- Santana's POV –
"So, I'm just going to mention the obvious fact here by stating that this is probably the first time Berry has served us something that's not grass, nuts, or God forbid, the sponge-y thing." I exclaim animatedly, motioning to the dinner table with various food and drinks.
It's our typical Sunday night dinner get together with Quinn, Berry, Grams, Brianna, and of course, the greatest couple ever. Wink, wink. This only became a routine shortly after Britt and I got back together again, with everyone taking turns on hosting the said dinner. It's Quinn and Berry's turn now.
"You mean tofu?" Quinn speaks up with a curious tone from the top of the table where she's seated, with Berry on her right.
"I couldn't care less if it was called Spongebob, Q. That stuff is icky." I counter, waving a hand in disregard and earning a few chuckles.
"If you must know, Santana-"
"Berry, I don't, really. Don't ruin it by telling us how you made them using black magic. I kinda like the meatloaf and strawberry cheesecake." I say, putting a forkful of the meatloaf in my mouth.
"That's a Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf, Santana. And I won't tell you anymore about how the cheesecake was made but those are beets, not strawberry. Don't get me started on how that's not cheese at all. I think you're even allergic to that. I hope so." Rachel declares triumphantly. I immediately gag a little upon hearing her words. Instead of removing the laboratory carcass in my mouth though, I accidentally swallow it.
"My, karma can be kind of a bitch." Quinn chimes in.
"It's okay, babe. It's still food. It's good like you said, right?" Brittany asks me amusedly.
"This is a human rights violation." I whisper, gagging a little.
"Sissy." Grams, who's sitting beside me, disguises with a cough. I only squint my eyes at the older woman then go back to eating my food, at least the edible looking ones.
"So, Bri, you're on your Junior Year now, right? How's that going?" Quinn asks with a grin.
"Ooh… Any cute boys?" Rachel adds.
"It's cool! Tons of school stuff and the works. Alcohol and parties. A few cute boys too. Just a little more and I'll say goodbye to college. Oh, did I mention I can finally enter a bar legally now?" Brianna declares with a grin.
"Wait, what? You mean, you've gone to bars illegally before? Uhmm… Hello, you're surrounded by lawyers." Brittany mutters with a sisterly tone, glancing curiously at Brianna who only fake grins at her but lets it go.
"My little Bria's growing up!" Grams dramatically voices out.
"That's wonderful! You can go to our bachelorette parties now. Our friends wanted Britt's and mine to be apart but don't worry, it's in the same venue just different floors. Take your pick or you know what, go to both!" I cry out laughing, motioning for a fist bump that Brianna eagerly returns.
"You're corrupting my little sister, San. How dare you?" Brittany jokingly utters with a raised eyebrow.
"Come on, babe. She's of age! She went to Quinn's bachelorette party anyway."
"And she got wasted!" Grams and Rachel utter in almost unison.
"You know what, S. I'm down for it. Yes please! I'm all for the chill drinking stuff but I want to party too. The only parties I go to so far that aren't with my college friends are the boring business ones with Grams at some museum gala or charity ball."
"Honey, you're single. It's usually Friday or Saturday and you don't have plans. Don't be choosy if I ask you to be my date. I try my best to make you feel wanted, you know." Grams counters, making everyone laugh.
"On other matters, have you heard from Maribel about the new Senior Associate, S?" Quinn cuts in.
"There's a new Senior what?" Grams quips, looking confused.
"Senior Associate, Grams. That's what they are." Brianna chimes in, motioning to Britt, Quinn, and I.
"Oh. I knew that, of course." Grams retorts with a fake grin and wink at me.
I shake my head and chuckle before speaking. "Not yet, actually. Mother told me that she gave my number to the new hire a few days ago to get a head start on the case but so far, I've gotten nothing. Not even a text."
"Maybe it's because you would go all FBI on the new Associate and find out everything about them." Brittany utters.
"Well, I don't want another Brody. Or holy shit, that crazy chick who stares too much at everyone like an owl from Bankruptcy before. You know, I think it's a woman."
"Have you ever thought that maybe the new Senior Associate is a nice man?" Berry mutters curiously.
"No, I suppose not!" I oppose with a raised eyebrow.
"Come on, S. What if this mystery person turns out to be a supermodel who's going to chase you around the firm then eventually stalk you? Maybe she'll even frame you for murder." Quinn voices out with a grin.
"That won't happen, Gone Girl." I roll my eyes. "Besides, and maybe you're not aware but my fiancée is right here beside me."
"Oh, it's fine. I don't mind, Selena." Grams cuts in almost instantly with a smirk.
I roll my eyes and go back to my food once again. Brittany speaks up after a moment. "Okay, I can't bear it. I think it's a guy, babe. There's something in the way Maribel addresses the mystery person."
"You think so?" I say, pursing my lips. Brittany nods, shrugging.
"Oh, I know! Let's make a bet about it, Santana." Berry speaks up with a big grin.
"Wait!" Grams holds up a hand, raising an eyebrow at us. "I know that this very table comprises the trust fund brigade and all of you alone are probably collectively worth at least 4 billion dollars but you kids you shouldn't be betting. That's bad stuff."
"Grams, they bet about dares and consequences. No money involved at all. Just 'honor, blood, and glory.'" Brittany replies with a mocking tone.
"Oh. Well, that's a shame. Proceed." She utters dismissively.
I chuckle and face Rachel again. "Alright. Let's hear it first, Midget."
Rachel leans forward and grins devilishly. "You said that you think it's a woman. Well, I'm betting that the mystery person is a man."
I raise an eyebrow, relaxing my back against my seat while squinting my eyes at her as if we're playing poker. "What are the stakes?"
Rachel seems to think about it for a moment, the other people on the table sporting amused expressions while waiting for her to answer. "If you win, I will never, ever make you eat anything vegan again-"
"Done!" I exclaim almost instantly, surprising Berry who glances quizzically at me.
"Wait. Don't you want to hear what's going to happen if I win?"
"Sweetie, you've already made the sell. Stop selling already. It's a done deal." I counter with a chuckle, forcefully grabbing her hand across from me and shaking it myself. Rachel only looks back curiously, something they all mirror with big grins. We stay staring at each other like this until I'm not able to bear it anymore.
"Ugh. Fine! I give in. Hit me, Berry."
"I sing at your wedding. An encore performance of Cedes and the Legal Homosexuals!" Rachel exclaims excitedly, earning cheers and shouting from everyone.
My eyes widen in horror, holding both of my hands up for them to stop. "No! No! No! No freaking way you're singing at my wedding!"
"But I thought she's already made the sell, 'sweetie'. You also shook her hand already." Quinn jeers with a smirk. "Don't worry though, there's still a 50-50 chance that you'll win. So, don't worry. This is just a pre-caution."
"I think they're right, baby. I think you'll have to marry Rachel now too." Brittany chuckles.
"No, this can't be happening! No!" I grit my teeth.
"Cedes and the Legal Homosexuals 2.0!" Rachel declares dramatically.
"Oh, wait! Let's add something to that. I want to sing too!" Grams chimes in enthusiastically.
"Get me a front row seat at your wedding, S." Brianna quips, laughing hard by the corner with Quinn and Brittany.
"That's right. We can call it 'Cedes and the Legal Homosexuals, featuring Chang Grams!" Rachel interposes. "Because you know, the Changs are part of the group too but don't worry, Grams. You're the star and main attraction! We can make up a better name as we go too."
"We do sound like the Chinese mafia with that name but I like it! We should practice a set!" Grams cuts in.
"I hate you all." I groan out loud, getting laughs from everyone while Brittany holds me closer to her for comfort.
It's Monday afternoon yet again.
I'm a bit sleepy since I was up with Brittany until half past two in the morning just picking out the appropriate gifts for our wedding guests. I wish it were for another reason but with the wedding closing in just six weeks, we need to be hands on with everything. I'm not even sure if I'll be amused or terrified that she's very focused like a military commander when it comes to wedding details.
I'm alone in the conference room right now, waiting for Shannon Beiste and the new Senior Associate who I still haven't seen around nor met earlier. Quinn and Brittany are out for the afternoon to settle a case for a client in SoHo, leaving me in relative peace for the time being by going over the documents in front of me suggesting a merger between two companies. Oh, by the way, a merger is a deal made to unite two existing companies and fusing them into one new company.
After a few minutes of waiting, the glass door opens to unveil a man in a dark suit with a lean built, tall stature, hair styled upwards like he's a member of N'sync all while sporting a devilish grin.
"Hi. You must be Santana Lopez." He exclaims as he confidently makes his way towards me, holding out a hand.
What a brave soul to casually greet me like this. My eyebrows raise as I stand up, shaking his hand hesitantly. "Hi. I'd probably greet you just the same but I have no idea who you are."
"Sebastian Smythe." He utters, smirk wider. "I'm the new Senior Associate."
"Sebastian Smythe, huh. I think I've heard of you somewhere before."
"I assume so. I came from Smythe Reinhart and Cole, actually. I think my firm had a little settlement with Quinn Fabray before. It was a close loss. Your little friend was quite pushy so I guess that's why she won."
My forehead creases at the notion, faking a small smile. "So, you worked in your family's firm. What are you doing here? Did you get fired?"
"Cutting to the chase then. My former co-associates said you'd be a handful." Sebastian chuckles at my statement while I cross my arms with a subtle glare at him. "Of course not. I was even due for a partnership promotion but I refused. I just wanted to branch out. You know, not make the impression that the only reason why I've been promoted was because of nepotism." He utters with the last part seemingly done in a mocking tone towards me.
I purse my lips and decide to let go that last statement. For now. We're in the office. Be professional. "Good for you." I mutter exasperatedly, taking my seat. "Has Mother told you that I'm lead and first chair in this case?"
"She might have mentioned something about that."
"Good." Resolving to remain silent and pretend to read something rather than let this asshole ruin the rest of my day. Well, that is until I catch him looking at me up and down. I sigh deeply upon realizing that it's just my luck that I'm dealing with another Brody here. "Can I help you? I'm just gonna stop you right there. I'm gay, engaged, and not at all interested so whatever thoughts you might have there in your little-" I say with a bored tone prior to being cut off.
"Me too, don't worry. Gay, I mean." He utters dismissively. "I was actually looking at your clothes. One could wonder that with all the time you've spent in the closet back then like any other gay person, you'd know how to match your shoes with the belt in your dress."
My eyes widen while I grit my teeth. "Well, aren't you just the-" I say but once again get cut off when someone, the client, enters the conference room and we both stand up to assume a professional persona. A big, burly woman in a black pant suit with curly hair, red lipstick, and a big smile on her face.
"Good afternoon, fellas! Did you have to wait long?" She utters happily, taking the place across from us and holding out her hand for us to shake. "I'm Shannon Beiste. How are you two doing?"
"Wonderful. I'm Sebastian Smythe, we talked on the phone the other day when we went over the details of the case and other legal matters. This is-"
I cut him off and fight the urge to literally lunge at him out of frustration. He what? Sebastian called her without me knowing? What?! Okay, that's so not cool. "Santana Lopez." I say, shaking her hand and giving a slight glare at Sebastian that only he seems to have noticed but ignored anyway. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Beiste."
"Likewise. Please just call me Shannon." She adds while we all take our seats.
"Well then, Shannon. I've read all the documents you sent over but I was hoping that you could clear up what exactly you'd like us to do for you?" I say with a small smile and relaxing against my seat.
"Of course. I'll make it quick too." Shannon trails off. "As you both know, I own a worldwide sports training agency with several sectors worldwide, Beiste Sports. My company is responsible for training the best athletes around the world today in every single sport there is, with some of them hailing in remote parts of the world." She pauses. "Before I even established my company, I was a football coach-"
"Of course. An award-winning coach, I might add." Sebastian cuts in, earning a smile and nod from Shannon while I only glance curiously at him. Man, what a kissass.
"And during those last years that I worked as a football coach, I met Cooter Menkins. He's a famous agent and sportscaster, responsible for a few household names in the sports industry. A few months ago, Cooter established his own sports agency with the aim of recruiting the best budding athletes in the world. And in those past few months too he's become well, my partner." She utters, the last statement a bit shyly at that.
Sebastian squints his eyes at her, raising his eyebrow. "Partner, as in business partner?"
"No. Partner, as in boyfriend." I cut in, smiling at Shannon. Sebastian however, looks a bit torn and appalled at the idea. "Please continue." I say, motioning towards her while completely ignoring the asshole beside me. She nods and flashes me a grateful smile.
"Bottomline is, we want a merger." Shannon declares. "My training agency would gladly benefit from his recruitment agency, vice versa. I need the athletes to train for business and he needs a training center at his disposal to strengthen his business. I have full faith in him and I believe it's wonderful for both our businesses." She adds with a wide grin.
I blink a few times without saying anything. I go over the few details in my head and in a way could make out warning bells ringing all over. Sebastian writes something on a notepad in front of him and nods at Shannon. "Alright, Shannon. We'll work on it and contact Cooter Menkin's lawyers-"
"Wait." I cut him off with a hard tone then turn to Shannon who's taken aback. "I understand that you're set on having this merger with him but as your lawyer, I need to make sure that your interests comes first than his. We need to find other options or perhaps shop for interested and far more established agencies that we could have your company merger with."
"What do you mean, Miss Lopez?" Shannon asks softly.
"You said that Mr. Menkins had only established his company a few months ago, right? I can't help but wonder why he'd merge with your company and not shop for other agencies? Or why you'd merge with him instead of a far more established recruitment agency?" I say, hoping to the Gods that she won't take it the wrong way.
"U-Uh…" Sebastian trails off nervously. "I think what Santana here is trying to say-"
"I know what I said, Sebastian." I scoff back. "Shannon, I honestly do want to know because as your lawyer, I need to make sure that you're getting the best deal there is. It's my job and what you hired me for. I hope you understand." I exclaim softly at her.
"I understand, Miss Lopez." She smiles. "It was a mutual decision. Like I said, my company is one of the best in the business while Cooter is a top recruiter. I want to help him put his company on the map while also expanding my business by way of merging with his."
I stare at Shannon for a few seconds, trying to gauge the situation if I'll say what's on my mind and meddle in her personal business. If I didn't have to partner with anyone, I would have. But seeing that my co-chair in the case is someone I barely know and a person who I've already decided not to trust from the time I first talked to him not more five minutes ago, I realize that it's not my place. Just yet.
"Alright." I mutter, smiling softly at her which she mirrors.
"We'll meet with his lawyers soon and handle everything for you." Sebastian trails off, all of us standing up.
"Thank you. Please keep me posted with everything." Shannon replies courteously, shaking both of our hands in the process.
"Will do." He continues.
Within a few seconds, Shannon exits the conference room which leaves Sebastian and I in an awkward silence.
"Would you care to tell me what the hell was that?" He starts with a hard glare at me.
"Excuse me?" I cross my arms and glower at him. "What the hell do you mean by that? I was trying to be a good lawyer."
"It's already as good as done, Santana. The merger is the best she's going to get. You should've just backed off."
"Okay, Gay Face. Let's get a few things in line here." I mutter angrily as I lean forward towards him. "You're my second chair. I'm lead. We do as I say and we do because I say so. You are not the boss of me and there's no freaking way that I'll let you or your Wannabe Disney Prince haircut throw a client's chance of getting a better deal just because hundreds of millions of dollars are on the line here and your contingency commission is ready to be handed to you any minute."
Instead of responding with the usual backing off or taking a step back that I'm used to, Sebastian surprises me by chuckling and moving closer towards me. "You really think you're that good? Is that what they teach you at that little school of yours in Cambridge? Because in New Haven, we do it differently. We do it better, bitch."
"Oh, so you're a Yale boy. I personally only know one person who came from Yale and she too was one hell of a stuck up bitch with an inferiority complex just like your little ass." I pause, smirking. "Look, I don't mean to be a bitch… well, actually I do. But if you don't back off and let me do my job here or you get in the way by fucking this up, or I don't know, working my case without me like you did by calling the client for some tea time business then Prince Not-So-Charming, don't bother unpacking your things in your new office because you'll be back where you came from noon before next Monday." I huff, grabbing my case file binder on the table then hastily trudge out from the room, only to stop by the door when he speaks again.
"So typical of someone like you." He chuckles mockingly. "What are you gonna do now? Run to your Mother and tell her all the bad things I did? Oh, wait! I know! You'll tell Barbie Dyke about it so you can plot my planned accident? Or maybe complain to your Lesbian Taytay of a fiancée so you can wish me well and pray for my goddamn soul or whatever Mother Teresa-eque thing she would do?" He trails off dramatically.
I scowl at him, my eyes blazing. I'm not a person who's capable of murdering someone but I'm seriously about to cut this asshole. I can literally feel the anger in my fingertips. I take a deep breath, flash a fake grin, and speak in the softest of voices. "You know what, I'm a professional. And I'm gonna do my job like one. But just so you know, I don't like you, you Little Bitchlet."
"Fun. I don't like you either. Looking forward to working with you, Sha-Queera." Sebastian sneers with a devilish grin as I furiously exit the conference room.
"He said that?!" Brittany angrily exclaims beside me on the couch where once again, out of laziness, we're having Chinese for dinner.
"Yeah! The nerve of him, right?! God, I can't wait to tell Q when she gets back later. Argh! He's so rude, I don't even know how he got past the psychology tests. I swear, Britt. There's a gay psychopath underneath his demure demeanor."
Brittany chuckles heartily and rests her head on my shoulder. "Maybe he's just like that. You know, new kid and all. Maybe there's kindness in his heart and all that good people crap."
"Babe, the man doesn't have a heart! That bitch is pure evil!"
"Fine, maybe he really is rude. But he's a good lawyer, isn't he? I mean, he probably is or Human Resources wouldn't have hired him."
"Well, he got past them and put on an angel face. If it were Mami, he never would have even stepped in the church of all that is good and pure in Lopez Hayward."
"'Good and pure'?" Brittany gives me an amused look. "Yours and Quinn's dealings and settlements alone don't have good and pure in them. We're lawyers, San. There's nothing good, pure, or honorable with what we do."
"You're right." I sigh, placing a quick peck on her lips. "But you are all that."
"Good and honorable, maybe. Pure, hell no."
"Uh-huh. I think you're actually not any of those." I whisper in her ear suggestively. "You're definitely bad and nothing that we do in bed is honorable either."
"Baby…" She trails off, giving me a warning look. "We're eating."
"I know. We'll do that later too." I tease.
"I don't think so." She retorts and immediately assumes her serious wedding commander character again. "We still have to make a final decision on the chairs guest will use, last few details of our bachelorette parties then our honeymoon in-" Brittany rambles but I cut her off with a tender kiss, effectively shutting her up.
"We'll get them all settled, okay? Just calm down." I smile and softly caress her arms. She's been like this for the past few days, always talking about the wedding and getting anxious over the smallest of things. Almost as if she wants the wedding itself to happen tomorrow or if it were possible, the very next hour. It's been bothering me a bit since I know that there's an unknown reason why she's acting like this.
"We have a wedding planner, Britt. Don't worry yourself too much, I'm here to help you too. Stressing about it won't make the wedding come any faster. Let's just try to slow down." I sigh deeply with Brittany nodding slightly. "Okay, now I know something's wrong. Tell me, please?"
She hesitates for a while, looking down at her food before turning her attention back on my shyly. "I-It's just- I'm worried that something will come up again and one of us has to go somewhere far away for a long time then won't come back. I-I just- I'm afraid that what happened with London before might happen again and I don't want that anymore. I just want to marry you already so I'll know that there's no repeat of what happened or that we'll break up again. I won't be able to bear it this time. I just really, really want to get married already, San." She rambles on nervously.
I blink a few times as I try to catch on with everything she said. So, that's why she's been such in a hurry with everything. The sudden re-proposal. Obsessively going on about the wedding all the time. All the hints right before my very eyes. I breathe deeply, pulling her towards me and placing a light kiss on her forehead.
"That won't happen, Britt. No one's going away anymore. And I'm pretty sure that if ever one of us does, we'll follow each other and won't let the other go anymore. We're getting married and that's final. It's just six more weeks and you'll be Mrs. Brittany S. Lopez-Pierce. I'll be here and I won't let anything bad happen. You are stuck with me for eternity. Is that okay?"
She pouts in this cute little manner that makes me know I said the right thing. "Okay, babe."
"Okay? Just 'okay'?" I repeat with a big grin, bombarding her with kisses all over her face and tickling her sides while she giggles loudly.
"No! I'm getting sweet and sour sauce all over my face!" She exclaims and holds me off by the arms then pushes me away. "I feel icky! Argh! I hate you sometimes!" She adds playfully.
We proceed to finish our food for the next half an hour, watching cartoons on the flat screen and animatedly debating the reason why Winnie the Pooh doesn't wear pants. It's only when we're finally done eating that Brittany speaks up once again.
"Do you want to have kids?" She utters, the tone insinuating that she's thinking out loud. I glance quickly at her direction and catch the surprise on her blushing red face.
"What?" I chuckle, grinning. "I thought we talked about this before?"
"Y-Yeah. I guess I just thought of it again not more than five seconds ago." She declares with an uneasy tone. I smile sweetly and settle beside her on the couch again.
"I do. I'd love to have them with you, babe."
"Cool." She sighs deeply. "Wait. Like now, now?"
"Honestly?" I say, pursing my lips as if I'm thinking about it. "Not yet. I kind of want to enjoy married life with you at least for three, maybe four years. You know, try to make up for all those years we lost. Then there's also that thing about work. I just don't think it's a good time to have kids yet with the new promotion-"
"Oh. That long?" She mutters with an almost sad tone. I internally panic at the thought of making her sad or worse, cry.
"N-No. That was just a ball park number. Probably just half of that. Why? Wait. What's on your mind? Tell me." I almost ramble while carefully watching for any other reaction.
"I guess I'd like to have kids in the next year and a half. But that's just me." She shrugs. "I don't know. Just the thought of little Santanas crawling around the apartment makes me so excited, you know. Or we could buy a house too."
I grin at her and nod in understanding. "How about we compromise about it?"
Her fact immediately lightens up like Christmas Day. "I'm listening, San."
"How about we start trying to have kids three months after our first wedding anniversary?" I suggest with a huge smile on my face, Brittany instantly mirroring it. "It's a long process that requires several tries so I guess the time would work out well. We could buy a house within the first year we're married too and raise a family there. What do you think?"
"Yes! I love it!" Brittany places a kiss on my lips, nodding after. "Wait! I want to carry our first baby." She adds, pouting heavily at me.
"Wow, Pierce. You are on a roll with the requests tonight." I tease, receiving a slap on the arm. "Okay but I'm just worried that you'll find it hard to-"
"Now you're worrying!" She chuckles. "How about this, we suspend talks of babies and family stuff until after we have our first anniversary?"
"Sounds good." I grin. "Now, all we have to discuss is how we can talk Grams and Berry out of singing at our wedding. I know I lost the bet but there's no way I'll have a band with the name of 'Cedes and the Legal Homosexuals featuring Chang and Grammy Stardust' play at our wedding." I add with both of us breaking into laughter.
No more love triangle stuff that will happen. No more Brittana drama. Like I said on tumblr, Phase 2 is all about chaos in the firm and outside difficulties that would complicate everyone's lives. It's going to be a pandemonium.