When Santana and Brittany arrived home neither was in the mood to have their dinner. Emotions were running high, and they each just wanted to be together. No words had been spoken, they just each knew as they waited for their taxi that dinner would have to wait. It may have to wait all night.
Santana took Brittany's hand and helped her from the taxi. They walked hand in hand and greeted the doorman as he held the door open to Santana's apartment. Santana placed her hand on the small of Brittany's back allowing her through the doorway first and had done the same when the elevator arrived. By the time they reached Santana's apartment door the need was overwhelming. Santana waited for Brittany to pass through and then she came inside, locking the door behind them. She put their dinner in the fridge and hung up their jackets, and before they could make another move Santana wrapped her arms around Brittany's waist and pulled her in, kissing her deeply.
"Mmmmm" Brittany moaned into the kiss, and Santana's head began to spin. Santana lifted Brittany's shirt above her head, and before she could do anything else Brittany looked at her seductively, before walking towards Santana's bedroom. Instinctively, Santana followed.
Santana loves how they communicate, wordlessly, a touch, a smile, a glance. As if in a trance she followed her lover, and she knew that this night there would be much more than cuddling involved.
Santana removed her shirt even before she reached the bedroom, dropping it along the way to be collected later along with Brittany's. She needed Brittany's warmth, beside her, beneath her, atop her. She needed it now.
Brittany understood. As soon as she reached the bedroom she turned on a soft light and mimicked Santana, who was removing her clothes while watching Brittany's every move. She offered Santana a soft smile but Santana barely returned it There it was again, the emotions flooding in. She never thought she would have this again, someone, her someone. She thinks maybe she's starting to understand. She had been running and not even realizing that she was running, until blue eyes stopped her dead in her tracks...just as they're doing right at this moment.
Brittany simply pulled back the covers, inviting Santana in, and she smiled, smiled at this woman inviting her into her own bed like she's the mistress of the house. In some ways she is, she is the only woman who Santana welcomes so fully. Santana crawled between the sheets and waited as Brittany quickly slipped in and smiled. She pressed her body close to Santana's and Santana melted into her, holding her. Santana needed this, for some reason this was often more than enough, to feel herself bare against Brittany...safe. Santana nuzzled into her and felt like she was reclaiming some part of her self this night. She was on the verge, the verge of understanding what all of these feelings meant, and by the end of the night she would have a new awareness of herself.
Brittany took charge, for the first time ever, because something in her knew that Santana needed her to. Santana needed to be cared for, needed release, even more than she herself did in that moment, and so as they lay on their sides facing one another they kissed softly, slowly, before Brittany reached down and touched the woman she loved.
Santana sucked in the air sharply and her brow furrowed as her eyes squeezed shut. Brittany took her other hand and held Santana's in her own. Santana wanted to take her free hand and reach for Brittany but she didn't have the strength. All she could do was grab a handful of the blanket and hold it tight, hoping it would help her to keep control of her senses.
Brittany ran her long, slender fingers gently across Santana's wet entrance, causing her to moan out loud as Brittany applied pressure. She could almost feel Santana's body begging for her to enter her, and she would not make her wait long. Santana needed release, and Brittany was going to give it to her.
Brittany slipped 2 fingers inside of Santana and her stomach instantly tensed. After a moment she relaxed and enjoyed Brittany making love to her.
"Fuck, you're getting really good at that," Santana said, causing Brittany to smile.
"I have a great teacher," Brittany replied before Santana moaned again and Brittany knew that this was not the time to talk, because in that moment that sound was all she ever wanted to hear.
Brittany worked Santana slowly, and soon Santana gave up on the idea of pleasing Brittany back. Not now. Now she needed this. She needed Brittany to care for her. She needed to feel this as confirmation that she's doing the right things for the woman she loves, even if Brittany doesn't know what those things are yet. The moves she's making...that's the way you show a woman you love her, not by fucking her every way that you know she loves while a camera rolls and catches it all. That moment never felt like love to her. This one, this one she knows in her heart feels like love to both of them.
Brittany stopped the slow kisses. She just wanted to take Santana's breast into her mouth and so she did, she rolled her body atop Santana and finally let her hand go so she could take the other breast in her hand, and when Brittany pressed her legs between Santana's her lover's knees fell apart weakly, and she surrendered fully to Brittany.
And then it happened, Santana's moans intensified and she gasped for air and she fell apart and Brittany removed her mouth from Santana's breast because Santana had been right so many months ago. She did like to keep the lights on, she did like to watch, she never wanted to miss a thing ever again.
Brittany rained kisses on her face, her neck, her lips, as she came down and she nuzzled into her arms once again and kissed her softly, softly, forever, just as she had when they had started.
It took a few moments before Santana wordlessly began to return the favor, touching Brittany the way she had just been touched, expertly curling, curling and able to find Brittany's spot with much more expertise than Brittany finds Santana's. They both know that with time comes experience, but for now Brittany feels just perfect to Santana, and she wouldn't change a single thing even if she could.
Brittany's eyes were glazing over, fixed perfectly on Santana's, as Santana worked her slowly, raining kisses down her perfect neck, along her jaw, between her breasts, before taking one into her mouth temporarily. Then she looked up, looked up to see her favorite pair of eyes, all dark and stormy. It made her smile, how intense Brittany looked, how she knows that she was concentrating on the feeling, wanting to feel every bit of what was happening in the moment.
"Santana...," Brittany managed to say through heavy breaths.
"Estoy aqui, mi amor," Santana replied, her lips softly grazing Brittany's.
Soon Santana felt Brittany flutter around her, her stomach tightening, her pale skin flushed. Her eyes squeezed shut and her body spasmed and Santana marveled at the sight. She worked her down, wrestling with her own heart, her own mind, because she needed more, and she needed to give herself permission to have it.
She wants to taste her. She brings her own fingers to her mouth and sucks them slowly and her heart starts pounding. This may have satisfied her curiosity with others, but with Brittany this will never be enough. This will never do.
Before she knew it she instinctively made her way down Brittany's body, raining kisses every inch of the way. She couldn't help it, couldn't control it. She needed to. She needed to do this like she needed her heart to beat. She placed one long pale leg over her shoulder as she listened to the blonde pant through her orgasm.
Santana took her thumb and opened Brittany's entrance wider before she swiped her tongue slowly through her. Instantly Brittany bucked and Santana's felt her own closed eyes move to the back of her head. She hadn't tasted a woman in years, not truly, and Brittany tasted like every wonderful thing in this world. Santana moaned into her and reminded herself to take her time, to give Brittany the experience she deserves to have, to love her.
And Santana took her time with her, took her time as she made love to her with her mouth. It had to be love. What else could it be? She's only ever done this to the one woman she loved in her past and all of a sudden she feels like it was wasted on her, because she never loved a woman this much, she feels like she will never love a woman as much as she loves this one.
She worked her that way for a long time, slowly, taking the time to really please her, and when she dared to peek up from between her legs as she continued to work she knew that she must not have forgotten how to get a woman off this way because she was kind of blowing Brittany's mind. She sucked at her clit and playfully flicked it with her tongue and she listened as Brittany slowly lost her mind.
Brittany has had guys go down on her before, has enjoyed the experience, but this was phenomenal. She had experienced everything from soft and slow to a frenzied attack, but this...this was Santana having an entire fucking conversation with her vagina and convincing her to tell her all of her secrets. She would be lying if she said she wasn't waiting for this, for those lips that cooled that drink in the coffee shop that first day, to wrap themselves around her clit and...
"Oh shit", Brittany cried out, and Santana added two fingers, and holy fuck, it felt amazing.
Brittany bucked and Santana placed a hand on her thigh, holding her legs open from squeezing tightly against her head. The orgasm was electric, it pulsated through every part of her being and she saw colors, more colors than she's ever seen, and Santana didn't...wouldn't stop, until she sucked every drop from her.
What Brittany didn't know was that she couldn't stop if she wanted to. The taste of her, the scent of her, the memory of how much she loved doing this..it all flooded in and finally Brittany reached down and grabbed the back of Santana's head.
"San...I...I can't...wait please!"
Santana smiled against her. She understood. Brittany needed a moment.
Santana peaked up from between her legs, full lips glistening and a naughty smile, before burying her face in Brittany's sex again and kissing her softly there. She kissed both of her inner thighs and the next time she dared to peek at Brittany she just locked eyes with her with an intensity that Brittany had never seen before.
Santana looked up with tears in her eyes and was met by Brittany smiling softly at her.
"What's the matter?" Brittany whispered, concerned.
"I just feel...so much," Santana replied, and a tear fell. Brittany pulled her arm gently, indicating to her that she wanted her closer to her. Santana crawled up the bed and pulled Brittany into her arms. Santana held her tight to her and she kissed her softly on the lips.
"I love you, Santana."
"I love you too, Brittany. You simply have no idea just how much."
"I could say the same," Brittany said, smiling, "but I hope you give me the chance to show you everyday."
Santana just sighed deeply and closed her eyes. She understood, understood that they both felt much more than words could say. She's just happy that they both know that it's so much deeper than words.
They lay there silently, before sleep finally took Santana. Brittany had a harder time. She knew Santana loved her beyond measure. Santana has done so much for her. She wishes she had more ways to let Santana know. She saw the tears in her eyes and she knows where it comes from. She also knows that her tough girl has been hurt deeper than she'll ever speak, and she wants to make it all better, to make it better the way that Santana is making it better for her. But what she wants, what she really wants, is still far too scary for her.
She wants to take her home to Ohio.
She wants her, no she needs her, by her side when she faces that place. When she packs up everything and says goodbye forever. When she blocks her mother's number the way Santana blocked Wolf's. She knows that's what she needs to do. She just needs to find the courage.
She knows it's time, because New York feels like home now, because Santana is in New York. Because she's making friends with the people that Santana introduced her to and she's beginning to feel accepted by them. Because Santana has invited her into her life so fully she feels like a part of it and not a guest. New York is her home.
Santana is her home.
Brittany got up early to make sure that Santana had a good breakfast and that she had her tea. She wanted to help her take care of her voice, the voice that would be making a demo in the next few days. Brittany left shortly after so that she could go home and get ready for work that morning, and so that Santana would have a moment to prepare her mind for the day ahead. Santana wasn't sure what to expect, other than picking up the contracts, but still it was the beginning of an exciting venture.
Santana met with Cal Thomas and a couple of other suits, who had apparently seen video of some of her performances and were excited to see what she brought to the demo. They were putting a lot of push behind this artist and they wanted to help her find her voice. She was young and needed guidance, and so putting the right sound in front of her and cultivating her own sound was top priority. Santana had to get it right. Hopefully it would be a song that would make her upcoming project.
Santana left the meeting and she had a little time to spare and so she met Brittany and treated her to lunch. Then she gave Mercedes a call and asked her to meet her at the club a little early. Mercedes gave her the name of the person who helped her review her own contract and they were able to catch up on things as they waited for their shifts to start.
It turned out to be an insanely busy week. Things moved quickly, and she didn't get to see Brittany as much as she would have liked to. She didn't even have the time to deal with picking up the bike from Cougar. She called her to reschedule and she had to squeeze in her last couple of commitments to the art institute and decided not to book any more. She's not sure she needs it anymore. It was never really about the money, and she thinks she's reclaimed all she could from that experience. She's thankful for it, but for now, with all she has going on, she's going to set it aside. It gave her the best gift, though. It gave her what she expected, but most of all it gave her Brittany. She will never regret doing it.
By Tuesday the contracts had been reviewed and signed and Santana was ready to work. She finally got to hear the track and she heard what the producers had in mind to do with it. She was excited to get to work.
Wednesday came and Santana found herself in the studio recording. She had played with the ad libs in her mind all night, had decided how she wanted to approach the track, even if the producer had something else in mind. She would do it his way first, but before the end of it all she would respectfully find a way to sneak her own take on it in there. After all, that is what Cal said he wanted. Cal didn't want the effort to take too much time, wanted to get it done in a day or two tops, but she wanted him to know that she was good. She was damn good. And she knew music too, not just how to sing it, but how to make people feel it, to make them feel the melody and the words, how to entice them to truly hear it.
So Santana ran through the song the first time, and she added some wonderful ad libs at the end. She didn't over sing it, or run it around the block as she likes to say.
Okay, she added a vocal run or two but she kept it cute.
Still, she stayed true to the way the song was presented to her and Cal seemed pleased with her vocals. Finally, Santana spoke up.
"Cal, you mind if I try something different on that bridge?"
"I think we have what we need Santana."
"Probably, but I was thinking if you changed the chord progression on the bridge and slowed it just a little and I sang it in a lower register it would be a lot sexier."
Cal thought for a moment before he looked at the engineer.
"What do you think, Ricky?"
"I think she could be on to something. It's worth a try. I say let her play with it for a minute since we're all done. What could it hurt?"
Cal thought for a moment longer.
"Ok Santana, wanna pick it up from the bridge?"
"Would rather run it all the way through if you don't mind."
Cal smiled. "Okay, let's try it your way."
"Since we're just messing around, you mind if I just change a line or two here? I keep hearing it a certain way in my head and I need to get it out of my system."
"That's fine Santana, play with it as you see fit."
Santana shook her head and then spoke to the engineer explaining what she had in mind. She put the headphones back on stepped up to the mic.
"Ready Santana?"
"Ready."
Santana ran through the song, and she put her entire soul into it because, maybe more than before, because this was how she imagined singing it. She didn't want to overstep her bounds but if she had dreams of singing she had to know she had a voice. When she got to the bridge, her voice sexy and low and perfectly controlled, she didn't look for any reactions. She sang, her eyes closed, to herself, like nobody else could hear. Then she got to the lines she wanted to change and sang into the microphone.
I'll pick up your pieces when you fall apart,
weave the fabric of my soul into your broken heart
Cal and Ricky looked at each other and smiled, and by the time Santana got to the end of the song they knew they had exactly what they needed. When she finished she finally looked up and smiled, and was met by soft smiles in return.
"Great job, Santana. We have everything we need. We'll be in touch if we need anything else, okay?"
"Okay," Santana said. They gave no indication of what they were thinking. Maybe they simply humored her, maybe she made a damn fool of herself in front of everyone pretending she could give input to these professionals the first time she got actual work from a major label. It was done now, Santana decided. She couldn't worry about it. She had told herself long ago that music belonged to her and she would sing it her way, and she sang the song the way she heard it in her head. She could live with herself if they didn't hear it how she heard it. She sang it how she felt it needed to be sung.
Santana hung up the headset and exited the booth. She said her goodnights and she grabbed her things. She felt good, but she just wanted to get out of there. Besides, it meant that she didn't have to call out of work that night and so she rushed home to change. After all, she still had a bike to buy, if she ever had the time to shop for one.
Once home Santana called Brittany to let her know how things had gone and that they were pretty much finished. She was hoping that she would find the time that week to grab the title and bike from Cougar so that she at least could stop spending money on cabs and trains. At least she was saving money on food, because Brittany has been packing up meals for her the last couple of days and dropping them off at the club. Just because Santana was pressed for time she didn't have to eat food that was bad for her. She didn't have to skip any meals. Brittany had her covered. Still, she wanted to get this bike up and running because it was just one more thing that would take time away from her and Brittany at this point. So she gave Cougar a call in hopes that they could meet up early on Thursday.
Cougar couldn't get the bike to her, but she volunteered to meet her to give her the title so that she could get it registered and insured in her name for now. There was a registration fee but she was already still paying the insurance so that wouldn't be an issue. At the end of the day she would come out cheaper and still have the freedom of the road. She remembered the bike vaguely from when Rey and Cougar rode together so while not her style it would do. Hey, at least it wasn't a scooter. She's sure that Brittany would have gotten a kick out of that after all of the alleged scooter slander Santana dished out when they first spoke in the coffee shop. Santana had long ago decided that she would only be caught on a scooter if she were in Europe, otherwise it had to be a crotch rocket.
Until she sold her soul to the hog community for a blonde babe. Hey, people change.
So it was meet Cougar and head to the dreaded New York City DMV and fill out the paperwork required when you are gifted a motor vehicle. Then she pays her registration, gets her plates, and hopefully meet up with Cougar within the next few days to pick up the bike.
That didn't work out on Friday, which wasn't usually like Cougar. She usually tries to come through with things pretty quickly, but by Friday evening Cougar had reached out to Santana and promised her that she would see her on Saturday. It would be hard, because Santana was performing that night, but Cougar thought that would be fine. She said she would stop by with the bike and bring a friend and they would stay for the show.
That friend turned out to be Big Momma, and Santana was giddy at the thought that these two women she loved would be there to watch her perform that night. The women greeted her and Big Momma instantly asked for the license plate so she could put it on the back of the bike. The plate she had on didn't belong to the bike and she didn't want any problems. Santana went to grab them and then found a table for the ladies to enjoy the show. Cal, Ricky and another producer named Josh were also in the building, and Santana just figured they were there to hear some of the other singers to see if they could help with the project. Mercedes was also performing that night and Mercedes had worked with both Josh and Cal before, and so they could have been there for her as well. Santana tried not to overthink it, but she hadn't heard how they higher ups felt about the demo, and she was hoping that they were truly pleased with her work.
Rachel and Quinn were also performing that night, so it would be a really good show. Brittany came out to see Santana perform as she did most nights, and afterwards hopefully she would send her back to her place to wait for her as she got the bike back to her house. She was eager to get a look at it but Cougar told her to wait until after her set, and she handed Big Momma the plate to put on the bike for her. She missed the road, even though it had been less than a week since she last rode. She never realized just how much riding was really a part of her.
Santana went on right after Quinn, and so she went to get herself ready. First she took the time to talk to Cougar and Big Momma, who were more than happy to see her sing again. She whispered in their ears not to mention anything about her selling her bike to anyone before Brittany came over to say hello. The ladies were very happy to see her as well. She was part of the reason they were there. They wanted to see their girl all grown up in her own element, and they wanted to see her and Legs together. They wanted to be a part of her happiness.
"Hey Legs," they each greeted her with big smiles and bigger hugs.
"Hi," Brittany said cutely, her eyes sparkling at the memory of her day at the clubhouse.
"You two been taking care of each other?" Big Momma asked and Brittany blushed. Both older women smiled as they watched the way Santana's eyes shined when she looked at her girl.
"Yes, we have," Brittany replied.
"We're happy to hear that. We hope we get to see you on another ride soon," Cougar said.
"I hope so as well," Brittany replied.
"I'm sure we can make that happen," Santana said. "Well, I guess I better get this one settled in and get ready for my set. Enjoy the show ladies."
After Brittany settled in at the table with the others and Santana had Sugar send some wings and beers over to Cougar and Big Momma's table on her, she went to ready herself for her performance.
Quinn's set was great as usual, and then Santana exploded onto the stage in an up tempo number. She sang and danced and engaged and it wasn't lost on the others how Santana seemed to be upping her game these days. They wondered what had put this new fire in her. Whatever it was, they liked it.
Her next number was mid tempo and then she settled into a sexy ballad. She was sultry and her skin glistened, and she had the entire room mesmerized. By the time she ended her set with another up tempo number the crowd was on their feet, and when she dared to look at the table where Cal and the others sat they seemed impressed.
Santana changed and then grabbed her tea. While on her way to greet Cougar and Big Momma and finally see the bike Cal waved her over.
"Santana, I have to say you are just knocking it out of the park these days."
"Thanks Cal," Santana smiled.
"You have a moment to sit?"
"Sure," Santana said, pulling up a chair. The men stood as she took a seat and then sat back down.
"I played your demo at our meeting yesterday and the team was impressed. The general concenses is that while you did an amazing job on the initial demo, the team really loved the changes you made and your delivery. We think we'd like to go with your version."
Santana was relieved. She let the air escape her lungs. She offered a genuine smile.
"Thank you, really, I'm just thankful for the opportunity."
"That's not all, it was also general concenses that we would like you to sing backing vocals on the actual track."
Santana was speechless. Cal smiled.
"We'd like you to meet her when she comes to town. We think it would be great for her to hear your vocal style and maybe be inspired by it. We brought you some new contracts to have reviewed. Take a few days and think it over. We think they're more than fair. You'll be getting an actual credit on what we hope will be a Grammy nominated hit song. We're being ambitious, but that's our job." Cal smiled.
"A song credit?" Santana asked stunned.
"Well, we will be going with your changes, including the new lyrics. We discussed it, and with you contributing on the actual track we thought it would be a nice incentive to get you on board."
"Thank you," was all Santana could manage to utter.
Josh reached into his bag and pulled out a yellow envelope. He handed it to Santana, who touched it as if she were trying to determine if it was all a dream.
"Thank you."
"You're very welcome, Santana. You're a very talented woman," Josh added. "Try and have those back to us by Wednesday at the latest. It's a fair offer."
"I will, thank you again. I hope you guys are staying for the rest of the show, as you know Cal there's a lot of talent up there," Santana said, wishing this for her friends. Some friends whom she has sung with even before this club opened.
"Always a lot of talent, indeed. Always have this place in mind when the right project comes along."
"Thank you, I'll leave you to enjoy the rest of the show. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Santana."
Santana stood and noticed how everyone at the table was holding their breath. Initially she had been heading to speak to Cougar and Big Momma but her legs moved her towards her friends, towards Brittany. Before Santana could even look her way Sugar was already leaving the bar, and by the time she reached the table Santana had plopped down into the seat next to Brittany.
"What's going on Santana?" Mercedes asked, hope in her eyes.
"Contracts" was all Santana muttered.
"For what?" Sugar asked.
"I did that demo, and when I did I made some slight adjustments to the bridge and added a lyric or two that they're going to keep in the track. I'm getting a credit on the record."
"Santana that's amazing", everybody congratulated her enthusiastically.
"That's not all. They want me to do backing vocals on the final track and meet with the artist."
"Santana..." Brittany said breathlessly "You're gonna be on the radio."
"In the background."
"Singing," Kurt said. "It's what we do. We do it however we can and we hope it leads to the next step. This is good Santana."
"Really good," Rachel added.
"Santana, you can be excited. We're happy for you."
Santana snapped out of it.
"Oh yeah, yeah, I know. I think I'm just a little shocked. I kinda thought I may have been too forward and maybe even made a fool of myself when I insisted on trying it my way. I thought Cal was just being nice and entertaining this club singer slash waitress but that they would just dismiss it the moment I was done. So to say they were actually going to use my ideas, I think I'm just a little stunned right now."
"Santana, you've always been really talented and really creative. We each do something different here and what you bring, it's you. You shouldn't be stunned, just keep bringing you to the table with them, and whatever happens, happens."
"Thank you guys. I love you all I mean that. "
"We're all proud of you, Sanny!" Sugar said and Santana smiled softly at her, allowing her eyes to catch sight of all of her friends.
"I love you guys, too, and I promise, if this goes anywhere for me it goes somewhere for you guys too. I've gotten them to at least open the door for me. If I get my foot in that door you guys come along with me. Any opportunity I find that I can use to get your feet in the door I will. We are a team, there's no way that I'm the only one who gets an opportunity."
"You don't need to worry about us," Sam said.
"It's not worry, it's loyalty. You guys are all crazy talented. We may not all make it, but we will all have our chance if I have it my way."
"That goes for all of us," Finn said, smiling.
"That's right," Santana said. "You're my family, I need you guys to do this with me. I don't want to do it alone. I need people I can trust around me, and that's you. Well, maybe not you Quinn but I'm going to take my chances anyway. Maybe not Rachel either but I should be safe from her as long as I stay away from Broadway. Quinn, I'll keep my eyes open for insanely rich people in the industry who are looking for their last hot blonde in life. I'll give Mick Jagger your number if I see him. I would have said Steven Tyler but all of our prayers for average sized lips have to go into Trouty's kids."
"She's back," Kurt said, rolling his eyes.
"And I just gotta thank my Britt Britt while I'm at it, because she's bringing something out of me, and it's not just low, deep moans."
"Santana..." Brittany blushed and everybody laughed.
"Welcome to the family," Santana smiled cheekily and everybody smiled at Brittany.
Brittany was a part of them now.
Santana kissed Brittany on the cheek and Sugar returned to the bar. Mercedes rushed backstage to quickly change before the violinist finished her performance. Santana finally made her way to Cougar and Big Momma.
"Snixx, you never cease to amaze me" Cougar said, pulling Santana into a hug.
"Thanks Cougar,"
"Snixx, that was the best I've ever seen you. You had this entire place mesmerized. I'm serious. I wanted to record but couldn't even do it, I just wanted to concentrate on the performance," Big momma added.
Santana smiled. "The club records every performance, if you really wanted it I can get it for you."
"Actually, I really do, Snixx. You really blew my mind kiddo." Big Momma said.
"I'll make sure you get that. Hey, thank you guys for coming out. It means everything to me, you really have no idea."
"We're going to get the rest of the ladies out here to see you soon." Cougar said.
"That would be great."
"So, you ready to see that bike?"
"More than ready."
The three ladies began to walk outside.
"So Legs doesn't know that you sold your bike?" Big Momma asked.
"Nope, nobody knows except you two and Sunshine and Lance, though I know word has spread through the clubhouse by now"
Both ladies smiled. "Yeah, quite a few people know, but they don't know why," Cougar said, a wide smile on her face.
"And why is that?" Big Momma asked, smiling slyly.
"Yeah, Legs is not a fan of crotch rockets. She never complains but I can tell she likes riding on the back of Wolf's hog much more than she liked my bike and so I thought it would be mutually beneficial to get something that made us both happy."
"Good for you, Snixx" Big Momma said.
Once they were outside the two crossed the street to where Big Momma's bike was parked. Cougar had ridden the bike for Santana to take and Big Momma would give her a ride back to the clubhouse to get her own bike at the end of the night. Santana took in the sight of the bike and looked at Cougar confused.
"It looks great, Cougar. Doesn't look like it needs a thing. Looks better than I remember."
"It is better than you remember, better than I've ever seen it."
"What's the deal? You said you had parts, gave me a list of things it needed done and then some you may have not even known about. This thing looks ready for sale today."
"Got somebody to do the work. You're busy, this way you get to just get back on the road."
"Who?" Santana asked skeptically.
"Does it matter?" Cougar asked.
"Yes, it does, we had a deal."
"And we're going to keep it Snixx, and you're not going to give me a hard time. Wolf fixed it."
Santana's eyes darkened.
"No"
"Yes", Big Momma chimed in. "You're going to ride that fucking bike. Stop being so stubborn."
"How did he find out?" Santana asked.
"He saw your bike when we rode out to the Rockaways to meet up with a couple of other clubs. He was shocked to see Lance with it and asked after you."
"And you told him?"
"I sure did. Told him you sold it. He asked how you were getting around. I told him you were managing. Ended up telling him about our deal but that you were stretched for time so there was no way of knowing how long this all would take you. He asked me for the keys, asked me not to tell you. Just like I'm not lying to you I didn't lie to him. Told him you needed to know, told him I'd bring Big Momma along to convince you to take it."
Santana was silent for a while.
"Don't punish yourself to punish him. He loves you and you love him, and if this is how the two of you can love one another peacefully why not take it Snixx? You're his kid, let him do it. Teach him to be a man, even if from afar."
Santana thought for a second. It's true. She loves him. Maybe some part even misses him silently riding next to her on the road.
"Okay"
"Good girl," Cougar said, handing over the keys. "It's why I had to stall on getting the bike to you the other day. Wolf had it and he used whatever parts I had and paid for the rest himself. Gotta give him credit, the man knows how to fix the hell out of a bike."
"Yes he does," Santana said softly.
"Anyway, let's get back inside. Want to see the rest of the show." Big Momma said.
"Of course. Order what you want, it's on me."
"Nonsense, we came out to support the place." Cougar said.
"Well at least let me send over some more wings and beer. Sugar's not gonna make me cover that, she treats my people well."
"We're good, we still have plenty left and still have to ride. Thanks for the hospitality, though. We'll make sure to thank her on the way out."
"Sounds good. Love you ladies." Santana said. "I'll be back inside in a second. Gonna run her around the block and see how she feels."
"Okay Snixx, see you in there," the ladies said, before returning to the club.
Santana walked around the bike and had a good look. She knew it would be perfect, Wolf wouldn't hand it to her any other way. She slid into the saddle and it felt pretty comfortable. Funny how her first thought was if Brittany would feel comfortable on it as well, even if it was only a temporary solution. It didn't have a pillion seat but she knew that she could manage riding it two up if Brittany could tolerate it. She'd show it to her tonight and ask her if she wanted to ride home together on it.
When she turned the bike on it purred like a kitten. It was a little louder than her old bike was, even a bit louder than Wolf's, but nothing intolerable. She understood the need for a noisy bike, it kept the cagers mindful that a biker was near. It was a safety thing. Still, it sounded like a good, strong bike, and while it would never reach the speeds of her old bike it certainly sounded like it would do the trick.
It had been less than a week but when Santana pulled off she just wanted to keep riding forever. She may have if Brittany were with her. She spun around the block with so much on her mind. It's funny how since she met Brittany everything had been falling into place. She had been singing most of her life, and now all of a sudden the best opportunities were right here in her lap. She didn't tell Cougar and Big Momma, she wanted her family to know first. She wanted Nani to know. She didn't want Wolf to find out before them. He didn't deserve it. Still, this bike thing felt like love, and so she would secretly enjoy it, but she wouldn't celebrate it publicly. As she rode, she just allowed herself to feel loved and remembered the sound of his voice in her ear as they rode on their last ride home together, singing to her that she was his sunshine.
Santana made it back to the club and watched the remainder of the performances and once they ended she bid Cougar and Big Momma a good night as they left for the evening. She walked them out and thanked them each for what they had done for her once again, before heading back inside to say goodnight to Cal and the others. Then she said goodnight to the others before she asked Brittany if she was ready to leave.
"Listen doll, Cougar was kind enough to loan me a bike until I got myself back out on the road. It has a dual saddle, it's small, but may be an easier ride than my bike. It's a short ride to your place if you want me to give you a ride or I can wait and call you a cab."
"I trust you Santana. If you're comfortable riding it with me then I'll ride with you." Brittany smiled.
"I can ride anything, doll" Santana smiled cheekily and wiggled her eyebrows. "Come on, let me introduce you to her. My bike is going to take a while to get up and running so this will be it for about a month or so."
Santana had told everyone that her bike needed special order parts and it would take a few weeks, maybe even a month or so, to get her bike back. Now the thought just hit her that she hadn't even considered what this new contract meant in terms of money. She may have that bike sooner than she thought, and a better bike than she had ever dreamed of.
That's as big as she would allow herself to dream for now.
Brittany climbed on the back of the bike and the two rode slowly through the streets. When they pulled in front of her building Santana held the bike steady until Brittany climbed off. She could tell that Brittany was slightly more relaxed on this bike, just slightly, just as Brittany knew Santana slowed down so much just for her.
"Thanks for being there tonight."
"I'm so glad that I was. Congratulations once again."
"Thanks doll."
"Wanna come upstairs and celebrate?"
"You sure you won't get sick of me if we keep spending the night together?"
"Only thing I'm sure of is that it's getting harder to sleep without you."
Santana beamed, "I thought it was just me."
"Nope. So come upstairs so we both can get some rest."
"Okay, let me park her up." Santana said.
Santana parked the bike and the ladies headed upstairs. As they settled in and Brittany spent a little time showing Lady Tubbington some love Santana contemplated calling Nani. It was late, but that never mattered. She and Nani shared everything. As if Brittany read the struggle within her mind she spoke.
"Are you going to call Nani and tell her about the offer?"
Santana paused.
"Not tonight," Santana said. "I have you to share these moments with now. Everyone else can wait until Thanksgiving. It's been a long day, let's go to bed baby."
Brittany smiled in understanding at Santana.
"Ok honey, let's go to bed."
The rest of the week was kind of a blur. First thing Santana did the next morning was drop off her contracts to be reviewed. She knew that the music business could be a dog eat dog world and so she wanted this done correctly, even though she would gladly sing on a record where everyone could hear her voice for free. This is what she loves to do, loves to do more than anything, and if she finds a way to make a living doing it even if she's not performing she wants to do that. She wants to do that, make a decent living at it and never hand another tray of wings to a customer again. Simple dreams. Big dreams.
Oh, and she wants Brittany there with her on the red carpet, don't forget that part.
She got the contracts back two days later and discovered that it was a pretty fair deal for what they were asking of her. The one thing she was warned to watch out for is the meeting with the artist. She was told to meet her, let her hear Santana sing, but if they want ideas, if they want input, request that it be put in writing. She should be mindful to not give her artistic vision up for free just because she's thankful for the opportunity. Santana would be sure to watch her steps. She already knew that would be the case and knew the best music contract lawyers in New York City. She couldn't afford them yet, but one day she hopefully would. So one day she and the other artists at the club made it their mission to make a list of lawyers they would try if any of them got an opportunity. Mercedes got the first opportunity and really liked the guy she worked with and so Santana went with him as well. She could see why Mercedes liked him. He seemed to know his stuff and wasn't condescending. He would do for now.
Once Santana had her meeting at the record company and signed her contracts she knew for sure that her last few modeling commitments were indeed the end of the road for her modeling career. No modeling, no bike to fix, meant that she could enjoy Brittany a little more before she was called in to fulfill her contractual obligations. The pay would be decent... standard. The experience would be priceless.
So with things finally going well, and with her saving every dime possible, including the money Nani gave her from the bet and the money she saved due to Wolf fixing up the bike, Santana decided that she wouldn't ask for overtime hours at the club as she had planned. She's going to take care of her voice better than she ever has, because it's finally paying off at just the right time.
Thanksgiving, that's her focus now. She wants to make it special. She wants to give her news to everyone at dinner. She wants to go out on Black Friday and buy gifts for Brittany most of all. Not just the riding gear, that's kind of for her too since she wants Brittany to ride with her. She wants to buy her personal gifts. Initially she was thinking art supplies but their relationship has evolved past art supplies. She went down on her for goodness sakes. Santana hasn't taken a trip down south since Dani. She's not buying just art supplies for the first woman she's gone down on in years. She's been thinking a lot about that...why she stopped doing that in the first place, why she didn't use toys very often. Deep down inside she thinks she just was trying hard to remove herself from every part of that video, to be the exact opposite of the woman who was making love every way her lover requested in that video only to find out that her lover was performing. She felt cheap after that video first came out, and the things she had done, that held so much meaning to her when she was pleasing the woman she loved, well they felt cheap too. What she did to Brittany, it didn't feel cheap. By holding out she was giving the act meaning again, and she found that meaning with Brittany. She missed it, the taste of a woman, pleasing a woman that way. It finally feels special again.
So Santana is very thankful this holiday season, and she can't wait to show off Brittany to her family. But first, she has to make it through the next week. She spoke to her family on the phone, working out details of who was making what and when they would be there. She spoke to Nani to find out when she was coming in and if she and Kevin would be staying at the apartment for a few days as usual. She spoke to her abuela to make sure she was still coming. She even spoke to Lexi. She had told Brittany that she would often invite Lexi to holiday dinners. Sometimes she showed up sometimes she didn't. Lexi didn't have any family she associated with and didn't really do relationships, so Thanksgiving was usually at some friend's place, and sometimes that friend was Santana. Brittany told Santana that she should invite her even if Santana told her that she didn't think she would accept. Still, Santana agreed, she would invite her.
Brittany was just as excited for Thanksgiving, and the night before she spent the night at Santana's house. Nani and Kevin were driving down and staying in Nani's room and Brittany was bringing whatever she needed to make a dish for Thanksgiving alongside Nani and Santana. The three women would cook and Kevin, of course, would be watching some sport on tv in the living room. That night before Santana picked up Brittany they spent the day at Brittany's place having a special Thanksgiving lunch with Lady Tubbington and showing her lots of love. Brittany told Santana that Lady Tubbington was the only family she had during her holidays before this and so she didn't want to not celebrate the day with her, and so they spent the day spoiling her and hanging out with her before they left for Santana's place. Santana had invited Brittany to bring Lady Tubbington to her place for the night but Brittany wasn't sure how much she would like new surroundings, especially since they would be leaving to go to Santana's mother's house on Thanksgiving day. In the end Lady Tubbington seemed happy with her special meal and by the time they left she was just ready to sleep it off in peace.
The ladies shopped and Santana followed the taxi from Brittany's place on her bike with everything they needed for Thanksgiving. They packed everything away and it was less than an hour later when Nani and Kevin showed up. Santana could tell that Nani was as excited as she and Brittany were.
"Ladies! How are you doing?" Nani said, pulling both women into a big hug. "Brittany, you ready to meet the family?"
"Hi Nani," Brittany smiled. "Yes, I'm pretty excited."
"They're going to spend 5 minutes grinning at you like you're from another planet. Once you make it through that you'll be okay."
"Callate Pu, don't scare her."
"You know it's true. They want to meet the magical creature that got Santana to stop sticking her digits in every pretty girl she could literally get her hands on."
Santana groaned and Brittany laughed.
"Sorry doll. I promise I wasn't as bad as they're making me out to be."
"Yes she was," Nani mouthed as Kevin shook his head in agreement.
"Anyway, that mountain behind Nani is Kevin. My revenge in life is the fact that Nani will be squeezing his humongous children out of her vagina. Good luck with that."
Brittany laughed. "Nice to meet you Kevin," Brittany said, as she reached her hand out to shake his. Instead he pulled her into a massive hug.
"Welcome to the family," he said.
"For crying out loud unhand my girlfriend you brute," Santana said, rolling her eyes. "I haven't even welcomed you in yet so how are you inviting anyone else in."
Kevin laughed, "Hey Snickers."
"It's Snixx asshole. How's it going behemoth?"
"It's going."
"Well don't just stand there, come on in and get settled. Your asses must be tired from riding up here in that cage. Did you bring your car or Kevin's tank?"
"We drove in my car, better on gas."
"Excellent. Well come join us when you're ready, we haven't been here long either. Nani, if you have anything I need to put away just give it to me."
"Yeah, Kevin and I already went to the market, I just wanted to relax when I got here."
"Great, hand me the keys I'll run down and bring up whatever you two left downstairs."
"I'll help you, Snix." Kevin offered.
"Nope, get settled in," Santana insisted.
"I'll help her." Brittany said.
"Thank you Brittany," Nani replied.
The two went down to the car as Kevin and Nani got settled in. Once back upstairs everyone sat in the living room chatting. Soon, the conversation moved to Thanksgiving dinner.
"So, I invited Lexi, but she hasn't decided yet if she'll stop by or not. You know how she is with holidays, wherever she finds herself she just goes with the flow."
"Yeah, it would be nice if she showed up," Nani said simply, her eyes looking down into her lemonade before taking a sip. She was oddly quiet. Santana looked at her quizzically.
"So will you two be having Christmas with your family again, Kevin?"
"Yeah, that's the plan. Maybe we'll flip it next year and do Thanksgiving with my family and Christmas with yours."
Santana looked at Nani who just kept sipping her drink. Something was wrong, really wrong, and Santana needed a moment to find out what it was.
"So you guys have any plans while you're here, besides eating and black Friday shopping?"
"Not really," Kevin answered.
"Maybe we can get into something fun on Saturday night before you leave."
"Maybe..." Kevin started, unsure.
"I'm in," Nani stated with finality.
"Good, I'll make it happen."
"So Brittany, how long have you been living in New York?" Kevin asked.
"About two years now," Brittany answered.
"How do you like it?"
"Better now," Brittany smiled, looking at Santana. Both Kevin and Nani smiled at the couple.
"And are you taking Snixx back to Idaho for Christmas?"
"Ohio," Brittany corrected. "Not for Christmas, I prefer my holidays here, but very soon I think," Brittany answered and Santana looked at her quizzically, as did Nani.
"Oh yeah?" Nani asked.
"Yeah, I think it's time I went back and got the rest of my things. New York finally feels like home now."
"That's really good to hear," Nani said, smiling at the pair.
As the day went on the couples chatted for a while before Kevin turned on some college football game and the women began preparing the dishes they were to make for Thanksgiving. Santana explained to Brittany that there will be an insane amount of food there so she could make whatever she chose and it would fit in. While the Wright women usually make traditional southern style thanksgiving dinner, when abuela comes she's bringing pernil and arroz con gandules, since she usually makes pavochon at home, which is Puerto Rican style Turkey. Nani, however, makes Louisana style traditional cajun turkey whenever she can, and so to keep the peace in the Wright household they stick with the southern style traditional turkey their grandmother made. Plus, it makes the women feel as if she's still at the table with them when they cook her food. If Lexi comes she's probably bringing Oxtail stew and white rice or maybe jerk chicken, or escovitch fish, because she knows with Santana's family she can't go wrong with any of those. With all of those dishes the ladies all decided to make a dessert. Nani was making a doberge cake, Santana was making the sweet potato pies, and Brittany decided that since Nani was making a traditional Louisiana style cake and Santana was making her grandmother's sweet potato pie recipe it would be nice to surprise Santana's abuela with a flan. Santana said that flan de queso was one of her absolute favorites, so that's what Brittany would be making. The three cooked happily together, Nani basking in the joy of her cousin and the new love of her life. Meanwhile, Santana was waiting for a moment to get Nani to herself.
It would take some time, but since Nani's dessert would take the longest to make Santana knew that there would come a time that she could sneak into the kitchen once the other two desserts were made and have a chat with her cousin. Once that moment arrived with Brittany going to freshen up once her dessert was wrapped, Santana excused herself from chatting with Kevin and made her way into the kitchen.
"What's going on with you two, Nani?"
"We're good."
"You can fool him with that shit but I know better. What's going on, Nani?"
"I wish I knew, Santana. I did sit him down and tell him I missed going out with him. Not to eat or a movie but dancing or to shoot some pool or something a little more fun, a little more active. He said okay to the pool part but he said what he always says about going out dancing, about not being as good as me at it and not really being into clubs. Then he suggested we go to games or hiking or rock climbing. Do I look like I climb rocks unless someone is chasing me?"
Santana laughed.
"You know, in the beginning I did more of the things he liked, because he made an effort to do more of the things I liked. He stopped, and so I stopped. It's been a trip downhill since then."
"Pu, you have to stop being nice and just flat out tell him you're unhappy."
"When I talk to him he tries, but it never lasts..."
"So maybe it's time to face that this is it, this is the best he has, and it doesn't make you the bad guy if you choose to accept that it doesn't work for you."
Nani sighed, "Santana, you really think I'm keeping him in the dark? You have no idea, no idea, how hard I've tried, and now I'm checked out and I don't know how to check back in for the first time ever."
"So don't fight it Nani. Just be happy. Promise me you'll work on being happy."
"I'm working on it, but it's far more complicated that you know."
"So talk to me Pu"
"We live together, thank goodness we don't work at the same school. I'll look into schools in New York, but where I'm at is one of the best in the country..."
"Exactly, which is why you would have no problem finding work."
"I don't want to leave my kids..."
"Pu, they're gonna grow up and leave you eventually. They'll graduate, or age out, or move themselves. The kids always change, but they all need the same love."
"Yeah. They depend on stability..."
"And the school will provide that for them. I know you love your kids, but it's time to love yourself."
"You really want me back around the apartment when you finally got your groove back, Stella?"
"Brittany has a place of her own you know. Plus, it's not like you haven't been around when I've entertained before."
"Yeah, that time I came home when you and Lexi were there, don't remind me."
"Thought you were out for the night," Santana laughed.
"Thought you didn't bring women home" Nani rolled her eyes.
"Hey, it was Lex..."
"Yeah," Nani said solemnly.
Santana sighed, "Nani, talk to me."
"Soon Simon. I just gotta sit with this alone for a while."
"Okay Pu. I love you."
"And nothing's ever gonna change that, no matter what, right Simon?"
"Nothing in the world, Pu."
Santana and Nani go back into the living room where Kevin was talking to Brittany about the performance she and Santana had done at karaoke. They seemed to be really comfortable with one another which made both Nani and Santana smile. Nani really did love the man, she just wonders if she can ever get him to see her, to truly know her. To know she's unhappy before he even tells her. She doesn't want to change him. She just wishes that he put the same effort in that he did when she first started dating him. She felt it back then, the fireworks. She felt how much he wanted her, and when they finally did have each other how much he wanted her again and again. She feels his love, the way he smiles when she enters a room. Her heart used to flutter in the same way.
It still does, but not for him.
So she tries to separate the fact that she needs to do something about Kevin from the fact that she feels these things when she's with someone else. They are two separate issues and Kevin needs to be dealt with no matter what, because if they were good she would never be feeling what she's feeling, because what she's feeling is ridiculous. It's not real, it's loneliness. It's attention and compliments and feeling young and sexy and desired and not like just a housewife. What she feels is wrong, because the person who makes her feel this way is someone she can never have. It would all be just too wrong.
It already is. It's going too far and Nani doesn't know how to stop it. She doesn't know how to stop it because she wants it to continue, and it's getting more intense by the day.
Kevin doesn't deserve this. Nobody does.
The four sit and chat until Nani finishes making her cake. Then they all freshen up and get ready for bed. Brittany is still not used to sleeping in a bed with Santana while someone else is there, but she's comfortable with Nani. She's also comfortable with Kevin. She likes him. As they lay in bed Brittany finds it hard to wind down.
"What's the matter doll? You excited about tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I am," Brittany admitted.
"They're gonna love you," Santana smiled, kissing her on top of her head.
"I'm not nervous. If your family is anything like Kevin described I'm going to love them."
"They're pretty awesome," Santana admitted.
"Kevin is a really nice guy, too. I can see why Nani is with him. He's crazy about her."
"Yeah," was all Santana replied before changing the subject. "Can I ask you something, Brittany?"
"Of course"
"You mentioned taking me to Ohio, you really want to do that?"
"I really want to do that, Santana. I really want to pack up my life there and move it all back here where it belongs now. I really want to show you where I'm from because I know you're curious and I may never want to go back there again after this. I really want your support, but I'm still nervous about them knowing who you are to me."
"I understand Britt. Listen, I'm out and proud, but I have no desire to out anyone else unless they choose to be out. I can handle going back as your supportive friend who secretly fucks you senseless whenever she can."
Brittany laughed. "Senseless?"
"I'm easing you into it, doll. I had you on the ropes when I went down on you, though. It was kind of hot when you tapped out."
"You are really good at that, by the way. Totally the best I've ever had."
"It's been a while..."
"What?"
"I don't do that to everyone, only ever did it to one person before you. It's something special I share only with people I'm serious about."
"You mean you and Sexy Lexi..."
"Lexi...just Lexi...and I were never serious. She was a really good friend, still is, just without benefits now."
"Wow..."
"I told you, we told you, what we were. You'll understand more as time goes on I guess."
"I guess."
"I love you Britt, and I've never loved anyone the way that I love you. So yeah, I'll go home with you and I will be on my best behavior. I haven't hidden the fact that I'm a lesbian in a really long time but I'll give it a try. We'll just be two besties on a road trip."
"We'll rent a hotel. My mother will have a million questions as to why, but I'll handle it."
"That sounds great. Will be nice to have somewhere that I can fall back and be myself."
"Okay then it's settled. After you finish recording we'll make plans to go to Ohio. I'll work around your days off."
"Don't worry about that. We'll rent a cage, I mean a car, big enough to haul all your stuff back here. I've got you, doll. Whatever you need, I've got you."
"I know you do, honey."
The next morning Brittany made breakfast for everyone. She made eggs benedict and roasted potatoes and cut up a variety of fruits for them to enjoy. She was tempted to make Nani's French toast but she wanted to make a special breakfast feast for Santana's family once they returned from Black Friday shopping. She had purchased everything she needed and would bring it with her to Santana's mother's house. She wanted to cook for Santana's family if they would allow her to, and Santana said that she would make that happen for her. It wasn't to impress them, it was to thank them for being a part of making such an amazing woman. It was to thank them for allowing her to share in their holiday festivities. As much as she loves Lady Tubbington, being part of a huge family celebration was so much better.
Nani and Kevin raved over breakfast as Santana looked on proudly. By noon they had all of the food packed up and were in the car on the way to Santana's mother's house. Santana and Brittany sat quietly in the back seat, their pinkies linked together, as Brittany tried to mentally prepare herself. She didn't know why she was so nervous but Santana understood. These were the people who were most special to Santana, and she wanted them to like her. She wanted them to know that Santana was safe with her.
Nani found parking and the couples made their way up to Santana's mother's place. Nani's mother and the older women's significant others were already there.
"Santana," Olivia, Santana's mother, exclaimed. "How have you been sweetheart?"
"I'm good mom," Santana smiled, melting into the woman's arms.
"Nani!" Santana's Aunt Gladys exclaimed. "How's my babygirl?"
Nani looked happier than she had since arriving in New York.
"Hi mommy," Nani said and Brittany smiled. She wishes she felt like this when she saw her mother. She wishes her smiles were real when she was around her for more than the time it took for Nani and Santana to greet their own mothers.
Soon Nani's mother greeted Kevin, taking the bags of food from him and handing them to a tall man before greeting him with a big hug. Olivia turned smiling towards Brittany who smiled shyly back.
"Mom, this is my girlfriend Brittany," Santana said proudly, taking Brittany's hand and pulling her forward.
"Well hello girlfriend Brittany. It's so nice to finally meet you.," Olivia said, pulling Brittany into a hug. Santana smiled at the scene. "I'm Olivia, but you can just call me Liv. Please come on in and get settled." Olivia said, stepping aside to let them fully into the apartment. "This is my sister Gladys and my boyfriend Greg. Over there is Gladys' husband Nick. Santana's grandmother will be here shortly..."
"Maybe I should go and pick her up..." Santana started.
"No, I took care of it. Sending a car for her. She'll be just fine," Olivia smiled. "She should be here any minute."
"Thank you."
"Anything for you babygirl."
Brittany greeted the rest of Santana's family and watched as Liv guided Santana, never letting her hand go, towards the living room. It made her smile.
"You look good Santana, really good. You know I prefer to see you with my own eyes," Liv said, eyes scanning Santana from head to toe. Santana was used to it. No matter what Nani reports to them they are happier when they see with their own eyes that she is okay.
Santana reached for Brittany's hand and remained standing until Brittany sat on the couch, Santana finding a seat next to her. By the time Nani reached the living room she opted to take the empty seat next to Santana as the men scooped up Kevin and headed towards the television to get ready to watch sports.
Gladys and Liv took the time to catch up with the ladies, but Santana knew it was only a matter of time before all attention moved to Brittany. Santana was thankful that they didn't just pounce on her and then she realized why...her grandmother was on the way and Brittany would just have to repeat everything again. They were trying to give her a break.
About 45 minutes after they arrived Beatriz finally rang the doorbell. Santana volunteered to answer it and found herself moving happily towards the door. She felt good, really good, and Brittany was about to meet everyone she loved the most in the world.
"Hi abuela," Santana said, taking the dish from the woman and leaning in for a hug. "So glad you made it okay. I would have come to get you..."
"Were you going to put me on the back of your bike?" Beatriz smiled.
"No, was going to borrow Nani's car." Santana smiled. "Come on, let me sit this in the kitchen, everyone is waiting for you. Go ahead into the living room."
Santana quickly sat the dish in the kitchen and joined her grandmother in the living room where she was just making her rounds hugging everyone. Brittany stood as Santana reached her and took her hand. When Beatriz reached Brittany she was beaming.
"Abuela, this is my girlfriend Brittany. Brittany, this is mi abuelita Beatriz."
"Hola Brittany! So nice to meet you," Beatriz said pulling Brittany into a hug and causing the others to chuckle at her enthusiasm. "You are very beautiful."
"Thank you Mrs. Lopez," Brittany blushed.
"No! You call me abuela just like Nani and Santana. For you girls I'm just abuela."
"Okay" Brittany smiled.
"Okay sit, tell me everything."
"Abuela..."
"No! I'm too old to be formal. We have said our hellos and now I want to know about the woman who has my granddaughter's heart."
Nani, Gladys and Liv laughed as Beatriz removed her coat and handed it to Santana, effectively sending her away to let her know that this conversation was going to happen.
"Sugar should be her granddaughter," Santana mumbled under her breath.
"Qué dijiste?" (what did you say?)
"Nada abuela," Santana said sighing. That woman always had superhero hearing. Nani laughed.
"No te preocupes yo la cuidare bien" (don't worry I'll take care of her)
"Por favor, no le cuentes toda la historia de mi vida." (please don't tell her my whole life story.)
"Si ella te ama, no tienes que esconderte." (if she loves you, you don't have to hide yourself.) "Ahora deja de ser grosero. Hablar Inglés." (Now stop being rude. Speak English.)
Santana sighed and hung up her jacket as abuela found a seat near Gladys and Liv. Nani sat down smiling as Santana hurried back into the living room.
"So where are you from Brittany?" Beatriz started.
"Ohio," Brittany smiled.
"Nice, and what brings you to New York?"
"Work"
"What is it that you do?" Beatriz asked.
"I'm an accountant."
"So brains and beauty," Beatriz said and Brittany blushed.
"She cooks like crazy too," Nani said smiling. "She's always feeding Santana, bringing her meals she makes in cooking class. She needs to take Kevin with her while he's here. If that man fries one more thing I'm going to scream."
Everybody laughed as they sent soft looks of appreciation Brittany's way. They don't know if Brittany knows about Santana's past with food but they know that hearing that information means a lot to them personally.
"So you like to cook?" Liv asked.
"Yes, when I moved to New York I didn't know anyone and so I took up a few hobbies. I took cooking classes and art classes. Growing up I took a lot of dance classes and while I don't have time for the rigors of dance it's nice to have creative activities. I think the structure of a teaching environment along with being able to do something that expresses my creativity brings me comfort and peace."
"Two very important things to have...comfort and peace," Liv shook her head. "Glad you found some of that here in New York City."
"I found a lot here in New York City," Brittany said, smiling at Santana.
"So how did you two meet?" Gladys asked.
"Officially, we met in a coffee shop, but that wasn't the first time I saw her." Brittany said.
"She met me naked." Santana said and Brittany turned bright red.
"My art class," Brittany said quickly. "She modeled there one night."
"She's good," Nani said.
"Thank you," Santana replied.
"Not you, you jerk. Brittany's painting was phenomenal."
"So was my modeling," Santana said cheekily.
"Can't wait to see your work." Liv said.
"You don't have to," Santana said, pulling up the photo of the painting on her phone and passing it to her mother who shared it with the others.
"Wow, that is phenomenal," Liv said.
"Thank you," Santana snarked.
"Will you cut it out!" Nani said and Brittany laughed.
"Both things can be true," Liv mediated, smiling. "Santana, you look beautiful, and Brittany, you did a wonderful job of capturing that beauty."
"Thank you," Brittany blushed.
"Okay people, enough of grilling my awesome girlfriend. What have you all been up to?" Santana asked.
Everybody then just chatted, catching up on what was going on with everyone else. As dinner time approached Santana text Lexi to see if she was coming. Santana was hoping that she did. Her family knew Lexi, and she wanted Brittany to be comfortable when she was around. She wanted her to see that the vision in her head of what their relationship was is not what it actually was. She also wanted Lexi to know that whatever little bit of family comfort Santana provided her still existed. This was a bit of an experiment and Santana would make sure that it didn't blow up in her face.
"I just texted with Lexi, she should be here at dinner time." Santana announced to the group.
"The more the merrier," Liv replied, as all eyes went to Brittany.
"Okay people, Brittany and Lexi get along just fine in case you are wondering," Santana rolled her eyes. "We were casual, you all know that."
Everyone looked at Nani whose face assured them that everything was okay.
"I'm actually glad she's coming. I have news for everyone and it would be nice if she got to hear it, too."
"Good news I hope," abuela said.
"Pretty good news," Santana said and Nani looked at her quizzically. "I'll wait until everyone is at the dinner table to share it."
"Someone else may be stopping by as well. Not sure if they'll be staying for dinner or not but no need to wait with your news once dinner starts. I can't wait to hear it," Liv said.
"The more people who get to hear it the merrier don't you think?" Beatriz asked Santana. "If my granddaughter has good news I want the world to hear it."
Santana smiled at the woman. "Well see how it goes abuela."
After another hour of chatting and getting the dishes together the doorbell rang.
"That's gotta be Lex," Santana said, beginning to stand.
"I'll get it, Santana," Nani said, leaving to answer the door.
"Time to eat," Liv said. "Let's start to get everything to the table."
Everybody started to stand.
"Brittany, you can just relax with abuela..." Liv started.
"No, I'm going to help you ladies..." Beatriz said.
"I would like to help too if you don't mind," Brittany added.
"Of course, if that's what you two would like to do," Liv said.
Both women smiled and stood, ready to help as they waited for Lexi and Nani to join them.
Nani opened the door to Lexi standing there holding a dish in her hand. Nani instantly took it and sat it on a table near the door.
"Hey Nani," Lexi said. Her hair was flowing down across her shoulders and she had on black jeans and a tight black leather jacket.
"Hey Lexi. You look good." Nani said, pulling her into a hug.
"You always look good babygirl. How have you been?"
"It's getting better," Nani said, Lexi still holding on to her waist. "You plan on letting me go?" Nani smiled.
"Do you really want me to?" Lexi asked, still holding on and looking at Nani intensely.
"Such a shameless flirt," Nani said.
"You fit real nice in my arms, you know that don't you empress?"
"Ugh, let me go. You're terrible," Nani said and Lexi winked at her. "What did you make for me? It smells really good."
"Just a taste of the islands, girl. Happy Thanksgiving, star."
"Happy Thanksgiving Sexy Lexi. Let's get inside. everybody is ready to eat."
Once Lexi and Nani entered the living room Lexi greeted everyone with a hug before joining the women in getting things ready. Just as they managed to drag the men away from the game and sat down to the table the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Liv said.
"No mom, sit and relax, I've got it," Santana said.
"Santana..." Liv started, but Santana was already up and walking towards the door. When she opened it she froze in her tracks.
"Hola Snixx."
"Wolf. What the hell are you doing here?" Santana asked harshly.