Chapter 6: Santa Baby (3 days until Christmas, December 22nd)

After a long night of caroling, waking up bright and early wasn't Santana's idea of a good time, but unfortunately for her, the Pierce's had different plans. Last-minute Christmas shopping was a must in the Pierce household, and Beverly made that very clear when she bust into Brittany's room at six in the morning to ask them what they wanted for Christmas. Santana had screamed her head off, scurrying under the covers. The last thing she needed was to see her future mother-in-law while she was naked. Brittany threw an oversized sweatshirt and boy shorts on and walked her mom out of the room, leaving the Latina to get herself ready for the day. Santana took her time getting out of bed but eventually made it downstairs an hour later. Brittany had put sweats on at some point, but her hair sat in a tangled bun atop her head. Ashley's hair was no better off, her curly hair pointing in every direction. However, Adam and Beverly were nowhere in sight.

"Where are your parents?" Santana asked Brittany, who was carefully reading instructions on how to make an omelet.

"They said they had errands to run. Last-minute Christmas shopping." Brittany sighed as she read the recipe again, still confused.

"Sit down, I'll make breakfast." Santana shook her head "But I'm not making this fancy-ass omelet."

"I told you it was way too complicated Britt!" Ashely stuck out her tongue "Even Santana can't make it."

"Shut up Ash." Brittany pouted "I wanted to impress Santana with a nice breakfast."

"And risk burning down the house like the time you tried to make her spaghetti so you could go all Lady and The Tramp?" Ashely arched an eyebrow "As if. You never learn do you?"

"Leave her alone," Santana said, not turning away from the breakfast burritos she was making.

"Whatever. It's not my fault my sister is too stupid to make an egg." Ashely rolled her eyes and stomped upstairs, catching Santana's attention.

"What the hell did you just say?" Santana shouted after her "Get your ass down here Ashely, or by god I will go all Lima Heights."

"Sanny, leave it…" Brittany whimpered, Santana turned to her and wiped the falling tears.

"No llores mi amor." (don't cry, my love) Santana whispered. "Ashley is being a real bitch. What the hell has gotten into her?"

"I don't know. I tried really hard honest. I know you could've made it." Brittany sighed.

"It's okay, my breakfast burritos are way better than that silly omelet." Santana turned around and grabbed one and handed it to Brittany "Eat up, I'm gonna go straighten her out." Santana headed upstairs and found Ashley sitting in the dark, under her desk with the glow of her iPod illuminating her face. The tear tracks weren't hard to spot. Santana kneeled in front of the girl and gently removed her earbud before hugging her. "What's wrong little sis?"

"Everybody has their person, and I just have me. I don't even have a pet. At least Britt has Tubbs." Ashley shook her head "I don't even really have a friend." Santana sighed, and gently brushed the girl's unruly hair. She hoped their neighbor had remembered to check on that fat cat.

"Ashley, what about Myron? Isn't he your friend?" Satana asked, taming the girl's hair slowly.

"Eh, I just stood up for him cause I know it was the right thing to do. He did the same for me, but we don't have much in common. Kind of like you and Rachel." Ashley sighed "I just hate that everyone avoids me because I'm so smart. They even put me in my own reading group."

"Ashley, you're really bright for your age, and I know that must be tough, but it could be a gift." Santana smiled, braiding the girl's hair tightly "But have you tried to find any other interests? I've seen you dance with Britt, you've got a great rhythm."

"But I'm not nearly as good as her. I don't want to do anything unless I'm the best." Ashley pouted "And you beat me at cookie decorating this year."

"There's no winner in cookie decorating or dance. We've both got the perfectionist competitive spirit in us, but when you become part of a team, you learn to embrace your weaknesses." Santana explained, "So, why don't you try something like that?"

"I still have to sign up for soccer again. I wasn't going to play this year because I didn't think I was good enough, but you really think it'll help?"

"Of course it'll help! And you're bound to make a friend on the team. I promise." Santana assured "Now get your butt downstairs and apologize to your sister and eat some breakfast. Then we can kick the ball around our back." Ashley nodded and ran downstairs, Santana following just quick enough to see Brittany set her down. She gave the girl her plate and ate her own breakfast, listening to Ashley tell Brittany how excited she was for soccer. After breakfast, they bundled up and set up a goal in the backyard. Satana got stuck as the goalie against Ashely and Brittany and blocked very few goals, dodging the ball when she should've stayed put. Still, it was worth it to see the two sisters having fun together and to witness Ashley's soccer skills. She had a real knack for the sport, and Santana was glad she wasn't giving it up. After about an hour, they were all too cold to keep playing and headed inside. Adam and Beverly were still out, so Santana made the blondes hot chocolate and brewed herself a fresh pot of coffee. They turned on Miracle on 34th Street, and within thirty minutes Ashley fell asleep, head in Brittany's lap. Santana smiled and snapped a picture, sending it to Adam and Beverly. She cleaned up the kitchen while Brittany watched the movie, knowing that sometimes a little help was the greatest gift. She made grilled ham and cheese and tomato soup and brought it out to the living room. The act was so domestic, taking care of Brittany and her sister, it made Santana incredibly happy. But what made her even happier was when Beverly and Adam got home and handed her the car keys and a hotel key.

"We know we capitalized on a lot of your and Britt's day leaving you here with Ash. As a thank you, we want you to spoil our girl with a nice dinner and hotel tonight. We made you a reservation at Breadstix." Adam winked. Santana blushed a dark red, even though she had hoped to get a chance alone with Brittany, she hadn't expected it to be facilitated by the Pierces. Nevertheless, she loved her stix and was elated to take the opportunity to get all glammed up. She packed an overnight bag for her and Brittnay and snuck it into the car while her girlfriend was showering for their date. She wanted the hotel to be a surprise. She found one of her old red dresses in Brittany's closet and knew that Beverly must've found it in Brittany's laundry and hid it so Santana couldn't take it back. It still fits her perfectly, and she still looked smoking as always. She fixed her hair in soft curly ringlets and clipped it back. It was just Breadstix, but she never turned down a chance to wow Brittany.

"Wow," the aforementioned blonde said when she got back to her room "We're going all glam for Stix?"

"I just want to wine and dine you, babe," Santana smirked, applying deep red lipstick.

"I don't think my parents would appreciate us drinking wine with our fakes." Brittany pouted as she picked out a sleek black button-up shirt and slacks.

"You're no fun, but man I love when you wear ties," Santana said, helping Brittany tie a silk blue tie.

"I know, that's why I picked this over a dress." Brittany kissed Santana's cheek "Now c'mon, take me out!"

"Your wish is my command." Santana chuckled, leading Brittany out to the car. She had a great night planned for them, and couldn't wait to see Brittany's reaction to her surprise. They pulled up to Breadstix and were thrilled to have their favorite booth so well remembered that even The Pierce's knew which one to reserve. They decided to actually pay for their food and tip the waitstaff, unlike their behavior in high school, and Satana even let Brittany have shrimp. It was their last special night as girlfriends, and Santana wanted to make it count. After sharing a slice of chocolate cake, they left Breadstix and headed to the hotel. It wasn't until they pulled into the parking lot that Brittany was suspicious.

"You rented a hotel room? Aren't Mom and Dad going to be worried?" Brittany followed her into the lobby and watched as Satana walked straight past the reception desk.

"Actually, your parents wanted to treat us after they left us with your sister all day. They set all of this up, well, most of it." Santana had their overnight bag clutched in her left hand, and she knew the Pierces could never think that up. They found their room, and Brittany shook her head when Satana pulled a wine bottle out of the bag. "I promised to wine and dine you!". She poured two glasses and they sat and talked like they used to on their Friday night dates in high school. What happened next, however, was something Santana would've never done in high school. She headed to the bathroom and changed into the sexy lingerie she'd bought shortly before they left for Ohio. She strutted out of the bathroom, and Brittany's jaw dropped. Santana twirled, the miniskirt giving Brittany quite a show. She shushed her and started to sing.

Santa baby forgot to mention one little thing

A ring, I don't mean on the phone

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Hurry down the chimney tonight

Hurry, tonight