A/N: There was a lot going on in this chapter. I hope you follow it okay. Any questions please let me know.
I'm using Diane Sawyer from ABCNews because I met her on August 21st, 2009 at a summer concert for "Good Morning America" when she was a part of that show. She is so down to earth and genuine. I will cherish that day for the picture we took and also for meeting and taking a photo with my hero and inspiration, Reba McEntire, on that day. I hope that I did Ms. Sawyer justice and she will be appearing again in the next chapter.
I delved into the Lea/Dianna relationship more because the words just flooded out of me. I also introduced you to "Mr. and Mrs. Potter". Their first names are fictional as I don't know their real names. I also have a Naya/Lauren pairing along with others.
I really hope you enjoy this chapter. Thank you for hanging in there with me. Please keep the reviews coming as I like to hear what you have to say even if it's to tell me you would have done something differently.
Enjoy!
Always Me & You
Chapter 13
Monday morning came and the two women were excited to get to work. Naya forgot to text Dianna yesterday, but she was sure she'd bumped into her at work.
They had a quick breakfast and were out by the door by eight.
"I'm gonna take my car just in case Lauren needs a ride," Naya said.
"You like her," Heather commented.
"Yea, she's a great person and I'm lucky to know her."
Naya gave Heather a quick smooch while they were standing outside of her car.
"Hey, come here."
Heather grabbed Naya and planted a wet and juicy kiss onto Naya's lips.
"Yea, that's better!"
"I'll see you there. I'll let you know if Alan Katz calls me."
"Yea, please!"
"I love you."
"I love you too!"
Naya got into her car first and drove away with Heather following her.
They made it to work in fifteen minutes and each girl went to her separate trailer.
Heather threw her stuff down when she was in hers. She heard a knock.
"Come in!"
"Good morning!"
"Hey Jane. How was your weekend?"
"Great! How was yours? Is Naya all moved in?"
"Yea, she is. It went awesome. My mother accepted her and she got the blessing from my Mom…"
"Wonderful. What can I do for ya?"
Heather motioned to Jane to have a seat and she plopped herself down next to Heather.
"I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for talking with me…"
"My pleasure."
"I also want you to keep July 14th opened."
"Did you pick a date?"
"Yup. We're having the ceremony and reception in Santa Cruz hopefully on the beach. The reason I asked you to talk today is to ask you if you'd be able to stand up for me. Oh, and your partner is more than welcomed to come with you."
"Heather, I'd be honored to do that! Thank you."
"Really?"
"Absolutely. I am beyond flattered!"
"Ok, we each chose two people. You and Naya's Mom, Yolanda, are standing up for me…My Mom is walking me down the aisle to Naya. Naya picked Lauren and Dianna to stand up for her. Her Dad, George, will walk her down."
"Lauren's going to be so excited…she told me that knowing Naya is a dream come true for her," Jane confided.
"Don't mention anything yet. They planned on talking today. Ok, I almost forgot. I'm going to be taking Naya's last name."
"That's sweet."
"We have a call into Great Officiants…they preside over same-sex ceremonies."
"Never heard of them."
"Oh, what did you and your partner do?"
"We just got married in the city hall when we got here."
"Oh…I want to do it big, not too big, but in front of our friends and family."
"You do know that you have to go to get the license before the wedding?"
"No, I didn't. If we get married in Santa Cruz, but come back to LA do we need two?"
"Nope…just one."
"Oh okay. I'll write that down. How long before the ceremony? Right before or like now?"
"I'd air on the side of caution and say sooner rather than later!"
"Good to know. I never knew there was this much stuff to do."
"It'll all be worth it!"
"Yes, it will be."
"I gotta go shoot a scene. When's your first one today?"
"I don't know, but we are going to talk to Ryan today…"
"Good luck. And thank you again. I am truly flattered!"
"Thank you for saying 'yes'! And for all the advice. I truly, truly appreciate it!"
Heather hugged Jane and she left the trailer. Before she forgot, Heather wrote down, "Tell Nay, marriage license!"
Then she pulled out her cell, found Naya's number, and sent a text.
NAYA: Jane said "Yes!" oh, and I love you.
Naya saw the text and smiled.
"I'm sexy and I know it!"
HEATHER: That's great. I love you too. Gonna find my two now. Any word from Katz? And do you want to go hunting' for Ryan after I talk to Lauren n Di? Meet my trailer in a half hr if u do.
NAYA: Good luck…no word…yes, c u in 30 mins.
When Naya saw that, she didn't respond. She opened the door and Lauren was standing in front of it.
"Hey, I was just 'bout to come find you. Come on in!"
"Cool! Whazzup?"
"Sit down…"
"Crap…did I break something?"
Naya giggled, "Nope…"
"Whew! So what's up?"
"I have an important question for you."
"Oh, yea, what is it?"
"Well, Heather and I are going to have two people each standing up for us during the wedding. And I'd like one of my people to be you…"
Lauren had a grin from ear to ear. "Really? You want me to do that?"
"Yes, definitely."
"I'd be honored to, Nay!"
Just then there was a knock on her door. Naya went to answer it and Dianna was standing there.
"Do you have a minute?" Looking past Naya and into the room, "Oh, I'm sorry. I can come back…"
"Don't you move…It'll save me time. Come on in!"
"Hey, Dianna!"
"Hi, Lauren!"
"Sit…Sit…" Naya said, all of a sudden nervous. "I was telling Lauren a little about the wedding. Heather and I are asking two people each to be a part of the ceremony. You know to stand up for us…I'd like to ask you if you'd like to do that with Lauren for me."
Dianna's face lit up with pure excitement.
"I'd love to, Nay! Are you sure?"
"You two have helped and encouraged me. I couldn't think of two better people to be a part of this."
"Ok, I'm in…"
Naya stood up and pulled Lauren and Dianna in for a group hug. "Thank you so much you both for everything!"
"We love you, Naya!" Lauren yelled out, totally excited.
"I agree!" stated Dianna.
"Thank you…"
After they broke the hug, Dianna asked to speak with Naya in private.
"Do you mind, Lauren?"
"No, not at all! Thanks again for asking me. I'm going to go call my parents!"
"Young lady…my chariot is at your disposal if you need a ride home today! Let me know, k?"
"K…thanks. Peaceout!" Lauren left the trailer and headed to call her parents to tell them the news.
"What's going on?"
"I need your advice…"
"Ok, what is it…" Naya asked, but she had a feeling that she already knew who this conversation was going to be about.
"I'm not sure if Lea told you…wait, knowing Lea I know she told you," giggled Dianna then continued, "that she and I are 'talking'…"
"Define 'talking', please."
"We had an intense conversation last week where she told me she was falling for me…"
"I heard about that…"
"Yea, well, she thinks I shot her down."
"Did you?"
"Yes and no. she came out of the blue with this declaration…"
"Okay, stop for one second…Trust me, conversations like these don't come 'out of the blue' for the person doing the asking. You know I spent two and a half years trying to muster up enough courage to tell Heather how I felt…"
"Yes, I know…"
"Knowing Lea she must have thought about this and about you non-stop. Thinking, 'Should I?' 'What's gonna happen?' 'What if she rejects me?' She probably thought about it more than I did and if that's the case she must have thought about it all the time!" Naya said.
"Hehe! I know. So my question is…"
"Yes…"
"What do I do?"
"Well, let me tell you how I knew it was love for me…When I first met Heather I thought she was special and someone I'd like to get to know. Then, with time, she became my every thought…my every dream...And now, well, Heather farts rainbows…"
Dianna laughed uncontrollably at that last statement. "Really now?"
"Yea…she is the person I can't wait to see when I open my eyes in the morning. And the only person I ever want to see before I close them at night. Bottom line is that you need to want, with every fiber of your being, to be with her and wholeheartedly want to love her with everything you have and everything you'll ever get. You also need to want to protect her life with your own. If Heather was ever in danger, I'd jump in front of the 'bullet' or 'car'…that's how committed I am to her and to this relationship. Now, I know that there will be little detours when you two may not see eye-to-eye, but that's all worth it because you love each other. Do you think you could love Lea in the way that she wants you too?"
"I don't know…I mean sometimes I think I can and other times when I just want to go running for the hills…but, I am starting to see a possible future with her. I just think that I've lost the opportunity before I even had the chance to try."
"Aren't you two going to dinner to 'talk'?"
"Yea, I see she told you…"
"Yup, on Saturday…."
"Figures."
"That's another thing…you have to stop with the snide comments even if she doesn't pick up on them. My theory is that she does pick up on them, but chooses not to say anything because she loves you."
After she said that there was yet another knock on her door. "I'm Miss Popular today…Come in!"
The door flew open and Lea walked in. "Oh, I can come back if I'm interrupting…." She started to turn around when Naya yelled.
"Wait! Don't move one inch. Come in here."
"I'm interrupting…"
"No, you're not, Lea," Dianna said and smiled which made Lea's heart melt.
"Listen you two. I gotta go talk to Ryan with Heather right now so you use my trailer. I don't want you to leave without resolving this issue – good or bad. You hear?"
Lea and Dianna nodded their heads. Then Naya left and the small room became a lot smaller.
Once outside, Naya saw Heather walking up to her.
"Just the person I wanted to see." Heather said, joyfully.
"You'll never guess who's in my trailer talking right now!"
"Hmm, Lea and Dianna?"
"Damn, you're good. Did you know?"
"No, lucky guess. Oh before I forget Jane suggested that we go to City Hall and get our marriage license 'sooner rather than later'."
"Then we should call the "Seaway Inn' as soon as possible to reserve the rooms and ask about the reception. We'll do that later today?"
"Sounds good. Then we should update the parents on all of our planning."
As they were walking towards the production office, they talked about what they planned on saying.
"I would like for you to do the talking, Nay."
"No sweat."
"I get a little apprehensive around him."
"I was like that when I first met him."
They got to the office, but before going in Heather kissed Naya and simply said, "I love you so much!"
"I love you too. This is it. You ready?"
Heather grabbed her hand and pushed the door open.
Back in Naya's trailer, Dianna and Lea sat face-to-face in silence.
Finally Dianna broke it saying, "Lea, I think I made a mistake…"
"What mistake?"
"My reaction to what you told me the other day."
"It was totally rational and warranted. I know it's not easy to hear someone...a girl…me…tell you that I love you," Lea said and looked down at her costume.
"Wait, a minute…you're not being fair to yourself here, Lea."
"But it's true…"
"No it's not. I've thought about it a lot and I realized that it was so easy to hear you say you love me."
"Then why did you brush me off and almost laugh at me?"
"I'm truly sorry I did that. It was the first thing I thought to do which wasn't the right thing. Can you forgive me?"
"I wasn't being funny. In fact I've never been more sincere in my feelings for you."
"I know. Can you forgive me," asked Dianna again. She got up from her position in the chair and walked in front of Lea and got down on her knees. "Can you?" she repeated and held Lea's hand.
"Um…Yes." Lea said, totally in shock at how close Dianna was to her. She was inches away, but still miles apart.
"Would you give me the honor of taking you out on an official date?"
"Am I dreaming?"
"If you're dreaming than so am I. I'd be totally upset if this were a dream."
Lea thought it over for a second which made Dianna ask again.
"Go out with me!"
"Absolutely."
Dianna got up from off her knees and gave Lea a half cheek, half lip kiss which made Lea go crazy inside.
Before they left, they left a note: "We talked and are going out! ~ Di and Lea". Then they left the trailer and went in different directions, but happy.
Back at the production office, Ryan's personal assistant, Eve, knocked on the door and told him that Naya and Heather were there to see him.
"Send them in!"
"Hi, Ryan…"
'Hi, have a seat. I was meaning to come find you two. I have thoughts…"
"Before you tell us what you're thinking could we talk about why we are here," asked Naya.
"Sure…Shoot!"
"Well, almost two weeks ago, I finally had the courage to tell Heather how I felt for her. Since then Heather and I have fallen in love with each other. We've moved in together, and we are planning a wedding!"
Ryan sat there not really shocked, but he didn't say anything.
"Yes," Heather chimed in.
"Is this for real?"
"Yes, it is. We wouldn't come to you if it weren't."
"This isn't a publicity stunt?"
Naya grew mad which made "Santana" start to emerge.
Heather calmed her down by holding her hand and said, "No, Ryan. I assure you this is not a publicity stunt or a joke or anything else you might be thinking…What it truly is…two people who want to share a life together…two people who are truly in love with one another…two people who would give their lives for each other…that is what this is."
"Well, then," looking at them both, "I am truly happy for you two."
"Really?" they both said, astonished.
"Of course…I was testing you. The minute 'Santana' came out I knew it was for real. Naya only brings her out, in real life, when she is truly pissed. This is great. Ok, some harder questions coming your way now…you ready?"
"Yes," Naya said and regained her composure and confident.
"How do you want to play this out in the media? We do not want this to turn into anything negative."
"Heather and I thought about it and we've decided to only do one interview. We were hoping for Diane Sawyer instead of some gossip 'reporter' who would turn this into something negative so quickly."
Ryan wrote that down, "Diane Sawyer."
"Do you have a second pick if Sawyer can't?"
"Maybe Couric…but not Perez Hilton even after his 'awakening'." Naya said and Heather shook her head in agreement.
Ryan wrote down, "Couric".
"I asked my agent to look into it…" Naya said.
"Let me handle it, k?" Ryan suggested.
"Ok, sure."
"Ok, next question. When is this happening? Where? With who?"
"July 14th…Santa Cruz, CA…Well, Lauren Potter and Dianna Agron will be standing up for me…and Jane and my Mom, Yolanda, will be standing up for Heather."
"Also my Mom, Jeannie, and Naya's Dad, George, are walking us down the 'aisle of sand'." Heather added.
"July 14th of this year?"
"Yes…"
"You two don't waste any time do you?"
"We just want to be together so the quicker that can happen the better."
"Wedding on the beach…Reception?"
"Seaway Inn…where we stayed a two weekends ago."
"Ok, ladies…I want to help as much as possible. What do you need from me?"
"Wow! Thank you…We need someone to marry us. We have a call into Great Officiants and Alan Katz, but he hasn't returned our call yet. Don't know what to make of that." Heather said and smiled.
"I actually heard of that company…I could make a call for you…"
"That'd be helpful…I think we should write this stuff down for our parents who are throwing this small wedding for us."
"Say no more..." Into the intercom, "Eve, come in here with a pad of paper and Alan Katz's number."
"Sure…"
In a minute, Eve appeared, gave Ryan the number, and sat down in the back.
Ryan dialed the number and someone picked up the phone on the other end.
"Alan Katz…"
"Hello, Alan…This is Ryan Murphy…"
"Oh, hi, how are you?"
"Fine…Listen I need your help."
"What can I do for you?"
"Well, I'm sitting here with Heather Morris and Naya Rivera…"
"Oh, I was just about to call Heather…"
"Ok, good…can your team help them?"
"We will try our best. What are they looking for?"
"Well, I'll let you ask them that. They're in my office right now!"
"Oh, hello, ladies. I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner."
"Hi, no worries. Thank you for your help," Heather said.
"Yes, thank you," Naya seconded.
"What type of wedding do you two want?"
"We are hoping to have a beach wedding at Santa Cruz. Nothing too big…a small private ceremony with our friends and family," said Naya.
"We also have asked four people to 'stand up' for us. Two for Naya and two for myself."
"Not a problem. Have you picked out a song for your first dance?"
"No, not yet. We'll work on that."
"We're hoping to have the reception at the Seaway Inn. We also need to block some hotel rooms for our guests."
"If you would like I can contact the hotel…"
"Sure…thank you. When I dealt with them two weeks ago I talked to a very helpful woman named Patty," Heather remembered.
"Oh, ok. Thanks," Alan said, 'Well, ladies, I think we are off to a good start."
"I have one more question if I may," Naya asked.
"Absolutely."
"We've discussed this and have come to the very happy conclusion that Heather will be taking my last name, 'Rivera'. Does that fall under a civil union or domestic partnership?"
"Domestic partnership…"
"As long as we hear, 'may I introduce for the first time, Ms and Ms Naya Rivera' that's all that matters to us. I also want to know that if I'm ever not able to make my own choices, medically, Heather will have the right to be able to make them for me."
Heather didn't really know what to say to that. She kind of lost her voice for a second. When her voice came back she asked, "When should we apply for that?"
"I'll e-mail you the paperwork, send it back to me, and we'll set a date to go to court."
"Great!"
"Ok, ladies, I have Heather's number and will be in touch with you regarding the Seaway Inn and if you give me your e-mail address I'll send you the domestic partnership paperwork. Take your time filling them out. When I get confirmation from the hotel, I'll call you and we can set up a date to meet. Ok?"
"Sounds good," both girls said.
Naya gave Alan her e-mail address.
"Great! I'll be in touch. Thanks, Ryan…"
"No, thank you."
"Bye!"
After Alan hung up, Eve walked over and handed the piece of paper with the notes on it to Heather.
"Thanks."
"Anything else Ryan?"
"Not right now…thanks."
Eve turned around and left the office.
"Ok…Now let's talk 'Brittana'."
"Sure. What were your plans?" Heather jumped in.
"Well, I see them totally continuing this journey together – the 'I love you's, the 'meeting the parents…everything. They will eventually end up together, but there will be 'pitfalls' like with any relationship. How would you feel about an on-screen kiss?"
Both women said, "Yes."
Naya said, "We trust you. We want to see a fair portrayal of the new relationship. I want to see Santana become more head over heels for Brittany! I think the sky is the limit for this pairing, right Heather?"
"Yea, I want Brittany to be just as in love with Santana as Santana is with her. We are in your hands. Whatever you want from us you have, just let us know."
"Ok, leave it to me…I'll give Santana and Brittany the relationship that they deserve and that you want. One more thing…Wanna call Diane Sawyer now?"
"Sure…"
"Eve," Ryan said on speaker phone, "Could you get Diane Sawyer's phone number and connect us?"
"Sure…hold on."
In a matter of seconds California was connected with New York City.
"Hello, Diane Sawyer's office," her assistant said.
"Hello, this is Ryan Murphy…might Diane be around?"
"Please hold."
All three people at GLEE were amazed at how easily this was all happening.
"Hello…Diane here…"
"Hi, Diane, this is Ryan Murphy from GLEE…"
"Oh, hello, Mr. Murphy."
"Ryan…"
"Ok, Ryan…how can I help you?"
"Well, I'm sitting here with Naya Rivera and Heather Morris…"
"Brittany and Santana…"
"Wow, she knows who we are?" Heather asked, flabbergasted.
"Of course, dear!"
"Well, they have a big announcement and they want only you to deliver it to the world!"
"Yes, Ms. Sawyer…we want to do only one interview with a reputable journalist so that it doesn't turn into a big ole mess. This is Naya by the way…"
"Well, I'm flattered and Naya….it's Diane."
"Oh, ok. Great!"
"It doesn't have to be a full hour, but…"
"Well, what's the announcement?" Diane asked.
"Heather and I have fallen in love, have moved in together, and are planning to be married."
"Wow! That's great! Congratulations!"
"Thank you."
"Hey, Ryan…"
"Yes?"
"What are your plans now with 'Brittana' given this news?"
"I believe that we are going to play out the budding relationship as much as possible. I think that America is ready to see an authentic relationship between these two people…"
"That's great. When I get there can I get a quote from you, Ryan?"
"Absolutely."
"You're coming to us," Heather asked, dumbfounded.
"Haha…yes, I am more than interested in doing this story. Is that okay?"
Without any hesitation, they yelled, "Yes!"
"Good. I'll see ya soon!"
"How will we know when you're coming?" Naya said and sounded unprofessional.
"I'll say give me until Monday to work my magic! Is that okay?"
"Sure…"
"We'll do a set interview."
"Ok, thank you again!"
"No, no…thank you. See you soon!"
"Yes, see you soon!"
"Bye. And thank you."
After they hung up, Naya and Heather screamed, "That was too cool!"
Ryan laughed and then asked, "Is that all?"
Naya remembering her promise, she said, "Two more things…if I may?"
"Shoot!"
"Ok, first thing is if you can give Lauren Potter more lines and more scenes. I know she can do it and I'd be happy to work with her. Second thing is that I need to change my address for getting my scripts."
With that Ryan went into his database on his computer and quickly changed Naya's old address to her new one.
"That's done and regarding Lauren, I can tell you that we're working on that!"
"She's going to be thrilled!"
"Ladies, thank you so much for confiding in me. I truly appreciate it. Don't say anything about Diane Sawyer coming though. I'll do that today at our staff meeting."
"Not a word…we appreciate all your help. You're the best!"
"I know!" Ryan said and smiled. "If you need anything else please let me know."
"Ok…and keep July 14th open," Heather told him.
"Great! Thanks! Bye."
Naya and Heather walked hand in hand out of his office and all the way back to Naya's trailer.
Once Naya shut the door, they screamed, "OH MY GOD!" and hugged each other tightly.
"Did all of that just really happen?" asked Heather, amazed.
"Yes, it did baby!"
"I do have a question for you…"
Naya held her hands out to Heather who grabbed them and was led to the couch.
"About the domestic partnership, do you really want me to make your 'final decisions'?"
"I saw your reaction to that. I hope I didn't scare you cuz I know we hadn't talked about that."
"Scare me, no. Made me realize how truly real it is, yes."
"I know right…what are you thinking?" Naya asked and looked at Heather.
"I'm just concerned that your family would be mad at me…what happens if I make the wrong decision? I had trouble with my goldfish when I was younger…" Heather said, and became emotional.
"Breathe, babe, breathe…My family will recognize that you are my wife. They already do now and they will support you and be there for you when I can't be. Oh, and honey, I'm not a goldfish…"
"You're much more important to me…"
"You can't make the 'wrong decision' because the decision you make is going to be made out of love! I trust you…"
"I do too!"
"Oh, look a note! OMG, Heather read this," said Naya as she handed Heather the note.
"Awwwww…that's sweet…"
"Good for them."
"I hope they make each other as happy as we make each other."
"Speaking of that," Naya said, wagging her finger for Heather to come over to her.
Once Heather is in front of her, Naya pulls her into a juicy kiss. They both let out a moan and then they both collapse on the couch. Just then there's a knock on the door.
"I'm too tired to open it…Come in!" Naya yelled.
"Hey, girls," Lauren said as she walked in.
"Hey," they both answered.
"Nay, is your 'chariot' still available today?"
"Yup, you need a ride?"
"Yea, I have two more scenes and then I'm done."
"I have two too. Meet me back here…"
"Ok…" Lauren hesitated, "One more thing?"
"Sure…"
"When you drop me off my Mom wants to meet you…"
"Sure! Everything ok?"
"Yea, I told her about you asking me to stand up for you. She's excited and wants to meet you."
"Meeting parents is my specialty!"
"Is it now," Heather asked and laughed.
"Heck yea!"
They all laughed.
"Thanks...See you later!" Lauren said and smiled.
'Bye. When you're finished come back here…"
"Sure."
The rest of the day went quickly and soon Naya and Lauren were done. Before they left, Naya texted Heather.
HEATHER: See you at home. Going to drop off Lauren and meet her Mom.
"I'm sexy and I know it!"
Naya phone beeped.
NAYA: Good luck. See you later. Love you.
Naya and Lauren drove to her house. While in the car, Naya said, "So we talked to Ryan today…"
"Oh, how'd that go?"
"Great…We're getting a lot done. A lot more to do though. I think you'll be happy to hear…that I asked him to give you more stuff on GLEE and that I'd help you if you needed."
"Oh…"
"Did I do something wrong?" Naya asked, as she stole a glimpse at Lauren's expression.
"Um, no…"
"Come on…It's okay if I did. We can talk it out!"
"It's just that I thought you were just being nice when you told me you'd do that. I didn't think you actually intended on doing it."
"Oh…"
"I hope he knows that I didn't ask you to do that and that I intend on earning more lines and scenes myself…"
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"No, no…you didn't know…can I ask you a question? It may not come out 'right' but hang in there with me."
"Sure…"
"Are you being so nice to me because you think you have to? I've met some people who don't see me as a person…they only see my 'disability' which is funny cuz I really try not to see it. I mean I know I have Down syndrome but it doesn't define me."
"I'm being nice to you because I want to and for no other reason. I truly think you're a great person and great friend," Naya said, honestly, "if I did anything that disrespected you in any way, I am truly sorry and it won't happen again! I see the person you are and that person is amazing!"
"Really?"
"C'mon you know you're super!"
"Oh yea, super-duper!"
"None of that, young lady," said Naya as she smiled.
"Ok…"
"We okay?"
"Yup, we're okay, Nay!"
"Ok, good."
They pulled into Lauren's driveway and both got out.
"Hey, what are your parents' names?"
"Mom, Sandy…Dad's Phil. Dad may not be here, but who knows."
Lauren unlocked the door and walked in.
"Mom, I'm home…And Naya's with me!"
"Be right down."
Mrs. Potter jogged down the stairs and said, "Hi, honey, how was your day?"
"Good. I did good today."
"Great!"
"Oh, sorry, Mom this is my friend, Naya!"
"Hello, Mrs. Potter. Nice to meet you." Naya said and extended her hand.
"Hi, Naya. Nice to meet you." Mrs. Potter shook it.
"Is Dad home?"
"Not yet," Lauren's Mom replied, "How about you get ready for dinner? I'd like to talk with Naya for a second."
"Ok, I'll see you before you leave right?"
"Of course," Naya said and Lauren squeezed her in a tight hug.
Lauren walked away.
"Come sit down in the living room. Can I get you anything?"
"No thank you…I'm fine."
"Well, I just wanted to thank you for being so nice to my daughter!"
"She's a good friend!"
"Lauren…sometimes sees the world through rose petal glasses. Sometimes that's good and other times that's not good."
"Ok…"
"Ever since Lauren auditioned and got the role of 'Becky' I've been worried about her."
"In what way?"
"I want her to be safe and not be exposed to anything she doesn't understand."
"I am watching out for her. Just so I understand could you please tell me what you mean when you say 'not be exposed to anything she doesn't understand'?"
"So I hear you're getting married." Instantly, Naya knew what Mrs. Potter was talking about.
"Yes, I am to Heather Morris on July 14th. Lauren is going to be one of the people standing up for me."
"Oh…"
"Mrs. Potter, do you not want Lauren to do that?"
"Honestly, no I don't."
Just then Lauren walked into the room.
"You don't, Mom."
"No, I don't."
"Then why did you say I could? Were you trying to confuse me so I would make a decision on what you said and not how I felt?"
"I just want you to understand what you're 'standing up' for."
"Don't you mean who?" Lauren asked.
Mrs. Potter looked startled.
"Mom…I'm proudly standing up for my two friends, Naya and Heather, who just happen to be two women. Weren't you the one to teach me accepting people for who they are?"
"Yes, I was…"
"Well, that's what I'm doing!"
"Mrs. Potter, your daughter has an incredibly big heart and she knows what acceptance is. I feel honored to know her and, if she still wants to do it, I'll feel more than honored to have her standing behind me when I marry the love of my life," Naya said, proudly.
"Naya, don't worry…I haven't changed my mind." Looking to her Mom, "I'm disappointed…I thought you wanted me to bring Naya, my friend, home to thank her for giving me rides and to get to know her. She's the first friend from work I felt comfortable bringing home, but I won't be bringing anyone else. Heather is rightfully so, a major part of her life and just because she's not a guy you can't see past that. I'm ashamed…"
Naya just sat there and tried very hard not to let Santana loose again today. As she listened to what Lauren was telling her mother, she became proud. Naya knew that Lauren was the right choice.
"I'm sorry, dear…"
"Don't apologize to me…" Lauren said and looked at Naya. "Apologize to Naya."
Naya suddenly blushed. She knew that any apology that Mrs. Potter would give would only be because her daughter asked her to.
"Mom…"
"No, Lauren…It's okay," Naya said.
"No it's not, Naya. My mother always taught me to have compassion for other people and yet she's sitting here not listening to her own lesson…"
Just then Mr. Potter walked in the house.
"Hi. Who's car is that out front?"
"Hi, Dad. It's my friend, Naya's car. She drove me home from work."
"Oh, great. Hi Naya. Nice to meet you." Mr. Potter said extended his hand which Naya shook.
"Hello, sir."
Sensing the tension in the room, he asked, "Did I miss something?"
"Actually, yea, Dad," Lauren started."You remember me telling you that I would be going to Santa Cruz, in July, to stand up for Naya and her fiancée Heather, on the phone today, right?"
"Yea, I'm excited for you! Congratulations, Naya."
"Thank you."
"Well, Mom wanted me to bring Naya home to 'meet' her…" Lauren said and looked sad.
"Sandy, what did you do?"
"I just told Naya that I didn't want Lauren to do that because she doesn't understand."
"Why would you do that to Lauren and Naya?"
"I didn't want Lauren to make a mistake in choosing to do this."
"She's a grown woman and she has a mind of her own!"
"Hey, Mom…" Lauren said and looked directly into her mother's eyes, "Love is not a mistake. It's just love."
Naya sat stunned at Lauren's last statement. She felt herself start to get emotional.
"Um, I need to go…"
"Nay, you okay?" Lauren asked and looked concerned.
"Yea…I-I-I have to be going. Mr. Potter, it was nice to meet you. Mrs. Potter, your amazing daughter just wants to celebrate love. I promise you that I'll look out for her at work because she is my friend. Lauren is going to be standing up for me even if I get a car to come to pick her up so she doesn't have to worry about that. Lauren's a very special person."
With that Naya walked proudly to the door and grabbed the handle.
"Thank you for those kind words," Mrs. Potter said.
"I'm going to walk Naya to her car."
"Ok, honey," her Dad said.
As soon as the door closed, Lauren looked up at Naya and said, with tears in her eyes, "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault!"
"Ok, come to my car, Miss."
Naya grabbed her hand and pulled her to her car and they both got in.
"This is so not your fault."
"I honestly didn't know that she was going to 'attack' you like that. I'm shocked cuz that's not the person she usually is."
"You're Mom was looking out for you. Even though there was no need to. Are you still sure you want to help me?"
"I am 110% sure. Like my Dad said, I am a grown woman and I have a mind of my own!"
"Oh, by the way, I love what you told your Mom…'Love is not a mistake. It's just love.' Very respectful, but it hit the point home. Good job!"
"Thank you. I try!"
Naya laughed at that.
"You gonna be okay in there?"
"Yea, sometimes I wish I could live with you and Heather…"
"Oh…"
"Was that saying a little too much?"
"Not at all."
"I don't have a filter…I say what I feel."
"And that's why we're good friends!"
"Ok, let me go back in."
"Wait…" Naya said.
"What?"
"Where's my hug?"
Lauren grabbed Naya in for a tight squeeze.
"For what it's worth, thanks for the ride home." Lauren said, and started to walk away.
"Hey, Lauren…ANYTIME!"
She nodded.
As Naya drove back home to Heather's awaiting arms she thought about what Mrs.
Potter had tried to do. She realized that this was the first time that she had been "under fire" for her decision to love Heather. She has never been prouder of it or of Lauren's reaction towards what she heard. Naya knew that she made the right choice when she asked her to be a part of the ceremony.
When Naya got home, she walked into the apartment, threw her stuff down, and went to go find Heather.
"Hey, there's my sweetheart!"
Then Heather saw Naya's face and dropped the spatula.
"Hold me…" Naya almost whispered as she started to cry.
Heather ran to her side and just did what was asked of her. Heather realized that something had happened with Lauren and her mother, but, at the moment, in time, the details meant little to her.
They stood in their kitchen just holding each other for what seemed like hours. After Naya stopped crying, she said, "Thank you…I needed that!"
"What happened?" asked Heather, as she pulled out a chair for Naya.
"Mrs. Potter took me aside to tell me that I'm pretty much corrupting her daughter!"
"She did what?" Heather steamed.
"Yup. I almost let Santana out to knock some sense into her," she giggled.
"Wow. Does Lauren know?"
"Yea, she walked into the conversation at that point. She was so mad and hurt at her Mom, but, Heather, she handled it with such grace and insight."
"That's Lauren!"
"It was the very first time that I felt that I had to defend our decision against the cruel, hurtful world."
"Oh…"
"Please don't get upset, baby!"
"I'm not…it just became more real just then. I love the idea of marrying you…"
"We are getting married! It's not just an idea, right?"
"Of course it's not…I'm just saying that some people, as you witnessed, won't be that happy with the decision."
"That's their problem. I live my life for myself and no one else."
"Yea."
"But…it still hurts…."
"It must have stung. Do you plan on picking someone else?"
"Nope. Lauren told her parents that she intends on standing up for me…for us."
"Wow! That's awesome!"
"I told them that I wanted her to do it even if we sent a car to come pick her up the Friday before. Could we write that down on the 'Things to Do' list?"
"Yea, sure. Hey, wouldn't it be 'interesting' if we asked Jane and her partner to pick Lauren up at her house?"
Naya laughed out loud.
"I was so proud of her. When her Mom told us that she thought Lauren was making a mistake, Lauren replied, 'Love is not a mistake. It's just love.'!"
Heather just hugged Naya and she said, "She's right!"