Sorry for the wait. D:

"Hi!" I say, cheerfully.

I'm trying to contain my excitement as best as I can, but I find it to be very difficult. Brittany is coming home in a week and I finally get to tell her that I know how she feels and that I couldn't be happier because I'm still deeply in love with her too. Of course I've had the option of doing it through the phone, but I wanted to wait for her to come back so that I could tell her face to face. I want to see her reaction and I want to be able to kiss her and hug her and just be in the moment.

"Hey! What's up?"

I've been calling her every other day to see how she's doing. I always call her a few hours before I go to bed because New York is two hours ahead of LA and I don't want to intervene with her sleeping schedule, but we always end up talking for more than I intend. We talk about the most random things and stretch the conversation for hours. It always starts with us talking about her work, but then it just branches out into a million different subjects; what we ate for lunch that day, the weather, girls who we saw walking down the street wearing outfits worse than Rachel's, our families, our friends...etc.

I don't know if she notices it too, but our conversations are a lot like they used to be when we were dating.

"How was work?" I ask, just like every other day.

"It was good. The cast memorized all the choreographies for the most part. All I do now is watch and correct them if they need it."

"That's good, Britt. It's about time they learned it. It took them almost the whole damn month." I say the following as casually as my excitement will allow me. "Which reminds me, are you flying in with the same airline? You haven't given me the gate number and all that. I can go pick you up this time."

"That's sweet, San, but I don't know yet. The director said he'd like for me to stay on till the end of their tour."

My smile vanishes. "Wait, what? You're staying longer?"

"I think so. It's been really great working here and if I end the job in good terms maybe they'll hire me again."

"But...How long will you be staying?"

"Their last show is on November 15 so-"

"That's almost a month and a half!" I realize I have no right to be upset...yet, and quickly lower my voice. "I mean, that's kind of long don't you think? You just started renting an apartment and are paying for it but aren't even here."

"I'm not paying for it."

"What do you mean? Didn't you sign the lease?"

"Not yet. I was going to sign it when I got back to LA and use the money from this job to pay the deposit."

"Why? Don't you have money saved up?"

"Yes, but I don't want to use that money. I like saving it."

Brittany was always smart about her money. Unlike me, she never bought anything extravagant that she didn't need. Maybe she was that way because she actually had to work to earn her money. All I had to do was ask my dad. But even now that I have to pay my way for everything, I still like having a closet full of designer names. Brittany is just much simpler than me in every way.

"And the realtor is going to hold on to it for you for so long?"

"No..." She says, sadly. "He said he'd hold it for a month, tops. I'll just have to look for another one when I get back."

"I can pay the deposit if you want?"

"No! I can't let you do that."

"It's fine, Britt. I don't mind. You can pay me back later."

"No, really. It's okay. I'll just look for another place when I get back." She sighs. "I'll probably have to stay with you for a few more weeks though."

My smile returns. "Yeah, it's cool. Don't worry about it."

If everything goes according to plan, maybe she won't even have to move out when she comes back.

The following month and a half is the longest and most painful time period of my entire life. I'm thankful I can call her and talk to her because I think I'd go crazy otherwise. Sometimes we chat on Skype, which is a million times better because I get to hear her and see her.
I think this is what it would have been like if she hadn't broken up with me before I went off to college. Except we'd probably have less clothes on during our chats and more arguments instead of laughs because I know that I would have been upset about her choosing not to make the move with me.

Adam and Jax invite me to their place one evening, promising they have the best surprise ever. When I get there I'm pulled in by Jax and quickly blindfolded.

"Is this really necessary?" I ask, and if my eyes were uncovered I'd roll them.

"So you know how you said you wanted to do something special for Brittany when she got back?" Jax asks, ignoring my previous question.

"Yeah?"

"Wellll...Adam and I thought something up." I hear him slide the patio glass door open and he gently guides me outside.

When we come to a halt, I ask, "Can I look now?"

"Yes." He says, and unties the blindfold.

I open my eyes and blink a few times, trying to adjust to the patio lights that glimmer a few feet ahead. It's only once the blurriness is gone that I clearly see a string of lights draped around the most beautiful cherry wood gazebo.

"Adam built it," Jax comments, proudly.

I look at Adam, who is standing by the gazebo's steps. "Do you like it?" He asks with a hopeful smile.

"I love it, Adam. ...It's beautiful," I say, still shocked by the surprise.

He takes my hand and walks me up the three wood steps. "I still need to give it some shine, but it's about done."

I let my eyes roam around it and take in all his hard work. "This is amazing. Is this why you always came up with some lame excuse as to why you couldn't go out on the weekends? You were here hammering away?"

He chuckles and nods. "I needed to finish it before Brittany came back."

"So wait..." I pause, my eyebrows knitting together. "You made it for Brittany?"
He laughs. "I made it for the two of you. We thought you could surprise her with a dinner here. You can decorate it whichever way you'd like. And Jax offered to be your chef for the night."

I look at Jax and he nods with a smile.

"Guys, I don't know what to say other than thank you. Brittany is going to love it."

I drape my arms over Adam's shoulders and call Jax over for a group hug. "I love you both so much."

"A little to the left... Higher!"

Adam wabbles on the ladder as he tries following my instructions. "Santana, they were fine how I had them. It won't make a difference they're just lights. They'll light up the patio either way."

"It does matter. They can't sag around the gazebo. They'll look like...old...lady tits."

He makes a disgusted face. "Okay, that's a mental image I did not need." He climbs down the ladder and comes stands next to me. "They look fine. They're the last thing Brittany will notice."

"You don't know Brittany. She notices everything." I move forward and try reaching the string of lights. "She'll definitely-" I jump once. "Notice-" I jump twice. "If these lights" I jump a third time and I'm able to push the string of lights upward, hooking them on a nail. "Look like old gradma boobs." I take a few steps back and take a look at the final product. The lights are finally the way I wanted them. The red cushions I bought to lay over the seating area are perfectly plumped. The dinner table for two stands centered in the middle with the crispiest white table cloth. The rose petals on the floor look almost symmetrical. And the white rose petal pathway that Adam helped me with lays in perfect contrast with the black and grey pebbles that surround the lit pathway up to the gazebo.

This is by far the most romantic thing I've ever done...ever. Also, the cheesiest, which means Brittany will love it.

"Are we done, Queen Perfection?" Adam asks.

"Not quite." I make my way to the living room and Adam follows. "Take this," I tell him, and lift a dress garment bag off the couch. "It's for Brittany."

He takes it and glances at the bag. "A dress? How am I suppose to get her to wear it?"

"I told her you guys are meeting me at Jax's restaurant and we'd all have dinner after his shift ended. So just make her put it on at the airport."

"But you're suppose to be working late."

"I know, but I told her I got off an hour after her flight got in. Not early enough to go pick her up myself but just in time for dinner."

"Well, that's smart, but isn't she going to wonder why she needs to wear a dress while I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt?"

"She is." I smile and take the dress from him. "You need to go get changed."

He groans. "Seriously?"

"Yes! And hurry up! You need to get to the airport." I wave him off with my hand and move to the kitchen. "How's it coming in here?"

Jax throws some sort of oil into a frying pan and the flame naerly reaches the cupboards above. "Great!" He shouts, after the flame dies down.

"You almost caught your kitchen on fire. Should I be worried?"

He smiles at that and continues cooking. "The french onion soup is ready, as well as the sun dried tomato bread. I also made a vegetable pasta tower. The chocolate pudding is in the fridge and I got some wine and champage from the restaurant, also in the fridge."

"Wow," I say, genuinely impressed, as I watch him move around the kitchen. "What are you making now?"

"Maine course." He smiles. "It's a sweet potato gratin."

"Sounds...tasty?"

"It's a pretty famous dish at the restaurant."

"What exactly is it?"

"Well, it's a casserol. It consists of sweet potatoes layered with black beans, rice, and spinach. Half a lime for zest, some cilantro, a dash of salt, pepper, coconut milk, garlic, some cornmeal." He shrugs.

"Sooo... It'll taste good?"

"Delicious. If Brittany-" He chuckles. "After Brittany let's you know how much she likes it, I'll be more than happy to teach you how to cook it."

I scoff. "Yeeaah... No, I don't cook."

"All right. I'm off." Adam walks by in the same pair of jeans and shirt, except he threw on a dark blue blazer.

"What the hell are you wearing?"

"It's a blazer. It makes everything look fancier." He picks up the dress from the couch and walks to the front door.

"Adam, she's not going to believe that you're going to dinner dressed like that."

"She would if she knew me. She needs to start getting to know me." He grabs his keys. "One more thing. How am I suppose to explain bringing her back here?"

"Tell her you need to change before you go to the restaurant," Jax suggests from the kitchen.

Adam grins. "Genius," he says, before leaving through the front door.

I scowl. "What-"

"Hey! Brittany!"

The voice sounds familiar. I look over my shoulder and smile when I see Adam pushing his way towards me. "Hi!"

"Hey." He gives me a quick one arm hug then says, "I got it." And takes my luggage from me. "Have you been waiting long?"

I shake my head. "No, I just got down here. Do you want one?" I ask, holding up my coffee.

"No thanks."

I notice there's a draped bag over his arm. It looks like the bags Santana uses for her expensive dresses. "What's that?"

"Oh, it's for you." He hands me the bag and smiles. "It's from Santana."

"Wow." I unzip it a little and see the top of a blue dress. "Awesome. But... Why are you giving it to me now?"
"Well, we're going to dinner, as you know, so Santana wants you to go dressed for the occasion."

I look down at my current outfit. Leggings and a blouse isn't that bad, but he is wearing a blazer. "That makes sense... I guess."

"Let's go find the restrooms so you can change."

The dress is so much prettier than I thought. Well, actually, it's more on the sexy side than the pretty side, but it's okay with me. And my boots don't really go with it, but I can make it work.

I fix my hair up in a bun to show off my shoulders and back. I'm sure Santana will like that. Even if she doesn't have feelings for me, I'm sure she'll still like to get a good look at me. She always was and always will be a very physical person.

I walk out of the stall and fix my makeup at the counter with the big mirror. I get a few weird looks from some of the ladies that walk in and out, but I just smile.

When I walk out, Adam takes me by the hand and says, "You look amazing."

I blush and thank him. I'm still not used to him being so friendly and nice. We walk out to his car and before we drive off he reaches towards the back seat and pulls up a shoe box. "She also sent these." He places the box on my lap and begins driving through the exit.

I lift the lid and pull out a pair of heels. "These are so nice."

Adam glances over at them. "Hey, they actually are. I usually hate her taste in shoes, but I do approve of these. I've never seen her wear them though."

"That's because she would never wear anything like this." I chuckle, as I slip them on. "She bought these just for me."

"Well, now we have something to bond over, because I love those." He smiles and I return the gesture. "Do you mind if we stop by my place so I can change my clothes?"

"I don't mind. But..." I look at him. "Why do you want to change?"

"Because I'm wearing jeans?"

"But you're wearing blazer. You look fancy."

His lips form into a huge toothy smile. "I like you Brittany. I have a feeling we're going to get along just fine."
That makes me smile almost as wide as him. "I like you too."

When we drive up to his driveway he kills the engine and asks if I could help him pick out an outfit. I happily accept and follow him inside.

His apartment is really dark and I feel like something is going to reach out and grab me. (I still get a little nervous when I'm in the dark.) There's some light coming from the patio so I ask, "I thought Jax was working?"

Adam nods and says, "He is. He's doing a private dinner tonight."

"Oh, for like a couple?"

"Yeah," is all he says. He moves towards his bedroom and I follow but then he stops and turns to look at me. "Can you do me a favor, and turn off the patio lights? I'll wait in my room."

"Okay." I walk up to glass door and look outside just as I switch the lights off. There's still some lights glowing outside though. And there's people.

I slide the door open and set a foot outside, but I don't step on cement. Well, I do, but there's a lot of rose petals too. "Guys?"

"Hi, Britt," Santana waves at me from where she's sitting and Jax smiles. They're inside of what looks like a tiny chapel. Except it doesn't have any walls, just a railing, and it's round. It's really beautiful.

"What's going on?"

Santana walks up to me and takes my hand, leading me up to the table inside the chapel. I look around the whole set up. It looks extra pretty with the rose petals and lights hanging from it. It kind of looks... romantic. "This is really pretty, San. Are we eating here?"

Santana smiles and pulls out a chair for me. "Yup."

I sit down and notice there's no more seats. "But... Where are Adam and Jax going to sit?"

"This is for us, Britt."

Jax pops open a bottle of champagne and fills two flutes.

"I'm confused."

Santana gives me a kind smile. "We're not going to a restaurant. That was never the plan. We just made it up so that I could get you into that dress." She points down at me and I blush. "I wanted to surprise you."

"Oh. Well, I'm definitely surprised," I chuckle.

She smiles. "Good. I hope you're hungry. Jax cooked up a whole course dinner."

I look up at him. "Thanks, Jax. I am really hungry."

"Great!" He says. "I'll bring out the first dish." He pushes the champagne bottle down into the ice bucket and takes off.

"You look really really really beautiful, Brittany."

I look down at the candle between us to hide my blush. "Thank you. I really like the dress... And heels."

"I thought you would."

I raise my head just enough to look at her and she's still smiling. She's making me nervous. The good kind of nervous. "You look even better," I tell her.

"That's sweet, Britt, but you know it's not true." She quickly changes the subject after that so that I can't fight her about who looks better. "Adam made this," she says pointing up.

"Really? Like... The whole thing?"

"Mhm. He did it all by himself. He made it for you. Well, for us to have this dinner here."

"Wow." I look around again. "Should I go thank him?"

She exhales a short laugh. "You can thank him after."

I nod and look down at the rose petals laying on the floor. This is romantic. "Santana." I make eye contact with her and make sure I have her attention. "Why aren't Adam and Jax eating with us?"

Her face becomes serious and she presses her lips together before saying, "I know what Finn said at the reunion."

"San-"

"And I also know what you said." She holds my gaze. I think she's waiting for me to say something, but I don't know what to say. I'm kind of embarrassed... Definitely surprised.

Behind me, I hear Jax struggling to roll up a cart. I get up to help him, but Santana says she got it and hurries to help him. She tries to whisper, but I can still hear her because she's frustrated and her voice always gets louder when she get's like that.

"Why did you bring this out? Couldn't you just have carried the plates?" She asks.

"I want you guys to have the whole experience. This is a nice touch. We do it at the restaurant."

"I don't know if you've noticed, but we're not at your restaurant," she scolds.

They roll the cart up to the steps and Santana sits back down. Jax grabs the two plates of what looks like salad off the table.

"Um...Jax?"

"Yes?" He sets the salads down on our table and smiles.

"Is there dessert?"

"Uh..." He looks at Santana who is giggling. "Yeah. I made chocolate pudding."

"Is it okay if I eat that first?"

"I told you," Santana tells him.

"Sure, Britt." He goes back to the cart and pulls out two glasses with pudding from the cart's mini fridge. He trades them for the salads and walks back to the cart. "I'll bring these back out later."

"Jax, please don't bring that ridiculous cart back."

Adam huffs with annoyance and pushes the cart back inside.

"Anyways..." Santana begins. "He said pudding is his specialty, but he says that about everything"

I eat a spoonful of it and immediately scoop another. "I don't think he was lying about this one," I say, my hand hovering over my mouth.

"Hey, this is good," she says, after trying it. We enjoy the pudding for a few minutes before she puts down her spoon and I know what's coming. "Britt... Can we talk about what you said the reunion."

"I was drunk."

"I know, but you know people get really sincere when they're drunk."

"Not everyone."

I feel her eyes on me as I stir my spoon around the pudding and I look up. She looks sad.

"So, you're saying you didn't mean what you said?"

I shrug. "You have a girlfriend."

"I don't. Not anymore."

I think I know what's she's trying to tell me, but I'm not sure if I'm right. It'd be too good to be true. But what else could she be telling me? We're all dressed up and we're having a romantic dinner.

"Britt? Did you mean it?"

I hesitate. My feelings have always come naturally to me. I've never had any problems with expressing them. But right now I'm really stuck. I know what I feel. I'm sure of it. But for the first time ever I'm really nervous about letting them show.

"Cause..." She licks her lips and I can tell she's about to put herself out there. She's nervous because she's going to make herself vulnerable. I think we're both nervous for the same reason. "If what you said is true. I... It would make me very happy."

She's really trying and I'm being dumb. Why am I making it so difficult? It's obvious what's going on here.

"I did mean it." I nod once. "I love you. A lot."

Her face lightens up and she let's out a breath of relief. "But um... do you... are-"

"I am in love with you... still. Always."

She chuckles nervously and leans back on her chair. "I love you too, Britt. So much." She leans forward again and takes my hand. "I can't believe it took this long for us to get back together."

I smile wider at that last part.

"You do... want to be with me, right?"

I take her face between my hands and pull her forward into a kiss. She inhales really deep through her nose and kisses me until she needs to catch her breath again.

"Of course I want to be with you. More than anything," I say, looking into her eyes.

"Good, cause this would have been really embarrassing if you didn't."

I laugh and we pull away when Jax clears his throat.

"Are we ready for the soup and salad?"

"We're so ready," I say, and give Santana a little wink.

I do believe that all these stuff that Jax made are his specialties because they're are so delicious. His main dish was some kind of potato casserole. I think he called it potato grassin, which doesn't make sense because it didn't have any grass in it, but it was really good. The best part of it all was that he brought out our plates with those shiney covers that look like big round UFOs and didn't uncover it till it was right in front of me.

Everything about tonight has been so perfect. Santana looks so beautiful and happy. She hasn't stopped asking questions about me in New York. I don't even know how she comes up with new ones because I kind of told her everything through the phone while I was over there.

"Well, I'm really glad that you had a good time over there, but I'm even happier about you been here," she says, before finishing the last of her wine.

I smile. "I'm happy to be back too."

"You must be exhausted from the flight and all. Do you want to go home?"

"Home?" I smirk.

"Yeah," she says, before she realizes what she just said. "Oh."

"Yeah. I want to go home. C'mon." I slip my hand in hers and pull her inside the apartment.

"Hey, ladies. Did you enjoy yourselves?" Adam asks.

I launch towards him and wrap my arms around him. "Thank you so much. The chapel is beautiful." I pull away and see he looks a little confused.

"She means the gazebo," Santana says.

"Oh. You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it."

"And Jax." I give him a hug too. "That was the best food I've ever had. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Britt. I told Santana I'd teach her how to cook that casserole if you liked it."

I see Santana roll her eyes. "I said-"

"Oh, San! That'd be awesome. You haven't cooked for me since high school. Your grilled cheese sandwiches were really good. I'm sure you'll make a kick ass casserole too."

"Yeah, well... we'll see."

"That means she is," I whisper to Jax.

"I put your luggage in Santana's car, Brittany. You're boots too."

"Oh, thank you."

"Let's go, Britts. I'm tired."

"Is that code for something else too?" Jax asks and gives me a wink.

"I'm standing right next to you, Jax." Santana says. "C'mon, Britt." She takes my hand and drags me towards the front door. "Thank you, gentlemen," she says with a wave over her head.

Throughout the entire car ride, we never let go of each other's hands and I sneak kisses to her cheek and lips every few minutes.

"Brittany," Santana giggles as I kiss her cheek for the millionth time. "I'm kind of already driving with one hand. If I crash this car I'm blaming it on you."

"Fine. I'll kiss your hand." I raise her hand up to my lips and give it a peck.

She laughs. "I can't believe we're actually here... together. In LA! It's so crazy. I would have never thought in a million years that we'd end up here."

"Me neither. But I don't really care where we are as long as we're together."

"Me too." She kisses my hand this time. "But I am happy that we got out of Lima. I'd rather be anywhere other than that stupid town."

"Well... I know how much you hate it there, but I was thinking that maybe we should go visit soon. Your birthday is really close to Christmas so maybe we can celebrate it there and stay for Christmas too."

"Britt, we just got back together not one hour ago. Don't you want to just chill and spend time with me."

"I would be spending time with you... And we have our whole life to spend alone time. I don't plan on letting you go ever again." She smiles and gives my hand a squeeze. "Plus, our parents would be so happy to know that we're together again. It'd be like the best Christmas present ever."

"I don't know, Britt."

"Pleaseeee? I already told my parents I was going to spend Christmas with them this year, but I won't go if you don't."

"Brittany, that's totally unfair. You're putting me on the spot."

"So you'll go with me then?"

She sighs and glances at me.

"Please?" I beg.

"Fine, but we aren't staying for New Years.

I let go of her hand and take her face between my palms, turning it so that I can kiss her lips. She kisses me back, but her eyes don't leave the road.

"It's going to be so fun!"

"Yeah, can't wait."

When we get home, we change into our pajamas together, brush our teeth together, and then get into bed. I spoon her from behind and it feels so good to be able to press up against her tiny body again. I hide my nose in her hair and inhale her scent. It smells as good or even better than the last time I got to do this. She feels so familiar that it seems as if we were never apart.

"Thanks for tonight. It was really beautiful... You're really beautiful." I say, and kiss her neck.

"You're welcome. And thank you." She let's out a shaky laugh and presses her hand down on the one I have over her stomach.

I kiss the little bone that sticks out from the back of her neck and slide my hand from beneath hers and onto her hip. "I missed you."

"Me too. I hope they don't call you back too soon for another job."

"No, I mean I missed you... like, all these years." I move my hand under her t-shirt and feel her twitch when I touch her skin. "San?"

She turns her body around and faces me.

"I missed you too. You have no idea how much." She takes my hands and holds them in between us. I think she notices that I'm a little worried because she gives me a sweet smile and kisses the tip of my nose. "Is it okay if we just sleep tonight?"

I nod. "Of course."

I'm not sure why she wants to go to sleep. I thought she'd want me as much as I want her. She gave me a sexy dress and a romantic dinner. We haven't made love to each other in more than four years. I thought she'd rip my clothes off as soon as we got home. Does she not find me as hot as she used to? That's kind of a scary thought. I definitely still think she's the sexiest woman I've ever seen.

I'm not sure why she wants to go to sleep, but her beautiful brown, tired, eyes are staring at me as they fight to stay awake and that's enough for tonight.

We have life time left to make love.