Brittany woke up feeling more excited than she could remember feeling in a long time. She was giddy as she got out of bed, full of energy despite the fact that she was up way before her alarm. The fact that Santana didn't seem as excited as she was didn't deter Brittany from hounding her with questions about the upcoming event.
"But what time are you performing though?" Brittany asked, following Santana into the kitchen.
Santana yawned wide, walking straight to the coffee machine.
"Sit down B." She mumbled.
Brittany dutifully sat down at the island.
"I know you told us it starts at six thirty, but what time are you actually performing?"
"Seven." Santana yawned again.
"And are you performing one of your new songs or an old one?"
"I'm performing three songs from the new album."
"Awesome." Brittany bounced in her seat. "I can't wait to finally hear them." She tapped her fingers quickly against the counter top.
Santana turned to face her slowly, with an amused smile on her face.
"What?" Brittany asked.
"I don't think you should have coffee today." Santana giggled.
"Why?"
Smile growing, Santana flicked her eyes to Brittany's still tapping fingers. Brittany stilled them, moving her hands to her lap.
"I'm fine."
"Uhuh." Santana chuckled, turning back to the coffee machine.
"I'm fine, I'm just excited. I've been waiting to hear your songs for months."
"Well you will tonight."
"I know that's why I'm excited." Brittany grinned.
"Mmhh" Santana nodded.
Brittany frowned. "Aren't you?"
"What?"
"Excited."
Santana shrugged, lifting the steaming cup of coffee to her lips and turning around to face Brittany again.
"Ask me after I finish this."
"Santana."
Santana sighed, taking a quick sip before walking forward to rest it on the counter opposite Brittany.
"I am, but I'm also scared."
Brittany titled her head sideways, surveying Santana. She didn't know what the songs on the album were about, but she had a pretty good guess. There were not many things that made Santana emotional, when she was sober, and since Brittany was sure Santana was never drunk in the studio, the list of what the songs could be about was quite short. What Brittany wasn't sure of was what kind of songs they were. Sad, she imagined, given the fact that according to Jade Santana had been crying for weeks, but Santana had never really made sad songs before, so Brittany didn't know what to expect.
"Come here."
Santana looked up from her coffee, and Brittany beckoned her forward with her finger. Smiling softly, Santana rounded the island, coming to stand in front of Brittany. Brittany parted her legs to let Santana stand between them, and wrapped her arms around Santana's waist.
"You're amazing."
"Stop." Santana said breathily, looking away.
"No come on." Brittany tightened her grip on her waist. "Santana it took you less than a month to get signed after we moved here, and you were pretty much famous before you even released a single song. People love you."
"Loved." Santana said, eyes meeting Brittany's. "They loved me. Six years ago."
"Five." Brittany corrected. "And so what? If they loved you when you were a nobody do you really think it'll be hard for them to love you again?"
"But I've changed." Santana said quietly. "This album is different."
"Different is good."
Santana rolled her eyes but a smile was fighting to break free.
"Or did you not mean it when you told Mateo that?"
"I did."
"Good then believe it." Brittany slapped her ass, making Santana jump.
"Britt" She giggled.
"You're sexy, your voice is sexy, your music is amazing and the way people showed up for your tour, they still love you."
Santana nodded, taking in a deep breath. "Yeah you're right."
"I'm always right, and you have nothing to worry about." She placed a soft kiss on Santana's nose.
Santana smiled softly, her eyes gently falling closed.
"Personally." Brittany said, "I just can't wait to have more of your music to listen to. I've missed having your voice playing everywhere I go."
Santana opened her eyes, slowly licking her lips.
"Really."
"Yeah." Brittany nodded seriously. "Especially on the radio, cause it's like a little treat when I'm driving. Like you're there with me even though you're not."
"Okay." Santana smiled. "You're sweet."
"I'm excited." Brittany wiggled in her seat, shaking Santana a bit.
Santana giggled. "Okay."
"Say you're excited too." Brittany shook Santana purposefully now, using her hips to shake her whole body.
"Britt" Santana had to hold on to Brittany's shoulders to keep her balance. Brittany didn't stop.
"Say you're excited."
"Brittany!" Santana laughed harder as she nearly fell over.
"Say it!"
"Okay, I'm excited!"
"Good." Brittany stopped shaking her, abruptly pulling her forward so Santana basically fell into her lap. "Now give me a kiss."
"What did you guys think about that?" Brittany asked Ryan and Kaycee. They both held two thumbs up. "Yeah?"
"Yeah that was great." Kaycee said. "They're all really talented."
"They are." Brittany nodded. "They definitely are, but as the choreographer, it's my job to make sure that I push my very talented dancers. I see the picture as a whole, all they see is their part."
"So was there something wrong?" Ryan asked.
"No, but pay attention."
Brittany stood up, walking to stand in front of all the dancers, calling their attention to her.
"How did that feel to you guys?" She asked them.
The 12 dancers, who were all out of breath, clapped, a few cheered.
"Good yeah?" Brittany smiled. "Yeah that was good. Well done. A few things though. I love the energy, you guys know I'm basically a ball of energy."
"Yeah" A few dancers laughed.
"Right, but let's not let the energy, overshadow the dancing. We still need to be clean, still need to be precise. Keep your lines tight, hit your marks please…." She pointed at a dancer who was standing a step away from where he was supposed to be. He quickly shuffled left, to the right spot. "Great, and then my pairs, the chemistry needs to read." She turned and pointed at Kaleb, who was sitting with Ryan and Kaycee. "Come here."
Without question, Kaleb stood up and joined Brittany.
"Now I know you'll tell me that Kaleb and I have natural chemistry so it's not the same, and I hear that, but…" She faced Kaleb, raising her hands to tangle in her hair, Kaleb immediately stepped forward, fitting one leg between Brittany's, placing his hands on her hips and pressing himself against her, head buried in her neck. "If you both give yourselves over to the emotion of the moment." She said, "really believe that you are feeling what the moment needs you to feel…" She spun around, walking away from Kaleb, but she only got one step before he was grabbing her round the waist, dragging her back. Brittany went with it, lifting her legs off the ground, kicking, her hands pushing at Kaleb's strong grip on her stomach, trying to get free. He carried her effortlessly, pressing his head against her back. "Then you can create that chemistry."
Brittany broke free of Kaleb's grip, making her fall to the floor. She caught herself on hands and knees, but before she could get up, she felt Kaleb apply pressue on her shoulder. She let the pressure turn her, and almost immediately he gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. He was scowling, but behind his eyes there was an intensity, like his anger was caused by pain. Slowly, Brittany rose up, keeping her eyes locked with Kaleb's. She felt like she needed to comfort him, ease his pain somehow, even just for a moment. So she let her hands travel up his torso, from his stomach to his chest, then one hand continued up to his neck, moving round to grip the back of it, while the other hand travelled over his shoulder and down his arm. When she got to his hand, she gently moved it to her waist, and almost at the same time, almost as if they had rehearsed it, she and Kaleb began to sway. Her hand moved back up Kaleb's arm, joining the other behind his neck, as Kaleb's expression slowly softened and then in a swift motion he lifted her up once again. Brittany wrapped her legs around his waist, bringing their faces barely inches apart. They stared into each other's eyes for a moment, both breathing heavily, and then the support on her back vanished and Brittany felt herself fall backwards. She could have stopped herself, but she closed her eyes and decided to let herself fall until she was hanging upside down, her arms extended elegantly towards the floor.
Kaleb smoothed his hand along her body, up her stomach, to her neck, and then he was gently lowering her to the ground. When Brittany opened her eyes again, she was laying flat on the floor with her legs still wrapped around Kaleb, and Kaleb was kneeling with his forehead pressed to her stomach.
There was a second of silence, where Brittany and Kaleb just breathed, holding the position, and then the room exploded in cheers. Brittany jumped. She'd completely forgotten that there was a room full of people watching them. She'd completely forgotten that she'd been speaking, and that there was a point to their demonstration.
Quietly clearing her throat, she sat up, pulling away from Kaleb.
"That was beautiful." Kaycee said, crawling forward.
"So passionate." One dancer said, looking at them in awe.
"When did you choreograph that?" One of the other dancers asked.
Brittany pushed herself up onto her feet.
"Just now." She smiled.
"Woah." Ryan breathed.
"Wait, that was improv?" A third dancer standing towards the back asked in disbelief, taking a few steps forward.
"Yes."
"You two are amazing." The same dancer said, shaking his head.
"Thank you." Kaleb grinned, before returning to his seat.
"How did you do that?" Kaycee asked, looking up at Brittany with wide eyes.
"It's…years of dancing together and connecting with your partner. But look…" Britany shook her head, holding her hands out. "That wasn't the point, I was trying to get you to see that the intention behind your movement can also create chemistry. If you're thinking about why you're moving your arms a certain way, maybe you're pulling away because he's suffocating you, which is what I was thinking about at first, then when you move your arms it becomes charged with meaning, and when your partner reacts, it either compliments or contradicts your intentions, creating a story for the audience to follow."
"Like when he pulled you back and you were fighting him."
"Exactly." Brittany walked back to her original position. "So my pairs, you six." She pointed at them. "Try and create that story, draw us in. Facial expressions help a lot too."
"Okay." They all nodded.
"Okay. Let's go again." Brittany clapped.
As her dancers took starting positions, Brittany tucked one arm under her armpit, resting her other arm on it and gently pressed her knuckles to her lips.
This wasn't the first time she and Kaleb had gotten carried away in a moment. In fact it was what happened the first time they danced together, and it was why they had decided to be partners. Sometimes she just connected with him, creatively and emotionally, and they would just dance without much forethought or planning. Usually, they created something beautiful. But this time, Brittany felt a little guilty.
After her fight with Santana about Malek and the intimacy of him being the only one with her in the studio as she poured her heart out, having this moment with Kaleb felt extremely hypocritical. She wasn't naïve. She knew that over the years people had speculated about her and Kaleb having an affair, or at the very least one of them being in love with the other. She'd been told by people who didn't know she was married that she and Kaleb would make a great couple, and she was aware that right now, some of the dancers thought the performance they'd just given was a little steamy. Maybe even expecting that they'd kiss just before Kaleb had put her down. Brittany knew the moment was tense, and if she had been carrying Santana like that, she definitely would have kissed her.
The only reason the dance they'd just done was not inappropriate was because she and Kaleb didn't have feelings for each other. She wasn't attracted to Kaleb, and never had been, so all the intensity of the moment was manufactiured.
That was what Santana had been trying to tell her. Whatever Malek's feelings, Santana didn't feel anything for him, so though she was being vulnerable in the studio, it was one hundred percent about the music. It had nothing to do with Malek at all.
And now Brittany understood that. She made a note to mention to Santana how amazing she was later tonight, for putting up with all of Brittany's dance partners. Now that she knew how it felt to be on the other side, Brittany was going to make sure Santana knew Brittany appreciated the way she never doubted her. She had put Santana through way worse; sometimes it was her literal job to convince people that she was in love with her partner, and all Santana had done was cry in front of Malek. Brittany was never going to doubt Santana again.
"You okay?" Kaleb whispered close to her ear, startling Brittany.
"Yeah." She nodded.
"That was intense."
She chuckled. "Yeah."
"We're going to finish that later though right?"
"Absolutely." Brittany turned to face him. "Tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
Brittany smiled, turning back to the dancers. There was nothing better than when a dance just poured out of her, it was a magical feeling. A feeling Brittany lived for. The only person who ever really understood that feeling, other than Kaleb, was Santana. Brittany couldn't wait to tell her. She glanced at the clock. Half past eleven. She let out a frustrated sigh. Time was not moving. She felt like she'd been teaching this dance for the entire day and yet it was not even lunch time.
She needed the day to go a lot faster so she could get to the release party and hear Santana sing. Not even an awesome dance moment with Kaleb was worth the wait.
At two, Brittany was sitting in her office, trying and failing to pass the time. She had a feeling that if she could just make it to three and pick her kids from school, then time would begin to move much faster. But the hour between two and three was dragging so slowly she wasn't even sure if time was moving.
Ryan and Kaycee were with their tuitors, so they would be no help, and Kaleb was teaching a class so she couldn't disturb him, which left Brittany spinning idly in her chair, listening to softly playing music from her laptop and ignoring emails she didn't want to read. She was just about to get up to go to the lounge when her phone rang. She answered it immediately.
"Hey!" She grinned as she answered.
"I need you."
Brittany frowned. Usually she'd love to hear those words coming from Santana, but at the moment Santana sounded on the verge of tears, which told Brittany it was not meant in the fun way she liked. She stopped spinning.
"What's wrong?"
"My dancers."
"What's wrong with them?"
"They're…they're not doing it right. They're pissing me off and it's making me even more stressed about tonight and it all feels wrong. I don't know what to do."
"How many dancers do you have?"
"Two."
"What kind of dance is it?"
"It's…like a contemporary thing I guess."
"Okay…" Brittany licked her lips. She wished she knew anything about the choreography, cause then she could go down to Santana's studio and whip those dancers into shape, but firstly, she had never even heard the songs they were dancing to, and second, contemporary wasn't really her style. "Can I come and see?"
"Yes" Santana said immediately. "Please. Come and fix it."
"Okay." Brittany stood up. "I'm leaving now, I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
When Brittany watched the performance, she could immediately understand why Santana didn't feel like it was right. The dance was beautiful, and she couldn't really say the dancers were doing anything wrong, it was the dance itself. Santana's song was emotional, and all the emotion was written all over her face as she sang it. It was almost heartbreaking to watch the way she gripped the mic, and the expression on her face. Brittany didn't want to take her eyes off her. She didn't want to, but she kept doing it, because of the dancers in front of her. It was a beautiful dance, but unnecessary. The dance could not capture what Santana alone was giving off. The dance couldn't draw people in the way Santana alone was drawing Brittany in. It was distracting. Every time Brittany felt a swell of emotion inside herself, as she connected with the lyrics and Santana's voice, the dance would pull her out of it.
"Okay." She said, even before it was over. "Babe can I talk to you?"
She gestured Santana out of the room, then turned and left. Santana joined her seconds later.
"What is it? What's wrong with it?" Santana asked.
"It's…" Brittany struggled to explain. "I don't want to stress you out even more."
"Just tell me. I trust you, that's why I called."
"Okay." Brittany took a breath. "Get rid of it."
"It sucks that bad?" Santana cried.
"No." Brittany took Santana's hands. "You're just so much better than them."
"What?"
"You don't need dancers. Santana your lyrics, your melody, and YOU," she emphasized the word, "you are all this song needs. You alone on stage, feeling…" She shook her head. "The dancers are good, but the dance can't compete with you, and it shows. That's what you're feeling."
Santana swallowed. "So I just cut it?"
"Yeah."
"I just perform…alone?"
"Yes." Brittany nodded.
"Are you sure?" Santana nervously bit her lip. "You know changing things last minute can mess the whole thing up. And what if people think the performance is boring with just me up there."
"No way." Brittany shook her head. "Not with everything you'll make them feel."
Santana stared into Brittany's eyes, and Brittany could see the anxiety there.
"I promise." She whispered.
"Okay." Santana breathed. "I just cut the dance?"
"Just cut it. You can carry that performance."
Santana nodded, seeming to come to terms with the idea. "Okay. Who cares if everyone's attention will be on me ugly crying."
"You look hot even when you cry." Brittany giggled. "And if you do cry, then the performance will be even more unforgettable."
Santana shook her head, taking a deep breath.
"The song is incredible by the way." Brittany said. "I mean I haven't heard all of it but…god..." She leaned forward and kissed Santana. "I love it already."
"Yeah?" Santana smiled. "Thanks, it's one of my favourite."
"I'm even more excited to hear the rest now. Can I just sneak into your office and-"
"Go home." Santana laughed, pulling away from Brittany. "Believe me, you want to hear them for the first time live."
Brittany pouted playfully, but she knew Santana was right. If what she watched just now was any indication, she'd be crying before the night was over, and she didn't want to ruin that by having already heard the songs.
"Fine." She pulled Santana in for one more quick kiss. "What are you going to tell the dancers?"
"That my wife said they suck."
"Ah!" Brittany's mouth dropped open.
"I'm just kidding." Santana laughed. "No, I'll tell them that the dance is beautiful but doesn't work for this performance, just like you said."
"Okay."
"Maybe I'll let them perform at some point during the party, without me."
"That's a good idea." Brittany nodded.
Santana turned, ready to head back into the room, but Brittany stopped her with a hand to her arm.
"I'm so proud of you love." She said honestly.
"Thanks babe." Santana pulled her into a hug, resting her chin on her shoulder. "Thanks for holding down the fort while I did this. I know it wasn't easy."
"Only cause we missed you." Brittany shrugged. "But it was worth it for you to do what you love."
"I love you."
"If you love me, can I stay and watch you practice-"
"Brittany." Santana giggled, pulling out of the hug.
"Fine." Brittany sighed. "I love you too I guess."
Rolling her eyes playfully, Santana turned and walked back into the room.
"Go home and get pretty. I'll see you in a few hours."
Brittany watched Santana walk away, wishing more than anything that she'd made that time machine she always joked about in high school just so she could skip the next four hours and get to the party already.
Brittany arrived at the hotel where the release party was being held at exactly six thirty-nine, and she had felt every second of those nine minutes. She would have been on time, because by six o'clock she and all four kids were dressed and ready to leave, but she had not factored in her parents.
Both her and Santana's parents had flown in the night before to make sure they would make it to the album release. What Brittany hadn't considered was that her parents would come to her house instead of the hotel. So at six fifteen when they showed up just as Brittany was steering everyone to the car, it took her completely by surprise, but more importantly, delayed them for a total of nine minutes, before Brittany's frayed nerves couldn't take it anymore and she'd yelled at everyone to get in the car.
She felt a little bad for yelling, because her parents were just happy to see everyone after so long, and Brittany knew they weren't doing it on purpose, but she'd been waiting all day for this, and she knew Santana would be waiting for them. The last thing she wanted was to be late to her own wife's album party. She didn't need to give Santana anything more to be thinking about.
Outside the hotel, throngs of paparazzi waited eagerly, snapping pictures of every person that got out of each car. From inside her own car Brittany could hear the noise as they yelled out for people to face them or smile or strike a pose.
"Guys." She turned in her seat to face her kids. "There's a lot of paparazzi here."
"Yeah." Sophia said quietly, staring nervously out of the window.
"So you guys are all going to stick close to me yes?"
"Yes." The four kids said.
"We'll have to take some pictures, because it's mami's party, but then you guys can go in with Gammy and Poppy okay? Soph?"
"Okay." Sophia said, her voice still quiet.
"Dad." Brittany turned to the passenger seat where her dad was sitting. "Keep her close to you."
"Got it." Pierce nodded.
Brittany had forgotten the kind of frenzy the paparazzi could get into. As soon as she got out of the car, it felt like there was an explosion. She could barely see with all the lights flashing in her direction, she had to squint her eyes till they were almost shut, which she knew was going to result in some not so great pictures. She couldn't focus on that though, as her dad was helping the kids out of the car. She waited until all of them were out, then took Mateo and Sophia's hand.
"In front of me boys." She told Jesus and Kyler. They were the least stressed out by the paparazzi, because they'd been around the paparazzi before Santana had taken the break from music, whereas Sophia and Mateo had never really experienced it to this level. Once she had all her kids around her, Brittany finally faced the paparazzi, opened her eyes properly so she was no longer squinting and smiled. She walked steadily, with her parents behind her, until she reached the entrance to the hotel, then she stopped and turned.
"Alright guys." She said. "Time for some pictures."
"Mama can I go inside?" Sophia asked.
"Just a few pictures Soph." Still gripping Mateo's hand, Brittany crouched down so she was eye level with Sophia. "I know this is stressing you out, but we're here to support mami right?" Sophia nodded. "So take a deep breath, remember we're all here and you're safe okay?"
"Okay."
"Okay." Brittany kissed her quickly and stood up.
"Closer together Brittany!" One of the cameramen shouted. Brittany pulled Sophia into her side, draping her arm over her shoulder so she could also reach Jesus, who was standing next to Sophia. Then she got Kyler to stand on her other side, and Mateo in front of her. "Perfect and big smiles!"
After a few pictures, Brittany called her dad to her.
"Take them in, find Jessie. He should be waiting in there."
"Okay."
Pierce took Sophia's hand, Susan took Mateo's and they followed Kyler and Jesus into the hotel.
Brittany took a deep breath and turned back to the paparazzi. She'd prepared herself for this, but it had been such a long time. It was slightly overwhelming, but she was here to support Santana, so she plasted on a smile and posed as they instructed.
Once she felt she had taken enough pictures, Brittany made her way inside. It wasn't hard to figure out where the party was. Half of the lobby had been sectioned off by red velvet rope, with hotel staff ushering people to the ballroom, but the biggest giveaway was all the famous people hanging around in that general area. Brittany made her way towards it. A man in a suit with a headset smiled and nodded as she passed, making Brittany wonder whether there was someone in his ear who'd just given her clearance to pass.
When she got inside, Brittany had to stop to take everything in. The whole room was bathed in purple light, so Brittany's eyes needed a moment to adjust to the sudden darkness. When she had, she realised there were screens all over the room, some with still images of Santana's album cover, others playing what Brittany guessed were behind the scenes videos of Santana in the studio. There were cocktail tables arranged throughout the room, which Brittany was pretty sure were covered in some kind of glitter, cause they looked like they were twinkling, and there were two bars on either side of the room. Towards the back she could see some couches in what looked like the VIP section of a club. It was sectioned off by velvet rope as well, and had two guards stationed beside it. Songs from Santana's previous albums were playing throughout the room.
Brittany couldn't see Santana or her kids or her parents anywhere.
"Brittany!"
Brittany turned to see who had called her. She grinned when she saw Halsey waving her over to one of the cocktail tables. She happily walked over.
"Oh my god." Halsey said, pulling Brittany into a hug when she reached her. "I can't believe how long it's been!"
"I know!" Brittany pulled back. "I'd just gotten married last time I saw you."
"And now your kids are...what twenty?" Halsey laughed.
"Basically." Brittany chuckled, then she gasped. "And you had a baby too."
"I did." Halsey nodded. "I have two now."
"Wow." Britany shook her head. "Who would have thought us huh?"
Halsey picked her drink from the table and lifted it up.
"Cheers to us."
"I don't have a drink but cheers." Brittany raised an imaginary glass.
"Let's fix that." Halsey turned and led Brittany to the bar closest to them, which also happened to be close to the VIP section. Brittany saw Quinn, Theo, Santana's parents and Sophia in there, with trays of snacks and bitings on the table in the center of the couches.
"Can you do an aperol spritz?" She asked the bartender. He nodded, holding up a finger to let her know it would be a minute and got to work. Brittany turned her back to him, surveying the room. "I can't believe all the people here."
"Yeah." Halsey nodded. "I mean people like a party."
"But these are big people, all for Santana."
Halsey laughed, raising an eyebrow in announcement.
"Santana's a pretty big deal Brittany."
"I know." Brittany blushed. "But like…this really puts it into perspective. I mean is that Drake?"
"Yup." Halsey nodded. "We got here at the same time."
"And John legend!" Brittany exclaimed. "I've always wanted him to sing to me. Just sit at a piano and serenade me. I feel like my life would be complete then."
"Didn't Santana do that cover with him?"
"Ma'am." The bartender called. Brittany turned to see him holding out her drink. She took it from him.
"Yeah." She said taking a sip. "But I never got to meet him. I think she was afraid I'd fall in love with him."
Halsey laughed, shaking her head in amusement.
"I forgot how fun you were."
Brittany frowned. "I haven't done anything."
"If you say so." Halsey said fondly. "But it's good to see you."
Brittany, who'd been in the middle of taking another sip, hastily swallowed, nodding her head.
"You too." She croaked.
"Did you mean what you said about my tour being the best you've ever been on?"
"Absolutely." Brittany said honestly. "I've never taken for granted how amazing you and your team were. Back then I was a nobody, but you just created this welcoming, supportive environment that I have never forgotten."
"Aw." Halsey touched her chest.
"Not to mention how cool you are." Brittany winked.
Halsey laughed. "Well good. So what do you think about doing it again?"
Brittany's eyebrows shot up.
"Another tour?"
"Yeah." Halsey shrugged. "I mean it was so fun the last time."
"It was." Brittany nodded. "But uh…I don't know." She glanced at Sophia in the VIP section. "When is it?"
"July and August."
Brittany cringed. "Santana's going to be touring as well so I'm the one home with the kids."
"No I get that." Halsey said quickly. "We're both in different places now, it'll be a different tour, I promise. You can bring your kids, mine will be there. Or you can leave as often as you need to. Whatever works for you."
"Really?"
"Absolutely." Halsey nodded. "Truth is, you're one of my favourite dancers Brittany, and I feel like it's a crime that we haven't worked together since."
Brittany smiled.
"Alright." She said, "I'll talk to Santana about it."
"Great. So let's try that toast again." Halsey raised her glass. "To us."
"To us."
After chatting with Halsey for a few more minutes, Brittany said hi to a few more people she knew then excused herself to go say hi to Santana's parents. She was let through without question.
"Brittany!" Maribel called excitedly, jumping out of her seat to hig Brittany. "This is really something isn't it?"
Brittany nodded.
"And all these famous people! I didn't know Santana knew all these famous people."
Giggling, Brittany decided not to tell Maribel that Santana didn't actually know all these people personally. She hugged Stephen then Quinn and Theo and took a seat next to Sophia.
"And you look gorgeous." Maribel said. "Absolutely gorgeous."
"Thank you." Brittany smiled. Santana's stylist had picked the black sequinned playsuit out for Brittany and she'd loved it immediately. It was classy and sexy but comfortable enough for her to be relaxed and dance all night.
"Are you okay?" She asked Sophia quietly. Sophia nodded. "Good."
"Have you seen Santana?" Quinn asked.
"No I haven't." Brittany looked around. She suspected Santana first appearance would be a performance, and she couldn't wait. "I'm sure we'll see her soon."
"Was that Halsey you were talking to?" Theo asked.
"Yeah."
"Like the actual Halsey?"
Brittany laughed. "Yes. I was on her tour a few years back and we kind of became friends."
"Cool." Quinn said, looking impressed.
"Would you introduce me?" Theo asked, his eyes wide. "I mean if it's not weird or anything."
"No it's fine."
"Just keep yourself together babe." Quinn said with a hand on his leg. "Don't embarrass Brittany."
"You're fine," Brittany whispered to him.
"Mama can I taste your drink?" Sophia asked.
"Mmmh" Brittany looked down at her glass. "It's alcohol honey."
"Just a sip." Sophia pleaded.
Brittany debated with herself. She didn't really see an issue with Sophia having just a sip, they'd let the kids taste wine before so this wasn't different.
"I don't think you'll like it." She said, but passed the glass on to Sophia.
Sophia took a tentative sip, and almost immediately scrunched her face up in disgust.
"Told you." Brittany laughed, taking the glass back.
"Yuck." Sophia wiped her tongue. "Why do you drink that?"
Brittany shrugged. "It grows on you."
"I'm never going to drink alcohol." Sophia said with a firm head shake.
Suddenly the lights and music cut out, plunging them into sudden darkness and silence.
"What luck." She heard Quinn mutter.
"Mama's what's happening?"
"Power is gone honey but don't worry. The hotel should have a generator, so everything will come back on in a sec-"
Before she could finish, a purple light, perfectly round, appeared on the wall above the entrance doors, which Brittany noticed were now closed, accompanied by a loud bass note that vibrated through Brittany's bones. When the light vanished so did the sound.
It was quiet for a moment as everyone tried to figure out what had happened.
"What was-"
Again the light and the sound cut Theo off. This time the light travelled left along the wall. Brittany followed it with her eyes, and again the light disappeared and the sound cut off. When it returned for a third time, the light moving further left until it stopped above the wall opposite the entrance, Brittany understood what was happening.
Santana's performance was starting.
"Come on." She said to Sophia, before standing up and quickly making her way out of the VIP section to get closer to the light.
When the bass sounded again, rather than the singular purple light, there were dozens, like lazers, shining across the room, criss-crossing through each other. Seconds later the sound of a piano playing joined the bass, and then the gentle strumming of a guitar. Brittany felt her heart rate pick up in anticipation. This was it. After months of wondering and worrying and a bit of jealousy on her part, this was what it had all been building up to. She didn't even dare to blink as slowly, a purple spotlight appeared, illuminating a stage Brittany hadn't even noticed, and Santana, though it was actually Santana's silhouette because she was behind a large white sheet.
And then Santana began to sing and Brittany's heart stopped.
Santana was barely moving, just tilting her head from side to side, lifting and dropping her hand as the other clutched the microphone, and somehow it was mesmerizing. Brittany wanted to rip away the sheet so she could see Santana's face. This wasn't the song Brittany had hear Santana sing earlier in the day, it was a bit faster but still as captivating. Brittany found herself taking an unconscious step forward.
The verse came to a sudden end, with Santana dropping to a squat as the music and lights shut off. A few people, including Sophia and Quinn, who Brittany realised was standing beside her, clapped and cheered. Santana sang softly into the darkness, and then the lights were turned back on, returning the room to it's previous brightness, and the sheet dropped, floating slowly to the ground as Santana rose to her feet.
Brittany's first reaction was that Santana was stunning. She looked like an angel, dressed in the flowing all-white, floor length dress, stepping over the sheet as she belted out the chorus. Brittany stared, completely transfixed, as Santana walked to the front of the stage, and when their eyes met she felt the air leave her lungs.
"My wife is so hot." She mumbled, blinking for the first time. Almost as if Santana heard her, a hint of a smirk played at her lips for a second, before she broke eye contact to sing to the rest of the crowd.
With the initial spell of Santana's surprise appearance seemingly broken, Brittany was able to actually focus on the song Santana was singing. The lyrics were laced with anger, almost accusatory, but the way Santana sang it carried a note of sadness. Like a break-up where you were mad at the person but also sad the relationship was over. Brittany like the beat. Now that she was no longer lost in Santana, she found herself gently bobbing her head, and she knew her body would follow suit soon. Ideas for choreography were already springing to mind, making Brittany even more excited.
It seemed Brittany hadn't been the only one transfixed by Santana's entrance. Whereas at the beginning the entire room was silent, now people were beginning to cheer and clap as Santana moved around the stage. Brittany looked away quickly, wanting to see people's reaction. All around her people were grooving, snaping their fingers, shimmying their shoulders, and all eyes were fixed on Santana.
"She's amazing." Quinn said, leaning in close to Brittany.
Brittany nodded, facing Santana once more.
"I'd forgotten how good she was." Quinn admitted.
Britany too had forgotten how effortlessly brilliant Santana was on stage, until she'd gone for the last performance of the tour in San Diego. Seeing Santana on stage then, much like now, reminded her that this was who Santana was born to be. She couldn't even understand how Santana had gone six years without it.
The song seemed to be drawing to a close, because Santana moved back to the center of the stage, gripping the mic with both hands. She sang the chorus one more time, softer than before, with the beat slowly dying out, leaving only the guitar and piano, just like the bginning of the performance. Then they too faded out, and Santana sang the last line with no music.
Applause erupted before Santana had even stopped singing the last note, Brittany and Sophia loudest among them.
"Thank you." Santana said, her voice shaking slightly. Brittany wasn't sure if it was the nerves of performing or the emotions of the song that caused it, but it made her want to climb on stage and wrap Santana in a hug. "Thank you all so much, and welcome to my album release party!" She gave an excited yell, raising her free hand above her head. Everyone cheered enthusiastically.
"This next song is the title track, and one of my personal favourites that I've ever written." She pressed her hand to her chest. "Please forgve me if I get a bit emotional."
"You're good babe!" Brittany shouted, blowing Santana a kiss when she looked down at her.
"Thanks Britt." Santana laughed nervously. "Okay well, here's good without."
When Santana finished the last song, Brittany could no longer restrain herself. She climbed onto the stage, which only required taking an extra large step, and launched herself at Santana, hugging her fiercely. Santana was wiping away the few tears staining her cheeks, choking out a laugh as she hugged Brittany back.
"You were unbelievable." Brittany said.
"Thanks."
They felt a tiny body squeezing in between them, then another. Brittany pulled back to see. Jesus and Kyler were fighting for space to hug Santana.
"That was so good!" Jesus screamed.
"You look so pretty mami." Kyler said.
"Thanks amor." Santana said, sniffing.
"Are you okay?" Brittany asked, noticing that Santana was still crying.
"Aaaah" Santana exhaled heavily. "Yeah." She sniffed again. "It's just the release of all the nerves and the emotions and everything."
"Okay. Is there somewhere we can go…?"
"Yeah. I got a room. Come on."
She led them off the stage, through a door towards the back and down a corridor. They stopped at a door with a guard standing beside it, who smiled politely at them and opened it with a key card.
"Thank you." Brittany told him as Santana walked into the room.
"Mami you were awesome!" Jesus squealed, jumping into her arms. Santana stumbled back, unable to support his wheight in the heels she was wearing.
"Bud." Brittany laughed rushing forward to take Jesus before the pair could fall over. "Careful."
"Sorry." He said sheepishly.
"You were soooo pretty." Kyler said again. "And the way the lights went off and then they were like lasers all over." He waved his hands to demonstrate. "And you were behind the curtain so we could see you."
"Soo cool!" Jesus agreed.
Santana pulled them both into her, kissing their heads. "Thank you."
"Why don't you guys give your mum and I a minute. Watch tv or something."
Though they pouted slightly, both boys went to the couches and dropped onto them. They didn't turn on the tv, preferring to keep talking about Santana's performance.
Brittany pulled Santana a little further away from them so they wouldn't over hear.
"Are you okay?" She rubbed Santana's arms.
"Yeah." Santana nodded. She was no longer crying, which was at least a good sign. "That was just crazy."
"It was." Brittany nodded. "Babe, that was unbelievable."
Santana smiled, taking in a staggered breath. "I was feeling so much."
"Like?"
"Like…" Santana licked her lips. "Like nervous about people hearing the songs for the first time."
"Mmmh." Brittany encouraged her to go on.
"And…The emotions of the songs, they always get me. I have no idea how I'm going to perform them all on tour." She laughed mirthlessly. "And then when I was done it was like a rush of relief. Like all the build up of the last few months, all the anxiety of getting everything done on time, all the stress I was putting on myself to make sure it's good….it all just released at once."
Brittany nodded in understanding, rubbing Santana's arms again.
"But do you feel good?" She asked, inching closer to her.
Santana cocked her head, her hands lifting to circle Brittany's neck.
"Yeah." She said after a moment. "Yeah I do. I feel really good."
Brittany gripped Santana's waist. "Good because you were-"
"Unbelievable?" Santana cut in with a smirk.
"Yeah." Brittany said seriously, before capturing Santana's lips in a kiss. She felt so lucky to have Santana in that moment. Out of everyone, all the famous people just down the hall, Santana had chosen to be with her. Everyone was watching Santana on stage tonight, amazed by her voice and captivated by her beauty and Brittany got to call her hers. Yeah she was feeling really lucky right now.
So even though their kids were in the room, Brittany pulled Santana closer, deepening the kiss, gripping her hips just a little harder and bringing their hips completely pressed together. She pushed her tongue into Santana's mouth, gently caressing Santana's tongue with her own. She felt Santana's heavy breath wash over her face, her hands tightening around her neck. Brittany managed to keep enough control so as not to start grinding against Santana, though she really wanted to, but she didn't want to stop just yet, so when Santana pulled back, panting heavily, Brittany moved her kisses down Santana's jaw and to her neck. She heard Santana bite back a moan and smirked.
"Britt." Santana whispered breathily, playing with the baby hairs at the back of Brittany's neck.
"Mmmh" Brittany hummed, sucking intently on Santana's pulse point. She bit down gently.
"Brittany." Santana groaned. Brittany sucked a little harder, just for fun.
Santana's hand began moving up in her hair, Brittany loved it when she did that, it always felt very possessive, but they were stopped short by a sharp knock on the door.
"Santana?"
Santana didn't move, but this time Brittany pulled away, feeling slightly annoyed at the interruption but also glad they didn't get too carried away.
"Emma." Santana said weakly.
Brittany giggled, peckng Santana's lips.
"Do you need some water?" She asked innocently.
"I need an ice bath." Santana scoffed.
Brittany grinned, kissing Santana one more time before completely pulling away and walking to the door.
"Let's go babe." She said happily. "John Legend awaits."
They spent a good hour and a half making the rounds with everyone at the party. Brittany felt a lot like a trophy wife, just hanging off Santana's arm, looking pretty. But she was more than happy to do it. The way Santana kept a firm grip on her hand as they moved around the room, or put her hand around her waist as they chatted with different people, told her Santana wanted her there, even if she wasn't really contributing much to the conversations. She also got to meet a lot of people that she never had before, but the best part was listening to everyone compliment Santana on the new album. Brittany was so proud she couldn't even put it into words, so every time someone said how great Santana's performances were, or how much they liked the songs, she would nod her head proudly and kiss Santana's cheek, which always made Santana smile.
Finally, Eve came to excuse them from a conversation they were having with H.E.R.
"I'm so sorry Santana." She said apologetically. "The label representatives would like to see you, if you have a minute."
"Oh…" Santana looked at H.E.R. "Sorry."
"Hey no." she waved her hand dismissively. "The labels calls we answer right?"
"Right." Santana laughed. "I'll come find you."
"Cool."
With Brittany's hand in hers, Santana followed Eve.
"Alright, let's get this over with." Santana sighed.
"No." Eve stopped at the VIP section, turning to them with a coy smile. "The label reps aren't really looking for you."
"Then why did you say they were?" Santana asked confused.
"Well…I needed you to follow me here."
"Why?" Santana asked tersely. Brittany pulled her lips into her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Because Emma instructed me to make sure you have eaten by eight thirty."
"Urgh." Santana rolled her eyes.
"It's eight forty…"
"Thanks Eve." Brittany said, smiling, then to Santana she said, "stop frowning. You're hungry and you need to eat."
"Mmmhh" Santana grumbled.
"Say thank you to Eve."
Sighing, Santana turned to Eve.
"I am hungry." She said. "So thank you."
Eve smiled tightly, nodded, and walked off.
"You know they take good care of you." Brittany said, as the guard pulled back the rope for them to enter.
"Yeah."
"So why do you always have to make it so hard for them to?"
Santana bit her lip guiltily. "I don't mean to. But it's irritating being treated like a child all the time."
"Still," Brittany cocked her head, "Eve might like to feel a little appreciated every once in a while. She seems…"
"Pissed?" Santana asked.
Brittany nodded.
"I guess….Pissed or just a bit off."
"I think I offended her."
Brittany frowned. "How did you manage that?"
"I don't even know." Santana said desperately.
"What did you say?"
"Mija!" Stephen jumped up from his seat with a wide grin.
"I'll tell you later." Santana whispered to Brittany, before her dad was engulfing her in a hug.
"You were fantastic mija, fantastic!"
Pierce and Susan appeared beside him, eagerly waiting for their turn to hug her.
"Come on Stephen let us in!" Susan cried. Reluctantly, Stephen let Santana go. She was immediately wrapped up by Pierce. Brittany giggled as her mother scowled sourly at her father.
"Amazing!" He cheered. "That's my daughter!"
"Hey that's my daughter!" Stephen said indignantly.
Maribel and Brittany glanced at each other, wearing identical looks of amusement.
"Okay, okay." Susan slapped Pierce's shoulder. "Enough! It's my turn."
Pierce let Santana go and Susan finally got her hug.
"We've been waiting to congratulate you for hours." She said as she squeezed Santana.
"Sorry." Santana said breathlessly. "I had to make the rounds."
"Yeah she had more important famous people to attent to Susan." Puck said haughtily.
Santana pulled back, rolling her eyes.
"More important that you maybe." She shot back.
"Ha, Ha!" Kyler laughed, pointing at Puck.
"No but seriously Santana, what a performance." Puck said, pulling her into a one armed hug.
"Here, here." Quinn said from her position on the couch. "Come sit next to me so I can tell you how awesome I think you are."
Santana dutifully took the space next to Quinn. Brittany sat in between her parents.
"Are you okay Q?" She asked, looking Quinn over.
"Yeah." Quinn waved her hand. "My back was just aching a bit."
"You should go home." Santana said.
"I'm fine." Quinn shook her head.
"You should go home." Maribel said. "Eight and half months is not a joke."
"Go home, put your feet up." Santana said. "I'll come by tomorrow."
"I'm not going home!" Quinn snapped.
"Okay." Santana backed off with her hands up.
Brittany caught Theo's eye. He was sitting next to Quinn, gently rubbing her back. He smiled and nodded.
"I've got her." He mouthed.
Brittany relaxed slightly. She didn't like the fact that Quinn was here. She remembered the chaos of Quinn's last pregnancy, when her water had broken at regionals and she'd had to rush to hospital. She remembered how freaked out she'd been, and how much Quinn had screamed, and she remembered thinking they weren't going to make it in time. So this situation was really putting her on edge. But, she had to remind herself that Quinn wasn't her wife, nor was she having her baby, so if Theo said he had it, she would have to let it be.
It was nice to get a chance to just sit and relax for a while. The speakers were now playing songs from the new album, which Brittany was thoroughly enjoying, though she would definitely download them all so she could listen again at a more quiet time. She kept ordering different drinks, just to taste, which she and Santana shared so neither of them got too drunk, and they spent another hour eating and chatting with their family.
After that, when the music changed once again, Brittany pulled everyone back into the main area, which people had turned into a dancefloor, and they all began to dance. It was funny, watching her parents, specifically her mum and Santana's dad, try to keep up with them. She was used to her dad being silly, and Maribel stuck with Sophia, who was teaching her pretty simple dance steps, so she was doing pretty well. But her mum and Santana's dad looked very out of place. Still, it was fun, and Brittany was glad they were all there. It was too dark to take pictures, so she hoped the label had hired a photographer who she could get pictures from later. If not, she would just have to commit this moment to memory.
When Mateo started getting clingy, Brittany knew it was late. She planned to stay as long as Santana stayed, but she started to consider sending her kids home with her parents. That was going to be one hell of a fight with Jesus, she already knew that.
Halsey found her again, and this time Brittany introduced her to everybody. Sophia was as excited as Theo to meet her, and Halsey promised that they'd find time to take a picture together before she left. She congratulated Santana on a great album, but just as they began to talk, the sound of the microphone being tapped caught their attention. They turned towards the stage to find Malek there.
"What does he want." Puck muttered, sliding in next to Brittany.
Brittany giggled, looping her arm with Pucks.
"He's Santana's music director." She said. "So he's probably giving a speech, just like the label reps, just like her producer."
"Yeah well he's an ass."
Malek cleared his throat.
"Can everyone hear me?"
"Unfortunately."
"Noah." Brittany chuckled, poking his side.
"Fine." Puck huffed.
"I won't give a long speech. I just want to say that joining Santana's team has been an experience that changed my life. Santana is an amazing performer, we all saw that today-"
"Woooh!" Brittany, Puck and the rest of the family cheered.
Santana laughed.
"But she's also an amazing person. She's a fierce friend, she's a great mother, and just the best to be stuck in a recording studio with for three, four…"
"Five!" Santana yelled.
"Five months." Malek laughed. "Actually Santana come up here."
Santana detangled herself from Jesus and Kyler, who were both holding onto her waist, placed a kiss on Brittany's cheek and made her way to the stage. The room applauded her as she went. When she got to Malek, he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Puck relax." Brittany whispered, feeling him tense up beside her.
"So I want to propose a toast, to this incredible, incredible woman." Everyone raised their drinks. Brittany scrambled to get hers, forcing her to let go of Puck. "To Santana." Malek said.
"To Santana." Everyone else parroted.
"Congratulations."
And just as Brittany tipped her glass to take a sip, she watched Malek turn and kiss Santana.