Consequences Chapter 15, a glee fanfic

Chapter 15

song by Firehouse - Love of a Lifetime

xoxoxoxoxo

Santana had considered pretending to have forgotten Brittany's birthday so as to make the surprise party that much 'bigger'. On second thought, she realized that 'forgetting' Britt's birthday could end up hurting the blonde and, even if it was just for a little while, Santana definitely didn't want to do anything to hurt or upset her girlfriend on her special day.

At 9am she began sprinkling soft kisses all over Brittany's face.

"Saa-aan," the pretty blonde whined, "it's early."

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Brittaaanyyyyy, happy birthday to you," Santana sang softly.

Ocean blue eyes opened and Brittany smiled brightly at the Latina.

Santana placed a soft kiss on Brittany's lips. "Come on, breakfast is waiting."

Santana got up and offered her hand to Brittany. There was a white tablecloth covering their 'homework' table and two covered dishes sat on the table. Santana led Brittany to the table and pulled her chair out for her, kissing her cheek before she sat down. As if on cue, there was a knock on the door.

"Delivery for Miss Brittany S. Pierce?"

"I'm Brittany."

The guy smiled at her and turned to just outside the door, picking something up. As he stood up and turned, a bouquet of sixteen roses in a beautiful crystal vase was revealed. The roses were each a different color and each one was just beginning to bloom. The delivery man set the vase in the center of the table and had Brittany sign for them as Santana slipped the man a ten-dollar tip.

"They're beautiful! Santana … did you do this?"

"Read the card," the brunette smiled.

Brittany found the card and took it out of the envelope.

Britt-Britt

Every rose has a different meaning so I couldn't choose just one color because you mean everything to me. Happy 18th birthday, my love.

Always, Santana

"San …" Brittany started tearing up.

Santana leaned over and kissed Brittany softly and sweetly. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She replied, brushing away a single escaped tear.

"Now, eat your breakfast before it gets cold." Santana grinned at Brittany and lifted her own lid.

Brittany lifted her lid and squealed in delight. There were three large chocolate chip pancakes with butter, syrup, whipped cream, and sliced, chocolate covered strawberries. She smiled at Santana and cut into them and let out a moan of delight, causing Santana to giggle.

"Why aren't you having any?" Brittany looked at Santana's rather bland breakfast.

"My stomach was unused for six weeks, still getting used to food again." Her plate had scrambled eggs, toast, and a cup of fruit.

Brittany bit her bottom lip. "One taste couldn't hurt, right?" She asked, cutting another piece and offering it to Santana.

Santana took the bite, hoping it wouldn't upset her stomach, and she groaned; the kitchen staff had outdone themselves.

"Good, right?" Brittany grinned and dug in.

"Very. Enjoy them." Santana smiled and ate her breakfast. Brittany's pancakes had tasted amazing but Santana knew that the heavy, sweet pancakes would not settle well right now.

After breakfast, Brittany started to move toward the couch.

"I'll be right there, Britt. I just wanna get your present."

Brittany's forehead scrunched in confusion. "San, you gave me my gift. The roses are beautiful and breakfast was amazing. And, the only thing I really wanted," she said softly, "I got a week ago."

Santana smiled and moved back toward her after securing the ring from her bedside table.

"The roses are beautiful and you can take a picture and keep it forever but they'll eventually wilt. And I know you just wanted me to wake up and remember you but what kind of girlfriend would I be if I gave you your gift a week early and didn't have something for you to open on your actual birthday? Besides, I wanted to give you something a little more permanent than flowers and breakfast and a little more tangible than me just being awake."

She sat down on the couch facing Brittany. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach trying to get out. She didn't know why she was so nervous; it's not like she was proposing. She licked her lips and tried to organize her thoughts.

"Britt, I love you. More than I've ever loved anyone or anything in this world. I meant what I said about the roses; each color has a different meaning and you mean everything." She took a deep breath and looked into those ocean-blue eyes that were so full of love. "Don't freak out or get too excited," she bit her lip as she pulled out the ring box, "this isn't an engagement ring although I seriously considered it." She handed Brittany the ring box.

Brittany opened it and gasped at the beautiful silver ring inside the box. There was an infinity symbol in the center with a single heart inside each of the infinity symbol's loops. "Santana, oh my god, it's beautiful!"

"I love you, Britt. It's a promise ring. A promise that I will always love you. To infinity …" Santana giggled despite the seriousness of the moment. "It's impossible to say 'to infinity' without finishing it with …"

"And beyond," Brittany giggled as well.

"Yeah." Santana smiled. "But, it's true, I will love you to infinity and beyond, Britt. The day we met and shook hands, I left my heart in the palm of your hand. It took me awhile to realize it … and then a little while longer to stop fighting it … but I gave you my heart and I don't want it back. I will always love you and you will always own my heart." Santana paused for a moment. "I know we're young and we can't see or predict the future and maybe we're not going to last forever. I don't believe that but I guess it's possible. But … even if our paths separate … you will always have my heart. No matter if I get married to someone else or you do … no one will ever be able to touch me the way you do or make me feel the way you do. It's not going to be fair to that person that, no matter how much I love them," Santana wiped a tear from under her eye, "I will always love you the most. You're my best friend, my favorite person, the love of my life, and I can't imagine my life without you in it."

Santana took a deep breath. "So that's my promise, Britt. I will love you forever. Someday, I hope to put an engagement ring and then a wedding band on that finger but, for now, I promise to always love you."

Brittany had tears slipping down her face and Santana reached over and gently thumbed them away. "Put it on me?"

Santana took the ring box and removed the ring, carefully slipping it onto Brittany's finger. It fit perfectly.

Brittany looked at Santana with so much love that Santana swallowed thickly, trying not to be overcome with emotions that would make her cry.

"I love you, Santana, and when the day comes that you want to put an engagement ring on my finger? I'll absolutely say yes." Brittany moved forward and captured Santana's lips in a soft kiss that quickly deepened into something more. Santana groaned and Brittany took the opportunity to slip her tongue past Santana's lips. The kiss was deep and soulful; their tongues dancing together in a pattern that they've always seemed to know. Santana slipped her arms around Brittany's neck as Brittany pressed her back onto the couch. She played with the fine hairs at the back of Brittany's neck with one hand and slid the other hand under Brittany's shirt, gently scratching Brittany's back. Brittany cupped Santana's face with one hand and slid the other one to Santana's hip, gently caressing there.

Santana had no idea how long they had been lying there making out; breaking only when the need for air became crucial. It may have been minutes or hours and would have gone on longer had there not been a knock at the door and someone clearing their throat.

"Hi, sorry, didn't mean to interrupt," Gabe said, looking embarrassed.

"Yes, you did," Santana's growl lacked any real bite, "otherwise you'd have walked away." She stuck her tongue out at Gabe as Brittany giggled and sat up, pulling the Latina with her and into her lap.

"Hi, Gabe," Brittany said, playing with Santana's hand.

"Hi, Brittany. Happy Birthday, linda. I wanted to stop by early because I promised my mother I'd go to dinner with her tonight." He stepped into the room and handed Brittany a small package.

Brittany grinned and bounced excitedly causing Santana to bounce and giggle at her girlfriend. "Britt!" She squealed and moved off Brittany's lap and onto the couch next to her.

"Sorry," Brittany's grin said she wasn't sorry in the least.

Brittany unwrapped the package and found a gift card to BreadstiX tucked inside the cover of a book about different dance styles and how they evolved.

"I hope you don't already have that," Gabe said, "I wasn't sure what to get you but I passed by a bookstore and that was in the window and it made me think of you so," he shrugged.

Brittany bounced up and hugged the older Lopez sibling. "It's perfect! I love it! Oh! Look what you sister gave me!" Brittany pointed to the roses first before showing him the ring.

"Wow, sis, good taste. The roses are beautiful and the ring is perfect."

"Thanks, Gabe," Santana ducked her head shyly.

They talked for a few more minutes before Gabe said he needed to head out and run some errands. Santana knew he was going to pick up the decorations for the party later. She hugged him and quietly thanked him after Brittany had hugged him and thanked him again for the gift card and the book.

After Gabe left, they cuddled up on the couch and watched some cheesy love story on Hallmark. As the movie ended, Santana yawned.

"Tired, honey?" Britt asked.

Santana nodded. It was 1pm, the party was at 4. She was going to need a nap if she was going to make it through the evening. She hated that her stamina was so low. She knew she'd only been awake a week and it was going to take time but patience wasn't exactly a thing she did.

"Come on. Let's take a nap." Brittany stood up and offered Santana her hand. Santana took it and they curled up on the bed together; Brittany's arms wrapped around Santana and Santana laid her head on Brittany's shoulder. Brittany stroked through Santana's long locks and gently massaged her scalp. Santana hummed in contentment.

"Good birthday?" She asked sleepily.

"Best birthday," Brittany answered softly as they drifted off to sleep.

Xoxoxoxoxo

Santana woke up at 3. Britt was still asleep so Santana slipped quietly from the bed and walked to the bathroom to take a shower. She had just stepped in when she heard the curtain pull back and Brittany stepped in with her.

"You should have woken me," Brittany said, placing a soft, open-mouthed kiss on Santana's shoulder. "You're not supposed to do this alone, yet."

Santana groaned. "But I don't have the energy to do it with you," she answered, smiling.

Brittany laughed and grabbed the shampoo and began lathering Santana's hair. Santana loved the intimacy of the shower. Shower sex was great but something about just being in the shower, naked, and washing each other's hair and bodies was so intimate, so soothing. She smiled and leaned into Brittany as Brittany massaged her scalp before sliding her under the water to rinse the shampoo out. Brittany then set about conditioning Santana's hair. While the conditioner settled, Brittany took the opportunity to grab Santana's shower poof and body wash and proceeded to thoroughly wash Santana's body. Santana felt the arousal between her thighs and moaned softly as Britt expertly cleaned her. She sighed softly as Brittany once again moved her under the shower head to rinse the body wash and conditioner off.

Once Santana was done, they switched places and Santana repeated the process on Brittany. There was, of course, the obligatory make out session under the water once they were both clean. Their wet bodies slid against each other as they gently explored one another without getting too handsy. Santana knew she just didn't have the stamina for shower sex right now; hell, she didn't even have the stamina for sex! She groaned her frustration as Brittany pulled away and kissed the tip of her nose.

"Soon, baby. Soon, you'll be back to your old insatiable self." Brittany grinned as she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, grabbing Santana's towel and wrapping it around the brunette before wrapping a towel around herself.

They took their time drying off, lotioning, and blow drying their hair before dressing casually in jeans and t-shirts.

"Any requests, birthday girl?" It was just before 4 and Santana knew she was going to have to make her move soon.

"We could watch a movie? Are we eating in the dining hall? Maybe we could order in? Something light, obviously."

Santana pretended to consider this. "We could … hey, there's an activities room downstairs, maybe there's some board games we could borrow?"

"Oooh, or maybe a jigsaw puzzle? That would be so much fun, San! Doing a jigsaw puzzle together."

"If they don't have one I'll call Fabray and make her pick one up and bring it over, okay?" Santana grinned, glad that her ploy had worked.

Xoxoxoxoxo

Because it was a longer walk, Brittany insisted on Santana using the wheelchair. Santana couldn't really argue; she didn't want to admit how much the shower had worn her out and she wanted to be able to stay the whole time at the party. She smiled as Brittany wheeled her down the hall on the main floor towards the activity room.

"San, the room is dark …" Brittany hesitated.

"Probably because no one is using it right now, Britt. I'm sure the light switch is inside the door."

Brittany stepped in front of Santana to get the door open and Santana wheeled herself in.

"Hang on, Britt, I see the light switch." Santana flipped the switch and smiled as Brittany jumped at the loud "SUPRISE!"

"Oh my god!" She looked at Santana who was smiling widely at her.

"I couldn't let this day go by without a celebration, baby." She stood up so Brittany could hug her.

"Thank you, San, you are too much."

"Go, greet your guests and have fun." Santana sat back down and looked around. Jenah's crew and Gabe, Quinn, and Mercedes had done a great job.

Along the far wall were tables set up with food and beverages with a separate table for the cake and a small table for gifts. There were scattered tables around the back and near side of the room leaving a large open space in the middle for dancing later. There were balloons, streamers, banners, and table decorations in blue with accents in red, white, and black. At the moment, soft music was playing and people were milling about chatting. She spotted most of the Glee Club, her mother and Constance, the Pierces, and some dance and motocross friends of Brittany's. Santana started moving around; she would settle at one of the tables along the near wall so she could watch Brittany dance later but, right now, she needed to find someone.

Spotting her prey, she wheeled herself toward her intended target. Once there, she stood up and tapped the girl's shoulder. Sugar turned around and looked slightly surprised and slightly nervous. Santana smiled and then, in an extremely uncharacteristic move, pulled Sugar into a tight hug.

"Thank you, Sugar. I can't believe what you did for me and Brittany. I don't think anyone has ever done anything that nice for me." Santana released Sugar and sat back down.

Sugar looked a shell-shocked. "Um, you're welcome. I'm glad you're feeling better and I'm, um, glad I could do something to help."

Santana grinned. "You did and I know Brittany is really grateful, too." With that, Santana gave Sugar a little wave and wheeled herself to a table that would allow her to watch the dancing later. She sighed knowing she wouldn't be able to really participate.

She had been at the table for a few minutes when a small, blonde bundle of energy came screaming towards her.

"TANA!" Courtney wrapped her arms around Santana's neck and squeezed her tight. "Are you okay? I haven't seen you in forever. Why are you in a wheelchair? They didn't tell me much just that you were in the hospital and they wouldn't let me see you." Her pout was almost as powerful as Brittany's.

Santana hugged the girl tightly back. "I'm doing better, Court. I had a little accident and was pretty sick for awhile so I'm a little weak and need to use the chair until I get my strength back."

"But … your gonna be okay, right?" The younger girl asked nervously as she pulled away.

"I'm gonna be as good as new pretty soon, don't you worry, okay?"

"Promise?" She held out her pinky finger.

Santana smiled and wrapped her finger around the smaller one. "Promise."

"Good." Courtney smiled and kissed Santana's cheek before bounding off.

Santana laughed and shook her head. She looked around and smiled brightly; it looked like everyone was having a good time so far. Smiles, laughter, and bright chatter filled the room. Santana looked up as a plate and a bottle of water were placed in front of her.

"Hi Mami," she smiled as her mother sat down next to her with her own plate.

"Hola, mija, I thought you might be hungry and thirsty and I know it will be hard for you to navigate the room so," she shrugged.

"Thank you." Santana looked at the plate and smiled. Fruit, some mashed potatoes and sliced turkey.

"If that settles well, you can try a piece of cake later."

Santana grinned and looked around; Jenah had outdone herself. There was pizza and chicken wings, chicken fingers and nuggets, antipasto salad, green salad, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, turkey, ham, fruit salad; there was literally something for everyone. There were rolls and condiments so people could make sandwiches if they wanted. Santana also spotted 'to go' containers which made her very happy; she'd hate to see all that food go to waste.

Brittany slipped into the chair on her other side with her own plate of food and leaned her head on Santana's shoulder. "You're the best," she whispered.

Santana smiled and kissed the top of her head. "For you, nothing but."

Xoxoxoxoxo

The party was in full swing; it was 6pm and the music changed to up-tempo dance music. Santana caught Mike's eye and nodded toward Brittany, whose head was back on Santana's shoulder. Mike smiled and gave her a thumbs up and started walking toward them.

"May I have this dance, birthday girl?"

Brittany grinned but looked uncertainly at Santana.

"Go dance! Why do you think I chose this seat? It's so I can watch my super-hot, absolutely awesome girlfriend dance her perfect ass off." Santana grinned at Brittany.

Brittany laughed and kissed Santana's cheek before jumping up and taking Mike's hand and dragging him to the dance floor. There was really very little else Santana enjoyed more than watching Brittany dance.

Brittany and Mike free-styled together fluidly; they knew each other's moves and followed one another perfectly. Once they'd dance three songs, other people joined them on the dance floor.

Santana felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Whitney sitting next to her.

Whitney wrapped an arm around Santana's shoulders. "This is a wonderful party, Santana. I'm so glad you were able to do this for her. Pierce and I had planned to do something special for her eighteenth birthday but we knew she wouldn't want anything if you couldn't be there."

"I'm glad I was able to get people to do it," Santana smiled. "She's done so much for me," Santana shook her head. "I wanted to show her how much I appreciate her."

"I saw the ring you gave her. It's absolutely beautiful, Santana."

Santana blushed and smiled shyly. "I wanted to give her something to show her how much I love her and to let her know that I'd always love her."

Whitney smiled softly. "When you're ready to propose," she whispered, "you have mine and Pierce's blessing."

Santana looked at Whitney in shock, then bit her lower lip and ducked her head. "Thank you," her voice was soft, "that means so much to me." She looked up and straight into Whitney's eyes. "If we weren't so young, I'd have asked her today," she told Whitney honestly.

"I know. That's why I thought I'd tell you that you have our blessing so that when you do decide to propose, you won't have to wait to talk to us." Whitney smiled and stood up, kissing Santana on the top of her head.

Xoxoxoxoxo

As the party continued, there was a constant stream of people coming up to talk to Santana; to check on her, ask her how she was, ask her if she needed anything. It was a nice feeling; these people actually cared about her.

After half and hour, Brittany came and sat down next to Santana again, breathing heavily. Santana handed her a bottle of water and Brittany smiled as she downed half of it in one go.

"I am so out of shape," she sighed but smiled brightly, "but I am having so much fun!" She gave Santana a sloppy kiss on the cheek.

"Good! That's what I wanted." Santana grinned.

Just then a slow song came on and Brittany looked shyly at Santana. "Think you can do a slow one?"

"For you? Anything."

Brittany smiled and offered Santana her hand. Santana took it and Brittany led her to the dance floor. Santana wrapped her arms around Brittany's neck and Brittany placed her hands on Santana's hips. They looked into each other's eyes and, for a moment, the room disappeared and it was just the two of them as they moved slowly to the music and Santana sang softly:

I guess the time was right for us to say

We'd take our time and live our lives together day by day

We'll make a wish and send it on a prayer

We know our dreams can all come true with love that we can share

With you I never wonder

Will you be there for me?

With you I never wonder

You're the right one for me