End of Summer 2016

I later went on to compete in the 2016 Olympics. I came home with 2 relay golds, and an individual medal of every color. My Olympic teammate, Quinn Fabray, who had also won a gold along side of me in both relays, overcame a horrible stress fracture in her back the year before and made a miracle Olympic comeback, coming home with the same medal haul as myself. We were heralded as the two of the biggest forces in women's swimming and Lima's new claim to fame. Sponsors flocked to us, begging us to give up our amateur status and become professionals. Neither of us wanted to give up our senior year of college though. Our college teams had become our family, our lifeline. No amount of money or prestige would be worth that. We could both wait another year, if we even decided to turn pro.

The strangest part of this all was that I was somewhat famous. Although it wasn't anything huge like a movie star, after the Olympics, I was probably recognized at least 3 times a week. And of course, the nickname "Gills" is one that I don't think I'll ever be able to shake. A majority of the people who ask for my autograph want me to sign it "Gills" instead of Santana, which I'm perfectly fine with. Throughout these years though, as I climbed to the top tier of swimmers in the world, there were plenty of times where I had to remind myself to stay humble and remember my roots. Brittany was probably one of the only reasons I stayed so grounded. When we were together, I didn't talk about swimming. I mean, obviously, if Brittany was coming to a meet or something, I'd give her details and when she was there, we'd talk about it. Or if the team or myself broke records or something, we'd talk about it but swimming is never the main focus of our conversations. It's perfect that way. It gave me an escape. I could come home without someone constantly asking me how I was going to train to lower my times or what I thought the next conditioning set should be.

When my flight landed in Columbus from my flight back from Rio, Brittany, along with my parents, Ellie, and half the town of Lima greeted Quinn and I. My family and Brittany came to see me swim during the swimming finals but they returned home before the games were actually over. Then, we took a trip back to Lima where a huge party was thrown in our honor. It was magnificent and everything that I could ever imagine. I was humbled by the whole experience.

The next day, Brittany and I drove back to Hamilton. When we got back to the apartment, the one we now shared together, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting on the dining room table.

Before I knew it, she disappeared into our room and came back just seconds later. All I cold do was just stand there, by the table, wondering what was happening. She took both of my hands in hers and held them up between us.

She looked me straight in the eyes and started talking, "The first time I ever saw you, Santana, was almost 4 years ago. You were wearing a take top from one of your swim meets and running shorts. It was my first day of student teaching. The first time we kissed was in my apartment after you and that boy broke up. You told me you were expecting it to taste like cherry chapstick. I quickly fell in love with you. When we both moved to Hamilton, I knew it'd be different and challenging but our love was never challenged. And then when you moved in here, it just validated even more that we're perfect for each other. Obviously, there are times where I wish I could see you more but at the end of the day, I'm so gracious and glad that it's you who I fall asleep next to. I've been to countless swim meets and even though you think I think they're boring, I love them because I get to support you. Everyday I fall more and more in love with you. You amaze me, you excite me, you make me want to be the best person that I can be. I love you Santana. And you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with."

Brittany then gently let go of my hands and reached into her jacket pocket. A small box was in her hand and she opened it and I saw the most exquisite and beautiful ring that I've ever seen. It was gorgeously cut with a diamond in the middle and two smaller diamonds on either side of it. The two sides of the bad were studded with diamonds the size of the band itself.

"Santana Lopez, will you marry me?"

And in that moment, I forgot everything. I forgot about the medals lying on the armrest of the couch. I forgot the overwhelming soreness that encompassed my whole body. I forgot about the memorabilia from Rio. I forgot swimming. I forgot college. I forgot my team. I forgot my coach. I even forgot about my family. My whole head burst with the thought of spending the rest of my life with Brittany.

Tears immediately filled my eyes and I wrapped Brittany up in my arms and barely squeaked out a "Yes, I love you. A million times yes."

I can't believe that this is the last chapter of this story. This has truly been a great journey and I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this story. I hope that you guys have enjoyed it as much as I have! Thank you so much for sticking it out with me, it means the world!

Please let me know what you think of the ending and the story!