Standing on a Precipice - Chapter Seven
Title: Standing on a Precipice
Author: Sio & Maura!
Rating: Up to NC-17 for later chapters
Length: 22,537 / 141,873
Spoilers: Possible mentions of up to Season 2 finale
Pairing: Rachel/Santana, Rachel/Jesse, Santana/OC
Summary: From a prompt given via Sio's tumblr ask box. Rachel and Jesse are married with children, but Jesse is slowly dying from cancer. Enter Santana, lonely and divorced but highly successful and willing to befriend the beleaguered mother. When Jesse passes and Rachel starts depending more and more on Santana's friendship, will they stay just friends or can it blossom into something more? Future!Fic.
Warnings (highlight to read): Pregnancy, character death, angst, children, non-con and drugging and talks there of in later chapters
Chapter Seven - Day Out
Santana sat at her desk, it had been a week since meeting Jesse and having dinner with Rachel and the kids, she took a sip of her coffee and looked out her window wondering how they were, how Jesse was. She was scared about what would happen when Jesse died. What would become of Rachel... Santana picked up her phone and types out a text to the diva.
hey short stuff and fishy. ;) question if you could do one of the three following things what would it b. 1: spa day, 2: fancy ass vegan dinner in Manhattan or...3: me watching the kids so you can spend the day with Jesse?
She put down her phone and turned back to her paperwork hoping the girl would respond.
Gifted with a moment of respite after Jesse's mom had arrived and offered to watch her grandchildren while spending time with her son, Rachel was perusing sheet music at her favorite small music store - looking for something to share with Jesse while the children napped tomorrow - when her phone buzzed in her bag to indicate a received message. Touched with a momentary thrill of fear, she fumbled through her purse for the device. When she finally found it she nearly dropped it - her hands made clumsy with fear of bad news.
Then she cued up the message and breathed a soft sigh of relief as she realized the message was from Santana. One eyebrow rose as she read the message, her lips curling in an incredulous smile. She shook her head with a soft chuckle as she flipped the phone up to activate the keypad and type out a reply.
Santana Lopez, you are not calling my child something as inane as "fishy". Honestly. As for the question, I couldn't possibly take time from my children being able to spend as much time as they can with their father. As to the others, they both sound absolutely wonderful, but I don't understand why you're asking.
She slid the phone closed and slipped it into her pocket to continue perusing the stacks of music.
Santana’s thigh vibrated as she was half paying attention in a meeting, she slyly slid over the power and saw her text from Rachel. She smiled and decided the young mother deserved both and flitted her fingers over the letters as she punched a reply.
First, your baby spermling doesn’t have a name and I needs to refer it to something other than spermling cuz they makes me picture you and Jesse boning... and just ew. :P Secondly, excellent choices and may I request your presence sometime soon? I’ll pay for a babysitter...
She put her phone back down on her thigh, looking up to see Tobias looking at her longingly. She sighed, it was going to be a long day...
Rachel was just leaving the music store - she finally decided against buying any music since Jesse's voice had started failing and the idea of trying to share something with him that he was losing just made her depressed - when her phone buzzed in her pocket. For a moment, she tried to remember why the phone was in her pocket then she shook her head with a soft chuckle at her absent-mindedness as she recalled the reason. Pulling the phone out, she couldn't help the soft smile when she discovered she'd received another text from Santana. Quickly reading it, she flipped her phone open to type a reply.
And you couldn't simply refer to him as "baby"? I'm not a fish bowl, Santana. And could you please avoid imagining my husband and I making love? It made me think of Noah and his disgusting "spank bank" when you said that. Jesse's mom is visiting and she's watching Kayla and Cale for the rest of the day to give me a break away from everything. But Santana, what are you talking about?
She slid her phone back into her pocket with a confused expression on her face. She didn't know what her friend was up to but she was certainly becoming more curious the longer things went without any explanation. She knew that Santana had come by to visit Jesse a couple of times while the rest of his family wasn't there - he'd mentioned as much anyway - but she didn't know what was going on.
Santana’s plans had worked, she knew Jesse’s mom was in town and Kayla’s backpack was going to be filled with drawings and decorations for the baby shower she planned tomorrow. She quickly texted out a reply.
pick you up in 30 minutes.
She gathered her files and said her thank you's to the advertising department before quickly heading back to her office. She didn’t see her husband follow her. “Santana, hot date or something?” He asked, his voice pure jealousy as he crossed his arms and watched her pack up. “Or just a nooner.”
“First, I took this day off like three days ago it’s cleared with HR. And, not it’s not a date. A friend of mine is having a baby and I’m taking her to dinner and a spa for the afternoon, not that it’s your business, Tobias. Don’t think I didn’t notice the three grand you spent from our joint account... I mean damn, I didn’t even think you were so desperate to use a hooker.” She slung her briefcase over her shoulder. “Just tell me, T. You didn’t use a dirty whore when we were married, right? I’d hate to have to get tested.” She pushed past him.
“I didn’t need a dirty whore...” He started, “I married one.”
Santana just stopped halfway down the hall. All the insults she used to get hurled at her my Finn and the like in high school flooded her senses. She didn’t even have it in her anymore to turn around and hurl an insult back at him she just entered the elevator and headed to her car to find Rachel.
Rachel stared at her phone in confusion for a moment before tapping out a quick text.
30 minutes? Santana, do you even know where I am? What is going on? Honestly, you could just tell me. This much stress cannot be good for me at this delicate time...
She didn't bother putting her phone away this time, just kept it in her hand as she made her way over to a nearby park and a bench to sit on. Sitting down, she gently rubbed her stomach, her baby swimming about as she thought about Santana coming to find her. "Calm down, little one. I know you like her, but she's not here yet," she chuckled softly, amused by how well all of her children were seeming to take to the once far more abrasive Latina.
Santana’s black Bentley town car pulled up in front of Rachel’s seat on the bench, “Calm ‘yo tits Berry. I’m kidnapping you for the day.” She smiled as she got out of her car, her bare tanned legs peaked out of the skirt that rested a bit above her knees. Her four inch heels clicked against the pavement as she walked over and kissed the woman’s cheek. “Hey,” she smiled as she pulled away before turning her attention to the bump. “Hola, Pececito.” She smirked.
“Come on, momma, get your butt into my car,” she extended her hand for Rachel to get up with.
Rachel's lips twisted in an ironic grin. "You do realize that while Mr Schuster wasn't the best at teaching, I did manage to retain enough to know what that means," she accepted Santana's assistance at regaining her feet - and if she didn't release it immediately, well it had been quite a while since she'd shared an easy intimacy like that, "but at least it doesn't sound quite as immediately absurd, I suppose."
She carefully climbed into the car, "So you're kidnapping me for the day? And how long have you been planning this little excursion?" She shot the Latina a sharp look as the other woman climbed into the car, "Jesse's mother arriving was a bit convenient as was her and my husband's insistence on my heading out for the day... How much of that did you have a hand in?"
Her tone was more teasing than accusatory. She appreciated the effort Santana was putting into the outing and the elaborate planning appealed to her inner control freak. Of course, that inner control freak also didn't like being kept in the dark, "Where are we going?"
“Mmm.” Santana smiled, “evil genius that I am had help from a equally scheming little girl.” she leaned back and crossed her legs. “We are going to a vegan spa in Brooklyn to get you all relaxed, then dinner and sleeping at my house if you’d like.” Santana kinda hoped that Rachel would come over, she needed a night away and to act like a silly girl and selfishly she wanted to get to know her friend better one on one.
“If that’s alright with you, that is.” She said giving Rachel a chance to back out. “I read that massages can be really nice when your pregnant,” She pushed her hair behind her ear.
"Stay over?" Rachel chewed on her lip nervously, worried about her children, "I don't know... What about Kayla and Cale? I can't just leave them alone, Santana."
She wasn't adverse to the idea of spending one on one time with her friend, but she'd be lying if she said she was completely comfortable being away from her children for so long. Both of them could be a real handful and she didn't want Jesse's mom to get overwhelmed. But more than that, she was nervous. She'd not been away from them for more than a couple of hours at the most since they were born.
The Latina nodded, “Marie said she’d be fine. Kayla said she wanted to be a big girl and give Cale a bath to practice for Pececito, with grandma’s help of course. Jesse wants you to take a breather before the baby is born. They have all of my numbers, my driver is taking them home and even Cale said it was okay when Jesse told him that he could sleep with Kayla in her bed.” Santana had thought long and hard -with Jesse’s guidance - about how to convince Rachel to relax.
“But,” she said as they broke over the Brooklyn bridge, “I can take you home when your done if you’d prefer...”
Rachel had opened her mouth to protest he idea of Kayla bathing Cale when Santana hastened to clarify that she'd be supervised. Instead, she'd just sat there and listened quietly to all of the points her friend was making. Finally she looked down at her lap with a little smile.
"I suppose you've thought of everything," her voice was soft and she chuckled softly, "I didn't think my own family would be so eager to get rid of me until tomorrow though. I thought at least my boy would protest my absence."
She shrugged slightly, "No, that's okay. You went to all of this trouble. It would be the height of ungratefulness to refuse and I suppose everyone is right," she leaned back with a soft sigh, "I should take time away from everything for a bit. And you've been wonderful enough to offer me a perfect opportunity." she rolled her head to look at her friend with a gentle and open smile.
“Plus, los ninos needs to prepare for your party tomorrow.” Santana winked, “I’m only telling you cuz I’m freaked you’ll get surprised and pop the baby out all over the floor and that’s nasty.” She said as they pulled up to the spa.
Santana checked them in under her name, as the attractive attendant flirted with her. She smirked and slathered on the Lopez charm as they interacted. Santana leaned back and took Rachel’s arm as they walked to the back.
“Prepare yourself, Rae. This might be one of the more pleasurable experiences you’ve ever had.” She handed the woman a robe, “Well, I’m more pleasurable, but you seem to be married or something.” She teased taking to undressing when the room is empty to just them. She slipped her skirt off and folded it before unbuttoning her blouse. She turned her back to Rachel and took her blouse off and folding it as well. “Change so the fun can start.”
She stood with her almost nude back exposed to Rachel, still wearing her black stilettos she went about putting her clothing away and getting ready for the masseuse.
Rachel cleared her throat, toying nervously with they buttons of her shirt, "Um, Santana? Don't you believe you would be more comfortable in a robe?" she asked, nodding towards the stack of complimentary robes in the corner, "Not that you aren't, well, quite attractive and certainly have nothing to be ashamed of about your physical form, but you wouldn't, ah, want anyone getting the wrong ideas about you, correct?"
She didn't know what to think - well, she did in that it was obviously the pregnancy hormones affecting her, but she normally had Jesse's help with that - except now she didn't and it was clearly affecting her ability to think rationally. She swallowed softly and turned away from her friend to undress herself, carefully stripping down to her underwear. She was well aware that she wasn't as attractive as Santana, especially now with her body swollen with advanced pregnancy as it was. It was only a few more weeks until her due date, and she was refusing her doctor's advice to take bed rest while her children and husband needed her.
Santana turned around, her eyes falling on Rachel. “Wow,” she breathed out, her eyes wandering from her shoulders, down her bra clad chest to to her swollen belly. She never had seen something so womanly and beautiful. She blushed a bit before grabbing a robe for herself and Rachel.
“You look kinda amazing.” Santana whispered, shy to give out complements to the girl. “I mean seriously...” She slid the robe over her own shoulders before holding the second out for Rachel to step into. “So...um I asked the girl to do the awesome Ayervedic pre-natal massage on you and that should be like 75 minutes or something.”
Santana had to forcefully break her eyes away from Rachel. What that hell are you doing! her inner monologue yelled, she’s your married friend! Whose husband is dying and needs you to be a friend not someone who’s gonna creep on her! Santana removed her shoes and sat down on the far mat.
Rachel didn't look up from the clothes she'd just folded neatly and placed into a cubby as Santana spoke, though she did allow the other woman to help her into a robe. She had a restrain a little shiver that went through her at the feeling of warm fingers brushing the side of her neck as Santana unfolded the collar from where it had slipped inside out. She steadied her breathing with a conscious effort - placing a hand on her belly to make it seem like it had to do with her active little boy, who did have a part in it after all - and raised her eyes to smile shyly at Santana.
"I'm afraid I don't even know what that is," she admitted, catching her lower lip between her teeth, "are... I mean, will you be there?". Realizing how silly that probably sounded and not wanting to admit that she was nervous being alone around strangers in such a vulnerable state, she quickly tried to recant her words, "I'm sorry, of course you have your own things you'd rather do than that..."
“Yep. I’z be getting rubbed down myself.” she winked as she smiled softly, “Maya is amazing...” She helped Rachel onto the table. “I.. a friend of mine told me that getting a massage when pregnant feels really good. Plus, it’s good for circulation and stuff.” she shrugged, knowing a little too much about pregnancy. “It will be really good and I’ll be here okay?”
Maya and another girl came into the room. Maya explained what she’d be doing and told Rachel that she could stop or take a break whenever she wanted.
Rachel nodded hesitantly, still nervous but comforted by Santana being just across the room where she could still see her. She turned her head to watch her friend as Maya began working on her, wondering about the changes in her since high school and just thinking about how nice it was to have a friend right now. How much it helped her feel less like she was drowning in everything that was happening.
She hadn't realized how exhausted she was until the gentle warmth suffusing her person at the massage started making her drowsy. Santana's face, relaxed and happy at the massage, was the last thing she saw before her eyes slid closed, the last thought on her mind before she slipped into sleep. It was the first time in months that Jesse hadn't been on her mind before she fell asleep, but in that moment she was so relaxed that she didn't feel guilty.
Chapter Eight
Author: Sio & Maura!
Rating: Up to NC-17 for later chapters
Length: 22,537 / 141,873
Spoilers: Possible mentions of up to Season 2 finale
Pairing: Rachel/Santana, Rachel/Jesse, Santana/OC
Summary: From a prompt given via Sio's tumblr ask box. Rachel and Jesse are married with children, but Jesse is slowly dying from cancer. Enter Santana, lonely and divorced but highly successful and willing to befriend the beleaguered mother. When Jesse passes and Rachel starts depending more and more on Santana's friendship, will they stay just friends or can it blossom into something more? Future!Fic.
Warnings (highlight to read): Pregnancy, character death, angst, children, non-con and drugging and talks there of in later chapters
Chapter Seven - Day Out
Santana sat at her desk, it had been a week since meeting Jesse and having dinner with Rachel and the kids, she took a sip of her coffee and looked out her window wondering how they were, how Jesse was. She was scared about what would happen when Jesse died. What would become of Rachel... Santana picked up her phone and types out a text to the diva.
hey short stuff and fishy. ;) question if you could do one of the three following things what would it b. 1: spa day, 2: fancy ass vegan dinner in Manhattan or...3: me watching the kids so you can spend the day with Jesse?
She put down her phone and turned back to her paperwork hoping the girl would respond.
Gifted with a moment of respite after Jesse's mom had arrived and offered to watch her grandchildren while spending time with her son, Rachel was perusing sheet music at her favorite small music store - looking for something to share with Jesse while the children napped tomorrow - when her phone buzzed in her bag to indicate a received message. Touched with a momentary thrill of fear, she fumbled through her purse for the device. When she finally found it she nearly dropped it - her hands made clumsy with fear of bad news.
Then she cued up the message and breathed a soft sigh of relief as she realized the message was from Santana. One eyebrow rose as she read the message, her lips curling in an incredulous smile. She shook her head with a soft chuckle as she flipped the phone up to activate the keypad and type out a reply.
Santana Lopez, you are not calling my child something as inane as "fishy". Honestly. As for the question, I couldn't possibly take time from my children being able to spend as much time as they can with their father. As to the others, they both sound absolutely wonderful, but I don't understand why you're asking.
She slid the phone closed and slipped it into her pocket to continue perusing the stacks of music.
Santana’s thigh vibrated as she was half paying attention in a meeting, she slyly slid over the power and saw her text from Rachel. She smiled and decided the young mother deserved both and flitted her fingers over the letters as she punched a reply.
First, your baby spermling doesn’t have a name and I needs to refer it to something other than spermling cuz they makes me picture you and Jesse boning... and just ew. :P Secondly, excellent choices and may I request your presence sometime soon? I’ll pay for a babysitter...
She put her phone back down on her thigh, looking up to see Tobias looking at her longingly. She sighed, it was going to be a long day...
Rachel was just leaving the music store - she finally decided against buying any music since Jesse's voice had started failing and the idea of trying to share something with him that he was losing just made her depressed - when her phone buzzed in her pocket. For a moment, she tried to remember why the phone was in her pocket then she shook her head with a soft chuckle at her absent-mindedness as she recalled the reason. Pulling the phone out, she couldn't help the soft smile when she discovered she'd received another text from Santana. Quickly reading it, she flipped her phone open to type a reply.
And you couldn't simply refer to him as "baby"? I'm not a fish bowl, Santana. And could you please avoid imagining my husband and I making love? It made me think of Noah and his disgusting "spank bank" when you said that. Jesse's mom is visiting and she's watching Kayla and Cale for the rest of the day to give me a break away from everything. But Santana, what are you talking about?
She slid her phone back into her pocket with a confused expression on her face. She didn't know what her friend was up to but she was certainly becoming more curious the longer things went without any explanation. She knew that Santana had come by to visit Jesse a couple of times while the rest of his family wasn't there - he'd mentioned as much anyway - but she didn't know what was going on.
Santana’s plans had worked, she knew Jesse’s mom was in town and Kayla’s backpack was going to be filled with drawings and decorations for the baby shower she planned tomorrow. She quickly texted out a reply.
pick you up in 30 minutes.
She gathered her files and said her thank you's to the advertising department before quickly heading back to her office. She didn’t see her husband follow her. “Santana, hot date or something?” He asked, his voice pure jealousy as he crossed his arms and watched her pack up. “Or just a nooner.”
“First, I took this day off like three days ago it’s cleared with HR. And, not it’s not a date. A friend of mine is having a baby and I’m taking her to dinner and a spa for the afternoon, not that it’s your business, Tobias. Don’t think I didn’t notice the three grand you spent from our joint account... I mean damn, I didn’t even think you were so desperate to use a hooker.” She slung her briefcase over her shoulder. “Just tell me, T. You didn’t use a dirty whore when we were married, right? I’d hate to have to get tested.” She pushed past him.
“I didn’t need a dirty whore...” He started, “I married one.”
Santana just stopped halfway down the hall. All the insults she used to get hurled at her my Finn and the like in high school flooded her senses. She didn’t even have it in her anymore to turn around and hurl an insult back at him she just entered the elevator and headed to her car to find Rachel.
Rachel stared at her phone in confusion for a moment before tapping out a quick text.
30 minutes? Santana, do you even know where I am? What is going on? Honestly, you could just tell me. This much stress cannot be good for me at this delicate time...
She didn't bother putting her phone away this time, just kept it in her hand as she made her way over to a nearby park and a bench to sit on. Sitting down, she gently rubbed her stomach, her baby swimming about as she thought about Santana coming to find her. "Calm down, little one. I know you like her, but she's not here yet," she chuckled softly, amused by how well all of her children were seeming to take to the once far more abrasive Latina.
Santana’s black Bentley town car pulled up in front of Rachel’s seat on the bench, “Calm ‘yo tits Berry. I’m kidnapping you for the day.” She smiled as she got out of her car, her bare tanned legs peaked out of the skirt that rested a bit above her knees. Her four inch heels clicked against the pavement as she walked over and kissed the woman’s cheek. “Hey,” she smiled as she pulled away before turning her attention to the bump. “Hola, Pececito.” She smirked.
“Come on, momma, get your butt into my car,” she extended her hand for Rachel to get up with.
Rachel's lips twisted in an ironic grin. "You do realize that while Mr Schuster wasn't the best at teaching, I did manage to retain enough to know what that means," she accepted Santana's assistance at regaining her feet - and if she didn't release it immediately, well it had been quite a while since she'd shared an easy intimacy like that, "but at least it doesn't sound quite as immediately absurd, I suppose."
She carefully climbed into the car, "So you're kidnapping me for the day? And how long have you been planning this little excursion?" She shot the Latina a sharp look as the other woman climbed into the car, "Jesse's mother arriving was a bit convenient as was her and my husband's insistence on my heading out for the day... How much of that did you have a hand in?"
Her tone was more teasing than accusatory. She appreciated the effort Santana was putting into the outing and the elaborate planning appealed to her inner control freak. Of course, that inner control freak also didn't like being kept in the dark, "Where are we going?"
“Mmm.” Santana smiled, “evil genius that I am had help from a equally scheming little girl.” she leaned back and crossed her legs. “We are going to a vegan spa in Brooklyn to get you all relaxed, then dinner and sleeping at my house if you’d like.” Santana kinda hoped that Rachel would come over, she needed a night away and to act like a silly girl and selfishly she wanted to get to know her friend better one on one.
“If that’s alright with you, that is.” She said giving Rachel a chance to back out. “I read that massages can be really nice when your pregnant,” She pushed her hair behind her ear.
"Stay over?" Rachel chewed on her lip nervously, worried about her children, "I don't know... What about Kayla and Cale? I can't just leave them alone, Santana."
She wasn't adverse to the idea of spending one on one time with her friend, but she'd be lying if she said she was completely comfortable being away from her children for so long. Both of them could be a real handful and she didn't want Jesse's mom to get overwhelmed. But more than that, she was nervous. She'd not been away from them for more than a couple of hours at the most since they were born.
The Latina nodded, “Marie said she’d be fine. Kayla said she wanted to be a big girl and give Cale a bath to practice for Pececito, with grandma’s help of course. Jesse wants you to take a breather before the baby is born. They have all of my numbers, my driver is taking them home and even Cale said it was okay when Jesse told him that he could sleep with Kayla in her bed.” Santana had thought long and hard -with Jesse’s guidance - about how to convince Rachel to relax.
“But,” she said as they broke over the Brooklyn bridge, “I can take you home when your done if you’d prefer...”
Rachel had opened her mouth to protest he idea of Kayla bathing Cale when Santana hastened to clarify that she'd be supervised. Instead, she'd just sat there and listened quietly to all of the points her friend was making. Finally she looked down at her lap with a little smile.
"I suppose you've thought of everything," her voice was soft and she chuckled softly, "I didn't think my own family would be so eager to get rid of me until tomorrow though. I thought at least my boy would protest my absence."
She shrugged slightly, "No, that's okay. You went to all of this trouble. It would be the height of ungratefulness to refuse and I suppose everyone is right," she leaned back with a soft sigh, "I should take time away from everything for a bit. And you've been wonderful enough to offer me a perfect opportunity." she rolled her head to look at her friend with a gentle and open smile.
“Plus, los ninos needs to prepare for your party tomorrow.” Santana winked, “I’m only telling you cuz I’m freaked you’ll get surprised and pop the baby out all over the floor and that’s nasty.” She said as they pulled up to the spa.
Santana checked them in under her name, as the attractive attendant flirted with her. She smirked and slathered on the Lopez charm as they interacted. Santana leaned back and took Rachel’s arm as they walked to the back.
“Prepare yourself, Rae. This might be one of the more pleasurable experiences you’ve ever had.” She handed the woman a robe, “Well, I’m more pleasurable, but you seem to be married or something.” She teased taking to undressing when the room is empty to just them. She slipped her skirt off and folded it before unbuttoning her blouse. She turned her back to Rachel and took her blouse off and folding it as well. “Change so the fun can start.”
She stood with her almost nude back exposed to Rachel, still wearing her black stilettos she went about putting her clothing away and getting ready for the masseuse.
Rachel cleared her throat, toying nervously with they buttons of her shirt, "Um, Santana? Don't you believe you would be more comfortable in a robe?" she asked, nodding towards the stack of complimentary robes in the corner, "Not that you aren't, well, quite attractive and certainly have nothing to be ashamed of about your physical form, but you wouldn't, ah, want anyone getting the wrong ideas about you, correct?"
She didn't know what to think - well, she did in that it was obviously the pregnancy hormones affecting her, but she normally had Jesse's help with that - except now she didn't and it was clearly affecting her ability to think rationally. She swallowed softly and turned away from her friend to undress herself, carefully stripping down to her underwear. She was well aware that she wasn't as attractive as Santana, especially now with her body swollen with advanced pregnancy as it was. It was only a few more weeks until her due date, and she was refusing her doctor's advice to take bed rest while her children and husband needed her.
Santana turned around, her eyes falling on Rachel. “Wow,” she breathed out, her eyes wandering from her shoulders, down her bra clad chest to to her swollen belly. She never had seen something so womanly and beautiful. She blushed a bit before grabbing a robe for herself and Rachel.
“You look kinda amazing.” Santana whispered, shy to give out complements to the girl. “I mean seriously...” She slid the robe over her own shoulders before holding the second out for Rachel to step into. “So...um I asked the girl to do the awesome Ayervedic pre-natal massage on you and that should be like 75 minutes or something.”
Santana had to forcefully break her eyes away from Rachel. What that hell are you doing! her inner monologue yelled, she’s your married friend! Whose husband is dying and needs you to be a friend not someone who’s gonna creep on her! Santana removed her shoes and sat down on the far mat.
Rachel didn't look up from the clothes she'd just folded neatly and placed into a cubby as Santana spoke, though she did allow the other woman to help her into a robe. She had a restrain a little shiver that went through her at the feeling of warm fingers brushing the side of her neck as Santana unfolded the collar from where it had slipped inside out. She steadied her breathing with a conscious effort - placing a hand on her belly to make it seem like it had to do with her active little boy, who did have a part in it after all - and raised her eyes to smile shyly at Santana.
"I'm afraid I don't even know what that is," she admitted, catching her lower lip between her teeth, "are... I mean, will you be there?". Realizing how silly that probably sounded and not wanting to admit that she was nervous being alone around strangers in such a vulnerable state, she quickly tried to recant her words, "I'm sorry, of course you have your own things you'd rather do than that..."
“Yep. I’z be getting rubbed down myself.” she winked as she smiled softly, “Maya is amazing...” She helped Rachel onto the table. “I.. a friend of mine told me that getting a massage when pregnant feels really good. Plus, it’s good for circulation and stuff.” she shrugged, knowing a little too much about pregnancy. “It will be really good and I’ll be here okay?”
Maya and another girl came into the room. Maya explained what she’d be doing and told Rachel that she could stop or take a break whenever she wanted.
Rachel nodded hesitantly, still nervous but comforted by Santana being just across the room where she could still see her. She turned her head to watch her friend as Maya began working on her, wondering about the changes in her since high school and just thinking about how nice it was to have a friend right now. How much it helped her feel less like she was drowning in everything that was happening.
She hadn't realized how exhausted she was until the gentle warmth suffusing her person at the massage started making her drowsy. Santana's face, relaxed and happy at the massage, was the last thing she saw before her eyes slid closed, the last thought on her mind before she slipped into sleep. It was the first time in months that Jesse hadn't been on her mind before she fell asleep, but in that moment she was so relaxed that she didn't feel guilty.
Chapter Eight