Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of it characters. I own nothing from any movie or other TV show that may be mentioned either.

A/N: I want to thank Niekie for helping me proofread all of my stories. She's all kinds of awesome and an amazing writer in her own right. Check out her wonderful stories as well.

Chapter 18

The ride back to Santana's house was too quick for the girls liking and when Rachel parked her bike and killed the engine, Santana sighed forlornly.

Rachel looked back over her shoulder concerned. "What is it San?"

With a shrug she gave her one last squeeze around her waist and climbed off taking off her helmet and putting it back in the saddle bag. "I'm just sad the ride is over. It's been such an amazing day I just don't want it to end."

With a smile Rachel got of the bike, taking off her helmet as well and took her hand. "It's not an end baby. Just the beginning."

"I know but now we have to go inside and pretend that we are just friends and as much as it scares me to come out, I hate having to hide." She looked away with another sigh. "I just want my mom to be happy for us."

"Do you think that it's going to be a problem for her when you decide to tell her?" Rachel didn't know Maribel that well, but she did know that Dr. Lopez and she were always good to her dads. Maribel seemed to genuinely like them and was probably going to be working for her dad soon if he had his way.

Looking back to Rachel she shrugged. "I'm honestly not sure. I mean, my parents have never seemed homophobic to me. I know she's always liked your dads but it might be different being that it's her own kid now and not just someone my dad and she used to work with on occasion. We're catholic and in that religion, it is not accepted. My abuela I know will probably never accept me, but I just don't know about my mom. I literally have no idea where I would go or what I would do if she kicked me out. It terrifies me, and not just for me but for Mateo too. The little dude depends on me for so much and what about you? It's not fair to you to have to hide indefinitely."

Stepping closer to the side of the house so they couldn't be seen from the windows, Rachel pulled her into her for a hug, holding her close for a moment speaking softly. "Listen, I have no way of even guessing what is going to happen when you tell her. What I do know is that no matter what you have me and my family. If it all goes south, I know my dads would let you stay with us. I hope it doesn't ever come to that but if it does, just call and I'll be there in an instant." She pulled back just enough to look into Santana's eyes. "As far as Mateo goes. If you decide to wait until after graduation or until he is older that is always an option for you. I'll support whatever decision you think is best for you. I don't need to come out in order to be with you, so never think that I am a deciding factor in that choice. After graduation we both plan on going to New York and wouldn't have to hide there. We could just be friends in the eyes of your family for as long as you need to. That doesn't bother me."

Santana just stared at her for a moment. "You still want to be with me after grad and we go to college?"

Rachel shrugged a little unsure. "I mean… well yea… I wasn't planning on starting something with you now just to end it at the end of school. I mean… I know it's way too soon to be talking that far in the future and I don't want to scare you off by doing so but… I was hoping that if things worked out this school year for us, we would talk about staying together after graduation and beyond. I…" She was really starting to think she'd over stepped and was about to continue with her rant, but Santana stopped her.

Running her hands up Rachel's arms, she rested them on her shoulders and gave her a little shake. "Hey, hey stop. I didn't think you were going too fast. I was just shocked you would want to keep seeing me once we're out of this damn town."

Shaking her head Rachel just smiled. "Were you not listening to what I said when we were on our rock?"

Looking confused the Latina nodded. "Of course, I was listening. What are you talking about?"

Taking her hands in her own Rachel pulled her a little closer. "I told you that I wanted to be a part of your life forever, in whatever way you deemed me worthy. I meant that San, for as long as you'll have me."

Santana threw her arms around her and squeezed her tight. "Ok, I want that too."

After a moment Rachel pulled back once more putting a bit of distance between them. "Ok, so for now we just be us and you decide when you want to talk to your family. We'll talk more later but I think we need to get inside before your mom comes looking for us. I know she must have heard us pull up and is wondering why we haven't come in yet."

With a laugh Santana took a step back herself. "I know she would have heard. That beast is loud and can't be mistaken. Let's go in and get some dinner then if it's ok with our parents maybe watch a movie or something before you have to be home."

"Sounds like a plan. Come on."

With that they headed in and laughed as Mateo plowed into them as soon as they opened the door. "I thought you'd never get back. What took so long?"

"Mijo let them be. They have a right to be teenagers and get out for a while." Maribel smiled as she came into the foyer. "Now go set the table and let them come into the house."

Mateo sighed letting go, "Ok Mami," and turned to head to the kitchen.

They all watched him go then Maribel turned back to the girls motioning them in. "Did you have a nice ride girls? It's been such a beautiful day."

Santana beamed bouncing in place. "It was so cool. We rode out into the country and just enjoyed the day. Rachel took me to places I never even realized existed around here. It was great, we even had a picnic."

Rachel smiled, loving her enthusiasm over the day. "I love to ride my bike or take a car ride to just clear my head and think. I've found a lot of cool places by accident just driving around."

Maribel motioned them to follow and headed into the kitchen. "Sounds like a lovely day. I'm glad you had so much fun. Maybe one of these days I'll let you take me for a ride somewhere on that monster. I've never been on a motorcycle."

Santana looked shocked at her mother asking to ride a motorcycle, but Rachel just smiled. "Anytime, I'd love to take you out for a ride."

Clapping her hands excitedly Maribel turned to open the oven. "Great, now have a seat. Dinner is ready."

The girls went to the sink and washed their hands then sat at the table as Mateo finished putting out plates and sat himself. "I want to ride too!"

They all laughed but Maribel shook her head. "I don't know about that Mijo. You are awfully little to be on the back of one of those things. Let me think about it." He hung his head and sighed as she smiled. "Did you wash your hands young man?"

With another sigh he shook his head and got up to go to the bathroom to do so.

Once he was out of earshot Rachel looked to Maribel. "I have a sidecar for my bike. If it's ok maybe when I take you out, we can hook it up and let him ride too. It's a lot safer for little ones in the sidecar. It even has a seatbelt"

At the hopeful look on her face Maribel thought for a moment. "Well, as long as he's in the sidecar and buckled in I think that would be ok. Let's just not tell him until we decide to actually go or he's not going to let any of us hear the end of it until he gets to ride."

Rachel just nodded happily as Mateo made his way back to the table. Santana smiled at the entire exchange, happy that her mom seemed to like Rachel so much and trusted her to give them all rides on the motorcycle.

The rest of the evening was spent with dinner and talking about a little of everything. Rachel was really enjoying getting to know and spending time with Santana's family. She could tell that they all got along very well and genuinely seemed to love and enjoy each other. She hoped that when all was said and done that Santana would not lose this closeness with her family.

After dinner and getting permission from the daddies Berry, they settled in on the couch and watched a movie all together. Mateo squished his way in the middle of the girls, and they smiled snuggling him close as they watch. Santana loved that Rachel seemed so comfortable with her family and didn't mind her little brother's obsession with her. It made her smile when the movie ended, and Rachel just scooped a sleeping Mateo in her arms and asked for directions to his room to tuck him in. Her little brother was her world and it meant so much to her that Rachel genuinely liked the little guy.

At the end of the evening, after a hug from Maribel, Santana walked Rachel to her bike. "Thank you for today and for having dinner and a movie with us Rae. I had a lot of fun."

Rachel smiled taking her hand. "It was entirely my pleasure San. I had a lot of fun too." They just stood there for a moment not sure how to end the night as they couldn't kiss before parting then Rachel pulled her a little closer, speaking lowly as to not be overheard. "I want to kiss you again so much right now."

Santana sighed and squeezed her hand. "I know. I want you too so bad."

With a cocky grin Rachel bowed over her hand kissing it lightly. "Well then fair maiden. I guess this will have to do for now and we'll have to have a raincheck for more later." Standing back up she chuckled at the blush that was covering Santana's face. "I did have an important question to ask you before I go though."

Calming her laugh Santana smiled. "What's that?"

"Well," Rachel said in a hushed voice once more. "I was wondering, if you would officially be my girlfriend?"

Santana almost melted at the look in Rachel's eyes, "god you make it hard not to say fuck it and just kiss you." They both laughed and Santana squeezed her hand once more. "I'd love to, but you better go before you are late getting home. It's also not the safest place to be out here at night so as much as I want to talk to you forever, I better let you go. Text me to let me know you made it safe."

"As you wish," after one last bow over her hand Rachel released her and climbed on her bike strapping on her helmet. "Until tomorrow fair lady. I'll see you in the morning at school."

With that she fired up her motorcycle and backed out of the drive but didn't drive off until Santana was safe at her door. Once she was out of sight Santana went inside and closed the door.

"I really do like that girl Mija." Maribel said from behind her. "She is just the sweetest thing."

Santana turned and smiled. "Yea, she's pretty great. I'm happy we've become such good friends this year."

"Me too," Maribel smiled taking her hand. "Now don't get me wrong, I love Britt and Quinn to pieces but, there is just something about that girl that is just amazing. I don't know, she just seems so sweet and genuine. You can just tell that she's a good girl. I'm glad you have someone like that in your life."

"I'm glad she's in my life too Mami. I wish we'd given a friendship a shot sooner, but I'll take it now."

"As you should my love. Now," Maribel said as she pulled her toward the stairs. "Let's head up and get some sleep. You have Cheerios in the morning, and I have a meeting with Dr. Berry for a possible job pretty early as well."

Santana followed and smiled as they reached her door. "I'm so happy you're going to be getting this new job Mami. It'll be great having you home more."

"Now don't put the cart before the horse. I still need to have my interview and get the job."

"Pffish, like you won't get it," she scoffed. "I heard that man begging you to come work for him. You got this in the bag. Besides, you're a Lopez. That makes you awesome, so I know you got this."

Maribel laughed and hugged her close. "Alright young lady. Get some sleep and I'll see you in the morning."

With one last squeeze Santana went into her room and readied for bed. As she was laying down her phone buzzed with an incoming message.

Rachel-Santana: Hey sweetheart. Just letting you know that I'm home safe and sound and about to get some sleep. Have sweet dreams and I'll see you in the morning.

Santana-Rachel: I'm glad you made it home ok. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night baby girl.

Rachel-Santana: Good night 3

With a dreamy sigh Santana plugged in her phone and hugged her pillow close. "I can't believe she actually asked me to be her girlfriend." She rolled over and squealed into her pillow before finally settling down and falling off to sleep.

Across town Rachel put her phone on the docking station and sat up at the knock on her door. "Come in."

Royal opened the door and came over to sit next to her. "Well, are you going to tell me about your day?"

Rachel smiled cockily with a shrug, "what's there to tell. We went for a ride and had dinner at her house."

Rolling his eyes, he punched her arm lightly. "Whatever Tink, you had that look in your eyes when you walked in the door. You are so gone over this girl, and I know something had to have happened for you to have floated in here like you were riding a cloud, so spill it."

Rachel laughed sitting up against her headboard. "It was great. We went for a ride out in the country, and I showed her one of my favorite places. We had a picnic and I actually kissed her and asked her to be my girlfriend."

"Way to go Tink!" Royal whooped and pulled her into a crushing hug. "I knew you had it in you. So, when's the wedding?"

Punching his shoulder, she sat back. "Oh, shut up."

He laughed leaning back on his hands, "Hey, I don't make the rules. I just know that after the first date, lesbians move in together and as thorough as you are I figured you'd take it to the next level and just start planning the wedding."

Rachel just shook her head. "Get your jokes right stupid. It's after the second date and we haven't even had a first official date yet. Besides, when I ask a girl to marry me it won't be on a whim. I bet you asked Quinn to marry you after you sang that song with her at the competition. It's just a shame she shot you down like the smart girl she is."

Sitting up he looked offended. "Hey, we're just friends."

She just scoffed, "yeah, and Santana and I were just friends until we weren't. Why haven't you gone for that yet? I know you like her." Taking his hand, she smiled. "All kidding aside. I really think she likes you too. You should go for it."

Standing he started to pace. "I don't know. What if she doesn't and I make a fool out of myself? I mean… She so amazing and why would she want a guy like me?"

Rachel stood and stopped him, turning him to look at her. "You are an amazing guy and one of the last true gentlemen in this world. She'd be lucky to have a guy like you."

He bowed his head and sighed. "I really like her Tink. I don't think I'd take it very well if she said no, I mean seriously… The girl has her pick of any guy in that school. I see how they all look at her. She could just snap her fingers and they'd line up. I'm not just talking about her looks. That girl is amazing. She's sweet and smart and funny and so fiercely protective of her people. Any guy would be crazy to not fall for her."

Rachel smiled. "That's just it Tigger. Those other boys have no idea what kind of girl she really is. Yes, she is all of those things and more but the only boy she's truly shown that to, is you." Pulling him in, she hugged him tight. "She's never let any guy in the way she has with you. Besides, she'd be lucky to have you. She couldn't do any better than to date my brother. If you like her this much, you would be truly missing out if you didn't go for it. You will hate yourself if you never find out for sure and let her slip away from you without even trying."

Royal held her close for a moment, then stepped back. "You're right. I just need to man up and try. She's worth it."

"I think she is," she said then she punched him in the arm again, "now get out of here and let me get my beauty rest. It wouldn't hurt you to get some yourself."

With a chucked he pulled her into one last quick hug and headed for the door but before he closed it, he turned back. "Thanks Tink."

"Anytime Tigger. That's what I'm here for."

After a small wave he closed the door and Rachel settled in to get some sleep. She couldn't wait for morning and to hopefully get a moment or two alone with Santana just to be before the start of the day.

A/N: I'm finally coming out of hiding and hopefully getting these stories I have rolling forward with regularity. Thanks for sticking with me.