Update for you.. Yes I know, so soon :) I'm planning to update frequently for you lovelies.. More than 1k views since bringing this fic back to life. Thank you all so very much!
Courtney looked at her watch.. 9:30. Any minute now Brittany and Quinn would be racing through the gate. On queue she saw the blonde bobbing through the crowd with Quinn following closely behind.
"Mom! Mom!" Brittany came crashing into her mom's arms. "I've missed you so much!"
"Honey, you look great.. my little girl is all grown up." As soon she released Brittany her she motioned Quinn for hug. "Quinn darling, it's great to see you. Ready to go home?"
"You have no idea," both girls replied.
Timidly, Brittany asked, "where is Santana?"
"She's home honey." Courtney looked at both girls reassuringly before grabbing their hands. They made their way to the parking lot, duffle bags in tow. "Now, tell me, what have my favorite girls been up to?"
Most of the ride home they talked about how amazing Los Angeles was, their classes, classmates, the amazing talent and competition Brittany had been exposed to, and Quinn's new found interest for law. They shared stories about getting stranded downtown, the horrific traffic, confusing public transit, and stress of being "serious" college students by staying away from the parties and temptations. Courtney was so proud of them. She also knew her daughter was being polite in not interrogating her about Santana.
"So ladies, what the game plan? Three and a half weeks home, any reunions plans made with the Glee Club?"
Quinn was first to answer. "My parents are hosting Christmas this year. Rachel is hosting the New Year's get together when the majority of us will be back home. I heard she contacted everyone already. Thanks again for picking me up and taking me home."
"Sounds fun. Your parents are dying to see you. I'm sure you will have lots to talk about." Courtney looked into her rear view mirror and sighed as she examined her daughter's face. Brittany was sucking on her bottom lip, a habit which she did only when she was in deep thought.
Courtney pulled into the Fabray's driveway. Quinn gave Courtney a quick hug before bounding out the passenger seat. Brittany retrieved Quinn's bag from the trunk and walked Quinn to her front door.
Brittany set the duffle bags by the door. Quinn instantly pulled Brittany into a hug. "By the look on your face I can tell that you can't pin point what it is you're feeling. Nervous? Excited? Scared? Angry? You're minutes away from seeing the love of your life. Be there for her, the best you can, but don't go derailing your life to be someone you can't. Don't feel guilty for living a life that you love and for making plans to see your dreams come true."
Brittany nodded, she knew Quinn was right. Brittany worked so hard to accomplish what she has so far, of course without ever forgetting about Santana. "Thank you, Quinn. I'll see you in a few days. Say hi to your parents for me."
One final hug and Brittany turned for the car.
"What's going on in that mind of yours Brittany?"
"I just always imagined what I would say and do whenever I got to see her. I've waited for this day for so long. Now, I have no idea what to expect." Brittany grabbed her mom's free hand. "What if so much has changed? What if things can't be how they were before?"
"Honey, I'm only going to tell you what you need to know and I'll let Santana tell you the rest. For the last six months she hasn't exactly been on vacation, it was more like nightmare after nightmare. Maribel and Santana left Mario and they just came back yesterday. Santana's been through a lot. And trust me, you'll know exactly what to say when you see her."
"Is she okay?" Brittany asked timidly.
"She is in a better place. I'm going to drop you home and then I'm going to find Maribel. I'll explain everything as soon as we figure things out." A short pause. "For as long as I remember you and Santana have been inseparable. You have a language on you two can understand. Be patient with her. Be understanding. Whatever happens know that I love you both very much."
The rest of the car ride was silent. Brittany held onto her mom's hand as if it was an anchor. Five minutes later they pulled into the driveway.
"Go to her. Everything is going to be okay. I'll call or text you as soon as I find Maribel. You're an adult now Brittany and I promised you I'd treat you like one. I love you." Courtney pulled her daughter across the center console for a hug. "Now get out of here. She's in your room. I'll take your bags in when I get home."
Brittany calmed her breathing before taking the stairs up. A monologue of love confessions played through her head as she made her way to her bedroom. It felt like she was walking on egg shells. Why on earth was she so nervous to see Santana? After six treacherous months she was minutes away from answers. The door was open and she timidly turned the corner. As soon as she saw the brunette Brittany swore her heart stop beating. Silent tears welled until they spilled over and down her cheeks. She couldn't believe her eyes. Santana was there, it was overwhelming real, not the cruel tricks that her mind played, it wasn't a dream.
She walked over to her bed where Santana laid in deep sleep tangled in blankets as she snuggled with the pillows. She quietly kicked off her shoes and carefully climbed onto the bed. She scooted behind Santana to hold her, a familiar position as she laid being the big spoon. Santana did not stir. After a sleepless night it was easy for Brittany to fall asleep knowing that the love of her life was where she was suppose to be; in her arms.
Brittany blinked the sleep from her eyes and looked at her clock, it was 2pm. She was now on her back with Santana nestled in her arms. Her fingertips whispered along Santana's arm, willing Santana to wake up. Santana began to stir, her arm which laid across Brittany's stomach giving the hint of a light squeeze. Brittany planted a soft kiss to Santana's forehead. Santana tilted her face up and for the first time in what seemed like a lifetime they gazed into each other's eyes. Silent tears streamed down Brittany's eyes as she felt Santana lean towards a kiss, their lips so close they could feel as each other took in deep breaths. They held that position for a little longer as Santana's fingertips trailed along Brittany's face.
"You're real.. really here," Santana said in a voice so small that Brittany barely heard. Santana closed the gap, their lips connecting, dancing together in perfect harmony. Santana pulled Brittany's bottom lip between hers, a soft moan filling the quiet room. Santana pulled away with a sharp inhale.
"I've missed you so much Brittany. I was so scared. I didn't know what to do. I'm so broken. I'm so sorry."
"There's no reason to apologize, babe. I'm just glad you're here. Nothing else matters right now. I'm not letting you go." Brittany brought her arms tighter around Santana.
"I thought I had everything figured out. We're only 18 years old Britt. You have a life in LA. We have so much growing up to do. There so much I don't know. I'm not good enough for you." Santana's shoulders began to tremble. She threw the blankets off her, got out of bed, and sat at Brittany's desk across the room. It broke Brittany's heart to feel Santana pull away so easily.
"Santana?" Brittany sat up with her back resting against the headboard. Even though they were in the same room it felt like they were miles apart.
Santana was afraid to look at Brittany. She kept her eyes focused on her lap as she told Brittany what she went through since they were pried apart. When she finished she walked over to where she had folded her cloths and reached for her pants. Out of the back pocket she pulled out a necklace, a ring gently swinging back and forth. Brittany's eyes widened. It was the ring she presented to Santana attached with words of promises and forever.
"I felt so bad for loving you. I felt like the worst person ever. I disappeared. How do you get over the fact that we spent almost everyday together our teenage years and all of a sudden not. You don't. I couldn't get over it. You live with the pain. Cry yourself to sleep. Wake up in the middle of the night with your name on my lips. I knew that you were hurt.. that somewhere you were sad too. I don't know anymore. Things can't be simple." Santana's voice trailed off.
Brittany cleared her throat, "Do you still love me Santana?"
Santana didn't know how to answer. She couldn't be selfish and she didn't want to be the reason Brittany dropped everything in her world just for her.
Brittany slide out of bed and slowly walked towards Santana who stood still, almost lifeless. She cautiously unzipped Santana's sweater and gently took it off her, letting it fall haphazardly at their feet. She lightly pulled Santana's tank top up, only enough to reveal the bruising on her back. Brittany let silent tears fall. She lightly trailed her finger tips along Santana's back and up her sides before lifting her left arm to her lips. Brittany ceremoniously placed tender kisses along her wrist and up her arms before repeating the same motions up Santana's right arm. Every now and then Brittany whispered "I'm sorry baby… I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.. I'm sorry that you hurt this badly". Brittany allowed her tears to fall as she did this.
Brittany grabbed Santana's hands, feeling the necklace and ring against her left palm. Brittany looked into Santana's eyes. "I love you Santana. A day never went by where I didn't think of you. I didn't stop loving you. I was angry, but it wasn't because of you. I was angry at the world and your dad for making you think that being you, the amazing person you are, was bad. You're right. Things aren't simple, life is hard, making decisions are hard. But I know that if I'm with you and you allow yourself to love me, anything is possible." She placed her hands gently around Santana's waist, pulling her into a warm embrace. They fit perfectly together.
Brittany freed the necklace and ring from Santana's hand and held it up between them. "What can I do to make you feel whole again? I made you promises Santana. You might think that we're young and don't know the first thing about how the world turns. Things fall apart and come crashing together at the same time. You might not be sure about us. But I am. We both have lives to live, but we can do it together. Do you trust me, babe?" Brittany held Santana's gaze, patiently waiting for her to say something.
"That morning, before everything went wrong, I was going to tell you.. I love you.. and yes, I accept this ring." Santana had build a wall so thick no one could overcome or penetrate it, except for Brittany. Years ago Brittany came crashing towards her, breaking down her walls, bringing light and love into her life.
Santana swept her hair to the side as Brittany fastened the necklace around her neck. After securing the clasps Brittany placed a kiss first on Santana's forehead then over her heart.
"I don't have all the answers and I don't know what's going to happen next.. but we can figure out the rest out later." Santana nodded at Brittany's words before she felt Brittany pulling her into a kiss so passionate, so fiery, it branded Brittany's words onto her heart.
Thanks for checking in again :) What's next? Some sweet lady kissing and loving. Next chapter should be wanky.
BUT.. What happens when Brit and Quinn have to go back to LA? What happens when Courtney finds Maribel? dun dun duuunn.