Chapter 51

Santana POV

"Something I need to be concerned with?" Santana asked with a quirked brow and smirk.

Brittany and Quinn laughed.

"I just told Quinn I'm going to head to bed early tonight and that you'll probably want to talk to her about what happened. I'm okay with you telling her everything, I just …"

Santana moved to sit next to Brittany. "Hey, I understand, honey." She gently pressed her lips to Brittany's temple. "Drink a beer or three, we'll watch some stupid rom-com or Napoleon Dynamite or something. Then you get some rest and I'll fill Quinn in on the drama."

"Thanks, babe."

A knock at the door interrupted them and Quinn bounced up to get the food.

They ate pizza and then popped some popcorn and watched stupid movies for a couple of hours; Brittany drinking two beers with Quinn while Santana stuck to soda.

True to her word, around nine-thirty Brittany kissed Santana lightly on the lips, said good night to Quinn and headed to bed.

Santana and Quinn sat in silence not really watching what was on the television. Santana took a deep breath and sighed it out.

"So … the good, the bad, or the ugly?"

"Gimme the good stuff first."

Santana grinned slyly. "Lost my V card on New Year's."

"BITCH WHAT?!" Quinn squealed and leapt over their coffee table to tackle Santana. "You waited almost a month to tell me?" She slapped Santana's arm.

Santana laughed. "Well, it's not like I wanted to tell you in a text or over the phone."

"Tell me everything. Well, no, not everything. How was it?"

"Just like every other first with Brittany. Perfect. God, Quinn, she's so amazing. Gentle and patient." Santana shook her head. "Amazing."

"Awww, honey, I'm so happy for you. Happy that you're happy. Happy that you've finally found someone who sees you for the awesome person you are and treats you accordingly."

Santana ducked her head, blushing. She held up her right hand. "You didn't notice?"

Quinn took the hand and looked at the ring. "It's beautiful, San. No, I didn't notice. Where the hell was I?" She laughed.

Santana giggled. "Britt bought us matching rings this week," she slipped it off her finger and showed Quinn the engraving. "She was so cute, Q." Santana laughed again. "She was stammering about how we should get them for our middle fingers or our pinkies because the right ring finger is for promise rings. I swear, I thought she was going to hurt herself tripping over her words to not freak me out."

Quinn laughed. "She's crazy about you."

"Feeling is mutual."

Santana went on to tell Quinn about Grams and Gramps and the amazing time they head last weekend and the past week. "Oh!" She jumped up and quietly went into her bedroom where Brittany was knocked out cold. She opened the bottom drawer of her desk and took out the ring she'd gotten for Brittany; Brittany never went into that drawer because all it has in it is Santana's extra composition notebooks.

"I bought this for Britt while we were at that Antiques Mall last weekend. It's for her birthday next month."

"San, it's beautiful! Are you … is this … ?"

Santana shook her head. "No. This is actually a promise ring so I was really happy when Britt suggested getting these rings for our middle fingers. I love her so much, Q. I never knew I could love anyone like this. I never knew I could feel this way. I mean, I know a lot of 'experts' say you're supposed to be a whole person on your own; that you shouldn't need someone to make you whole. But … honestly? She makes me feel whole. Like she filled up all the holes and cracks inside of me with her love. I know that sounds corny and everything …"

"It sounds like you're in love, honey. I think it's great. I really do. I think Brittany is great. She's been so good for you. You're more like that ball of fury who knocked Karofsky on his ass for pushing me. You seem like you're you again. Been a long time, babes."

Santana nodded. "I know. I feel like me again. I'm not afraid anymore. I'm not lonely. I mean, I had you but … you had Daniel and …" she shrugged.

"I get it. I was all you had. Now you've got me and Daniel but you've got Brittany and a band and friends and …" Quinn smiled softly, "a family. Britt's dad and grandparents are awesome. It seems like they treat you like you're already family."

Santana nodded. "Quinn … this past week showed me what a real, loving family is like. I never want to not have that again."

Quinn nodded. "So … the bad and the ugly?"

Santana told Quinn about how Puck was still being inappropriate and Sam's leering was really starting to get on her nerves.

Then she told Quinn about Brittany's incubator. She couldn't even bring herself to call Susan Brittany's mom. Told Quinn about the money Susan stole. About the money, period. About the lies. And about her getting pregnant "under shady circumstances" because David was getting ready to leave her.

"Quinn … Brittany was crushed. I've never seen her like that. She said she'd always known her mother didn't love her but to have confirmation that she never even wanted Brittany? It damn near broke Brittany. You know how you said it seemed like I was back to my old self?" Quinn nodded. "Believe me … if I ever lay eyes on the woman, have bail money ready because I will be going all Lima Heights on that bitch. The audacity to treat that beautiful, sweet, kind, amazing girl like that … nah, no me gusta. No me gusta at all. Brittany started doubting herself; asking how could anyone love or want her if her own mother didn't. Q … I am dead serious when I say I wanted to find her and kill her. It's been a long, long time since I've been that angry."

"Why did David tell her about it? I mean, that seems a little cruel."

Santana sighed. "David had planned to stay with Susan until Britt graduated college and was out of Susan's reach. But when things came to light about what she'd done, the money she'd stolen … David realized he can't stay with her anymore. He wanted to give Brittany a heads up. He's pretty sure … and I think he's probably right … that Susan is going to come to Brittany and try and scam money from her. And I can see it, you know? Susan coming to Brittany, crying about how sorry she is and how much she wants to make it up to Britt. If Britt didn't know the truth," Santana shook her head, "Brittany is so kind. She just always seems to see the best in people, you know? She'd forgive Susan. She'd want to give Susan another chance. Only to get her heart broken again when Susan got what she wanted and disappeared. He wanted to protect her but, in order to do that, she had to know the truth."

"God, poor Brittany. No wonder she didn't want to talk about it. Well, I'll not only have bail money ready … but I'll buy the shovel and help you hide the body." Quinn grinned. "Nobody messes with our family."

Santana hugged Quinn tightly. "Thanks, Q." She sighed deeply. "God, thanks for listening. I didn't even realize I needed to get that off my chest."

Quinn nodded. "Yeah, it's not your heartache but it is because if it hurts her, it hurts you. It affects her, so it affects you. Welcome to a real, adult relationship."

Santana smiled. "I'll take it. If hurting because she hurts means I get to hold her and help her heal … I'll take it all."

"Sap."

Santana laughed and gave Quinn a shove. "Just for her … and don't you forget it, bitch. Now I'm exhausted from all of that and I'm going to go cuddle my girlfriend." They stood up and hugged one another, Santana kissing Quinn's cheek. "I love you, Q. Thanks for tonight."

Quinn kissed her back. "Anytime, San. You know I'm here for you."

Santana nodded and slipped into the bedroom. She brushed her teeth and climbed into bed, wrapping her arm around Brittany's waist and pulling her close.

"San?" Brittany's voice was sleep slurred.

"Yeah, sweetheart, it's me. Go back to sleep."

"Mmkay. Love you."

"I love you, too, Britt-Britt." She whispered into the blonde's neck as she felt her girl get heavy and slip back into dreamland. She closed her eyes and started drifting off. "So very much."