As the holiday season enveloped the household, Brett was excited and apprehensive about celebrating the holiday. On Christmas morning, the familiar sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, signaling the arrival of Stephen and Sam, their faces flushed from carrying him down the stairs. He offered them a grateful nod as they set him down gently, their efforts not going unnoticed.
With a sigh of relief, Brett steadied himself on his crutches and entered the living room. The sight that greeted him warmed his heart—a beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood tall in the corner, its branches adorned with twinkling lights and shimmering ornaments. The air was filled with the comforting scent of cinnamon, evoking memories of holidays past.
Judy's welcoming smile drew Brett's attention, and he returned it with a grateful grin. "Merry Christmas, Brett," she exclaimed, her eyes shining with joy as she embraced him warmly.
Taking a seat on the couch beside Santana, Brett couldn't help but feel a wave of affection wash over him. She looked radiant in the soft glow of the Christmas lights, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Leaning in, he pressed a tender kiss to her cheek before whispering, "Merry Christmas, San".
Santana's smile widened at his gesture, and she leaned into his touch, "Merry Christmas, Brett" she replied softly, her voice filled with warmth and affection. Her thoughts were interrupted by Quinn's arrival, a bright smile lighting up her face as she greeted Santana. "Hey, did you manage to talk to your parents?" Quinn inquired, concern evident in her voice.
Santana nodded, her expression softening with a hint of sadness. "Yeah, they're sad I'm not there, but they understand" she replied, placing a comforting hand on Brett's leg.
Quinn had decided to disperse everyone's gifts, her excitement visible as she handed out brightly wrapped packages to each person in the room.
Santana's heart swelled with gratitude as she received her own gifts, a sense of surprise washing over her. She hadn't expected to exchange presents this year, especially since she hadn't planned on being here for Christmas.
"Thank you, Quinn" Santana exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine appreciation as she examined the beautifully wrapped gifts in her hands. Quinn beamed at her, her eyes sparkling with joy. Santana couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging wash over her.
Despite the miles separating her from her own family, she had found a second home here with Quinn, Brett, and their family. Watching Quinn eagerly tear into her own gifts, Santana couldn't help but smile. The sight of her friend's happiness filled her with warmth, a reminder of the joy that could be found in the simple act of giving and receiving during the holiday season.
Santana sat cross-legged on the floor amidst a sea of torn wrapping paper, her heart swelling with gratitude as she examined each gift with care. The room was filled with the warmth of the holiday spirit, and she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the love and thoughtfulness of her friends and family.
Her fingers traced the spines of the books gifted to her by Judy and Stephen, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she took in the titles. Next came Quinn's gift—a stylish pair of sunglasses and a sleek journal. Santana grinned appreciatively at her friend's thoughtful choices, already envisioning herself wearing the sunglasses on sunny days and filling the journal with her thoughts and dreams.
Sam and Kitty's present caught her eye next, and Santana couldn't contain her excitement as she unwrapped the Jade Roller & Gua Sha tool kit. "This is perfect!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm as she inspected the beauty tools. She could already imagine the luxurious self-care routines she would enjoy with these new additions to her skincare regimen.
Then it was Brett's turn, and Santana's heart skipped a beat as he presented her with a beautifully wrapped box. She felt a rush of warmth flood her chest as she accepted the gift, knowing that whatever lay inside was chosen with love.
With trembling hands, she carefully peeled back the wrapping paper, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of the stunning dress nestled inside. It was a piece she had been eyeing for weeks, and she couldn't believe Brett had remembered. "Brett, this is amazing," she exclaimed, her eyes shining with gratitude as she held up the garment for all to see.
But Brett wasn't finished yet. He passed her two more boxes, Santana couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in her chest as she unwrapped the first box, revealing a delicate 14k gold signet ring. Her breath caught in her throat as she admired the intricate design, her initials elegantly engraved alongside Brett's. "It's beautiful, thank you Brett" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned in to press a tender kiss to Brett's cheek.
With trembling hands, she opened the second box, revealing a matching disk necklace adorned with Roman numerals. As her eyes scanned the engraved digits, "It's the day we became official" Brett explained, his gaze soft and filled with love as he watched her reaction. Santana felt her heart swell with love for him, overwhelmed by the depth of his thoughtfulness.
Quinn's voice broke through the moment, her words filled with admiration as she complimented the beauty of the jewelry. Santana smiled gratefully at her friend, feeling truly blessed to be surrounded by such love and generosity on this special day.
With eager anticipation, Brett reached for his next gift, his fingers tingling with excitement. As he tore away the wrapping paper, a broad smile spread across his face, Brett froze, his eyes widening in disbelief at what lay before him.
"You didn't!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with incredulity as he turned to Santana, who watched him with a satisfied smile. Sam, drawn by Brett's exclamation, hurried over to see what had caused such a commotion "Holy Shit!" he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief.
Brett turned back to Santana, his expression a mix of gratitude and disbelief. "You got me a PS5?" he asked, his voice tinged with excitement. Santana nodded, her smile widening at his reaction. "I did" she confirmed, her tone playful. "I figured with you being stuck in the house, you might as well have something to entertain you. Plus, it's all you've talked about for the past few weeks."
Brett's heart swelled, overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness. "I love you so much" he murmured, his voice filled with genuine appreciation as he pulled her into a tight hug, his lips finding hers in a sweet and tender kiss. "Thank you" he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude and love.
"This one's not really a gift," she admitted with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she told him that she and Judy had been talking, and they had come up with a plan. Santana is going to drive him to New York City—a road trip from Miami that would span five days from tomorrow evening.
Brett's eyes widened in surprise as he looked up at Santana, disbelief written across his features. "You're serious?" he asked, his voice tinged with excitement. Santana nodded, her smile radiant. A rush of gratitude washed over Brett as he looked at Santana, overwhelmed by her generosity. He couldn't believe she was willing to go to such lengths to make him happy.
Leaning forward, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Thank you" he murmured, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. Santana returned his embrace, her arms winding around him as she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "I just want to make you happy, plus it'll be easier for you to move around in my apartment" she whispered, her voice warm with affection.
Pulling back, Brett's gaze drifted to the PlayStation sitting beside them, a sudden thought occurring to him. "Can I bring my PS5?" he asked, a hopeful expression on his face. Santana chuckled, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Of course," she replied, her tone teasing. "I wouldn't dream of leaving it behind."
With a heart full of gratitude and anticipation, Brett settled back on the couch, the excitement of their upcoming road trip swirling around him. And as he looked at Santana, her eyes shining with excitement, he couldn't wait to embark on this new adventure together.
The air was filled with the scent of vegetables and roasted ham as Quinn took her seat at the table, a warm smile gracing her lips as she looked around at her family gathered together for Christmas lunch. Santana sat beside her, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she listened to the chatter around the table.
Quinn couldn't help but chuckle at Santana's comment about Brett's new PlayStation 5. "You're brave" she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I don't know if I could handle the endless hours of gaming." Santana laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she shook her head. "It's all part of the fun," she replied, her voice laced with playful sarcasm. "Besides, Brett deserves a little something special after everything he's been through."
Quinn nodded in agreement, her gaze drifting to Brett who sat across from her, a grin spreading across his face as he listened to their banter. "He does" she agreed, her voice soft with affection. As Stephen placed a platter of glazed ham in front of her, Quinn couldn't help but marvel at how delicious it looked. "This looks incredible" she exclaimed, her mouth watering at the sight of the succulent meat. "Thank you, Stephen."
Stephen beamed with pride, a twinkle of satisfaction in his eyes. "Thank you, Quinn," he replied, a touch of modesty coloring his tone. "I've been perfecting the recipe for weeks." Brett, who had been eyeing the ham hungrily, spoke up from across the table. "Quinn, could you plate up for me?" he asked, his tone hopeful as he held out his empty plate.
Quinn nodded, a fond smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she reached for the serving spoon. "Of course," she replied, scooping a generous portion of glazed ham and sides onto Brett's plate.
The air in the household buzzed with the energy of family gathered together for a lively game of Monopoly. Brett, ever the charismatic presence, played the role of Banker with gusto, his infectious laughter ringing out as he counted out money and distributed properties. His eyes sparkled with mischief as Santana, Judy, and Quinn attempted to outmaneuver each other, vying for the upper hand in the game.
Santana, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with, her competitive streak shining through as she tried to sway Brett with offers of extra cash and favors. Quinn couldn't help but chuckle at her antics, shaking her head in fond exasperation as Santana poured them all another glass of wine.
"Come on, Brett" Santana cajoled, her voice laced with playful determination. "You know you want to give me Boardwalk. I'll make it worth your while." Brett grinned mischievously, leaning back in his chair as he considered Santana's offer. "Hmm, tempting" he mused, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I think I'll hold onto it for now. Can't have you bankrupting the bank, can we?"
Judy chuckled, taking a sip of her wine as she watched the exchange unfold. "I don't know, Santana" she teased. "I think you might have met your match in Brett." Quinn nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I have to say, it's quite entertaining to watch," she admitted, her gaze flicking between Brett and Santana. "But let's try to keep it civil, shall we? We don't want any family feuds breaking out over Monopoly" Santana rolled her eyes good-naturedly, but there was a twinkle of amusement in her gaze as she reached for her wine glass, "Fine, fine".
The following day dawned with a sense of anticipation as Santana prepared for the journey ahead. Stephen, ever the supportive father to Brett, offered to drive her to the airport to pick up the hire car they would be using for their road trip to New York. Santana accepted his offer gratefully, knowing that having Stephen by her side would make the task ahead seem less daunting.
As they arrived at the airport, Stephen expertly navigated the bustling crowds, his calm demeanor a reassuring presence by Santana's side. Together, they made their way to the rental car desk, where Stephen meticulously inspected the available vehicles before settling on a sturdy Chevy Tahoe.
"This one should do the trick," Stephen declared, a hint of satisfaction in his voice as he gestured towards the spacious SUV. "Plenty of room for Brett to stretch out and get comfortable."
Santana nodded in agreement, appreciating Stephen's attention to detail. She knew that comfort would be key for Brett during their journey.
Once the paperwork was sorted and the keys were in hand, Santana climbed behind the wheel of the Tahoe, her excitement building with each passing moment. She glanced over at Stephen, offering him a grateful smile. "Thanks for helping me out with this, Stephen," she said sincerely. Stephen returned her smile, his eyes warm with affection. "Anytime, Santana," he replied, his voice filled with genuine care.
Arriving back at the house, Santana parked the Tahoe in the driveway and made her way inside, greeted by the familiar sight of Quinn and Judy bustling about in the kitchen.
Quinn looked up as Santana entered, a smile lighting up her face. "Hey, San" she greeted warmly. "Did you get the car sorted?" Santana nodded, holding up the keys with a grin. "All taken care of," she confirmed. "We're ready to hit the road in a few hours".
Before long, their bags were packed and the Tahoe was loaded up with everything they would need for the trip. Santana watched with a mixture of pride and concern as Brett made his way to the car on his crutches. His determination to be as independent as possible was admirable.
Thankfully, Stephen was there to lend a helping hand, loading a wheelchair into the back of the car just in case Brett needed it. Santana breathed a sigh of relief as she helped Brett into the passenger seat, carefully taking his crutches from him and stowing them away.
Judy approached Brett with a warm hug, her eyes shining with emotion as she wished him well on their journey. Santana could see the love and concern etched on her face, and she felt a swell of gratitude towards Brett's mother for her unwavering support.
"Drive safe, sweetheart," Judy said, her voice tinged with maternal concern. "And keep us updated along the way." Santana nodded, giving Judy a reassuring smile. "We will," she promised. "Don't worry, we've got everything under control."
Turning to Quinn, Santana offered her a warm hug, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving her friend behind. "I'll see you in New York," she said softly, her voice tinged with emotion. "And enjoy the rest of the week with Puck. It'll be good to have some time together."
With a final farewell, Santana climbed into the driver's seat and pulled out of the driveway, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within her. This road trip was just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, and Santana was determined to make the most of every moment.
The road stretched out before them winding its way through the picturesque Florida landscape. Orlando awaited them, its promise of adventure and excitement hanging in the air. Santana had never been to Disney World before, and the anticipation of experiencing the magic of the park for the first time filled her with a sense of childlike wonder. Brett had insisted that they make it their first stop on their road trip, and she couldn't wait to see what all the fuss was about.
As they drove, Santana and Brett sang along to the radio, the music filling the car with an infectious energy. Santana couldn't help but smile as Brett belted out the lyrics to their favorite songs, his enthusiasm contagious. It felt good to leave their worries behind and lose themselves in the music, if only for a little while.
The hours slipped by unnoticed as they traveled, the landscape changing subtly with each passing mile. Soon, the sights of Orlando began to appear on the horizon: towering palm trees, colorful billboards advertising nearby attractions, and the unmistakable skyline of the city itself.
Finally, they arrived at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Brett couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within him. This was the start of their adventure, the beginning of a journey that promised to be filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories.
Once the car was parked, Santana wasted no time in getting out, her eagerness evident as she reached for Brett's crutches. He watched her with a fond smile, grateful for her unwavering support and determination to make this trip special for him. With her help, he maneuvered himself out of the car, his movements slow and deliberate as he adjusted to the weight of his injured legs.
As they made their way towards the entrance of the resort, Brett couldn't help but marvel at their surroundings. Giant Toy Story characters loomed overhead, their colorful forms a stark contrast against the bright blue sky. The air was alive with the sounds of laughter and excitement, the unmistakable buzz of anticipation that filled the air before a day of adventure. They approached the check-in counter, greeted by a friendly cast member who welcomed them with a warm smile. Once they had their room key in hand, Santana led the way as they made their way through the sprawling resort after a short walk they arrived at their room.
The modern room welcomed Brett and Santana with a subtle charm, its decor offering gentle nods to the whimsy of Disney without overwhelming the space. A king-size bed stood proudly in the center, inviting them to sink into its plush comfort. Brett wasted no time in making his way over, a grin spreading across his face as he threw himself onto the bed, his arms outstretched in a gesture of sheer relaxation.
Santana followed suit, her laughter mingling with his as she joined him on the bed, her warmth radiating against his side as he wrapped her up in his embrace. They lay there for a moment, simply enjoying each other's presence, the cares of the world melting away in the comfort of their shared love. Glancing at the clock, they realized that dinner time was fast approaching. With a shared nod, they decided to indulge in a bit of room service for the evening, craving the simplicity of a quiet night ingether. Brett reached for the phone, his fingers dialing the number for the hotel's dining service as Santana nestled against him, her head resting against his chest.