Santana – 30th November 2016

I'm a little bit sad, when I'm with my parents at the airport. After nearly a week they fly back home.

"Don't look so sad, you know your mother will cry again", my dad pokes me and then pulls me in a hug. I try to smile, if my mom will cry, I'm sure I will cry, too.

"We see you and Britt again on Christmas, right sweetie?", my mom starts pouting, trying to fight the tears.

"I'll be there, but I don't know if Britt joins me."

We haven't made any plans yet, but I think she'll celebrate with her family.

"Grandma would be very happy, finally someone who plays backgammon with her."

Every time my granny was there for a visit, Britt needed to be there too, because no one else could play this stupid game. That's why she has a special place in her heart. Grandma always prayed for her, that she's fine and they will see each other again.

"I'll ask her, but I'm not promising anything."

"Alright little one, verte pronto." (See you soon.)

My dad gives me a goodbye kiss on my head and mom hugs me tightly. I wish them a safe flight and they promise to message me when they arrive in Lima. Then I take the train to the diner, where 8 hours of work wait for me.

I have two hours left, when the highlight of my day enters the diner. Not alone, but in company of Quinn. They sit down in a quiet area and my eyes not leaving them once. I like Quinn. Rachel and I met her when we were new in New York, and we connected immediately. I just don't like the way she looks at Brittany, she does it for months now.

I take two menu cards and make my way over to them.

"Hey, what have I done to deserve your attendance?", I give them the cards, look at Quinn for a second, because I have manners but then my focus is on Brittany.

"We want to go to Majestro later and need some food before, you want to go with us? Rachel joins us, too."

"Today is quiz night, right? Why do you always want to go there, Quinn?", I complain and tear my eyes away from my girlfriend to look at the other blonde.

Every Wednesday there is quiz night in the bar where you can win free drinks for the rest of the evening and night.

"How could you not? I'm disappointed that nobody told me before", Britt fakes being upset, can hold back the grin.

"You're just easy to please", I reply and shocked she sucks in some air.

"You're one to know, aren't you", she fights back with a chuckle, and I roll my eyes with a smile.

"San doesn't want to go, because she threw up the last time we won", Quinn joins in.

"Free booze, I would be stupid, not to use it."

Ever since I avoid the Majestro, when there is quiz night. I'm ambitious, when I'm there I want to win and when I win there is no limit, because everything is for free. It's a vicious circle.

"So you in tonight? Very nice", Britt answers for me.

How could I say no to her?

/

"Good that I saved us a table", Quinn pats her own shoulder as we enter the crowded bar. She talks to Blaine, one of the barkeepers, who shows us our seats.

Quinn takes the corner of the sofa and Britt follows her. There is no space anymore, so I take the chair on the other side of the table. I'm already fucked up. It may sound ridiculous, but I don't like the way Quinn is gluing to Britt. It would make a difference, if she knew about us, because then she would know that Britt is off limits. But no, she's still flirting with her and Britt is fucking oblivious about it.

We have a first round of wine in front of us, when Rachel joins us.

"Could somebody explain, why it is so cold? I'm a human icicle", the brunette grumbles, opening her coat.

"I get you some wine, then you warm up fast", I stand up to get some booze for my friend. While waiting for the drink, my phone vibrates in my back pocket.

For a second I smile.

Your ass looks pretty presentable in this jeans ;)

I turn around and see the way she looks at me. I shake my head, typing an answer.

Aren't you too busy with your neighbor to stare at my ass?

My eyes search for hers, I see the big grin when she looks at her phone and then I see that she types something.

You are jealous! :P

But you don't need to worry, as soon as you are in the room, I see no one else 3

I know that I don't have to worry, but it annoys me. Although with messages like this she can make me smile in two seconds.

I love you 3

I send it and then I put my phone back into my back pocket, because the wine is ready. There I get the information, that the girls signed us up for quiz night. Rachel warms up and Britt looks lovingly at me. Her hand lays relaxed on the table, and I'm tempted to take it. But I don't want to push her. I just enjoy her glances until the quiz starts.

Tonight it's all about movies and shows. Every table gets a buzzer. Who buzzes first can answer – if the answer is right you get a point. If not, the other tables can try to answer, if they don't want, the next question gets asked. There are 20 questions, the table with the most points wins.

The first questions are easy and we are mostly one step ahead, because Britt presses the buzzer so fast, people from the other tables get annoyed.

At the end we have a battle with the guys from the table behind us, who are trying to flirt with us. Not their smartest move. On one hand, they have no chance at any of us and on the other hand, we can distract them easily, because Rachel and I start flirting back, so Quinn and Britt can get the points.

At the end we win easily and start with a round of shots.

"Hey guys, I have another task for you", I turn around again and on point they start looking at me, "So 75% at our table are in a relationship and 75% are into girls. All in all, 100% are not interest in you. Maybe you can solve it. Have a good evening", I chuckle and turn back to my girls, who still cheer because of our win.

/

"Girls, I need to go home, I have to be at work 6 am", Britt whines and shows us the current time on her phone. With a smile I realize that her lock screen shows a picture of us. My mom took it when we were at Times Square. If you don't know it, you can think, that we're just friends. Good for me I know it better.

"I get tired, too", Quinn lays her head on my girlfriend's shoulder. I'm too tipsy to be mad, and I'm glued to Rachel, so I can't complain.

At least our legs are intertwined in some way. I saw how uncomfortable she got when it was louder at the quiz. Ever since we touch each other in any way. She told me once, that it calms her down. When we were in town with my parents, we linked our pinkies, our secret way of holding hands in high school, and it helped her.

"It's a little past 12, how old are you? 30?", is Rachel the only one, who's still in the mood for drinks. I'm tired too and I'll be fine with going home.

"Did you hear me? I need to be at work in 6 hours. If I remember correctly, you didn't even show up, when you had a job the next day."

That's true. Rachel used to have smaller roles in commercials or mini-series. She locked herself in and practiced the whole day.

"Don't talk about the past. We get free drinks, and you want to go home."

"You can stay here and drink, but I go home", Britt stands up and puts on her jacket and beanie. Quinn and I follow her example.

"You are no fun", Rachel mutters and puts her coat on, "But I need to go to the toilet before we leave."

"Me too", Quinn joins my roomie, while Britt and I wait outside.

"You already have plans for Christmas? If not, my family would love to see you again."

"My brother will be home, so I think I'll spend it with my family. But I'm pretty sure I will find some time for you and your family."

"My grandma will count on you."

"I miss her and the game nights. But now that we talk about Christmas, I have your gift for the first of December", she reaches in the pocket of her jacket and hands me a little bag with a 1 on it.

"The other 24 are at home, I'll give them to you, tomorrow."

"You made me a calendar?"

"It's my turn, you made the last one."

I made her one back in the days and she promised I get one the next time, but there was no next time for us.

"Open it", she looks at the bag and I do what she wants.

"A toothbrush?", I look at her confused.

"So you can sleep at my place. It's more a symbol, not that clever, but- "

"It's perfect, you are perfect, and I love you", I interrupt her.

"Yeah? I wasn't sure if my message was clear"

"It is, loud and clear", I hug her with a grin. I melt into her when she wraps her arms around me.

"I love you", she whispers and gives me a kiss on my head.

"I love you, too", I mumble against her neck, press a kiss to her neck.

It's the first time today, that we can be so close to each other, and I enjoy every second of it.

"I'm already cold, so either you let me be part of the hug or we start walking."

"Nope, this human heating is mine", I grab Britt tighter, and she starts walking with a smirk. She pulls me with her, and I slip away with my left foot on some leaves. Britts arm around my waist keeps me from falling.

"Someone is a little more than tipsy", Rachel laughs.

"No, the leaves are to blame", I grumble, feel the pain with every step.

"Come on, I'll give you a piggyback ride", Britt sees me struggling.

"Are you sure? I'm not a lightweight."

"I can carry you with my little finger, so don't be such a drama queen."

"Okay", I let her go and she squats a little, so I have better access to her back.

"Everything good up there?", she asks after the first steps.

"Everything's perfect. Thanks baby", I whisper in her ear and see the bright smile as a result.

She won't let me down until we sit in the train. Quinn and Rachel talk each other to death, while Britt examines my leg.

"You're a doctor now?", I tease and immediately karma strikes, because I yell in pain when she touches a certain point on my leg. Then she pulls up my jeans to free my calf so she can have a better look at it.

"That's a nice bruise, you fought with the leaves before you fell?"

"Shut up, R, or Finn is going to see some embarrassing pics."

"I think it's a muscle tear", Britt says, "I can drive you to a doctor after work, I won't recommend driving with a train", she pulls my jeans down again, sits down one the seat where my leg was and lifts it up on her lap.

"How long does it take to heal?"

"Two to six weeks I guess."

"Wow, nice. I don't want to go out the whole December", I ramble annoyed.

"We don't know this yet. I take you to the doctor tomorrow, maybe it's not so bad."

"You don't need to try to cheer me up, you know I need the cold hard truth and you already gave it to me."

"Don't be such a diva, besides with Britt you have a competent nurse", Rachel wiggles her eyebrows. Luckily Quinn doesn't see Rachels face or understands what just happened.

Our friend needs to drive another three stops, so we say goodbye to her, and Britt gives me a piggyback ride to the loft.

"I'm going to bed, see you later", Rachel staggers into her room with wobbly legs, while we, well Britt walks us into my room.

"And she wanted to stay longer and drink more", Brittany shakes her head and lets me down on my bed.

"I bring you something to cool, you need something else?", the blonde asks and moves when I shake my head. I stay on the bed, because I know, if I make move, she will kill me.

So I wait until she's back.

"I need to use the bathroom; can I walk these few steps?"

"I'm just caringly, I know you make fun of me."

"I don't, I think it's cute, that you take care of me."

"Alright, go to the bathroom. I'll go with you and say bye there."

"You'll go?"

"I need to be at work in about 4 hours. I don't have any clothes here and my car, that I need for work, is at home."

"You told me, you sleep better with me by your side. And it doesn't make any difference if you stay here and wake up a little bit earlier or if you go home now and sleep there."

"You will tell me more reasons to stay, until I'm giving in, am I right?", she bends down, and I lay my arms around her neck.

"No, I won't force you. Do what you want to do."

"You know I can't say no, if you ask me."

"I'm not asking you, do what you want", I kiss her shortly. When I detach myself, she bends down further so our lips touch again.

"Go in the bathroom, I'm tired", she whispers against my lips, kisses me again.

I take some clothes out of my closet and throw some on the bed, who are too big on me. After that I walk in the bathroom. It's a challenge because my left leg isn't working properly. I hurry up, so Brittany gets at least a little bit of sleep.

"The disadvantages of dating a dwarf", she shows me how tight my clothes are on her, when I'm back in the room.

The shirt is cropped, and the shorts show a lot of skin, like a lot a lot.

"I think it's a really nice view", l tilt my head and with a laugh she walks past me and gives me a little slap on my butt.

"I put down the pillow here, you need to put your calf a little bit up. And put the cooling pad on it, I'll be right back.

Like she told me I go to bed, put my calf on the pillow and wait for her. A little bit later she joins me again, with a big smile on her face, while she has a look on her phone.

"Good news or why do you smile like that?"

"Quinn thinks we make a cute couple", she turns the light off and comes to bed.

"Who told her about us?", my eyes go wide, "Did you tell her?"

"I didn't want you to think about her so much. As soon as Quinn is somewhere, you get jealous and then you get those evil eyes. I told her about us, our past and that I'm mostly here for you."

"But you didn't do it because of me, right? I told you we do it in your tempo."

"No, no, no. But now I have another person to talk to. And so she doesn't have any hopes by now, if she ever had a crush on me."

I bet she did. Brittany is perfect and I know that Quinn has a thing for blondes.

"Why didn't you tell me, that she knows?"

"It was funny, to see you acting jealous. And I wanted to see, if we really are that obvious, like your parents said. Result is yes, for someone who knows it's really obvious. I trust Quinn and she promised, she won't tell anyone."

"I'm proud of you, you told my parents and Quinn."

"I try, I hope you notice."

"I know that you try. But I don't want to put you under pressure. Be sure and tell it if you want to and not to impress me. I love you, no matter if the whole world knows or just you."

"It was nice telling her, I'm proud that you're my girlfriend."

Her words let my heart beat faster. I don't know how I could exist four years without this woman.