Trusting You to Catch Me - Chapter Fourteen
Title: Trusting You to Catch Me
Author: Sio & Maura
Rating: NC-17
Length: 82,131
Spoilers: Everything up to On My Way and then deviating from there with minor Big Brother references.
Pairing: Santana/Quinn, Brittany/Santana/Quinn/Rachel friendship, mentions of Brittany/Santana, some Finn/Rachel (not positive)
Summary: Following her accident, Quinn experiences the gamut of emotion: denial to acceptance to healing and everything in between. But through it all are her friends patiently helping her with caring and friendship and maybe more.
Warnings (highlight to read): eating disorders, severe accident recovery, graphic sex, verbal abuse, minor violence, family issues, cheating, body image issues
Chapter 14
Santana crouched in front of Rachel, make-up brush in one hand and make up in the other. "Don't move!" She demanded as Rachel kept fluttering her eyes whenever the other girl put the brush near them.
"Don't poke my eyes out with that dangerous implement!" Rachel snapped back.
"Seriously," Quinn muttered, rolling her eyes as she pushed into her bedroom with Rachel's dress draped across her lap, "it's just make up, Berry. Close your eyes and deal already!"
"I want to be able to see later, thank you very much!"
"You will! I do all the Cheerios' make up and haven't blinded a one!" she exclaimed as she put a light coat of green shadow on her eyelid near her lash then faded it out with a gold. "Done."
Rachel shuddered. "That was absolutely nerve wracking, Santana."
"Drama queen," Quinn insisted, settling the dress on the bed. "Come on and get dressed, Brittany will be here soon to pick you up for your date," her voice took on a teasing quality, amused that Rachel was going on a date with Brittany of all people to prom.
"Knock it off, Quinn," Rachel blushed, getting up from the chair and moving towards the bed.
"Come on, don't fuck up the hair when you put the dress on!" Santana said as she nervously watched the two perfect braids that came off Rachel's temple and met at the back of her head that Quinn had spent an hour doing. Rachel just glared at her and slipped on the emerald green form fitting dress and smoothed it out after Santana zipped it. "Looks great. I'm glad Judy can sew because this dress was way too perfect to not buy when we saw it at the knock off store."
"I still don't know," she murmured, smoothing her hands over the material nervously.
"No really, you look amazing." Santana smiled as she sprayed the smaller girl's hair one more time. "You're gonna have a good time."
"Seriously, Rachel. Calm down," Quinn smiled at her, taking one of her hands and giving it a squeeze. "It's just Brittany. Just follow her lead and you'll have a great time."
"Last time I followed her lead she tried to get me in a bathroom at the party junior year," Rachel muttered with a blush.
"She's gotten less handsy..." Santana stated, "Just have fun."
"Something tells me to doubt that," Rachel tried smirking, but it came off just as nervous as she felt. "After all, I'm the one keeping her from a perfect record."
"If all else fails, give in," Quinn smirked only to get smacked by Santana on the arm. "Ow!"
"Thats my ex you're telling her to sleep with!" Santana pouted.
"So?" Quinn asked, rubbing her arm with a pout. "You said you don't care and you told her to ask Britt out."
"I am not sleeping with anyone!" Rachel exclaimed with her eyes wide. "That has never ended happily for me and I think I'll just wait for that to happen ever again for a long time, thank you very much."
"Good!" Santana stated as she walked back over to Rachel. She heard the doorbell and smiled, "Put the heels on and I'll go get B," she said with a grin. Santana all but slid on her sock covered feet against slick wood as she hurried to the door. She pulled it opened and smiled at Brittany, trying to not be upset it wasn't her getting to take Brittany to the prom the year before. "Hey, Britt."
"San, hi!" Brittany smiled at her, her eyes lighting up to see her ex. She frowned a moment later when she saw how Santana was dressed. "Where's your dress?" she asked softly. "Aren't you going?"
"Nope," she said as she let the girl in. "You look great, really pretty." she said as she reached up and tucked a stray piece of hair behind the blonde's ear.
"But," she looked sad, "I won't be able to dance with you at prom if you don't go. You won't be here next year." She blinked, "This was our last chance..."
"I know... It's still... it's still too hard, okay? I didn't have the money to go this year and I wanted to hang out with Quinn. You and Berry will have so much fun though!" Santana smiled as she took Brittany's hand.
"It's not fair," she whispered, sniffling slightly. "You promised we'd dance together at senior prom, Sannie. Now we never will."
"How about... how about you dance with me right now? I get the first dance of prom?" She offered with a squeeze to the girl's hand.
She looked down at their joined hands sadly. "It's not the same," she whispered. "Prom won't be the same without you. And Q's not coming either?"
"Q's still hurt," Santana explained, "She didn't want to go and I wanted to stay home with her."
"That's sad," she sniffed. "We're all broken up already. The Unholy Trinity got busted up, Sannie, and it's not even graduation yet."
Santana pulled her into a tight hug, "Never broken up, just long distance."
"I hate long distance," she whispered into Santana's hair.
"Brittany!" Rachel's voice carried down the hall, "You look absolutely," she stepped out where she could see them and her nervous cheer faded away, "sad... you," she sighed softly, "would have rather gone with Santana instead of me."
"No, she just forgot Quinn and I were having our own party," Santana said as she pulled away from her ex-girlfriend. "The pajamas threw her off."
"Y-yeah," Brittany sniffed, trying to smile at Rachel while dabbing at her eyes. "I'm totally stoked to go as your date, Rachie."
"If you're sure," Rachel whispered, uncertainly. "I... I'm sure Noah would agree to be your escort even now if I asked him..."
"No! I want to go with you! You look so pretty, I have the hottest date!" Brittany exclaimed as she hugged Rachel, "I got you a flower!" she remembered as she grabbed her bag and pulled out the yellow rose wristband. "Do you like it?"
"Um, yes," she smiled, helping her put it around her wrist. "Thank you, Brittany. I appreciate it. I, um," she blushed slightly, "suppose we should be going then? Leave the girls to their tv and popcorn?"
"That's the kinda prom night ugly people have," Brittany whispered to Rachel. "They're not ugly..."
"I can hear you!" Santana scoffed.
Rachel laughed. "Yes, but they get a special ugly-free night," she explained, escorting Brittany back out to her car so they could drive to prom.
"Bye, kids!" Santana teased, "Have her home by one! And no funny business!"
"Alright, mom," Brittany called back, escorting Rachel into the passenger side before getting in and driving off.
"Since when are you so protective of Berry?" Quinn teased as Santana closed the door, reaching up she bit her lip with a tiny smile before pulling Santana down into her lap.
"Because I know she's in for a night of roaming-hands Pierce," Santana replied as she slid her arms around Quinn's neck. "Hey," she said as she realized what position they were in.
"Hey," she smiled, wheeling them down the hall towards her room. "Hopefully roaming-hands Pierce doesn't freak her out too much or we'll be hearing about it for weeks."
"True," Santana said as she cuddled into Quinn. "What did you want to do tonight since Judy's gone and it is prom."
"Well, I thought maybe we could," she licked her lips as she wheeled into the room with a shy smile, "practice?"
"For what?" Santana asked softly.
"For," she swallowed nervously, a light blush blossoming over her pale cheeks, "for when it's time to ask me again?"
"Oh," Santana nodded. "How... How do you want to practice?"
"M-maybe we could order a pizza or something and watch a movie?" she suggested shyly. "And... see where it goes from there?"
"Sounds perfect," Santana said with a smile, "Let's stay in the living room though? Or do you wanna lay in bed?"
"In the living room's fine. It'll be easier to clean up after. Do you need anything from in here?"
"Just you," Santana breathed as she looked at the blonde shyly.
"Flatterer," Quinn blushed, wheeling them back out towards the living room. "What do you want to eat," she shot Santana a look, blushing even more, "and that is not an option!" Yet went unsaid as she knew she'd die of embarrassment if she actually said it out loud.
Santana leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the side of Quinn's neck before slipping off her lap, "Let's get Thai?"
"Definitely," she nodded, wheeling into the kitchen for the menu and phone. "You want your usual?"
"Please, just the plain noodles and veggies," she said as she got them the two diet sprites and put them into wine glasses. "Since we can't drink here," she explained as she carried them back to the living room.
"So your usual," she teased, ordering. "You're beautiful, you know," she added with a little smile, wheeling back in. "I don't think I tell you that enough, but you really are looking better every day it seems."
Santana looked down nervously, "Thank you..." she said softly. "It's hard to believe that, but you've never lied to me."
"I really should tell you more often," she whispered, rolling over to take Santana's hand in a gentle grasp and smile up at her. "I can see you getting better, Santana. All the time. And," her smile widened slightly, "it gives me hope that this," she nodded to indicate their night, "could be... really real someday instead of just practice."
A genuine smile broke out on Santana's face, "Really?" she asked almost surprised at how unsure she sounded.
"Really," she nodded, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "I have to get better first, but seeing you so obviously improving gives me hope that I can and," she smiled shyly, "I really do want you to ask me again someday, San."
"Just tell me when," Santana said softly as she kissed the girl's knuckles. "Now, lets get you comfortable and pick a movie."
"I definitely will," she reassured her, moving over to relax as best she could in her brace beside the armchair. "Sit beside me when you're done fiddling? I'm," she blushed darkly, "I'm a bit scared that if I join you on the couch things will... get out of hand."
"Awe," Santana pouted, "No cuddling?"
"Cuddling will definitely occur," she insisted. "Um, ah... if you'd like, you could sit," she patted her lap with a shy smile, "here?"
Santana nodded and slipped into her lap and carefully ran her fingers down Quinn's cheek. "I like being here."
"I like it too," she whispered, her hands seeming to have a mind of their own as they slipped around her hips holding her in place.
Santana rested her head in the crook of Quinn's neck as they contentedly watched television as they waited for their food.
"San?" Quinn whispered as the movie's credits flickered over them in the dark room, the remains of their dinner abandoned on the coffee table. She bit her lip shyly as she let her hands continue drifting over the other girl's hips in the darkness as they had been for most of the film. "San, can I," she licked her lips, her cheeks heating in the dim light, as her voice softened, only audible from how close her lips were to the darker girl's ear, "can I kiss you?"
"Yeah," Santana breathed. "You... you can kiss me," she whispered as she ran her fingers over Quinn's shoulders.
Quinn licked her lips as she reached up to gently stroke just the tips of her fingers over Santana's cheek as she moved her hand to cup it gently. "I'm nervous," she admitted softly, her eyes roaming over Santana's face, lingering on her slightly parted lips slightly longer with each path. "I want to do this right..."
"You will," she said softly. "You can't do anything wrong if it involves kissing me," she whispered, her lips brushing softly against Quinn's as she spoke.
Quinn hummed softly in agreement as her eyes slid closed and she leaned up into the kiss. Her fingers drifted along Santana's cheek as her lips pressed against hers, the pads rasping ever so gently as they slid over her jaw and into her hair. She lightly cupped the back of the girl's neck and pulled her in as she tilted her head to the side to deepen the kiss.
Santana whimpered as she kissed the girl. She held her closely and let her tongue slip over Quinn's lips.
Daring far more than she had the first time they'd kissed - relatively sober anyway - Quinn let her lips part and her own tongue ventured out to tease at Santana's before she nipped gently on her lower lip. Her free hand stroked along Santana's hip, fingers sliding slightly up under the hem of her shirt to brush over warm skin. She whimpered softly as she leaned back in her chair to give Santana a bit more control over the kiss.
The darker girl ran her fingers through Quinn's hair as they slowly kissed. She pulled Quinn's lower lip between hers and sucked on it gently.
Quinn whimpered softly. She wanted... She wanted... She didn't know what she wanted except she wanted the kiss to not stop. It was soft, gentle but with a trace of that something she'd looked for whenever she'd kissed Sam or Puck or Finn but just couldn't find. Something... perfect. She tugged on her hip, trying to encourage her to straddle her legs instead of the awkward position across her lap.
Santana moved, her legs carefully sliding over Quinn's thighs as they kissed. She let her hands smooth down Quinn's neck then shoulders as they glided their mouths together in a soft embrace.
The nails of the hand she hand tangled in Santana's hair scratched gently against the nape of her neck as she pulled her closer. Her free hand slid under her shirt to splay against the heat of her back. She felt more alive in that one moment - kissing Santana - than she had felt since the day of the accident. She knew they had to stop soon, but she didn't want to as her free hand explored the softness of the girl's skin, brushing over her back and along her sides under her tank top.
A shiver went through Santana's body as Quinn stroked her skin. Her lips pulled away and she heaved a breath before kissing Quinn again and then moving down her neck to kiss her skin softly.
"Santana," Quinn whispered, her head rolling back, "w-we... we can't go further..."
"Why?" Santana whispered against Quinn's skin as she sucked gently.
"B-because," she gasped, trying to focus against the decidedly distracting sensation of Santana's lips against her throat, "we're... we're in the living room for one..."
"Then," she breathed as she as she ran her teeth over the girl's pulse point, "we can go to your room."
"B-berry can come back any time," she panted, trying to keep her cool but not doing a great job of it.
Santana let her hands slid down and rest of the sides of Quinn's breasts. "She won't," Santana whispered, her lips moving up to suck on the girl's earlobe.
"You don't know," she whimpered, her brain protesting more than her body. "San, please..."
After a few moments Santana pulled away and rested her forehead against Quinn's, "I'm sorry... I won't pressure you."
She laughed breathlessly, holding Santana against her. "I think we pressure each other, but," she swallowed, "I... I want this to be real before we do any of... that."
She just nodded and cuddled in closer, "Can I still sleep in your bed tonight?"
"You better," she whispered, smiling softly. "I don't think I can let you go right now..."
"Okay. Can we lay on the couch and cuddle? My thighs are aching." She said as she pressed a soft kiss to Quinn's lips.
"Would we get in trouble in bed?" she asked softly. "I'm not sure I want to get up again after I lay down."
"No," she whispered. "If Rachel comes back I'll get up to get her," Santana reassured as she got up and pushed the girl into the bedroom and helped her into the bed. She pulled back the covers and helped Quinn get up on the bed, "Need anything else?"
"You?" she asked with a little smile opening her arms as she looked up at Santana.
Santana crawled in the bed and leaned up and kissed the girl. "You're so beautiful."
She smiled shyly, "Not like you." Reaching up she brushed a bit of hair off of Santana's forehead. "I want this to be real someday, San. I want it..."
"Me too," She whispered, she slid her hand under Quinn's shirt to rest on her stomach and smiled at the feeling of warm skin.
Almost an hour later, still well before midnight, Brittany pulled back into the Fabray driveway. She sighed, glancing over at where Rachel was dabbing at her eyes with the tissue she'd stuffed in her clutch. "Rachie, stop being sad."
"Easy enough for you to say," Rachel sniffed. "Your ex didn't ruin prom."
"No, cause Sannie was with Q," she pouted. "But I thought I was supposed to be your date and I had a good time. Please stop being sad. You had a good time with me, right?"
Rachel sniffled again and dabbed at her eyes, trying not to make too much of a mess of her face. "Y-yes," she admitted softly, "until he ruined everything!"
"He didn't ruin anything." She looked at Rachel for a moment before reaching for her. "Come here."
"What?" she looked confused.
"Just come here," Brittany leaned towards her, managing to cup her cheek. "Let me make things better," she whispered before her lips brushed against Rachel's.
At first Rachel thought about protesting or pushing her off, then she just decided to enjoy it. Brittany knew what she was doing and before too long, Rachel was moaning softly into the kiss, her hands coming up to loosely wrap around Brittany's shoulders. After a few moments, Brittany pulled away with a tiny smile.
"Better?" she asked quietly, moving back to her side of the car.
Rachel's eyes stayed closed for a moment before she nodded slowly. "Better," she whispered.
"You totally should have let me take you to the bathroom last year," Brittany teased. "I would've totally gone Aladdin on you."
"Aladdin?" she blinked in confusion, her kiss-addled mind trying to get back on track.
Brittany grinned. "I'd have shown you a whole new world." she waggled her brows suggestively, "on a magic carpet ride."
Rachel groaned, but she was laughing. "Oh, Brittany, that was terrible!"
"I know, but you're happier now," she smiled at her, "so it was worth it." She glanced at the house and sighed softly, "Say hi to Sannie and Q for me, okay? San would be sad if I stayed tonight and so would I, I think. It's not a night for sads though. So I'll see you on Monday, kay?"
She nodded, "Of course. I'll see you then." She got out and moved around the car, hesitating for a moment before leaning in through the open window before brushing her lips against Brittany's. "I had fun... despite Finn. Thank you."
Brittany's smile was almost as radiant as the ones she used to give Santana when she did something that made her unexpectedly happy. "You're welcome." When Rachel started to walk off, she called out to her, "Maybe we can do this again sometime? Without Finn smashing stuff?"
Rachel walked backwards for a moment before smiling. "Maybe. Have a good night and drive safe, Brittany."
Brittany waved at her as she pulled out of the drive and headed home. Rachel watched the car leave before heading up to knock on the front door. Brittany had been the bright point in her evening after Finn decided to make a scene. Now she just wanted to relax with her friends and hopefully not dwell on it over much.
Santana heard the knock and carefully removed herself from Quinn's arms. She tucked her back in and slipped out to go answer the door, looking out the window and pulling it open when she realized that it was Rachel. "Hey," She smiled, "How was prom?" She said as she moved aside to let the smaller girl in the door.
"Awful," Rachel groused, "though Brittany was a completely lovely date. Unfortunately he was allowed to attend. You're lucky you didn't go."
"I'm sorry," Santana said. "Lets get you de-promed and have tea?" she offered and lead Rachel down the hall. "Go and shower off all the make up and get changed."
"Thank you, Santana. You're a lifesaver," she smiled gratefully before disappearing into the bathroom with her bag she'd brought over earlier.
Santana moved into the kitchen and started some water for tea and pulled out some leftover dinner for Rachel and heated it up as she waited for the girl to come out of the shower.
Rachel came out a little while later in yoga pants and a tank top and jacket combo, toweling at her hair. "I can't believe he could be so infuriating!" she mumbled as she shuffled in before pulling the towel off the top of her head and wringing out her hair. "Oh my gosh, that smells divine, Santana. Thank you."
"What's all the noise?" Quinn asked, rolling into the room and looking entirely sleepy and ruffled. "Rachel? You're back early."
Santana pushed the plate over to Rachel and poured three mugs of tea and put them on the kitchen island. "I'm glad you had fun with Brittany though," Santana shrugged, "There's at least that."
"Yes and she is just as good a dancer as I recall from last year," Rachel smiled, but it quickly fell away. "And again, just like last year, Finn," she all but spat his name, "had to ruin everything by behaving like a... a... caveman!"
Quinn looked up from her tea and cocked her head. "He punch someone again?" she asked before she put her cup back down on the counter.
"Worse," she moaned, slumping down in a chair. "He punched Noah because he was dancing with me and then when Sam tried to pull him off, he elbowed him in the face! They were both bleeding and it's all my fault for going to the stupid dance. I couldn't stand to be there after that so I probably ruined Brittany's night too because she brought me home after Finn was ejected."
"He's such a douche and fucking trouty needs to get his face out of the way!" Santana exclaimed as she tiredly plopped down in Quinn's lap and yawned. "He'll get suspended."
"I hope," Rachel sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Then at least I'll have a year free of him in New York." She looked up, offering a tiny smile at the sight of Santana in Quinn's lap. "How was your night though?"
"Same old," Santana yawned, "Watched Across The Universe and had dinner."
The tiny smirk grew slightly, "And which of those involved lounging in Quinn's lap?"
Quinn blushed, but she was smiling as she ducked her head. "Shut up, Berry. You don't know what you're talking about."
"Maybe I don't," Rachel grinned, "but the two of you are cute together."
"Shut your face," Santana said softly. "I'm tired and Q's a good chair."
"Nice," Quinn scoffed.
"Whatever you wish to say, Santana," Rachel smirked, eating a bit of food. She ate for a bit before shivering, "Are we really going to be graduating soon? Really? It seems... too soon almost."
Santana cuddled closer to Quinn and pressed a tired kiss to the side of her neck hoping the Rachel didn't see it. "I can't wait to graduate, can't come sooner."
Quinn blushed from the kiss, but didn't comment. "I just want to get out of here. Out of this chair," she slapped the arm. "Out of Lima. Just out."
"I want New York," Rachel whispered, looking off in the distance with a dreamy smile. "I want to finally have my chance..."
"Too bad we've got to wait three months after graduation to do it," Quinn groused.
"Why?" Santana said softly as she looked over at Rachel before looking back to Quinn. "Let's just pack up and leave. Quinn will be walking by then and we can just get all of our stuff in my car and drive? Maybe my mother will let us crash in Providence for the summer."
"Can we do that?" Rachel asked curiously. "Really? Just go?"
"I don't know how well I'll be walking by then," Quinn added cautiously. "We'd probably still have to take my chair. I don't think I'm going to make it out of it by Nationals, after all."
"You can do it," Santana said, her lips brushing against Quinn's neck again. "I know you can," she whispered before looking back at Rachel. "Hells yes we can just go. I'm homeless... We can take our shit and run...."
"You're not completely homeless," she pointed out, gesturing with her fork. "But... there are merits I suppose. I'd want to be assured of a place to reside upon reaching our destination of course. Not," she shrugged, "that we are necessarily bound to a deadline beyond move in day and our financial limits regarding gas and sustenance."
"We can really do this?" Quinn smiled uncertainly. "Just get in your car and.... leave?"
"I can talk to Daniella tomorrow... If this is something that you are interested in." Santana shrugged, "She kinda owes me 8 years of favors so I doubt that she'll say no. Plus, it'd get us out of this hell hole."
"I'm reasonably certain I could convince my dads as to the positive benefits of a summer fling before settling into college," Rachel smiled with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "Maybe if I tell them you'll be coming and absolutely no boys, I can even wheedle money for at least some of our expenses along the way as well. They're still entirely enamored with both of you for doing your best to convince me not to marry Finn. And Quinn, one of these days," she pointed the fork at her, "you really need to join us for dinner."
Quinn rolled her eyes and sneakily slipped her hand up the back of Santana's shirt and rested it against the small of her back. "Maybe, but your house isn't really friendly to people in wheelchairs." She pointed out.
"No, but the main floor is only as bad as here," she shrugged, "and I'm sure between the two of us Santana and I could help you up on the porch to get inside. Or one of my dads could. Still, I think this is a wonderful idea, Santana. What about you, Quinn? Road trip to college?" she smiled hopefully.
"I think I need to make sure I can move enough first..." She replied nervously. "I don't want to be in a chair and in the car all the time."
"You will," Rachel smiled at her. "We'll help as much as you need to help you heal as fast as possible. I'm not Brittany but I know how to retrain from a bad injury almost as well and if we're in the pool then the size difference doesn't matter that much, right?"
"Yeah," She said. "I know you all are helping so much."
Santana just watched Quinn as she spoke and nuzzled her neck, "I promise you'll be okay. We can each continue to work with you, right? And your trainer says that you're doing so good."
"You know," Rachel leaned on the table watching them with tiny smirk, "I know you're not dating and likely not to be any time soon, but you could at least admit you like each other. It's pretty obvious and my intelligence feels insulted when you keep denying it."
"I've already admitted it to you," Santana retorted, as she looked up from Quinn's neck. "I don't control her words."
"No kidding," she rested her head on her hand as she watched them. "Just waiting on Quinn to open her eyes and admit it too. It's pretty obvious really, Quinn."
"W-we're not dating," Quinn insisted with a blush, "I don't have time for that right now, Berry. I've got to focus on getting better."
"I never said you were," she smirked. "I just stated that it is obvious there is romantic intentions between the two of you."
"Don't push it, Rachel," Santana said, "Quinn doesn't have to say anything, okay?"
"What if I want to?" Quinn asked softly, looking between the other two girls with a blush.
"Then you can, I just know this is more difficult for you than me." Santana said honestly, "These are new feelings for you, and on top of everything else you don't need to label whatever it is that's going on."
"It's Rachel, San," Quinn pointed out. "If I can't tell her I... I like you like... that, then who can I tell?" She looked up at Rachel with an almost shy smile, "Yeah. I like her. I like her a lot, Berry. You got a problem with that?"
"No problem," Rachel shrugged. "Just let me know when to leave you two alone," she teased.
Santana blushed and wrapped her arms around Quinn's neck and kissed her softly, "Thank you," She whispered against the girl's lips.
Quinn blushed and ducked her head slightly so she was hidden slightly behind Santana. "I can give you that," she whispered, "even if I'm not ready for... you know."
"I know," She whispered. "But you make me feel like I matter so.. thank you."
She just smiled and tucked her head into the crook of Santana's shoulder, her arms sliding around her waist.
"You two make me understand the concept of disgustingly cute sometimes," Rachel remarked, finishing her noodles. "So let us have a quorum. We're leaving soon after graduation assuming that Santana's mother agrees to provide shelter to three wayward teen girls. Right?"
"Sounds good," She said softly, "I'll ask her when I talk to my sister tomorrow morning."
"May I remark that I am entirely envious of your having a younger sister?" Rachel asked with a shy smile. "I never got to experience that as an only child and despite the fact that my mother adopted Beth, she's... she's not really my mother at all so I suppose it doesn't matter but it would have been entirely odd for my sister to be Quinn's baby... No offense intended of course, Quinn. I'm sure she's a lovely child."
"Wouldn't know," Quinn said honestly, "After my crazy and Puck sleeping with Shelby I'm not allowed to see her ever again." She looked down.
"I'm sure you can see her someday, Q." Santana hoped, "I'm sure you will."
"She'll find you," Rachel assured her softly. "When she's older. She'll want to know her real mom. Trust me. That's something I know."
"I'm seventeen and just meeting mine," She replied, "Maybe we can try to get in touch with Shelby before we leave? Maybe see her again?"
Quinn shook her head. "I learned my lesson. No more Beth until I'm someone she can be proud of. And not like I'm glad you're not in prison proud, but really proud. That's why I'm going to Yale and why I'll do my best to graduate with honors. I don't ever want her to be embarrassed by her mom."
"I know you can do it," Santana said. "You'll be the best."
"Flatterer," she slapped Santana's arm, blushing. "But I'm tired. Bed, everyone?"
"Um..." Rachel licked her lips, uncertain, "I guess I'll find the guest room?"
"Shut the fuck up," Santana said as she got back to her feet. "You'll stay with us like normal."
"Are you sure it won't be awkward with your newly admitted feelings for each other?" she tried teasing weakly.
"Nope," Santana stated. "Q?"
Quinn rolled her eyes before scooting her chair over to bump Rachel's legs, effectively knocking her into her lap with Santana's help. "Not at all. I'm tired and we're all going to bed. Now stop whining and hold on."
"Q-quinn! Really, I don't think-"
She cut her off, "Zip it, hobbit. Bedtime."
Rachel and Quinn were still asleep when Santana slipped into the kitchen and opened up her computer. She wrapped herself in a blanket with her coffee as she waited for her Sunday morning date with her little sister.
Skype rang to signal an incoming call. When she clicked it open, Alejandra was on the other end waving wildly. "Tana! Tana, hi! Can you hear me? Hi!" She grabbed the sides of the camera and peered at it, "You can see me, right?"
"Hi, Squirt," Santana smiled, "I can see you, be careful."
"Yay! Mami got a new camera and I didn't know if it worked or not," she nodded, plopping back down in her seat behind her cereal bowl. "Look! We can have breakfast together!"
"Yum, is that healthy cereal or tasty cereal?" Santana asked as she took a sip of her coffee.
"Um," she looked at it, stirring it around, "both? Where's your cereal, Tana?"
"I'm having coffee, I'm not really hungry." She said as she pulled her hair out of the ponytail.
"You should eat though," she pouted. "It's not right to eat by myself when I'm having breakfast with you."
Santana sighed and got up and poured a small bowl of cereal and put water in it before sitting down. "Happy?"
"Uh-huh!" She clapped happily. "Did you have a good week?"
"I did. School is really hard right now but that's okay," she said. "Did you have a good week? Did you do anything fun?"
Alejandra nodded with a big smile, crunching through her big bite of cereal before answering with a dribble of milk oozing down her chin. "Mami and I got to go to the zoo with my class! It was sooo much fun, Tana! We got to see the lions and bears and the seals jumped and played with balls! And there were these itty red panda bears with stripy tails that were so cute! I wish you could go with us next time."
"Maybe next time," Santana said sadly, trying to force a smile. She never had that kind of childhood. She would go to her grandmother's or home with Cherie which was like being alone. "What are you doing today?"
"Gonna go to church with Mami and Sunday School with Ms Thomas. She's really nice and we can have peanut butter cookies if we're good," she smiled around her spoon as she pushed it into her mouth.
"That's good, is your mom around?" She asked as she pushed her mess of hair back with her hand.
"Uh-huh. She's getting dressed. Want me to gets her?"
"When she comes out we can talk, so tell me something I don't know about you," Santana smiled as she took a bite of her cereal.
"Um," she ate another spoonful of cereal as she thought. "My favorite color is red cause it's fiery and... I like Mulan bestest!"
"Mulan is pretty cool," Santana replied, "Plus she had a pet dragon."
"A red dragon," she pointed out gleefully. "And she beat all the bad guys!"
"That she did," Santana smiled, "She's awesome. My favourite is Jasmine though, she had a tiger."
"But Mulan's dragon was little like us," she pouted. "And Jasmine had to be rescued."
"She didn't wanna marry just anyone and Aladdin had magic being used against him. Jafar was straight up creepy to come after Jasmine and she wasn't having that crap."
"Yeah, but Mulan beat like the whole Horde!" Alejandra insisted as her mom came up behind her.
"Okay, Allie. That's enough trying to convert her to the cult of Mulan," she teased, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
"Hey," Santana said as she looked at her mother. "Morning."
"Morning, Santana. Sleep well?" She smiled at her eldest while Alejandra chomped on her cereal.
"Slept okay, ya know..." She shrugged, "Kinda miss my bed but I'll live."
"You know you're always welcome here," Daniella smiled at her warmly. "Though I can certainly understand wanting to finish school with your classmates since you only have a little while left."
"Thanks, I'll be in your hair when school starts if I can figure all that crap out," Santana sighed, "I hope I didn't miss any deadlines for housing..."
"Yes," she held up the envelope from Brown's housing department, "it came yesterday. But you could just live here and be a commuter student. It'd save a lot of money."
"Yeah! Live here, Tana!" Alejandra cheered. "We can studys together!"
"Uh... I don't want to impose on your life... and I don't even know even know how far it is." Santana stammered.
"The campus is only a few miles away from here," Daniella explained. "You could even walk if you wanted to and it's no imposition. I rent out the two basement apartments to students every winter and spring term. We're used to academia around here, right, Allie?"
"Right!" she agreed with a firm nod, poking her - thankfully dry - spoon in the air.
"I'd get a job and pay rent," Santana said, knowing how costly the housing would be.
"Nonsense, you're family," Daniella assured her. "I'd expect you to help with chores and if you wanted to pitch in on groceries, I certainly wouldn't complain, but no child of mine pays rent in my house."
"If you... actually want me there," Santana swallowed, nervous that if it didn't work out she'd get kicked out again.
"Of course we want you here," she reassured her. "You're my daughter and Allie's big sister. You belong here with your family, Santana. We've always made sure to have a room ready for you, just in case. Even before I got up the courage to go against the contract. Of course, Allie helped decorate it so, you might want to consider a paint brush if you don't like lots of red."
"Hey! Red is the best!" Alejandra pouted.
"My room at home is black," Santana said, "but, I like red too... Daniella? Can I talk to you for a hot second without Alle?"
"Sure," she nodded. "Go get cleaned up and dressed for church, kiddo." Alejandra nodded and scooted out of her chair before hurrying off. Daniella sat down. "What's up? Is something wrong?"
"I needs out of Lima... like pronto," She sighs, "Do you think... if my two friends and I road trip after graduation it would be cool to end up there? Rachel is going to school in Nueva York and Quinn's going to Yale..."
She thought about it for a moment then nodded slowly. "I remember Quinn, but Rachel I don't think I know. However, as long as they're good girls and don't mind college apartments for accommodations, I don't think that'd be a problem since I won't have any tenants until around the time for the lot of you to start your own terms."
"I mean, they can just sleep wherever I am... Well, Quinn needs help still right now getting around since the accident." Santana said, "But thanks... I'll let you know if they'll actually come early with me."
"It's not a problem and I'm sure we can adjust things to accommodate as needed." Daniella took a breath and smiled hesitantly, "I'm glad you're coming home, Santana. I've missed you so much the last few years."
"Last nearly nine years," Santana mumbled as she rubbed her eyes that had rings of dark circles around them. "It's been a long time and as much as I'm thankful that you'll take me in... it's not a fix all... It doesn't change that you abandoned me."
"I didn't have any choice, Santana. I lost. I bankrupted myself, nearly bankrupted my parents fighting for you, but your dad just had more reach. The court sided with him in the end. I never wanted to leave you," she shook her head. "Never. I know this isn't a fix all. But... it's a start, don't you think?"
"Yeah." Santana sighed tiredly, "It's a start. You should head to church, I'm gonna go back to bed..."
"Alright. Talk to you later, Santana," she murmured with a little smile. "Sleep well."
"Later," She smiled and closed her computer. She shuffled back into the dark bedroom and slipped under the covers next to Quinn. She wrapped her arm around the girl and snuggled closely.
Quinn mumbled something unintelligible and pulled her closer, rolling her head to rest on top of Santana's.