There's Always Brooklyn - Chapter Thirty-One
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-One
December twenty-fifth, Christmas Day, dawned bright and clear that year. Rachel woke up with the tiny idea of taking her girls to a park or a beach later - to hell with what the studios might say - but at the moment she was content to just snuggle into the warm, vanilla and spice scented pile of blankets and little girl and mom that she'd found herself surrounded in. Tomorrow Quinn and Jay would be arriving - and staying past Rachel, Santana and Brooklyn's exodus on the twenty-ninth - but today was all theirs and theirs alone.
Brooklyn yawned as she cuddled her Bumble against her chest. She was facing Rachel with her body against her mom’s. She reached out and pressed her hand to Rachel’s arm as she tried to wake up.
Rachel smiled, wiggling an arm between Santana and Brooklyn to hug the little girl. "Hi," she whispered, moving to kiss her messy black hair. "Merry Christmas, sweetie."
“Merry,” she got out before yawning. “Christmas,” she mumbled trying to blink her eyes open.
"If you're still sleepy, you can stay in bed with your mom while I make breakfast," Rachel whispered. "I think breakfast in bed would be a nice Christmas present for her, don't you?"
Brooklyn nodded. “Wanna help,” she said as she slipped out of her mom’s grasp. She reached out for Rachel after tucking the Bumble into her mom’s arms.
She smiled, scooping the little girl up after slipping out of bed. "Be very quiet now," she whispered. "We don't want to wake your mom up." Padding out into the hall, she made her way down to the bathroom to help Brooklyn get cleaned up, washing her own face while she was at it. "So... what kind of breakfast does your mom like best?" she asked, smiling at Brooklyn as she patted her face dry.
“Eggies or waffles,” She exclaimed happily. “With strawberries.”
"Mmm, I think we can do waffles and strawberries. How's that sound?" She asked, holding out a hand when Brooklyn finished. "With coffee for your mom and me and extra strawberries for my special little helper, right?"
“Yummy!” She wiggled happily as they got into the kitchen. “Can we make mangos too?”
"Maybe. Are there any left in the fruit bowl?" Rachel asked, helping Brooklyn up into one of the high backed chairs by the island as she moved to start getting ingredients out.
“Yes,” Brooklyn said as she held up the fruit. “We has mango.”
"We have mango," Rachel corrected with a smile, "and good! We can make a little fruit salad with mango and strawberries. How's that?" She started putting the ingredients into the bowl for her vegan-friendly waffles that hadn't gotten a complaint from Santana or Brooklyn yet.
“Sounds good, Momma,” Brooklyn smiled as she held the fruit in her hands.
"Good," Rachel smiled at her, reaching over to ruffle her hair gently. "Now, how about you stir this carefully to mix it all up while I cut the fruit up with the sharp knife, okay? Try to keep it in the bowl as much as possible so we can make enough waffles for all of us. If you do, I'll show you a trick to make waffles even tastier."
Brooklyn nodded and carefully and slowly stirred the contents of the bowl. "LIke this?" She asked, her tongue sticking out as she moved the spoon.
"Just like that," she smiled, getting out a cutting board to chop the fruit up into chunks, cutting a potion into smaller bits and putting that into a bowl. "You ready to see how to make them extra special?" she asked when she finished and saw that Brooklyn was pretty much done stirring.
"Yes please!" She smiled, and looked up at her.
"Then here we go!" Rachel handed her the bowl of more finely chopped mango and strawberries. "Just shake these into the batter while I stir it up, okay?" She gently took the spoon and started mixing.
Brooklyn slid them into the bowl then popped a few pieces into her mouth that stuck to the board. "Yummy! Mommy will like these!"
"Awesome," Rachel grinned, finishing folding the fruit into the batter. "Now, if you promise not to touch the waffle iron when I say not to, you can help cook them too. We're going to make an extra special Christmas breakfast for Mommy, right?"
She nodded, "I won't touch it's hot!" She said worriedly, "Don't wanna get burnded." She moved to sit on the counter with her hands under her butt. "Do you think Santa came while we slept?"
"I'm sure he did. We left him cookies and milk, remember?" Rachel smiled at her, pulling a chair over to the counter and scooting the waffle iron a little closer to the sink while she waited for the light to go out, indicating it was hot. Pouring the batter into her pancake dispenser - only half the amount she would put in to handle on her own - she handed it to Brooklyn once the little girl got up into the chair. "When I say, hold this over the waffle iron where I point and squeeze the handle, okay?"
She looked at it nervously, "Not hot right?" she said, "It won't burn me?"
"The dispenser?" Rachel looked at it, uncertainly. "No, it's not hot, sweetie. Just the iron is and you won't touch that. Here, I'll show you for the first one, okay?" She opened the iron and carefully squeezed batter into the middle of the iron, stopping before it was too full, then closing it with a hiss as batter bubbled slightly out the sides. "See? Easy, right?"
"Yeah, but can you do it?" She asked softly as she looked at Rachel. "I just wanna watch."
"Sure. You want to be in charge of decorating the plate for your mom and making it pretty with fruit and maybe whipped topping?" Rachel asked with a smile as she started the coffee brewing while the first waffle cooked.
"Yes please." She said as she hopped down and headed to the fridge and grabbed the vegan whipped cream and chocolate syrup. "Can I have hot cocoa?"
"Think it's cold enough for hot cocoa?" She asked curiously as she flipped the first waffle out onto a plate and poured in more batter. "Sure you don't want chocolate milk instead?"
"It's Christmas..." she pouted, "I... I have hot cocoa at Christmas."
Rachel laughed, "You can have hot cocoa, Brooklyn, don't worry. I just thought it might be a little warm and you'd want something different, that's all. Like when Mommy has iced coffee instead of hot coffee in the summer time."
"Still want hot cocoa," she said as she climbed back up onto the chair. "Don't like cold things in morning times."
"Alright, sweetie," she smiled, leaning over to kiss her head, "hot cocoa it is then. Do you want little marshmallows and whipped topping as well? Since it's Christmas."
"Marshmallows." she said as she arranged the fruit on the plate.
"Do you want to try my marshmallows or the one from the bag for you and your mom?" Rachel asked curiously.
"Baggie." She chirped, "Is breakfast ready now? i'm hungries and I wanna wake mommy up."
Rachel laughed, "Not just yet. I still need to heat up the milk for your hot cocoa, remember?" She flipped out another waffle, adding the last of the batter to the iron. Moving to the fridge she got out the half-gallon of cow milk she always made sure to have on hand for the little girl. "Should we make it with syrup or with candy bar chocolate?" she asked, holding up a Hershey bar that had been stashed in the fridge.
"Syrup." She said as she handed the bottle to Rachel. "Makes it faster so we can wake Mommy."
"Alright," Rachel smiled, heating the milk in a sauce pan. "Want to put syrup on you and Mommy's waffles?" she asked curiously as she worked. "I have maple, strawberry or blueberry syrup if you want."
"I want chocolate, Mommy wants strawberry."
"Alright, but don't add too much chocolate to yours, okay?" Rachel reminded her, getting the strawberry syrup out before pouring the hot milk into a mug and adding chocolate syrup and mini marshmallows. "It's Christmas, so we don't want you getting an upset tummy from too many sweets already."
"I know." She said as she put a few drops on her food. "Ready?"
Rachel surveyed the bedtray they'd put together, pouring coffee into the tall mug on the corner and fixing it the way Santana liked it before nodding. "I think so," she smiled, picking it up. "Let's go wake Mommy, okay, sweetie? Be quiet now though. It's a surprise."
Brooklyn nodded and scampered off to the bedroom. She hoisted herself up on the slightly too tall bed and slid into Santana's body. She kissed her nose, then her eyelids. "Mommy," Brooklyn whispered.
Rachel walked into the room behind her accompanied by the smell of fresh brewed coffee and waffles. She smiled to see the little girl trying to kiss her mom awake. "Merry Christmas, Santana," she called gently, coming in to sit beside her on the bed. "We made you breakfast."
Santana mumbled incoherently, her black hair messed over her pillow. "Sleeping..." She exclaimed as she tried to shield her face.
Rachel laughed softly, setting the bedtray aside to lean over and kiss her gently. "It's Christmas, Santana. Don't you think you should wake up and have breakfast with your family so we can see what Santa brought?"
Brooklyn rested her head on Santana's stomach, "Mommy wake up," She said as she nuzzled the woman. Santana rubbed her face and eyes trying to wake up.
"I'm up." She mumbled unconvincingly.
"I have coffee and we made you waffles," Rachel teased, moving the tray to rest over Santana's lap as the woman tried sitting up. "Fresh mango and strawberries too..."
"It's early," She said, her voice gravely with sleep. "Why are you two up so early?"
"It's nearly nine, love," she laughed. "The sun's been up for hours. And it is Christmas. Don't you remember how early you used to wake up when you were little?"
She scowled. "I thought I trained her better," She teased as she watched her daughter wiggle up so she was in between Rachel and Santana. "Merry Christmas, Mariposa." Santana said as she kissed her daughter's head. "And to you," she said to Rachel.
"You're lucky my dad's Christian and I was raised with this stuff," Rachel teased, leaning over to kiss Santana. "Brooklyn was a big help this morning. I couldn't have made such a nice breakfast without her."
Santana just smiled and picked up the coffee. "Thank you, I should be making breakfast for you, little one." She said looking at her daughter.
Brooklyn shook her head. "Nuh-uh. It's Christmas so Momma and me made you breakfast, Mommy. Special present!"
Rachel smiled at her, leaning down to kiss her head. "That's right, sweetie. It's our special present for Mommy."
A blush crossed Santana's face, "It looks beautiful, but i need help eating it." She said as she picked up a piece of mango.
"Don't worry," she smiled. "I doubt we'll have any problems there. It's vegan and tree nut free so we can all share. Brooklyn has Christmas morning hot cocoa and a chocolate syrup drizzled waffle, you have coffee with strawberry syrup and I have coffee and can share your waffles if you want."
"It's good," Brooklyn nodded happily, munching on a bite of waffle.
Santana smiled, "I'm glad you like it baby," She said as she wiped chocolate off her daughters face. She took a bite of her waffle and smiled, "So tasty. Thank you, Rachel."
"You're welcome," Rachel smiled, nibbling on a piece of waffle. "So, are you ready to see what Santa brought after breakfast, Brooklyn?"
"Santa brought me you." She said softly, "That's all I want."
"He brought me you too," Rachel reminded her. "And I love you and your mom so much. But he might still have brought little presents, don't you think? And don't forget," she smiled at the little girl, "there's still your presents from your mom and me."
Brooklyn nodded and nibbled at her food before getting full and leaving half on the plate. She snuggled into her mom and hugged her. Santana just smiled down and reached over and cupped Rachel's cheek and smiled softly.
She cupped a hand over Santana's where it rested on her cheek and smiled at her. "I hope you don't mind that I got you something too," she murmured with a shy smile, leaning into the hand.
"I got you something too," She smiled, "it's not big..."
"You didn't have to," Rachel blushed. "Just having the two of you here is enough for me. But... thank you."
Santana nodded and finished her coffee. "How about I get dressed while you two finish eating then we can go see the tree?"
"You and getting dressed," Rachel teased. "If you insist, you can, but I think we're pretty much done eating. Do you want more, Brooklyn?"
"Uh-uh," she shook her head rubbing her stomach, "tummy full. Can we go see the tree now, Mommy?"
"Wait on the bed and let Rachel go out and make sure everything is ready." Santana said as she got up and grabbed a pair of lounge pants and a white t-shirt and bra. "I'm gonna change," She said as she slipped into the adjoining bathroom.
"Mommy's fussy," Rachel teased, getting up. "Wait for her while I clean up, okay?"
"Okay," Brooklyn nodded with a smile, snuggling into the pillows. "I'll wait for Mommy."
Rachel headed out with the tray to clean up the kitchen before slipping into the living room and making sure the stockings were hung up and filled and the presents were neatly arranged under the tree. Nervously she straightened the box with her gift for Santana and hoped it wouldn't be taken as too much. Taking a breath, she looked around and nodded, finally satisfied with how everything was.
Santana pulled on clean clothing and tied her hair back into a braid that hung over her shoulder before coming back out and picking up her daughter off the bed. "Hi you." She said as she kissed her cheek. "I love you so much, do you know that?"
"Uh-huh," Brooklyn giggled, hugging her little arms around Santana's neck, "I love you too, Mommy. Love you and Momma better than anyone," she smiled, then sobered and looked nervous. "Is okay to call Rachie Momma...?"
"If you feel like you want to call her that, you may." She said, sitting down on the bed and looking at her. "If you want her to be your mom too, that's okay."
Brooklyn's eyes widened and she looked hesitantly happy, "Rachie can be my mom too? I can be Rachie's little girl too? She'll take care of me like you, Mommy?"
Santana pushed her daughters messy hair back and nodded, "If you love her and want her to be your mom we can make sure that she can take care of you like I do."
"I loves her, Mommy," Brooklyn nodded, "but you're my Mommy." She hugged her tight, "I wants Rachie to loves you too and be with us always. Can she?"
"Rachel does love me and she loves you." Santana assured her, "You're our most special thing, okay?" She kissed the girl's head, "She can be your mom. Most little ones have two parents and you only have one... but Rachel can your other parent."
"That means she stays with us right?" she asked softly. "She stays and never leaves and loves us always?"
"I hope so," Santana whispered, "She loves us and will always love you, baby. Okay?"
"Yay!" Brooklyn threw her arms around Santana's neck and hugged her tight. When she pulled away, her eyes twinkled with a mischievousness that could only come from Santana Lopez's daughter, "Now you get married and make babies, right?"
Santana laughed, "Calm yourself, child." She said as she got up with her. "Mommy is still very young and has lots of time to make little babies okay?"
"What about Rachie?" she looked up at Santana with bright eyed innocence. "Will Rachie make a baby? I'd like a little Rachie brother or sister to play with."
"Maybe someday. Remember how I told you I was young when I had you? Rachel is the same age as mommy so we have lots of time." She said as she kissed her daughter cheek.
"I like that Rachie will be with us for a long time," Brooklyn murmured, snuggling into her mom's arms. "Can we go be with Rachie now?"
"Yes, my little troublemaker," Santana said as she cuddled her close and walked out into the room shining with Christmas lights. "Look, baby, Santa came."
"Jewish Santa?" Brooklyn asked, remembering last year.
Rachel laughed. "Of course Jewish Santa!" she teased, escorting the two to the sofa. "Now sit while I distribute gifts."
Santana laughed at Rachel and sat down and plopped Brooklyn down on the floor when she started to make excited squeaks. "Be patient baby."
"Stockings first!" Rachel laughed, bringing over the elongated socks to Santana and Brooklyn.
Brooklyn clapped and wiggled, reaching for her stocking. "Yay!"
Brooklyn tore into her stocking, pulling out a small stuffed animal and cuddling it before finding little treats and crayons. "New crayons!" She squealed, "Look momma!" She showed them to Rachel.
"Wow!" Rachel clapped, "Santa must really know you and how much you like to color, Brooklyn. What about you, Santana?" She smiled warmly at the woman, "What did Santa bring you?"
Santana looked at the sharpies and the tablet pens. "Markers and..." she looked confused at the pens and scrunched her face up. "Tablet pens?"
Rachel just smiled. "Santa is very knowledgeable," she nodded. "He anticipates things you'll need."
A perfectly groomed eyebrow raised, "Rachel, what did you get?"
"I can't tell you that, Santana! It would spoil the surprise!" she laughed.
"No, I mean in your stocking!" She said as she grabbed the pink stocking and handed it to Rachel.
"In my," Rachel trailed off blinking in surprise. She hadn't had a stocking on Christmas since her bat mitzvah when she'd decided to take the Jewish faith as her own. "Santana... I... I don't know what to say," she whispered, looking at it.
"I know you're Jewish... but it's a tradition and everyone gets presents." Santana said softly as she sat back down.
Rachel laughed softly in stunned disbelief, "I... haven't had a stocking of my own since I was thirteen and celebrated my bat mitzvah." She looked up at Santana with a suspiciously bright eyed smile. "Thank you so much, Santana."
Santana leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You're welcome," she whispered before pulling away and seeing Brooklyn watching in awe.
"What's up?" Rachel murmured, wiping at her eyes and smiling at Brooklyn. "You look surprised, sweetie."
"Mommy giving kisses," She said with a smile.
"Of course she gives kisses," Rachel smiled at Santana teasingly. "Your mommy gives the best kisses. Makes me feel all warm and tingly and loved. Think I should see what's in here?" she asked, holding up the stocking.
Brooklyn nodded and rested her head - and her new teddy - on Santana's leg and watched Rachel open her stocking.
Rachel took her time, taking things out one by one and laying them down around her in a neat circle, her smile growing with each small item. "Tea," she sounded delighted, sorting through the samplers, "and I've never even heard of some of these! Thank you! And... Santana Lopez, how did you know I love core yoga?" she asked holding up the gift certificate with a happy smile.
She shrugged bashfully, “I’ve seen your stomach?” She smirked and licked her lips, “I just assumed.”
"I love it," she grinned up at her from her place on the floor. "And this," she held up a certificate for a free massage with a smirk. "Do you think I could request this from a specific person or do I have to go somewhere?"
“You can have a specific person if that is your choice.” She smiled as she fiddled with her markers.
"Awesome," she smiled up at her, before shuffling things back into her stockings. "I think it might be time for our gifts to each other now, what do you think? Brooklyn, who should get a present first?"
“Me?” She smiled cutely as she looked up pleadingly at her mom and Rachel.
Rachel laughed. "Alright, trouble." Picking three packages out of the fairly limited pile, she set them in front of Brooklyn. "One from me," she held up the box wrapped in pink paper with gold stars on it. "One from your mom," this box was blue with snowmen on it. "And... one from Aunt Quinn," the last one was red with white snowflakes. "She'll be coming tomorrow with Uncle Jay, okay?"
“Quinn present,” she pointed and smiled at the box. “Present,” she wiggled delightedly as she took the box and ripped into it.
Rachel grinned, dropping down onto the couch beside Santana to watch Brooklyn open her gifts after making sure they were close enough to her that she could reach after opening Quinn's. Leaning into her girlfriend, she tilted her head up for a kiss. "Thank you for a wonderful Christmas, Santana," she whispered with a smile, resting her head on Santana's shoulder.
“My pleasure,” Santana smiled, she watched Brooklyn pull out a black faux leather jacket. “Oh lord!”
“Mommy! Just like yours!” Brooklyn gasped as she held it up.
"Oh my gosh," Rachel laughed, covering her mouth to try and hide her grin, "that is adorable. You two are going to match!"
“Mini-me,” Santana said as she helped the girl into the jacket. “Do you like it?”
"I loves it!" Brooklyn cried, snuggling into the warm wool lining. "It's so warm, Mommy!"
“You look great, babe.” she said as she fixed her hood. “do you wanna open another present?”
"Uh-huh," she nodded. "Rachie's present!" She flopped back down beside the box and started tearing the paper off, sending it flying. "Color books!" She pulled out the top of the decent sized stack and showed it to her mom, "Look, Mommy! Princesses!"
"I wasn't sure what'd you'd like the most, so I got you an assortment. I hope that's okay," Rachel smiled at her.
“I got princesses! Spider-Mans! Trucks! Flowers!” She smiled and launched herself at Rachel, “Thank you!”
Rachel hugged her tight, rubbing her back. "I'm glad you like them, sweetie. Maybe next time we can go together to find coloring books, okay?"
She nodded and hugged Rachel tightly, “At home? In New York?”
"Sure," Rachel agreed easily, knowing about the surprise Santana and her had in store for the girl's birthday. "We can definitely look for coloring books together after I come home."
“Yay!” she said as she got down and sorted her books and pulled her stuffed toy in her lap.
"Aren't you going to open the present from your mom?" Rachel asked curiously, pointing at the snowman covered box.
“Oh yeah, Santa has one too! Mommy so much presents this year!” Brooklyn looked astonished.
“You were extra good this year for me and Rachel.” Santana smiled, as she watched her daughter open the box with several small boxes of Legos she had been wanting.
Brooklyn's eyes widened excitedly as she sorted through them. "Legos, Momma! Mommy got me Legos!"
"I see that, sweetheart," Rachel smiled at her. "Maybe we can go out tomorrow and find you a special box to keep them in while your mom tans?"
Santana smiled and rested back and watched Brooklyn admire her new toys.
"I think it's time for Mommy's presents," Rachel teased. "Brooklyn, will you get the box there under the tree in the pink paper? That's right. Be careful now. It's my present for Mommy." She smiled lopsidedly at Santana, "It's um... partially a Christmas present, partially a birthday present, and... well, partially an investment in your future I think. I hope you like it."
“Rach?” Santana asked as she carefully unwrapped the box. She saw the drawing tablet, which caused her head to snap up. “Rachel...”
"It's a computer. Kind of like an iPad, only more directed towards artists," she smiled shyly, "like you. It'll let you put your work directly into electronic format so you can... submit your illustrations to publishers. You're good enough, Santana. I know you can do this if you want to."
Santana felt tears coming to her eyes, “No.. no one ever thought I was good at anything,” she said softly, running her fingers on the box. “You... you think I’m good?”
Rachel laughed, shaking her head, "I know you're good. I think you're amazing. I believe in you," she reached over and squeezed her arm, "and I know you can do this if you want to, Santana."
"Can I see?" Brooklyn asked curiously, clambering up onto the sofa beside Santana. "What's it do, Mommy?"
“I’m not sure. Rach? What’s it do?” Santana asked not familiar with the technology.
"Well, you're familiar with how an iPad works, right?" Rachel asked, "I've seen you using one for Quinn, so I'm assuming you do. This is like a cross between that and a regular computer. It's one of the best ones I could find, so it should be able to handle anything you can throw at it. It's basically a Macbook tablet PC. I was told it's very good for artists."
“This... it’s so much Rachel...” Santana choked, “I... can’t accept something so expensive.”
"Nonsense," Rachel smiled lopsidedly. "I just won't get you anything else for a couple years. And this is an investment. I'm just giving you the tools you need to do what you're good at. And after this contract, I have the money..." she shrugged, trailing off. "I... if you don't like it, Santana, I'm sure we can find you something else."
“I love it!” she replied. "I love it!” she hugged the box. “Thank you.”
"Are you sure?" she looked uncertain. "It's okay if you don't, Santana. I'm sure we can find something you like better..."
“Mine,” she said, “You can’t have it back.”
Rachel smiled lopsidedly, leaning in to kiss her softly, "I'm glad you like it then. And I hope you get lots of use out of it."
"I will." She said softly, she hugged the box and nervously handed over the box wrapped in silver paper. "I hope... you like it."
"Santana," she breathed softly, fingers lightly running over the silver paper. "You didn't have to get me anything. You already made this day so wonderful with the stocking and being here..."
"It's not big..." Santana said as she bit her lip nervously. "It wasn't expensive... it's the best i could do."
"It doesn't have to be expensive for me to love it, Santana," Rachel chided gently with a soft smile. "It's from you. That's enough for me." She carefully eased the paper off, taking care not to damage it too much and opened the obviously repurposed department store gift box. Her eyes widened at the leather looking cover of the book and she picked it up gently.
"Faux leather, right?" she teased, knowing Santana wouldn't have given her real leather as a gift. She opened the book and her breath caught in her throat with a little gasp. "Oh... oh, Santana. This... this is beautiful," she breathed, fingers delicately tracing over a sketch of Brooklyn sleeping before turning the page and seeing the start of a story. When she looked up there were tears in her eyes but she was smiling brightly, "Thank you..."
She nodded, "There's photographs and drawings in there..." She swallowed, nervous to be sharing her work with anyone other than her daughter. "I... I started it when I couldn't sleep at nights and you would talk to me until you fell asleep."
"It's beautiful and I love it more than anything else I've ever been given," she leaned forward and hugged Santana tightly, burying her face in the crook of the other woman's neck for a moment as she tried to compose herself. "Thank you. Thank you so, so much."
Santana ran her hand up and down Rachel's back as she watched Brooklyn carefully inspect the present.
"This extra pretty, Mommy," Brooklyn smiled up at her. "And I'm in it!"
The woman looked over and smiled, "Thanks, beautiful," she said as she kissed Rachel's head.
Rachel leaned back and wiped her eyes, kissing Santana before sitting up all the way. "You two are the most wonderful things to ever happen to my life," she grinned, looking between them. "Do you think we should give her the present from both of us now?" she asked Santana curiously, pretending to think about it. "Or make her wait?"
"Santa." The little girl's mother whispered, "Santa's present." She widened her eyes and hoped that Brooklyn didn't hear.
"Oh right," Rachel blushed, "the one from both of us is for her birthday. Sorry, I got excited," she bit her lip with a sheepish grin. "Brooklyn," leaning down she pointed at a small box just peeking out behind the tree, "is that another present?"
Brooklyn scampered over and dove under the tree for the box. "Santa!"
Rachel laughed and snuggled into Santana's side, leaning up to kiss her cheek. "Sorry," she whispered. "I almost forgot. Thanks for the save."
"It's okay." She whispered, "I hope she likes it."
Brooklyn tore into the box and looked at it confused. "Mommy?" She said as she brought it over and plopped it down. "What's this?"
"It's a music player, sweetie," Rachel explained, helping her take it out of the box while Santana pulled out the AAA batteries they'd hidden in the end table. "Like your mom's and mine only made so it's friendlier for little hands like yours. And see? There's a speaker on the end so you can listen to your music and stories on it without needing headphones like we do."
"Wow!" She gasped as she looked at the box. "Really? How did Santa know I like musics?"
"How did he know that you needed new crayons?" Rachel asked, pulling the girl into her lap to show her how her new mp3 player worked. "I bet he heard us singing together when he was checking on you. So, what do you think, Brooklyn? Is this a good Christmas?"
"Amazing! So many gifts!" She exclaimed hugging the large stuffed elephant that she had found under the tree from Jay in her arms. "So many mommies!"
"Do you like that part?" Rachel asked softly. "Having more mommies?"
She nodded shyly. "More cuddles and hugs for me," she said as she played with the string on Rachel's hoodie.
"Definitely," Rachel nodded with a smile. "Would you be okay with me living with you and your mom always after I come home for good?" She glanced at Santana with a shy smile of her own, "With me being your other mom?"
Brooklyn nodded, "That can happen?" she smiled, "You come stay with us and we can make breakfast always?"
She nodded, "If you want. I'd like to live with you and your mom." She glanced at Santana again, "For always." Kissing the top of Brooklyn's head, she added in a whisper, "I'd like to try and be your mom too if you'll let me."
"Okay," Brooklyn chirped, "I like this, two mommies!" She said looking at Santana. "Mommy said it was okay since I don't has a daddy."
Rachel reached for Santana's hand, squeezing it, "But your mom's the most important, okay? What she says goes. Okay?"
Brooklyn nodded and flopped down and laid her head on Santana's lap, "I know, silly!" She said, "She's my mommy!"
Rachel laughed. "Well, sometimes we need to remind her how important she is! How do you like this Christmas, Santana?" she asked, leaning over to rest her head on Santana's shoulder.
"Yes," She said softly and ran her fingers through Brooklyn's hair. "But next year we have Christmas in New York... It's weird not having snow."
She nodded, "Definitely. A white Christmas is an optimal one after all. So... did the two of you want to go to Christmas Mass?"
"Nah." Santana said, "Don't really want to go to an LA church... we can go when we get home." She smiled, "We can make sure to say extra prayers tonight."
Rachel grinned, pleased to have them to herself for a little longer. "Do you want to go to a park or something then? Enjoy the sun? Or maybe," she grinned teasingly, "just lay out in the backyard to soak it up?"
Brooklyn nodded, "Can I play with my toys while you and mommy get ready?" She asked with a smiled as she slid to the floor with her elephant.
"Of course you can, sweetie," she smiled, handing her her new crayons. "Mommy and I just need to take a shower and get dressed and we can go out and play, okay?" She glanced at Santana with a teasing smirk. "And maybe I can give Mommy a special thank you for being so amazing," she whispered so Brooklyn wouldn't hear, her brows wiggling suggestively.
Santana blushed and bit her lip, "Babe, be careful okay?" She warned as she headed to the bathroom.
Brooklyn nodded, sprawling out on the floor with her crayons and coloring books. "I just color, okay? Elle can help."
"That sounds great, sweetie," Rachel smiled down at her as she got up. "Color some pretty pictures so I can decorate with them, okay?"
"Okay!"
Rachel smiled as she headed into the bathroom after Santana, closing the door behind them and wrapping her arms around the taller woman's waist as she kissed her shoulder. "So," she murmured, "should I give you a special Christmas treat while our daughter is occupied with her new coloring books?" She grinned teasingly, her lips curling against Santana's skin as she smiled.
"If you can be fast," Santana whispered as she turned on the water and started tugging off her clothing.
"You mean if you can be quiet," Rachel teased, helping her undress before undressing herself and getting into the shower with her.
Chapter Thirty-Two
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-One
December twenty-fifth, Christmas Day, dawned bright and clear that year. Rachel woke up with the tiny idea of taking her girls to a park or a beach later - to hell with what the studios might say - but at the moment she was content to just snuggle into the warm, vanilla and spice scented pile of blankets and little girl and mom that she'd found herself surrounded in. Tomorrow Quinn and Jay would be arriving - and staying past Rachel, Santana and Brooklyn's exodus on the twenty-ninth - but today was all theirs and theirs alone.
Brooklyn yawned as she cuddled her Bumble against her chest. She was facing Rachel with her body against her mom’s. She reached out and pressed her hand to Rachel’s arm as she tried to wake up.
Rachel smiled, wiggling an arm between Santana and Brooklyn to hug the little girl. "Hi," she whispered, moving to kiss her messy black hair. "Merry Christmas, sweetie."
“Merry,” she got out before yawning. “Christmas,” she mumbled trying to blink her eyes open.
"If you're still sleepy, you can stay in bed with your mom while I make breakfast," Rachel whispered. "I think breakfast in bed would be a nice Christmas present for her, don't you?"
Brooklyn nodded. “Wanna help,” she said as she slipped out of her mom’s grasp. She reached out for Rachel after tucking the Bumble into her mom’s arms.
She smiled, scooping the little girl up after slipping out of bed. "Be very quiet now," she whispered. "We don't want to wake your mom up." Padding out into the hall, she made her way down to the bathroom to help Brooklyn get cleaned up, washing her own face while she was at it. "So... what kind of breakfast does your mom like best?" she asked, smiling at Brooklyn as she patted her face dry.
“Eggies or waffles,” She exclaimed happily. “With strawberries.”
"Mmm, I think we can do waffles and strawberries. How's that sound?" She asked, holding out a hand when Brooklyn finished. "With coffee for your mom and me and extra strawberries for my special little helper, right?"
“Yummy!” She wiggled happily as they got into the kitchen. “Can we make mangos too?”
"Maybe. Are there any left in the fruit bowl?" Rachel asked, helping Brooklyn up into one of the high backed chairs by the island as she moved to start getting ingredients out.
“Yes,” Brooklyn said as she held up the fruit. “We has mango.”
"We have mango," Rachel corrected with a smile, "and good! We can make a little fruit salad with mango and strawberries. How's that?" She started putting the ingredients into the bowl for her vegan-friendly waffles that hadn't gotten a complaint from Santana or Brooklyn yet.
“Sounds good, Momma,” Brooklyn smiled as she held the fruit in her hands.
"Good," Rachel smiled at her, reaching over to ruffle her hair gently. "Now, how about you stir this carefully to mix it all up while I cut the fruit up with the sharp knife, okay? Try to keep it in the bowl as much as possible so we can make enough waffles for all of us. If you do, I'll show you a trick to make waffles even tastier."
Brooklyn nodded and carefully and slowly stirred the contents of the bowl. "LIke this?" She asked, her tongue sticking out as she moved the spoon.
"Just like that," she smiled, getting out a cutting board to chop the fruit up into chunks, cutting a potion into smaller bits and putting that into a bowl. "You ready to see how to make them extra special?" she asked when she finished and saw that Brooklyn was pretty much done stirring.
"Yes please!" She smiled, and looked up at her.
"Then here we go!" Rachel handed her the bowl of more finely chopped mango and strawberries. "Just shake these into the batter while I stir it up, okay?" She gently took the spoon and started mixing.
Brooklyn slid them into the bowl then popped a few pieces into her mouth that stuck to the board. "Yummy! Mommy will like these!"
"Awesome," Rachel grinned, finishing folding the fruit into the batter. "Now, if you promise not to touch the waffle iron when I say not to, you can help cook them too. We're going to make an extra special Christmas breakfast for Mommy, right?"
She nodded, "I won't touch it's hot!" She said worriedly, "Don't wanna get burnded." She moved to sit on the counter with her hands under her butt. "Do you think Santa came while we slept?"
"I'm sure he did. We left him cookies and milk, remember?" Rachel smiled at her, pulling a chair over to the counter and scooting the waffle iron a little closer to the sink while she waited for the light to go out, indicating it was hot. Pouring the batter into her pancake dispenser - only half the amount she would put in to handle on her own - she handed it to Brooklyn once the little girl got up into the chair. "When I say, hold this over the waffle iron where I point and squeeze the handle, okay?"
She looked at it nervously, "Not hot right?" she said, "It won't burn me?"
"The dispenser?" Rachel looked at it, uncertainly. "No, it's not hot, sweetie. Just the iron is and you won't touch that. Here, I'll show you for the first one, okay?" She opened the iron and carefully squeezed batter into the middle of the iron, stopping before it was too full, then closing it with a hiss as batter bubbled slightly out the sides. "See? Easy, right?"
"Yeah, but can you do it?" She asked softly as she looked at Rachel. "I just wanna watch."
"Sure. You want to be in charge of decorating the plate for your mom and making it pretty with fruit and maybe whipped topping?" Rachel asked with a smile as she started the coffee brewing while the first waffle cooked.
"Yes please." She said as she hopped down and headed to the fridge and grabbed the vegan whipped cream and chocolate syrup. "Can I have hot cocoa?"
"Think it's cold enough for hot cocoa?" She asked curiously as she flipped the first waffle out onto a plate and poured in more batter. "Sure you don't want chocolate milk instead?"
"It's Christmas..." she pouted, "I... I have hot cocoa at Christmas."
Rachel laughed, "You can have hot cocoa, Brooklyn, don't worry. I just thought it might be a little warm and you'd want something different, that's all. Like when Mommy has iced coffee instead of hot coffee in the summer time."
"Still want hot cocoa," she said as she climbed back up onto the chair. "Don't like cold things in morning times."
"Alright, sweetie," she smiled, leaning over to kiss her head, "hot cocoa it is then. Do you want little marshmallows and whipped topping as well? Since it's Christmas."
"Marshmallows." she said as she arranged the fruit on the plate.
"Do you want to try my marshmallows or the one from the bag for you and your mom?" Rachel asked curiously.
"Baggie." She chirped, "Is breakfast ready now? i'm hungries and I wanna wake mommy up."
Rachel laughed, "Not just yet. I still need to heat up the milk for your hot cocoa, remember?" She flipped out another waffle, adding the last of the batter to the iron. Moving to the fridge she got out the half-gallon of cow milk she always made sure to have on hand for the little girl. "Should we make it with syrup or with candy bar chocolate?" she asked, holding up a Hershey bar that had been stashed in the fridge.
"Syrup." She said as she handed the bottle to Rachel. "Makes it faster so we can wake Mommy."
"Alright," Rachel smiled, heating the milk in a sauce pan. "Want to put syrup on you and Mommy's waffles?" she asked curiously as she worked. "I have maple, strawberry or blueberry syrup if you want."
"I want chocolate, Mommy wants strawberry."
"Alright, but don't add too much chocolate to yours, okay?" Rachel reminded her, getting the strawberry syrup out before pouring the hot milk into a mug and adding chocolate syrup and mini marshmallows. "It's Christmas, so we don't want you getting an upset tummy from too many sweets already."
"I know." She said as she put a few drops on her food. "Ready?"
Rachel surveyed the bedtray they'd put together, pouring coffee into the tall mug on the corner and fixing it the way Santana liked it before nodding. "I think so," she smiled, picking it up. "Let's go wake Mommy, okay, sweetie? Be quiet now though. It's a surprise."
Brooklyn nodded and scampered off to the bedroom. She hoisted herself up on the slightly too tall bed and slid into Santana's body. She kissed her nose, then her eyelids. "Mommy," Brooklyn whispered.
Rachel walked into the room behind her accompanied by the smell of fresh brewed coffee and waffles. She smiled to see the little girl trying to kiss her mom awake. "Merry Christmas, Santana," she called gently, coming in to sit beside her on the bed. "We made you breakfast."
Santana mumbled incoherently, her black hair messed over her pillow. "Sleeping..." She exclaimed as she tried to shield her face.
Rachel laughed softly, setting the bedtray aside to lean over and kiss her gently. "It's Christmas, Santana. Don't you think you should wake up and have breakfast with your family so we can see what Santa brought?"
Brooklyn rested her head on Santana's stomach, "Mommy wake up," She said as she nuzzled the woman. Santana rubbed her face and eyes trying to wake up.
"I'm up." She mumbled unconvincingly.
"I have coffee and we made you waffles," Rachel teased, moving the tray to rest over Santana's lap as the woman tried sitting up. "Fresh mango and strawberries too..."
"It's early," She said, her voice gravely with sleep. "Why are you two up so early?"
"It's nearly nine, love," she laughed. "The sun's been up for hours. And it is Christmas. Don't you remember how early you used to wake up when you were little?"
She scowled. "I thought I trained her better," She teased as she watched her daughter wiggle up so she was in between Rachel and Santana. "Merry Christmas, Mariposa." Santana said as she kissed her daughter's head. "And to you," she said to Rachel.
"You're lucky my dad's Christian and I was raised with this stuff," Rachel teased, leaning over to kiss Santana. "Brooklyn was a big help this morning. I couldn't have made such a nice breakfast without her."
Santana just smiled and picked up the coffee. "Thank you, I should be making breakfast for you, little one." She said looking at her daughter.
Brooklyn shook her head. "Nuh-uh. It's Christmas so Momma and me made you breakfast, Mommy. Special present!"
Rachel smiled at her, leaning down to kiss her head. "That's right, sweetie. It's our special present for Mommy."
A blush crossed Santana's face, "It looks beautiful, but i need help eating it." She said as she picked up a piece of mango.
"Don't worry," she smiled. "I doubt we'll have any problems there. It's vegan and tree nut free so we can all share. Brooklyn has Christmas morning hot cocoa and a chocolate syrup drizzled waffle, you have coffee with strawberry syrup and I have coffee and can share your waffles if you want."
"It's good," Brooklyn nodded happily, munching on a bite of waffle.
Santana smiled, "I'm glad you like it baby," She said as she wiped chocolate off her daughters face. She took a bite of her waffle and smiled, "So tasty. Thank you, Rachel."
"You're welcome," Rachel smiled, nibbling on a piece of waffle. "So, are you ready to see what Santa brought after breakfast, Brooklyn?"
"Santa brought me you." She said softly, "That's all I want."
"He brought me you too," Rachel reminded her. "And I love you and your mom so much. But he might still have brought little presents, don't you think? And don't forget," she smiled at the little girl, "there's still your presents from your mom and me."
Brooklyn nodded and nibbled at her food before getting full and leaving half on the plate. She snuggled into her mom and hugged her. Santana just smiled down and reached over and cupped Rachel's cheek and smiled softly.
She cupped a hand over Santana's where it rested on her cheek and smiled at her. "I hope you don't mind that I got you something too," she murmured with a shy smile, leaning into the hand.
"I got you something too," She smiled, "it's not big..."
"You didn't have to," Rachel blushed. "Just having the two of you here is enough for me. But... thank you."
Santana nodded and finished her coffee. "How about I get dressed while you two finish eating then we can go see the tree?"
"You and getting dressed," Rachel teased. "If you insist, you can, but I think we're pretty much done eating. Do you want more, Brooklyn?"
"Uh-uh," she shook her head rubbing her stomach, "tummy full. Can we go see the tree now, Mommy?"
"Wait on the bed and let Rachel go out and make sure everything is ready." Santana said as she got up and grabbed a pair of lounge pants and a white t-shirt and bra. "I'm gonna change," She said as she slipped into the adjoining bathroom.
"Mommy's fussy," Rachel teased, getting up. "Wait for her while I clean up, okay?"
"Okay," Brooklyn nodded with a smile, snuggling into the pillows. "I'll wait for Mommy."
Rachel headed out with the tray to clean up the kitchen before slipping into the living room and making sure the stockings were hung up and filled and the presents were neatly arranged under the tree. Nervously she straightened the box with her gift for Santana and hoped it wouldn't be taken as too much. Taking a breath, she looked around and nodded, finally satisfied with how everything was.
Santana pulled on clean clothing and tied her hair back into a braid that hung over her shoulder before coming back out and picking up her daughter off the bed. "Hi you." She said as she kissed her cheek. "I love you so much, do you know that?"
"Uh-huh," Brooklyn giggled, hugging her little arms around Santana's neck, "I love you too, Mommy. Love you and Momma better than anyone," she smiled, then sobered and looked nervous. "Is okay to call Rachie Momma...?"
"If you feel like you want to call her that, you may." She said, sitting down on the bed and looking at her. "If you want her to be your mom too, that's okay."
Brooklyn's eyes widened and she looked hesitantly happy, "Rachie can be my mom too? I can be Rachie's little girl too? She'll take care of me like you, Mommy?"
Santana pushed her daughters messy hair back and nodded, "If you love her and want her to be your mom we can make sure that she can take care of you like I do."
"I loves her, Mommy," Brooklyn nodded, "but you're my Mommy." She hugged her tight, "I wants Rachie to loves you too and be with us always. Can she?"
"Rachel does love me and she loves you." Santana assured her, "You're our most special thing, okay?" She kissed the girl's head, "She can be your mom. Most little ones have two parents and you only have one... but Rachel can your other parent."
"That means she stays with us right?" she asked softly. "She stays and never leaves and loves us always?"
"I hope so," Santana whispered, "She loves us and will always love you, baby. Okay?"
"Yay!" Brooklyn threw her arms around Santana's neck and hugged her tight. When she pulled away, her eyes twinkled with a mischievousness that could only come from Santana Lopez's daughter, "Now you get married and make babies, right?"
Santana laughed, "Calm yourself, child." She said as she got up with her. "Mommy is still very young and has lots of time to make little babies okay?"
"What about Rachie?" she looked up at Santana with bright eyed innocence. "Will Rachie make a baby? I'd like a little Rachie brother or sister to play with."
"Maybe someday. Remember how I told you I was young when I had you? Rachel is the same age as mommy so we have lots of time." She said as she kissed her daughter cheek.
"I like that Rachie will be with us for a long time," Brooklyn murmured, snuggling into her mom's arms. "Can we go be with Rachie now?"
"Yes, my little troublemaker," Santana said as she cuddled her close and walked out into the room shining with Christmas lights. "Look, baby, Santa came."
"Jewish Santa?" Brooklyn asked, remembering last year.
Rachel laughed. "Of course Jewish Santa!" she teased, escorting the two to the sofa. "Now sit while I distribute gifts."
Santana laughed at Rachel and sat down and plopped Brooklyn down on the floor when she started to make excited squeaks. "Be patient baby."
"Stockings first!" Rachel laughed, bringing over the elongated socks to Santana and Brooklyn.
Brooklyn clapped and wiggled, reaching for her stocking. "Yay!"
Brooklyn tore into her stocking, pulling out a small stuffed animal and cuddling it before finding little treats and crayons. "New crayons!" She squealed, "Look momma!" She showed them to Rachel.
"Wow!" Rachel clapped, "Santa must really know you and how much you like to color, Brooklyn. What about you, Santana?" She smiled warmly at the woman, "What did Santa bring you?"
Santana looked at the sharpies and the tablet pens. "Markers and..." she looked confused at the pens and scrunched her face up. "Tablet pens?"
Rachel just smiled. "Santa is very knowledgeable," she nodded. "He anticipates things you'll need."
A perfectly groomed eyebrow raised, "Rachel, what did you get?"
"I can't tell you that, Santana! It would spoil the surprise!" she laughed.
"No, I mean in your stocking!" She said as she grabbed the pink stocking and handed it to Rachel.
"In my," Rachel trailed off blinking in surprise. She hadn't had a stocking on Christmas since her bat mitzvah when she'd decided to take the Jewish faith as her own. "Santana... I... I don't know what to say," she whispered, looking at it.
"I know you're Jewish... but it's a tradition and everyone gets presents." Santana said softly as she sat back down.
Rachel laughed softly in stunned disbelief, "I... haven't had a stocking of my own since I was thirteen and celebrated my bat mitzvah." She looked up at Santana with a suspiciously bright eyed smile. "Thank you so much, Santana."
Santana leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You're welcome," she whispered before pulling away and seeing Brooklyn watching in awe.
"What's up?" Rachel murmured, wiping at her eyes and smiling at Brooklyn. "You look surprised, sweetie."
"Mommy giving kisses," She said with a smile.
"Of course she gives kisses," Rachel smiled at Santana teasingly. "Your mommy gives the best kisses. Makes me feel all warm and tingly and loved. Think I should see what's in here?" she asked, holding up the stocking.
Brooklyn nodded and rested her head - and her new teddy - on Santana's leg and watched Rachel open her stocking.
Rachel took her time, taking things out one by one and laying them down around her in a neat circle, her smile growing with each small item. "Tea," she sounded delighted, sorting through the samplers, "and I've never even heard of some of these! Thank you! And... Santana Lopez, how did you know I love core yoga?" she asked holding up the gift certificate with a happy smile.
She shrugged bashfully, “I’ve seen your stomach?” She smirked and licked her lips, “I just assumed.”
"I love it," she grinned up at her from her place on the floor. "And this," she held up a certificate for a free massage with a smirk. "Do you think I could request this from a specific person or do I have to go somewhere?"
“You can have a specific person if that is your choice.” She smiled as she fiddled with her markers.
"Awesome," she smiled up at her, before shuffling things back into her stockings. "I think it might be time for our gifts to each other now, what do you think? Brooklyn, who should get a present first?"
“Me?” She smiled cutely as she looked up pleadingly at her mom and Rachel.
Rachel laughed. "Alright, trouble." Picking three packages out of the fairly limited pile, she set them in front of Brooklyn. "One from me," she held up the box wrapped in pink paper with gold stars on it. "One from your mom," this box was blue with snowmen on it. "And... one from Aunt Quinn," the last one was red with white snowflakes. "She'll be coming tomorrow with Uncle Jay, okay?"
“Quinn present,” she pointed and smiled at the box. “Present,” she wiggled delightedly as she took the box and ripped into it.
Rachel grinned, dropping down onto the couch beside Santana to watch Brooklyn open her gifts after making sure they were close enough to her that she could reach after opening Quinn's. Leaning into her girlfriend, she tilted her head up for a kiss. "Thank you for a wonderful Christmas, Santana," she whispered with a smile, resting her head on Santana's shoulder.
“My pleasure,” Santana smiled, she watched Brooklyn pull out a black faux leather jacket. “Oh lord!”
“Mommy! Just like yours!” Brooklyn gasped as she held it up.
"Oh my gosh," Rachel laughed, covering her mouth to try and hide her grin, "that is adorable. You two are going to match!"
“Mini-me,” Santana said as she helped the girl into the jacket. “Do you like it?”
"I loves it!" Brooklyn cried, snuggling into the warm wool lining. "It's so warm, Mommy!"
“You look great, babe.” she said as she fixed her hood. “do you wanna open another present?”
"Uh-huh," she nodded. "Rachie's present!" She flopped back down beside the box and started tearing the paper off, sending it flying. "Color books!" She pulled out the top of the decent sized stack and showed it to her mom, "Look, Mommy! Princesses!"
"I wasn't sure what'd you'd like the most, so I got you an assortment. I hope that's okay," Rachel smiled at her.
“I got princesses! Spider-Mans! Trucks! Flowers!” She smiled and launched herself at Rachel, “Thank you!”
Rachel hugged her tight, rubbing her back. "I'm glad you like them, sweetie. Maybe next time we can go together to find coloring books, okay?"
She nodded and hugged Rachel tightly, “At home? In New York?”
"Sure," Rachel agreed easily, knowing about the surprise Santana and her had in store for the girl's birthday. "We can definitely look for coloring books together after I come home."
“Yay!” she said as she got down and sorted her books and pulled her stuffed toy in her lap.
"Aren't you going to open the present from your mom?" Rachel asked curiously, pointing at the snowman covered box.
“Oh yeah, Santa has one too! Mommy so much presents this year!” Brooklyn looked astonished.
“You were extra good this year for me and Rachel.” Santana smiled, as she watched her daughter open the box with several small boxes of Legos she had been wanting.
Brooklyn's eyes widened excitedly as she sorted through them. "Legos, Momma! Mommy got me Legos!"
"I see that, sweetheart," Rachel smiled at her. "Maybe we can go out tomorrow and find you a special box to keep them in while your mom tans?"
Santana smiled and rested back and watched Brooklyn admire her new toys.
"I think it's time for Mommy's presents," Rachel teased. "Brooklyn, will you get the box there under the tree in the pink paper? That's right. Be careful now. It's my present for Mommy." She smiled lopsidedly at Santana, "It's um... partially a Christmas present, partially a birthday present, and... well, partially an investment in your future I think. I hope you like it."
“Rach?” Santana asked as she carefully unwrapped the box. She saw the drawing tablet, which caused her head to snap up. “Rachel...”
"It's a computer. Kind of like an iPad, only more directed towards artists," she smiled shyly, "like you. It'll let you put your work directly into electronic format so you can... submit your illustrations to publishers. You're good enough, Santana. I know you can do this if you want to."
Santana felt tears coming to her eyes, “No.. no one ever thought I was good at anything,” she said softly, running her fingers on the box. “You... you think I’m good?”
Rachel laughed, shaking her head, "I know you're good. I think you're amazing. I believe in you," she reached over and squeezed her arm, "and I know you can do this if you want to, Santana."
"Can I see?" Brooklyn asked curiously, clambering up onto the sofa beside Santana. "What's it do, Mommy?"
“I’m not sure. Rach? What’s it do?” Santana asked not familiar with the technology.
"Well, you're familiar with how an iPad works, right?" Rachel asked, "I've seen you using one for Quinn, so I'm assuming you do. This is like a cross between that and a regular computer. It's one of the best ones I could find, so it should be able to handle anything you can throw at it. It's basically a Macbook tablet PC. I was told it's very good for artists."
“This... it’s so much Rachel...” Santana choked, “I... can’t accept something so expensive.”
"Nonsense," Rachel smiled lopsidedly. "I just won't get you anything else for a couple years. And this is an investment. I'm just giving you the tools you need to do what you're good at. And after this contract, I have the money..." she shrugged, trailing off. "I... if you don't like it, Santana, I'm sure we can find you something else."
“I love it!” she replied. "I love it!” she hugged the box. “Thank you.”
"Are you sure?" she looked uncertain. "It's okay if you don't, Santana. I'm sure we can find something you like better..."
“Mine,” she said, “You can’t have it back.”
Rachel smiled lopsidedly, leaning in to kiss her softly, "I'm glad you like it then. And I hope you get lots of use out of it."
"I will." She said softly, she hugged the box and nervously handed over the box wrapped in silver paper. "I hope... you like it."
"Santana," she breathed softly, fingers lightly running over the silver paper. "You didn't have to get me anything. You already made this day so wonderful with the stocking and being here..."
"It's not big..." Santana said as she bit her lip nervously. "It wasn't expensive... it's the best i could do."
"It doesn't have to be expensive for me to love it, Santana," Rachel chided gently with a soft smile. "It's from you. That's enough for me." She carefully eased the paper off, taking care not to damage it too much and opened the obviously repurposed department store gift box. Her eyes widened at the leather looking cover of the book and she picked it up gently.
"Faux leather, right?" she teased, knowing Santana wouldn't have given her real leather as a gift. She opened the book and her breath caught in her throat with a little gasp. "Oh... oh, Santana. This... this is beautiful," she breathed, fingers delicately tracing over a sketch of Brooklyn sleeping before turning the page and seeing the start of a story. When she looked up there were tears in her eyes but she was smiling brightly, "Thank you..."
She nodded, "There's photographs and drawings in there..." She swallowed, nervous to be sharing her work with anyone other than her daughter. "I... I started it when I couldn't sleep at nights and you would talk to me until you fell asleep."
"It's beautiful and I love it more than anything else I've ever been given," she leaned forward and hugged Santana tightly, burying her face in the crook of the other woman's neck for a moment as she tried to compose herself. "Thank you. Thank you so, so much."
Santana ran her hand up and down Rachel's back as she watched Brooklyn carefully inspect the present.
"This extra pretty, Mommy," Brooklyn smiled up at her. "And I'm in it!"
The woman looked over and smiled, "Thanks, beautiful," she said as she kissed Rachel's head.
Rachel leaned back and wiped her eyes, kissing Santana before sitting up all the way. "You two are the most wonderful things to ever happen to my life," she grinned, looking between them. "Do you think we should give her the present from both of us now?" she asked Santana curiously, pretending to think about it. "Or make her wait?"
"Santa." The little girl's mother whispered, "Santa's present." She widened her eyes and hoped that Brooklyn didn't hear.
"Oh right," Rachel blushed, "the one from both of us is for her birthday. Sorry, I got excited," she bit her lip with a sheepish grin. "Brooklyn," leaning down she pointed at a small box just peeking out behind the tree, "is that another present?"
Brooklyn scampered over and dove under the tree for the box. "Santa!"
Rachel laughed and snuggled into Santana's side, leaning up to kiss her cheek. "Sorry," she whispered. "I almost forgot. Thanks for the save."
"It's okay." She whispered, "I hope she likes it."
Brooklyn tore into the box and looked at it confused. "Mommy?" She said as she brought it over and plopped it down. "What's this?"
"It's a music player, sweetie," Rachel explained, helping her take it out of the box while Santana pulled out the AAA batteries they'd hidden in the end table. "Like your mom's and mine only made so it's friendlier for little hands like yours. And see? There's a speaker on the end so you can listen to your music and stories on it without needing headphones like we do."
"Wow!" She gasped as she looked at the box. "Really? How did Santa know I like musics?"
"How did he know that you needed new crayons?" Rachel asked, pulling the girl into her lap to show her how her new mp3 player worked. "I bet he heard us singing together when he was checking on you. So, what do you think, Brooklyn? Is this a good Christmas?"
"Amazing! So many gifts!" She exclaimed hugging the large stuffed elephant that she had found under the tree from Jay in her arms. "So many mommies!"
"Do you like that part?" Rachel asked softly. "Having more mommies?"
She nodded shyly. "More cuddles and hugs for me," she said as she played with the string on Rachel's hoodie.
"Definitely," Rachel nodded with a smile. "Would you be okay with me living with you and your mom always after I come home for good?" She glanced at Santana with a shy smile of her own, "With me being your other mom?"
Brooklyn nodded, "That can happen?" she smiled, "You come stay with us and we can make breakfast always?"
She nodded, "If you want. I'd like to live with you and your mom." She glanced at Santana again, "For always." Kissing the top of Brooklyn's head, she added in a whisper, "I'd like to try and be your mom too if you'll let me."
"Okay," Brooklyn chirped, "I like this, two mommies!" She said looking at Santana. "Mommy said it was okay since I don't has a daddy."
Rachel reached for Santana's hand, squeezing it, "But your mom's the most important, okay? What she says goes. Okay?"
Brooklyn nodded and flopped down and laid her head on Santana's lap, "I know, silly!" She said, "She's my mommy!"
Rachel laughed. "Well, sometimes we need to remind her how important she is! How do you like this Christmas, Santana?" she asked, leaning over to rest her head on Santana's shoulder.
"Yes," She said softly and ran her fingers through Brooklyn's hair. "But next year we have Christmas in New York... It's weird not having snow."
She nodded, "Definitely. A white Christmas is an optimal one after all. So... did the two of you want to go to Christmas Mass?"
"Nah." Santana said, "Don't really want to go to an LA church... we can go when we get home." She smiled, "We can make sure to say extra prayers tonight."
Rachel grinned, pleased to have them to herself for a little longer. "Do you want to go to a park or something then? Enjoy the sun? Or maybe," she grinned teasingly, "just lay out in the backyard to soak it up?"
Brooklyn nodded, "Can I play with my toys while you and mommy get ready?" She asked with a smiled as she slid to the floor with her elephant.
"Of course you can, sweetie," she smiled, handing her her new crayons. "Mommy and I just need to take a shower and get dressed and we can go out and play, okay?" She glanced at Santana with a teasing smirk. "And maybe I can give Mommy a special thank you for being so amazing," she whispered so Brooklyn wouldn't hear, her brows wiggling suggestively.
Santana blushed and bit her lip, "Babe, be careful okay?" She warned as she headed to the bathroom.
Brooklyn nodded, sprawling out on the floor with her crayons and coloring books. "I just color, okay? Elle can help."
"That sounds great, sweetie," Rachel smiled down at her as she got up. "Color some pretty pictures so I can decorate with them, okay?"
"Okay!"
Rachel smiled as she headed into the bathroom after Santana, closing the door behind them and wrapping her arms around the taller woman's waist as she kissed her shoulder. "So," she murmured, "should I give you a special Christmas treat while our daughter is occupied with her new coloring books?" She grinned teasingly, her lips curling against Santana's skin as she smiled.
"If you can be fast," Santana whispered as she turned on the water and started tugging off her clothing.
"You mean if you can be quiet," Rachel teased, helping her undress before undressing herself and getting into the shower with her.
Chapter Thirty-Two