Two Steps Beyond
Part 123
When they arrived at JFK Saturday morning, they were both exhausted as they hadn't gotten much sleep at all. "Why did we do this Bas?" Blaine asked as he leaned his head on Sebastian's shoulder after getting settled at the gate.
"Because we got a little too caught up in ourselves. I can't remember the last time we did that." Sebastian replied before taking a sip of his coffee.
"Me either, but I don't regret it."
"Same here. At least we can sleep on the flight and once we arrive we don't have to do a damn thing."
"What are you thinking, pool or beach first?"
"Pool as I don't want to deal with sand or undercurrent on little sleep."
"Perfect." Blaine replied before pulling his phone out of his pocket to send Cooper a short text that they were at the airport. "So, are we going to pick up where we left off this summer?"
"Are you asking if we're going to tweet ambiguous pictures and make them guess where we are?"
"Yes."
"I was planning on it. Gotta give Jeff and Nick something else to keep them preoccupied during break." Sebastian said before pulling his phone out and leaning a tad closer to Blaine. "Ready?" Blaine nodded. After he took the shot Sebastian took a look at it. "Considering how tired we are, we look good." He then showed the photo to Blaine before tweeting it. "They'll have something to see when they wake up."
"I'm sure we're already going to be in the air before most of them get up."
"Probably."
By the time Rachel got out of the shower that morning Brody was back from his run. "If you weren't getting out I would've joined you?"
"No one's saying I can't go back in." Rachel replied before sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Your phone is." Brody replied before handing it to her. "It's been going off none stop since I got home. So take a look and if you still want to join me I won't object." He then leaned over and gave her a kiss before changing out of his clothes and heading for the bathroom. Upon looking at her phone Rachel saw she had quite a few texts, two missed calls and quite a few notifications. After answering the texts which were from Brittany and Hailey, she checked her notifications before returning the missed calls.
"They're on their way." She called out to Brody. Knowing Blaine and Sebastian were officially on vacation Rachel looked at her missed calls. One was from Santana and the other from Tina. Considering she hadn't talked to Tina in a couple of months she called Santana back first not knowing how long she'd be on the phone with Tina. "Hey Santana!"
"Hey! I hope I didn't wake you."
"Not at all, I was in the shower when you called. What's going on?"
"Well, I'm on my way into work but Britt and I were curious if you wanted to meet up for lunch since Hailey is in town doing a bit of shopping."
"Sounds good to me, just tell me when and where."
"Excellent. Now, this might sound weird but did you get a phone call from Tina?"
"I did, but I haven't had the chance to call her back yet. I'm guessing from your question you heard from her too."
"Correct, she called Britt as well. Honestly I wish I knew what the hell she's doing up so early. I mean, the only people that had a good reason to be up where Blaine and Seb and that's because they're going on vacation."
"Well, are you going to have time to call her this morning?"
"No as I'm actually walking into the office now. And I have no doubt Cassie's got a ton of work for me to do considering she'll be leaving next Monday. So, I won't be able to get back to her until after lunch."
"If you want I can tell her you'll be calling her later so she doesn't think you're avoiding her."
"That would be great. But I really have no idea why she'd be calling me."
"Your guess is as good as mine. But I need to go, my hair is drying and if I don't do something with it it'll look awful."
"I totally understand. Say hi to Brody for me."
"Will do. And send me that info about lunch."
"Gotcha ya. Later!"
"Later." Rachel was just getting off the phone with Santana when Brody came walking out. "Sorry."
"Don't be, I didn't expect you to join me. As for you filling me in, I saw that they left. Everything okay?"
"So far. I'm going to have lunch with the girls today since Hailey is in town doing some shopping. Oh, and Santana says hi."
"Well, say hi back for me when you see her. What about after that?"
"I'm all yours."
"I like the sound of that." He told her as he wrapped his arms around her.
"What are you going to be doing this morning and early afternoon till I get back?"
"Thad, Hunter, Nick, Jeff and I are going shopping for our outfits. Tasha sent everyone an email as to what they needed to get. Besides that, I'm guessing we'll grab lunch since you're all doing the same."
Rachel was still getting ready when Brody headed out the door. After finishing up, she reached for her phone and headed over towards the couch to make her call to Tina. "Hey Rachel! I'm so glad you called me back."
"You're welcome." She replied. "You sound like you felt you were being ignored."
"It sort of felt like it. I called you, Santana, and Brittany and you're the only one that's gotten back to me."
"Well, for starters it was early as hell when you first called though I was up, but I was in the shower. I've spoken to Santana who was on her way to work. And before you say anything, I know it's a Saturday but that doesn't mean her world stops. She's not ignoring you she just didn't want to call when she had no time to talk. You probably won't hear back from her till this afternoon. As for Britt, if she's following her usual schedule she was heading to dance class. So you probably won't hear from her until after lunch unless she has some downtime between classes. And I think she might be going into work, but I'm not sure."
"Okay, wow. I had no idea they were both working."
"Yea, Santana has an internship at a PR firm here in the city and Britt's working as an assistant. Now, I'm assuming you wanted to talk to all of us about the same thing, what is it?"
"I was curious if you guys were coming home for Thanksgiving."
"We're not. Brody's parents are coming to the city for Thanksgiving. And the four musketeers are staying in the city since they are going home for a week during Winter Break."
"The four musketeers?"
"Sorry, it's what we call Jeff, Britt, Nick, and Santana. Though the same could be said for Nick, Jeff, Blaine, and Seb. Why do you ask?"
"I was curious as Mr. Schue wanted some of the graduates to stop by and talk to the new kids."
"Well, you can count the three of us out."
"It's actually four as Quinn isn't coming home either. So, it's basically me, Mercedes, and the guys."
"Don't know what to tell you."
"Are you coming home during Winter Break?"
"I will be. I'll be in town for the same duration as the others, though Santana will be getting in a couple days after us."
"Why is that?"
"She will be working, so she's flying in later."
"Do you know if you guys are attending the winter concert?"
"Isn't that usually at the beginning of December?"
"Usually, but this year they're holding it shortly before break starts." Rachel tried not to react as she knew they were all attending Dalton's Winter Festival around the same time. And even though she went to McKinley, she'd much rather listen to the Warblers sing. "I can send you the date if you want."
"That would be great and I'll see if attending is possible. Do you know if anyone else will be attending?"
"Is that your not so subtle way of asking if Kurt will be there?"
"Fine, is he going to be there."
"He doesn't know yet, but he'd like to come home and spend the holiday with his Dad, Carole, and Finn. I'm guessing things still aren't great between you two."
"They are passable. But I don't go out of my way to talk to him. He's called me a couple of times and I've seen him in passing. After things he's done I really don't want that sort of energy in my life right now. That's not even getting into the stress he causes those close to me."
"You're talking about Blaine and Sebastian."
"Yes, but they're not the only ones."
"Rachel, what's happened?"
"Nothing you need to worry about, honestly. Just petty BS. Now, do you just want me to share this information with Brittany and Santana or do you want them to call you?"
"I'm guessing you'll be seeing them today."
"I will be."
"You can tell them, but if they still want to call they can. I was hoping you guys were going to be home. I miss you."
"I'm sorry that we're not, I miss you too. We'll have to make a point out of getting together over Winter Break."
"Agreed. We'll, I better let you go as it sounds like you have a full day ahead of you. Have fun!"
"I will. Enjoy your time home and show those boys whose boss."
"I'll try. Bye Rachel."
When the girls all met up for lunch that afternoon, Santana was the last one to arrive. "I'm so sorry I'm late guys. I hope you got my text saying I was going to be. But Cassie had to deal with an emergency which sort of threw our morning out of whack."
"Afternoon to you too Santana." Hailey said with a laugh. "Relax; we all got your message. And it's not like you're that late. We've still got another ten minutes till our table will be ready."
"Good." Santana said with a sigh. "Has anyone heard from the guys?"
"They got all the shopping done and are now having lunch." Brittany told her. "And Nick wants you to call him."
"He could've just called or sent me a text." Santana said.
"He knows, but I was talking to Jeff so he just asked knowing I'd be seeing you soon."
"Alright. Now, do we know if our happy travelers have arrived?"
"You really have been busy, haven't you?" Rachel asked and Santana nodded. "They arrived about twenty minutes ago. Seb tweeted a pic of the beach and then of the two of them lounging poolside."
"I was going to say something, but it could be taken as vulgar so I won't."
"Santana?" Hailey said to her.
"Fine, they suck!" Hailey and Rachel both started laughing hysterically because if Santana hadn't mentioned vulgar neither of their minds would've gone straight to the gutter. When Brittany just looked at the three of them, Santana leaned closer and whispered in her ear and soon Brittany was laughing as well.
"That's not nice Santana."
"I didn't mean it like that. I just meant, I'm jealous."
"Yet you had to say vulgar, didn't you." Rachel told her. "Though, that was just dirty."
"I can go vulgar if you want."
"No thanks considering we're going to be eating soon and we're out in public."
"Did you talk to Tina?"
"I did and I will explain over lunch. And don't worry, I already filled Hailey in and she's fine with it."
"Are you sure?" Santana asked.
"I am. It'll be nice to get the rest of the pieces to what I know. And I have a feeling this will contain quite a bit of them."
"Now, what brings you to New York without Wes?"
"I wanted to get a head start on my Christmas shopping without him around. And this was my only opportunity since we leave for my parents place on Monday."
"Are you and Wes spending Christmas in Ohio?" Brittany asked.
"We are. Last year it was spent with my family while Thanksgiving was with his. This year we're doing the reverse."
"Sounds like you two have found a balance." Rachel said. "That's something Brody and I are still trying to figure out."
"It wasn't easy, but both families knew there needed to be some give and take. Since I know you're all staying here for Thanksgiving, what are your plans for Christmas and Hanukah?"
"Well, Jeff's spending Christmas Eve at my house and we're spending Christmas at his." Brittany told her.
"Same goes for me and Nick." Just as Rachel was about to answer their name was called so they went to take their seats. After they got settled the conversation resumed. "And I know there are a few Warbler get-togethers planned as well."
"Rachel?"
"Brody is coming home with me so my Dads said we're going to celebrate both as it wouldn't be fair to deny Brody Christmas."
"That's sweet of them." Hailey replied.
"I thought so too. They're even getting a tree which is pretty funny. I'll be curious to see how the house looks when we arrive."
"Shit!"
"What's wrong Santana?" Brittany asked as Hailey and Rachel were as thrown by Santana outburst.
"The whole decorating thing. I need to talk to my Mom as she tends to get carried away and I don't want her to spook Nick."
"I doubt she could spook him." Rachel said.
"You don't know that."
"Santana, Nick loves you she won't spook him."
"No he doesn't it."
"Yes he does." Hailey told her. "Even if he hasn't said it, he does. You can see it in his eyes. And you love him too." When Santana got real quiet the three girls looked at her.
"You love Nick, don't you?" Brittany asked.
"I…I do."
"Then tell him."
"I want to, I really do it's just…I'm gun shy."
"Don't you think he is too?" Rachel said. "I mean, what's happened between the two of you wasn't planned it just happened. The feelings are there, don't fight them. Telling Nick how you feel isn't going to change things."
"It might actually." Hailey chimed in. "But in a good way."
"That's the thing, things are so good now I…I don't know how they could get better."
"Well, why don't you give Nick the chance to show you?" Rachel told her. "I mean, it's obvious to all of us how you two feel. And if you think about it, you know he loves you but Nick's not going to push. He's smart Santana; he knows the two of you falling for each other was a bit…strange."
"That's the thing, up until him I swore I was a lesbian."
"Well, obviously you're not. If anything you're bi and there is nothing wrong with that." Hailey told her. "So, if that's why you're afraid of telling him, don't be. It's obvious Nick accepts you for you and not for some stupid label people need to attach to others."
"She's right." Brittany told her. "To Nick, you're just his Santana and he loves you."
"How do you know that?"
"I overheard him and Jeff talking one night."
"There you have it." Rachel replied. "You've got nothing to be afraid of."
The girls continued to talk through lunch and it wasn't till they were about to order dessert did it dawn on Rachel about her call with Tina. "I can't believe I forgot to tell you guys considering we spoke of it before we sat down."
"Finally going to tell us what Tina wanted." Santana said as she debated what she wanted.
"Yes. She wanted to know if we're coming home for Thanksgiving and I told her we're not."
"Not that Tina isn't nice, but why get in touch with all of us?"
"Seems Mr. Schue wanted the graduates to come talk to the new kids."
"I did that once, not happening again." Santana replied. "Especially after the way they treated Britt last year. Would you want to go back there Britt?"
"No…"
"Anything else?"
"She was wondering if we're going to go to the Winter Concert since we'll be home."
"I might consider it, but I'd need to talk about it with Nick. For all I know there are Warbler plans that evening."
"Same for me, though I'd need to talk to Jeff."
"I basically told her we didn't know. I think she feels weird being the only one home since Quinn isn't coming home for Thanksgiving like last year. And I don't know if she's coming home over Winter Break."
"Guess one of us needs to call and find out." Santana said. "But I'm sorry; helping Mr. Schue in any sense isn't going to happen. He was a dick to Britt last year and I can't forgive that."
"Could you guys fill me in a bit as some bits make sense and the others not so much?" Santana, Brittany, and Rachel all exchanged looks before Brittany started to speak.
"Mr. Schue is our old glee club director." Hailey nodded. "Last year, he wasn't happy that I was going out with Jeff and spending all my free time with the Warblers. Any time he wanted to have a random rehearsal I was never there because I was in Westerville with Jeff and the guys. So, during Regionals he forbid me from seeing Jeff or the Warblers."
"That's bullshit!"
"Exactly." Rachel replied. "That is why I played innocent, and basically turned on him. And told him how wrong it was that he was letting everyone else wander around while Britt was kept in their rehearsal space. So, I told him I'd stay with her and make sure she didn't see them."
"Let me guess, you took her straight to him."
"She did." Brittany replied. "After the Warblers won, they were going to celebrate and since my parents were there they said I could leave with Jeff."
"That couldn't have made him happy."
"It didn't." Santana said. "But he couldn't say no since her parents said it was okay."
"You know, I remember Wes telling me about something like this."
"That doesn't surprise us since he was there. He thought it was wrong that they were keeping Brittany away from the guys. It was performance day, what's going to happen." Rachel told her.
"From what I've seen, I take it Jeff must've been smug when they left." Hailey said.
"Was he ever?" Santana replied. "He had this complete look of fuck you on his face when he passed Mr. Schue, it was priceless. Seeing that side of Jeff is always fun since he's usually so happy."
"Britt, besides then is Jeff ever not happy?" Rachel asked. Brittany tilted her head to the side and began to think as dessert arrived.
"Not really. He was upset when he heard about Blaine." The girls all nodded. "And he's not happy when his Dad tries to have talks about sex with him." Hailey almost choked on her bite when Brittany spoke.
"Jeff's Dad talks to him about sex?"
"All the time. Some conversations can get a little embarrassing."
"You're serious."
"She is, Mr. Sterling once had a talk with all of us. It was pretty funny." Santana told her. "And he wasn't the only adult; Cooper was there too which had Blaine super embarrassed. In case you don't know Hailey, Blaine's adorable when he gets embarrassed. He tends to curl up next to Seb and bury his face in his chest."
"Too cute."
"We agree." Rachel said. "Santana, Britt, have either of you seen Seb like that?" As Santana shook her head Brittany spoke.
"I have. It's cute considering Sebby is so much taller."
"When was this?" Santana asked.
"One of the times Nick went down to visit you. Jeff and I went on a double-date with Blaine and Sebby. After dinner we went back to Sebby's and watched movies before going to bed. And I've seen it here in New York."
"How do I miss these moments?"
"I don't know."
"Well ladies, I need to get going sadly. I have a few more stores to hit before I meet up with one of my friends here in the city." Hailey said.
"I was just about to ask what your plans were for tonight." Rachel asked. "What's Wes doing while you're gone?"
"He and David had plans to do something. But I know part of their day was similar to what all of your guys were doing. By the way, have you ladies shown the sketch to the guys?"
"We have and let's say their thoughts aren't the purest." Santana said. "Have you shown Wes?"
"I have and his reaction was similar." While Hailey spoke, their waitress returned with their bill. Once they divided it up, they all got up from their seats. "Well, you ladies enjoy yourselves and I will see you in two weeks."
"We will see you then." Rachel replied as they all waited to give Hailey hugs goodbye. After she hopped into a cab, Rachel looked at Santana and Brittany. "Where are you two heading?"
"I'm going home." Brittany replied. "Santana?"
"I need to go back to work for a couple of hours and then I'll be home."
"Don't forget to call Nick."
"I won't." Santana replied before giving each of them a hug and heading off.
"Do you think she's going to tell him?" Rachel asked as she and Brittany headed towards the subway.
"She will, it's just a matter of when."