Chapter 12

Santana's POV

"Hello?" I say into the telephone. It's quiet for a few seconds. I can tell that someone picked up the phone but no one seems to be on the other end. "Hello?"

"Hey, Santana." Brittany's cheery voice calls through the phone. "Sorry, I was taking my boots off."

"Oh, did I catch ya at a bad time. I can call back." I offer. I wasn't sure when a good time to call Brittany would be. I had put it off for over an hour before finally giving in to my second guessing. I had sucked it up and call her and now here she is, busy.

"Oh, no worries. I just got home, but I wanted to take off my boots before I walked into the apartment. What's up? How was your day?"

I can't help the content smile that graces my face at her words. Her questions. Sometimes that's all you want at the end of your day. For someone to ask how your day was. No matter how good or how shitty it might have been. No matter how their day was, they still ask you how yours went.

I sigh and answer her question. "It's was okay."

"Just okay?" Brittany chimes back right away.

"Yeah. I worked the early shift today, so I am tired,, but I wanted to talk to you before I went to bed or before you went to bed. I just wasn't sure what time you got done with work so I wasn't sure when I should call. But, I called now so…"

I hear Brittany giggle on her end. "And how was work?" She asks sweetly. I don't know how she can sound so sweet and, well, interested in my day. I'm sure she had a long day especially if she is just getting home now.

"It was good. I did pretty good in tips."

"Ooooh, you're totally paying on our next ice cream date."

I duck my head and bite my lip. I know she can't see me, but she still makes me blush and feel all warm and gooey inside. And she said date.

"Okay. How was your day, Britt-Britt?" I ask and when I hear my own voice I realize that it's super sweet as well.

I don't get a response right away. "Britt, are you still there?"

"Uh- yeah. My- my day was good. We got a lot done today."

"Well, that's good, I think." I giggle nervously.

She chuckles. "It is."

"So, I was wondering what your plans for the week were."

"Let me think- um- work, work, and work. Why?" Brittany asks and I can imagine the wheels turning in her brain.

I shrug. Just spit it out Santana. "I- I- you should come over after work one day- if you want to- if you're not too tired- if it's not too late in the day." Real smooth Santana.

"Oh. I can try but, Santana, I can't make any promises. What days or times do you work the rest of the week?" I can tell just by the tone of her voice that she really wants to come over after work but she knows that the odd are slim.

I think about it for a second. But, the reason I asked Brittany is because, expect for tomorrow, I don't work any afternoons the rest of the week. I don't want to admit it, but sometimes I get bored. It would be nice to have someone around, even if we aren't doing anything much. Just someone to occupy the time with.

"Just tomorrow, I work late, but the rest of the week I'm done at two." I explain through the phone.

"Well, cool."

Today I worked the morning shift at the diner. Five to two. After work I went to grocery store to restock the shelves at home. Once I was done shopping, I went home and took a nap.

It was a great nap and I felt really refreshed afterwards which led to me cooking dinner. Now, I'm not too great of a cook, but my mama did teach me a thing or two. Chicken parmesan might not seem too difficult to most people, but it was enough of a challenge for me.

Now I am sitting on my but in the living room. The tv is on in the background as I search the internet. First, I checked on Facebook and Twitter then I looked up funny animal video. That's mostly what I've been doing. Now I'm looking up the latest celebrity gossip.

I am reading the latest article on Kim Kardashian when I nearly crap my pants. The doorbell rings and I jump sky-high nearly dropping my laptop on the floor. I don't know who could possible be at the door at this time of the day. I just hope it isn't a serial killer or something.

When it rings again I sigh and slide my computer off to the side and get up from the couch. I wasn't expecting anybody tonight, so I hope this won't take too long. It's probably just a neighbor looking to borrow something.

I pull the door open and certainly don't expect to see who I see standing there. In her tight blue jeans, a snug t-shirt and sneakers stands the prettiest blonde I've ever seen.

"Brittany, what are you doing here?" I look her up and down, like she isn't real. I'm surprised to see her at my front door.

Brittany smiles like she knows that she's just pulled off the biggest hijinks of the century.

"You asked if I wanted to come over after work."

"Yeah, but, I didn't know you were coming today." It's quite the surprise. "I would have put real clothes on if I'd known you were coming over." I look down at the pair of pajama pants and tank top that I have on.

"Well, I wanted to surprise you. And I think you look cute and comfy." Brittany tells me. "I have something for you." She pulls her hand, which I didn't realize was behind her back until now, from behind her back to reveal a bouquet of flowers.

"Britt." I breathe out her name. "They're beautiful. Where'd you get these from? I don't think I've even seen a bouquet like this before." I lean in a little closer to the bouquet to get a better look and a better smell.

Brittany half-smirks. "Only the best, pretties flowers for the best, pretties lady." Brittany leans over the flowers for a kiss. "I have connections, by the way. I may or may not work with plants and flowers."

"Well then." I say blushing like an idiot. "Let's get these babies in some water." I spin on my heels towards the kitchen.

"What were you doing before I showed up?" Brittany asks as I put the flowers in a vase of water.

I give her a shrug. "Nothing much. Just messing around on my laptop." Once I have the flowers properly in the vase I turn my full body to her.

"Well, lets get back to it." Brittany grabs a hold my hand and leads back to the living room. She sits down on the couch next to my computer and picks it up. She waits for me to sit down and then hands me the laptop.

Brittany scoots close to my side. "How was your day?" She asks in a quite voice.

"Okay. I saw your boss this morning, Jerry. He was sitting in my section today and I had to take his order."

"He didn't harass you about anything, did he?"

"No, why?" I ask. That seems like an odd question.

"No reason. Sometimes he likes to give people a hard time, is all." She shuffles down the couch a little and rests her head on my shoulder, placing a kiss there before she settles.

I'm messing around on my computer with Brittany sitting next to me, nestled into my side, her head on my shoulder. It's quiet. I look down at Brittany ever few minutes to see if she is sleeping or not. She's been awake the whole time. Her left hand plays with the sleeve of my t-shirt pretty much the whole time.

After many minutes of silence Brittany picks her head up off my shoulder. I figure she's just readjusting but then I hear her voice softly in my ear. "Santana." She whispers.

I remove my eyes from the computer screen and turn my head to look at her. I am met with surprise by her soft lips. They catch the corner of my mouth. I gasp in shock, but then settle into another kiss. Brittany moves in with more precision this time. She cups my cheek with one hand and pulls me closer.

We share a series of small kisses before things take a turn. Somehow during our impromptu make out session Brittany manages to remove my computer from my lap and puts it on the floor. Next, she presses back gently on my shoulder with an open palm. I comply and fall backwards on the couch, twisting my hips so that I'm lay down. My legs hanging off the side and my head resting on the armrest.

Brittany is hovering over me on her hands and knees. A proud, or perhaps, smug smile graces her lips as she lowers her face closer to mine. She takes my bottom lip between hers. I feel her teeth graze along the skin and then bite down and tug gently. She pulls my lip out and then lets it go with a pop. My tummy does a little flip.

She comes back in, this time her tongue pokes out between her lips and runs along my bottom lip. Instinctually, I part my lips and she slips her tongue into my mouth. I can't control the moan that escape from me. I wrap my arms around Brittany's shoulders as our tongues melt together in my mouth, readjusting my legs so that they are up on the cushions of the couch. Brittany moves with me, her knees find place so that she is straddling one of my thighs.

My hands travel down the length of her muscular back. They stop at her hips and I give a tug and pull her body into mine. Another moan comes from the back of my throat when our hips press together.

Brittany moves her kisses from my lips to my cheek and then along my jawbone. When I feel her lips at my ear, running along the shell, and then sucking on my earlobe I all but lose it. My hips jerk and squirm underneath Brittany. She must take that as some sort of hint. Her lips suck and kiss down the column of my throat, but it's her hips that get me. Her hips start slow grinding motions against my leg.

Uh oh. A nervous flutter starts in my belly. A bad nervous, not a good nervous. Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely enjoying everything that is happening right now but…

I know where this is leading. And I'm not ready to go there- yet.

I freeze underneath Brittany. She notices and stops kissing at my neck. "What's wrong?" Brittany asks looking into my eyes and licking her lips.

I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. Do I truly tell her what's bothering me? Or should I just shrug it off. It's embarrassing and I don't want to be embarrassed or make her feel like she's done something wrong.

"I can tell that those gears in your head are spinning. What are you thinking about?" She asks. Her hands gently, soothingly rub up and down my arms.

She makes me feel less nervous to tell her. She makes me feel safe. I realize that it's silly to not tell her. "I- I'm a little scared." I admit to Brittany quietly.

Brittany tilts her head to the side and squints her eyebrows together. "What are you scared of?"

"Uh-" How do I tell her I'm scared to do stuff with her without offending her or making an idiot out of myself. "-I just- I've never-"

"Oh." She mumbles. I have to look away from her. I can feel the heat on my cheeks. Embarrassment, it seems, was unavoidable. "Santana." I feel her fingers touch my skin at my chin, she drags my face back so that I am looking at her again. "There is nothing to be afraid of." Brittany tells me in a whisper. I try to look away again, but she holds my face still. "Okay?"

I nod but I can't say anything. I am not sure what I would say. I just admitted that I am afraid to be intimate with her. Part of me can't believe how calm and composed she is right now. She makes what I just said seem like it's not a big deal. But, to me it is.

"We don't have to go that far if you are uncomfortable."

"No." I nearly shout. Brittany flinches away from me. "No." I say again, quieter this time. "I'm scared or nervous or anxious or whatever it is that I'm feeling, but I want to. It's just I've never been with a girl and that's scary to me." I tell her honestly. It scary saying it out loud too. It's scary admitting it. A lot of things are scary in my life right now, but I'm finding ways to push through those fears and have new experiences. It's scary but it's also exciting.

"It's okay. We don't have to rush into anything. I'm not trying to pressure you into anything." Brittany reassures me. I let out a long sigh that I didn't know I was holding in me. Brittany closes the distance between us again and pulls me into a tight, warm hug. I love her hugs.

I wrap my arms around her neck and hold onto her like my life depends on it. Brittany rubs her hands up and down my back and I melt into her. She whispers all kinds of reassuring things in my ear. I feel calmer now in her arms, safer too. It's amazing how comfortable I feel with Brittany after only knowing her for about two months. She has become a friend of mine, a really good friend. I like her so much and she has changed my whole summer. My whole life.

"You're not mad at me?" I have to ask.

Brittany loosens her grip around me and I do the same so I can see her face for her answer. "Why would I be?" She asks instead of answering my question.

"Because I wouldn't- because I-" I stutter out.

Brittany smiles her dopey grin. "Sex. You can say it, Santana." Heat rises to my cheeks and I hide my face in Brittany's shoulder. She giggles at my embarrassment. "It isn't all about sex. Sex- is a part of it, but I'm not gonna go running just cuz we haven't had sex."

"It's not that I don't want to it's just- I don't know-"

"It's alright. I understand." Brittany murmurs and kisses the side of my head. "I might be a little frustrated, ya know, sexually, but I am definitely not mad at you. You didn't do anything wrong, so don't even think that you did. We can wait. I'm a patient person."

I lift my head from her shoulder. "Thank you." I whisper. It's all a can say at this moment.

"No need to thank me." Brittany grins. "How about we get our cuddle on?" She suggests. I nod eagerly with a big smile and it makes Brittany laugh. I'm glad and relieved that she is so cool with all of this.

We cuddle on the couch for a long while. I don't know how long actually. But, when I starting yawning Brittany notices. "Are you tired?" She asks in a whisper.

I nod into her chest, where my head lays. In a few minutes I will probably be asleep.

"I have something to ask you. It's the real reason I came over. Well, that and to see you." Brittany mentions.

I perk up a little. What in the world does she want to know? I'm not purposely keeping anything from Brittany, and it makes me a little nervous as to what this could be about.

Brittany gulps. Is she nervous too? "There's a thing this weekend at the fire station. It's like an open house. Saturday and Sunday from noon to four. We invite the public and show them the fire trucks and all the equipment. We let the kids play on the trucks and take pictures. Then on Sunday, at two, we do a demonstration. We start something on fire. An old car, or ice shanty, whatever, and then we put it out."

That is totally not the direction I thought this conversation was going in. I thought she was gonna ask a question about me. Brittany takes a second and I break in. "There's no question in all of that." I smirk.

Brittany shakes her head with a embarrassed smile. "It's like a picnic, there's food, and we have a silent auction to raise money for the fire station. It's really a fundraiser. I want you to come and see everything. Santana, will you come to the open house?"

I nod. How can I not say yes to that? I will get to see Brittany in her firefighter gear. That's a sight that I have been imagining for a long time now. I can't pass up an opportunity like that.

"I was hoping you would say yes. Will you come on Sunday for the fire demonstration?"

"I'll be there." I say and then bite my lip.

Brittany bounces a little in her spot. "I'm excited to show you around the fire station and all of the equipment. I'm so excited."

"I'm more excited." I grin.

Brittany gave me directions to the fire station and I'm on my way there now. I'll be honest. I'm nervous. I've never been to a fire station before. I'm not quite sure what to expect. Are there rules I have to follow? Am I gonna know where to go once I get there? Should I find Brittany right away or will she be busy?

I spot cars along the side of the road and then the massive fire trucks in the driveway. I drive past the station and find a spot to park my car. It's busy. There are people everywhere, it seems.

As I walk up to the fire station I can see a line at the end of two tables. Two women sit behind the tables. That must be the silent auction Brittany was talking about. There is also a tent that covers another three tables. Four men in shirts that identify them as firefighters are serving food there. They smile and talk politely with their customers as they serve them their hamburgers or hot dogs.

I walk a little further into the parking lot, past a very large truck. It looks like a typical fire truck that you see in parades or on tv shows, but I've never been up this close to one before. If I wanted, I suppose I could reach out and touch the red metal of the truck. It's size is breathtaking.

There are family shattered about the area, kids climbing on and play in the fire trucks. A firefighter mans the inside cabin of each truck and explains what's what to anyone who wants to know, child or adult.

It's all very impressive. Inside the fire station three firefighters are going through a demonstration of what looks like their equipment and the gear that they wear. I look around the area, but I haven't seen the one person I am looking for yet. I'm not sure where else she would be and I'm running out of options. I could check back outside.

I scan the inside of the fire station once more before turn back to the parking lot in front of the building. I could always go over and look at the silent auction items.

"Santana." There's that voice I was so desperate to hear. I spin around to see Brittany running over to me.

"Hey." I mumble dumbly when she gets to me. "This is pretty cool."

"I was just in the back cleaning up. I just did a presentation on matches and liters and stuff kids shouldn't be playing with."

"Oh." I nod. That seems like a good thing. Teaching the kids not to play with matches. That a good lesson. This events seems like it's both for fun and educational proposes. Plus, the fundraising part.

"Where's your gear?" It comes out of my mouth before I can stop myself. Brittany's wearing a pair of black slacks and a grey t-shirt that has her name on one breast and the fire station's name on the other. I was hoping to see her in her gear today.

"It's in the station. I'll put it on before our big demonstration. Why?" She narrows her eye at me and I shrink under her gaze.

"I was just- I thought-"

"You thought you would get to see me in my full gear?" She asks with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

I nod. "Something like that."

"So, do you want me to give you a tour or did you get a look around already?"

I look around the parking lot. I saw most of everything already, I think. I was going to check out the silent auction and I didn't see the inside of the fire station in depth, but I don't know if that matters. It's fairly straight forward. "I was gonna check out the silent auction." I tell Brittany.

Her smile widens. "Okay." She bounces on her toes and holds out her elbow. She leans closer to me and whispers in my ear. "Is this okay?"

Is it okay? Am I okay with it? Brittany obviously doesn't mind. She thinks it's okay to lead my around by the elbow. And, if she thinks it's okay then maybe it is. The only thing stopping me from looping my arm with hers is my own fear. What's there to be afraid of really? The general public, I guess. But, if I am going to be with Brittany or any woman, for that matter, I have to get over the feeling that people might stare or say things. People might, but also, people might not care at all.

"Yeah." I whisper back and loop my arm through hers. She smiles that toothy grin with all that little kid excitement that she has when something really pleases her.

The silent auction table is full of knick-knacks and some fire related items. Some are impressive and others are just okay. I look over all of the items, none of which catch my eye enough to bid on. Brittany tugs me to the end of the table by our connection arms. She points to the very last item.

"What's that?" I ask and turn my body to her.

"I donated that. It's a gift package. Dinner at a fancy restaurant in Sturgeon Bay and a whole evening out basically, a night at the nicest hotel. Pretty fancy, huh?" She smirks proudly.

I nod. That is pretty fancy. This isn't the big city. There isn't a lot of 'fancy' things to do. So, when there is something like this, it's kind of a big deal. I wouldn't mind a fancy night out on the town. Dinner and a show, or something like that. I have half a mind to bid on the package. I look down at the starting bid. There's no way I can afford that on my small waitress salary. I sigh. "It looks like a great package." I comment and step away from the table.

Brittany leads us into the fire station and we sit down at a couple of chairs next to a round table that is set up for the event. When two o'clock approaches Brittany gets up and disappears.

Right at two a bell in the fire station rings followed by a loud male voice. "Attention everyone, it's time for our big demonstration. If you will all please congregate outside in front of the station."

I get up, along with all of the other people, and head outside. In front of the station is what looks like a wooden box with a tiny door and one window. It's problem six feet or so, by six feet. It's a square. The box kind of looks like a tiny building. There is even a sheet metal roof. The box seems simple with four plywood walls that are painted a hideous neon green color.

Once everyone is outside the same guy address the crowd again. "Alright, we have prepped this ice shanty for a demonstrated burn. I am going to lit it up. Firefighters Allen and Pierce have added fuel to the shanty to get the fire going faster. I must caution you all that this is a controlled demonstration by professional firefighters. Never attempt anything like this at home."

I don't see any of the firefighters outside just the guy that's talking to us. I'm sure it's all part of the demonstration, though. The firefighter goes over to about five feet away from the building. In his left hand he holds a dirty, greasy looking rag. With his other hand he takes a lighter out of his pockets and lights the rag. Once a few seconds pass, and the rag is burning sufficiently, he throws the rag at the building. It flies through the air and falls through the open window on the building. Seconds later the whole building is in flames.

An alarm rings and the firefighters come rushing out of the building to the burning ice shanty. They get to work right away. One starts a fire engine up so that the equipment will work. Others get the hoses out.

I look all around for Brittany, but don't spot her. All the firefighters look similar in their fire gear. The only definite way to tell them all apart is to read their names that are printed on the bottom of their coats.

Two firefighters connect a hose to a valve at the back of the fire engine. "All ready back here." One of them yells once the hose is connected. A firefighter that is standing at the front corner of the engine gives him a thumb up.

The shanty is now fully engulfed in flames. The flames are about twenty feet tall. I can feel the heatt radiating off of the building and I'm standing some one hundred feet away.

The firefighter at the front corner turns to his left, facing the burning ice shanty. Two other firefighters have laid out the fire hose and are about twenty feet away from the blaze. "Line is ready." The firefighter yells to the two at the end of the hose. One holds the end and twists the nozzle to get the water to start flowing out. The second one holds the hose behind the first. The hose kicks back as the pressure is released and water starts shooting out of the nozzle onto the fire.

I watch carefully as they knock back the fire in a minute or two. It doesn't take long for the fire to be put out and once it's out the firefighters shut the water flow off and set the hose on the ground.

The firefighter in charge starts talking again. "That folks is a small scale demonstration on how we put out fires. We arrive on scene, assess the situation quickly, get the equipment we need ready, and start fighting the fire. Let's give our firefighters a hand."

The crowd, including myself, starts clapping enthusiastically. I expected the firefighters to start cleaning up and putting everything away when they were finished. But, as the round of applause starts up they start taking off, gloves, and helmets, and unzipping coats.

That's when I spot Brittany. She was the one helping hold the end of the hose while the firefighter in front of her directed where the water was being sprayed. She takes her gloves off and then her helmet. She unzips her coat about halfway and pulls her braided hair out from under her coat.

All the firefighters smile and wave at the gathered crowd. The little kids cheer for them and the adults clap in appreciation.

"I would like to thank everyone for coming out this afternoon. Thank you for your continued support and generosity to this fire station. Without you there would be no station. And no one to serve the citizens of this area. Thank you, again." The guy that's been doing all the speaking says and it's clear that this little event is over now.

People start to disperse and the firefighters start the clean up process. As the people clear out I make my way over to where Brittany is.

"Hey, Britt." I say, coming up from behind her. "That was a pretty cool demonstration. I really liked it. I've never seen firefighters fight a fire before. No matter how big it was."

Brittany stands to her full height from bending over the fire hose. It looked like she was getting the extra water out of it and rolling it up again. She's very distracting right now. I'm surprised I can even speak in full sentences. Her standing there in her fire gear, bending and working on the hose doesn't really help either. She's so sexy right now.

I catch her eye and she is looking at me curiously. "What?" I ask nervously.

"Like whatcha see?" She smirks. She knows I've been waiting all afternoon to see her in her gear.

I can feel the heat on my cheeks as I blush furiously. She caught me checking her out. But, who wouldn't. I mean come on. I look down at my toes and nod my head.

Brittany laughs. Like, full on roaring laughter. It's beautiful. I peek up at her and she has her head tilted up to the sky, her eyes closed, and one hand on her stomach. She's beautiful.

A couple of seconds pass as she laughs, but then she looks me straight in the eye. I want to flinch away but refrain myself from doing so. I gaze back at her silently. She's the one who blinks first.

"Would you have dinner with me tonight, Ms. Lopez?"

I nearly fall over on the pavement. She sure knows how to make a person swoon.