A/N: This is it! Last chapter for this installment of my "Dream" world Brittana (check the A/N before the first chapter for the reading order :) ).
Hope you've enjoyed it! Thanks for joining me!
I'm working on the next installment of "Dream" world: Chasing the Dream – it will cover the mall tour, the engagement, and the wedding.
Also have an AU about 1/3 done. Simple story about Brittany & Santana meeting in college.
Xoxoxoxoxo
Chapter 36 – Lima/New York
Going back to Lima had been in the original plan; they just hadn't planned to go back for three weeks.
The plan had been to go to Lima, pack a couple of bags with necessary items, and go to New York.
The upside to spending three weeks in Lima was that Santana had time to go to her parents' house (while Raphael was out of town at a conference) and pack up all her belongings. She and Brittany spent several days going through all of Santana's things and weeding out what she needed/wanted and what she could leave behind or just get rid of. They decided getting everything ready would make it easier once they found their own place; then Maribel could ship everything to them or they could hire a moving company to bring everything to New York. They figured it was better to take Santana's furniture with them; Santana was adamant that they would "never" stay at the Lopez house so leaving Britt's furniture behind made the most sense. They would simply stay at the Pierce's whenever they came to visit.
Maribel, while understanding Santana's reluctance to stay at home, was also understandably upset with the fact that Santana no longer considered it home. She was angry with Raphael; she loved him but she was furious that he was pushing Santana further away.
"Mami, please," Santana sighed, "I love you, I will not come back and not see you or spend time with you. I just … I am not going to subject Brittany to someone who has shown a complete lack of respect for her and I don't want to be around someone who would treat my everything like that. I know I wouldn't be able to stay civil with him; that's why I haven't spoken to him. She didn't deserve what he said and he hasn't apologized or even accepted that she is my forever."
Brittany had volunteered to take Courtney to soccer practice so Santana and Maribel were boxing up some more of Santana's things.
"Mami, I need you to understand," Santana stopped folding the shirt she had in her hands and turned to her mother, stilling Maribel's hands as well and forcing her mother to look at her, "I love her. I am going to marry her. Sooner rather than later. It's not going to be in five years … or even three if I have my way. I will not have him disrespecting my wife … and the future mother of my children. I am in no way okay with that."
Maribel's face softened. "I know, mija. It just makes me sad because I'm thinking about those children and how every time you come to Lima … I will have to fight to see them while you stay at the Pierce's." She looked sadly at Santana. "I don't want to be the 'other grandmother', You understand?"
Santana nodded. "I do. And you won't be. You will be their abuela and they will know you. Believe me," she shook her head, "I love Whitney and Pierce but Whitney is a bit … self-involved and Pierce inhabits a reality that I'm not sure even Brittany can visit."
Maribel laughed. "I am so happy for you, Santana. I knew she was your everything the first time I met her. I didn't realize what I knew … but I knew that girl would be by your side forever. You were always so soft, so patient, so kind with her. So different from the Santana we all knew and experienced.
"All the damage Alma did," she shook her head, "and I know I played my part as well … our family … it's not the best with honest feelings. Not being present enough in your life, the insults, sarcasm, and back-handed compliments that we use to communicate – it's not okay. I now realize how damaging all of that was. I love you, mija. And I am so, so proud of you and the woman you're becoming. And, sadly, that has more to do with Brittany than me. Your father and I … we spent so much time trying to give you everything, we forgot to give you what you actually needed."
Santana hugged her mother. "We're okay, ma. I love you. I love the effort you've made since I came out; you've made yourself more present and aware. I love the way you treat Brittany like a daughter – hell, you treat her better." She laughed. "I promise you, you will have a relationship with your grandkids. Even if I didn't, Brittany would."
Maribel hugged Santana tightly then turned back to the room. "Let's get this finished up. You're taking all the furniture, yes?"
"As long as that's okay."
Maribel waved it off. "It's fine, mija. Less for you to have to buy."
They continued working in companionable silence until Brittany showed up to pick Santana up for the evening.
Xoxoxoxoxo
They had lunch with Riley and Shannon one day and were happy to see how well they were doing. Shannon had moved in with her sister Devon along with the twins (who were twenty and mostly on their own already). The other twelve kids had been split up amongst the three older siblings and they all seemed to be thriving.
They spent some time with Quinn, who had come back to Lima for spring break. Puck showed up for a long weekend and it was nice to catch up with the two of them. Quinn wasn't sure what she was going to do after graduation. It was still two and a half years off but a big part of her didn't want to move to New York. She was thinking about California. Of course, it all depended on Puck and where he ended up.
They ran into Mike Chang and spent a couple of hours catching up with him at the Lima Bean. He loved Chicago and was thinking of staying there after graduation.
It was a weird kind of visit home; they were busy but they felt like that were suspended in time. Like they were just waiting to catch up with themselves. Of course, they figured it was because Lima was a sort of limbo; they weren't really on their own, they weren't really … anything. They were packing and making plans but it seemed like they were stuck.
Then, finally, they were on their way to New York.
Xoxoxoxoxo
New York was an adjustment. They weren't together all day, every day. Some days they didn't see each other at all. It made Brittany a little sad and Santana a lot grumpy.
Santana had gone back to the diner to start rebuilding her depleted "living expenses" account. She didn't love it but she didn't hate it either and, on the plus side, Rachel wasn't there anymore.
Brittany had gotten a job teaching dance to kids. Doreen, the dancer friend she was staying with, had recommended her for it and she really enjoyed it. Everyone there loved her; the kids, the parents, the other instructors, and the administrators.
"Well, of course they love you, Britt. You're awesome." Santana smiled at her girlfriend.
They'd been in New York for just over a week and were having dinner at a small out of the way restaurant.
Brittany smiled back at her. "It's just so much fun, you know? The kids are hilarious. Some of them are so serious so I try to get them to loosen up. Others are acting like they don't want to be there so I try to make it fun. It's challenging in all the right ways."
"I'm glad you're having fun, Britt."
They spent several hours together after dinner, just walking around the city.
"I miss this," Brittany turned to Santana, "just walking and talking about everything and nothing. I mean, I know I can function okay without you, like, I'm not co-dependent or anything but … I love you and, more than that, I actually like you. I like spending time with you. I just kind of miss it."
"I know what you mean. I still have trouble falling asleep because you're not there."
"Then stay the night tonight. Let Mercedes know. I mean, you don't have to be to work until noon and I don't go in until ten. So," Brittany grinned, "stay with me tonight?"
Santana smiled broadly and nodded.
Xoxoxoxoxo
"Girl, you aren't going to believe what's going on," Mercedes was talking rapidly, "you need to get to the theatre tonight. Santana is going on as Fanny Brice and she's leaving you a ticket at the box office."
"Wait. What?" Brittany was confused.
"Long story short, your girl is once again saving Rachel Berry's butt and is going to be on stage for one night only. I'll meet you there."
Brittany stared at the phone after Mercedes hung up. Then she shook herself and got ready for the theatre.
Xoxoxoxoxo
Brittany opened the door to a very tired Santana and pulled her in for a tight hug, lifting her off the ground and swinging her around.
"You were AWESOME! Oh, my, god, Santana! It was amazing!"
Santana laughed at Brittany's enthusiasm as she held on to Brittany.
"Thanks, Britt. I'm so glad you could make it, I wasn't sure … with it being last minute and all …"
Brittany set her down and kissed her passionately. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world." She led Santana to the couch and sat down, pulling Santana with her.
"Tell me everything."
Santana filled her in on what had happened with Rachel and the understudy.
"So, she gets everything she ever wanted … and decides to throw it away in, what, two months?" Brittany shook her head. "Whatever. How was it? Did you enjoy it?"
"It was fun. It was great, really, but … you were right – of course – Broadway was never my dream. I'm glad for the experience but I don't think I'd want to do that eight times a week for months on end."
"I'm glad you got to experience it. Now you know for sure you made the right choice."
Santana looked at her seriously. "Britt, even if I had loved it and decided I did want to pursue Broadway, I still made the right choice last year. Spending that time with you in Europe and Hawaii, and even Lima, was the best decision I ever made."
Brittany smiled at her. "I love you."
Santana grinned. "I love you, too. Oh, and, apparently, Mercedes loves us."
Brittany's face scrunched in confusion.
Santana told her about the recording and the "Park-n-Bark" mall tour.
"That's amazing. Always knew I liked Mercedes." Then she frowned. "That means we'll be separated for months?"
"No, babe, she talked to the label; you're going to be offered a contract to come with as a featured dancer."
Brittany felt like her brain was about to short-circuit. "What? When? How? What?"
Santana smiled and explained everything that had happened and what Mercedes said.
"When is this happening? I mean, I want to, I really want to but I'm contracted until June 10th with the dance school."
"We don't leave until June 12th. First show is June 15th in Reno, Nevada."
"Oh, my, god! That's perfect!" Brittany couldn't contain her excitement. Touring with Santana and Mercedes? Awesome! All they needed was Sugar for a true TroubleTones reunion tour. She laughed.
"What?"
"I was just thinking that if we had Sugar with us it would be a TroubleTones reunion tour."
Santana barked a laugh. "God help us."
xoxoxoxoxo
"Santana?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are you blonde?"
"Oh. I don't know. It was just something I felt like trying. I'm not sure I like it. Do you like it?"
Brittany smiled. "I love you. I don't care what color your hair is. I do think I prefer the natural color."
Santana laughed. "Yeah. Me too. Oh, I have to tell you about Kurt and Rachel." She rolled her eyes. "I seriously think those two need therapy."
Santana filled Brittany in on Kurt's "Peter Pan" and her PR gig with Rachel and "Broadway Bitches".
Brittany grinned. "You are something else." She shook her head.
"Something good?"
"Always."
xoxoxoxoxo
Santana wiped her hands nervously on her jeans before knocking on Brittany's door.
"Santana! I wasn't expecting you tonight." Brittany greeted her with a smile and a kiss. "What's wrong?"
"How do you know something's wrong?"
Brittany just looked at her. "Foremost expert." She said with a raised brow.
Santana laughed. "Yeah." She took Brittany's hand and led her to the couch.
"So, you remember I did that Yeast-i-Stat commercial?"
"Of course. How could I forget?"
"They want me to film another one."
"What? Babe, that's great!"
"Yeah."
"What?"
"I'd have to go to Iowa for two weeks to film it."
Brittany's face fell. "Oh."
"Yeah. I mean, this time I actually read the contract and I'll be getting paid actual money instead of product," Santana rolled her eyes, "but it means two weeks away from you."
Brittany looked at her. "Honey, you have to do it. We can handle two weeks. We won't like it much, but we can definitely handle it."
Santana nodded. "I know. I just wanted to talk to you about it first."
"Thank you. I appreciate that but we both know you can't pass up this opportunity. When would you leave?"
"Day after tomorrow. Then I'd just have to meet you and Mercedes in Reno."
"So, you leave and I'll show up in New York. The confusion will, hopefully, keep anyone from asking too many questions."
xoxoxoxoxo
Two days later, Santana was sitting on the couch with Brittany.
"I gotta go, babe," she said between kisses.
"I know." Brittany kissed her again.
"It's just two weeks, right?"
Brittany nodded. "Two weeks." And kissed her again before wrapping her arms around Santana. "You'll call, right?"
"Every night. I'll even open Skype as soon as I get there and just leave it on so you can check in whenever you want."
"Oooh … I can creep while you sleep?"
Santana laughed. "If you want."
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you, too." Santana looked at the time. "I really gotta go or I'll miss my plane."
Brittany sighed but got off Santana's lap and took her hand, leading her to the door. She kissed her softly. "I love you."
Santana smiled. "I love you, too."
With that Santana walked down the hall to the elevator. When the doors opened, she looked back and smiled and waved at Brittany.
They stood there for a moment, looking at each other, each having the same thought:
"One day, I'm going to marry that girl."
xoxoxoxoxo
A/N: So that's that. If you read Negotiating, you may recognize the last couple of lines. Yes, I did that on purpose.
Thanks again for indulging me :)