I wrote this story a few years ago and posted it I believe back in 2012. Since then I have altered little bits of it and just made it a little bit more polished so thought I would upload it again. I am not really a writer, so there are going to be grammatical errors that I have probably missed but I don't have the time anymore to alter them but thought I would repost one of my favourite Pezberry stories I have written.

This has all been written from the top of my head, I don't know much about homelessness and especially about the later story that ties around Santana's past and how she has got to this stage now.

Anyhow, please review and I hope you enjoy.

2017

Quinn dishes out some of the slop in front of her and lets out a groan. Rachel rolls her eyes and smiles at the person in front of her.

"Stop complaining Quinn." Rachel rolls her eyes. Rachel had dragged Quinn along to help her with her good deed for the year. One of the things she loved doing was giving back to the people who don't have much, and now she was on the rise to fame for anyone who followed anything to do with stage, she had the opportunity to really help. "I'm a well known celeb here in New York now you know." She jokes, "I need you here for my protection."

Quinn scoffs. "Protection? Rae you woke me up at 5am. They can have at you."

Rachel rolls her eyes.

"Stop being a grump. Me and my dad's used to do this all the time at Christmas..." She trails off as she dishes out another plate.

"Rae." Quinn says softly seeing the smaller girls mood change. "They miss you, you know that."

Rachel nods and Quinn sees her fake smile cover her face. "I do. Come on, lets get back to work."

She smiles over at an elderly gentleman in front of her. "Hello sir, what can I get you?" He grunts and points at the meal right in front of her and she dishes him out a plate with a smile. He nods in response but her attention was now on the next person in line.

Standing in front of her was a very young, but very beautiful young girl. She couldn't have been older than 6, she was obviously of Hispanic race and she looked healthy and happy despite her clothes telling a different story.

"Hi sweetie." Rachel begins. "What can I get you?" She stands on her tip toes and looks around at the food in front of her, eyeing it all up carefully. Rachel watches as people move around the little girl as they knew what they wanted already. "You can anything you want sweetie."

The little girl looks up. "Mami sed not be too greedy."

Rachel smiles. "It's not greed sweetheart. What looks nice?"

"Pot... Pot... those." She points to the potatoes in front of her.

Rachel dishes them out onto a plate and puts a few pieces of chicken and some veg as well on there. "Where is your Mami then?"

"She getting me a bed." The little girl replies nonchalantly.

"What do you think your Mami would like?" She asks, getting another plate ready and smiles when the little girls eyes widen.

"I dunno."

"Shall I make you both a surprise plate then? I'll even help carry it over for you?"

The little girls eyes shine and she smiles brightly. "Thankoo miss." Rachel quickly dishes out another plate before following the little girl back to a table in the far end of the shelter. "You're pretty miss."

Rachel smiles down at the shorter girl. "So are you."

"Mami, this is my new friend. She got us food" The younger girl bounces over to a table where a young woman is sat. Her hair is long and a little bit unkept. As she turns Rachel is struck by her beauty, she couldn't be more than 25, however with the bags under her eyes and her clothes she looks twice her age. What strikes her the most is how much she looks like someone she used to know. She looks very much like someone she used to know.

"Santana?" She breathes out in shock.

The girls eyes widen and then harden, making Rachel realise she does have the right person. Standing in front of her in a shelter in the middle of New York City a 10 days before Christmas is Santana Lopez. Her enemy in high school, now was standing here, broken, hungry and afraid and all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around her and never let go.

"You know Mami's name?" Santana's daughter questions.

"What are you doing here Rachel?" Santana asks a little too harshly.

Rachel looks back over at Quinn who is happily serving people food. "Me and Quinn are working here over the weekend. What... what are you doing here?"

Santana's eyes widen at the mention of Quinn. "Quinn's here?"

Rachel nods. "Over there." She points over to where Quinn is stood. "San... are you homel..." she trails of noticing Santana's glare get harsher.

"What does it look like hobbit?" Santana groans and sighs. "I'm sorry Rachel... I just..."

"I understand. You have a daughter?" Santana smiles, and it brightens as she looks down at the little girl in question. "What's her name?"

Santana leans down and picks up the little girl, holding her on her hip. Santana smiles and looks down at her daughter. She looked every bit like Santana, her skin was a little lighter, but her eyes held the same intensity, and her lips were just as full and pretty. What stopped Rachel though, was the fact that their clothing both was tattered and unkempt. This wasn't the Santana she knew from High School, this girl looked almost homeless in some ways. "Wanna tell Miss Rachel your name Mi Cielo?"

The little girls eyes shine and she sits forwards and looks like she's thinking for a moment. "Skylar Hope Lopez."

"That's a very pretty name. How old are you sweetie?" Skylar holds up her hand and shows all five fingers proudly. "Five? You're a big girl then?"

Skylar nods again.

Skylar nods. "Mommy says I'm gowing to a big girl. Says I am going be smartie than everyone at school."

"Smarter mi cielo."

"I can see how smart you are."

"What is your name?" Skylar looks up at her mother, as if asking for permission. Santana wraps her arm around her back and nods at Rachel.

"I'm Rachel Berry. It's very nice to meet you."

"Good to meet you too." Her heart melts when the smaller version of Santana says this and she smiles over at the little girl. "How do you know mommy?"

Rachel seeing that Santana has become a very private person looks over to the taller woman and asks her with her eyes if it was OK to ask. Santana lets out a sigh before nodding and looking outside the window at the blizzard going on.

"I have known your mommy since I was your height."

Santana lets out a little chuckle knowing that they were 7 when they met and Rachel was really as little as Skylar is at 4 and the little girl is short for her age. "Really? Wow."

"We were 7 years old and she moved into my town. She was very shy and didn't know anyone."

Skylar shakes her head. "Mami's not shy."

Rachel smiles softly. "She was back then sweetheart." Rachel looks up and sees Quinn staring at her, her eyes wide and her mouth open in shock. "San, Quinn's seen you." She says softly, not wanting to alarm the taller girl. Santana turns around and her eyes lock onto Quinn's. "I can hold her off if you want?"

Santana shakes her head.

"No. Can you stay with Sky though please?" Santana kisses the little girl on the head and walks away after hearing Rachel's response.

"Of course." Rachel bends down to Skylar's level. "Hey munchkin."

"Your name Rae... chel?"

Rachel nods. "All my friends call me Rae or Rach."

"Can I?"

Rachel nods again with a bright smile. "You're my friend aren't you?" Skylar nods happily.

Santana walks over to Quinn, her whole body shaking in anticipation. Other than Brittany, this was the girl she missed the most. They were best friends for years and sure later on in High School they forgot this, but she knew Quinn would still be angry.

"Oh my fucking god, Santana." She finds herself wrapped into an embrace, she makes a noise at the force of the hug, but happily wraps her arms around the blonde. "I have missed you so much Santana." Santana feels the tears on her neck and her heart breaks when she realises how much Quinn did care. "We all thought you were dead." Quinn whispers.

Santana pulls back. "But... I sent you all emails."

Quinn glares. "We just couldn't believe you'd leave like that. You didn't even go to graduation Santana." She sighs and shakes her head. "Let me look at you. Girl, you look like shit." Quinn says honestly and Santana lets out an equally as honest laugh. "No offence."

"None taken. You look good Q." She says happily. It was good to talk with a friend again, even if it was in a homeless shelter. "Now what are you doing here with Berry of all people?"

Quinn smiles. "We live together. She's been my room-mate, nearly 4 years now."

Santana widens her eyes. "And you haven't killed... wait, are you two together, together?"

Quinn screws her face up. "Oh god no. Ew. I'm straight. I've been with my boyfriend awhile now."

Santana laughs. "Does that mean she's not straight?" Quinn rolls her eyes in response. "It's really good to see you again Q."

"San..." Quinn asks nervously. "What are you doing in a shelter?"

Santana's breathing picks up. "I thought you were meant to be smart Quinn."

"You're on the streets?" Santana nods. "How long?"

"About 2 years now." Santana explains after a few moments and Quinn gets angry quickly.

"Fucking hell 'Tana. Why did you not ring me? You must have known I'd be here to help you?"

Santana shakes her head and shrugs off the hand than Quinn had put on her arm. "No I didn't." She exclaims. "Fuck Q... I wasn't there when you were pregnant with Beth or when you had your car crash. Why would you help me now?"

"We were kids then San." Quinn explains softly. "God I wish you had called me."

"I thought you were in New Haven. Plus, I wasn't going to give up that easily. It's not just me now?"

Quinn looks confused and Santana nods over to where Rachel was happily playing with Skylar. "She's yours?" Santana nods. "How old?"

"She's 5 years old."

Quinn does the maths quickly in her head and her eyes widen once more. "You were pregnant when you left?" Santana nods. "Does... does Britt know?"

Santana scoffs and raises one eyebrow. "That I got raped and fell pregnant? Hell no." She realises what she has just admitted and shakes her head. "Fuck, I shouldn't have said anything."

"Who was it?" Quinn says angrily, her hands balling into fists at her side.

"It doesn't matter now." She explains softly. "She's my entire world and she looks nothing like him so I am lucky."

"Oh god San." Quinn tries to keep control of her emotions. "Did your parents know?"

The walls Santana was starting to loose close back down. "I'd rather not talk about it. You'd better get back to work." She says coldly. "I've got to go see to my daughter." She walks away leaving Quinn stood alone. As she makes her way back to Rachel and her daughter she smiles. "Thank you Rachel."

"Your welcome." Rachel looks around and sees Skylar would be safe. "Can we talk a second?"

Santana sighs and nods. "What?"

"Did you manage to get a bed here tonight?"

Santana looks away and shakes her head. "We've stayed here too much. It's not fair to everyone else. Their hands are tied."

"Shit Santana."

Santana nods and looks back over at her daughter. "Look I better go back to Skylar. Your boss is looking angry too. See you Berry." She walks back to Skylar, making the little girl laugh when she sits next to her. Rachel watches them for a minute, seeing how similar to Santana, Skylar truly was.

Back up behind the service station, Quinn and Rachel keep their eye on Santana. After a few minutes Rachel turns to Quinn. "She's coming home with us right?"

Quinn nods with a small smile. "Oh yeah. She has no choice." Rachel chuckles slightly. "What's her daughter like?"

Rachel's heart warms at the thought of Skylar. "She's adorable and so polite. A lot like San was when she was her age."

"She was pregnant with her when she went missing."

Rachel looks over in shock. "Why didn't her parents say anything?"

Quinn shrugs. They had spent hours trying to find Santana at the insistance of Santana's brothers. Her parents were always there, worried for their daughter. Did they kick her out of the house?

"I don't know if they knew. She said she was raped and when I asked about her parents she clammed up."

Rachel feels tears pooling in her eyes. "Oh god. Raped? By who? Does Britt know?"

Quinn shakes her head. "She wouldn't say. No Britt has no idea." She explains. "She's been out on the streets for two years Rach... we've probably walked by her countless times."

"We'll get her home with us later Quinn. She'll be safe."

Three hours later, the girls shift was over and they make their way over to Santana and Skylar. Rachel is the first to speak when Skylar's attention is taken away from her game when she sees her 'friend'. "Santana. Can we have a word?"

Santana stops herself from groaning. She wishes they would leave now. She nods however, not wanting to be too rude in front of Skylar. "I'll be right back baby." She follows the girls. "What?" She rudely asks as they were out of earshot of Skylar.

"Come home with us?" Quinn asks softly. "We have a spare room and you two would have to share but..."

"No." Santana exclaims. "I'm not taking your pity Quinn."

"Fuck your pride Santana. If it was just you I know I would loose this argument. You have a baby girl to think of." Her eyes flicker to the little girl in question. "You and your daughter need a home OK? We're offering it." She explains. "Stop being selfish."

Rachel turns her head to glare at Quinn. "Quinn, no!"

"Are you sure?" A small voice in front of them says and they are both shocked it came from Santana. She was truly a broken woman from what they once knew.

"Don't be silly. Of course we're sure. Now come home. Please?"

Quinn sighs. "Santana, please, at least until after Christmas?"

"Okay. I will pay rent though when I can get it. I'm looking at jobs in the City. It's just been hard with no permanent address." Quinn nods happily. "Now can you introduce me to your little girl? We have some treats for the two of you."

Santana rolls her eyes and lets out a little chuckle. Walking over to Skylar, she sits her on her lap leaving room for Rachel and Quinn to sit down. "Baby, I want you to meet another of Mami's friends. This is Quinn."

"Qwinn?" She says slowly. "She's pretty too. I like your hair."

Quinn fingers her blonde tresses and smiles. "What's your name sweetheart?"

"Skylar Hope."

"Thats very pretty." She buries a hand into her pocket and pulls out a rather large piece of cake, hoping Santana is not going to have a go at her for this. She then pulls out four forks and hands them around. "Eat up."

"Can I Mommy?" Santana nods and Skylar starts eating the cake quickly.

"So what do you two do with your lives now?"

"Rachel has become this overnight sensation after staring on a new off Broadway play. Within a month it made it to Broadway and she's been doing staring roles since. Her ego is bigger than it was in High School so beware." Rachel pouts and glares over at her best friend.

"You've done well for yourself." Rachel nods and smiles when she feels Skylar begin to play with the rings on her right hand, now she has eaten the cake. "What about you Quinn?"

"I work as a Photographer. I've just recently started up my own studio, but my work of a well known starlet making it's way around the circuit I'm doing well." Santana chuckles and then looks down at her daughter.

"Do either of you still talk to Brittany?" Quinn and Rachel share a look and sigh. "I take that as a yes?"

"She got married about a year ago." Santana smiles honestly.

"I'm happy for her. I realized during my pregnancy that I never really loved Britt in that way. She was my best friend and she helped me realize my sexuality but it wasn't aimed at her. Who did she marry? Anyone we know?"

Rachel shakes her head. "His name is Ben. He is a lawyer who works here in the City but they currently are out of the country. They're going to have beautiful blue eyed, blonde haired children I'll tell you that."

Quinn looks out of the window of the shelter and once she sees how cold it was looking she turns to the girls. "We better get a cab before this weather gets worse."

The Apartment

"When you said apartment, I was not expecting this." The place was beautiful. It wasn't large, as they weren't making that much money yet, but it was spacious enough. It was all open plan, with the kitchen and dining room on the right and the living are in front of glass windows on the left. Rachel by now has put Skylar down and the little girl was looking around the apartment in wander.

"You can go have a roam around Skylar if you'd like?" Skylar like earlier looks up at her mother who nods and she is off like a light, jumping onto the couch with a smile.

"Thank you again girls. I promise I'll make it up to you."

Quinn shakes her head. "Keep in touch always and that is all we want. Now, shall I show you where you'll be sleeping?" Santana nods and calls over to Skylar who runs over to her mother. They follow Quinn to the room, and when she opens it the first thing Santana notices is the beautiful bed linen. The room was a mess with an eliptical in the corner, art and craft material all over the side and yoga equipment strewn all round the room but it looked homely and the bed was enough for both her and Skylar.

Before Rachel can realise it, Santana's arms are wrapped around her as she is the nearest person and she is crying into her neck. "Thank you so much for this. It... it means the world to me."

"Anytime. As long as it keeps this smile on her face and yours."

Santana looks over and sees Quinn and Skylar bouncing on the bed in delight. "Mami look" Santana walks over and takes a seat next to her daughter and lets out a deep sigh. She hasn't slept on a proper bed in years. She has always just had the couch in her daughters room and having a double bed seemed heavenly.

"If you need space at all, the couch does pull out into a sofa bed which is so comfy if you need it anytime San."

"Thank you."

Quinn lays a hand on Santana's shoulder. "Now I know you may argue, but I want you to get some asleep. Me, Rae & Skylar are going to watch some Christmas movies whilst her Mami gets some rest. Sound good, Sky?"

Skylar looks up at Quinn and nods before looking back at her mother with her resolve face making Quinn and Rachel laugh. "There is no room for argument there. Now get some sleep, do you have pj's or anything?"

She nods over to the duffle bag Santana has kept on her person at all times. Santana looks at it and shakes her head and shrugs. "I'm comfortable in this."

Quinn goes to the chest of drawers at the other end of the room and picks out a pair of slacks and a t-shirt and throws them to Santana.

"There my yoga stuff so it's a little gross but they've been washed recently."

"Quinn... I can't take your clothes as..."

Quinn shakes her head and glares over at Santana. "Don't be silly. Just put them on and sleep. We'll wake you up before dinner. Come on kiddo."

Skylar runs over to her mother and gives her a hug before walking near Quinn and Rachel and letting out a squeal when the former picks her up high and she giggles all the way to the living room.

Santana leans back against the bed wondering how this all happened. This morning she was desperately looking for a shelter for herself and her daughter. Her stomach rumbles when she realises she hasn't eaten all day, but she decides to leave it and get under the covers and trust that Quinn and Rachel can take care of Skylar. Within seconds she is asleep, sleeping soundly for the first time in a long time.

Hours later she wakes up from the giggling out in the other room. She stretches her muscles, amazed that for the first time in a long time they didn't ache from shielding Skylar in her sleep. She knows this isn't permanent but her friends are really giving herself and her daughter a chance at living and she wasn't going to ruin it.

Stepping out into the living room, she stops and smiles as the sight. Quinn was cuddled into the back of the couch with ehr arms wrapped around Skylar protectively. In front of them are Rache's socked feet as she lies at the other end of the couch watching the movie. She's the one who sees Santana first and gets up off the couch and directs her to the kitchen.

"How did you sleep?"

Santana smiles. "Amazing, thank you."

Rachel nods. "Quinn and I will gut the room for you tomorrow."

"There is no need..."

Rachel shakes her head. "I use that ellipitical every morning, early every morning. I don't want to wake up Sky or yourself. Don't worry about it. Now eat." Rachel holds out a pot of pasta from the fridge and Santana takes it hesitantly. "Sky mentioned that she doesn't know when the last time you ate was. When I came in to get my phone earlier, your stomach was rumbling. Eat up. Slowly. You don't want to make yourself sick."

Santana takes a bite out of the food and sighs, it was still cold and was a bit stodgy but it was the best food she's had since she moved from Boston, probably even before.

"Thank you Rach. I hope she's not been any trouble."

"God no." Rachel exclaims. "She's delightful Santana. Really. You have done such a good job with her. She's the most polite little girl I've ever met." Santana looks down at her food and blushes, not used to the compliments. "Look I know your not going to ask for help." Santana's head snaps up, looking like she is going to complain. "That room is yours and Skylar's for as long as you need it, okay?"

Santana nods and looks away.

"I will find a job and pay rent to you two. I'm not going to live..."

Rachel interrupts. "Take your time. Firstly, is Skylar in any type of schooling?"

"She's supposed to be in pre-school but... I haven't found the right place for her and she's not too great with other children." She looks down. "Plus things like that cost money, and I can't..."

Rachel nods.

"Do you mind if I talk with my mother?" She asks carefully. "She works at a school in New Jersey and has quite a few ties around New York. If you'd like we could see about getting Skylar into one of them. I'll happily cover the costs for now Santana..." Santana goes to complain. "No. You can pay me back when you're able."

She offers the last bit as she knows this girl in front of her struggles with accepting charity. She watches as Santana looks out at her daughter who is sat giggling with Quinn and turns back to Rachel with a nod.

Santana starts to cry. "Thank you. I wish I could do all of this for her myself. I hate myself for not giving her the life she deserves. What sort of mother am I?"

Rachel steps forward and hesitantly wraps her arms around Santana, ignoring the stench coming off the girl. "Sorry I know I stink."

Rachel nods, knowing it would only insult Santana if she lies right now. "A little but it's nice hugging you. Would be even better if you returned it?" She looks up and chuckles when Santana returns the hug full force, making Rachel's ribs hurt a little. "San, you are an excellent mother. You have tried to find work, you have done everything for that little girl and despite all the shortcomings you have had, she is a smart gorgeous girl. There's nothing more you need to do."

"I can't give her a home Rachel." She explains angrily. "That's the 'more' I want to give her."

"You will in time. For now, you have a home here with me and Quinn."

Santana nods and evil smirk crosses her face.

"Are you sure you and Quinn aren't together?"

Rachel rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "She is very much straight, she has a boyfriend for goodness sake."

Santana laughs. "Debatable. Does that mean you're not straight?"

Rachel eyes shine and she wiggles her eyebrows. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Santana lets out an honest to good laugh and smiles at her friend. She puts the food down on the side not knowing where to put it just yet and nods. "I would."

Rachel sighs and smiles. "I've never been totally straight. I think I fall in love with a person rather than their gender."

"Interesting." Santana says. "So you got any girls lining up?"

Rachel shakes her head.

"I've dated since High School, men and women, but since I've started to get better known, it's not really been easy."

"I know the feeling. When you've got a toddler on your hip it doesn't exactly pull in the girls."

Rachel pouts and looks over at where Quinn and Skylar are sat. "Aww, Skylar is adorable. No woman could be put off by her."

Santana smiles in thanks. "Can we go back to the living room? I'm missing snuggles with my kid."

Rachel nods and they walk back into the living room. Santana at Rachel's insitance takes the spot she was occupying and in seconds Skylar is in her arms. "Mami, I love your fwiends."

Quinn looks over at Rachel with a small smile at this comment.

"That's good baby." She looks down into her eyes. "How do you feel about staying here for a while?"

"Really?" Skylar's eyes widen as she looks around the apartment.

Santana nods. "Quinn & Rachel kindly have offered us the spare room."

Skylar looks over at Rachel and then back to Quinn with a bright smile. She jumps off her mom's lap and into Rachel's, hugging the girl tightly in thanks. Once she is finished she goes back to her mother's arms.

"I think she's happy."

Santana smiles. "Oh yeah." She takes a whiff of her daughter and looks down at her hands. "Guys, do you mind if I give her a bath or a shower? I kind of need one myself as well?" She keeps looking down, embarrassed she has to ask this.

Rachel shakes her head. "You don't have to ask Santana. Your room is where we keep the spare towels. I'll just go get you some." She gets up and disapears into the room.

"Santana." Quinn says, gaining her attention. "This is your home now. You offered me kindness all those years ago, you deserve this."

"Thank you."

Rachel comes out with a large pile of towels and motions for Santana to follow her.

The bathroom fitted in perfectly with the rest of the apartment. It wasn't too large but it had a bath with a shower head over it for them.

"You'll only be sharing this with me. Quinn has her own in her room. I lost the bet when we moved in." Santana smiles. Rachel walks out leaving them to bathe alone. As she begins to take her daughter's clothes off for the bath she kisses her cheek and smiles up at her and notices the frown on her daughters face.

"What's wrong baby?"

Skylar whispers. "How long we stayin here Mami?"

Santana sighs knowing that Skylar hated moving. "Until Mami gets back on her feet baby. Mami's friends are being kind, but we can't stay here forever."

"Why not? I like Q & Rae." Santana's heart warms that she now calls them by the same nicknames she does in her head.

"Because we'll be taking advantage of them."

Skylar frowns. "What that mean?"

"It means we can only stay here a little bit baby. Don't you want a house with just you and Mami in it?"

Skylar shakes her head. "But I want them. They're fun."

Santana smiles. "I'm glad you think so baby girl. Come on." She kisses her cheek. "Do you want a bath or a shower?"

"BATH!" Skylar exclaims happily, they haven't had the chance to have a bath in a very long time.

"Okay then. Let me get the water the correct temperature and we'll have a nice soak."

Dinner

Santana and Skylar walk out of the bathroom an hour later, throughly clean and happy. They have not had a bath in years almost and were relaxed. Once they walk out they smell something amazing and find the dining table is made up and 4 plates sit in front of each seat.

Santana looks over to Quinn who is sat at the head of the table and she motions for them to come sit. Santana is still sat in her pyjamas that Quinn lent her earlier and Skylar was just in her towel as she didn't want to put her back in her dirty clothes.

"I'm going to get some clothes on her." Quinn nods and Santana directs her little girl into 'their room' and rifles through her duffle trying to find something clean for the little girl to wear. It hurts her that she can't find anything and she turns around quickly when she hears footsteps behind her.

Rachel is stood there with a mickey mouse t-shirt in her hand. She bends down and hands it to Skylar who takes it happily. "Rach..."

Rachel shrugs. "I barely wear it anymore. I thought it would work as a nightie for her tonight. Tommorow we can get these clothes of yours washed. Sound good?"

Santana nods and stops herself from crying again. Rachel walks out to give them the privacy and she quickly helps the little girl into the nighty which despite her tall height falls down to her toes. She looks ridiculous, but she seemed happy with the 'dress' she has on.

"I like it Mami."

Santana kisses her cheek and lifts her into her arms with a laugh. "Good. Now come on, lets go see what Rae has made for dinner."

She was almost salvating at the idea of a home cooked meal, she had tried Rachel's cookies back in High School so her food must be devine. She helps Skylar into her seat, smiling when she sees cushions arranged for the girl to be able to eat and then takes a seat in her own. Looking down at her plate she sees a lasange dish which looks amazing.

"It's vegetable lasnage." Quinn explains. "I've managed to get her to eat all meat other than mince. Its still surprinsingly amazing." Quinn explains with a smile. Rachel comes back into the room with a carton of orange juice for them all and pours them a glass.

"You don't still say grace do you when you eat Q?"

"Shut it San." Quinn says shaking her head and blushing.

Santana just laughs. "You know, she once made us say a prayer when we were sat in a Burger King about to eat a doublemeat. I'm glad she's changed." Poor Brittany got confused at why they were doing it everytime.

"I'm still religious, but not to that extent."

Santana takes a bite of her food and moans at the taste. This was the best thing she's tasted in a long time. "Blow on your food mija." She says quickly.

Skylar nods and bends down to blow on her food before she puts it in her mouth. Santana watches the little girl eat like she's never eaten before and her heart warms at the sight. She didn't know how long this was going to last, but she was going to make it up to the girls even if it was only for a few nights.

The Next Day

Santana wakes up with Skylar wrapped in her arms tightly like normal. For a second it takes a while to realise she is not on the cold concrete streets of New York City, but in a warm Soho apartment.

She looks down at her sleeping baby in the comfy double bed and feels content for the first time in a long time. She knew what she had to do today, but first thing first she was going to let her little girl sleep in. Hoping no one else is up, she makes her way out into the living area and stops when she smells coffee.

"Morning sleepyhead." Quinn says with a smile. "How did you sleep?"

"Amazing. Thank you Q." Quinn smiles and pours Santana a cup knowing exactly how she likes it from their high school years. "I was hoping no one would be up. I was going to make you breakfast."

Quinn chuckles and shakes her head. "That one..." She points to Rachel's door. "... managed to get me into such a sleep cycle that I now wake up every morning at 7. Since she's been working on the show however, she sleeps into 11 some days. Is it wrong I hate her for it a little?"

Santana laughs and shakes her head.

"I am still amazed you two are such good friends now." She says quietly. "Especially since the whole Finn debacle during high school."

Quinn nods and takes a drink out of her coffee. "We stayed in contact like every month during my time at Yale." She explains. "She was there for me when I had to transfer and offered me a place to stay. I pretty much crashed on her and Kurt's sofa for a year and then we found this place. They both saved me in my time of need and I owe them everything." She smiles. "Plus she is a fantastic friend to have. I can't believe we missed it in High School."

Santana nods and looks at the door to Rachel's room. "I know. She sure has changed though, she looked really good in that outfit yesterday."

Quinn smirks and takes a sip out of her coffee mug again.

"Checking out Berry there then San?"

Santana blushes and shakes her head quickly.

"I can admire without it meaning anything." She covers up quickly. "But seriously, what changed?"

Quinn holds up her hands. "That happened before I came to New York." She explains. "Once she moved away from Lima and Kurt gave her a makeover she became the new Berry. Have you been seeing anyone over the last few years?"

Santana shakes her head, almost annoyed that she's been asked this question twice now. Why was it important?

"No" She denies. "My life has been Skylar since she was born. I don't want to complicate things."

Quinn thinks for a second. "She seems like she would be fine with another person in your life."

Santana shakes her head again.

"For some reason, the Sky that you and Rachel have met isn't my daughter." She explains with a fond smile. "I usually have to be in eyesight of her at all times and it takes me about a week for her to get comfortable with people. You and Rae managed it in minutes."

"That's because we're awesome."

Santana laughs and nods.

"It's going to take a while to get used to you two being so close and not smacking each other."

Quinn rolls her eyes and looks over at the picture of her and Rachel on the fridge. They were both glaring at each other in the picture, but the bright smiles on their faces gave it away. "We still smack each other from time to time. She pisses me off more than I can ever express but she's my best friend, I love her."

"In that way?"

Quinn spits out her coffee back in her cup at the shock question and shakes her head.

"Why would you say that?" She asks shocked. "I'm completely straight. I have a boyfriend. I know Rach has been with women but, really she has a little bit too much boobs for me."

"You dated Finn..." Santana deadpans and Quinn smirks and lets out a giggle.

"Touche. But no, I love Rach in a platonic way. You have nothing to worry about there." With this, Quinn gets off her seat and goes to the fridge to begin making her lunch for work.

Santana looks confused. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Can I make you some breakfast or anything? Toast?"

"I'd rather wait until Sky is up. Is that OK?"

Quinn nods and knows Santana is still pondering over what she said so leaves her to it for a while. Luckily before she gets back over to her seat, the door to Rachel's room opens and a very exhausted and grumpy Rachel walks into the kitchen area.

"You didn't even have work last night Berry. You have no excuse to be this moody today." Rachel flips her the bird, making Santana realise this isn't the same girl she went to high school with.

"How did you sleep last night San?"

She makes a beeline for the coffee and pours a little bit of milk in it before adding a ton of sugar.

"Wow."

She comments when she sees the amount of sugar that Rachel adds. "I need a boost in the morning. So did you sleep well?"

"Brilliant. That bed is so comfy. Don't be surprised if Sky doesn't get up until midday."

Rachel smiles. "Quinn has work today, so it's just us three until this afternoon when I go to do my show. Do you wanna lazy around the house? Do a bit of laundry?"

Santana smiles and nods.

"That sounds lovely. I was wondering, don't worry if not, but do you happen to have a computer with a printer? I wanted to print some resumes off."

"Of course. Here one second." She takes a sip of her coffee before disapearing into her room and quickly coming back with her MacBook Pro 17". Handing it to Santana the girl smiles over at her friend. "Anything you send to print comes out over there. Use as much as you want. You know you don't need to get a job right now Santana."

"I do. What you girls are doing for me is lovely but I'm can't take it without even helping with rent. I need to do it."

Rachel shrugs. "Ok. Well there's no rush. If you need a babysitter during the day at all, except Tuesday and Thursday afternoons I'm always at home pretty much and am happy to look after Skylar."

Santana looks up at Rachel and smiles honestly, tears start to fill her eyes. "Thank you... that... it means a lot. Thank you."

"Mommy?"

Santana whispers. "Mi cielo." They all turn when they hear a voice from behidn them and within seconds Santana is over there picking up the little girl into her arms as soon as she sees the tears falling down her cheeks. She mentally kicks herself knowing she should have woken her or stayed in bed with her as this was a strange place for the four year old. She holds her tight as the little girl sobs in her arms and berates herself even further. "Mami's sorry baby girl. I didn't think."

"I woke up. You were gone. I thought you gone."

Santana shakes her head and pulls back to look into her daughter's eyes.

"Mommy will never leave you baby. Ever, okay?"

Skylar nods and Santana holds her back in her arms again tightly until she calms down. "Are Rae & Q still here?"

Santana nods and points over to where they're sat and takes her over there. Santana reluctantly pases the little girl to Rachel when she almost demands it. She smiles at the sight though as Rachel looks genuniely happy to see Skylar.

"Hey kiddo. Did you sleep well?

Skylar nods happily and then frowns. "Mami, I need to pee."

Rachel picks her up in her arms before Santana can react and directs her to the toliet. "Rach, are you OK?"

Rachel shrugs and nods. "I helped with Beth when she was Skylar's age. I'm good. Come on kiddo."