Chapter One- If I Ever Did Believe
Brittany Pierce stepped out of her car slowly, hesitating before closing her door. She drew in a deep breath as she looked over the building standing before her. It was pretty, she decided, at least as far as a school was concerned. She'd done her research before landing the job so she knew it was only a small school with a little over 300 students ranging from kindergarten to seventh grade. It was a private school with Catholic practices, and a navy and white uniform to match.
Brittany watched as numerous kids flooded in through the front doors, being fare-welled by parents and greeted by teachers and peers. She followed them slowly, smiling nervously as a few of the students looked up at her curiously.
"Ah, Miss Pierce! Good to see you!"
Brittany smiled at the older woman standing in front of her, recognizing her as the principal and the woman who had interviewed her.
"Hello, Principal Walsh."
"Oh, Jane, please." The woman brushed off the formality, gesturing for Brittany to walk with her. "Now I've had one of the other kindergarten teachers organize your room for you because of the late notice but I can't tell you how happy we all are for you to be teaching her this semester."
Brittany nodded and smiled, listening intently. She honestly hadn't thought she would get the job; this would be her first proper teaching role. However, thanks to the sudden marriage and retirement of one of the regular kindergarten teachers just a week after school started, they were desperate.
"Now all the students and parents know about you and know that you're starting today, but be sure to introduce yourself and don't fret if they don't open up to you right away. Also don't be concerned if there are a few parents who stay around after drop off but make sure that they're gone by 10." Jane waved her hand hurriedly. "Oh, I don't have anything to worry about. You're going to be fine and feel free to ask if you need anything."
With that, Principal Walsh was gone and Brittany was left to take in the room she was standing in.
The classroom was colorful and everything Brittany expected it to be. It was small but comfortable and there were four small tables scattered around the room, each with a seat assigned to a different child. There was a desk towards the front of the room, and a variety of toys, books and pillows were neatly put away.
Brittany dropped her bag down by the desk, taking a seat as she took it all in. She didn't even notice when the first group of students shuffled in excitedly, causing her to jump in surprise.
She smiled kindly at them, and they smiled back nervously, the classroom quickly filling up a few minutes after the first bell rang.
The children shuffled around on the floor, situating themselves in front of Brittany as she stood nervously before them.
"Good morning girls and boys!" Brittany hid her nervousness as she exclaimed happily. "My name is Miss Pierce and I'm your new teacher."
The class responded with the usual, "Good morning, Miss Pierce," each at their own pace.
"I thought we could play a game first, so I can get to know each and every one of you. What do you guys think about that?"
She was met by a round of excitement, the kids each rushing to sit in a circle when Brittany instructed them to do so. She joined them on the floor, listening intently as each child excitedly told her their name and a little about themselves.
The door opened and Brittany, along with fifteen five year olds, looked up to see the new arrival. The young girl blushed furiously but remained standing in the doorway, obviously nervous.
Brittany couldn't stop her mouth from dropping nor could she stop from staring. There was something about this little girl that reminded Brittany of someone; she was so familiar.
Brittany pulled herself together a few seconds later, standing up and walking over to the little girl. She smiled and held out her hand for the girl to shake as she introduced herself. "Hi there. My name is Miss Pierce."
"I'm Charlotte." The little girl, Charlotte, mumbled.
Brittany smiled, squatting down in front of her. "Well it's very nice to meet you, Charlotte. Would you like to come join us in the circle? We're playing a game to help me remember everyone's names."
Charlotte nodded but didn't say anything, hesitating before joining a few girls on one side of the circle.
Brittany watched her a few seconds more before turning her attention back to the class, making a mental note to learn a bit more about Charlotte when she had the chance.
Brittany found herself staring at Charlotte at various times of the day, each time mentally scolding herself for doing so.
She knew why she was doing it. This little girl was basically a clone of Santana. From her long raven hair to her dark skin and eyes. Even her petite body and the feisty attitude she had witnessed Charlotte use with a few of the other students over the day. But Brittany knew it was impossible; Santana didn't have any kids. Even if the last time she had seen her was almost six years ago.
By the time the school day was over, Brittany had almost completely forgotten about her first day jitters. Her mind, as hard as she had tried to stop it, had gone back to her. Back to Santana. And Brittany knew that was going to make for a long night.
Santana Lopez stood outside the school building, leaning up against her car as she waited for school to let out.
"Mama! Mama!"
Santana smiled and knelt down, opening her arms just in time for Charlotte to come barreling in to them.
"Hey, baby girl!" Santana exclaimed with just as much excited as her daughter. "How was your day?"
Charlotte grinned, taking her mom's hand as they slowly made their way back to the car. "Good! We made paintings and did puzzles and Miss Pierce taught us to dance in PE!"
Santana froze at the name. Pierce. Brittany. She shook it off a few seconds later, pasting on a smile and turning her attention back to her daughter. "Really? Did you bring your painting home for me to see?"
Charlotte shook her head, skipping alongside Santana. "Nu uh. Not yet coz they had to dry."
Santana helped Charlotte in to the backseat and buckled her in to her booster seat, smiling and nodding as she listened to the little girl ramble away.
"Are we going to see daddy?"
Santana shook her head, looking back at her daughter through the rearview mirror. "Not today, baby. Daddy has to work on Mondays, remember? You'll see him tomorrow."
Charlotte nodded. "I forgot."
Santana smiled back at her lovingly. "Hey, how about we go to the park on the way home?"
"You don't have to work?"
Santana frowned at the response, mentally hitting herself for spending so much time at work lately. "No, babe, I can work from home."
Charlotte's face lit back up and she nodded excitedly, going back to talking about her day.
She really needed to learn how to cook, Santana thought to herself as she cleared the table. They had eaten mac and cheese for the third time that week and the only way Santana could justify that to herself was because Charlotte had eaten cut up vegetables and fruit for afternoon tea.
"Charlie? Time to get your pajamas on."
When she got no response, Santana went to investigate. Charlotte was still sitting on the couch with her eyes glued to the TV.
"Excuse me, young lady. Did you hear me ask you to get ready for bed?"
Charlotte nodded but her eyes didn't move from the TV. "But they're still dancing!"
Santana turned to the TV to see what Charlotte was watching, not surprised when she saw it was So You Think You Can Dance. Charlotte adored dancing; Santana would often find her prancing around in her room as she tried to mimic the movements she saw on TV.
"You have fifteen more minutes until bed time." Santana knew she shouldn't give in so easily but sometimes it was just easier. "But I want you to get into your pajamas and brush your teeth in the ad breaks, okay?"
Charlotte didn't say anything but nodded absentmindedly and Santana found herself shaking her head as she made her way back to the kitchen.
Sure enough, Charlotte was ready for bed by the time the show had finished although it was much later than her regular bedtime.
"Can you tell me a story?"
Charlotte asked as Santana tucked her covers around her, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"A quick one because it's way past your bed time!"
Charlotte giggled as Santana tickled her, instantly knowing which story she wanted. "Princess Brittany one!"
Santana sighed, regretting once again telling Charlotte that story the first time. It was Charlotte's favorite, and every few nights or so, she would request to hear it.
"Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess called Brittany." Santana started, feeling the same way she did every time she said Brittany's name. "She was the most beautiful, smartest, funniest, kindest princess in the whole wide world. She had beautiful golden hair and her favorite thing to do was dance. When the princess danced, the whole world was lost in her beauty. Everyone loved her." Santana slowed down as she watched Charlotte struggle to stay awake, quickly losing the battle. "But there was one girl who loved her more than anything…"
Santana thanked god that Charlotte always fell asleep a few minutes after she was put down. Since the first time she had told the story, Santana had never had to finish it. To be honest, she didn't know if she could.
"Good night, sweet girl."
Santana whispered, breathing in Charlotte's scent as she placed a kiss to her head.
Santana loved her job, she really did. She had been hired in to a large private firm right out of law school and was currently working her way towards Junior Partner. She didn't, however, love the amount of work that was required.
"Mama?"
Santana looked up from the case notes she was reading, sitting back into the couch and smiling gently at her daughter.
"What are you doing up, baby? It's late."
Charlotte took that as permission to climb up on to Santana's lap, cuddling in close to her mom as she gripped her teddy tightly.
"Mr. Waffles had a bad dream." Charlotte mumbled, referring to her teddy as she fiddled with his bow tie.
Santana hid a smirk, brushing back some of Charlotte's hair. "He did, did he?" At Charlotte's nod, Santana continued. "Did he tell you what it was about?" Another nod. "Can you tell mommy?"
Charlotte ignored the question, reaching up to take off Santana's black-rimmed glasses and placing them on herself. Santana laughed as Charlotte grinned goofily.
"Mama?"
Santana lifted her chin from resting on Charlotte's, making eye contact. "Hmm?"
"Are you coming with me and daddy to visit grandma and grandpa?"
Santana sighed, frowning and gently stroking Charlotte's arm. "No, baby. I told you that."
Charlotte sighed, looking down and fiddling with Santana's top as she mumbled. "But why?"
"You know why, Charlie." Santana sighed; she hated upsetting her daughter. "Mama has to stay here because she has to work."
"But it's the weekend!"
"Charlotte…"' Santana watched as Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "Honey, listen to me." She lifted Charlotte's chin so they were making eye contact. "It's only for two days, okay? You and daddy are going to have so much fun together. You always do."
Charlotte sighed and stuck her thumb in her mouth but didn't say anything. Instead she just curled deeper into Santana. They stayed in silence for a few minutes; Santana simply listening to her daughter breathing.
"Come on, bugaboo." She whispered, standing up and balancing a half-asleep Charlotte in her arms. "Back to bed."
Charlotte curled up the second Santana placed her back in her bed, burrowing her head in her pillow. Santana smiled lovingly as she tucked the covers around her daughter, leaning down to kiss her head.
"I love you, baby."
She whispered before standing back up and leaving the room.
"Charlotte Susan! I swear if you do not get in here this instant I will take away your DS for a week!"
Charlotte tumbled into the kitchen a few seconds later, dropping her backpack on the floor beside her as she sat at the kitchen table and immediately started eating her cereal.
Santana rushed around the kitchen, throwing together her things as she consecutively made Charlotte's lunch.
"Lydia is going to be here soon but I'm going to pick you up after school, okay? Then your dad will pick you up after he finishes work."
Charlotte nodded, her mouth full of cereal. Her face lit up when a middle-aged woman came into view and she bounced excitedly in her seat. "Lydia!"
"Well good morning to you too, Miss Charlotte." Lydia smiled back affectionately, ruffling Charlotte's hair.
"Lydie, Mom said she was going to take away my DS!" Charlotte exclaimed dramatically as Santana rolled her eyes and Lydia tried to hide her smirk.
Lydia, Charlotte's nanny, exchanged a glance with Santana before turning back to Charlotte. "Well I'm sure your mom had a perfectly good reason."
Charlotte began to protest but Santana kissed her head hurriedly, brushing her hair back from her face. "Okay, enough with the 'mom bashing'. Mommy has to go to work. Have a good day at school, baby. I love you. Thanks Lydia!"
Santana was out of the room before she even finished the sentence leaving Charlotte giggling with Lydia in the kitchen.
Santana struggled to concentrate on what her boss was saying as he rambled on and on about finances or government restrictions or something. To be honest, she wasn't really listening. It was half an hour before school let out and Santana knew that if she didn't leave soon, she would be late to pick up Charlotte.
The second the meeting was over, Santana literally ran to her car. She was already late and traffic was always hell between her office and the school.
Charlotte sat on the steps outside the school with her head on her hand, scowling as she watched all the other kids go home with their parents.
"Charlotte?"
Charlotte turned to see Brittany sit down beside her, the teacher smiling kindly. "Is someone coming to pick you up?"
Charlotte nodded, going back to scowling. "My mom but she's late. Again." She mumbled dramatically.
Brittany hid a smirk at Charlotte's attitude, instead shifting to a more comfortable sitting position. "Well how about I sit with you and we can wait for her to get here together?"
Santana sped across town, taking all the short cuts she knew of. She was over half an hour late by the time she pulled up out front of the school and she quickly jumped out of the car.
"Charlie, baby, I am so sorry-"
Santana literally stopped when she looked up. She met the other gaze instantly, both adults frozen. Charlotte, however, barely noticed.
"You're late." Charlotte grumbled from her position on the steps. "Again."
Santana barely heard her, all of her attention on the blonde before her.
"Brittany."