Never again (Quinntana)

Chapter 24 - Meeting the parents

"Let's go," Santana said, seizing Brittany's hand authoritatively. Brittany happily complied, interlocking her fingers with Santana's, and the two girls took off towards Santana's house.

Fall was coming, and magnificent red brown leaves littered the pavement. Their glow in the sunset made the atmosphere unreal and dreamy, and kept the silence comfortable. Neither girl addressed their joined hands. 

Eventually they reached Santana's door, and Santana hesitantly looked at her left hand, still wrapped in Brittany's right one. 

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" Brittany immediately let go of Santana's hand and blushed in embarrassement. 

Santana said nothing. Her deep blush was less apparent than Brittany's due to her complexion. She hoped Brittany hadn't noticed.

Shaking off the awkwardness, she fished for her keys in her duffle bag. 

She pushed the door open after a quick turn of the lock, and gestured for Brittany to get inside.

"Mom, we're here!", she called.

Smiling shyly, Brittany entered hesitantly. She was instantly welcomed by the intoxicating smell of spices and fried meat. 

She took a few more steps before she got wrapped into a tight hug by a small, dark-skinned, short-haired woman.

The hug lasted a few, surprisingly pleasant seconds, during which Brittany awkwardly hugged back.

The woman let go at last, took a few steps backwards, and beamed at Brittany. "Hello! You must be Brittany! It's so nice to meet you!"

Brittany couldn't help but notice that Santana's mom was strikingly beautiful. Her jaw was defined, her fine features outlining a regal face that belonged in Hollywood. It was more than that, though. The woman radiated warmth and love.

"Nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Lopez." Brittany smiled broadly, feeling welcome already.

"Oh, no! Call me Maribel, please. You can sit, make yourselves comfortable, I'll bring the dinner, girls."

Santana led Brittany to the dining table, then ran to the kitchen to help her mother.

Soon enough, Santana's dad had sat down as well, and the whole family was gathered around chiles en nogada, as Maribel had called them.

"Brittany!" exclaimed Santana's dad. "Great to meet you! We've heard so much about you! Do you know you're only the second person Santana has brought home?"

Brittany chewed down her food before answering politely. "Glad to meet you too, sir."

She risked a snarky comment. "The second? I thought I would be the first", she smirked at Santana, who almost choked on her pork. Since when was Brittany like that?

Santana's dad laughed. At least someone had appreciated the joke. "Considering her attitude, you'd think so! But no, sorry, Lucy came before you."

At the mention of Lucy, Santana clenched her jaw, her hands balling into fists under the table. Her dad threw her a discreet glance. Time to change the subject, he thought.

Brittany, however, hadn't seen the signs. "Lucy?" she mused. "Do I know her?"

Santana's mom put a gentle hand on her husband's right one. I'll handle it, her eyes told him.

"No, sweetie. You don't know her." She smiled kindly at Brittany. "Lucy was a long time ago."

Brittany nodded, finally picking up on Santana's discomfort. "Sorry for asking." she said. "The dinner is delicious, Mrs. Lopez."

"Mrs. Lopez..." huffed Santana's mother, exchanging a look with her husband. "Makes me feel old. Call me Maribel, Brittany honey."

"Ah, yes- Sorry, Mrs- Maribel, I mean!" Brittany's slip up elicited a hearty laugh from Santana's father, allowing for a welcome change of subject.

"Sounds like you're old, cariña", he joked playfully, a twinkle in his eye.

Maribel batted a hand at his shoulder. "Oh- you rude man! I'll have you know she called you sir!"

The dinner carried on in a likewise fashion, the atmosphere lightened by Santana's parents friendly banter.

Eventually even Santana cheered up, and Brittany relaxed. She hadn't messed up too much.

Brittany was enjoying herself so much that she didn't bother to check the time before the end of the dinner. Her jaw dropped when she realized it was already past midnight. Time to take her leave. She had very likely overstayed her welcome.

"I should maybe get going", she said, "I don't want to get home too late. Thank you, Maribel. The dinner was delicious." Maribel smiled warmly at the blonde.

"It was our pleasure, darling. How are you planning on going home?" 

"Um- Walking?" Brittany's voice wavered when she saw the disapproving frown on Maribel's face.

"No! No, no, no! You can't go home alone in the middle of the night, Brittany. We should drive you home." 

Santana's father nodded. "I'll drive you, Brittany. Aren't your parents worried?" 

Brittany stood up, suddenly uncomfortable. "No, my parents- they're out of town."

"But you don't have to drive me, sir", she added hastily, "I can walk, it's no problem. I've done it before. It's late, and you're probably tired, and-"

Santana stood up as well. "Brittany is right, dad. You don't have to drive her. But she can't go home alone. So- maybe she can stay the night?"

A.N. 

Hello! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I swear the intimate stuff is coming, feelings and physical wise. 

I've always wondered how we never saw the kids' parents in Glee. Where were they? I mean, only Finn and Kurt seem to have actual parents. 

This chapter is dedicated to  @Lilissoawsome for their love <3.