santana go to the jewelry store with quinn to buy the ring for britt and she is so insicure about brittany's answer
When Santana wakes to the feel of the bed dipping, she's quickly lulled back to sleep by the soft press of lips to her cheeks and Brittany whispering that she's going to practice with Mercedes and she'll be back later. Santana just groans and sleepily tries to pull Brittany back to bed, but Brittany's too quick for Santana's sluggish moves and soon sets off to get ready while Santana falls back asleep or so Brittany thinks.
Mercedes asking for Brittany's help when it came to teaching her the new choreography is just a cover; Mercedes doesn't even do the choreography in the first place, she's still a park and bark! Santana waits about fifteen minutes after Brittany leaves just in case the blonde happened to come back for something before getting ready for the day. She texts Quinn after she gets out of the shower to make sure she's also getting ready then sets off to dry her.
It's the first of many important days that will change her future, their future, and though she wishes she could've brought Mercedes along with her since she's the one that has had to put up with the lovebirds most of the tour, Quinn isn't so bad. She hasn't been around much lately, but Quinn grew up with Santana and Brittany, she knows their story before Santana even realized there was going to be one.
Also, Quinn has a good eye for bling and Santana needs all the help she can get.
After they hit up their third jewelry store, Santana's starting to lose hope. She's not sure what she wants to get ring-wise, but when she sees it she'll know it's the one; problem is she hasn't seen anything even close. Quinn offers as much help as she can, but it's hard to do anything with the brunette when she's so nervous and frustrated at once. The only person who could even attempt to talk to her when she's like that is Brittany and that definitely can't happen when they're trying to engagement ring shop!
"Maybe today's not the day, San?" Quinn suggests as they walk up to another jewelry shop, "You don't have to find a ring right now, there's always tomorrow."
Santana just shakes her head and keeps determined eyes focused ahead of her, "It's now or never, Q, it has to be today or I might not get the courage to do this again."
"Courage? What do you mean?" Quinn laughs at Santana's solemn tone then frowns, "Wait, are you afraid?"
"No."She scoffs but Quinn's known Santana for years and she's able to see right past her hard exterior. Santana knows that too and soon deflates, "Yeah..terrified."
"Really?" Quinn chuckles but her tone turns serious as she sees Santana wrap her arms around herself protectively, "What could you possibly be afraid of?"
"What anyone who is about to propose to the love of their life is afraid of: hearing no."
"Are you kidding me?"
Santana's walls go shooting up at Quinn's tone and she keeps her jaw tight, "Whatever, Fabray. I wouldn't expect youto know about what this feels like. Puck is your first serious relationship, if you can even call it serious, like ever. You don't know what it's like to be so in love and so scared all at the same time. But whatever, you can go. I'll just find something by myself."
"Santana, come on." Quinn sighs, quickly catching up to the brunette before bravely hooking her arm with Santana's. She's confused by Quinn's gesture, they only physical contact between when Brittany isn't around is a hard slap to the face or maybe a shove to the ground, but Quinn's friendly smile eases Santana's nerves and she lets her talk, "You're right, I don't know what it feels like to be so in love with someone like you are with Brittany but you're wrong if you think I'm only here to tease you about that." Santana eyes Quinn warily, curious if there's venom behind her words because it wouldn't be the first time they were sweet to each other's faces and mean behind their backs. "I'd be lucky to find that kind of love one day, so really I'm actually a little jealous of you two. You found each other so early in life, and yeah it took you awhile to get your shit together and finally admit that you love her just as much as she loves you but you're here now. You're going to propose to that girl you love some much and you're going to spend the rest of your lives together and, Santana, I'm genuinely really happy for you. I know we've had some issues in the past, but it's really nice to see you two get a happy ending after all the crap you've had to go through and I'm honored to help you find a ring."
Her throat is tight after Quinn gives her a reassuring squeeze to her arm and she actually feels like she might just cry because it's rare that Quinn is jealous of anyone and also happy about it. Santana wants to tell her she's thankful that she's got someone like Quinn on her side, but they've never been into heartfelt talks like that so she just smirks, "Where the hell did that come from?"
"I guess you can say I've matured quite a lot." Quinn chuckles then nods to the jewelry store, "You still want to go alone?"
Santana just rolls her eyes and tugs her along, "Come on. Britt will be out of practice any minute now."
They go right to the engagement ring section and are quickly greeted by one of the employees, "Engagement ring shopping?"
"Yeah.." Santana breathes out shakily, she still can't believe she's actually looking for a ring and this is the fourth stop today. Quinn's right beside as they stare down at the different styles of rings.
"You have any particular cut in mind?" The woman asks, watching what Santana points to.
"I'm not sure," Santana shrugs but Quinn's been keeping track of which rings Santana's pointed out and speaks up for her.
"She seems to be swaying in the direction of the Asscher cut but-"
"I can't get Britt a ring shaped like that," Santana remarks, "Britt's no square."
"It's actually more rectangular, but hey that's sweet. That will go away though." The woman comments grumpily, making Quinn and Santana both look up with raised brows. She seems to notice how that must've sounded and paints on another coat of her fake smile and points to more circular cuts, "How about these?"
"Uhh..well I kind of like that cut," Santana motions, still eyeing the woman skeptically, then looks to Quinn, "I can picture her with that on her finger."
"Yeah San, it's beautiful but like I said I think she'll love whatever you pick."
"I don't know, Q, I really think that's the one."
"Can you really picture it though?" The woman scoffs, "I mean, you probably don't even really know this girl and you're already buying a ring? Crazy.."
"Uhm, they've known each other all their lives." Quinn replies, her voice threateningly low while Santana's nerves begin to get the better of her.
"Oh really?" The woman laughs then looks at Santana, "Listen honey, you can't trust anyone in this world especially ones you're in a relationship with."
The words cut right through Santana, digging up her old insecurities and combining with the flood of nerves that overwhelm her from just thinking of proposing. Quinn sees how Santana kind of shrinks back at the woman's words and instantly wants to reach over and smack the girl because she has no idea what her best friends have gone through to finally be at this point in their lives, she doesn't know that Santana can still be a scared little girl that's too frightened to follow her dreams when she hears certain things too.
"You listen to me," Quinn begins and there's anger behind hazel eyes as she threateningly leans across the counter catching the manager's eye, "I don't know who the fuck broke your heart or why the hell you're so bitter but you will not ruin my best friend's mood by projecting your shitty feelings onto her. Just because your life sucks doesn't mean you have to bring everyone else down with you."
Santana watches the way Quinn argues with the woman across the counter and soon sees the manager walk up to diffuse the situation and finds herself smiling because she's forgotten what it was like to have Quinn backing her up like that. She kind of tunes out what they're saying and only really rejoins the conversation when the manager waves the woman off and begins to apologize for her behavior the proceeds to help them himself.
Surprisingly, Santana ends up buying the ring that really stood out to her the most out of all the shops they've been to. The manager even gives them a little discount after having to deal with the bitter employee and after wishing her the best, Santana leaves with a giant smile on her face while Quinn trails behind, shaking her head at Santana's giddiness as she practically skips back to the car.
"You've got to wipe that smile off your face or at least tone it down a little," Quinn teases as she drives back to Santana's, "Britt will know something's up for sure."
"I can't help it," Santana laughs, staring down at the little box that contains the rest of their future, "It's really happening.."
"Yeah, it really is." She smiles, "It's a beautiful ring, San, best one we saw all day."
Santana just grins and pops the lid of the box to see the diamond sparkle before closing it up and tucking it in a safe hiding spot for now, then looks to Quinn as they pull up to Santana's, "Thanks for telling that bitch off. I don't know why I shut down like that, she doesn't even know me."
"It's alright, you would've done the same for me." Quinn replies knowingly, "Maybe even get arrested for assault but that's just you."
Santana laughs at the remark and shakes her head, "And leave Britt all alone while I'm stuck in jail? Doubt it."
"God, you really are smitten." Quinn jokes but Santana just laughs and reaches for the door.
"Yeah, I think you've made me actually realize that I don't have anything to worry about when it comes to Brittany's answer." Santana says quietly, "I guess I'm still a little stuck in the past, but I know things are different now. The timing is right and we love each other more than we ever have."
"Uh yeah, that's what I've been saying!" Quinn laughs and Santana just smiles.
"Thanks for coming with, it meant a lot."
"Thanks for inviting me out," She replies the nods to Santana's purse, "Try not to give yourself away with that thing in there."
"I'll try." Santana calls before heading up .When she gets inside, she can tell Brittany's already back from practice by hearing the shower running. She's quick to take the box from her purse and hide it somewhere safe before greeting her girlfriend. She barely closes the lid of the jewelry box she keeps hidden away behind a stack of Brittany's old MIT books before Brittany's wrapping her arms around Santana's waist and hugging her from behind, her skin shower-warm and her hair damp and curly.
"Hi baby, how was practice?" Santana asks, keeping the tremor of nerves well hidden as she spins in the embrace and leans up to kiss Brittany's lips softly.
"It was good," Brittany smiles as her hands settle low on Santana's back, "Mercedes is still a park and bark though, I don't think there's any changing that. How was your day though? I feel like I haven't seen you since this morning, I miss you."
Santana swoons at the love in Brittany's eyes and the sweetness of her tone, "I missed you too."
Brittany grins and goes in for another kiss before asking, "So what'd you do all day?"
"Uhhh.." Santana hums, thankful when Brittany pulls away to dry her hair but keeps her fingers twined with Santana's so she'll follow her into their bedroom. Santana tries to keep her cool, tries to keep from blurting out that she just spent the day looking for the perfect engagement ring because she's going to propose to her soon and she wants Brittany to have the very best and most importantly she wants her to say yes. She wants her to say yes to getting married and spending the rest of their lives together and maybe buying a house and filling it with a couple cats and maybe having a couple babies who they'd shower with love because that would just make all her dreams come true.
But she doesn't, her lips are totally sealed.
"Not much," Santana shrugs casually, following Brittany into the bathroom and leaning back against the door to watch the blonde towel dry her hair, "Just did a little shopping with Quinn, nothing crazy."
"That sounds fun," Brittany grins through the mirror then turns to place a kiss to the tip of Santana's nose, "I like when you're being nice to each other."
Santana briefly thinks back to how Quinn handled the woman at the jewelry store and smiles, "Me too."
Later on when they're cuddled up on the couch eating take out and watching reruns of Bad Girls Club, Santana almost breaks under Brittany's analytical gaze.
"You're hiding something." The blonde says and Santana's shocked because it's not a question.
"Huh? What are you talking about? N-no I'm not."
"Baby, you're the worst liar." Brittany chuckles as she lifts her head from Santana's shoulder, her blue eyes darkening, "It's new lingerie, isn't it?"
Santana giggles at her husky tone and the wandering fingers tickling underneath her shirt, "Not telling, it's a surprise."
"Oh, very sneaky." Brittany winks then leans her head back on Santana's shoulder. Fingers fan out over Santana's stomach, "I love a good surprise."
"I know you do," Santana smirks, her hand catching Brittany's as she takes it to her lips and presses a kiss to her ring finger, "You're definitely going to love this one."