"Santana, you are the love of my life. There is nobody else that I would rather take this journey with. When I met you, well, let's just say it probably wasn't love at first sight for you, but even under those strange circumstances you caught my attention in a way you never intended to. You had this way of making me feel like everything was going to be alright. You brought a peace into my world and you did it so effortlessly. You did it simply by being you. We have been through so much in the time we've known one another, and you've enhanced my life in ways you haven't even begun to imagine. You're beautiful Santana, the most beautiful girl in the world to me. Still, nothing is more beautiful than the beauty that shines from within you. You are kind, and thoughtful, and nurturing. You're funny and silly and sexy, and a hundred years from now you'll still be the most beautiful girl in the world to me, because I'll never stop seeing you the way that I see you standing before me right now. And I want to thank you for the way that you see me, that you hear me, that you know me, that you love me. It means the world to me and I promise to spend the rest of my life protecting and honoring that love. I'm going to make you happy, I promise you that from the depths of my soul. I'm yours Santana, forever and always."
Santana smiled lovingly at her bride with tears in her eyes.
"I had so much trouble writing these vows, not because I didn't know what to say, but because I didn't know what to leave out. There are just so many wonderful things to say about you Brittany Susan Pierce. I've been writing these vows since the day I met you, committing to memory every wonderful thing about you. You came into my life at one of its lowest points, and like an angel that fell straight from the sky you landed in my life and lifted me up with your strength and humor. You breathed new life into me. Thank you for the perfect love you give to me. Because of that love I can do anything, I can be anything, and I can overcome anything. You are the most patient person I know. You are the most selfless person I've ever met. It was so hard to write these vows because I only have a minute to let the world know with words all you mean to me. That will never do, and so since it's our day I'm going to take all the time I need. I love those eyes, blue like a perfect sky, that softly tell me that everything is going to be alright. That hold all of that hope and optimism. I love that smile, all cocky and sure, and I love what it hides, your vulnerability and innocence. I love the way you touch me, and how electricity shoots through me every single time. I love the way you stick your feet under my legs to keep them warm when we're asleep, and even though I nudge you and complain I'm smiling inside and never, ever want you to stop doing that. I love the way you make me feel loved every moment you're awake. Most of all I love that you love me, and I love that I love you back just as much. The rest I have the rest of my days to tell you, and what I don't tell you I'll show you, forever. I love you Brittany, forever and always."
Brittany smiled brightly at Santana and mouthed 'I love you' to her. The preacher finally spoke.
"Do you, Brittany Susan Pierce, promise to love, honor and cherish Santana Marie Lopez, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for all of the days of your life? Do you promise to be faithful to her always in body and in spirit and to strengthen your bond daily, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Brittany said enthusiastically, and everyone laughed.
"And do you, Santana Marie Lopez, promise to love, honor and cherish Brittany Susan Pierce, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for all of the days of your life? Do you promise to be faithful to her always in body and in spirit and to strengthen your bond daily, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Santana responded and the two women smiled brightly at each other.
"By the powers vested in me by the laws of the state of Nevada I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
Brittany pulled Santana in close, just the way she loves, and pulled back her veil. She kissed her like nobody else was in the room. Everyone hooted and cheered and the ladies embraced smiling.
"I now present to you Mrs. and Mrs. Santana and Brittany Lopez-Pierce," the preacher said and everyone clapped loudly.
Brittany stopped the video and pulled Santana into a kiss.
"Happy anniversary, baby."
"Happy anniversary, mi amor."
"Three years already, the time is flying by," Brittany added.
"You know what they say, time flies by when you're having fun," Santana smiled. "You looked so dashing that day, your crisp white shirt and those white slacks and those blonde curls falling everywhere. My goodness, like I was marrying an angel. It didn't hurt, leaving those top few buttons open in that fitted shirt so I would have to fight my eyes to stop looking at your cleavage." Santana laughed.
"A little payback for looking at you in that dress hugging your body that way. Your ass looked unbelievable. You were stunning. You still are."
"I'm getting old. Is that why we watch this video every year, so that you can remember when I was young and hot?"
"I watch because it was the best day of my life. You're always going to be young and hot to me. As a matter of fact you're hotter as Mrs. Lopez-Pierce than you ever were as Santana Lopez."
Santana kissed her wife. "Turn the video back on honey, I want to see the reception."
"You want to see our grandparents flirting like it's 1969?"
Santana laughed, "Hey, your mormor got my abuelo to learn how to do video conferencing all by himself."
"And he was way hot for her when she knew how to dance casino. All of that inappropriate flirting with Robbie paid off."
"So many great memories, our fathers walking us down the aisle, our mothers is tears." Brittany smiled.
"Not just our mothers, your mormor and Luciana were just as bad," Santana laughed.
"And Danny," Brittany laughed. "To this day he swears it never happened but the video doesn't lie."
"He claims he had something in his eyes," Santana smiled.
"He did...tears."
Santana laughed. "Leave Danny alone."
"That reception was the best, the food was amazing, the music was outstanding, that party went on all night long I heard."
"It was a great night, wasn't surprised to hear that they didn't wrap it up after we left for the honeymoon. Robbie and Nickolas know how to keep a party going."
"Danny and Blaine were adorable. Danny says that was the night they fell in love." Brittany smiled.
"There were a lot of new beginnings that weekend. Quinn told Luciana she loved her that weekend, and Luciana said it back. Now look at them planning a wedding of their own." Santana grinned.
"I'm so happy for the both Danny and Luciana," Brittany replied.
"Me too, mi amor. I can't believe how much has happened in the nearly 5 years since Valentina died," Santana said.
"Me either, Santana. I know one thing, she would have loved the way you look in those suits, sitting in that nice office, all power lesbian sexy and shit."
Santana laughed. "I still dress the same as I did when I worked at my old job."
"It's so much hotter when you're fucking the boss, though," Brittany grinned and Santana laughed.
"So, are you coming by the center today? I'll treat you to lunch."
"I'll come by on my lunch break, make sure you're not working too hard."
"I can't believe we've been up and running for almost a year," Santana smiled proudly.
"You worked your ass off to get that organization off the ground and you're doing everything according to schedule. You're just where you wanted to be in your first year of operations."
"The donations I got to start didn't hurt anything. Helped me get through all of that administrative stuff early on. All of the cash our families and friends put in, the free labor I got before I could afford to hire a staff, this was a labor of love. Then there was that donation that Maria sent. That was a huge unexpected blessing."
"It didn't hurt that you named the place after her daughter."
"Couldn't think of a better person to name this place after. It's where people rebuild their lives. Her life gave many people a fresh start, her legacy will continue to do the same."
"I agree, honey."
The Valentina Daniela Ramirez Center for Hope and Healing, or as it is more commonly known, Valentina's Place, was Santana's dream come true. A recovery center as Santana likes to call it, with a food pantry and kitchen. A monthly clothing distribution. A staff that helps people find drug treatment programs, housing and employment. Santana is hoping the implement a free clinic as well in the future. Right now she has arranged for a mobile free clinic that's run by the state to make a stop at the center once a month. They also arranged for a mobile dental clinic to do the same. She managed to secure federal and state funding as well as private donations and fundraisers that help keep the center growing. In the future she hopes to implement adult literacy and job training programs as well as domestic violence intervention. As she expands the center she hopes to implement some sort of safe haven for the children of these people who are turning their lives around. After school programs, weekend programs, group therapy sessions to share their pain and experiences. All of the things that she wishes Brittany had growing up before she had Danny to step in. She doesn't want them almost falling into the hands of a predator. She wants them to know that they can come to Valentina's place and be safe and cared for.
She's happier than she's ever been working, because she has the power to help people in the way that she always imagined and not have her hands tied by those in power. Sure, she still has to play the game. She still gets frustrated with the system at times, but as her center grows, as her work grows, she knows she will eventually have the power to change at least some of those things.
"So Santana, I know this weekend Luciana is coming by to work on her new menu, but we're still on for Saturday right?"
"And for tonight," Santana winked.
"Oh we are on for some quality time and a lot of strawberry ice cream."
"Nothing sounds better, mi amor. I'm sorry I couldn't take the day off..."
"You do good work, Santana. People depend on you. We will take time away when it's convenient. Right now getting ready for Luciana to cook on Sunday is important. The meeting with the board of directors is important. The opportunity for additional funding is important. Everything is falling into place. You always say that you named it after Valentina but that you do this for people like my mother, for kids like me. I will never lose sight of that Santana. I don't want you to ever worry about that. I will always make sure there is time for us and I know that you will too, even if I had to lose out on sleep just to show up and be wherever you are. I support your dreams, and dreams take dedication. Things will slow down soon, we both know that."
"I love you Britt."
"I love you too, Santana. Come on, let's get this day over with so that I can come home and enjoy my wife tonight.
Brittany was being totally honest. She was so proud of Santana she could burst. She saw how she worked with her team, and how she still remains hands on with as many things as possible. She had some long days sometimes, and even long nights, but the center is finally on the map, and that's all that really mattered.
That night Santana came home to flowers everywhere. There was champagne and her favorite foods and soft music playing. After dinner they exchanged gifts and then retired to the bedroom for the evening. Brittany rubbed Santana's tired feet before treating herself to some strawberry ice cream. In their minds their anniversary had been perfect.
A year ago when Santana had begun this whole venture Brittany had been offered the position as head of her department at work. She was going to turn it down. Santana was just getting started and she needed her. Santana wouldn't hear it. In the beginning they both were always busy, but Brittany quickly settled into her position and it's been a blessing. Life is great for them and for everyone they love these days. Luciana and Quinn are engaged. Danny and Blaine are living together. All of Brittany's brothers are doing well. Alec is running two of her father's casinos and is ready to take over the operations of another one within the next year or so. Erik and Brooke are going strong. Isabella and Juan are doing amazing. The parents visit as often as they can. Brooke and Isabella came to New York often to help when Santana was first starting the center. Luciana's brothers are working at the travel agency and doing well. Pedro is doing well running the Lopez family and has managed to continue to stay off the radar. Robbie and Danny's security business is going great, and so is Luciana's restaurant. It's one of the hottest spots around, and now has two Michelin stars. She had been very proud o her first star, but the second star is a huge credit to her as a chef and puts her restaurant on a scale of people who have had professional culinary training. She now takes classes to improve upon her craft.
Imani owns a small bar now and Quinn has gone into real estate. Imani and Robbie are still friends and they have even gone on vacation together. They say it's nothing but somehow they always find their way back in each other's company. Everybody just leaves them alone about it. Most exciting of all is Brittany and Santana are thinking of starting a family in a year or so. They always said around the five year anniversary mark they hoped that Santana would be pregnant. If the center keeps moving forward as it is there is a good chance that little baby Lopez-Pierce may become an actuality.
Brittany has kept her promise and sends money each month for the kids back in Orlando in the classroom she basically adopted. This Christmas she has the biggest surprise of all, she's going to help get the entire school a visit from Santa's elves. She's been working on it for almost a year now, and has learned a lot about the channels to go through to make that happen in the most affordable way from dealing with watching Santana advocate for anything she can get for the center. Her wife is kind of a rock star at making things happen. She wants each child in the school to get a gift and a care package that includes enough to make a nice Christmas dinner.
Then there is Abuelo Lopez and Mormor Eriksen. They have become really good friends. They speak on the phone often. They also speak to their granddaughters often. They seem very happy with the way things are going in their lives. Mormor has even been to Cuba to visit her new friend. For a person who doesn't like to fly she sure has been doing a lot of it since Brittany came into her life. She's trying to convince him to visit Norway as well. He says he plans on going, perhaps to help Susan celebrate her next birthday. It's not a love connection, or so they say, but they seem to really enjoy each other's company. They both lost their spouses so long ago and never remarried. Everyone thinks they just both feel too old and foolish to ever admit that they would be thinking of dating at this stage in their lives, but to the outside world it looks a lot like dating to them.
Once Juan found out about his long lost uncle he and Santana had been torn over whether to look for him. Santana remembered when she wanted to remain missing. Then what if Tio Elian is dead? It would crush Ignacio to confirm that news. Juan says that if he's dead then they just won't tell his father that they went looking. Santana doesn't know which part of her heart to follow, the part that wants to bring Tio Elian home or the part that doesn't want to shake up a situation that everyone has come to accept. For now she's busy with the center and leaving things as they are. She has the feeling, however, that Juan has been searching since the day he found out about the man. She secretly hopes he finds him. It will be the best reason for them to have yet another family reunion in Cuba. The one they all had when Santana brought her bride to meet Isabella's side of the family was amazing. The Rodriguezes came as did Robbie and Danny. Even Quinn, Imani, Blaine and Brittany's parents came along. It was an amazing vacation.
By the time Sunday arrived Santana was happy that she only had to oversee the food service. Normally she's not needed for such things except she likes to be around when Luciana cones through. She and Brittany arrived early to Valentina's Place and went to the kitchen where Millie was setting up things for Luciana's arrival. She liked when Luciana came by and donated food, trying out her new menu items and giving the clients a special treat to some top notch cuisine. They never announced when she would be there, the lines would become overwhelming. Luciana was making a name for herself and the news has even covered when she's cooked at Valentina's Place. It was good publicity for both her and Santana. Those lucky enough to show up when she was there always left happy. On the rare chance that the lines got too long Millie always had a very nice backup meal planned to help with the disappointment should Luciana's meals run out.
Santana and Brittany greeted Millie and then went about preparing for the day. Danny and Luciana would be there early. Later they would be joined by Blaine, Quinn and Robbie. As soon as the crowds disappeared from brunch Luciana would begin prepping for dinner. Her sous chef would join her and Millie would lend a hand. She always wanted to make the clients feel special and so she would do table settings and make the space even more beautiful. She would also prepare a dessert even if she wasn't trying out a new one. She would walk around the dining area just as she did at the front of house in her own restaurant and engage the diners. She would get feedback and share a laugh with them. Santana always loved to see it. Luciana always said that she had faith that with Santana's help they would change their circumstances and hopefully then one day they would become paying customers. She believed they could all turn their lives around like Brooke had. She believed that because she believed in Santana.
By the time Luciana and Danny showed up and loaded everything into the kitchen brunch was just getting started. It always filled up quickly, and so Santana, Danny and Luciana went into the office to map out a few details for the day. She loved when their friends volunteered. It didn't make work feel like work. It felt like she was inviting people she loved into her home. She was proud of the space that she was creating.
The small girl walked into the center with a false confidence. Brittany had seen it before. Bravado. Fear and nervousness call attention to you. You have to look like you belong.
Brittany was standing on the line, waiting for a free moment to speak to Millie before things got too hectic. She wanted to ask her if she had anything back there to give to Mendo, a regular with his family who happened to be celebrating his 8th birthday that day. Normally Brittany would just be told to go back there and grab whatever she wanted, but she always tried to be respectful of the fact that Millie ran the kitchen, Millie helped ration out the food to make sure there would be enough for upcoming days. There were always people. There just never seemed to be enough. Somehow, they would always find more, though. Nobody left the center hungry.
It wasn't until she felt someone tug on the tail of her button down shirt that she noticed the little girl again.
"You have to take a tray if you're gonna eat," she advised Brittany, who was in the middle of the line with no tray as she waited for a moment of Millie's attention.
"I'm not here to eat, just need to speak to the lady over there for a moment," Brittany replied.
"Why not? The food is pretty good."
"Glad you approve," Brittany replied, amused.
"So grab a tray then and see for yourself. You can sit with me."
Brittany knew what the girl was doing. She was alone. You don't show up to places like this as a child alone. Brittany had noticed her as she squeezed through the door with a family and their children, trying to blend in even though she looked nothing like them. She chatted with a little boy before his hunger apparently distracted him and he straightened up, trying to see what was on the menu for the day. Brittany recognized all of this. This was her childhood.
The girl was trying to find someone safe to eat with. There were only a couple of groups with children there and they seemed to be off in their own space, the children not full enough to be ready to engage another child in idle chit chat yet. Brittany looked safe. She looked like she could fit in with Brittany. Brittany would be her cover for the day.
Brittany grabbed a tray. When Millie saw her on line she looked quizzically at Brittany, who winked at her and held out her tray. Millie served Brittany her breakfast stew, placing a roll on the tray and watched amused as she moved down the line. Brittany watched as the girl followed, tip toeing to try and peak at the contents of her tray, and Brittany could see the hunger overtaking her. She was focused now, focused on filling her tray, focused on filling her stomach. Weekends were hard, no school breakfast and lunch, and so maybe the girl hadn't had a real meal since lunchtime at school on Friday. She was flashing her cutest smile, being polite, hoping that the servers would be heavy handed with her servings. Once their trays were filled Brittany found a seat in the rear where too many eyes wouldn't follow. Once the young girl had gotten her tray filled she found Brittany and joined her.
Santana emerged from the back office with Danny and Luciana after filling them in on how they would be helping with dinner. Millie caught Santana's eye and nodded her head towards Brittany and the girl at the table. Santana furrowed her eyes in confusion. She decided to find a table not far away to sit and finish chatting with Danny and Luciana. She was intrigued, and she thought that Brittany looked particularly beautiful sitting and entertaining the young diner. Her long blond hair braided down her back, accentuated by the darkness of the burgundy button down shirt. She smiled slightly and almost as if Brittany could feel Santana's eyes on her she looked up from the child and winked. Santana smiled brightly as Danny and Luciana took in the scene.
Brittany waited before she began chatting, as the girl hungrily dug into her plate. Brittany remembered this well, there was no time for talk while trying to quell the pains of hunger. They could talk once her hunger was satisfied. It was only when the girl slowed down that Brittany spoke.
"Pretty good, huh kid?"
"Yeah," the girl said, working on chewing the food still in her mouth. "Why don't you try?"
"Not really that hungry, you think you can help me out?" Brittany said, taking huge chunks of sausage from her breakfast stew and placing them in the girl's bowl. The child's eyes widened as she instantly jabbed her fork at a piece.
Danny watched and tears sprung to his eyes. It was like seeing him and his Tink. He would do the exact same thing, picking most of the meat out of his plate and surrendering it to the only girl who had ever managed to steal his heart. Brittany had done it unconsciously, but as if she could feel Danny's watery eyes on her she looked up at him and offered him a soft smile. Soon as she did his tears fell instantly.
"Thanks!" the girl beamed. "You don't like meat? I can trade you some of my potatoes."
"Thanks kid, I'm fine. I'm watching my weight."
"But you're skinny!"
"Gee, thanks," Brittany chuckled. "This is fine," Brittany said, sticking her fork in her stew and taking a bite. Brittany still couldn't waste a good meal, and Millie was an excellent cook. She broke her bread roll in half and handed the other half to the girl.
"Cheers," Brittany said, and the two brought their bread together before the girl watched Brittany drag hers through her stew. She decided to do the same thing. Brittany smiled.
"So what's your name?"
"Sugar," the young girl replied.
"You don't have to tell me your real name if you don't want to. Mine's is Brittany, but my best friend calls me Tink. We used to eat in places like this all of the time when I was your age."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Sugar is my real name. My mom works in some kind of dance club and that's why she named me that. She said the men are always saying "hey sugar" to get her attention, and so she thought it would be funny to name me that."
"Okay," Brittany said, a little surprised by the girl's story.
"So why does your best friend call you Tink?"
"Because I used to carry a Tinkerbell backpack, and he says I kind of remind him of her."
The girl smiled, "I guess you do."
Brittany returned the smile. "So, you live around here?" Brittany asked. She was cautious, she didn't want to scare the girl off.
"Yeah," she answered sheepishly, quickly taking a gulp of her juice.
"Cool," Brittany replied, not wanting to scare the girl off from enjoying her meal. She would hopefully have other opportunities to talk to her. "You want my cinnamon roll? I was always one who preferred ice cream for dessert."
While this was true saying it almost made Brittany blush since strawberry ice cream had taken on an entirely different meaning since she had met Santana. Brittany's eyes looked up and were met by Santana, Danny and Luciana looking curiously on.
"Sure, thanks!" the girl said, wrapping the treat in a napkin. "I'm going to save this to have with my breakfast tomorrow."
"That makes a lot of sense," Brittany added. "Maybe you can come back for dinner, it's going to be great. See that pretty lady over there? That's my wife Santana in the blue dress, and the other pretty lady is her best friend Luciana. Luciana owns a fancy restaurant and she's going to be cooking here tonight testing out some recipes. You don't want to miss that because she cooks really good. You ever had Cuban food?"
"I don't know."
"Well tonight we will all be here, and you see that big lug sitting in the middle there? That's my best friend Danny boy. He's the only one in the world who calls me Tink. I would tell him to come up with a cool name for you too, but Sugar is a pretty cool name already."
"Thanks," Sugar replied. "That's your wife?"
"Yeah," Brittany replied, waiting curiously for the girl to speak. She wanted to know what she thought about her having a wife.
"You married a girl?"
"Yeah"
"And you dress a little bit like a boy. You have on a boy's shirt."
"Hmmmm, but if I'm wearing it doesn't that make it a girl's shirt?" Brittany asked with her eyebrow raised.
Sugar thought about it. "I guess it does," Sugar smiled. "It looks good on you."
"Glad you approve," Brittany smiled.
"Your wife is pretty too."
"Good eye," Brittany winked. "I think so too, thanks."
"All of you are really good looking. I could look at that Danny all day," Sugar sighed, looking dreamily at Danny.
"Please don't," Brittany said, shaking her head and holding back a chuckle.
"So you like girls?"
"Some, but I really like that girl right there more than anyone in the world," Brittany added, smiling at Santana.
"That's cool. You know Sarah and Stephanie? They eat here sometimes too and they are girlfriends."
"Nope, don't know them."
"You sure? You would know them when you see them, they really like holding hands."
"That's a good clue, but we don't all know each other, kid," Brittany smiled.
"I know," Sugar's eyes dropped. "Sometimes I say silly things. I think I might have Asperger's. Do you know what that is?"
"I do, and if you have it that's just fine, but just to let you know I used to say silly things sometimes when I was about your age. A healthy diet could help, or maybe that's just who you are, just like I am who I am."
Sugar smiled at the blonde. She liked her. She felt comfortable with her.
"So, how old are you kid?"
"I'm 11 years and 3 months."
"Well that was precise."
"Asperger's. Anyway, I saw your wife here before, but not all of the time. She's nice. She work here?"
"She's kinda in charge," Brittany said proudly.
"Wow, that's cool."
"Yeah, she's pretty cool."
"You married the boss and you don't eat here all of the time?"
Brittany chuckled. "It's a nice perk but I usually eat at home. Sometimes I'll eat when everybody leaves. Millie over there loves to feed people."
"She's nice."
"Yes she is."
"You're nice, too," Sugar smiled.
"Thanks kid."
"And you're gonna be here tonight?"
"Yup"
"You gonna sit with them?"
"With Santana and Danny and a few other friends if they can make it. Luciana will drop by but she will be in the kitchen a lot."
"Okay" Sugar said almost sadly.
"You think you might want to sit with us?"
"Sure!" the girl beamed.
"Good. So let's finish up here, and thanks for treating me to brunch, dinner's on me."
Sugar laughed, "It's free silly."
"That's why I'm treating," Brittany winked.
Brittany and the girl ate and chatted. She wanted to ask the hard questions, where she lived, why was she alone, was she okay, but she knew. The stories are all pretty similar, and Brittany had a feeling the type of dancing her mom did was the type where your clothes fall off at the end. Which may mean that this girl spends a lot of nights alone. She would learn more, slowly, because something in her needed to know.
"Hey, you think you could help me with something?"
"Yeah, sure."
"See that kid over there? His name is Mendo and today is his birthday. You think if I grab him something from the kitchen you might want to go over there with me to say happy birthday to him? Maybe we will even get my wife to sing. You should hear her, she's amazing."
"Yeah, that would be cool!"
"Okay you wait here for a minute. I'm going to get him a pastry and maybe I can find a candle back there. Then I'm going to ask my wife if she feels up to singing."
"Okay," Sugar replied.
Brittany went to speak to Millie and asked her to prepare something for Mendo's birthday. Millie went and found a candle and placed it on top of a cupcake, handing it to Brittany.
Brittany then went to the table where Santana and the others were sitting.
"Hey babe," Santana greeted her. "Who's your new friend?"
"That's Sugar, she will be joining us for dinner later if you don't mind. Meanwhile, I kind of have another favor to ask."
"What's that, mi amor?"
"You think you're up for showing off your beautiful voice for these people? It's Mendo's birthday, and I thought he might like a pretty lady with the voice of an angel singing him happy birthday."
"Only for you, Britt."
Santana stood and Brittany went to find something to light the candle with. When she returned she waved Sugar over who joined her at her side.
"Happy Birthday Mendo!" the three of them said loudly, as the young boy looked up with delight in his eyes.
"Gracias!" he replied excitedly.
"My wife is going to sing happy birthday to you. She has a very pretty voice. She usually only sings for me but she wanted to sing happy birthday to you, is that okay Mendo?"
"Si, Ms. Brittany, es bueno."
Santana sang happy birthday to the young boy to the delight of everyone around. Very few people there knew that Santana could sing, and those few people were employees or volunteers. When she finished there were whistles and cheers and loud applause. Mendo made a wish and blew out his candle and everyone clapped.
"Thank you!"
"You're very welcome Mendo. Enjoy your birthday sweetheart," Santana said, ruffling the boy's hair before returning to her table. Brittany stayed a moment and spoke to the boy's parents.
"Did you guys plan on dropping by for dinner tonight?"
"Si, we will be here," Mendo's dad replied.
"Good, I think he will really like the dinner tonight, it will be a special one. Please don't miss it."
"Ok Ms. Brittany."
"And Mendo, this is my friend Sugar. She likes to eat here too. If you ever see her say hi if you can, she really likes meeting other kids."
"Hi Sugar."
"Hi Mendo, happy birthday."
"Thank you."
"And that's Mendo's sister, Lupe. She's shy, but she's about your age."
"Hi Lupe," Sugar smiled.
"Hi," the girl smiled back shyly.
"Sugar is a pretty good friend of mine so you'll see her around a bit. Anyway, enjoy the rest of your meal. See you all tonight."
"Bye Ms. Brittany."
Brittany went back to the table where she had been sitting with Sugar.
"I'm your friend?" Sugar asked
"Well you just bought me brunch, and I invited you to dinner. I think we're on our way to becoming friends."
"Okay," Sugar beamed.
"Good, so you come by tonight okay? Make sure to be on time."
"I will!"
"Before you go, come meet my wife and my friends so you know who you're sitting with tonight."
"Okay," Sugar replied happily.
Brittany helped her gather her cinnamon bun and an apple and they dumped their trash before heading over to Santana's table.
"Hey guys, I want you to meet Sugar. Sugar, this is my wife Santana, her best friend Luciana, and my best friend Danny."
"Hi," Sugar said softly.
"Hello Sugar," everyone said.
"Sugar will be joining us for a while tonight if that is okay with you guys."
"Sure," they all replied.
"Good. Okay Sugar you be careful out there. See you in a couple of hours, okay?"
"Okay." Sugar said before bouncing off towards to door.
"Remind you of someone?" Danny asked, looking at Brittany.
"Yeah," Brittany replied quietly.
"You okay?" Danny asked.
"Yeah," Brittany replied.
"Sit down honey," Santana said. She knew that her wife wasn't okay. She knew that Brittany was thinking of a small run down apartment where she met a big guy with a big heart who saved her life and became her best friend. She's seen that look before on her face when someone, some kid, reminds her of where she came from.
"You ever see her around here before?" Brittany asked Santana.
"Yes I have, a couple of times before. Wanted to let her get comfortable before I started asking too many questions and scare her off before I could even see if I could help her."
"Is she always alone?" Brittany asked.
"Yes. She tries to blend in but it's not always easy. Clearly she's alone, never seen her with anyone who she actually belongs to."
"Okay," Brittany said.
"I'm glad you invited her to sit with us, we'll learn more tonight." Santana said, rubbing her hand.
"I don't want to scare her away,"
"You won't Tink. She likes you." Danny said.
"She just wants someone to trust, someone to feel comfortable with. Someone to feel safe with," Brittany said. She was speaking to them but she was in her own world. Sugar had clearly triggered her.
"She will be back tonight, Britt. Honey, it's hard being in places like this some days. We do our very best for everyone who walks through that door. If there is a way for us to change that girl's life we will, but this work takes patience. We can't be reckless or we make things worse, not better. You know that all too well. The sooner we find out her story the sooner we can help her, but if we come on too strong she disappears into the night and we will never know. Then we can never help. Make her comfortable. We will get the story, mi amor."
Brittany shook her head in agreement. She knows. She knows that all of the stars aligned for her with Danny but it's not always that easy. Sometimes the system gets involved. Sometimes that's not as good as it sounds. Sometimes a kid gets taken away from a bad situation and put into a worse one. Sometimes a parent won't accept that she can't do it and let their kid go and stay with a person of their choosing. They have their personal reasons why they don't give their kid a better chance. Those reasons usually have nothing to do with the well being of the kid. Sometimes Brittany imagines what would have happened it Brooke were in a different space, if she had told the authorities that some man had her daughter in his apartment all of the time. What would have happened to Danny? What would have happened to her and her mother? Sometimes sticking your neck out doesn't end well for you. She and Danny got lucky. They didn't play by the rules, but they still managed to win. Santana is right, Brittany never wants to see a kid lose, and she certainly doesn't want to be the cause of it.
Brittany was a little anxious waiting for dinner service to start. She and Danny worked on helping to decorate once the brunch service was cleaned up. Luciana likes to create an ambiance. Ambiance at a food kitchen consists of some beautiful fake flowers she invested in because she could use them again and again. Once seeing how much these people needed she couldn't find it in her heart to spend too much on decor. Instead she used what she had intended to spend on decorations to donate to Santana's coat drive. Santana has turned everyone around her into a philanthropist.
Luciana and Quinn were in the kitchen with Millie and Luciana's sous chef. Blaine had yet to arrive, so Danny took the opportunity to sit Brittany down once they finished to have a chat with her. With Santana in her office he wanted a minute alone with her to see why she was so anxious. He had an idea that he already knew why.
"Hey Tink, let's have a seat for a minute."
"What's up Danny Boy?"
"You and the kid earlier, it got you thinking, huh?"
"Yeah Danny, it got me thinking."
"You okay, really?"
"Yeah Danny"
"I had a few flashbacks myself watching you pick all of the meat out of your bowl and give it to her."
Brittany smiled, "I had an excellent mentor,"
"Handsome too," Danny said and they both laughed.
"She's an interesting kid. She made me grab a tray, said the food was good. Also said I was skinny. Also thinks you're a babe."
"I like this kid."
"Yeah, she has a lot of personality, that's for sure. You'll see for yourself at dinner."
"Looking forward to it," Danny said. He didn't need to hear anymore. He got it. An interesting kid with a lot of personality stole his heart once, too.
By the time Blaine arrived from work to help, the line for dinner had already reached half way down the block. Brittany had stepped outside to see if she saw Sugar but she wasn't there yet. She did see Mendo and his family and that made her happy. She wanted the child to have a nice birthday. She was tempted to buy him a gift, but Santana warned against it. She tries not to show special treatment, and she can't celebrate every child's birthday that comes through the door. The most they can do without causing chaos is what they had done, sing them a song and slip them a little treat or something. It made both women sad, but it's better to take care of as many as you can than to single out a few. Brittany is now seeing the other side of the coin. Still, she knows how much a little can mean, so simply a song and a treat would be enough, plus the special dinner and dessert Luciana had planned. As long as they got there early they were sure to be able to enjoy her meal and not one of the alternative meals Millie would put together if food began to run low. It would make his birthday feel extra special. People pay a lot of money these days to eat Luciana's cooking.
As the diners started filing in Santana, Danny, Blaine, Quinn, and Brittany sat at their table, preparing to taste Luciana's meal. Luciana would join them for feedback once dinner service was over. Luciana placed plates in front of everyone and made sure the comment cards were on each table for those who wanted to leave feedback about the meal. Luciana valued every opinion, whether these people were food critics or the homeless. They all had taste buds, and she wanted to hear any feedback people cared to share. Most people filled out the cards. they enjoyed her surprise visits and upscale meals. It made them feel just a bit more special if even for a day.
When Luciana came there were no lines and trays. Santana's volunteers would act as a wait staff, and each diner would have the food delivered to their table once they had been seated.
Santana noticed that by time the tables had filled up and Luciana and the volunteers began serving food Brittany couldn't sit still. She knew what it was. Sugar was a no-show.
Brittany excused herself and stepped outside to scan the line of diners who were unable to be seated yet, checking to see if Sugar was unable to get in. She didn't see her. After 5 minutes she returned to the table. The volunteers were sitting the plates at the table when Brittany stopped one of them.
"We're going to need another plate here, we're expecting one more." Brittany said.
"Sure, no problem," the young lady said. "I'll be right back with it."
"No, keep it warm and set it aside. Just let Luciana know that my guest is running late."
"Okay" the server said.
"You okay, Britt?" Santana asked
"Yeah, I'm good."
"She'll be here. Give her a few more minutes." Santana said, squeezing Brittany's hand.
"Okay" Brittany responded with a weak smile.
Another 15 minutes passed and Brittany excused herself again. Santana looked at Danny sadly.
Brittany stepped outside and searched the line again. Still no Sugar. Just as she was about to turn to go back in something compelled her to walk all the way to the back. There she was, sadly sitting on a crate near the very back of the line.
"Sugar?" Brittany asked, and the girl looked up with tears running down her face. "What's wrong?"
"Hi," she said weakly. "Did I miss it?"
"Miss what?"
"Mendo's birthday."
"No Sugar you didn't miss it, he's still inside."
"I...I was late. The line gets long really fast..."
"You could have come and asked for me Sugar."
"No cutting the line."
Brittany smiled. She understood. People could get angry, even at a child, when they're hungry enough.
"It's not cutting when you have a reservation, is it? We were all waiting for you."
Sugar smiled brightly.
"Is it still the special Cuban dinner?"
"Yup," Brittany answered and Sugar smiled.
"Thanks for coming for me," Sugar said shyly.
"You bought me brunch, I buy you dinner. That was the deal."
Sugar smiled.
"What happened? Is everything okay?" Brittany asked. "Were you crying just because you were late, or is there something else?"
The smile left Sugar's face.
"Everything is ok...I just...I had to go home first and... I had to get something. My mom was sick and running late for work and so I had to help her first."
"Oh, ok." Brittany didn't want to push too hard. "Come on, I don't want your food to get cold. I saved you a plate. I'll have someone bring it out."
"It smells really good in here. Can I say happy birthday to Mendo first?"
"Sure, he's right over there."
"Can you come with me?" the girl said shyly, and then she did something Brittany didn't expect her to do, she placed her tiny hand in Brittany's.
Santana and Danny watched the scene unfold. Brittany led the girl to Mendo's table.
"Hey Mendo, Lupe, you guys remember Sugar?"
"Si, hi Sugar," Both kids answered.
"Hi. Happy birthday Mendo. I got you this," Sugar said, smiling proudly. She released Brittany's hand and brought her other hand from behind her back.
Sugar brought her small hand to the front of her where she opened it in front of Mendo. Inside was a colorful super bouncy ball you would get out of a candy machine for a quarter.
"I got this for your birthday."
"Thank you," Mendo said smiling.
"Ok, gonna have my dinner now. Talk to you soon." Sugar said, her attention taken away by the wonderful smell floating throughout the dining room.
"Ok, bye Sugar"
"Bye Mendo, buy Lupe."
Sugar and Brittany then went to the table where Santana and the others sat.
"Hi Sugar, glad you could join us." Santana said.
"Thanks"
"I'm Santana, remember?"
"Yes, hi Santana," Sugar said, climbing into her seat as Brittany asked the server to bring her plate over.
"And you met Danny earlier. This is Quinn and that's Blaine," Brittany said, taking over the introductions as she took her seat.
"Hi," Sugar said shyly.
Luciana emerged from the kitchen herself carrying Sugar's plate.
"Hola, I understand our VIP guest has arrived," Luciana said, placing the hot plate of food in front of Sugar.
"Thank you," Sugar said, eyes widening at the plate. "You made this? It smells so good."
"Yes I did and thank you. Please let me know if it tastes as good as it smells."
"I will," Sugar said excitedly, ready to dig in.
"Sugar, you remember Luciana from earlier today, right?" Brittany asked.
"Nice to formally meet you Sugar, now let me get out of your way so that you can eat." Luciana said, leaving to go back into the kitchen. By the time Luciana turned to leave Sugar already had a mouth full of food.
The adults at the table didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, and both Brittany and Danny knew she would not want to speak until her belly was full. They continued to chat as if she wasn't there, mindful of the subject matter. They discussed Luciana's food, which they all loved, and they could tell that Sugar loved it too. She quickly finished her meal and when she got to dessert she happily swung her legs beneath the table when biting into the coquitos.
"How'd you like it?" Santana asked.
"It was so good!"
"Glad you enjoyed it," Santana smiled. "Would you like anything else?"
Sugar looked up at Brittany.
"It's okay, if you want something just ask."
"Maybe I can take something home?" Sugar asked shyly.
"What would you like?" Santana asked
"Anything you give me is fine," Sugar answered modestly.
Brittany and Danny's eyes met.
"Just let me know what you want, sweetheart" Santana replied.
"Maybe two sandwiches please."
"Are you sure that's all? You seemed to really enjoy Luciana's cooking" Santana asked.
"Yeah just two sandwiches, one for me and one for my mom. I don't want to cheat somebody on the line out of trying the Cuban food, and also my mom doesn't like me to come here alone..." Sugar caught herself and stopped talking.
"Why not?" Santana asked.
Brittany and Danny already knew why, and Santana did as well. Questions. A young kid like her, stained shirt and old sneakers, beautiful hair not properly tended to, there would be questions.
"She said you people would get in our business and cause us too much trouble. Sorry, self diagnosed Asperger's. I think you guys are always really nice."
"Thanks Sugar," Santana replied. "I understand. Sometimes places like this do ask a lot of questions, but I promise you this place is safe. We will work hard to make sure nothing bad happens to you or your mom. You're safe when you come around here, okay?"
Sugar looked up at Brittany before shaking her head.
"So if you need anything at all Sugar, anything, you can tell me or Brittany personally and we will try our best to help you, okay?"
"Okay"
"Good. So Sugar, tell us a little about yourself," Santana smiled a sweet smile and her wife swooned at the sight of her interacting with the young girl.
Sugar shyly told them about school and the things that she liked to do. They all told her one or two things about themselves to make her feel more comfortable. As it got later Brittany worried, not wanting the girl to walk home alone too late.
"Sugar, we don't want to keep you too long, I know this is usually kind of an eat and run sort of place. We understand if you have to get going," Brittany said.
"No, my mom will be at work all night, she won't get home until it's almost light outside."
"So who stays home with you?" Brittany asked.
"I'm okay by myself. I'm not scared. She makes sure I'm tucked in before she leaves for work."
"But you're not tucked in." Brittany said.
"It's okay, some nights I come here for dinner first, or to one of the other kitchens but this one is my favorite." Sugar said quietly, fearing that she was saying way too much. Still, she trusted Brittany. She liked her.
Brittany knew what the girl must have been feeling and she decided to take some of the heat off.
"You know, I used to hate to come to eat by myself as well. I didn't even know about places like this. Danny boy taught me all about them and he would always come and eat with me. Then we would walk home together. Since you don't live that far away maybe it would be okay if I walked you home? It sure would make me feel a whole lot better. I would feel really nervous if you stayed to hang out with us and I didn't know if you made it home safely or not."
"I'll be okay," Sugar answered.
"Oh I know, but I'm kind of a worrier. If you want to stay a little longer I'm okay with that if I can walk you home. If you don't want me to walk you home then you better get going before it gets dark. Don't worry, we'll see each other soon. I'm here as often as possible."
"Okay," Sugar said reluctantly, thinking over the terms that Brittany had laid out. "I think I wanna stay just a little while longer. You can walk me home."
"Okay, deal." Brittany said, before she reached out to shake Sugar's hand and seal the deal.
"Deal" Sugar smiled.
"Okay then, we'll stay just a little while longer. You sure your mom won't be calling to check on you?"
"I don't have a phone," Sugar replied.
Brittany looked at Santana trying to hide the concern on her face. What if something happened while her mom wasn't home? How could the girl even call for help? Santana looked at her knowingly.
"Ok then. Still, there's school tomorrow. Won't get you home too late."
"Ok" Sugar replied.
Over the next hour the group chatted, Sugar taking the time to go and talk to Mendo and Lupe before the family left. Brittany was happy she had made the introductions, perhaps they will invite Sugar to sit with them sometimes when she is alone. Secretly that had been part of the reason she introduced them to Sugar. She felt her heart swell with affection when she saw Sugar give Mendo the small gift. When a child who likely doesn't have much makes sure to make someone else feels special, she can't help but remember her days with Danny. Christmases and birthdays with recycled gifts that meant the world to them. Her friends in the lunch room sharing part of their precious school issued lunches with the birthday child. She knows that little ball meant more to Sugar than it even did to Mendo. Mendo had a sister and 2 parents and was clean and cared for. His family just didn't make enough to make it from month to month and so they came for as many free meals as they could. Sugar, well Sugar seemed more like her. Mendo and Lupe may come from a financially poor home, but there is no neglect there. Sugar clearly spends a lot of time figuring out things for herself.
By the time 7pm hit Brittany informed Sugar that it was time to go. Santana asked Millie to make Sugar two lunch bags. Millie put together two sandwiches, two bottles of juice, two bags of chips and 2 oranges. Santana asked Millie to add something special so Millie included an oatmeal cookie in each bag before handing the bags to Santana. Brittany stood to meet her wife as she excited the kitchen.
"Hey babe, I'm just going to walk Sugar home and I'll be right back here to help you finish things up."
"Okay Britt, and as soon as our guests leave we can get out of here too. Millie and the staff will shut things down."
"Sounds perfect," Brittany said, kissing her wife softly on the lips. "Did I tell you that you look great tonight?"
"Thank you, mi amor, so do you, but I'm not wearing anything special."
"Maybe you're pregnant, you're glowing " Brittany joked.
"Or maybe I'm just in love with my hot wife, and seeing you here is making me glow."
"Good answer. So let me get this kid home safely so I can get back to my wife."
"Okay, see you in a few minutes honey."
"See you soon sweetie."
Brittany waited while Sugar quickly said goodbye to everyone at the table and Santana handed Brittany the two lunch bags. They didn't like to seem as if they showed favor to anyone and so Santana didn't want to hand the bags to Sugar with so many eyes around. Still, she was happy that she could offer just a small bit of extra help to the child.
Brittany and Sugar left for the walk home. They started out slow and quiet. She could tell the child was tired from the big meal. She was happy that she didn't live too far away.
After three blocks Sugar picked up the pace a bit and Brittany asked how much further.
"Not too far. If you're tired you can go back."
"I'm not tired kid, just like to know where I'm heading."
"You scared?"
Brittany chuckled, "Nope, not even a little bit."
"How come?" Sugar asked. Sometimes when it got late she was scared. Sometimes there were crowds of men hanging outside of the grocery store and she would have to walk across the street to avoid them, but that side of the street was dark and quiet. The men were loud and they smoked and drank and none of them ever bothered her but she had heard how they would talk to some of the girls not too much older than she was. She didn't like it, so she avoided them as much as possible.
"Well, I grew up really poor, like not enough food or clothes or anything. Then I met Danny and he helped me a lot. He kind of saved my life. He taught me how to get meals like the ones you get at the center and he taught me how to get free clothes. He helped me with school and best of all, he taught me how to protect myself. My wife is hoping that one day there will be something at the center that helps people learn to protect themselves as well."
"That's so cool. You gonna help her?"
"She's my wife, I'll always help her with anything she will ever need, so if she needs me, I certainly will help with that. Maybe you can come and learn a few things, then walking around here will be just a little bit safer for you."
"I would love that. Maybe your wife can teach us how to sing, too. I sing really good already, but I'm too young to teach. Maybe I can be a helper."
"That sounds nice, kid. Don't know if she's into singing in front of people so much but maybe something will come of it." Brittany changed the subject. "Listen, you walk all of this way to get to the center?"
"It's not so far."
"Seven blocks so far and counting. Not so close either. Promise me you won't wander around out here after dark, okay? I'm sorry I kept you out so late." Brittany knows that everyone is usually in and out in about 30 minutes, and Sugar had hung around talking to them for an additional hour. That's the difference between it being light or dark outside by the time someone leaves from dinner, depending on the season.
"I had fun. I would just be home watching tv or talking to Francis."
"Who is Francis?"
"My doll."
"Cool, she's probably wondering where you are right now."
"She's okay, I left the radio on for her."
"That's very kind of you."
The wind blew and the small girl shuddered. She stopped talking and tried to pick up her pace once again. Brittany was surprised once more, as the girl reached for Brittany's hand and tangled her fingers between her own. Brittany had seen the large group of men about a half a block ahead. She noticed as Sugar guided her to cross the street. It all reminded her once again of how small the girl was.
Sugar was so comfortable with Brittany she had almost forgotten about crossing the street. When it was dark outside she would have crossed a block back just so that they wouldn't see her. She hated that side of the street because it got really dark over there, but at least it was quiet, even though the quiet could get scary, too. It was okay tonight though, because she was with Brittany. Brittany was really pretty but she said that Danny taught her how to protect herself. Even if she wasn't good at it they would be okay together, Sugar just felt it.
"We're almost there," Sugar said, pulling Brittany gently along.
"It's okay kid, we'll be there when we get there, I'm in no hurry."
Sugar smiled up at her when she said that.
"What?" Brittany asked.
"It's true, we will be there when we get there, but I never heard anybody say it like that, it's kinda funny."
"That's me, a regular laugh riot," Brittany said with a bit of mischief behind her voice and Sugar's eyes twinkled. She liked walking home with Brittany. It didn't seem so far away.
It was a total of 12 blocks when Sugar stopped in front of an old apartment building.
"This is it," Sugar said.
"You sure, because the soles of my sneakers aren't totally worn out yet, I can do another mile." The sarcasm escaped Sugar.
"Yup, I'm sure. I know where I live."
"Glad to know, I thought we were lost for a while."
"Nope, we're okay. I've got you."
"I've got you too, kid."
Brittany watched as she fished the keys out of her tiny pocket.
"Just a tip, kid. Always have your keys in your hand when you reach your door. You don't want to be fumbling around out here and catch the attention of the wrong people."
"Okay, sorry."
"No need to be sorry, you did nothing wrong. Just a survival skill."
"Thanks. I'm okay now. Thank you for walking me home."
"You're welcome, but I'm going to see you to your door. Not coming inside but won't feel good unless I see you make it inside and lock your door."
"Okay," the girl said quietly. She was embarrassed. She didn't want Brittany to see how she lived. She was so neat and pretty, she bet her and her wife lived in a big apartment where you can look out the window and see all of the city lights twinkling like a billion stars in the sky.
Brittany knew what was troubling the girl.
"This reminds me of me and Danny's place when I was growing up. My mom and I lived in the same building but when she had trouble taking care of me Danny let me stay with him most of the time. After a while I never went back home. It was small and I didn't have my own room but living with Danny was great. I had some of the best memories of my life in that building with him. It made me who I am today. I'm thankful for my time there. It brought me my best friend."
Sugar smiled, "Okay, you can come upstairs."
"Thank you, little lady," Brittany smiled.
Sugar opened the door and they walked the three flights of stairs together. Once they reached the front door Brittany waited at the steps for her to unlock it.
"You can come in and meet Francis if you want. We don't get a lot of company and I think she would like it," Sugar said, shyly.
"Not tonight Sugar, maybe when your mother is home you can invite me back then, I would really like that. Listen kid, make me a promise please. Make me a couple of promises. First, don't invite anyone in that your mother hasn't approved first. It's dangerous, not even her friends or yours. Not even your neighbors or people who have helped you from our center or any of the other places like it that you go to. You have to learn about looking at badges in case a cop or fireman has to get to you in an emergency situation. We'll figure it out. I promise you I'm safe but lots of people aren't and they will promise you the same thing and maybe hurt you. I don't want to scare you but it's scary out here. I'll be around the center and we'll talk. I'll teach you to be safe the way that Danny taught me if you promise me that first."
"Ok," Sugar said sadly.
"You did nothing wrong, Sugar. You were just being a kid. You're allowed to be a kid. Maybe ask your mom to come and meet me one day, she should know who you're talking to. That's the other promise. Promise me that you'll think about letting her know that we would like to meet her. I promise you it will be okay. Just think about it, okay?"
"Ok"
"The last promise I'm going to ask is that you try and make it home before dark, always. Had I known you lived so far away I would have taken the bus with you. It's chilly out there tonight."
"Ok"
"Great, now get inside, ok. Take your bags and enjoy. Lock the door and cuddle up with Francis. Tell her about your day and get ready for bed. It was great meeting you Sugar. Hope to see you next week. You're welcome to ask for me or Santana anytime and if we're around, we would love to say hello to you."
"Ok," Sugar beamed before turning and wrapping her arms tightly around Brittany's waist.
"Thank Sugar," Brittany said. "Gonna tell you another little secret that Danny taught me. It's always best to shake hands. A nice firm handshake is the best greeting for someone you don't know very well. That's important to remember okay? I know it's a lot, but we'll talk more and you'll understand why."
"Okay," Sugar shook her head. She didn't understand it all, but she trusted Brittany for some reason, and she knows she didn't say it to be mean.
"Great, now go inside and let me hear you lock the door."
"Okay, goodnight Brittany."
"Goodnight Sugar," Brittany said. She listened as the girl locked the door behind her and began to walk down the stairs.
Brittany thought back to her first conversation with Danny on steps that were very much like the ones she had just spoken to Sugar on. When Brittany got downstairs she hailed a taxi and made her way back to the center. When she arrived the crowd was finally starting to clear out. Quinn was collecting the comment cards from the tables and Luciana was collecting her things from the kitchen for Robbie and Danny to load into the car. Blaine and Santana were chatting when Brittany came in. Santana excused herself and Blaine went to help the guys with the last of Luciana's things.
"Hey babe, you okay?" Santana asked.
"Yeah"
"What took you so long?" Santana asked, kissing her wife briefly on the lips.
"That kid lives 12 blocks away," Brittany shook her head and Santana laughed.
"So I'm guessing you didn't learn that until you were about six blocks in."
"Bingo!"
"Poor baby."
"I took a cab back."
Santana laughed. "So, looks like you have a new best friend. Better not let Lord Tubbington find out. He only recently forgave you for bringing me home."
Brittany smiled at her wife. "He didn't have a choice. If I had to choose one pussy it would be yours. Sorry Tubbs. I'd visit him at my parents house, though."
"Wise choice," Santana said.
"So does that mean I get strawberry ice cream tonight?"
"Absolutely," Santana smiled. "Hey, are you okay. Seems like Sugar really reminded you of someone special.
"Kinda"
"I know hanging around here can be triggering for you."
"Not in a bad way, love. My past is my past. I'll always be reminded of it. I never want to forget it. It was the start of an amazing life."
"Yes it was."
"Santana, can we help her?"
"We have to be careful Britt. I am required to report anything that I think is a danger to her. I've already heard too much. You don't want her to end up in the system. We also don't want her to end up hurt. I won't report anything yet, I don't know enough and yet just from her words I know enough to at least trigger an investigation. No way she should be spending nights alone. Whatever we're going to do, we better do it quick."
"Fuck, what have I done?"
"What do you mean?"
"By bringing her to speak in front of you I put you both in danger. You don't do something quick and something happens you could get in trouble. You move too quickly and she could get taken away."
"You did nothing, Britt. Nothing. I've seen her here before. I was observing and trying to get close enough to find out what was going on. It was only a matter of time."
"If she ends up in the system..."
"I know Britt, some foster homes are worse than being left alone. Some group homes are the same. The system is broken. I've never had to send a kid into the system, and I pray I never have to. I've always been able to find family or friends for a child to stay with if their parent had to go into rehab. I will do all I can to keep her out of the system."
"I know you will, Santana."
"Meanwhile Britt, tread lightly okay honey? We'll figure out something."
"We gotta figure it out quick."
"I need to meet her mother."
"I asked her about that. We'll see how it turns out."
"Good, in the meantime Britt, just know that whatever happens I'll follow through to make sure she's okay. If she ends up in the system I will work my ass off to make sure she ends up in a good placement. Because of this center I've gained some friends in high places."
"She can't end up in the system, Santana."
"We will do what's best for her. Trust me Britt."
"I've trusted you with my life. I trust you with my heart. I'll trust you with this, no matter what."
"That's all I needed to hear," Santana smiled.