A/N: The proposal chapter: Rachel and Kurt introduce the new members to the "theme" on Monday. Proposal (Hand In My Pocket/I Feel the Earth Move) on Tuesday. Head Over Feet/Will You Still Love Me & Becky's attempt to sing with Tina and Quinn is on Wednesday. Thursday is a no sing day and Friday is You Live, You Learn/You've Got a Friend. (Basically October 6 – 10).

I'm going with What the World Needs Now is October 10 – December 1.

Then A Wedding will be December 1 – February 28 (I'm not going to do a whole lot with the holidays – I wrote those in WItWIB?)

The next story: Dreams Come True will cover (roughly) March 1, 2015 through March of 2019 (The Only Dream That Matters happens in Fall of 2018)

Also: I have several reasons why I do not believe Santana was trying to propose in the middle of their mash-up and no one will ever convince me otherwise. So I have her set up everything for the proposal to happen after the mash-up finishes.

Santana was not planning on proposing in the middle of Hand In My Pocket/I Feel the Earth Move. Here's why:

1. When she goes down during the mash up, she goes down on both knees not one.

2. I know I've read that people think Santana's face is all "Britt ... you messed me up" ... I see her as "ooh, baby" and she never misses a beat.

3. She had that whole speech planned out. Saying "I wanna mash up with you forever" in the middle of the mash up just doesn't seem logical.

4. The music. It doesn't stop or even slow down. Santana doesn't look at the band like "wtf, you were supposed to stop at this point". At the very least the girl who had the ring would have had to stop.

5. This one is kind of iffy but I can't imagine the writers/RIB/whatever wanted to stop in the middle of a song.

I just don't see what the fanbase seems to see in that whole scene. The proposal itself is too perfect for Santana to have had to adjust on the fly. Santana is an overthinker; she'd have been running that speech over and over and over in her head. If she'd meant to do it in the middle of the song the proposal wouldn't have been as good as it was because Santana would have had to wing it.

My opinion. It's worth about what you think it is. :)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Chapter 11 – Lima, OH (October 6 – October 7)

Santana sighed happily as she cuddled into Brittany's side. Rachel and Kurt had dropped the perfect opportunity to propose in her lap. She'd asked Britt about moving to New York and they were on the same page; now, all she had to do … was do it.

"We should probably work out the mash-up," Britt interrupted her thoughts, "I promised Blaine and Karofsky I'd help them around three." She sighed.

Santana chuckled. "Babe, you don't like Blaine and you can't stand Karofsky … why did you agree to help them decorate their new place?" Santana shuddered at the thought of Karofsky and Blaine together. Ew. Just Ew.

"Honestly? I'm hoping this will finally set Kurt free. I don't think Blaine is good for him. I mean, it's really none of my business but Kurt's my friend – mostly – and I hate seeing him hurting." She paused for a moment. "It also gives me a chance to do a little trolling … rainbows will be used. Lots of rainbows."

Santana laughed and sat up. "And everyone thinks I'm the bad influence."

Brittany sat up and shot Santana a toothy grin, making her face completely blank. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Santana laughed even harder. "You forget … I know you, Britt-Britt. I know the wiles behind that blank stare. You don't fool me." She pecked Brittany's lips. "Grab a notebook and a couple of pens, let's see if we can write this thing out. While you're with Blainofsky," she rolled her eyes, "I'll head over to the school and give the words to the band and see if they can come up with something. What time is it?"

"A little before noon."

"Okay, so we've got about three hours to figure out the words and choreography then we can rehearse when we both get back later."

"Sounds good."

xoxoxoxoxoxo

At two-thirty, they had finished mashing up the songs; Santana had put rudimentary music to it as a guideline to the band and Brittany had done some light choreography that they would fine tune later.

They walked out and gave each other a quick kiss before heading off in different directions.

Santana got to the school a little before three; she knew the band kids would be there at least until four but she was hoping Rachel and Kurt were gone. She walked down the hall and peeked into the choir room before entering.

Standing just inside the door, she waved to get their attention. When they looked her way she whispered, "Kurt and Rachel?"

The guitarist smiled. "They left about half an hour ago bickering like an old married couple or something." She rolled her eyes. "What's up?"

Santana walked into the room and held out the papers. "Britt and I mashed up the words and I put a few notes about the music but I was hoping you guys could sort of polish it up for tomorrow morning?" She scrunched her nose up apologetically. "Sorry, I hadn't planned on volunteering this morning."

"No worries," the drummer took the papers from Santana and looked them over, "oh, yeah, no problem." He showed the other band members and they nodded.

They spent the next forty minutes working on the music until it was good enough to sing and dance to. Santana recorded it on her phone so she and Britt could work with it later.

"Thanks, guys. Hey, um, Crystal, right?" She asked the guitarist.

"Yeah." The young woman nodded and smiled.

"Can I talk to you in the hall for a minute?"

Crystal nodded and set her guitar down. "Be right back guys."

Once they were in the hall, Santana fidgeted with her fingers. "So, um, I need a favor. Maybe two?"

"If I can, sure."

Santana took a deep breath and pulled the ring box out of the pocket of her hoodie.

"After our song tomorrow, I wanna propose to Brittany but, um, my dresses don't have pockets. I was wondering if maybe I could trust you to, um, hold this for me? Give it to me when I let you know I want it?"

Crystal took the box, smiling broadly. "Yeah, of course! Congratulations! Can I … ?"

Santana nodded.

Crystal opened the box and whistled. "Wow. That is gorgeous!"

"Thanks." She swallowed thickly. "I'll say something like 'I usually use a lot of words when I'm saying something negative' and then I'll look at you." She bit her bottom lip.

Crystal nodded and closed the ring box, slipping it into the top pocket of her flannel shirt and buttoning it up. "Happy to help. You said you might need another favor?"

Santana nodded and took a deep breath now that the hard part was over. No turning back now; she had a co-conspirator. "You wouldn't happen to know anyone in AV?"

"Yeah. As a matter of fact, I do. My boyfriend's president of the AV club."

"I was hoping to maybe get it filmed? So I can show my mom, and Britt's parents and sister, and a couple of friends who won't be here."

Crystal nodded. "Yeah, come on, he's waiting for me in the AV room. Let me just let the guys know I'm leaving." She popped her head in and let her band mates know she was leaving for the day then led Santana down a couple of corridors and up a set of stairs to the AV room.

"Darryl?" A boy about seventeen with short brown hair and hazel eyes looked around at her.

"Hey, babe," he smiled, standing to greet her. "You done for the day?"

"Yeah but … um … this is Santana. She needs some help. She's gonna propose to her girlfriend in the choir room tomorrow and wants to get it videoed. Think you can help her out?"

Darryl smiled. "Yeah, sure, of course. Congratulations, by the way."

"Thanks. She hasn't said yes yet …"

Crystal scoffed a laugh. "Are you kidding? The way she looks at you?"

Santana smiled. "Thanks."

Darryl had moved to a cabinet and came back with five cameras. "You know how and where?"

"We're going to do a mash-up … singing, dancing … I'd like to get it all recorded. Oh, and, if you guys could keep it to yourselves? Please?"

They both nodded. "Yeah, of course."

The three of them walked back to the choir room and Darryl had Santana run through where she and Brittany would be singing and dancing. He set up the cameras then took Crystal's phone and downloaded an app.

"Turn it on before you start … like this," he showed her how to set it up, "then you just reverse it to turn it off. It'll all get saved to the cloud and I'll mix it together and email it to you tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you both, so much. I really appreciate it." Santana smiled and gave Darryl her email address. "See you tomorrow."

They both smiled and wished her luck as she left the school.

She shot a quick text to Brittany.

To: My Genius

10-6-14 4:37pm

Done at the school, Thai?

From: My Genius

10-6-14 4:42pm

Sounds good. Be home around 5:30

Santana smiled and went to pick up dinner. On the way back to Brittany's, she had an idea and called her mother.

"Hola, mija! Didn't I just see you yesterday? Not that I'm complaining."

Santana laughed. "Britt and I are going to Dayton to that seafood place we stopped at on the way back from Louisville. I thought I'd see if you wanted to join us."

"I'd love to, mija. I can't wait to see Brittany!"

"Meet us at the Pierce's at six."

"Alright, carina, I will see you then. Te amo."

Santana smiled. "Te amo, mami. Will see you tomorrow."

She hung up and hoped that this wasn't all going to blow up in her face.

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Fucking Kurt and his fucking fucked up life. Fuck him, fucking up her proposal. Did she think him accepting Blaine's proposal was a good idea? No. Did she interrupt that proposal? No. Because it was NONE OF HER FUCKING BUSINESS.

Santana was pissed. She had laid into Kurt but still didn't feel better. After things had settled down, Brittany had kissed her and said she had an errand to run and would see her at home later. Santana had told her they were leaving at six to go to Jake's and Brittany's smile had brightened.

Santana smiled. She said yes. She said "I would love to!" Brittany agreed to marry her. She stopped running and bent at the waist taking deep gulps of air. The run had helped … a little. She was still pissed but less murderous. She shook her head and turned back toward Brittany's.

She let herself in and hung the keys on the hook by the door before going in to shower.

Xoxoxoxoxo

"I'm sorry, I know I'm running late. I'll shower and change quick and be ready to go."

Santana smiled at her from the couch as Brittany hurried into the house.

"It's okay, Britt, you've got about forty-five minutes. Slow down."

Brittany changed directions and moved toward the couch where Santana was reading on her tablet. She kissed the top of the brunette's head. "Hi."

Santana tilted her head back to look at the blonde. "Hi." She smiled brightly.

"You look beautiful." Santana was dressed in a pair of faded slim fit jeans, a fitted purple v-neck shirt, and a pair of black ankle boots.

"Thanks. You look as gorgeous as ever." She reached back and took hold of Brittany's wrist, pulling her around the couch and into Santana's lap. She wrapped her arms around the dancer's waist and tilted her head up for a kiss, which Brittany quickly obliged.

"Why do you smell like chocolate?" Santana scrunched her nose in confusion; Brittany usually smelled … kind of like a breezy summer day.

Brittany kissed her again and got up, laughing. "You caught me, I had a Mounds bar a little while ago to tide me over until dinner." She grinned at Santana's pout and pulled two fun size Mounds bars out of her pocket, handing them to the Latina.

Santana squeed in delight. "Thanks! You're the best!"

Brittany kissed the top of her head as she started leaving the room. "That's why you're marrying me …" she sing-songed.

"One of the many reasons, Britt-Britt."

Half an hour later, Brittany came back into the living room; hair dried and lightly curled with light make-up highlighting those ocean blue eyes Santana loved so much. She was wearing a soft, knee-length, gray skirt, a blue t-shirt with a unicorn on the front, and a pair of gray slouchy boots.

Santana smiled. "You look amazing."

Brittany settled into Santana's lap and kissed her fiancée softly. Santana tilted her head and deepened the kiss, moaning softly as Britt's tongue requested access. Before Santana could comply, the doorbell rang. Santana groaned as Brittany laughed and stood up.

"Maribel Lopez, queen of impeccable timing," Santana grumbled.

"Come on," Brittany offered Santana her hand.

"Britt? Where's your ring?"

"In my pocket. You wanted to surprise your mom with the video, right? You really think, knowing that you were planning on proposing, she won't look at my left hand immediately?"

"That's why you're the genius." Santana said before opening the door.

Sure enough, even as she was greeting them, Santana saw her mom (try to) surreptitiously look at Britt's left hand.

They locked up and got into Santana's car; Santana had insisted on driving.

Xoxoxoxoxo

When they reached Jake's, the parking lot was only about half-full. It was a Tuesday, after all. They went in and were, once again, greeted by the always chipper Stacie.

"By the dance floor, right?" The hostess grinned.

Santana laughed. "Yeah. There's only three of us tonight."

Stacie smiled and led them to a table by the dance floor. She took their drink orders and told them that Gilda would be right with them.

"Ladies! So good to see you again!" Gilda smiled at the girls as she set the drinks down. "And you've brought someone new."

"Gilda, this is my mother, Maribel. Mami, this is Gilda, one of our favorite people."

"It's nice to meet you, Gilda," Maribel smiled at the woman.

"Likewise," she answered, smiling, "have you decided?"

Once their orders were placed, Santana pulled out her phone and handed it to Maribel. "Brittany and I did this mash-up today for the re-booted Glee club. I thought you might like to see it?"

"Oh, I'd love to!"

Santana grinned at the phrase and pushed play; Brittany carefully pulled the ring out of her pocket and slipped it back on her finger. She looked at Santana and smiled, biting her bottom lip. Santana smiled back then looked back to her mother, who was captivated by the video. She lifted her hand to her mouth as the song ended and Santana began to speak.

"Mijas! Ay dios mio!" Maribel yelled as she watched Santana get down on one knee and laughed as Brittany grabbed the ring from the box. She stood up and moved around the table hugging them both tightly. "I'm so happy for you both!" She sat back down and wiped a tear from her eye then held out her hand to Brittany. "Let me see!"

Santana laughed. "You saw it Sunday, mami."

"Not on her finger."

Brittany held her hand out and Maribel cooed over it, then kissed the ring. "Buena suerte, mijas. I could not be happier. However … I do have a question."

Santana looked at her mother, expecting her to ask about their plans. "Yeah?" She asked warily.

"Do I need to hire a lawyer or will they not find Kurt's body?"

Santana burst out laughing. "I gave him a vicious tongue-lashing but he's still very much alive."

"For now," she muttered as an afterthought.

Brittany and Maribel just grinned.

Gilda came and deposited their salads and bread.

"Do you have non-alcoholic champagne?" Maribel asked.

Gilda nodded. "We do. Are we celebrating something?"

Brittany held up her hand. "Santana asked me to marry her this morning."

Gilda's hand flew to her mouth "Oh, that is wonderful! Congratulations!" She circled around and hugged both girls. "I always knew you two were meant for each other. I'll be right back with the sparkling grape," she winked at the girls.

Xoxoxoxoxo

They enjoyed their meals and the champagne and, when they had finished eating, Santana made her way to the karaoke machine.

"Hi, folks! Today, the most amazing woman in the world agreed to marry me and I want to sing it to the world."

She smiled at Brittany. "This is for you, Britt. I love you."

For you, there'll be no more crying

For you, the sun will be shining

And I feel that when I'm with you

It's alright, I know it's right

To you, I will give the world

To you, I'll never be cold

'Cause I feel that when I'm with you

It's alright, I know it's right

And the songbirds are singing

Like they know the score

And I love you, I love you, I love you

Like never before

And I wish you all the love in the world

But most of all, I wish it from myself

And the songbirds keep singing

Like they know the score

And I love you, I love you, I love you

Like never before

Like never before

Like never before

She finished with a smile and watched as Brittany wiped a tear away. The restaurant erupted in applause and Santana grinned; she had almost forgotten they weren't alone.

She made her way back to the table and gave Brittany a quick peck.

"I love that song, thank you."

"Any time, sweetheart."

"That was beautiful, mija." Maribel said.

"Thank you, mami. The first time I sang it I was too ashamed to do it in front of other people." She looked at Brittany. "I will sing it from the rooftops from now on."

Brittany smiled.

"Santana, I had no idea you could sing! And so beautifully!"

Santana grinned. "You just got the karaoke machine and we were here with Mercedes last time so I didn't take the opportunity."

Gilda smiled. "Anything else? Change for the jukebox?" She smiled slyly.

Santana laughed. "Absolutely. And Britt and I will share a piece of the cherry swirl cheesecake. Mami?"

"I'll take a slice as well, thank you."

Gilda was back in a moment with the dessert and the change.

Santana made her way to the jukebox after they'd finished dessert. She browsed through the selections and smiled as the song that made her think of them popped up. She pressed play and walked over to the table.

"May I have this dance, Miss Pierce?" She asked, extending her hand.

Brittany took it and they moved to the middle of the dance floor, moving in sync, slowly as Santana sang softly along with Cher and Peter Cetera.

After all the stops and starts

We keep coming back to these two hearts

Two angels who've been rescued from the fall

And after all that we've been through

It all comes down to me and you

I guess it's meant to be

Forever you and me, after all

xoxoxoxoxo

Maribel watched as the girls moved across the dance floor. She listened to the words of the song and realized it was perfect for the two of them.

"They're something special, aren't they?"

Maribel looked up and smiled at Gilda. "They are."

"I could tell the first time they came in. They were talking and Brittany got upset; Santana was on her feet immediately to comfort her. Brittany still looked down after they had dessert so Santana asked for change for the jukebox. The transformation in Brittany was … breathtaking." Gilda shook her head. "I couldn't believe it when they told me they weren't together. They're just so … in sync."

Maribel nodded. "Since they were young teenagers. I never suspected the depth of their relationship but I look back now and I wonder how I ever missed it." She smiled as she watched her daughter softly sing and Brittany's adoring smile.

"I'm glad they were able to figure it out." She patted Maribel on the shoulder. "Sorry for rambling."

Maribel patted her hand. "I understand."

Gilda moved off after asking Maribel if they needed anything else. Maribel just shook her head and asked for the bill. Gilda nodded and moved off.

The girls sat back down, smiling.

"Almost ready, mijas? I asked Gilda to bring the bill."

Santana yawned. "I'm ready."

Out of the corner of her eye, Maribel saw movement. She turned and her eyes widened in shock; a mountain of a man with a shaved head and piercing blue eyes was moving toward their table. His biceps were huge and Maribel was suddenly worried for their safety; this was southwest Ohio, not New York or California.

"Girls, we should go …"

Maribel was confused by their reactions. Santana looked up and a grin split her face; Brittany squealed and jumped up, hugging the big man tightly. Santana stood up and kissed the man on the cheek.

"Ladies, I understand congratulations are in order?" He smiled broadly at the two young women.

"She said yes," Santana's smile grew impossibly brighter.

"So Gilda said. Congratulations, you two." He kissed them lightly on the cheek.

"Jake, this is my mother, Maribel. Mami, this is Jake, he owns the place."

Maribel offered her hand and was surprised at how gentle the giant was. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." He smiled at her.

"Likewise." She wondered how in the world the girls knew this man well enough to hug and kiss him.

"I know you're getting ready to head out, it's on the house tonight."

"Jake! You're going to go bankrupt if you keep comping us," Santana grumbled with a smile.

"Hardly. I made you pay the last two times," he winked at Brittany, "gotta keep my unicorn card in good stead."

Brittany and Santana laughed as Maribel just marveled at how easily Santana interacted with this man.

They stood up and Maribel dropped a hundred dollars on the table for the tip.

"Now I see where you get your generosity, Santana," Jake grinned. "You ladies be careful getting back home. Don't be strangers."

The three ladies made their way out of the restaurant to the parking lot.

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Brittany looked at Santana and could see she was worn out. Today had been an emotionally draining one for the Latina.

"Baby, why don't you crawl into the back and lie down? You look exhausted. I know it's been kind of a roller-coaster day for you. Maribel, you don't mind sitting up front with me, do you?"

"Not at all. Go on, mija, Brittany is right; you do look a little tired."

Santana looked like she was going to argue but simply handed Brittany the keys and climbed into the back seat of the Jeep. Brittany went to the back and pulled out the emergency blanket Santana kept back there; she took off her sweater and folded it up, handing both to Santana. Santana smiled warmly as she curled up under the blanket, her head on Brittany's sweater.

She was asleep before they left the parking lot.

xoxoxoxoxo

Song references: Songbird – Fleetwood Mac

After All – Cher & Peter Cetera

A/N: I have used After All before and I will use it again. To me, it absolutely screams Brittany & Santana. It's from an older (1989) movie called Chances Are (that I don't really remember other than Cybill Shepherd was in it). It's a little obscure but it (the song) was nominated for an Oscar and reached #6 on both the US and Canadian charts so I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility that Santana would know it.

A/N: This chapter ended up being MUCH longer than I anticipated so I had to split it up.