So, here we go...
Enjoy!
Leroy Berry crossed his arms over his arms and resisted the urge to hurrump petulantly. Sitting on either side of him at the Berry dinner table were Rachel and Santana. Mateo sat on the other side of Santana, next to Hiram with an empty chair between his husband and his daughter. The seating arrangement wasn't what had him disdainful, but rather the not so covert looks the pair of women where sending to each other across the table.
"Rachel," his brow creased as she turned towards him, "what's going on?"
"I don't know to what you're referring..." She looked down at the table.
"Oh, I'm sure you do. I'm wondering why a stocking clad foot keeps accidentally touching mine obviously trying to get to you." He turned hard eyes on Santana, his glare deepening at her smirk.
At the other end of the table Hiram looked from one woman to the other and then back again resting his gaze on his daughter whose face was slowly reddening. As Rachel's blush bloomed, Leroy's gaze hardened, Santana's smirk became snarkier (if possible), Hiram's own smile widened. Mateo looked at the four adults in confusion and continued to eat his food, figuring that grown-ups were weird and right now was one of their moments.
"No." Leroy stood up and placed his hands firmly on the table.
"Dad..." Rachel looked up at him and he shook his head.
"Lee..."
"No Hiram, no. I went along with this scheme because you were trying to do something good, but no more."
Santana gritted her teeth then turned to whisper to her brother. Mateo looked at the four adults again and then excused himself from the table, seconds later they all heard the living room t.v. up loud.
"I've had enough of you bad-mouthing me like I'm pure evil."
"I don't want you with my daughter."
"I don't think it's your choice, sir."
"No, Rachel, this is exactly what I was afraid of, you're gonna get hurt and do you think she cares? No!" He turned pleading eyes on their only child.
"Dad, you don't know Santana it's unfair to judge her."
"I know enough about her. And I know enough about you to know that she's just using you."
"Excuse me, Mr. Berry," Santana turned to look at Hiram and then looked up at Leroy her eyes flashing in anger, "but you don't know shit about me. You act as if no one has ever changed, like I'm not allowed to change from who I was. Are you who you were in High School?"
"Yes."
"Lee..."
"So, you're a liar and a hypocrite, excellent." Rachel placed her hands over her face afraid to watch to two argue. Her father was out of line, but when he got this way there was no real way to stop him and she had a feeling that Santana was similar.
"You will not disrespect me in my house."
"And you will not disrespect me anywhere, I'm Santana freakin' Lopez, I'm not your child and you won't treat me like one." She stood up and squared her shoulders.
"No, but she," he points at Rachel, "is. I won't allow you to hurt her."
"Dad, this isn't your choice, it's mine...I care about Santana and she cares about me."
"If she cared about you, then you would be back in New York right now and Stefan wouldn't be calling here all the time." Leroy sneered.
"Leroy, stop." Hiram's voice got lost in the commotion.
"Stefan...?" Santana arched an eyebrow at Rachel imaging a boyfriend who looked strikingly like Finnocence.
"He shouldn't be calling you and you shouldn't be worried. I know what I'm doing Dad, why can't you just have faith in me."
"I liked it better when you just did what we asked." Leroy mumbled.
"I grew up, Dad, let me make my choice, please stop pushing me to do what you want, please..." Rachel begged tears standing in her eyes.
"Rae..."
"Please, please...I'm happy...give Santana a chance." Leroy looked at Santana and then at Rachel. He grunted his agreement and stormed off.
"Well, that definitely could have gone better. I'm happy for you, Rae...take care of her Santana." Hiram smiled uneasily and then followed after his husband.
"I'm so sorry, San.." Rachel rose and placed a palm on Santana's arm.
"Who the hell is Stefan?"
So, who is Stefan? Cookies to anyone who can guess...or remember...
Ink