Three years later
''I can't believe they did this.'' Santana grumbles as she sits down beside her mami keeping a hold on Mercedes's hand as she feels it tremble with nerves after giving an interview.
Maribel just turns to look at them as she sees Mike, Tina and Quinn exchange worried smirks and sighs patting her daughters leg. ''Really mija?'' She asks. ''After all these years you still didn't expect B to sign you up for a show like this?''
''No and I also kinda hate her for doing this while she is on a seminar with Puck and Sam just left Cedes alone to join them the past two days.'' Santana grumbles crossing her arms, mad that she didn't see her girlfriend for two weeks.
Maribel rolls her eyes knowing exactly what the blonde has planned and pats her daughters back. ''You can't blame her for doing her job mi amor and you still have people around supporting you and C.''
''Your mami is right San.'' Mercedes whispers nerves clear in her voice. ''I still hate the thought of performing in front of god knows how many people and listening to Simon's critic, but we have our friends and family right here even though a big part is missing.''
''Alright ladies and gentleman, before we start this season of America's got talent we have a special announcement to make.''
They all turn to the TV's surrounding the waiting area and watch Simon stand behind his chair looking right into the camera.
''This season, we have a theme and that theme is American strength, pride and heroes!''
''Before we start with our first contestant, we would like to introduce two people the army send us to tell us their story.'' Howie Mandel continues.
''So please give them a huge applause.'' Heidi Klum exclaims while mentioning her hand to the stage. ''Private first class Sam Evans and Corporal Brittany Susan Pierce!''
''What the fuck?'' Santana and Mercedes exclaim in unison.
''Surprise?'' Puck asks smirking as he walks up to them. ''You girls really thought they would leave you here alone after they denied auditioning themselves but chose to gave their ticket to you instead?'' He asks with an eyebrow raised.
''You all knew.'' Mercedes states as she looks at the grinning faces around them.
''Damn mami, why didn't you tell me?'' Santana whines.
''Because we wouldn't spoil their surprise mija.'' Maribel tells her giggling, she kisses her daughters head and smiles. ''Now shut up and let's listen to them.''
They all turn back to the TV watching Sam and Brittany answer a few questions from the judges and Santana bites her lip as she sees the way the formal army uniform clings to her girlfriends body.
''Wait a minute, I saw the two of you before!'' Heidi exclaims suddenly.
''That could be ma'am.'' Sam replies chuckling at her outburst.
''No, no I am sure.'' Heidi tells them in amazement, she points her finger and Brittany and smiles slightly. ''I recognized your eyes, the two of you are the soldiers that went missing almost four years ago.''
''Why does everyone recognize my eyes?'' Brittany asks chuckling, she turns to Heidi as Sam just shrugs his shoulders with a laugh and nods her head. ''Yes were we.''
''You heard that before?'' Simon asks in amusement, Brittany nods her head and chuckles.
''Yeah that was the first thing my now girlfriends, mother told me the day I walked into the bakery.'' She explains. ''Sam and I just arrived back home and I wanted to visit the girl that captured my heart overseas before going home to rest.'' She explains.
She blushes as she hears coos surrounding her and bites her lip. ''I wanted to surprise her but noticed the name of the bakery her mother works at on one of the pictures my now girlfriend had send me, so we decided to visit her and hopefully she would bring us to her daughter.''
''How did you meet?'' Heidi asks leaning her chin on her hands, Brittany licks her lips and smiles slightly.
''I am sure you will hear this story twice today, she is one of the contestants but she was assigned to be my pen pal.''
''Wait she is one of the contestants?'' Howie asks in surprise, Brittany nods her head and smiles.
''Yeah just like Sam's girlfriend is.''
''Alright well I am sure we will hear more about the two of you and I don't want to make our contestants of today build up more nerves.'' Simon starts, he locks eyes with them and smiles. ''You wanted to sing for us and start this years season off with the right theme right?''
''Yes that is correct, we just want to show people that being a soldier means so much more than just showing strength and fight.'' Sam tells him as he grabs a guitar, Brittany hums in agreement adjusting her cap and smiles sadly.
''Sadly many just see a soldier and either respect us or hate on us, we are veterans for almost four years now but we still struggle from time to time.''
''Like today because today is the day that we got kidnapped four years ago.'' Sam tells them smiling sadly.
Santana runs a hand down her face as she sees the pain in her girlfriends eyes and gulps thickly. ''This day will never be easy on any of us.'' She whispers sniffling.
Maribel just hums in agreement pulling her daughter in her arms and leans back against the couch as Sam starts strumming the guitar in his hands, she watches him lean forward and reaches out taking a hold on Mercedes's hand smiling sadly as she sees the others surrounding them.
Been home about six months now
But I still have my doubts
Well I'm not sure how I got here
Or how I'm gonna get out
My mama says I look the same
As I did before I left
But if she could see inside of me
It would scare her to death
Santana licks her lips grabbing Mercedes's hand as she hears her sniffle and looks at the screen as she hears her girlfriends voice blending beautifully with Sam's.
I can still taste the powder
From the barrel of my gun
I can hear my sergeant screaming
"Run, soldier, run"
I can feel the backpack on my shoulders
God it weighed a ton
And I see death in every single thought
They taught me how to put that uniform on
I just can't get it off
She shakes her head as she sees the pain on their faces and leans against her mami as Brittany's voice thick with emotions reaches her ears. ''I still don't know why they gave us their ticket, their voices are amazing.''
''Are you sure that wasn't an audition?'' Howie asks the second the song ends.
Brittany nods her head and chuckles. ''We are, we like singing for fun but our girlfriends definitely have better voices.''
''Well let's see if they can live up to your praises soldier.'' Simon exclaims grinning. ''Thank you so much for joining us today and the song was beautiful, your voices fit perfectly together.''
''I agree with Simon, that was amazing guys!'' Heidi exclaims with a big smile. ''Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, we wish you the best.''
''Santana you are up.'' Terry exclaims walking over to the group with a big grin as everyone watch both soldiers walk off of the stage. ''You can go to her right after your audition, I had to tell you that she will wait backstage and to ask.'' He turns to Maribel and smiles kindly. ''You if you would like to join her.''
Santana nods her head standing up and thanks her friends softly as they all wish her good luck, she follows her mami to the two doors and turns to her as she squeezes her hand. ''You will blow them away mija, te amo.''
''I love you too mami, hug B for me?''
''You know I will.'' Maribel promises, Santana takes a deep breath opening the door leading immediately onto the stage and slowly walks out smiling as she hears claps and cheers.
''Well hello.'' Heidi greets with a kind grin.
''Hi.'' Santana mutters nervously.
''What is your name?''
''Santana Lopez.''
''How old are you and what do you do for a living Santana?'' Heidi asks with a kind grin.
''I am almost twenty-two years old and I currently work at a karaoke restaurant.'' Santana replies with a smile slowly feeling the nerves fade as she feels her girlfriends eyes on her.
''What made you sign up to this themed season of America's got talent, Santana?'' Simon asks curiously.
''I didn't actually send in a tape or something.'' Santana replies with a nervous grin. ''My girlfriend, the blonde soldier up here just a few minutes ago is my girlfriend.''
''Oooh you are the other part of the awesome love story.'' Howie exclaims grinning.
Santana laughs and nods her head. ''Yeah you could call it that.''
''So she signed you up yes?'' Heidi asks smiling brightly, Santana nods her head and chuckles.
''She did and I didn't know until we arrived here this morning, my mother just woke up this morning and told me to get ready.''
''So you decided to stay because you can relate to this theme because of your girlfriend?''
''My girlfriend and my dad yes.'' Santana replies with a sad smile. ''I have two heroes in my life, both were soldiers, I sadly lost my dad at the age of five while he was deployed and meeting my girlfriend almost thirteen years after his passing was a blessing and a curse at first.''
''A curse?'' Heidi asks curiously, Santana nods her head and sighs.
''Yeah my best friend started up the pen pal project and I was against it at first, because I didn't want to get too attached knowing the army already caused too much hurt in my mother's and in my lives.'' She glances backstage gulping thickly as she sees her mami, burrowed into Brittany's arms the both of them watching her with tears in her eyes and turns back to the jury.
''But three letters in I definitely fell hard and fast, three months later only moments before I was about to come clear and open up. The call we had got roughly interrupted by an alarm alerting the whole base for danger, that was the day my girlfriend and our best friend got ambushed and kidnapped.'' She explains her voice cracking.
''I cursed myself for three months after that for not listening to my own rule and falling hard for someone I didn't know personally yet, but that thought quickly changed the second she walked into the restaurant I worked at to surprise me and well here we are.''
''I don't think any of us know how you feel Santana, but the love between the both of you is clear and if there is one thing I believe in, it's that love can conquer everything.'' Heidi tells her dabbing away her tears.
''Yeah I believe that too.'' Santana whispers with a small smile.
''What will you be singing for us today?'' Simon asks curiously.
''I am a bit unprepared I apologize for that, but the song I will be singing is Lonestar's I'm already there.'' Santana glances at her girlfriend once again and swallows thickly. ''It's actually a song my girlfriend suggested while she was still overseas after I told her about my dad passing away on a mission.''
Simon just nods his head and smiles kindly. ''The stage is yours Santana.''
Santana thanks him softly, slowly closing her eyes to take a deep breath and releases it slowly. She turns to her right knowing the stagehands are there and nods her head silently telling them they can start the tape, she turns back to the microphone as she hears instrumentals starting up and closes her eyes once again.
He called her on the road
From a lonely cold hotel room
Just to hear her say I love you one more time
But when he heard the sound
Of the kids laughing in the background
He had to wipe away a tear from his eye
A little voice came on the phone
Said "Daddy when you coming home"
He said the first thing that came to his mind
''Holy fuck.'' Maribel whispers tearfully hearing the raw emotions in her daughters voice, Brittany just hums in agreement keeping her arms tightly wrapped around Maribel's waist as she feels her legs buckle and sniffles.
''She is amazing.''
''She really is.'' Terry agrees in amazement.
I'm already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground
I'm the whisper in the wind
I'm your imaginary friend
And I know I'm in your prayers
Oh I'm already there
''Wow Santana.'' Howie exclaims with wide eyes as she ends the song holding a high note. ''Where did that come from?'' He asks shocked. ''That was amazing, the emotions in your voice were clear to hear but your voice was so clear, I have no words.''
Santana chuckles tearfully and wipes away her tears. ''Thank you.'' She whispers softly.
''Santana..''
''Hold up Simon.'' Heidi exclaims holding up her hand. ''You can continue in a few minutes.'' She tells him as she dabs away her tears.
''No way.'' Brittany whispers a big proud grin forming on her lips as she sees Heidi stand up.
''Santana I agree with Howie, I have no words but.'' Heidi leans forward and slams the golden buzzes. ''I frigging love you!''
Santana staggers back as she hears a loud explosion and covers her mouth with both of her hands as gold confetti rain down on her, she turns to face backstage tears streaming down her face as she sees her girlfriend and mami both watching her with tears in their eyes and sprints towards them.
Brittany steps onto the stage easily catching Santana as she jumps in her arms and holds her close as she feels her legs wrap around her waist. ''So fucking proud of you babe.'' She whispers as she feels Maribel join their hug, she winces as she hears the loud beep in her ear piece and turns to the jury with a sheepish grin. ''Sorry.''
Heidi just laughs walking over to them as Brittany places Santana down and quickly leans down to hug her. ''I absolutely love your voice Santana!'' She grabs both of her hands smiling brightly as she just thanks her softly and leans down so they lock eyes. ''You are going straight to the live shows!''
''Congratulations Santana.'' Simon exclaims with a grin as he still stands and claps. ''I wanted to agree with Howie, but Heidi definitely beat me to pushing that buzzer I am looking forward to hear more from you.''
Santana giggles as Heidi just shoots Simon a smirk and thanks them softly, she waves at the crowd as she slowly walks off and chuckles high fiving Terry as he holds his hand up for her. ''Congratulations Santana, you definitely started this season off just right.'' Terry compliments.
''Thank you.'' Santana mutters as she cuddles into her girlfriends side.
''Enjoy your next few weeks and we will see you again at the live shows.'' Terry tells her with a big smile, Santana just thanks him again allowing her girlfriend and mami to lead her back to the group in the waiting room and laughs stumbling back as they rush over the second they walk through the door.
''I knew they would push that fucking thing babe!'' Quinn cheers as she jumps in her arms. ''So, so proud of you San.'' She whispers as the other contestants just clap and cheer loudly for her best friend.
''Thank you guys.'' Santana whispers after everyone congratulated her, she looks around at them and frowns. ''Where is C?''
''She's up.'' Puck tells her, Santana's eyes immediately widen and she rushes over to the TV pulling Brittany with her.
She smiles as she sees her on the stage easily answering the questions Howie asks her and sits down in Brittany's lap grabbing her mami's hand the second she sits beside them with Quinn and Puck on their other side, she nuzzles her face in Brittany's neck as she feels on arm curling around her waist and smiles lovingly as she feels the other covering the hand that holds her mami. ''Te amo Britt-Britt.''
''I love you too baby.'' Brittany whispers kissing her temple as they watch Mercedes getting ready to sing her song, she bites her lip as she hears the familiar intro to If you're reading this and tightens her hold around Santana's waist.
Everyone turns to both girls sitting beside them as they realize that the song is about the last letter a loved one received and smile sadly as they see Santana openly crying with her face buried in Brittany's neck and the blonde breathing deeply through her nose eyes glistening with tears.
Brittany blinks pulling herself out of her thoughts as she feels a warm hand cover her heart over under the formal blazer she wears and gently covers it as she sees Santana looking up at her with tears in her eyes. ''I am right here Angel.'' She whispers not noticing Maribel, Puck and Quinn watching them instead of Mercedes's performance. ''I am not going anywhere.'' She promises softly.
Santana just nods her head turning back to the TV as she hears the music quiet down and licks her lips as she sees Heidi dabbing away her tears once again, she sits up as she sees Howie leaning forward during Heidi's speech and breaths out a chuckle. ''No way.''
''Live shows for the both of you.'' Brittany breaths out grinning as Howie jams the buzzer down before Simon can start talking.
They watch Sam rush onto the stage to hug his girlfriend close as Mercedes just stares at the golden confetti in shock and chuckles as Simon complains about the two not allowing him to speak before pushing the buzzer.
Santana jumps up as she sees Mercedes walk off of the stage and rushes over to the door, she stands beside it leaning against the wall and shoots their friends a smirk as they just stand back knowing she wants to congratulate one of her best friends first.
She pushes herself away from the wall as Mercedes walks out still in shock and tackles her in a hug. ''So fucking proud of you Aretha.''
Mercedes laughs immediately wrapping her arms around her waist and lifts her up. ''We fucking did it Satan!''
Brittany chuckles as she watches the two celebrate and fist bumps Sam as he walks over to her. ''Now you know why I discussed so long till they allowed us to give our tickets to them''
''You didn't discuss, you just scared them.'' Sam mutters grinning brightly. ''But I knew the both of them would shock the jury.''
Brittany just laughs walking over to Mercedes after everyone congratulated her and hugs her tightly, she turns to Sam smiling as she sees him hugging Santana and winks. ''So worth it.''
Sam just laughs walking over to his girlfriend and fist bumps Brittany again as she walks past him to hug her own girlfriend.
''So what are our plans now?'' Maribel asks curiously, knowing their flight leaves tomorrow.
''Well we can do whatever.'' Brittany tells her grinning. ''I just want to change out of this thing first.'' She mutters tugging on her uniform.
''It looks heavy as fuck.'' Mike mutters as he looks at all the shiny medals covering Sam's and Brittany's jackets.
Brittany just nods her head glancing down at the shiny medals on her left chest and smiles slightly as she sees the two new ones she received eight months after coming back home. ''It is but it definitely feels good to wear it too.''
''Definitely.'' Sam agrees. ''It's a chapter we closed in life but knowing what we achieved will always be amazing.''
''Let's go back to the hotel, change into something more comfortably and go out for dinner and decide what to do what else during.'' Santana tells the group.
''Sounds good.'' Brittany agrees hearing the others agree too, she intertwines her hand with Santana's as they leave the building and whistles loudly snickering as three cabs jump on their breaks.
Santana giggles and shakes her head. ''Stop scaring them mi amor.''
Brittany just shrugs her shoulders opening the door for her and smirks. ''I'll try.'' She turns her head to look at Maribel and smiles lovingly. ''You driving with us Mari?'' She asks as she sees the rest of the group split up in the other cabs.
She smiles as she nods her head opting to sit in the front and slides in after her girlfriend, she leans back against the seat after giving the driver the address to their hotel and pulls her girlfriend close kissing her head. ''So proud of you baby.''
Santana just smiles and tilts her head up to peck her lips. ''You do know that I bitched around thinking you wouldn't be there?''
''I know your mami warned me through texts.'' Brittany mutters in amusement. ''You really think I would miss this?''
Santana just shrugs and smiles sheepishly. ''As far as I knew, you were on a seminar in San Fran Britt-Britt.''
''Mh and it's just a nine hour drive to Las Vegas, I would never give you up for something and leave you alone to do it babe.'' Brittany murmurs against her temple. ''Sam and I just wanted to surprise you, only the group knew because we thought your mami would need help pulling you out of bed and to the airport.''
''I sure did.'' Maribel chimes in from the front seat. ''You know how much she hates it to wake up at the ass crack of dawn Britt, I had to bribe her with lots of coffee and listen to her bitch around the whole flight.''
Brittany just laughs and reaches forward to squeeze her shoulder. ''I will make it up to you Mari.'' She hands the cab driver cash as he stops in front of the hotel and bites her lip. ''Do you have any assigned rides?''
''No I don't ma'am.'' The driver responds with a kind smile.
''Do you think you and the other two can wait here for half an hour? We just want to change but after that we want to leave for dinner.''
''Of course I will message them.''
''Thank you.'' Brittany mutters as she slides out of the car, she intertwines her hands with Santana's again and walks over to the group. ''The cabs will wait, let's change and meet back up in half an hour.''
She walks into the hotel as they nod their heads and pushes the button to call an elevator down.
''Live shows starts in two and a half weeks right?'' Mercedes asks, she turns to Santana as everyone just hums and bites her lip. ''It will be every week until we get eliminated S, how the hell do we want to travel between New York and Las Vegas every time?''
''You don't.'' Brittany replies before Santana can, she steps onto the elevator pushing the button to the floor they rented their rooms on and chuckles as they turn to her in confusion. ''We will stay here after flying here in two and a half weeks.'' She tells them shrugging. ''The both of you normally have a hotel room assigned for the time being, but I told them to cancel it and Sam and I both rented an air bnb for as long as it will take.''
''It has five bedrooms, so we can all crash in separate rooms.'' Sam continues. ''Even for those who won't join us every week, whenever you do come you will have a room to stay.''
''The both of you thought of everything.'' Santana whispers in realization following her girlfriend off of the elevator.
''I just knew the both of you would shock them with your voice San.'' Brittany mutters grinning. ''We both don't want the both of you stressing about anything, so we planned a bit ahead of us.''
''We sure did.'' Sam mutters grinning. ''Come on, let's change.''
Brittany thanks Maribel as she holds the key card for the hotel room she rented for them out for her and kisses her cheek. ''Thank you Mari.'' She turns to her girlfriend as Maribel just winks, walking off after kissing her daughters cheek and opens their door chuckling as she sees them spread out over the floor none of them sleeping in a room beside the other.
Santana follows her into the room, her jaw dropping as she sees the whirlpool in front of the balcony and turns on her heels to look at Brittany. ''Babe..''
''Nope don't even start about the costs.'' Brittany tells her holding up her hand, she takes off her jacket as Santana immediately shuts up and walks over to her after hanging it up. She wraps her arms around her waist and leans down to kiss her softly.
''See it as an early anniversary gift Angel, I am sure you will have your hands full with other things during the actual day so I thought we could just enjoy tonight and most of tomorrow enjoying this room and maybe a nice date just the two of us while we are here.''
''That sounds amazing.'' Santana whispers softly as tilts her head up to look at her, she wraps her arms around toned shoulders and leans up on her tiptoes to kiss her softly. ''I love you.''
''I love you too.'' Brittany murmurs into the kiss. ''Come on, let's get ready.''