There's Always Brooklyn - Chapter Thirty
Title: There's Always Brooklyn
Author: Sio and Maura
Artist: raingoddess2040
Type: AU Post On My Way, future femslash with a het side pairing
Word Count: 195,092
Rating: NC-17 for later chapters
Characters/Pairings: Rachel/Santana, Quinn/OMC, past Quinn/Rachel, Santana/Brittany, near miss Quinn/Santana, Quinn/Rachel
Warnings (highlight to read): Explicit sexual content in later chapters, talk of presumed non-con (no actual), minor off-screen violence, strong language, external/general homophobia, child (not kink), parenting (not kink)
Summary: Six years ago, Santana Lopez disappeared following graduation. The costs for therapy and rehab to get out of her chair, made Quinn Fabray realize she couldn't have Yale, so she went with her second acceptance - NYU. Rachel Berry missed out on NYADA but made it into Tisch, only to find herself as roommates with Quinn after tearing herself away from Finn to go to New York. Eventually a gin soaked night led to a tormented relationship that eventually was surrendered to save their fading friendship. When Rachel finally managed to land a Broadway lead under Quinn's management, they were shocked by who showed up for the latest opening as Rachel's assistant.
What neither of them had ever expected was that she'd have a child with her. One she'd ran away to New York to be able to have without the shame Quinn had gone through.
Chapter Thirty
This time when they landed, Rachel was waiting for them by the baggage carousel. She had an oversized hat and sunglasses on to avoid being recognized, but she was done with the studio trying to demand that she continue lying about everything. And besides, she wanted to pick up the people she was rapidly beginning to think of as her family for once.
Quinn and Jay would be flying down the day after Christmas so they could spend it out at his family's place. It'd been hard enough getting the holidays off and he knew he wouldn't be able to pull it off again for a while, so he was determined to make the most of it with a West Coast vacation. So as Rachel checked her watch and the arrival board one more time, she tried to keep herself from showing her excitement at getting to see Brooklyn and Santana again - not to mention her big news.
Santana carried her sleeping daughter in her arms as she headed down to collect their bags. She had a simple pair of leggings and boots on with an oversized grey sweater. Brooklyn had on overalls and a long sleeved shirt. New York had been freezing cold and she was looking forward to the warmth of LA.
"Santana," Rachel called softly when she saw them, pushing off the wall she'd been leaning against with a smile and waving. "Over here."
Santana looked up and smiled, she headed over to Rachel. “Hey you,” She whispered, not sure if she should hug her girlfriend. “I missed you.”
"I missed you too," she whispered, smiling brightly at Santana and pulling her into a hug with Brooklyn half squished between them. "I'm glad you're here. Come on, let's get your things and go home."
The mother smiled and pointed out her and Brooklyn’s bags. She dragged hers and let Rachel take the tiny purple one as they headed to the car. Once they slid in, Santana kissed Rachel softly, “Hi.”
"You can do better than that," Rachel teased, pulling her in for a firmer kiss. "I've been looking forward to sleeping beside you all week you know. I got a car seat for her," she hooked a thumb towards the backseat, "and I'll drive so you can sleep if you want. Sound good?"
“Thank you,” Santana grumbled tiredly as she put Brooklyn into the seat. “She was hell on wheels again.”
"Well, maybe when you hear the news I have, it'll improve the flight home?" she suggested with a smirk, getting their bags settled so they wouldn't slide around before moving to climb into the driver's seat. "Ready to go?"
“Please,” She said as she slid in the front seat and took Rachel’s hand. “Tell me you have today off?”
"I do. In fact," she grinned at Santana brightly, squeezing her hand before starting the car. "I have the entire length of your visit off. How do you like the sound of that?"
“Amazing, I hate when we were alone here without you.” She smiled tiredly, “Can we lie down when we get home? Brooke has been a terror... between missing you, excitement about the trip, Christmas and her birthday... She's been driving me crazy.”
Rachel laughed softly, "Well, you're here now so I can help handle her and give you a break. Plus I've been getting things together so we can decorate for the holidays once you two are rested." She smiled lopsidedly. "It just didn't feel right to decorate without my loved ones there to help."
Santana smiled, “She’ll love it.” She closed her eyes and let the warmth of the sun shine through the window onto her.
"I miss New York," she murmured, "but I know how much you love the sun, so... consider this sort of part of a gift to you." She reached over and laced her fingers with Santana's. "I could have flown back to spend the holidays with the two of you there after all," she teased.
“I know, but you have your film and it’s a short visit sadly,” Santana pouted. “I wouldn't let you leave if you'd come back.”
She laughed, tugging Santana's hand up to kiss the back of it as she carefully navigated the LA traffic. "Oh, don't worry about the film. That's part of my big news," she waved off Santana's curious expression with a smile. "I'll tell you when we're home and comfortable."
She nodded, “I’m happy to see you.” She yawned before drifting off.
"Not as happy as I am," Rachel murmured, glancing over with a soft smile before turning her attention back to the road.
It was nearly a hour and a half later before they pulled into the driveway to Rachel's condo. Ray was heading inside and he waved as Rachel parked the car before closing the door behind him. Smiling at her sleeping girlfriend, she reached over and shook her gently.
"Santana," she murmured. "Santana, we're home. Wake up, baby. I can carry Brooklyn in, but you're a little too large of a package for me to handle."
“I’ll handle your large...” She mumbled softly as she fought waking up.
"You'll handle my large what?" she laughed, getting out and moving to unbuckle a sleepily protesting Brooklyn from her seat. "Shh, sweetie. It's your Rachie. I'm just going to take you inside so you can sleep. Okay, Brooklyn?"
“Momma?” She asked tiredly as she snuggled into Rachel, “Sleeps with you and mommy?"
"Your mommy's coming," Rachel whispered, stroking a hand over Brooklyn's hair as she walked up to her door and fumbled with her keys to let them in. "Maybe we can all snuggle together for a while but I've got to get your bags in first, okay?"
“No,” she protested, “No bags, just sleep with me. Don’t leave?” she asked softly as a groggy Santana walked into the house behind them.
"I promise I'm not leaving," Rachel reassured her, leading Santana back to her bedroom so her and her daughter could snuggle in her bed. "I just want to get your things in and change my clothes so we can sleep together. Okay? I promise I'll come cuddle as soon as that's done."
Santana pulled Brooklyn’s shoes off, then her own followed by the heavy sweater. She helped Brooklyn onto the bed before flopping down face first. Brooklyn snuggled into Santana's side and watched Rachel. “Hurry? Mommy’s really tired...”
"I'll hurry," she whispered, leaning down to kiss Brooklyn's forehead before heading back out to the car to get their bags and Brooklyn's car seat. Putting Brooklyn's bag in her room, she carried Santana's larger one up into her bedroom and set it in the corner before moving to change into her lounge clothes from her jeans and tank top.
Once that was done, she crawled into bed and wrapped an arm around the two already half awake. "Thank you for coming," she whispered, kissing their cheeks slightly awkwardly before snuggling in. "I've missed you two so much."
“Missed you too,” Brooklyn said, loving being back with both women to hug her.
"Go to sleep, sweetie," Rachel whispered. "I'll be here when you wake up. I promise."
She nodded and drifted off.
Later - after a bit of wrestling with the four foot tall artificial tree that was deceptively difficult to assemble - the little almost-a-family was doing their best to decorate the house for the upcoming celebration. Garland was wound through the banisters of the stairs and lights hung in likely more places than they really belonged and tinsel was so liberally festooned about that Rachel wasn't sure it'd ever get cleaned up all the way. But it was the holidays and she had the people she loved most there helping her, so she didn't really care how messy and chaotic it was.
"Brooklyn, do you want to help me put the star on the tree?" she asked, holding out a big gold star she'd found to be a tree topper.
“Can I?” Brooklyn beamed as she nodded, “Please, please.” She exclaimed as she reached for it.
"Hold on to it tight so you don't drop it and I'll lift you up, okay?" Rachel smiled at her, handing her the star. Crouching down behind her, she got a grip on her waist, "Ready?"
“Yes!” She beamed as Rachel lifted her up. Santana stood off to the side and snapped photos of the event. “Look, mommy!”
“I see you, baby! Good job!.” Santana exclaimed as as took another photo.
"Those are going strictly in our scrapbooks, I hope," Rachel teased setting Brooklyn back down once she'd gotten the star twisted on. Smiling, she walked over and gently pushed the camera aside to pull Santana down towards her. "Can I have a kiss or would you prefer more privacy from certain little eyes?"
“It’s okay.” Santana said softly as she pressed a soft kiss to Rachel’s lips.
"Good," she murmured, smiling up at Santana, "because I'm not sure how well I'd be able to resist if it wasn't. Are you going to help us decorate or keep playing with your camera? If you insist on the camera, be sure to get my good side, okay?"
“Legs and ass?” Santana smirked as she looked at her girlfriend's backside. “But, I like documenting Brooklyn’s holidays...”
"Santana!" Rachel scolded with a laugh, reaching out to playfully slap at her. "You do realize your daughter is right there, right? Get over here and be part of the holiday. You can still document it if you want. And besides," she leaned in to kiss her with a smile, "maybe I can borrow this," she pointed out, plucking the camera away, "and document my two favorite girls enjoying their first ever Christmas in LA where it's nice and warm. What do you say?"
Santana just rolled her eyes and slid onto the floor with her daughter and helped her as they unpacked some of the ornaments.
"I hope those are okay," she fretted, snapping a couple shots of mom and daughter hanging ornaments on the tree. "Maybe next year we can find some together, um... I mean, if..." she blushed trailing off with a shy smile, not wanting to overstep.
“We have a few things, like Brooklyn’s first christmas ornament.. but yet, we should get some new stuff next year,” She smiled and ran her hand through Brooklyn’s hair.
"I like the sound of that," Rachel grinned, coming over to sit beside them and help Brooklyn out by fixing hooks to ornaments. "Is there any special dish you'd like for Christmas dinner, Brooklyn? If it's not too complicated, maybe we could work together and let your mom relax?"
“Mommy and me always make mac and cheese, not the box kind but the fancy stuff!” she beamed causing Santana to look down knowing that it wasn’t what her daughter deserved, that it was a far cry from what she grew up having on Christmas dinners.
"That sounds tasty," Rachel beamed at her. "Maybe we can make one of those little chickens for you and your mom to split to go with it? And some green beans? Does that sound good?"
“Why don’t I make tamales?” Santana offered, “They can be made vegan and they’re traditional for Latinos to do around the holidays. Do you wanna do some of the Jewish things too?” Santana offered, “Maybe teach Brooklyn about your heritage?”
Rachel's smile seemed to brighten as she looked over at Santana, "Really? I'd love to do that. Perhaps something simple that Brooklyn can help with like latkes? Many of the recipes I'm familiar with are vegan variants, but I could ask my father to email me some traditional recipes if you'd like to explore my heritage's cooking."
“We can do the vegan ones,” Santana said as she pulled Brooke onto her lap, “It’s just like potatos and whathaveyou, right? We can make a mixture.”
“What’s latkes?” Brooklyn asked as she looked up to Rachel.
"They're little pancakes made of shredded potatoes and sometimes veggies fried in oil," Rachel explained. "They're traditionally eaten around Hanukkah and the oil they're cooked in is supposed to represent the blessed oil that burned for eight days until more could be made while the Holy Temple was being cleaned and blessed in Jerusalem a long time ago."
The small girl looked confused, “I don’t understand.... when is... Han... Han...” she tried to pronounce it.
"Hanukkah," Rachel smiled, "It's one of the High Holy Days of my faith and it's actually happening now. I'm Jewish so I actually celebrate Hanukkah and not Christmas. Has your mom told you that?"
“Right now?” She looked concerned, “But... but it’s Christmas,” She looked up to Santana.
“They sometimes happen on the same day’s babe, your classmate Eli and Adam are Jewish at school, remember.” Santana said as she looked down to her daughter.
“But... Christmas is baby Jesus’s birthday...”
"It can still be baby Jesus's birthday, sweetie," Rachel reassured her. "Hanukkah represents when my people managed to take the Holy Temple back from the people who were trying to destroy it and made it clean so we could worship the Lord in it again. It's not always around now and it's ending just before Christmas this year too. Today's the last day."
Brooklyn just blinked, still not totally following. “O-okay...” She said, unsure. “We can still have Christmas right?”
“Yes,” Santana chuckled. “Yes, Christmas will still happen.”
"It's baby Jesus's birthday after all, right?" Rachel smiled at her, leaning over to give her a hug. "Birthdays are on the same day every year no matter what other holidays are around them."
She nodded and played with the ends of Rachel’s hair. “Can we watch Rudolph tonight?”
"Definitely," she nodded, hugging her close. "You brought your Bumble to watch with, right? Whose lap are you going to sit on?"
The little girl looked between her mom and Rachel, after a few moments she looked upset and like she was about to cry. “I don’t know! Don’t want to pick!” she cried.
"Brooklyn, don’t be upset.” Santana said as she tried to calm her child down.
"Don't cry, sweetie," Rachel soothed. "You don't have to pick. How about your mom and I sit right next to each other and you can lay on both of our laps? Or you can sit between us. How's that sound?"
Brooklyn cried and nodded. “Mariposa don’t be upset.” Santana said, “Are you tired? Is that why you're upset?”
"Maybe hungry?" Rachel suggested, worriedly. "We've been working awfully hard and it is getting time for a meal, don't you think, Santana?"
“I think it’s lunchtime,” Santana said, “Why don’t I make something and you finish decorating with Rachel, Baby.” She said as she pressed a kiss to her daughters hair, “Then maybe you can lie down so you can watch movies tonight.”
Brooklyn sniffled, wiping at her face. "O-okay," she hiccupped. "Rachie nap with me?"
Rachel smiled down at her, "For a little while, sure. Come on, no more tears," she wiped Brooklyn's face with her thumb. "You don't have to pick between your mommy and me ever, sweetie. I promise."
“I love you both so much it,” she sniffled and crawled into Rachel’s lap, “made me sad to pick,” she said softly. Santana said went into the kitchen to make some lunch as Brooklyn talked to Rachel.
"Well, you don't have to pick, sweetie," Rachel reassured her, kissing the top of her head as she held her. "And you know neither your mom nor I would think you loved us any less if you wanted to sit in the other's lap while we all watched a movie together. You know we love you more than anything, right?"
Brooklyn nodded, “Not used to anyone but Mommy loving me.” she admitted, “Confuses me sometimes.”
"It's okay to be confused," she reassured her. "But I promise you that I'll always love you, no matter what, okay?"
She nodded and took a breath, “I try to remember.”
"Don't worry," she ruffled her hair with a smile, "I'll remind you any time you forget, okay? And soon I'll be home and you'll get to see me a lot more again."
“Good,” Brooklyn stated, “Want you home.”
"I want to be home too," Rachel whispered, hugging her tight. "Home with you and your mom. I want that more than anything."
A few minutes later Santana came back in with three plates with sandwiches, fruit and a cookie on them. “Grilled cheese for Brooklyn, Cucumber and hummus for Rachel and grilled cheese with tomatoes for me.”
Rachel accepted her plate with a smile, leaning up for a kiss. "Have I mentioned that I love you lately? Because I do. Thank you for the sandwich, Santana."
She blushed and sat down and nibbled on her apple slices, “Thought we’d make a light lunch and maybe just have special finger foods for dinner? What do you think?”
"Sure, that sounds nice. Want to eat before the movie or during?" She asked, helping Brooklyn with her plate before nibbling on her sandwich.
“Maybe have a special dinner during the movie? During Frosty then cuddles during Rudolph?”
"I like the sound of that. What do you think, Brooklyn?" Rachel asked, picking up a napkin and wiping a bit of cheese off the girl's face absentmindedly.
“Sounds good!” she smiled as she munched. She finished up her lunch quietly and rubbed at her eyes. “Can I go lay in my bed?”
“Sure, babe, but go to the bathroom first,” Santana said before kissing her daughter. “I’ll wake you up in a while okay?”
"Okay," she yawned. "Can Rachie sing to me and nap with me?"
Rachel looked to Santana with a soft smile, "I don't mind if you can spare me for a little bit."
“Sure,” Santana smiled, “I’ll pick up.”
Finishing the last bite of her sandwich, Rachel stood and reached a hand out for Brooklyn. "Come on, sweetie. Let's get you cleaned up and go lie down for a bit."
Brooklyn took her hand and followed her down the hall.
Santana laid on the floor near the tree. She had finished putting up the decorations and was laying down for a rest while Rachel napped with Brooklyn. Rachel came out a few minutes later running her fingers through her hair. When she spotted Santana, she smiled and walked over to stretch out on the floor beside her, curling into her side.
"Hi," she whispered. "I missed you."
“Hey, she sleeping?” Santana mumbled, as she rolled onto her side and rested her head on Rachel’s stomach.
"She is," Rachel murmured, stroking fingers through Santana's hair. "How are you? Feels like it's been forever since we've been alone like this."
“I’m... better now that I’m here with you.” she said softly, “It’s been a long few months.”
"It has," she nodded, enjoying being close. "Not to seem overly needy or dependant, but I've really missed being able to curl up with you after a long day - even if we didn't do that every day before I came out here."
“I am needy so it’s fine to admit it,” Santana joked, “I just really needed to be with you like this sometimes.”
"Mmm," she murmured with a gentle smile, enjoying the feeling of her fingers running through Santana's hair. "What if I told you that we could be like this a lot more often after the holidays?"
“How?” Santana mumbled unhappily, “And don’t say skype because it’s not the same.”
"How about a ticket for the same plane you and Brooklyn will be on?" Rachel asked softly, catching her lip between her teeth with a shy smile.
Santana looked up and gaped at Rachel. “You have time off to visit home?”
Rachel laughed softly, "Not for a visit, Santana."
“Your movie isn’t finished yet...” She said softly.
She shook her head gently, "We wrapped the night before you landed. I'm done, Santana. I can come home."
“Really?” Santana whispered, “Don’t fuck with me,” she warned as she looked at her girlfriend.
"I'm not and I wouldn't," she smiled at Santana. "I'm coming home. You'll... you'll be there, right? You'll stay?" She looked scared and uncertain but hopeful. "You and Brooklyn? You'll... stay with me? In the apartment?"
“That’s... that’s okay with you?” Santana asked, “You want us to stay around?”
"Of course, I do!" Rachel stared at Santana almost in shock, "Why wouldn't I? Haven't you figured out that you and Brooklyn are what make it home for me these days yet?"
“I... You want to live with us?” she asked confused about how this was all happening. “I’m so confused... You finished filming?”
"I finished filming," she nodded, "and I want to come home to the two of you. I want to sleep with you at night and help tuck Brooklyn in at night... If," she licked her lips, uncertain, "if you don't want that, that's okay.... I can... I can find some place. I won't make you move again..."
“It’s... It’s just.” Santana shook her head, “I’m so happy you’re done and coming home.”
"You don't want to live with me though?" she whispered, sighing softly. "I'm sorry. I should have realized it'd be too soon for that sort of thing. I'm sorry, Santana. We can just pretend that I never mentioned it."
“No!” Santana exclaimed, “You caught me off guard! I want to live with you!”
"Do you?" Rachel asked softly, letting herself be open and vulnerable. "Please don't say it just because you know I want to, Santana..."
“You told me on the phone like a week ago that you still had a few weeks of shooting,” Santana said, “You caught me off guard. I’m not good with suprises,” she whispered, “I want to live with you.”
I thought I still had a few more weeks of shooting, but the directors decided we had it all in the can the other night," she shrugged. "I want... I want a chance at a life with you, Santana. I don't know what else to do, what else I can offer to make you believe it."
“You’re coming home with us.” She smiled, leaning up and kissing Rachel sofly. “For good?”
"Until the next job at least," Rachel chuckled ruefully, "and I may have to fly out for interviews to promote the movie, but maybe you and Brooklyn could come..." She trailed off, shaking her head to force herself to refocus on the question at hand, "Yes. Yes, Santana. I'm coming home with you. For good. If that's what you want."
“I want that.” She whispered, “I want that.”
"Then that's what will happen," Rachel smiled at her. "When you and Brooklyn get on the plane to fly back to New York... I'll be beside you. Coming home."
She beamed and kissed her deeply.
Rachel smiled against her lips, holding her tight as she kissed her back. "Santana," she breathed, "can we... can we tell Brooklyn on her birthday? It's the night before we leave... don't you think it'd be the perfect present?"
“I’m pretty sure we can send all of her presents from Santa back... all she wanted was for you to come back to New York.”
"That's all I've wanted since I watched your plane fly away last time," Rachel admitted with a shy smile. "But there's no need to send her presents back. Christmas and birthday are two different things after all."
“Yeah, It’s unfortunate for her birthday to be around Christmas.” She shrugged, “She wants a kitten for her birthday. Thoughts?”
"Mmm, maybe next year?" Rachel shrugged with a helpless smile, "I'll need to make sure my lease allows for it after all. Maybe it would be better to not associate a pet with a birthday gift though. It's a big responsibility after all. Maybe have her research cats and how to care for them first? It'd give us time to ensure that we won't have any problems having a pet in the apartment."
“Perfect,” Santana smiled, “I didn’t want to get her one anyway. Maybe a fish first...” she shrugged, “I’m so happy you're coming home.”
"You have no idea how happy I am to be getting to go home," she grinned, hugging Santana. "Now do you see why it wouldn't have been a problem for me to fly back to New York for the holidays?" she teased. "Though I am looking forward to being home for New Year's."
“Can we see the fireworks from your apartment?” she asked excitedly.
"I don't know," Rachel looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm usually not home for the event. But I'm sure we could see them from the roof."
“Think we should keep Brooke up? Or should I put her to bed so you can kiss me at midnight?” she asked with a glimmer in her eye.
"Maybe she can watch the festivities occurring before they hit New York on TV so we can have this first New Year's to ourselves," Rachel suggested with a shy smirk.
“Perfect.” Santana said as she rested her head in the crook of Rachel’s neck.
"I thought you might approve," she teased, wrapping her arms around her to hold her close.
“Brooklyn loves you so much, Rachel...” Santana murmured.
"I know," she whispered, rubbing Santana's back gently, "I love her too. I promise, Santana, I'll do everything I can to never abandon or hurt her. She... I," she paused, at a momentary loss for words. "She's... sometimes I wonder if how I feel, how strongly... if it's anything like a mother would for their child. I don't know if I'll ever know."
“She... she could be that for you.” Santana whispers, “She wants you as a parent... If that’s something you want.”
Rachel licked her lips, looking at Santana uncertainly, "Is.... that what you want? I don't want to take anything from you, Santana. She's your daughter. Your little girl. You... you have such an incredible bond with her. I don't know if I could ever come close to that..."
“She’s my baby...” Santana sighed, “But, she deserves more than me. She deserves to have someone else to love her. She’s never had anyone else...”
"She does now," she whispered, hugging Santana. "The title doesn't matter. I'll love her no matter what."
“She calls you mom then feels guilty... I never want her to feel guilty.” Santana whispered and watched her.
"If," Rachel took a breath, willing her heart to slow down it's excited beat, "if you're okay with it, then I have no problem with her calling me that," she finally whispered. "But only if you're okay with it."
“I will give her anything...” Santana said, “She’s not going to be able to hold herself back when we live together and I rather her not get confused and overwhelmed. She’s just a little girl.”
"As long as you're okay," she reached up to cup Santana's cheek, smiling at her. "I love her and I love you. Knowing you want me as part of this admittedly odd little family makes me incredibly happy, Santana. But... I just want to make this very clear that I'm not just here for her. I'm here for both of you and frankly, right now, I think I'd be devastated if anything happened to either of you."
“If something were to happen to me...” She swallowed, “You’d take care of her, right? She can’t go back to Lima...”
"I promise. I'd do everything in my power to keep her with me, Santana," Rachel reassured her. "I'd... I'd give up acting to take care of her. I'd work for Quinn's firm or something else that would keep me home more often. But nothing's going to happen to you... right?" Her smile grew frightened at the idea, "I mean... you're okay, right?"
“As far as I know, yes.” She chuckled, “My worst nightmare is that something happens to me and she gets sent to my parents or god forbid has to show up at Mike’s place with her little backpack and teddy bear.”
"Santana, stop," Rachel had to blink against the sting in her eyes, "stop, please. Don't talk like that. I'll take care of her. I promise. But nothing's going to happen to you, so don't talk like that, please..."
“Sorry...” She sighed, “Haven’t been getting a lot of sleep and the sleep I get has some harsh dreams.”
"Hopefully it'll be better now," Rachel whispered, kissing her forehead. "I'll do my best to chase all the bad dreams away."
“Thank you,” She said as she closed her eyes and breathed softly. “We are lucky to have you.”
"I'm lucky to have the two of you, you mean," she teased gently, holding her close. "You... having the two of you in my life has made things seem like more than just a race for a trophy that meant less and less as the years went by. Thank you."
Santana snuggled in and listened to her heart beat as she drifted off into a much needed sleep.
"Only you would find a way to make us sleep on the floor," Rachel whispered, pulling her phone out of her pocket to set an alarm before wrapping her arms back around Santana and letting herself drift off.
Chapter Thirty-One
Author: Sio and Maura
Artist: raingoddess2040
Type: AU Post On My Way, future femslash with a het side pairing
Word Count: 195,092
Rating: NC-17 for later chapters
Characters/Pairings: Rachel/Santana, Quinn/OMC, past Quinn/Rachel, Santana/Brittany, near miss Quinn/Santana, Quinn/Rachel
Warnings (highlight to read): Explicit sexual content in later chapters, talk of presumed non-con (no actual), minor off-screen violence, strong language, external/general homophobia, child (not kink), parenting (not kink)
Summary: Six years ago, Santana Lopez disappeared following graduation. The costs for therapy and rehab to get out of her chair, made Quinn Fabray realize she couldn't have Yale, so she went with her second acceptance - NYU. Rachel Berry missed out on NYADA but made it into Tisch, only to find herself as roommates with Quinn after tearing herself away from Finn to go to New York. Eventually a gin soaked night led to a tormented relationship that eventually was surrendered to save their fading friendship. When Rachel finally managed to land a Broadway lead under Quinn's management, they were shocked by who showed up for the latest opening as Rachel's assistant.
What neither of them had ever expected was that she'd have a child with her. One she'd ran away to New York to be able to have without the shame Quinn had gone through.
Chapter Thirty
This time when they landed, Rachel was waiting for them by the baggage carousel. She had an oversized hat and sunglasses on to avoid being recognized, but she was done with the studio trying to demand that she continue lying about everything. And besides, she wanted to pick up the people she was rapidly beginning to think of as her family for once.
Quinn and Jay would be flying down the day after Christmas so they could spend it out at his family's place. It'd been hard enough getting the holidays off and he knew he wouldn't be able to pull it off again for a while, so he was determined to make the most of it with a West Coast vacation. So as Rachel checked her watch and the arrival board one more time, she tried to keep herself from showing her excitement at getting to see Brooklyn and Santana again - not to mention her big news.
Santana carried her sleeping daughter in her arms as she headed down to collect their bags. She had a simple pair of leggings and boots on with an oversized grey sweater. Brooklyn had on overalls and a long sleeved shirt. New York had been freezing cold and she was looking forward to the warmth of LA.
"Santana," Rachel called softly when she saw them, pushing off the wall she'd been leaning against with a smile and waving. "Over here."
Santana looked up and smiled, she headed over to Rachel. “Hey you,” She whispered, not sure if she should hug her girlfriend. “I missed you.”
"I missed you too," she whispered, smiling brightly at Santana and pulling her into a hug with Brooklyn half squished between them. "I'm glad you're here. Come on, let's get your things and go home."
The mother smiled and pointed out her and Brooklyn’s bags. She dragged hers and let Rachel take the tiny purple one as they headed to the car. Once they slid in, Santana kissed Rachel softly, “Hi.”
"You can do better than that," Rachel teased, pulling her in for a firmer kiss. "I've been looking forward to sleeping beside you all week you know. I got a car seat for her," she hooked a thumb towards the backseat, "and I'll drive so you can sleep if you want. Sound good?"
“Thank you,” Santana grumbled tiredly as she put Brooklyn into the seat. “She was hell on wheels again.”
"Well, maybe when you hear the news I have, it'll improve the flight home?" she suggested with a smirk, getting their bags settled so they wouldn't slide around before moving to climb into the driver's seat. "Ready to go?"
“Please,” She said as she slid in the front seat and took Rachel’s hand. “Tell me you have today off?”
"I do. In fact," she grinned at Santana brightly, squeezing her hand before starting the car. "I have the entire length of your visit off. How do you like the sound of that?"
“Amazing, I hate when we were alone here without you.” She smiled tiredly, “Can we lie down when we get home? Brooke has been a terror... between missing you, excitement about the trip, Christmas and her birthday... She's been driving me crazy.”
Rachel laughed softly, "Well, you're here now so I can help handle her and give you a break. Plus I've been getting things together so we can decorate for the holidays once you two are rested." She smiled lopsidedly. "It just didn't feel right to decorate without my loved ones there to help."
Santana smiled, “She’ll love it.” She closed her eyes and let the warmth of the sun shine through the window onto her.
"I miss New York," she murmured, "but I know how much you love the sun, so... consider this sort of part of a gift to you." She reached over and laced her fingers with Santana's. "I could have flown back to spend the holidays with the two of you there after all," she teased.
“I know, but you have your film and it’s a short visit sadly,” Santana pouted. “I wouldn't let you leave if you'd come back.”
She laughed, tugging Santana's hand up to kiss the back of it as she carefully navigated the LA traffic. "Oh, don't worry about the film. That's part of my big news," she waved off Santana's curious expression with a smile. "I'll tell you when we're home and comfortable."
She nodded, “I’m happy to see you.” She yawned before drifting off.
"Not as happy as I am," Rachel murmured, glancing over with a soft smile before turning her attention back to the road.
It was nearly a hour and a half later before they pulled into the driveway to Rachel's condo. Ray was heading inside and he waved as Rachel parked the car before closing the door behind him. Smiling at her sleeping girlfriend, she reached over and shook her gently.
"Santana," she murmured. "Santana, we're home. Wake up, baby. I can carry Brooklyn in, but you're a little too large of a package for me to handle."
“I’ll handle your large...” She mumbled softly as she fought waking up.
"You'll handle my large what?" she laughed, getting out and moving to unbuckle a sleepily protesting Brooklyn from her seat. "Shh, sweetie. It's your Rachie. I'm just going to take you inside so you can sleep. Okay, Brooklyn?"
“Momma?” She asked tiredly as she snuggled into Rachel, “Sleeps with you and mommy?"
"Your mommy's coming," Rachel whispered, stroking a hand over Brooklyn's hair as she walked up to her door and fumbled with her keys to let them in. "Maybe we can all snuggle together for a while but I've got to get your bags in first, okay?"
“No,” she protested, “No bags, just sleep with me. Don’t leave?” she asked softly as a groggy Santana walked into the house behind them.
"I promise I'm not leaving," Rachel reassured her, leading Santana back to her bedroom so her and her daughter could snuggle in her bed. "I just want to get your things in and change my clothes so we can sleep together. Okay? I promise I'll come cuddle as soon as that's done."
Santana pulled Brooklyn’s shoes off, then her own followed by the heavy sweater. She helped Brooklyn onto the bed before flopping down face first. Brooklyn snuggled into Santana's side and watched Rachel. “Hurry? Mommy’s really tired...”
"I'll hurry," she whispered, leaning down to kiss Brooklyn's forehead before heading back out to the car to get their bags and Brooklyn's car seat. Putting Brooklyn's bag in her room, she carried Santana's larger one up into her bedroom and set it in the corner before moving to change into her lounge clothes from her jeans and tank top.
Once that was done, she crawled into bed and wrapped an arm around the two already half awake. "Thank you for coming," she whispered, kissing their cheeks slightly awkwardly before snuggling in. "I've missed you two so much."
“Missed you too,” Brooklyn said, loving being back with both women to hug her.
"Go to sleep, sweetie," Rachel whispered. "I'll be here when you wake up. I promise."
She nodded and drifted off.
Later - after a bit of wrestling with the four foot tall artificial tree that was deceptively difficult to assemble - the little almost-a-family was doing their best to decorate the house for the upcoming celebration. Garland was wound through the banisters of the stairs and lights hung in likely more places than they really belonged and tinsel was so liberally festooned about that Rachel wasn't sure it'd ever get cleaned up all the way. But it was the holidays and she had the people she loved most there helping her, so she didn't really care how messy and chaotic it was.
"Brooklyn, do you want to help me put the star on the tree?" she asked, holding out a big gold star she'd found to be a tree topper.
“Can I?” Brooklyn beamed as she nodded, “Please, please.” She exclaimed as she reached for it.
"Hold on to it tight so you don't drop it and I'll lift you up, okay?" Rachel smiled at her, handing her the star. Crouching down behind her, she got a grip on her waist, "Ready?"
“Yes!” She beamed as Rachel lifted her up. Santana stood off to the side and snapped photos of the event. “Look, mommy!”
“I see you, baby! Good job!.” Santana exclaimed as as took another photo.
"Those are going strictly in our scrapbooks, I hope," Rachel teased setting Brooklyn back down once she'd gotten the star twisted on. Smiling, she walked over and gently pushed the camera aside to pull Santana down towards her. "Can I have a kiss or would you prefer more privacy from certain little eyes?"
“It’s okay.” Santana said softly as she pressed a soft kiss to Rachel’s lips.
"Good," she murmured, smiling up at Santana, "because I'm not sure how well I'd be able to resist if it wasn't. Are you going to help us decorate or keep playing with your camera? If you insist on the camera, be sure to get my good side, okay?"
“Legs and ass?” Santana smirked as she looked at her girlfriend's backside. “But, I like documenting Brooklyn’s holidays...”
"Santana!" Rachel scolded with a laugh, reaching out to playfully slap at her. "You do realize your daughter is right there, right? Get over here and be part of the holiday. You can still document it if you want. And besides," she leaned in to kiss her with a smile, "maybe I can borrow this," she pointed out, plucking the camera away, "and document my two favorite girls enjoying their first ever Christmas in LA where it's nice and warm. What do you say?"
Santana just rolled her eyes and slid onto the floor with her daughter and helped her as they unpacked some of the ornaments.
"I hope those are okay," she fretted, snapping a couple shots of mom and daughter hanging ornaments on the tree. "Maybe next year we can find some together, um... I mean, if..." she blushed trailing off with a shy smile, not wanting to overstep.
“We have a few things, like Brooklyn’s first christmas ornament.. but yet, we should get some new stuff next year,” She smiled and ran her hand through Brooklyn’s hair.
"I like the sound of that," Rachel grinned, coming over to sit beside them and help Brooklyn out by fixing hooks to ornaments. "Is there any special dish you'd like for Christmas dinner, Brooklyn? If it's not too complicated, maybe we could work together and let your mom relax?"
“Mommy and me always make mac and cheese, not the box kind but the fancy stuff!” she beamed causing Santana to look down knowing that it wasn’t what her daughter deserved, that it was a far cry from what she grew up having on Christmas dinners.
"That sounds tasty," Rachel beamed at her. "Maybe we can make one of those little chickens for you and your mom to split to go with it? And some green beans? Does that sound good?"
“Why don’t I make tamales?” Santana offered, “They can be made vegan and they’re traditional for Latinos to do around the holidays. Do you wanna do some of the Jewish things too?” Santana offered, “Maybe teach Brooklyn about your heritage?”
Rachel's smile seemed to brighten as she looked over at Santana, "Really? I'd love to do that. Perhaps something simple that Brooklyn can help with like latkes? Many of the recipes I'm familiar with are vegan variants, but I could ask my father to email me some traditional recipes if you'd like to explore my heritage's cooking."
“We can do the vegan ones,” Santana said as she pulled Brooke onto her lap, “It’s just like potatos and whathaveyou, right? We can make a mixture.”
“What’s latkes?” Brooklyn asked as she looked up to Rachel.
"They're little pancakes made of shredded potatoes and sometimes veggies fried in oil," Rachel explained. "They're traditionally eaten around Hanukkah and the oil they're cooked in is supposed to represent the blessed oil that burned for eight days until more could be made while the Holy Temple was being cleaned and blessed in Jerusalem a long time ago."
The small girl looked confused, “I don’t understand.... when is... Han... Han...” she tried to pronounce it.
"Hanukkah," Rachel smiled, "It's one of the High Holy Days of my faith and it's actually happening now. I'm Jewish so I actually celebrate Hanukkah and not Christmas. Has your mom told you that?"
“Right now?” She looked concerned, “But... but it’s Christmas,” She looked up to Santana.
“They sometimes happen on the same day’s babe, your classmate Eli and Adam are Jewish at school, remember.” Santana said as she looked down to her daughter.
“But... Christmas is baby Jesus’s birthday...”
"It can still be baby Jesus's birthday, sweetie," Rachel reassured her. "Hanukkah represents when my people managed to take the Holy Temple back from the people who were trying to destroy it and made it clean so we could worship the Lord in it again. It's not always around now and it's ending just before Christmas this year too. Today's the last day."
Brooklyn just blinked, still not totally following. “O-okay...” She said, unsure. “We can still have Christmas right?”
“Yes,” Santana chuckled. “Yes, Christmas will still happen.”
"It's baby Jesus's birthday after all, right?" Rachel smiled at her, leaning over to give her a hug. "Birthdays are on the same day every year no matter what other holidays are around them."
She nodded and played with the ends of Rachel’s hair. “Can we watch Rudolph tonight?”
"Definitely," she nodded, hugging her close. "You brought your Bumble to watch with, right? Whose lap are you going to sit on?"
The little girl looked between her mom and Rachel, after a few moments she looked upset and like she was about to cry. “I don’t know! Don’t want to pick!” she cried.
"Brooklyn, don’t be upset.” Santana said as she tried to calm her child down.
"Don't cry, sweetie," Rachel soothed. "You don't have to pick. How about your mom and I sit right next to each other and you can lay on both of our laps? Or you can sit between us. How's that sound?"
Brooklyn cried and nodded. “Mariposa don’t be upset.” Santana said, “Are you tired? Is that why you're upset?”
"Maybe hungry?" Rachel suggested, worriedly. "We've been working awfully hard and it is getting time for a meal, don't you think, Santana?"
“I think it’s lunchtime,” Santana said, “Why don’t I make something and you finish decorating with Rachel, Baby.” She said as she pressed a kiss to her daughters hair, “Then maybe you can lie down so you can watch movies tonight.”
Brooklyn sniffled, wiping at her face. "O-okay," she hiccupped. "Rachie nap with me?"
Rachel smiled down at her, "For a little while, sure. Come on, no more tears," she wiped Brooklyn's face with her thumb. "You don't have to pick between your mommy and me ever, sweetie. I promise."
“I love you both so much it,” she sniffled and crawled into Rachel’s lap, “made me sad to pick,” she said softly. Santana said went into the kitchen to make some lunch as Brooklyn talked to Rachel.
"Well, you don't have to pick, sweetie," Rachel reassured her, kissing the top of her head as she held her. "And you know neither your mom nor I would think you loved us any less if you wanted to sit in the other's lap while we all watched a movie together. You know we love you more than anything, right?"
Brooklyn nodded, “Not used to anyone but Mommy loving me.” she admitted, “Confuses me sometimes.”
"It's okay to be confused," she reassured her. "But I promise you that I'll always love you, no matter what, okay?"
She nodded and took a breath, “I try to remember.”
"Don't worry," she ruffled her hair with a smile, "I'll remind you any time you forget, okay? And soon I'll be home and you'll get to see me a lot more again."
“Good,” Brooklyn stated, “Want you home.”
"I want to be home too," Rachel whispered, hugging her tight. "Home with you and your mom. I want that more than anything."
A few minutes later Santana came back in with three plates with sandwiches, fruit and a cookie on them. “Grilled cheese for Brooklyn, Cucumber and hummus for Rachel and grilled cheese with tomatoes for me.”
Rachel accepted her plate with a smile, leaning up for a kiss. "Have I mentioned that I love you lately? Because I do. Thank you for the sandwich, Santana."
She blushed and sat down and nibbled on her apple slices, “Thought we’d make a light lunch and maybe just have special finger foods for dinner? What do you think?”
"Sure, that sounds nice. Want to eat before the movie or during?" She asked, helping Brooklyn with her plate before nibbling on her sandwich.
“Maybe have a special dinner during the movie? During Frosty then cuddles during Rudolph?”
"I like the sound of that. What do you think, Brooklyn?" Rachel asked, picking up a napkin and wiping a bit of cheese off the girl's face absentmindedly.
“Sounds good!” she smiled as she munched. She finished up her lunch quietly and rubbed at her eyes. “Can I go lay in my bed?”
“Sure, babe, but go to the bathroom first,” Santana said before kissing her daughter. “I’ll wake you up in a while okay?”
"Okay," she yawned. "Can Rachie sing to me and nap with me?"
Rachel looked to Santana with a soft smile, "I don't mind if you can spare me for a little bit."
“Sure,” Santana smiled, “I’ll pick up.”
Finishing the last bite of her sandwich, Rachel stood and reached a hand out for Brooklyn. "Come on, sweetie. Let's get you cleaned up and go lie down for a bit."
Brooklyn took her hand and followed her down the hall.
Santana laid on the floor near the tree. She had finished putting up the decorations and was laying down for a rest while Rachel napped with Brooklyn. Rachel came out a few minutes later running her fingers through her hair. When she spotted Santana, she smiled and walked over to stretch out on the floor beside her, curling into her side.
"Hi," she whispered. "I missed you."
“Hey, she sleeping?” Santana mumbled, as she rolled onto her side and rested her head on Rachel’s stomach.
"She is," Rachel murmured, stroking fingers through Santana's hair. "How are you? Feels like it's been forever since we've been alone like this."
“I’m... better now that I’m here with you.” she said softly, “It’s been a long few months.”
"It has," she nodded, enjoying being close. "Not to seem overly needy or dependant, but I've really missed being able to curl up with you after a long day - even if we didn't do that every day before I came out here."
“I am needy so it’s fine to admit it,” Santana joked, “I just really needed to be with you like this sometimes.”
"Mmm," she murmured with a gentle smile, enjoying the feeling of her fingers running through Santana's hair. "What if I told you that we could be like this a lot more often after the holidays?"
“How?” Santana mumbled unhappily, “And don’t say skype because it’s not the same.”
"How about a ticket for the same plane you and Brooklyn will be on?" Rachel asked softly, catching her lip between her teeth with a shy smile.
Santana looked up and gaped at Rachel. “You have time off to visit home?”
Rachel laughed softly, "Not for a visit, Santana."
“Your movie isn’t finished yet...” She said softly.
She shook her head gently, "We wrapped the night before you landed. I'm done, Santana. I can come home."
“Really?” Santana whispered, “Don’t fuck with me,” she warned as she looked at her girlfriend.
"I'm not and I wouldn't," she smiled at Santana. "I'm coming home. You'll... you'll be there, right? You'll stay?" She looked scared and uncertain but hopeful. "You and Brooklyn? You'll... stay with me? In the apartment?"
“That’s... that’s okay with you?” Santana asked, “You want us to stay around?”
"Of course, I do!" Rachel stared at Santana almost in shock, "Why wouldn't I? Haven't you figured out that you and Brooklyn are what make it home for me these days yet?"
“I... You want to live with us?” she asked confused about how this was all happening. “I’m so confused... You finished filming?”
"I finished filming," she nodded, "and I want to come home to the two of you. I want to sleep with you at night and help tuck Brooklyn in at night... If," she licked her lips, uncertain, "if you don't want that, that's okay.... I can... I can find some place. I won't make you move again..."
“It’s... It’s just.” Santana shook her head, “I’m so happy you’re done and coming home.”
"You don't want to live with me though?" she whispered, sighing softly. "I'm sorry. I should have realized it'd be too soon for that sort of thing. I'm sorry, Santana. We can just pretend that I never mentioned it."
“No!” Santana exclaimed, “You caught me off guard! I want to live with you!”
"Do you?" Rachel asked softly, letting herself be open and vulnerable. "Please don't say it just because you know I want to, Santana..."
“You told me on the phone like a week ago that you still had a few weeks of shooting,” Santana said, “You caught me off guard. I’m not good with suprises,” she whispered, “I want to live with you.”
I thought I still had a few more weeks of shooting, but the directors decided we had it all in the can the other night," she shrugged. "I want... I want a chance at a life with you, Santana. I don't know what else to do, what else I can offer to make you believe it."
“You’re coming home with us.” She smiled, leaning up and kissing Rachel sofly. “For good?”
"Until the next job at least," Rachel chuckled ruefully, "and I may have to fly out for interviews to promote the movie, but maybe you and Brooklyn could come..." She trailed off, shaking her head to force herself to refocus on the question at hand, "Yes. Yes, Santana. I'm coming home with you. For good. If that's what you want."
“I want that.” She whispered, “I want that.”
"Then that's what will happen," Rachel smiled at her. "When you and Brooklyn get on the plane to fly back to New York... I'll be beside you. Coming home."
She beamed and kissed her deeply.
Rachel smiled against her lips, holding her tight as she kissed her back. "Santana," she breathed, "can we... can we tell Brooklyn on her birthday? It's the night before we leave... don't you think it'd be the perfect present?"
“I’m pretty sure we can send all of her presents from Santa back... all she wanted was for you to come back to New York.”
"That's all I've wanted since I watched your plane fly away last time," Rachel admitted with a shy smile. "But there's no need to send her presents back. Christmas and birthday are two different things after all."
“Yeah, It’s unfortunate for her birthday to be around Christmas.” She shrugged, “She wants a kitten for her birthday. Thoughts?”
"Mmm, maybe next year?" Rachel shrugged with a helpless smile, "I'll need to make sure my lease allows for it after all. Maybe it would be better to not associate a pet with a birthday gift though. It's a big responsibility after all. Maybe have her research cats and how to care for them first? It'd give us time to ensure that we won't have any problems having a pet in the apartment."
“Perfect,” Santana smiled, “I didn’t want to get her one anyway. Maybe a fish first...” she shrugged, “I’m so happy you're coming home.”
"You have no idea how happy I am to be getting to go home," she grinned, hugging Santana. "Now do you see why it wouldn't have been a problem for me to fly back to New York for the holidays?" she teased. "Though I am looking forward to being home for New Year's."
“Can we see the fireworks from your apartment?” she asked excitedly.
"I don't know," Rachel looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm usually not home for the event. But I'm sure we could see them from the roof."
“Think we should keep Brooke up? Or should I put her to bed so you can kiss me at midnight?” she asked with a glimmer in her eye.
"Maybe she can watch the festivities occurring before they hit New York on TV so we can have this first New Year's to ourselves," Rachel suggested with a shy smirk.
“Perfect.” Santana said as she rested her head in the crook of Rachel’s neck.
"I thought you might approve," she teased, wrapping her arms around her to hold her close.
“Brooklyn loves you so much, Rachel...” Santana murmured.
"I know," she whispered, rubbing Santana's back gently, "I love her too. I promise, Santana, I'll do everything I can to never abandon or hurt her. She... I," she paused, at a momentary loss for words. "She's... sometimes I wonder if how I feel, how strongly... if it's anything like a mother would for their child. I don't know if I'll ever know."
“She... she could be that for you.” Santana whispers, “She wants you as a parent... If that’s something you want.”
Rachel licked her lips, looking at Santana uncertainly, "Is.... that what you want? I don't want to take anything from you, Santana. She's your daughter. Your little girl. You... you have such an incredible bond with her. I don't know if I could ever come close to that..."
“She’s my baby...” Santana sighed, “But, she deserves more than me. She deserves to have someone else to love her. She’s never had anyone else...”
"She does now," she whispered, hugging Santana. "The title doesn't matter. I'll love her no matter what."
“She calls you mom then feels guilty... I never want her to feel guilty.” Santana whispered and watched her.
"If," Rachel took a breath, willing her heart to slow down it's excited beat, "if you're okay with it, then I have no problem with her calling me that," she finally whispered. "But only if you're okay with it."
“I will give her anything...” Santana said, “She’s not going to be able to hold herself back when we live together and I rather her not get confused and overwhelmed. She’s just a little girl.”
"As long as you're okay," she reached up to cup Santana's cheek, smiling at her. "I love her and I love you. Knowing you want me as part of this admittedly odd little family makes me incredibly happy, Santana. But... I just want to make this very clear that I'm not just here for her. I'm here for both of you and frankly, right now, I think I'd be devastated if anything happened to either of you."
“If something were to happen to me...” She swallowed, “You’d take care of her, right? She can’t go back to Lima...”
"I promise. I'd do everything in my power to keep her with me, Santana," Rachel reassured her. "I'd... I'd give up acting to take care of her. I'd work for Quinn's firm or something else that would keep me home more often. But nothing's going to happen to you... right?" Her smile grew frightened at the idea, "I mean... you're okay, right?"
“As far as I know, yes.” She chuckled, “My worst nightmare is that something happens to me and she gets sent to my parents or god forbid has to show up at Mike’s place with her little backpack and teddy bear.”
"Santana, stop," Rachel had to blink against the sting in her eyes, "stop, please. Don't talk like that. I'll take care of her. I promise. But nothing's going to happen to you, so don't talk like that, please..."
“Sorry...” She sighed, “Haven’t been getting a lot of sleep and the sleep I get has some harsh dreams.”
"Hopefully it'll be better now," Rachel whispered, kissing her forehead. "I'll do my best to chase all the bad dreams away."
“Thank you,” She said as she closed her eyes and breathed softly. “We are lucky to have you.”
"I'm lucky to have the two of you, you mean," she teased gently, holding her close. "You... having the two of you in my life has made things seem like more than just a race for a trophy that meant less and less as the years went by. Thank you."
Santana snuggled in and listened to her heart beat as she drifted off into a much needed sleep.
"Only you would find a way to make us sleep on the floor," Rachel whispered, pulling her phone out of her pocket to set an alarm before wrapping her arms back around Santana and letting herself drift off.
Chapter Thirty-One