head slightly. "Don't get me wrong, I love my children and being able to be there for important milestones in their lives but a part of me misses being on stage and performing"
"If you can a chance to perform in front of an adoring crowd, would you to take it?" I asked curious. "Would you seize it?"
"I'm not sure as there's a lot of things that I will have to consider as my children are a major factor as well as the fact it's nearly been ten years since I've performed anything"
"I think that you sure because if the ninos see that you're pursuing your dreams with everything that you have, it'll show them that anything is possible and inspire them to go after their own. You're the person that they look up to and just so that you know, I believe that you can do anything" I said placing my hand on top of hers.
"Your words of encouragement means a lot and I have a lot to consider as I will deliberate over my options" Rachel said with a nod.
"Okay but can you do me a favor?"
"Sure"
"Will you allow me to hear you sing sometime? I would really like to hear you blow, I mean Wheezy told that you can really sing and I'm curious if there's any truth to her words"
"Maybe but that's more of a second or third date request" Rachel said with a flirtatious wink.
Goddamn I want this woman. She will be mine. We talk for a little while longer before I covered the bill, earning some protest from Rachel as she proceed to tell me that she was the one that asked me out for lunch so she should paid. I tell the tiny diva that she could do it the next time as I take her slightly smaller hand in mine as we walk in no particular direction, just enjoying each other's company until a group of teenagers recognize me. They squeal loudly as they ask me to sign stuff for them which I don't mind because they're the real that I'm able to do what I do as I try sign their stuff as quickly as possible even taking it a step further as I take a picture with them. I could easily tell that I had made their day and what was truly amazing was that the petite singer didn't seem to mind all of the attention that I was getting as I wrap my arm around her shoulders.
"I hope that didn't freak you out too much"
"It didn't as I kinda of expect that fans would be excited to see you and want your autographs but I thought that more people would recognize you though"
"I'm one of the few celebrities to not have a bunch of crazy psycho fans and most of the time they respect my space but I like it when they comfortable coming up to me and talk to me. I like having one on one time with them even though there's so many of them so it's not always possible, you know"
"I guess that I can understand that"
We did a little window shopping and enjoying each other's company before making our way back to the tiny diva's apartment because Kurt has something that he has to take care of. The fashionsta gestures for me to follow him as we find ourselves standing on opposite railings, facing each other and I could there was something that he wanted to say to me but waited until the petite singer was out of earshot to speak his mind.
"Look Santana, I don't know what your deal or what your intention are with Rachel but she's been through a lot over recent years and I don't want to see her get hurt again if this is just a passing fancy for you" Kurt said folding his arms over his chest. "I consider Rachel my sister and those are my nieces and nephew in there. I need to know that you're in this for the long haul"
"I understand what you're getting at Kurt, I really do and Rachel is a grown woman. She make her own decision which is why I'm giving her full control of determining what this relationship but I'm telling you know that I am in this for the long haul for what is. I care about her very much and the last thing that I want to do is hurt her intentionally and by the way, if you know her ex-husband's address. Slipping it my way will be greatly appreciated"
"What are you planning to do with it if I had it?" Kurt asked raising an eyebrow.
"Oh nothing, just want to have a civilized conversation with the man about hurting the people that I care about" I said cracking my knuckles.
"If I did then I would have had my boxer of a husband teach a lesson a long time ago but thank you for being open with me, Santana" Kurt said patting me on the shoulder.
~Nicole The Dragon Rider signing off
End of ch. 5