"This...This was probably one of the worst decisions we've made in a while." Santana says after bringing her suitcase into the room of their resort.
"Don't be so negative San." Rachel says as she enters the room.
"I told you we didn't have to do this. It could've just been me and you." Santana says as she pushes her sunglasses up to rest on her head.
"And I told you, we're married now and our families don't know each other. This is long over due." Rachel puts her hands on her hips and glances around the room with a small smile on her face.
Santana walks over to the balcony, stepping out to enjoy the Caribbean breeze, which is a very different breeze than New York's if you ask Santana. Santana feels arms wrap around her waist as she looks out at the water before her. She puts her hands on top of Rachel's as Rachel rests her cheek on her back.
"We're in Aruba. Let's just enjoy that." Rachel says and Santana lets out a defeated sigh but nods.
"You're right. I'm in a Caribbean paradise with my beautiful wife. What could be better?"
"Some food. I'm starving so let's go try something new." Rachel places a kiss to the back of Santana's neck then goes back into their room, with her spouse following.
"At least your parents won't be here until tomorrow." Santana says as she sits on the bed. Rachel picks up a pamphlet left in the room and begins to look it over.
"Why does that matter?" She asks absentmindedly, focused on finding a restaurant.
"It just means I get to relax today and not have to think about you're judgmental ass daddies hinting at me not being good enough for you." Santana says with a roll of her eyes. Rachel glances at her then walks towards the bed.
"San, I told you they're just...hard to please. They like you." Rachel tells her.
"I don't give a damn if they like me. I give a damn that they're shady as fuck." Santana waves her hand at the confused expression Rachel gives her.
"Shady?" She questions.
"Uh yeah.' Oh Santana, are you still just a publicist? Do you have any higher profile clients, other than our daughter?' I'm successful and damn good at my job! And I swear to god if they bring up a pre-nup one more fucking time! We're already fucking married, it's not technically a prenuptial agreement anymore now is it?!" Santana says angrily.
It's true, Santana is successful and she's Rachel's publicist because she wants the best for her wife. A win for Rachel is a win for her and vice versa. They're a team in life and in their careers. Santana only agreed to this trip because she knows how important this is to Rachel. They want to have a kid sooner than later and Rachel thinks it's important for both families to know each other first. Santana agrees but it isn't as important to her.
"Baby, they don't mean any harm but I understand your frustration. I've told them to stop asking about your career. Also, you can still get that legal arrangement after marriage." Rachel says, now giving her wife her full attention. Santana rolls her eyes at Rachel's side not but doesn't comment on it.
"They think because they're a fucking surgeon and a god damn lawyer, that they're better than me! Well fuck that, that's why I get to fuck their pride and joy every night." Rachel chuckles softly as she sits on the bed next to Santana.
Santana and Rachel's parents have had a rocky relationship since they got together. They feel like Rachel should be with someone who's an entertainer too though Santana is insanely talented, it's not the route she chose. Rachel's fathers also think Santana is rude and don't really care for certain aspects of her personality but Santana could say the same thing about them. Rachel has asked her fathers if they like Santana and while they say they do, their actions show otherwise.
"I feel as though I should be offended that you're using sex with me as a way to get to my fathers but..." Rachel trails off with a shrug.
"I just...ugh! They're barely tolerable."
"Well, at least you can prepare for them and enjoy your day today. I, on the other hand, have to deal with your mother." Rachel says like it pains her.
Rachel and Maribel, Santana's mother, bump heads constantly because it seems like Maribel thinks she's the only person who can properly take care of Santana. Santana is a grown woman and can take care of herself but Rachel still knows how to care for her wife and does a fantastic job if you ask her.
"My mother is nothing compared to those two men who raised you. She just wants to help."
"Yes, and imply I don't make you happy, feed you or generally care for you. It's infuriating." Rachel says with a roll of her eyes.
"Yeah well...this was your idea." Santana says as she lies back on the bed.
"I want our parents to know each other before we have a child. I don't see anything wrong with that." Rachel says, looking down at Santana. As of right now, children aren't the couple's main priority but they know time will fly by and Rachel wants to make sure there's already a strong family foundation before they begin expanding their family.
"Me either but you invited them to Aruba. We could've just had a barbecue."
"Well, we're here now so lets make the best of it." Rachel says, clasping her hands together.
"Fine. Now go change into that pink bikini you brought. I've been waiting to see you in that since we got on the plane." Santana says then bites her lower lip as her eyes become half lidded with desire. Rachel sends Santana a sultry look of her own with a lick of her lips then walks over to position herself near Santana.
"Why don't you help me out of these clothes then?" Rachel then leans down and slides her hands under Santana's shirt.
"Close the curtain." Santana says and Rachel happily prances over to do as she was told.
"Sannie!" Maribel calls out as she sees Santana. After spending some alone time together, Rachel and Santana are joining Santana's parents for dinner. Maribel wraps her arms around her daughter with a wide toothy grin, excited to see her daughter.
"Mami, you're crushing me." Santana says while trying to escape her mothers bear hug. Rachel briefly hugs Santana's father Miguel and watches on as her wife talks to her mother.
"I've missed you! You never call to check on us. I guess Rachel must be keeping you busy." Rachel rolls her eyes with a soft sigh.
"Mami I'm not-"
"And you're so thin! I keep telling her protein is essential to any healthy diet. Have you been getting enough food? Enough sleep?" Maribel grabs Santana's cheeks and Rachel rolls her eyes again. Santana smiles warmly at her mother and removes her hands from her face.
"Mami! Relax, okay? I'm the same size I've always been and I'm not vegan. Also Rachel hasn't done anything but make me happy." Santana says defensively.
"Happy people normally pick up weight." Maribel mumbles with a roll of her eyes then looks to Rachel. She offers her a polite smile and Rachel returns it.
"Maribel, a pleasure as always." Rachel says in a forced happy tone.
"Same dear, I'm so happy you suggested this. Even if you never suggest for Santana to see us any other time." She laughs with a wave of her hand as Santana hugs her father.
"Maribel." Miguel says in a warning tone and Maribel rolls her eyes at him.
"Sit down, please." Maribel says while gesturing to the seats across from her and her husband. They'd gotten to the restaurant before Rachel and Santana so they got a table.
"So, how are you two enjoying the married life?" Miguel asks once he's seated again.
"How about, I stay here. I can go to the beach or whatever and you can tell your fathers I didn't come. I'm sure they'd be happy to hear it." Santana says from the kitchenette in their room. Santana is nursing a glass of orange juice, dressed in only a white bikini with a small cover up around her waist.
"Santana, we're just going to go say hello and then go partake in our own separate activities." Santana rolls her eyes as she swallows her drink.
"You're really fucking lucky you're cute. Lets go before I change my mind." Rachel smiles and grabs her wife's hand to lead her out of the door. They walk down the hall and knock on the door of Rachel's fathers room.
"Rachel!" Leroy says excitedly as he hugs his daughter.
"Santana." Hiram says as he waits to hug his daughter.
"Hiram." Santana responds with the same lack of enthusiasm she was given.
"Santana, how've you been?" Leroy asks as Rachel hugs her other father.
"Better..." She mumbles to herself.
"Great. I'm married so there's that. Nothing else to report." She says with a shrug before crossing her arms.
"How was the flight?! I've missed you guys!" Rachel says excitedly.
"It was better than expected. Come in, don't just stand there." Leroy offers.
"We're headed to the beach. Why don't you two join us once you're settled?" Rachel says, completely missing the side eye Santana is giving her.
"We'd love to. We'll be down soon." Hiram says and Santana tries to suppress her eye roll...she really did.
"Let's go. I want to get in that hammock thing over the water." Santana says to Rachel, who nods in return and says goodbye to her fathers.
"Did I do something to you? Why would you invite them? I thought we were doing our own shit?" Santana asks as they walk towards the elevator.
"I just thought it would be nice to spend some time with them. It's the beach, you don't have to stay with us." Rachel tells her as she calls the elevator.
"I don't want to share you. I want to walk the beach holding your hand, show all these losers that my wife is smokin' hot and they don't stand a chance in hell, so eat your heart out." Rachel laughs as Santana winks at her and takes her hand.
"Well, I'm sorry I ruined your plan but we do still have four more days here." Santana shrugs and steps into the elevator.
"No more impromptu invites Rachel." Santana says and Rachel nods.
"Yes ma'am." She responds playfully.
After getting to the beach, Santana orders some drinks for her and Rachel and lays in a hammock next to Rachel, soaking up the sun.
"I needed this." Rachel says from beside Santana.
"Trust me, I know. When you retire from Broadway, we should just move here." Rachel only nods in response.
"We should've come here for our honeymoon."
"You didn't like Italy? I fucking loved it." Santana says as she sits up to get her drinks from the server who just brought them over then tips him, sending him on his way. Santana hands Rachel her drink then lies back down.
"I loved Italy but I don't feel like I saw the sun nearly as much." Santana nods in agreement. They lay in a comfortable silence, enjoying their time together. Santana closes her eyes and lets the gentle motion of the hammock relax her.
"Did you put on any sunscreen? Skin cancer is very real." Santana pops open an eye to see her mother standing near her hammock but not very close since she's hovering over water.
"What are you- why are you bothering me?" Santana says softly then closes her eye again until she feels something cool and hard collide with her stomach.
"Put that on!" Her mother yells as Santana sits up in surprise. She looks at her stomach and sees a bottle of sunscreen. Santana sighs, putting some of the cream on her skin. Santana's mother gives her a thumbs up as her father tries to pull her along the beach. Once he finally gets her to move, Santana lies back down and holds the bottle out to Rachel.
"Sunscreen? I'll rub it on for you." Santana wiggles her eyebrows and Rachel giggles.
"Please do. Skin cancer is a very real thing after all." Santana chuckles then leans over in her hammock.
"What are the chances I flip us both over if I straddle you?" Rachel ponders this for a second before responding.
"I'm thinking at least a 93% chance but...I'm willing to take those odds." Rachel says with a smirk.
"And this is why I love you." Santana says before carefully maneuvering herself from her hammock to Rachel's.
"Moment of truth. If they hate each other, I vote we enjoy our vacation without them." Santana says from her spot next to Rachel at their table outside on the beach, the restaurant having outside seating.
"Seconded. I'm just hoping for the best."
"Love your optimism, no matter how misguided." Santana says as she leans back in her seat.
Both sets of parents happen to arrive at the same time so Rachel does some quick introductions. Everyone sits and begins some small talk, the parents getting to know each other. Seeing the happiness on her wife's face, makes having to deal with Rachel's fathers all worth it. Santana will put herself through hell if it means Rachel gets to be happy.
"So, when can we expect some grand babies?" Maribel asks once everyone begins eating.
"Mami, we haven't been married a full year. Can we just be?" Santana responds.
"I'm just saying. None of us are getting any younger." Maribel shrugs lightly.
"Don't rush it. Make sure the marriage will last first." Hiram says in a playful tone...but Santana doesn't appreciate the comment.
"Why wouldn't it last Hiram?" She asks and he shakes his head.
"Young people nowadays don't know how to write a check, let alone maintain a marriage." He says with a light laugh.
"Or is that just what you want to see? Our marriage fall apart." Santana says and Hiram looks at her curiously.
"I would never want to see my daughter upset...but if she one day figures out she deserves better."
"Dad!" Rachel exclaims from Santana's side.
"There it is!" Santana says, scoffing.
"Excuse me? You think you're daughter could do better than mine? She's lucky to have Santana! Santana is the one who deserves better! At least someone who cares about her well being!" Maribel snaps.
"Mami! You are not helping! And don't talk about my wife that way!" Santana responds while Leroy laughs.
"Rachel's lucky? To have Santana? The walking ticking time bomb? I guess I see where all that anger comes from now. Rachel deserves to be with someone who at least has an actual skill. Anyone can go talk to someone or to social media to...promote someone!" He says with a condescending tone.
"You think I have no skills? I'll show you some skills I learned in Lima Heights. Let's take a walk." Santana says angrily.
"Santana!" Rachel gasps.
"Don't talk about my daughter that way. Santana doesn't need your approval! How about I show you what skills I have?!" Miguel adds angrily. Santana smirks at her father as Rachel stands abruptly.
"What is the matter with you people?! You should be happy you're children found love and are happy! We committed ourselves to each other and that means integrating our families, but if this is you're going to behave, Santana and I will be our own family!" Rachel storms away, making her way through the restaurant and Santana quickly gets up to follow her.
"Rachel!" She calls out to get Rachel to slow down but she doesn't change her pace. Santana lightly jogs until she's able to reach Rachel's arm, which she uses to turn her around.
"Rachel...why are you crying?" She asks as she wipes the tears from her face with the pad of her thumb, all of her anger vanishing to only be replaced with worry.
"I just...you were right! This was a horrible idea and we never should've come!" Rachel shouts through her angry tears. Santana pulls her against her, holding her tightly as she cries against her chest.
"I know you're frustrated. It's okay." Santana says as she rubs her back.
"I just wanted us to be one happy family...why is that so hard?" Rachel mumbles against Santana but she heard her.
"I don't know...let's just go to our room. It'll be you and I for the rest of the trip okay?" Rachel gives a small nod then pulls back far enough to wipe her eyes. Santana lightly tilts Rachel's chin up and kisses her nose.
"I know how much you wanted this to go well." Rachel offers a defeated shrug.
"It was stupid..."
"No, they're stupid. They can't just be happy for us." Santana says and begins to walk them out of the restaurant. Once outside again, Rachel punches Santana's shoulder.
"You do not try to fight my father!" She says weakly. Santana rubs her shoulder but only nods her head, not wanting to upset Rachel anymore.
The next morning while Rachel was asleep, Santana went out to find the largest fruit bowl she could get her hands on. Fruit always makes Rachel happy for some reason and after last night, Santana wants to make Rachel as happy as possible.
"Estas despierta hermosa?" Santana says as she walks into the room.
"Yes." Rachel responds.
"I got you some fruit. Some are even exotic...I guess? I don't know but I've never heard of them." She says. Rachel is lying in bed still, staring at the ceiling with the blanket pulled up over her mouth.
"Not hungry but thank you." Santana sits the fruit down and sighs.
"Rae Bear...don't let them ruin our trip." Santana says as she climbs into bed and under the blanket with Rachel. Rachel turns onto her side to face Santana and Santana places her hand on Rachel's hip.
"I should've just listened to you. I'm just...disappointed. I knew your mom wanted me to take care of you like she did but I didn't think she disliked me or thought you deserved more." Rachel says quietly.
"She doesn't dislike you. It was just heat of the moment stuff." Santana rubs slow circles over Rachel's hip while she speaks.
"No matter what, you've got me and I've got you. That's all we really need." Rachel nods weakly and moves her body closer to Santana's.
"I love you." Rachel says.
"I love you more. Now, get up and get dressed because we're in fucking Aruba!" Santana says excitedly and Rachel laughs lightly.
"Okay." Rachel then sits up and swings her legs out of the bed to stand.
"Sorry about the Lima Heights thing with Leroy. I wouldn't actually kick your dads ass...no matter how much he deserves it." Santana says as she gets out of the bed.
"I'm going to go shower." Rachel says as she walks near Santana. She kisses her softly before going into the bathroom. Santana grabs a banana from the collection of fruit she bought and begins to peel it when there's a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" She asks.
"Leroy and Hiram." Leroy answers.
"Go away." Santana rolls her eyes and continues working on her banana.
"We would like to speak to Rachel." He says as Santana walks towards the door.
"Well she doesn't wanna talk to you right now and neither do I so take your -"
"Santana." Santana turns to see Rachel behind her with a raised eyebrow.
"I wasn't going to say anything you're thinking, I promise." She says innocently then bites her banana.
"Let them in." Santana opens the door and Rachel's fathers give matching sheepish smiles as they enter the room, the door shutting behind them.
"Hello...I'll just get to the point. Santana, Rachel...we are so sorry for how we behaved yesterday. It...was inexcusable." Leroy starts.
"Yes, Rachel is right. You make our daughter happy and we should be grateful for that. We're both sorry for having judged you. If you're going to be apart of Rachel's life, we're going to treat you like family because that's what you are. We hope you can forgive us. Both of you." Hiram finishes with sincerity but before Santana can respond, there's another knock at the door.
"Sannie?! It's mami. Can we talk?" Maribel's voice rings out from the other side of the wood. Santana sighs and opens the door. Maribel and Miguel follow, awkwardly saying hello to the Berry family as they enter.
"I assume you two came to apologize too?" Miguel asks the Berry men who nod in response.
"Rachel, I am so sorry for what I said yesterday. I didn't mean it the way it came out, I just meant to defend Santana and I'm sorry if I disrespected you in anyway." Maribel says genuinely after taking Rachel's hand in her own.
"I know, I'm a bit...much but it's only because I love her so much. I know you love her too and I know you care for her." Maribel gently cups Rachel's cheek and smiles softly at her.
"I couldn't ask for a better daughter in law. You make her the happiest I've ever seen her and that's all I ever wanted." Rachel smiles at her mother in law and squeezes her hand.
"Thank you." She says softly. Maribel nods and steps away from Rachel.
"Sorry about the whole...fighting you thing." Miguel says to Leroy who waves him off with a smile.
"Yeah, me too." Santana says after seeing Rachel's stern look.
"Already forgiven. Now, if it's okay with everyone, I'd like to take everyone to breakfast. My treat." Leroy says and everyone murmurs their agreement.
"Splendid! We'll see you two there." Hiram says then he and Santana's parents head towards the door and leave.
"Would you look at that? Maybe you can get that big happy family you were hoping for." Santana says to Rachel who has barely stopped smiling since Maribel's apology.
"Maybe." She says, hopeful that breakfast will be much better than dinner was.
A/N: Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Please feel free to leave a review, I love the feedback. See ya soon.