After enjoying the weekend with her mami, Mason and Brittany, spontaneously deciding to only hang out at the lake with the group for a few hours and taking a trip to the zoo just the four of them on Sunday.
The group all fell into a rhythm at school delighted to see Brittany slowly return back to the old one and not the depressed girl they had to see the past weeks, after joking around and just enjoying hanging out at school the bond between them strengthening every day.
Thursday afternoon.
Santana finds herself sitting in the kitchen helping Mason with his homework Thursday afternoon while waiting for Brittany's text telling her the hearing is over, she gently runs her hand through his spiky hair and looks over his shoulder as he writes something down. ''Count again Mason.'' She whispers gently as she sees that he didn't get it right this time. ''Lisa has five cookies.'' She tells him holding up five fingers for him. ''She gives Jack three.'' She lowers three fingers and locks eyes with him. ''How many cookies does Kyle give her?''
''Five.'' Mason tells her reaching out to add five of her fingers to the two she still holds up, he touches each finger counting loudly and grins brightly. ''So now she has Seven!'' Santana nods her head smiling lovingly as he corrects his answer and ruffles his hair.
''And you will have one now too.'' She tells him as she sees that it was the last question, she stands up to walk over to the pantry and opens it grabbing two chocolate chip cookies out of the package. She drops back down in the chair beside him and hands him one of the cookies, she smiles as he crawls in her lap and wraps an arm around his waist making sure he can't fall of.
''Thank you Sanny.'' He mutters with a bright smile as he leans his head back against her shoulder happily munching on his cookie, Santana just smiles lovingly taking a bite of her own cookie and runs her hand through his hair. ''Hey Sanny?''
''Hey Mason?'' She asks after a few minutes of silence, Mason tilts his head back to look at her and grins cutely.
''Are you Britty's girlfriend?''
Santana freezes with the rest of her cookie between her teeth and looks down at him with widened eyes, she quickly closes her mouth as Mason giggles and slowly chews not knowing what to say.
Mason just tilts his head and giggles. ''You look like Mr Crabs from Spongebob!'' That comment does rip a chuckle from Santana, she shakes her head as he continues giggling while poking her cheeks and tickles his sides smiling as he squeals while giggling loudly.
''You are just like your sister, she loves to point that out too.''
Mason giggles leaning against her chest and leans his chin on her chest bone gazing up at her. ''You didn't answer my question.'' He tells her with a cute grin, Santana sighs softly as she stops tickling him and wraps her arms back around his waist.
''No I am not Mason.'' She tells him softly. ''But can you keep a secret?'' She smiles as he immediately nods his head and runs her hand through his spiky hair. ''Your sister and I will go on a date Friday next week.''
''Will you be her girlfriend after that?'' He asks curiously with a big smile, she smiles lovingly and bites her lip.
''Not quite, I think we will date a few times before we will call each other girlfriend.'' She tilts her head and smiles slightly. ''Why are you asking though?''
Mason just leans up so he can clearly look at her and smiley shyly. ''You make Britty happy and I like to see her happy, you also make me happy and I love the group but hanging out with you and Britty I love the most.''
Santana smiles lovingly and leans down to kiss his head not thinking about her actions. ''I am glad you do Maze.'' She pulls back raising an eyebrow as she sees a Cheshire grin forming on his face and chuckles. ''What ya grinning about?''
''You called me Maze, you didn't do that before.'' He wraps his little arms around her shoulders and smiles brightly before she can overthink her words. ''I like it.''
Santana smiles lovingly and taps his nose gently. ''And I like you little man.'' She tells him. ''And to come back to what you said, I love spending time with you and your sister too and the both of you also make me very happy.'' She quickly wraps her arms around her waist as he wraps his arms back around her shoulders and hugs him close as he places his knees on her thighs to hug her tightly.
''I love you Sanny.'' He whispers softly as he nuzzles his face in her neck with a soft happy sigh, Santana licks her lips her heart filling with warmth the second his soft gentle whisper reaches her ears and turns her head to kiss his temple just staying in that position.
''I love you too little man.'' She whispers softly, she glances at her phone as it buzzes and leans forward keeping a secure hold on him to grab it. She smiles as she sees an unread message from Brittany and opens it.
From Britt-Britt: Hey you, we just finished. Can you meet us at Holly's house?
She smiles as she sees that she send the address too and looks down at Mason. ''Hey Maze your sister just texted and asked us to meet at Holly's house.'' She laughs as he immediately slides off of her lap with a squeak and watches him jog to the front door to put his shoes on.
To Britt-Britt: We will walk over, we will be there in ten.
From Britt-Britt: Take my car, keys are in the bowl. See you in a bit.
She stands up after reading her reply and walks to the front door grabbing Mason's jacket for him after grabbing his little backpack and shoving his homework in, she holds the jacket out for him knowing her mami and Brittany already packed the rest of their stuff into her mami's car and slides into her own shoes while grabbing Brittany's car keys. ''Ready?'' She asks looking down at the little boy standing in front of her, she opens the door as he nods his head and quickly follows him making sure to lock the door behind her. She places her hand on his shoulder as he waits for her at steps and leads him to Brittany's car unlocking it, she opens his door smiling as he climbs in and leans over him to buckle him in.
She slides into the drivers seat dropping his bag in the passenger seat and turns around to look at him. ''What do you want to listen to Maze?'' She smiles lovingly as he taps his chin in thought and starts the car hearing the radio immediately spring to life.
''Can we listen to Kenny?''
''Kenny?'' She asks curiously, Mason nods his head and smiles.
''Yes, the song Hello.''
She takes out her phone opening her music app and types in the words Kenny and Hello, she taps the first song coming up called You had me from hello and turns back to look at him. ''This one?''
She places her phone down as he nods his head with a big grin and pulls out of the driveway listening to the lyrics, she glances in the rear view mirror as she hears Mason sing a few words and smiles lovingly as she notices just how much the song fits because Brittany's voice also caused her head to turn in her direction the very first day she walked into the class right after watching the Blonde slip past their teacher making sure she wouldn't notice her coming too late again.
She concentrates on the road leaning her head back with a grin as she hears Mason softly humming to the song and takes a right turn into Holly's street realizing she lives on the other side of the duck pond not all too far away from her house, she parks the car behind her mami's car and slides out walking around it to help Mason out.
''Do you want to ring the doorbell?'' She asks as they walk up to the front door, she smiles as he immediately nods his head with a big happy smile and leans down to pick him up so he can push the button. She steps back curling her arm around his waist as he easily wraps his legs around her waist and locks eyes with Brittany as soon as she opes the door, she chuckles as Mason immediately squeals and watches with a loving smile as Brittany easily takes him from her lifting him above her head just soaking in his happy giggles.
''Hey you.'' Brittany murmurs with a small grin as she locks eyes with Santana placing Mason on her hip, she steps back silently inviting her in and leans down to kiss her cheek.
''Hey, you okay?'' Santana asks softly, Brittany slowly shrugs her shoulders and smiles slightly.
''I will be.'' She promises softly as they walk into the living room to join Maribel and Holly.
''Hey sweetcheeks.'' Santana turns to Holly the second she hears her voice deciding to wait till they are alone to ask Brittany about the hearing and smiles.
''Hey Holly.'' She walks over to her mami and leans down to hug her. ''Hola mami.''
Brittany notices Santana opening her mouth ready to ask how the hearing was and quickly reaches out to squeeze her shoulder softly, she shoots her a small smile holding up one finger and crouches down with Mason still on her hip.
She places him in front of her gently running her hand through his hair and gazes into his sapphire blue orbs. ''Maze remember what we asked you a few days ago during dinner with Holly?''
''If I like to live with you and her?'' Mason asks cutely as he tilts his head, Brittany nods her head and smiles slightly.
''Would you still like that?''
Mason taps his chin turning on his heels to look at the older blonde and pouts. ''You won't hurt Britty?''
Brittany's jaw drops as soon as she hears the question and locks eyes on the back of her little brothers head gulping as she realizes that he is trying to look out for her, she blows out a shaky breath as she sees Holly's, Maribel's and Santana's jaw drop too and leans against Santana's legs as she quickly walks over to her.
''Oh sweetheart.'' Holly breaths out with a sad smile, she slides down the couch to be at his height and locks eyes with him. ''I will never hurt you or your sister Mason.''
''You promise?'' Mason asks sadly. ''Britty has been hurt a lot, I don't like that.''
Brittany sniffles turning her head to hide her face against Santana's thigh realizing just how much Mason really caught and closes her eyes as she feels Santana's gentle hand on her head feeling her slowly crouch down, she buries her face in her shoulder the second she feels her arms wrap around her shoulder and gulps thickly exhaling shakily. ''F-fuck.''
Holly glances at the teens hearing Brittany's shaky exhale and turns back to look at the little boy in front of her. ''I promise Mason, you and your sister will be safe here.''
Mason nods his head turning on his heels and immediately crashes against his sister and Santana crouched down right behind him, he wraps his arms around Brittany's shoulders and slowly nods his head looking at Holly. ''I do Britty.'' He tells her softly.
Brittany slowly turns to him reaching up to wipe away her tears still leaned into Santana's embrace and hugs him tightly kissing the top of his head. ''I love you a whole lot, you know that champ?'' She asks softly not noticing the other three smiling lovingly.
''I know.'' Mason whispers with a big grin. ''I love you too Britty.''
Brittany turns to Holly still keeping Mason in her arms and smiles slightly. ''I think you got your answer Holly, the both of us will love to stay here with you.'' She stands up after gently pushing Mason in Santana's arms and walks around the table to hug her. ''I can't thank you enough for everything you did and still will do Holly.''
''I already told you that you don't have to thank me at all sweetcheeks, I am just glad that the both of you will be safe from now on.'' Holly murmurs as she pulls out of the hug to look at her, she gently taps the small of her back and winks before turning to Mason. ''Would you like to see your room Mason?''
She walks around Brittany as he slowly nods his head and holds out her hand for him. ''Come on.'' She tells him gently, she smiles as he grabs her hand and looks over her shoulder at Brittany. ''You too.''
Brittany smiles slightly linking her pinkies with Santana and pulls her along with her after softly asking Maribel to come with them too, she follows Holly and Mason up the stairs and smiles slightly as she sees Holly leading Mason to a blue door with his name on it.
Holly stops in front of the door and looks down at Mason with a small grin. ''This will be your room Mason.''
Brittany chuckles as he turns his head to look at her and shrugs. ''I didn't see it yet Maze, Holly just told me to bring your things over and she placed them in there.''
Holly smiles lovingly as he tilts his head up to look at her and mentions her hand to the doorknob. ''Go ahead little guy.'' She tells him reasuringly.
Brittany watches her brother slowly open the door and tilts her head as she hears his soft amazed gasp.
''Whoa cars!'' Mason squeals excitedly.
Brittany slowly walks into the room right after Maribel, Holly and Santana entered and gasps as she looks around at the Lightning McQueen themed room. ''Holy..'' She breaths out.
''Britty look!'' Mason squeals running over to his sister while pointing at the Lightning McQueen bed in the corner right underneath a highway painting. ''A Lightning bed!''
Brittany looks around her hand covering her mouth as she hears the amazed excitement in her little brothers voice and looks at the walls painted a light red and a big sticker of all cars characters on the other side of the bed right beside a big closet. ''Holly.'' She whispers in amazement not noticing Maribel and Santana watching her with a loving grin.
Holly turns to her as the little boy runs around the room in excitement gasping in delight as he sees the hot wheels race track she build up for him the day before, she smiles slightly as she sees unshed tears in her bright blue eyes and walks over to her. ''I want the both of you to feel home and to have a room where you can pull back and call your own.'' She mentions her hand around Mason's room and smiles. ''I noticed he loves Cars so I thought he would enjoy sleeping in his own race themed room and dream about cars in his race car bed.''
''This is too much.'' Brittany whispers softly as a tear drips down her cheek.
Holly immediately shakes her head and reaches out gently grabbing the wrist of the hand still covering Brittany's mouth. ''Nothing is too much Brittany, I want the both of you to know that this is your house from now on too.''
''I..'' Brittany cuts herself off as her voice cracks and locks eyes on Holly's calming blue orbs. ''Thank you.'' She whispers instead as she watches her brother play with his new toys.
Mason looks up from his toys and turns to his sister, he stands up jogging over to her as he sees Holly standing in front of her and hugs the older woman's legs. ''Thank you!'' He squeals out. ''I love it.''
''I am glad you do Mason.'' Holly tells him with a kind grin, she gently runs her hand through his hair and looks down at him crouching down so he can hug her properly. ''Shall we show your sister her room?'' She turns to Brittany as he nods his head excitedly and stands up smiling in surprise as Mason just tightens his hold around her shoulders, she places him on her hip making sure to keep a secure hold on him and locks eyes with Brittany smiling as she sees the shift of emotions in her eyes the second she sees her little brother also trusting her. ''Come on.'' She whispers gently.
She walks out of the room leading Brittany to the door leading up to the attic and glances at her as she reaches the door covered with a chalkboard fastened to it and Brittany's name written in beautiful cursive writing, she locks eyes with her and smiles slightly. ''I thought you could use it to tell us if you want your peace or if we are allowed to enter.''
''Can I write my name on it too?!'' Mason asks excitedly, Brittany breaths out a soft laugh and nods her head.
''Yeah we can use a small section for different names.'' She shoots Holly a thankful grin and slowly runs her hand through her own hair. ''I like that idea, thank you Holly.''
Holly just shakes her head and smiles slightly. ''Don't thank me just yet.'' She steps aside and nods her head to the door. ''Go ahead Brittany.''
Brittany opens the door her eyebrows raising in surprise as she sees a blue stairway leading up and glances at Holly in surprise, she bites her lip climbing the stairs slowly as Holly just smiles and gasps in shock as soon as she reaches the top looking around at the room.
''Whoa.'' Mason breaths out in amazement Santana's soft gasp also filling the air as soon as they all reach the top, Maribel smiles slightly as she sees Brittany look around in stunned silence and slides beside Holly with Santana.
''You really outdid yourself Holly, this looks amazing.'' She compliments softly.
Brittany walks along the beautiful wooden floor towards the full sized canopy bed with beautiful black drapes and little stars on it, she sits down looking around the room and swallows thickly as she sees her guitar and books in a corner with a couch in front of the window and a desk behind it.
She sees a dresser and a wardrobe beside the stairs and follows the light strip glued to the ceiling from the above the stairs to the end of the bed biting her lip as she sees a TV hung up on the wall and a beautiful wooden retro TV stand with a DVD player, speakers and her collection of movies.
''I figured you would like to decorate the room yourself.'' Holly mutters gently as she walks over to the bed trying not to scare the blonde after observing her watch around the room in shock, she places Mason down beside her on the bed and crouches down in front of her with a small smile. ''Up here will be your domain, you are free to invite your friends but I think with that big group you would prefer hanging out in the family room downstairs.''
''Holly this is..'' Brittany starts choked up.
''If you are telling me it's too much again I will kick your butt in Monopoly tonight Brittany.'' Holly warns with a slight smile, she glances at Mason as he giggles and turns back to the blonde teen. ''Just like I told you in Mason's room, I want the both of you to feel home and safe.'' She mentions her hand around the room and smiles slightly. ''This is all yours so you can relax and focus on school or just relax okay?''
Brittany slowly nods her head gazing into trusting blue orbs and slides down the bed to hug her. ''Thank you.'' She whispers softly.
Holly smiles and gently runs her hand down her back. ''Anytime Sweetcheeks.'' She murmurs as she pulls out of the hug, she leans back looking at both siblings and smiles. ''Now that the both of you have seen your room, I thought about going to the pond for a bit before ordering pizza for all of us.''
Brittany glances at her brother smiling as he immediately nods his head with a big grin and leans down to whisper in his ear as Holly stands up to walk over to Maribel and Santana. ''Would you mind going with Holly and Maribel alone? I think it's good for you to spend some time with Holly alone too.''
She sits back up as he shakes his head telling her he won't mind and turns to Holly. ''Do you mind me staying here?'' She asks sheepishly. ''I just need a moment.''
Holly shakes her head and smiles kindly. ''Not at all.'' She turns to the two Latina's standing behind her and nods her head to the stairs. ''Are the two of you joining us?''
''Maribel will.'' Mason squeaks as he skips over to them after kissing his sisters cheek, he wraps his arms around Santana's legs and leans his chin on her stomach to look up at her. ''Sanny will stay with Britty.''
Santana bites her lip glancing at Brittany not knowing if she agrees with Mason and smiles slightly as she sees her nodding her head, she turns to the two adults and smiles slightly. ''Yeah I will stay here too.'' She leans down kissing Mason's head and ruffles his hair. ''Have fun watching ducks Maze.''
''I will!'' Mason exclaims smiling brightly as Holly and Maribel both slowly walk down the stairs so he can easily follow. ''Love you Britty! Love you Sanny!'' He yells as he follows them down the stairs.
Brittany's eyebrows raise in surprise as she hears him tell Santana that he loves her and smiles as she hears Santana tell him she loves her too, she drops down on her back as she hears the door close and rubs her eyes feeling them burn.
Santana walks over to the bed letting herself drop down right beside her and turns on her side propping her head up on her hand to look down at her. ''Hard day?''
''Too much emotions.'' Brittany mutters with a soft sigh. ''Holly basically won the second we walked in because bitch tried to attack me and cursed me out the first ten minutes ignoring the judge telling her to shut up, but me taking the stand and telling the whole truth sealed the deal.'' She mentions her hand around her room and gulps thickly. ''And then this.'' She whispers her voice cracking. ''I always knew Holly was special, but I did not expect any of this happening.''
''I told you that good things will happen soon.'' Santana whispers softly as she wraps her free arm around Brittany's waist pulling her closer as she sees unshed tears glistening in her bright blue orbs. ''You deserve everything happening right now Britt-Britt, I know it's something you are not used to but not everyone is out to hurt you or Maze.''
''I know.'' Brittany whispers softly as she turns on her side to face her, she scoots closer nuzzling her face under her chin and breaths in the scent of distinct vanilla and something that is just Santana. ''I just would have never believed it, not until you came along and gave me the strength that was definitely missing.''
''I didn't do anything.''
Brittany just wraps her arm around Santana's waist pulling herself even closer and softly kisses the skin beneath her lips. ''You gave me the strength to fight Santana, you gave me the courage to not give up and keep on fighting.'' She pulls back to look at her and bites her lip. ''You held me whenever I needed to feel someone so I am thinking that I am not alone but the most important thing of all, you didn't allow me to lock you out and I never could have even if I wanted to.''
She keeps their eyes locked and swallows thickly as she sees the amount of emotions swirling in Santana's soulful orbs, emotions and feelings they didn't voice yet. ''I knew since the night at the bar that you would be a great part of my life but I hadn't imagined all of this, but now that I am experiencing that one thing I never thought would happen I don't even know how to thank you.''
''You do..''
''I know that I don't have to.'' Brittany murmurs with a soft sniffle feeling a tear slide down her cheek. ''But I want to, because without your strength the past few weeks I wouldn't have managed to fight through like I did.'' She murmurs. ''Without you and your mami, I wouldn't have managed to get Maze back and I could have never offered him a house where he will feel safe and loved.'' She places her finger on Santana's lips and smiles sadly. ''Safe and loved by an adult.'' She corrects knowing that Santana wanted to tell her that he feels loved and safe with her.
''He deserves all of this but you also deserve an adult in your life who won't let you down.'' Santana murmurs as she kisses her forehead laying down, she pulls Brittany closer tilting her head up as she feels her immediately nuzzle her face under her chin again and wraps a protective arm around her waist. ''The both of you deserve all the good things happening in this miserable stinking world Britt-Britt and I am happy to experience it with you.''
She gently slides her hand up her back underneath the button up she wears and nuzzles her nose in her blonde locks as she feels her soft sniffle before she even hears it. ''Please never think that you don't deserve any of this, because you do.'' She continues softly. ''You sacrificed a lot in your life, but now it's time to also enjoy your own life.''
She gently mentions her hand around them keeping her nose buried in soft blonde locks and puckers her lips to kiss the top of Brittany's head. ''See this as a new start for you and for Maze.''
Brittany hums grabbing the shirt Santana wears in her fist and sighs softly. ''As long as it's starting with you, I know I will be happy.''
Date next chapter with Holly helping B get ready, or still wait a little?
The drama with Finn is not over yet, it's coming soon but Brittana will fight it together with the group backing them up.
Also Holly/Maribel pairing or an awesome best friend story line?
I know this is my story but I would love to hear your opinion and will use some of them, just let me know your ideas.