Chapter 25 – The stars only know…
"Wait, so it's not going to be The Schuester's anymore?"
"Are you still gonna serve ice cream?"
"What happens when nobody wants to sing a song at the opening night?"
"Did you have to sleep with Will in order to get to make decisions about the new interior?"
Santana had no idea where to begin with all the questions raining down on her from all sides. She was surrounded by wedding guests that used the break between main course and dessert to have a little chit chat with people sitting at other tables.
Next to her was Blaine and Brittany was sitting across. There was also Quinn's mother and some of her cousins and a bunch of people Santana had seen in town before.
"Of course we're still going to serve ice cream. It's what makes us special." She began and smiled at Brittany's little wink. "I'm not worried that nobody will want to sing a song but if so… me or Blaine will have to jump in I guess. I definitely didn't have to sleep with anyone to get anywhere. Will always wanted to have a business partner but none of the others were interested in more responsibility so… we made a deal. I work longer hours and help with everything I can. In return I get to make decisions, too. And no - it's not gonna be The Schuester's anymore. You'll have to wait until the opening to find out more."
Mrs. Fabray put a hand on top of Santana's.
"That's wonderful, my dear. You get to live your dream by owning a karaoke diner and we get to hear your wonderful voice." She said dreamily.
Santana returned her smile. At the inside she didn't know what to think about that.
She could feel something under the table playing with her foot. When she looked across the table, she found Brittany's gaze on her.
Her foot settled comfortably between Brittany's ankles and when they finally got to dip their forks into some sweet wedding cake, Santana wanted to last that night forever.
Her friends were there, Brittany was there. Later they all danced together because Jake had grabbed his guitar and sang a song with Blaine. It was a night she wasn't going to forget.
After a dance with Quinn, Santana realized that Brittany was nowhere to be seen. With a knowing smirk Blaine let her know that she needed to get something from her truck, so Santana used to opportunity to sneak off, too.
/
Many cars were parked in the street but it only took Santana seconds to find the old truck and a tall figure leaning against the hood. She walked over with her arms crossed in front of her chest.
The way Brittany stood there with her fine pants and that blazer made Santana want to pick up from where they left things in the kitchen earlier but she contained herself.
"I knew you'd come." Brittany greeted her mysteriously. "I needed a break from the heated atmosphere."
Santana took the spot next to Brittany and leaned against the hood, too. It was getting dark, but it was still so warm. She loved the scent of summer at night. Brittany's foot played with a pebble on the ground.
"I never asked about your aunt's wedding. Did everything work out?" Santana wondered. Brittany smiled.
"It was wonderful. Really small compared to this one but perfect."
"Good…"
They fell into silence for a minute, their shoulders gently touching. She would have loved to take Brittany's hand and tell her about all the dreams she had about them during those countless lonely nights spent apart.
"You don't have to settle for it… if it's not your dream." Brittany said after a while. Santana tried to follow. "The diner… I know you have other dreams, too."
Santana looked up to the sky. She could already see the stars sparkling back at her. So many nights she lied awake and hoped that the stars would tell her. Tell her what she was going to do one day when she finally got to live her life.
"Serving coffee and waffles for the rest of my life - how could that not be the big dream?" She joked with a shrug.
"I'm serious. You guys could come to L.A. Iker would like it, right?" Brittany tried. Santana gave her a smile.
"Probably… he's been a handful lately. He needs stability and a firm guidance. I don't worry about Tony but Iker still has a lot to learn. I need him to finish high school here. Then I'll try to put myself first for a change."
Brittany seemed to think about that for a while. Then she hopped onto the hood and held her hand out for Santana to do the same.
With a little assistance she managed to sit next to Brittany. It instantly reminded her of the times they drove to their spot and listened to the new music on Brittany's Walkman and watched the stars.
"If you ever feel like you and your brothers are ready or you just need a break for a couple days… I'll be there." Brittany muttered and took Santana's hand.
Santana squeezed it gently to mimic the sensation in her heart.
"Thank you" She whispered in response.
"Or I buy a house here in this town and we can all live in it together. You know... once I make crazy money with my own dance studio."
She could feel Brittany's upper body shake with gentle laughter but Santana had no doubt that Brittany could do it. The thought of it made her insides tingle.
When Brittany turned her head and their faces were close to each other once again, Santana remembered something.
She closed her eyes, scared of what Brittany's reaction might be to her next words that were probably going to ruin everything.
"Blaine and I dated for like a couple weeks." She blurted, holding her breath.
Brittany said nothing at first so it was utterly quiet. Santana peeked through one eye to find the blonde staring at her in disbelief.
"You guys did what now?" She uttered eventually, her mouth hanging open.
Santana shook her head, a mix between laughter and embarrassment inside of her.
"I need to get this off my chest before you and I ever kiss again." She began and kept holding Brittany's hand in hers. The blonde just looked at her, clueless about what was to come next.
"When you left Blaine and I started hanging out a lot because we told each other about our secret. We didn't really have anyone else to talk about it. Quinn knew about you and me but it wasn't the same."
Santana glanced at Brittany's face. The blonde gave her a meaningful look that told her to continue and get to the point.
"However… one day somebody asked if we were a couple since we were together all the time. Blaine had been so upset that day because the rumors about him being gay just wouldn't stop and people were being super mean about it. It was getting too hard. So I said yes."
Santana could feel Brittany's eyes on her cheek.
"What started out as a joke ended up becoming a plan. We thought that maybe we could pretend on the outside so people would leave us alone. Just a handful of people knew the truth… if we got married, Blaine's Dad would finally acknowledge him and maybe talk to him again. I wouldn't have had to find excuses over and over again why I didn't have someone. I was tired of it, too."
Santana could feel a lump forming in her throat. She wasn't exactly proud of their idea but on the other hand she was proud that she and Blaine had sticked together in the past couple years.
She told Brittany about how they went to Las Vegas and almost did it. Outside of the chapel they came to their senses. With a peck on the lips they promised something else. They promised to be friends till death do them part and to be there for each other no matter what.
"Instead of making a big mistake, we spent a fun night in Vegas and we never talked about getting married to each other again. Not long after that Quinn and I went to L.A. and I realized that I was allowed to do things like flirt with girls and be with whoever I wanted to. It just hasn't happened, yet and well… then I saw you that night from a distance."
"I knew you saw me. I couldn't believe my eyes." Brittany said with a hoarse voice from all the listening. "After that show I waited outside and hoped you'd come back."
A painful chuckle escaped Santana.
"I wanted to. But I couldn't… I've never been as brave as you." She sighed when Brittany squeezed her fingers tighter.
"Are you kidding?" Brittany muttered. "You're the bravest and strongest person I know. I have no idea how you've been able to keep up with everything that's been thrown your way."
Their heads had somehow found together and rested against each other. Santana took a deep breath.
"What about you, Britt? Are you dating someone?"
She wanted to know but at the same time she didn't want to hear the answer.
Brittany explained that she dated a girl about a year ago but that it didn't become serious.
"Work has been my relationship…" She shrugged gently. "Have you been with anyone except for Blaine?" Brittany asked between her teeth. Santana chuckled at the jealousy she couldn't hide.
"I wasn't with Blaine in that way, ok? But let's see… my last attempt was going on a date with one of Jake's friends. It was silly. I don't know why I kept giving it a shot. Actually I do… I didn't want to be lonely. Now I don't even care anymore."
Brittany took a moment to let those words sink in.
"Was it alright? To date guys?"
Santana shrugged.
"It wasn't what I wanted but it wasn't the worst thing…This isn't L.A. You never get to see a gay couple. Simply never. I gave it a chance but it didn't work. It always blew in the end and I went to cry my gay ass out on Blaine's shoulder."
They both broke into laughter at that. Santana could feel Brittany's lips pressing a loving kiss to her temple. She felt like laughing and crying at the same time but decided to enjoy the moment and every second she got to spend with Brittany.
However, she couldn't stop the silent tear that ran down her cheek. Brittany caught it with her thumb, then grabbed Santana's face to make her look at her.
Santana could tell that Brittany wanted to say all kinds of things.
They had said enough though... at least for the night. Instead they finally kissed again.
Somehow the darkness around them made this kiss feel even more intense than the one in the kitchen. It was filled with hopes and bittersweet truths and all kinds of things that Santana couldn't name in her head.
When her tongue met Brittany's and their arms wrapped around each other, Santana knew that this was her future.
She didn't know how but if something felt so real and so true then what else could there be? How could this not be right?
They kissed for long minutes, whispering sweet things in between. Only when they heard noises from people leaving the party, they knew it was time for them to head back.
"I don't know how long you're going stay but if you're still here tomorrow afternoon then you could come with us to visit my abuela. It's her birthday and she asked about you…" Santana suggested with a light feeling inside her chest when they hopped down on the ground.
"I'd love that! Can I bring some flowers?"
Santana nodded amusedly and followed Brittany to the backyard where Quinn and Jake were dancing to some slow music coming from a stereo.
Quinn's parents joined them soon after and so did some more couples that weren't ready to go home yet.
"Would you do me the honor?" Brittany asked and held a hand up for Santana.
She accepted with a grin when Brittany did a little bow.
Together they found a spot between the others and easily fell into the slow rhythm of gentle movements.
Nobody seemed to care that they were dancing together. Maybe they just chose to ignore if anyone was watching.
What mattered was the fact that she was there and Brittany was there. If it was this easy to dance, maybe in the future they could do anything.