The last semester had been a whirlwind of lectures, assignments, and late-night study sessions for Brett. But as he walked out of his final exam, relief washed over him. He could hardly believe that his college journey was coming to an end. Running his hands through his hair, Brett stepped out of the exam hall and into the bustling campus courtyard.
His thoughts were interrupted when he caught sight of Santana waiting for him outside, her radiant smile cutting through the sea of faces. Brett's heart skipped a beat as he quickened his pace, a rush of excitement coursing through him. "Santana, what are you doing here?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine surprise and delight.
Without a word, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him close. Brett's initial confusion melted away as he returned her embrace, the familiar scent of her perfume enveloping him. "I took the afternoon off" Santana explained, her voice soft and filled with affection. "I thought we could go out for a celebratory lunch."
A grin spread across Brett's face at her words, his heart swelling with love and gratitude. He couldn't believe she had gone out of her way to surprise him like this. Moments like these reminded him of just how lucky he was to have Santana in his life. "Really?" he exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over. "That's amazing! I can't believe you did that."
Santana simply shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. "Anything for my favorite college graduate" she teased, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. Brett's heart swelled with warmth as he leaned in to press a tender kiss to Santana's lips, savoring the softness and sweetness of her embrace. As they pulled away from the kiss, Brett's gaze lingered on Santana's radiant smile, feeling a surge of gratitude for her presence in his life. "Where do you want to eat for lunch?" he asked, his voice soft and filled with genuine curiosity.
Santana's smile widened at his question, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's your day and your decision" she replied playfully, her tone teasing yet affectionate. Brett chuckled at her response, feeling a sense of empowerment at the prospect of choosing their lunch spot. "Pizza it is, then?" he suggested, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
Santana nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm mirrored in her sparkling eyes. "Let's go to Lombardi's" she confirmed, her voice filled with excitement as she squeezed his hand.
With a nod of agreement, Brett led the way, their hands still intertwined as they made their way through the bustling streets. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the cityscape as they walked side by side, lost in their little world.
Arriving at Lombardi's, Brett felt a surge of anticipation as they stepped inside the iconic pizzeria. As they perused the menu, Brett's stomach rumbled with hunger. There were so many delicious options to choose from, and he couldn't wait to dig in. Glancing over at Santana, he couldn't help but admire the way her eyes sparkled with excitement, her enthusiasm infectious.
After much deliberation, they finally settled on a Double Pepperoni pizza to share. Brett's mouth watered at the thought of the savory slices, and he couldn't wait to sink his teeth into the cheesy goodness. He also decided to order a Brooklyn Lager, craving something a little stronger than water after the past few months of hard work and dedication.
While they waited for their food to arrive, Santana reached across the table to take Brett's hand in hers, her touch sending a shiver of warmth down his spine. "I'm so proud of you," she said, her voice filled with admiration and love. "You've worked so hard, and you deserve to celebrate."
Brett felt a swell of emotion at her words, grateful for her unwavering support and encouragement. He knew that he couldn't have made it through the past few months without her by his side, cheering him on every step of the way. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity as he gazed into her eyes. "For everything" Santana's eyes softened at his words, her smile warm and genuine as she squeezed his hand in return. "Anytime" she replied, her voice filled with love and affection. "I love you, Brett."
Santana took a delicate bite of her slice, "So" she began, her voice tinged with anticipation, "what are the plans for this weekend?" Brett's grin widened at Santana's question, excitement bubbling up inside him as he thought about the days ahead. "Well" he began, setting his slice down on the plate, "tomorrow my parents and Sam are flying in for the commencement ceremony on Friday."
"And obviously" Brett added, a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he wiggled his eyebrows, "Sunday is Cabo time, baby." Santana's laughter rang out, "I can't wait" she exclaimed her voice filled with enthusiasm. "It's going to be the perfect way to celebrate your graduation"
Brett nodded in agreement, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Absolutely" he replied, feeling a sense of joy and anticipation building within him. "And having you there with me will make it even more special."
Santana nodded in agreement, a knowing smile dancing on her lips "Oh, don't forget, my parents and Abuela are also coming." Brett's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Santana's reminder, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Ah, yes, the infamous Abuela" he said, his voice laced with amusement. "She never fails to keep things interesting."
Santana laughed, the sound light and melodious as she shook her head in mock exasperation. "You have no idea," she replied, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "She's mainly coming to brag on Facebook and at church that I'm dating a doctor." Brett chuckled at Santana's playful remark, the sound echoing through the room as he leaned back on the couch. "Well, I'll make sure to be on my best behavior" he said with a grin. "I wouldn't want to disappoint her."
Santana smirked, her gaze lingering on Brett with affection as she reached for another slice of pizza. "Oh, I'm sure she'll find something to complain about" she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "She still calls you gringo under her breath and gives you evils every time you walk in the room."
Brett laughed at Santana's observation, the warmth of her humor washing over him like a comforting embrace. "I've come to expect nothing less," he replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "But deep down, I know she adores me." Santana grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she nodded in agreement. "Of course she does," she said, her voice filled with affection.
The morning of Brett's commencement ceremony dawned bright and clear, filling him with a sense of anticipation and excitement. After years of hard work and dedication, the day had finally arrived for him to walk across the stage and receive his diploma. Dressed in a crisp blue suit and a black shirt, Brett stepped out of the bedroom, his heart pounding with nervous energy. Santana greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes lighting up as she took in his appearance. "You look handsome" she said, her voice filled with admiration.
Brett returned her smile, feeling a rush of affection for her. Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Not as good as you, though" he replied, his tone teasing as he squeezed her ass tightly while his other hand roamed over the alluring curves of her skin-tight black dress.
Santana laughed softly, her fingers trailing down his arm before fixing his collar and pulling him into a passionate kiss but their moment was cut short by Quinn's voice, snapping them back to reality "Come on, you two" she called out from the doorway, her tone tinged with impatience. "We're going to be late." Brett turned to see Quinn standing there, a playful glint in her eye as she regarded them, "Right, let's not keep everyone waiting" he said, his voice filled with determination as he took Santana's hand in his own.
Together, they made their way out of the apartment and into the bustling streets of the city. As they walked, Brett couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within him. Graduation was a momentous occasion, and he was grateful to have Santana and their families there to share it with him.
Once they arrived at the venue for the graduation ceremony, Brett's heart swelled with pride. The stadium was filled with graduates and their families, all buzzing with anticipation for the ceremony to begin. Taking their seats among the crowd, Brett couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment wash over him.
As the achingly long ceremony drew to a close and the graduates were called up one by one to receive their diplomas, Brett felt a surge of pride well up within him. This was it – the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. As he walked across the stage to accept his diploma, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment wash over him.
Amid the sea of cheers and applause, Brett found himself swept up in a whirlwind of emotions as he celebrated with his classmates, each of them clutching their hard-earned diplomas tightly. The air was charged with excitement and anticipation, the culmination of years of hard work and dedication finally coming to fruition.
As they waited for their families to join them, Brett's heart swelled with anticipation. He scanned the crowd, his eyes searching for the familiar faces of his loved ones. And then, he spotted them – his parents, standing proudly amidst the throng of spectators.
Without hesitation, Brett made his way over to them, a wide smile spreading across his face. His mom's eyes lit up with pride as she saw him approaching, and before he knew it, he was enveloped in her warm embrace. His dad stood beside her, a proud grin on his face as he clapped Brett on the back. "Congratulations, son" his dad said, his voice filled with pride. "We're so proud of you."
Brett's heart swelled with gratitude as he looked at his parents, feeling overwhelmed by their love and support. He had worked tirelessly to reach this moment, and seeing the pride in their eyes made it all worth it.
As he rejoined his classmates, Brett's gaze wandered, and his heart skipped a beat as he spotted Santana making her way through the crowd with her parents and Abuela in tow. His heart swelled with love as he watched her approach, her eyes sparkling with pride.
"Hey," he said, his voice filled with affection as he leaned in to press a quick kiss to her cheek. Santana smiled up at him, her eyes shining with happiness. "Congratulations, Brett" Antonio said, extending his hand to shake Brett's firmly. "You've worked hard for this moment."
"Thanks, Antonio" Brett replied, feeling a surge of gratitude for Santana's father's kind words. Marabel stepped forward, pulling Brett into a tight hug. "We're so proud of you, mi yerno" she said, her voice thick with emotion. Brett smiled warmly at Marabel, feeling touched by her words. "Thank you, Marabel" he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
As they posed for photos together, Brett couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and contentment wash over him. As the photographer snapped away, Brett couldn't resist the urge to playfully place his cap on Abuela's head, eliciting a scowl from the elderly woman. Santana burst into laughter at the sight, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ay" Abuela exclaimed, her voice laced with annoyance as she swatted at Brett, "Qué tonto eres!" Brett laughed along with Santana, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging wash over him.
"Behave yourself" she said with a playful glint in her eyes "Stop winding her up." He couldn't help but grin at Santana pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. "Relax, babe," he murmured, his voice soft with affection. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior."
Santana rolled her eyes with a smile, clearly unconvinced, but she leaned into his embrace nonetheless, her warmth and presence grounding him amidst the chaos of the moment. As they mingled with his classmates, Stephen approached them, "Are you ready to head out?" he asked. Brett nodded eagerly, feeling his stomach rumble with hunger. "Definitely," he replied. "I'm starving."
With that, they made their way out of the crowded stadium, Brett wrapping his arm around Santana's waist as they navigated the bustling crowds.
As they stepped into the cozy Italian restaurant, Brett's gaze swept over the warm, inviting atmosphere. The scent of garlic and marinara wafted through the air, mingling with the murmur of conversation and clinking of glasses. Brett smiled as he held out a chair for Abuela, guiding her to her seat before taking his place beside her. "Here you go, Alma" he said, passing her a menu with a grin. "Take your pick." Abuela smiled up at him gratefully, "Gracias, Brett" she replied.
As Abuela perused the menu, Brett turned his attention to the rest of the table. Judy and Maribel were deep in discussion, debating how many bottles of wine to order for the table. Sam settled into the seat beside Brett, offering him a friendly smile. "Hey, bro" he greeted, his voice filled with warmth. "Congratulations on graduating. You did it."
Brett returned Sam's smile, feeling a surge of pride swell in his chest. "Thanks, Sam" he replied, his gratitude evident in his tone. As he glanced around the table, Brett's gaze landed on Quinn and Santana, who were engaged in lively conversation. Quinn turned to him with a smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement "Are you excited for our vacation in two days?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation. Brett's face lit up at the mention of their upcoming trip. "Absolutely," he exclaimed, his excitement evident in his tone. "I can't wait to relax and unwind" Santana grinned at him, her eyes alight with enthusiasm. "It's going to be amazing" she chimed in, her voice filled with excitement.
As they continued to chat about their upcoming vacation plans, Brett felt a sense of anticipation building within him. He couldn't wait to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend some quality time with Santana.
Santana's heart warmed by the sight before her. She watched with a soft smile as Brett offered Abuela one of his meatballs, a gesture of kindness and thoughtfulness that never failed to touch her heart.
Abuela, with her discerning taste and unwavering opinions, inspected the meatball with a critical eye. Santana couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, knowing that Abuela was a tough critic when it came to food. But despite her initial skepticism, Abuela accepted the meatball with a nod of thanks and took a tentative bite.
Santana held her breath, waiting anxiously for Abuela's reaction. To her relief and delight, Abuela's expression softened into a small smile, and she nodded in approval. Brett looked up at Santana, his eyes sparkling with warmth and affection. As their eyes met, Santana couldn't help but return Brett's smile with one of her own.
As the evening cast its gentle embrace over the Italian restaurant, Brett found himself seated beside Santana. He couldn't help but revel in the warmth of Santana's laughter as he peppered her neck with gentle kisses, his lips trailing a path of soft caresses along her skin. He savored the sensation of her laughter vibrating beneath his touch, a symphony of love and happiness that filled him with a sense of bliss.
Their playful antics didn't go unnoticed and Brett couldn't help but notice the disapproving glances that Abuela shot in their direction. Just as Brett was about to steal another kiss from Santana's lips, they were interrupted by Antonio's voice "Alright, lovebirds" Antonio declared with a chuckle, "time to head out" Brett sighed reluctantly, tearing his gaze away from Santana's captivating eyes.
Brett grinned at Santana as he reluctantly released her from his embrace, his fingers lingering on her skin for just a moment longer before pulling away. As they made their way out of the restaurant, Brett found himself walking alongside Sam who shot him a mischievous grin, "Hey" Sam began, his voice laced with excitement, "you up for hitting a bar?"
Brett considered the offer for a moment, the idea of spending more time with Sam appealing to him. He glanced back at Santana, who was engaged in conversation with her parents, her laughter ringing out like a melody in the night.
"Sure, why not?" Brett replied, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "San" Brett began "I was thinking of heading to a bar with Sam. You and Quinn are welcome to join us if you'd like."
Santana's expression softened as she turned to face him "I think I'll head back to the apartment with Quinn and our parents" she replied "I'm feeling a bit tired, and I'd like to spend some time with them."
Brett nodded understandingly, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Of course, babe" he said, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "I'll catch up with you later." Santana leaned in to press a quick kiss against his lips "Just promise me you won't drink too much" she murmured, her voice laced with concern.
Brett chuckled softly, the sound echoing warmly in the bustling restaurant. "I promise" he reassured her, his eyes meeting hers with unwavering sincerity. "I'll make sure to take it easy. You have my word."
With one final embrace, Brett watched as Santana made her way over to join Quinn and their parents, her graceful figure disappearing into the crowd. As he turned to join Sam made their way through the bustling streets before stepping inside the dimly lit bar.
Brett stirred from his sleep, a gentle pressure on his back nudging him awake. Confused, he blinked his eyes open, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Across from him, Sam stretched and yawned, clearly also roused from his slumber. The room was bathed in the soft glow of sunlight.
As Brett's senses slowly came back to him, he became aware of a voice cutting through the silence. Santana stood at the foot of the bed, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression a mixture of frustration and annoyance. "I've been calling and texting you both for hours" she said, her voice tinged with exasperation. "I can't believe you guys slept in this late."
Brett sat up, his confusion growing by the second. "What time is it?" he asked, rubbing his eyes as he tried to orient himself. "2 p.m." Santana replied curtly, her frustration evident in her tone.
Brett's eyes widened in alarm as he glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "2 p.m.?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But we were supposed to meet everyone for brunch at noon."
Santana's expression softened slightly, her anger giving way to a hint of sympathy. "I know" she said, her voice gentle yet firm. Brett ran a hand through his tousled hair, feeling a pang of guilt at having overslept. "I'm sorry" he said, his voice apologetic. "I didn't mean to oversleep. I guess we lost track of time."
Santana sighed, her frustration dissipating as she looked at him. "I came by to make sure you were alive" she said, her tone teasing yet concerned. "But as I can see, barely." Brett chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, it was a bit of a wild night" he admitted, gesturing to the mess around them. "My roommates had some people over, and things got a little out of hand."
Santana nodded, her expression softening. "I can tell" she said, her gaze lingering on the chaos of the living room. "Anyway, are you packed for tomorrow." Brett nodded, pointing to a suitcase sitting by the door. "Yeah, I'm all packed," he said, relief evident in his voice. Stepping forward she pulls the handle up from the suitcase. "I'll take it to my apartment for you."
Brett's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, you're not waiting for me to get ready?" he asked, surprise evident in his voice. Santana shook her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Nope" she said, her tone light. With that, Santana headed for the door as Brett watched her go, a mixture of confusion and amusement washing over him.
Two hours later, Brett and Sam made their way into Santana and Quinn's apartment. The atmosphere inside was lively, with the Lopez and Pierce families gathered around the living room, and engaged in conversation. Stephen glanced up from his seat and jokingly checked his watch.
"What time do they call this?" he quipped, a playful smile on his face as he addressed Brett and Sam. His remark was met with laughter from the rest of the family.
Abuela, sitting nearby, muttered Spanish words under her breath as she shook her head in annoyance. She shot Brett and Sam a disapproving glance, clearly unimpressed by their tardiness.
Brett grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry we're late," he said, offering an apologetic shrug. Marabel chimed in, her tone light and jovial. "We had some incredible breakfast bagels in the city" she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You boys missed out!"
Brett's stomach growled at the mention of food, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. He exchanged a knowing glance with Sam, both of them silently agreeing that they were starving. "Sounds delicious" Brett said, mustering up a smile despite his hunger.
Brett settled into the plush couch as he watched Santana enter the room, a bag in her hand. Her presence brought a sense of warmth and familiarity, easing the tension that lingered in the air. "Hey," she greeted softly, offering him and Sam a bagel from the bag she carried.
A smile tugged at the corners of Brett's lips as he accepted the bagel from Santana. "Thanks," he murmured gratefully, his eyes meeting hers with affection. "I love you," he added, the words slipping out effortlessly as he expressed his love for her.
Beside him, Abuela sat with a stern expression, her disapproving gaze fixed on him. Brett couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at her persistent glare, knowing all too well that her disapproval was nothing new.
Turning his attention back to Santana, Brett asked, "What are the plans for today?" Santana glanced at him, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "Me, Quinn, Abuela, and our moms are going to head out into the city in a while," she explained, her tone casual yet filled with anticipation. "Just some girl time."
Brett nodded as he chewed thoughtfully, with a contented sigh, Brett leaned back against the couch, his gaze drifting to Santana as she busied herself with tidying up the room. He turned to Antonio, his curiosity piqued as he inquired about their upcoming flight. "What time is your flight this evening?" he asked, his voice tinged with anticipation. Antonio glanced at his watch before responding, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Our flight is at 6 PM," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact as he relayed the information.
Brett nodded, mentally noting the time as he considered their plans for the rest of the day. With their departure looming on the horizon, he wanted to make the most of their remaining time in New York.
"It's a shame we didn't get the chance to go watch a game," Antonio remarked, his voice tinged with regret as he glanced around the room. Brett nodded in agreement, a hint of disappointment flickering in his eyes. "Yeah, it would've been great. But hey, you'll have to come down to Miami and catch a Dolphins game once Santana and I settle in" he suggested optimistically, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Antonio's expression brightened at the suggestion, the prospect of future visits filling him with excitement. "That sounds like a plan. Plus, the weather is much better in Florida," he remarked, his tone reflecting his anticipation "We haven't been to Florida in years," he remarked, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "I'm looking forward to discovering our new vacation spot." Brett smiled, his excitement mirrored in Antonio's words. "It'll be great to show you around," he replied warmly.
The evening settled around Brett as he enveloped Santana in his embrace, his arm draped comfortably around her shoulders as they relaxed together. He leaned in to press a gentle kiss to the side of her head, savoring the feeling of her presence beside him.
"Did you have a nice day?" Brett inquired softly, his voice carrying a hint of concern as he looked down at Santana. Santana nodded in response, a small smile gracing her lips as she leaned into Brett's touch. "Yeah, it was good," she affirmed, her voice laced with contentment.
Brett's expression softened with relief at her response, grateful that she had enjoyed her day despite their earlier missteps. "I'm sorry again about missing brunch," Brett apologized, his tone sincere as he met Santana's gaze. Santana offered him a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting warmth and forgiveness. "You promised not to drink too much" she reminded him gently, her words carrying a note of affectionate teasing.
Brett nodded in acknowledgment, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "I know, I know," he admitted, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at his lapse in judgment. "Let's forget about it now" he suggested, his voice infused with determination. "Vacation mode is officially on."
Santana's smile widened at Brett's declaration, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're right" she agreed wholeheartedly. "We should probably head to bed soon though. We have to be at the airport at 5 am."