Two weeks later
Ever since the night at the bar with the group and the surprisingly easy conversation with Santana, the groups bond just strengthened even more with every passing lesson and lunch breaks.
Brittany sighs dropping her pen as the beeping of her phone pulls her attention away from her History homework and scoots her chair back to grab the device off of her nightstand, she smiles slightly as she sees a message from Mercedes in the group and opens it.
From Mercedes: Sup nerds it's Saturday afternoon and I am bored as fuck, you all up for a shopping trip and after that showing Santana the ranch?
She glances at the time and rolls her neck contemplating if she should go or not, she exits the group and sends Mercedes a private message.
To C: I can join but Maze will come with us, bitch wasn't home the past two weeks and it's taking a toll on him.
She smiles as she immediately reads her message and chuckles as she texts her back telling her that Mason belongs to the Cowboys and girls, she stands up deciding to finish her homework later on and walks out of her room and down the hall to knock on Mason's door.
She walks in as she hears him telling her to come in and leans against the doorpost smiling as she sees him building the Lego pace shuttle she bought him the day before. ''How's it going Maze?''
''Almost done Britty, can you do the stickers?'' Mason asks with a big smile as he looks up at her, Brittany walks over to him smiling as she sees that he is indeed almost done and ruffles his hair.
''Looks good, you are getting good at building things Maze.'' She gently takes the shuttle from him making sure to click all pieces into it correctly and locks eyes with him. ''I will do the stickers tonight, do you want to go out a bit?''
''To the park?'' He asks with a big smile, Brittany shakes her head walking over to his closet and grabs his little cowboy outfit she bought after she and her friends all pitched in together so he would really feel like a part of their group.
''The group wants to go shopping for a bit and after that we want to show one of our new friends the ranch.'' She crouches back down showing him the outfit and smiles lovingly. ''I also want you to meet her.''
''Really?'' Mason asks in surprise knowing his sister is quite private, he smiles brightly as she nods her head and jumps up taking his outfit after kissing her cheek. ''Can I wear my hat?''
''It's in the trunk along with the rest of the groups hats.'' Brittany tells him with a small chuckle. ''I will get changed too, if you want you can take a bit of money out of your piggy bank in case you want to buy something.''
She stands up as he nods her head and raises herself on her tiptoes to grab the piggy bank they hide on his closet, she opens it and holds it out for him to grab a few dollar. She nods her head as he shows her that he grabbed fifteen making a mental note to put them back in after he finished helping her with the chores around the house and ruffles his hair taking the money from him showing him where she will put it in her wallet. ''Go get ready, we will leave in ten minutes okay?''
She walks out of his room with a smile as he agrees quickly taking off his clothes to change into his cowboy outfit and walks back into her own room, she grabs her phone opening the group chat and smiles as she sees that everyone agreed and that Noah will pick almost everyone up in his truck.
To Cowboys & Cowgirls: We'll meet up at the parking lot, it's only a five minute walk from here.
She drops her phone on her bed and walks over to her closet. ''Maze?'' She yells leaning back to look at her door.
''Yes?'' She hears him yell back, she glances at her closet and chuckles.
''Blue, green or white?'' She asks, she smiles as he walks in donning his dark blue plaid shirt and blue jeans, she crouches down zipping up his boots and tucks his shirt into his jeans showing off the batman belt buckle he wears. ''You look handsome little man.'' She compliments softly.
''Partner look? Me dark blue and you wearing the light blue plaid?'' Mason asks cutely as he sees his sister already wearing black skinny jeans and the belt he gifted her for Christmas with the help of Puck, Mercedes and Quinn.
Brittany nods her head standing back up and grabs the mentioned shirt, she slips it on buttoning it up and leaves the first two buttons open. She snaps the collar back straightening it out and grabs her black boots sliding into them, she tucks her shirt into her jeans turning around to face Mason and smiles. ''What do you think?''
''You look beautiful Britty!'' Mason exclaims grinning, he reaches out running his little fingers over the eagle flag belt. ''Do you really like the buckle?'' He asks shyly, Brittany taps his nose and smiles lovingly.
''I love it bud, I always wear it whenever I wear shirts I tuck into my pants Maze.'' She grabs her phone glancing at the time and chuckles that they have one more minute left. ''Are you ready to go?'' She runs her hand over his spiky hair as he nods his head and smiles. ''Go downstairs and grab your jacket.'' She tells him softly.
She turns on her heels as he runs out of the room and shakes her head as she hears him thunder down the stairs in excitement, she quickly walks over to her closet and lifts the top plank reaching underneath it to grab the envelope with money she hides there. After grabbing a few bucks she hides it away again making sure it's completely hidden and walks out of her room after grabbing her keys, she locks her door walking over to Mason's room to make sure he locked his door too and smiles as she sees the key in the door.
She checks the door humming as she notices he locked it and takes the key fastening it to her own room key, she shoves them in her pocket and jogs down the stairs chuckling as she sees Mason jumping up and down in excitement in front of the door. ''Go Maze.''
She follows him out of the house closing the door behind her and shakes her head as he runs to her car. ''We will walk, we will meet up at the mall.''
''But the hats Britty.'' Mason exclaims pouting, Brittany laughs and nods her head.
''Oh right.'' She unlocks her car and opens the trunk grabbing the bag containing all hats out of it, she easily shoulders it and looks down at Mason. ''Lead the way.'' She laughs to herself as he runs in front of her and shakes her head walking behind him speeding up to a slow jog to keep up with him.
She takes out her phone quickly texting the group telling them that they will be their soon and looks up whistling as she sees them nearing the intersection. ''Wait up Mason.'' She calls out nodding her head as he immediately stops to wait for her, she quickly catches up to him chuckling as she hears him breath loudly and raises an eyebrow. ''Already tired?'' She asks in amusement.
She laughs as he just raises his arms indicating that she needs to pick him up and adjusts her hold on the bag that hangs on her shoulder, she leans down easily hoisting him up and places him on her hip crossing the street as the light turns green. ''Keep a bit of energy for the ranch Maze.'' She tells him softly. ''We don't want you to fall asleep while riding right?''
She chuckles as he shakes his head feeling his little body relax in her hold and softly taps his leg. ''We are almost there.'' She tells him softly as they round the corner, she tilts her head as he nuzzles his face in her neck and just smiles lovingly knowing he loves to cuddle.
She walks onto the parking lot looking around for her friends and turns her head to the right as she hears Puck's familiar loud whistle.
''Amazement!'' Puck yells with a big smile, she shakes her head laughing as she feels Mason giggle softly and walks over to the group throwing the bag she carries to Puck so he can place it in his truck.
''Hey nerds.''
''Britty you like learning too.'' Mason points out pulling back to look at his sister, he giggles nuzzling his face back against her shoulder as she turns to him with an eyebrow raised and squirms in her hold giggling loudly as she tickles him.
''Way to blow away my cover kid.'' Brittany tells him chuckling, she bounces him on her hip and taps his back. ''Now be nice and say hi.'' She murmurs so only he can hear her.
Mason pulls back smiling shyly as he sees a strange girl standing in the middle of his sisters friends and waves. ''Hi.'' He whispers.
Brittany rolls her eyes smiling affectionately as she hears how shy he is and shakes her head. ''She belongs to our friend group Maze.'' She tells him with a grin, she locks eyes with Santana and smiles slightly. ''San this is my little brother Mason.'' She turns to Mason and places him down so he can properly greet the group. ''Maze this is Santana.''
Santana locks eyes with the adorable boy with bright blue eyes seeing so much of Brittany in him and crouches down to be at his height, she holds out her hand and smiles kindly. ''Nice to meet you Mason.'' She tells him softly.
''Nice to meet you too S'tana.'' Mason replies shaking her hand frowning as he stutters on her name, Santana chuckles softly and stands back up with a wink.
''Why don't you just call me San? That's a bit easier.''
''Okay San.'' Mason agrees with a bright grin, he turns to Puck and jumps in his arms giggling as he staggers back against his truck. ''Puck!''
Brittany laughs and shakes her head. ''The little guy always manages to make you trip Noah.'' she comments after shaking off the loving grin that covered her features while watching Santana interact with Mason, she turns to the girls and hugs them saving the last hug for Santana. ''Hey girls.''
''Be quiet B.'' Puck grumbles with a chuckle as he throws Mason up and easily catches him as he giggles loudly.
''Break him and I will break you.'' Brittany warns as she notices him getting ready to throw him up once again.
''Gimme Amazement.'' Mercedes exclaims before the both of them can start bickering, she plucks the little boy out of Puck's arms and kisses his head. ''Hey my little guy, I missed you.''
Mason giggles squirming in her arms as she tickles her sides and smiles. ''I missed you too C!'' He exclaims giggling. ''No tickles!''
''Okay enough loving, stop spoiling him.'' Brittany exclaims laughing as she sees Mercedes and Quinn showering Mason with kisses after he greeted Rachel and Finn with a shy smile. ''Don't want him to become a heart breaker this young.''
''Well he would definitely take after his sis.'' Puck cuts himself off with a groan as Brittany 'accidentally' stomps on his feet as she grabs Mason out of Mercedes arms and glares at her. ''What the.''
''Just shut up Noah.'' She tells him chuckling. ''It's not like I ask for it.''
''Can we go to the toys?'' Mason asks cutely before Noah can reply, Brittany nods her head placing him back down and nods her head to the mall. ''Lead the way but stay in sight alright?''
She turns to the group mentioning her head to the entrance silently telling them it's time to go in and follows her little brother chuckling as she sees most of the group jogging to keep up with him and to make sure nothing will happen.
''He is adorable.'' Santana murmurs as she walks right beside her. ''How old is he?''
''He is.'' Brittany agrees with a small smile. ''And he is six.'' She replies chuckling as she sees Mason yank on Puck's hand the second he reaches one of the toy stores. ''He's a little ball of energy so it's nice to see him power the others out, normally I am the one ready to fall asleep before dinner.''
Santana laughs watching the little boy jump around the other teens and shakes her head. ''Yeah I can only imagine.'' She replies in amusement ignoring the voice in the back of her head telling her to ask about Brittany's parents.
They follow them through the aisles stopping as Mason stops in front of the Lego section and watch in amusement as he rushes down the section stopping at several things before taking off to look at something else that caught his attention, Brittany locks eyes with Mercedes and shakes her head as she sees the all to familiar glint in her eyes.
''Don't you dare buy him something C, he has enough and he took a bit of the money he saved to buy something.'' She tells her the soft warning clear in her voice. ''He knows the amount he took and he is learning to look at the prices himself.''
''But..''
Brittany shakes her head cutting her off and chuckles. ''I know you adore him C believe me he adores you too, but you already spoiled him rotten with the complete police Lego station on his birthday.''
''I love that little guy, can't blame me for giving him the exact thing he wished for.'' Mercedes tells her chuckling.
''I know but keep the gifts to a minimum alright? He slowly needs to learn that he can't buy everything immediately, sometimes you have to save money to buy something.''
''That's a wise lesson.'' Santana comments before Mercedes can reply. ''My mom taught me the same and even though I hated it at first, after a while I started to realize that the feeling of saving enough money to buy it myself was amazing.''
Brittany points at her while looking at their friends and chuckles. ''See she gets me.'' She locks eyes with Puck as he walks over knowing Mason found something and bites her lip. ''How much?'' She asks softly.
''Twenty.'' Puck murmurs as he slides up beside Quinn while they all keep an eye on Mason watching him fawn over the speed championship Lego Toyota, Brittany nods her head closing her eyes pondering how Mason can 'earn' five bucks before they walk to the cashier and smirks.
''Maze?'' She calls out, she smiles as he turns on his heels holding the box and tilts her head. ''ABC.'' She tells him while taking out her wallet, she nods her head smiling proudly as he recites the ABC with only two mistakes and takes five dollars out of her wallet. ''Perfect.'' She praises with a grin.
She looks at the group and sighs. ''One more task and he has the twenty full.'' She murmurs. ''I can't think of shit.''
Santana tilts her head watching the little boy looking down at the box still mouthing the ABC and turns to Brittany. ''He is in elementary right?'' She hums as Brittany nods her head in confusion and chuckles. ''Kids in elementary learn to guess the described animal, you can try that.''
Brittany's eyebrow raise in surprise and looks at her friends. ''You guys know something to describe an animal right on the spot?'' She points at Puck and snickers. ''No elephant.'' She glances at Santana and eyes his Mohawk. ''Or skunk.'' She adds in amusement.
Santana chuckles as everyone burst out laughing and turns to Brittany. ''I know one.''
''What Animal?'' Brittany asks curiously.
''Rabbit.'' Santana replies shrugging, Brittany chuckles and mentions her hand to Mason.
''Go ahead.'' She shrugs as Santana turns to her in surprise and smiles slightly. ''I won't steal your idea.''
Santana slowly nods her head and clears her throat. ''Mason?'' She asks as she crouches down, she watches him turn around still holding the box and smiles as he shyly walks over after glancing at Brittany knowing she just nodded her head silently telling him that it's okay. ''I have four legs and have soft fur, do you know what I am?''
Mason tilts his head looking at her curiously and giggles. ''Well that could be many animals San, what color is your fur?''
''White.'' Santana replies. ''But sometimes I have black spots but I can be brown or black too.''
Brittany watches her little brother tilt his head thinking and laughs softly, she turns her head as she feels Mercedes pull her back a bit and raises an eyebrow.
''He warmed up quickly.'' Mercedes comments softly. ''He took much longer around Rach and Finn.''
Brittany rolls her eyes and snickers. ''Can't blame him for that, they do ask a lot of questions.'' She tells her softly. ''But yeah I notice him quickly warming up to her too, she is easy to talk to though and she doesn't ask questions she just accepts things as it comes.'' She continues.
She turns to look at Mercedes and smiles shyly. ''She also knows that I am gay but not out for bitch.''
''Wait she knows?'' Quinn asks surprised as she walks up to them, she locks eyes with Brittany and raises an eyebrow. ''Since when?''
''The night after we were at the bar.'' Brittany mutters with a small shrug. ''We were doing the dishes and started talking, I didn't mean to tell her but somehow it slipped out and well she is fine with it.''
''You are a rabbit!'' She looks up as Mason's squeak reaches them and laughs as he dances in triumph.
''Looks like he guessed it.'' She mutters shoving the five dollars into the pocket where she placed his money, she looks at the girls and winks. ''We'll talk later.'' She tells them before walking back to the group not noticing Quinn and Mercedes exchange curious glances but slightly knowing smiles.
She stops right beside Santana crouching down beside her and looks at Mason holding her wallet out for him. ''Look inside bud.'' She tells him, she takes the box from him as he takes her wallet and places it in front of Puck's feet knowing Mason will jump her the second he sees the amount.
Santana watches the little boy open Brittany's wallet and notices him mouthing the amount he counts, she hides her smile as he looks up at her in confusion and shakes her head. ''It wasn't me Mason.'' She tells him with a soft laugh.
Brittany just chuckles and shoots him a wink as he turns to her the same confusions written on his face. ''You completed two little tasks and earned a bit of pocket money, you have enough to buy this nice little ride Maze.'' She tells him while tapping the box beside her.
She laughs stumbling back as he dashes forward tackling her in a hug with a squeal and softly thanks Santana as she almost immediately feels her hand on the small of her back to keep her upright, she kisses Mason's temple and pulls back ruffling his hair. ''Let's go pay, we need to go to the store next door to grab some nice western clothes for Santana so she really fits into our group.''
She stands up as he pulls back nodding his head and takes her wallet back, she hands him the box and nods her head to the cashier. ''Go ahead, it's your toy so you can pay.'' She follows him as he runs in front of them and stands slightly behind him smiling lovingly as he hands the lady behind the counter the box.
''Oh this one looks nice, will you build it with your mommy?'' The lady asks while glancing at Brittany standing slightly behind the little boy in front of her, Brittany bites her lip suppressing an eye roll knowing people judge quickly and holds out the money for Mason as he turns to her.
Mason hands the lady the money and shakes his head. ''No with my big sister.'' He replies while pointing at Brittany. ''She always builds Lego with me.''
Brittany coughs covering up the chuckling escaping her throat at the matter of fact tone he uses and glances behind her as she hears snickering, she shakes her head as she sees her friends covering their mouths in amusement and turns back to Mason as she hears him thank the lady.
She walks over to him knowing the group will follow and rubs his back. ''Go to Noah or Cedes.'' She tells him softly, she turns to the woman as he walks off and shoots her a forced smile. ''Next time don't judge that quickly, have a nice day ma'am.'' She turns on her heels before she can splutter out her apology and walks out of the store chuckling as everyone burst out laughing.
''God her face, I never thought anyone could turn that red!'' Tina breaths out laughing.
''Amazement sure had little B coming through.'' Mercedes exclaims laughing. ''God that matter of fact tone was amazing, nicely done little man.'' She continues while ruffling Mason's hair.
Brittany snickers as Mason just looks at them like they are crazy and leans down to kiss his head. ''Good job bud, you were polite and you didn't forget to say thank you.'' She praises softly thankful he is slowly getting a hang off the things she is trying to teach him, she holds out her hand and smirks. ''Now let me look at the car, I might need to go in later and buy me one too.''
Mason giggles and hands her the bag containing the car, Santana watches their interaction with a small loving smile noticing that Brittany tries teaching him every day manners and tilts her head wondering why she is the one teaching him those things.
''Mine.'' Brittany calls out bringing her out of her thoughts, she laughs as she sees her holding the box close to her chest and shakes her head as she sees Mason immediately pouting up at his sister.
''Britty no! I had to do ABC and guess an animal for that!'' He exclaims pouting, she covers her mouth giggling as she sees Brittany looking down at him with the same pout and covers her mouth hearing their friends all laugh.
''But this car is amazing!'' Brittany exclaims pouting not noticing the group snapping pictures of them.
''Yeah amazing!'' Mason exclaims. ''Belonging to Maze or Amazement like Puck and C call me!'' He tells her giggling. ''We can share okay?''
Brittany laughs and ruffles his hair handing him his car back. ''I am just joking buddy, it's all yours but I know I will have the honor of putting those stickers on it.''
''You can build it with me Britty.'' Mason tells her as he grabs her hand the second they slowly start moving to the next store. ''This is for eight year olds, I am six.''
''Yeah you might be six but your mind is much older Maze.'' Brittany tells him with a slight smile. ''I am Seventeen and I couldn't guess the animal Santana was trying to be.'' She pauses looking down at him in confusion as he suddenly stops in his tracks and tilts her head. ''What's wrong?''
Mason just shakes his head handing her the toy and turns to Santana after his sister took the bag from him, he runs to her and immediately hugs her around her midsection not noticing all the teens around him watch him in shock Santana included. ''Thank you Sanny, I couldn't buy the toy without you playing the animal guessing game with me!''
Brittany blinks in surprise as she watches her brother hug Santana knowing he is normally careful around people and locks eyes with Mercedes, she turns back as she sees her just slightly nodding her head back to the two hugging and bites her lip trying to contain the loving smile trying to break out as she sees Santana easily crouching down after unwinding Mason's arms from around her waist to hug him properly smiling as her response reaches her ears.
''Anytime little man.''