a/n: This is a pretty hefty chapter. We've got sectionals and Thanksgiving and some fun stuff. no major TW in this chapter, this story is getting soft but I like it. Enjoy!Song is by Fall Out Boy!I dont own them or glee!
Chapter 15: Thks Fr Th Mmrs
Sectionals were approaching at a rapid pace following Halloween. Amongst their Halloween fun, Mr.Schue had been heavily observing every member of the glee club, even Rachel. He was looking for leadership skill, stage presence, vocal talents and dancing abilities. When they got to Glee Club Monday, they all quickly took their seats. Today Mr.Schue would announce soloists for the sectionals competition in two weeks.
"Good afternoon. I appreciate your behavior today. After much consideration, I have put together a setlist and chosen our soloists. Rachel will sing our opening number as a solo. Brittany and Santana will do a duet, and we will close with a group number. This year's theme is diversity and you must do 3 different genres for each number. Rachel is opening with a Broadway number: Maybe This Time from Cabaret. Brittany and Santana, you are performing pop ballad Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran. The group number will be Thks Fr Th Mmrs by Alt Rock group Fall Out Boy." Mr. Schue announced, writing the set list on the board as he went.
"Do you really think a lesbian couple will go over well with the judges?" Santana asked nervously.
"That actually helps with the diversity factor. Because our first two numbers are female led, the boys will take the leads on the group number. The judges want to see all kinds of diversity. Brittany and Mike will be featured dancers in our group number as well. During your duet, we will have dancing pairs." Mr.Schue said. There was immediate protest from Artie and Finn.
"I cannot dance with Finn!" Artie pointed out their height difference.
"And there's no way I'm dancing with another dude." Finn added, earning a glare from Kurt and Blaine.
"That's fine because you two won't be dancing with partners. You will be off stage." Mr.Schue crossed his arms "Neither of you would be able to execute this dance. And I knew I'd get this complaint. So you two will come running out as soon as the number ends to take the opening lead in the group number."
"That's reasonable." Arite nodded, high fiving Finn.
"Alright. That's all settled. Let's start on our group number. Soloist, I may need you to stay overtime for vocal training." Mr. Schue got everyone up and started to choreograph the group number. He focuses on the main group first before teaching the more complicated moves to Brittany and Mike. He also instructs them to freestyle some moves and show him. The track plays on repeat in the background rather than try to sing and dance all at the same time on the first day. Santana and Brittant both know the song and have ease finding the beat. For the rest of the club, it's brand new.
By Wednesday, the entire club is exhausted. They finally got the dance moves down after simplifying them for Finn and adjusting them for Artie. They had just started singing the day before. They continue practicing the singing part of the number, excluding Mike and Brittany who focus solely on their dance. Artie and Finn lead for most of the song, but Sam, Mercedes,Blaine and Kurt get spotlights as well. The goal is to have the majority of the group number done by the end of that day. The reason Finn and Artie took the majority of the number was so the duet dance could be worked on while they finalize their vocals. Santana hates to admit how well the boys play off each other, bouncing lines back and forth during the two verses. The chemistry is palpable when Blaine and Kurt take on the bridge, and Sam and Mercedes kill the final chorus. The song is coming together incredibly well, despite Artie rolling over Finn's foot making his abominable dancing worse.
The next two days are torture. Finn and Artie lock themselves in Mr. Schues office to work on vocals and Mike and Brittany take every break to practice dance moves. Brittany is exhausted as she leads Santana through the slow dance for their duet and it shows in her voice. Santana, on the other hand, is starting to get the anxiety she usually gets when Thanksgiving looms in the near future. Mr.Schue is begging for smile from the two girls, and they force them the best they can. Behind them dance Tina and Mike, Sam and Mercedes, Blaine and Kurt, and Rachel and Quinn. The four other couples watch the leads nervously. When Mr.Schue let's them out early, Santana cringes when he asks Brittany and her to stay behind.
"Don't worry I'm not going to make you practice more tonight. I'm just wondering what's bothering you?" he seems genuine in his concern and the girls look between each other nervously.
"I have pretty bad anxiety around the holidays." Santana admits "I try to not let it affect me but…"
"This year is really different for you. Your aunt informed me of your home situation when you joined the club. Brittany, what about you? Are things going badly at home again?" Mr.Schue continues.
"No actually home is great. We are gearing up for the annual Pierce Thanksgiving, Santana and her tia and cousin are on the guest list. Liv is super pumped to watch sectionals and she has me teaching her the dance moves. That's probably why I'm exhausted." Brittany runs a hand through her hair.
"Right. Well, I want you to promise to teach your sister over Thanksgiving break since it's the week immediately following sectionals. And both yourself and Mike are stressing about your dance too much. It's been perfect since day one. Santana, just make sure to talk to someone about how you feel. Is there anything else I can do to help you girls?"
"What are our costumes for sectionals?" Santana shifts nervously
"Red knee length sleeveless dresses for the girls and black and white suits for the guys with red ties." Mr.Schue explains.
"Is there a way I could wear sleeves?" Santana whispers.
"Um, yeah. Actually all the girls will be wearing black tights so if you want to wear long black sleeves that would be okay. I'd prefer if you didn't or if you wore a nude color that matches your skin." Mr.Schue arches an eyebrow "Why?"
"I ummm…rather not disclose. But the sleeves will be nude I promise." Santana guarantees.
"Okay well, then I'll see you both with more pep tomorrow. If you have trouble finding something, Santana, try a theater supply store." Mr.Schue adds.
"Thanks" Brittany says before they leave. Santana groans but Brittany just hugs her close.
"You handled that well my love." Brittany smirked.
"Thanks. Let's go then?" Santana asked and Brittany nodded. Brittany dropped Santana home before heading home herself. She was trying to spend more time with her family, and she wanted to give them the tickets to the competition.
Santana went straight to the piano as soon as she got inside. She dropped her backpack on the floor and just played whatever came to mind. As she drifted between songs, one compelled her the most. It was Iris, originally by the Goo Goo dolls, but she'd fallen in love with a cover by Sleeping With Sirens.
"Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive." she sang out softly. The stress of the upcoming competition melted away as tears gently rolled down her cheeks. Allowing her fingers to dance along the keys she realized what was really bothering her. Thanksgiving was usually a huge Lopez family gathering, and it hurt her to know they'd all be toasting without her that year.
"That was beautiful mi nina" Ali said gently, leaning in the doorway.
"You heard that?" Santana wiped her cheeks.
"Si. But Santanita, are you alright? Coma estas?" Ali asked how she was.
"I'm asustada." Santana admitted her fear honestly "La amo Britt, but the holidays are for your familia. I miss Mami and Papi, Tia."
"You should know that it's love that makes a family. And you love Britt, so she is your familia. Entender?" Ali smiled softly
"I understand Tia. Is it wrong to miss them?" Santana wondered.
"No nina, you love them very much. I hope one day they learn to love you." Ali softly kissed Santana's temple. Santana nodded, and excused herself to her room. A few minutes later, she called Ali to her room.
"Are you alright?" Ali entered slowly, and frowned at the mess.
"Yeah. And I promise I'll clean. But Asher really likes sleeping on dirty clothes." Santana smirked at the dog curled up on a lump of her and Brittany's discarded clothes. "But I want to give you something to keep for me." Santana grabbed her razor and extra blades from the bathroom "I want you to keep these and only give them to me to shave." she explained "Eliminating the tool is the first step. I want to get better." she admitted.
"Thank you. This trust, Santana you should know that I think of you as my own daughter. I always have." Ali wiped away a stray tear "And I'll do whatever it takes to help you."
"Gracias Tia. I have one more thing for you." Santana pulled two tickets from her pocket "For you and Diego. To see me perform."
"We wouldn't miss it for the world." Ali smiled and left Santana's room. She fell back on the bed with a sigh. It took her mere seconds to text Brittany about her process. Her girlfriend had been taking steps with her family to deal with her problems as well. The pride that shared for each other gave them the power to get to sectionals.
After another tiring week of practice, competition day arrived and they filed into the auditorium of Carmel High. While Carmrel used to have the best Glee club in the nation, the school had been disqualified for cheating multiple time before being banned from competing. To keep the spirit alive, they hosted the local competition. The New Directions were performing last and after watching the other two teams, they were certain of their win. Rachel opened with a beautiful rendition of Maybe This Time (with minor backing vocal from the rest of the club) before the stage filled with couples slow dancing as Santana and Brittany sang Thinking Out Loud. Then the guitar of Thks Fr Th Mmrs started.
"Thanks for the memories, see he tastes like you but sweeter oh oh oh!" the club sang out as their performance came to an end. All three clubs were called out a few minutes later for the awards ceremony.
"And the winner of this year's sectionals: from William Mckinley the NEW DIRECTIONS!" the announcer said and they received a sizable trophy along with a medal for each of them personally.
"Now before you all leave the stage, we want to give out a personal award to someone we thought demonstrated not just talent, but courage in stepping on this stage. At Carmel High, we had a legacy of not highlighting those who were different, but we started a tradition of doing just that when we started hosting competitions. We ask each Glee club to nominate a member of their club and tell us their story and why they should receive the award. This years award goes to Santana Lopez of the New Directions!" Santana gasped and looked at Mr.Schue who smiled, and shooed her towards the announcer.
"Congratulations! Would you like to say a few words?" the announcer asked.
"Um, wow. Umm, you we are a very talented club full of diversity. And I just want to thank our director and teacher Mr
Schuester for nominating me. My story is long and tragic, and for him to know so little of it and still recognize my courage is admirable. I have had a very hard time the past few years. I've lost close friends and relationships with my family. But I've also come to terms with who I am and found courage through song. I want to encourage anyone out their from eight to eighty to embrace who they are. It gets better. I promise." Santana finished and returned to the group. The realization that she'd given a speech without stuttering dawned on her and Tina whispered her congrats. Brittany squeezed her hand as they left the stage. They returned to the green room to grab their things before heading out to the lobby to greet their families. They were approached by a few students from the other teams congratulating them before they go to their families. Ali and Diego were talking to the Pierces. Olibia was looking at Diego in awe as he told her some magical story, and Santana smiled. Despite being enthralled with Diego, Olivia noticed them first and ran up to them.
"TANA! BRITTY! You were so pretty and awesome and good on the big stage. You singed so good." she wrapped her arms around Brittanys legs before launching herself into Santana's arms. She whispered "Mr.Diego says he calls you Tana too. Thought I was special."
"You are. You're my Livvy. How bout this, since he stole your nickname for me, you can steal my nickname for him?" Santana bartered.
"Kay. What is it?" Liv bounced on her heels.
"Go Go" Santana smirked.
"Got it. Mr. Go Go." she ran to Diego and asked him to pick her up "Mr.Go Go will you carry me?" Diego arched an eyebrow at Santana and picked the little girl up.
"Do we get to congratulate you now?" the Pierces and Ali asked.
"Sorry. Liv is too cute." Brittany smiled.
"Mr. Go Go am I cute?" Liv asked and Diego nodded.
"Sure are." he smiled "Great job Tana, Britt. You both looked stunning up on stage."
"Sounded beautiful too. I never knew just how good you were Britt." Mr. Pierce admitted.
"I sound best with her. We sing in perfect harmony." Brittany blushed.
"You killed that dance babe." Santana countered.
"Awww, you two are too adorable." Mrs.Pierce gushed. "Let me get a picture of you in your competition clothes." The girls rolled their eyes and posed smiling.
"So you got a trophy of your own huh? Don't let it go to your head." Ali teased.
"I won't Tia. It belongs to you too. I wouldn't be here without you. We'll put it on the mantle." Santana grinned.
"Show-off" Diego whispered under his breath.
"It'll go just fine with your soccer trophies doofus." Santana stuck her tongue out.
"Yeah, you three are going to fit right in at Thanksgiving. Is there anything we should know about dietary restrictions?" the Pierces asked.
"We're Latina, we have guts of steel." Diego said.
"He means no nuts. He just wants to get to use his epi-pen." Ali groaned.
"Got it. Well, we will see you Thursday. Britt, you be good for Ali and we better see you by Monday." Mrs.Pierce says.
"Of course. I promised to teach Liv to dance." Brittany smiled as Liv sadly said goodbye to Diego and Santana before trotting after her parents.
"So you two ready to celebrate?" Ali asked.
"As long as it involves food." Santana insisted.
"Agreed." Diego patted his stomach. Brittany and Ali rolled their eyes. They went out to a nice dinner before heading back to Casa De Lopez. Throughout dinner, Brittany teased Diego about how Liv had a crush on him and Diego sighed after every comment, Santana giggling. They also shared some info about their fellow Glee club member throughout and Ali was begging to host another get together by the time she learned about Sam. Santana promised it could be arranged for Winter Break.
When they arrived home, Ali forced Santana to play Iris on the piano for Brittany. Brittany smiled and they decided they'd do a guitar and piano acoustic duet when they returned to Glee next week.
On Sunday, Santana took Brittany and Asher out on a mini date. They started at the park, knowing Brittany would want to make sure the ducks were well fed with the lake freezing over quickly. Snow was supposed to be falling soon, and Santana had to admit she was excited to play in the snow with Asher who was getting bigger by the day. At 3 months old he was already hitting 30 pounds and getting a thick winter coat from his husky half. After spending a while at the park, Santana took them to a dog friendly cafe where she had hot chocolate that had even surpassed her recipe. When Brittany tried it, she tried to argue but Santana knew she was lying. She then took Brittany to Columbus, where she grew up. She pulled into the graveyard parking lot and Brittany looked at her quizzically.
"You're not going to murder me are you?" Brittany asked as she got out, leaving Asher with a warm blanket since he wasn't allowed on the grounds.
"No, I want to introduce you to two people. Follow me." Santana led Brittany to a grave "Brittany, meet Emma." Santana smiled sadly, replacing the flowers and placing a stuffed teddy bear next to the ones she left previously.
"Santana…" Brittany sighed, and then pressed a hand to the grave stone "Hi Emma. I'm Brittany, I wish I'd met you in person. I think we would've been amazing friends. I want to thank you for being Santana's first friend, and I promise to take care of her. I love her with all my heart."
"Em, I'm sorry it has been so long but life has been hectic. I'm sure you know, so I'll spare you the detail. I love you, te amo Emmy." Santana wiped a few tears away before leading Brittany to one more grave.
"Abuelo, this is Brittany." she kneeled before the gravestone surrounded by American flags. "Thank you for fighting for our right to love each other. Take care of Abuela, Mami and Papi and the rest of the family."
"Santana I thought your Abuleo was-" Brittany started but Santana shook her head.
"That was my other Abuelo. Papi's father. This is my Mami's dad. Abuela told me he was a great man who struggled with the same sin I did long before I came out. Abuela contacted Ali and told her that she was stopping my family from disgracing my name on Abuelo's account after the incident. She had to sever ties with me to preserve her relationship with Mami, but she secretly sends me letters."
"She's the abuela who taught you to cook?" Brittany asked and Santana nodded.
"Abuelo, I love you." Santana hid a rainbow flag amongst the American flags and took Brittany back to the car.
"Thank you Santana." Brittany smiled "I feel so honored to have been here with you."
"You needed to meet them. There's one more person to meet though." Santana drove to a small park a few blocks away. It was all but empty save for an old lady sitting on a bench.
"Abuela?" Santana called out. The lady turned around with a huge smile.
"Santanita! And this must be the beautiful Brittany." she hugged them both before leaning down and shaking paws with Asher.
"It's an honor to meet you ma'am" Brittany said.
"The honor is mine. Thank you for agreeing to meet me Santanita. I wish I'd been able to help you more." Abuela admitted.
"You were the one who called Ali. You know I wouldn't have been safe with you " Santana reminded.
"I know. I brought you something. It's from your mother. She still loves you and wanted you to have this." Abuela handed Santana a large yellow envelope. She pulled out a framed photograph of herself, her mami, Emma and her mom.
"She loves me Abulea?" Santana asked near tears.
"Yes. But your father controls her. You know this." Abuela said sadly.
"I know. Will you thank her? Were there any more pictures?" Santana asked quietly.
"I'm sorry, no. They destroyed everything else. They sold your piano. Everything gone." Abuela whispered.
"If her mother loves her, why didn't she say so? Fight for her?" Brittany asked.
"Dr.Lopez, her father, is a very powerful man. If Maria wanted to leave, it wouldn't matter. They are bound by death. She cannot leave and survive." Abuela said.
"It's okay Britt. I suspected that. Abuela, you should go. We need to return to Lima before word gets out we were here. I visited Emmy's grave and left my signature teddy bear. If anyone else visits word will get around" Santana looked around glad the park was still bare and off the main roads.
"Yes. It was nice to meet you Brittany. Take care of eachother. Santana. Open that frame when you get home." Abuela called out and like that disappeared around the corner.
"Lets go Britt. We can't stay any longer."Santana dragged Brittany to the car. As soon as they go in she instructed Brittany to duck her head. Luckily, theyd taken Brittany's car which would be unrecognizable. She watched a large SUV drive by and pick up Abuela who looked at them sadly before climbing in. The driver, a man, looked at the car questioning but drove away.
"Who was that?" Brittany asked.
"My father. We need to leave." Santana quickly drove them back to Lima. Her parents would only hurt her if she interfered with their lives, and that included coming to Columbus. However, she was protected in Lima by a very heavy restraining order banning them from the city limits. Ali had friends in high places.
When they arrived back in Lima, Santana opened the chain. Out fell a necklace, a treble clef hanging from it. A post it note had a note.
"My daughter. Use your talent. Love Mami."
"San?" Brittany asked as Santana began to sob "It's okay baby. You're going to be okay."
"I know. I just miss my Mami." Santana wiped her tears and had Brittany put the necklace on. She left the post it note, closing the frame and putting the picture on her desk. She cuddled into Brittany and Ashers cuddled behind her as she fell asleep that night.
Thursday came and the Lopez's and Pierces were sitting down to a Thanksgiving feast. Asher sat a few feet away in a kennel with his own turkey dinner.
"Before we eat, I want us all to say what we're grateful for." Mr.Pierce said "I'm thankful for my family, blood and love. I'm thankful for the power of forgiveness and to be blessed to live in a world where justice is served."
"I'm thankful for family and friends as well. I'm thankful that time heals and that I have grown as a person through my daughters." Mrs. Pierce said.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to raise a daughter and to see my son smile. I'm thankful for the music that fills my home daily as my children play the piano. And im thankful for friends to enjoy Thanksgiving with." Ali said.
"I'm thankful that mistakes are okay and that learning is a part of growing up. I'm thankful that I get to be a big brother to Tana how I always wanted and that I have someone to show me up on piano. I'm grateful that I've been included today." Diego said.
"I'm thankful for mommy, daddy, lord tub, asher, ms.ali. Mr. Go go, tana and britty and all my friends. And that britty taught me to dance." Liv said sweetly.
"I'm thankful for justice, for freedom and for health. I'm thankful to be healing and most of all thankful that Santana came into my life." Brittany smiled.
"I'm thankful to be surrounded by people who love me as I am and not who they want me to be. I'm thankful to be recovering and discovering myself through music. And of course, I'm thankful for Brittany and thankful for the memories we will make together with our friends." Santana finished and they all cheers as they dug into the feast.
Santana reflected on Thanksgivings past when thanks were not shared and gratefulness was missing. About being prim and proper when passing the gravy and never putting an elbow on the table. She realized the relaxed way of Thanksgiving was better. Table scraps were fed to dogs and cats, hugs were shared, gratefulness shown and blondes danced wildly. She was thankful that this would now be her Thanksgiving memory. As Fall Out Boy says.: thks fr th mmrs.
a/n: so tbh I'm the kind of writer who never really plans, and the decision to include Santana's family was a bit difficult but I think it adds dimension. I'm not sure how important it'll be but I like this bit so far. putting a disclaimer that I don't one Iris or the lyrics or the Goo Goo dolls. I don't have rights to any of the songs in this. also I chose Maybe This Time for reasons unrelated to the fact it was in glee but i guess that performance is one you can actually watch.