I DO
(Quinn)
I opened and closed my eyes again and again. I woke up already feeling the worst hangover I've ever had. The pain was taking my senses. I ran my hand on my face and then looked down at my abdomen. Jesus Christ, even a light eye movement made me dizzy. A head was doing my body pillow. Rachel was only in bra and panties. I was dressed. Fully dressed, by the way. Well, it wouldn't be the first time that a pleased her but didn't get any for some reason. And the light... Ugh… where are my sunglasses when I needed them? I ran my hand through my hair and threw my arm out to the side. I bumped into something... someone. My heart raced and I was afraid to look. Oh my God. What did I do? I counted to 10 and I plucked up courage to turn my face. Santana. My heart went out through the mouth almost literally. Santana was sleeping in her top tank and panties. Oh please don't! Make it be just a nightmare. I was too drunk last night to remember. We all were. What if we… oh no…
My stomach began to churn because of alcohol and this traumatic dawn. Without kindness, I pushed Rachel off me and hurried out of that Queen Size bed. But in the rush to the bathroom I stumbled into someone. Mercedes. She was scantily clad, but there was no time to wonder. I needed to run to the bathroom. I barely made it to the toilet and throw up my brain, because my stomach and liver was already out. I throw up one, two, three times. When I finished and discharged, I looked for the environment. The bathroom was large and well decorated. But there was something strange, someone, inside the bath was... Kurt... shirtless. And he looked dead. I unloading and sat near the toilet because I was too dizzy to walk, and also I was trying to locate myself. Point one: we were in a hotel. A small and very charming one near Eire Lake. Point two: I was there for two days. Point three: I was there because of the Corcoran-Lopez wedding. Point Four: we were all at Shelby's bachelorette party last night. At some point, my memories blurred. Too much tequila and vodka. I struggled to get up and wash my face and my mouth.
"Hi Quinn!" The horrible loud voice came from the bathroom's door. I looked toward the owner. Brittany. She had a bag full of ice.
"Britt! Hi! You don't seem that drunk..." My brain wasn't working right.
"Of course not. I'm breastfeeding, remember? Only drank a glass of stout at the party."
"Oh, it's true, isn't?" I returned my attention to the ice pack. "What's that?"
"It's to put on Santana's ankle. She'll need it."
"How so?" Brittany threatened explain when we heard the scream... Santana's own.
"POR DIOS, ME DUELE!"
Brittany ran out to the room and I followed as best as I could. Rachel was awakening and Mercedes as well. Brittany put ice on Santana's ankle, which writhed in pain. Rachel was confused, being aware of her partial nudity and the whole situation. Mercedes got up with difficulty and then ran to the bathroom probably to puke. Kurt also had to be waking up at that time. If not, maybe he was really dead.
"San, we have to go to the hospital! Your ankle is pretty swollen."
"What happened?" Rachel was concerned and also appeared to have no memories of last night.
"She twisted her foot last night. But she was too drunk to felt the pain."
"ME SIENTO AHORAAAA!"
"Santana, honey, be polite once in your life and turn it down!" Kurt finally woke up, walking out to the bathroom with his typical posture with two fingers to his temple and a cross arm supporting the other.
"What room are we?" Mercedes asked.
"Yours and Karofsky's room." Brittany explained. Well, she seemed to be the only one to know everything.
"Where is he?" Kurt was really groggy.
"You said he would arrived today, remember? Your boyfriend was traveling with his team."
Miranda Lopez and the girls' aunts appeared in the doorway wondering what all that shouting was. When they saw Santana, they tried to help immediately. Well, they were in good shape, and also Brittany. Twins' maternal grandmother also appeared: Linda Corcoran, I think that was her name. She was a strange figure, very quiet that the twins barely remembered, but she had every right to be there as the bride's mother. Santana was anchored and older ladies took her to the hospital talking a lot of things in Spanish on the way. I had some difficulty in understanding despite my effort to learn Spanish. It was extremely sexy when Rachel made love to me speaking in Spanish. I looked at my lady... she was dowdy on being spotted by her grandmother and aunts in these circumstances, only in bra and panties.
"Ok. Someone explain to me what happened here?" Mercedes threw herself on the bed after all the commotion.
"The last thing I remember was coming back to the hotel, don't ask me how." Rachel replied. "And I think we played truth or dare... not sure... God ..." It was her turn to go running to the bathroom. Slowly I went to the bathroom. I didn't feel safe in my footsteps and the light bothered me a lot. I found Rachel leaned in the toilet.
"I want to die." She said quietly, tearfully. I discharged and helped her get up. She quickly washed her mouth and we left the bathroom with her propped up on me. Mercedes and Kurt were the only ones who remained there, but I wasn't interested in stopping for a chat.
"Let's go to our room..." Rachel picked her clothes and drove out the door without even saying goodbye to our friends.
She accepted my gesture of readiness and held my hand to help support herself. That's when my heart raced. The ring: my engagement ring that I was planning to give Rachel and propose her in a romantic night on my birthday. That ring was on her finger. Oh no! I quickened my step because my girlfriend was half naked and she didn't want anyone more to see her like that. I was near panic. Our room was 210... yes 210. I looked in my jacket pocket and found the card intact. But before I had a chance to take the card, Rachel turned the knob. The door was open. Our room was in almost everything in place except my churned bag. I'd slight impression that I myself was responsible for that. Rachel looked at her hand and looked at the ring. I sat on the bed and sighed.
"Did we marry last night?" She was panicking.
"Well, we aren't in Vegas and there isn't any certificate in my pockets. So, my guess is no, we didn't marry last night."
"Oh, thank God!" I was hurt with her relieved state.
"Don't you want to marry me one day?"
"Yeah, of course. But I would hate marry you that way: drunk and without planning anything." Yes, I was dealing with Rachel Berry-Lopez, the queen of planning stuffs. She had a book of that.
"Well Rachel, we didn't marry, but I think I might have proposed you last night." She fell in silence and it hurt me again. "I had plans to propose you in a more pleasant and romantic situation..." I said softly.
"Engagement... I don't remember you proposing... my mind is a blur, but I think it's plausible to say that you were spontaneous." She giggled.
"So? Aren't you mad or won't you say that I'm crazy, that you don't want it right now or any other rejection you may want to say?"
"I don't know Quinn. Maybe if I hear the words again…"
Rachel wanted to torture me knowing that I was already feeling bad about the whole situation. I shouldn't have brought the ring in my bag, but that was the safest place in the house where I knew Rachel would never find the ring, since she loves tidying drawers and sometimes she opens my purse to inspect my gums or pick up a bit of my thong when we are away from home. Without alternatives, I asked the ring back and knelt before her.
"Rachel Barbra Berry-Lopez, I love you with my soul. You are my person, my endgame. Would you marry me?"
"What? Are you proposing me with this poor speech? You can do better, Lucy Quinn Fabray."
"Come on! I'm having the mother of the hellish hangovers. My head huts like crazy just in thinking! Don't be mean. Do you want to marry me or not?"
"Of course I do, your silly dork!" She waved her fingers so I could put the ring on her. And so I did. Then I stand and kissed her lips. It wasn't a great kiss, shame on me, but both our breaths were rotten.
"They say the best way to celebrate an engagement is causing some earthquakes on bed... but I don't think we could do it right now."
"I agree. We need to brush our teeth, take a shower and some aspirins. I don't think we could have an orgasm with this hangover."
"Indeed." I kissed her hand. "Then how about this: we do our hygiene together, silly hands are fully allowed, take some aspirins, order tea and a light meal, and relax a bit until we able to celebrate properly?"
"Hmmm... sounds great!"
And so we did. We celebrated our engagement in a hotel room on the eve of her parents' wedding, drinking a vegan soup, and watching rerun of "House" (Rachel was a fan) lying in bed in comfortable pajamas. It was quite different than I had planned. I would take Rachel to watch "The Lion King" on Broadway, dinner with her at Tropical Sensation and then I would propose her still walking in the streets. We would have a memorable night having orgasms and drinking champagne. But I proposed her drunk, apparently during a game of truth or dare and with three other drunks and maybe Brittany as witnesses. Still, I've never been so happy. When the first episode ended and advertising announced the next attraction, Rachel was already sleeping. I closed my eyes and fell asleep too.
I woke up hours later. It was after five o'clock and I was surprised to have slept for almost six hours. At least my head was better.
"Good afternoon." Rachel kissed my forehead.
"I overslept." I tried to stand, but it was bad idea to make it fast. I rolled to one side and slowly took one more aspirin. The hangover was really epic. "Are you awake long?"
"Not at all. I just didn't have the courage to stand up and stay thinking about my ring."
"Oh." I raised an eyebrow. I was worried: what if she changed her mind?
"We need to plan the perfect ceremony. But I'm worried about the time. My semester will be busy with the new play."
Josh surprised us the week before with a new possible job to Rachel to be the protagonist in a new off-Broadway musical written by David Bowie and Eric Parker. Rachel was seduced by two things: David Bowie and the lead character. And she authorized Josh to get further in the negotiations. Her first met with the directors will happen next week. If she sigh the contract, she will do the play for three months. Maybe more if Slings and Arrows second season doesn't happen or if she doesn't be invited to come back.
"We don't need to marry this year." I pondered. "We can wait a little longer. There is no reason to rush."
"I know that, but I don't want to be engaged too long, like five years or something. No way. Next year is our deadline."
"Ok, so we will have the rest of the year to think a perfect date and everything else."
I put Rachel closer, so she could use my shoulder as pillow. We were too comfy to get out of that bed.
"I want to stay here forever..." I said snuggling against my fiancé body. So nice to say that: my fiancé. Sounds good.
"Sounds good, but we have a rehearsal dinner to go..." Rachel sighed.
"Your parents will notice if we don't go?"
"Since I'm daughter of the bride and the groom…"
"This leads me to another question: should we make the announcement?"
"I don't know... today and tomorrow are days that my parents should have all the attention to themselves. How about we do this: I'll use my gorgeous engagement ring and if anyone asks, I won't deny. Hence we see what happens. What do you think?"
"Perfect."
Slowly we left the bed and started to get ready to face other people. Rachel and I walked hand in hand down the place prepared for family and friends. Many were already circulating there. Miranda was with Robert in her lap, and Brittany was nearby watching her son and keeping reasonable distance from Santana. Speaking of Santana, she was sitting in a chair with her foot on top of another one with Andrew beside her. Brittany didn't look happy, neither Santana, to speak the truth. I felt a little guilty to have spent all day in my room with Rachel and forgot that Santana went to the hospital.
"What happened?" Rachel asked already worried.
"The doctor said she may have ruptured ligaments." Andrew kissed Santana's hand. "Poor San. She will have to walk on crutches for a while."
"I'll have to do an arthroscopy." She said. "Papi contacted his colleague from New York, so I won't have an escape."
"Poor Santana." I mocked her a little just to light up her mood.
"Go fuck yourself, Fabray." She definably wasn't in the mood. "Actually, I think we should talk in private later."
"What?" I was confused.
"It's about a family thing."
Santana knew. Did she remember? Oh wait, she might not remember by herself, but Brittany wasn't drunk and I was certain that she told Santana.
The dinner party was full. Beth ran up and down along with two other children about her age. My daughter was increasingly beautiful and smart. It was amazing the energy she had. Part of our old Glee Club was also invited. Finn, Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury arrived that afternoon. The others didn't attend and I could understand. The years passed and contacts were lost. Mercedes, for example, only didn't lose contact because of Rock'n'Pano and she was Julio Lopez's girlfriend. Kurt and Finn were invited because of Burt Hummel: as councilman, he leads campaigns to allocate funds to the emergency ward of the Metropolitan Hospital of Lima, which is the largest and most important in the city. Juan, as chief surgeon, also helped in this political game to ensure that the hospital continued to function well. Karofsky was dating Kurt, so do the math. Mike arrived in the afternoon with Andrew. After so long, Santana finally invited her boyfriend to attend a family event. Mr. Schue was Shelby's friend and he was engaged to Mrs. Pillsbury.
The dinner was pretty nice, except that I had to keep an eye on Finn. I didn't trust on that idiot giant. I was sure that he was still into my Rachel.
"Hey!" Santana approached in her crutches when I was alone for a moment.
"Hey San."
"Did you really propose my sister?" She didn't seem happy with the news.
"Well."
"Don't bother deny, Fabray. Rachel is wearing a ring and Brittany told me everything that happened last night."
"I think it's safe to say that you don't approve." I wouldn't lie, that hurt.
"You are 20 years old!"
"I'm 21 in two weeks."
"Whatever, Fabray. You are too young. You didn't even graduate yet!"
"Next year I will."
"You are crazy. This is almost a teen marriage. Why don't you can wait a little bit since you are already living together?"
"See? That's the point."
"What if something goes wrong after a year?"
"Things can go wrong after 25 years, Santana. That's not the point. And I didn't propose your sister thinking on what might happen in a year or in 50 years. If you think this way, nobody should marry."
"You are missing the point."
"The point is that we love each other and we want to make it official. But, do you know what? Rachel and I are already adults and own our noses. Why should I accept any criticize from you? Last time I checked, you are the girl too afraid to seek you happiness with somebody who you really like because you are too delusional about Brittany!"
Santana stepped back and fell silent. She always liked to shot things in our face to "keep things real". But she seldom bears to hear truths about her own faults. I didn't expect 100% support from anyone but Santana, who should be first one to be happy for us. She looked at Brittany, who was talking to Mercedes and Kurt. Nearby, Andrew chatted with Julio and Mike. I didn't know what the two or three talked, but there was some census definition there.
"This problem was already done." She said more quietly. "Maybe I'm in pain right now, Fabray, but I still have a point. You shouldn't drunk propose my sister on my parents' fucking wedding!"
"So what? This is my and Rachel's business. Not yours."
"Right. But be careful, Fabray. I will keep an eye on you."
…
(Santana)
I didn't know what hurt more: if it was my head or my foot. I couldn't move my entire leg, incidentally. Everything throbbed. I think should drink vodka to numb everything. If takes another drunk meant to stop the pain, where's my alcohol? Aunt Rosa and Aunt Maria wore me a horrible skirt before they put me in the car. Some people followed: abuela and my other one: Shelby's mom. What was her name again? Linda Corcoran! It's difficult to remember things at that moment, specially someone that I've never talk about or have news. Brittany asked abuela to keep an eye on Robert S. She said there is a ready bottle in her room's thermal bag and everything. Abuela knew things. The boy would be fine. Then she ducked into the backseat of the car with me and continued to apply ice. Gradually the ice effect was, at least, easing my pain.
"Vea lo que da de beber?" Here came Aunt Maria sermon. "Usted debe aprender a no ser exageraciones. Esto no es cristiana, Santana!"
"Soy judia, tía." When Aunt Maria really wanted to be boring, she was unbeatable. God! She never ease even when I had that disgusting hungover and with a possibly broken foot.
"Las chicas estaban divirtiendo. Y fue la despedida de soltero de la madre de las niñas. Qué ha hecho! Ni siquiera Ana?" Aunt Rosa always called me 'Ana'. She was the only one in the family that called that, and she was the one who always rescued me from Aunt Maria's hassle.
"Aunt Rosa, please stop… I need to puke!" Oh, my drama!
Aunt Rosa stopped the car and Brittany and Aunt Maria helped me on this disgusting thing.
"Usted debe respetar la boda de sus padres, Santana." Aunt Maria mumbled back to the car.
"Yo respeto tía. Estaba celebrando con mi mamá."
Brittany looked at me with that expression that she wasn't understand a thing about what we were saying. It just to make me laugh at all with such a banal gesture. It was always like that when she was with me in the Lopezes' parties or in abuela's house. When she was little, she thought Lima heights Adjacent was another country.
We got to the hospital and soon the staff arranged a wheelchair for me. Yet it took almost half an hour to the doctor see me, and Aunt Maria was about to make a scandal. She used to have an great treatment in Lima because of papi. Know what? We weren't in Lima. It was still Ohio, though.
"See? It isn't human leave people ill in a row." She fumed with her strong accent because everybody had to hear. "Anyone who is having a heart attack, please goes somewhere else!"
"Maria!" Aunt Rosa restrained. "Stay here with Santana and Brittany. I'll seek some information."
Tia Rosa returned with an orthopedic doctor. She always had a special knack for dealing with people to her own favor. The doctor made an x-ray, but I didn't break any bones. Instead, the doctor immediately wondered if I could have torn the ligaments, but it was something that would only certainty with more detailed examinations. I would have to do an arthroscopy. And if his diagnosis was right, I would have to do a surgery and then months of painful physical therapy. I knew more or less the routine, not just because my father was a doctor, but because I broke some bones when I was little.
The last time I broke a bone was totally Rachel's fault.
I was doing a boring old neighborhood pay for giving us toothpaste on Halloween. So I took two rolls of toilet paper, so I would screw up with that horribly manicured garden. Rachel was with me, of course, because she was the one who watched my back. But the son of that witch caught us in the act. Rachel froze in time and I had to pull her on our bikes while the guy ran after us firing a shotgun using those rubber bullets. He shot not to hit, just to scare us way and it worked.
We biked desperate until long after the guy had stopped running after us. The street leading up to our house was a small slope. We were still riding fast when Rachel haywire a little direction and threw her bike against mine. She even managed to stop, but I fell down, rolling out and everything. My body was all grated and I still have a scar on my knee to remind me. Mr. Moore, who lived in that street, saw my fall. He helped us and called my dads. After the hospital, Rachel told everything to my dads, and not only they grounded us, but also papi made us apologize to the old woman even though he treated her son to sue him because he shot on two little girls. Rachel and I were 10 years old.
"Are you all right?" Brittany pulled me out of the dreamland.
"Miss Berry-Lopez." A nurse appeared with injection kit to poke my arm and apply the anti-inflammatory and pain medications. I had no problems with needles, but Britt was impressed with these things. "Britt Britt, why won't you keep Aunt Maria's company? Aunt Rosa can stay with me here."
"She scares me! And I can stay, San. I'm not a child anymore."
"Of course you aren't."
Brittany really changed. She was more confident and… maternal.
Over 15 minutes, the doctor made his recommendations and advised treatment with ice until I take the exam, which required scheduling. I would do it in New York, anyway. Before going back to the hotel, we stopped at the pharmacy to buy medicines and my crutches and an immobilizer for ankle as the doctor recommended. The crutches were expensive, but Aunt Maria didn't care. She said that when I finished using them I should donate to one of those institutions supported by her church and help with some more. And I just closed a fair deal.
Shelby was shocked when she saw me coming in crutches with an immobilizing boot feet. After she had a funny reaction I didn't know exactly if she wanted hug me or yell at me.
"Santana!" She opted to kiss my cheek. I wasn't very receptive though. The wedding feast was the first opportunity we had to talk civilly after our Homeric fight by phone because of the extra money she demanded when she knew she would have twins. "What happened?"
"When we came back here, Santana twisted her ankle." Britt answered for me.
"The doctor said she didn't break anything, but it may have ruptured ligaments..." Aunt Maria completed. Suddenly, seemed like I couldn't speak to myself. "This is what happens when you drink till the coma."
"What!?" I knew she was going to stop at this detail. "The only one who should have been in an alcoholic coma was me. And, lady, you aren't 21 yet. How could you drink that much?"
"But I'm an adult and I'm not your responsibility... I've never was, remember?" And came that killer look that just made me regret my bravato. Well, just a little, anyway. Why did mothers have this weird power over children? Even with those that weren't raised by them?
"I'm still your mother, I'm here now and you won't discuss this with me. You need to go to your room put that foot up."
"I'd rather have lunch. I'm starving."
"I will order in your room... something light to not compromise your stomach."
Brittany gave me a kiss on the cheek and ran to meet Bob S. I believe it was time to feed him. She was a good mother, indeed, and took care of the boy with much love and method. Bob S was a bright and very smart for a three months old baby. He would be a champion. Shelby wanted to play the worried mother and followed me. She asked about all the doctor's recommendations, and was frightened by the possibility of me having surgery.
"I can't believe how irresponsible you were, Santana."
"Shelby, this is your wedding. It's party time! How about to leave the sermon to another time? I'm little dizzy, my foot is killing me and soon I'm going to deal with papi, with my boyfriend, and the fact that Brittany is living so well within my help!"
"Brittany is practically married, Santana." She ran her fingers through my hair. "And your boyfriend should arrive soon with Mike."
"Why is life so complicated?"
"We are making it so."
"I thought Brittany and I would be forever. But we seem increasingly distant to each other."
"I disagree." Shelby stared me in the eyes. "We can be forever for people, San. It doesn't necessarily mean that this refers to a romantic relationship. Friends can be forever. Never thought about it?"
"That wasn't what I had in mind."
Somebody knocked the door. Beth came in and jumped on the bed. She was curious about the crutches and the boot to immobilize my foot. We had lunch there and the three of us talked amenities. Papi arrived to the hotel from his bachelor party in Vegas. He entered my room all aware of what had happened and didn't seem happy with me. He, at least, didn't want to scolded me. Half the world had done it for him. Funny thing is that Rachel drank as much as I and wasn't reprimanded. When the three came out, I wasn't long alone. Britt soon appeared. This time she was with Bob on her lap and some toys in hand. She laid the boy in the middle of the bed and then lay down, leaving the two of us as a protective barrier for him.
"I'm curious, Britt. Whatever happened yesterday?"
"What do you remember as far?"
"I remember us getting drunk as a skunk. Then I fell in tequila shots and drank a lot. There were go-go boys, Mercedes received a lap dance and also Kurt. My mother's friends took her to other place but we stayed at the night club drinking. I don't remember exactly when we came back to the hotel."
"After all the drinking, I, you, Rachel, Kurt, Quinn and Mercedes were squeezed away in a taxi only. Hence, Kurt suggested that we continue the party in his room and you took all drinks alcoholic available in refrigerators. Meanwhile, you twisted you ankle and fell to the ground. I helped you up and put you on Kurt's bed, where you never left until this morning. Instead of drinks, Quinn showed a ring and proposed Rachel, it was gorgeous by the way, and we all celebrate."
"Quinn what!"
"She asked Rachel to marry her and Rachel accepted." Brittany said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Kurt went to the bathroom and never came back. We began to play truth or dare, and at the first round you challenged Mercedes doing a streap tease. She said she would do it if you took off your pants. Except that you were unable to get up, she took of your pants. In the process, she started to streap, but she fell down and passed out. Rachel said she would continue the show dedicated to Quinn. She started dancing on the bed and you said you would refuse to look at it, so you turned around and slept. Rachel took off her blouse and fell over when Quinn was taking her skirt. They were laughing a bit until they fell asleep. After that I made sure that no one had died, I went to my room. Shelby's mother was taking care of Bob."
"Well... it was... pathetic! I can't believe I drank the point to not feel an injury like this."
"I was watching you. I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you and to the others."
"It used to be the opposite." I looked at Brittany. "I'm the one who took care of you."
"I grew up, San." She smoothed the belly of her son. "I need to take care of now. Not the opposite." I nodded and forced a smile when I really wanted to cry.
"How are things between you and Jim?"
"Jim surprised me, San. He treats me as an adult: a real one. Sometimes I got confused, but I learning fast how to deal with different situations. I read my first grown up book alone. It took four months but I actually understand everything without someone have explain it to me."
"As I used to do…"She carried my cheek and I could feel her love. But it was different.
"Yeah. Sorta!"I kissed her hand and she accepted for my sake. "At first Jim was just my boss. And then we started hooked up and I got pregnant by an accident. Now, that we are living together, I fell for him, San. I'm sorry that it happened. I'm just so happy and full of plans: I will wait until Bob is six months old to restart my dancing. Jim will choreograph this new musical play in Los Angeles and soon I'm going to be working again. Our life is good. It's not perfect, but it's nice knowing that we are trying something together."
"Do you love him more than you love me?" I was almost desperate. Brittany looked me in the eyes, those damn bright blue eyes, and kissed me lightly on my lips.
"I love you, Santana, and I always will. You are my best friend, the girl of my life. You're the reason I'm here now because I wanted you to know my son. I put your name on him."
"I know Britt… but there is a but…"
"Yes. But I made my choice some time ago. I'm sorry San."
"I'm glad that you're happy with our choice, Britt." I tried to stay superior, even though my tears were dropping.
"I'm sure you will find someone who you will fall for and want to share your life."
"Thank you."
That moment I was fighting myself to not sobbing while crying. This pain was worse than the one in my ankle. And the worst thing was that I've already knew her choice, but I was eluding myself: dreaming that she would choice me as soon as she saw me. Brittany kissed me once more on my lips and left my room with Bob S. That was her good bye.
Andrew entered my room a few hours later. He and Mike took a flight together to the wedding. He saw my state and stayed by my side in bed, waiting for an explanation.
"I'm sorry, Andy." My voice was so weak.
"Looks like things didn't work with you and Brittany…"
"Yeah… I'm sorry again. You are here and…
"San, when I met you and we started to hang out, you told me about Brittany. You made yourself very clear that she was the love of your life. I've always knew I was your rebound guy."
"Still, you stayed with me all this time. Why?"
"I'm a poor nerd! I need to take any opportunity to get laid." He smiled and then hugged me tight. It was good to be in his arms. "I love you San. Honestly, you aren't the best girlfriend, but you are an awesome best friend."
"That's why we should break up." My voice was cracked.
"I know." He kept hugging me.
"I'm sorry made you fight here to say it."
"It sucks, I won't lie. But I'm still your best friend, right? I'm glad to be here for you."
"I love you…" I cried harder.
Andrew hugged me until the time we had to leave that bad to the rehearsal dinner. I didn't want to see anybody, but people would notice my absent, especially, of course, papi and Shelby. So, I washed my face, put my make up on and got ready with Andrew's help.
…
(Rachel)
A person who doesn't like wedding parties can be very cranky and has no romance in life. I loved wedding parties. The more grandiose, the best. I liked everything: the ceremony (I always cried), cake cutting, speeches, toasts, the bride and groom's goodbye - when they don't leave in French style. Everything was so bright and beautiful. And the party of my parents' wedding was even more special after had Quinn proposed me. I vaguely remember her proposing me for the first time when we were too drunk, but even the second hangover's propose was perfect. Am I hopelessly romantic as well? I couldn't stop looking at my hand and see that beauty shining on my finger. Quinn handcuffed me to her and I couldn't be happier.
And in my happy day, it was a pleasure to see that almost everyone was there too. My relatives were there: the Lopez always made the liveliest parties. Uncle Pedro was depleting the vast repertoire of jokes while Aunt Maria looked crossed so he shut his mouth. Santana was hurt, but she was with Andrew, who finally was officially presented to the family and I caught the lovely scenes between these two. Even with the presence of Brittany, they appeared lighter with each other in some way.
Jim, Brittany's boyfriend, wasn't there, but she showed me several pictures of him. He was a tall and strong beautiful black man. Brittany said he is a top choreographer in California that sometimes was besieged with job offers on Broadway. But Jim is director of fine dance company based in Los Angeles where many artists go there to have classes. Jim and a lot of dances from there usually get hired for tours with artists, to choreograph music videos, musical plays in California, when he wasn't creating a new dance performance. He was a big fish, rich, and I suppose he was a good person since he didn't try to avoid the commit with Brittany and Bob S. I was happy for her.
Mercedes was happy with my cousin Julio. Mike was behaved - I bet with Quinn to find out how long it would take Mike to pick up a woman. Aunt Rosa and Uncle Tony continued being the more interesting couple of the family. Kurt and Karofsky were the weirdest couple in the party, but surprisingly they worked very well together. And who knew that Shelby Corcoran and Juan Lopez would end up happily ever after everything that happened?
A lot of people came just to the day of the wedding ceremony. Bubbee and Zaide were among of this group. I also saw many colleagues of my father and Shelby, and many of their friends. Shelby's brother only arrived at the day of the ceremony, which was good because it avoided a lot of stress. Thomas Corcoran was a pain in the ass. On the other hand, I loved seeing that red neck bigot among many Latinos. He had to watch her white sister marrying an immigrant that she already had daughters with. I wanted to laugh at the face of "Uncle" Thomas.
Before the ceremony, I spent a little time in my mother's room. She looked stunning and chic. She wisely chose not to use a conventional wedding dress, even if she chose white. The bridesmaid's dresses had in common only the color: salmon. Santana and I didn't have time to combine models with the other two bridesmaids: Shelby's closest friends. So we chose two similar ones with the given color and everyone was happy. Uncle Pedro was my father best man. Speaking of my father, he was also wonderful and also very nervous. It was the first time he would marry with the right record in office, priest and many guests. In resume, legally that was his first marriage. My father was aging very well: He still had youthful appearance for his 50 years old. He was in wonderful physical shape and his graying hair only made him more charming. He walked arm in arm with a proud abuela, who was also beautiful. She was a special little lady to me.
The entrance of the bride was weird because Beth ran throwing rose petals on people rather than on the floor, I walked then closer with my sister and looked to Quinn sitting besides Mercedes. I smiled to my fiancé knowing that next year we would be marrying as well. Shelby came accompanied by Zaide, which I thought that was a fitting tribute and consideration with my Berry side. The Christian ceremony was celebrated by the priest friends of abuela. I wondered when the time comes for my wedding with Quinn. We would have to plan well how reconcile Christian and Jewish traditions in the ceremony.
Their vows were beautiful. Shelby cried and so did I. I hold my sister hand and I knowledge that we both were emotional. Not everyone could witness the marriage of their own parents. Sometimes I think that things happen exactly as they should. I wish Daddy was alive, but the only certainty in life is that we all going to die one way or another. And that life goes on for those left behind. Without Daddy on the scene, perhaps my father and Shelby were destined to be together and complete a story that began 21 years ago.
And their kiss was cinematographic.
At the party, when my parents arrived for the first dance, my father got ready for a surprise. He motioned for the band and went to the little stage. He picked up the guitar and strummed for a moment, as he wanted to warm up a bit.
"I'm super nervous here because it's not easy to belong to a family that the women in my life are extraordinary singers. I'm not a very good singer, so my girls, please, don't be too critical as well. But this is a good way to tell my wife that she is amazing and I will love her forever, no matter what."
The band started playing and my father made a warning before getting the letter.
"My dear family and friends, be generous. We only rehearsed it once."
"Love me or leave me and let me be lonely/ you will not believe me but I love you only I'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else."
I swear I let out a yelp and took my hands to my face. "Love Me or Leave Me" was a classic. My father loved Nina Simone and this song was great. Better yet my father didn't spoiled what he was planning to do. He was correct in tone and pace, even danced in a shy and charming way.
"You might find the night time the right time for kissing/ Night time is my time for Just reminiscing/ regretting of forgetting with somebody else.
There'll be no one unless that someone ir you/ i intended to be independently blue
"I want your love, don't wanna borrow/ have ir today to give back tomorrow/ your love is my love/ there's no love for nobody else."
The band began the piano solo and I couldn't resist. I joined my father in an unexpected jam. The guests could even think we had rehearsal, but no. I did intrude on his thing and sang the following verses embraced to my father.
"Say, love me or leave me and let me be lonely/ you won't believe me but I love you only/ i'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else."
Quinn and I glanced to each other. So my father and I started singing together. I did the backs.
"There'll be no one unless someone is that you / I Intended to be independently blue"
"Say I want your love, do not wanna borrow / have it today to give back tomorrow Your love is my love / my love is your love / There's no love for nobody else."
The guests cheered on the spontaneous show. My mother jumped into my father's arms and the two shared a kiss on stage and everything. I also wanted to run toward Quinn and kiss her. But I restrained myself. The spotlight should be on my parents.
The party went very well. People were willing to dance, eat and drink. In short, people were committed to having a good time. My parents wouldn't want speeches, because all of these were made the day before at dinner. Quinn and I danced together almost all the time and I was ready to celebrate our engagement as soon as Shelby and my father cut the cake.
"It's a very beautiful ring." Finn came up to me at a table while Mr. Schue was singing. It was strange being standing next to Finn Hudson after so long without contact, despite our history in McKinley High. He was an important chapter of my life as my first love, after all.
"Thank you."
"Quinn is a lucky woman to have you."
"We're both lucky" I smiled and looked again at my ring.
"I was surprised when I heard that you and Quinn were steady despite Satan."
"You have talked to her, apparently."
"And as always, Santana insulted me and called me gatecrasher."
"It wouldn't be my sister if she didn't insult you. But tell me about you. How are things going? Are you still working with Burt?"
"Burt and I are partners now. He is busy with the city council and so I deal with the paperwork from the machine shop and with clients. We have a good profit at the end of the month."
"Well, business is good... And how's the other part?' The love one? Nobody special in our life?"
"I had some girls, but nobody like Rachel Berry-Lopez."
"Finn..."
"I know my place, Rachel. You are a big star now, like I always knew you would be, and I am just a Lima loser."
"You're wrong, Finn. You're not a Lima loser."
"I should have come with you to New York that time."
"Finn, you were my first love, but my endgame is her. She is my person. I love her and I don't think your presence in New York would be changed it. I'm sorry. I hope one day you find someone who can be your person too."
"Hello" Quinn was on the stage for the first time after all the mess that we did with the band I was surprised because she was averse to singing these times. "I haven't had time to do something elaborate. Actually, Julio and I stayed in the corner rehearsing quickly while some guys of our old Glee Club were jostled at this stage." I heard people giggling. "I wanted to dedicate this song to the woman of my life."
My cousin Julio began playing guitar and soon their voices began to harmonize.
"I thought Love was only true in fairy tales/ meant for someone else but not for me/ oh, Love was to get me/ that's the way it seems/ disappointment haunted all my dreams/ then i saw her face/ now i'm a believer/ not a trace/ of doubt in my mind/ i'm in Love/ i'm a believer/ i couldn't leave her if i tried".
When they finished, I couldn't resist. I went up on stage and kissed Quinn in front of everyone.
"Family and friends..." I grabbed the microphone. "I will be the wife of this wonderful woman." And showed my ring. It was an impact. On the other hand, announces with no impact weren't my style.