Up In The Air ch. 9
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact someone as famous and wonderful as Santana wants to be with someone as average and ordinary as me when she could be with someone was a supermodel or an actress. A small part of me can't help feeling like the singer might be settling for me and I don't like that feeling because I don't want anything settling to be with me because I can't do that to myself or my children. They are the most important thing in my life and as much as I love how close and open they are with the Latina, they know that they can't take much more of people walking in and out of their lives because of their father. I know that Bailey and Marley are particularly enthralled with her and it would hurt all the more if the R&B singer's sudden disappearance from their lives but I'm guess that I'm more fearful of their reactions when I let them that we're dating.
We haven't gone an actual date yet and my stomach's doing back flips because I haven't been on a date in long time that I'm not sure if I know how to actually react or what to expect. Will Santana want to kiss me afterwards? Will she want to come up to the apartment for a nightcap? Where were she even take me? What am I going to wear? I have so many questions swirling in my mind that I didn't even notice walking into work until I feel a hand on my shoulder to see that it's my co-worker Samantha or Sam for short, looking at me with concern in her green eyes. The blonde mother of three and I have been working together working together for almost two years now as she's always been very vocal with her opinions, even more with her hands especially when certain customers get handsy. There have been times that myself and Benjamin, an another waiter who's works here part-time had to hold her back from pummeling someone that thought that it was a good idea to smack her backside.
Sam has been working here a long time as she works this place along with two other jobs to make ends meet, support herself while caring for two sons in high school and a daughter in college but I love about her is that she never complains about her difficulties. Neither one of the children's fathers are helping her as she says that it's just how it is and she's used to having to hustle her entire as this is nothing new for her, doing everything that she can to put food on table because people are relying on her. The older waitress has taken me under her wing, showing me the ropes when I started working here while acting like a mentor/big sister as we bonded over being working mothers, finding it easy to talk to her about things that most people wouldn't understand. I've told her about Santana which earned a loud squeal, earning odd stares from a few patrons before dragging off to the break room as the older waitress seems to know who I was talking about and her wanting to go out with me.
Sam knows that I haven't been on date with anyone since my divorce and I wasn't ready to put myself out there just yet before telling me that I need to take things slow to see if the Latina's actually serious about me. The R&B singer has been nothing but understanding and sweet, not pushing me into anything or putting pressure for a date as the amount of time that we're been talking but I'm worried that I won't be able to hold her attention for too long. Especially when she has to leave for tours and recording for her albums as I'm sure that both women and men will be throwing themselves at her as it's known knowledge that musicians tend to sleep around. My stomach twist at the thought of Santana touching someone else when the older waitress slaps me upside the head.
"Don't do that, just don't" Sam said frowning.
"I didn't say anything" I said rubbing my head.
"Rachel, I know you and it's written all over your face what you're thinking. I'm telling you to stop because you're going to talk yourself out of something that could be good for you" Sam said putting her hands on her hips. "For weeks, you've been smiling nonstop since you started talking with this girl and I can tell that you like her plus your kids love her which is an next to impossible thing because when we single moms start to dating, the kids are important to factor in"
"I know that my kids love Santana but that's what I'm worried about. I don't want them getting too attached to her if she decides that she doesn't want to date me anymore or if she suddenly leaves"
"I can't say that she will and I can't that she won't but you can't hold Santana to the same standards as your scumbag ex-husband because it's not fair to her" Sam said placing her hand on my shoulder.
"You're right but I'm afraid that I might not be good enough for her and it may be only time before she realizes this. Ow" I said as Sam flicks my forehead.
"You are Rachel Berry and Santana's lucky to be dating you. Don't sell yourself short even it might be a little hard with your height" Sam said jokingly.
"Ugh, I hate when you bring up my height"
"Well, I like your height"
I nearly jump out of my skin when I feel someone's breath tickling my ear, turning around to see Santana standing behind me with an amused look her face before smacking her arm causing her to laugh. Sam lightly pushes me towards the Latina before taking over my section so I could talk with in the break room which isn't really much of a break room but an broom closet to put our things in. I notice that R&B singer's wearing a dark grey hoodie, snapback and her signature Aviator glasses before pulling them off so I could look into her soulful brown eyes as she pulls a single pink camellia from behind her back. I smile at the sweet gesture and I'm actually happy to see her right as she steps towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist to rest her body against mine as I rest her shoulder, feeling safe for the first time in a long time.
"What are you doing here?"
"Would you believe if I told you that I just appear to be in the neighborhood?" She tries.
"To be honest, no. Try again" I giggle.
"I just wanted to see your beautiful face and I knew that you were here"
"And the flower?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"I was passing a flower shop on the way and I saw it, instantly thinking of you" Santana said shrugging her shoulders.
"Well thank you, it's been a long time since I received a flower and it's incredibly sweet of you" I said kissing her cheek.
"Anytime Estrella and I would buy you a million flowers if you wanted me to because you deserve to be treated like the Queen that you are"
"A million flowers won't be necessary but the sentiment is very appreciated and thank you, you're the first that wanted to treat me right"
"Well, be prepared because I plan on being around a long time but there's another reason why I'm here" Santana said leaning against the table. "It's about our date"
"Oh is that so?" I asked my stomach twisting uncomfortably.
"Yeah, I wanted to know if you're allergic to anything because I don't take to anywhere and end up eating something that you'll have an allergic reaction to something in the food" Santana said folding her arms. "I would rather not put your health in danger if I could help"
I'm touched that Santana would come all the way here just to ask me if I had food allergies for our date when she could've easily asked over the food as not many people hardly ever remember that I'm a vegan. The Latina inquiring about this so I would be able to something more substantial than a mere salad like my other dates in the past who forget that I can't meat or animal byproducts. I take the R&B singer's face in my hand, pressing my lips against hers passionately as she lets out a surprised squeak but kisses me back with equal passionate, her hands lightly massaging my sides. I pull back to the dazed look on her face before breaking out into a huge cheesy grin.
"I don't have any food allergies but it means a lot to me that you bothered to ask me"
"Of course and if this is the kind of response that I'm gonna get every time I ask than there's a lot of questions that I need to ask" Santana said wiggling her eyebrows.
"Oh my goodness, you're incorrigible" I laugh.
"But you love it"
"I never said that but I need to get back to work"
"But I don't want you to" Santana pouts adorably.
"Maybe so but I still need to get back" I said kissing her forehead.
"Alright fine Working Lady but I'm glad that you're letting me take out you and I promise that it'll be the best date that you ever been on"
"You seem pretty confident about" I said raising an eyebrow. "How do I know that you'll live up to the hype?"
"Because mi Reina, once I set my mind to something, I'll do everything to sure that it comes true" She whispers seductively.
My heart's beating a million times as my breath gets caught in my throat, looking into Santana's eyes to see desire and longing in them before giggles amused, pecking me on the lips. She puts her Aviator glasses back before strutting out of the break room, leaving me to get my breathing under control and I'm able to breath normally, I walk out of the break room to find the Latina speaking with Sam. The two turn to look at me for a moment as the R&B singer smiles warmly at me before taking a seat in a booth, pulling out a notebook as she begins scribbling away in it as my co-worker walks up towards me.
"Gurl, you did good with this one" Sam said motioning to Santana. "She's got it bad for you so you betta keep this one around"
"With any luck, hopefully I can"
I bring people their food, refilling drinks, wiping down tables, wringing up people's orders while occasionally checking on Santana as our eyes would meet even from across the room. She would smile or wink in my direction before returning her attention back to the notebook, leaving me to wonder what she was writing but I didn't have enough time to ask her until it was near the end of my shift. I stretch my sore limbs and my feet are killing me but I have to return home to cook dinner and check to make sure that the children did their homework before I can even think about relaxing. I walk over toward the Latina who hasn't notice that I was sitting across from her until I clear my throat. She jumps slightly before locking eyes with me, looking around the diner to see that there was hardly anyone here and the sun had long gone down, closing the notebook as she puts it away.
"Ready to go?"
"Yes please" I said fighting back a yawn.
"Lets get you home then. You look like you're about ready to drop" Santana said offering her hand.
"I am but I can't rest just yet as I have to cook dinner, check homework and put three children to bed" I said as we walk out of the diner.
"Sounds rough but… um I don't know if this is overstepping or anything. I could always help with that… if you're okay with that" Santana said nervously.
"I think that I can handle it myself but thank you for offering. It's very sweet of you, Santana" I said kissing her cheek. "If you don't mind me asking but what were you writing in that notebook earlier?"
"Oh, I was down some possible songs for my next album but I'm still tweaking them"
"It's amazing that you write your own songs. I would love to hear them once they're finished if that's possible" I said smiling.
"Sure thing" Santana said coming to a stop.
I look around to see that we're standing in front of my apartment, not noticing how quick the walk was while wishing that it was longer before turning to Santana who's looking at me with adoration in her eyes. I duck my eyes, shyly as I push a lock of hair behind my ear before my chin's lifted so we're looking in each other's eyes once again as she gently presses her lips against mine.
"Sweet dreams, Estrella and may they shine as brightly as you do" Santana said walking down the street.
~Nicole The Dragon Rider signing off
End of ch. 9