Chapter 47

A Very Merry Christmas

December – Age 20 – Sophomore Year

This Christmas was one for the record books. Burt pulled all kinds of strings but he was responsible for what went down Christmas Day. Everyone was home for Christmas. The morning was all about families. Presents were distributed and enjoyed. Burt and Carol got Charlotte a bicycle with training wheels. She was absolutely over the moon about that; she almost forgot about the rest of the presents.

Dinner was an interesting affair to say the least. The Karofsky's were attending – both families had gotten close due to their sons dating each other. They got along phenomenally. When Santana was helping Charlotte set the table, she thought Carol had handed her two plates too many. "Hey Carol, you gave me too many plates!" she called out.

"Nope, I gave you the correct amount," Carol replied.

"So who else is coming?"

"I'm sure they're coming," Carol replied. Confused as she may feel, Santana quickly returned to setting the table. It was not long after when there was a knock at the door. "Could you get that Santana?"

"Sure," Santana replied. She went out and answered the door. She totally wasn't expecting to see her parents on the other side. "Mom? Dad?"

"Hello Santana," Santiago said, a shy smile on his face.

"What are you guys doing here?" she asked, astonished.

"Burt called us," he explained. "He strongly suggested that we come to Christmas dinner."

"Well, come in?" she suggested. They walked into the house. "Let me take your coats."

"Ahh, you made it!" Burt called out as he crossed the living room.

"Yes, I suppose we did," Mrs. Lopez replied stiffly.

"Well, come on in, dinner is almost ready," Burt said, keeping a cheerful tone to his voice. "Can I offer you a drink? Beer, wine?"

"Yes, please," Santiago replied. He and his wife followed Burt into the kitchen. Santana stood there for a moment before putting the coats in the closet before heading down in the basement to talk to the boys.

"Finn, did you know that Burt invited my parents to dinner?" she asked.

"You're parents are here?" Finn asked in reply, his eyes widening.

"Well, there's my answer," Santana said. She walked over and plopped herself in Finn's lap. "They said Burt strongly suggested that they come to Christmas dinner."

"Well, I know he felt bad that you kinda lost your parents cold turkey," Kurt said. He was currently lying back on Dave, who was propped up against the headboard.

"Yeah, it sucked, but you're my new family," she shrugged. "I have new parents, two new brothers, and a wonderful boyfriend, and a beautiful daughter."

"That should be fun," Dave chuckled. "When your parents hear her call you Mami."

"Oh, don't remind me," Santana groaned. "They hate me enough, but I'll cut someone if they upset her."

"Alright, dinner's ready!" Paula Karofsky called down the stairs. The teens groaned and reluctantly went upstairs to face the music. Thankfully the Lopez family was seated between Burt and Mr. Karofsky. All the teens were at one end of the spectrum. Charlotte decided she wanted to sit between her Uncle Kurt and Uncle Dave. The dinner was rather enjoyable; the parents were swapping college stories with the young adults. Santiago had a few polite comments but his wife was noticeably silent. No one said boo about it either. They already finished dinner and were in the living room watching "A Christmas Story" while they digested enough for dessert. This was when Finn decided to make his move. Santana got up to get a glass of water. "Hey San, help me up," Finn cajoled.

"What do you want? I'll just get it," she chuckled.

"Humor me," he teased. She grabbed him by both hands and pulled. Finn slid out of his seat and ono one knee in front of her, still holding her hands.

"What are you doing goofball?" she giggled.

"I would like to ask you something, but I need a little help," Finn said. He motioned for Charlotte to come over. Santana noticed that she was holding a small box.

"Daddy wants me to ask you to marry him," Charlotte announced, opening the box to show a super sparkly, refurbished ring.

"Oh my goodness," Santana gasped, her hand coming up to her mouth. "Yes, Of course I'll marry you!"

"Yay!" Charlotte cheered.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Mrs. Lopez shouted abruptly. "This cannot be happening!"

Santana turned around and looked shocked. "What the hell?!"

"I've tried to overlook the fact that you've been dating that... that boy! But now you're going to marry him? I thought you were a lot smarter than that!"

"Smarter than that?" Santana asked incredulously.

"You are tying yourself to a teenage father and his... his brat? You are not the daughter I raised."

"All because I didn't marry an older sugar daddy like you wish you had?!" Santana felt very angry and tears were beginning to come to her eyes.

"How dare you!"

"No, how dare you!" Santana yelled, tears now starting to flow down her face. "You come here, at Burt's invitation and eat our food. And now you ruin a perfect marriage proposal, shame on you."

Mrs. Lopez was gearing up for another verbal diatribe when she was interrupted by a very irate three year old.

"You made my Mami cry! You are not very nice!" she yelled. The Lopez matriarch was thrown by this statement and collapsed back on the couch. Charlotte then went to hug Santana's legs. "It's okay Mami."

"I love you so much sweetheart," Santana sobbed, dropping down to hug the little girl.

"And I can't believe you agreed to marry me," Finn said, plucking the ring from the box and slipping it on her left ring finger. He also leaned into a kiss.

"I think it's time for you two to leave," Burt turned to the Lopez couple.

"You invited us here," she pointed out.

"I'm responsible, yes; I believed we could get past all of this petty nonsense, but I guess I was wrong," Burt sighed. "But only those happy about this development, get to stay and celebrate with us." The Lopez's nodded and got up, got their coats, and left without a word. "Finn, Santana, I am so sorry that this happened, but I am so happy for you two as well."

"Thanks Burt," Finn replied.

"It's not your fault," Santana said, wiping tears from her eyes. She walked over and wrapped Burt in a big hug. "They weren't always the best parents, so I'm happy I've found some new ones."

"And we're going to keep you forever," Burt murmured.