Brittany fancied herself a very reasonable person. She usually gave people the benefit of the doubt, and she trusted them until they gave her a reason not to. She never over reacted or jumped to conclusions, in fact usually things had to be spelled out clearly for her. So when the New Year rolled around and Santana started working with Dani, she wasn't surprised when she didn't really feel anything. The conversation they'd had with Dani over lunch had settled her a bit. It had given her the chance to see Dani for herself, see how she interacted with Santana, how Santana looked at her. And she wasn't threatened. It was very clear that Dani was a part of Santana's past. She was still stuck there, wanting to remind Santana about things that happened while they were in New York. But Santana had grown so much since then. They'd been through so much together, fame, motherhood and marriage, actually learning what it means to build a life with someone. So Brittany didn't care that Dani was constantly reminiscing. She knew there was no way for her to really connect with Santana now. Not in a way that would have her worried about her marriage.
But Quinn didn't see it that way.
It was finally getting hot enough to spend most of the day outdoors so Brittany had invited Quinn and Puck over to hang out with her and the boys. They were sat at the patio with some chips, dip and wine, while Puck played football with Jesus and Kyler.
"Brittany" Quinn said sternly, and Brittany already knew what was coming.
"Don't start Q" she sighed.
"Britt come on."
"No you come on. Why are you trying to make me paranoid? They have to work together for at least a year. Wouldn't it be better for me to spend that year feeling secure, instead of constant anxiety about what they're doing?"
"Obviously" Quinn said, rolling her eyes and taking a bite of her salsa covered chip. "Which is why you should tell Santana you aren't comfortable with them working together. Then you won't have to worry about anything."
"I'm already not worried about anything. We had lunch-"
"People lie Britt"
"She wasn't lying." Brittany said with conviction.
"Oh yeah?" Quinn asked in amusement. "And you know this because you know her so well?" Brittany didn't say anything. "Look. You and I both know that Santana is not going to cheat on you, that's not what I'm suggesting. I just think it's weird for her ex to be so eager to work with her. It doesn't matter how well things end between people, hanging around your ex who left you for someone else just isn't something people do, and Santana didn't exactly do a good job of leaving things friendly."
"That was almost a decade ago. She told us how mad she used to be, and that she thought of coming back to fight for Santana, but that she had enough time to work through it. Now she just wants to be friends. With both of us."
"That conniving bitch" Quinn spat, lowering the glass that was halfway to her lips. Brittany sighed again.
"What?"
"She told you about her ideas of getting Santana back so that you trust her. If you didn't trust her, she would never have time or access to try mess up your marriage. Santana would have stayed far away from her, always keeping an eye out. Now you've both let your guard down. You let her spend as much time as she wants with Santana, not even questioning it."
Brittany couldn't help it. She rolled her eyes. "They're working. You just said you know Santana won't cheat on me."
"Yeah. Doesn't mean she won't try make you suspicious. Plant seeds of doubt. Get you guys fighting. Then she'll start suggesting she and Santana hang out outside of work to get her mind off how much you guys are fighting. Next thing you know she's kissed her, and Santana is trying to tell you she didn't want it, that she pushed her off, but by this time you've been fighting so much, and you're wondering if maybe Santana did want her to kiss her, even if it was just a small part of her. Then-"
"Okay I'm going to stop you there Quinn Fabray." Brittany held up a hand. "You're insane and watch too much television. Santana and I have discussed this ad nauseam. I trust her. Even if Dani kissed her, I would still trust her. Plus, since we got married when have Santana and I been in an argument for longer than a day?"
Quinn had to give Brittany that one. She and Santana usually only allowed one night of anger or unresolved problems between them, before they had it out. Even if it meant a long and explosive fight, they would have it out until it was resolved.
"Fine…but I still think it's weird that she wants to be around her ex."
"You're around Puck" Brittany pointed out.
"Puck and I didn't date." Quinn said matter-of-factly.
"No, you just had a baby together" Brittany retorted, sipping her wine. Quinn narrowed her eyes at her.
"I think you've spent too many years with Santana. She's turning you into a bitch. "Brittany laughed, shaking her head. "I'm just worried Britt."
"Why don't we go surprise Santana at work? She's texting me so she's not too busy right now. We'll stop by for an hour, and you can meet Dani and see for yourself. Quinn nodded. "Awesome." She yelled for Kyler and Jesus who came running to her. "Who wants to go visit mami at work for a little bit?" they both screamed, jumping up and down.
"I do! I do!"
"Okay…let's go get changed and we can go." They ran into the house as Puck sat down heavily next to Quinn.
"I'm staying here. There's a game on, and I'm tired." He told both women.
"No problem. We'll see you in an hour or so." Quinn told him, standing up.
The paparazzi seemed to be in some sort of frenzy since Dani's arrival, as if trying to catch Santana cheating, or Brittany being jealous. They had been nothing but unbearable. So it came as no surprise to them when they were followed all the way to Santana's studio. The security there was used to the paparazzi, so they handled them pretty easily, which meant that it wasn't hard for Brittany and Quinn to make it into the building, something Brittany was immensely grateful for, because though her sons liked the attention of fans, the shouting men with cameras always scared them.
As soon as they were safely in the building, both boys were let down, and without even wasting a second, they made their way quickly to the studio room they were so familiar with, stopping only once to jump into Eve's arms. Quinn followed closely.
"I don't want to give Dani any time to cover up what she's doing" she told Brittany, who had stopped at Eve's office to chat. Brittany didn't even respond, shaking her head at her crazy friend.
"What?" Eve asked with a frown.
"Quinn is convinced she's going to catch Dani trying to break up my marriage." Eve looked at her alarmed, but Brittany just laughed. "That's Quinn. We let her have her crazy sometimes."
Leaving Eve, she made her way to Santana's pseudo office, since she spent most of her time in there anyway. She could hear the sound of her excited sons before she even walked into the room. It made her smile. When she walked in she nearly burst out laughing. Santana was sitting with both boys on her lap, engrossed in a very animated conversation, and Quinn was standing with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at an uncomfortable looking Dani.
Santana looked up at her entrance and smiled. "Hey love" she said, patting the empty space next to her on the couch.
"Hi baby" Brittany said with a matching smile. Once she was sitting, Santana leaned close to her and kissed her sweetly. It was short, but not a casual peck, it made Brittany smile wider.
"I missed you" Santana whispered against her lips, before pulling back and redirecting her attention to the boys on her lap. Brittany turned to Dani, noting a strange look on her face but not caring enough to dissect it.
"Hi Dani" she said cheerfully. Quinn rolled her eyes. "You remember Quinn don't you?"
"Kinda" Dani replied, looking at Quinn. "I think we met once. Santana's best friend right?"
Quinn didn't move or respond. She just stared.
"Well…I'm Santana's best friend, but yeah" Brittany said, now frowning at Quinn. "What's wrong with you Q?" Quinn turned to face her.
"What?" she asked shrugging.
"Anyway" Santana interrupted, before Brittany could reply. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Visit you mami" Kyler said lovingly, leaning into her chest. Santana kissed the top of his head.
"You wanted to visit me papi?" she asked, feeling her heart swell. Brittany nodded and kissed her shoulder.
"Yes" Jesus answered, jumping down from her lap and moving towards the mixing console, carefully looking at all the nobs and buttons. "Did you use it yet mami?" he asked, without even looking at her.
"Not yet mijo no. We're having a meeting first." Santana told him. He nodded and walked back to Brittany, leaning into her so much that his forehead touched her stomach. She ran her fingers through his hair.
"What's up bud?" she asked him. He mumbled something into her shirt that she couldn't hear. "I can't hear you my love." He lifted his head and looked at Quinn, then at the other occupants of the room.
"Can I stay with mami?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
"Sure" Brittany said, slightly confused about her son's shyness. He glance again at Dani, and Brittany realised his grip on her waist tightened. She looked at Santana, who was frowning as well. "What's wrong baby?" she asked, figuring he'd be more likely to say if she spoke in Spanish. He pulled his head back, lifting it to her ear.
"Who is that?" he whispered. Brittany didn't need to ask who.
"A friend-"
"She works with mami" Brittany cut Santana off. As much as she didn't think Dani was going to try and steal her wife, she didn't think she could handle it if her sons fell in love with her. There were only four people who Jesus and Kyler considered family, besides Santana and herself of course. Quinn, Puck, Jessie and Brittany's dad. Everyone else, like Susan, Ashley and Santana's parents, they understood they were related to, and therefore would name them as members of their family if asked, but they didn't feel it. If they were ill, or sad, or tired, only four people were in the circle of family that they would agree to be left with if Brittany or Santana were unavailable. From what Quinn had told her about Dani, she may well be fun and charming enough to win her kids over, and Brittany was not going to give her the leg in by telling them she was a friend of Santana's. So she ignored the raised eyebrow that Santana was giving her.
"What's her name?" Kyler asked.
"Dani" Brittany whispered, not wanting the woman to hear her. Jesus burrowed further into Brittany's stomach until she just picked him up. He proceeded to hide himself between her and Santana.
"Papi, what's wrong?" Santana finally asked, thoroughly confused. Jesus pulled back and looked at Kyler. They stared at each other for a long time. Finally Kyler huffed and crossed his arms. Brittany bit her lip to keep from laughing.
"He doesn't-"
"I don't like her" Jesus blurted out. Santana's jaw dropped, and once again Brittany had to stop herself from laughing. Internally she did a victory dance at her son's words.
"What's wrong?" Quinn asked, taking a step forward.
"Nothing" Brittany quickly told her.
"Mijo….why would you say that?" Santana asked him.
"Did you give her a chance?" Brittany asked, clearly not doing a good job of hiding her glee, if the look Santana shot her was any indication.
Jesus nodded frantically. "She tried to pick me up mama" he nearly cried.
"It's true" Kyler said with a solemn nod, as if that fact was a great disappointment.
"What?" Quinn asked. She was ignored.
"Oh" Santana chuckled. "Well mijo she didn't know she wasn't allowed to do that." This time Brittany did laugh at the look of scepticism Jesus was giving Santana.
"Everybody knows" he told her, as though she should already know this. He and Kyler turned to glare at Dani.
"Uh…" Dani shifted uncomfortably. "Sorry…did I do something?"
"Um…" Santana laughed nervously. Brittany was all too happy to have this conversation. Because her wife was uncomfortable….Obviously.
"You tried to pick him up" Brittany told her. Dani stared as if waiting for an explanation. None came.
"Oh…yeah. Well they came running in, and…" she trailed off like she suddenly wasn't so sure why she did it. "They uh…I was just saying hi."
"You've never met them before. They don't know you." Quinn said, rolling her eyes hard. "Why would you just decide to pick up a random kid who comes running in to a room?" Dani was turning steadily redder.
"Look" Santana said quickly, trying to stave off the growing tension. "It's not really an issue. We just don't allow people to pick them up"
"Or touch them really" Brittany added.
"Yeah, so they're just not used to it."
"I'm sorry" Dani said. Quinn scoffed. "I didn't know."
"Everyone knows" Jesus repeated. Brittany forced down a smirk.
"Bien, entendemos" Santana told him sharply. He pouted at her, but didn't speak.
"I know now little man okay?" Dani said, flashing a smile at Jesus. He continued to look unimpressed. "I won't do it again okay?"
Deciding she had allowed her sons to act like Santana long enough, Brittany intervened.
"Don't be rude Jesus. Say okay."
"Bien" came his small reluctant reply.
"Okay" Kyler translated for Dani, though he too didn't look like he believed her.
"Okaaaayy" Santana drew out, un-nerved yet again by how like her Kyler and Jesus were. "So are you still staying with me?"
"Yes" Jesus said, removing his gaze from Dani. "I want to stay with you"
"Okay" Brittany said, standing up. "Then I'll take Ky back home. He can go back to playing with Noah."
"Puck?" Dani asked a little too loudly. Everybody turned to face her. "Are you guys back together then?" she asked Quinn. Santana sighed, settling into her seat to watch the impending argument unfold.
"What?
"Well when Santana and I were together she told me all about you guys. You weren't on the best of terms back then I think…" she scrunched up her nose as she tried to remember, missing the 'when Santana and I were together' that Quinn mouthed irritably at Brittany. "I can't really remember, but if Puck's around now I assume-"
"Why would you assume that?" Quinn asked angrily. "You of all people should know that just because exes are in close proximity it doesn't mean they're getting back together." Dani shifted, sending a glance in Santana's direction that made Brittany narrow her eyes. Quinn frowned at her.
"Well…okay, my bad I guess. I'm just doing and saying all the wrong things today huh?" she joked, looking at Santana. Santana just raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. There was brief silence as Brittany, Quinn and Dani awkwardly tried to avoid looking at each other. Santana was whispering with Kyler and Jesus about her day. Finally Dani couldn't take it.
"I think I'm just gonna take a break. Tana I'll be back in an hour or so."
Quinn frowned so heavily her eyes looked closed. Brittany tensed.
"I told you not to call me that Dani" Santana called after her as she walked out. She stopped at the door and turned her head, a smirk playing at her lips.
"Old habits" she shrugged, and walked out.
"Old habits" Quinn repeated in disbelief. She turned to Brittany, folding her arms and raising her eyebrows.
"Okay, okay" Brittany said with a sigh.
"What?" Santana asked.
"I'm not saying I told you so, but…" Quinn said.
"What?" Santana repeated.
"Nothing babe" Brittany said. "We'll talk about it later." Santana eyed her suspiciously, but let it go. Seeing this, Brittany changed the subject. "So do you have any songs for us to hear?"
"Oh!" Santana said excitedly. "As a matter of fact I do"
Sitting alone in the recording studio while Quinn took their sons round the studio and the rest of the band took a break, Brittany and Santana were silently enjoying each other's company, something they didn't get the chance to do very often. Santana combed her fingers through Brittany's hair while Brittany lay with her head against Santana's shoulder, tracing random shapes on her bare thigh.
"What are you thinking about baby" Brittany asked quietly.
"Just…remember when we were living in New York? Like when we just got there?" Brittany nodded, letting out a hum in acknowledgement. "I was so happy then. I had just gotten you back, and we were finally starting our lives together the right way. I was happier than I had ever been in my life B."
"Are you not happy now?" Brittany asked hesitantly, her hand momentarily stilling. Santana sat up straighter, forcing Brittany's head off her shoulder. She put both hands on Brittany's cheeks and locked eyes with her.
"BSP are you crazy?" she asked, leaning down so her lips brushed against Brittany's as she spoke. "Since the day we met, all I've ever wanted was to know you for the rest of my life. And then I got to know you, and I knew, even if I denied it for a while, that I wanted to be with you, just you. To see you every day, and have a family with you. Britt…you've given me every single thing I could have dreamed to ask for, how could I not be happy?"
Brittany took a few seconds to process Santana's words, feeling warmth spread through her insides, feeling love and happiness and just pure lust, coursing through her veins. Without even thinking about what she was doing, she grabbed the back of Santana's neck and pulled her into a passionate kiss.
The next thing they both knew, they were inside the recording booth. Santana's legs wrapped around Brittany's waist as she was pushed roughly against the wall.
"You're so sexy" Brittany husked, her hands running up Santana's shirt, feeling the tight muscles, and stopping at the base of her bra. "Fuck Santana how the hell do you keep getting hotter."
Santana couldn't answer. The combination of Brittany's hands on her, and the feel of her lips against her neck was sending shocks of arousal straight down to her clit, which was throbbing almost painfully. When Brittany's hands finally unclipped her bra and slid underneath, thumbs rubbing against her nipples, she let out a loud moan, leaning her head down against Brittany's shoulder.
"Baby…" she breathed out.
"Mmmh" Brittany half hummed half moaned.
"I need you inside me"
"Yeah?" Brittany licked a long line from Santana's collarbone to her ear, causing her to throw her head back against the wall.
"Fuuck…yes! I'm so wet for you B"
Brittany groaned, quickly lowering her hands to lift Santana's skirt. Her index and middle finger brushed against Santana's underwear and she shuddered.
"Fuck" she said, stilling for a few seconds as she remembered how to breathe. "You're going to kill me Santana Lopez." Without warning, she slid her fingers into the underwear and into Santana. They both moaned loudly.
"Sa…antana…Pierce" Santana forced out around several breaths as Brittany's fingers explored inside her.
"Fuck" Brittany said again. She was so turned on it was a real possibility that she would cum just from watching Santana consumed by pleasure. There was something about hearing Santana take her last name that was just…arousing. Sure, they both took each other's names, and more often than not they went by Lopierce, but that didn't mean that hearing her last name like that didn't make her feel like Santana was hers. It made her want to make her cum all the more.
Santana could hardly breathe. Brittany had picked up the pace, and all she could do was hold on to her shoulders and throw her head back against the wall.
"Baby I'm close" She said, her voice breathy and raspy and low. Brittany moaned at the sound. She used one hand to lift Santana higher, pushing against her with her body to keep her against the wall, and pushed into her with more strength. "Fuuckk meee" Santana moaned, one of her hands tangling in Brittany's hair, pulling her forward and crashing their lips together. A moments later she was trying not to bite too hard on Brittany's lip as her orgasm washed over her. She trembled slightly, pulling Brittany so close that there was no space between them and then pulled her even closer. Finally she exhaled and her body relaxed. Brittany slowly let her down and pulled back enough to kiss her.
"You are the sexiest, most beautifully gorgeous person in existence, Santana Pierce" Brittany grinned, and Santana smiled sweetly at her, nodding her head in encouragement for her to continue. "And I will love you from now to infinity."
"MAMI" they heard shouted from somewhere down the hallway. Both women scrambled to find their clothes before one or both of their children, and whichever adult was with them saw them in their post-sex state.
"Shit where's my shirt?" Brittany whispered in a panic.
"It might be in the other room on the couch…" Santana screwed up her face as she frantically tried to re-clasp her bra. "Or maybe on the floor by the couch"
"Fuck, fuck, fuck…fucking fuck…" Brittany ran to the other room, tripping on one of Santana's shoes. Seeing her shirt just by the door she hastily put it on, just as the door opened and Eve walked in, Jesus right behind her.
"MAMA" he yelled, making Brittany flinch as he jumped into her arms. "Did you know there's a recording studio being built? It's going to have two recording booths, and more space, and the new mixing table and microphones and everything! MAMI"
Santana emerged from the recording booth looking better put together than Brittany, but her hair was still messy and her lips were swollen. Brittany bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing as she noticed the hickey blooming on the side of her neck.
"Yes mi amor?"
"Did you know there's a recording studio being built down there?" he twisted in Brittany's arms and pointed in the direction of the construction.
"Yeah I did know bud….isn't it so cool? I'll bring you to see it as soon as it's done."
Jesus squealed and bounced so much that Brittany had to put him down. When she stood back up she noticed Eve looking at her.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"You two just had sex didn't you?"
Santana pretended not to have heard. Brittany blushed a deep red, but shrugged. "I can neither confirm nor deny that."
Kyler and Quinn came into the room at that moment, and Brittany decided to take the out.
"Well…now that you guys are back, we should go. Mami needs to get back to work."
Eve smirked, but didn't say anything. Once Kyler had said bye to his brother and Santana, Brittany ushered them all out. As she picked him so they could walk to the car, just in case there were any paparazzi waiting, Quinn leaned in close to her.
"Just so we're clear…this little trip totally proved I was right." She said smugly.
"Maybe not totally, but I'll give you this, I definitely don't trust her." Brittany replied.
"Morning"
Santana didn't reply.
"I bought you a coffee"
"I already had coffee"
"Well from what I remember you can never have too much"
She looked up for the first time. True enough, Dani had a large coffee cup in both hands. A part of her wanted to accept it, because it was true, she could never have too much coffee, but she didn't want Dani to get the wrong idea. They were not friends, regardless of what they'd said during their lunch date with Brittany. She couldn't be friends with the only person she'd ever dated that actually meant anything, besides Brittany. The person she'd almost turned Brittany down for. As much as Brittany wanted that, for them all to get along and hang out, she couldn't do it. She was a cynical person, sue her, and that meant that all she saw in her future, should she entertain Dani, was trouble. And drama. And she liked to believe she left both in Lima.
"Come on Santana, it's just a coffee, what's the problem?"
Sighing, she held her hand out for the cup. Dani beamed at her and handed it over.
"So…where do we start?"
Drawing a long sip, Santana eyed Dani. She'd listened to a couple of her previous songs, and she wasn't blown away. She had a nice voice, but Santana didn't need to listen to her songs to know that. She'd heard Dani sing plenty of times before. Her voice was definitely not the problem. The problem was that she didn't seem to know what she wanted to sound like. There were some bubble gum pop songs, which Santana had made a note to say she would not be doing, some slowed down soul, which sounded nice but inauthentic, almost like Dani didn't really know what she was supposed to be saying through the song, and some alternative rock which…Santana decided she wouldn't bring up. She chalked that up to the fact that rock always seems fun to do, even she had to admit to wanting to do a few rock songs with Puck one day, just for fun. But none of those were Dani's sound. None of them really suited her.
"We start with you telling me what you want"
"I want to make killer music"
Santana rolled her eyes. "Obviously. But what kind of music. What's your…what do you want people to feel when they listen to you? When they think of you?"
Dani was quiet for a moment. Santana let her think.
Going into the studio without any idea what she wanted to make would be a complete waste of both of their time, and only make Santana frustrated, which was not good when she was stuck locked in a room all day. So she would much rather prefer to sit in her office and wait for Dani to figure it out.
On her computer she checked her email, focusing mostly on the ones Eve had mentioned to her. When that was done she texted eve, letting her know she'd agreed to the guest appearance on The Talk, then she texted Brittany about the email from the school, just in case Brittany hadn't seen it, and then she texted Jade that they had a video shoot in three weeks. It was low-key, and going to be an acoustic cover of one of her songs, which she rarely did, and even though Jade would obviously find out through the label, she wanted to tell her herself.
She got caught up in texting Jade, forgetting for a moment that she was at the studio way too early in the morning. Dani reminded her.
"I think…something a little, R&B."
She locked her phone and looked up, crossing one leg over the other and leaning her elbows against the desk.
"Okay. Go on."
"Something with a strong beat, but not a dance beat. Something people will sing along to, like Adele, and really feel what they're singing, but not something depressing."
Santana nodded.
"Think…Tell me you love me meets…" Dani trailed off, thinking.
"4?" Santana replied. Dani's eyes widened, before a huge smile took over her face.
"Yes. Yeah! Exactly."
Nodding, and unable to resist smiling as well, Santana really began to think. R&B was something she hadn't heard from Dani yet, but seeing as everything else she had heard hadn't really fit, she figured it was as good a genre as any. She'd heard Dani singing some R&B in the diner a lifetime ago so she knew she could do it. Her voice fit it, and maybe now that she knew what she was working on being she'd actually be intentional about how she went about recording it. That in itself would be an improvement.
To really get a feel of this album she'd have to listen to both those albums again, maybe a bit of Mariah Carey, H.E.R, some Janet Jackson, that seemed up Dani's alley as well. She could already see what elements from all these artists she could incorporate into the album.
"Alright well, let's go into the studio. We still have a lot of work to do"
A lot of work was an understatement, and though she could tell Dani felt like they hadn't done anything, she knew they had done a lot. They had worked out the album's aesthetic. She sound. That was important. It was what would guide them when they got to writing. She hadn't expected them to even begin writing any songs yet, not when they'd settled on a genre just that morning.
"Look" she sighed, pausing the music. "Making an album takes time. It takes months. If you want it to be great, which it will be because I'm producing it, then just…put in the time. We've done a lot today"
"No we haven't. All we've done is say who I want to sound like"
"No. What we've done is give you inspiration. You can't start writing a song without knowing what kind of song you want to write. That's how you end up with bubble gum pop"
Dani narrowed her eyes at her, her mouth falling open slightly at the jab. Santana shrugged, smirking into her nearly empty box of Chinese food.
"I'm going to ignore that" Dani finally laughed.
"Hey, we all do what we have to do to get into the industry. Look at Rihanna. She started off without an accent, singing about umbrellas and rude boys. Now look at her. The start of anyone's career is rarely what they really want to be singing, but, eventually you have to let it go and grow into yourself."
Dani nodded, taking the time to chew her mouthful of noodles and think.
"Otherwise you end up like Katy Perry"
Santana snorted, laughing harder than was really necessary just from the sheer unexpectedness of the statement. Dani joined her.
Finally sobering slightly, she shook her head.
"What the fuck" she continued to giggle. "Yeah you get the point."
"You're really good at all this." Dani said. "Like, you're not just a performer like me, you see it all, the sound, the image, the emotion, each individual song, the album as a whole and then the entire career."
"It's what happens when you don't start out as a performer I think. I started as the intern who sorted through all the demos and only gave my boss the ones that he'd actually want to listen to."
"Is that what you were doing in New York?"
Santana nodded, taking a quick bite of her chicken and rice.
"Yeah. It was kinda depressing, listening to other people go after their dreams, knowing I was way better than any of them, and then handing some off to possibly get their shot, just to do it all over again the next day. But, eventually I fell in love with it. I started to really appreciate the behind the scenes of the industry. My boss was really great. He said that I seemed to have an eye for talent, so he started letting me into the meetings where they discussed the potential of the few demos they had. I learned a lot in those meetings. More than I did in school. I learned what producers and record labels look for."
"And what's that?"
"You know that X-factor you're always hearing about?"
"Sure. The thing that makes you unique. Sets you apart."
"Right. It's real, but it's not what a lot of people think. It's not having unbelievable talent, or a voice no one's heard before. It's about the entire package. What can they do with your voice, on top of what can they do with your image. Your story. Can they market you as America's next sweetheart? Can they sell the rags to riches story? Is it fighting against the odds, overcoming some adversity?"
"What's your story?"
"I'm a Latina lesbian. Plus they really leaned heavily into the hidden talent thing, acted like they discovered me when I was bound to go unnoticed for the rest of my career."
Dani laughed at Santana's eye roll.
"And what's mine?"
"You're my ex"
Dani's moth hung open.
"Excuse you?"
"No offense or anything" Santana shrugged around another mouthful. "It's just the way it is. They already have a Latina lesbian at the record, they don't need that, but add on the fact that you're my ex, the drama around you being signed to the same label as me, working with me in fact. That's the story. Think about the press you received when you got signed, that's not how it's usually done. Usually that happens around when the songs are ready or the album is done. That's when the marketing starts. But nope, they threw you to the wolves as soon as they could, making sure almost every interview you were in or statement they made had my name in there somewhere, twisting your words to make it sound like you were coming here for me and fanning the flames of the cheating rumours."
"Damn" Dani breathed, shaking her head almost in disbelief. "That's horrible"
"It's how the industry works"
"Why the hell couldn't you just let me believe that I was special?"
Santana laughed.
"Nobody's special honey" swallowing the last bite of her lunch, she snatched a spring roll from beside Dani. "Except maybe Britt"
She didn't miss the way Dani's smile fell, or the way her eyes suddenly hardened. All at once the fun little bubble they'd been in, the one where they could laugh and tease each other like old times, popped. Trouble, she reminded herself. And drama.
She subtly pushed her chair back, putting some space between her and Dani again and wondering when she'd even moved closer. Had she moved closer? A look at her desk said no, she hadn't. She was now a good foot or so away from her laptop and notebook. Dani, was the one who had moved.
"Anyway…we've done a lot today" She touched the pad on her laptop to bring it back to life. "It's nearly 4. I think we can call it a day"
"Already?" Dani's eyes were soft again.
She frowned at the desperation she heard.
"Uh…we've been here since 8"
"Yeah but…I know you keep saying we've done a lot but, I still want to do more. I want to go home feeling like I couldn't possibly have done any more today."
Santana sighed. She understood of course. That's how she was with her own songs as well, and she always kept her band in the studio for hours on end. It was only fair she do the same for Dani. So she hit the space bar, starting the music up again, and buckled down for more.
The more time she spent working with Dani, the more she started to really believe that the album was going to be good. She'd had her doubts, even after the first week of ironing out how many songs would be on it, and what it would sound like, but going into their third week she was feeling more confident. It had taken longer than she thought she had patience for, for Dani to finally start writing the songs, and that meant that for a while she spent the whole day in the studio actually doing nothing, but once she got into it, Santana realised that she actually worked really well with Dani. Their previous relationship actually worked to their advantage because they both already knew what to expect from each other. Dani wasn't scared off when Santana got frustrated and subsequently mean, and Santana knew just how to push Dani, knowing she had a tendency to be lazy.
It was a fine line, keeping their relationship professional when it was the fact that they used to date that helped them work so well together, because it meant they called each other out a lot by saying, in effect, 'I know you'. But Santana managed. She declined every offer for dinner after a long day in the studio, or a coffee run before they got started, or a lunch break to help them both relax. Sometimes she almost agreed, because what harm would it do really? She was not interested in Dani in any capacity, and Dani had said she wasn't interested either. Brittany was the one who said they should be friends, after all, and a coffee run was the most harmless activity ever. Her arguments were convincing, but she never gave in. She liked the chaotic simplicity of her life as it was, and throwing in exes drama was just the wrench required to blow it all up.
"I'm gonna head home"
"No come on!"
"It's nearly 5, I need to head home to make dinner"
"But we're on a roll here"
Santana laughed, packing her notebook and laptop into her back. "We're really not. We can do this tomorrow"
"I feel like I'm close though"
"All the more reason to do it tomorrow. If you have some sort of epiphany or stroke of inspiration right now we'll be here till midnight. If we do it tomorrow, at least we'll have the whole day"
Dani slumped in her seat. "I thought you're supposed to do whatever the client wants"
"Are you gonna make me?" Santana asked with a brow raised in question.
"Please." Dani laughed, abandoning her sulking and standing up. "I know better than to make you do anything. I don't wanna find myself in Lima heights"
"Damn right" Santana laughed. "Don't worry, we'll pick it up tomorrow. We've been on a roll all week"
The two picked their bags and walked out.
"I guess I'm just excited to get to the recording"
"I know. That's my favourite part too"
"But I believe you when you say I'll get there. You've only been at this 6 years and you're already one of the best sound engineers. Now your unofficially producing me…you're just amazing."
Instead of taking the compliment with a thank you, Santana flicked her hair, shrugging one shoulder and winking.
"What can I say?"
"Oh whatever" Dani shoved her lightly, the two laughing as they pushed through the last door before the exit. "I'm trying to say I look up to you."
This time her shrug wasn't cocky. "Six years is a long time. You'll see one day"
"With you at the wheel of my career, I think I actually will"
Santana wasn't a hugger. She never had been. Even as a kid she couldn't remember ever wanting a hug from someone. Brittany being an exception of course. After a while, she was able to relax into a hug, and appreciate it after, but even that was only when it came from certain people.
Dani was not one of those people.
She wasn't a sociopath, so she understood that given what they had been talking about the hug wasn't completely unwarranted, but it felt inappropriate. So she pulled out of it. She had one hand on the door, as she stepped back from Dani.
"Still not a hugger"
"I know, but I felt like I needed to give you one. In the moment."
Nodding, Santana exhaled the irritation that always followed unwanted physical contact, and allowed her expression to soften.
"Warn me next time so I can tell you no"
Dani laughed, and she smiled, but she wasn't really kidding.
"Noted"
"I'll see you tomorrow Dani"
"See you Tana"
With a death glare thrown over her shoulder, she walked out.
Sometimes Santana liked to take a moment to marvel at how much she'd changed. Well maybe not changed, but matured. Self-control was not something she had previously had a lot of, but the fact that she was allowing Quinn to drag her out of her studio and into the her office, with no explanation and a not so gentle grip on her wrist, without punching her in the face was a moment for the record books.
When the door closed behind them and Quinn let her go, she fixed her with a confused, 'what's wrong with you' stare, and rubbed at her wrist.
"What's the matter with you?"
Santana blinked. "Pardon?"
"What, the hell, is the matter with you?"
Then again, maybe she hadn't matured all that much. A mature person would have simply asked what she meant. Santana stuck with her go to. Anger.
"What the fuck's the matter with you Quinn? You're the one who stormed into my place of work in front of my client and dragged me in here."
"Oh your client is she?"
"Spit out whatever the fuck you came to tell me because I actually am really busy"
"With Dani"
"Yeah"
"You've been busy with her for months"
"My tolerance for your bullshit is-"
"You have a wife Santana!"
There was a ringing silence. Santana felt like Quinn may as well have slapped her. Her anger, which really was more of her defensiveness mixed with a bit of frustration, jumped quickly to fury.
She narrowed her eyes, trying to keep from hyperventilating.
"What exactly are you implying?"
Quinn shook her head. "Nothing. God why do you and Brittany keep thinking that." Santana frowned at the mention of Brittany. "I just think that considering you have a wife and kids, you would be home more often."
Yeah, Santana had definitely matured. Biting back the retorts begging to spill out, most of which centred on the fact that Quinn had neither a partner nor kids so she didn't know what she was talking about, she crossed her arms and decided not to reply at all.
"Brittany's a patient and forgiving person, so her part in all this, I understand. But you…I didn't really think you'd fall for it"
"For what? I don't have time for your crazy right now Fabray, just tell me what the fuck you're talking about"
"Dani. I'm talking about her innocent act. Her, 'I just want to be friends and make music', act."
"It's not an act. It's been a little over two months and she hasn't done anything. She never does or says anything to suggest she lied that day, so why wouldn't I believe her?"
"Cause you're not stupid? Or at least I thought you weren't." Santana's eyes narrowed again, but now that she knew what Quinn was on about she felt herself dip back to frustrated. "You spend every day with her Santana. All day every day. Locked in a room together, alone. How is that supposed to make Brittany feel?"
As far as she knew, Brittany didn't care. "Has Brittany said something to you?"
Quinn rolled her eyes. "No. But like I said she's all too forgiving and optimistic. So I've come to talk some sense into you"
Sighing a breath of relief, Santana walked past Quinn, pulling the door open. "Thanks, but I don't need it. You're so convinced that Dani is gonna sow seeds of drama in my marriage when you're the only one making us doubt ourselves. You're the one trying to make Brittany suspicious of what I'm doing all day, you're the one trying to force me to over-analyse Dani's words and actions. You're the one starting shit, not Dani."
"I'm trying to help my best friends see the truth"
"I have a lot to do Quinn. Just go home"
Santana had been coming home to her beautiful little family for three years now, but it never lost its effect. It was like a switch changed in her when she stepped into the house. Like walking into her own perfect little bubble. Her own slice of heaven.
She heard Brittany call out that she was home, and then a happy 'mami' from both her kids before they rounded the corner and ran straight to her. She picked them both up, kissed them, and then made her way into the house.
"Hi baby"
"Hey"
Brittany was already in the kitchen.
"Starting dinner?"
"Yeah" Brittany looked down, almost like she was embarrassed. "I wasn't sure-"
"It's okay" she placed the boys on their step stools on either side of Brittany. "What are you making?"
"Fajitas"
"Fajitas?" Santana raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into an amused smile. "Bésame" with a finger she beckoned Brittany to her and swiftly captured her bottom lip in a sweet slow kiss. Brittany smiled almost dreamily as she pulled away.
"Yeah. I had a dream about them yesterday and now I have a craving."
"Well alright then" Santana laughed. "Are you guys helping?"
"Yeah!" They both said happily. "We helped pour in all the…all the stuff in the bowl" Kyler added.
"That's right you did buddy. Can you stir that one more time?" He nodded, picking the wooden spoon from the counter. "Careful okay?" Brittany watched him until she was sure he wouldn't burn himself with then pan.
"How was your day beautiful?" Santana asked.
Brittany pressed her lips together, fighting a smile, and Santana felt just a little pride in getting that reaction from just one word.
"It was okay. A light day thankfully. I just had two rehearsals. Picked the boys early from Elyse to find them eating massive sundaes, Quinn said to call her by the way" Santana rolled her eyes before she could stop herself, but thankfully Brittany thought it was directed at her comment. She laughed. "And we've just been hanging out all afternoon. We might need to learn the rules of baseball." As she said it she took the wooden spoon from Kyler with one hand, the other twirling fingers through his pony tail.
"Oh goody" Santana laughed. "At this rate we're going to be experts in all sports"
Brittany laughed. "How was your day?"
"Fine…"
She knew she failed to sound convincing when Brittany stopped cutting peppers and looked at her. She tried to look aloof regardless.
"What happened?"
"Hmm? Why?"
There was a look Brittany had been giving her for years that said plainly, I don't buy your bullshit so drop it. It was effective.
"It really was fine. I had a long day in the studio like usual"
"Uhuh" a nod in her direction told her to continue, while Brittany dropped the peppers into the pan. "Take this," she handed Jesus one of the spice bottles. "Shake it four times into the pan"
"Nothing special."
"Until? Good job Jesus. Here, shake it two times into the pan"
"Quinn showed up"
"And what did she do?"
Santana almost laughed at how direct Brittany was being. It was akin to saying 'stop beating around the bush'. It was amusing, and she would have laughed, if what Quinn had said wasn't just so annoying.
"Maybe I should tell you later"
Brittany looked up, once again ceasing her cutting. She studied Santana for a moment, before her eyes trailed to the boys beside her.
"Alright buddies, you were awesome sue chefs today. Give me high fives" she held her hand out for each of them. "You can go play for a bit before it's dinner time." They were all too happy to oblige. "Tell me now"
All Santana could do was sigh in defeat. "She was going on about how me spending any time with Dani is stupid of me. She basically said I was cheating." The anger was steadily building back up. "As if I spend all that time with Dani drinking wine and gossiping. We're working!"
"You're kidding me."
"How dare she?! She interrupted our session in the studio to drag me out and shout at me like I was doing something wrong. I have never spent any time with Dani that was not focussed on work. I make sure of that. I never go to lunch or have dinner with her unless it's in the studio so we can keep working. We rarely talk about anything other than the work…I mean what else does she want me to do?"
"She's just…she's being paranoid and overprotective. She's been annoying me about the same thing, always asking me how I can allow you to spend entire days with your ex, always insinuating but then denying that that's what she's insinuating." Brittany shook her head angrily. "I never thought she'd start with you too though."
"I would never cheat on you." Santana said, very seriously.
"I know that. I don't need you to reassure me. I've never even felt…I don't know threatened by her in any way. But Quinn-"
"Is putting stupid fucking ideas in both our heads"
"Sometimes what she says gets me thinking. Like yeah you would never cheat on me, but then I think…what if she doesn't know that? What if she tries anyway? Should I stop by the studio just to like…make sure she knows I'm watching. But I don't want to be watching."
"Fuck Quinn. I'm gonna seriously fuck her up the next time I see her. She needs to just shut the hell up about this. It's none of her business."
"I've told her this so many times" Brittany turned the heat up, the loud sizzling in the pan forcing them to be quiet for a while. "So many times"
Santana shook her head. "I'm going to call her right now"
"No don't" a hand on her arm kept her from the search for her phone. She sat back down. "She won't listen anyway. We'll both talk to her next time we see her."
"Fine. But if she shows up at my office again I can't promise anything"
"Okay" Brittany giggled.
"That smells really good by the way"
"Thank you baby" Brittany smiled down at the pan, the pride evident all over her face. "I've come a long way huh?"
Santana barked out a laugh. "From high school when you nearly melted a pot on the stove while boiling water? Or from college when you started a fire in the oven and drenched the kitchen in water trying to put it out."
Brittany glared playfully. "That was a long time ago"
"We spent nearly half a year on only take out or eating at Rachel and Kurt's because we had to buy a new oven, microwave, kettle, toaster and waffle maker."
"Okay fine! It was bad, but that's why I'm saying I've come a long way"
Finally calming down, Santana nodded. Looking at the colourful, deliciously smelling display in front of her, she could only agree.
"Damn right you have. I can't wait to taste it."
Brittany's proud grin returned. "You have to wash your hands first." Santana frowned. "You've been in the studio with Dani all day, who knows where your hands have been"
Santana's mouth dropped open in utter disbelief, unable to close even when Brittany laughed so hard she had to step away from the stove so she could double over and clutch her stomach.
"I'm not the one rubbing myself all over half naked men all day am I?"
It was her turn to burst out laughing as Brittany sobered immediately, standing up and staring at her with the same open mouthed shock.
"I can't believe you just said that."
"All I can do is sit at home and try not to think about their hands all over you."
"Stop" Brittany laughed, finally recovering.
"God only knows what they're-" she stopped mid-sentence, eyes focussed outside.
"What? What's wrong?"
She paused only a moment longer, before jumping up and racing outside.
"JESUS!"
Brittany followed her, only behind because she stopped to turn off the stove.
"Get down from there right now!"
Jesus, who was clinging to the vines along their back wall, craned his neck round to look at Santana. He was almost to the top of the wall.
"Mami I can jump"
"No" Santana's blood pressure gradually began to come down, now that she had had a second to process. She took a deep breath, realising that scaring him wasn't the best way to go, since it could result in him getting hurt. So instead she walked up close until she was right under him, softened her voice and plastered on a smile. She saw the crease in his brow straighten already. "How did you get up there you cheeky monkey?"
"I climbed. Ky said I couldn't do it but see" he turned the other way to look at Kyler. "I told you I can do it."
"Buddy" Brittany called, her voice as soft as Santana's had been but with a barely detectable hint of panic. "That's really dangerous though. If you fall you can get really hurt."
"Come down papi"
Pouting, Jesus began his descent. "But I could jump" he whined.
"I know you can, but honey" when he was close enough Santana reached out and took him into her arms, only then did she feel her heart completely calm down. "That's very dangerous." She held on to him for a second longer, then put him down, crouching to his level. Brittany came to kneel beside her.
"Don't ever do that again Jesus" Brittany said. "You could have fallen"
"But I'm a good climber"
"You are" Santana nodded, trying not to cry from all her pent up adrenaline. "But you don't know how strong those vines are. They're not for climbing okay? Promise you won't ever do it again."
Pouting heavily, Jesus nodded.
"I won't do it again"
"Thank you" Brittany breathed. She pulled him into a hug and stood up with him. "I don't want you to get hurt that's all." He nodded, hugging her back.
"Come on, let's go get cleaned up while mama finishes dinner."