When they get back to Santana's house, it's dark but not very late. Santana almost wishes it were later, because her extended family is probably still here, and she doesn't think Brittany is in a place to deal with that right now. Really, nobody is ever in a place to deal with all of Santana's extended family at once. "So...family might still be here. We don't have to hang out with them, though, if you're uncomfortable or nervous. We can just go upstairs. No one will mind. Okay?"
Brittany nods, but her hand tightens around Santana's. "Play it by ear?"
"Sounds good." Santana grabs Brittany's bag out of the backseat and sets it down on the sidewalk.
"Can I have a hug first?" Brittany asks. Santana nods and opens her arms. When Brittany steps in and rests her head on her shoulder, Santana holds her tight, letting Brittany decide when to let go. After a few minutes, Brittany pulls back. Santana grabs her bag and reconnects their hands as they walk to the front door. When she opens the door, she's surprised by the quiet. All she can hear is the TV in the living room, and then, "Mija?"
"Yeah, Mami," Santana answers. She's thankful that everyone has already left. Her mami will probably make them eat some leftovers, and then they can go to bed early.
Maribel rushes into the hall and immediately pulls Brittany into a hug. Then, she lets go and pulls Santana into a hug that's just a little tighter than normal. As soon as she lets go of Santana, she turns back to Brittany, gently putting her hands on either side of Brittany's face, inspecting the cut, bruise, and swelling. "Let's get something on that."
Santana knows that treating the cut now isn't going to help very much, but she also knows that Maribel is the kind of person who needs to fix things. She can't fix what's really hurting Brittany, so she'll just try to fix the outside. After the first-aid kit is put away, and Brittany's cut is freshly cleaned and covered with a layer of Neosporin, Santana finally takes a second to look around. The food on the counter looks untouched. When her mother walks over to the oven and opens it, Santana sees a whole turkey. Whispering so that Brittany doesn't hear, Santana asks, "Mami, didn't anybody come for Christmas?"
"I called last night and told them not to. I thought it might be better for Brittany if it was just the family." Santana can't stop herself from hugging her mother. "Go take Brittany into the living room. I'll call you all when dinner is ready. I just need to heat some things up." Then, more loudly, "I hope you're hungry, Brittany. You look thinner than the last time I saw you."
"We didn't miss dinner?" That makes Brittany feel like she ruined their Christmas a little less. Taking her hand, Santana leads the way to the living room.
When they walk in, Santana can tell that her brothers and dad were waiting for them. Antonio stands up first and pulls them both into a hug. "Merry Christmas! We're glad you're here, Brittany," he says sincerely. Her brothers also stand up and give them hugs. Santana notices that they're being gentler with Brittany than usual. They don't ask any questions; they just all sit down and continue watching the movie.
At dinner, Maribel keeps adding food to Brittany's plate when she thinks she isn't looking. Of course, Brittany notices; she's just thankful that she's someone Maribel wants to take care of. After dinner, they all go back into the living room, where the kids sit around while Antonio and Maribel put little piles of packages in front of them. Brittany's excited to watch them open their gifts. Maybe afterwards, she and Santana can go upstairs and give each other their gifts too. Then, Antonio sets a pile down in front of her as well. She looks around, confused, but nobody seems to be surprised that she has a pile too. She knew that she might get a gift from Maribel, but this is more than she's ever gotten. Feeling surprised, happy, and touched, she wants to cry. Santana squeezes her hand like she knows what's going on in Brittany's head.
"This year, we go oldest to youngest. We aren't opening gifts from each other, because we're going on a vacation as a Christmas gift for ourselves. So Luis, you start," Antonio announces. After Luis opens his presents, Gabe goes next, and then Miguel, who is apparently three minutes older than Diego. They all receive similar gifts: new shoes, video games, movies, and a set of pajamas each. Gabe also gets a new tie that he seems pretty excited about, and Luis gets a Tupperware set so that he'll stop taking Maribel's home with him.
Next is Santana, which unfortunately means that Brittany has to let go of her hand . She also receives pajamas and movies, as well as a new guitar case and tuner, a new set of sheets (which just so happen to be a color that Brittany said she thought would look pretty in her room a few months ago), a pair of Ray-Bans, and some new boots. Then, Maribel hands her an envelope. "This is for both of you." The front of the envelope says "To: Our girls" on it. Brittany doesn't even care what's in it; the envelope means enough. Santana opens it and pulls out a certificate to get their hair done at Maribel's favorite salon. Brittany keeps the envelope.
"Okay, Britt-Britt. Your turn," Santana says as she nudges Brittany gently and gives her a warm smile.
Brittany picks up the first box and carefully unwraps it to find a brand new wool coat. It's beautiful and looks so warm. "Oh wow! Thank you so much. I really needed a new coat."
"I remember. You were wearing some sad excuse for a coat last time you were here decorating outside. Now you have a warm one. Use it. I don't want you getting sick."
Brittany nods before carefully folding it and gently setting it back on top of the box. Then, she moves on to the next gift, which is a matching mitten and scarf set that goes perfectly with her new coat. Like everyone else, she also receives a pajama set. Her other gifts include a basket with some lotions and candles, and a stack of movies that are very different from the horror/action ones everyone else got. Hers are Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., and some feel-good movies and chick flicks.
"Now you have movies to watch here too," Antonio tells Brittany. "I picked the next one. I know you're going to like it."
"He's very proud of himself, dear, so even if you don't, just pretend." Maribel stage whispers.
Giggling, Brittany opens the package to pull out a pair of black rain boots with little ducks printed all over them. They're amazing. "I love them!"
"They're lined, so you can wear them in the winter. Multi-seasonal. It's the latest trend." Antonio gestures proudly to the boots. They're wonderful, and the fact that he picked them just for her is even more wonderful. Brittany swallows the sad thought that he already knows her so much better than her own father, even though she's spent exactly one week in his house. They all hug and thank Maribel and Antonio before settling on the couch to watch one of Brittany's new movies, The Grinch.
Several times during the movie, Brittany dozes off, then jerks awake, trying to pretend she didn't fall asleep. Each time, Santana tells her that it's okay if she wants to sleep, but Brittany shakes her head and forces herself to stay awake. When the movie is over, Santana announces that she's tired and that they're heading to bed. They wish everyone a Merry Christmas again and go up to her bedroom. "Want to get ready for bed?" Santana suggests half-jokingly. She knows Brittany wants to exchange gifts.
"What about our gifts? Can we do that first?"
"I was kidding, baby. Of course." Santana goes to her desk and pulls out a small wrapped box, then turns back to Brittany, who's pulling out two wrapped packages, with a piece of paper taped to the top of one.
"Will you open first?" Brittany asks.
Santana nods and looks at the top one. The little piece of paper taped to the top just has the words "15 minutes," a date, and a time. "What's this?"
"That's the first part of your gift. I booked you at the coffee shop's open mic night the first Wednesday after we get back. It's a 15-minute set. I could tell you wanted to, and I believe in you, and I think other people should get to hear you sing too, because it's beautiful." Santana doesn't know what to say, so she simply kisses Brittany, hoping it conveys her gratitude. After a few seconds, Brittany pulls away. "Okay, next."
Taking the slightly smaller gift, Santana rips the paper off to reveal a beautiful frame containing a picture of her and Brittany that she's never seen. It's beautiful—both the frame and the picture. She had just been thinking that she wanted to get one or two printed for her room. "It's perfect, B. I love it. The frame is so beautiful."
Brittany smiles. "I thought you'd like it. Quinn took the picture, and I told her not to show you. Okay, next one!" After carefully setting the picture down on her bed, Santana opens the last box. It's a leather-bound journal, the design simple but beautifully engraved. "Look at the back."
Santana reads the inscription, complete with the little S+B underneath. "What's that from?"
"Pablo Neruda. He's a poet. Do you like it?" Santana bends her head slightly to wipe a tear that's threatening to escape her eye. It's beautiful. However, her silence makes Brittany nervous. "I thought it would be good, because you always have little notes in your pocket, and now you can keep all your songwriting in one place. Plus, you can reuse it. You just need to change out the notebook inside." She starts to anxiously wring her hands.
Setting the notebook down, Santana takes Brittany's hands into hers and pulls the blonde closer. "I love it. All of it. It's nearly as beautiful and perfect as you." She smiles and kisses Brittany. "Okay, your turn."
When Brittany pulls the delicate bracelet out of the box, she gasps. "Santana, this is amazing. It's so pretty." As she examines the little heart and the S, they tinkle lightly against each other. She looks back up at Santana, eyes shining with happy tears.
"Can I put it on you?" Santana asks. Brittany hands it to her, and she undoes the clasp before securing it around Brittany's wrist, leaning down to kiss the spot on her wrist where she can see Brittany's pulse. "I love you."
"I love you too. Thank you for saving me."
"Always, Britt-Britt." They hold each other for a long time before pulling apart and making the decision to get ready for bed.
The next morning, things are even more back to normal. When Santana opens her eyes, Brittany is already awake, lying draped across her and laughing at something on Santana's phone. "What's so funny?" she croaks.
"I downloaded this app that has funny videos on it. Sorry if I woke you." Not really sorry, she kisses Santana, glad she's awake. "Can we go to Times Square for New Year's? I've always wanted to do that. Maybe Quinn could come?"
What Brittany wants, Brittany gets, so of course, Santana agrees. She texts Quinn to let her know that something came up and Brittany's at her house early, and that they're going to Times Square for New Year's Eve. No arguments. Later that day, Santana tells her brothers, and Luis and Gabe invite themselves along. Diego and Miguel will both be working. Gabe says they can all stay at his place afterwards so they don't have to commute home.
Maribel seems wary, as she always does when Santana and Quinn go into the city at night. When the others aren't paying attention, she pulls Luis aside. "You take care of them. Don't let any drunk people get too close to them or anything."
"Mami, don't worry. Gabe and I will watch them, and Miguel and Diego will be there in uniform."
On New Year's Eve, Quinn comes over, and the three girls get ready together before heading into the city. They meet Luis and Gabe at an Italian restaurant, where Gabe apparently knows the owner, because plates they don't order keep appearing, as well as a friendly older gentleman who gives them all a glass of what Gabe says is very expensive champagne. They all leave the restaurant happy and full.
At about 10:30, they get to Times Square, and Brittany can't believe the sheer number of people there; they'd be lucky to see anything at all. "Maybe we should've gotten here earlier?"
"Maybe. If your brothers aren't cops and can't get you a good spot, no matter what time you come," Luis winks at her.
Grinning, Santana pulls her hand, leading her to where she knows her other two brothers will be. When they spot Diego standing next to a barrier, Luis calls his name to get his attention. "Hey guys! Ladies!" Diego greets them, then pulls the barrier aside to let them slip through. "Just find a place to stand back there." He gestures to an area with a few other people, some of whom have kids. Brittany can't help but imagine coming here with Santana and their children in a few years. Looping her arm through Santana's, she presses her cold nose into Santana's shoulder. This coat is amazing; her nose is cold, but the rest of her is toasty and warm.
They spend the next hour and a half watching music acts. It takes Brittany about seven minutes to make friends with some of the older women and children that are standing with them. Santana's heart nearly explodes when Quinn distracts her from a conversation she's having with her brother by pointing at Brittany, who's dancing with a little girl. "Sap," Quinn says as she lightly hip-checks Santana.
"Q, I can't help it. I don't know what's wrong with me, but like...I want to do adult things with Brittany." Quinn raises an eyebrow at her. "Not like that. Get your mind out of the gutter, perv. I meant, have kids. Live together. Go grocery shopping."
Quinn laughs. "Of course you do. I've known you our whole lives, S. It doesn't take a genius to see that you two are forever. It's glaringly obvious. You get those kinds of feelings when you find your forever." Santana nods, still watching Brittany, who's dancing with that little girl and an even smaller boy, who's mostly just bouncing. Yeah. That's her forever. A few seconds later, she walks over to join Brittany, who introduces her to her new friends, Kayla and Bradley.
When the countdown to midnight starts, Brittany's excitement is contagious. They all huddle close together, Santana's arms protectively around her girlfriend. At midnight, they watch the ball drop while jumping and cheering. Then, Brittany puts her mittened hands on Santana's cheeks and pulls her into a kiss. Santana deepens the kiss until she feels someone smack her in the back of the head lightly. Pulling away from Brittany, she sees Quinn shaking her head at them. "There are children here, you two."
After about half an hour, Brittany rests her head on Santana's shoulder. "Sleepy?"
Brittany nods, and Santana tightens her hold. Eventually, Gabe asks if they're ready to go, and they start heading back to his apartment. When they finally get there, they're all nearly dead on their feet. "I'm going to bed, sis. You know where everything is."
"I'll take the smaller couch." Quinn yawns, grabbing a blanket and pillow from the closet. She'd clearly been here before.
"Do you want to sleep on the couch, and I can sleep on the floor right next to you?" Santana asks Brittany, who shakes her head no.
"I'll sleep on the floor with you, or we can both try to fit on the couch. I don't want to not cuddle." Unsurprisingly, Brittany's been even more cuddly than usual since leaving her parents' house. Santana understands. She's noticed Brittany's increased need for closeness, and it matches with her heightened need to keep Brittany safe. When they manage to fit their bodies together on the couch, facing each other, Brittany mumbles sleepily into Santana's chest, "I had fun today."
"I'm glad, babe. I did too."
Brittany mumbles something in response that Santana can't understand, so she kisses the top of Brittany's head and whispers, "I love you." She hears another mumble before Brittany's breathing evens out. As Santana drifts off to sleep, she thinks about Brittany's birthday in a few days and how she's determined to make it amazing for her. Because Brittany deserves amazing. Always.
