Way Back Into Love
A/N:
Holla 2nd chapter's here. Enjoy!
To those people who helped me with this; Thank You to xSantana And Brittany Are My Lifex , miss zwei123 and my bestie for correcting the errors and stuff.
Chapter 2
Paris. There's no other place in the world I would want to spend my little escapade but here. I've been here for how many times, it will always be my guilty pleasure, taking my vacation here. I've been here with Quinn and Rachel before, that was my first visit here, after that I've always go here if I can't take any more pressure from different stuff that gives me stress. I prefer going here alone because the beauty of this place divert my attention helps me forget my problems for the mean time. My adventures during the day and night are always the best.
Living here in Paris was always one of my crazy dreams. Obviously I end up living in L.A for some sentimental reasons. First, it's where my best friends are living and definitely helps suck life a little better. Second, the building where my restaurant called Fancy located was given by my father after he passed away. Something about sentimental value that's why it stayed with me. I'm glad that even though I don't have any plans or goal before I've become successful in my chosen field. I didn't chose dance as major before but it was definitely a bonus that I have my own dance studio right now. Everything in my life sounds so successful in spite I feel incomplete.
I hate it that my heart can't voluntarily stop loving her. After the break-up I've been in a several failed relationship. It feels like nothing fits. Until one day I'm already exhausted searching for that someone who will make me feels complete. I just hope that someday, my heart will stop being stubborn and accept someone who will come into my life and make me feel special.
If that day will come, I hope I'll meet her here, at the city of love. That will be so romantic and we will live here together and have our own family. What? Silly dreams also do come true.
My vacation here really helped me think straight. Helps me realize that every problem that meets me halfway, I will always find a solution. All I have to do is be patient and strong at the same time. I already cleared my mind. I can do it, I am ready to come back and face the reality. I can make it through. Ready to be hurt and accept everything that will come my way.
It will be my last day here at Paris as I walk and appreciate the things I see on my way back to the hotel. I smile at myself having this positivity fill up my body.
"Excuse me Miss Pierce, you have a several calls from your assistant in L.A since this morning. I can help you call her back now if you want" The front desk lady said nervously. I wonder why on earth my assistant urgently calls me knowing I'll be coming back tomorrow.
"Yes please. And thank you." I smiled.
As I wait for her to pick up the phone I still wonder why she has to call me.
"Hello Sophie! What's wrong? Didn't you know that I'm coming back tomorrow? Why do you have to call me now, don't tell me my restaurant now is being eaten by fire or what?" I asked annoyed and worried.
"No Miss P, but you have to fly back now something happened at Berry-Fabray's. I already booked you a flight tonight at 8p.m. Someone named Santana Lopez instruct me to call you and she said that she will be the one to explains what happened when you're already here." She answered nervously.
"Sophie! Can you tell me what's wrong with Quinn and Rachel?" I almost yell at her. I had this feeling that there is something big that happened out there. I'm starting to worry so much for Quinn and Rachel and Kate.
"I'm sorry but Miss Lopez did not tell me anything. She just said that it was an emergency and they need you right away."
"Okay. Just call and tell them that I'm going back tonight"
I hurriedly went to my room and packed my things. I almost run my way to the airport. I'm really worried right now; I just hope it was not that big.
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After a long hour of travel I finally landed. I didn't expect Santana will be there waiting for me. God! She's still as gorgeous as before. I stared at her appreciating every part of her body. I managed to look away when I saw her coming nearer. I don't want her to notice that I'm staring.
As she makes her way towards me I study her feature again. I felt a lump on my throat as I gulp. Something is wrong, absolutely. She gently takes off her sun glasses and I can see her eyes are puffed and reddish like she has been crying for hours.
"Are you okay? What's wrong San" I asked her as she hugs me tightly. As much as I love her hugs I'm starting panic because I still don't know what is happening. First I have to come back earlier than expected then now San is here to fetch me up eyes swollen and hugging me tightly.
"Britt.. Quinn.. and.. Rachel" she said between hiccups. She's trying to stop herself from choking up.
"San calm down please I don't understand."
"They're.. Quinn.. Accicent.." She sobs and her never-ending tears are starting to fall again. She hugs me even tighter.
"Where are Quinn and Rachel? Is there a problem? Is it about Kate?" now I'm the one who can't calm down. "San talk to me.." I said as I pull her towards a near-by bench. I took out a bottle of water from my bag and give it to her "Drink this and calm down San."
Couple of minutes passed by after she gathered herself again and able to stop from crying. She's holding my hands while looking at my eyes directly. I feel bad looking back seeing those eyes full of misery.
"Britt.. Quinn and Rachel were in a car accident yesterday. They're gone Britt.." she said trying to explain everything and stop herself from another round of crying.
"Britt they're gone.." she said again shaking my hands. It's like I've been kick somewhere and don't know what to do. I'm trying to process everything she's saying. I'm trying really hard but why can't I move? I can't feel myself. 'They're gone' those awful words keep on repeating in my head. I can't let go. I feel myself starting to tear-up but I can't still move.
"Britt.." Santana tried to pull me out of my thoughts. "Britt.." she hugs me again crying.
How could things like this happen? How cruel can life be? They are the nicest people I know, why them? I keep on asking myself. They are my best friends… my sisters… now they're gone. Kate…
"Kate…" I repeat and said it out loud. "Where's Kate?" I asked.
"She's safe Britt, the Doctors said that it was a miracle that nothing happen to her, even scars, she doesn't have it. She's in the hands of Social Service now" she said softly.
"Social Service? No! Where is she? I'm going to get her" I said a little bit loud or more like yelled which surprises Santana.
"Calm down Britt! They are still trying to observe Kate right now, the doctors called me earlier this morning we can see her around 5pm and will talk to us about her situation." She said holding my hand trying to calm me down. "Let's get out of here, Mr. Collins, their family lawyer called me also he wanted to talk to both of us."
"Okay…" I mumble and let her lead me to her car.
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The whole car ride to Quinn and Rachel's was in complete comfortable silence. Once in a while Santana will glance at me checking if I'm okay. I know she's also stressing out right now. She's the first one to receive the news after all. I'm trying to think straight about this situation. Quinn and Rachel need me… Kate needs me… I have to be strong. This time they're the one who needs help even if they are not around anymore. They will never be. It breaks my heart that Kate has to experience this, she's so young. I want to see her badly, hug her and tell everything will be alright that she doesn't have to worry. She still has me.
I glance out the window and notice that we are already at Quinn and Rachel's. I carefully look at it, imagining how happy they we're when they bought the house. I was with them decorating the house, buying everything they needed. Every step of their marriage I was with them. I start to tear up when I'm about to open the door. They won't be there anymore yelling 'Britt just come in, were in the kitchen' or 'Britt you're in time for dinner'. Reminiscing the times I'm with them makes my knees go weak. I sob holding one of the photos that were placed on the hallway table. It was taken when they brought Kate home for the first time from hospital. They were both so happy back then knowing it's the start of their adventure as a family.
I cried until someone hugs me. I saw Santana crying and looking at the same photo. We settled in the couch she hugs me still while I rest my head on the crook of her neck. She kissed my forehead telling me that everything will be fine. I was so exhausted from all the crying I didn't notice that I fall into a deep sleep around Santana's arms.
It wasn't long until we heard someone buzz the doorbell.
"I think that's Mr. Collins, I'll get it wait for us at the dining area" Santana said motioning me to proceed in the said area.
"Okay…" I get up rubbing my eyes trying to clear my vision.
I'm nervous at what Mr. Collins about to tell, it might be about Kate. That poor angel, she doesn't have anyone to go with. Mr. and Mrs. Fabray threw out Quinn a long time ago and they never kept in touch. I doubt if they knew anything about Kate while her Granpa Berry's passed away few years ago. I want to get her. I can take care of her as I promised to her parents.
"Ladies, I called both of you here to discuss the Berry-Fabray's Last Will and Testament." He carefully said handling both of us a folder. "It is stated here that they both chose you to be the Foster Parents of their daughter."
"Excuse me?" Santana questioned him "they chose us? Both of us? Are you sure?" she said standing up snatching the folder out of the lawyer's hand trying to read it clearly.
"Santana calmed down… Let him finish what he's about to say" I said looking at her holding her hand to calm her. Surprisingly, it did.
"Fine." She scoffed.
"Well, they also left this house to both of you." he said pointing us both "But if there is any problem regarding the will we can work it through the court and let them decide about the alternatives. If you need to know about the rest of the will you can read the folder I've given. It is all stated there." He continue to discuss everything that needed to be emphasize on the will.
"Thank you Mr. Collins." I said shaking her hands in respect "Can we call you tomorrow, we will just discuss everything privately."
"Sure Ms. Pierce. Thank you for your time. Both of you." He said before he left.
I sat quietly as I think of any solution to this. I don't understand why Santana reacted that way. Doesn't she want Kate? Maybe she was shocked. I am glad that Quinn and Rachel chose me to take care of Kate. I love that kid as I love her parents. What I don't understand is that they chose Santana and me. Whatever decision Santana make, all I know is that I will get Kate.
"Britt… I didn't mean to react that way" finally I thought "I love Quinn and Berry so much but I don't think I can handle taking care of their child. I don't have any idea how to do it Brittany. I'm scared that I will disappoint them." She continued worriedly.
"Does it look like I know how to work those things too San?" I asked softly trying to stop myself from bursting out. "I know you are shocked about the situation. You know what I can handle it myself. I love Kate as much as I love Quinn and Rachel. I don't have a heart to let other people get her. Just help me to get her. Help me get the custody." I said a little louder. She was taken aback at my burst.
"I'm sorry Britt it's just everything is blur right now, I don't know what to do, anxious of all the things that is happening…" she said sitting in front me "I promise I will help with everything Kate needs. We will love her the way Quinn and Rach loved her"
"Thank you Santana. We will figure how things will work. Its quarter to five we should get going, we have appointment at the Social Service Centre right?" I said glancing at the clock.
"Britt.." Before I could reach the door I heard her call my name. Spinning around to face her I was crashed into her bone crushing hug "Thank you for your patience. We're in this together. For Quinn and Rachel. For Kate. We can do this." I shivered when she whispered those words into my ear.
"Right. For Quinn, Rachel and Kate." I whispered too.
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We arrived at the Social Service Centre not long ago and welcomed warmly by Ms. Gates.
"I guess you are Ms. Pierce and Ms. Lopez and you are here for Katherine Berry-Fabray." Ms. Gates asked to make sure.
"Yes, I'm Santana Lopez, and she is Brittany Pierce." They shake hands "I'm sorry but we are eager to see Kate again. We would like to know how she is. Can we see her before we discuss things out?"
"Of course, follow me." She said motioning us to follow her. We end up on the last room in the hallway. As I glance in the window we can see Kate sleeping soundly in her mini bed.
"She has been crying for hours last night and barely slept. Pyschologically, she's aware that her parent's comfort she used to have is not around." She said calmly.
I can't help to tear up. If only I was there earlier I could've been there to comfort her, to grieve with her. I felt a soft arm snaked around my waist. I turn around to see Santana with an assuring smile like telling me that we're in this together. I move back to rest my head on her shoulder trying to savour the comfort she's giving.
"Thank you." I mumble.
"I know you two are both tired we should get going on the discussion the sooner we finished the the sooner you can get that little angel out of here." Ms. Gates said.
We settled in her office. She discussed some series of actions we should take if some unusual things happen to Kate. She said that it may occur because of the traumatic experience she had. She advise us that we should be more patient in dealing with her needs by cause of we haven't any experiences on talking care of a child. I did baby sat Kate before but it wasn't that long to learn and understand her needs and everything's different now. She also explained that someone will visit us for updates and to know if we are really fit to be her foster parents. And for the legal actions Santana take charge. I look at her and see that she is discussing it carefully to Ms. Gates. She is a lawyer, hella famous lawyer in New York, that's why I don't worry too much in that aspect. After everything was discussed we went back to the room where Kate was. She is now awake and playing with a toy piano. I carefully walk towards her trying not to scare or surprise her too much.
"Hey Kate…" I cooed to call her attention.
"Beeeeee!" she exclaimed. She eagerly stuck both of her arms signalling that she wanted me to lift her.
"How are you baby girl?" Santana cooed rubbing Kate's back for comfort. It seems that she doesn't remember Santana because she quickly hugs me tight trying to hide her head in the crook of my neck.
"Katie that's Aunt San remember? Look, she's with us when we celebrated your birthday baby." I said trying to explain. She slowly looks at San trying to remember who she was.
"Katie-Kate, I'm Aunt Santana baby" she cooed and tickles her feet. Kate let go soft giggles at the action. Santana try to plunk her hands out signalling she wanted to lift Kate too and without hesitation she obliged.
"You can freely take her home already. Everything is done now. We will visit you at the end of the month." Ms. Gates reminds us as she led the way to the parking area. It's just perfect that we bought a car seat when we're on our way to the Centre. Santana gently positioned Kate before we said our goodbyes to Ms. Gates.
I pulled out my iPod and shuffle it to Kate's playlist. I have it because whenever I baby sat her before and I drive, I let it play on background to turn her attention to something else. She loves it when I sing along well, she's Rachel's daughter after all it's not that shocking. Santana notice it and she smiled letting me know it's okay. The 'Incy Wincy Spider' plays on background as we hear Kate giggle at the back. It soothes me a little to see her smile like that. I don't want her to get stress to the situation we're in.
We still have a long way to go before everything's gonna be okay. I'm glad that Santana stayed with me to help me get through this. We should cooperate with each other for Kate's sake and forgot about our personal issues for the mean time.
