A/N: I know, I know - I haven't updated in too long. I have no excuses except for the anticipation of "Heart" airing killed my will to focus. And I'm SO glad I was not disappointed! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did...actually, I'm still enjoying it! It'll probably never end and I'm totally okay with that! :-)
Anyways, hope you all enjoy the chapter, only a few more to go on this one (probably 3-4) but no worries, once we're done here we'll move right to the sequel. Thanks for all the lovely reviews here and on tumblr and all the alerts/favorites. It definitely gets me to sit down and write. And in case anyone else wants to find me on tumblr - therewasamouseinmine[dot]tumblr[dot]com
"My senses have never lied to me before-"
"Um, yes they have." Santana corrected, lifting her eyes over the pages of the magazine she was flipping through to eye Rachel. "Would you like to start by revisiting all of the times they lied to you in high school?" Rachel waved her hand dismissively.
"Stop bringing up the past Santana. I'm talking about the present and I'm telling you, I know something is going on with Finn."
"God Berry, give it up. Stop trying to make your pathetically boring life into some wildly captivating soap opera." she shook her head, going back to her magazine. "Finn isn't up to anything. Your overdramatic nature is causing you to see shit that doesn't exist." she muttered.
"Well, perhaps I'd take a break from Finn if you'd tell me exactly what mystery is going on with you and Brittany." Santana just rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore her. "As I'd expected. Well then, onto plan B. Tomorrow he's mysteriously elected to work the 4PM shift, which is his least favorite. It allows for us to spend the least amount of time together, since I'm at school when he's home. Tomorrow, I will be skipping classes so that I can find out exactly what he is up to."
"How do I know someone this psychotic?" Santana grumbled, shaking her head, before standing. "I gotta go take a shower."
"Another secret meeting with Brittany tonight?" Rachel raised a brow questioningly and Santana looked at her as if she had grown an extra head.
"Brittany has been working Tuesdays for the last year and a half, or has the insanity taken your brain over to the point where you can't remember the most basic aspects of your life?"
"You just never know with you two lately." Rachel said, gauging Santana's face.
"Whatever. If you must know, I'm meeting with some people from one of my classes" she said with a sigh.
"Santana Lopez, have you finally made friends?"
"Perhaps." she answered vaguely before grabbing Ariel off the table and heading into the bedroom. She kissed the cat's head and placed her on the bed before, quickly picking up her cell and hitting Finn's name as she walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
"Hey, what's up?" he asked. "I'm kinda in the middle of a Madden tournament." She rolled her eyes.
"Lovely to know what all those taxpayer dollars are going towards."
"Yeah well, it's all worth it for when we run into a burning building and save your life." he said.
"They should find ways for you to multitask. Maybe you should like clean the streets in your down time."
"Did you call just to harass me about my job?" He asked with frustration.
"No, actually, I called to warn you."
"About what?"
"That little hobbit that you seem so intent on spending the rest of your life with? She's gone off the deep end. Even more than usual."
"What are you talking about?"
"Britts told me how you're picking up the ring tomorrow and you're working the later shift cause of it."
"Yeah..."
"Well, Berry's planning on following you."
"Are you serious?" he asked.
"Do you really think I'd waste my time calling you to joke about something like this?" He sighed heavily.
"Well, thanks for the head's up. I appreciate it."
"Whatever, you owe me one." she said. "Now, figure something out and stop wasting precious city money." she said, before ending the call and heading in for her shower.
"Britt!" Santana slurred happily, jumping up on the foot rail of the bar and leaning over to peck her girlfriend hello as she'd become so accustomed to. "This is for you!" she said, thrusting a rose into her face, as she stumbled back down.
"Whoa, be careful." Brittany said sternly, looking unamused. "Where have you been?" she asked. "I've been trying to reach you since 10:30 and it's 2:30."
"I know, I know!" she said. "I am so sorry." she slurred once more. "Everyone wanted to have drinks at dinner and then we played this stupid shot game and I just..." she waved her hands around sloppily. "Hit me all at once." Brittany sighed.
"Jack, I'm taking 5." she called over to him and he nodded, coming over to hop back behind the quiet bar.
"Take ten." he smiled, nodding towards Santana with amusement as she swayed on her own feet.
"This place is dizzying." she said, as Brittany grabbed her hand and pulled her into the back office, sitting her on the couch.
"This wasn't cool San." she said, kneeling in front of her and looking her in the eyes as she brushed a stray hair away from her eyes.
"I know." she said sadly. "I didn't mean to!" she insisted. "I just lost track of things and everyone was drinking and before I knew it I woke up on Jen's couch." Brittany sighed. "I left right away because I knew I needed to get back to you." she said, rubbing a thumb across Brittany's face clumsily.
"Santana. You're wasted." she said in defeat.
"I'm sorry." she said, lip quivering.
"Don't cry baby, okay? It just wasn't like you and I was so worried. You always call me."
"I know." Santana nodded, shakily.
"I was just freaking out and I got scared. It's fine, but this is not okay Santana. You can't just do this. I'm happier than anyone you have new friends. I've wanted you to make some friends of your own since we moved here. But seriously, you would never want me to do that to you, so don't do it to me." she said firmly and Santana nodded, tears now spilling.
"I'm like the worst girlfriend ever." she said dramatically and Brittany sighed.
"Santana, come on, calm down." she said, leaning forward to wrap her up in a hug as she cried sloppily into her shoulder. "Great, we're at this part."
"I'm a terrible girlfriend. I didn't even call you and I got way too drunk and I just passed out on some random girl's couch." Brittany laughed.
"Babe, she lives with her boyfriend. Let's not get carried away." she said.
"But still!" she insisted. "I suck so bad." she said, falling back against the couch in defeat. Brittany chuckled fondly, reaching up to pull her down onto the couch.
"Hey," she said, wiping her cheeks. "You calm down, and breath, okay? I know you're sorry and right now I'm just glad you're here."
"But what can I do?" she asked helplessly, voice quivering and Brittany placed a soft kiss on her lips.
"Relax here for a little bit and try and sleep it off a little more." she said, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'm going to finish up my shift and take you home. And then tomorrow you can spend all day making it up to me and promising me that this will never happen again." she said sternly and Santana nodded emphatically.
"I will. I swear. Never." Brittany laughed.
"Plus, be a little bit happier, because I think I have some good news about the apartment hunt."
"Really?" Santana asked hopefully through her tear stained face. Brittany grinned and nodded, kissing her forehead once more.
"Really. Jack's place around the corner just became empty. And I made us an appointment tomorrow night." she said and Santana burst into tears once more. Brittany looked confused.
"Santana, isn't that a good thing?"
"It is!" she yelled. "I'm just so happy. And you were sitting her being such a good girlfriend and I was just being a big asshole."
"Seriously, Santana I need to go back out there. You need to calm down." she sighed. "Please? I promise, this is going to be okay. I'm pretty sure you learned your lesson. And if you didn't I'll make sure you do tomorrow." she smiled and Santana nodded, trying to catch her breath. "Okay, get some rest, I'll be back in a little bit." she said, squeezing her shoulder before heading back to the bar with a heavy sigh.
"She's toast." Jack stated, sliding a beer across to a customer as he collected cash in return.
"No kidding." Brittany sighed and laughed. "She's never done that before. But I doubt she'll do it again." Jack just laughed before heading back to the floor and making a whipping sound and leaving Brittany to laugh.
"I saw him!"
"What?" Brittany asked with confusion from where she lay on the couch, head resting comfortably in Santana's lap as they watched TV.
"Finn! I followed him."
"Is that why you're wearing the ridiculous coat and glasses?" Santana asked, rolling her eyes as she threaded her fingers soothingly through her girlfriend's hair.
"This isn't a joke! I was on a misson Santana. And I succeeded. He's definitely up to something and Saturday night at dinner, I'm going to confront him with it." Santana rolled her eyes.
"Rachel, don't you think you're overreacting?"
"I watched him go up to some building Brittany. He rang a bell and walked up to a second floor. He was clearly hooking up with some FDNY groupie!" Santana giggled.
"FDNY groupie? Seriously, what drugs are you on?"
"Don't mock me! I know what I saw!"
"And you saw nothing!" Santana said.
"Seriously Rach, don't overreact. I'm sure Finn will tell you everything."
"That's just it!" she continued. "I called him and he still kept up this lame excuse about taking care of some band stuff with Jeff and Adam."
"Terrible liar." Santana muttered and Brittany poked her in the ribs.
"What?"
"Nothing, I just said, I can't believe they're still trying to look at equipment we clearly don't need."
"Well don't worry about that Santana because I can assure you the house that Finn entered was neither Jeff nor Adam's." she huffed.
"Rachel, chill out. I'm sure there's a totally understandable reason for all of this." Brittany assured her. "Seriously, give Finn a chance."
"A chance to what? Stomp all over my heart again? I won't stand for it. Saturday night at dinner, I'm calling him on this situation. He thinks he can smooth talk me and I'll forget?"
"Rachel..."
"Oh my god, maybe he's breaking up with me!" she said horrified. "I mean, maybe he's setting up a big date to give us one last nice night together. He could be trying to let me down gently." she said tears welling in her eyes.
"Rachel!" Brittany repeated, louder. "Stop getting yourself into a panic. Seriously. there's no way Finn is going to break up with you."
"Yeah have you met Finn?" Santana asked and Brittany's eyes shot to her in confusion.
"San, of course they've met." Santana sighed.
"Why are you defending him? You're supposed to be my friends. You're supposed to be on my side!"
"Whoa, I've told you this a million times and I'll say it till you get it straight – we are not friends."
"Not now." Brittany sighed.
"What?" Santana asked.
"Rachel, why don't you like take a few deep breaths and calm down. No one is defending anyone, but I'm just like, 100% sure he's not cheating on you." She looked at Brittany with consideration.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I know Finn and he's crazy about you. So just...take it easy. Maybe you should go like watch one of those movies that makes you happy or something." Rachel considered this.
"I think I need to discuss with Kurt and decompress by watching Funny Girl."
"Exactly."
"Fine." she said, standing and calling Hubbell to go with her. "But rest assured, I am talking to Finn about his behavior on Saturday no better what happens." she turned and made her way to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
"God, she's even more insane than normal. Someone's been hiding her crazy pills, I swear."
"Ugh, I'm just glad she left and is bothering Kurt." Brittany said, throwing her hand over her face. "Trying to calm her down without telling her is exhausting. Let him have a turn."
"Seriously." Santana muttered. "I so need out of this place."
"Can you give us a minute?" Santana asked the super who nodded and walked to the door.
"Come back to my apartment when you're done and we can talk."
"Thanks." Santana nodded and watched as he walked out of the empty apartment. "Well, what do you think?" she asked, her face lighting up as she took a few steps forward.
"I think...it's pretty awesome." Brittany smirked and Santana smiled even wider. "I mean, I knew Jack always said he had a cool place, but this is even nicer than I expected." she said, referring to her co-worker who was moving out of his rent controlled apartment into a much bigger loft with his fiancee.
"Well I'm glad he mentioned it."
"I know...and it's right where we want. Like a block and a half away."
"So?" Santana asked, walking forward and wrapping her arms around her waist before placing a gentle kiss on her neck.
"It's cheap enough." Santana nodded, kissing a trail upward.
"Totally, it's a steal." Brittany shrugged and giggled, pushing Santana back so she could look at her.
"Then I think we found out apartment." she said and Santana squealed, hopping up to throw both her arms around her girlfriend's neck as she kissed her.
"I'm so excited!"
"Me too baby. For a while I thought we were never going to find something nice we could afford." Santana nodded.
"I know and now...one fell into our lap." she said, pecking her lips before taking one more quick tour of the place.
They soon left and headed back down a flight to the super's apartment where they expressed their interest. After sitting with him and filling in the standard application, adding her father as a co-signer to strengthen their case, especially since he'd be paying for most of it, they discussed basics. The apartment was already mostly vacated and the super advised them that they would need some time to re-finish floors and paint, but they should be ready to go by Memorial Day weekend.
"This is seriously perfect." Brittany said, squeezing Santana's hand as they walked back towards the house. "I just hope we get it."
"We will baby." Santana said, squeezing back. "My dad's information is going to be awesome for the application, don't worry. I'm going to call him when we get in and make sure he talks to them and re-assures them he'll be financially involved."
"Ugh, I hope we find out by tomorrow. I can't take the anticipation!"
"I'm sure they'll let us know as soon as it processes." she smiled, finding Brittany's nervousness adorable. She'd be lying if she didn't admit that Brittany's initial hesitancy to move threw her off a little, so she was relieved when she was so interested and invested in the actual apartment hunt. "Come on, let's go celebrate with some pizza." she said and dragged her giddy girlfriend towards the shop on the corner of their block.
Friday night Santana walked over to the Village Station with purpose, not able to contain her smile on the way over. She greeted Rick easily at the door as he opened it for her and headed in to smile at the sight of her girlfriend fluttering around behind the bar as she set customers up with drinks.
"Britt." she called, stepping into a small space at the end of the bar.
"Hey!" Brittany said, face lighting up as she waited for the tap to fill the glass she held below it. " She exchanged the drinks for cash and gave change before running to the end of the bar and placing a soft peck on her girlfriend's lips. Santana hung on, pulling her in for more. "Mmm, baby," she giggled, "I'm working."
"I know, I know. But I need you to take 5." she said.
"Sweetie, I can't." she said, eying the bar and her fellow bartender running around at the other end. "It's happy hour. I need to wait out this rush." Santana sighed and walked to the back.
"I'll take care of it." A few minutes later she returned back with Brittany's boss in toe, a smile on his face as he nodded her towards the back.
"Go on, take 5." he winked and Brittany laughed as Santana grabbed her hand and dragged her into the alleyway.
"So, what's so important it can't wait?" Brittany asked with a coy smile as she leaned back against the wall. "Hurry, I only have five." Santana giggled and leaned up into her, kissing her deeply. "I know...you didn't...mmm...drag me back here for this." she puffed between kisses before pulling back to look at her and instantly copying the infectious smile on her face.
"I got some good news." Santana said knowingly and Brittany's eyes shot open.
"The apartment?" she asked, bouncing and Santana nodded. "Oh my god, awesome!' she said, throwing her hands around her waist and pulling her in tightly. "I'm so excited!"
"I know baby, and he said if all goes well we can even get in early to start getting things together."
"That would be great!" she said, kissing her once more. "Do we have to go sign anything?" she asked and Santana nodded. "We'll go tomorrow and sign the lease, my dad already signed it and faxed it back though."
"That's awesome!" she said with a chuckle. "What did he say?"
"He's happy for us." Santana said with a smile. "He's glad we got it."
"I can't wait to tell my parents!" she said, hugging her again. "Ugh, I don't even wanna go back out there. I wanna celebrate!"
"Well, we're spending the night out of the house tomorrow so we'll celebrate with Todd and all your friends then." Santana said "Go on out there now before they kill me."
"Will you stay for a while?" Brittany asked.
"If you want."
"I definitely want." she smiled.
"Well, then I'll definitely stay." she said and Brittany leaned in to give her one more loving kiss.
"I love you and I can't wait to do this with you."
"I love you too." Santana responded. "And neither can I."
Saturday evening Finn had left Rachel a note and flower, asking her to dress up and meet her in a very familiar location in Central Park – the very same Bow Bridge he'd asked her to meet him on in junior year at Nationals. In similar fashion, he waited there with a bright smile and a bouquet of flowers before taking her for a walk through the park and leading her to Sardi's – the same place they ate.
After sitting down and ordering wine and their food, they sat through uncomfortable conversation as his neves were getting the best of him. He fidgeted and fumbled with the bread and finally Rachel couldn't take it any longer.
"Finn, what is going on with you?" she asked in exasperation.
"What? Me? Nothing! Why would you say something's going on with me? I'm not hiding something!" he responded quickly and she quirked a brow.
"What is this all about?"
"What's what all about?" he asked cautiously.
"This." she said, waving her hands around herself. "Everything that's going on today."
"Can't I take my girlfriend out on a date?" he asked.
"This is quite an impressive attempt to replicate a past romantic evening. What aren't you telling me?"
"Why would you think I'm not telling you something? God, I just wanted to take you out for a night. I've been working so much, I figured it would be nice for us to have a romantic night out. Is that a crime?"
"Of course not." she said, skeptically. "But you've been acting so...strangely."
"I don't know what you mean." he said, dropping the knife in his hand as he buttered a piece of bread. "Shit." he muttered.
"Case in point, I know you're generally awkward, but tonight you're a whole new level of clumsy."
"Hey-"
"And you can hardly hold or make any conversation."
"That's not true." he protested.
"Is this about the other day? Brittany and Santana tried to tell me to forget what I saw, but I can't help but make you realize that I caught you blatantly lying to me."
"When?" he questioned.
"Wednesday, when I followed you."
"You followed me?" he asked, playing dumb.
"I saw you ring some strange bell and go up to the second level. Who is she Finn?"
"Excuse me?" he frowned. "Why do you always think the worst of me?"
"Well what am I supposed to think when you're clearly lying to my face!" she hugged. "So who is the bimbo you're clearly seeing behind my back? That was not Jeff's apartment nor was it Adam's. So please, enlighten me."
"Rachel, it was nothing. Trust me."
"Then please, go ahead, tell me about how much nothing it was. Whose place was that?"
"No one's!" he said, frustration colliding with his nerves. "It was no one's place. We were just there checking things out okay?" he asked.
"Are you breaking up with me?" she asked seriously.
"Of course not!" he said, his eyes shooting wide open.
"No, I'm serious. This date – the whole elaborate set up. Are you trying to let me down gently, tell me the right way that you've found someone else. Because I will not go down without a fight! You've broken my heart once Finn, and I won't stand for it happening again." she said, water building in her eyes.
"Rachel." he sighed.
"No, I'm serious. I demand to know what is going on right now!"
"Fine!" he said, with resignation. "You really want to know right now?" he asked. "Right now?" She nodded emphatically, wiping a stray tear and looked on in confusion as Finn stood and made his way around the table.
"What are you doing?"
"What I was going to do later tonight." he said with a smiled. "If you weren't so damn persistant." he knelt down in front of her and reached into his jacket pocket.
"Finn..." she said, realization setting in.
"I love you Rachel. I've loved you probably as long as I've really known you, whether I really realized it or not. And being with you has been the greatest time of my life. Moving here with you and starting up our life together has just made me even more sure that there's nowhere else I want to be for the rest of my life than with you. You're my home." he nodded, and popped open the box. "So, Rachel Berry...would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"But...I..." she gasped. "It's not in the plan." she squeaked and he laughed as she nodded emphatically. "Yes, yes!" she said, throwing her arms around him. "Of course yes!" she said, pulling back to kiss him sweetly and let the sound of clapping from those patrons who had caught on to what was going on drown out in her ears. "I love you too." she said.
He grinned proudly as he moved back to slip the ring on her finger.
"It's beautiful." she said, tears freely flowing.
"I'm glad you think so." he smiled. "It had to match you." he said, kissing her softly once more before taking his seat across from her and grabbing her hand.
"Wait...so all night, all this time..." he nodded.
"I was waiting till we got to that street again." he shrugged and smiled. "But it's okay."
"I'm such an idiot." she sniffled, smacking herself in the forehead.
"You're you." he said and smiled broadly as he leaned down to press a gently kiss to her hand. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Where have you guys been?" Rachel asked, as Brittany and Santana walked into the apartment early Saturday morning, bags in hands.
"Well, we knew you had some big romantic date and we wanted to give you some space." Brittany winked. "We stayed at Todd's for the night, but we come bearing breakfast." she said, lifting the bag in her hand.
"I have the most amazing news to tell you both! You'll never believe why Finn has been acting so strange!" she said, hopping up and down.
"He proposed." Santana said knowingly and Rachel frowned.
"Well, thank you for sucking all of the fun out of my announcement." she said, as Finn came up behind her, smiling and rested a hand on her waist.
"Your welcome." Santana said, smirking and Brittany swatted at her.
"So?" she asked, with a grin and they both beamed back at her. "Of course I said yes!" she said and Brittany cheered, tackling them both in a bear hug.
"Congratulations you guys!" she said. "I'm so happy for you."
"Yeah, congrats Berry and just think, if you're lucky when you two decide to procreate you're heights might balance out and give you normal sized children." she smirked.
"Thank you Santana...I think." she said.
"Seriously, congratulations." Santana smiled, hugging her and then Finn loosely. "It was inevitable anyway, so I'm glad you're finally making it official."
"You guys knew all along, didn't you?" Rachel asked, slyly.
"Of course we did." Brittany said. "You think Finn could have gone ring shopping alone?" she smiled and Rachel squealed, lifting her hand up to show them the ring that they'd seen in the box earlier in the week.
"Looks even better on you." Brittany smiled.
"Aww, thank you." she said, eying them as they all headed into the kitchen to sit down for breakfast. "Is this why you guys have been acting so strangely lately?"
Brittany and Santana exchanged questioning glances and nodded.
"Okay, seriously, what the hell is up with you two?" Finn asked. "I mean really, I know we've all been keeping this secret but even I noticed you have been acting especially weird."
"It's nothing big. We'll talk later. You guys should enjoy your big moment. Come on, tell us all about it." Brittany said and Santana scowled, but she nudged her.
"No." Rachel said and they both froze in unpacking their bags, looking over at her stern face. She shook her head. "I'm extremely excited for myself I admit, but more than anything the fact that you're both acting so strangely is a buzz kill. So seriously, just tell us already!" she said and Santana sighed.
"Okay, okay, sit down and we'll tell you guys." Santana said and they all sat, grabbing various food and coffee before Santana cleared her throat. "We have a little bit of an announcement as well. But we didn't want to steal your thunder." she said, looking between them.
"What is it?" Finn asked, brow scrunched.
"Brittany and I have been talking and we decided that it's time for us to move out."
"What?" Rachel asked in shock.
"What?" Finn echoed, also taken aback.
"We just, we decided it was time." Brittany said, grabbing Santana's hand on the table. "We totally love living with you guys-"
"Speak for yourself." Santana quipped and Brittany ignored her.
"And living here together was a great experience and the perfect way to start out. But we think it's getting a little crowded." she finished.
"Yeah, I mean, Finn, it wasn't too long ago you walked into us getting it on in the living room."
"Please." he said, shaking his head. "Don't make me revisit that."
"Exactly." Brittany said.
"Plus, we're growing up." Santana shrugged with a smile. "You guys are engaged."
"But...I mean...we're your roommates, were you ever going to talk to us about the ramifications? I mean have you found a place?" Brittany nodded.
"We did. Just this week."
"Oh my god, that's where you've been sneaking off to." They nodded guiltily and Rachel shook her head, thinking for a moment.
"Rachel, Finn has a steady salary now and I'm sure he can pick up a quarter more and something tells me your dads will be more than happy to do the same. Am I wrong?" she asked and Rachel sighed.
"No."
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you earlier. Or discuss it with you guys. I guess in hindsight, that's wrong...but I knew it would be okay and we really didn't want to bring it up with all the proposal drama that was going on." she said and Rachel sighed.
"I guess it is getting to the point where we need to be on our own." Finn admitted and Brittany nodded.
"I'm really going to miss you guys." Rachel said, looking back up, eyes flickering between them. "I know it hasn't always been easy, but living with you- it's been fun." she said honestly. "And with all the hours Finn works...it's been nice having someone to be home with." Brittany smiled sadly.
"Rach, we'll miss you too." Santana opened her mouth to speak but Brittany shot her a warning glance in anticipation. "But seriously, we're not going far and it's not like we won't see you guys. We're moving a block and a half away." Rachel smiled a little.
"You are?" Santana nodded. "Well that's nice and all but don't you think it's kind of obvious we won't be hanging out nearly as much?" Brittany laughed.
"Rachel, come on. We've lived in this apartment together for almost two years, we're kind of all stuck together now whether we like it or not." she said, flashing Santana a glare as Rachel looked at her expectantly. She rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Give me a break Berry, you know we're all going to see each other all the time. Even I know there's no avoiding that." she chuckled. "Moving here with you guys was kind of like selling my soul to the devil – I'm stuck with you guys forever. And honestly...it's not that bad." she admitted and Rachel laughed.
"I knew you loved us."
"Don't push it." Santana warned.
"Is the place okay?" Finn asked, seriously. "I mean is it nice?" Brittany nodded enthusiastically as they explained the awesome deal they had found from her friend at work.
"Well that sounds wonderful." Rachel admitted. "I'm sad you'll be going so soon, but I hope you'll take me to go see it one day soon."
"Totally!" Brittany agreed. "But let's leave the discussion about furniture for another day – okay?" she asked and Finn chuckled.
"Agreed."
"Come on, enough about us, tell us about your proposal!" Brittany encouraged and was glad to see Rachel light back up as she and Finn recounted the details of what had gone on the previous day.
A little less than a week later and Brittany dropped in after school, having a few hours before work. She entered the apartment and found the living room empty, before calling out for her girlfriend.
"Santana!" Brittany called, entering the apartment and shutting the door behind her. "Santana?"
"Hey baby." Santana, said happily as she appeared in the living room and let her hands fall to Brittany's waist. She smiled brightly and pecked her lips. "What's up? How was your day?"
"It was...interesting." Brittany said with a crooked smile and Santana's fell slightly.
"What happened?" she asked softly. "Is everything okay?" she smoothed a stray piece of hair back behind Brittany's ear.
"Yeah. I mean nothing bad happened, but I have some news I need to talk to you about." she looked around quickly. "Can we go inside? I mean, I'd rather talk in private just in case Finn or Rachel come home."
"Of course." Santana said, slightly concerned but she bit her lip in a smile. "In a few more weeks we won't have to worry about that." she said kissing Brittany once more. Brittany smiled into the kiss but she could still tell something was going on. "Come on." she said, tugging her into the bedroom and shutting the door behind them.
"You've been packing?" Brittany asked surprisedly as she looked around the room and saw that Santana's closet was in disarray and a box was on the ground. Santana smiled and shrugged shyly.
"I'm kind of excited." she said. "I can't help it. I mean, it's been great here, but I can't wait to get into a place that's ours." Brittany smiled adoringly and tucked a finger into her jean pocket, pulling her closer.
"Come here." she said, bringing their lips together in a soft, but passionate kiss.
Santana, feeling a sudden rush of emotions, raised her arms, bringing her hands into Brittany's hair as she tugged her forward, and caused herself to fall backwards towards the bed. Brittany moaned softly falling on top of Santana as her body hit the bed with a soft thump. She moved to kiss Santana's neck and suck on her pulse point, Santana squeezing her hands in her hair as she gasped.
"Just think soon we won't even have to worry about where we do this. I can't wait to spend the summer breaking in our entire apartment." Brittany froze in her movements and Santana's brow furrowed, wondering what she might have said wrong. "Britt?"
Brittany pressed a gentle kiss to her throat before moving up so that they were on even eye level again. She rolled to lean on her side and caressed Santana's face softly, smiling as she took in her girlfriend's features.
"Why'd you stop?" Santana asked and Brittany just swallowed and smiled, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.
"I brought you in here to talk, remember?"
"Britt, what's up with you? You're scaring me. I can tell something's on your mind. So what happened today?" Brittany released a breath and rested her chin on Santana's chest.
"Well, I went to my modern dance class today," Santana nodded. "and the professor pulled me over at the end. He was telling me about how there's an opportunity to work with a dance troupe over the summer. It's something he works with outside the school, but he usually only recommends 3rd and 4th year students. Anyway, he has an extra spot and he told me sometimes he makes an exception when he feels he has a really talented student in his 2nd year class and...he offered me the spot."
"Oh my god Brittany!" Santana's face lit up. "That's great news!" she kissed her hard and Brittany smiled.
"Well, it's a really good opportunity. I mean it's a pretty respected group and it looks great on your record." she sighed. "But there's one catch - it's a travelling troupe." Santana's smile fell a little and she swallowed.
"So you'd be travelling for..."
"The summer." she said, bitting her lip. "They practice the week after classes and then they leave on Saturday of Memorial day weekend. They perform somewhere on the Monday. There's things scheduled until about a week and a half before classes begin, so it's almost 2 ½ months." Santana nodded, processing and frowning slightly.
"So you're going to miss moving into the new apartment? I mean, we're supposed to move Memorial Day Weekend..."
"I didn't say yes yet." she said. "In fact he just told me to think about it and see if it's something I want to do and if it's something I could work out with everything else."
"But...you can't turn something like that down Brittany." Brittany shook her head.
"If I'm being asked as a sophomore, I still have the next two years and-"
"Turning it down could look bad and it would look so amazing on your transcript that you did this when you were only a sophomore." Santana sighed.
"I don't want to miss moving...we had all these plans for our summer in the new place." she shrugged and frowned. "I don't think I want to be without you for the summer. I mean, it's just so nice to be together and not stress about school."
"Britt, baby, this is an unfortunate part of being a dancer, if you're going to be one that tours."
"I know, but no one said that's what I wanted to do."
"Maybe this is the right time to give it a shot and see how you like it." Santana said, not without a hint of sadness.
"Maybe." Brittany said, her eyes flickering back up from where she watched her fingers fiddling nervously with the hem on Santana's shirt. She saw the sadness in her girlfriend's eyes that she was clearly trying so hard to hide. "I don't have to go." She repeated and Santana looked at her, considering.
"I never want us to be what holds you back. I never want to hold you back." she said and Brittany nodded.
"I know, but this is important. We're about to do something big." Santana sighed and curled into her girlfriend.
"Maybe it'll be good for us to see what it feels like."
"Are you saying...are you saying we need a break?" Brittany asked worriedly, pulling back to look into Santana's eyes.
"No!" she answered immediately, shaking her head. She kissed her firmly, before looking at her once more. "Absolutely not. Are you insane?" she asked, causing Brittany to smile with relief. "I'm just saying that maybe it's good for us to experience what it would be like if you decide this is something you want to do." Brittany nodded in thought and sighed.
"I want this with you so bad - moving into the new place, spending the summer together, all of it." she frowned. "I just don't know if this is the right time."
"I want this too. More than anything this is what I want." Santana said with frustration. "I've been talking about it forever."
"Then why do I feel like you're pushing me to go so hard?" Santana sighed.
"I'm just trying to be positive Britt." she said, curling back into her tightly. "But I also think this is an awesome opportunity and I want you to have everything you ever dreamed of. I think you'll have a good time and you'll learn things and as much as it sucks, me and the apartment and the cats? We'll be here when you get back." Santana said with resignation. "But make no mistake, my heart is telling me I should just grab you and beg you to stay." Brittany kissed the top of her head.
"I need to think about it." she let out a deep breath. "Do you wanna pack some more?" she asked, nudging her gently. "We can do it together."
"In a little while." Santana said softly. "Right now I just want to lay here."
"Okay...I haven't decided yet." Brittany said once more.
"Okay...whatever you do, I'm with you." Brittany smiled and squeezed her once more.
"Thank you." she said. "We'll figure it out together. I promise."
"Okay."
"Come on." Brittany said, trying to urge her up gently. "No being mopey." she smiled. "Let's go put on fun music and dance around and pack stuff up together." she said, kissing her temple and Santana giggled.
"Alright." she said, getting up.
"Come on!" Brittany said, grabbing her laptop to turn on the music. "I'm going to put on the happiest playlist I can find. I want smiles. We're packing up to move into our own place." She said, bumping her shoulder into Santana, who grinned broadly. "Perfect."