After exchanging gifts and enjoying time with the family, the whole group piled into Brittany's SUV and drove down to Santa Maria to spend the rest of Nicolas's birthday.
''Mommy, mami when are we flying to Cape Cod?'' Nicolas asks curiously, he glances at his girlfriend and smiles. ''And can Ash sleep over the night before?''
''We will fly on the second of January.'' Santana replies after Brittany just glanced at her with a grin. ''And yes Ash can sleep over.'' She adds chuckling. ''That makes a bit more sense too.''
''It does.'' Brittany agrees as she glances in the rear view mirror. ''What do you all say to a road trip back to LA?''
''Isn't that like thirty hours?'' Ashlynn asks in surprise.
''Forty-five.'' Santana breaths out chuckling.
''Any interesting cities on our drive back?'' Nicolas asks curiously. ''And I thought we are staying till the ninth.''
''Well yeah but your mami and I don't have anything to do until the fifteenth, QT and Oli need to go back to school on the twelfth and you and Ash need to go back to school on the twelfth too and soccer picks back up on the thirteenth.'' Brittany explains shrugging. ''And we can create our map for the road trip, mami and I want to go to Toronto though.''
''Chicago too?'' Nicolas asks after pulling up the map on his cellphone.
''How about we all pick a city and we drive to them during the trip?'' Santana offers. ''Mommy and I have Toronto, Nic, you Chicago?''
''Ash?'' Brittany asks as Nicolas hums.
''Las Vegas or Nebraska.'' Ashlynn breaths out chuckling.
''I want Nebraska.'' Oliver squeaks out. ''So Ashlynn can pick Las Vegas.''
''Alright.'' Brittany nods her head as Ashlynn nods her head in agreement. ''So we have Toronto, Chicago, Nebraska and Las Vegas.'' She glances in the rear view mirror and locks eyes with Quinton. ''QT?''
''What is interesting?'' Quinton asks cutely, Santana snickers and turns in her seat to look at him.
''You always wanted to go Skiing right?'' She glances at Nicolas and Oliver. ''All of you?'' She smiles as they nod their heads with big smiles and glances at her wife. ''Ski resort Colorado?''
''We can make that happen for two days.'' Brittany breaths out, she laughs as their boys cheer loudly and parks her car in front of Maribel's and Emilio's house. ''Ready to enjoy the next two days with the fam?''
She slides out of the car as they nod their heads and walks around it, she intertwines her hand with Santana's as she joins her and turns to Nic. ''Who first?''
''You please.''
She squeezes Santana's hand softly as she notices the nerves on Ashlynn's face and shoots the teen a wink. ''They are all crazier as we are, don't worry too much.'' She breaths out as she walks around the house to the backyard.
''Nic!''
''Nieto!''
Brittany snickers reaching out to grab Ashlynn's hand as part of their family rush over the second they hear the door open and tugs her into her free side, she laughs as everyone tackles Nicolas in a hug singing happy birthday loudly and turns to her wife. ''They are turning crazier with each year passing.'' She muses.
She chuckles as Santana just nods her head in agreement and turns to Nic as she hears Maribel's voice. ''Who did you all bring with you Nieto?''
Nicolas smiles slightly holding his hand out for his girlfriend and clears his throat. ''Familia, Luke.'' He starts. ''This is mi Novia, Ashlynn.'' He introduces, he turns to his girlfriend and smiles. ''Babe please meet.''
He points at his grandparents and smiles. ''My grandparents Maribel and Emilio, my aunts Abigail, Olivia, Quinn, Amelia, Victoria, and Maria.'' He points at the men. ''My uncles Puck and Michael.''
''My great grandmother Julia and my nieces Beth, Amy and you already know Sophia and Luke.''
Ashlynn nods her head shooting Sophia and Luke a smile and shyly steps forward to greet the others. ''Hi.''
''She is so beautiful Nieto.'' Maribel coos.
''Mami.'' Santana warns laughing as she starts pinching Ashlynn's cheeks. ''Please don't do that.''
''And you behave.'' Brittany adds while pointing at Puck, she shakes her head as he turns to her with a frown and raises an eyebrow. ''Nope no discussion, just behave Noah.''
''Okay!'' Emilio exclaims loudly while clapping in his hand as Brittany and Puck glare at each other. ''Enough glaring, y'all behave and let's enjoy mi Nieto's birthday!''
''Gracias mommy.'' Nicolas whispers as everyone walks back to the table, Brittany just shoots them a wink and nudges him.
''Go.'' She tells him softly, she follows him to the table with Santana and sits down pulling her in her lap so Nic and Ashlynn can sit down beside them, she thanks Emilio softly as he holds out a bottle of beer for her and takes the glass of wine he tries to hand Santana who is distracted in watching Nic open the gift he received from Abi.
After forty-five minutes Santana clears her throat after Nicolas opened his last gift. ''Mommy and I have one more gift for you mijo.''
''But that gift comes with rules.'' Brittany adds as they stand up, she holds her hand out for him and winks. ''Will you please join us?'' She wraps an arm around his shoulders as soon as he stood up and glances at their family, she winks as they stand up with knowing smiles and follows her wife into the kitchen.
''What rules do you mean mommy?'' Nicolas asks curiously.
''Mami and I adjusted our bodyguard team.'' Brittany breaths out.
''What, why?''
Santana laughs as their twins also turn to them with pouts knowing they always joke around with the guys and smiles reasuringly. ''We didn't fire people.'' She tells them. ''We just split the team.''
''And why?'' Nicolas asks as they stop in front of the garage not noticing his aunt Liv standing aside to film them.
''Because you are getting older and we both know you love to go out, but we rather have someone shadowing you.'' Santana explains. ''They won't follow every step you take but they will shadow you to make sure that nothing will happen.''
''Can I have Devin?'' Nicolas just asks as he notices the both of them biting their lips, he laughs as their eyebrows just raise in surprise and shrugs. ''I know your job causes people to not only focus on you but on all of us mami, I don't mind someone shadowing me as long as he allows me to do whatever I want.''
''Devin definitely will.'' Brittany promises with a grin, she kisses his temple and points to the door. ''Now that we went over the rules, open the door sweetheart.'' She stands back with her arms around Santana as he opens the door and laughs softly as his loud surprised gasp echoes around the garage and fills the kitchen.
''Are you serious?'' Nicolas asks turning on his heels to look at them.
Santana holds up the keys to his brand new Audi S5 Cabriolet. ''We know how much you love driving shotgun beside your mommy in her car, we thought you would love your own.''
''It's a gift from us and from Abuela, Abuelo and Gran Abuela for your birthday and for passing your drivers license sweetheart.'' Brittany tells him, she stumbles back with a yelp as he suddenly tackles them in a hug with a squeal and laughs as he starts thanking them profusely. ''You're welcome sweetheart.'' She whispers kissing his forehead.
''Now you can use the key ring Hermano.'' Quinton gushes cutely as he looks at the car from a safe distance, Nicolas nods his head walking over to him as he sees Oliver standing beside him and turns to their moms. ''Can I take it for a small round around the block?'' He nods his head down to his brothers and smiles. ''With them and Ash?''
Santana nods her head and smiles. ''Go ahead mijo, you know where to find the booster seats.''
''I don't think the love between them will ever change.'' Brittany murmurs as they both watch the big smile on the twins faces as Nicolas walks over carrying both of their seats, Santana hums in agreement leaning her head back against her strong shoulder as she watches him look at Ashlynn with a loving grin after he helped his siblings get settled and chuckles as she hears the engine roar.
They both nod their heads as Emilio asks them if they want to head back to the backyard and follows the family back outside, they sit back down, immediately cuddling into each other again and smile as they listen to the family joking around.
Four hours later
''Whoa this is amazing.'' Ashlynn breaths out in surprise after sipping on the pina colada Brittany made for her after she tucked the twins in, Santana hums in agreement sipping on her own cocktail and leans her head back against Brittany's shoulder.
''Mh amazing as always Britt-Britt.''
''So Ashlynn.'' Puck starts. ''Now that the little ones are down….'' He cuts himself off as Brittany and Nicolas turn to him with an eyebrow raised and frowns. ''What?''
''If you scare her away, I will kick your ass.'' Brittany promises as she sips on her own cocktail.
''And I will join her Tio.'' Nicolas adds.
''Aw come on, let me have some fun.'' Puck whines.
Liv laughs as Brittany just shoots him a glare and clears her throat. ''How did you and Nic meet?'' She asks curiously.
''We go to the same school, I know Sophia and Luke too.'' Ashlynn answers.
''And you play soccer?'' Quinn asks with a grin.
''How did you guess?'' Ashlynn asks curiously.
''You are as fit as the two clowns beside you.'' Abi replies chuckling. ''You either play soccer or some other sport that causes you to stay fit and not gain any weight.''
''We ain't no clowns.'' Nicolas protests.
''Nope we just make sure our family has the time of their lives.'' Brittany agrees.
''By being clowns.'' Santana laughs out.
''Prepare yourself for lots of craziness and laughter within the family.'' Liv tells Ashlynn with a soft chuckle. ''I can't tell you who is the craziest, Britt, Nic, QT or Oli.''
''Santana.''
''Mami.'' Brittany and Nicolas reply in unison, Brittany laughs low fiving Nicolas as he turns to her in amusement and shrugs.
''At home she definitely is.''
''I disagree.'' Ashlynn muses. ''Every time I came over, we were in stitches because of the shit the both of you and the twins pulled. Santana and I just held our stomachs.''
''Hallelujah.'' Santana praises. ''Finally someone on my side!'' She exclaims with a happy grin as she places her hand on Ashlynn's shoulder.
''Uh-oh.'' Brittany and Nicolas breath out in unison. ''Our vacation will be a blast mommy.'' Nicolas adds chuckling.
''After that vacation, we will need another one.'' Santana breaths out laughing.
''Where are you going this time?'' Maribel asks with a loving grin.
''Cape Cod, the boys and I can go surfing while San and Ash tan and there are enough restaurants to test.'' Brittany gushes with a grin.
''Don't forget that you don't workout a lot B.'' Noah tells her chuckling. ''Too much food will cause a belly.''
''Like yours Tio?'' Nicolas teases, Brittany laughs as she sees Puck's face and shrugs.
''When was the last time I hit the field professionally?'' She asks.
''Three years ago?'' Ames ask shrugging. ''I stopped a year and a half ago and I am already struggling to keep my weight.'' She adds grumbling.
Brittany just turns to her in amusement and lifts her shirt. ''I don't think I have anything to worry about, even if I don't play soccer daily, I still work out and go jogging.'' She looks around and shrugs. ''Beside I think you all forgot that QT has Adhd too.'' She continues. ''He needs lots of movement, so if I have the time I run around with him so he doesn't have to go alone.''
''You still look like you did twelve years ago.'' Abi breaths out with a shake of her head. ''I can't see any damn rolls.''
''You don't see mami with rolls either.'' Nicolas muses. ''And she carried three kids.''
Santana laughs and lovingly runs a hand through his hair. ''That is because your mommy finally has the pleasure to kick my ass.''
''How so?'' Maria asks in amusement.
''I am getting older and I noticed my body changing, so I asked B to work out with me.''
''And you get working out do…'' Puck yelps as a tennis ball suddenly hits his forehead and glares at Brittany. ''Hey!''
''Be quiet.'' Brittany just growls out as everyone burst out laughing.
''Where the hell did you grab that ball so fast?'' Ashlynn asks laughing, Brittany pats her pocket and chuckles.
''I always have them near whenever we hang out with Noah, he never learns to shut his trap so I shut it for him.'' She looks at him and laughs. ''It looks like a fish sucked on your forehead Puck.''
Emilio shakes his head in amusement and turns to look at Nicolas and Ashlynn. ''Nic, Ashlynn?''
''Yes Abuelo?''
''Next BBQ Luke's parents will join us, we always say the more the merrier so if you want to invite your parents Ashlynn, feel free to do so.''
Ashlynn licks her lips immediately feeling three hands on her legs and glances down, she nods her head after seeing Santana and Brittany's intertwined hands laying on top of Nicolas's and looks back up. ''I will ask them, but they are mostly busy with work on the weekend so I can't promise if they will join.''
''But you will right?'' Sophia asks with a grin. ''It's nice to be more boys than girls, with you we have one more added.''
Ashlynn laughs and nods her head. ''Yeah I will join.''
Brittany glances at the time as she feels Nicolas and Santana relax and clears her throat. ''I hate to kick you all to bed, but it's three in the morning kids.''
''Try not to wake the boys por favor.'' Santana breaths out as Ashlynn and Nicolas just stand up after nodding their heads, she kisses their cheeks as they softly promise that they will be silent and wishes the girls a good night.
''They will stay in one room?'' Puck asks in surprise.
''Are you questioning our way of raising our boys?'' Brittany fires back with an eyebrow raised.
''Well no.'' Puck sputters out. ''Just..'' He cuts himself off and frowns. ''I wouldn't allow Beth to sleep in one room with her boyfriend at all.''
''Yeah which will result in them crashing in one room somewhere else.'' Brittany points out. ''We both sat down with Nic and Ash and went over a few rules, for the time being they will either crash in the same room with the twins or in the family room where we mostly all cuddle up and sleep.''
''Oli is a light sleeper, he wakes up from the tiniest noise.'' Santana continues. ''We don't want to forbade him to have sleepovers, so we have the same rules mami and papi gave us.''
''Open door or sleep in separate rooms.'' Abi breaths out chuckling.
''And what's up with Ashlynn's parents?'' Maribel asks curiously. ''We all noticed that she tensed the second papi invited her, the three of you managed to calm her down quickly though.''
''We don't know.'' Santana breaths out. ''We have a very bad feeling tho.''
''Want me to do some undercover digging?'' Julia offers with a shrug, Brittany shakes her head and sighs.
''No we want her to decide herself when it's time to open up and let us in, I don't think it has anything to do with abuse because if so, y'all know I would be the first one at her place to fuck them up.''
Santana just grabs her hand knowing how much she hates that topic and sighs. ''We really have no clue what is going on, but we offered her more than once that if she needs help or wants to talk that we are there so allow her to find her way around us alright?''
''Yeah that is also why I warned you Noah.'' Brittany adds as she locks eyes with him. ''Many people know how we roll, but we can't really read her and I don't want anyone to be the reason that we scared her off.''
''Nic really loves her but it's to early to say it, you have to watch the both of them together and you will see that they are the younger version of all of us.'' Santana breaths out. ''Just leave them be for now?''
''We will mija.'' Emilio breaths out with a nod of his head.
''Noah?'' Brittany asks after everyone agreed, Puck sighs and nods his head.
''Fine but the second she feels home, I will start.''
''As long as you won't whine like a bitch the second Nic, the boys and I gang up on you.'' Brittany breaths out chuckling.
''That's unfair.'' He whines. ''You have three doubles.''
''Had to make more to win from us.'' Brittany tells him with a shrug.
''Nu-uh.'' Quinn breaths out with a quick shake of her head the second he turns to her with a pout. ''One we are mid thirty, two Beth is a handful already and three I ain't no carrying a trouble maker like you.''
''Beth a handful?'' Santana asks in surprise. ''She is an Angel.''
''Yeah whenever she is with you she is.'' Quinn agrees. ''Kid is like me, you don't want to know how often things explode around the house.'' She looks at her best friend as she snickers and raises an eyebrow. ''How the fuck do the both of you manage everything with three?''
''Remember how much I cursed Britt's planning out from time to time?'' Santana asks, she chuckles as everyone hums and glances at her wife. ''I absolutely love it now, we don't plan all day things but we do need a sort schedule to combine work, sports, school and recitals.''
''And you still have free time?'' Maria asks with an eyebrow raised.
''Whenever the kids are down we make sure to spend some time together and Nic often offers to spend time with them too so we can go out.''
''And a weekend away like the both of you promised each other?''
''We went to our house in the Oaks last week, the boys spend some much needed Sophia time.'' Santana replies chuckling. ''We don't need to travel far to spend a weekend together, sometimes the boys go to Ab's or Q so we have the house to ourselves or they have a sleepover with friends.''
''So time planning is going smoothly again?'' Michael asks with a grin, Brittany nods her head and chuckles.
''Yeah we don't want to have the same fight we had a few years ago, we talk about the shit that annoys us and search for a solution together.''
''But our familia will extend by one more.'' Santana breaths out after looking up at Brittany silently asking if she can tell their family about their plans.
''You are pregnant again?!''
They both jump as everyone jumps up with loud squeals and laugh, Santana shakes her head almost doubling over with laughter and turns to her wife. Brittany covers her mouth and chuckles. ''No baby.''
''No human kind.'' Santana breaths out chuckling. ''But we are thinking about buying a fur baby.''
''Oh yes buy a fur baby!'' Liv breaths out excitedly.
''You will know what that means right?'' Brittany asks carefully.
''Yep and we will immediately take the boys and the dog.'' Olivia tells her with a grin. ''You do know Soph will come over more frequently right?''
''Everyone is welcome.'' Santana breaths out with a shrug. ''The boys don't know yet though, they always wished for one so it will be a Christmas gift for the three of them but they will get it after our vacation.''
''And what breed?'' Maria asks with a grin.
''Good question.'' Brittany breaths out. ''Something they can handle while we are out though, the dog will be their responsibility.''
''We will help with training and such, but taking him or her for a walk, feeding and playing is their task unless they have more important things to think of.'' Santana adds.
''That will definitely learn them some important things.'' Maribel breaths out with a grin. ''I am sure they will love it.''
''They definitely will.'' Amelia agrees.
''And you will power the dog out.'' Puck muses as he logs eyes with Brittany. ''Or it will turn into a muscle dog.''
''Probably.'' Brittany breaths out chuckling as everyone laughs, Santana raises an eyebrow as she yawns and grabs her phone to look at the time.
''Am I allowed to kick your ass?'' She asks turning to her with a frown as soon as she sees how late it is, she grumbles as she shakes her head with a cheeky grin and stands up. ''Bed time Britt-Britt.''
''Awake for more than a day?'' Maribel asks laughing as she sees the frown on her daughters face.
''Almost.'' Brittany breaths out chuckling. ''The boys woke us up around six so I took them jogging.''
''And she had no chance to lay down for a bit today.'' Santana adds with an eye roll. ''So in an hour she will be awake for a whole day after only sleeping for two hours.''
''Gift and decoration?'' Emilio asks knowingly as they all stand up silently agreeing that it's time to head upstairs.
''Yeah.'' Both women reply, Brittany walks around to hug everyone and covers her mouth as she yawns again.
''Yeah my body is hating me right now.'' She breaths out chuckling. ''I will head up, good night guys.''
Santana chuckles following her up the stairs after she wished everyone a good night and smiles lovingly as she watches Brittany softly push the door leading to the room their boys and Ashlynn are sleeping in open, they both peak their head inside smiling lovingly as they see Ashlynn and Nicolas sleeping on each side of the twins instead of on the camp bed they brought up for them.
''They are so adorable.'' Santana whispers as she sees Quinton cuddled safely in Nicolas's arms and Oliver sleeping soundly in Ashlynn's hold, Brittany hums in agreement, tiptoeing past her as she notices the blanket laying half on the ground and tucks them back in freezing as Ashlynn practically shoots up.
''Easy Ash.'' She murmurs out reasuringly. ''It's me.'' She gently places her hand on her shoulder knowing she is only in half sleep and softly pushes her back down. ''Go back to sleep kiddo, I just wanted to tuck you all back in.''
''Sorry.'' Ashlynn mumbles tiredly.
''It's okay, go back to sleep.'' Brittany replies keeping her voice calm, she gently tugs her in smiling as she notices Oli wrap his arm around Ashlynn's waist with a soft content sigh and turns on her heels locking eyes with her wife, the same surprise and concern clear in both of their eyes.
''What the hell was that?'' Santana asks softly after they closed the door and crossed the hallway to walk into her old bedroom.
''A defense mechanic.'' Brittany breaths out with a frown. ''I mastered it over the years because my parents tried to steal whatever the fuck I had and to stay alert in case Em needed me, I only allowed my body to enter a light sleep so I could still hear everything going on around me.''
''What the hell is going on in her life that forces her to do this?'' Santana asks as they both change.
''I have no idea San.'' Brittany whispers as she sits down on the bed. ''But the feeling we both have just turned worse.''
Santana hums in agreement as they both crawl into bed and immediately scoots closer, she wraps her arm around Brittany's waist as she feels her arms wrap around her and sighs. ''What can we do to make her feel safe Britt-Britt?''
''Nothing but showing her that she can come and talk to us.'' Brittany murmurs with a soft sigh. ''She is unsure and scared that anybody finds out so it takes a while for her to trust someone, which is good in some way but not knowing what is going on drives me crazy.''
''I know and I also know that you are trying your best to ignore the need to drive down and see what her parents look like.'' Santana murmurs as she leans up on her elbow to look down at her. ''I am glad you manage to ignore it though.''
''I don't have only my life to think of.'' Brittany replies with a shrug. ''Every action I do falls back on you and the boys, those blood sharks follow me around wherever the fuck I go and I am not in the public eye.''
''Well you are, you are my wife.'' Santana muses. ''And you are still a part of the Angels, Mini, little and big.'' She smiles as they lock eyes and smirks. ''And you are the owner of LA's best five star restaurant mi amor, followed by the winner of the James Beard the past ten years so you are more in the public eye than you think.''
She laughs as Brittany rolls her eyes and dips down to peck her lips. ''Yes I know that, that is not what you wanted to hear.'' She pulls back and smiles as they immediately lock eyes. ''We will find out what is going on Britt-Britt.'' She promises softly. ''Maybe she will open up during our vacation.''
''I hope so.''
''She will.'' She repeats confidently, she leans down to kiss her forehead as she yawns and glances at the time. ''Time to turn off the lights and sleep Britt-Britt, you are awake for exactly one day now.''
''So worth it.''
''Maybe but you are getting older mi amor.'' Santana breaths out laughing as she reaches up to turn off the light. ''A few years ago you managed to suppress your yawns, but now you struggle to keep your eyes open to talk to me.''
''I know but I love our nightly talks.'' Brittany murmurs. ''I can't sleep peacefully without them.''
''Yeah I can't go without them now either.'' Santana muses, she tilts her chin up easily finding her lips in the dark and kisses her softly. ''Sleep Britt-Britt, te amo.''
''I love you too San.''
