Santana – 26th December 2016

"I just could fall asleep for the next 24 hours", I yawn and put on a shirt. It's 2am and when I think about the four or five hours I slept last night, it's a wonder I'm still awake.

Same goes for Britt, but she is a power woman. She could be awake for 48 hours without any problems.

"Do we want to exchange our gifts before we go to sleep?", is she sitting on my bed with crossed legs.

"Depends on."

"On what?"

"If I'm going to be mad because you spent more than 20$?", I raise my eyebrow and she starts laughing.

"You will say this for the rest of our lives, right?"

"The ring costed 180$. You will pay maximum 180$ for all the Christmas gifts for me for the rest of our lives or I'll punch you", I threat her, and her laughter gets louder.

Our only Christmas as a couple Britt gave me a ring. This ring I saw a few months later at a jewelry store for 180$.

"Don't worry, babe. My gift wasn't expensive, I promise. But I'll punch you, if you spent more than 20$."

20$ are our limit. It doesn't matter how much we spent on each other. Plus, we already made each other some gift the last few weeks, even if it was a little dinner date somewhere.

"Nope, I haven't spent more than 20$", I smile, thinking about my present.

"I want to see it."

"Alright, I start."

After I put on some pants, I grab the present under the bed and put it down in front of Britt. Then I relax behind her, my head on her shoulder, my hands on her stomach, I watch her opening the gift.

At first it looks like a giant, mystery book. I wrote nothing down on the cover, so the surprise is bigger.

She opens the first page and immediately I feel her tense under my touch.

There is no text or anything, just a picture. Our first pic as a 'couple'.

Santana – 25th October 2011

"Just a few steps, careful", I still hear her voice, let me guide by her hands. Britt picked me up for our first date and ever since I wear a blindfold.

Yes, we really have our first date. I can't believe it. I can't sleep since she asked me out a few days ago after school. I'm too nervous and excited.

If I'm honest, I haven't believed it would happen. Of course, we had our moments, and I was pretty sure, that there is more between us, but then Britt was distant again. Well and now she kind of kidnapped me.

"We are there, I'll take off the blindfold", the blonde informs me and a few seconds later I can have a look around.

We are obviously in an observatory.

"Did we break in?"

"Nope, everything legal, don't worry. You want to sit down?", she points behind us and I follow her finger, see the blue blanket and some pillows on it. Next to it there is a picnic basket.

Without a word I nod and together we sit down. She puts the basket between us and grabs some food and drinks.

The silence between us is uncomfortable. We are both nervous. I see the way her hands shake, when she pours us some juice in cups.

"It's just me, don't be nervous", I lay my hand on her shoulder and she relaxes immediately.

"You are the reason I'm nervous", she gives me a shy grin, so I give her a kiss on her cheek, and she starts grinning.

"I get nervous, too, when you look at me like that", I reply.

I never felt this way. I don't think there is a better feeling than this.

Britt gives me the full cup, pours something in hers, before she puts down the bottle and turns to me.

"To a nice first date?", she asks.

Her nervousness is so cute, I could kiss her.

"Sounds nice, to us", I push my cup against hers, take a sip.

"Why are we here?"

"It's quiet and no one is here. And I didn't want to be that cliché like going to the cinema or in a restaurant. If you like this better, then maybe for the second date."

"So, you think there will be a second date?", I tease her, but she knows me better than anyone else, I would go on a 100 more dates with her.

"You will beg me", she pokes her tongue out and then we start laughing at the same time.

Time flies by when you're having a good time. The drinks are empty and the cake she baked is nearly gone. We lie on our backs, watching the stars above us.

It's a comfortable silence between us. The only thing I hear is her heartbeat, because my head is next to her boobs.

"Everything okay? I'm scared you're getting a heart attack."

"It feels like it."

"What's up? You want to talk about it?"

I know something's bothering her.

"I'm scared about us. This is new and different. I have so many things on my mind, and I don't know what to do with them."

"I feel the same. I never been with a girl before, of course I think about it, too."

"But it looks so easy."

"I accepted it. I have these feelings for you, it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl."

I support myself on my elbow and look down at her.

"You are too smart for me", Britt shakes her head with a chuckle.

"Hmm, but still, I would love to be with you", I tilt my head, wait for a reaction.

Normally it's her time to run away. But it doesn't happen. The opposite happens, Britt puts an arm around my neck und pulls me down until our lips meet.

I can't hide my grin, so we separate after a few seconds, smiling at each other like crazy.

"Come here", she pulls me down to her chest, "Let us stay here forever."

"In an observatory?"

"In this moment."

I take my phone and open the camera.

"Smile", I say, and we grin. I look straight into the camera, while Britt looks at me.

"I send you the picture, so you can come back to this moment whenever you want."

Santana – 26th December 2016

Brittany was always the strong one and now she has a mental breakdown for the second time in 24 hours. Her back is pressed to my front, my hands around her body hold her tight and I kiss her shoulder over and over again, try to calm her down with words.

I don't know how long we sit like this, but she stops crying and her hands are on mine, now.

"Wait a second, I grab some tissues", I try to wiggle my way out, but the blonde shakes her head.

"Just a minute", she whispers and so I tighten my grip again.

"I hold you as long as you want, babe", I whisper back in her ear, start kissing her neck and shoulder.

Again a few minutes pass by, until her body relaxes, and her head falls back on my left shoulder.

Her eyes are red, like her cheeks. I really love her, but she looks like a mess. I don't know what triggered her, but it's good that she's more open with her feelings.

"I'm sorry, I ruined the mood."

"You didn't ruin anything", I disagree and kiss her cheek until I see a hint of a smile.

"I grab some tissues and then we go to sleep, it will help you."

"What about the presents?"

"We always have tomorrow, don't worry", I kiss her cheek for the last time and then I get up to grab some tissues.

When I wake up the next morning, I'm alone and the bedsheets are cold. Britt isn't in my room.

I get ready in the bathroom and afterwards I go downstairs into the kitchen, where my parents have breakfast.

"Good morning", I yawn and sit down next to my mum.

"We should tell you, that Britt went to the church, so you don't have to worry", my parents answer the question, I wanted to ask.

"Oh, when did she go?"

"Two hours ago. Is everything okay? She didn't look happy."

"Yeah, everything's fine with us. I think this whole situation with her family makes her sad", I guess, because I don't know the reason, why she cried last night.

"Comprensible, no sé cómo George y Courtney pueden ser tan crueles con ella", my dad shakes his head. (Understandable, I don't know how George and Courtney can be so cruel to her)

I would love to punch her dad. Maybe four or five times. He deserves it.

"Britt knows she's always welcome here, right?"

"Yes mum, I think she knows", I grin. My whole family adores Brittany.

"¿Tienes planes para víspera de Año Nuevo?" (Do you have any plans for New Year's Eve)

"I'm not sure. Rachel will host this big party, but I don't know if it's too soon for Britt, I'll ask her later."

"Has she ever thought about going to therapy?"

"She is so independent; she wants to do this alone."

I would love to help her, but I don't know how and I'm pretty sure Britt doesn't want me to help.

"Some things you can't do alone, and I think she knows this", my dad pats my shoulder and gets rid of his dirty dishes.

"Si tus planes con Rachel no funcionan, entonces también puedes venir a la abuela, que está feliz con aún más compañía." (If your plans with Rachel don't work out, then you can also come to Grandma, who is happy about even more company)

"She would love to have Britt there, so they can play backgammon all night long", I reply.

I love this connection between Britt and my family.

/

Britt is still not here so I decide to go out, too. Fresh air can do wonders; besides I love winter in Lima.

I pick a longer route, which also leads to the church, maybe our ways will cross. Her car is still beside my dad's, so she is walking, too.

I'm on my way for about 20 minutes, when someone else crosses my way.

"It's a sign that we always see each other at the end of the year, isn't it?", she grins and gives me a long hug.

Dani went to high school with us, and we had good contact at our senior year. After school we lost touch, but never completely because of Facebook and Instagram. We messaged each other sometimes until three years ago.

We both were in town, single and in the end we had sex. Next year, same thing.

Last year it didn't happen because I was with Sam and in NY.

"I saw on Facebook that you're not longer in a relationship with this guy", she starts the conversation with a smug grin.

Dani is pretty. If I would be single, I would accept her unspoken offer, but I have Britt and I love her. Other guys and girls don't matter.

"Yeah, life happens", I shrug, "What about you? Still looking for your future wife?"

"Oh please, sometimes I don't know why I'm attracted to women. I think the sun in LA burns too much and all those ladies get crazy", she complains, and I start chuckling. She is crazy, too and she knows it.

"But I'm not against seeing you again, before you fly back to New York", she bites her lip before she looks past me.

"Is this Brittany Pierce?"

I turn around and see my blonde walking towards us. She is as much as surprised as I am.

"Yes, that's her", I confirm and Dani smiles at her. Brittany doesn't look that happy, but she has no other choice than joining us.

Dani greets her with a hug and then Britt stands beside me.

"So Britt, what are you doing? You don't have Facebook or Instagram, so I don't know anything about your life."

"I live in New York, not far from Rachel and Santana and I work in a bakery."

"Sounds nice. I always loved your stuff at parties, most of the times I stole something, because it tasted so good."

"Thanks?", is Britt amused, because she has a fan more now.

"What about you? You still live here?", Britt asks, and Dani starts talking about her life in LA. Her eyes are on me, especially when she talks about her one-night stands and affairs.

Dani always loves to talk about herself. I don't know how long her monologue is going on, but at some point, Britt interrupts her.

"I'm sorry, but my feet are freezing, so I really need to go."

"Your fault if you don't wear boots like normal people", I look at her shoes and then back to her, where she sticks out her tongue at me.

"Bummer, but it was nice seeing you again", Dani smiles at Britt and then back to me.

"So you want to grab a cup of coffee with me?", she asks and I look up to my girlfriend.

"Go for it, I see you at home, babe."

I don't know if it's because she calls me 'babe' in front of Dani or the passionate kiss that follows, but my heart never beat that fast.

"I'm not in the mood for coffee, today, sorry Dani", I decline her offer and hug er.

"Bye", I mumble and start walking next to Britt.

No words are spoken for the first five minutes, but I'm too confused and curious so I start talking.

"You kissed me, in public, in front of another person who isn't my family."

"That's correct", she nods.

"Are you not scared, that someone saw us, apart from Dani obviously?"

"Someone had to put her in her place, she undressed you with her eyes."

"So you are jealous."

"I'm not jealous", Britt says, shaking her head, but I know her better. She is more than jealous.

"You can be 'not jealous' more often in front of other people."

"Stop it."

She tries to be serious, but the smile in her face has other plans.

"My parents told me you wanted to go to the church."

"I was there."

"And what did you do there?"

"Having breakfast, of course", Britt answers and for a moment I believe her, "You are the most intelligent person I know, but you don't know what people do in a church? I prayed."

"For whom?

"For my family, your family, Rachel and her family and of course for you."

"What did you pray for me?"

"You're noisier than Rachel. I don't talk about it, it's like talking about your wish after you saw a shooting star."

With a pout I accept her answer, I don't have any other choice.

"I wouldn't have meet her."

"Hm?"

"With Dani. I would have said no whether you were there or not."

She needs to know that.

"I trust you, San. If I know something, it's that you would never cheat on me."

"I love you."

"I love you, too. And because I'm such a good girlfriend and my feet really start hurting, I take you for a piggyback ride again. We need three years if we walk with your damaged leg."

Without any protests I let her carry me on her back.

"I could get used to this."

"Enjoy it, it stops as soon as you can walk like a normal person again."

"I'm pretty sure I just need to ask you and you would do it all over again, injured or not."

"Oh shut up or I throw you in the snow."

I kiss her cheek and start laughing. She is just so cute; I can't handle it.

"I took a look at your gift this morning, the whole book."

This photo book has everything from the last years. Thanks to Rachel I got some pics from Britt, when she was at the army. Some of the pics have little captions.

"You like it?"

"I love it. I don't know how I deserve this, really."

"Stop putting me up on a podium."

"Why? You're still tiny, doesn't matter how high it is", she makes a joke about my height, but she knows what I really mean.

"I'm not perfect. Stop saying this, I deserve you as much as you deserve me, okay?"

"Okay, boss."

I hope she believes my words, at least a little bit.

/

"You sit here, and I'll be back in a few seconds."

While I take a seat on my bed, Britt is going to grab my Christmas present, wherever it is. I told her again, that I hope it didn't cost more than 20$, otherwise I won't take it.

I lean against the headboard when Britt comes back, the ukulele in her hand.

"You're still playing?", my eyes go wide, because I haven't seen the instrument in her apartment.

"Just for you", she winks at me and sits down at the edge of the bed with crossed legs.

"It feels like a déjà vu", I grin, thinking about my birthday, when Brittany sang for me

"Understandable", she chuckles and starts typing into her phone.

"It's a Spanish song, so I need the lyrics. I get nervous, when you look at me and I'll probably forget them."

"You took Spanish lessons", I assume. Her words yesterday gave a hint. Normally you notice, when someone doesn't speak the language and I remember her Spanish skills. They were horrible, the only words she could say were feliz cumpleaños and it sounded like a tongue-twister.

"With an app, so it was cheap", she clarifies, lies the phone down on her thigh.

"I should have set a limit for time, too. Since when do you practice?"

"A few weeks, so it won't be perfect, but I'll give my best."

"I already love it, don't worry."

She invested so much time, sometimes I ask myself, why I deserve her, not why she deserves me.

"Say that again, after I destroyed your favorite song with my voice."

"Fotografía?", I ask, and she nods her head, "I can't believe you even remember this song."

"You sang it 24/7, sometimes I dreamed about you singing this song. Even if I wanted to, I could never forget it."

Yeah, I was a little obsessed with this song, but hey you can't blame me, Juanes and Nelly Furtado together are insane. After our breakup this song was on repeat. Brittany wasn't there, so I only had our photos. Those photos, that are in the photo book now.

"Are you ready?"

I nod and Britt starts playing the ukulele, her voice is following a few seconds later.

"Cada vez que yo me voy llevo a un lado de mi piel

Tus fotografías para verlas cada vez."

I'm already head over heels.

"Que tu ausencia me devora entero el corazón

Y yo no tengo remedio más que amarte."

She looks at me and I'm nodding my head, encouraging her with a big smile, that she sounds great. Her Spanish sounds nice, and I love her singing voice.

She smiles and looks back at her phone, so she can sing along.

I adore her. This woman is mine and she sings a song for me.

someone said it would be nice, if the parents would run into each other...this is not happening, but maybe Santana will meet them in the next chapter. :D