It was finally Saturday morning, the big day was here. Santana and Rachel had been working tirelessly all week trying to get together anything they could in preparation of bringing the girls home. The bed sets had been ordered, one dark brown trimmed in purple, one white trimmed in bright orange. They had decided they would let the girls choose which bed they wanted, however both felt like Sierra would go for the orange and white, while Samara chose brown and purple. Now they just had to figure out how to decorate the room so that both bed sets would be accommodated. Santana knew she would have to get super creative.
Santana's parents had actually helped them do some shopping before they left to go out to their early dinner. Sierra and Samara both had plenty of clothes on the way in order to fill up their little dressers once they arrived. They also had a few things sent over night that they had taken to the children's home yesterday for the twins. Two things in particular were the little outfits and shoes that the girls would be wearing to the art show tonight. Yes, all of the children would be there, even the babies for a little while. It was a tradition in the art world, if your work was shown and you were able to make it, you had to be there. People really loved to meet the artists and pick their minds if at all possible. Santana and Rachel were both excited just to see their girls and spend time with them outside of the home. The only issue was that they had to be careful, they didn't want the girls in any media pictures, in fact none of the smaller children were to be in any pictures. The older children were allowed to walk the carpet if they chose too, they were really pulling out all the stops tonight.
"Santana!" Rachel shouted as she ran up the stairs. She had ran to town to grab them a bit of lunch before they had to get ready for tonight. Santana was in the loft laying out what she was going to wear.
"Yeah?" Santana shouted back as she leaned over the railing, watching Rachel stumble her way up the stairs with a large box in her hands. "What's that?"
"It's apparently some of the clothes that we ordered already. The box says Tiger Lily Boutique, so that would be their little leggings and sweater dresses with the Uggs!" Rachel cheered as she sat down on the bed and began to open the box. She was right, inside was two little sweater dresses, one tan and the other a charcoal grey with matching leggings for each. One pair of Uggs were the traditional tan color, while the other pair was black. Rachel couldn't contain her squeal, Santana had been adamant about not getting these outfits. Which really, she was ready to order the girls nothing but jeans, flannels, joggers, hoodies, sneakers and little work boots. In the end Rachel and Maribel had won and the girls ended up with several more stylish, formal outfits. Marcus and Santana had just sat back and shook their heads as their better halves ooed and awed over everything they added to their cart.
"Now that I see the outfits in person, they are really cute." Santana admitted with a half hearted sigh.
"I told you! I can't wait to see them tonight, they're going to look adorable." Rachel swooned as she flopped back on the bed.
"Speaking of tonight, you're laying on my clothes." Santana walked over the bed and playfully swatted Rachel trying to get her to move.
"Oh, I have to pick what I am going to wear too and we have to eat and shower. We're going to have to hurry if we want to get to the gallery on time." Rachel looked around frantic for a clock to see what time it actually was.
"We have plenty of time, let's go eat and then we can get ready." Santana extended her hands towards Rachel so that she could help her sit up. Rachel immediately wrapped her arms around Santana's waist, hugging her tightly when she stood up. "I love you." Santana said before she placed a kiss on the top of Rachel's head.
"I love you too." Rachel responded, resting her head against Santana's chest.
Santana peered out of the window as Duncan maneuvered her jeep along the super crowded street. If all of these cars were there for the art show, then there was no way that any paintings would be left at the end of the night. You would think they had been heavily promoting this show for months when in actuality it had been less than a week. Sometimes the best way to get something known was to spread it by word of mouth and post it on the internet. Artie had put together some internet ads and posted them to Santana's and Rachel's websites and Denise's Facebook page, it was a last minute thing that had generated a lot of attention. Tonight was the main night for the show, but Denise had made the decision to leave the gallery open tomorrow (Sunday), if there was any thing left, for any one who couldn't make it tonight.
"I wonder if all of the kids are here yet?" Rachel wondered aloud as she too looked out of the window. She was utterly amazed at how many people were outside on the streets dressed in black tie clothing. Were they all going to the art show? Or was there something else going on that they didn't know about?
"They should be. Stephanie texted and said that they would be here hopefully around six thirty so that they could all get inside before the opening." Santana said as she turned to look at Rachel. The woman looked stunning. Rachel had her hair down in soft curls, it flowed over her shoulders like waves. She had chosen to wear a silver dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Santana had to stop herself from drooling while looking at her wife. Rachel turned her head away from Santana's piercing gaze, she could feel the blush running up her neck and face.
"You look beautiful." Santana murmured quietly.
"So do you." Rachel responded just as quiet. She loved when Santana wore dress slacks and flowy button downs. It was her signature look and she rocked it every time she wore it.
Santana gave Rachel's hand a firm squeeze. They had to control themselves since they had company in the car. Speaking of which, Duncan was their driver tonight for a number of reasons. It was more sensible for Rachel and Santana to be let out of the jeep instead of driving around and around trying to find a parking spot and then walking the carpet. Also, Santana just felt more comfortable knowing that Duncan was close by with so many people around. She knew that he had sent Sean down here early with some other guys from their team to run security tonight. They all hoped that they wouldn't be needed a children's art show, but you never know what could happen.
"Oh my gosh!" Rachel screeched as they approached the front of the art gallery. It looked like a Hollywood movie premiere. Lights and cameras were set up everywhere. "There's Rj and Ashley. Did they come together as a couple? They look so cute together. He looks so handsome in his suit and ohhhh her dress. It's absolutely gorgeous."
"The couple that is trying to adopt her got her that dress. You know she has one more meeting with them and her social worker before she leaves the home." Santana said with a small smile.
"I'm so happy for her. Everyone deserves a family even when they are about to age out of the system. I'm surprised they kept it quiet this long though. I mean no one knew, except for Ashley, the couple and Chloe and Agetha." Rachel had been momentarily shocked when she had heard that Ashley was so close to being adopted. They had made the decision to keep it quiet in case something was to happen and the adoption fell through. Turns out, they had met the couple at the barbecue. That had been the day that they had fell in love with Ashley and started the process on trying to bring her home with them.
"Ladies, you're up next." Duncan spoke from the drivers seat. The people getting out of the car in front of them were both well known art curators from the city. Santana knew for a fact that they had purchased several of her art pieces before. Hopefully they would go for some of the children's art tonight, it would mean more to Santana if they bought the children's art instead of hers.
As Duncan slowly moved the jeep up in the line, Santana prepared herself the onslaught of camera flashes and possible yelling that was about to happen. If it wasn't for the kids and her strong desire to help in any way possible she wouldn't be doing this. Dealing with the press never got any easier, a lot of them were nice, but you would always have the handful that was too invasive.
Rachel was well aware of Santana's anxiety and firmly grasped her hand as Santana opened the door. She wouldn't let go until they were inside the building and away from the majority of the hustle and bustle. The first camera flash was a bit startling, but Rachel held on as they slowly made their way down the carpet. Both women smiled and played to the cameras as reporter after reporter yelled for them to look their way. Santana honestly hadn't anticipated this much attention.
"You okay?" Rachel whispered when they were halfway down the carpet. She had played off asking the question as if she was giving Santana a kiss on the cheek. Without drawing too much attention to herself, Santana subtly nodded her head. As long as Rachel was by her side accompanied with the anticipation of seeing the twins, she could get through almost anything.
"Ms. Lopez, Ms. Berry! Can we have a word with you?" A young man called. Santana had no idea what his name was but he just looked so excited to be here tonight that Santana couldn't pass him up.
"Sure." Santana smiled as she came to stand next to the young man who couldn't be older that twenty-two at the most. "But, just for the record, it's Mrs. Lopez-Berry." Santana grinned and then winked to the camera that was set up.
"My apologies. I'm Myles Taverns, host of Myles Traveled. Yes, I kind of punned my own name, but it works." Myles shrugged and blushed, he knew he was rambling but he was in the presence of two of his biggest idols.
"I like it!" Rachel leaned forward and laughed.
"Thank you. So I know you ladies are on your way in to the show, which Mrs. Lopez-Berry, it's my understanding that you're the brains behind this lovely gathering?" Myles held out his little microphone.
"I guess you could say that. I was approached with the opportunity to just do some paintings in donation to The St. Lawrence Children's Home. I suggested that we hold a show for the children, let them showcase their work since it's all for them anyway."
"The pieces you done are here on display tonight correct?"
"Yes, however I want people to look at everything, not just my work. All of the children are talented in their own right and they deserve the majority of the recognition here. I'm here for them, not for me."
"That's very admirable of you. Also, Mrs. Berry-Lopez, you don't have any work featured here tonight, but you are planning on releasing some music in support of the home. Can we look forward to that soon or farther down the road?" Myles questioned with a glint in his eye. He was hoping for another scoop here, since he had not so subtly gotten the first indication that Santana Lopez and Rachel Berry were finally married.
"Who told you that?" Rachel questioned.
"I have my sources." Myles smiled with a little smirk.
"Well, you could say that I am in the middle of working on something major at the moment that not a lot of people know about, so if there is music of any kind coming, it's farther down the road." Rachel smiled at the camera. She was being super vague and everyone knew it.
Santana turned her head to see Denise waving them inside the building. Stephanie was standing slightly behind her with one of the twins in her arms and uh oh...that twin did not look happy. Myles and Rachel were still talking about tonight's event, but Santana only had one thought on her mind now. She nodded, letting Denise know that she had seen her before she tuned back into what Myles and Rachel were saying.
"This has been Myles Taverns, live streaming from The First Annual, St. Lawrence Children's Home Art Show. Thank you and goodnight." Myles gave a little wave to the camera before turning around and graciously hugging Santana and Rachel. Santana returned the hug with as much politeness as she could muster up at the moment, they needed to get inside.
"What's going on with you?" Rachel asked as Santana practically drug her the rest of the way down the carpet.
"The girls are upset, or well one of them is upset. Denise and Stephanie were waving us in a moment ago." Santana was starting to sound frantic.
"Hey, hey. It's okay. They're probably just overwhelmed by all of the people." Rachel ran her hand soothingly up and down Santana's arm as they finally made it into the art gallery. Stephanie was standing off to the side with who Santana now recognized as Sierra in her arms. Samara was standing next to her, holding onto Stephanie's dress pants with her little fist in her mouth, big tears streaming down her face as well.
Santana and Rachel approached them as fast as they could without running into anyone. Samara immediately let out a heart wrenching sob when she made eye contact with Rachel. She released Stephanie's pants and took off in a sprint, her little legs wobbling, not used to going at such high speeds.
"Samara!" Everyone seemed to yell at once. They didn't want the little girl to get trampled by the big people. Samara didn't hear them, all she wanted was her Mama's. Rachel bent down as Samara ran into her arms, thankfully everyone had stopped walking when the little girls name was shouted.
"I've got you baby. Everything's okay. Your Mama's are here." Rachel cooed as she stood back up to her full height and followed Santana over to Stephanie, Denise and Sierra. Santana immediately took Sierra into her arms as well, they would get an explanation from Stephanie in a moment. Right now? Their girls needed them, their girls who were slightly calming down now that they and practically everyone in the art gallery, knew their Mama's were here.