Chapter 7: Christmas
The party at the Lopez's house is well underway now. Most of all the family and friends are here already including the Pierce's. Brittany has just finished a conversation with Alma when Santana walks over.
"So you came then?" Santana asks.
"Yeah because I really like your gran and I didn't want to be rude" Brittany says. "Plus I still care about you Santana. I know things are awkward and I never meant that to happen but I just needed to tell you the truth."
"I'm glad you came actually, it would be a shame if you didn't because it is Christmas" Santana smiles.
"Yeah it is" Brittany nods.
"Can I get you another drink?" Santana asks as she notices Brittany's glass is empty.
"No I'm going to pace myself at the moment but thank you" Brittany replies.
"So how have you been?" Santana asks hesitantly. They only saw one another yesterday during the whole awkward conversation but she feels it's polite to ask.
"Yeah I've been ok" Brittany smiles, "you?"
"Yeah I've been good too" Santana nods. "I'm still like a big kid when it comes to Christmas so I'm starting to get really excited for Sunday."
"I see" Brittany smiles.
"Anyway I just want to say something about yesterday" Santana says.
"You really don't need to say anything else Santana, honestly" Brittany assures her.
"No I do so please let me" Santana states.
"Ok" Brittany nods.
"Firstly I just want to say that I may have went a little overboard yesterday because to say I'm completely straight isn't correct. I'm sort of confused at the minute because I do still like guys but I would be lying if I said what we had was normal" Santana admits.
"Santana I didn't want you to label yourself or anything, I just wanted to know how you felt about me. I know nothing is every black and white and it's ok to be confused" Brittany replies.
"I've never felt the way I feel about you with anyone else but I can't exactly pinpoint what I'm feeling though, does that make sense?" Santana says.
"Yeah it does" Brittany nods. "Like I say though, you don't need to explain anything else because I don't want to force you into something. Just because I like you doesn't mean you have to like me too."
"I know" Santana replies. "I just want you to know though that I'm not completely shutting you down. I just can't tell you how I feel that's all."
"Look let's not talk about this right now because we don't want to complicate things anymore" Brittany says. "Let's just enjoy the party."
"Ok" Santana nods.
They stand in silence for a moment before Brittany speaks up.
"I just passed James in the way in, was he leaving already?" Brittany asks.
"Yeah, something like that" Santana nods.
"It's because of me isn't it?" Brittany asks in concern. "It's because he hates me."
"No it's definitely not you" Santana assures her. "Look I'd like to tell you that I broke things off with James but it was actually the other way around even though I was going to" she sighs.
"Wait, why?" Brittany asks confused. Who wouldn't want to date Santana?
"He felt it was getting all too much for him. He felt I rushed him into meeting my family and coming to this party since we've barely been dating two weeks" Santana replies. "Also he didn't take to kindly to me reacting the way I did when he said something about you."
"What did he say about me?" Brittany asks getting slightly angry.
"It doesn't matter now but I wasn't standing for it. I won't have anyone say things about my friends" Santana says.
"I feel the same about my friends" Brittany nods.
"Can I steal Brittany for a second please" Alma says as she approaches Brittany and Santana.
"Um, why? I'm your granddaughter not Brittany" Santana teases. "Plus you just spoke to her recently."
"I have a proposition for her" Alma replies.
"Ok so what is it?" Brittany smiles.
"My friend Joyce and I are going to a funeral next week and we wondered if you could make us some cupcakes to take with us" Alma asks.
"Oh for the wake?" Brittany asks.
"Oh no, they've got some other caterer to do that. Not a very good caterer might I add but never mind" Alma shakes her head. "No we meant for the service for the two of us. Funerals can be rather boring so we always take a flask of tea and some cookies but we were thinking it might be nice to have cupcakes instead."
"Grandma!" Santana scolds.
"Sweetheart at our age funerals are like daytrips for us" Alma replies. "They happen a lot and we like to go to catch up with our friends."
"It's still not nice to say something like that" Santana shakes her head.
"When you get to my age you'll understand" Alma states. "Anyway, Brittany would you be able to make the cupcakes for us?"
"Uh…sure" Brittany smiles.
"Good" Alma smiles back, "we'll leave you two to get back to your conversation" she says and then leaves.
"Your grandma is really funny sometimes" Brittany says.
"Yeah sometimes but it can also come across as offensive" Santana says shaking her head.
"Santana, are we ok?" Brittany asks hesitantly after a moment of silence.
"Um…I think so" Santana shrugs.
"I do need time to process things since we're in different situations right now but I'd still like to be your friend at the end of this" Brittany says.
"Yeah I don't want to lose our friendship either Britt" Santana smiles.
"Ok good" Brittany smiles back.
It's Christmas day and Brittany is sitting in the living room with the rest of her family opening their Christmas gifts. She hasn't spoken to Santana since the party two days ago so she assumed that meant Santana was giving her space which is why it surprises her when Santana texts.
From Santana: merry Christmas x
To Santana: merry Christmas, hope you have a good day!
From Santana: thanks, you too : )
That's all they text to one another but it just makes Brittany miss Santana even more. She was hoping to kind of forget about the situation and enjoy Christmas but now she can't.
"Brittany, are you ok?" her sister asks.
"Uh, I'm fine. Why?" Brittany asks.
"You've been staring at your phone for a few minutes now and the rest of us are way ahead of you with opening our gifts" her sister replies.
"Sorry, I just got a text from someone so it distracted me" Brittany says before grabbing another present to open.
XXX
Meanwhile at the Lopez house, they've all came together to open their presents with one another. Santana and her brother are just chatting waiting on their parent's coming through to open their presents.
"So what did you get Brittany for Christmas?" Marc asks.
"A few things actually, one of which was the acceptance letter she got to enter into a cooking competition in LA to win 20,000 dollars. I figured she could use the money to set up her own business. I mean I know it'll cost a lot more than that but who wouldn't want to have 20,000 extra in the bank" Santana replies.
"So wait, how did you do that? Wouldn't Brittany need to fill out the application?" Marc asks confused.
"There were different rounds and each time a few more applicants would be cut until they were down to 10 who would all then compete to win the money" Santana says. "The first round was to submit a recipe for a cheesecake but you had to put your own spin on it so when Brittany wasn't looking one time, I swiped her tablet, printed the recipe and then sent it off. They clearly liked the recipe because I got an email back saying I was successful and made it to the next round."
"You got an email but as Brittany?" Marc asks.
"Yeah I pretended I was her but used my other email, not my main one so it didn't have my name in the address" Santana replies.
"So what did the next round entail?" Marc asks.
"Well, it involved sending in a video demonstrating a recipe and talking the viewers through it. She was making a wedding cake for a friend of her sister's last week and I thought it would be cool to video her through it but really I needed to do it for the competition" Santana says.
"Cool" Marc nods.
"Cut a long story short, she got accepted and I wrapped up the letter for her" Santana smiles.
"I was talking to grandma at the party and she said Brittany has feelings for you. Is there a possibility you like her just as much?" Marc asks hesitantly. He and his sister don't tend to share that much personal things anymore but nevertheless he's always there for her.
"Marc…I…Uh…"
"A friend wouldn't just do that Santana…well unless they wanted rid of their friend since it's in LA but still, no friend would do this. Someone more special would" Marc points out.
"I've never been as close to anyone before" Santana sighs. "I'm so confused and I don't get it Marc" she shakes her head.
"Tell me exactly how you feel and I'll tell you what I think" Marc says. "Or would you rather I told you how I felt about my wife the first time I realised I had feelings for her?"
"Yeah, I might make more sense of what I feel if I know how you felt about Joanne" Santana nods.
XXX
"So who is the present from?" Maria, Santana's mom, asks.
"Brittany" Santana smiles, eager to open her gift from Brittany.
"What is that?" Maria asks once Santana opens it.
"It's a crystallised clock. I always said the two things missing from my living room were a clock and something for the empty shelf of my entertainment unit and Brittany has basically just given me both" Santana smiles.
"It is rather nice" Maria nods. "Wait, there's a card with it."
"Oh right" Santana says while taking the card from Maria and opening it.
To Santana,
You can always count on me
Ha-ha (get it?)
"So what else did she get you?" Maria asks noticing the bag still has a few presents in it.
"Just wait a minute mom, I need to unwrap it. You're worse than me" Santana says laughing at her mom's excitement.
Santana's next gift is a children's book. It was her favourite one when she was younger but it got ruined in a fire at her grandparent's house and she hasn't been able to find another copy of it yet. It was a limited edition and everywhere she looked didn't have it.
"Oh my god, it is Brittany" Santana says in shock.
"What's Brittany?" Maria asks in confusion.
"Look I'll be back soon but I need to quickly do something" Santana says while slipping on her coat.
"It's Christmas day, what could you possibly need to do right now?" her brother asks.
"Just something but I'll be back soon" she says before leaving.
XXX
Santana is just patiently waiting at the door after knocking on it. The nerves are really beginning to build up but she has to do this. She can't lie anymore, she needs to face the truth and talk to Brittany. After a few more minutes standing there she begins to think no one has heard the doorbell so she reaches up to ring it again when Brittany's mom answers.
"Santana, I didn't expect to see you tonight" Julia says.
"Yeah, sorry for just turning up like this" Santana apologises.
"It's ok" Julia smiles.
"Is Brittany here, I need a quick word with her?" Santana asks.
"Yeah she's in the kitchen, I'll get her for you but in the meantime come in. You'll be cold standing out there" Julia replies.
"I'm ok, I'll just wait for Brittany" Santana smiles.
"Ok" Julia nods and then goes to get Brittany. A second or two later Brittany comes to the door.
"Uh…hey" Brittany says confused.
"Hi" Santana smiles.
"Everything ok?" Brittany asks in concern.
"Can we talk for second?" Santana asks.
"Um…ok" Brittany says confused.
"Is there somewhere private we can talk?" Santana asks.
"Not really actually. All my family is here right now so we've got a busy house" Brittany says. "We could just talk over here on the porch though, as long as you're warm enough."
"Yeah that's cool" Santana smiles.
They walk over to the chairs and sit down.
"So what's up?" Brittany asks.
"Ok I'm just going to come right out and say it, you're the one Brittany. You are my perfect one that I'm going to marry" Santana admits.
"Oh…wow" Brittany says shocked. "I did not ever expect to hear you say those words."
"Neither did I but it hit me today. Everything you said, everything my grandma said, it was all true" Santana states. "I'm such an idiot for not realising it sooner and I am so sorry."
"Look let's just start from the beginning because this seems a bit sudden" Brittany says shaking her head trying to make sense of the situation.
"It hit me when I opened my Christmas presents from you that everything you and my gran said to me was true. You are the only one who knows me deep down" Santana says. "No one has ever understood me like you have Brittany."
"Ok I get that, you realised we were just so in sync with one another but that doesn't mean I'm the one" Brittany says. "I don't want you to confuse us being really close with being the one."
"No but surely if I am that emotionally connected to someone then they must be the one" Santana states.
"They might be but they might also just be a really nice friend" Brittany points out.
"Do you know what Quinn gave me for Christmas?" Santana asks and Brittany shakes her head. "She got me perfume, my favourite kind but it's still just perfume. That is a gift from a friend but what you got me was so much more than just a gift."
"I don't want to force you to say these things Santana. Three days ago you told me you weren't into me and suddenly you break up with James and I'm the one?" Brittany questions. She doesn't want to sound like an ass right now but she has to question the timing of things.
"I was always going to break up with James after he disrespected you Brittany. Ask him yourself what my reaction was like last week" Santana replies.
"Look I know we're close but are you honestly sure you want to be with me?" Brittany asks.
"I couldn't be surer now. I know it sounds quick but everything was really put into perspective this morning. I was talking to my brother as well and he was telling me how he felt the first time he saw Joanne and I noticed a correlation between us and them" Santana says. "The way he described his feelings for her was exactly how I feel about you. I didn't understand them until he said it."
"Oh" Brittany nods surprised. The more Santana talks the more she seems genuine. I mean she didn't think for one second Santana would lie about this but she wasn't sure if Santana maybe just felt rushed into things.
"I was trying to label myself before so I could make sense of who I am but the bottom line is that I don't know who I am. I mean I still like men but I really like you so since I liked men I assumed that made me straight" Santana says. "But because I like you then I'm not straight am I?"
"Santana you really don't need to put a label on yourself. I've said this many times before but you are you and no one needs to define you as anything else" Brittany says.
"I know but what I am trying to say is I was sort of blocking my feelings because I couldn't understand them so I didn't want to deal with them" Santana says.
"I understand that" Brittany nods.
"I mean I was attracted to James so I figured that was the right way to go since I liked him, he liked me and we wanted to date" Santana states. "I was attracted to you too but I put it to the back of my mind because I found James and my whole goal was to meet a man and eventually marry him."
"I get that" Brittany nods in understanding.
"I like you because you're you Brittany, I don't like you because you're a girl" Santana says.
"You don't?" Brittany teases.
"Ok that came out wrong. What I mean is that I didn't fall for you because you were a particular gender, I fell for you because we connected and you were you" Santana smiles.
"Ok" Brittany smiles.
"Look I don't expect you to welcome me with open arms right now since I have confused things a lot but I do really want you to know I am genuine and I do genuinely like you. I wouldn't be sitting here right now staring at your lips because I want to kiss you right now if I wasn't into you" Santana says.
"Oh" Brittany says blushing slightly.
"Can I kiss you?" Santana asks shyly.
"Yeah" Brittany nods.
Santana slowly leans over and gently presses her lips to Brittany. She didn't want to go in all guns blazing but the minute she felt Brittany kiss her back, she kissed a little bit harder.
"Wait a second…" Brittany says pulling away, "we're going to go off track here" she smiles.
"Yeah we should finish talking" Santana nods.
"Yeah so what happens now, where do we go from here?" Brittany asks.
"I don't know but I hope you understand what I mean and how I feel" Santana says.
"I do understand it so you don't need to worry. I'm not stupid, I know you like guys and you probably always will but that's like with me. I'm always going to like girls but I'll never like them as much as I like you" Brittany says.
"That's what I'm trying to say. I hope this doesn't end but if it ever did then I might be attracted to guys" Santana says. "I'm not planning on that happening though, I can assure you."
"Santana you don't need to keep explaining to me because I get it babe" Brittany smiles.
"Ok, good" Santana nods.
"So are we sort of like together now?" Brittany asks nervously.
"I want us to be if you'll have me" Santana smiles.
"Of course I will, I would be a fool to turn you down" Brittany smiles back. "I know things were a bit rough the last few days but we both have a chance of being happy here so why ruin that just because of the past."
"Exactly, I confused things but I know now what I want so let's not make things any worse" Santana says.
"I agree" Brittany nods. "We can take things slow, we don't need to rush this at all though" she says.
"Good because admitting things to you and my family was terrifying enough, I don't want other people to judge me right now until I'm 100% comfortable" Santana says. "I'm not ashamed of this but this is a big deal for me."
"I understand" Brittany nods.
"I really don't want to say this but it is Christmas so I'm probably going to have to leave now and go back to my family" Santana says regrettably. "I really want to spend time with you though" she sighs.
"Look why don't you and your family come here? Just bring whatever you're making and we can all celebrate Christmas together" Brittany says.
"Wait, really?" Santana asks excitedly.
"Yeah" Brittany nods.
"Would your family be ok with that?" Santana asks.
"Of course they would, everyone seemed to get on really well at the party the other night" Brittany replies.
"Ok well I'll go and tell them right now" Santana says excited.
"Wait, why don't I come with you?" Brittany asks. "I can help you get all the food packaged up."
"Ok cool" Santana smiles.
"Let me just quickly tell my parents what's happening then we can go" Brittany says and Santana nods.
XXX
Brittany and Santana have just walked into Santana's parents' house. Santana is slightly nervous that no one will want to go out since everyone is settled already and the dinner is beginning to get prepared.
"Hey sweetheart, you're back" Maria says.
"Yep and Brittany is here too" Santana smiles just as Brittany walks in behind her.
"Hmm…I wonder why Brittany is here" Alma smirks.
"We have something to ask everyone" Santana says nervously.
"Ok, what?" her dad asks.
"So um…would you all like to come to dinner at the Pierce's house?" Santana asks. "Brittany and I are sort of back on track now so she's invited everyone over" she says smiling at Brittany.
"Oh we don't want to put your parents out Brittany" Maria states.
"You wouldn't be" Brittany assures them. "We're not a big family so it'll be nice to spend Christmas all together."
"Yeah it would be nice to spend it with others too because Santana usually gets bored if it's just the six of us" Maria replies.
"Look I'm sorry but games on Christmas aren't that fun when there's barely enough people to make two teams or people who don't even want to join in" Santana says while glaring at her brother.
"Family board games aren't my thing Santana" Marc shrugs.
"Look can we please just go to Brittany's house for dinner?" Santana says, almost begging because she wants to spend Christmas with Brittany so bad.
"I'm happy to go" Maria smiles.
"Yes so am I because I'm looking forward to getting some nice dessert" Alma smiles at Brittany.
"Excuse me, what's wrong with the dessert mom and I made?" Santana asks.
"It's not really going to be up to the standard I like plus Brittany is a professional" Alma smiles.
"I wouldn't quite go that far but thank you" Brittany smiles.
"So are we all going to Brittany's place then?" Santana asks and every nods. "Good, let's get the food wrapped up and ready to go."
Once everything is ready, they head to the Pierce's. Maria goes straight to the kitchen and she and Julia work out how they'll cook everything and at what time they'll eat. Brittany and Santana sort out drinks for everyone before finding somewhere quiet to talk.
"I don't mean to be rude Britt, but you haven't said anything about the Christmas present I gave you. Are you mad at me for what I did?" Santana asks.
"Oh…um" Brittany says embarrassingly. "I haven't actually opened it yet" she admits.
"Why not?" Santana frowns, slightly offended.
"I'm sorry but I didn't expect to see you today and I thought if I opened your gift then I'd feel worse because it'd make me think of you and then that would remind me that you didn't feel the same as me" Brittany sighs. "I really didn't mean to offend you."
"It's ok, I think I get why you did it now" Santana nods. "Can you maybe open it now?"
"Of course" Brittany smiles. "Wait a second," she takes a pause, "why would I be mad. Is there going to be something in here that I don't like?"
"Just open it please" Santana smiles back.
"Ok" Brittany nods while grabbing the bag and bringing it over to them. She then begins unwrapping the gifts. As soon as she opens the acceptance letter, she stares at Santana in confusion.
"Wait, am I in this competition or do I have to do a trial?" Brittany says slightly confused.
"You're already accepted. I forged your signature and sent in videos and recipes of yours" Santana replies.
"You sneaky little…" Brittany smiles while shaking her head.
"If you win then the money could really help you in achieving your dream" Santana smiles.
"I don't know how to thank you because these are much better Christmas presents than the ones I got you" Brittany says.
"Look you don't need to thank me, just say you'll go to LA and that's good enough for me" Santana smiles.
"Wait a minute" Brittany frowns. "It's in LA" she sighs.
"Yeah I know but I actually already cleared it with your boss and she's giving you 8 weeks off to go and do it so you don't need to worry about work" Santana smiles.
"It's not that, it's us" Brittany sighs. "We're finally getting somewhere and now I'm about to leave for 2 months."
"I know LA isn't like next door but this is a great opportunity for you. This could really help you and when you think about it, 2 months is barely any time" Santana says.
"But…"
"Britt I'll be here waiting for you. I'm not going to go anywhere. As soon as you get back we'll be the same as when you left only maybe like 2 months older" Santana smiles.
"I don't know what to say" Brittany says, a mix between excited but worried.
"Say you will go and win that 20,000" Santana smiles.
"Ok, I'll go" Brittany smiles.
"Good because I know you can win this" Santana says while kissing Brittany on the head.
XXX
The dinner isn't ready yet so everyone is in the living room about to play a game to pass the time until everything is cooked.
"Ok so it's Lopez against Pierce, deal?" Santana asks.
"Deal" Brittany nods.
"Let's see which family will be victorious" Santana states getting pumped up for the game.
"It's just charades Santana, let's calm down" Maria states.
"We have to win mom" Santana assures her.
"We don't have to win Santana, you might want to but it's not necessary" Maria shakes her head.
"Ok Lopez you can go first, Santana looks like she's itching to get started" Brittany smirks.
"I am so let's do this" Santana says almost screaming.
They begin the game and the two families are about tied right now. Alma has decided to act out the next part for the Lopez team when suddenly she falls to the floor. Santana then starts shouting out different movies with lying down in the title when she realises what's going on.
"Grandma, stop playing games please" Santana says starting to get worried.
"I don't think this is a charade Santana" Maria says instantly rushing over to her mother-in-law.
"Mom can you hear me?" Mario asks frantically. "We need to call an ambulance."
"Grandma please" Santana says tearfully.