Chapter 7 – Mytilene (Thursday)

They spent the following day touring the local churches, particularly the Monastery of Saint Raphael; taking their time so Santana wouldn't be too tired to sing that night. Santana laughed as Brittany created a "Fondue for Two in Lesbos Only Without the Fondue".

Brittany had been filming everything and uploading it either when they got back at night or in the morning; she made sure she had two extra battery packs and carried her still camera with her as well.

Santana couldn't believe how relaxed she was; she was smiling, talking, and laughing with strangers on the tours. She found herself just looking at Brittany throughout the day and expecting, at any moment, to wake up on the couch in the loft. Brittany would look over at her and smile and the butterflies erupted every time. She was in paradise with the woman of her dreams and she was incredibly, fantastically, happy in love.

"Ready to head back?" Brittany took her hand after filming some of the architecture of the church they had just been in.

Santana checked her phone. It was just after 3pm. She nodded.

"Yeah, gives me time to lie down for a couple of hours then shower and change. I want to get to the Aegean Overlook by six-thirty so I have time to figure out what songs I want to sing. I think a mix of slow and up-tempo?"

Brittany nodded. "That sounds good."

"Oh, how would you feel about doing a duet with me every night. Just one … like, the third song of the first set?"

"Really?" Brittany looked surprised. "You think Spyro would be okay with that?"

"Don't see why not. I'm still singing, you're a bonus." She grinned.

"You thinking cheesy or romantic or … ?"

"I was thinking Islands in the Stream tonight. Maybe Reunited tomorrow and I haven't thought of a third one yet."

"So cheesy AND romantic," Brittany laughed.

Santana laughed as well as they got in the car and headed back to the hotel.

Xoxoxoxoxo

At six, Santana felt herself getting nervous. This was big. Bigger than big. And she was on her own this time; no back-up dancers or singers.

"Baby, relax, you're going to be fine. You're going to be amazing," Brittany was uploading her footage from earlier and made sure she had a fresh battery for the video camera and a new memory card for her still camera. She stood up and walked over to where Santana was pacing and pulled her to a stop; running her hands up and down Santana's arms. She kissed her softly. "I'll be there in the audience so, if you need to, just focus on me, okay?"

Santana nodded. "Okay." She took a deep breath. "Let's go."

They arrived at the Overlook just before six-thirty. The place was a little more than half full and Spyro greeted them warmly.

"Ladies! You're early! I have table set aside, come, come!" He escorted them to a table near the front. "Dinner on the house! You know what you wish to sing?"

Santana shook her head. "That's why we came early; I wanted to get a look at the songbook again. Oh, um, would you be okay with Britt doing a duet for one of the songs?"

Spyro waved it off. "Of course, of course!" He went and retrieved a songbook for them and a small notepad. "Here you go. You write them down, Sotiris will cue them up!" He waved over a waitress. "Irini will take care of you tonight. Irini, whatever they want is on me. I leave you to it now." Spyro bustled off.

Irini handed them menus and took their drink orders. Santana just wanted water and a salad. Brittany ordered a beer and chicken souvlaki.

While they waited for their food, Santana browsed the book. She decided she wanted to end the night with a dedication to Brittany again. She made her choices and noted them down to hand to Sotiris then dug into her salad.

"So, I'm gonna have you come up for the third song and we'll do Islands In the Stream tonight. You do the Dolly Parton lines, okay?"

Brittany grinned and nodded. "Okay."

At five to seven, Spyro took the stage.

"Hello! Hello! Welcome to The Aegean Overlook Taverna! We have a special treat tonight! The winner of Monday's open mic contest has agreed to perform tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday!" The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause. "So, without further ado … Santana!"

Santana smiled as she stepped onto the stage and handed Sotiris her song list.

"Hi. As Spyro said, my name is Santana and hopefully I'll be able to entertain you tonight." She nodded at Sotiris and the opening notes of Adele's "Hello" started up.

The crowd started out a little restless but, after the first few lines, silence reigned over the Taverna.

Hello from the other side (other side)

I must've called a thousand times (thousand times)

To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done

But when I call, you never seem to be home

Hello from the outside (outside)

At least I can say that I've tried (I've tried)

To tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart

But it don't matter, it clearly doesn't tear you apart anymore

The crowd erupted into applause following the final note and Santana bowed her head, smiling brightly.

"Just so you don't think I'm all about being depressing," she winked at the crowd, "the next song is a little more upbeat. Hope you enjoy it."

We've been together since way back when

Sometimes I never wanna see you again

But I want you to know, after all these years

You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear

You're still the one I wanna talk to in bed

Still the one that turns my head

We're still having fun and you're still the one

I looked at your face every day

But I never saw it 'til I went away

When winter came, I just wanted to go (wanted to go)

Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow

You're still the one that makes me laugh

Still the one that's my better half

We're still having fun and you're still the one

You're still the one that makes me strong

Still the one I wanna take along

We're still having fun and you're still the one (yes, you are)

Ooh

Ooh

Changing, our love is going gold

Even though we grow old, it grows new

You're still the one that I love to touch

Still the one and I can't get enough

We're still having fun and you're still the one

You're still the one who can scratch my itch

You're still the one that I wouldn't switch

We're still having fun and you're still the one

You are still the one that makes me shout

Still the one that I dream about

We're still having fun and you're still the one

You are still the one

You're still the one

We're still having fun and you're still the one

Santana was really having fun now, the crowd got into the song and, once again, erupted into applause when she finished.

"Thank you! I'm going to change it up a bit and call my girlfriend up here to help me with the next one. Everyone, can you give it up for Brittany!"

Brittany smiled as she made her way up to the stage. Santana kissed her cheek.

"Everyone, this is Brittany. Brittany," Santana waved to the crowd, "this is everyone."

That earned her a laugh and she nodded to Sotiris. The opening bars of "Islands In the Stream" started playing and she smiled at Brittany.

Xoxoxoxoxo

She finished the first set with a smile and wave, promising to be back shortly for the second set and made her way to the table where a bottle of water was waiting for her. The place had really filled up while she was on stage.

"You were amazing, San!" Brittany beamed at her. "I got a ton of good footage. What do you have planned for the next set?"

Santana smiled as Irini handed her a clean towel and she dabbed at the sweat on her forehead and neck before taking a pull from the water bottle.

"I've got Turn Back Time by Cher, Independence Day by Martina McBride, Umbrella by Rihanna, I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden, and a surprise." She grinned.

"San …"

"Nope."

Brittany laughed.

"Let's welcome Santana back up, everybody!"

There where whoops and hollers and applause as Santana took the stage again.

Xoxoxoxoxo

"You've all been great tonight, thank you so much! On Monday, I sang a song for Brittany to finish up. I think I'm going to continue that as a tradition. So, this one is for you, Britt. I love you."

She smiled as Shania Twain's "Forever and For Always" started to play.

Mmm, mm

Mmm-mmm

Oh

I can hear your heartbeat now

I can hear it beating now

In your arms

I can still feel the way you want me when you hold me

I can still hear the words you whispered when you told me

I can stay right here forever in your arms

And there ain't no way

I'm lettin' you go now

And there ain't no way

And there ain't no how I'll never see that day

'Cause I'm keepin' you forever and for always

We will be together all of our days

Wanna wake up every mornin' to your sweet face

Always

Mmm, baby

In your heart

I can still hear a beat for every time you kiss me

And when we're apart, I know how much you miss me

I can feel your love for me in your heart

And there ain't no way (and there ain't no way)

I'm lettin' you go now

And there ain't no way (and there ain't no way)

And there ain't no how I'll never see that day

'Cause I'm keepin' you forever and for always

We will be together all of our days

Wanna wake up every mornin' to your sweet face

Always

Oh, oh-oh

I wanna wake up every mornin'

Mm, yeah

In your eyes (I can still see the look of the one)

I can still see the look of the one who really loves me (I can still feel the way that you want)

The one who wouldn't put anythin' else in the world above me (I can still see love for me)

I can still see your love for me in your eyes (I still see your love)

And there ain't no way (and there ain't no way)

I'm lettin' you go now

And there ain't no way (and there ain't no way)

And there ain't no how I'll never see that day

'Cause I'm keepin' you forever and for always

We will be together all of our days

Wanna wake up every mornin' to your sweet face

I'm keepin' you forever and for always

We will be together all of our days

Wanna wake up every mornin' to your sweet face

I'm keepin' you forever and for always

Oh, oh-oh, oh

I'm keepin' you forever

Got to keep you, baby

Oh, and forever

In your arms

The applause was deafening as Santana took a final bow and thanked the crowd, accepting handshakes and well-wishes as she made her way back to the table where Brittany was sitting.

Brittany was beaming at her. "Tradition, huh?"

Santana smiled and nodded. "Yup. From now on, whenever I perform, last song of the night is for you."

Brittany shook her head but her smile never dimmed. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Santana took a drink from the fresh water bottle and dabbed at the sweat again.

Spyro took the stage. "She's good, right? Santana, ladies and gentlemen! She's here for two more nights!" He received a round of applause for that announcement and he stepped off the stage and headed for Santana's table. He sat down and smiled at Santana. "So talented! You have them eating out of the palm of your hand." He leaned in close. "I give tonight's money to Brittany while people watch you on stage."

Santana looked at Brittany who nodded. "Good call. We'll still take a cab back to the hotel, though." Santana realized that they were going to have to do something about all that cash. They still had most of the three hundred from Monday, a thousand from tonight, and two more for Friday and Saturday. She wondered if they could put it on a pre-paid credit card.

"What's on your mind?" Brittany asked.

"Carrying around all that cash isn't a good idea. I'm just wondering if we can put it on, like, a pre-paid card or if we need to open a European bank account for while we're here. I mean, over three thousand from Spyro and then if I sing at the Olive Press …"

Brittany nodded. "Yeah. We're going to have to look into that. It'll probably cost a fee but I'd rather pay that than carry all those Euros around and get mugged."

"We can ask at the concierge desk at the hotel. Meanwhile, maybe we should see about storing it in the hotel safe until we figure it out."

"Good idea."

That sat at the Taverna for an hour more, enjoying a few drinks, and accepting compliments from patrons.

"You ready? You look a little wiped out."

Santana nodded. "I forgot how exhausting performing was; the nerves beforehand, then the high of the performance leading to the crash when the adrenaline runs out."

Brittany stood up and offered Santana her hand. They waved to Spyro as they went out the door and found several cabs waiting by the doors. They climbed into one and headed back to the hotel.

Once there, Brittany wasted no time showing Santana how much she appreciated the dedication.

Xoxoxoxoxo

Song Credits:

Hello – Adele

Still the One – Orleans

Forever & For Always – Shania Twain