Disclaimer: I don't own Glee nor its original characters (if I did it would probably be called The Brittany and Santana Show, and all the other characters would only be there to help advance their plot).
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Verena R, because last chapter I dedicated to the reluctant reviewers, but Miss R here has been reviewing every single chapter since the beginning. Yes, I checked, and there was a review for each chapter. So, I thank you very much for the complete support. Hope you enjoy the update :)
Again, thanks for all the reviews and PMs, last chapter was a record number. Guess you guys liked it too ;)
Enjoy chapter seven!
Mischances, Stances and Stolen Glances
||Chapter Seven||
Next morning Santana strode with purpose through the hospital's front doors. The last day had been nothing if not… eventful. And, to top it all off, she still couldn't catch a decent night of sleep. Yeah, life was grand!
Approaching the nurses' station, Santana pushed her Jackie O's up to her head and politely inquired the nurse in pink scrubs who sat behind it, "Hi! Could you tell me what floor is Dr. Richard Hannover's office, please?"
The woman promptly informed her and, a short elevator ride later, she was there. Santana found his door and knocked on it. Hearing a muffled 'come in' the Latina did just so.
Richard had his glasses-clad eyes buried in a pile of paperwork. Looking up after a short while the silver haired man saw Santana standing there.
"Santana!" he exclaimed, rising to his feet. "What a surprise! I didn't expect to see you today," Richard added jolly, kissing the brunette on the cheek affectionately. "Go on, take a seat," he said, guiding her to one of the two armchairs in front of his desk with his hand placed on her upper arm.
The brunette doctor took the comfortable seat and Richard went back to sit behind his desk.
"So, Santana, to what do I own the pleasure?"
"I need a job," the Latina replied while crossing her legs, always the blunt one. "And I was wondering if you were hiring, I mean, being the chief of staff I thought I should ask you if there were any open positions in the hospital at this moment."
"As a matter of fact we have two open spots. Dr. Davis transferred, and Dr. Jones retired," Richard replied calmly, taking off his reading glasses.
"I want you to know that I'm not asking for any favours here, Richard. Just to be considered by my résumé alone, which you happen to know pretty well," Santana stated with conviction, looking the older doctor in the eye. She had always been extremely assertive in the professional world… and out of it as well, let's face it. Besides, she knew her résumé spoke for itself.
Smiling at Santana's similarity in character to Martin, Richard replied, "I wouldn't have thought otherwise." And after a beat he added, "How are your general physician's skills?"
"Sharp," the brunette doctor answered succinctly and firmly. "Why?"
"As you may guess we're not in dire need of a plastic surgeon in our Lima staff at the moment, what we need most are general physicians. You should also know that the pay is good, but not nearly as glamorous as what you must be used to as a plastic surgeon in New York City, Manhattan," Richard spoke with candor, smiling and leaning deeper on his chair, causing it to swing a bit.
"As my dad used to say, a job is a job. And I would be more than glad to have it," Santana proclaimed honestly.
"Did you make arrangements with the Medical Board to revalidate your license yet?"
"Yes, I set up a meeting in New York next week to take the practicals," Santana informed the blue-eyed man. "It shouldn't be a problem, 'though. It's all up here," she added, pointing to her head with a smug grin on her face.
"In that case we'd be lucky to have you. Definitely an asset to the current staff," Richard spoke through a smile, outstretching his hand to Santana on the other side of the desk, who smilingly shook on it.
"Richard, I don't even know how to thank you," Santana said with appreciation, pulling her hand back.
"I should be the one thanking you. I've been sitting on résumés for a month now and, let me tell you, the quality of the applicants has been mediocre at best."
"I promise I won't let you down."
"Do you have some time now? I could walk you to HR to get the ball rolling," Richard stated, getting up when Santana replied with a simple 'Sure,' and rose to her feet as well.
They walked over there while engaged in idle small talk. Upon arriving, Richard escorted Santana inside. There were two women and a guy in the room, each behind a desk. The blue-eyed chief of staff went to the guy and explained Santana was going to be filling one of the two positions currently open for doctors. So, he should open procedure and gather everything he needed from the Latina.
"So, Santana, I think you are all set here. Would you mind if I head back to my office? Only these days I truly comprehend why your dad complained so much about the amount of paperwork that comes from being a chief," Richard said lightheartedly.
Flashing the man a small smile, Santana replied, "Sure, please don't let me keep you."
"Ok, don't forget about your promise to come to dinner, huh? And bring Zoey along."
"Will do," the brunette doctor replied promptly.
"Diane will call you to set a date," Richard said with an easy smile, and Santana nodded, matching it. After that he left and the Latina proceeded to pass along all the info the HR guy needed.
Santana parked the black Range Rover in front of the Pierces' residence. The driveway was already occupied by Rob's car and, besides, she hated clogging up other people's driveway. When Rob, Annie and Ally Pierce went to visit her in the hospital a few times, they made her promise she would come to dinner after she was discharged. So, the day after she left the hospital, Annie called her to set something up. The thing was: Santana was feeling rather uneasy about the whole situation. The Pierces had always been like family to her, the Latina spent many hours of her childhood and youth in their home, after all. She had babysat Ally along with Brittany more times than she could count. And they had become officially her family when she and the blonde tied the knot. However, she and Brittany were no longer married. In fact, the dancer had another wife altogether. She didn't know how the Pierces felt, she didn't know where she stood amidst all the changes… she didn't know anything anymore. That was her constant those days.
And those were the reasons why Santana only agreed to a lunch. If things got awkward she wouldn't have to sit through it for too many hours. Taking a deep breath to gather up some courage the brunette doctor left the car and made her way towards the front door after climbing up the few familiar steps of the Pierces' porch.
Santana stayed a while there in front of the white door, with her hand held up bowled into a fist, trying to muster some will power to finally knock. When her arm grew heavy she finally did it. What the hell… the Latina thought.
"I'll get it!" she heard a muffled man's voice coming from behind the door.
A brief moment later the door flew open and Santana instantly saw Rob Pierce's smiling face. It felt weird to the Latina to feel this nervous. She had done this so many times, but she couldn't contain that dreadful feeling that took over the pit of her stomach.
"Santana!" the man in his almost late fifties exclaimed energetically, enveloping the brunette in a hug. Brittany's parents were considerably younger than Santana's. "How nice to see you out and about!" he added, pulling back from the hug.
Feeling awkward as hell, Santana offered him a half-smile. All she could manage at that moment. After swallowing hard she said nervously, "Thanks, it's nice to see you too, Mr. Pierce."
"Mr. Pierce?" Rob asked with a laugh, knitting his brows together in confusion. The young brunette hadn't called him that since she was a wee girl. Even then it had always been 'Mr. P.'. Guiding Santana into the house with his hand on her upper back, and closing the door behind them, Rob added with a laugh, calling out to his wife in the kitchen, "Did you hear that, Annie? Santana just called me 'Mr. Pierce'."
Santana smiled even more awkwardly, if that was even possible.
"What's gotten into you?" the blue-eyed man inquired, smiling broadly. A distinct characteristic of the Pierce family, by the way: broad smiles. Each one of them had it.
"Santana arrived? Come in here, sweetie," came Annie's cheerful shout from the kitchen.
Shaking her head dismissively the Latina replied, forcing yet another smile, "Nothing. I just… spaced out or something, Rob." She hoped the lame excuse would fly with the help of the drop of his nickname.
"Ok," the dirty-blond man replied smiling, and Santana sighed with relief. "Now go on to Annie. She has been dying to see you," he added, and Santana started walking. "She's in the kitchen," Rob finished from behind her, and went back to his seat in front of the tv.
Entering the cozy and yet spacious kitchen, Santana spotted Annie right away in front of the stove as the woman in her mid-fifties stirred something.
"Santana, so good to see you!" the blonde exclaimed, smiling broadly. She was a Pierce after all.
Santana always thought to herself that if the Pierces weren't, you know, the Pierces, she would probably be annoyed by them. They were all so congenial, and warm, and effusive, and friendly… in other words, the opposite of Santana, and exactly like Brittany. It was no surprise that the dancer was the way she was. Growing up in a household like that there was no other end result possible.
Before giving time for the Latina to reply anything, Annie added, "How are you? How are you feeling, honey?" Again, she gave no time for an answer, and added while still stirring the pot, "Come here and give me a hug, if I stop stirring this it will get all lumpy."
Santana did what she was told, and went to give the blue-eyed blonde a hug, already feeling the tension dissipating from her body. This was all so familiar that the brunette couldn't really help the at ease feeling.
Pulling back the Latina finally answered, matching Annie's smile, "I'm good, thanks. It's nice seeing you, too."
"How is it going in your parents' place? Is it strange being there?" Annie asked, stirring the content of the pot with a silicone spoon. And yes, the Pierces were all sharers as well.
"A little," Santana replied candidly while leaning against the counter, she always had a hard time bs-ing the older woman. "But I'll get used to it," she added, trying not to sound like a pathetic, scared, little girl.
"You know you can always count on me and Rob, right? We're here for you," Annie said softly, looking straight into Santana's eyes for emphasis. "Things may have changed, but you're still a daughter to us. Always has been. Just as much as Brittany and Allison," the blonde added with emotion pouring out of her voice, and just like that Santana felt all the awkwardness and uneasiness finally departing. The Latina simply matched Annie's wide tight-lipped smile.
"What about Allison?" the blonde teen asked playfully with suspicion while she entered the kitchen. Annie just dismissed her question with a shake of her head.
"Santana, what's up?" Ally asked with a broad smile, and after taking a once over at the Latina she playfully added while leaning on the counter beside Santana, "Ah, I see you ditched the cane; how are people to know how old you are now, huh?"
"Ha, ha! Very funny," Santana replied sarcastically, slinging one arm over the blue-eyed teen's shoulders. Annie looked back from the stove with a sweet smile on her face.
"I try," Ally replied cheekily, leaning a bit into Santana as a way to say 'hi'.
"What are you doing home in the middle of a Friday, anyway? Not ditching class, I hope," Santana joked.
"Faculty meeting," Annie beat Ally to the punch.
Pulling her arm back the brunette said in disbelief while looking sideways at the teen, "I can't believe little Ally is already a senior," small pause, "and one taller than me at that."
"I know, right?" Ally replied in a very teenager sort of way.
"Pierce women have always been really tall," Annie piped in matter-of-factly without turning to face them.
"It seems like just yesterday Britt and I were running around, carrying your baby ass up and down the house…" Santana mused with a grin. "Well, actually, this explains a lot. We dropped you on your head quite a lot back then," the brunette quipped with a wider grin on her face.
"Ha, ha! Very funny," Ally repeated Santana's previous sarcastic remark, bumping the Latina with her shoulder.
Just like old times the two proceeded to steal some garnishes that were set aside on the counter near a cutting board, while Annie busied herself with preparing the meal.
"Don't tell Britt this, but you're still my favourite sister-in-law," the blue-eyed teen added in earnest, changing the subject. That brought out a sweet smile from Santana. She has always loved the kid like a sister.
"Well, considering everything, I think you are now absolutely my favourite Pierce offspring," Santana quipped with a smirk. "And you can totally tell B if you want," she added playfully as they both laughed out loud.
Seeing them eating Annie reproached lightly, "You two, stop eating my garnishes! You'll spoil your appetite." Both smiled mischievously at each other.
"So, what about colleges? You're going, right?" Santana asked with interest while chewing slowly. Ally nodded in confirmation. "Which ones did you apply to?"
"Ohio State, Penn State, Marshall University, Kent State, NYU, and…" Ally said ceremoniously, looking sideways at Santana as she dragged out the last name, "…Columbia," she finished with a smile.
"There it is: Columbia!" Santana exclaimed enthusiastically after hearing her alma mater's name. "You dragged out just to keep me on edge, right?" she teased the youngster with a playful smack on her arm.
"We're very proud of our Ally. With her grades I'm sure she can get in anywhere she wants," Annie said proudly, dumping something from one pot into another. After she looked back the older woman saw that the two girls – yes, no matter how old they got the Pierces still referred to all of them as 'girls' – were still stealing her garnishes. So, she added, "Will you two stop stealing my garnishes and make something useful like setting the table?"
The two "girls" quickly obliged, going towards the kitchen table to set it for lunch.
"Tell me Columbia is on the top of your list. I mean, it has to be! And don't tell me you've been listening to Man-Hands. Despite anything she might have told you, NYU simply pales in comparison," Santana said in a mild frenzy, standing behind a chair from the table.
"It's still too soon to tell, I mean, I just send out the applications. But I think it would be hard to really go to Columbia, or NYU for that matter. Even if I managed to get in, I'd have to get, like, a full scholarship to go there," the blue-eyed teen said honestly, retrieving a flower arrangement from the center of the table.
The Pierces weren't exactly rich. They were able to provide everything for their daughters, both girls never wanted for anything. However, Rob had always have a blue-collar job, and until before Ally was born, Annie worked part-time in the Post Office's HQ to help out with the finances. So, paying in full for a private university was something they simply couldn't make happen.
"Well, I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. I mean, there's always the Santana Lopez College Fund you could get with 100% certainty," Santana said with a broad smile on – yes, they were infectious around there – while going to one of the kitchen's drawers to get a checked tablecloth. She still knew her way around that kitchen like it was her own. The Latina had done the set-the-table dance innumerous times before at the Pierces' home.
Turning around from the open fridge in front of her, Annie said solemnly, "We couldn't take your money, Santana."
"Why not?" the brunette doctor quickly countered, turning around to face the elder Pierce woman.
"It wouldn't be right."
"Please, like all of you are here for me, I am here for you, too. Ally is a sister to me. It would mean the world if I could help her get exactly what she wants," Santana spoke candidly and softly. "Just promise you'll come to me if you need anything," the Latina added, shifting her gaze from Annie to Ally.
Annie – and Ally – pondered what she said for a moment, and then both flashed Santana an appreciative and warm smile. Ally nodded, looking back at the brunette, who smiled wider while Annie closed the fridge and went on with the lunch's preparation.
"You have any idea of what major you will be?"
"Not yet, really."
"That's completely normal at this stage."
"Yeah, I guess."
"So, you know Columbia's dean of admissions?" Santana began, spreading the checkered tablecloth across the table with Ally's help. "Well, I did his wife's, you know…" she placed her hands one at each side of her face and pretended to be stretching it, "…and her, you know…" she pointed to her boobs.
Hearing the gap on Santana's speech Annie turned around to see what she was talking about and couldn't help but laugh.
"Suffice to say she was very pleased with the results, and I still have her number. If you want I could give her a call, or even meet with her while I'm at New York next week, so she can put a good word for you with her husband," she finished, gauging a reaction from Ally who seemed quite keen on the idea.
"That would be wonderful, Santana," Ally said with enthusiasm, going to the kitchen cabinet to grab plates, while Santana followed to grab glasses. "If it's not too much trouble, of course," the blue-eyed youngster added quickly, looking sideways at the Latina with four red plates in hand.
"No trouble at all," Santana replied even quicker, wearing a soft smile while holding four tall glasses.
The thing about Santana Lopez was that she was a hard one to befriend or charm. But once someone got her in their corner, the brunette would fight with her life alongside you. For good. She was that loyal. And all the Pierces were on the receiving end of such privilege, such hard-earned privilege.
"That's very nice of you, Santana," Annie said, looking up from the cutting board she busied herself with slicing some onions. The Latina just smiled in response, putting a glass along each plate Ally laid on the table. "So, you're going to New York next week?" the blue-eyed woman added, making easy conversation.
"Yeah, I gotta renew my medical license. I just got a job at the local hospital," Santana replied promptly while she placed the last glass on the table.
"That's great! Congratulations, sweetie," Annie said, smiling wider, while Ally grabbed the silverware from one of the counter's drawers.
"And I also have a lot of shopping to catch up on," Santana added with a laugh. Annie and Ally laughed with her.
"So, does my granddaughter know you'll be gone for a whole week? I'm guessing she won't be happy. All we hear is mama this, mama that, I mean, she has always been very much infatuated with you but lately is just crazy," Annie said through chuckles.
Santana couldn't help but be taken over by the widest grin. It always happened when someone mentioned her daughter to her. "No, she doesn't know yet. But after I leave here I'll be picking her up at Britt's to spend the weekend with me. And to be completely honest I'm a bit nervous. Any advices?" the Latina replied, looking from Annie to Ally, who had just finished placing the silverware on the table beside the plates.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll do fine, honey," Annie said dismissively. "Zoey absolutely loves you, and she's the sweetest girl."
"And the funniest," Ally piped in with a smug smile, taking a seat at the table.
"And the smartest," Santana felt the need to add while taking a seat at the table as well, and the three women laughed at their own antics.
Entering the kitchen Rob said playfully with a smile, "What's so funny that you ladies keep laughing like crazy in here? I even quit the sports news to join ya."
"Just praising our granddaughter, that's all," Annie replied flatly with a lingering smile still on her lips.
"Ah," Rob said, leaning against the counter beside Annie. "Prettiest little girl in the world," the dirty-blond added, causing the three women to burst out laughing again.
Scratching his head Rob asked in confusion, "What? What's so funny?" But he got no answer, just more laughter. "Women…" the blue-eyed man sighed loudly, being used to be surrounded by them. To be honest, he loved it. Every single aspect of their complicated selves. So, he joined in the laughter, even 'though he didn't know what it was all about.
"Take a seat, honey. Lunch's ready," Annie said through a laugh, placing a light hand on her husband's shoulder.
Santana parked the car right in front of Brittany's house. She had enjoyed lunch at the Pierces very much, you know, after her whole nervousness deal passed. Passing through the blonde's picket fence, Santana quickly arrived at her door and rang the doorbell. She hoped, really hoped, Gemma wasn't home. Their last – and first – encounter had been awful enough.
After a few seconds, the blue-eyed dancer opened the door with a smile and said, "Hey, San!"
"Hi," Santana replied with a tight-lipped smile.
"Come in," the blonde jolly said, stepping away for the brunette to enter, which she did. Eyeing the black Range Rover parked in front of her house before closing the door, Brittany asked curiously, "Driving your mom's car?"
"Yeah," Santana replied, looking back at Brittany who had just closed the door. "I told you convertibles aren't safe for kids. Especially without a car seat, which I already bought this morning before I swung by Rosa's. They assured me it was the safest and most comfortable," she added like a neurotic parent.
Brittany smiled at the Latina's antics, and asked still near the door, "You went to Rosa's?"
"Yeah, I went there to beg her to come back. I mean, I can't deal with that big house on my own. You know how much I hate house work," Santana said. Rosa had been her parents' maid for as long as Santana could remember. She loved the woman.
"Oh, that I know," Brittany quipped through a grin. "Did she agree to?" she added and Santana simply nodded.
"Where are my manners? Please, come sit down for a while," the dancer said, guiding Santana further into her living room.
"Where's Zoey?" Santana asked, a little reluctant to enter further into the blonde's place and wind up running into the other blonde.
"You're a little early. Lisa is bringing her over from school today," Brittany explained, trying to guide Santana in. Reading the confusion on the doctor's face the blonde clarified, "Lisa is Jeremy's mom, you know, Zoey's –"
"Zoey's best friend," Santana cut her off. "Yes, I listen. Anyways, I know I'm early, I just wanted to see if you still had my books and cd's," she added.
"Yes, I do. Come in," Brittany tried again, and Santana finally started moving further ahead.
Taking in for the first time the familiarity of… everything: furniture, artwork, rugs, plants and all that jazz; Santana said a bit astounded, "Wow, this brings me back!" Short pause. "Weird."
"Yes, I brought everything back from New York. I just… couldn't part with anything," Brittany said softly, looking around the living room that was joined with the kitchen in an open floor plan. "I made my dad drive everything in a U-Haul truck all the way here," the blonde added with a smile.
Santana didn't say anything, she just kept looking around.
"What? Something wrong?" Brittany asked, stepping closer to Santana who stood behind the grey sofa. No response, 'though. "Say something, San," the blonde added with concern.
Shaking her head, Santana finally said, "It's nothing, really." After a beat she added, "It's just a bit weird, that's all." And she added a smile to quell Brittany a bit.
"So, do you like my place?" Brittany asked smiling, a bit too eager. She still needed Santana's approval in all things. A habit like that was hard to drop.
Santana took the time to look around again. The living room, the kitchen… She already had done so, but she wanted the blonde to know she was taking this seriously. It was definitely small, and from outside she had already noticed that the place had only one floor. But it was warm. Brittany always had the ability to turn anything into a nice place.
"Yes, it's really cozy," Santana answered after a moment.
Brittany smiled wider and replied, "You always say 'cozy' when you mean 'small'."
Damn, the woman knows me too well. The Latina mused inwardly.
"Well, in that case our first Manhattan apartment was much cozier," Santana joked lightheartedly through a coy smile.
They had moved in together when the brunette was in her second year of college. They had decided that they would live separately when they first went to New York – something about new relationships and too much pressure – but Santana hated her roommate in campus and Brittany hated all her alone, Santana-less time between temping and auditioning.
"But, seriously, it's lovely," Santana added honestly, receiving a sweet smile from the blonde.
"Do you need a box to put the cd's and books?" Brittany asked, trying to be of some help.
"Sure, that would be great," the brunette doctor replied and the blonde quickly left the room.
Santana took the time to walk around for a while. Looking at the artworks that hung on the walls, touching the sofa's fabric, running her fingers through the top of the coffee table, reading the titles of the books on the bookshelf… This was really weird, she thought.
Brittany resurfaced with a cardboard box in hand. "Here," she said, handing the Latina the box. "You can take anything else you want. Everything in here is all yours, too. Besides, most of our stuff didn't fit in here. It is a small place. There's a bunch of stuff in my parents' basement and garage, you can help yourself to anything," the blue-eyed dancer added sincerely.
"I don't want anything," Santana quickly responded. The last thing she needed was more reminders of her old life in form of furniture, paintings, or decorations.
"You're sure?" Brittany reinforced gently as Santana made her way to the bookshelf.
"Very," the brunette curtly put it while the blonde took a seat on the sofa, realizing no good would come from pushing the Latina.
"So, how was lunch with my parents?" Brittany asked, watching Santana's back while she retrieved her books. The blonde had to mentally scold herself when she realized her eyes were trained on the brunette's perfect ass. Then she quickly averted them.
"Who told you?" Santana asked in surprise, looking back at the dancer.
"My mom. Why? Was it a secret?" the blue-eyed woman asked puckishly, smiling broadly. Definitely a Pierce, Santana thought.
"No," the Latina replied defensively, turning back to the bookshelf. After a beat, she added with uncertainty, "You don't mind it, do you? Me seeing them? I know it's kinda weird after –"
"Don't be ridiculous, San!" Brittany chastised her with a laugh. And then she added in a more serious tone, "You already lost a set of parents. I would never take away the other."
Santana didn't say anything, the brunette doctor just stopped grabbing her cd's, turned around and rewarded the blonde with that sweet smile of hers, and Brittany's heart melted into a puddle. So, she merely matched said smile.
After a couple of minutes Santana finished her task.
"I'm done," the Latina said, holding the cardboard box with two hands.
"Ok, wanna drink something?" Brittany said, getting up from the couch. "Let's move this party to the kitchen," she added with a smile, starting to walk towards there.
"Wait!" Santana replied, making the blonde stop to a halt.
"What?" the blue-eyed dancer said, turning around.
"Aren't you going to check what I took?" the brunette asked with her brows slightly furrowed together, placing the box on top of the coffee table.
"Of course not," Brittany replied, full-on chuckling while walking back towards the coffee table.
"Well, I totally thought you would," the brown-eyed woman said, placing her hands on her hips. "Here," she added, taking some cd's out of the box, "I confess I took these ones that are clearly yours," Santana finished, placing the few items on top of the coffee table beside the box.
Brittany's eyes fell on the cd's and among them there was one by Fleetwood Mac. The blonde could see that Santana's eyes were on it as well, and both women looked up and shared a bittersweet smile without saying anything.
Finally Brittany spoke softly, "You can have them." She saw the Latina's doubtful eyes and added, "I have all of those in my iPod, anyway." She saw that Santana seemed to have accepted that, and even flashed a small smile towards the dancer.
"So, what about that drink? Want one?" the blue-eyed woman asked.
"No, thanks," Santana declined the offer with a polite smile. "But what I've been wanting to ask you for a while now is if you've seen my Columbia t-shirt, you know, that one –"
"The one you always loved to sleep in," Brittany softly completed the thought before Santana could. The Latina smiled sweetly – again – to confirm, locking brown eyes with blue ones.
After they broke out of the stare contest, Brittany said, "I might have an idea. Follow me." And she started walking towards a hallway within the house. Santana followed.
They passed by Zoey's room, a small bathroom and reached their destination. The last room of the house: Brittany's bedroom. Upon entering Santana felt exceedingly disturbed. Eyeing the bed – thankfully not the one she and Brittany shared – Santana was hit with an unpleasant, if not disgusting, myriad of images of the blonde with her other blonde. And they were quite graphic. The Latina shuddered, and mentally kicked her brain for not having an on/off switch, and for being completely inappropriate.
Brittany went to a dresser, another item that didn't belong in their old New York place. Obviously, Santana thought. We had that walk-in closet; the brunette made sense of it all in her head. Finally, the blonde took something out of it. It was the old navy Columbia t-shirt.
"Here," Brittany said, handing it to Santana. "I used to only be able to fall asleep when I was wearing it, and after that I just kept on using it," the dancer added with a shy smile on her lips. And to the brunette doctor that was a big, 'see, you weren't the only one who had trouble sleeping', and she couldn't help but feel a bit self-centered.
"Thanks," Santana replied, holding on to the worn out t-shirt. She had that thing since college.
"I'll miss it," Brittany said softly with a wistful smile tugging on her lips as she tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
"I'm sure you'll get over it," Santana snapped back before she could help it. That bedroom was clearly doing things to her. And not good things. "Sorry," she added quickly, shifting her gaze to the carpeted floor.
"It's ok," the blue-eyed woman replied absentmindedly, but clearly hurt.
They heard a car's horn outside.
"It's Lisa. I'll go get Zoey. Do you want to meet her?"
"Another time."
Brittany left the room and Santana followed soon after. There was no need for her to hang in there for longer than necessary. The Latina put the t-shirt in the box, and leaned against the tiny kitchen's island when Zoey burst through the front door. The child had energy, the brunette doctor mused once more.
"Mama!" Zoey exclaimed enthusiastically, jumping to Santana's arms while Brittany got in and closed the front door behind her, putting the kid's backpack on the sofa.
"Hey, Z," Santana replied, catching the little girl with a grin plastered on her face. "How was school today, mi hija?" she added before placing a kiss on Zoey's head.
"Good," the kid in denim overalls shortly put it as Brittany walked over to watch the two of them together. She never got tired of watching those scenes.
"Are you ready for the weekend with mama, baby?" Brittany asked in her sweet tone, which was always used when addressing their daughter.
"Yes!" Zoey practically yelled, and both women scrunched their eyes at the sound. If it were any other kid Santana would be extremely pissed off or highly annoyed, but coming from her daughter it was simply shrugged off as endearing.
"Ok, then, let's grab your overnight bag in your room," Brittany said with a smile.
"Yes, I want to show mama my room," Zoey said, wiggling in Santana's arms to be put down to the ground, which the brunette doctor quickly obliged to. "Hurry," she added, tugging on the Latina's hand as Brittany made her way to the little girl's room.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Santana replied as she was practically dragged by her daughter.
They entered the girl's yellow room and Zoey proceeded to excitedly introduce Santana to each one of her many "friends", a plan that the kid had in mind for a long time and right then was finally able to follow through with it. The brunette, and Brittany, listened to everything their daughter had to say with the type of adoration that only parents can quite muster. As Santana heard the names and stories that came along with it, she took the time to take in her daughter's room. It was small, but very warm and lively. Filled with books, and stuffed animals, and little mementos collected along the sweet girl's time of life. Santana couldn't help but smile as she saw a photo of her and Brittany on top of Zoey's nightstand. They had taken it a little while before the… incident. It pictured Brittany sitting on the sofa with Santana beside her, hunched over and with her ear pressed against the blonde's belly as if she was hearing the baby, and Brittany's hands rested on the Latina's head as if she was stroking her hair. Both had silly smiles on their faces. She was so happy, Santana thought back. And then she felt the dancer's eyes on her. Brittany saw what had caught the doctor's attention, and they shared what it seemed like the 100th knowing look of the past few days.
Zoey finished with her ramblings and Brittany took out a pink duffel bag from underneath the girl's bed, which she had packed a couple of hours ago.
Eyeing the big, bulky duffel Santana playfully said, "Is Zoey staying for the weekend or for the whole month?" And she flashed them a charming smile.
"Trust me, you wouldn't want to be caught without Rainbow, or any of her stuff, when she decides she wants them. Isn't that right, Zo?" Brittany quipped, looking down at Zoey with a teasing smile on her lips. The blue-eyed girl just shrugged in response.
"Ok, then…" Santana replied, smiling while raising an eyebrow. "Ready to roll, kiddo?" she added, slinging the bag on her shoulder and looking at her daughter who nodded profusely.
"I'll walk out with you guys. I gotta go to the studio," Brittany announced as the three of them left the house.
As the blonde was closing the front door, and Santana and Zoey waited near her, the Latina asked, "You want a lift? I can drop you at the studio if you want."
"Nah, thanks 'though. Friday is usually a long day at the studio; I'll need the car to get back," Brittany replied, smiling back at the brunette.
They started walking towards Santana's car and the Latina opened up the back door. "Get in, baby," she said, stepping sideways so the kid could climb up with her aid while Brittany watched the scene.
Santana proceeded to drop the bag on the back seat and buckle up Zoey in the new car seat.
Seeing the thing, Brittany exclaimed, "Jesus, San! That thing is huge."
"Well, they said it was the most comfortable one," Santana defended the car seat as if it were herself, looking back at the amused dancer. "Is it comfy, Z?" she added in question, shifting her gaze back to Zoey, who again nodded with a wide smile. That was approval enough for Santana, who backed away from the back door to give Brittany a chance to say goodbye.
Leaning in Brittany said sweetly to her daughter, "Ok, honey, off you go. Have a wonderful time with mama, ok? And be good for her," she then placed a kiss on Zoey's cheek. Santana watched the scene unfold with untamed joy. "I'll miss you millions, billions, trillions, gazillions!" the blue-eyed woman playfully added with a grin, kissing her daughter all over the face while saying it.
"I'll miss you, too," Zoey piped in through giggles.
Brittany placed one last light kiss on her daughter's head, pulled back and closed the door, being greeted by a smiling Santana, who tried to hide her glee but failed miserably. Brittany smiled back at the Latina, feeling so damn good to see a proud, happy smile on her best friend's face.
"Have fun, and call me if you need anything," Brittany happily told Santana, who nodded her understanding.
The blonde leaned forward to give the Latina a kiss on the cheek, but Santana sensed what she would do and outstretched a hand. It stung Brittany but she shook on it nonetheless. She knew how guarded the brunette could be. Brittany just felt sad Santana was guarding herself from the blonde.
Santana walked over to the driver's door and got in. Brittany popped her head in for one last time through the open front door window and looked from Santana to Zoey and back. She then exclaimed, "Bye, ladies!" And then she blew Zoey a kiss, who blew one back to her mommy.
Santana nodded at Brittany one last time, and off they went. Brittany watched the Range Rover go and, even 'though she felt overjoyed that mother and daughter would be spending time together, a part of her couldn't help but wish… she was there with them.
Driving the car Santana enthusiastically asked Zoey with a smile her daughter couldn't even see from the back seat, "So, ready to buy lots of yummy stuff for the weekend?"
"Yeah!" Zoey called out from her car seat, just as enthused with the idea.
After grocery shopping Santana and Zoey had a blast together throughout the afternoon and evening. The Latina made her daughter a delicious afterschool snack, and after eating it they proceeded to the sofa where they continued to eat all kinds of sugary crap while watching Peter Pan – which Zoey made sure to bring to introduce Santana to – and the first Shrek, Zoey's favourite out of all of them. Then they animatedly chatted with a work-bound Jimmy for quite a while through Skype, and later Santana fed Zoey a healthy dinner. After all the junk food she felt it would be bad parenting if she decided to let the kid eat anything but something highly nutritious.
Then Santana and Zoey went about to build a neat fort in the living room, using enough sheets and blankets to warm up a small country's population. When she took over the state of the living room Santana couldn't help but picture her mother turning over in her grave, and it brought a wistful smile to her face. For dessert the Latina brought the fire alive in the living room's fireplace and went along to roast s'mores with Zoey in front of the warm fire with the help of the fireplace's poker. Zoey was beyond herself with the camping experience, and Santana swelled over being able to provide such a good time to her child.
With the promise to come back down to the fort to watch one last movie, The Little Mermaid – according to Zoey, her 'favouritest' princess – Santana convinced the girl to go upstairs for a bath and pajamas time. Both of them took a long, hot bath and dressed up in comfy pj's. As they were headed downstairs, smelling as good as humanly possible, they passed by one of the guest bedrooms.
Stopping the kid from taking another step, Santana stood in front of the guest bedroom's open door with Zoey beside her and said while both of them looked in, "So, Zoey, what do you think about this bedroom, sweetie?"
It was spacious and you could see that in day time it definitely had a pretty good amount of natural light, considering the amount of nice large windows around it.
Zoey looked around and just shrugged while looking up at her mama. It seemed like a regular bedroom to her.
"So, what would you think if we painted all the walls in a nice shade of purple –" Santana knowingly began in a hushed, promising voice but was cut off by her daughter.
"Purple's my favourite colour," Zoey interjected with a glint in her oblivious blue eyes.
"Really? How interesting," Santana feigned surprise while pushing the door the whole way back. "And what would you say if we also bought a pretty bed, and a nice dresser, and a wardrobe, and perhaps some nice shelves to put books and lots of toys –" the Latina added in the same tone, and she could see that Zoey was beginning to see the picture 'cause she looked increasingly excited.
"What do you think? Huh? Would you like to have your own room here, you know, so you don't have to sleep with your ol' mama, bug?" Santana added with a wide smile, looking down at her kid.
Zoey began to bounce up and down with excitement. "I guess that is a 'yes', huh?" Santana said, laughing out loud at her daughter.
"Yes!" Zoey shouted, hugging Santana's right leg fiercely.
"Ok, then. We'll make that happen in not time. Now let's get back to the fort," the brunette doctor replied, guiding her daughter with a protective hand on the girl's back.
On their way down they passed by a tasteful iron cross that hung on a wall. Santana's parents had always been devoted Catholics.
"Is that Jesus?" Zoey asked with interest, pointing at the object.
"Yes, that's Jesus, baby. How do you know that?" Santana asked in the same fashion as they passed by it and headed down the marble staircase.
"Grandma Annie showed me. She taught me a prayer, too," Zoey informed, looking up at Santana as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"That was nice of her, huh?" the Latina said softly while they entered the living room. Zoey nodded her agreement.
"Do you believe in Him?" came Zoey's question and it took the brunette by surprise.
After a few seconds of pondering Santana replied honestly, "Yes, I do." She may not be the most religious person, but she had always believed. Of course she had issues with the religion she was brought up on. That went without saying. But she always had believed in Him. Especially now, looking at her beautiful, perfect daughter, how could she not?
"Ok, now go get cozy into the fort while I grab my dad's laptop in the office so we can watch The Little Mermaid in there," Santana told Zoey, who quickly did what she was told with a pleased smile on her face.
Santana and Zoey laid side by side inside of the fort, snuggled under a white fleece blanket while the fireplace fire a few feet away from them warmed the whole room in the nicest of ways. They watched the movie playing on the laptop between them with attentive eyes.
"I love Ariel's hair," Zoey piped in, looking sideways at the Latina.
"Yeah, me too… It's really pretty," Santana whispered back, looking at her kid as well.
"I wish I had red hair," the blue-eyed girl sighed.
"Nah, yours is perfectly gorgeous. Just like mine, see," the brunette said, smiling as both girls looked at their brown hair against the stack of pillows. After the inspection Zoey seemed to have agreed with her mother.
"Long hair is the prettiest. Like mine, yours, mommy's, Aunt Quinn's, Aunt Ally's…" Zoey started to say, listing everyone she could remember.
"Yes, sweetie, I got the idea," Santana said, stopping her daughter's ramble with a chuckle.
They fell in silence again and went back to watching the movie.
After a moment Zoey stated flatly, "I believe, too."
"In what, Z?" Santana asked in confusion without tearing her gaze from the screen.
"In Jesus," Zoey said matter-of-factly, pulling the subject back from out of the blue. Like most kids do.
That was sufficient to bring Santana's whole attention back to her daughter and she looked sideways to face the little girl. "You do? And why's that, baby?" the Latina asked with interest.
Trying to organize her thoughts Zoey looked up before settling her gaze on Santana. "When Grandma Annie taught me that prayer, she said we could ask Jesus things," she said slowly, and paused to think some more. "But it can only be really, really, really important things 'cause, you know, He's really busy," the blue-eyed girl added, bringing a smile to Santana's lips. "So, I asked Him two things and He answered me. So, I believe in Jesus," Zoey concluded with a wide smile, proud that she had managed to explain things right.
"He did, huh?" Santana asked with a grin and raised eyebrow. "And can I ask what you wanted so badly, little Miss?" she added, tickling Zoey briefly and causing little giggles to escape the kid's mouth.
"I asked Jesus to wake you up," Zoey stated simply, smiling wide at Santana who was caught completely and utterly off-guard by her daughters answer. "And a little while after you did," she added proudly to the gobsmacked Latina.
Feeling the tears well up Santana found the strength to softly reply after swallowing hard, "You asked Him that, honey?" To which Zoey nodded her confirmation.
"When we visited you in the hospital at your birthday mommy thought I was sleeping in her arms, but I wasn't and I heard her saying 'God, I wish she was here'," Zoey said nonchalantly, doing Brittany's voice in a different tone just like the blonde usually did when she read different characters in a book for Zoey. "And I really, really, really wished I could talk to you, too; so, I asked Jesus."
Santana couldn't say anything. She just tightly hugged her oblivious daughter for the longest time. Pulling back she flashed the kid her megawatt smile, for the brunette had no idea she could love a little girl this much.
Wiping a couple of escaping tears, Santana said with a more contained smile, "Thank you, Zo." Zoey didn't really know what her mama was thanking her for, but never being one to turn down an appreciative remark, she smiled back as a 'you're welcome'.
After some more movie watching an afterthought came to the doctor's head, and she asked her daughter, "What was your second wish, mi hija?"
"A puppy, but I didn't get one," Zoey replied flatly without tearing her eyes from Ariel.
"And how come you still believe in Jesus?"
"Because Grandma Annie says Jesus only wants what's best for all people. And Aunt Jenna is 'allegic' to dogs and cats, so I understand why He wouldn't give me one," Zoey explained thoroughly, looking at her mama with a half-smile.
Shaking her head with a smile, Santana said proudly while running her fingers through Zoey's long brown hair, "Have I told you how smart you are, bug?" The compliment brought a full-on smile from Zoey, and mother and daughter got back to Ariel and her shenanigans on screen.
Brittany stood there smiling like a fool, watching the scene in front of her eyes like it was the most delectable work of art ever created. It pulled on each and every one of her heart's strings to see Santana and Zoey cuddled up underneath a blanket inside of the fort. Both sleeping soundly as Brittany hunched over and stole a peek through the fort's entrance gap. The blonde could even feel tears threatening to cascade down her alabaster face. Again, such scenes would never get old to the dancer. She had wished for them too many times.
Santana felt those eyes on her. She had always been able to feel that pair of gorgeous icy blues. So, maintaining her chocolate browns closed, the Latina whispered carefully not to wake her daughter, "You do realize you look like a creepy stalker, don't you?"
Santana's line startled the blonde a bit and she placed a hand over her heart. "How did you –" Brittany began to say lowly, but was interrupted by the brunette.
"You should know by now that I always know," Santana interjected in a whisper, opening up her eyes for the first time.
"Yeah, but you were sleeping," the blue-eyed dancer softly put it.
"I'm a doctor. I'm always half awake," the Latina quipped, trying to remove Zoey's hand from around her body without waking the little girl. Managing to do so, the brunette crawled out of the fort to properly talk to Brittany.
"So? What can I do for you?" Santana asked softly, rising up to her feet. "But, first, didn't I tell you not to sneak in here?" the doctor added, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow. But unable not to notice how beautiful the blonde looked with the orange firelight hitting her face in trepid waves. And she mentally chastised herself for even going there.
Brittany smiled coyly, and offered simply, "I knocked." She left the 'lightly' part out of it, 'though.
"Well, we do have a doorbell, you know?"
"I didn't want to wake you guys up if you were sleeping," the blonde tried out, gauging Santana's apparent soft face. "Turns out I was right," she added with a charming smile. One that Santana found out she still couldn't quite resist.
Mellowing out, the brunette doctor asked softly, "So, what brings you here, B?"
"I brought Zoey's bathing suit. I remembered I forgot to pack it earlier, and I think you'll find out – if you already haven't – she's set on swimming this weekend," Brittany said, smiling and holding up a small paper gift bag for the Latina to take, which she promptly did.
"Thanks," Santana replied with a small smile, setting the bag aside.
Eyeing the living room's state, Brittany exclaimed with amusement, "Wow, you really went all out here, San!"
"She wanted to camp," Santana said matter-of-factly, and the blonde chuckled as she looked into chocolate eyes.
"Did you… roast s'mores in the fireplace?" the blue-eyed dancer asked playfully, seeing a half-empty bag of marshmallows and some chocolates near the fixture.
"Yes, for dessert." Small pause. "Don't worry, I didn't let her eat too many," the brunette added quickly.
"I'm not complaining," Brittany replied quickly, flashing the Latina a sweet smile to back up her words. "I'm glad she's having a great time." Brief pause. "In fact, I'll make myself one. Do you mind?" the dancer added in question, morphing her sweet smile into one of mischief, and Santana just shrugged her consent before they made their way to the fireplace and took a seat with their legs crossed in front of it.
In silence Santana proceeded to stick a marshmallow on the poker and started to slowly roast it, while Brittany got a couple of crackers and placed a chocolate tablet on top of one of them, holding the other with her free hand. Waiting with a child's grin on her face for the warm roasted marshmallow to make the delicious little sandwich.
"So, how has it been?" Brittany finally asked with interest, looking at the Latina beside her.
"Great," Santana replied, looking back at the dancer and smiling as a reflex. "She's really fantastic," she added with pride, and the blue-eyed woman's smile got broader.
"She is," Brittany couldn't help but confirm out loud, stealing a glance at the fort that enveloped her sleeping daughter. Turning her gaze back to the marshmallow roasting, the blonde added with squinted eyes, "Don't let it burn, San."
"I won't," Santana replied, a bit annoyed while wielding the poker against the fire.
"I don't like it burned."
"I know you don't. Just let me do my thing," Santana said in a huff. Wondering why they still sounded like a fucking old married couple when they clearly were no longer married.
Silence fell upon the two ladies. After a while Santana carefully placed the warm marshmallow on top of the chocolate and Brittany put the other cracker on top of it and slid the little sandwich off.
She took a bite and hummed in appreciation. "It's just perfect, S," the blonde gushed through a mouthful of s'more, and Santana offered her a smug grin before sticking another marshmallow on the poker and starting the whole process all over again.
Before Santana had time to react Brittany was shoving the treat into the brunette's mouth, and she had no other choice but to take a bite out of it. Another old married couple's habit that neither successfully dropped: feeding each other.
Throwing the whole moment to the back burner in an attempt to ignore old feelings, the Latina said, changing the subject as she watched Brittany smile and lick her chocolaty fingers while switching the s'more from one hand to another, "She sang in the bath today."
"Excuse me?" the dancer replied.
"Zoey," Santana clarified with a silly grin on her face. "I stepped out of the bathroom to grab her pj's and when I was coming back I heard her; so, I stopped by the door and just stood there listening to her sing. She didn't see me, but I swear to you that I must have looked like an idiot 'cause I just stood there smiling like a fool. I couldn't help it, 'though, it was just the most adorable thing ever. And I don't even use the word 'adorable'," the Latina added softly.
Brittany grinned foolishly as she got swept away by the same feeling that Santana had just by listening to the brunette's story. "Yeah, she does that," the dancer said in a sweet tone, and they held each other's stare. Brittany couldn't help but notice how gorgeous Santana looked with the firelight hitting her face in unruly angles.
Another silent period of time took over. Santana kept roasting and Brittany finished her s'more, quickly reddening another one, which just waited for the warm white substance to be whole.
"I'll have to go to New York next week," the brunette doctor finally said without tearing her eyes from the roasting marshmallow ahead of her.
"But you said you'd stay," Brittany replied, clearly alarmed and with wide eyes.
"No," Santana amended softly, looking sideways into blue eyes. "I'll be gone for just one week. I scheduled this thing with the Medical Board to renew my license. Richard got me a job here at the hospital."
Brittany sighed heavily with relief, closing her eyes in the process. The Latina really got her scared there. "You scared me, San," opening her eyes, she lightly chastised the brunette. "I'm so glad you got a job," the blonde added, changing her tone to warm and cheery in a blink of an eye, which unwillingly brought a smile to Santana's lips.
"I'll start as soon as I get back from New York."
"Great!" Brittany exclaimed as she received the other done marshmallow in the same fashion as before.
Fidgeting a bit Santana found the courage to ask, looking at Brittany from the corner of her eye while the blonde ate, "So, I was kinda wondering if you, uh, if you still had that woman's number."
"What woman?" the blonde asked with brows furrowed, licking a couple of chocolate-covered fingers.
"You know, that one who always came to those fundraisings you and Quinn used to throw for that Harlem kids' dance program," Santana began saying nonchalantly with extra tact. "Tall, dark hair, green eyes, had that kid with the nose…" she added carefully and slowly, and a light bulb turned on in Brittany's head.
"Evelyn?" Brittany asked, raising an eyebrow with suspicion.
"Yep," Santana replied with a grin. "That's the one alright. What was her last name again?"
"Hearst. Evelyn Hearst," the blue-eyed said, feeling something fishy about this whole questioning thing. "Why? Why would you want Evelyn's phone number?" she added, finishing up her s'more.
Santana doubted if she should tell Brittany the full tale. It seemed kinda weird. But, again, the dancer was the one who preached that they were 'best friends' who could, and should, tell each other 'everything'. Plus, there was a part of her that wanted to see Brittany "dance". The Latina had been doing it this whole time, maybe it was time the blonde got a taste of it. No matter how unsavory it was.
So, Santana went ahead with it. Full disclosure. The brunette turned around to be face to face with Brittany, and said with her head held high, "Well, Jimmy already has our nightlife planned down to the smallest details, you know, now that we're both single and free to mingle. But I wanted to have Evelyn's…" she stressed out the name, "…number in case, you know, I needed a sure thing."
Brittany couldn't help but gasp, and Santana couldn't lie about loving the dancer's reaction. Shaking her head for longer than necessary, or adequate, Brittany finally managed to curtly say, "Evelyn?"
"Yes."
"But she's so… she's so…" Brittany seeded, shaking her head again as she tried to spit it out, "…Snotty, and sketchy, and… aggressive," the blonde concluded with scorn all over her tone. "You deserve better, Santana," she added after a beat.
"Well, first two things I don't care about. And last one? Exactly what I need right now," Santana said nonchalantly with a smirk in place. She was enjoying this way too much. "Besides, it's not like I'm marrying the girl," the brunette girl added, and both women knew the hidden implications of that line.
"Still," Brittany replied dejectedly, looking down at her hands as she felt unable to hold the Latina's stare any longer. She was feeling jealous, and she hated that feeling. It came sooner than the blonde had predicted.
"Well, all I know is that I gotta move on. And God knows I won't find anyone here in Hicksville, Ohio," Santana blurted out honestly, letting the poker she had been holding lie on the floor.
Silence fell upon them. An awkward one this time.
"Well, I gotta go. I still have to drop something off at my parents'," Brittany informed, dropping the unpleasant subject while rising to her feet.
"Ok," Santana replied, letting the subject be dropped while getting up as well. "I'll walk you to the door."
Brittany stopped to crawl into the fort to drop a feather goodnight kiss on Zoey's warm cheek, and both women made their way to the front door.
Opening it up, Santana said bitter-sweetly, "Bye, Britts. Drive safely." The buzz she felt moments earlier regarding Brittany's jealousy was coming to its down, and the situation still sucked because she was still in love with someone who also loved her back, but they still couldn't be together for reasons she still couldn't quite grasp – even 'though she was really trying to.
"Bye, San. Sleep well," Brittany replied bitter-sweetly as she stepped outside the door. Brittany felt awful because right there in front of her stood the woman she always have loved, the great love of her life, who she could feel was starting to slip through her hands. And even 'though she wanted to scream and close her hand to prevent that from happening, she still couldn't. The situation was still the same. Nothing had changed. And there she stood, scared beyond her means because she couldn't be with Santana, and afraid that the Latina would get lost out there. That Santana would get lost to her.
Santana closed the door behind Brittany, and brought a sleeping Zoey upstairs to her old bed. For the first time since she got back to her parents' house the brunette doctor finally managed to sleep through the whole night. With her daughter breathing evenly and looking like an angel by her side.
Another long one! Hope you enjoyed it. Reviews are greatly appreciated as usual :D