A/N: Soooo...that episode screwed up my will to write a little bit, but luckily I've overcome. lol I must learn to keep my Brittana expectations down a bit when it comes to the actual show.
Just want to clarify one thing real quick – this story has obviously had a lot of basic foundations in cannon storyline. I pretty much was going with the idea of most things cannon...until now, since clearly my version of Santana's parents is quite different from what the show had in mind. So you can kind of consider anything up until ep 7 cannon, but from there for the most part, it's obviously a little different. :-)
Anyways, This chapter got away from me so it's a bit longer again. I think the lack of the Brittana I was hoping to see on my screen this week affected me and I had to write more of it. We're going to see a few months time jump in the next one because I need to start moving the timeline along a little bit, but this one covers the holidays. Hope everyone enjoys!
"Hey guys. Long time no see." Finn joked, smiling broadly as they dumped their bags into the back of his truck.
"Yeah, right. I wish." Santana muttered.
"Be nice." Brittany elbowed her and smiled at Finn. "Hey Finn." She closed the trunk and Santana motioned that she could take the front so she hopped in next to Finn. "Thanks for picking us up!"
"It was the least I could do after Santana drove us around at Thanksgiving and yesterday afternoon." he grinned back at Santana. "How was your flight?"
"As good as it can be." she shrugged. "I'm glad my dad sprung for the flight and throwing my car in the lot for a few days."
"Yeah, holiday traffic is a bitch." he agreed. "Where are we headed?"
"Brittany's house." Santana said.
"How's your mom taking that?" he asked and Santana just shrugged.
"She's pissed but she's dealing."
"How are you guys splitting up your holidays?"
"Actually, we're discussing that tomorrow." Brittany said.
"Yeah, we're going to have breakfast with my parents in the morning." she rolled her eyes.
"Sounds like tons of fun." Finn said, as he merged onto the highway. "You guys need a ride back on Thursday morning?"
"Not sure, but we'll keep you posted." she sighed. "You and Berry have it so easy with her dads being Jewish. No holidays to split."
"It worked out kinda well." he admitted. "We're doing dinner there tonight and she spent the night with them last night. My mom and Burt invited them over for Christmas Eve too."
Santana sighed thoughtfully, as she settled back into the seat and watched the road fly by while Finn and Brittany chattered on in the front seat. She wasn't too proud to admit that she envied the situations her roommates had. Their families were both accepting and fully supported their relationship. She had no idea of what to expect from her parents, especially her mom, but if their recent conversations were any indications, she had no intentions of making anything easy.
After spending the day with Brittany's parents and sister on Saturday, they had a relatively early night and watched a movie on Brittany's laptop in her room before falling asleep. They woke up bright and early the next morning to get changed and ready to meet up with Santana's parents for breakfast at the diner in town.
"Ugh, they're here." she said, eying her dad's Range Rover and sighing as she parked Brittany's old Jetta in the spot next to it.
"You ready?" Brittany said, grabbing her hand on the shifter and smiling encouragingly. Santana released a breath and gave her a half smile as she shook her head.
"No, but I guess that doesn't matter."
"Come on, it's not going to be that bad. We'll get through it." Brittany winked before opening her door and Santana followed suit. They walked up hand in hand and Brittany squeezed Santana's tightly before they entered through the double doors where her mom and dad stood waiting for them.
"Santana!" Her dad greeted her and she smiled, wrapping him up in a hug.
"Hi Daddy." she said.
"You look good sweetheart." he said, still grinning. "Hello Brittany."
"Hi Dr. Lopez." she said, with a wave.
"Hi Mami." Santana smiled at her mom, who also offered her a much stiffer hug.
"Good to finally see you back." she said. "Should we sit?" she asked, motioning towards the tables. Santana scrunched her brow when she didn't mention Brittany, but chose to let it go for the moment and just follow them to the table.
After sitting down and placing their orders Santana proceeded to give them some of the basics about life in New York, explaining school, the band, and living with Finn and Rachel. Brittany stayed quiet, not quite sure of her place with the Lopez family any more, and let Santana do most of the talking.
"Oh, and we have two cats now." she said, smiling over at Brittany, who held her hand under the table. "Brittany found 5 kittens outside her job and we decided to keep two."
"They're awesome." Brittany smiled, stirring her tea.
"Sounds like you're having a good college experience so far." her dad remarked.
"It's great." Santana smiled. "I really love it there."
"Of course you do, it's away from us." her mother shrugged as Santana rolled her eyes.
"You never give it up do you?" she asked, as the waitress returned, placing their plates in front of them.
"How is school going for you, Brittany?" Her father asked, changing the subject.
"It's really great." Brittany smiled. "It's an intense school but I really love it and so far so good."
"She's doing awesome in her first semester." Santana smiled proudly.
"You're a dance major, right?" he asked.
"Yes, at Julliard." she smiled.
"Julliard is a very impressive school." he noted. "Santana's mom used to love dancing when she was young, right Marisa?"
"Santana, what are you plans for Christmas?" she asked, ignoring her husband's question. Santana frowned deeply, her suspicions that her mother was ignoring Brittany confirmed.
"Mami, Daddy just asked you a question."
"I heard him, but I'm asking you a more important question." she said. "We're having everyone over on Christmas Eve and I'd expect you'd be there as well as Christmas Day dinner." Santana just sighed and put her fork down.
"Brittany and I will come to Christmas Eve dinner, but we're going to be leaving at about 8:30 to go to her family's house for dessert and to exchange gifts." Santana's mother's eyes narrowed.
"Brittany can go to her parents' house without any help from you."
"Of course she can." Santana said evenly. "But it's important for us to spend the holidays together and Christmas Eve has always been a tradition at her house. You know that, I've been going over there for years." She could read her mother well enough to know that she didn't want Brittany coming to dinner, but her father had clearly warned her to let it be.
"Fine, Christmas Day dinner is at 4 PM." Santana looked over to Brittany.
"What time is your mom making dinner for that day?"
"5:30."
"That's kind of tight." she turned back to her mother. "We'll have to leave a little early."
"This is ridiculous." her mother said, dropping her own fork. "You come all the way to Lima for the holidays, the least you can do is spend some time here."
"Santana, it's okay." Brittany said, before Santana could speak. "You can just come over when you're done." Santana looked at her with wide eyes. "Your mom is right. We're together all the time and they never get to see you. Have dinner there and come over when you're finished."
"But I wanted to see your grandparents."
"They won't be leaving before 8 or 9."
"Listen to your friend Santana, for once she seems to have more sense than you." Santana glared at her and opened her mouth to speak but Brittany kicked her under the table and gave her a pleading look. She took a deep breath.
"Fine. I'll stay until about 7."
"Come by around 3 and you can help me get things set up."
"Who is coming Christmas Day?"
"Just us and your abuela." Santana nodded and swallowed hard at the thought of the tension that dinner table would contain.
They spent the rest of the meal making small talk, her mother still notably ignoring Brittany, but her dad generally being gracious. Another half hour later and they were saying goodbye and Brittany grabbed Santana's hand and spun her around once they pulled away. She gave her a gentle kiss and smiled sympathetically.
"Are you okay?" Santana nodded.
"It's just infuriates me to have her treat you like that, like you don't even exist."
"It's okay baby," she said, stroking her cheek softly, "she's just having a hard time with this."
"That woman used to love you Brittany."
"It's different now." Brittany said simply.
"Why."
"Why?" Brittany laughed. "Santana we're together, as a couple."
"We've been involved for years."
"We were having sex for years." Brittany looked at her knowingly. "Come on Santana, not only did they not know that we were hooking up before, but I think everyone can all agree that getting together last year was a pretty big deal." Santana groaned.
"I know, but I just don't get it. You're the same person who she always knew! She used to encourage me to hang out with you...not that it took much." Santana smirked.
"She'll come around eventually." Brittany said, putting her hands on her hips and pulling her in for a soft kiss. "For now, it is what it is. And a few hours apart on Christmas Day isn't going to kill us."
"Don't be so sure of that." Santana smiled into her lips, kissing her once more.
"Come on, let's go see Quinn." Brittany said, pulling back and heading back into the car.
"Hi!" Finn greeted Rachel as he opened his door. He leaned forward to kiss her but she breezed past him into the house. He frowned and spun around. "What the hell?"
"Where is he?" Rachel asked expectantly.
"Who?"
"Kurt!"
"You're here to see Kurt?" he asked disappointedly.
"Of course!" she said, noting his disappointment. "I mean, I love seeing you too." she said softly, walking up and giving him a quick kiss. "But it's been so long." He sighed.
"He's up in his room. Go ahead. He's excited to see you too."
"Kurt!" she yelled, running up the stairs and tackling the boy in front of her. "I missed you!" she smiled, squeezing him in a hug.
"I missed you too!" he said. "You look fabulous! New York is treating you well."
"It is, and LA seems do be treating you just as well."
"Come down and let's catch up!" she said, linking arms. "I think Finn is mad I'm here to see you." she whispered and he giggled.
"He shouldn't be surprised. I've been talking about seeing you since he picked me up. How's life with the Britt and Santana?"
"Surprisingly going well. Santana hasn't killed me yet and I think we've actually started to form some small semblance of a relationship."
"Impressive."
"So tell me everything! We hardly have time to talk these days." she said, plopping down on the couch next to Finn who was playing Call of Duty on the TV.
Kurt spent the next hour filling her in on the details of UCLA and his impressions of the glamorous LA lifestyle, while she caught him up on New York and they exchanged stories of plays they'd seen and the theater groups they'd both joined.
"I saw Blaine last night." he sighed.
"Where?"
"We ran into him picking up take out at Breadstix." Finn said, glancing over to Rachel.
"It was really awkward. I think he was waiting on a date or something, he was acting really strange. Pensive." Rachel gave a sad smile.
"Are you okay with it?" he sighed.
"I'm fine. It just wasn't realistic to stay together, you know?" she nodded.
"Have you talked to him?"
"We've exchanged emails and a few calls, but not too much. I think its' a bit easier this way." he said. "Besides I might have met someone new." he said with a smile.
"Oh my god! Tell me everything!" she squealed and Finn sighed, tuning them out as he focused back on his game. It was going to be a lengthy few days back home.
"Hey!" Quinn said opening the door and throwing an arm over each of their shoulders. She pulled back and smiled at them both, nodding inside. "Come on in."
"How's it going?" Santana asked, as they took off their coats and handed them over to Quinn.
"Well, I've been here for almost two days and I haven't killed my mom yet so, good?" They nodded and laced their fingers together as they followed her into the living room, taking a seat on the loveseat as Quinn sat on the couch next to it.
"Where is your mom?" Brittany asked looking around.
"Church." she shrugged. "Well, how's New York treating you two? You look good."
"It's amazing Quinn, you have to come visit!" Quinn laughed.
"I'm sure Finn and Rachel would love that." Santana frowned.
"Who cares, I pay rent there too. We don't have to hang out with them."
"Seems like you guys are with them a lot." Quinn smirked. "I mean if you go by Facebook." Santana's scowl just deepened.
"I swear to god if Berry doesn't stop checking me into everyplace we are ever at I'm going to kill her." She turned to Brittany. "I've warned her." Quinn just laughed.
"How is living with the happy couple?"
"It's fine." Santana sighed.
"It's going better than expected." Brittany responded with a smile. "It's challenging at times but for the most part it works out. Did you hear Finn's going to be a firefighter?"
"Yeah." she nodded. "Santana told me last time we talked. She said Rachel wasn't too pleased."
"Understatement." Santana said.
"Not shocking."
"She's dealing pretty well now. She's getting over it, I think."
They caught up for a bit more discussing their life in the city and school and got the details of Ohio State from Quinn. Though they talked on the phone occasionally there was something different about seeing someone in person again. After a couple hours of catching up and reminiscing Quinn let them know she had to leave to meet her mother.
"She's forcing me to shop with her." she sighed.
"It's okay." Brittany said, shaking her head. "We're making Christmas cookies with my sister tonight so we have to hit the stores for some last minute things anyway and then go the grocery store to get things to make cookies with my sister." Quinn nodded. "But before we go, I got you something!" she smiled and Quinn glanced at Santana questioningly.
"Britt, I told Santana no gifts." she said.
"I know, I know and she told me but I really wanted to get you something. I mean you know how much I love Christmas and it didn't feel right." Quinn sighed and accepted an envelope that Brittany handed to her.
"Well you didn't have to."
"Trust me it was nothing. I even enjoyed it." She looked to Santana again with confusion. Santana just smiled and nodded her confirmation.
"Oh she definitely enjoyed it."
"Okay, now I'm just worried."
"Open it!" Brittany said, bouncing up and down.
Quinn tore the envelope open looking up to catch their expressions once more, Brittany's of sheer excitement and Santana's of amusement. She pulled out a computer made card and began to read, her face scrunching in confusion.
"?" she said slowly, eyes shooting up to see a giggling Santana. "You signed me up on an internet dating site.
"Yes, Santana keeps saying how miserable you are without a man and how much you need to get some." Quinn flashed a death glare at Santana. "So I thought this would be the perfect gift. I bought you a three month plan but I've been using it for a month."
"You've been what?" Santana continued to cackle from her seat. "Pipe down, you." Quinn shot before looking back to Brittany. "What do you mean using it Britt?"
"Well, I created your profile and I started talking to potential matches. I know sometimes you can come off as a little harsh." Quinn's mouth fell open. "Your password and everything is on there. I added a few details and things to spice it up a little. You should leave them." Quinn's eyes widened. "Oh and you have a date on Thursday!"
"A date?" Brittany nodded enthusiastically.
"He's from a few towns over and his name is Chet. He has dirty blonde hair, green eyes, and he's pretty good looking. He enjoyes country music, line dancing, barbacue, and he's kind of Christian." she said informatively. "Oh and most importantly, his family owns a farm." Quinn squinted her eyes and Brittany just shrugged. "Santana said you needed to get back on the horse so I figured you'd want to find a guy that had one."
"I'm going to kill you." she said to Santana, who just laughed.
"Oh come on Quinn, it can't be that bad. Not like you couldn't use a little action."
"Fuck you Santana." She said with a sigh, putting the card back into the envelope with a heavy sigh.
"Trust me, you're going to have an awesome time." Brittany said with certainty.
"Thanks Britt." she said tightly. "Well, as entertaining as this all has been, I have to get going."
They said goodbyes and agreed to meet up on the day after Christmas for breakfast or lunch so they could hang out once more before heading back to New York.
"I can't believe you're jealous of Artie." Brittany shook her head, grabbing bags out of the trunk with a laugh. Santana frowned.
"I'm not jealous."
"You like, totally got all possessive when we saw him."
"Hey, I went to get the eggs and when I came back you were like all over the guy." she said, slamming the trunk shut.
"All over him?" Brittany asked incredulously as they made their way up the steps. "I gave him a hug when I saw him."
"Whatever. It was unnecessary." Brittany sighed, and opened the door.
They walked into the kitchen, greeting her mom who sat at the table, reading and dropping their coats on the hanger. She watched in amusement as Santana grumpily unpacked the groceries.
"What's up with Santana?" her mom asked and Brittany glanced at her and laughed.
"We saw Artie in the grocery store. She got a little...over-protective and I called her out on it." Her mother just laughed and shook her head.
"I'm gonna drop the gifts in my room, San and tell Kelly to come down." she said. "Be right back." Santana just nodded, and continued what she was doing.
"Oh Santana, you can't be serious." Brittany's mom said from the table and Santana looked up at her questioningly. "You're not really jealous of Artie of all people."
"Not like Brittany didn't date him for months and refuse to leave him for me or anything." she muttered and Mrs Pierce laughed.
"Santana, my daughter hasn't been in love with anyone but you for as long as I can remember. She's crazy about you." She smirked. "Besides who's living with her in New York?" Santana couldn't help the smile that overtook her face. She put down the sugar and walked over to sit across from Brittany's mother.
"I guess you're right." she shrugged. "I'm not even really jealous. He just gets on my nerves. He's just like an annoying little mosquito." Mrs. Pierce sighed.
"You're a funny girl Santana." she said. "But I'm glad you love Brittany so much. It's comforting to know there's someone looking out for her. She gets lost in her own world sometimes and I worry about her in that big city." Santana smiled broadly.
"I'd never let anything happen to Brittany." she said leaving no room for error. Mrs. Pierce nodded and smiled warmly.
"I know. Just like I know she'd never let anything happen to you. That's why you two have always worked so good together, even as friends. You watch each other's backs. You always put each other first."
"Thanks." Santana said, seriously and swallowed, feeling a little emotional. With the struggle that the situation with her own parents gave her, it was nice to have a parental figure be so supportive of her and Brittany's relationship. She snapped her head around hearing two sets of feet running down the stairs.
"Hey!" Brittany said, plopping down on Santana's lap sideways and looking between her mom and girlfriend. "What are you guys talking about?" she said playfully.
"Not telling." Santana teased, poking her side as she giggled.
"You suck." she said, wrapping her arms around her neck. "But you're in a much better mood." She smiled as she leaned in to give her a kiss.
"Ew gross, not the love stuff again." Kelly said and Mrs. Pierce chuckled.
"Hey, no comments from the peanut gallery." Santana said, narrowing her eyes at her.
"It's just so annoying." she sighed and they all laughed.
"Come on, grumpy, let's go make cookies." Santana said, kissing Brittany's cheek and tapping her so she got off her lap as she took off across the room with Kelly. Brittany just smiled and exchanged a contented glance with her mom before joining them.
"Santana would you please help me with the dishes in the kitchen?" her mother asked at the table as they were all done eating. Santana groaned and Brittany smiled at her squeezing her hand under the table.
"I'd be glad to help you." Brittany offered kindly with a smile.
"Santana," she said firmly, looking at her daughter, "now." She turned and took a pile of dishes to the kitchen.
Santana turned to look at Brittany who swallowed hard. She tried to play it off with a smile but Santana could see right through it and sense the mixture of embarrassment and hurt that Brittany was feeling from the way she was shunned in front of the table. Santana gave her an apologetic expression and squeezed her shoulder as she stood and walked into the kitchen.
"So Brittany, tell the truth, how is Santana behaving herself in New York?" he asked kindly, clearly trying to get her to smile, which she did.
"You know," Brittany said shyly, looking down and shrugging, "she's a handful, but she's been doing pretty well."
Christmas Eve dinner was tense to say the least. Santana's grandmother barely spoke or acknowledged either of them and her mother had been extremely combative all evening. The rest of her family was generally mixed, her older aunt and uncle, who were always to stuffy for her tastes, clearly uncomfortable, but their oldest daughter and her other aunt, fun and happy as always. The rest were still kids and they were basically just...kids.
Santana walked into the kitchen and slammed a stack of plates on the counter next to the sink.
"The way you're acting is completely unacceptable!" she said to her mother's back as she scraped food off a plate.
"I don't know what you're referring to." her mother said, continuing to empty the plates into the trash.
"You know exactly what I'm referring to – Brittany. I brought her here as my guest and you've been nothing but rude to her. You've ignored her and made snide comments all night. I know it's not his favorite thing in the world, but at least Daddy is civil." she turned and looked at Santana, putting down the plate in her hands.
"What did I do to you Santana? What did I do that made you want to rebel and do this to us?" she shook her head. "We did everything we could to raise you right. We gave you everything you ever wanted and we still do. We're paying for you to go to college in New York, to live with your friends, and we give you access to all the money you need, which you have proven to have no problem using. So tell me, why are you trying so hard to hurt us?" Santana swallowed.
"I'm not." she said firmly, anger seeping through. "This has nothing to do with you. This is about me and there's nothing you could or couldn't have done to change that. It's who I am, and if you can't accept that then..." she shook her head and sniffled, "then eventually, you're going to lose me."
"Don't threaten me Santana, it won't get you anywhere."
"I'm not!" Santana yelled. Brittany lingered just outside in the hallway with a few plates but paused upon hearing the conversation. "I'm not." she repeated evenly, trying to contain her anger. "This isn't a threat mom. I'm just telling you the truth. I'm in love with Brittany and that's not changing any time soon."
"You think that now Santana, but one day, you'll meet someone – a nice boy – and you'll change your mind. In high school you dated a few nice boys." she said emphatically. "Why can't you try again?"
"I was pretending!" she yelled. "I was confused and I was fighting my feelings for Brittany, because I knew that you and so many other people would treat me like this." Her mother sighed.
"It always comes back to Brittany! If I would have known when you met her-"
"You loved Brittany. You used to adore her and -"
"That was before I knew she turned you into this."
"Brittany didn't turn me anything!" she insisted. "Why can't you wrap your head around the fact that I'm not interested in boys? I like girls...and that's okay. And more than that, I'm in love with Brittany. We're soul mates Mami." she said simply, wiping a tear from her eyes. "I know that sounds like a sappy fairytale that I would never be gullible to believe in, but it's true. So what I was telling you? That wasn't a threat." she shook her head. "That was me telling you that I'm going to marry Brittany one day. I'm going to spend the rest of my life with her. And have a family with her. If you can't accept that, then you're going to lose me." Her mother looked at her with a mixture of anger and sadness, tears pooling in her eyes.
"This is not what I wanted for you." she said sadly. "This is not how we raised you. And now you're pushing this lifestyle on me. Bringing your friends to this house on Christmas of all days."
"Well, I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment to you." she said curtly, grabbing the empty dishes and dropping them into the sink. "But this is my life Mami, and if you can't start to treat my girlfriend with the same respect you'd treat a boyfriend I brought here then we're going to have problems."
"Sorry to interrupt I just thought I'd bring these in." Brittany said, sensing it might be the appropriate time to break up the conversation. Santana looked at her with sad, but thankful eyes as she walked the plates over to her. She sent her a questioning glare to make sure she was okay, discreetly rubbing her fingers over Santana's as they made the exchange.
"Thanks." Santana said with a nod and sniffle, indicating she'd be fine for now. Brittany nodded and went back into the dining room as she left them to finish in silence.
"I'm so sorry Brittany." Santana said as soon as they shut the door to her house.
"It's okay." Brittany said, taking her hand and entwining their fingers. "I understand Santana and I'm okay, I just want to make sure you are."
"I'm fine." she said, as they walked over to Brittany's car and she opened the door for Santana Brittany just smiled.
"You're not. But for now, I'll let it slide. Come on, Christmas Eve dessert and gifts will make you feel better." she said, kissing her softly, and nudging her gently into the car.
Brittany was right, after having dessert with the Pierces and watching Brittany's little sister flit around in anticipation until it was time to go to bed really did make her feel better. She felt at ease and got lost in the holiday as they exchanged gifts with Brittany's parents and her sister in front of the fire and tree in Brittany's living room.
The difference between the two families was outstanding. While her family was completely uncomfortable, the Pierces couldn't have been more at ease. They bought the girls a Christmas Ornament to commemorate their first year living together and were more than generous with her as well as Brittany of course. It warmed her heart.
After a few glasses of wine, with the exchange complete and Kelly in bed, Brittany's parents left them alone in the living room, where Brittany bounced in anticipation as they got ready to exchange their own gifts.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait till morning?" Santana teased, sitting on the floor leaning against the couch.
"Of course not it's tradition!" Brittany insisted and swatted at her. "Besides, it's midnight now!"
"So you think you're ready for your gifts?" Santana asked and Brittany smiled and nodded.
"More than ready." Santana giggled and leaned forward, capturing Brittany's lips quickly before turning and grabbing a stack of boxes and sliding them over. Brittany excitedly tore through the first few gifts that Santana had handed her, squealing as she found a new winter coat, a new pair of boots, a few new sweaters and a few DVDs she'd been asking for.
"Oh my god San, I love them all thank you!" she said throwing her arms around her neck and kissing her cheek.
"There's one more." Santana smiled, handing her a card and a small box.
"Stop! You went too crazy!" Santana just shrugged.
Brittany opened the card and smiled reading the poem on it, knowing Santana would have put extreme thought into picking out something she felt was perfect. She went on to open the box and gasped when she found a white gold necklace with an infinity charm littered with small diamonds on half of it.
"Do you like it?" she asked softly and Brittany looked up with a huge smile.
"It's beautiful. Santana, are you crazy? Your parents are going to kill you for this." She just shrugged.
"I'm pretty over them right now." she said. "Turn it around." She watched with a smile as Brittany turned it over and lifted it up to find small engraving on the back – My past, present, & future
"Santana." she said emotionally.
"Here." Santana said, taking it and putting it around her neck with a smile, kissing her cheek as she leaned back to look at it.
"Thank you." Brittany said, genuinely and kissed her slowly.
"I figured it was the most fitting thing for me to get you because when I think about you and us, that's what I think of – infinity. This" she pointed between them, "is forever." Brittany nodded tearily. "So I wanted to get you a symbol of that, so you could remember it all of the time." Brittany kissed her once more and sniffled.
"Stop being sappy and making me cry!" she said with a laugh and Santana giggled. "You're turn!" She ran info the other room and came back carrying a big basket.
"Britt, what the hell?" Santana asked and Brittany shrugged.
"I wanted to get you so many things, so I decided to make this awesome basket to get you a little of everything." She tore through it to find a shirt, an itunes gift card, a Breadstix gift card (Brittany insisted they go before they left), her favorite starbucks coffee, a bath candle, and several other little things that she loved. She smiled at the thought put into each piece.
"Thanks Britt."
"But there's more! Dig!" Santana looked at her questioningly and dug through the stuffing at the bottom, coming up with a small black box, which she opened to find a pretty pair heart shaped earrings with a small diamond in the middle.
"Brittany, you did not have to do this." Santana siad, seriously.
"You don't like them?" Brittany asked, with concern.
"No, are you kidding? I love them, they're gorgeous." Brittany beamed. "But you didn't need to spend this much."
"Don't worry about it Santana. My parents always help me out with Christmas." she said. "Besides, I make damn good money at that bar." she joked and Santana laughed.
"This is true."
"One more dig!" Brittany said.
"Brittany!"
"San, trust me." she raised her hand, as if to swear. "I promise I hardly had to spend anything on this one." Santana looked skeptical, but continued to dig through the paper until she reached the bottom and pulled out a book. She flashed her eyes back up to Brittany before glancing back down at the book and opening it to find that Brittany had made her a scrap book.
"Wow." Santana said, finding items things like movie ticket stubs from the first time they saw one together. "Britt...this is so cool."
"You like it?" Brittany asked hopefully.
"This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever given me." she said, taken aback as she flipped through the pages at just how much Brittany had saved. She skimmed through the pages, not really stopping to read the little paragraphs and notes Brittany had included on the way. "I can't believe you saved all this stuff." Brittany just shrugged.
"I knew this was a special relationship pretty quickly." she admitted.
"You're so amazing." Santana shook her head. "I could have spent a million dollars and you still outdid me." Brittany laughed.
"No, I didn't." she said. "You're gifts were amazing." They looked at each other lovingly for a few moments before Santana leaned forward and curved her hand around the back of Brittany's neck, capturing her lips in a sweet, but passionate kiss. Brittany easily returned it, running her own hands through Santana's hair as she leaned forward.
"Mmmm, Britt, come on, let's go upstairs." she said with a giggle. "I know you're parents are awesome, but I still don't want them going to get a glass of water and finding us making out on the floor." Brittany chuckled and stood, helping Santana up. They gathered their things and headed up the stairs.
"Thank you for being so understanding today." Santana said gently, from where she sat on the bed, changed into shorts and a tank top, as Brittany entered with her toothbrush from the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it behind her. "I know that was hard. My mom was really rude to you."
Brittany smiled and put her things down on the dresser, shutting the light off and leaving only the lamp on her night stand. She sank down on her knees onto the bed, straddling Santana's leg as she leaned down and placed a long, loving kiss on her lips, trying hard to convey all the emotion she felt. Santana's hands held her steady on her waist as she kissed her back with equal emotion.
"It's okay." she whispered as they pulled apart. "I told you, I get it. For now, your parents are still paying your way and things." she shook her head. "We need to play by their rules for now, even a little bit." she shrugged. "All things considered, we're living together in New York. I get to sleep next you you ever night and wake up with you every morning. A few days of dealing with them here or there isn't that bad."
"I want them to respect you. I can't stand seeing anyone treat you like that. Least of all my own mother." Santana said firmly as she lifted a hand to tuck a few stray hairs behind Brittany's ear. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You make me so much better...and it pains me that they can't see that." Brittany smiled comfortingly.
"I love that you see me like that. But right now they're just confused. I just think, we need to give them some more time. Sure my parents love us, but not everyone is like that. They're still in shock, but they do love you. They'll come around. I have faith."
"That's why I love you so much." she said, squeezing Brittany's hip and pulling her down as she eased herself backwards.
"I overheard some of your conversation with your mom today." Brittany said. "You really think we're soul mates?" she asked, settling in so she was on her side, half on Santana, half on the bed.
"Of course. There's no one else out there for me. And I don't think there ever has been." Brittany smiled and closed the gap, between them once more.
"Merry Christmas, Santana."
"Merry Christmas, Britt." She said smiling as she closed the last of the space so that their lips could meet once again.
Finn yawned, turning in his bed as he stretched and smiling at the warm weight of Rachel curled into his chest. He laughed and kissed her softly.
"Rach." he said and she stirred sleepily.
"Hmm?"
"It's 9:30 and you're still sleeping. Are you feeling okay?" he joked and she pouted.
"I'm fine." she grumbled and rubbed her eyes. "We were all up so late."
"True." he said, sitting up. "Well, come on, time to get up!"
"Why are you so eager to get out of bed? You could sleep through a tornado."
"Rach, it's Christmas morning!" he said expectantly. "Presents!" She smiled in recognition.
"Oh yeah." she said, sitting up and sliding off the bed. She put on her robe and made her way to the door.
"Wait where are you going?" he asked, with confusion.
"Downstairs." she said, looking equally perplexed.
"No, I mean, not yet." he whined. "We have to do our gifts."
"Now?"
"Of course!" she shrugged.
"Okay." she said with a smile. She knelt down under his bed where she had hidden his gifts when she arrived last night and handed him two rather large boxes. He smiled with anticipation and she nodded for him to go ahead, soon finding two brand new cymbals with cases."
"I figured since your band is playing all these places now you shouldn't be stuck on those crappy house cymbals the bars have." she smirked. "And those are the best of the best." He grinned and nodded.
"These are sick."
"Every dignified drummer should have his own cymbals. It's like a rite of passage." she said and he laughed, kissing her softly.
"Thanks babe." he grinned goofily. "Now I really want to play them. The guys are gonna be so excited." She handed him another few boxes where he found a couple new shirts and a new pair of sneakers. "This is all great Rach, thanks,"
"Well, one more." she said, handing him a small box.
"What's this?" he asked softly, looking back up at her.
"Open it and see." she smiled. He did as she instructed and opened it to find a small gold pin in the shape of a star. "I know you're probably going to start work soon. You know, I mean, you'll probably be getting called to the fire academy."
"I hope." he said, not meeting her eyes.
"Well, I wanted to get you something to wear on your uniform. You know, something that could remind you of me and maybe bring you a little luck." he looked up and smiled, swallowing his emotions. "I decided to support you in this, so" she shrugged, " I thought this would be a step in the right direction."
"Rachel, that really means a lot to me." he said, grabbing her hand. "I know how tough this has been on you and I'm sorry it had to be like this. But this makes me really happy and I'm glad you're going to share it with me." he said sincerely. She nodded.
"I know." she smiled and gave him a soft, meaningful kiss. "Just promise me you'll be safe." she whispered, leaning her forehead against his.
"I will." he said, kissing her once more and wrapping her in a tight hug. After a few moments he sighed and they broke apart, smiling happily. "Time for your gifts." he smirked mischievously and she clapped excitedly as he handed her a few packages and was delighted to find the complete Barbara blu ray collection and her very own small karaoke machine.
"Santana's going to kill you." she laughed.
"Well, if she wants to have a party, at least now we've got one of these." he said, giving a lopsided grin.
"Here." he said, handing her a much smaller box, which she accepted with a smile and soon opened, grinning upon finding a white gold claddagh ring.
"See," he said, picking it up and lifting up her right hand, "do you know about this ring?"
"A little." she said.
"Well, it's supposed to signify the important qualities of a relationship friendship with the hands, loyalty with the crown and love with the heart. It's an Irish thing." he smiled proudly. "And when you wear it like this," he said putting it on her finger, "with the heart facing in, it means you're taken."
"I love it." she said, voice full of emotion as she kissed him once more.
"Mmm, Rach, actually I have one more gift." he said.
"Finn, you really didn't have to-"
"Actually, this is totally your big gift but I feel a little bad because it actually didn't cost me a thing." She frowned. "But still, I'm pretty sure you're going to like it...like a lot. It's not something I can physically give you right now, so just," he held his hands out, "brace yourself."
"Okay." she said, placing her hands on her lap and looking at him with uncertainty.
"Well, there are some perks to working at a pretty trendy gym, as I've told you. You meet some pretty interesting people. Anyway, Jeff introduced me to this dude he's known for years. He's a stage designer." she nodded. "I've become real friendly with him and I don't have them yet but I was telling him what a Broadway fan you are and he promised me tickets to next year's Tony Awards. I'm not too sure what those are, but he seems to think they're a pretty big deal." He watched Rachel's face as her eyes grew wider than he'd ever seen and she opened her mouth to speak, no words immediately forming.
"I...but...what?" she asked, breathing heavily.
"Rach?" he frowned. "Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, but I thought I just heard you tell me I had tickets to the Tony awards."
"I did." he laughed. He watched as she jumped from the bed nearly tackling him with the force that she plowed into him, as small as she was. She screamed loudly, hopping up and down as he laughed at her reaction. She continued her celebration when Kurt, Burt, and his mom burst through the door.
"Is everything okay in here?" Burt asked.
"Yeah. We just exchanged Christmas gifts."
"God, I thought someone was dying." Kurt scoffed and then turned to Finn with shock. "Wait, you didn't just get engaged, did you?" he asked with curiosity and Carol looked at him with shock.
"Finn?" He shook his head.
"No." he said with a chuckle. "I just got her-"
"Tony tickets!" she said and Kurt looked at him with disbelief.
"Are you kidding me?"
"Nope." he smirked.
"Oh my god!" he shrieked and joined Rachel, hugging her as they gushed about plays and what she would wear.
"Guess you did good." Burt smiled, patting him on the back. "Come on, come down for your gifts."
At 7 on Christmas Day Brittany's doorbell rang and she ran to get it, finding her girlfriend standing on the steps.
"Wow, 7 on the dot." she smiled, her face falling a little at Santana's worn expression. She frowned. "Was it that bad." Santana nodded and fighting the tears and Brittany, wrapped her up in a tight hug, rubbing her back soothingly. "San, it's okay." Santana sighed and she pulled them over into the laundry room away from the loud crowd in the living room.
"I'm sorry." Santana said and Brittany shook her head profusely, tucking Santana's hair behind her ears lovingly.
"Stop, don't apologize. What happened honey?"
"Nothing major. I mean, it's no different than always. It was just...I don't know dealing with it three days in a row with the holidays was stressful. I couldn't take it anymore, I just wanted to see you." Brittany smiled sympathetically.
"Aww, San, I missed you for dinner too." she said, kissing her nose playfully. "So nothing happened?"
"Nothing really. I mean my abuela gives me the same silent treatment my mom gives you. My mom preaches at me. My dad tries but..." she shrugged. "It's exhausting being around them. And as much as I hate exposing you to them, it's even harder alone."
"I promise we'll make a better plan next year. Who knows, maybe they'll even have softened by then." she said. Santana stifled a laugh.
"Please never stop being so optimistic." she said, putting a hand on each of Brittany's cheeks and kissing her firmly.
"Mmm, I won't." Brittany murmured against her lips before pulling back to look at her once more. "Did you leave off okay? Maybe we can warm them up some more in New York."
"We left off fine. I told them I'd stop by and say goodbye first thing Thursday morning." she said, searching Brittany's eyes, who immediately understood and nodded.
"We'll go together and bring them something for breakfast."
"Thanks." she smiled.
"Come on, the hard part is over." she said. "And it wasn't that bad, was it?" she asked, with a playful smile that Santana couldn't help returning.
"I guess not." Brittany grinned wider and peppered small kisses across her face, causing Santana to giggle.
"That's what I want to hear." she said, pecking her lips, before taking her hand and leading them back out into the hall. "Come on, my grandparents can't wait to see you! They even brought you something!" she said and Santana smiled, taken aback when Kelly came running over with excitement and hugged her with one arm.
"San, come see what I got!" she bounced excitedly running back into the living room. Brittany and Santana exchanged a giggle.
"She's totally on a sugar high, we've been eating candy like all day." Brittany said and Santana shook her head.
As bad as she had felt walking in, she already felt a million times better walking into the living room to finish off her Christmas with the Pierce family.
After a fun Christmas evening with the Pierces and an enjoyable last day in Lima split between them, Quinn, and a dinner date at Breadstix, by the time Thursday rolled around they couldn't be more ready to go home. They stopped by Santana's in the morning with breakfast and things were thankfully a little less tense than the previous encounters. Santana's mother still hardly spoke to Brittany, but she did acknowledge her presence a few times and was less critical than their previous visits. Santana figured the reality of her leaving once more had sunk in and must have softened her up ever so slightly.
After parting ways with them they made their way back to Brittany's where her dad drove them off to the airport and after a quick flight they were landing back in New York.
"My babies!" Brittany said dropping her bag at the door and running over to greet Ariel and Sebastian with kisses and hugs. Santana smiled and sighed looking up at their now slightly wilting tree. She bent down to rub each cat on the head before grabbing Brittany's bag and heading to the bedroom.
"So good to be home!" Santana yelled, falling face down onto the bed. "My bed." she said releasing a content breath and closing her eyes. "Ugh." she grunted, as Brittany pounced on her back. She turned around and giggled. "What are you doing Britts?" Brittany just smiled wide.
"Happy to be back?" Santana nodded and pulled Brittany's legs so that she was straddling her more comfortably.
"So happy to be back." she said reaching up to kiss Brittany teasingly. "Even happier that we get to have the apartment for 4 whole nights without Finn and Rachel." Brittany giggled but soon moaned and pushed Santana back down into the bed, letting Santana's hand travel under her shirt. "San..." she whined.
"What?" Santana asked against her lips, reaching back to her bra, but Brittany pulled back.
"No," she laughed. "Santana, as much as I'd love to sit here and do this right now, I have to get ready for work." Santana pouted and Brittany kissed her quickly. "Sorry, I hate leaving you on our first night back, but we have all day tomorrow and then all of Saturday."
"And Sunday night." Santana said with a smile and Brittany nodded. "Maybe I'll wait up for you tonight." she said, quirking an eyebrow and Brittany grinned.
"I think that's an awesome idea." she said kissing her once more softly before parting and getting up to head towards the shower. "Sure you don't want to hang out there tonight?"
"Nah." Santana shook her head. "I'm tired, I may nap, hang out with the kitties."
"Okay." she frowned. "But I'll miss you." Santana laughed.
"I'll come have dinner tomorrow and stay for a little bit. We're stuck there on New Year's though."
"Yeah, I know...it sucks." Brittany frowned. "At least we'll be together and you're drinking for free?" she tried.
"True." she sighed. "Go shower babe. The quicker you're done with work, the quicker you're home."
"So, are you two glad to be back or what?"
"I'm kinda tired." Finn said.
"Me too." Rachel agreed with a yawn and Santana frowned.
"I can't believe this is my New Year's Eve." she shook her head, watching Brittany bustle around the very busy bar.
"It''ll be fun." Finn tried to be encouraging.
"I guess." she shrugged and sighed.
"We could always hit up the band party." Finn said hopefully.
"Finn, go if you want, but please quit bringing it up." she sighed, as her eyes trailed back up the bar and over Brittany working it back and forth. "I'm not leaving Britt."
"It sucks she has to work on New Years even though it's not her shift." Rachel said sympathetically.
"Yeah, I know." she shrugged. "It's the consequences of being the new girl. Hopefully next year she'll have a little more seniority."
"Hopefully."
"Brittany's so busy tonight too." Finn added.
"Finn, I'm not leaving her anytime before midnight."
"Whoa!" he raised his hands in defense. "I was just saying it's lame."
"Yeah." she muttered but turned to them with a smirk. "Shots?" she asked.
"Oh no, I have to take it slow if you want me around past midnight." Rachel said and Santana rolled her eyes.
"Come on Lurch, tequila for you and me." she winked and leaned over the bar. "Hey bartender!" she called and Brittany looked over to her with a grin.
"Can I help you? I'm very busy." she said seriously, shaking her head.
"Hey, I'm a customer." Brittany's smile broke through.
"Yeah, not a paying one." she said, kissing her gently.
"Oh, I'll pay you plenty later." she winked.
"Holding you too that." she said seriously before glancing down the bar where other customers were waiting. "What do you need?"
"Two shots of Patron?"
"You got it."
A couple hours later and Santana had to admit that all things considered it hadn't turned out that bad. Sure Brittany was with them less than usual, but being around at all was better than nothing and Hudson and Berry weren't the worst company. Not seeing them for a while had definitely improved her tolerance for both.
A few minutes before midnight as everyone readied themselves for the countdown, she watched Finn and Rachel cuddle and whisper to each other while Brittany passed out glasses of champagne across the bar. It was kind of amazing how focused the rowdy bar had all suddenly become, everyone gathering around waiting for the ball that say only a few miles away drop and signal the New Year.
She focused her own attention on the TV, glancing back to her girlfriend every so often and finally about a minute before she felt movement next to her and found Brittany hopping over the bar to stand next to her with a proud smile.
"Told you I'd be ready for midnight."
"Cutting it close there." she remarked and turned to wrap her arms around Brittany, who did the same.
"Pshh, there's plenty of time." she said as the clock ticked by the seconds. They too turned and watched, counting down with the crowd as the final seconds rolled off the clock. Finally the clock struck midnight and the bar erupted in cheers.
Brittany reached up and brought her hand across Santana's cheek, pulling her in to a passionate New Year's kiss. The bar was noisy and rowdy but they allowed themselves to get lost in the moment and when they finally pulled away, looking deeply into each other's eyes.
"You know when you kiss someone at New Year's that's who you're kissing for the rest of they year right?" Brittany said with a smile. "You're totally stuck with me."
"Damn, I should have kissed that redhead at the end of the bar." Santana said and Brittany's head snapped around. "What red head?" she growled.
"Made you look." Santana teased, pulling her back and kissing her once more. "I better make sure to kiss you every single year then." she whispered and Brittany nodded.
"You better." she agreed and fell back into a kiss before she heard the other bartender calling her. They broke apart with a mutual sigh. "I'm sorry, I gotta get back."
"It's okay, go." she said, pecking her once more and squeezing her waist before helping her back over the bar. She turned around to Finn and Rachel who were still lost in their own little world.
"Hey losers!" Santana yelled and smiled as they jumped apart embarrassedly. "Knock it off! Time for a New Year's shot." she winked and leaned back over to order them something light and easy from Brittany, who joined this one as they toasted to a new year in the city together, all of them extremely happy to be back home.