Santana woke up to her phone buzzing. She barely opened her eyes as she lazily dragged her hand across the bed, finding her phone under her pillow. She pulled it out and held it to her ear.

"Morning Britt-Britt"

She mumbled barely understandably. Brittany's giggle pulled the corner of her mouth up for a second before her body remembered its exhaustion and it dropped.

"Morning babe. So you're still sleeping?"

Santana grunted in response.

"Aww…sorry I woke you then. I'll call back later."

"What did you want?"

"What?"

Taking a deep breath, Santana opened her eyes to slits, squinting at her alarm clock. She fought a groan when she saw it was seven am.

"Did you want something?"

"Uh…"

Brittany's hesitation was all the confirmation Santana needed. She pushed herself off her stomach, ignoring her protesting muscles and sitting up.

"Tell me B. I'm up"

"I was just wondering when you were coming by…if you were coming by"

Santana opened her eyes again, feeling guilty. She had not planned on going to Brittany's. Not soon anyway. She would probably have wound up there at some point in the evening, but she had dropped Brittany home at close to four in the morning and had planned on being asleep all day.

"Of course I'm coming by."

"Oh good" the relief in Brittany's voice told her she had made the right decision. "Can you please bring me some dots, one tub of vanilla and one of chocolate ice cream, and some whipped cream?"

"Sure"

"Thank you!" Brittany squealed. "I'll see you in a bit then."

Santana just nodded, dropping back onto the bed. She was so tired her eyes were stinging as she forced them to stay open. After hanging up with Brittany, she lay on her bed for a while, willing her mind to wake up. After thirty minutes of telling herself 'just five more minutes' she finally got out of bed.

She threw on some grey sweatpants from her hamper and a hoodie from her floor, tied her hair up in a bun that was barely holding together and put on her glasses, too tired to attempt to put in her contacts.

Her mother stared at her in disbelief when she descended the stairs. She would have found it amusing if she had the energy.

"Good morning beautiful daughter of mine"

"Morning"

"Why are you up so early? I heard you coming home at some time in the early morning"

"I'm going to the store"

She knew her mother's confusion was completely warranted. Santana didn't wake up earlier than 10 on any day she didn't have school without there being a good reason. Most of the time that reason was Brittany, but her mother was only just starting to realise that, so Santana understood her confusion.

"Brittany needs some stuff" she clarified for her.

"Ohh"

Santana nodded. There was some understanding in her mother's tone, but a question behind it as well. A question that would lead to more questions, as most of their conversations did since she had come out to her parents.

"Yeah" she grabbed her keys from the bowl on the kitchen counter and shook them. "I'll be back later."

"Around what time?"

She had to fight an eye roll, as well as the urge to snap at her mother. It was a knee-jerk reaction. They had been fighting for basically a decade after all. She stopped herself though, taking a breath.

"I'm not sure. Let's say midnight just to be sure."

"Text me?" Her mother asked cautiously.

Santana nodded.

"Sure ma. See you later."

In her car, she connected her phone to the aux chord, spending nearly 5 minutes looking for a song to play before starting the car. She made a quick stop at the Lima Bean, buying a coffee and an iced latte for when she'd finished the coffee, then made her way to the Walmart that was closest to Brittany's house.

"Hi!" she heard coming cheerfully through the phone.

"Hey" she smiled. "I'm at Walmart. Do you need anything else?"

"No, did you already get the ice cream?"

"M-mmhh" Santana hummed, shaking her head and swinging her basket back and forth.

"Okay. No, I don't need anything else." After a long pause, Brittany giggled. "Did you fall asleep?"

Santana blinked, realising she had zoned out staring at a pack of pasta.

"No…course not silly."

Brittany laughed some more, which made Santana smile.

"Lopez?"

She turned her head to find Lincoln standing at the end of her aisle, with Kayley.

"I think I just confirmed some rumours B"

"What rumours?"

"I'll tell you later"

"Santana?" Kayley called this time, taking a few steps toward her.

"I gotta go"

"Okay. Just get here quick so I can see your pretty face." Santana couldn't help but grin. She was glad she couldn't really blush.

"Bye babe"

"Byeee"

When she hung up, she turned around fully to face her friends.

"What's up guys?"

"You look like a zombie" Kayley said, clearly trying not to laugh. Her comment immediately reminded Santana of the state in which she'd left the house. She snatched the glasses from her eyes and tucked them into her pocket. Kayley stopped trying not to laugh. "Really?"

"Shut up"

"You wear glasses? How did I not know that?" Lincoln asked.

"I don't wear glasses." Santana said seriously. "You didn't see anything." Kayley smiled but nodded.

"Sure"

"But-"

"Don't be stupid. Have you ever seen me wear glasses?"

Lincoln frowned, shooting Kayley a confused look.

"She doesn't want us to tell anyone that she wears glasses ba…Linc"

It was Santana's turn to smirk as both Lincoln and Kelly turned to her with wide worried eyes. She held it long enough for both of them to know she'd caught the slip up, then looked down at her phone.

"What are you guys doing here so early?"

"This one woke up craving some kind of cake thing that she wants to try make….I don't know." Lincoln didn't seem to notice the implication of his words, but Kayley did. Her eyes once again widened, before she sighed and moved closer to Santana.

"Don't-"

"I won't"

Lily and Kayley were really close friends. They never called themselves best friends, but they very obviously were. Nowhere near as close as Brittany and Santana ever were, but for Cheerios, who for some reason seemed incapable of being genuine friends, they were one of the few. Lily and Lincoln had been on and off again since freshman year, like Puck and Santana but slightly more serious and a lot more dramatic. They finally called it quits at some point during the summer, and when school started he and Kailey were suddenly a lot closer. Brittany had called it right away, and though Santana had been sceptical, she had been forced to give in when Lincoln nearly got into a fight with another guy in their class tried to hit on Kayley.

Before coming out, she would have been all over that gossip, just like the rest of the school, but seeing how Lincoln, Kayley and Lily, along with a few others had stuck by her and supported her when she and Brittany came out, made her take their friendship more seriously. She saw them in a new light, and appreciated them more. Even though she still found the whole thing very interesting, she had promised herself to stay out of it, and just be supportive.

"Thanks" Kayley said quietly. Santana smiled at her. "You really do look like shit though girl"

"I could never look like shit"

"True" Lincoln said, jumping out of the way as Kailey tried to smack his arm. "What, it's true!"

"Well you've looked better"

"It's almost 8 in the morning, and I'm at Walmart."

"What happened to always looking better than everyone else?"

"This is as good as I can look with 3 hours of sleep."

"Yikes" Lincoln said, screwing up his mouth. "Yeah, I don't blame you. What were you doing till 4 in the morning?"

"Hanging out with B."

"Aaah" he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Santana shook her head. "And why are you awake now?"

"Brittany?" Kayley asked. She giggled when Santana nodded. "I don't know how we didn't all see it before."

Santana shifted uncomfortably. She hadn't really talked to anyone other than the glee club about her and Brittany. Most of the Cheerios just accepted the information and moved on-at least she thought so, and her friends didn't talk about it. She was slightly curious about what they thought, but she was more scared to find out that they really hated it and were just tolerating it because they were friends.

"Yeah, now that we know, it kind of seems obvious."

All Santana could do was shrug.

"Well, you look like you're going to fall asleep on the spot, so I'll say this before I go. Turner is throwing a party tonight, he said he tried to call you and Britt yesterday but you didn't pick"

Santana looked down at her phone. "I haven't checked."

"The point is you should come" Lincoln said. "It's not really a party….more of a hangout session. Just going to be the usual gang" Santana nodded, "Maybe Mitch and Nathan and their girls"

"Who are they dating?" Kayley asked. Lincoln shrugged.

"Haven't met them"

"I'll ask B if she wants to come"

"So you'll be there" Kayley grinned cheekily as she backed away. Santana rolled her eyes.

"See you later Lopez" Lincoln said, waving his hand as he followed Kayley.

"Put your glasses back on so you don't walk into somebody" Kayley called.

"Fuck you!" Santana laughed.

Thankfully, after that she didn't run into anybody she knew. She still rushed though.

When she arrived at Brittany's house a few minutes later, she let herself in, as she had been doing for months now, and walked to the kitchen.

"Santana is that you dear?" Susan called

Brittany came running out of the kitchen before she could answer Susan, crushing her in a tight hug. She chuckled.

"Hey babe"

"I missed you" Brittany breathed. She pulled her head back and looked into Santana's eyes. "Hi"

"Hi"

Their kiss was tender and sweet, and had both of them smiling before it was even over.

"Honey S?" Pierce called from the living room.

"Yeah papa P?"

"Hey" he appeared a few seconds later with a huge smile that matched Brittany's. It made Santana smile wider. "I should give you a lecture about bringing my baby girl home at 4 in the morning, but it's good to see you"

"Yeah…sorry about that"

"Ha!" Susan barked, emerging from the kitchen. "You'll be doing it again tonight I'm sure"

Santana had to laugh, knowing she and Brittany were probably going to a party that night and would indeed be returning at some point in the morning.

"It's fine though. We both know Britt's safer with you than anyone else, whatever time it is."

Susan hugged her, kissing her temple. "It is good to see you Santana."

"I saw you guys yesterday" Santana laughed, feeling slightly overwhelmed by how happy they were to see her. It had been that way for years, but it still threw her off sometimes.

"We're happy to see you all the time." Brittany said, taking Santana's hand and intertwining their fingers.

"You're just happy to see me cause I brought ice cream"

"Oh!" Brittany said, as her dad snatched the bag from Santana and looked inside.

"That you did. You're a gem Santana."

The pair basically pranced bag to the kitchen, leaving Susan and Santana staring after them.

"How much do we owe you Santana?"

Santana frowned. "Huh?"

"For the shopping"

"Oh" Santana shook her head. "Are we really going to be having this argument every time?"

"Probably" Susan laughed.

"Fine by me" Santana said, as Susan led her into the kitchen. "Ash still asleep?"

"Yeah. She didn't have a great night" Pierce said.

"Oh…why?"

"Some kid in the fourth grade told her and Ty that there was a demon that slept in kids' beds until they turned ten and the only way to get rid of him was to set your bed on fire in the middle of the night."

Santana frowned heavily. "That's so stupid"

"Kids are so stupid" Brittany said, shaking her head. "She's been sleeping either in mine or my parents' bed."

"Poor girl. I should go kick that kid's ass."

Pierce laughed. "It wouldn't stop her nightmares."

"It would make me feel better" Santana shrugged.

Everyone laughed.

"So do you want to know what we're making?"

Santana had a guess, but there was such excitement in Brittany and Pierce's faces that she couldn't rain on it.

"Better be something good if I have to be up at 7 for it."

"Oh it's good." Pierce said, grinning.

"Dad's making his famous toasted marshmallow ice cream!" Brittany squealed, bouncing on the spot. "For breakfast!"

"Wow" Santana was genuinely surprised. The last time Pierce had made toasted marshmallow ice cream for breakfast was when she and Brittany were 16. It had been a complete disaster of a day, after which he had said he would never do it again. Usually, starting the day off with that much sugar, meant eating only sugar for the rest of the day. With Brittany and a then 6 year old Ashley, that led to extreme hyperactive behaviour, followed by terrible crashes that had them both in tears.

"Right?" Brittany said excitedly.

"Yup" Susan said, correctly interpreting Santana's surprise. "I couldn't believe it either."

"When the little bug wakes up, we can get started."

"How long do you think that will be?" Santana asked, stifling a yawn. "Approximately."

"An hour….maybe two"

"Do you think-"

Brittany laughed, taking Santana's hand and pulling her out of the kitchen. "Yes. You can go lie down"

"I love you" Santana giggled, following Brittany up the stairs.

They got into Brittany's bed and lay down facing each other. Brittany had her arms around Santana's waist, underneath her hoodie, and she slowly dragged her nails over her skin as she looked into Santana's eyes.

"You look hot today" Santana snorted. "What?"

"No I don't"

"You do"

"I look homeless."

"But like….sexy homeless. All you need are your glasses"

Santana laughed fully. "Oh my god." She lifted all her weight off her side and snaked a hand into her pocket, pulling out her glasses. "Phew, not broken"

"You have them?" Brittany asked. She was clearly confused, but the smile on her face said she was also very happy.

"Yeah. I didn't have the energy to put in my contacts."

Brittany sat up.

"Please put them on" Santana groaned. "Please"

"No"

"Pleeeaase"

Brittany moved to sit on top of Santana, straddling her.

"No"

"I love how you look with your glasses. It's like a sexy secretary thing."

"You have a thing for secretaries?"

"Only sexy ones"

Santana laughed, her hands moving to grip Brittany's waist.

"You're cute as hell." Brittany grinned. "But it's still a no."

"Oh come on S. Pleeaasseee"

Her hands crept up Santana's stomach, inching under her sweatshirt until she reached her boobs.

"Are you really going to seduce me into putting on my glasses?"

She was trying to keep cool, but her breathing was already picking up, and she knew Brittany could tell.

"Is it working?"

"No"

"It's not like I'm asking you to wear them to school. I just want to see you wear them."

"You have seen me wear them"

"Not as much as I'd like" Brittany took the glasses out of Santana's hand. "I don't get why you hate them so much. They're cute" Santana groaned, rolling her eyes. "I know, I know. You hate that word."

"Then why do you keep using it?"

"Cause I'm your girlfriend now, and I can do whatever I want."

Santana smiled wide, rubbing her hand up and down Brittany's thighs.

"Kiss me"

Brittany cocked her head, smiling for a few seconds, then leaned down and kissed Santana.

"Why?" she asked as she pulled back.

"Cause you're my girlfriend."

Brittany smiled, kissing Santana again.

"Can you do your girlfriend a favour?"

"Sure B anything" Brittany smirked. "Ah shit."

"Yay"

"Okay, put them on. Jesus."

Brittany slipped the glasses onto Santana, being careful not to catch her hair. When they were on properly, she sat back on Santana's legs.

"Beautiful"

"Stop it"

"I remember the first time I saw you with your glasses."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You were at home. I came over without telling you and you were in the living room with your laptop. You had one of your earphones in…I guess you didn't hear me."

Santana frowned. "Uh…No. Wasn't it the day I dropped one of my contacts and you stepped on it?"

"No. That's the first time you saw me see you in your glasses" Santana's frown deepened. "I came in, and you were just in some big baggy shirt and there was a bag of chips next to you….lays I think, and your laptop on your stomach" Brittany giggled, scratching Santana's stomach gently. "And you had on your glasses."

"I don't remember this."

"You were just…you were so relaxed and comfortable…I'd never really seen you like that. It felt like this golden moment I'd been allowed to see. This perfect moment." Santana smiled. "So, I watched you for a while. You were singing along to a couple of words and talking to your laptop. You were happy"

"Why don't I remember this?"

"I left and came back in making a lot more noise"

"Why didn't you just come in?"

"Because like I said, it felt like a special moment. I wasn't supposed to see that, so I left. Plus now I had something to look forward to. One day you'd be that way around me and wouldn't even notice."

Santana shook her head.

"I don't get you"

It was Brittany's turn to frown. "Course you do"

"No like…I don't know why you were so patient with me. I don't know why you cared."

"I could say the same"

"You don't understand what I'm saying."

"No, I understand what you're saying, I just…you and I…a lot of people think we don't make sense, and sometimes I think I don't make sense, but…we make sense to each other. We work because we may not understand ourselves but we understand each other. That's all that matters."


"Do you want to go?" Brittan asked, coming out of the shower.

"Kind of, but I don't mind staying if you don't feel up to it"

Brittany dropped the towel and put on her underwear. When she was done towelling her hair she turned to face Santana.

"I want to. We've spent a lot of time with the glee club recently, but not the rest of our friends."

"Yeah"

"They've been really cool about everything."

"Oh!" Santana said, sitting up straighter and pausing the music playing on Brittany's laptop. "Lincoln and Kailey, totally a thing."

"I knew it!" Brittany fist bumped. "I knew it."

"How did you know?"

"I saw her watching him at practice."

Santana raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to explain why that matters? Almost all the girls on the squad watch the football team practice."

"Yeah, but she wasn't watching the football team, she was watching him."

"I don't understand"

Brittany laughed. "Okay...when I watch the Cheerios routines to make sure there are no mistakes and that it's actually good, sometimes I watch the Cheerios, and sometimes I watch you. Sometimes I just can't focus on anyone else cause I love you. I don't see anyone else through the whole routine. Or when we're in glee and you're performing with someone else, as much as I try my eyes just follow you."

Santana understood. It was how she felt when Brittany was doing literally anything. It was like Brittany was a magnet and her eyes were drawn to her all of the time.

She nodded. "And Kailey was looking at him like that?"

"Yeah. There was that look in her eyes, like he was the star of the team."

"You're really smart B"

Brittany grinned. "Do they seem happy?"

"I ran into them at Walmart. I haven't seen them being all couple-y, but they're kind of cute yeah. They still act like friends, which is good I think. Kind of like us."

"Nobody's like us."

"Ain't that the truth" Santana laughed. "So are we going?"

"Yeah, let's go. It'll be fun."

"Fine. Then we need to go to my house"

Brittany walked back to her wardrobe. "Cool. Let me get dressed then."

"Don't over-do it"

Brittany turned back to Santana.

"What do you mean?"

"Last week you wore a see-through shirt, and left the first 4 buttons open."

"I didn't know it was see-through." Santana stared at her, unblinking. "Okay, I didn't think it was that see-through."

"Just….don't show any skin from your knees up"

Brittany laughed, shaking her head.

Twenty minutes later, Brittany was dressed in tight skinny jeans, with a red crop top and a black hoodie tied round her waist. There had been some argument over the crop top, but eventually Santana had given in.

They spent an hour at Santana's, where Brittany argued the fairness of Santana's outfit. She was wearing a tight deep purple dress, that showed a lot more cleavage than Brittany knew Santana would allow her to show, and was very, very short. At the end of the argument, Santana had changed into a slightly longer tight navy blue dress, that completely covered her boobs, and had a black hoodie tied round her waist as well. So they could match, Brittany said.


"Look who it is" Turner said as he opened the front door.

"My favourite lesbians" Puck said, appearing behind Turner.

"Shut up Puck"

"It's good to see you guys, it's been a minute"

"Yeah it has."

"I missed you" Brittany bounced forward, hugging Turner tightly. He pulled Santana into a hug as well, though a more playful one because he knew she hated it.

"Come in pretty ladies." Puck said, moving out of the way.

"You're late, as usual"

"Just like I taught them"

"Who shows up to a party on time?" Santana asked, rolling her eyes.

"Losers" Puck answered.

"Well everyone else is already here. Lily's pretty drunk"

"Is she all over Lincoln?"

Turner nodded. "He's trying his best though."

Santana nodded. "We'll go help"

They walked into Turner's living room, where about ten people were all gathered, in various stages of inebriation.

"Santanaaaa"

Monica came running towards them with a solo cup in her hand. She stopped before bumping into Turner and clutched his arm tight to balance herself.

"Girl, how are you?"

"Good" Santana said around a laugh. "How drunk are you?"

"Please, this isn't drunk." Brittany and Santana shared a look. "You guys need to catch up to me"

"I'll handle that" Puck said, before disappearing into the kitchen.

There was a basketball game on the tv that Lincoln and Mitch were playing. Lily was sitting way too close to Lincoln, and though he was trying to seem cool, Santana could see his discomfort. His eyes kept flitting to Kayley, who was on a different couch with Nathan and a girl Santana didn't know. Kailey's eyes remained fixed on the tv, her entire body turned away from Lincoln and Lily.

Brittany drifted off to the couch where Lincoln and Mitch were, asking questions about the game, and Santana turned her attention back to the two around her. With a hand on her back, Turner led her to a corner of the room. Monica followed.

"How are you?"

"Fine. How are you?"

"I meant…after the ad?"

Santana looked down, wishing Puck would hurry up with her drink. "I'm fine."

"That was totally messed up" Monica said, looking more sober.

"It went down better than I was expecting. I mean there are idiots, but nothing I can't handle."

"As if there's anything Santana Lopez can't handle" Turner said, patting her shoulder. She laughed.

"Exactly."

"You let me know if any assholes give you shit, okay?"

Santana smiled at him, nodding her head. "Thanks Turner"

"M'lady" Puck said loudly, stopping next to Santana. "Here is your drink."

"It's clean right?" Santana asked. Puck smirked and walked to Brittany.

"It's clean" Turner said. "I told him this isn't a wild party"

Santana took a sip of the drink as she watched Brittany. She was now sitting on the couch between Lincoln and Lily, playing with Lincoln's controller. Santana smiled.

The party was exactly how Lincoln had said it would be. It was calm, with music playing in the background rather than blasting through the house. Though they drank a lot, nobody got too drunk, and they spent their time talking rather than playing party games. It was the kind of thing Santana had missed a lot. She hadn't gone to things like this in almost a year and a half, because it felt too intimate. She was always scared people would find out about her and Brittany if there wasn't large amounts of alcohol, dozens of people and too-loud-music to distract them. If she wasn't scared, she was angry that she couldn't cuddle up with Brittany on a couch like the other couples and kiss her sweetly when she said something funny or cute. Her anger made her start fights with people, or put her in such a foul mood that nobody wanted her around anyway. In the end she'd just stopped going.

It was nice to be back. To be around her friends, relaxed and having fun, being able to hold Brittany as close as she wanted to and not caring, and knowing that nobody else cared either.

"I missed you guys" Lily said. She was sitting on one of the poufs in front of the tv, which had been off for a while. Turner was on the other one, in between her and the couch. Nathan and the girl, who Santana still did not know, were cuddled on the couch, Monica was next to them. Santana was sitting on the second couch, Brittany on the floor between her legs with her head resting on her thigh. Santana was running her fingers through her hair softly. Lincoln and Kailey were sitting next to her, and Mitch and his girlfriend were laying on top of each other on the single couch opposite the couch Nathan was on. Puck had left to find a cooler party.

"We missed you too." Brittany said, not lifting her head.

"We should do this more often" Lincoln said. "We're seniors now you know? We only have one more year"

"Sad panda" Brittany said, her fingers running up Santana's leg.

"I know" Monica said. "It's gonna blow not knowing you guys anymore."

They were silent for a while, all lost in thought.

"Hey!" Nathan's girlfriend said, sitting up. "I finally got it. I know you" she pointed at Santana.

Santana raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the increase in her heart rate.

"You're the Cheerio from the commercial."

"Shit" Santana heard Kayley said. She felt Brittany's fingers still, wrapping around her ankle.

"Yeah" Santana slowly.

"That must have sucked."

"It wasn't great"

"Well…is it…"

"True?" the girl nodded. "Which part?"

Santana's heart was hammering. She felt like she was sweating all down her back, and the nails of her right hand, which had been tucked under her thigh were digging into her skin painfully. She would not back down from this. When the commercial had aired she had promised herself not to hide. She had done enough hiding, and she was tired. Whatever was coming, as unprepared a she felt to deal with it, she would have to.

"You know…" Santana continued to stare at the girl. Brittany lifted her head, and she felt the couch shift next to her, though she wasn't sure if it was Lincoln or Kayley. "The part about you being…you know…"

"A cheerleader?" Monica asked. The girl was starting to look uncomfortable, finally picking up on the room's tense atmosphere.

"No…the-" Nathan whispered in her ear, interrupting her sentence. She looked uneasily around the room, then shook her head and lifted her hands. "Never mind."

"No finish. Go ahead and ask your question" Lily said, sitting up as straight as she could in the pouf.

"No…it's okay. I don't need to know"

"No shit" Lincoln said.

"It's not any of your business is it?" Lily said.

"I was just asking" the girl tried to defend. Santana relaxed back into the couch. She felt Brittany's grip on her ankle loosen as well.

"Don't next time" Kayley said. "Like Lily said, it's not your fucking business."

"Cool it guys. She didn't mean any harm"

"Shut up Nathan. I told you when you said she was coming that she better be respectful"

Santana's heart warmed at the knowledge that Turner had gone out of his way to make sure she and Brittany would be comfortable. She smiled at him, even though he wasn't looking at her.

"She just asked a question"

"A dumb one" Brittany said. Santana resumed combing her fingers through her hair as she chuckled.

"Sorry" the girl said.

"It's fine guys" Santana said. "Thanks….but it's fine. I'm gonna have to answer this question all the time anyway, I might as well get some practice."

"Not in my house" Turner said, shaking his head. This time he caught Santana's smile.

"Yes" she said, addressing Nathan's girlfriend. "I'm a lesbian"

"I'm her girlfriend" Brittany said immediately.

The girl's eyes were wide, but she nodded.

"Cool"

At 2 am Santana finally felt sober enough to drive, so she hugged all her friends goodbye, promising not to be such a stranger anymore, waved at Mitch, who was trapped underneath his sleeping girlfriend and half carried Brittany to her car.

Brittany was so tired she couldn't even undress herself. Her eyes were closed as Santana sat her on the edge of the bed. She let Santana manoeuvre her body as she needed to get her clothes off, and as soon as she had a shirt on she crawled into bed. Santana showered quickly and joined her twenty minutes later.

"I had fun today" Brittany mumbled, curling around Santana's body. "You smell good"

"Thanks" Santana laughed. "And I had fun too"

"We have cool friends"

"Yeah."

"We have lots of cool friends, cause we have the glee kids too"

Santana nodded, humming in response.

"Thanks for waking up to do shopping for me baby"

"You're welcome"

They were silent for a long time. Santana actually thought Brittany had fallen asleep

"I hope we have cool friends forever"

"I bet we do." Santana said after a yawn. Her eyes were beginning to fall shut, the circles she was drawing on Brittany's back getting smaller and smaller.

"I hope I have you forever"

Santana opened her eyes, staring down at a basically asleep Brittany, wondering if she had meant to say that. She smiled, closing her eyes and pulling Brittany closer to her. She kissed her head twice and let her body relaxed into the bed. "I'll always be yours B"


Santana was feeling slightly annoyed, but it was at a manageable level. No, she did not enjoy spending almost 2 hours trying to rise above all the taunts Rachel was throwing her way, or politely telling the two football players Finn was in charge of that she was not interested in them. It was the kind of situation that she usually would not tolerate, but then there was Roderick.

Santana had spent the past three weeks getting to know the kid, both in group settings and in private and he was really beginning to grow on her. He had extreme social anxiety, and stage fright as well, she assumed. He was usually pretty silent, commenting here and there when Santana addressed him directly, but otherwise he kept to himself. He wasn't particularly funny, or witty, which Santana had hoped he would be under all his fear, but he was sweet, his interactions with her kids was incredibly adorable, and he had one of the best voices Santana could remember hearing from a kid his age in a long time. Jessie St. James was the last boy she'd heard sing like that, and that was not a trivial comparison.

So though she couldn't really pinpoint why, she liked Roderick. Seeing him open up, even just a little bit, to talk to Sly or make a comment to the class, felt like a personal achievement for her. It was what kept her from storming out when Rachel told the kids that they would need to learn how to actually sing and dance, because there would be no lip singing, and then looked right at Santana.

Like Brittany had said weeks before, what they were doing was important. It wasn't about them and their egos, which apparently hadn't deflated since high school. It was about the teenagers who were getting way more out of the mentorship than singing techniques.

That didn't stop her from feeling relieved when the bell rang. She ignored Rachel, who was on stage talking, and turned to Brittany.

"Do you still want to go?"

"Yes!"

Her yell echoed through the auditorium, silencing everyone. Santana pressed her lips together tightly, staring down at the floor and trying to ignore the sniggers she knew were either Mercedes' or Puck's.

"Sorry" Brittany whispered as soon as Rachel continued talking. Santana just shook her head.

"Did you text Ash?"

"Yeah. She's gonna meet us here. She rode with Ty so we're good"

"Isn't he coming?"

Brittany frowned. "No?"

"I just assumed…why not?"

Brittan shrugged.

"Are they fi-MERCEDES" Brittany jumped, covering her ears. "Sorry baby"

"WHAT"

Santana beckoned her to them.

"What are you screaming like a banshee about?"

"Do you have plot today?"

"Not really. I mean there's not much to do in Lima, in case you've forgotten."

"What about you Kurtsy?"

"No. Why?"

"Britt has something she's been wanting to do since we came back, and it's more fun with a lot of people so….wanna come with?"

"Are your kids gonna be there?" Mercedes asked.

"Of course" Brittany said.

"Then I'm in. Can I bring Sean?"

"Yes." Brittany said.

"What about you Kurt?" Mercedes asked.

Kurt turned to look at Blaine, who was standing by the stage talking on the phone.

"You and him aren't a package deal you know" Santana said seriously. Kurt sighed.

"We should be" Kurt said quietly. Then he suddenly looked back at Brittany. "We're coming."

Brittany glanced at Santana, but remained silent.

"Cool" Santana said. "Meet us at the hotel, cause we have to pick our kids, then we'll lead the way."

They both nodded, just as a group of people walked into the auditorium. Santana could see Ty and Ashley in the centre of the group, but the rest of the kids she didn't know. She knew she wouldn't like them though, from the fake smile on Ashley's face and the bored look on Ty's.

She turned to face them, resisting the urge to cross her arms. In times like these she really hated being a celebrity. She couldn't put these little queen bees in their place, because she was probably someone they looked up to. Brittany took a step closer to her, taking her hand, and it made her smile. Sometimes, because Brittany always chose to see the best in people, Santana forgot that she was just as good at spotting fake and pretentious people.

"Oh my god it's actually her" one girl said. Santana felt herself shiver in disgust, feeling slightly disappointed that the girls were going to be exactly what she had predicted.

"Like we said" Ty said

"Anybody could say they knew Santana Lopez."

"Her name's Ashley Pierce"

"Pierce is a pretty common last name Kleric."

Santana was proud of the glare Ty sent the girl's way.

"Ty, just let it go, it doesn't matter" Ashley rolled her eyes. As she got closer she smiled at Brittany, speeding up her steps till she reached them.

"Hey" Brittany said, grinning. She hugged Ashley, then Ty, and waved at the others.

"Hi, I'm Sydney" the girl who'd been arguing with Ty said. "I'm a huge fan of yours"

"Thank you. It's nice to meet you."

"I'm Hayley. We're Ashley's friends"

"Friends is a strong word" Ty said, looking pointedly at Santana. "They're on the Cheerios together."

"Ty can you just stop" Ashley said, sounding tired. Santana raised an eyebrow in Brittany's direction, glad to see she was confused as well. She looked back in time to see Ty's jaw clenching.

"Can we get an autograph?" Hayley asked, stepping forward with her Cheerios binder.

"Sure" Santana smiled. She took the pen Hayley was holding out, and signed her name over the top of it. It hurt her slightly, because Coach Sue never let them 'defile Cheerios property' as she put it. Everyone except Brittany, who Coach said was better off doodling on her binder than talking to anyone, lest they figure out how dumb she is. It felt wrong to do it now, but it didn't last long.

"Oh my god, oh my god" Sydney said. She was clearly trying to be quiet, but they all heard. "Can we also have a picture?"

"No" Ashley said, pushing Sydney's hand that was outstretched with the phone down.

"Why not?" Hayley asked rudely, before flicking her eyes to Santana and clearly trying to pretend she hadn't meant it to come out that way.

"Because my sisters are just trying to live their lives. If you want a picture, buy a ticket to a meet and greet."

Santana tried to supress a smile. It was cute the way Ashley always called her sister. She'd been doing it since a year after they met, and had never stopped, even when she and Brittany broke up.

"It's not going to take that long to take a picture"

"That's not the point" Ty said

"No one asked you Kleric"

"Look the point is, I'm the one introducing you to them, and when I agreed to do it I said no pictures."

"I'm really sorry" Santana said, fixing a genuine look on her face. "Brittany and I usually don't take pictures unless…you know it's an event or something."

She could see that the girls wanted to argue, but knew that they wouldn't. She was being nice, smiling and had already given them autographs. Usually, people felt like if they already had an autograph, and she had been so nice about it despite the fact that they were disturbing her, getting anything more was a privilege.

"Are you really Ashley's sister?" Sydney asked Brittany.

"Duuh" Brittany laughed. "Don't we look alike?" Sydney shrugged.

"Lots of people say they know you" Hayley said.

"Are we gonna leave or…" Ty asked under his breath. Santana moved next to him, looping her arm with his.

"You read my mind little T" she whispered to him, smiling at the way both Sydney and Ashley were staring at her and Ty's linked arms with disbelief.

"Well, Santana, I have to go get Sean and then get ready so, shall we go?"

"Yes" Santana and Ty said at the same time.

"We have to go get our kids too" Brittany said.

"Wait, you guys are going somewhere?"

"Yeah?" Ashley asked Sydney.

"The twins are gonna be there won't they?" Ashley cringed.

"Can we come?"

"Hayley, we don't even sit on the same table at lunch. Why the fuck would I say you can come hang out with my family?"

"We're talking about Santana Lopez, Ashley!"

"Fuck off" Ashley said, shaking her head. "I let you meet her because Coach basically said my position as captain would be called into question if I don't, but that's where it ends."

"Oh come on A-"

"I said" Ashely said, taking an intimidating step closer to Hayley. "Fuck. Off."

They glared at each other, neither blinking, until Hayley rolled her eyes and looked away.

"It was so nice to meet you Santana."

"You too"

"You're awesome"

"Thank you"

"When is your album coming out?"

Santana laughed. "Soon. Soon I promise"

They all watched the two girls walk out of the auditorium in silence. When they were gone, Ashley turned to Santana.

"I'm really sorry about that"

Santana shrugged. "It happens everywhere we go. Don't sweat it."

"They're such bitches" Ty said in irritation.

"The Cheerios are bitches?" Mercedes asked sarcastically. "Whaaat?"

"Hey" Ashley said, pretending to be offended. "We're not all that bad"

"Yeah we are" Santana said, leading them out of the auditorium with her arm still linked with Ty's. "You Pierces are the only exception."

"I second that" Ty said. "Having to put up with all those insufferable girls is impossible."

"What about your girlfriend?" Ashely asked.

"What about her?"

"She's a Cheerio"

"That's my point"

Ashley shook her head and walked faster, so she was ahead of the group. Santana frowned, turning to look at Ty.

"Um…what's going on there?" he shrugged.

He told her about school and football all the way to the parking. When they got there, Mercedes and Kurt went to their cars after Brittany told them to wear sneakers. Ty tried to leave as well, but Santana held on to his hand.

"B can you guys wait in the car a sec?"

"Sure"

Ashley looked at her suspiciously, but allowed Brittany to lead her off to the car, with only a wave in Ty's direction. When they were out of sight Santana turned to him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Tell me"

"What?"

"I've known you since you were 6, and I was the queen of keeping secrets in high school so you can't bullshit me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Is it her latest boyfriend?" Ty remained silent. "Look. I get it, believe me. The Pierces are special. I don't blame you for falling in love with her."

"The fuck? I'm not in love with Ashley"

Santana put her hands up. "Okay. Fine."

Ty looked down, biting his lip. "She's my best friend. I just hate seeing her with all these assholes who only like her cause she's the head cheerleader or her sisters are famous celebrities."

"Fair enough. Why are you guys so tense then?"

He looked up, shaking his head. "She's pissed I beat up her boyfriend."

"You beat him up?"

"He's a jerk."

Santana sighed. She wasn't sure what to say here. She knew what it was like to be in denial about being in love with someone. She knew that nothing she said would get through to him, as long as he kept lying to himself.

"Speaking as her sister" she said, waiting for Ty to look at her before she continued, "I'm glad you're looking out for her. I've met a couple of the football players in the glee club, and if the rest of them are like that, then I can't say I blame you for beating her boyfriend up."

"They're worse. The ones in glee are the benchwarmers. She's dating the defensive lineman."

"I was expecting quarterback"

"I'm the quarterback"

"Ohhh" Santana laughed. "Of course you are."

"What's that supposed to mean."

"Nothing. Look, you guys have been best friends since the first grade right?" he nodded. "I know you're trying to protect her, but you have to ask yourself this. At the end of the day, would you rather she be pissed at you for beating up her asshole boyfriend, or be the one she calls for help?"

Ty looked away from Santana, and she knew he was deep in thought. She patted his shoulder. "Just think about it." She left him there and headed to her car.

On the drive home she listened to Ashley complain about Ty's behaviour, and Brittany trying to get her to tell them what happened.

"All my friends think I should stop hanging out with him"

"What?" Santana asked, incredulously.

"He's always getting in trouble for fighting, and he has a horrible temper. He blows up over every small thing and I don't know why."

"Really?" Brittany asked. Santana shot her a look, telling her to be careful.

"Yes. And it's driving me crazy. I wish he'd talk to me. How am I supposed to help him if he doesn't talk to me?"

"You really don't know what's wrong with him?" Brittany asked again. Ashley frowned, leaning forward so she could see Brittany.

"No. Why do you keep asking that?"

Brittany shrugged, turning to look at her.

"You're his best friend. You know him better than anyone. I think that you listening to what other people have to say about him, people who don't even know him, isn't very best-friend like of you. I don't know how you can even think about not hanging out with him anymore, I don't care how he's acting. You don't even care what's going on with him. You don't care that you've been friends for more than a decade. Best friends are not supposed to give up on each other."

Ashley sat back in her seat, her arms crossed over her chest. For the rest of the ride to Santana's house she remained silently staring out the window. Brittany and Santana didn't talk much either. A little about how glee went, but otherwise remained silent. When they got to Santana's house Santana stayed in the car with Ashley as Brittany went inside.

"Are you going to give me a speech about how he's my best friend too?"

"No. I've only ever had one best friend, and I'm in love with her so…I don't think I could give you advice about that. I think this is one of those situations where I'm more like Ty." Ashly frowned. "Remember when you came to San Jose for the first time, and I took you to the park?"

"Yeah" Ashley said, smiling. "You chased me all the way home and our mums weren't too pleased about you letting me run on the street."

"Yeah" Santana laughed. "You remember what I told you?"

"About being who I am no matter what other people say?" Santana nodded. "Yeah I remember."

"Brittany may have been a little harsh, but she was right about one thing. You know Ty better than anyone else. You're the only one who knows if he's just being a jerk, or if there's actually something wrong with him. Brittany was in the same situation as you…basically, when we were in high school. Everyone was always telling her that I was bad for her, or that she deserved better than me, because I was a bitch and she was….well Brittany" Ashley laughed, uncrossing her arms. "But she never listened. She didn't really defend me, because there wasn't really defending how I was acting, but she knew that there was a part of me people didn't know. She knew that I wasn't all bad, and she decided that that was enough for her."

"I'm not Brittany." Ashley said, sounding sad. Santana knew that this was something Ashley struggled with a lot. She suspected it was one of the reasons she loved Santana so much. To most people in her family, Brittany was perfect. She was pretty, she was kind, and sweet and caring. She never had tantrums, or moody days. She was always smiling and great with kids and loved animals. So what if she wasn't smart? All they cared about was that she was basically the perfect child. Ashley was different. She was wilder and rougher, she had an attitude and a temper, she argued and broke rules and cursed a lot. The rest of the world still thought she was nice and friendly and caring, but it was like by Pierce standards, she was the black sheep.

She liked to think of Ashley as what she would be like if she were a Pierce.

"No. You're not Brittany" Santana said. "But like I said that day in the park, you don't have to be me or Brittany. You just have to be Ashley." Ashley smiled. "Maybe he is being a jerk. Maybe he's just become this asshole who loves getting into fights and beating people up, and if you don't want to put up with that, then that's your right. It doesn't make you a bad person for not wanting that as a friend." she nodded. "But…the decision has to be yours, not anyone else's. All I care about is that you're being allowed to live your life, and make your own decision, and that nobody is pressuring you or forcing you or making you feel like you can't do that."

Ashley sighed leaning her head back against the head rest.

"You'll be okay kiddo" Santana said, reaching back and rubbing Ashley thigh. When Ashley didn't respond, Santana got out of the car and entered the house.


Sophia was standing by the door with her bag on her back and Bowie in her arms.

"Mami" she said with a grin, when Santana walked in. Santana smiled at her, squatting down to her level. Sophia gave her a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi my love. How was your day with abuelo?"

"He bought me some silver unicorn shoes mama"

"Oh" Santana said, standing up. "Really?"

"Yes, and a big, big, big tigger"

This time Santana's mouth opened in shock, but she closed it quickly. "That's very nice of him, did you say thank you?"

Sophia nodded.

"Good girl. Where's mama?" Sophia pointed at the stairs. "And abuelo?"

"Watching tv"

"Thanks mija. You can go to the car, tia Ashley's in there."

"Yaaay" Sophia jumped on the spot, waiting impatiently for Santana to open the door. As soon as she could she ran out into the driveway. Santana watched her until she saw Ashley open the door, then she shut the front door.

"Papi?"

"Santanita?"

Santana walked into the living room to see her father on the couch with Kyler, watching a football game. It made her smile, because she knew her father wasn't much of a football fan. She was sure he didn't even know what teams were playing, but the fact that he was trying to connect with her son over something he knew he liked made her feel suddenly very emotional.

"Mami" Kyler shouted when he noticed her. Santana smiled at him and walked into the room fully. Stephen stood up.

"Hi papi" she said, hugging him. He hugged her tight, which for some reason made her feel like crying.

"Hi mija"

"Mi amor"

"Hi mami" Kyler hugged her round the waist quickly, before taking her hand and pointing at the tv. "The giants are playing"

"Wow" Santana said, frowning slightly. This would mean that Kyler wouldn't want to leave.

"1 minute left on the clock and it TIED"

Santana laughed. "Wow that is crazy." She watched how transfixed he was by the game on the screen for a few seconds, then turned back to her father.

"So how was your day alone with them dad?"

"It was great. They're the most perfect grandkids a man could ask for"

Santana grinned. "Really?"

"Now…of course I knew they were great. It's not like I've never met them before, but I'll admit I was scared by the prospect of being alone with them all day."

"But it was good?"

"It was great. Sophia and I painted some pictures, Jesus tired me out for the next century, and Kyler has been teaching me all about football." Santana laughed. "We've watched maybe…five games."

Normally Santana would have been upset by how much tv Kyler had been watching, because they tried to minimize screen time as much as possible, but she couldn't get over how happy her dad looked.

"That's great dad, I'm really happy to hear that."

There was suddenly some squealing from upstairs, followed by Jesus' loud laughter and the sound of some running.

"I'm not going to chase you Jesus." Brittany said loudly. Santana smiled. "Come here NOW"

"Is he dirty?"

"Yeah. I got him into the bath over an hour ago, he refused to come out." Stephen told her. Santana shook her head. "That's quite a spirited one you have there"

"No kidding" Santana chuckled. "Britt will get him ready." She sat down on the couch and watched the rest of the game.

Thirty minutes later, Brittany and Jesus came down. Jesus ran to Santana, jumping into her arms and hugging her tight, while Brittany carried his and Kyler's bags to the car.

"Mami, you're here too?"

"Yes. I was waiting for you papi"

"I was bathing"

"Abuelo told me. Are you all clean now?" Jesus nodded. "So shall we go?"

"Where are we going?" Kyler asked.

"Mama has a surprise for you." Both boys' eyes widened in excitement. "Come on, say bye to abuelo and then go to the car. Someone's waiting for you in there."

Kyler was the first to jump onto Stephen's lap, hugging him. Jesus climbed onto the chair and hugged him as well. They let go at the same time.

"Bye abuelo"

"Bye abuelo"

"Bye boys. Thank you for spending the day with me."

"You're welcome" Jesus said, climbing off the couch. Kyler waved, as the pair ran to the front door. Santana almost ran after them, but she heard Brittany talking to them at the door, so she stopped. Stephen stood up.

"Thank you for trusting me with them" he said sincerely. Santana nodded. "Today made me realise that I haven't been a very good grandfather to your kids. I'm sorry for that. I've missed four years…four years in which they could have known me as their abuleo." He shook his head. "Your mother tried to tell me but…anyway, today has changed everything."

"I'm glad" Santana said.

"If you and Brittany will let me, I would like to be more present in their lives."

"Of course papi. That's all I've ever wanted from you."

Stephen pulled her into a hug and kissed her head.

"I'm proud of you for raising such amazing children Santana."

"Thanks." Santana pulled back, smiling at her dad. "I should go. We've got some people waiting for us."

"Sure. No I understand. Hopefully I'll be seeing more of you"

Santana nodded and walked to the car.

Before even reaching the car, she could hear the arguing. Brittany was sitting in the driver's seat looking down at her phone, and all the kids were in the back, shouting.

"What's going on?" she asked, as she slid into the passenger seat.

"They all want to sit next to tia Ashley" Brittany said, not looking up from her phone. Santana blinked. Sophia was in tears, though Santana knew they were just for show, Kyler was kneeling on his booster chair with his arms crossed and Jesus was in Ashley lap, holding on to her arm for dear life.

"Jesus you have to sit in your chair."

"Move then"

"This is my chair"

"Move your chair and I'll put mine there"

"No"

"Then I'm not moving"

Sophia continued to cry.

"My chair was here first."

"You sat there coming to abuelo so you should move"

"No"

"It's not fair Ky!"

"It is!"

"No it's not. Me and Sophia sat in the back already, you have to sit in the back now."

"I want to sit next to Tia ashley."

"Okay Tia Ashley is sitting in the back then" Ashley said, unbuckling her belt.

Sophia stopped crying momentarily. All three kids looked at her with wide eyes, trying to figure out what that meant for them.

"Okay" Jesus said, climbing over the seats into the backseat. He sat in his chair and began buckling himself up. Sophia looked at her seat and then Ashley, and nodded. Like Jesus she climbed into the back and into her seat. Kyler burst into tears. These were genuine. Ashley sighed, looking at Santana for help.

"Tia Ashley's sitting in front" Santana said, climbing out of the car and opening Ashley's door. Kyler stopped crying, sitting properly in his chair and sulking. "Don't sulk"

"That's not fair mami" Jesus said, kneeling on his chair.

"It's fair. No one gets to sit next to her. If she sits behind Kyler will be the only one not sitting next to her, and if she sits in the middle you and Soph won't get to, so…this is fair.

"Mama gets to" Sophia pointed out.

"Mama is Tia Ashley's sister." Sophia frowned, but didn't argue.

"Everyone ready?" Brittany asked, finally putting her phone down. Santana scoffed.

"Yeah"

Brittany turned to look at her with a frown. "Okkaaay"

"Where are we going mama?" Jesus asked.

"We're going to a super fun special place"

As they drove off, Santana knelt on her seat and reached back, checking the buckles on the booster chair and car seat. Sophia's was in properly, but Jesus' came out as soon as she pulled on it. She buckled it, then sat back down and checked Kyler's. His too came out.

"Are we going to pick Mateo?" Ashley asked Brittany.

"No. Where we're going isn't exactly very…baby friendly."

"Do I need to change?"

Brittany glanced at her. "Nah. Your uniform is fine."

They drove back to the hotel, where Santana and Brittany both changed into shorts and out of their heels, and spent almost ten minutes persuading Sophia to change into shorts as well.

"B let's go." Santana called as she walked out of their room with Jesus and Kyler. "Mercedes said she's here."

"One minute"

Five minutes later Brittany came out of the kids' room with her video camera in one hand and Sophia in the other. She'd apparently refused to wear the shorts, cause she was in grey tights and a purple skirt. Her hair was in a French braid like Brittany's.

"K. We're ready. Let's go."

When they got downstairs, they saw Kurt, Blaine, Mercedes and Sean waiting for them in the lobby. Santana immediately laughed at Kurt's outfit. He was in a long t-shirt that ended midway down his thighs and sweat pants that looked too nice to even be comfortable. They were either a size too small, or designed to be some sort of sweat pants version of skinny jeans. He also had a black headband on his head.

"What the hell are you wearing Kurt?"

"What?" He looked down at himself. "What's wrong with this?"

"A little too 80s"

Kurt gasped, clutching his chest. "How dare you"

Blaine laughed, shaking his head. "Hey guys"

Santana saw Brittany stop abruptly from the corner of her eye. She turned to see what was happening, but couldn't stop. Jesus and Kyler were pulling her forward. She assumed, from the way Sophia was hiding in Brittany's neck, that the issue was Sean and Blaine, who Sophia had never met before.

"Looking fabulous Santana" Kurt said, no longer shouting as he had been before. "I have to ask. Do you have a stylist?"

"Nope. This is all me Kurtsy."

"Well…you always were the best dressed, even in high school."

"He's just saying that cause he wants to be your stylist" Mercedes said, rolling her eyes.

"If she wanted to offer me such a position, I can't say I'd refuse it."

"Blainey days" Santana said, laughing off Kurt's comment. "How are you?"

"I'm good. Curious what this outing is exactly."

"Britt doesn't really want to tell anyone. You'll see when we get there"

"Cool"

"Hi Mercedes" Jesus said, hugging her. He waved at Kurt from Mercedes' side. "Hi Kurt"

"Hi little Lopierce" Mercedes said, smiling down at him. Santana knew she had no idea which twin was hugging her. She decided to help her, and probably Kurt as well.

"Jesus, this is Sean, he's Mercedes' fiancé" Jesus let go of Mercedes and turned to look at Sean.

"Mami!" Kyler exclaimed, jumping up and down. Santana smiled.

"Mijo?"

"That's Sean Lewis!"

Mercedes looked at Sean with a huge smile, as he stared at Kyler, shocked.

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Are you sure?"

"YES" Santana laughed at how excited he was. "Me and uncle Noah saw him on an interview. He was talking about his transfer mami. Uncle Noah told me his name and we watched him play. Uncle Noah said he wasn't-"

"Oh!" Santana said loudly, not wanting Kyler to finish his sentence. She wasn't sure what Puck had said about Sean, but she didn't want to take the risk and have it be something mean. "I think you're right mijo. Why don't you go say hi"

Kyler walked up to Sean, though he kept a tight grip on Santana's hand that forced her to walk forward with him.

"Hi" he said quietly. Sean bent down so they were almost eye level. He was still taller than Kyler by a few inches. "My name is Kyler Santiago Lopez-Pierce."

"Hi Kyler Santiago Lopez-Pierce." Kyler smiled at the use of his full name. "How old are you?"

"4. My brother is 4 too" he pointed at Jesus, who was still standing beside Mercedes. "We're twins"

"That's very cool."

Kyler nodded.

"Is your name Sean Lewis?"

"Yes"

"Do you play football?"

Sean laughed. "Yeah I do."

Kyler turned to Santana. "Mami I told you! It's him."

All the grown-ups laughed, making him feel shy and hide behind Santana's legs. Santana patted his head.

"He's adorable" Sean said, shaking Santana's hand.

"Thanks" Santana smiled.

Brittany walked up to them then.

"You remember Mercedes and Kurt?" she asked Sophia nodded and waved at them with a shy smile. "This is Sean, Mercedes' fiancé"

"Mama" Jesus asked, finally moving away from Mercedes. "What's a fiancé?"

"When you ask someone to marry you, but you haven't yet had the wedding …they become your fiancé."

"Oh." He nodded. "When's your wedding?"

"Can Soph finish saying hello?" Brittany asked, laughing.

"Hi Sean" Sophia's voice was weak, but Santana was so proud that she'd talked at all. Her fear was slowly getting better.

"Hi" Sean waved at her.

"And this is Blaine, he's Kurt's husband."

Jesus shook Blaine's hand, while Kyler said hi from behind Santana. Sophia did neither, nor did she wave. She just stared at Blaine. Santana didn't understand how she could be more scared of Blaine than Sean, who was a big, tall, muscular man, but it seemed that was the case. Blaine smiled and waved at her, and still she just stared.

"She'll come around" Brittany said to him after it became clear that she was not going to speak. Blaine nodded, looking embarrassed.

"If you guys are ready, we can go" Santana said, taking the attention away from a rapidly reddening Blaine.

"I think we're all good." Kurt said.

"Awesome. Let's go" Brittany said.

"We're following you right?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah." Santana said. They all walked out to the hotel entrance. Brittany had just started introducing her sister to everyone when their car pulled up in front of them. The valet got out of the car and handed Santana the keys.

"Well, damn" Mercedes said. "I guess you'll have to wait for the rest of us lowly mortals to go get our cars ourselves."

Santana laughed "You lowly mortals better get moving then."