CHAPTER 10
A/N: Thanks to rubyrocket26, BizzleB90, pjay413, pacumeme57, Tamardejong, Supergirl2121, writersblock1000, May1217, Marie RieRie England, sandrienchen84, Mariu4, Yadi, andyjayj, and the Guests for their reviews! Your comments are really interesting! Special thanks to WhitWalk for proofreading this chapter. Please watch the POV as it alternates between Santana and Brittany, but also Quinn (and we actually start with Ms. Fabray!) Enjoy, it's the longest chapter yet!
Here is what you missed (on Glee):
"San, wait…" Melissa says once I'm almost out of the room.
"Yeah?" I ask, turning around.
"Are we…" She says, pausing for a second. "Are we okay?" She eventually asks, raising worried eyes towards me.
LATER THAT NIGHT (1:00 AM) – AT QUINN AND PUCK'S HOUSE – QUINN POV
"She didn't even say what it was about?!" Puck asks me as I'm getting out of bed.
"No…" I shrug while putting on my bathrobe. "She just said she was outside our house and didn't dare ring the doorbell because she didn't want to wake up the kids."
"Anyway, I better go get her…" I add, leaving our bedroom.
I climb down the stairs as quietly as I can, before hurrying to open the front door.
"Hey…" I whisper upon seeing a distressed Santana on my doorstep.
She must have dressed quickly because her clothes don't match at all and her hair is all messy. Her eyes are red and shiny, a clear sign that she'd been crying.
"I'm so sorry to show up unannounced at such a late hour, Q, but… can I please sleep here tonight?" She asks and I can hear the despair in her voice.
"Uh… yeah, of course!" I nod, inviting her to come in.
"What happened?" I ask.
"I um…" She trails off. "Mel and I broke up…" She eventually says in a shaky voice. "And then, she threw me out of the house, so…" She adds with a sad shrug, before breaking into tears right in front of me.
"Oh, San… come here…" I say, pulling her into a tight hug.
"I'm really sorry to barge in here like this, Q…" She sobs, clinging to me as if her life depended on it.
"Don't be silly! You're always welcome here!" I say, rubbing her back to comfort her.
Even though we remain silent, I keep her in a tight embrace for a while, until she calms down.
"I never meant to hurt her…" She eventually whispers, breaking the silence.
"I know you didn't…"
FLASHBACK TO EARLIER THAT NIGHT – AT SANTANA'S HOUSE – SANTANA POV
"I don't… I don't understand…" Melissa frowns, shaking her head.
Yeah, if roles were reversed, I wouldn't understand either… In the three and a half years we have been together, Melissa and I never even had a fight! We got along since day 1 and things have always been amazingly easy with her because she just got me…
"You said you loved me!" She argues, sobbing.
"I do love you…" I say in a cracking voice, unable to hold back my tears.
"Then why are you breaking up with me?" She asks, locking sad eyes with me, but I remain silent, not knowing what to say.
"Are you seeing someone else?" She eventually asks.
"No!" I immediately reply.
I didn't tell Melissa I cheated on her. I figured it would only cause her additional pain, without changing the outcome. Even though it took me a while to accept it, I know I don't have a choice! I have to break up with her… Because even if a part of me just wants to pretend nothing happened, I know that everything has changed and that it will never go back to what it was.
But I'm not sure it's a lie when I say I'm not seeing anyone, because I'm actually not seeing Brittany.
"You really expect me to believe that?" She asks, upset. "San, we haven't had sex in two weeks!" She argues and God knows that for anyone who has ever dated me, that would be enough to know that something is off.
"I'm not seeing anyone!" I repeat. "But I…" I sigh, trailing off. "… I do have feelings for someone else…" I eventually admit in a whisper and judging by the painful look on her face, it's clear that I just broke her heart in a thousand pieces.
Seeing her hurting this bad kills me so much that I just want to engulf her in a tight hug. But I know I can't.
"It's Brittany, isn't it…?" She suddenly whispers, much to my surprise, and I find myself at a loss for words.
"God, I'm so stupid…" She says, shaking her head in despair.
"Don't say that…"
"You know what's ironic?" She asks. "My mom actually warned me about this! She said that you were getting along too well with your ex-wife and that I shouldn't have any expectations from a woman who clearly had no desire to marry me!" She adds and I don't know what to say so I just remain silent.
"I thought you were the one…" She says in a cracking voice, her sad eyes meeting mine. "I wanted to have a family with you!" She sobs.
And that's when it hits me: I was her "Brittany"…
THE NEXT DAY (SUNDAY, EARLY MORNING) – AT QUINN AND PUCK'S HOUSE
Even though I was completely exhausted when I got here, I couldn't sleep at all. I just kept thinking of Melissa all night long…
I'm still ruminating in bed when my phone suddenly rings.
"Hi Abuela…" I say upon picking up.
"Hello mija! How are you?"
"I'm fine…" I lie. "How are you?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, why?" I say, pretending that everything is alright.
"Santana, you know it's a sin to lie to your grandmother? I know something is wrong, I can hear it in your voice!"
Yeah, I should have known that her psychic Mexican third eye would see right through me!
"It's just that um… Melissa and I broke up…" I eventually say.
"Really?" She asks, apparently genuinely surprised. "I'm so sorry to hear that, mija… What happened?"
"I uh… I cheated on her…" I reply, in spite of myself.
God, why would I even confess something like that to Abuela?! Is it maybe because I feel so guilty that a part of me wants to suffer?
"What?! You cheated on your girlfriend?" She says in a reproachful tone. "Oh, Santana… You were raised better than this, mija!" She adds and I can clearly hear the disappointment in her voice.
She's right, I was raised better than this. And I had never cheated on anyone before… I mean, I used to "cheat" on Puck and other boys in high school all the time, but I had never cheated on anyone I actually loved…
"I thought you loved Melissa? And you always said how bad you wanted it to work, so… why would you sabotage your relationship like that? And who's that woman you cheated on her with?!"
"It's… Brittany…" I sigh, knowing that there is no point to stall because Abuela would not have stopped until she got it out of me.
"Brittany?" She repeats as if she couldn't believe it. "Are you two getting back together…?" She eventually asks, not even bothering to hide the obvious hope in her voice.
"Oh, now you're fine with me cheating!" I say in an ironic tone.
"It's not cheating if it's with your wife." She replies.
"Brittany is not my wife, Abuela! We're DIVORCED!" I say, not believing my ears.
"Well, you may be divorced in the eyes of law but not in the eyes of God, mija! Marriage is sacred! You took vows, until death do you part!"
"We didn't even get married in a church!" I protest.
"So? You don't have to be in a church! God is everywhere! Even more so when I'm there, because I bring Him with me everywhere I go! And I was at your wedding, so…" She replies, making me roll my eyes.
"And I don't think it's a coincidence that you cheated on your girlfriend with Brittany!" She adds, even though no one asked her. "Maybe it's God's doing!"
Is she even serious?!
"And what about Brittany?" She asks. "Is she still with Nick?"
"No, they broke up too." I sigh.
"Really? Oh mija, that's fantastic!" She says in an excited tone.
"Fantastic?" I repeat, frowning.
"Well, yeah! There's no one standing in your way now!"
"Yeah, I'm sorry, Abuela… but I have to go." I only reply, getting sick of this conversation.
"Wait!" She's quick to say. "You are getting back together with Brittany, right?"
"I don't know, okay?" I say in an irritated tone.
"But you have children together!"
"And so what?" I ask, getting more and more impatient. "Are you seriously telling me I should get back with her just because of the kids?!"
"Well, no but…"
"Then can you just let me figure it out on my own?" I cut her off.
"Fine." She replies. "But let me say one more thing." She adds while I roll my eyes again in frustration.
"We both know you love Brittany, mija." She says in a sure voice. "If there's a chance to get her back, you have to seize it! So please, don't mess this up… I beg you!"
LATER THAT DAY (EARLY AFTERNOON) – AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE – BRITTANY POV
Santana and I have been standing in the dance room for a few minutes but she has yet to say a word. I'm not sure what's going on because all I could get out of her since she arrived was that "we needed to talk, just the two of us". But it must be bad because she has puffy eyes and looks very tired, as if she had not slept at all.
"San…" I eventually whisper, to get her out of her trance.
"Yeah, okay… Here it goes…" She sighs, before pausing for a moment. "Melissa and I are… over." She eventually says, making my jaw drop in disbelief, although it's not a complete surprise. Why else would she be so sad…?
"And I really don't want to talk about it, Britt… So, please don't make me." She begs.
"Okay…" I nod in understanding. "I'm really sorry, San…" I add, rubbing her upper arm.
"Thanks…" She replies in a sad voice. "But the reason I'm here is because I wanted to ask you if the kids could stay with you this week." She says, much to my surprise. "I know it's my turn but um… Melissa wants me out of the house for a few days, just to give her time to gather her stuff and move out, so…"
"What?" I frown. "But isn't it your house?!"
"Yeah, but… it's the least I could do, considering…" She trails off.
I know I should be more understanding, especially because I'm the reason they broke up, but I'm fuming! It's not just Santana's house that Melissa is taking, it's also my children's home!
"Where are you staying?" I only ask, forcing myself not to comment further because I don't want to make it more difficult on her.
"At Quinn and Puck's." She replies. "They're fine with me staying there for a while but there's not much room, so… I can't bring the kids with me."
"Well… you could stay here…" I suggest timidly.
"Here?" She repeats, surprised. "No, Britt… I can't." She shakes her head, as if it was a bad idea.
"Why not? You still own this house, San…" I shrug. "And you deserve time with your children!"
"I'm not sure I deserve anything…" She whispers, looking down in guilt.
"Of course you do!" I immediately say, frowning. "And if you won't do it for yourself, at least do it for the kids! They deserve to see their mama!"
"But, Brittany… I've barely broken up with Melissa and you're asking me to stay at the woman's I cheated with? It wouldn't be right…"
"No, I'm asking you to stay with your children!" I argue. "And you wouldn't be here in the first place if Melissa had not kicked you out so…" I shrug.
"Look, San… I'm not saying we have to share a bed, you can stay in the guest room if you want." I offer. "I just don't want the kids to be punished when this whole mess has nothing to do with them!"
"But wouldn't it be a bother?" She eventually asks, after taking a moment.
"No." I immediately reassure her. "We have plenty of room here…" I shrug.
LATER THAT DAY – AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE – IN SOFIA'S BEDROOM – SANTANA POV
"Wow…"Sofia says in disbelief, after I told her that Melissa and I broke up.
"Are you okay?" She eventually asks.
"No… But I will be, eventually." I nod, to reassure her.
"But so… what happens now?"
"I don't know, mija…" I shrug. "I guess I'll stay here for a few days, until Mel moves out. And then, I'll go home."
"Go home?" She frowns in confusion. "But… why would you go back there just to be alone in that big house? Don't you want to stay here?"
"I can't stay here, Sofia…"
"Why not? I'm sure mom would love to have you here!" She insists. "And we would too, mama..."
"That's very sweet, mija, but… I need some time for myself." I confess. "I know you want mom and I to get back together, and frankly, it seems that everyone around me is pushing for that! But I just broke up with my long-term partner!" I argue. "I need people to let me be sad for a while, you know?"
"Yeah, okay…" She nods in understanding. "But… can I just say one thing?" She asks timidly and I silently nod.
"I was 12 when you two got divorced, mama…" She reminds me. "So, I have lots of memories from the time we were all living under the same roof! And what I remember the most is you and mom always being all over each other! I would catch you kissing pretty much every time I dared stepping out of my bedroom!" She chuckles and I can't help but smile because that's actually very accurate…
"I know you still love each other…" She adds in a sure voice, staring into my eyes. "Even after the divorce, it was still there! Frankly, you had to be blind not to notice it!" She says. "And what happened in Lima proves it."
"Having sex after drinking too much is hardly a proof of anything, mija…" I argue.
"Really?" She asks. "Because the truth is that you and mom slept together the only night you were ever left alone in 5 years!"
Oh my God… I had never thought about that… But she's right!
"You were both in a committed relationship, with people you actually loved…" Sofia continues. "… and yet, one night is all it took for you two to do the nasty and break up with your long-term partners! So, I'm sorry, mama... but there's no way you're gonna make me believe that this was just an accident!" She adds and this is one of these moments where it hits me in the face: my little girl is definitely growing into an adult woman.
"Since when did you get so smart?" I only manage to say, with a timid smile.
"Well, as a smart girl, let me tell you: I understand that you need to mourn your relationship with Melissa for a while, but is that really it? Because we both know that mom is the one you want! And now, you're actually both single, so what's stopping you exactly? Seriously… what are you afraid of?" She asks in an empathetic voice and I let out a long sigh, taking a moment before answering.
"Do you remember when mom and I told you guys we were getting a divorce?" I ask and she silently nods. "I've got to tell you, mija: that is by far the absolute worst moment of my entire life!" I confess. "I can still picture your heartbroken faces and hear your cries… it's a memory that has been haunting me ever since…" I add in a sad voice. "And I also remember how surprised you were, Sofia. You kept arguing that 'it couldn't be true', because mom and I 'were never fighting'!" I say, quoting her words. "But even if we never yelled at each other, we did fight, mija. It's just that we made sure to never do it in front of you."
"And things eventually got so difficult that we agreed it was better to end it… We really didn't want to risk getting anywhere near the point where we would resent each other! The most important thing for us was to still get along and be able to take care of you together, even if it meant having to end our marriage."
"And although that was the healthiest decision, I know how tough the divorce has been on you and your brothers… Because of us, you guys suddenly had a broken home…" I say in a sad voice. "Gabriel stopped talking, you were crying all the time… and Diego… well, he was being Diego but… I knew he was not okay either." I add, shaking my head.
"So, what if we try again and it still doesn't work? I don't want to cause you any more pain…" I say. "Maybe mom and I were just meant to have you guys, not spend the rest of our lives together…"
"You don't actually believe that, do you?" She frowns. "Of course you're meant to be together, mama! Everyone knows that! And I really think it would work out this time, because the circumstances are completely different from five years ago! And even if it doesn't work, you don't have to worry about us… We are older now." She shrugs. "And I'm a senior! In a few months, I'll be off to college and I won't even live here anymore… And Diego and Gabriel will also be gone in three or four years…" She reminds me and even though she's right, it still feels unreal to me! My babies are growing up way too fast for my liking…
"I'm not gonna lie, I really wish for you two to get back together!" She admits. "But I don't want you to do it for us, mama… I just truly believe you and mom belong together!" She shrugs.
EVEN LATER THAT DAY – AT SANTANA'S HOUSE
After telling the boys about my break up, I texted Melissa to ask if I could come pick up a few clothes, and she agreed.
But as I'm packing my stuff, alone in what used to be our bedroom, I can't help but feel sad. I had lots of happy moments with her in this house, and it feels strange to know that it's all over now…
One full suitcase later, I climb down the stairs and enter the living room, maintaining a distance of a few feet from her.
"I um… I'm gonna go…" I say timidly, feeling uneasy.
"Okay…" She simply acknowledges, in a cold tone.
I'm about to open the front door and get out of the house when I suddenly turn around.
"I know you need to hate me right now… And I deserve it anyway." I shrug. "But… even if you don't have to believe me, I never wanted to hurt you, Mel… And I'm truly sorry, about everything." I add.
But when I see that she remains completely silent, I eventually walk back towards the door.
"Can I ask you something?" She suddenly says, making me turn around.
"Why did you never want a baby with me?" She asks, much to my surprise. "What was so wrong with me?"
"Nothing was wrong with you!" I immediately reply. "I was so lucky to find you, Mel… Anyone would be lucky to have you! It's just that… I already had three kids!" I shrug. "I never even meant to have that many, let alone a fourth one..."
"And you wanted Brittany's babies, not mine…" She whispers sadly and I don't know what to say because that's also true. Brittany is the only one I have ever wanted to have kids with.
"I'm so deeply sorry, Melissa…" I repeat, in a cracking voice. "You deserve so much better than me…" I admit. "And for what it's worth, I hope you get to have a baby some day… You'd be such a great mom!" I add, meaning every word. "I really want that for you…"
THE NEXT DAY (MONDAY, AFTERNOON TIME) – AT PARAMOUNT
"Ah, Q…" I say as I'm running into her in the hall. "I was looking for you! I'm gonna take off…"
"Right!" She nods. "Are you coming back to my place or you're going to Britt's?"
Last night, I decided to stay at Quinn and Puck's again. I was so depressed after my discussion with Melissa that I didn't want to talk to anyone and I went straight to bed, which would not have been possible if I had stayed with Britt and the kids.
"I'm going to Britt's…" I say. "Given the circumstances, it's my only option to be with my children this week, so…"
"Well, I think spending time with them will do you some good." She says. "And with Brittany too."
"Let's hope you're right…" I sigh, still unsure if this is a good idea. "The house will actually be empty for a few hours but Britt said I could go there early, to settle in…"
LATER THAT DAY – AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE – BRITTANY POV
"Come on, boys… How many times do I have to tell you to put your shoes in the cabinet?" I sigh, as we finally get home after I picked them up from school.
"Sorry, mom…" Gabriel says, grabbing his shoes.
"Sofia, can you do it for me?" Diego asks his sister.
"No!" She frowns. "Who do you think I am, your maid?"
"But you're a lot closer to my shoes than I am!" Diego complains, already half way through the hall.
"Okay, bud, enough now…" I tell Diego. "You're a big boy, just grab your shoes yourself."
"Fine…" He sighs, walking back to us.
While the kids go upstairs, I make my way to the kitchen and unexpectedly find Santana cooking.
"Hey…" I say.
"Hi!"
"What's all this?" I ask, looking around.
"Well… I thought I would make dinner, as a thank you for letting me stay here."
"Oh, that's really sweet, San… but you didn't have to! And you're welcome to stay here as long as you want! You know that, right?"
"Yeah…" She nods timidly. "Thanks."
"Can I help with anything?"
"Um, well… you could peel the potatoes?"
"Sure, I can do that!" I smile.
After washing my hands, I take a seat at the table and start peeling the potatoes, in silence. Santana is stirring mysterious pots on the stove and I can't help but smile. It's so nice to have her around, I had not realized how much I had missed sharing the day to day life with her…
EVEN LATER THAT DAY (DINNER TIME)
"So, mijo, how was English class?" Santana asks Gabriel, as we are having dinner in the living room.
Just like in the good old days, she and I are sitting on opposing ends of the table, with our kids on each side. When Nick moved in, I actually started to sit in her former place because I didn't want him to take hers.
"It was good!" Gabriel replies. "The teacher graded our poems."
"And…?" Santana asks, curious.
"I got an A…" He says in a shy voice.
"Well done, bud!" I say, holding my hand up for a high five.
"I'm really proud of you, mijo!" Santana adds. "I was sure you would get an A, that poem was the best you've ever written!" She says, making our son smile in pride.
"Oh, mom, by the way…" Diego suddenly says, turning to me. "Uncle Sam asked if I could come by after dinner, he wants me to practice a guitar duet with him. Could you drive me there? He said he will bring me back home when we're done."
"Did you finish your homework?" Santana asks him.
"Yeah!" He sighs, rolling his eyes. "So, can I go?" Diego asks again, this time to Santana.
"Fine, you can…" She shrugs.
"I could drop Diego at Uncle Sam's on my way to Liam's, if you want." Sofia suggests, turning to me.
"Oh, you're going to Liam's tonight?" I ask, surprised.
"Yeah, we're just gonna watch a movie at his place, I won't come back late." She says. "And I also finished my homework before dinner, so…" She adds but when I quickly glance at Santana, I see that she's frowning.
"Don't you see the Irish enough already?" Santana asks, crossing her arms. "You guys are in the same class, you see each other all day long!"
"So?" Sofia asks, frowning. "You and mom were also in the same class and you were seeing each other at Cheerios practice and Glee club…" She argues. "And yet, you were still hanging out together after school and even spending the night together! Which is a lot more than I've ever been allowed to do!" She adds in a defiant tone, while Santana turns to me, looking all offended.
"She's got a point…" I shrug, looking back at Santana.
"Will his parents be home?" She asks Sofia.
"Yes!" Our daughter says, holding her mama's gaze.
"So, if I were to call their house later, his parents would pick up the phone?" Santana asks while Sofia rolls her eyes.
"You can even call them every 10 minutes if that makes you feel better…" Our daughter says, shaking her head.
A WHILE LATER – IN THE KITCHEN
"I just don't understand why she has to hang out with him all the time! It's a school night!" Santana complains while we're doing the dishes.
"It's just a movie, San… We used to do that too!"
"Oh come on, Britt! You know all too well that when we were telling our parents we would go 'watch a movie'…" She says, using air quotes. "… it was code for at least second base! And we would usually do a lot more than that!"
"We already went over this, San…" I sigh. "That ship has sailed, you have to accept it…"
"Yeah well… it doesn't mean that she should have sex every night!" She argues.
"They don't even see each other every night." I reply. "Besides, his parents will be there tonight, and they also have an open door policy."
"And how can we know if his parents will really be home?" She questions. "She might have lied about that!"
"I actually called Liam's mom right after dinner, and she confirmed they would be home and were expecting Sofia, so…"
"You did?" She asks in a calmer tone this time.
"Yes, I figured it would help avoid unnecessary drama… So can we move on now?"
"Fine…" She mumbles.
MUCH LATER THAT NIGHT – IN THE GUEST ROOM - SANTANA POV
I'm about to get into bed when I suddenly hear someone knocking on my door and I hurry to open it.
There stands Brittany and I can only swallow hard when I see she's wearing a tight blue nightie that reveals both her cleavage and her long legs. God, I had forgotten how sexy she looked when wearing these things…
"Hi…" I say, trying to ignore the tingle between my legs.
"Hi!" She smiles. "I just wanted to check on you and make sure you have everything you need?"
I thought I had everything I needed but now that I see her right in front of me, I can't help but think that there's a sexy blonde missing in my bed.
"Uh, yeah… I'm okay." I eventually nod.
"Great! Well, good night then…" She says, before placing a kiss on my cheek, allowing me to catch the familiar scent of her shampoo.
God, this is torture…
"Night!" I whisper, feeling my heart beating fast in my chest as I watch her walk away.
After closing the door, I quickly get into bed and although I'm trying very hard to focus on my book, all I can think of is that Brittany is just on the other side of the wall…
THE NEXT MORNING (TUESDAY) – AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE
"Hi!" I say in a raspy morning voice, upon seeing Brittany in the kitchen. She's still wearing that damn nightie and God knows that if we were together, I would take her right back to the bedroom, for some hot morning sex.
"Morning!" She smiles, being her cheerful self. "You want some coffee?"
"Please…" I reply, taking a seat at the table.
"So, how did you sleep?" She asks, placing a mug in front of me.
"Um… pretty well, I must say! And you?"
"Me too!"
"Are the kids up yet?"
"Not yet… But they will be pretty soon."
"I can drop them at school by the way." I tell her, before taking a sip of coffee. "God, this coffee is good!"
"Well, I know how you like it, so..." She smiles. "Are you going to Paramount this morning?"
"Yeah, all day, actually… I'm the one supervising the shooting today."
"Oh, ok… Will you be home late then?" She asks and somehow, this is when I fully realize what a weird situation we're in. My "home" is actually not here, but it almost feels like it is because Brittany and I are basically living together right now.
"Um… I don't know yet… It depends on how the shooting goes."
THE NEXT EVENING (WEDNESDAY) – AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE - BRITTANY POV
I have just got home from the dance school when I see Gabriel sitting at the living room table, obviously doing his homework.
"Hey, buddy!" I say, leaning to kiss his head. "Is mama around?" I only ask, trying not to interrupt him for too long.
"Yeah, she's outside." He replies.
After drinking a much needed glass of water, I move to the garden and eventually spot Santana in a corner, kneeling on the grass.
Oh my God, is she actually gardening…?! She hates that!
"Hey… what are you doing?" I ask her, confused by the sight in front of me.
"Oh, well… um… I noticed that most of the flowers seemed to have died and… I know how much you love having some in the garden so… I thought I would plant a few for you." She shrugs.
"And you picked my favorite…" I say in disbelief, profoundly touched by this gesture.
"Well… I knew I couldn't go wrong with these…" She replies with a timid smile.
THE NEXT DAY (THURSDAY EVENING) – AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE – IN THE LIVING ROOM
"Do we really have to keep watching that?" Sofia questions, throwing an angry look at her laughing brothers, as we are watching some old videos of her.
"See? It's not so funny when people mock your childhood videos, is it?" Santana smirks, clearly getting back at her for what happened at Abuela's the other day.
"When was that?" Gabriel asks, curious.
"Well, it looks like Sofia is about 2 years old on this…" I reply.
"But was it for a special occasion?" He asks.
"Not even…" Santana laughs. "It's just that at the time, your Auntie Q was totally obsessed with your sister! She would constantly film her and would get completely excited, even if Sofia was doing absolutely nothing interesting!"
"Aww, look at that..." We hear Quinn's voice on the video. "You're playing with colored cubes, baby?"
"See? Case and point." Santana says.
"Oh my God, she was the most boring baby in the world!" Diego complains after a few minutes, immediately earning a slap on his arm from his big sister.
"Now, let's see what your moms are up to, shall we?" Quinn says, moving the camera. "And without surprise, they're kissing again!" She adds in a jaded tone, as Santana and I appear on screen.
"You don't say…" Sofia mumbles ironically while rolling her eyes, and I can help but squeezing Santana's hand. We were so happy back then…
"Can we have some privacy here, Fabray?" Santana asks the camera, obviously angry.
"Oh my God, we look so young!" Santana chuckles, watching us in disbelief.
"And what is that outfit you're wearing?" Diego asks his mama, laughing. "You look like a nerd!"
"Hey, that was very fashionable at the time, okay?" She objects. "Everyone was wearing that!"
"Seriously, all girls were wearing that?!" He asks, frowning in disgust. "Oh my God, I'm so happy I was born in a different time…"
THE NEXT DAY (FRIDAY, LATE AFTERNOON) - AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE – SANTANA POV
On my way to go take a shower, I pass the dance room and the open door allows me to catch a glimpse of Brittany dancing.
Leaning against the doorframe, I observe her for a few minutes, admiring her elegant choreography, to the sound of a slow and melancholic music. Every time I watch her dance, I feel like everything is happening in slow motion, as if the rest of the world had stopped. Her face is focused and yet so expressive, and her graceful body is just… a pure work of art! I think Brittany dancing might seriously be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen…
"Hi!" She suddenly says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Oh, hi! Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt…" I say, blushing for being caught looking at her.
"You're not interrupting." She smiles.
"That was really beautiful! What is it for?"
"Thanks, that's my number for the next recital… I hope you'll come see it?"
"Oh, I'm definitely not gonna miss that…" I immediately reply, with a smile that she quickly returns.
"Dance with me?" She asks out of nowhere, holding her hand out to me.
"Oh, I… I don't know, Britt…" I whisper, embarrassed.
"Come on, San…" She says, moving closer to me. "It's really a great song to slow dance to…" She insists.
"Fine…" I eventually nod, following her to the middle of the room.
While I timidly put my arms around her neck, she places her hands on my hips and gently leans her head against mine. We slow dance for a couple of minutes and I find myself pulling her closer to me, enjoying the warmth of her body and the scent of her perfume.
She eventually pulls away a little, to look at me, and carefully tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I'm so drowned into her beautiful blue eyes that I feel the irrepressible desire to kiss her. As my eyes travel to her lips, it's getting harder and harder to fight the magnetic pull she has on me.
"Anybody home?" We suddenly hear Sofia's voice from downstairs, brutally interrupting our moment suspended in time.
A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER (SUNDAY, EARLY EVENING) – AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE
Since Sofia is out with the Leprechaun, and the twins are at the cinema with some friends, Brittany and I are alone at home tonight. It's actually my last night here, as Melissa said I could get the house back tomorrow.
"We should do something special for your last night…" Brittany suggests. "Maybe we can drink some wine?"
"I don't know if it's a good idea, Britt… Last time we drank together, we ended up naked in bed."
"Well, that would be fine with me…" She shrugs.
"Come on, Britt…" I chuckle nervously. "You know I need us to take things slow…"
"Yeah, I know…" She nods. "But we could have just one glass! I think I still have a bottle of that Spanish wine your dad brought for Thanksgiving!"
"Oh, that wine was so good!" I immediately say.
"See? Okay, wait here… I'll check if there's a bottle in the basement." She says, getting up from the couch.
She has barely passed the door when her fix phone suddenly rings.
"Britt! The living room phone is ringing!" I shout.
"It's fine, let the machine catch that!" She shouts back.
"Hi Brittany, it's Theo, from danceathon." I hear a male voice say on the answering machine's speaker.
Who is that…?! I've never heard about a Theo before…
"I don't know if you still have this number, but I actually don't have your mobile phone number, so… Listen, I know this might sound a bit strange but the word on the street is that you and Nick have broken up… And I don't know if you knew but… I had a massive crush on you when we first met! I really wanted to ask you out at the time but Nick beat me to it… So, this time I thought I would let you know how I feel sooner rather than later…"
What the fuck…?!
"Anyway, I don't know if you're in a dating mood but if you are, maybe we could grab a coffee some time? Here is my phone number…"
"Who's that?" Brittany asks, coming back into the room as the message ends.
"Some guy named Theo." I mumble through my teeth.
"Who?" She asks, sitting next to me.
"Theo, from danceathon." I repeat, getting more and more pissed.
"Oh, Theo!" She smiles. "I haven't heard from him in a long time! What did he want?"
"He wanted to ask you out on a date." I immediately reply, unable to hide the anger in my voice.
"What?" She frowns in surprise. "Oh…" She eventually adds as she realizes that this is not a joke.
"Are you jealous?" She asks, locking eyes with mine.
"No." I lie. "You're single, so… you can date whoever you want, Britt."
"Well… there is only one person I want to date, San… and that's you!" She says, gently caressing my cheek. "And I know you need some time to process everything that happened with Melissa but… when you are ready, I really hope you'll ask me out…"
THE NEXT DAY (MONDAY, LATE EVENING) – AT SANTANA'S HOUSE
I was so dreading going back to my place that I stayed as late as possible at Paramount.
But now that I'm standing on the doorstep, I know I can't hide from this forever. So after taking a long exhale, I finally open the front door and walk around the empty house, noticing that all of Melissa's stuff is gone. She really took everything she owned: her books and paintings, her beauty and care products, even her coffee mugs and the big armchair that used to be in the living room.
But it's only when I enter the bedroom and see that her clothes are missing from the wardrobe that I really understand that she's gone. There is no more trace of Melissa in this house… as if our life together had never existed.
Before I know it, I break into tears and find myself laying in a fetal position, on what used to be our bed.
A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER (WEDNESDAY) - AT THE RESTAURANT
"I don't know, Q…" I say, as we're having lunch at a restaurant nearby Paramount. "I think in some ways, it was good for me to go back home… because it was actually the first time I could have a moment alone since my breakup with Mel! But I hate being there now! I miss the kids so much…"
"The kids, and Brittany. Right?" She asks with a smirk, clearly reading my mind.
"Yeah…" I sigh. "Brittany too." I admit. "That whole week I spent with them, it just… it felt so much like home, as if I had never left! Even though it was not exactly like before, because I was sleeping alone in the guest room, but… it's crazy how quickly I fell back into my old habits around the house! I even still knew where everything was in the cupboards!"
"Well, it used to be your house too, San…" Quinn says. "And your family is over there!" She shrugs. "If it feels so strange in your own place and you feel right at home at Britt's, maybe it's simply because you belong there… with Brittany and the kids!"
"Maybe…" I whisper.
"You know, Sofia told me the other day that I shouldn't worry about her and the boys…" I add. "She said they would be fine, no matter what happens! But… I'm still so scared to have my heart broken again…"
"I know…" She says. "But if you want to get what you really want, you'll have to put yourself out there, San…"
LATER THAT DAY (EARLY EVENING) – AT BRITTANY'S HOUSE – BRITTANY POV
I'm busy doing the dishes when I suddenly hear the doorbell and I hurry to make my way through the hall.
"San?" I say upon opening the door, surprised to see her there.
"Hi! I… uh… I just… um…" She trails off, before falling silent. "God, I used to be so much better at this…" She sighs.
"I was just wondering if…" She tries again, looking all shy. "… you would go on a date with me?" She eventually asks in a timid voice, making me open my eyes wide in surprise.
"I would love to!" I immediately reply, unable to hide my excitement. "When?"
"Um… How about Friday night…?" She suggests. "Pick you up at 8:00?"
"It's a date!" I say, smiling so big that my face hurts.
A/N: So, Melissa is also out of the picture now… I suppose many of you are happy, lol! But what did you think of this chapter? Please let me know in the reviews! And yes, I will cover the "first" Brittana date in the next chapter, don't worry! ;-) But you may have to be patient, because I need to reflect on it a little more! As you can imagine, we are also approaching the end of this story… I think I will just write another couple of chapters or so… Thanks in advance for your reviews, because they mean a lot!