Chapter 18
Santana's POV
Winter
It's the week of finals. Things are crazy around here. Students are scrambling and scatterbrained. Studying has hit it's peak. There is little sleep to be had by most. If not taking an exam, it's studying for another. And I'm included in all of that.
I have five finals to live through this week. I've been busier than at any other point during this semester. I can't wait until it's all over. When all the studying and cramming and staying up all night is over and I can finally relax.
Until then it's a lot of hard work and late hours.
After all that is the winter break, where I don't have to worry about school for a few weeks. I can spend time with my family and friends and girlfriend.
I've missed Brittany a lot in the last week or so. I've been so busy I've hardly had time to talk to her. I know she understands but I feel like I'm neglecting her and being a bad girlfriend. I just have to make it up to her somehow. I'll have to start thinking of idea of things that I can do for Brittany.
That's not the only thing that I should start thinking about. After this semester I only have one semester left.
I've gotta start thinking about what I want to do with my life. Obviously, I still have to finish school but what about after that. I need to figure out what I wanna do with my degree. I need to really start thinking about it. In a few months, I graduate, and then what. I need to decide where I want to live. Do I stay here in Chicago, go back to Ohio, or go somewhere else?
These are major life decision and they are not to be made lightly. That's why I need to start thinking about them now.
But all of that thinking has to wait at least a few days until after I finish my exams.
It's been a week since I've been at school. It's Christmas Eve and as much as I love Christmas, I want it to be over with.
It's been a week spent with my mom and dad, well, when they weren't working. Almost every night we've had dinner together. The only night I didn't was the night I spent with Quinn.
It's was great to see Quinn. We had dinner and then went to a movie. After the movie Quinn suggested we go to a coffee shop. It was a great suggestion because we talked for hours, until they closed and threw us out.
We talked about everything that's been going on in our lives. I've only had time to talk with Quinn a few times while I was at school, so this gave us a chance to catch up. I talked mostly about school and how that's going and Brittany.
"Yeah, I've been crazy busy with school. I should have taken more classes in my earlier years so I didn't have five this last semester." I twirl the straw around in my hot chocolate. It's far too late in the day for coffee, I'd be awake all night.
"I know the feeling." Quinn nods her head in agreement. "I had four classes last semester. Next, I'll only have three though." She looks down at the cup in her hands. She got hot chocolate too after I said I wanted some.
"That's good."
"Yeah." She looks up at me. Quinn has an odd look on her face. I know that look though. It's the look she has when she's lied about something or when she doesn't want to say something but knows she has to. It's guilt, and nerves, and doubt, and self-consciousness.
"What?" I ask. Might as well take care of this now.
"I just- I- don't be mad." She bites her lip nervously.
"What are you babbling on about?" I lean forward and put my elbows on the table, my hands folded together, tucked under my chin, watching, waiting.
"I'm sorta dating someone." Quinn mumbles into her hot chocolate.
"Okay. Why would I be mad at that?" I take a drink of my hot chocolate and mull over Quinn's words. I don't really see what the big deal is here. What's the problem with Quinn dating someone? It's about time.
"It's Puck."
"What?" I choke on the hot chocolate that was halfway down my throat. I start coughing and Quinn's looking around the coffee shop.
"Are you okay? Do I need to do the Heimlich?" There's a sort of concern and fear in her eyes. I shake my head. I would speak, but I'm still coughing. It takes a few seconds, but I do recover.
"What now?" I ask once I have stopped coughing and taken a drink to clear my throat.
"I'm dating Puck." Quinn says it again but I still can't believe it. I shake my head and try to think of something to say. Quinn's my friend, my best friend, and Puck's my ex. I just can't wrap my head around it.
"I know it might sound strange to you but he's changed. I think you breaking up with him really did something to him. It's not like he's a totally different person. He's still the same Puck but now he's more refined. He seems to be more sensitive, more considerate, more- I don't know. But, he's different somehow. We've been seeing each other for about a month. It's fresh right now. Nothing serious yet. But I don't know-" Quinn trails off with a sigh.
"Wow." I whisper. "I just- don't know what to say." I look over at Quinn and make eye contact with her.
"Are you mad?" She asks.
I shake my head. "No. Why would I be?"
"Cuz Puck's your ex. You guys were together for a long time."
"Hmm." I hum. I don't think I'm mad. I don't feel mad. I'm not really sure how I feel but it's not mad. "I'm not mad. I'm a little surprised, maybe. Not mad though. But, I'm over him. I have someone now." I smile because of Brittany. "And I guess if it works for you and Puck that's great. But, I can't tell you what or what not to do. I'm not gonna say you gotta stop seeing him cuz you're my best friend and he's my ex. That would be wrong of me. I know he is a good guy and that he would make some girl really happy. I just never thought it would be you."
"Thanks. But, it's still early Santana."
"I know. Do you really like him though? I mean you weren't always the biggest fan of his."
Quinn shrugs. "Like I said, he's changed."
"Okay. Okay. It's just a little strange. I'll have to wrap my head around it but, hey, it's about time you got back in the dating scene. I don't think you've dated anyone since high school."
Quinn rolls her eyes. "Whatever. Let's not talk about me anymore. How's that woman of yours? I heard you told your parents." I must look like a love sick puppy and Quinn only draws it to attention. "Awww."
"Shut up." I mumble. "And yes we told my parents." I look over at the other side of the room just so I don't have to look at the big grin on Quinn's face. "Brittany came home with me at Thanksgiving and we told them then."
"And you didn't come and visit me. I would love to see that blonde again."
"Sorry." I look to her and shrug. "I didn't really think of it. We were only here for three days and one of them was Thanksgiving."
"Yeah, I know. It's okay. We are both busy." Quinn sighs.
"Grown up life is hard." I add. We both laugh. "But, yeah, Brittany's great. We've been doing the whole long distance thing and it's tough, but I would rather that than not at all.
We were together at Thanksgiving and Halloween but that's it since summer. I'm waiting until Christmas is over."
"Are you gonna go see her?" Quinn says with a little glimmer in her eyes.
I nod. "Yep. I can't wait. Just a few more days. I'm gonna be spending the rest of my break there with her. It's gonna be even better than in the summer."
Quinn gives me a funny, confused look. "It's winter. And I'm sure it's worse there than it is here in Ohio. More snow, more cold."
"Even better. More cuddle weather." I smirk. Quinn grimaces and I continue on. "No, but seriously, Brittany doesn't work in the winter. Well, she does the volunteer firefighter thing but not the landscaping. Thus, she has a ton of free time and I don't have a job or homework to do, we can spend all of our time together."
"Makes up for the time you've spent apart."
"Nothing could make up for the time we've spent apart, but it certainly doesn't hurt." I grin at all of the possibilities that Brittany and I could do with our time together.
Quinn shakes her head. "You really love that girl, don't you?"
"I do. Very much so."
"Well, good, I glad for you." Quinn says and pats me on the hand. "I hope-"
Quinn is cut off when I man clears his throat. He's standing behind me. "I'm sorry ladies, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave. We're closing now."
Christmas day is crazy around the Lopez household. It starts early in the morning with opening presents. After the presents are all open we have breakfast. Once breakfast is cleaned up the cooking for Christmas dinner starts. And today is no different.
My dad woke me and my brother up at seven this morning. Robbie got here yesterday. He doesn't live too far from here, but he came over the night before so he didn't have to get up any earlier this morning and drive over.
We all went downstairs and opened our presents. Then my dad made omelets for everyone for breakfast. I cleaned up all the dirty breakfast dishes as my mom started on the food for the Lopez Christmas dinner.
My abuela will come over, along with my dad's brother and his wife and two kids. The whole family will sit by the fire and tell stories about their current lives. We will catch up on all the latest gossip both in the family and in the town. It's the same every year.
The women get the meal ready throughout the day and the men drink and play card games in between conversations.
When dinner rolls around everyone sits at the table. My abuela says a pray and we all eat. It's fairly straight forward and boring. A typical Christmas dinner, I would assume. And after dinner is finished, and all the leftover are put away, and all the dirty dishes are cleaned up, the family moves into the living room.
I am walking out of the kitchen after dinner has wrapped up. As tradition goes, the whole family piles into the living room and watches the original Grinch, while sipping on egg nog or hot chocolate. I get stopped, though, before I can make it to the living room to pick a seat.
"Santana." It's the voice of my abuela. She comes up from behind me. She's old but still agile. Still active. I freeze in my tracks. I'm about to turn around to face her when she puts a hand on my right shoulder.
"Your papi informed me that you have a girlfriend." The old woman says in a low voice, almost a whisper. My whole body tenses. My abuela has always been a church going Catholic. I know that my mouth is hanging open a little bit and my eyes are wide. I'm scared of what my abuela might say or do.
"Don't worry, dear." She must be able of feel my tense muscles under the grip of her hand. "I don't, myself, one hundred percent understand it but in this day and age things are different then when I was young. I accept you and that you are with a woman. And if you are happy than I am okay with it." She squeezes my shoulder. "Plus, I never liked that Puck guy." She says with a tiny chuckle.
I don't wanna say that I am shocked but I am surprised with my grandma's reaction to the news that I have a girlfriend. I was honestly concerned with what she would say to me when she found out.
I spin around to face her. My arms wrap around her in a tight embrace. My abuela slips her arms around my waist. "I love you." I give her a squeeze. "Thank you." My voice wavers at the end.
This was the person I was worried about telling the most. But-
"I love you too, Santanita." My abuela says and turns her head to the side, kissing me on the side of the head. "I'm gonna want to meet this lady one day."
It makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time. I pull back from her and she is smiling. I smile and have to wipe the tear at the corner of my eye before it falls.
She puts her hands of both my cheeks. "Why are you crying? Did I say something to offend you?" She asks, her voice full of concern.
I shake my head. "No. Not at all. I'm just really happy."
She wipes her thumbs under my eyes before patting me on the cheek. "Let's go join the rest of the family." I nod and let my abuela guide me into the living room to a spot on the couch. I sit down and she sits next to me. My mom comes in a few minutes later with a tray of egg nog and hot chocolate. She hands them out to everyone and we start the movie.
X
I'm a little nervous cuz today we are going to a Christmas party. It's a party with all of Brittany's co-workers. I'm sure it will be fun, but at the same time, I'm nervous because I've spent some time with her co-workers, but today I'm not just the girl Brittany knows. Today I am Brittany girlfriend. And as awesome as that is, I still get nervous about it. I get nervous about people's reactions when they find out about us.
"Santana, we're gonna be late." Brittany's voice rings through the bathroom door of her apartment.
I look in the mirror, staring at myself to gain as much confidence and composure as possible. I take big, deep breathe and push away from the sink. "Coming." I yell and turn on my heels. I reach for the door and pull it open to step out. "Holy shit." I jump back. Brittany's standing right there on the other side of the door. "You scared the crap out of me." My hand is to my chest in fright. "What are you doing?" I ask looking Brittany up and down. A few seconds ago it sounded like she yelled for me to hurry up from the other end of her apartment.
"Sorry. I was just coming to check on you. I thought maybe you fell in." She quirks one side of her lips up in a half smile.
"Eww, Britt." I shake my head. "I'm fine. We can go now." I tell her and take a step forward. Brittany takes a step back.
"Good, cuz Jerry will ask a ton of questions if we're late."
After stopping at the gas station to get Brittany a soda and a ten minute journey in her truck, we arrive at our destination. Which happens to be the very place that Brittany works at. When she told me we were having a party at her work I couldn't even begin to imagine it. She told me it was actually pretty cool and for me not to judge and just wait and see.
Brittany parks her truck in the snow covered parking lot and hops out. I get out too and meet her at the back of the truck. "This way." She mumbles and starts walking over to a building that we drove past when we drove in.
She opens the door and steps inside. "Hey guys." Brittany announces her presence. When I step into the building I'm not sure what to think. It's split into two rooms. The room what we entered through the door has a bunch of equipment and work benches lining the exterior walls. That room leads to a slightly bigger room that Brittany just slipped into.
"You guys remember Santana."
"Ooooh, my favorite exotic waitress." Jerry comments with a slight grin.
Brittany smiles at the comment. I step into the second room, next to Brittany, where everyone is gathered.
"I'm not exotic." I defend. Those nervous feelings are back.
"You are for this area." Jerry says with a chuckle.
"Leave her be." Brittany scolds the older man. "Santana this is Nancy and her husband Jay. And over there that's Randy."
They all greet and welcome me kindly. It's not until I get a chance to sit down in one of the many chairs that I can look around the room. First of all, there about a dozen chairs in the room. All different shapes and sizes. There's a few desk chairs with wheels. There are three high stool-like chairs with backs. And there is even a recliner that looks like it came straight from the seventies. It's a burnt orange color and it looks like it's made from corduroy.
Aside from all the chairs, the room is full of all sorts of other things. One wall is almost covered ceiling to floor with wood. There's a wood stove in the corner of the room that heats the building. The other two walls are lined the shelves and cupboards. Any available space is covered with other things. There's another work bench with various tools scattered across the surface. There are photos and newspaper clippings. There's even a refrigerator.
"What would you like to drink?" It's then that I tear my eyes away from the many, many different things to look at in the room to realize that Jerry is speaking to me. "Wine, beer, water?"
I never imagined those options to be available at a event like this. Then again, I think I sorely misunderstood what this party would entail. "I'll have wine please."
I watch as Jerry takes a big plastic tote off the top of the fridge. I didn't see that there. There's just soo much to take in. He lifts the cover off and pulls out a plastic bag of red plastic cups. Once he puts the tote back, he opens the refrigerator and takes out a bottle and a box of wine.
"White or red?" He asks, holding both up so that I can see them.
"Red." I nod. He puts the bottle back in the fridge and pours me a glass of red wine from the box. The rest of the room is a buzz with conversation. Brittany is talking with her boss, Mary. What about, I have no clue. Jerry hands me the red cup with a smile.
In front of the row of cupboards is a long table with food on it. It looks like snacks. I see chocolates and pretzels and a spread of vegetables with dip.
"I see you eyeing that up. Go get a plate." Jerry whispers in my ear. I jump a little in surprise. I'm not sure how or when he got behind me.
"Randy, you wanna start the fish?" Jerry turns his attention to the man sitting next to me. "Everyone's here now. We were just waiting for Brittany." He's got a bit of a bite to his voice.
"Hey, I heard that." Brittany yells across the room.
Jerry and Randy have a little laugh. Randy rises from his seat and goes into the other room. I look around the room a little more now that I have time. On one of the shelves by me is a whole row of what look like wood carvings and wooden bowls. The shelf above that is full of books. There are landscaping books, tree and shrub books, perennial flowers books. There are also some others that don't deal with landscaping. Or maybe they do. There are two bird identification books and a mushroom identification books. It's an interesting collection.
As I look closer around the room I spot a computer under a wreath, under a piece of plastic, in one corner. This room doesn't seem to be too big but there is a ton of interesting stuff here. I wonder what all of it is for. The room can't be bigger than thirty feet by thirty feet but boy it's jam packed. I could probably look around for hours and still not see everything there is.
"You okay?" Brittany's voice shakes me from my thoughts.
"Yeah, just lookin' around."
"Pretty cool, right?" She asks with a smirk.
"Yeah, what is this place?" I can't help as the question comes from my lips.
Brittany settles in closer to my side. "We call it 'the shop'. It's basically Jerry's indoor work space. The other room is for woodworking. He turns bowls and other wood stuff. He's got a whole room of them upstairs."
"There's an upstairs?" My eyes go wide.
Brittany giggles. "Yeah. In the other room. There's cord in the ceiling. If you pull on it a step of stairs come down and you can climb up. Jerry had that other room and the upstairs added on a few years ago."
"The fish is ready." Someone announces, I'm not sure who.
"This is like our hangout at work. It's one of my favorite places." Brittany says and squeezes me on the arm. She stands up straight then goes over to the table of food and grabs a paper plate.
I'm about to get up when a plate of fried fish passes by me in Randy's hands. Well, this sure is some party. Fresh fish, wine, beer, more things than I can possible look at all throughout the room, conversation, laughter, and I've only been here a few minutes.
I was absolutely floored when I saw the actually spread for lunch. It was like a buffet, no, it was like a feast. There were a number of dishes. There was this potatoes and vegetables dish that was absolutely delicious. There was the fish, bluegills, I think. Plus, a baked apples dish. It was all so good. There were the snacks and for desert was apple or pumpkin pie with homemade vanilla ice cream.
I've never seen a party prepared so well that didn't take place in a fancy restaurant or someone's fancy shmancy home. Everything I ate was so good that I ended up trying at least one of ever dish. The only problem with that is that now I am so stuffed. I'm fuller than I think I've ever been. I don't want to move from my chair. I don't know if I could get up and walk around the room, that's how full I am. And Jerry keeps refilling my wine glass.
Now I know why Brittany stopped to get a soda at the gas station. She didn't want anything alcoholic or water so she brought something along. It's a great idea. I on the other hand don't mind the wine at all. This is actually one of the best parties that I've ever been to. It's not like a high school or college kid party. Sure, there's alcohol and there's drinking but there isn't stupidity. Instead, there is conversation and story telling.
I've been sitting here listening. I don't have too much to add to the conversations, but I'm more than willing to sit and listen. Everyone seems to have a story about something or another. And there all great, interesting stories.
Jerry's friend Randy told a story about being an alter boy in the Catholic church when he was child, back when they put the communion wafer on the tongue. That turned into a story about Vince Lombardi; which turned into a story about Superbowl rings, about how heavy and big they are. Apparently, they are huge.
The conversation turned to cats at one point. Brittany's asked where the cats were. I wasn't sure what she was talking about but Jerry said that they were in the building. I don't know where these, apparently two, cats were.
"They're probably hiding on top of the wood pile." He comments.
Brittany gets out of her chair and stands on top of it. "Oh, yep, I see Squeaky."
"See the new cat door." Jerry points over to the door. A second door that I didn't realize was there. It's right next to the work bench in the corner and I didn't realize it was a door until now. It looks like it's no longer in use.
"I was wondering about that." Brittany comments as she tries to coax the cat out of it's hiding place.
"Yeah. I was outside, coming over to the shop. George was chasing Squeaky and she was in a hurry to get in here. She jumped through the cat door and into the building, except she took the cat door with her. Ripped the frame right out of the door. She had the thing stick around her stomach hence the new, larger cat door."
I'm not sure how a cat can break the cat door. Or who George is, but I'm assuming he's another cat.
"How many cats do you have?" I ask.
"There's George and Squeaky and Willie and Patches. So four." Mary chimes in on the conversation.
"Wow."
"George doesn't come in the shop, neither does Willie. But, Squeaky and Patches are in here in the winter." She adds.
"Here we go." Brittany whispers. I turn to see what she is doing.
"Holy shit." I gasp. Brittany is holding the biggest cat that I've ever seen.
"This is Squeaky." Brittany holds the huge black and white cat in her arms. "She's a little big." The cat seems to be loving the attention as Brittany scratches between it's ears.
"I'd say."
After a few seconds she puts the cat down on the floor and it wobbles over to the food dish that's under the table and starts eating. I don't think that cat needs to eat. It could probably goes weeks without eating and just live off of it's fat storages.
"I'll be right back." Jerry tells the room and leaves. He puts his jacket and a winter hat with ear flaps on before exiting.
"How ya doing? Are you having a good time?" Brittany whispers in my ear.
I nod. "Yeah." I never would have imagined having fun but I am. It's fun to hear all Brittany's co-workers stories. Some have to do with landscaping and some don't, but I've learned a lot about all of these people. They're good people. They work hard but they also play hard. They have a good time without causing any trouble. They love to laugh and enjoy each other company. I wish I had a group of people that I knew that were like this.
Jerry comes back after a few minutes. He has three large, wrapped, boxes in his arms. He hands one to Brittany and Sara and Mary.
"What's this?" Brittany looks from the box in her hands to Jerry then back.
The man shrugs. "A Christmas present. Open it."
Brittany pulls the paper off of the box at the same time that Sara and Mary are opening theirs. It's looks like a red box with a picture of a jacket on it. Brittany opens the end of the box and looks inside. She sticks a hand in and pulls out a jacket.
"Wow, Jerry." Mary says in awe. I turn to look in her direction. She has the same box in her hands. When I look to Sara, I see the same thing. The three girls all have the same box with the same picture of a jacket.
"Now you ladies can't complain when it gets cold." Jerry teases. "I was gonna charge the batteries but I forgot."
I watch Brittany take the jacket out of the box and put it on. She takes a battery charger and a battery out of the box. I realize then that Jerry has gotten his three workers heated jackets for Christmas.
"This is so cool." Brittany looks down at the jacket on her body. She plays with the battery and tries to figure out how it works. "Thanks Jerry."
"You better put that to good use." He just says.
"Oh, I will." Brittany tells him with a smile.
More presents are exchanged. I didn't know this was a full blown Christmas exchange. I thought we were just coming for lunch and a gathering.
I'm even more surprised when Brittany's boss, Mary, hands me a wrapped package. "What?" I squeak.
"Brittany told us you would be here. It's just a little something." Mary tells me like it's no big deal.
Brittany watches with a brilliant, delighted smile as I tear the paper from the gift. Whatever it is, it's soft. It's a white material but I don't know what it is until I unfold it.
Jerry laughs as the white apron unravels itself. On the front in blue lettering it says 'World's Best Waitress'.
It's clearly a sort of gag gift but I still appreciate it. I never would have thought of getting anything. But to know that these people thought of me and decided to get me something makes me feel warm inside and like I fit into their group. The apron also reminds me of my waitress days.
"Thank you." I say with a large, appreciative smile.
"They had that made for you when I mentioned that I was bringing my girlfriend with to our gathering." Brittany tells me. Wait, she told them I was her girlfriend. No one has said anything about it at all. Why didn't anyone bring it up? Why didn't Jerry tease me or Brittany about it?
Brittany must see the panic on my face. She leans in closer so she can whisper in my ear. "Don't worry. It's cool. Mary's son is gay." She kisses me on the cheek and pulls back.
I look around the room but no one is paying us any attention. The group is already immersed in it's next topic of conversation. I can feel the heat on my cheeks. I duck my chin to my chest, fold my apron neatly and set it on my lap before again returning to the conversation at hand.
It's been exciting and awesome and great to spend time with Brittany. Day after day after day I get to see her. We've been alternating between staying at my parents house on the bay and staying at Brittany's apartment.
The best part though is waking up everyday next to each other. Waking up every morning and seeing Brittany in bed with me is one of the best feelings I've ever had.
This morning I wake up first. Which nearly never happens. But, I rolled over and saw that Brittany still had her eyes closed and realized she was still sleeping. I watched her as she slept. Laying on her stomach, one arm tucked under the pillow, her face facing me. Brittany's bright and beautiful when she's awake but when she's asleep she's softer and even more beautiful.
I trace my fingertips over the flesh of her arm. It's not my goal to wake her up just yet. I want to just take her in as she sleeps. It's rare that I get to do that. My eyes move in a constant circuit from her face, to her neck, to her back that stick out of the blankets, to her arm and hand and fingers. I just want to try and memorize every part of her.
Eventually, my fingertips grazing her skin aren't enough for me. I scoot closer to Brittany so that I can ghost a kiss over her lips. I peel back and look for her reaction. There is none. I lean in again and press my lips against hers again, harder this time. When I lean away to look at her face this time Brittany's eye flutter and then pop open.
"Good morning." I murmur and kiss her again.
"Morning." She says into the kiss.
Brittany wraps her arm around my waist and pulls me into her and then on top of her. "Britt." I gasp. Sometimes her strength takes me by surprise.
Brittany smiles wide up at me. Her hand slips down off my lower back and grabs a handful of naked ass.
That's also another thing that I like about getting to sleep in the same bed as Brittany. Most of the time we fall asleep naked. At first, it was a little bit weird but after a couple of nights I was more than willing.
Brittany cranes her neck and puckers her lips for another kiss but I withhold. "Hey." She whines.
"Hey." I say back and finally lean in for another kiss. This kiss isn't a quick one by any means. It's more of a hello-good morning-I've missed you while we spelt- kiss. Slow and steady. Hot and heavy. Full of love and emotion. It's one of my favorite kinds of kisses to share with Brittany. All of our kisses are great but some are better than others.
Brittany runs her hands up my back and tangles her finger in my hair. "Happy New Year, baby." She breaks the kiss and smiles up at me.
Last night was New Year's Eve. We spent the night in and celebrated New Year's, just the two of us. We watched the countdown on tv and then came upstairs to bed to ring in the new year in our own way.
"You said that last night."
"I know and I'm saying it again today." Brittany pulls my head down with the hand on the back of it. She kisses me on the lips and then on the nose. "And I hope it's the best one yet." There's a sort of twinkle in Brittany's eyes when she says that. I know that she thinking about the future and the possibilities. I know that she is thinking about us, our future.
"Me too." I agree and kiss her again.
"Whadaya wanna do today?" She asks and sits up so that her elbow dig into the bed. I roll off to her side and rub my finger around her bellybutton.
"I don't know."
"Okay. Let's eat first. Plan later." Brittany goes to sit up. The blankets fall from around her body as she stands in all her naked glory. "Quit staring and come on." She exit's the room and I stumble to get out of bed and pull some sweats and a t-shirt on.
"Come on. It's just like walking." Brittany yells ahead of me.
"It is not just like walking, Brittany." I yell back.
She turns around to face me. Her hands on her hips, a pout on her face. "It's just snowshoeing." Brittany frowns.
"It's so hard." I whine.
"That's what she said." Brittany smirks and winks.
That's so not helping. I haven't taken to snowshoeing very well. I've already fallen three times and we just started.
Brittany decided that today would be a good day to take me snowshoeing for the first time. It was great, in thought. In reality, it's not so great. And it's not like walking. There is some certain way that you have to walk with snowshoes on. It's not just one foot in front of the other. You have to take wider, bigger steps and I haven't gotten the hang of that.
Brittany walks back to me and takes my left hand. "Okay. Let's do this one step at a time."
"Okay." I take a deep breath in and take a step. One step, then another, then another.
"You got it." Brittany encourages with a smile.
We walk slowly down the driveway that leads into Mary's land. Brittany said it was the best place to go snowshoeing without anyone else around. We have to walk in on the long driveway because there's too much snow to drive in. The driveway is lined with trees on both sides, snow littering there branches. It's very pretty, scenic, and peaceful.
When we reach the bottom of the first hill we go into the woods. "I think you're getting the hang of it. I'm gonna let go of your hand. Do you want to lead the way or should I?"
"You can lead, I'll follow." I say. I would probably end up getting us lost in the woods if I led. Brittany knows these woods. I'm sure she knows where to go and how to get us out of the woods.
Brittany leads us through the woods and down a big hill until we come to the river. I didn't even know that it was the river until Brittany told me. It's frozen over and covered in snow.
"This is where we camped last summer." She mentions.
I look around. Everything is covered in snow and I can't even tell that this is the same place where we camped and went swimming in the river and had smores by the fire. It looks nothing alike. But, I guess that's the power of winter. Or maybe that's the power of summer.
Brittany walks over to the picnic table and sits on top of it. The table top is only sticking out of the snow a foot or so.
"There's a lot of snow here." I go over and plop down next to Brittany. My snowshoes flop to the sides in front of me.
"There is. It's nice though. Listen." Brittany instructs.
I listen for something, anything.
"I don't hear anything."
"That's the point. It's totally silent out here." Brittany smiles at me and then leans closer. "Nobody around. Animals or humans." She leans in and pecks me on the lips. "We'll take a little break and then head back. Okay?"
"Okay."
Brittany pulls out the thermos she carried with her and opens it up. She pours the liquid into the cap and hands it to me. "What is it?"
"Hot apple cider."
I take a drink. "That's really good. Warm. Hits the spot." I hum.
"Yeah. My turn." Brittany takes the little cup from me and takes a drink. "Your right. That's good."
We have another cupful and finish our break before walking back out of the woods to Brittany's truck.
XX
Brittany's coming for Valentine's Day. I couldn't be more excited. It's unfortunately not the same for Brittany. She told me over the phone that she doesn't like Valentine's Day. She said it's a stupid holiday that cheapens love and relationships that's promoted by card companies and flower shops to make money.
But, being Brittany, she also said she was coming to visit for Valentine's Day. She told me to clear my schedule for the evening and that she was going to be taking me out.
I'm getting ready right now for her arrival. I'm expecting her any minute now. I don't know where we are going but Brittany told me to dress nice but not too nice. Whatever that means.
Valentine's Day is in the middle of the week but that's not a problem for Brittany. She doesn't need to take the day off or anything like that. If there's an emergency with the fire department she just won't be around to go to it. And she doesn't do landscaping in the winter so she has time to do as she pleases. I would love a job like that. Where I could take three months a year off. I know for Brittany it's not about the money so it works for her.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I sigh at the knocking on my dorm room door. I don't want to have to deal with somebody wanting something from me or wanting me to hang out with them or something. I have a big date.
I go over to the door and pull it open quickly and go back to into the room to get ready. Whoever it is can let themselves in. "What?" I grumble out the door. I don't have time for this, I'm waiting for Brittany.
"It's nice to see you, too." Brittany voice drifts to my ears.
I turn to see Brittany standing there inside my dorm room. "Oh my god, Brittany." I run across the room and throw my arms around her neck. "How did you get in here?"
She giggles and wrap an arm around my back. "I just came in when someone else was coming in."
"Sneaky." I pull back so I can see her face properly. I press my lips to hers for quick kiss. "I'm almost done getting ready."
"Okay." Brittany looks around the room for a minute before her eyes return to mine. "I got you something." She says and pulls an arm from behind her back. There's a gift bag and a bouquet of flowers.
I raise an eyebrow. "No roses?"
"No. There boring and typical and expected on- today." She shrugs and looks down at her feet.
"That's fine. These are better." I take the flowers from her hand and she raises her eyes to meet mine. "They're more special. They're from you. I know you put thought into which flowers to put in this bouquet."
"I did."
"Then that's a thousand times better than a traditional bouquet of roses. Thank you." I smell the flowers. "They're beautiful."
"Your welcome."
"I feel bad. I didn't get you anything." I mumble. I never really thought to get a Valentine's present for Brittany. What would I ever get her? Something from the college bookstore?
"No. Don't. I don't want anything for Valentine's Day. Well, there's one thing."
"What's that?" I bat my eyelashes at her.
"You." She licks her lips and looks up and down assessing my outfit for the evening. "But not just because it's Valentine's Day. You look very nice by the way." Her eyes reach mine again.
"Thanks."
"Here open your gift." She holds the bag out for me to take. I take the bag and give her back the flowers. I don't want to lay them down and ruin them. Brittany holds the bouquet in one hand and watches me.
I peer into the gift bag. There's tissue paper but it doesn't do much to hide what's inside. I pull the stuffed animal bear out of the bag. It's a deep red color. The bear is stuffed so that it's in a permanent sitting position. It has a lighter colored little red heart over his heart.
"Another one?" She got me a blue stuffed teddy bear during the summer. Though, this one is a little bigger in size than that bear.
Brittany shrugs. "I thought they could be friends. Keep each other company when your not home. I also thought I'd start a thing. I hope you like bears." She laughs awkwardly.
"I love anything that's from you."
"Good." Brittany smiles and bounce on her toes.
"Come here." I motion for Brittany to come to me and I wrap her in a tight hug. "I love you. And I love the bear. Thank you."
"I love you, too."
After we put the flowers in a vase of water and put the bears to bed we made it out the door for our Valentine's dinner date.
The place we are at is a nice Italian restaurant. It's packed with couples spending the Valentine's night together. I was a little nervous at first when Brittany and I walked in hand in hand. It's obvious that we are couple. But nobody even batted an eye in our direction. Maybe the waitress but I think that was for other reasons.
"How did you even get us in here? This place is packed. When did you make the reservation?" I ask, shocked at all the full tables.
Brittany looks up from her menu. She twists her lips up to the side. "Uh- about a month ago."
"What?" That can't be right. "Seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously." Brittany rolls her eyes and looks down at her menu again.
That means she's been planning this night for a long time. That's some serious game planning. While it's great, she's making me feel like a bad girlfriend.
"Britt." I sigh. "I didn't do anything for you. I didn't even get you anything. I feel like a bad girlfriend."
"What?" Brittany drops her menu on the table. There is a look of pure shock on her face. "No. No. No. No. NO. Santana." Brittany reaches across the table for my hand. I give it to her willingly. "That's not what this is about. You didn't have to get anything for me. I don't know what have to do to get you to believe that. I love you and that's why I scheduled this dinner. It's not about who gets who what. Plus, I'm not a big fan of V Day so don't even worry about it."
"Okay." I huff. "I just-"
"No." Brittany leans forward and kisses my knuckles. "No more thinking about it. Let's just enjoy tonight. Alright? Just let me take care of you for tonight?"
"Okay."
The waitress comes over and takes our order.
I tell Brittany all about the semester so far and how it's going. Brittany tells me about a fire that she fought last week. We wait for our food and talk about all of the recent things in our lives.
Some days, a lot of days, I wish that I could be in the same place as Brittany. Some days I want to quit school and drive to her apartment and just stay with her. But then my better judgment sets in and I know that I can't do that. I know that I have to stay in school and finish and get my degree before I think of other things.
"Okay, now that we've finished my potion of the night, you have anything that you want to do?" Brittany asks when we are exiting the restaurant. She has her hand wrapped around my waist so that I am tucked into her side.
"No. Just absorb as much time with you as possible. When are you going back?"
"Tomorrow morning. After you go to class." Brittany says and kisses me on the temple.
"Good. Let's go home."
There's only one more chapter left. I have mostly written this story for myself than for anyone else. It's great that other read and enjoy it though. The final chapter will be up within two weeks end this journey. I thank and appreciate everyone who has read this and who has reviewed or sent me messages. They keep me motivated.
With that said I have an idea that's been stuck in my head for my next story and I've already started writing it. I will most likely be posting the first chapter of my new story sometime in the next week. I don't have a title for it yet but I'm working on it.
Thank you all.