A/N: I don't like angst. I had tears in my eyes for Heather's phone call home. I really hope you like it and could get something out of this chapter.
This chapter mentions "Heather's" ex-boyfriend, Collins. I chose "Collins" because it sounded like an Arizona type name. I also didn't want to use her real boyfriend's name out of respect for her.
Always Me & You
Chapter 9
Once Naya and Heather's days were over they both got into their cars. Heather rolled down the window and said, "My house, no, our house tonight! No excuses. We have stuff to do."
"After you," Naya motioned for Heather to depart the studio.
As they left the parking lot, they saw Lauren outside. Naya stopped and said, "You okay, girl?"
"Yup. Waiting for my Mom to pick me up."
"Hey, if you ever need a ride let me know. I'd be happy to drive you anywhere!"
"Thank you, Nay!" Lauren said, smiling. "See you tomorrow."
"Night," Naya said as she drove off.
"Congratulations!" Lauren yelled as Naya's car passed. Naya honked her horn and smiled.
The ride was peaceful and it flew by. Once they arrived at Heather's place and got out, Heather said, "Hey, I looked behind me when I turned the corner and you weren't there, what happened?"
"I stopped to talk to Lauren who was waiting for her ride. I told her to let me know if she ever needed a ride!"
"Aww, that was nice!"
They walked up the steps and Heather opened the door, but she wouldn't let Naya in.
"Heather, what's going on?"
"Hold on!" she said as she threw her stuff down.
"Ok."
Heather returned and scooped Naya up into her arms.
"Heather," Naya yelled.
"I'm carrying the most beautiful thing in the world over our threshold! Got a problem with that?"
"Um, nope." Naya said, looked up at her, and then kissed her. Once Heather returned Naya to the floor she reached up and engulfed her lips with Heather's making sure she showed Heather how happy she was.
"Geez, you're gonna give me a heart attack, Rivera…but what a way to go!"
"Hahahaha!"
When do you want to call our families?"
"How 'bout now?"
"Right now…"
"No time like the present, right?" Naya smiled as she remembered when she said those exact words.
"May I use the bathroom first?"
"Honey, this is your place now. You don't need to ask…In fact you never did before!"
"I don't know why I said that actually!"
"It's okay. I understand."
Naya walked to the bathroom and Heather watched her exit.
"I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you walk away!"
"Um, ok," Naya said and smiled.
"It's the truth! Hurry up and come back."
While Naya used the rest room, Heather got out two wine glasses and filled them halfway. There were two important things they had to do tonight: tell their families and make love. Honestly Heather was more excited about the latter, but she also wanted to tell her family the news.
"Ok, I'm back!"
"Come liquid courage my dear?"
Naya grabbed the glass, but only took a little sip.
"I want to be level headed for this."
Who are we calling first? Yours or mine?"
"Let's call mine first?"
"Sure…"
"Come to the couch," Naya asked and Heather obliged.
Naya found her parents' number and hit 'send' on her phone and made sure the speaker was on.
"Hello," a young woman's voice answered.
"Hey, Nickayla, it's Naya! How are you?"
Hey, sis, I'm doin'. How's the fab life?"
"Peachy…Hey is everyone else there? I got news."
"Hold on…Mom, Dad, Mychal…come here! It's Naya."
"Nicky, put me on speaker!"
"Ok, give them a minute!"
In a matter of seconds, Naya's entire family was sitting at their phone.
"Hi, everyone!"
"Hi, Nay…" they said.
"Ok, I have some pretty exciting news…."
"Are you nominated for an Emmy," Naya's mom, Yolanda, asked, hopeful.
"Not yet."
"Are you getting a juicier storyline?" asked Mychal, her little brother.
"Not exactly,"
"Have you signed a recording deal yet?" asked her father, George.
"Umm, nope. Can I tell you please?"
"Ok," they all yelled into the phone.
"Well, you remember, my best friend, Heather, right?"
"Yes, she's a doll. Can't wait to meet her!"
Heather smiled.
"Well, you'll be meeting her sooner than you think. We fell in love and we're moving in together on Saturday, and…"
"Go on," her mother insisted.
"Um, I've asked her marry me … and she said, 'yes'!"
With that the two women heard thunderous applause and laughter and sheer happiness.
"That's wonderful!"
"Where did it happen? Naya, did you do it the 'proper way' on your knee?"
"Of course. We went away this past weekend to Santa Cruz and really fell in love. I've never been happier."
"I can tell in your voice," responded her father, who sounded like he was getting emotional.
"Don't cry, Daddy!"
"I can't help it. My first born is getting married!" The girls could hear him blowing his nose into a tissue.
"Actually Heather's sitting next me right now."
"Hello, everyone!"
"Hey Heather. How are you my dear?"
"Honestly I'm in love with the sweetest person I know so I'm doing great. Mr. and Mrs. Rivera, Naya is my whole life. I can't see my life without her in it!"
"Heather we are Yolanda and George!"
"Oh, okay. Thank you."
"So what about the ring?"
"I actually gave her Abuela's ring! I think she would have wanted me to."
"Yes, she would have and will watch over you two for years to come!"
"I know," said Naya, starting to cry. Heather comforted her and gave her a tissue.
"Hey, Heather…" George said.
"Yes, sir…I mean George!"
"Welcome to the Rivera family. We are so happy and blessed that our Naya found someone who she loves deeply like her mother and me."
"Thank you. Please let me say that you I promise to love her everyday and to protect her and her heart every second of the rest of my life!"
Now everyone was crying. Naya looked up at Heather with such love and devotion in her eyes at that moment.
"I knew it…"
"Knew what, Mom," Naya asked.
"That you'd eventually find your way to each other! You talk about her ALL the time!"
"It's true," said Naya looking at Heather.
"I just wish we had done this sooner," Heather replied.
"That doesn't matter," George said.
"You found each other now!" Yolanda added.
"Hey, Peanut Gallery, you happy for your big sister?"
"Of course," they both said in unison.
"Thanks guys."
"When can we see you two?" Naya's Mom asked.
"Actually a bunch of our friends from GLEE are coming over to my apartment to move my stuff out and into Heather's on Saturday. Can you guys come to lend a hand?"
"Yea, Saturday's great for us!"
"Cool. Let us go and call Heather's family now. I love you all very much."
"We love you, Naya and Heather."
"Aww. Thank you. I look forward to seeing all of you on Saturday."
"Mom, as it get closer I'll text you," Naya assured her mother.
"Ok."
"Naya…"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"You've made us very proud! We love you and couldn't be any happier!"
"Thank you. I love you."
"Good luck with Heather's family. And Heather if your Mom has trouble you give her my number…Naya has it. I'd be happy to talk to her."
"Oh, thank you. I may take you up on that offer, Yolanda!"
"Love you all."
"Bye…"
Just before Naya hung up the phone, she and Heather heard Naya's family shout, "Hooray!"
"They are so cute!"
"Well now they are a part of you. When my Dad welcomes anyone to the family he means it."
"And I sincerely meant what I said…I'll love you everyday and protect you and your heart every second of the rest of my life!"
"I don't doubt you will, baby!"
"Ok, ready for your call."
"I need to say one thing…"
"Ok."
"Whatever happens in the next ten minutes, please remember that I love you like nobody's business. And just because they might sound negative about this doesn't mean for a second that I don't love you. Okay?"
"Ok," Naya responded and reached for Heather's hand since she saw Heather's emotion.
"Here we go."
Heather dialed the phone and within two rings she was transported back to Arizona.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mom."
"Heather is that you?"
"Yea. How are you?"
"I'm fine. How are you? How are things on GLEE?"
"Great…Actually that's why I'm calling. I have some news. Are April and Crystal around?"
"Hmm…"
"Can you call them please?"
"Sure. Hold on. Hey girls, Heather's on the phone. She wants to talk to us."
"Be right there!"
"Oh, Heather, before I forget I ran into Collins today."
"Oh really…"
Naya mouthed to Heather, "Who's Collins?"
Heather brushed her hand away as if to say it's not important. She reminded herself to tell Naya who he was after the conversation.
"He's doing well. He's planning a trip for business out to California. I think it would be nice if the two of you caught up…"
"M-"
"Oh here they are. Let me put them on speaker."
"Hi, guys," Heather said to her sisters.
"Hi," they both said.
"Ok, so I have news. You remember Naya Rivera, my acting partner and best friend, right?"
"Hmm…"
"Well something just happened between us last Thursday…"
"Heather…define 'something' please?" demanded her mother.
"Well, I fell in love with her…"
Dead silence.
"And we are moving in with each other on Saturday…"
More dead silence.
"And we are getting married!" Heather felt herself start to get angry. Naya reached out her hand and gave it a tight squeeze and held it. She didn't care how long she would hold Heather's hand.
"Mom? April? Crystal?"
"Um," her Mom spoke up, "Heather, dear, are you confused?"
"What do you mean?"
"You like boys?" said her Mom, regretting the way it came out.
"I'm in love Naya."
"You've only known her for two and a half years, do you really 'know' her?" asked her Mom.
"Yes, of course I do. Not only do I know her, but I also know how she makes me feel…which by the way, is beyond wonderful. Thanks for asking."
"Heather," Mrs. Morris said, shocked.
"Mom, I'm happy."
"You don't know what that is!"
"How can you say that?"
"What about Collins…"
"What about Collins…we dated in high school and up to right before I left for California. You want to know why I left?"
"Why did you leave?"
"Because he cheated on me."
Again dead silence.
"Well, that's over…H-"
"Yes, that is over. I am with Naya now…a person who I know would never hurt me like that!"
"That's all well and good. But how are you going to get the things you want…"
"Rather the things you want for me?"
"I thought we wanted the same things. I guess I was mistaken."
Right then Naya couldn't take it anymore. The expression on Heather's face told her that she had to step in.
"Hello, Mrs. Morris…This is Naya."
"Oh, hello. I didn't know that we were on speaker on your end as well."
"I am stepping in because if you could see your daughter's expression right now you'd want someone to."
"Excuse me?" Mrs. Morris said, secretively shocked.
"I don't doubt that you love your daughter and sister. I understand your family more than you think. I know that this is a shock for you. But all I can say is that I love Heather. I love her with everything I have and everything I'll ever be. I know that you love her also. She is the same loving, brilliant, and amazing person she was before she picked up the phone to call you."
"That's all good, but how will you be perceived?"
"Perceived?" Heather asked.
"Yes, how will you be looked upon by your friends, family, and the media? You're both on the hottest show right now you know? People talk!"
"Heather and I understand all of your concerns. We are still Heather Morris and Naya Rivera. Our morals haven't changed. Your daughter is the most amazing person I know and I can only accredit that to you and your husband. So thank you."
"You're welcome, but…"
"Mrs. Morris, your daughter is in love…the only problem might be that she's in love with a woman. But this woman that Heather is in love with would give up her life to make Heather feel happy, protected, and safe. I plan on giving her anything and everything her heart wants. She has already given me more than I deserve. She did that when she said, 'Yes' to my proposal."
"That was very poetic."
"It came from my heart, Mrs. Morris."
"Mom," said Heather.
"Yes, dear."
"We're not asking for your blessing, we're just asking for your understanding. I know that I've hit you with a lot, but I want to include you in the biggest decision I've ever made. You don't have to be happy right now, just try to understand."
"You're father would not appreciate you speaking to me like this."
"Am I yelling? No. Am I swearing at you? No, I am not. I'm just trying to have a conversation with you. Woman-to-woman."
"You're being as respectful as possible I assume."
"Daddy would have wanted me to be happy…and he got his wish. I am over the moon for her. I wish you could actually see how happy and in total love I am with her." Heather said and smiled.
"I know." Mrs. Morris said and got a little emotional.
"Ok, hold on a second," April piped up, "I, for one, am very happy for you, Heather. I couldn't be prouder for my little sister. Hi, Naya, by the way, I'm April."
"Hey, April. Nice to meet you."
"Thanks. Ok, we all need to calm down and take a breather!"
"I totally agree."
"Can I just say one more thing, Mom?" Heather asked.
"Sure."
"You know I love you, right?"
"Of course. I never questioned that, honey!"
"Ok, good. I just need you to trust me and be happy for me."
"I trust you…and I'll work on being happy for you."
"Ok, that's all Naya and I could ask for."
"I will…I promise!"
"Thank you…We need to go run lines for tomorrow's shoot…"
Naya looked at her puzzled. Heather put a finger up to signal her to be quiet.
"Ok, honey, we love you. Nice to speak with you, Naya."
"You too, Mrs. Morris. If you have any questions for me I'd be happy to answer them at another time. I totally understand how important Heather is to you and truth be told she is very important to me as well. We all have one thing in common."
"What's that," asked Crystal.
"We all love Heather!"
"Yes, yes, we do!" answered Heather's mother.
"Good night."
As soon as Heather hung up the phone the tears began to flow freely and with no end in sight. Naya held her and let her cry, yell, and do whatever else she needed to do.
"I swear sometimes…"
"Heather, it's okay. I'm marrying you not your family, remember?"
After Heather hung up with her mother and sisters, Mrs. Morris placed the phone down and said, "What should we do?"
"We," April questioned.
"Yes, she's making a mistake."
"I'm not so sure that she's making a mistake with this!"
'You're not?"
"I heard the happiness in her voice and I heard the sadness when you kept asking her questions."
"You did?"
"And you didn't? She cares about your opinion too much. I know those words you said were like daggers to her heart. And she is right…Daddy wanted all of us to be happy."
"I know…I know…"
"There's still time to call her back." April suggested.
"I think I have another plan!"
"Oh boy what are you going to do?"
"I'm going out there…"
"Do not bring Collins. If you do you might lose her for good. If he did cheat on her like I'm sure he did, she'll hate you for making her relive the hurt. You had blinders on when it came to him and her. You just couldn't see what everybody else saw."
"No, I'm not bringing him because I know you're right. I'm going out there myself."
"Oh geez. I think I should come too as a buffer."
"I'm coming to," Crystal declared, "It's just love, Mom!"
"Ok…"
Mrs. Morris picked up the phone and made a call. She wanted to see what was so special about Naya Rivera.