The rest of February was a blur to Santana. Everyday seemed to just blur together. She woke up, took her kids to school, went to the studio, recorded and recorded and recorded until she went home to make dinner and collapsed in bed. Her and Brittany weren't really talking to each other. It was different from before, they weren't avoiding each other. Santana just didn't have anything to say. It hurt her to think that Brittany didn't actually trust her and it pissed her off. However Malek felt, Brittany shouldn't care. Santana had never given her any reason to doubt their relationship, so it actually really offended her that Brittany was suddenly so insecure.
Brittany had refused to talk about it anymore. The next morning when Santana had tried to raise it, Brittany had told her to forget she'd said anything, and when Santana had said that wasn't possible, Brittany had said, 'I don't know what to tell you,' pissing Santana off even more.
So now, two weeks into May, they were in a kind of stalemate, and with the album nearly complete, and Quinn's increasing demands of her maid of honor, Santana just didn't have the time to force Brittany to talk to her.
The whole thing had Santana in a horrible mood.
True to her word however, she had stopped flaunting around the city with Malek. They now had lunch in the studio, like they were now.
"This is really stimulating conversation." Malek said into the silence.
"Talk to Jade." Santana mumbled.
"What's wrong with you?" He kicked her leg.
"Stop it."
"What's wrong with you?" He kicked her again.
Santana clenched her jaw. "Malek…"
He picked a few fries and threw them at her. "What's wrong-"
"FUCKING STOP IT!" Santana yelled, standing up and brushing the chips off her. "Fuck, why are you acting like a goddamn needy child. You wanna talk? Talk to Jade. I don't want to talk to you, comprende?" She threw her soda onto the table and walked out.
These days she was always angry. Her fuse was short and didn't take much to blow, and then it took too long for her to calm down.
"Oh Santana."
"WHAT?!" She spun around, glaring. Eve took a quick step back, her eyes wide.
"Sorry…" Eve said hesitantly.
Santana let out a heavy breath, running a hand through her hair.
"What do you want?'
"Just to tell you that the venue for the party is confirmed and the gift you asked me to order is being delivered today."
"Oh." Santana nodded. "Right. Um…you sent out the invites?"
"Yes." Eve nodded. "All confirmed attendance."
"Good. The more people there the better." She mumbled.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing." Santana shook her head. "Book the caterers, I trust you to pick the food, you know what Brittany likes."
"Chicken, and lots of dessert-"
"Yeah exactly." Santana's phone began to vibrate in her back pocket. She pulled it out, groaning when she saw who was calling. "Uh, make sure the décor guys know what time to get there, and remind me to buy a dress."
"Got it."
Santana turned and continued down the corridor, answering the phone.
"What Quinn?"
"Always so pleasant Santana."
Santana rolled her eyes.
"Oh Eve." She spun around, catching Eve before she rounded the corner.
"Yes?"
"Get me some Advil please."
"And bring it to you where?"
"Leave it in the studio."
Nodding, Eve walked away.
Santana put the phone back to her ear.
"Are you back?"
Santana sighed. "I'm busy, what do you want?"
"Okay." Quinn smacked her lips. "I was going to ask you if you'd take me to my birthing class, cause Theo can't make it, but never mind."
Santana stopped at the elevator, her shoulders sagging. She absolutely did not want to take Quinn to her birthing class. The last thing she needed right now was to be surrounded by a bunch of pregnant women, and if she was being honest she wasn't exactly loving Quinn's company much at the moment. Quinn was a big part of why Brittany disliked Malek, Santana was clear about that, and it was taking everything she had not to explode on Quinn every time they were alone together.
"Um..." She cleared her throat. "What about Britt?"
"Is she free?"
"I don't know."
"Oh…"
Santana rolled her eyes. She knew exactly what was coming, and she had no patience for it at all.
"Are you guys-"
"Any of your business? No we aren't. Sorry I can't take you to the class, I'm busy, but I'm sure Brittany would love to. Call her. Goodbye." She hung up before Quinn could say anything and released a long breath. Right on que, her head began a dull pounding just behind her eyes. She pinched the bridge of her nose, clenched her jaw and counted to ten. She needed a vacation, that's what she needed. A vacation to a beach house that she could spend two weeks in complete silence and tranquility. Not having to worry about the album, which she got nauseous just thinking about, or the tabloids, or Quinn's baby or Quinn's wedding or the baby shower or the bachelorette party, or Brittany's birthday, or Mateo's Birthday or the twin's birthday or anything other than what time she was going to sleep until. She closed her eyes and pictured the beach, and a nice warm breeze, the smell of the ocean and silence.
Her phone vibrated, wrenching her from her thoughts. She opened her eyes balling her fists around her phone and willing herself not to smash it against the wall. When she felt calm enough, she unlocked the phone to check the message. It was from Jade. Her producer was back.
Taking a deep breath, Santana turned on her heel and headed back to the studio.
"Am I doing this right?" Brittany asked, looking around at the other people in the class to see if she was at least doing what they were doing.
"I don't know." Quinn said.
"Well do you feel….supported?"
Quinn turned her head so her cheek was resting on her arms, which were crossed on the chair she was using for support.
"I guess." She shrugged.
"I just feel like I'm holding your ass."
"You're supposed to be pressing down, applying pressure."
"Right." Brittany began to push. "Like that?"
Quinn shrugged again.
"Does it feel different than before?"
"Not really."
"Hmm." Brittany bounced lightly on the ball she was sitting on. "This is fun though."
"Holding my ass?" Quinn chuckled.
"No, the class." Brittany laughed. "It feels so real, like, you're actually preparing for a baby."
"I know." Quinn dropped her head again so it was her forehead on her hands. "Just over a month to go."
"Mothers, don't forget you're supposed to be taking deep, steadying breaths." The instructor called, making her way around the class.
"Yeah breathe Quinn."
"Shut up."
"have you guys picked out a name?"
"Yeah." Quinn smiled.
Brittany bounced excitedly. "And? What is it?"
"Addison. Addy for short."
Brittany dropped her hands, bending so she could see Quinn through her spread legs.
"Quiiinn." She drawled. "That's such a cute name!"
"Hands on my ass Britt."
"Oh sorry." Brittany sat up and returned to her previous position. "I'm so excited to have a little girl."
"Me too." Quinn giggled. "No offense but I really didn't want a boy."
Brittany pursed her lips. She wanted to be offended, but she had to be honest. Her boys were a lot to handle.
"None taken." She decided to say. "But I hope you get the roughest, toughest girl there ever was."
Quinn just laughed.
"Are you excited for the baby shower?"
Quinn scoffed. "Are you excited for your birthday party?"
"Alright great job everyone. Partners, now I want you to sit on the chair, mothers, squat between your partners legs, use their legs for support."
Brittany helped Quinn stand, then sat on the chair. She let Quinn use her hands as support as she squatted, making sure to keep her legs stable as Quinn leaned her weight against her.
"Man you're heavy." She joked. Quinn craned her head back to glare at her.
It took a while for Quinn to get comfortable. Brittany had to open her legs a bit wider, but they finally found the perfect position.
"Don't think I haven't noticed you didn't answer the question." Quinn said when she was settled.
Brittany sighed. "I mean honestly, not really."
"Why not?"
"I just don't feel like partying I guess."
"Would this have anything to do with Santana's shit mood?"
Brittany shrugged.
"What's going on with you guys?"
"I don't know Quinn." Brittany said honestly.
"Is it cause she's working so much?"
"No." Brittany turned to the side. "I think this one is on me."
"Oh come on."
"No I'm serious."
"What did you do?" Quinn asked skeptically.
"I told her to fire Malek."
"HALLELUJAH" Quinn cheered. Brittany's laugh caught her by surprise. She pressed her forehead against the back of Quinn's head as everyone in the class including the instructor turned to them. "It feels really good." Quinn told them. A few chuckled as they looked away.
"I'm glad you finally told her to kick him to the curb."
"Well I'm not." Brittany lifted her head. "I think I hurt her feelings."
"How?"
"She thinks I don't trust her."
"It's not her, it's Malek."
"Yeah…"
"Did you tell her that?"
"Yeah…but…I mean not really. She thinks it doesn't matter what Malek feels, cause she's gay."
"Doesn't mean you should like it."
"Yeah." Brittany sighed. "I don't know. I mean she's stopped baiting the paparazzi. There aren't any more pictures of them in the tabloids…I don't think it's fair that I told her to fire him."
"Brittany, you have a feeling in your gut right?"
Brittany nodded.
"You don't trust him, and as her wife you have a right to express that."
Brittany groaned, swallowing back tears that were threatening to fall.
"I should have just told her I trust her."
"She knows." Quinn tried to reassure, but Brittany wasn't so sure. There had been a hurt look in Santana's eyes that night, and since then she hadn't been able to really look at Brittany. Santana was hurt, and Brittany had hurt her. She felt horrible.
"I just want this party to be over. It's going to be so awkward."
"Yup." Quinn said, popping the 'P'. "Just like my baby shower."
"Why is your baby shower going to be awkward?"
"Beth's coming."
"Oh." Brittany cringed. "I mean she said she was happy for you right?"
"Yeah but…It's all I'm going to be able to think about. I'll be worried about how everything makes her feel, if she's getting upset by anything…I don't want her to feel like I love this baby more or something."
"Quinn…." Brittany said, gently rubbing Quinn's arms. "I get what you're saying, but you also get to be excited about this. You didn't get to have this last time, it's all new for you, and you get to celebrate that. If you're really worried about her, talk to her. Make sure she knows."
Quinn nodded.
"Great job everyone, you can all have a seat."
Brittany lowered Quinn to the floor and then joined her.
"Hey." She whispered. Quinn turned to her. "I'll help you through your party if you help me through mine."
Grinning, Quinn nodded.
"Deal."
Jesús sprinted through the playground, keeping as low as possible so that none of his teachers saw him. He just needed to make it to Sophia and he'd be good. Ideally he would find Kyler, but he had no idea where his brother was at the moment and he didn't have time to go looking.
He made it to his sister's group of friends, squeezing in between them and crouching down. Sophia, who was sitting on the swing, frowned down at him.
"What're you doing?"
"Come with me." He said quickly.
"Where?"
"Class." He grabbed her hand and pulled her off the swing. Sophia dug her heels in a resisted.
"Why?"
"Because." He hissed. "Come on."
"No." Sophia pulled her hand, making him stumble forward.
"I'll tell you in class Sophia just come on!" He pulled her again, this time she was tugged off the swing. They both tumbled back into Sophia's friend Nora.
"Hey." Nora pushed Jesús off.
"Sorry." He threw over his shoulder, as he dragged Sophia away.
When they got to the class, he let her go and ran to his bag.
"What is it?" Sophia asked him.
Jesús pulled out his history book, turning to Sophia with a pout.
"What?" She frowned, suspicious.
"I didn't get a chance to do my homework yesterday." He said, putting on the most charming smile he could. "And we have history after break so…please…"
"No." Sophia said flatly.
"Sophiaaaa"
"No Jesus. You're not copying off my homework."
"Please!" He begged, gripping both her hands. "Please, I'll be in so much trouble."
"Why didn't you do it yesterday?" Sophia asked, pulling her hands free and crossing them over her chest.
"Because….I was busy."
"Doing what?"
"Doing…music."
"Aha." Sophia pointed at him. "So you were so busy having fun in the studio, goofing off with the drummer guy and mami, that you thought nah, I don't need to do my homework."
"No, I didn't decide." Jesús argued. "I just…forgot."
Sophia rolled her eyes. "Well you can tell Mr. Philips that."
"Sophia please, please, please!" Jesús clutched his hands together, pouting heavily. "Please I'm gonna get in so much trouble."
"You should have done your home-"
"I forgot, come on!
Sophia paused, cocking her head and raising an eyebrow. "Hang on." She said. "Did you take your medicine?"
Jesús pulled his lips into his mouth, looking down at the floor.
Sophia stepped forward. "Jesus"
"I….forgot…"
"Jesus!"
"I keep forgetting. I'm still getting used to it okay?"
Sophia sighed, dropping her arms.
"Fine, you can get my book."
"Thank you!" Jesús launched forward, wrapping Sophia up in a tight hug. "You're the best."
"Yeah, yeah. You've got to vote with me on what we watch tonight."
Jesús face dropped, but he nodded.
"Fine."
Sophia grinned, as Jesús went to get her book. The door to their classroom opened behind her. Both she and Jesús turned to see who had walked in. Sophia frowned.
"What do you want?" she asked, crossing her arms again.
"I was looking for Nicholai." Leon said. He tried to step into the class, but Sophia stepped in front of him.
"Well he's not here."
"Do you know where he is?"
"No."
Leon leaned sideways, trying to see Jesus. Again Sophia blocked him.
"What are you guys doing?"
"None of your business."
"Is Kyler here?"
"Are you as blind as you are annoying?" Sophia asked, pushing him back with a hand to his chest.
"I was just asking." Leon said, sounding hurt.
"Does it look like he's here?" Sophia turned to roll her eyes at Jesus. "Unless he's under the desks….Ky are you under the desks?"
Jesús giggled, sitting down at his own desk with his and Sophia's books.
"Or maybe he's invisible. Do you think he's invisible Leon?"
Leon scowled. "You don't have to be so mean Sophia."
"You don't have to ask stupid questions Leon." Sophia pushed him on the chest again. "So since what we're doing here is not your business, go away."
Leon turned on his heel and sulked out of the room.
"Why are you friends with him?" Sophia asked, frowning after him.
"I'm not." Jesús said. "Ky is."
"Why is he friends with him?"
Jesús giggled. "How would I know?" He looked up from the book. "You were kind of mean though."
Sophia walked up to his desk, surveying his work. "Did you want him to know you were copying?"
Jesús shrugged. "He wouldn't tell."
"It's not his business."
"Mrs Akley said if she hears you were bullying again-"
"I don't bully anyone. Kris is a cry baby, and it wasn't even me who said it. It was Aubrey."
"If you say so." Jesús grinned. "Better hope Leon doesn't go tattling."
"Just shut up and do your homework. Break's almost over."
Kyler, Nicholai, Owen and Elijah were huddled together on the bleachers by the swimming pool, with Owen and Nicholai sitting down and Kyler and Elijah hovering in front of them. Kyler was deeply disturbed by the fact that Owen, one of his best friends, was crying. He'd never seen Owen crying before, and he had been crying since arriving at school. Nicholai had an arm over Owen's shoulders, trying to comfort him.
"But what does that mean?" Nicholai asked quietly.
Owen sniffed, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.
"It…It means that my dad ha-has to go live somewhere else…"
"Forever?" Kyler asked.
"I don't know." Owen shrugged. "Th-they said it's just for a while, but I don't think he's going to come back."
"But why?" Nicholai asked, turning his frown to Kyler and Elijah. "Is it cause of work? He has to move?"
Shaking his head, Owen sniffed again.
"No. It's because he and my mum…they have things they need to figure out."
"What things?" Nicholai asked.
"I don't know. They just said things."
"Why does your dad have to leave because of that?" Kyler asked.
"I don't know." Owen descended into further tears, burying his face in his hands. Kyler bit the inside of his cheek, feeling a lump grow in his throat. He'd never seen his friend so sad before, and honestly he was feeling pretty sad himself. He couldn't imagine how it would feel if one of his mums had to leave, and he may never see her again. He already missed them like crazy when they went on tour, so forever…that would break his heart. He imagined he'd probably cry exactly like Owen was now.
"Where's he going?" Elijah asked, speaking for the first time since Owen had told them his parents were getting a divorce.
"H-he sssaid he has a n-new apartment, but I can't g-go see it until its all s-set up."
"Is your mum moving too?" Nicholai asked.
Owen shook his head.
"That's good. So you get to keep your room and everything."
"I guess." Owen said solemnly.
"He might come back." Kyler tried to say reassuringly, sitting down on Owen's other side. "When they sort out…whatever."
"They were fighting." Owen said, wiping his nose again. "I could hear them. Mostly at night when I was supposed to be sleeping. I think they fought so much they didn't want to live with each other anymore."
Kyler remembered the night he and his siblings had overheard their mothers fighting in the back patio. He shook his head quickly, chasing the memory. They'd fixed that though. They'd made breakfast the next day, and been on their best behaviour…well for the most part, and his parents hadn't fought anymore. At least he didn't think so. Their house was bigger than Owen's. Maybe he just hadn't heard.
"Are you going to stay with your mum?"
Owen nodded. "They said I have to, but I want to go with my dad." He sobbed.
Kyler wondered whether he'd be able to choose. His mama or his mami, who would he want to live with? It was impossible. He wanted them both.
Nicholai hugged him.
"It'll be okay Owen."
The door to the swimming pool opened, and a few kids trickled in. They didn't pay the four boys any attention, but the teacher who walked in behind them did.
"Hey!" Kyler jumped up as the teacher pointed at them. "What are you boys doing in here? Why aren't you in class?"
The teacher walked steadily towards them. Kyler glanced at Owen, who was frantically trying to wipe his tears and felt his heart sink. He was definitely going to have to tell the teacher why he was crying, and Kyler couldn't imagine anything worse.
"Explain yourselves."
Kyler pulled his lips into his mouth, clutched his hands behind his back and stared down at the floor, letting Owen say whatever he did or didn't want to. His friend was losing everything, Kyler could give him this, even if it meant they got in trouble.
On the morning of her birthday, Brittany woke up to her kids all jumping on top of her, shouting happy birthday at the top of their lungs. Santana stood off to the side, with Brittany's old video recorder, recording everything. Her sleep addled brain struggled to wake up and match their energy, which was hard, given that she wasn't excited for this birthday at all. But as they began to sing for her, pure joy began to spread through her, until she was grinning wide and genuinely.
"Mami." Sophia said, turning to Santana.
"Right." Santana bent down and picked a party hat that Brittany hadn't noticed from the floor. "Uh…you have to wear this." She handed it to Brittany.
"All day mama." Mateo said, helping her put it on.
"All day?"
"Yes." Sophia said. "And we got you a birthday outfit."
She hopped off the bed and ran out. Brittany raised an eyebrow at Santana.
"She kept it in her wardrobe so you wouldn't find it."
"Oh." Brittany chuckled. "Makes sense."
Sophia returned seconds later with a white knee-length dress with a slit up both sides, a plunging neck-line and exposed stomach. Brittany blinked at it as it was laid on the bed.
"Do you like it?" Sophia asked excitedly.
"Uh, yeah!" Brittany lifted the dress, her eyes flicking to Santana for a second. "Soph I love this dress. It's so pretty."
"Me and mami picked it." Sophia said, jumping back onto the bed. "You're gonna look so beautiful mama."
"Wow." Brittany wasn't even sure she would fit into this dress, but if she did, she knew that though she may be beautiful, she was unlikely to be comfortable. Did she even have the kind of shoes that were meant to go with a dress like this? Probably, but they were not the every day kind of shoes she wore. "Well you chose well baby." She put the dress down and smiled at Sophia. "Thank you, can I have a hug?"
Sophia crawled to Brittany, plopping down on top of her and hugging her tight.
"I got a new dress too, can I show you?"
"Yes please!"
"We all made you cards." Kyler said. "They're downstairs. Mami said we should show you at breakfast."
"Let's go then." Brittany climbed out of bed. "Soph you can show me your dress on the way."
"Okay."
All the kids ran out, leaving Brittany and Santana alone. Santana slowly turned off the camera and lowered it.
"Thank you." Brittany said. "For the dress."
"I know what you're thinking." Santana said, a ghost of a smile on her face. "But she's right."
"About what?"
"You're going to look gorgeous."
They both smiled, almost shyly, before Santana jerked her thumb at the door.
"Come on. They wanted you to watch them make you breakfast."
Ashley arrived a little past lunch, and then Brittany and Santana's parents arrived together at four. Santana was at the venue, making sure all the decorations were put up and perfect, the flowers, balloons and food all set up and ready for guests to arrive at six. Eve had done a great job of handling everything, so there wasn't really much for her to do. She went to change at five thirty, and by six was dressed, with all her hair and make-up done, ready to receive the guests.
Practically everyone from Brittany's studio had been invited, new and old, those whose numbers Santana had, so there were close to one hundred people at the party. By seven everyone had shown up, except Brittany, and the party was in full swing. The Dj had soon caught on to the fact that most of the people at the party were dancers, so he was playing songs right up their alley, keeping everyone on their feet. Of course her kids were right in the thick of things, dancing along with everyone.
Santana was exhausted. Now that it had started, all she had to do was sit back and watch it play out. She was proud of herself for putting this party together. She was mad at Brittany, but she still wanted her to have an awesome birthday. And awesome it was, if Brittany could just show up and see it.
"Hey Santana." Syth saddled up next to her. "It's been a while." He gave her a one armed hug. "You look fantastic."
"Thank you." Santana smoothed a hand down her black floor-length dress. "How have you been?"
"Burning out, to tell you the truth. If Brittany would just take my job." He wagged his eyebrows at her meaningfully.
"Hahaha" Santana tilted her head, waving a finger at him. "Sorry Syth, you know she hates the paperwork and the meetings."
"So do I." Syth grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and drained it quickly. Santana's eyebrows shot up.
"Woah." She said as Syth smacked his lips. "Thirsty?"
"Like I said, I'm burning out."
Santana nodded, her lips pursed.
"Where is the birthday girl anyway? I haven't seen her."
"I don't…" She trailed off as her phone rang from the small clutch she was carrying around. She pulled it out. Quinn was calling. "Hello." She answered.
"We're here."
"Excellent. I'll let everyone know."
Santana hung up, put her phone back in the clutch and patted Syth's arm.
"She's pulling up. Help me get everyone ready?"
As soon as Brittany walked out of the door, all the guests began to sing Happy Birthday. The four kids rushed forward, leading Brittany through a predetermined path to the center of the dancefloor, where Santana was waiting, trying to remember how to breathe. She knew Brittany was going to look amazing in the dress Sophia had picked out, but her imagination paled in comparison to how stunning Brittany looked walking towards her at that moment. She was so busy staring, Santana almost missed her cue. She hastily lifted the microphone to her lips and sang the last chorus of happy birthday on her own, reaching out for Brittany's hand when she was close enough. Brittany was blushing furiously. She clutched Santana's hand tight.
Santana couldn't help herself. When she finished the song she leaned in and kissed Brittany. She half expected Brittany to end the kiss quickly, but to her surprise, Brittany cupped her cheek and deepened the kiss.
"You look so hot." Brittany said when she did finally break the kiss. "And all this…" she looked around, shaking her head. "All of this is so amazing Santana. I wasn't expecting this."
Santana kissed her cheek. "I know we're not in a great place right now, but I love you Britt, and your birthday is special." She whispered. Brittany nodded.
"Thank you." She pecked Santana's lips.
Santana smiled and brought the mic back to her mouth.
"Hi everyone. We all know why we're here. Before we let loose I want to thank you all for coming out to celebrate my breath-takingly beautiful wife. Britt," She turned to Brittany. "Everyone here loves you and supports you, and wanted to be here to honour you on your…" she lowered her voice, practically whispering into the mic, "thirty fifth, birthday."
Brittany laughed along with everyone in the crowd.
"I love you, and happy birthday my love."
"Thank you." Brittany mouthed.
"Alright Dj, let's get dancing!"
"Well, well, well." Santana said, putting down her drink and standing up. "Look who is all grown up."
Ashley and Ty stopped in front of her, their hands clasped tightly together, both blushing.
"Give me hug." Santana opened her arms. Ty happily moved into them, hugging her. "So you've finally decided to show your face huh?" Santana said as she pulled back.
Ty chuckled nervously. "Sorry." He said, running a hand over his hair. "We've been busy."
"Oh don't tell me how busy you've been." Santana grimaced. "That's my sister."
"Santana!" Ashley shrieked.
Santana smirked. "How have you guys been though?" She sat back down.
"We've been good." Ashley smiled at Ty. "Really good."
"Yeah?" Santana raised her eyebrow. "When's the wedding?"
Ty chocked, his eyes bugging, but Ashley laughed.
"She's teasing Ty." Ashley told him, rubbing his back.
"Only a little." Santana said, sipping her champagne.
"Changing the topic." Ty said, taking a seat as well. "This is an awesome party."
"Thanks." Santana looked around. "It is isn't it?"
"Brittany's clearly loving it." Ashley said, jerking her head at the dancefloor where Brittany was dancing with Kaleb.
"You'd think since she dances everyday she wouldn't want to do it in her free time."
"It's different." Santana said. "I get it. There's work and then there's fun."
Ty leaned into Santana, cupping his mouth and lowering his voice. "How much did all this cost?"
"Why?" Santana turned to him. "Thinking of throwing one of your own?"
He shrugged, smirking. Santana narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out what his look meant.
"We'll talk." She told him. He nodded.
"Oh there's mum and dad." Ashley said, pointing at her approaching parents. Santana stood up.
"Santana!" Pierce boomed, his arms open wide. "This is a rager!"
Santana, Ty and Ashley laughed.
"What? Isn't that what the kids say?"
"It is." Santana laughed, hugging Pierce. "You got it right papa P."
Pierce grinned proudly.
"You're so lame dad."
"Hey." Ty nudged Ashley. "Your dad's super cool."
"And you just won some points some points with me son." Pierce said, letting go of Santana to instead grip Ty's shoulder. "Now why don't you and I take a walk." He steered Tyler away.
"He'll be fine right?" Ashley asked, watching them walk away.
"Of course honey." Susan said. "Your father is harmless."
"He seems kind of intense with Ty though." Santana said thoughtfully. "He never treated me like that."
"Well you couldn't get his little girl pregnant could you?" Susan chuckled.
Santana nodded, accepting the point.
"He worries about you Ash bug."
"Mum." Ashley groaned.
"He does." Susan rubbed Ashley's arm. "Santana tell her how we parents worry."
"We do worry a lot." Santana said.
"He doesn't worry about Brittany." Ashley mumbled.
"Brittany calls." Susan said, fixing Ashley with a stern look. Pressing her lips together to keep from laughing at how Susan still treated Ashley like a teen, Santana sat back down.
"Fine." Ashley finally said. "Fine, I'll call more."
"Thank you." Susan beamed. "Now can you pleas get me some food?"
"Sure mum." Ashley sent Santana an exasperated look before walking away.
"She's a good girl." Santana said once Ashley was out of earshot. "Just trying hard not to be her sister."
"I know." Susan nodded. "He worries about you too Santana."
Santana sighed, taking up her glass again and draining it.
"You don't call as much as you used to."
"Sorry." Santana said. "Life's been...hectic."
"Yes I know. Brittany told us all about it. You were on tour."
"Yeah." Santana smiled.
"And how has it been being back at it?"
Santana took a moment to answer, trying to decide how honest to be. When she looked at Susan, she had a soft look in her eyes, the same look she had all through Santana's teenage years, like all she wanted was for Santana to talk to her.
"Bitter-sweet." She said truthfully.
"Mmh" Susan nodded in understanding.
"It's been hard on us."
"The family?"
"Yeah. First it was the kids, now its me and Britt."
"Are you having trouble?" Susan asked, scooting forward in her seat.
Santana puffed up her cheeks, holding her breath for a moment, then let it out slowly.
"We've been...arguing a lot."
Susan sucked her teeth, reaching forward to rub Santana's thigh.
"I'm sorry honey."
Santana shrugged.
"Can I offer you some advice?"
Santana nodded.
"You and Britt have been through a lot, right?"
"Right."
"And you know what always gets you through?"
"What?"
Susan gripped both of Santana's hands.
"Each other. You get each other through. You talk to each other...honestly I've always been very proud of the trust you have in each other. The way you confide in each other, share your load with each other, it's inspiring."
Santana looked down. She was so mad at Brittany for not trusting her with Malek, yet she hadn't been trusting Brittany. She didn't trust Brittany to understand how she felt about having another kid. That was what was wrong with their relationship right now. Bot she and Brittany were trying to hard to protect each other, that they were keeping things from each other instead of talking about it. They thought they were trying not to hurt each other, but they were hurting their marriage.
"You'll get through this too Santana." Susan said reassuringly. "I know all Britt ever wants is to know what's on your mind."
Santana nodded.
"There's a lot of food mum, and I didn't want to pile your plate." Ashley returned, two plates in hand. "So once you finish that, if you want more I'll go put the rest."
"Thank you honey." Susan took the plate.
"Mami!" Mateo came running up to the table. "Let's dance."
"Okay." Santana chuckled, letting him pull her up. "I'll be back Susan."
"Take your time love."
Brittany was having the time of her life. She was sweaty and exhausted and maybe a little drunk, she'd been laughing for what felt like an hour straight, and was pretty sure that a waiter had been assigned to keep offering her cotton candy. Yes there was cotton candy, and a popcorn machine, and an ice cream stand with all of Brittany's favourite flavours. Brittany was in heaven.
She hadn't realised it, but this was exactly the party she needed, and of course Santana had known. She always knew what Brittany needed. It was one of the best parties Brittany had ever had.
But her feet were finally aching.
She staggered to a chair and dropped into it, clumsily untying her heels, the straps of which wound all the way up her leg, and pulled them off. She let out a long sigh of relief.
"Having a good time?" Quinn asked, walking up to Brittany.
"Oh yeah." Brittany nodded. "A great time."
"Good, so you don't need saving?" Quinn sat next to her.
"Not at all."
"Good." She said again.
"Maybe you'll end up loving your baby shower too."
"Hopefully." Quinn crossed her fingers. "I must admit, Santana's outdone herself with this one." She said, looking around.
Brittany smiled. "Yeah she really has."
"She's crazy about you."
Brittany's eyes found Santana, who was on the dancefloor with Mateo and Puck, trying to follow the instruction of one of the other instructors at Brittany's studio.
"I'm crazy about her too." Brittany said.
"Then what are you two doing?"
Brittany watched Santana twirl Mateo, then be twirled by Puck, her tight dress hindering her movement enough to make her stumble just slightly. Brittany's hand shot out, as if from her great distance she could somehow catch Santana. Puck steadied her though, and Brittany relaxed back into her chair.
"Marriage is hard Q." Brittany confessed. "You think you know what you're doing, that you've got it all figured out and then…"
"You should tell her you're sorry."
Brittany frowned, turning to Quinn.
"I know, I don't think you're wrong for not wanting her to work with Malek, but you do. You feel bad. So tell her you're sorry and fix it."
Brittany turned back to Santana, a smile crossing her face as Santana laughed loudly, throwing her head back.
"She's been in a shit mood for over a month, pissing on everyone and everything….you've been moody too. You guys need each other. So go on." Quinn shoved Brittany's shoulder.
"Okay." Brittany stood up, forgoing her shoes. She walked right up to Santana, sneaking up behind Mateo. When she was close enough she grabbed him, lifting him into the air and hoisting him over her shoulder. Mateo squealed in delight, Santana stumbled back.
"What-"
"Delivery." Brittany said, looking into Santana's eyes. She saw the moment Santana recognized what she was doing. "Delivery for one Santana Lopierce."
Santana clasped her hands in front of her.
"I didn't order anything."
"Oh." Brittany pretended to frown. "Well this order is non-returnable."
Santana smirked, before putting on the most innocent expression she could muster.
"But, I don't have any money to pay for it."
"Hmm" Brittany tapped her chin, looking up. "That's a hard one. You know…" she smirked, licking her lips and looking Santana up and down. "You may just be one of the prettiest women I've ever seen."
"Oh" Santana bit her bottom lip, and Brittany couldn't tell if she was really feeling this coy or just pretending. Santana shifted closer to her. "Thank you."
"So how about this. You give me a kiss and we call it even."
Santana's eyes drifted down to her lips as she licked her own.
"I hardly know you." She said, eyes still on Brittany's lips.
"You know me." Brittany said. She gripped Santana's chin between her thumb and forefinger, gazing into Santana's eyes. "And I trust you."
The teasing left Santana's eyes. One of her hands gently gripped Brittany's wrist as she stepped even closer.
"You trust me?" She asked, eyes flicking between Brittany, and almost desperate look in them.
"I trust you."
"Mama put me down!" Mateo kicked his legs, nearly catching Santana's stomach had she not jumped back.
Laughing, Brittany flipped him over and then set him down. He went running off, Brittany wasn't too concerned with where. Jessie was around, keeping an eye out as always. She turned back to Santana, whose eyes were watery.
"I'm sorry." She said, pulling Santana into a hug.
Santana hugged her back, and Brittany felt something inside her settle for the first time in months. She hugged Santana tighter, pressing her lips to Santana's temple.
"I don't want to fight anymore." She breathed.
"Me neither." Santana's soft voice came.
"So let's not do it anymore."
Santana nodded against her chest, then pulled back. Brittany was shocked to see a tear rolling down her cheek.
"Santana wha-"
"I don't want to have a baby Britt."
Brittany frowned, feeling like she was missing something.
"You…what?"
"I don't want to have any more kids…"