…
The next morning, Santana roused first. She stretched and yawned underneath Brittany's naked body, which was halfway draped over her own. She looked over at the clock and saw that it was only 7:30. She blinked a few times and decided to get up and shower. She leaned over and gave Brittany a small kiss on the forehead before carefully slipping out of bed and tip-toeing into the bathroom.
She shivered, feeling the cold tile on her feet as she leaned into the glass shower stall and turning on the water. It really was a nice bathroom. The whole apartment was nice, actually. She was proud of her brother for doing so well. She waited for the water to heat up before stepping under the steamy heat. She sighed in relief as the water washed away her tired state and she smiled. Her eyes fluttered closed as she ran her hands back and over her hair as the water soaked it. She then turned around to let the water hit her back and failed to notice the sound of the bathroom door opening and a slender figure shuffling inside.
Santana hummed as she continued to let the water relax her body, masking the sound of the glass door opening and someone stepping in. She jumped when she felt Brittany embrace her from behind and kiss her shoulder.
"Mm…morning," Brittany hummed into her shoulder happly, kissing it some more.
Santana grinned and leaned back into the blonde, "Well good morning," she smiled, turning in Brittany's arms to wrap her arms around her neck.
Brittany smiled sleepily and leaned down to kiss Santana as the water streamed over them. "Why're you up so early?"
Santana shrugged, "Just couldn't go back to sleep."
Brittany nodded and leaned back down to kiss the Latina.
"I didn't wake you, did I?" Santana asked.
"No…I just got cold is all…without you to cuddle with," Brittany smiled.
Santana just nodded and leaned into the lankier girl.
"Everything okay San?" Brittany asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Santana nodded a little too quickly. Brittany wanted to ask again but she knew better and decided to place a kiss against Santana's forehead instead.
"Okay."
Santana knew Brittany didn't believe her. "Can you pass me the shampoo?"
…
After their shower, they dressed and walked into the kitchen where Sergio sat at the counter, watching TV and making breakfast.
"How are you up right now? You worked all night!" Santana asked Sergio, who merely shrugged.
"I'll go to bed soon and rest up before dinner at Mami and Papi's," he said casually. But it still made Santana tense up. Brittany didn't fail to notice.
"Yeah, good," Santana nodded and changed the subject. "Whatcha making hermano?"
"Just some eggs and bacon…you two want some?" He asked.
"Sure thanks, we'll just be in the living room," Santana smiled and pulled Brittany by the hand as they sat on the couch.
"San…" Brittany said knowingly. "What's really wrong? I can tell something's up."
"Brittany, it's nothing!" Santana insisted. Brittany wouldn't take no for an answer though.
"Santana," Brittany took both of her girlfriend's hands and looked at her sternly, "talk to me…I want to make you feel better…"
"Not now, okay?" Santana said a little too harshly before getting up and storming out onto the balcony. Brittany, hurt, made a move to follow her but Sergio stopped her.
"Let her, she'll come back in after she cools off. Don't worry," he half smiled. "Come on, help me with breakfast and get your mind off of things." He nodded towards the kitchen and with one last longing look towards the balcony door, Brittany turned and followed him into the kitchen.
"Don't feel bad…it's not you. It's just…she's really nervous about tonight," Sergio explained, turning the eggs in the pan as Brittany did the same to the bacon next to them.
"How do you know?" Brittany asked quietly, obviously still worried.
"She's my sister," he shrugged, "and my best friend. I know her…even after three years. She gets distant when she's nervous. She'll talk about it to you when she's ready. Just let her cool down and when she comes back, just let her know that you're there. Just be positive and she'll start to relax."
Brittany nodded. That made sense. So she thanked him. "Thanks, Sergio. She's lucky to have a brother like you. It's good for her."
"She's also lucky to have a girlfriend as caring as you," he countered with a smile, adding pepper to the eggs.
Brittany blushed, "Well, she deserves it, and I'm pretty lucky too. She's a strong person."
Sergio nodded, "She is. I couldn't have made it on my own like she did. I'm a bit of a Mamma's Boy," he joked.
Brittany giggled a little bit, "I'm sure you could have made it if you tried!"
"Maybe," He nodded, nudging her in the side. "I like you Brittany. You're cool," he said honestly.
"Thanks. I'm glad I pass inspection," she joked back. They laughed just as Santana came quietly back into the kitchen.
"Glad you two are getting along," she said, sitting at the kitchen counter. Brittany pressed her lips together and dished Santana a plate of breakfast with some toast and a glass of orange juice.
"Hungry babe?" Brittany asked. Santana quietly added some butter to her toast and took a few bites and a large gulp of juice. Brittany giggled, sitting next to her with her own plate. "I'll take that as a yes!" She leaned over and kissed Santana's cheek, surprising the brunette with her girlfriend's sudden energy.
"So today I need to rest from my night shift, but maybe you could take Brittany around town or something. I'm sure she'd love to see the water hole," Sergio suggested.
"The water hole?" Brittany asked.
"It's just this place we used to hang out just on the edge of town, it's really no big deal," Santana shrugged.
"I want to see!" Brittany pouted.
"Yeah San, she wants to see!" Sergio mocked, taking a bite of eggs.
"Not helping hermano," she hissed. He only laughed.
"Please babe?" Brittany asked.
Santana sighed, giving in, "Ugh, fine! You people are ridiculous!" She shook her head and continued eating her breakfast.
"Yes!" Brittany squealed, leaning over to hug her girlfriend. "Thank you!"
"Yeah yeah yeah…" Santana muttered, only making Brittany and Sergio laugh more.
…
"So, what is this place we're going to?" Brittany asked as they drove through town later that morning.
Santana adjusted her sunglasses on her face and kept her eyes on the road, "You'll see."
"A surprise huh?" Brittany asks, crossing her arms. "Fine!" She gives a smile and a shake of her head as she looks out the window.
When the car finally does stop, they're at the base of what looks like a hiking trail on the outskirts of town. Brittany furrows her brow and gives Santana a look.
"Is this why you told me to wear my sneakers?" Brittany asked.
"Mhm," Santana nodded, "C'mon."
Brittany got out of the car and followed Santana to the trail. The Latina took her hand and they started walking through the wooded area in a comfortable silence. "Is this how we get to this so called water hole?"
Santana nodded, "I've never taken anyone here before…not anyone other than my brother."
Brittany grinned, "Really? Well…I'm honored," she gave Santana's hand a squeeze.
They walked for another ten minutes before they came to a small clearing where there was a small lake surrounded by woods. Brittany gasped at the sight and turned to Santana.
"This place is beautiful…" Brittany grinned, hugging Santana, "Really."
"I used to come here all the time in high school to think," Santana explained. Brittany just nodded. "I'm sorry for getting mad today, Britt."
"It's okay, San…I understand," Brittany tried, knowing that Santana was trying too.
"I guess this whole business with my mom being sick and dinner with my family tonight and introducing them to you for the first time yesterday…it's all really overwhelming," Santana admitted, walking down the small dock with Brittany and sitting on the edge.
Brittany sat behind her, her arms coming to wrap around Santana's small frame. "I know it must be crazy…"
"God, just knowing that any second, my mom could die and I wouldn't have said all that I want to?" Santana shook her head, "That's the scariest feeling in the world…even if I haven't seen her in forever. That kind of makes it even worse, now that I think about it…"
Brittany shook her head, "San…she knows that you love her…and she loves you."
Santana nodded, "But I want her to know me. Not the me I was before I came out. This me. The me that can be with you without hiding who I am."
"She will…maybe not for as long as we wish for, but…a little is better than nothing, right?" Brittany tried. Santana nodded again.
"Yeah."
"Listen, Santana…whatever the turnout of tonight's dinner, I'll be there okay? I'm here for you. So I want you to focus on that tonight. Don't worry about me. I'm not going anywhere," Brittany assured her.
…
Ding dong.
The doorbell at the Lopez home rang as Santana, Brittany, and Sergio stood on the front porch. Brittany's hand was tightly clasped in Santana's as they waited for Diego to answer the door.
"Girls, Sergio, glad you could make it," Diego gave a quaint smile to the girls and a handshake to Sergio before letting them step inside.
"Something smells good, Papi. Did Mami finally teach you to cook?" Santana joked.
"Aye, hush, mija! Old men like me can learn to cook, too!" Diego defended himself, causing Sergio to snort out a laugh.
"Okay dad!" The young man chuckled.
"Your mother is in the living room on the sofa…we're eating in there because it's more comfortable for her…you understand," Diego motioned towards the living room in his gruff voice. Maria sat watching Food Network, as usual, but looking frail, like the day before.
"Hey Mami," Santana said sofltly, moving to sit by her ill mother.
"Santana…" Maria opened her arms for a hug and when the younger girl sat back, here eyes were welling with tears.
"H-how are you today?" Santana was brave enough to ask.
Maria shrugged, "Been better….been worse," the aging woman said honestly. Santana pursed her lips and nodded as Brittany sat next to Santana on the sofa.
"Hi, Mrs. Lopez…" Brittany said softly.
"Hello, Brittany," Maria nodded towards her. The blonde gave a small smile.
"Thank you for having me over for dinner," she said.
"Thank you for coming," Maria countered. Brittany smiled and took Santana's hand.
"Anything for Santana…" she quickly glanced at Santana to see if it was okay to go on. Santana just smiled a little, so she continued. "I want you to know that I'll do whatever I can to make this a little easier…even if it's just by giving my support." Brittany paused again and pursed her lips, "Anyway…I'm glad I met you, Mrs. Lopez."
Mrs. Lopez looked surprised as well and nodded, "Thank you, Brittany…" the older woman hesitated and then continued, "I'm glad Santana has someone like you in her life."
Brittany blushed and squeezed Santana's hand as Sergio stepped into the room, "Hey everyone, dinner's ready…San, Britt, do you want to help get it dished up?"
"Yeah, sure," Santana made a motion to stand with Brittany, but Maria held up a hand.
"Mija, can you let Brittany stay in here a minute? I need to have a word. Go help tu hermano," Maria stated. Brittany tensed up but sat back down. Santana gave her girlfriend a nervous look.
"C'mon sis," Sergio smiled warmly before adding in a whisper, "She'll be okay." He tugged her arm.
Brittany smiled, "Go on San."
The brother and sister left to the kitchen, leaving Brittany and Maria sitting on the large sectional sofa. Maria studied Brittany's face.
"You know…I'm not okay with Santana's lifestyle," the mother began, Brittany immediately tensed more. "But it would seem that she is pretty smitten with you…and that you make her happy…"
Brittany chose to remain silent, waiting for Maria to go on.
"And…it is my only last wish in my life that mi familia is happy and healthy. So…I'm glad for Santana and you Brittany, and I like you. You're good for that girl," Maria nodded, still looking at Brittany with a focused expression.
"Mrs. Lopez…I don't know what to say other than thank you for letting me have a chance with Santana…your approval means everything to me," Brittany said, still shocked.
Maria nodded and chuckled, "I don't think my approval would have swayed her much…she's a stubborn one…like me. I guess that's one thing my daughter and I have in common, now, isn't it?"
Brittany laughed a little, "Yeah…she is."
Santana's voice suddenly broke in from the kitchen, "Dinner, everyone!"
…
"That pie was perfect!" Santana rubbed her full belly and sighed in contentment.
"Your mom's recipie!" Diego mentioned.
"My favorite," Sergio grinned happlily.
Brittany merely nodded and rested her head on Santana's shoulder. Sergio glanced at the time. "Oh…I didn't realize how late it was…we should probably go…" he suggested.
Santana nodded, too, still feeling awkward about the whole situation. "Yeah, we're heading out in the morning. But I'm so happy we got to be here," she said, looking from her brother to her father and then to her mother.
Diego nodded, "We missed you, Santana."
"I missed you too, and I promise to call once a week, okay?" Santana stood with Brittany and Sergio. "Oh and mom…" she leaned down so only Maria could hear, "Thanks again mami…te amo."
"Te amo tambien mija," Maria kissed Santana's cheek and watched her daughter stand back up and smile widely at her.
"Well, take care kids!" Diego hugged both girls and Sergio, "See you tomorrow, son?"
"Yeah dad. Bye mom, love you," Sergio kissed her cheek.
"Love you too mijo."
"Bye mami." Santana mirrored Sergio's actions.
"Goodbye, Mr. and Mrs. Lopez…thank you for everything. I hope we meet again soon!" Brittany said honestly. She wanted to be a significant part of Santana's life in any way she could.
…
I'm tired and I graduate in 9 days. So I'm going to call it good on this chapter. Sorry again for the length! Leave me a review!