Two days before the wedding.
Santana grumbles as she walks into the house and shakes her head hoping Brittany isn't mad that she once again had to work till late and couldn't start packing up the things at her house, she walks into the living room after kicking her shoes off and stops in her tracks. ''What the hell?'' She asks in surprise as her eyes land on her bookcase against the wall beside the one that was already placed right there.
She licks her lips as she also notices her couch instead of the one Brittany had and tilts her head. ''When the hell..'' She pulls out her phone as it buzzes and opens Abi's text.
From Hermana: Any idea what Britt and Puck did with Liv? It's ten and she already went to bed right after tucking Soph in.
She chuckles softly and snaps a picture of the living room, she bites her lip walking over to the fireplace mantel as a picture catches her eyes and quickly sends her sister the picture.
To Hermana: I think Liv and Puck helped Britt moving stuff from my house to Britt's or well ours.
She locks her phone again as she just sends a heart eye emoji and smiles slightly as she notices Marcus's picture right beside Emily's on the mantel, she runs her fingers over the stone butterfly beside his picture with his name on it, eyeing the same butterfly with Emily's name beside her picture and shakes her head. ''And she wonders, why I love her so fucking much.'' She whispers to herself.
She turns on her heels knowing exactly where she can find Brittany and gasps softly as she reaches the bottom of the stairs. ''Oh holy fuck.'' She chokes out covering her mouth with her hand, she slowly walks up the stairs eyeing the pictures of Nicolas growing up and gulps thickly.
She sniffles softly as she reaches the top eyeing the heart of picture frames and shakes her head as she sees several pictures of her family, family pictures with Nicolas and Marcus, pictures of Puck and Brittany together with Emily and everyone else in their family from now but also from before they all met Brittany.
She walks down the hall, peaking into her sons room and smiles lovingly as she sees him spread out like a starfish onto his bed fast asleep with the teddy she gave him made of one of Marcus's shirts in his hand. She walks in tucking him back in and kisses his forehead.
''Te amo, mi corazón.'' She murmurs softly as he hums contently, she looks around smiling lovingly as she notices part of the furniture that belonged to his old room fitting perfectly with the furniture Britt bought and eyes the picture of Marcus and infinity candle with his name on the dresser.
She closes the door after walking out of the room and walks further down the hall, she smiles as she hears soft music filtering through the door knowing it will be much louder the second she opens the door and walks in quickly closing it behind her.
She leans against the wall beside the door, watching Brittany as she works on a song. She smiles lovingly as she watches the concentration on her face, knowing she won't notice her until she makes a noise and tilts her head as she hears her own voice blasting through the headphones.
''Leave it to you, to make sure the songs I sang won't be forgotten.'' She muses softly enough that Brittany won't hear it, she slowly walks over to her as she hears the music fade out and softly knocks on the desk right beside the turntables. ''Hey mi amor.'' She greets with a grin as Brittany almost immediately turns on her heels.
''Hey love.'' Brittany breaths out hanging her headphones around her neck, she glances at the time and bites her lip. ''Did I overhear your message?''
''Probably.'' Santana breaths out. ''But I don't mind, I had quite a surprise walking in.''
Brittany bites her lip and rubs the back of her neck. ''I know this week is stressful because you took the next two days off for the wedding.'' She breaths out. ''I hope you don't mind me asking Noah, Liv and your parents to help me.''
''Not at all.'' Santana whispers as she wraps her arms around her waist. ''You didn't have to though, I know your week is just as fucked as mine and you had killer training today.''
''I'll live, I already build up most of the things but we can move everything around to how you would like it as soon as we both have the time.''
''I think it's perfect Britt-Britt.'' Santana murmurs as she pecks her lips. ''Walking up the stairs surprised me the most.''
''I know you had the same pictures upstairs covering the hallway.'' Brittany murmurs. ''But after talking about it with Nic, we both agreed that the stairs would be way better, he hung them with my help.''
''The pictures upstairs are temporarily hung there.'' She continues with a slight grin. ''I ordered something for them to hang more together but it will arrive in a few days.''
''And what?'' Santana asks curiously.
''A tree frame.'' Brittany replies with a small smile. ''And maybe to cover the empty wall in the family room.''
''So like a family tree?''
Brittany nods her head and smiles slightly. ''Yeah from both of our families combined.'' She confirms. ''I still have a lot of pictures from me and Puck growing up, some with and some without Em's and we also carried the wooden chest filled with pictures from your attic up to ours.''
''Did anyone open it?'' Santana asks biting her lip, knowing some pictures aren't meant to be seen by anyone but herself and maybe Brittany.
Brittany shakes her head and snickers. ''No I made sure Puck couldn't near it, I carried up so nobody knows where it is.''
''Hold up, you carried up alone?'' Santana frowns as she hums and raises an eyebrow. ''Babe that chest weighs a lot, please tell me you didn't overdo.''
''Nah I just don't need a workout tonight.'' Brittany murmurs chuckling. ''Nic and I build everything up together and hung the pictures after I picked him up from school and the group left, so he was tired and ready to go to bed too after taking a long bad and a short story.''
''I also packed your and his clothes but left Marcus's clothes you still had hanging in the closet, I think it's better you are the only one who touches those babe.'' She continues softly. ''We can drive over the day after the wedding and pack all the other things, I am sure it fits in my car if not we will drive twice.''
Santana bites her lip and sighs. ''I have no idea where to place them though.'' She murmurs. ''I still don't want to get rid of them but they also don't belong in our closet.''
Brittany holds up a finger, turning on her heels to save the music she just worked on, on her computer and turns it off. She places her headphones on the table after turning the turning tables off and turns back to Santana. ''Come with me.'' She murmurs, she intertwines their hands as soon as Santana took her hand and leads her out of the room.
She leads her up the stairs leading to the attic and flicks on the lights. ''Babe?'' Santana asks softly in confusion. ''Why are we up here?''
Brittany just smiles slightly leading her over to the closet in the middle of the room and glances at her. ''To look at this.'' She murmurs, she opens the doors and steps back with a soft sigh. ''This is where I keep every single thing belonging to Em's that I managed to keep hidden from the demons.'' She explains softly as they both look at the clothes and accessorizes hanging in the closet.
''I will never ask you to get rid of Marcus's clothes Santana and if you prefer a spot in our closet we will make one, but we can also hang it up here so we know where it is and nobody can touch it.''
''I think this closet will be perfect.'' Santana breaths out as she gently tugs on her hand, she wraps her arms around her waist as soon as she steps closer and nuzzles her face against her shoulder. ''You are perfect, you know that?''
''Far from.'' Brittany breaths out. ''But for you and Nic, I try my best.'' She kisses her forehead as she looks up at her with a tired grin and dips her head to kiss her softly. ''How was your day?'' She asks softly as they walk back down the stairs.
''We finally managed to record Mine after six takes.'' Santana grumbles as they walk into their bedroom. ''They weren't satisfied with the emotions I showed and Anna's facial expressions so we had to come up with something that made us look in love instead of friendly.''
''And how did you all manage to solve it?'' Brittany asks curiously as they both change.
''With a picture of you and Snow.'' Santana breaths out chuckling.
''Huh?'' She laughs as she turns to her in confusion and shrugs.
''The director noticed my grin after the picture of you and Nic you had send me today, so he told me to pull up my favorite picture and for Anna to do the same.'' She cuddles close as soon as they crawled into bed and chuckles. ''Anna held a picture of Snow but they just changed it to a picture of me on the recording and same goes for the frame I had in my hands.''
''The people will love the behind the scenes clips of that.'' Brittany breaths out snickering. ''Did they finally tell you the deadline they have?''
Santana hums softly and rolls her eyes. ''They want to release it between Christmas and New Year this year, so we will hopefully end filming the beginning of November.'' She turns her head and raises an eyebrow. ''How did Nightingale react on you not being available for most of November and December?''
''He understood and told me to just finish some mixes for Jay, Jay will take over all nights and Steph will jump in for him at the restaurant so he can get some rest.'' Brittany breaths out. ''I think I finally found someone who understands that being Diamond is something I do for fun and don't see it as a job, sure the payment I receive is nice but I would drop it the second things get too much to handle.''
''And Beiste?''
''Beiste is proud and the little Angels won't have any matches starting the first week of December, they will only have training and the winter break will start earlier.'' Brittany replies with a slight grin. ''I will have my last match with the girls the first week of November a few days after Nic had his last match, depending on the standings, we might have two championships to celebrate.''
''Busy months ahead.'' Santana breaths out, she nods her head in agreement and sighs.
''Yeah and I am scared it will be too much for us, adding Canada on top of that in December which causes me to leave for four weeks and I just think I accepted too much.''
''You didn't.'' Santana reassures softly. ''Babe we both didn't know that the National coach had her eyes on you but I am insanely proud knowing you will reach the top with them to, sure it's a lot but it's also a huge jump in your career life which will bring you to the top.''
''We both have stressful jobs that might pull us away from each other for a while, but we can always fly down to wherever we are and enjoy every single moment together.'' She leans her chin on Brittany's shoulder and bites her lip. ''Hell we have to talk about an offer I received too.''
''What offer?''
She blows out a breath and sighs. ''Anna received an offer that is somewhat like Pitch Perfect just about a group of women that ground their group while their partners or spouses are overseas.''
''The movie will be mostly recorded in Germany and they asked Anna who she can imagine as her best friend in that movie, she dropped my name and told me that they will call Ab's for more details.''
''So big chance you will have to travel to Germany for a few months?'' Brittany asks softly.
''Maybe, I don't know.'' Santana breaths out groaning. ''I told everyone I won't leave the country till Nic can join me, but this movie starring Anna, Anna C, Brittany Snow, Rebel, Hailee and Alexis might be one of the best movies airing next year.''
''Babe if you want to do it, then do it.'' Brittany breaths out turning on her side to face her. ''I can talk to Sue, Marls and Nightingale to ease my schedule and be here for Nic.''
''Yeah but that is..''
''Yeah I will stop you right there.'' Brittany replies cutting her off. ''Babe never see whatever I do as a task and that I don't have to do it.'' She pleads softly. ''I know I don't have to, but I want to and if a trip to Germany means you flying up the ladder of fame while I ease my schedule and take care of Nic, I will gladly do it.''
''I don't even know how long we have to be there.'' Santana grumbles. ''I don't want to be away from the both of you for months.''
''Nic and I can fly to you.'' Brittany breaths out shrugging. ''You really think we will allow you to explore Germany on your own?'' She asks chuckling.
''I want to talk about it with Nic too.'' Santana murmurs with a soft sigh. ''It's an amazing offer and it will definitely skyrocket my career, but I don't want to leave the both of you for more than two months.''
''If it's longer and during a break, Nic and I can join you there.'' Brittany murmurs as she kisses her temple. ''Sue already voiced the possibility of it happening and that is one of the reasons we recruited Ames, Nightingale knows that if I tell them I can't that Jay will be the main DJ and Marls can handle the restaurant together with Kitty.''
''Wait you knew this might happen?''
''Babe you are an actress slowly gaining more and more fans with each movie.'' Brittany breaths out. ''Of course I knew this would happen and I am happy and insanely proud that someone finally opened their eyes and see your talent.''
She cups her cheek and smiles lovingly. ''I know that you said no to past movies because you don't want to leave Nic alone for long, but we can plan it all out and find weekends or weeks where we can fly to you.''
''I don't want you to pause your own career though.'' Santana breaths out frowning.
''I am not pausing it, I am just easing the stress a bit.'' Brittany reassures with a grin. ''The only thing I will pause is Nightingale so I will be here for Nic on the weekends, I can still train while he is at school, train him and take him to the restaurant with me.''
''If something does come between, we still have the group who will love to take him for a few hours.'' She adds. ''And I am pretty sure Ab's will join you, so Liv might spend a few days here with Soph.'' She continues with a soft snicker.
Santana chuckles softly and hums. ''Yeah you just made the idea even better instead of worse.'' She muses. ''I do want to take it and I know Nic is in good hands, can we talk more about it as soon as we have all the details also with Nic?''
''Of course.'' Brittany breaths out as she runs her hand up her back under the shirt she wears. ''And you did the same with the Canada tournament offer babe, I also didn't want to leave but you pointed out that it is a huge jump in my own career.''
''Because it is.'' Santana murmurs softly as she nuzzles her face in her neck with a yawn. ''Reaching the National team is a huge career boost babe.''
''Mh soon to be Grammy winner is a huge boost too.'' Brittany whispers, she chuckles as she looks up at her in surprise and shrugs. ''You really think your talent won't be rewarded soon? Every movie with you starring in it rises to the top ten within a few weeks babe.''
''Are we taking too much on our plates career wise?'' Santana asks softly. ''All we do at the moment is work, sleep and eat, hell we texted and called more than seeing each other the past few weeks and we are officially living together since four days.''
''Maybe but we both stand at the beginning of two successful career paths.'' Brittany breaths out. ''It's a lot to juggle at the moment but the second we find a routine, it will settle down.'' She continues softly. ''But I know that you will be home whenever filming ends and knowing you will walk through the door here instead of across the town already makes me the happiest, besides I always wake up with you beside me, that is a huge plus too.''
''I am glad we both have the next two days off to help Liv and Ab's with their wedding.'' Santana breaths out through a yawn. ''We can spend the evenings at home and enjoy it without anyone annoying us.''
Brittany hums in agreement and smiles slightly. ''I am too, I also took the weekend off because I know you have short recording days in the studio.'' She breaths out. ''So we can do whatever you want as soon as you get home love.''
''No match?''
''Nah Sue benched me with the intend of not bringing me in at all because it will be another easy match, so I won't join the girls in Texas.'' Brittany murmurs. ''I only have to train the little Angels, but that is Sunday morning, so I am all yours.''
''I love the sound of that.'' Santana breaths out. ''I only have to go to the studio on Saturday but I will be home on Sunday too, you up for a day trip with Nic?''
''Where to?''
Santana shrugs and chuckles. ''He always wanted to see the city from up above.''
''Helicopter or hot air?'' Brittany snickers as she shrugs and kisses her head. ''I will look around tomorrow, he will receive his grades tomorrow.''
''I am sure he will bring back another perfect list, we can plan that as a celebratory trip.'' Santana turns her head to kiss her cheek as she hums and smiles. ''I will leave my card here in case you will have to book something.''
''Movie afterwards?''
''Which one?''
''He wanted to see Encanto, they currently show it at the drive in cinema.'' Brittany murmurs. ''I am sure he will love whatever we decide to do though.''
''A movie sounds amazing.'' Santana murmurs. ''I feel like we didn't do much with him the past few weeks, so it's about time we take a trip and have some fun.''
''Well he will love the surprise we have for him in November.''
''Did you get tickets?'' Santana asks pushing herself up to look at her with a grin, Brittany nods her head and chuckles.
''Yeah they just mailed it to me a few hours ago.'' Brittany murmurs. ''Disneyland was booked out and won't be enjoyable for the both of us unless we book it out, but Yellowstone park promised to take less bookings and offered us a cabin near the hot water spring and far away from others.''
''So the spring is just for us?''
Brittany hums and chuckles as Santana smiles brightly. ''It's all ours that week and they also offer some amazing hikes, enough things for all of us to enjoy a week long.'' She kisses the top of her head as she lays back down with a yawn and gently massages her back. ''When do we have to be at Ab's and Liv's place tomorrow?''
''Around five, the girls and I will kidnap Ab's after dinner.'' Santana murmurs. ''Mami and papi will enjoy a night with the kids, what do you, Ame, Michael and Puck have planned with Liv?''
''Clubbing.'' Brittany breaths out chuckling. ''I have no idea till how late, but I hope we won't be too hungover.''
''Yeah I am hoping so too, are they still sleeping apart?''
''Yeah Liv will crash with Noah and Q, Ab's will crash here with Maria and Michael.'' Brittany breaths out chuckling. ''They both absolutely hate the idea and I don't blame them, but it's a tradition.''
''Yeah I am surprised they do it with close to no protest, we will have a bigger fight with Q and Puck.''
''Nah I will just kidnap Noah the whole weekend.'' Brittany breaths out. ''We both want to fly down to Lima and spend some time with Em's before his wedding, we know she will be there, but he wants to visit her before so his party will take place in Lima with Michael and Ame joining.''
''Do you want to fly down before December?'' Santana asks softly, she slides her hand up her abs under the long shirt she wears as she hums and sighs contently. ''Just tell me when, I will take that day off.'' She murmurs softly.
''I will.'' Brittany promises, she pulls her closer as she feels her yawn and nuzzles her nose in dark locks. ''Time to go to bed love.'' She whispers softly. ''We both have to be fit to carry drunk asses tomorrow.''
''Mh te amo, mi amor.''
''I love you too, baby.'' She whispers softly as she tilts her head so she can nuzzle her nose against her neck knowing she loves to do that whenever she had a hard day, she pulls the comforter over them as she feels her hand find it's favorite spot underneath her heart and reaches up to push the button of the lights as she feels her relax in her hold. ''Good night, love.''