Leave the Lights On

Chapter 5

The conference is only mildly dull. Some things you learn are interesting and somewhat relevant. But you find yourself constantly checking your watch. You want to get out of here and hang out with Brittany.

Five o'clock can't come soon enough. You want to run up the stairs, but not in these shoes. So you patiently stand in the elevator planning on which order you're going to take these horridly confining clothes off in.

When you get to the room, Brittany's sitting on the bed, your computer in her lap. She smiles up at you and turns the computer around. You see Summer looking at you from the screen and smile with a wave, "Hey Summer."

"Hi Santana!" she waves with both hands. "You look so dressed up."

You shrug off your jacket, "I know. Isn't it terrible?"

She laughs, "You look nice."

"Thanks," you kick off your shoes, "How's your weekend with your grandma?"

"Awesome!" Summer's eyes get wide, "We had s'mores for breakfast!"

You laugh while Brittany gives you a disapproving look over the top of the screen. You wave at Summer again. "I'm gonna go change."

She says goodbye and then Brittany asks Summer to put her grandma on. As you step into the bathroom you hear Brittany ask why Summer had s'mores for breakfast.

In the bathroom, you shed your clothes. You love to be comfortable and your dress suits are definitely not. Once your jeans are on and your shirt is straightened out, you exit the bathroom. Brittany's still talking to Summer so you fall onto the bed, face down. You could definitely use a nap.

You can hear Summer telling Brittany the plot to a movie that she watched the night before. You can feel fingers thread through your hair and gently massage your scalp. It feels really great and you sigh contently.

"We're gonna go see a movie, Mommy," you hear Summer say.

"Okay sweetheart," Brittany says back to the screen. "Have fun. I love you."

"I love you too," Summer echoes. "Tell Santana I love her too."

You hears yourself say, "Aww," and call to the screen, "I love you too Summer."

You can hear her giggle and say goodbye to her mom. Then your computer clicks closed. You feel Brittany move away from you and then move back. "Do you need to take a nap?"

You push up on your elbows and look up at her, "Nah. What do you want to do?"

Brittany shrugs and moves her hand back to your head. Her long fingers brush against the side of your scalp to brush the hair away from your face. "If you're tired, I want to order in and go to sleep early."

You shake your head. "It's your weekend away. What kind of friend would I be if I kept you in the room and fell asleep before the fun starts?"

"What fun?" Brittany asks, her eyes resting softly on you.

"Some nurses from Indianapolis were talking about heading down the street to go dancing," you offer. "A little birdie told me that you like to dance."

Brittany smiles wide and you know you did something right. So you get up to get ready. You'll have to get rid of your jeans and t-shirt, but if it makes Brittany happy, you can handle a tight dress all night.

When you're both done, you text the nurses that invited you out in the first place. They seem really excited that you're coming and say they'll meet you and Brittany in the lobby.

After quick introductions, your small band of medical professionals and Brittany make your way to a club. You open a tab and tell the bartender that Brittany's with you. She gives you a disapproving look, but you pretend not to see it.