''Mami, mommy it's Nic's birthday!''
Brittany and Santana both groan as QT and Oli jump on top of them effectively ripping them out of their sleep and simultaneously turn on their sides as they bounce on them, Brittany pins Quinton beside her rubbing her eyes as he giggles loudly and leans up to look at the time.
''It's six in the morning.'' She groans out tiredly. ''We don't have to stand up for another two hours Angels.''
''But we have to decorate and make breakfast!'' Quinton squeaks out as he wriggles in her hold, Brittany sighs knowing they won't try to go back to sleep and leans up to look at him.
''Did you go downstairs yet?'' She covers her mouth as she yawns and sighs as he shakes his head. ''Go down and take a look.'' She tells them. ''I will join you so we can grab breakfast and go for a jog so you won't be all hyped up today.''
She tiredly rubs her face as they practically cartwheel off of the bed to rush downstairs and leans down to kiss Santana's temple as she grumbles tiredly. ''Go back to sleep baby, we will wake you for breakfast.''
''You didn't sleep much either Britt.'' Santana groans out as she tries to wake up. ''I will..''
Brittany cuts her off with a kiss making sure the kids are downstairs and quickly slides out of bed to get dressed. ''You don't have to stand up San, the boys and I will wake you after we grabbed breakfast.''
''You sure?''
''I am.'' She whispers as she leans back down to kiss her forehead. ''We will be back later, I love you.''
''I love you too.''
She chuckles softly, sliding her shirt over her head as she hears her soft tired mumble knowing she will fall asleep the second she closes the bedroom door and walks out after grabbing her phone and wallet.
She jogs down the stairs raising an eyebrow as she watches the twins play with the balloons they left scattered around the room and crosses her arms. ''So breakfast?''
''You already decorated!'' Quinton exclaims, Brittany nods her head thankful they soundproofed Nicolas's room so he won't wake up the second the twins play downstairs and chuckles.
''We did.'' She confirms. ''Mami and I spend a few hours last night to decorate so Nic would wake up to this beautiful setting.'' She breaths out mentioning her hand around her. ''That is why mami is so tired, so we will grab a coffee for her too.'' She adds not mentioning the other activities that caused Santana to fight so much against waking up after two hours of sleep, she leads them to their shoes and grabs her favorite running shoes.
''Take a jacket with you.'' She tells them as she holds out their windbreakers, blue for Quinton and red for Oliver. ''It will be warm after a few minutes of running but just leave it open okay?''
''Sunglasses too?'' Oli asks cutely.
''Please.'' Brittany breaths out with a nod of her head as she grabs her own glasses, she opens the door after sending Devin one of her bodyguards a text that she is going out for a jog with the twins knowing he will shadow them on an e-scooter and smiles as the twins jog past her.
''Where will we grab breakfast mommy?'' Quinton asks as they jog beside each other down the hill.
''Starbucks and the bakery beside it?'' Brittany asks, she places her hands on their shoulders as they near a stoplight and smiles. ''Maybe we will pick Ashlynn up too.''
''Will she jog with us?''
''I don't know, want me to text her?'' She skids to a stop the second they crossed the street as they both hum and leads them over to a corner house so they can lean against the building, she takes out her phone and scrolls down to Ashlynn's phone number. ''Let's see if she is up.''
To Ashlynn: Good morning Ash, Santana and I wanted to ask if you would like to join us celebrating Nic's birthday and the gift exchange at our house before we drive to Santa Maria. The twins and I are out for a jog before we will grab breakfast, if you would like to join, you can find us near the playground in the park.
She chuckles as she immediately reads her text and looks down at the boys as her phone buzzes with her reply. ''She said that she will be there in five, which means..''
''We need to hurry because she lives near it and we still need to jog there!'' Oliver exclaims.
''Let's go!'' Quinton squeals, Brittany laughs as they immediately sprint off easily keeping up with them in a moderate speed jog and nods her head to greet Devin as he cruises past them. She chuckles as the boys just shoot him a big smile and follows them into the park.
''I told her that we will meet her at the playground, first one there wins.'' She announces, she laughs as Quinton immediately speeds up knowing he has the speed to easily outrun Oliver and leans down scooping Oli up. ''Let's make sure we win for once.'' She murmurs as he giggles.
She speeds up easily overtaking Quinton and looks down at Oliver as Quinton just giggles loudly, she places Oliver down as soon as she reaches the slide and smirks. ''Oli won.''
''You cheated.'' Quinton accuses through loud giggles.
''Noooo.'' Oliver sings giggling. ''I used mom turbo.''
''Mom turbo.''
Brittany whips around as she hears Ashlynn's amused voice and chuckles. ''Hey you.'' She laughs as the twins immediately tackle her in a hug with a squeal and walks around them as they step back after Ashlynn crouched down to hug them properly, she helps her up and hugs her quickly. ''You up for a few rounds around the park?''
''Sure, why the hell are you all awake so early?''
Brittany nods her head to the boys jogging in front of them and chuckles. ''Ask double and trouble.'' She murmurs. ''It's their big brothers birthday and they wanted to remind us that we have to decorate the house and make breakfast.''
''Oh god.'' Ashlynn laughs out. ''And how late did they wake you?''
''You mean how early?'' Brittany breaths out as they slowly speed up. ''Around six, San and I went to bed about two hours before because we always wrap the gifts and decorate the night before.''
''Well damn so one of you will drop into bed deadly tired tonight?'' Ashlynn asks laughing, Brittany glances at her and raises an eyebrow.
''You really think San will move her ass out of bed knowing I am out with the twins and Nic doesn't wake up until afternoon or if we wake him with food?'' She chuckles as Ashlynn snickers and glances at the twins speeding up as they do. ''I might be the one falling asleep, depends on what I drink.''
''What do you need to drink to stay up?''
''Enough coffee to make my wife crazy and my kids to stay far away from me.'' Brittany muses. ''Or a can of energy to make everyone plus myself go stir crazy.''
''Adhd?'' Ashlynn asks laughing, Brittany nods her head and points at QT.
''Yep and he is struggling with the same kind, that one damn kind that no doctor can find but everyone knows what the fuck it is.'' She breaths out. ''We go jogging almost every morning or work out in the backyard.''
''No wonder he is ripped as fuck for a six year old.'' Ashlynn breaths out. ''Oli is a bit more chubby, but QT shows muscles.''
''Yeah we need to make sure he can move around at least two to three hours a day, so we come up with new things every time because he gets bored easily too.'' Brittany explains. ''I am glad he is interested in soccer because the days he has training or a match he is completely powered out, but the other days we either swim, do some workouts that is child appropriate or jog around the park until he let's us know he is tired.''
She takes out her phone to look at the time and sighs. ''We want to grab some breakfast and drinks for all of us on our way back up, one last sprint?'' She skids to a stop, using their family whistle to call the boys attention and locks eyes with them as they immediately turn on their heels. ''One last sprint, the first one at the end of the park wins.''
''And what do I win?'' Ashlynn asks smirking.
''Confident are we?'' Brittany asks chuckling. ''I have no idea what the winner gets, any wishes?''
''A ride in the Mustang convertible?'' Quinton asks cutely, Brittany laughs as Oliver immediately nods his head in agreement and turns to Ashlynn.
''Yep that sounds amazing.'' Ashlynn agrees with a grin.
Brittany laughs and nods her head as they all crouch down. ''Alright winner wins a ride in the mustang convertible.'' She glances beside her and smirks. ''On three.''
She leans up as soon as she hears the boys call out one after counting down slowly and takes off a sprint after they all yelled 'go' Her eyebrows raise in surprise as Ashlynn easily overtakes them all and looks down at the boys as they sprint beside her.
''Keep your eyes on us boys.'' She murmurs knowing they won't be fast enough. ''Devin will be near too.''
''Okay mommy.''
''We will mommy.'' They both promise, Brittany nods her head ruffling their hairs and speeds up after shooting Devin a look. She takes a deep breath as she feels her muscles burn, the familiar speed she had during her soccer time finding their way back into her muscles and easily overtakes Ashlynn smirking as she hears her soft surprised gasp.
She skids to a stop as soon as she reaches the end and turns on her heels grunting as Ashlynn collides with her, Ashlynn grunts out a laugh as they both topple down and quickly rolls off of her hearing the little boys laugh loudly.
''Holy shit.'' She whispers making sure the nearing boys won't hear them. ''Where did that came from?''
''You forgot that I played too?'' Brittany asks in amusement as she turns to look at her, she slowly sits up, falling back down with a groan as Oliver jumps right on top of her and laughs as she hears the same sound coming from Ashlynn. ''Don't break us boys.'' She pleads.
She slowly sits back up rubbing Oli's back as he cuddles her breathing deeply and blows out a breath. ''Breakfast?'' She smiles as both boys immediately nod their heads and slowly stands up as soon as Oli stood up, she holds her hand out for Ashlynn to take and chuckles. ''I know I won but I allow nobody to touch my baby, so the ride is all yours Ash.''
She laughs as she raises her arms in victory and pushes her softly. ''I still won, you idiot.''
''So?'' Ashlynn asks laughing as they follow the boys to the crosswalk leading to the bakery. ''I still almost beat your butt.''
Brittany huffs and shakes her head. ''In your dreams kid.'' She wraps an arm around her shoulders as she laughs and chuckles. ''But yes you are definitely a challenge.'' She adds.
She looks down at the boys as soon as they crossed the street and smiles. ''Alright let's grab breakfast first so the coffee's will still be warm, each one of you is allowed to pick one sweet thing but also something savory.''
She opens the door ushering them inside and follows after Ashlynn walked in, she taps the small of her back as she notices her reaching into the hidden pocket of her sweat pants knowing she is reaching for her wallet and leans down. ''Leave it in there, breakfast is on us.'' She whispers.
''Mommy can I get a cheddar bell pepper bagel and a cinnamon roll?'' Oliver asks cutely as he leans against her leg, Brittany nods her head running her hand through his hair and turns to Quinton.
''Do you know what you want smiley?''
''Can I have the Peanut butter, jelly bagel and the fruit salad?''
Brittany nods her head turning to Ashlynn and laughs softly as she notices her look at Quinton in surprise. ''Both boys love fruit salad.'' She tells her softly. ''We have the rule that they either drink a smoothie or eat something healthy while also picking a bagel with nutella or something.''
''You don't hear that often.'' Ashlynn muses, Brittany hums in agreement and looks at her.
''I know, do you know what you want?'' She nudges her softly as she notices her glancing at the menu again and shakes her head as she turns to her. ''Eye the ingredients, not the price.''
Ashlynn nods her head with a shy smile and glances at the menu again. ''I will take the one with scrambled eggs, bacon and the jalapeno cream.''
''The same one Nic and I always take.'' Brittany breaths out chuckling, she looks down at the boys and winks. ''Stay with Ashlynn please.'' She steps forward to place their order and glances over at her sons as she hears them giggle, she smiles lovingly as she watches Ashlynn tickle the both of them and turns back to the cashier handing over her credit card.
She walks back to the boys and Ashlynn after grabbing the bag with their order and holds it out for Oliver to take, she ruffles his hair and smiles. ''Alright next stop Starbucks.'' She breaths out. ''Mango passion fruit or dragon fruit lemonade?'' She asks as they walk out of the bakery.
''Mango passion fruit por favor!'' Oli squeaks out.
''I want the dragon fruit please.''
Brittany nods her head as she opens the door leading to Starbucks next door and turns to Ashlynn. ''Favorite order?''
''I will take a black coffee.'' Ashlynn breaths out, Brittany turns on her heels and raises an eyebrow.
''Try again, a teenager entering her senior year in high school definitely doesn't order just a black coffee from Starbucks.''
''Brittany.''
Brittany shakes her head after sending Quinton and Oliver to the play corner near them and sighs. ''Look I know we are still in the get to know phase and me being your boyfriends mother causes you to hold back a bit, but Santana and I don't offer something to ask money back in the end.'' She whispers after pulling her aside.
''Our boys get whatever they want to order and we want you to enjoy Nic's birthday with us, that is why Santana and I invited you to enjoy our family birthday time and the week long vacation in Cape Cod.''
Ashlynn gulps thickly and sighs. ''Hot white mocha chocolate with caramel drizzle.'' She whispers, she reaches out to grab Brittany's arms as she tries to walk away after nodding her head and licks her lips. ''Thank you, I am not ready to open up yet but..''
''We don't expect you to.'' Brittany reassures softly. ''Just like I said, you don't know us that well yet but just know that if you need help, you can always come to us.'' She squeezes her hand softly as she nods her head with a small grin and walks over to the counter to order their drinks, she glances at the boys, smiling as she watches Ashlynn joins them and bites her lip wondering what is going on in the teens life that makes her so nervous around adults.
She waits for their drinks after paying for them, keeping an eye on her boys happily playing with Ashlynn and inwardly shakes her head hoping the girl doesn't suffer as much as she or Puck did.
She turns back to the counter as she hears someone call her name and thanks the cashier softly as she hands over the trays with the drinks, she takes them turning back around and whistles lowly while nodding her head to the exit.
''I will take one.'' Ashlynn murmurs as she walks over, she takes the tray with the three cups as she notices Oli and QT carrying the bag with bagels together and follows Brittany down the sidewalk. ''What is your favorite drink?'' She asks curiously.
''Java chip Frappucino and San absolutely loves their pink drink.'' Brittany breaths out chuckling. ''It was a fight to make her see that she couldn't drink it during pregnancy, but after recreating it without caffeine I had to make it almost every day for her and the strawberry milk for Nic.''
''You know how to make their drinks?''
''No, no I just recreated it knowing how it tastes like.'' Brittany breaths out. ''Same goes for burgers from MCDisgusting.''
''MCDisgusting.'' Ashlynn laughs out. ''I take it, you hate fast food chains?''
''Hate is a big word.'' Brittany murmurs chuckling. ''But I don't really like them, our boys eat a happy meal or burger every once in a while, same goes for me and San but if I have the time I rather make a burger myself which causes us to feel full for hours instead of ordering something and feel hungry again after two hours.''
''What made you open a restaurant?'' Ashlynn asks curiously, she turns to glance at her and smiles slightly. ''I know you told all about it in an interview, but I don't think that is the whole story.''
''It isn't.'' Brittany agrees. ''When I was a teen I had to take care of my little sister together with my best friend, the one you will meet today.'' She starts. ''At first we managed to feed her with all kinds of things while ignoring our hunger, but the moment we started to play football, I knew we all needed food so I started to create a few recipes that made the three of us feel full and that was nutritious too.''
''What started out as a hobby, turned into a career idea but I didn't want to work for others so I decided to open my own restaurant.'' She continues. ''During college I met two girls that are now the manager and co-manager of my restaurant, they helped me complete the idea of my restaurant and after we graduated we all moved to LA and started to focus on our plan before I had to hit the field.''
She places her hand on Quinton's shoulder as they reach a stop light, smiling as Oliver stays near Ashlynn and nods her head as the light turns green and they both looked left and right twice.
She crosses the road after the boys jogged over and glances at Ashlynn. ''I only had one thing I needed in the work environment considering my restaurant.''
''And that is?'' Ashlynn asks curiously.
''That the people working for me don't see me as their boss but as someone they can come to with whatever is bothering them, I absolutely hate it whenever they call me boss and now they do it for fun.'' She breaths out chuckling. ''I wanted them to start working with a smile and for the smile to never leave their lips, I run the restaurant for almost ten years now and sadly one of the crew passed away but the others still work there and love it.''
''How did you manage to keep that up?''
''I have a private room just for them with a view tablets, boxing equipment and a corner for them to just sit and relax.'' Brittany explains. ''Whenever things get to much, they give the others a sign and take a few minutes to calm down and if that doesn't help we will call in one of the part time helpers and they can go home.''
''That sounds like an awesome place to work at.'' Ashlynn breaths out. ''I work at a dinner a few hours on the weekend and taking a break or talking to other colleagues barely happens.''
''And you manage to combine that with soccer and school?'' Brittany asks softly as they turn into their street.
''Barely, I am powered out quickly because the job asks so much but it brings in a bit of money.'' Ashlynn breaths out shrugging.
''A job that powers you out while you have to focus on more important things is not right though, it will cause you to burn out quickly.'' Brittany breaths out, she shakes her head as Ashlynn opens her mouth to reply and smiles reasuringly. ''I am not trying to tell you that you can't work, I am just telling you that if you want a place where I can assure you that work feels more like spending your free time around clowns I might have a position for you for one day on the weeks and just for a few hours.''
''I can't cook though.'' Ashlynn murmurs with a frown.
''You won't land in the kitchen.'' Brittany reassures with a chuckle. ''We are always searching for waitresses or a barkeeper, scheduling entirely depends on how soccer and school is planned so if you can't work on the weekend but during the week instead we can make it happen.''
''Can I think about it?''
''Of course.'' Brittany breaths out as she unlocks the front door. ''You want to wake up Nic?'' She takes the drinks from her as she nods her head and looks down at her boys. ''Do you want to wake up mami?''
''With tickles?''
''Whatever you want boys.'' She breaths out laughing as she walks into the kitchen, she shakes her head with a soft laugh as they thunder up the stairs with a loud squeal.
She grabs plates for all of them, plating the bagels she ordered for them and places their drinks beside each plate as she hears the boys giggle loudly. She walks out of the kitchen, leaning against the door frame as she hears them thunder back down the stairs and looks down as they slide over to her to hide behind her legs. ''What did you do?'' She asks in amusement.
''Did you send them up to tickle me?!''
She looks up in amusement as Santana thunders down the stairs and smiles cheekily. ''Nah why would I?''
''You seriously couldn't find a better way to wake me?'' Santana whines. ''With cuddles?''
''Only one of us is so lucky today mami.'' Nicolas muses as he walks out of his room with his arm wrapped around Ashlynn's shoulders, he laughs as his little brothers immediately rush over squealing his name and leans down to scoop him up in his arms.
Brittany chuckles wrapping her arms around Santana's waist as she walks into her arms after hitting her abs softly and kisses her forehead. ''Good morning love.'' She murmurs.
''Good morning Britt-Britt.'' Santana whispers with a grin, she turns to Ashlynn and pulls out of her wife's arms to hug the teen. ''Good morning Ash.''
''Good morning Santana.''
''Can we hug the birthday boy now?'' Brittany asks in amusement as she watches their boys joke around laughing loudly, she walks over as Oliver and QT nod their heads stepping away the second Nicolas released them and hugs Nic tightly. ''Good morning sweetheart, happy birthday.''
''Thank you mommy.'' Nicolas breaths out chuckling as his mami also tackles him in a hug, he kisses their cheeks after they both kissed his temple and closes his eyes just enjoying their motherly hug and not noticing Ashlynn watching them with a small, sad loving grin.
''CumpleaƱos feliz mijo.'' Santana whispers against his shoulder. ''Please stop growing.''
''No can do mami.'' He breaths out laughing. ''I can buy you a step stool though.''
Santana groans hitting her wife as she hears her laugh before she can muffle it and shakes her head as she hears the twins and Ashlynn join in. ''Yeah, yeah make fun of the little one.''
''The little, oldest one.'' Nic breaths out in amusement.
''Mijo!'' Santana whines out, Brittany laughs and shakes her head.
''Oh Nic.'' She whispers through her laughter. ''Stop mobbing your mami.''
''But she is so tiny it's cute.'' Nicolas defends chuckling. ''I join her grocery shopping to grab the things from the highest shelves and she doesn't need to crouch down to grab the ones on the lowest.''
Brittany covers her mouth to muffle her loud laughter as Santana turns to her with a hard glare and slowly raises one hand in surrender. ''Hey I didn't start this.''
''No but this is all you.'' Santana groans out. ''You really need to pass the height jokes on to our boys?''
''I didn't start with them.'' Brittany laughs out. ''It was a six year old genius that uttered the first one ten years ago.'' She defends, she gulps thickly as Santana just turns on her heels with a huff and watches her walk into the kitchen with her arms crossed. ''Oh no.'' She mumbles not noticing Nicolas, Quinton and Oliver cover their mouths to muffle their laughter.
''Baaaaaabe.'' She calls out as she follows her into the kitchen. ''It's just a jo..'' She stops in her tracks as she comes face to face with a smirking Santana while she sips on her pink drink and grumbles. ''Oh god dammit.''
''What did you try to say, mi amor?'' Santana teases through a soft laugh as she hears the teens and their little boys laugh loudly.
''Twins ears.'' Brittany just grumbles, she turns to Santana as she notices Ashlynn and Nicolas double covering the hands already covering QT and Oli's ears and pouts. ''You fucking tricked me.''
''Again.'' Nicolas laughs out. ''Like the past four years.''
Ashlynn looks between them and chuckles. ''This happens every birthday?'' She asks in amusement.
''My birthday, The devils birthdays.'' Nicolas breaths out chuckling. ''They always tease each other and one of them always think they fucked up.''
''Curse jar!'' Brittany and Santana exclaim in unison, Brittany turns to her wife and points at her.
''Jinx!'' She exclaims laughing. ''My next date pick.''
''Oh screw you.'' Santana grumbles through a laugh. ''You already picked the past three.''
''Gotta be faster oldie.'' Brittany teases through a laugh, she leans over with a loud groan as Santana swiftly hits her abs as the teens fail to muffle their laughter and shoots her wife a fake glare.
''Call me that again and I will show you how this oldie can still kick your fucking ass.'' She looks up as a sweet laugh bounces around the kitchen and watches on in amusement as Ashlynn crouches down unable to keep standing while laughing her ass off.
''Oh my god, I can't.'' Ashlynn laughs out. ''It feels like I landed on the biggest clown family of LA.''
''Mini clowns, always ready.'' Quinton and Oliver exclaim in unison, fake saluting.
''Junior clown, always prepared to cause laughter.'' Nicolas breaths out also fake saluting while looking at his mommy, eyes sparkling in amusement.
Brittany salutes them and laughs. ''Senior clown is proud and always prepared to join in.'' She laughs louder as Santana sputters out her drink as she burst out laughing and grabs a towel, she holds it out for her and pats her back as Ashlynn also continues laughing. ''You alright there, love?''
''I can't.'' Ashlynn laughs out leaning against the door frame, Santana nods her head in agreement, fanning her face and laughs.
''Damn, where did that come from?''
''Years of training.'' Brittany muses, she shakes her head as they continue laughing and turns to the boys. ''Let's sit down for breakfast, it will take a while for them to calm down.''
''I definitely don't need to work out today.'' Ashlynn breaths out through her chuckles. ''Damn my abs.''
Nicolas laughs and leans over the table to high five his mom. ''Mission accomplished.'' He breaths out also high fiving his little brothers.
Brittany chuckles wrapping her arm around Santana's shoulders as she sits down beside her and kisses her temple, she turns to the boys and locks eyes with Nic. ''Dig in?''
Nicolas nods his head as Ashlynn sits down beside him and intertwines their hands on her lap, he looks around the table and smiles. ''Let's enjoy breakfast!''
.
