A/N Okay, okay... A part two because the response to this story has been amazing. I'm not too thrilled with how this chapter turned out, but you guys asked for more so... here's more. This might just become my holiday verse. Maybe not. Obviously, it's hard for me to stick with a verse...
When Dani woke up Christmas morning, dark hair covered her bare chest, and a strong, slender arm was draped over her waist. Santana's body nearly covered Dani's in a protective, comforting hold. A threatening twinge in Dani's head warned her of the possible incoming hangover from the two empty bottles of wine that still sat by the couch. With a sigh, Dani slipped out of Santana's embrace, replacing her body with a cold, forgotten pillow and moved to pull a lost t-shirt.
"If you think this block of ice compares to your warm tits, you're sorely mistaken…"
Dani froze for a moment before letting out a forced laugh. "You usually sleep like a rock. That move has worked before," she shrugged.
"You're usually not naked…" Santana laughed sleepily, a lazy smirk on her lips.
"Santana…" Dani said dryly, her arms crossed. The t-shirt she was wearing barely covered her, cutting off at the tops of her thighs.
Dani's tone forced Santana's eyes open, which widened in realization. "You're naked…" she said slowly. "I'm naked… Oh, my god, we slept together…" Santana said to herself. She sat up, her hands covering her mouth as she pieced together the memories from the night before.
"Oh, dear God, please tell me you have some memory from last night?" Dani asked as she pulled on a pair of sweatpants – Santana's. "This is all… your son's fault…" she muttered, crossing her arms again.
Santana shook her head quickly. Of course she remembered, their kids basically accused them of being in love with each other, realizing something long before the two of them did. "Yeah, no. Of course I remember," she said, her voice a little sharp, which softened quickly as she looked over at Dani. "Hey, come here," she said gently as she reached out, her hand entwining in the t-shirt. Dani sighed and moved back to the bed, sliding under the welcoming blankets. She stayed far enough back on the bed to keep some distance from Santana, the twisting in her stomach fueling her ability to push emotions away. "I don't regret it, D…" Santana told her. Santana was proud of her ability to hide the humor she found in the situation. Never in her life did she think she would meet someone worse at dealing with feelings than herself. "Sure, if we hadn't had that much wine, we probably wouldn't have slept together last night but… as much as I hate to admit it… they were on to something, don't you think?"
Dani pursed her lips, letting out a long sigh. "Yeah but…" she muttered, hating to admit defeat. "San, we can't screw this up," she said, her gaze finally moving to the shamelessly uncovered woman next to her. "Do you realize how much more fucked up our kids are going to be? If we date and it doesn't go well and we screw up the dynamic we've got here…" she shook her head. "They consider each other siblings, Santana. We're a family. As is…" she sighed.
"Okay, when the hell did I become an optimist?" Santana asked, muttering under her breath. "And what if it goes well? What if, by some crazy chance, we don't fuck something up?" she asked. "Come on, we've practically been in a relationship for the last five years," she point out, earning a laugh from Dani.
"Okay, true…" she chuckled.
Santana moved a little closer, wrapping her arm around Dani's waist again. "D, this feels right, doesn't it?" she asked. She tried to keep the nerves from her voice, to no avail.
Dani bit her lip, nearly wincing at her next words. "As much as I hate to admit it…" she muttered, a small smile pulling on her lips. She looked to Santana, the two locking eyes for a moment before Santana tugged lightly on her shirt, their lips meeting in a kiss. Santana's arm slipped around Dani's waist as the kiss deepened, moving herself over the girl as Dani slipped her hand into Santana's hair. Santana began to push up the t-shirt Dani had pulled on earlier just as the door across the hall clicked, signaling that the kids were awake and about to explore the presents under the tree. "San…" Dani warned. "We've got like five minutes before they're in here and I'd rather they not find you naked," she chuckled, her hands slipping over Santana's bare back.
Santana groaned and pulled away, pressing a firm kiss to Dani's lips before falling back onto her side of the bed. "We're getting a babysitter for New Year's," she muttered.
"That's a week away. You really think we'll get a sitter overnight on New Year's Eve?" she laughed.
"Fine. After New Year's. We'll get a sitter or have my mom come over."
Dani laughed. "Whatever you say, San. Get up. Get dressed. I'll go start breakfast," she said, letting her eyes fall over Santana's body. "Mental picture for the road," she smirked, Santana scoffing.
"And what do I get?"
"Motivation to wake up before me for once," Dani challenged as she got up.
"Hey, wait," Santana said, pulling her back in for another kiss. "You wanna mess with the kids?" she asked, grinning.
"What do you mean?"
Santana shrugged. "They're going to be watching every move we make. We could pretend we didn't read it or didn't do anything about it," she laughed.
Dani smirked. "That'd be fun. Think you can keep your hands off of me long enough?"
"You're the one who can't keep your eyes off of my boobs," Santana shot back as she got up to get dressed.
"Yeah, and you wouldn't be nearly drooling if I was standing in front of you naked," Dani laughed. "Just get dressed. I'll go deal with them trying to open the presents without leaving a mark."
Santana laughed softly as she watched Dani leave, pulling on a t-shirt and some shorts herself. After tying her hair up in a messy bun, grabbing two extra ties for the other girls, and removing the leftover make up from the night before, Santana made her way downstairs. The kids were whispering around the tree, Luis finally getting brave enough to make a move to pick up one of the gifts as Savannah kept a look out on Dani in the kitchen. "What do you think you're doing?" she said quickly, causing Luis to drop the gift with wide eyes.
"Nothing!" he said quickly, then turned to give his mother a charming smile. "G'morning, Mami," he said smoothly.
Santana shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Don't you dare. I invented that smile. You get that smile from me; it doesn't work on me," she said with a laugh. "Go try it on Auntie Dani, she might have a more sympathetic reaction," Santana laughed, trying to scoot the kids into the kitchen for breakfast.
"Auntie Dani?" Luis asked, his eyes wide.
Santana barely managed to hide the smirk threatening to take over her face. "Yes. Auntie Dani. You know, short, sings songs you've never heard of a lot?" Santana prompted, watching his reaction.
"I… yeah, I just thought maybe we wouldn't call her Auntie anymore…" he shrugged, looking dejected as he wandered into the kitchen with the other two.
Dani was impressively flipping the last of the pancakes when Santana wandered in, leaning against the counter near her to stop herself from pulling Dani into her. Now that the boundary was broken, it was hard to pretend it was there. Or put anything up at all. Santana had ignored her feelings for so long. It was hard to control a natural reaction now.
With the kids settled at the table, plates in front of them and full glasses of orange juice, Dani served large helpings of pancakes and bacon onto each plate, pressing a kiss to the top of each of the kids' heads as she passed. When she got to Santana, who was happily sipping her coffee – watching Dani – Dani placed a serving onto her plate, then awkwardly stood there for a couple seconds before placing the last of the food onto her plate, bypassing the awaited kiss to have a sip of her own coffee. The kids looked on with wide, confused eyes before slowly eating, and Santana and Dani laughing into their coffee.
By the time they all finished their meals, the kids were squirming in their seats, wanting to get to the colorfully wrapped gifts underneath the tree while maintaining the manners their moms had drilled into their skulls since they learned how to sit still. Santana looked to Dani, who just nodded. "Alright, let's go," Santana laughed, watching the three kids bolt up from their seats and run into the next room. Once they were out of sight, Santana leaned over and pressed a kiss to Dani's lips. "I'm so not going to be able to keep this up for long," she chuckled before the two of them walked into the room. They both sat down onto the couch, opposite ends, as they watched the kids pass out the presents, each kid getting a growing number of packages in front of them.
"Luis. How are we gonna know if our wish came true if Santa can't wrap it?" Kevin whispered, a little too loudly.
"We just… gotsta watch 'em…" Luis responded, looking back at his mother. They made eye contact briefly before Luis looked away again. They watched the kids open their gifts, getting more and more excited as the wrapping paper began to litter the room.
Before long, the only gifts left under the tree were for Dani, Santana, and Santana's family that would be joining them later in the day. Dani and Santana were curled up on the couch, subconsciously drifting closer and closer together with their coffee mugs between their hands. Before they actually managed to cuddle together on the couch, Santana's phone rang. She sighed and pulled it out as Dani moved back, leaning against the couch as her eyes drifted to the kids.
"Hola, Mami," Santana grinned into the phone. "Feliz Navidad. When are you getting here?" she asked. "An hour? Great. We'll see you soon! Si, Mami. Dani and the kids are here too," she laughed. "Bye…"
Santana hung up the phone and Dani was already getting up. "I'm going to shower if your family is getting here in an hour," Dani laughed, looking to the kids. "You guys have to go get dressed. Did you need help?" she asked, earning Santana-like eyerolls from each one.
"No!" Savannah scoffed. "I'm five, now, Momma," she said proudly. Dani laughed, then glanced to Santana, who just nodded – saying that she'd make sure they were dressed properly and none of the clothes were inside out.
"Use the shower in my room. I don't have any product in the guest bathroom right now," Santana called to Dani as Dani started up the steps. "Alright. Upstairs, let's get you guys ready," Santana said, starting to usher the kids behind Dani. She got the kids into Luis' room easily before helping each into their clothes. Savannah struggled to get into the tights for the Christmas dress she insisted upon wearing, while Kevin tried and failed to pull on his sweater properly. Santana helped Savannah and, before she could get to Kevin, Luis helped him pull it on. Santana smiled softly at the boys before Savannah pushed her hands away, getting into her dress easily before smiling proudly.
"Can we go back and play now?" Kevin asked.
Santana shook her head. "Let's get your hair and teeth brushed, and then we can," she said, guiding the kids into the guest bathroom. As they all brushed their teeth, Santana began working on Savannah's hair, brushing out the snarls from a restless night before braiding it into pigtails. She also brushed the boys' hair out before letting them run back downstairs. Santana slipped into her bedroom as Dani got out of the shower and sat on the bed, waiting for her.
"Creep," Dani laughed after seeing the girl waiting for her.
Santana shook her head. "Nuh-uh. You're my girl now. We're together. Plus I've seen you naked now," she shrugged, smirking.
Dani rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever," she said, walking up to her to press a kiss to her lips. She hummed lightly, then pressed another. "How exactly did this take us five years?" she asked softly.
Santana chuckled and kissed her a third time. "Imagine how much longer it'd take if Luis still believed in Santa," she pointed out, her hand coming around the back of Dani's neck to keep her in another kiss, which deepened until Dani pulled away with a shiver.
"Get in the shower, Lopez," she chuckled. "Your whole family is going to be here soon. Including your brother," she smirked. "I wonder if he'll pick up on this or keep flirting with me like he usually does?" she asked, watching Santana scowl.
"Imma end him," she muttered.
"He could take you."
Dani went to her bag and dropped her towel as she searched for something to wear, which prompted Santana to walk up and squeeze her ass with a laugh before running into the bathroom. "The door's unlocked if you need to get in here," Santana called to her before slipping into the shower.
The two got ready quickly, Dani joining the kids before Santana came down, her hair blown out and a simple red shirt on. Dani raised her eyebrows at her. "What, no festive sweater?" she laughed.
Santana narrowed her eyes. "Hey, I'm better than you," she said, gesturing to Dani's black ensemble.
"Black goes with whatever hair color I decide to have," she shrugged, laughing before picking her crossword back up. The kids were playing on the floor, but Luis constantly watched the two, growing rather frustrated.
Santana leaned down and snatched the coffee that was balanced between Dani's thighs, stealing the freshly brewed drink. "The price for your sass," she muttered into the mug
"There's a full pot in the kitchen, S," she said, pointing towards the next room.
Santana shrugged. "Yours is closer," she said simply before sitting down on the couch, nursing the coffee. Dani rolled her eyes and got up, leaving to get herself a new cup.
Luis crawled into Santana's lap, his lips pursed and eyes narrowed at his mother. "How are you going to make her fall in love with you if you're mean and taking her coffee?" he whispered, crossing his arms.
Santana managed to hold back a laugh. "Us? I don't know what you're talking about, mijo. Go back in play," she said, smirking slightly at the boy. He huffed and got out of her lap before re-joining the other two in their Lego tower.
A knock sounded on the front door before it opened, revealing Maribel, Antonio, and Emilio Lopez. Emilio immediately burst through the house, scooping up his squealing nephew and swinging him around. "There's my man!" he called, laughing. Luis found himself on his uncle's shoulders and messed up his hair.
Dani stepped out of the kitchen with her fresh cup of coffee and laughed at the sight, Emilio now also with the twins under each arm. "Hi Maribel, Antony," she greeted, stepping up to give each a hug after Santana did.
"Dani!" Maribel chirped. "You look well. Happy," she commented. "Is there someone new in your life?" she asked immediately, her eyes glimmering. All three kids stopped the fight with their uncle, turning to hear Dani's reaction.
Dani laughed and shook her head, glancing to Santana. Maribel noticed, but the kids didn't. "Oh, no. No one new, I promise," she said with a smile.
"Any chance you uh… had a change of heart?" Emilio asked, smirking.
Santana threw a pillow at him. "She's gay, loser," she snapped, causing Dani to laugh. Maribel watched with raised eyebrows. Dani composed herself before taking the bags from Maribel.
"Those two should be refrigerated, and that should go into the oven at 375," Maribel said, pointing at the bags. Dani nodded and went into the kitchen, following the directions Maribel gave her.
After a couple moments, Santana snuck in and watched her. As Dani moved to the fridge, Santana wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into the middle of the kitchen.
"What the hell are you doing?" Dani asked, laughing. Her arms found their way around Santana's neck.
"Mistletoe," she smirked, her arms tightening around Dani's waist.
"Does it count if you yank someone under it?"
"It does if you're dating that someone," Santana smirked, then pressed her lips to Dani's. The kiss was immediately returned and deepened, the two women holding each other tightly. Just as a small whimper left Dani's lips, someone cleared their throat, followed by a laugh. Dani and Santana pulled apart instantly and Dani blushed deeply, seeing Maribel and Emilio both standing there, far too amused. Dani wiped at the corners of her mouth, knowing that there would be some smudged lip stick there.
"There was um… Mistletoe…" Santana excused.
"Oh yeah, San… When I kiss someone under the mistletoe, my tongue is totally in their mouth," Emilio laughed, then winked at Dani. "Of course, if I was kissing her, it probably would be."
Santana moved further from Dani, grabbing a bottle opener from the counter and chucking it at her brother, which her caught easily and set on the table, laughing.
"Nice try, little sis," he laughed.
Dani leaned back against the counter, turning redder by the second. Maribel turned to the two with an expectant smile on her lips. "Well, first of all, finally. And second, what's exactly going on? And how long?" she asked.
Santana sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Finally, mami? Really?" She groaned and looked to Dani. "We're… together now, I guess," she said, looking to Dani for confirmation – who chuckled and nodded. "And… last night."
"Alright, San!" Emilio laughed, then got silencing glares from each woman in the room. He cleared his throat. "Go on," he mumbled.
Dani moved to the drawer in kitchen, pulling out the notes for Santa. "So you know how we do the Santa letters a little differently now?" she asked, getting nods from the other two. "Well her son is a sneaking little shit," she laughed, handing the three letters over to the pair. After a few moments they were both laughing, shaking their heads.
"So all it took to get you two to pull your heads out of your asses was a seven year old?" Emilio asked, laughing. "And here I thought me hitting on her for years might help," he shrugged.
Maribel paused, studying the two. "You haven't told the kids it worked yet, have you?"
Santana shook her head. "Figured we'd have some fun with them," she shrugged.
"Santana Lopez, our holiday will not be you messing with your kids!" Maribel scolded while laughing. "Just tell them!"
Santana pursed her lips and shook her head. "We'll tell them soon."
With that, Santana made her way to the living room again, the other three in tow. The kids were all sitting around Antonio, listening to stories. The day passed easily, Dani and Maribel cooking dinner while the others played with the kids. Santana and Dani drifted closer and closer to each other, and by the time they were opening the second round of gifts, Dani and Santana were nearly cuddling. With a small smile, Santana handed over the neatly wrapped package. Dani took it from her and carefully unwrapped the gift, barely tearing the paper. She revealed a small, rectangular box and eyed Santana curiously before opening the box. Inside was a long gold chain with a guitar pick at the end, a small diamond embedded in the middle.
"Santana…" Dani sighed, looking back up at her. "This is beautiful…" she mumbled.
Santana shrugged a little bashfully. "You deserve it," she murmured.
Dani bit her lip and shook her head, causing Santana to gesture her forward with a wiggle of her finger. "Come here," she mumbled. Dani leaned forward and pressed her lips to Santana's, both of them giggling as the kids all cheered 'yes' and high fived each other.
Dani sighed and curled into her as she pulled away, her head resting on Santana's shoulder. Luis came up to them and crawled into their lap, beaming proudly. "You can thank me later guys," he whispered. Santana messed up his hair and Emilio leaned over, giving the boy a fist bump.