A/N: Well everyone this is it. It's the last chapter and I just wanted to thank everyone who's read this story and for all the supportive comments made. I'm really flattered that everyone liked it. ENJOY : )

Chapter Twenty-Two

Graduation Day

Santana's POV

I never thought this day would actually come. They say high school flies by, but honestly with all my drama I feel like this day has taken an eternity to get here. I will admit that these last few weeks have flown by with Brittany's recovery and the glee club going to Nationals, which we placed first this year. Everyone was so happy and we deserved it. Brittany was supposed to stay home, but last minute she and her mom flew to New York to watch us win.

Speaking of Brittany, why the hell are we so far from each other. I never thought there were so many kids between Lopez and Pierce. She's sitting a couple rows behind me and I wish she were next to me. I was scared shitless when she was in the hospital. I drove her crazy with all my worries. I made sure she didn't do anything extraneous, so our sex life has been put on hold. I would be bummed, but since it's because I literally take her breath away when we kiss, her ribs are still very tender, so I don't feel too bummed.

Everyone is here for this day. My parents, Brit's mom, sister and boyfriend, and the rest of our families are sitting here getting ready to watch us graduate. Names are being called and students are getting their diplomas. It's finally my turn.

"Santana Lopez," is said over the loud speakers.

I hear someone whistling loudly and I know it's my girl. She can't really clap because of her arm, but I would know that whistle from anywhere. I take my diploma from Principal Figgins and turn to see Brittany smiling widely at me. I smile back and give her a wink then take my seat. When they call Brit's name I'm just as loud as she was, but her mom out does me because Mrs. Pierce is standing up clapping loudly. I see Emily pull her down into her seat, which makes me laugh.

Afterwards, I meet up with my parents and grandparents. My dad pulls me into a tight hug whispering how proud he is of me while my mom and grandmother have tears rolling down their cheeks. I take a few photos with the family while holding my diploma and wearing my cap and gown. I'm getting impatient because I want to find Brittany. I begin scanning the crowd, not paying attention to my mother. Finally, I spot my baby taking pictures with her sister. She finally has spotted me and waves me over.

"Mom I'll be right back," I say.

Right as she begins to protest she sees Brittany and automatically stops. "Okay."

I walk, almost run, over to Brit and pull her into a hug. She winces a little as I tighten the hug and I immediately let her go. "Sorry. I guess I'm just a little excited."

"It's fine. I'm fine," she says smiling at me.

"Okay I want a picture of all my girls," Mrs. Pierce says.

Emily, Brittany, and I get close and pose for the camera. "Okay. Now just the graduates," and I hold Brit while smiling at the camera.

"I love you and I'm so proud of you," I whisper into Brit's ear.

Brit ended up graduating with a 3.2 average, which shocked the hell out of me because I knew how far behind she was. This year she had a 3.8 GPA. I, of course, graduated with a 4.0 and three spots away from Valedictorian. I got a damn B+ in chemistry my freshman year that pushed me down. I mean what the hell I wasn't even supposed to take chemistry that early, but I did anyways.

"Thank you babe, but I'm so, so proud of you. My 4.0 beauty," Brit whispers and I smile widely.

"Okay I'm standing right here. You two are grossing me out again," I hear Emily say and I almost forgot she was standing next to us.

"Come on babe I know you can be just as adorable as they are," her boyfriend says.

"Whatever," Emily huffs and Brit and I laugh.

Mrs. Pierce hands her camera over to Emily. "Emily, take a picture of all three of us."

Mrs. Pierce stands in the middle of Brit and me. She wraps an arm around both of us. Mrs. Pierce has always been a second mom to us. I look over to see my parents waving. They want pictures too and I see mom mouth, "bring Brittany."

"Hey my parents want pics," I say.

"Okay," she says and I grab her hand drag her towards my parents.

"Oh good. I want some pictures with you two," mom says.

Since the accident and my father finding out, both my parents have been more open about my relationship with Brittany. Mom has really embraced it and even invited Brit over for dinner the second night she was out of the hospital. Brit's gone up in my father's book when he found out that she encouraged me to follow my dreams and not to wait for her. My grandparents are kind of clueless to everything, but we're okay with that. Brittany and I take some photos together, then with my parents, and then with my whole family.

Brit and I decided to have our graduation party together. It's kind of pointless not to. It's a small barbeque with our families and close friends. All of glee club will be there and so will Courtney and Emily. Courtney really grew on me over this last year so we're kind of friends. The party starts a few hours after graduation. Everyone is sitting around, eating, and telling stories of the past year.

I can't believe how real my life is right now. If you had told me last year that Brittany would be my girlfriend and I would be a nicer person and that I would be going to college in New York City, I probably would have slushied you. It's true everything that I've ever wanted had happened. I have the most beautiful, loving girlfriend in the world. I'm following my dreams of living in the big city and I have amazing friends. It sometimes feels like a dream and one day I'll wake up and it'll all be gone, but I'm not going to think that way.

Kurt pulls me away from the group. "Is everything set up for tonight?"

"Yeah. I've got it taken care of," I say.

"Good. She's going to love it," Kurt says.

"I know and thanks Kurt for everything; for all the help you put into this. I couldn't have done it without you," I sincerely tell him.

"Sure you could've it just wouldn't have been as fabulous without me." I laugh.

Tonight I'm giving Brittany her graduation present. She didn't want to exchange any gifts, but I couldn't help myself. I got the idea and went with it. We rejoin the group shortly. I take a seat next to Brit on the swinging bench and give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh my god here they go again," Emily says from her seat.

"Chill Em. It was a kiss on the cheek. It's not like I'm groping your sister," I sarcastically say.

"Yeah not yet," Emily retorts.

Emily unfortunately walked in on us a few days ago in a heated make out session. I had my hands up Brit's shirt and Brit had her free hand squeezing my ass. We kind of scarred Emily. In all fairness she should've knocked first. People should always know if we're behind closed doors and alone they would be safer to knock before entering.

The party starts winding down after a couple of hours. Brittany is talking to Quinn when I wrap my arms around her waist from behind and place my head on Brit's good shoulder.

"Sorry Quinn, but can I steal her?" I ask.

"Of course you can no need to ask to steal your girl," Quinn says and I laugh.

I take Brit's hand and drag her to my car.

"Where are we going?" she asks once we're inside and I start driving.

"It's a surprise."

"But we still have guests, we can't just leave," Brit says.

"It's Quinn and Kurt and our parents they won't even notice we're gone," I tell her and she's content with my answer.

I drive for a few miles before pulling into a dirt road. I drive some ways into the forest area. I hear Brittany gasp when we approach our destination. In the middle is a clearing. I put lights up in the trees and a large blanket in the middle. In the background is the town of Lima lit up beautifully at night. Brittany and I get out of the car.

"This is beautiful babe," she says as we take a seat on the blanket and look out onto the town. "Did you do all of this?"

"Yeah, but Kurt helped," I tell her.

"Well it's amazing," she says smiling at me.

"I wanted to bring you here to kind of say goodbye to our past and hello to our future. We grew up in this small town and it made us into the people we are today. Even though I hate it here, this town brought me you and that is the only reason I like it," I say honestly.

"You're too sweet," she says giving me a chaste kiss on the lips.

"I also wanted to give you your graduation present," I say.

"San, we said no gifts," she warns.

"Yeah I know, but I couldn't resist," I say pulling out a small black box.

I hand her the box and she takes it from me. Slowly, she opens it and then gasps. Inside is a ring with a sapphire stone, to match Brit's eyes, and a silver band.

"Oh my god you're proposing," she says breathlessly and her face reads shock and something else that I can't quite put my finger on.

"Well kind of, but not really," I tell her as I take the ring from the box and grab her right hand. I begin to slip the ring onto her ring finger. "This is a promise ring. Obviously not the type to stay celebant because we both know we're too late for that," she laughs. "We're not ready for marriage right now. We're too young and our just starting our lives. This is a promise that one day I'll replace this ring with a wedding band. It's a promise that you will always have my heart and that no matter what hard times lie before us we can make it as long as we do it together."

Tears are now filling both our eyes. "I love you, Santana Lopez."

"I love you, too, Brittany S. Pierce," I say and we passionately kiss.

Epilogue (No One's POV)

8 Years Later

"Are you ready?" Quinn asks Santana as they begin walking towards the big double doors.

"I've been ready since I was seven," I say as the doors open.

The setting is perfect. Down the middle from the double doors is a white carpeted isle leading to an alter. On each side of the isle are rows of chairs filled with people dressed nicely. Yellow and pink flowers are tied to the chairs. Quinn walks down first in her pink strapless bridesmaid dress. Santana follows with her father on her arm. Santana is wearing a long strapless white dress. Her hair is wavy and flowers are strategically place in it. They get to the end and Santana's father kisses her cheek before she joins Quinn by the alter and stands between the minister and Quinn.

The double doors open again and Emily walks down first in her yellow bridesmaid dress. But Santana isn't looking at her; she's looking at the gorgeous blonde standing at the other end of the isle. Santana's breath catches in her throat. Brittany stands at the other end wearing a long, white wedding dress that molds to her body perfectly. On the other end, Brittany sees Santana and can't help but smile at the Latina. Upon seeing her, Brittany becomes breathless. She begins walking down the isle with Kurt on her arm. She walks up the isle and takes a place between the minister and Emily, standing in front of Santana. Santana and Brittany's moms have already begun crying, but the two don't notice. They're too busy staring at each other. Santana mouths, "I love you" which Brittany returns with an "I love you, too."

The minister begins and the vows are exchanged. "I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may kiss the bride." Neither hesitates before passionately kissing the other. Everyone gathers in the reception hall to congratulate Mrs. and Mrs. Lopez-Pierce. It was time for the first dance, and the couple walks onto the dance floor. The lights dim and Kurt begins singing.

And as their song plays in the background, Santana sings quietly into Brittany's ear, "And I love you, I love you, I love you/ Like never before, like never before."

The End