Chapter 29: Skin To Skin
a/n: y'all are getting two at once cause I didn't realize I hadn't posted the other...oops. My bad y'all. hope you enjoy these and I am taking requests for prompts related or unrelated to my ongoings. thanks a bunch. song is by Movements. previous chapter was by All Time Low -g.e.k
The first day of school is on the horizon, and Santana is a bundle of nerves. Her, Asher, Brittnay and Ali are headed to the music shop in Columbus to fix up her violin. Her eyes scan the sidewalks, hoping that the rest of her family has made the wise decision to stay out of the public eye. With the news of her father's arrest still lingering, the Lopezes have gone from famous to infamous. Santana only relaxes once Ali has parked at the small shop. Brittany raises an eyebrow- the way Santana spoke so highly of the shop didn't match the worn down sign and squeaking door. Santana ushers the girl in nevertheless, and Brittany suddenly sees what Santana meant. Antique guitars like the walls, a grand piano takes up half the floor space, it's keys worn from years of play. Behind the counter are countless guitar strings, leather guitar straps and unsprung wooden violin bows.
"Santana?" the old man behind the counter says in surprise "I never thought I'd see you after your Abuelo passed. But here you are in the flesh." he takes her by the shoulders. "Such a gifted young girl."
"Thank you Tio Javier. Brittany, this is my tio. Well, not by blood. He was my abuelo's best friend." Santana introduces them "Tio, this is my girlfriend Brittany."
"You know how to pick them Tana. So, what brings you back to Columbus? It's not a place you should be with the state of things. Your mother's an absolute mess." Javier shakes his head "Came in here rambling on about how I ought to stand up for her. I've been looking after your Abuela. She misses you dearly."
"I know, I miss her too. But my mother is too unpredictable. Too manipulative. Why is she so crazy?" Santana asks.
"The house is being taken out from under her. She has no money without your father. Your abuela is in a tough spot. She hasn't forgive your mother, but she promised your Abuelo she take care of all of you. It was his dying wish." Javier shakes his head "But don't bother over that. Let's get you set up before she catches your scent."
"I was hoping you could restring my bow." Santana takes out her violin "I was a bit rough on it."
"Dios mio Santana. Yes. I'll fix it right up. Can I get your friend anything?" he says ,gently taking the old string off the bow.
"Britt?" Sanatana questions, and the blonde looks around.
"Maybe a pack of strings for my acoustic." she offers "You've got some really nice ones."
"That I do. Here" he grabs a pack down and hands them to her "Best strings on the market. On the house. Same for your bow. Oh, and this was your Abuelo's" Javier pulls an old guitar strap from a drawer "He left it to me. I want you to have it Santana. Now go. I sense things are about to go South here in Columbus."
"Thank you Tio Javi. Here's my number. Contact me if necessary. " Santana says quickly scribbling her number down as Ali rushes them into the car. They pull out onto the street and Santana gasps. There, staring straight back at her is her mother. A smirk crosses her mother's lips and Santana scoots closer to Brittany, Asher pawing at her nervously. The light turns red and the car screeches to a halt. Her mother walks up to Ali's window, and her Tia reluctantly rolls it down.
"Aliana. I see you've allowed my daughter to find herself a girlfriend hmm?" Maribel Lopez asks.
"Leave Maribel. I have full custody of Santana. Your rights were severed." Ali says lowly.
"Ah, yes. That's true. But Lopezes take care of each other. And I know Santanita remembers that." Maribel looks to her daughter and finally softens a bit. "Look Ali, the house is being taken. And despite Hectors protests, I kept some of Santana's old things." Maribel holds up a bag "This is all I managed to save from the fireplace. Please, just take it." Ali takes the bag and sets it in the passenger seat gently. "And Santanita. I'm sorry. For everything I ever did. I don't expect you to forgive me. And I'm not sure I'm ready to be forgiven. But I'm truly sorry. I'm going to have your Abuela help me to understand. One day, I hope you forgive me."
"Mami, if that day comes, Javier will tell you." Santana says "Be at peace." At that, the light turns green and Ali says goodbye to Maribel,speeding back to Lima. She hands the bag to Santana to look through. It's mostly old childhood photos, some of Emmy which she appreciates. A few notebooks are there, but one in particular catches her eye. Shoved into the page it was ripped from is the note she left that final night. She stares at it for a moment before slamming the notebook closed. She grips the notebook tightly and take a breath before shoving it toward Brittany as tears cloud her vision. The blonde opens it and sees the note. She closes it immediately and shoves it back in the bag. Asher paws at Santana in warning. Brittnay meets Ali's eyes in the mirror as she unclipped Asher, who immediately attempts to perform DPT. It's awkward in the car, but Brittany sees her girlfriend calm down. Asher stays there as Santana asks "Why'd she keep it? Why did she give it to me?"
"Because it's her letting you go." Ali says "She can't heal until she let's go of the you she wanted. And that note was still you trying to prove your worth. I think she also wanted to prove she saw it. And missed you. She agreed to her rights being severed, Santana. " Ali reminds.
"Wait." Brittany opens the notebook "She wrote something."
"What?" Santana asks and reads aloud "My daughter: I am so very sorry for the way your father and I treated you. I should've believed you. I should have protected you. I was a terrible mother. I'm sorry. I hope one day the wounds I caused heal. I hope you forgive me, but if not know this: I love you. I made mistakes, but I will never forgive myself for the worst of all: giving up on you. I could've had a happy daughter, but I let you nearly die. Live on my daughter. Be happy. Leave the memories of what I did and your father did. And if ever you can bear them, I will embrace you as you are. With Love, Mami." She finishes, wiping a few stray tears.
"She really hates what she did to you Santana. It's why she severed her rights willingly." Ali explains.
"I see that now. " Santana says quietly looking at Brittany "My Mami. She...she loves me."
"It's impossible not to." Brittnay says kissing Santana's cheek.
When they get home, Santana takes the note her mom wrote and pins its up on her wall. She knew a lot her mom's mistakes were a result of years of emotional manipulation by her father, and seeing her come to terms with the fact she'd made mistakes meant she was healing too. She took the pictures and organized them into her photo albums, Brittany watching on patiently. Once the Latina was done, they went out to buy school supplies with the Pierces. Luckily, the girls didn't need much. Liv, however, needed just about everything a little girl could need for school. Santana and Brittany helped her find all the things on her list, Asher trotting alongside Santana the whole time. Armed with school supplies they spent their final weekend swimming and spending time as a family.
Mondays. Santana despised Mondays. They were always so long and tiring and boring. But, it was the first day of school, and she knew eyes would be on her. The entire town knew what her dad had done. And she was as ready as she'd ever be to face them. She slipped on her t-shirt from winning Nationals last year over a thin long sleeve tee. She paired it with ripped jeans and made her way downstairs. She opted to wear her glasses and saw the way Brittany's smile lit up.
"You know I love those glasses." The blonde hugged the Latina tightly " Are you ready for this?" Brittany asked.
"As I'll ever be." Santana said. She called Asher over and got his vest and leash on.
"Make the most of high school." Kelsey said from her spot at the counter "I know I miss it. Diego, considering his sleeping habits, would probably disagree."
"Kelsey is right though. Last year was rough. It's time for you two to be young and stupid and in love. Now get going. I don't want you to be late on your first day." Ali winked as Brittany and Santana chuckled. Brittany drove into the parking lot not more than the minutes later.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Brittany asked as she held the door open for Santana handing the Latina her backpack.
"Asher is here. You're here. I'm going to talk to Q. Everything is going to work out Britt." Santana got Asher out of his car safety harness and kneeled down in front of the dog scratching behind his ears. "You ready buddy?" Asher woofed in response and Santana smiled. Confidently, the girls made their way to their lockers.
"Santana, Brittany!" Kurt made his way to them "Long time no see. I assume you'll you'll at Glee club this afternoon?"
"Of course Kurt." Brittany said, hanging her backpack up. "Why wouldn't we be?"
"No reason. We just haven't seen you all in ages. We thought you might have decided you're too cool for us." He admitted "The rest of the club really misses you as well."
"I promise we'll be there." Santana closes her locker "Things were weird for a bit, but I'm getting there."
"That's good to hear. We were worried. By the way, Asher looks absolutely dashing." Kurt complimented.
"Thanks Kurt. See you this afternoon?" Santana asked.
"Of course. Have a great first day." Kurt skipped off. Santana chuckled as her and Brittany made their way to class after class. Asher quickly found the best way to sleep through a boring lesson, earning envy from students. At lunch, Santana and Brittany made their way to their tree, only to find Quinn and Rachel there already.
"There you two are!" Rachel said "We've been looking for you all day."
"Our lockers didn't change, what's so hard?" Santana asks, pulling her lunch out.
"Nothing. Look, I was hoping we could talk." Quinn looks to Santana.
"Yeah. We can. Britt, Rach?" Santana looked at them pointedly. Brittnay caught on and brought Rachel a distance away.
"So, I was hoping you could talk to me about what happened. Why you freaked, cause I know why I did." Quinn says.
"Simply put, trauma. Just like you. It's my past coming up." Santana admits.
"So then you must be freaking out with the anniversary of our attacks coming up." Quinn said "I'm a wreck."
"Quinn, I'm scared, yes. Everytime I see a football player in uniform I remember. Walking by the locker rooms makes me sick." Santana admits "But I know that this year will be different. I just know."
"I wish I was as confident as you." Quinn sighs "There's one other thing- I want to perform with you."
"Fire away Q." Santana smirks.
"I wanna sing a song for Rach. But I'm too nervous to go up there myself and I think you could sing it for B too." Quinn runs a hand through her hair "If that's okay?"
"Tell me the song." Santana says "Then I'll give you my ruling."
"Right...um it's by Movements. It's called Skin To Skin. Do you know it?" The blonde chews on her lip nervously.
"Relax Q. And yeah, I do. It'll be good. I think it's therapeutic too." the Latina smirks "Now, get those two back before they chase a butterfly or something." she goes back to leaning against the tree. Quinn shakes her head and brings their girlfriend's back, looks of inquiry on both their faces. Through the rest of the day and Glee, Brittany won't drop it, especially once they get back to Santana's.
"Babe, can't I surprise you?" the shorter girl pouts "Besides, I don't want you tell Rach. Quinn would be so upset."
"I can keep a secret. Don't you trust me?" Brittany pulls Santana closer by the hips. Santana sighs and leans her head against Brittany's shoulder wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's waist.
"I love you. But I really want to surprise you. Is that okay?" Santana whispers, genuinely asking for permission.
"Of course hun. I was just pestering. I'm curious, but if you wanna surprise me" Brittany holds Santana so she can look her in the eye "Then you better wow me."
"I promise. Now, let's put a dent into our homework and then we can have a quiet night. Ali is working a late shift at the lab and Diego is at Kelsey's place." Santana kisses Brittnay's cheek as they work together through their homework. Santana's phone dings and she sees that it's Quinn.
Q: S.O.S
S: what's wrong
Q: Rach won't stop asking me why I'm being so secretive
S: B will call her.
Q: YOU TOLD HER
S: u think so little of me. Trust.
"Hey babe, Rach is on Q's case. Can you nip that in the butt?" Santana asks the blonde who looks up from her homework.
"Yup." Brittany calls Rachel. The only thing Santana hears is Britt say "Enjoy a surprise for once Rach. Stop being a control freak."
"Did she even get a word in?" Santana raises an eyebrow.
"No. I wanted to get back to you so we could get to our night." Brittany smiled.
Santana giggles. They finish their homework and spread out the takeout menus on the table, and as usual for Santana, they settle on Breadstix. They decide to get all dressed up, having not had a fancy date in ages. Both of them end up in a button up and dark black jeans. They make their way to Breadstix in Brittany's car, Asher tagging along for a bit of restaurant experience. By the time they get their food, Santana is full up on Breadstix and Brittany is abuzz to get back home. But, after a few deep breaths, they enjoy their dinner before heading back to the Lopez house. Lady Domino greets them at the door, rubbing against Asher's leg. It isn't long before they are both up in the Latinas room, finally ready to be together again.
Friday comes quickly, and Santana couldn't be more ready. Quinn was a bundle of nerves, but the Latina assured her that everything was going to be fine. She handed the sheet music to the band and gave Quinns hand a squeeze.
"You got this Q." Santana promises.
It's just something in the way you moveI'm certain that I'll circle back to youI wonder if you do it too'Cause I'm caught in you so often, I forget who's who
Santana smiles as Quinn's voice gets stronger. Her eyes find Brittany's blue in the audience, and she sings directly to the girl's soul.
Tangle me into your limbsThe mystery is killing meSpill your secrets to me, skin to skinSit back, and I'll paint your portrait, the softest of linesThe rest is so unimportantRight now you're mineRight now you're mine
The girls finish out the song, both staring into their respective girlfriend's eyes.
"What an amazing performance to start out the school year!" Mr.Schue says as the girls take their seats. "We are up against tougher competition this year, and I know you're all going to be busy. But this is your family. Together, we will be champions. Not just for show choir. But for the voiceless."
"What do you mean?" Finn asks.
"With our status as show choir champions, your stories will inspire. I'm not making anyone do anything, but I think we could really make a difference here. And not just in Lima. Not just in Ohio. Heck maybe not even just in the nation. This year, the New Directions aren't aiming for just a trophy, they're aiming for something greater."
"Like proper wheelchair access." Artie says.
"Like more diverse history in school." Tina says.
"Like equal rights for all." Brittany smiles.
"And support for those who need it more than ever." Santana smiles softly.
"Exactly. Are y'all in?" Mr.Schue asks.
"Why not?" they all shrug in agreement