"How are you okay?" Santana wonders. Quinn is just sitting there on the couch. Staring.
"I don't know. I just am." She shrugs her shoulders.
"You're not crying or mad or anything." Santana points out in confusion.
"No, I'm not." Quinn shakes her head and looks up at her friends who are watching her like people watch a car wreck.
"Why?" Brittany chimes in.
"I think… I loved Rachel." Quinn starts, lowering her eyes to her lap and she sighs. "I mean, I still do. I'm just not in love with her."
"Like, anymore?" Santana tilts her head and her brow furrows.
"Maybe." Quinn shrugs her shoulders again and brings her focus back up to Brittany and Santana. "Or maybe I never was. I don't think I'll ever know for sure."
"That's kinda depressing, Quinn." Brittany mumbles, a sad pout on her lips.
"Here." Santana hands Quinn a cup of coffee, fixed the way she likes it. The couple stands beside the couch, watching with careful eyes as though waiting to have to console their friend at any given moment. Just in case that she does wind up crying or getting mad or anything.
"Thanks." Quinn says after a small sip and smiles gratefully at them.
"Do you need anything?" Brittany asks as she grabs Santana's hand and laces their fingers. Quinn looks around the couch, grabs the remote and shakes her head.
"No, I'm good." She shrugs her shoulders and leans back into the couch, as if everything is right in the world. Santana turns to Brittany with a look of confusion, except her girlfriend can offer her no answers.
"Okay, well," Santana points behind them towards the hall where their bedroom is. "We're just gonna…" She doesn't bother finishing her sentence because Quinn isn't even listening to her.
Santana tugs on Brittany's hand and leads her down towards their room and closes the door behind them. Once inside, Brittany pulls her hand from Santana's and runs her fingers through her hair while she takes a seat on the bed. Santana opts to slowly pace in front of her.
"This is kinda weird." Brittany points out. Santana huffs and nods in utter agreement. "Are we supposed to call Rachel?"
"I don't think so." Santana says after a few thoughtful seconds. "I mean, it's not like she isn't coming back. She just went home for Thanksgiving." She reminds Brittany, who nods remembering that was their friend's plan for the holiday anyway.
"Well, what about when she does come back?" Brittany wonders. "I mean, unless Kurt winds up moving in with Blaine, Rachel and Quinn are kinda stuck living together." She explains.
"In the same room." Santana's eyes widen a bit at this realization.
"One of them could always sleep on the couch. I mean, it is a pullout." Brittany reminds her girlfriend.
"Yeah, but for how long?" She challenges.
"We do have an extra room." Brittany motions towards the wall of their bedroom that separates them from the spare room.
"I know, but, we sort of moved away from them to not have roommates." Santana whines.
"It's not like she'd be moving in, Santana." Brittany explains.
"Sure, a week or two or several. But what happens when she never leaves?" Santana asks with worry. She doesn't want to seem like a bad friend, but Brittany does have to admit her girlfriend has a point.
"Let's just get through today and then we'll figure the rest out." Brittany suggests as she pushes herself up from the bed and sets her hands on Santana's hips to still her.
"Yeah." Santana sighs out and smiles thankfully at her girlfriend. After a quick peck on the lips, Brittany taps Santana on the rear and tells her to put some pants on so she can go grab those chocolate chip muffins.
Within minutes Santana is out the door on her mission to procure those tasty chocolate chip muffins from across the street. Before checking in one Quinn, Brittany takes a quick look into their guest room only to find her younger sister still very much in dreamland. She smiles to herself, remembering it also used to be her job to sleep in as long as possible on Thanksgiving. Now, instead of sleeping till noon, she's playing homemaker and hosting her very own family Thanksgiving dinner.
She figures she'll let Jaime sleep in a little longer, considering they did wake her up last night at three in the morning when they got back from their night out. It's the least she can do. When she hears the click of the door closing, the sound of her cell phone ringing form the kitchen catches her attention. She makes a beeline to her phone that is sitting beside Santana's on the island table and sends a glance over at Quinn who is immersed in her coffee and rerun of How I Met Your Mother.
"Hey, Mom." Brittany greets, holding the phone between her cheek and shoulder so she can continue to start the preparations for Thanksgiving dinner.
"Hi, sweetie." Mrs. Pierce replies and Brittany can tell her mother is smiling. "I guess you and Santana are already in the kitchen." She chuckles, considering she rarely gets either girl on the phone before 10:00am.
"Yes ma'am." Brittany nods, regardless of the fact that her mother can't see her. "Santana actually just went to go grab some breakfast and Jaime's still sleeping."
"Not at all surprised." Mrs. Pierce laughs. "I was calling to see if you girls needed anything." Brittany hums and after pressing her finger into the turkey that is slowly thawing in the sink, she moves towards the counter top beside the refrigerator to check their alcohol count.
"Umm," She twists her lips, figuring that more liquor can never hurt anyone when it comes to family gatherings. "A bottle of wine would be good. Other than that, we're set." She realigns the bottles in the row they were in and takes a quick look in the fridge to see that they are also good on beer.
"You two like red, right?" Her mother asks in a confident way.
"Sure do." Brittany says and turns to grab a pot from the bottom cabinet.
"Alright. Then we'll see you at 2:30pm."
When she hangs up, she looks over to Quinn who is going through her own cell phone clearly giving up on one of her favorite television shows. Brittany frowns, but feels it's best not to broach any sort of topic that would upset her friend.
"Hey," Quinn speaks up, luckily starting up the conversation for them instead of Brittany. "I think I'm gonna go home and take a shower. I still smell like vodka and stripper shame." She says as she sniffs the tank top she had on from the night before. Brittany grabs a lock of her own hair and too realizes that she should take a shower seeing as she stinks of smoke and some sort of liquor.
"At least wait until Santana get's back with breakfast." Brittany tells her and Quinn nods.
"You know, chocolate chip muffins are probably the least breakfast type food there is out there. It's right up there next to pop-tarts." Quinn chuckles to herself.
"Since when are muffins not a breakfast food?" Brittany challenges with curiosity.
"Since there's chocolate chips in them." She points out in an obvious way. Brittany simply shrugs her shoulders and goes back to preparing for the evening.
The two look to the door when they hear the rustling of Santana's keys. She greets them with an announcement of chocolate chip muffins entering the house. Quinn, minus her protests on those not being much of a breakfast food, greedily takes one and dives right in to enjoying it. They are sure to set one of the four aside for Jaime when she finally wakes up.
"Baby, I'm gonna go shower." Brittany says as she cuts a piece of the muffin.
"Yeah, I should head home and get ready." Quinn tells her friends as she pushes herself up from the couch. "I'll be back in time to help you guys set up the tables." She points over towards the folding tables that are leaning up against the wall under the island table.
"Okay." Santana drawls out and glances from Brittany to Quinn as she munches on her muffin.
"Thanks for breakfast." Quinn smiles as she lifts up her treat and heads out the door.
"See ya later." Santana waves at the door that is already and sends Brittany a confused look.
A few minutes after Quinn leaves to go get ready for her unexpected Thanksgiving plans, Santana scurries to her room. Brittany, after checking the temperature on the oven curiously, follows and finds her girlfriend deep in their closet. She crosses her arms as she watches Santana tug something rather heavy out and rests it in the middle of their room.
When the contraption is set up, it actually looks less intricate than she had first thought and is barely any higher than a waste basket in their bathroom. Santana then goes into her desk and opens the bottom drawer where she pulls out a stack of papers from the bottom, under a bunch of other crap. Brittany watches as Santana flips a switch and then carefully feeds the pages into the machine which she has now come to realize is a paper shredder.
"What's that?" Brittany asks as she motions towards what her girlfriend is doing.
"A paper shredder." Santana replies easily and smiles but Brittany gives her an eye roll. "They're plans." She says with a shrug, continuing to shove the papers in to get destroyed. "Well, they were plans."
"For what?" Brittany asks and steps further.
"That, I cannot reveal." Santana says in a dubious way and raises an eyebrow. "I will tell you that what with the turn of events, it would seem inappropriate to carry out my plot of revenge." Brittany nods. It's of no surprise to her that Santana would have a detailed plan to get Rachel or Quinn back for something they might have done. As she wonders what the revenge was actually in response to, another thought crosses her mind.
"Where the hell did you get this thing anyway?" Brittany wonders and motions with her foot towards the shredding machine.
"A magician never reveals." Santana winks and Brittany breathes out a chuckle.
"Yeah, neither do assassins."
"What's the difference? They both make things disappear." She points out with a tilt of her head.
"You scare me sometimes." Brittany shakes her head, but can't help smiling and Santana laughs.
"Well, getting back at Rachel doesn't seem right at the moment. So..." Santana divulges as she shreds more papers.
"What were you planning on getting back at her for?" Brittany wonders, trying to peer over and check out some of her girlfriend's obvious intense planning but cannot decipher the words, arrows and pictures all over the pages.
"She knows." Is all Santana says as the humming of shredding echoes off of their bedroom walls.
"Whatever it is or was, I think you're right on postponing it." Brittany finally gives up on trying to get more information and plops down on the bed. "It's gonna be weird when Rachel gets back, huh?" She twists her lips and watches as her question, which is more a comment than anything, seeps into her girlfriend's mind. Santana nods and raises her eyebrows in agreement.
"I didn't think it was a great idea for them to be all fiancéed up, but I didn't want them to break up." Santana admits as she slides the last and final paper into the shredder. "It's definitely going to be different, that's for sure."
"Well, I think it's a good thing. Quinn was right. They were never actually friends if you think about it." Brittany points out and Santana takes that thought and hums.
"I guess I always assume people who date each other are friends." Santana says as she shuts the machine off and takes the spot on the bed beside Brittany. "I mean, that's how we started off and we're still very much friends."
"You're my best friend." Brittany muses and laces their fingers together.
"And you're my best friend." Santana adds in agreement, lifting their hands up to kiss Brittany's fingers. "Hopefully our parents get here before Quinn gets back so we can inform them not to bring up Berry."
"It's gonna come up somehow." Brittany explains vaguely. She's right too. Somehow, Rachel is going to come up in conversation one way or another. It's sort of inevitable. The things people try to avoid always seem to make themselves seen or heard.
"Jaime, can you get the door?" Santana calls from the kitchen when she hears knocking. She realizes that Quinn is nowhere to be seen. The youngest Pierce girl happily bounces up from the couch that they had moved against the wall and opens the door for the crowd that has seemed to gather out in the hall.
"Hello sweetheart." Mrs. Lopez greets when she sees that it's Jaime Pierce opening the door for them.
"Hey, Mrs. Lopez." She replies and steps back to let both Pierce and Lopez families into her sister's home.
"Britt, where are we putting our coats?" Laurie asks from the living room where she's helping Brady take off his jacket.
"Oh," Brittany turns around and taps her head with the end of the wooden spoon she's using. "I guess in the guest room."
"The bed's not made yet." Santana reminds her and sends Jaime a quick look even though she's not at all paying attention.
"Scratch that. Put them in our bedroom." Brittany yells to them as they are already down the hall.
"Where's Quinn?" Santana asks quietly.
"I think she's in our bathroom." Brittany shrugs, not at all worried about what Quinn is actually doing in the bathroom or not doing.
"It smells yummy in here girls." Mrs. Lopez comments from her spot in the doorway of the kitchen. Brittany and Santana smile at each other as they move around preparing Thanksgiving dinner. "Do you two need help?"
"I think we've got everything covered." Brittany tells her, wiping her hands on the front of her apron that reads 'Property of Santana' across her chest.
"Cute apron." Laurie says from the island where she's leaning. Santana smirks and sends Brittany a wink.
"Are you gonna give me a hug or what?" Brittany moves by Mrs. Lopez and holds her arms open for her sister's embrace. "I missed you."
"Missed you too." Laurie hugs her tightly before pulling back to get a close up look of her sister's apron and laughs.
"Did you see the one I made Santana?" Brittany moves back towards her girlfriend and spins her around. 'Brittany's B*#ch'. Laurie cracks up and Mrs. Lopez can hardly stifle her laugh.
"Priceless." Rick, also known as The Sub, also known as Mr. Jacobs, also known as Laurie's husband says. Santana sticks her tongue out at him and gives him one of those awkward but familiar hugs that sort of family gives one another. "How've you been?"
"Good, good." She nods and exchanges a kiss on the cheek with Laurie. "How have you guys been? Got another bun in the oven yet?" She asks as she moves passed Brittany to continue her Thanksgiving duties as hostess.
"Santana." Brittany says quickly and softly.
"What?" Santana jerks her head back, not seeing the problem with the question.
"Not yet." Rick laughs and wraps his arm around his wife.
"Maybe soon though." Laurie smiles and taps her not so pregnant belly.
"Hey big sis." Nic announces his presence with Manny behind him. Santana eyes them skeptically.
"No love?" Manny pouts and drops his arms that were halfway up to offer his sister a hug. But, before she can even give a response, physically or verbally, her brothers crowd her into a Lopez sibling sandwich hug with a Santana middle.
"Ahhh!" Santana yells. But her cries are of no use as everyone just laughs and shakes their heads at the sibling love going on.
"Hey Britt." Nic smiles when he pulls away from his tiny but older sister and yanks her girlfriend into a hug.
"Hi guys." She greets, still laughing at their antics. "Listen," She says a bit quieter. "Me and Santana are fine with you guys having a beer or two, but don't let your parents catch you." And with that, she taps them on the shoulder and goes back to her cooking.
"Britt," Quinn's voice comes from on the other side of the island. "Can I use your charger?" She asks, lifting the cord of the wire. Brittany nods and waves her off, giving her the go ahead.
"Where've you been?" Santana asks, grabbing bowls from the table and places them into the refrigerator.
"I was on the phone." Quinn tells her with a tinge of annoyance. Sort of the way a child does with their parents.
"Do you think it's smart to fall back into just calling each other so quickly?" Santana wonders and stops to lean on the counter top where her friend is.
"Santana, its Thanksgiving." Quinn reminds her with a sigh. "She's still a part of my life."
"Whatever." Santana shakes her head and goes back to helping Brittany and Quinn turns around to join the Pierce and Lopez families surrounding the television.
A knock at the door catches Brittany and Santana's attention. The boys and Mrs. Lopez are sucked into the football game on television, Mrs. Pierce is busying herself looking through their calendar on the refrigerator while Laurie talks to her about Brady and Quinn is staring at the bottom of her glass. The couple looks to each other and then the rest of their guests wondering who is could be because everyone is accounted for.
Brittany pats her girlfriend on her behind, letting her know she'll go answer the door. She nearly jumps out of her skin as everyone watching football cheers at whatever play has just happened. She looks through the peep hole and furrows her brow in confusion before opening the door.
"Garrett?" She questions when she sees that it's Garrett, the owner and bartender of Mick's, standing in their hallway with a box most likely containing pastries or a pie and another that can only be bottles of liquor.
"You don't remember inviting me, do you?" He asks. It's the only time Brittany can remember seeing him shift awkwardly in all the years they have known him. She opens her mouth to speak, but then grins and shakes her head. "You and Santana made me pinky swear that I'd come over for Thanksgiving dinner." He explains, but the information is new to Brittany who raises an eyebrow. "Last night, at the strip club." Brittany's eyes widen as she tries to remember even going to a strip club.
"Well, it doesn't matter why you're here." She smiles and moves the door wider and waves him in. "The more the merrier." He smiles, grateful that he hasn't been shooed away and that the uncomfortable surprise was only for them to hear and endure.
"I brought some pastries." He hands the white box to Brittany after she closes the door. "And of course, what kind of bar keep would I be if I didn't bring some alcohol." He lifts up the box of glasses.
"You didn't have to." Brittany waves him off and then they are nearly deafened by another roar from the company watching football. "But, I'm glad you did." She nods her head towards the frenzied footballers on her couch. "Everyone!" She announces and only gets half of their attention. "This is Garrett. He's a friend of mine and Santana's." There are a few faint, 'Hey Garrett'. "They're really a sweet bunch." She rolls her eyes and moves towards the kitchen and Garrett follows suit.
"Hey, Garrett." Santana smiles as she starts spooning the now mashed potatoes into a serving bowl. "Welcome to the 'Pierce-Lopez Thanksgiving Extravaganza'." She beams and wipes her hands on the front of her apron. Garrett smirks and quirks an eyebrow.
"Sweet apron." He points at where it says 'Brittany's B*#ch'. She looks down and proudly smiles over at her girlfriend.
"You know, putting 'extravaganza' at the end of everything doesn't make it a good time." Quinn groans as she comes into the kitchen and snatches up some raw vegetables to snack on. "Hey, Garrett."
"Hey, Quinn." He gives her a little wave.
"Putting 'extravaganza' at the end of anything absolutely makes it a good time." Santana defends as she smacks Quinn's hand away from the uncooked carrots. "Remember 'Quinn's Twenty-First Birthday Extravaganza'?" She shrugs one shoulder as though she's just made a point.
"I remember 'Quinn and the Porcelain Throne of Secrets'." Brittany mumbles between them.
"Or what about 'Santana's Board Game Night Extravaganza'?" Santana announces theatrically. "Classic."
"A, you made up the rules as you went and you were the only one who had fun." Quinn points out. "And B, I think more than half of us left crying that night." Santana rolls her eyes.
"It wasn't my fault that Sam was super sensitive." She sighs in annoyance at the memory. "How was I to know that his family lived in a shoe and had so many children they didn't know what to do?"
"Why don't you guys go watch football with the rest of the group." Brittany suggests as she tries to usher Garrett and Quinn out of the kitchen. The latter sighs and rolls her eyes but does as she is told.
Santana excuses herself, grabs her cell phone from the charger on the island table and heads towards her bedroom. She quietly shuts the door and scrolls through her recent contacts. Her thumb hovers over the familiar name as she thinks of what she is going to say. In truth, it's not that big of a deal to make this call. But, on the other side of the coin, it kind of is a little bit of a deal. Forgoing any further uncertainties, she presses her thumb down to make the call.
"Hey, Santana." She hears after a few rings. She sucks in her lips and breathes through her nose.
"Hey, Rach." Santana replies, sending a quick glance towards the door. It's still closed.
"Happy Thanksgiving." Rachel says. Santana nods and closes her eyes as she lowers herself to take a seat at the foot of the bed.
"Yeah, happy Thanksgiving to you." She returns.
"Is your family there yet?" Rachel asks. It's relieving to Santana that the first question Rachel puts out there isn't about Quinn or even about herself. In fact, she's sort of surprised.
"Yeah, they just got here." Santana smiles to herself. "My brothers' are still hungover."
"I think I am too." Rachel admits with a chuckle. "It was a fun night though."
"Definitely." Santana agrees in a soft tone, realizing that last night was the last night Rachel and Quinn were together. Like, together, together. "How are things at the Berry house?" She wonders, hoping she was quick on the change of direction this conversation was going.
"Oh, my dads' have been their usual selves. Completely fawning over me as if they didn't just see me a few months ago." She laughs and Santana playfully rolls her eyes at this information. She's known the Berry men to always fawn over their daughter, regardless of how long they've went without seeing her.
"When are you coming back?" She asks.
"Probably on Sunday."
"Okay, good." Santana nods and pushes herself up from the bed. "Well, I better get back to the kitchen." She waves towards the door as if Rachel is in the room with her and she's trying to politely end the conversation.
"Yes, go back in there before Brittany threatens you with no sex again." Rachel jokes.
"Hey, that was me who was withholding sex." Santana defends which only makes Rachel laugh more.
"And that did not last very long." Rachel reminds her.
"Yeah, well." Santana bobs her head from side to side and smiles. "It's hard to say 'no' to that girl."
"Have a nice time today, Santana." Rachel's voice drops an octave. "Tell everyone I said 'hi'."
"Same to you." Santana replies and in a second the phone call is over.
"For the record," Brittany's voice comes from the door which has crept open without Santana knowing. "I don't think you could sincerely keep yourself from having sex with me even if you tried." She comments with a smirk. Santana grins, uncertainly but happy at the same time.
"How long have you been standing there?" She asks, surprised she didn't hear the door creak open.
"Long enough to know who you were talking to." Brittany admits quietly as she steps further into their bedroom.
"She's still our friend." Santana tells her, even though she doesn't really need to remind Brittany of this. "Ya know?"
"I know." Brittany nods and extends her hand out for Santana, who gladly accepts it.
"I'm just gonna," Santana motions towards their bathroom. "I'm gonna freshen up." Brittany smiles, leans in for a quick peck and leaves Santana to it.
"Your mom was just in here rummaging through our cabinets." Brittany tells her girlfriend as she continues to mash the potatoes. Santana shrugs and reaches towards the cabinet above the sink and pulls down two glasses.
"Yeah, she does that." Santana says as she places the cups down to the counter.
"Ahh, so that's where you get it from." Brittany winks making Santana chuckle.
"One time at my aunt's house, she practically scolded her for not having white wine vinegar." She shakes her head and chuckles as she recalls the event.
"Is that why we have an unopened bottle of that in the pantry?" Brittany asks in curiosity. Santana smirks and nods. "Well, let's just hope that the kitchen cabinets are all she'll be going through." She adds with a raised eyebrow and Santana sends a questioning eye towards the living room.
Without a word, Santana moves quickly down the hall towards their bedroom and is not at all surprised to find her mother there. Luckily, Mrs. Lopez isn't doing her usual snooping. She's just looking at the picture frames Brittany decorated their room with. Santana leans against the door frame and watches as her mother moves from picture to picture, letting out a hum of approval as she looks at each one intently. It's hard not to smile at this and Santana doesn't do much to fight it.
"What are you doing?" Santana finally speaks, breaking the unknown silence the two have been saturated in. Mrs. Lopez doesn't flinch though, not at all surprised that she has been found out. Instead, she stands up straight and smiles in her daughter's direction as she lifts up a picture frame from Brittany's bedside table.
"You look so beautiful here." She says, pointing at the photo of Santana and Brittany from the last family gathering they went to in Lima. Santana smiles softly and pushes herself from the door frame to walk further into the bedroom. "So, happy." Her smile grows wider and she stops walking when she reaches her mother, where she places her arm through her mother's hooking them together.
"That's because I am happy, mom." She breathes out gently but with such certainty.
"You two have so many pictures." Mrs. Lopez lets out as she puts the frame back on the bedside table, then motions with her hand all of the pictures the room is decorated with. Santana follows the motion and smiles; there are a lot of captured memories in this room.
"Kind of helps that our best friend has a camera permanently attached to her hand." Santana grins and rolls her eyes. "Plus, Brittany likes having them, so..." She shrugs her shoulders and walks over towards the few that are sitting on their vanity. "I do too. It's nice to have something to look at and then remember the moment." She picks one up and rubs her thumb over the glass where her beautiful girlfriend's face smiles back at her. "God," She laughs. "I can only imagine when we have kids. I hope we don't turn into an episode of hoarders."
"Santana," Quinn's voice enters the room and when Santana looks over she finds her friend in the doorway. "Brittany said to get you and that dinner's just about ready." She gives her a thumbs up before she retreats back the way she came.
Santana excitedly hooks her arm through her mother's and leads her out of the bedroom and back to the living room where the makeshift dining room is all set up. Everyone is sitting in their seats at the table, Mrs. Lopez takes hers next to Mr. Lopez and Santana sits beside Brittany who has taken the head of the table position.
"Before we get started," Mrs. Pierce says to get everyone's attention and raises her glass. "I just want to say that I am so happy to be spending the holiday with not only family but friends." She motions her glass towards the Lopez family. Santana's smile fades a bit when she looks over to Brittany who seems a bit deflated. Everyone knows that it's customary for the hosts or hostess' of the gathering to make some sort of pre-dinner speech.
"Brittany." Santana announces a little louder than she had expected, making it sort of come out sounding like a cheer. She places her hand on her girlfriend's back and rubs light circles to coax a smile from her. "Why don't you start us off since you put this," She motions with her free hand to the table that is elegantly set up. "Beautiful dinner together." Brittany grins, grateful that Santana knows her so well and she nods and grabs her glass.
"I'm just glad that everyone was able to make it." Brittany tells the group, smiling wider when everyone lifts their glass in their air like her own. "So, let's eat up before it gets cold." She giggles and motions to the food. They all cheer and clink their glasses together then do as their told, scooping up mashed potatoes, green beans and a little bit of everything else available.
"I don't know what to say." Brittany whispers to Santana who chuckles and leans closer.
"That was perfect." Santana assures her and places a kiss to the corner of her mouth. "You're perfect, too." Another kiss.
"So, Santana, you're graduating next month." Mrs. Pierce points out, though it does sort of come out sounding like a question. Santana looks up from her plate that is proportioned nicely with side dishes plus turkey. Luckily, only half of the table is actually listening to the conversation, so, she appeases the woman and nods with a smile. "That's exciting." And Santana simply continues to nod and smile.
"Lou and I will be back here to celebrate." Mrs. Lopez interjects with a proud look in her daughter's direction.
"And the boys." Mr. Lopez adds, motioning towards his sons.
"When you two come back home for Christmas, we should celebrate both of your accomplishments." Mr. Pierce suggests with a motion of his fork. "Seeing as we didn't get to with Brittany back in May." Santana and Brittany's smiles fade and they look to one another uncomfortably.
"Joe." Mrs. Pierce quietly scolds, lightly slapping her hand against her husband's arm.
"What?" He asks with a huff. "We weren't here for Brittany's graduation." He points out. "Neither was Brittany for that matter." He shakes his head and goes back to his food.
"You know I didn't want to go to graduation anyway." Brittany reminds her father as well as the rest of the room, just in case they weren't privy to this information. "It's stuffy and long and boring." She explains easily enough and reaches under the table for Santana's hand that is set on her own lap.
"It would have been nice to see my daughter graduate from college, that's all I'm saying." Mr. Pierce adds with a tinge of disappointment and annoyance.
"You saw my graduation, daddy." Laurie interrupts and receives a glance of thanks from her sister and mother. "And you have Jaime's in a few years." She points out and her father finally shrugs with a nod, realizing at least this much is true.
"Can I talk to you? In private?" Santana asks in a hushed tone, her lips graze her girlfriend's ear. Brittany glances over and nods as she feels her hand being squeezed in Santana's. "Excuse us for a moment." Santana announces, and the groups nods and smiles. Quinn thankfully turns the topic onto Laurie and the Substitute as to when they plan on expanding their family which then brightens up Mr. Pierce's spirit. Brittany allows herself to be led to their bedroom and watches as her girlfriend closes the door behind them. "You're right." Santana tells her and Brittany stares at her curiously. "Graduations are long and boring and those gowns are completely unflattering." She recalls their high school graduation and how her body was not in the least accentuated. "Besides, you missed yours and it's sort of obnoxious for me to assume you'd want to come to mine."
"Santana, that's not true." Brittany shakes her head and crosses her arms over her chest. "You worked hard for this."
"So did you." Santana points out. "I mean, we didn't even celebrate you graduating." She explains with a sigh.
"I could care less." Brittany assures her.
"But, still." Santana shakes her head and runs her fingers through her hair.
"Sweetie, you love this kind of stuff." Brittany reminds her as she uncrosses her arms and steps towards Santana. "You like getting recognition for things. Especially when you've worked so hard to get them." She rubs her hands up and down her girlfriend's arms and smiles. "I won't let you even try and talk your way out of this. We're going to your graduation and you are going to walk across that stage so I can take pictures and hoot and holler louder than everyone else in that place." Santana smiles sweetly back at her. "Don't let what my dad says get to you. He's just being grumpy because he's a dad. That's what they do. The other night my mom told me he was in a huff because the hardware store he's been going to for twenty years changed owners." Santana tilts her head from side to side, obviously thinking. "Babe, I know my parents are proud of me. I'm proud of me. Most of all, I know you're proud of me. Maybe when all is said and done, we can celebrate both of our accomplishments in the right way, okay?"
"Okay." Santana nods and smiles and leans in to press her lips chastely to Brittany's. "We should probably get back out there before they think we are getting it on." She winks and Brittany laughs.
"Wouldn't be the first time." She playfully slaps Santana's ass as she walks towards the door.
"And it wouldn't be the last." Santana adds and pulls the door open, motioning for her girlfriend to walk out first.
"Santana got into NYU law school." Brittany announces an hour into the meal, a proud look on her face.
"Oh, congratulations dear." Mrs. Pierce holds her glass up.
"Honey!" Mrs. Lopez practically shrieks. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Santana smiles and shrugs her shoulders.
"I was waiting to see you to tell you." She explains, feeling a little awkward with attention on her.
"Good job kid." Laurie leans over and clinks her knife to Santana's wine glass.
"So, what are you going to do with work?" Mr. Lopez asks. Mrs. Lopez is too busy smiling proudly at her daughter.
"Oh," Santana clears her throat and shifts in her seat. "Well, it's gonna be hard to keep up with my classes if I have a full time job."
"You can always work part time." He explains and Santana sends Brittany a look.
"I told Santana that I'd feel better with her not working at all. I mean, I'm doing pretty well right now with the music video." Brittany chimes in and sets a comforting hand on her girlfriend's that is on her lap. "Besides, she isn't starting until next fall. She has more than enough time to work her cute little butt off until then." She sends her girlfriend a wink. "Plus, I still have the studio. So, we're good." Santana smiles because she is never surprised at Brittany's confidence in not only her, but them.
"When is that music video coming out?" Manny asks with a wriggle of his eyebrows and in return, gets a death stare from his sister.
"Wow, you've decided to join in on the adult conversation." Santana sighs in annoyance and rolls her eyes.
"So, is this like one of those hot girl dance videos?" He turns his questions towards Brittany whose eyes widen as she takes in a forkful of food.
"She's under contract." Quinn explains and catches Manny's attention. "Since she signed on the dotted line, well, several dotted lines. Brittany's not legally allowed to say what kind of video it's gonna be or not be." She shrugs and continues to stab her carrots and munch on them delightfully.
"Quinn," Mrs. Pierce turns the focus over towards her daughter's friend. "How's school been treating you? Last I heard, you were also looking into law school." Quinn shifts uncomfortably in her chair and looks up from her food with wide eyes at the woman speaking to her.
"Umm," She clears her throat and glances back down at her plate. "Right now, I'm holding off on that." She nods and raises her eyes back up to Mrs. Pierce whose eyebrows rise as she listens.
"Quinn's actually a really good photographer." Brittany jumps in and the rest of the group gives their 'ooh's' and 'ahh's'. "She has a show in a few weeks."
"That's nice." Mrs. Lopez comments.
"It's not my own show." Quinn waves her hand and shakes her head, wanting to explain the details. "One of my teacher's, his son actually owns his own studio and he knows a guy and, well…" Her voice fades away, but it doesn't dim the bright smiles on the faces of those who are actually interested in her story.
"I think it's great if you love it." Mr. Pierce raises his glass and sends Quinn a grin.
"Thank you." She replies quietly, happy to hear that someone other than Santana and Brittany approve of her possible future.
"Oh sweetheart, let us clean up." Mrs. Lopez says, trying to shoo Brittany's hands away from the dish where the mashed potatoes once sat. "You cooked." Brittany chuckles and swats her hand away as to grab the dish.
"No way." Brittany tells her. "You are our guest." She assures her with a grateful smile.
"Yeah, mom. Sit, relax, enjoy yourself." Santana tells her mother as she gathers up everyone's empty plates. "Really, we don't mind cleaning up." She smiles over at Brittany.
"Suit yourself." Mrs. Lopez holds her hands up in defeat. "I guess we'll just watch some television." She motions towards the TV that is already back on and the remote is sitting in Nic's hand.
After a little while, the table that once held a masterpiece of food is empty and the household's occupants are in the kitchen washing dishes and packing up some leftovers. Mrs. Pierce looks in and finds her daughter and Santana giggling between each other cutely as they move about the kitchen. She smiles to herself and nudges Anita's arm with her own and motions towards the other room.
Santana has a Ziploc bag of leftover turkey in one hand while the other is gently against Brittany's shoulder, as though to keep her at a distance. Brittany has a smirk on her face and her hands wrap around Santana's regardless of the protest. Santana yelps, but to everyone else the sound goes unnoticed, as Brittany decides to dip her as though they are dancing. With one hand still clutching the Ziploc bag the other comes to grip at Brittany's neck. Their lips meet in a faux passionate way, giggling through it all.
It's a short lived moment and soon the couple is back to shoving things in bags and containers that are placed carefully into the refrigerator. Their mothers, unbeknownst to them, smile to themselves and at each other at the cute way the two interact with one another when they think no one is watching.
With their families and friends sucked into some evening showing of a Peanuts movie and the coffee machine set up, Santana drags Brittany away from the kitchen and into their bathroom. She locks the door to the hallway as well as the door that leads into their bedroom just in case.
"Take your clothes off." Santana's voice is low and raspy and demanding. Brittany watches on in confused arousal as her girlfriend peels her own shirt from her body and lets it drop to the floor.
"Santana…" Brittany croaks out, her eyes fall down to Santana's lower half when her pants are being pushed to her ankles and then kicked off. Santana looks up at her with her arms behind her back and unhooks her bra, letting it join her shirt and pants on the tile floor. With one swift motion, Brittany's fingers unbutton her pants and within a minute, she's equally as naked as Santana.
"Watching you cook, in that apron, ugh..." Santana groans as her hands run up and down Brittany's bare legs. "I'm so horny right now." She gets a nice handful of her girlfriend's ass and gives it a squeeze while her lips press kisses everywhere she can find skin.
"Shh, everyone is still out there." Brittany shushes, but does nothing physically to actually stop her.
"I don't even care." Santana murmurs as she continues to trail kisses from Brittany's neck down her chest. "I want you. Right here. Right now." She announces, her voice barely making it's way past her lips.
Brittany hums and hops up onto the bathroom counter. She spreads her legs for Santana to move in between them. When she does, Brittany closes her legs around Santana's tiny body and pulls her closer. Lips attach themselves to Brittany's nipple and her head falls back while she tries to clamp her mouth shut. Small whines slip out, unable to control her body's reaction to every touch. Her hand grips at the back of Santana's neck, urging her to continue but with more fervor. Santana gets the hint and lightly grazes her teeth on the erect nipple.
"Fuck me." Brittany begs through her panting. "Please." She tugs at Santana's hair while her hips cant forward moving her body closer to the edge of the counter top.
"You want head?" Santana asks, moving her lips to Brittany's ears. Her girlfriend's body shivers and she moans at her words. "You want me to go down on you, baby?" Santana questions in a different way and she can practically smell the arousal spill from Brittany. "Mmm, I think you do." She trails her finger down to her girlfriend's center and dips a digit in. Brittany takes her hand from between her legs and draws the finger into her mouth, instantly receiving a groan of pleasure from Santana. "Fuck... you're so hot."
"Kiss me." Brittany rushes, already pressing their lips together, allowing Santana to taste her. "Mmm," Brittany hums into Santana mouth and pulls at her hair to tug her away, separating their lips. "Santana, we can't take long." She explains and motions with a tilt of her head to the bathroom door that leads out into their hallway.
"'Nough said." Santana winks and drops to her knees. She sets herself perfectly between Brittany's legs, her eyes fixed on her glistening core. Santana smiles to herself as she leans forward and presses her lips to her girlfriend's most intimate spot.
She hums, enjoying the taste of Brittany on her lips and tongue. But, equally, she enjoys the way her girlfriend settles her legs on top of her shoulders and the hand she places at the back of her head. The urgency and want only spurs Santana on to work quicker. Her tongue works fast, greedily licking and flicking as the sounds from Brittany speed up and seem to get louder.
"Babe," Santana pants and glances up at Brittany whose eyes are trained on her. "Shhh." She smirks before diving back in.
Fifteen minutes later, Brittany and Santana make their way back out into the living room in their after dinner attire; sweats and hoodies. Luckily, the only person who gives them a knowing look is Quinn, but she merely quirks an eyebrow and shakes her head. She's really the only one who would be privy of their after sex glow and appearance, something they all are quite thankful for at the moment.
"Santana." Mrs. Lopez calls out and pulls her daughter from her post sex haze.
"Hmm?" Santana looks to her mother as she's about to turn into the kitchen.
"The coffee's ready. Did you make decaf? I hope so." Mrs. Lopez rattles off and motions towards the kitchen where the coffee pot is indeed full. "I swear," She turns towards Mr. and Mrs. Pierce and shakes her head. "It's like once you hit forty, one cup of regular coffee after seven o'clock keeps you up all night." Mr. Pierce lets out a low chuckle and nods his head in agreement while Mrs. Pierce giggles a bit.
"Yes, mother." Santana calls back as she continues into the kitchen and rolls her eyes. "God, she sounds more and more like my abuela." She sighs and Brittany laughs before playfully tapping her girlfriend's behind.
"Wow, I think that's a new record." Quinn says. "I hope you washed your hands." She adds, but only loud enough for them to hear. Brittany turns and makes a face at her friend that is leaning her elbows on the island table that separates the kitchen from the living room.
"Nope." Santana jokes as she sticks her finger into a cup of coffee before handing it over to Quinn. "Cream?" Quinn rolls her eyes and accepts the creamer handed to her and watches as it turns her coffee into a lighter shade of brown.
"Do you guys ever feel like we're growing up too fast?" Quinn muses as she drops some sugar into her coffee. Brittany and Santana share a look of confusion as well as one of concern. "I mean, we moved to New York City. So many miles away from what we always knew as home." She starts, but keeps her eyes focused on her hot beverage. "We have relationships..." She sighs and shakes her head, coming to the realization that not only is she rambling but she's totally being a buzz kill. "Sorry." She says softly and looks to her friends who are sadly staring at her.
"Q," Santana walks towards her from the kitchen side of the island. "It's okay to be upset." She half smiles, but it's more of a sympathetic smirk than anything. "It'd be weird if you weren't." Quinn nods, appreciating the honesty.
"You know," Quinn glances back down at her drink and the way her fingers grip the handle. "I feel like, this is how it was supposed to play out." She shrugs and lifts her mug up to her lips for a quick sip. "I mean, I can see Kurt and Blaine ending up together. As weird as that sounds considering Kurt's track record with guys." They all chuckle at this, but only for a moment. "Even when you two were fake broken up," She looks up at them with sad but oddly freed eyes. "I know that I'm gonna be there watching you two get married." Santana and Brittany turn to one another, wanting to smile, but it's hard to when their friend is slightly broken.
"But, you and Rachel?" Brittany wonders.
"I don't know." Quinn shakes her head after a few moments. "I don't think I've ever really known. Sure, I've hoped. But, that's not enough sometimes I guess."
Before either Brittany or Santana can say another word, their little pow-wow is interrupted by one of the Lopez twins. Nic comes over and bumps his shoulder into Quinn's which unsteadies her balance. Then he storms around the island table to playfully tackle his smaller, but older sister.
"Me want dessert." He growls as he lifts her up from the ground and turns her upside down.
"Stop!" Santana yelps, slapping her brother's forearms in protest. "Put me down!"
"Cookie, cookie, cookie." Nic growls with his best Cookie Monster interpretation.
"I don't have a bra on you a-hole." Santana cries out and brings her hands up to keep herself from popping out of her zip up hoodie that's only halfway zipped. Nic rolls his eyes, obviously unhappy to hear this kind of statement from his own sister.
"That's gross." He face palms her after he sets her down on the ground and walks back over to the table, making sure to swipe a cookie first.
"I think it's hot." Brittany whispers in her ear as she carries out the coffee pot to the table in their living room.
"I'm with Nic." Quinn declares and raises her hand.
After dessert and some adult conversation by the parents, everything sort of winds down for the night. Garret excuses himself, saying he should really open the bar for the evening. But thanks Santana and Brittany for their invite and their hospitality. He promises at least a week of free drinks for such good food.
Laurie, Brady and Rick thank them as well for everything, but with a cranky Brady decide to head out first too. Right behind them are the Lopez twins who are happy to accept the bottle of liquor that Santana snuck to them. Mr. Lopez and Mr. Pierce fold up the tables once they are all cleared and cleaned off, setting them back up against the wall of the island table.
With the couch back in its usual place, Brittany takes up the corner spot where Santana crawls comfortably next to her and presses into her side comfortably. Quinn sits at the other end with the remote in her hand and flips through the channels aimlessly. Within the half hour, their families are all ready to head out for the evening.
"Bye sweetie." Mrs. Pierce leans over the back of the couch and presses a kiss to her daughter's forehead. "You did such a great job tonight." She squeezes her shoulders and tucks some hair behind her ear.
"Night Pumpkin." Mr. Pierce kisses the top of her head and lightly pats Santana's whose eyelids are falling second by second.
"Bye guys." Brittany smiles gratefully and waves with her free hand. "Bye Jai." Her little sister hugs her from behind the couch and whispers 'I love you'. "Love you too."
"Everything was really good tonight." Mrs. Lopez tells Brittany in a hushed voice and gently rubs the girl's arm. She smirks and nods towards her daughter, sleeping peacefully in her girlfriend's arms. Brittany looks down and giggles softly.
"It was, wasn't it?" Brittany agrees and lightly kisses Santana's forehead. "I think all this entertaining tired her out." She grins, her eyes tracing over Santana's features as she sleeps.
"She better get used to it." Mr. Lopez says from behind his wife, helping her with her coat. "When you get older, all you do as a couple is entertain."
The door closes and after six hours of family time, there is nothing but silence left behind. Well, safe for the sound of the television. Brittany smiles to herself and then down at Santana sleeping soundly. Her eyes drift over to Quinn who is also falling under the fatigue of such a vigorous day. Brittany nods to herself and thinks. If for the rest of her life she could end the day like this with Santana in her arms, then everything is the way it should be. It's something that is inevitable and something that is just supposed to be.
No questions.
It's kind of like the same reason why the sky is blue. Does anyone really know the answer to that? The answer doesn't really matter. What matters is that it always is. No matter what.