It's been a few days since Brittany told Santana the truth behind her marrying Rachel. Santana just doesn't know what to do because on the one hand she can see Brittany's telling the truth so she feels bad for her but on the other hand, Rachel is completely innocent in all of this and has no idea what has been going on so she feels bad for Rachel too. There has been very little contact between Santana, and Brittany and Rachel which Santana is glad about at the minute since she really doesn't know what to do. Santana is just about to email a client about something when her receptionist walks in the door.
"Brittany Pierce is here just now, is it ok for her to come through since she doesn't have an appointment?" the receptionist asks.
"Um…" Santana says thinking about it for a moment. She doesn't know what to say or how to act around Brittany so she could lie and say it isn't a convenient time to talk just now or she could just suck it up and talk to her.
"Brittany seemed quite insistent on seeing you" the receptionist says.
"Ok, send her through then" Santana sighs. Two seconds later Brittany walks through the door and the receptionist leaves.
"Hey" Brittany says quietly.
"Hi" Santana says just as equally quiet.
"I haven't talked you in a few days and you won't return any of my calls" Brittany says while hesitantly hanging around at the door.
"I'm sorry but I don't know how to handle this situation Brittany" Santana admits.
"That's exactly how I feel" Brittany says. "I can't decide which way to go that'll hurt Rachel the least because evidently she is going to get hurt somehow."
"Look come and sit down" Santana says while gesturing to the chair across from her desk. Brittany then goes and sits down. "I like Rachel and this situation has just made it ten times harder for me because every time I'm going to have to see her all I'm going to be thinking about is how all of this is a lie."
"I care so much for Rachel you know and if I knew of another way to make all this right then I would do it but it doesn't look like there is anything else I can do but marry her right now" Brittany replies.
"I just don't know what to say or do Brittany" Santana says honestly. She is at a loss as to what to do about any of this.
"I know I'm asking a lot of you but please can we just keep this between us right now" Brittany asks.
"How can I look Rachel in the eye Brittany?" Santana asks. "I can't just pretend you didn't say anything to me."
"Santana I have no other idea how to fix this so I'm going to have to marry Rachel so you might as well plan her dream wedding for her" Brittany says.
"How can I plan her wedding when I know she's going to be heartbroken in the end?" Santana questions.
"I am trying Santana to fix this without there having to be a wedding but so far I've come up with nothing so for right now we need to act normal and pretend nothing is wrong" Brittany says.
"We do have a few months yet before the wedding so perhaps we keep up the act until Christmas is over and then hopefully by then I've come up with a solution" Santana says. She thinks she must be out of her mind but for some reason she wants to help Brittany sort this. If they can at least get through Christmas as normally as they can and then come January they can hopefully find a way to sort things.
"Thank you" Brittany says gratefully.
"Is Rachel free this afternoon because I probably should have a meeting with her so we can get a few things for the 'wedding' sorted out" Santana says.
"Yeah she should be free, I'll let her know that you need to speak to her" Brittany replies.
XXXXXXXX
"So Rachel I asked you here today to tie up a few loose ends before Christmas arrives" Santana says as Rachel takes a seat. "I'd really like it if we could get back on track with the decisions because Christmas is a busy enough time for everyone so we don't want to add wedding planning to it" she says. Although Santana really hopes for both Brittany and Rachel's sakes that the wedding doesn't end up going ahead, she knows that there is a big possibility it could still happen so technically she does still need to plan the wedding as best she can.
"Yeah I agree, I do want as little stress as I can have during Christmas so I can enjoy it with my family" Rachel says.
"Ok so I still need those guest lists that you promised me the other day and we really need to sort out your dress. I hope you've got one picked now from the choices you narrowed down" Santana says.
"Well I'm almost there with the guest list now but I really can't decide between two dresses right now" Rachel says honestly.
"Like I say Rachel, Christmas is a week away so I'd really like things done by the weekend if it's all the same to you" Santana states.
"I know but how do you expect me to make a decision about something for the wedding within two days, it's just not…"
"Rachel I have a family and I have friends so I want to at least spend some time with them over the holiday period. I have come and gone with you a lot recently and while doing that I've pushed my family and friends aside. I need these decisions made by the weekend so I can actually have the week to myself and buy presents for the people I love since it is Christmas after all" Santana sighs in frustration.
"Fine, I'll do it by the weekend" Rachel says while standing up.
"Wait you can't leave right now, that's only two things that I've mentioned so we've still got a lot more to discuss" Santana says.
"I'll speak to Brittany tonight and we'll make sure we've got most of the decisions made. I think I know what else we need to do so I'll be in touch with you as soon as Brittany and I have discussed things" Rachel says.
"Um…ok" Santana nods. "I'll talk to you soon then" she says and Rachel leaves. As soon as the door is closed, Santana leans back in her chair and takes a deep breath. She didn't mean to snap at Rachel but she's finding it difficult to act normal when she knows this marriage isn't real.
XXXXXXXX
Brittany is at home going over some things she has to do for work the next day when Rachel comes through the door.
"I didn't think you were coming over tonight Rachel, I thought you had work things to be getting on with or something. I mean I know I'm very busy just now so I don't really have time to hang out" Brittany says.
"Well you're going to have to be un-busy then because we need to sort out things by the weekend for the wedding" Rachel says.
"I'm sorry but I can't right now, work is really hectic at the minute" Brittany replies.
"Yeah so is my work but that didn't stop Santana giving us a deadline. She wants us to sort out most of the decisions by the weekend so she can have some time off before Christmas because apparently she has been so busy with us that she has neglected her family" Rachel says.
"We have been a little indecisive recently so I suppose she has a point. We just need to make up our minds" Brittany states. "Although like I say, tonight isn't really the time to do that because I am really busy."
"Santana is acting really weird with me, have you done something to offend her Brittany?" Rachel asks.
"Of course not" Brittany states.
"I understand she wants time off but she seemed really off with me this afternoon and it's not like her" Rachel says.
"She probably does just want a quiet week to spend time with family and enjoy Christmas so perhaps she's just stressed out trying to get things done in the next few days" Brittany reasons.
"What she is asking us to do though is a bit much, how are we meant to make all these decisions by Saturday?" Rachel asks.
"Have we actually got that much to make?" Brittany asks. "I've gave you my guest list and the venue is sorted. I'll get onto my wedding dress tomorrow so really it's just you that needs to decide what you want because you know what I want."
"I just don't want to rush into anything Brittany, I don't want to make any rash decisions that I might regret" Rachel says.
"I understand completely what you mean" Brittany mutters.
"Huh?" Rachel asks.
"Never mind" Brittany says shaking her head. "Look how about I help you tomorrow and then at least that'll be it done" she suggests.
"Ok, thank you" Rachel smiles.
The next day, Brittany and Rachel manage to get most of the decisions make and Brittany sets up an appointment with Santana to talk about the wedding and let her know what they've decided. Rachel was going to go too but ended up having to go into work again so it's just going to be Brittany and Santana.
"Hey how are you?" Brittany asks as she walks into Santana's office.
"I'm ok I guess" Santana replies. "You?"
"Ok as well I suppose" Brittany says just as downbeat as Santana did. "I'm sort of glad Rachel couldn't make it today because it gives me a chance to talk to you" she says.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Santana asks.
"The situation with Rachel and I" Brittany replies. "I just need to apologise again for dragging you into this mess. I shouldn't have gotten drunk and said that stuff but at the same time I feel better that you know the truth because hopefully now you know that I didn't mean to hurt you in the beginning."
"I'm glad I know that you didn't mean to hurt me but I can't help but feel so pissed that you told me everything because now I don't know how to handle things" Santana admits. "I feel so bad for Rachel but I also feel so bad for you having to go through all of this for your family. I also hate myself right now for feeling how I feel."
"It's understandable that you feel pissed at me and feel bad for Rachel" Brittany says.
"I didn't mean those feelings, I meant the feelings I have for you. I hate that I have feelings for you because it's making everything worse" Santana says.
"You still have feelings for me?" Brittany questions.
"Knowing you and Rachel aren't real brought them all back because for some reason my brain seems to think its ok to keep thinking about you" Santana sighs. "I hate myself though because what kind of person am I if I'm glad you're not with Rachel when I know Rachel is going to be heartbroken?"
"Santana this is all my fault so you don't need to feel bad about anything" Brittany assures her.
"I can't help it though because I'd hate to be in Rachel's position and not know" Santana sighs. "Perhaps we should just stop talking about this just now and sort some of this wedding stuff because there's a high possibility there will be a wedding so we might as well get on with things."
"Yeah" Brittany nods in agreement.
"So do you have a full guest list for me now?" Santana asks and Brittany hands over the guest list. "Ok and what about the invitations, have you finalised what they will look like yet?" she asks.
"We have, we eventually went with this one, actually I eventually went with this one once Rachel just couldn't decide between two of them" Brittany tells her.
"Ok good that's another thing done. Now I know you decided on a dress because you emailed me the picture of it didn't you" Santana says and Brittany nods. "What about Rachel though, has she picked it yet?"
"She has but she doesn't want me to see it or know anything about it so she's going to have to fill you in on it at another point when I'm not here" Brittany says.
"Ok that's fair I guess" Santana nods.
It's Christmas day and Santana is having dinner with her family at her parent's house. She decided to spend the night before Christmas at her parent's house as well so she could open her gifts with them on Christmas morning instead of doing it alone in her own apartment. Her siblings did the same so it was like old times when they all used to live together.
After eating together, everyone decided to relax in the living room for a while to let them digest their food. Santana is just texting one of her friends when she notices she gets an incoming text from Brittany. She quickly finishes typing the text message to her friend and tells them she has to go before opening the text from Brittany.
From Brittany: Hey, it's Brittany. I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas. Hope you have a good day!
To Brittany: Thanks. I didn't think I'd hear from you today but I hope you have a good day too.
From Brittany: I know this might sound weird so shoot me down if you want but can I see you today?
To Brittany: I don't think that's a very good idea.
From Brittany: That's ok, I thought you might say that.
To Brittany: I just don't think we should be socialising outside of work at the moment. It's hard enough knowing what I know so it'll only make it a thousand times harder if we were to become any closer.
From Brittany: That's fair enough. I probably should get back to my family now, goodnight Santana
To Brittany: Goodnight Brittany.
After thinking it over for a while, for some reason unknown to her Santana decides to text Brittany again and tell her she can meet her.
To Brittany: Meet me outside my apartment block in half an hour, ok?
From Brittany: ok, see you then. : )
XXXXXXXX
Brittany is patiently waiting outside of the building Santana's apartment is in when Santana walks over to her. She doesn't know what changed Santana's mind to see her but she's glad something did because she's had a pretty tough day and could do with having someone to talk to.
"Hey" Santana smiles.
"Hey" Brittany smiles back.
"Do you want to come inside or did you want to talk outside?" Santana asks.
"No I'll come inside" Brittany says and then they head upstairs to Santana's apartment. As soon as they get inside, Santana gets them a drink and then they sit in the living room together.
"How was dinner with your family?" Santana asks.
"Horrible because I kept watching everyone having fun and enjoying themselves and all I could think of was how much I'm hurting Rachel. She doesn't deserve all of this yet I can't destroy my family either" Brittany replies honestly.
"I see" Santana nods understanding.
"What about your family dinner, how was that?" Brittany asks.
"Probably just as horrible as yours because how can I be happy and enjoy Christmas when I'm not happy and I feel like such a bitch" Santana sighs.
"You have to stop blaming yourself because it's all my fault" Brittany says.
"I feel like just getting drunk right now so I don't have to think about things" Santana admits.
"Do that then" Brittany says. "Hey I might even join you" she laughs.
"I'll be right back with the wine then" Santana says while going to the kitchen to get the alcohol. As soon as she comes back with it, she fills up their glasses. They both had a little to drink at their parent's houses so it really doesn't take them long before they're starting to get a bit drunk.
"What?" Brittany asks when she sees Santana staring at her.
"I was just thinking even though Rachel is going to get hurt in all of this, I can see how much you hate it and how much you want to save your family. I totally get what you're doing and I can see how good a heart you have even though things are going to really get messy when Rachel finds out the truth" Santana says.
"At least someone gets it" Brittany sighs. "I've done some shitty things in my life but I never thought things would get this bad. I was only meant to date Rachel a little more until I figured out a plan and now look at me, I'm about to get married to her" she says shaking her head.
"It's only going to make us feel worse if we keep thinking about it so how about we forget about it for one night and keep drinking?" Santana suggests.
"Sounds like a great idea, fill me up" Brittany says holding her glass in front of Santana.
"Wow your eyes look so blue right now, it must be the lighting in here" Santana points out.
"Or it could be the company right now, my eyes light up whenever I'm around you" Brittany replies.
"Brittany, don't" Santana says seriously.
"You've told me yourself already that you still like me" Brittany says.
"I know but it doesn't mean we should do anything about it" Santana tells her.
"Really?" Brittany questions while moving closer to Santana.
"Yes really" Santana states.
"Your face is telling me a whole different story right now" Brittany says.
"Brittany…" before Santana can say anything else, Brittany leans in and kisses her.
"Tell me you didn't like it" Brittany says.
"I can't because I did like it" Santana says weakly. "You shouldn't have done that though" she points out.
"I can't help it" Brittany says honestly.
Rachel and Brittany are having a meeting with Santana to catch up on how things are going now that Christmas is over. Rachel wanted to see how the plans were getting on and what else there is to be sorted.
"There's been a problem with the venue Rachel" Santana says.
"There is?" Brittany asks confused.
"Yes there is a major problem" Santana says while discretely winking at Brittany but Brittany still fails to understand.
"What happened?" Rachel asks getting very upset that things could fall apart.
"They've double booked I'm afraid so you can't have the venue anymore" Santana replies.
"Well why are we the ones to miss out?" Brittany asks.
"Because…um…um…" Santana doesn't quite know what excuse to come up with.
"Because why Santana?" Rachel asks getting angry.
"Um…the other couple booked it first so it goes to them" Santana replies finally thinking of an answer.
"But the venue was one of the first things we booked, how can it suddenly be double booked?" Rachel asks shaking her head.
"I guess they were just even more organised than us" Santana shrugs.
"I need some air, this is just heart breaking" Rachel says while walking to the door.
"I'll come with you Rachel" Brittany says about to follow.
"No you can't" Santana rushes out quickly earning stares from both Rachel and Brittany. "I mean I need someone to sign something for me so if Rachel wants some air then it'll have to be you Brittany" she says.
"Ok" Brittany nods. Rachel then leaves to get some air. "So what do I have to sign?" she asks.
"Nothing, I just said that because I need to talk to you" Santana says. "The venue isn't actually double booked you know."
"Wait what?" Brittany says confused. "Why did you say it was?"
"Because it means you can delay the wedding a bit and this way we have extra time to figure out how we can fix things without you having to actually marry Rachel" Santana says.
"Oh right, I understand" Brittany says.
"Like I say I'm going to find you a way where all this can be fixed without you having to go through with the wedding but until then, we need to act normal around Rachel" Santana tells Brittany.
"Ok but why do you want to help me Santana?" Brittany asks.
"Because I still like you" Santana sighs in response.
"I thought you said we couldn't ever be anything?" Brittany asks.
"I know but that doesn't mean I've stopped liking you. It sounds so harsh but when you said you didn't love Rachel, a part of me was glad so my feelings will never go away that fast" Santana admits.
"Oh" Brittany says surprised.
Let me know what you think. I know it's been ages since I last updated this but I'm hoping to get back into it again.