Chapter 16

April – Junior Year – Age 17

Time had not been in Finn's favor. He was working hard for his classes, Burt asked him to pick up Wednesdays at the shop for the month; one of the other workers hurt himself and was out. He saw Santana at school but that was pretty much it. He wished he could see her more.

"I'm never going to be able to go on a date," Finn groaned. Charlotte was in bed and Carol was sitting in the living room watching TV. Finn sat at his computer desk, putting his head down on the desk.

"You'll be able to date," Carol assured him.

"But there's no time," Finn groaned. "I just wanna take her for a picnic, but I can't manage to find any time."

"You know, you have covered a lot of other people's shifts at the shop," Carol pointed out. "Why don't you ask Burt if you could have off this Saturday?"

"I don't like calling out of work," Finn said warily.

"But you never call out," she assured him. "And after this date, you could invite her over for Sunday lunch or something."

"You'd let her come to Sunday lunch?"

"Why not Dave's here at least twice a month," she said, a smile on her face. Carol was very happy for Kurt; he deserved a bit of happiness. Dave had become a regular fixture around the Humdle household.

"Alright, I'll ask Burt if I can take Saturday off then," Finn decided.

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After a bit of ribbing, Burt agreed to let Finn have Saturday off. Burt was secretly pleased that Finn was going to start dating. Kurt was finally happy, and dating a seemingly good kid. Dave might have bullied Kurt in the past, but now he treated Kurt like gold. Finn got a raw deal with that Quinn girl. At least Santana seems genuinely interested in him. And bonus, she was in love with sweet little Charlotte. Who couldn't love that little girl.

"What do you guys think of this Lopez girl? Burt asked the two teenagers in his living room.

"She was one of the hot loca's but she seems kinda mellow this year," Dave commented.

"She was kind of like the female Puck," Kurt mentioned.

"Please tell me past tense," Burt begged. Puck had quite a reputation around Lima. Not all of innocent.

"Yeah," Kurt said dismissively. "She has slept with most of the football team."

"You?" Burt asked, looking at Dave.

"Nah, I'm not her type," Dave chuckled. "Too much body hair."

"But she's changed?"

"Totally. She's ass over tea kettle for Finn," Kurt said.

"Good," Burt sighed. "He needs someone."

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"Lopez! My office, now!" Sue Sylvester barked after Cheerio's practice. Slightly confused, Santana followed the tall blond coach down the hallway and into the office. "Sit."

"What's up coach?" Santana asked.

"I heard you have a date tomorrow," Sue said.

"Where did you hear that?"

"Lady face was gossiping about it with his secret gay bear cub," Sue said dismissively. "Is it true?"

"Yes, I'm going on a date with Finn tomorrow."

"I'll say it once, and that's all I should have to say on the subject," Sue began. "As much as it pains me, I'm rather fond of Finn Hudson. He got a really raw deal with Que. If she wasn't such a good cheerleader, I wouldn't be having much to do with her. But that little girl is quite precious. I am not going to let them be hurt in any way. So you need to be sure about this."

"You're giving me the shovel speech?" Santana asked incredulously.

"Yes," Sue said simply.

"Sure," Santana agreed. "I really like him. And I freaking love that kid."

"Good. You're free to go."

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Finn showed up at Santana's house at noon on Saturday. He was still having some anxiety over taking off work and Carol having Charlotte for the day. He was quite nervous about seeing Santana's parents. Finn knocked on the door.

"Hello son," Santiago Lopez greeted. He was shorter than Finn, but still intimidating.

"Hey Dr. Lopez, is Santana here?"

"She'll be right now," he said easily. "Step inside for a minute."

Finn followed the man into the house. Although Dr. Lopez was a surgeon, they didn't seem to live above their means. Their house was visually modest and it suited them. "Santana Admira Lopez, your date is here!"

"Alright Papi!, 2 seconds," Santana called out from the upstairs. True to her word, she was down very soon after her announcement. "Hey."

"Hey," Finn replied, accepting her hug. Dr. Lopez eyed them closely, but said nothing. "You ready?"

"Yeah, let's go," she said with a smile. "Bye Papi!" Santana went over and kissed her father goodbye.

"Be safe," he warned.

"We will," she replied. They couple left the house and went to Finn's car. He opened the door for her and he got a 1000 watt smile in return. Once she was buckled in, he pulled out of the driveway and they were on their way. "So where are we going?"

"We are… gonna have a picnic down by the lake," Finn said grinning.

"Well, aren't you a romantic," she teased.

"I'm allowed to be romantic," Finn defended. "You're the first girl that I can do this with."

"Never did this with Queen Bitch?"

"Nah, it was all about status with her," Finn replied. "You're just becoming a social pariah just to date me."

"Never. I'm too awesome to be a pariah," she replied, laughing.

"True," Finn agreed. He drove a short distance down to the lake and parked. They grabbed the basket and cooler Finn had packed and made their way down to the 'shoreline'. Once Santana picked out a spot she deemed appropriate, Finn spread out a blanket for them to sit on.

"I can't believe we are doing this," she said. "It's such a cliché."

"But that's why you like me," Finn teased.

"Lord help me," she giggled.

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While their picnic wasn't a five star gourmet meal, Santana loved that he actually made the PBJ sandwiches instead of making his mom do it. They were able to sit and enjoy themselves – no nosy friends, and, although she was adorable, no Charlotte. It was slightly freeing being without responsibilities for a few hours.