I do not own Glee or any of the original characters. It all belongs to Fox and RIB. Any characters you do not recognise are my own creations.
Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this little story.
R&R please.
Chapter 3
"Mama, wake up." Callie groans when she feels Brittany shaking her shoulder, wishing the girl would decide to wake Arizona instead. "Mama, please wake up." Callie doesn't miss the urgency in Brittany's voice, and this time she allows her eyes to open.
"What's up, baby?" Callie groggily questions, her voice thick with sleep.
"Santana had an accident," Brittany whispers. "She was too scared to wake you up." Callie frowns at this, she doesn't want any of the girls to ever be scared about coming to her. "I helped her change and then put her in my bed," Brittany softly states. "Her bed is too wet."
"Okay, honey," Callie murmurs. "I'll come and get her. You did really well looking after her." Brittany beams at the compliment, but she still shrugs it off.
"I'm the oldest, I gotta look after her."
"You're a good big sister," Callie murmurs tenderly. She slides out of bed and holds the duvet up invitingly, "why don't you climb into bed and lay down with mom for a little while," Callie suggests. "It's still a little early to get up," she adds. Brittany gazes at her mama's vacated spot in bed and shrugs, she is tired.
"Okay, mama," Brittany shrugs. Callie smiles fondly as she tucks Brittany into her bed, watching with soft eyes as Arizona immediately wraps Brittany into her arms. Even in sleep, her wife is so in tune with their girls. It warms her heart. Quietly, Callie makes her way out of the bedroom and walks down the hall to Brittany's bedroom. She's not at all surprised to find Santana curled up and wide awake, and she's even less surprised when she hears the girl sniffle.
"Oh, sweetheart," Callie sighs as she pads across the bedroom, stopping at the edge of the bed and kneeling down to gaze at Santana's tear stained face.
"I'm sorry, mama," Santana whimpers. "I didn't mean to."
"Hey now," Callie coos as she reaches out to wipe the tears from Santana's cheeks with the pad of her thumb, "you don't need to apologize, baby. It was an accident, accidents happen. I'm not mad, and mommy won't be mad either. I promise, pretty girl, it's okay." Callie climbs into Brittany's bed and leans against the headboard, pulling Santana into her arms. Santana lays her head on her mama's chest, crying softly as she clings to the woman.
"Brittany helped," Santana mumbles. "I didn't wanna wake you up," she adds in a timid voice.
"You should have," Callie softly tells her. "Mommy and I would have helped you. We'd never be mad at you for needing our help. You can wake us up any time you need us. I thought you already knew that, baby?" Callie gently kisses the top of Santana's head, smiling at the familiar scent of her strawberry shampoo. "What happened, Santana, did you have a bad dream?" Callie feels Santana stiffen in her arms and she instantly knows that she has hit the nail on the head. "What happened, sweetheart? You can tell mama," she urges her gently.
"Cousin." The short, quiet response is all the explanation that Callie needs, and she forces herself to keep her anger at bay. Santana needs her mama to comfort her right now, and being angry at the girl's cousin won't comfort her, it'll just make the girl focus on the anger in her dream.
"Listen to me, my beautiful girl," Callie begins, her tone soft and gentle. "I know that when you were a little girl, the first time around, your cousin was awful to you and hurt you, but that's never going to happen to you again. Mommy, your sisters, and I will never, ever let anyone hurt you. He was a mean bully, who should never have done any of those things to you. You did not deserve anything that he did to you."
"I don't like remembering it," Santana whispers as she snuggles closer to her mama.
"I know, sweetheart," Callie murmurs, rubbing Santana's back. "Mama wishes you didn't have dreams about it. I wish I could stop them from happening. All mama can do it try to make you feel better afterwards."
"You're good at it, mama," Santana says softly as she plays with a loose thread on Callie's pajamas. "You make me feel special."
"That's because you are special, my girl," Callie tells her. "You and your sisters are very special to your mommy and I." Santana lifts her head and grins crookedly. "And you, beautiful girl, are protected by all of us. We're a family now, that means we all look out for each other. You are safe here, and you always will be. I promise you."
I know, mama," Santana nods, "my bad dreams are just scary," she adds timidly.
"I know, sweetheart," Callie presses another kiss to Santana's head, "and someday those dreams will stop. I want you to promise me something, though. The next time you have a bad dream, I want you to come to me or mommy. Can you do that?"
"Uh huh," Santana murmurs, and Callie isn't convinced. She sighs softly,
"mommy and I won't judge you, baby girl," Callie swears. "We don't like it when you're scared or sad, and it's our job to make you feel better. I don't want you to feel scared or sad all by yourself. So, no matter what, you come and get us the next time this happens, okay?"
"Okay, mama," Santana nods. "Can I have french toast?" Callie chuckles lightly at Santana's sudden change in demeanor.
"Absolutely. I will make you all the french toast you want," Callie nods.
"Can I wake Rachel up?" Callie's eyebrows almost disappear into her hairline, but she schools her features in record time.
"Okay, but do it nicely," Callie replies, a little uncertain about Santana's request. Santana loves Rachel, and vice versa, but it's usually Quinn that receives most of Santana's attention. Callie watches as Santana scoots towards the edge of the bed and slides off, still feeling a little confused about the sudden turn of events. Sliding off the bed too, Callie silently follows Santana out of Brittany's bedroom and stands in the doorway of Rachel's bedroom. A soft smile spreads across her lips as she watches Santana gently shake Rachel awake, the girl's voice so soft that Callie can't hear what she is saying.
"Santana?" Rachel groggily questions. "What is it?" Callie watches, intrigued, as Santana whispers into Rachel's ear, and she is surprised to see that Rachel all but drags Rachel into bed with her. Callie watches them whisper to each other and realisation hits her. Of course! All of their girls have suffered rejection of some sort, but Rachel and Santana have a little more in common with each other. Rachel had been abandoned for growing up, for not being that tiny girl her parents had adopted. Santana had been bullied and degraded by a family member because she was smaller and vulnerable. Both of their issues had stemmed from the same reason, something they could not control, their size and age. As much as they fight, they also have a lot in common... something to bond over, and something to help each other with.
Her heart swells as she watches them talk quietly, adoring the fact that Rachel is using her past experiences to help her little sister. It's the first time she has noticed just how strong their bond is, and she is glad that she gets to watch this moment.
"We have a better family now," Callie hears Rachel murmur, the older girl speaking in a reassuring tone that Callie has never heard from her before, "and you have three big sisters who will look after you. Brittany wouldn't let anything happen to us, and neither would mommy or mama," Rachel promises. "No matter how much you bug me," Rachel teasingly adds. Santana looks positively outraged at that.
"I'm not a bug!" the little one exclaims loudly, and Callie has to bite down on her bottom lip to stop herself from laughing at Santana's mistake.
"I didn't say you were a bug," Rachel giggles. "I said you sometimes bug me." Santana doesn't look at all convinced, but she drops it. Callie smiles. She knows Santana is enjoying cuddling with her sister too much to start an argument, even if Santana won't admit it.
"Good morning, angel," Callie smiles when she sees that Rachel has finally noticed her presence.
"Morning, mama," Rachel grins.
"You girls ready for some breakfast?" Callie asks, rolling her eyes when Santana all but throws herself off of Rachel's bed. She catches the girl's arm as Santana attempts to sprint past her, "no running," Callie states simply, sending Santana on her way again with a maternal pat to her backside. Callie crosses the room as Rachel climbs out of bed, and she pulls her into a hug. "Good girl," Callie murmurs, kissing Rachel's cheek. "You did such a good job with your sister."
"I didn't want her to be sad," Rachel shrugs, and Callie isn't surprised that she is trying to play it down.
"Well, you sure helped her," Callie smiles. "I know she's a pain in the butt sometimes, but I'm very proud of you for being such a good sister."
"It's what family does, mama."
0-00-0
Arizona glances behind her as she pushes the cart through the grocery store, rolling her eyes when she doesn't spot Brittany. As much as she loves that Brittany likes coming shopping with her, it does start to get a little irritating when they girl constantly disappears. It's nice that young Brittany, at age twelve, is comfortable being her little self outside of their home. The other girls don't, and Arizona can understand that. There are a lot of judgemental people in the world. It's not easy to tell that Brittany is in her twelve year old state of mind, especially for an outsider, but the other girls are younger and easier to spot. If they're not comfortable, then she won't push them.
Coming to a stop, Arizona waits in the frozen foods aisle and waits for Brittany to reappear again. Arizona learned early on that it's easier to just wait for Brittany rather than moving around the store to find her. It's quicker this way.
"Mom!" Arizona shakes her head in amusement when she hears Brittany's voice, the girl rushing over to her a few seconds later with one hand behind her back. Arizona raises her brows in question,
"what have you got there, Britt?" she asks. Brittany gives her a timid smile,
"please don't say no," Brittany pleads. "I really, really want it."
"Well," Arizona begins, "first of all, you would like it," she corrects Brittany. "Second of all, I can't give you answer until I see it," Arizona states with a kind smile. Arizona knows she will probably say yes, just as long as it isn't too expensive, because if she buys Brittany something... she needs to buy the other three girls something, too. The last thing Arizona, or Callie, wants is for any of their girls to feel left out, especially at the hands of she and Callie.
"It's cool, isn't it?" Arizona gazes down at the book in Brittany's hand, and it takes her a few seconds to realize that it's a medical book. She doesn't really know what to say. One one hand, she adores the fact that Brittany has taken an interest in her and Callie's careers, but on the other hand, she doesn't know if the book would be suitable for a twelve year old or not.
"It's definitely cool," Arizona agrees. She takes the book from Brittany and flips through the pages, her blue eyes narrowed. "I would like to read it first, just to check that it's okay for you to read," Arizona tells her, hating to see disappointment on her little one's face. "I'm just worried that it's a little grown up for you," she adds, remembering some of the graphic medical books she had read in the past. "While I'm reading this, I have a couple books at home that you can read."
"Alright," Brittany nods, a smile finally replacing her disappointed frown. "That's cool," she agrees easily." Arizona smiles.
"Great!" Arizona places the book into her cart and begins pushing it down the aisle again, "stay beside me, honey," Arizona tells the girl. "I'm almost finished, and I don't want to hang around waiting for you." Brittany softly huffs, but doesn't vocalise her complaint, merely falling into step with her mom instead.
Arizona makes quick work of grabbing the last couple of items on her list, whilst skillfully avoiding the electronics aisle, and leads Brittany towards the check-outs. She doesn't want to waste anymore of her day in the store, especially since she has an overnight shift at the hospital later. Arizona just wants to get home and spend a few hours with her wife and their girls, before grabbing a few hours of sleep.
"Mom, your phone is ringing," Brittany tells her as they begin to stack their groceries on the counter. Arizona checks that they still have a little more time before the customer in front of them is finished, before fishing her cell phone out of her purse. It's Callie's name flashing on the screen, but that doesn't actually mean that her wife is calling her.
"Hello?" Arizona smiles fondly when she hears the small voice on the other end. "Hey, Q bear, whatcha doing with mama's cell phone?" Arizona listens intently, the smile never leaving her lips, "well of course I remembered ice-cream!" Arizona animatedly states, not missing the fact that Brittany violently rolls her eyes. "Yes, sweetheart, we'll be home soon," Arizona promises Quinn. "We're just about to pay, and then we'll be coming straight home." Arizona grins as she listens to her little one tell her all about the adventures she had, had since her mommy and Brittany left. "Alright, baby, I love you too."
"Can't she just ask you about ice-cream when we get back?" Brittany asks as Arizona slides her cell phone back into her purse.
"She's six, Brittany," Arizona gently chides. "Ice-cream is a huge deal," she jokingly adds. "If forgotten ice-cream is something that she worries about, then it's as simple as that," Arizona shrugs. "There's no harm in her calling to remind us," she says, reaching out to brush Brittany's hair away from her face. "I know you like coming with me to get groceries because it means we get some time alone, but one little phone call doesn't ruin that, does it?"
"No," Brittany sighs, "I guess not." Arizona teasingly chuks her under the chin and winks,
"that's my girl."
It doesn't take long for it to be their turn and Brittany frowns when Arizona refuses the help of a bagger. She does it every week, but Brittany still feels dismayed every single time. Arizona prefers that she and Brittany pack the groceries themselves. The girls don't do a whole lot of chores, so Arizona doesn't see any harm in getting the girls to help them with simple tasks. Even if the girls don't like it. They wanted to give them a chance at a normal childhood and helping out is a normal part of childhood.
"Can I push it, mom?" Brittany asks as they walk out of the grocery store.
"I think it's best if I push it, honey," Arizona states in a careful tone. "You lost control of it last time, and that gentleman wasn't very happy about you breaking his wing mirror," she explains, only just managing to hide her amused smirk. It was pretty funny when it happened, but Arizona doesn't want Brittany to know that she thinks that.
"Please, mom?"
"No, Brittany," Arizona says, her voice a little firmer. "The car is right there, anyway. Come on, we'll get this stuff packed into the car and we'll head home for some lunch." Arizona can tell, just by looking at her, that Brittany wants to argue, but she is pleased when no argument actually comes. She leads their oldest girl to the car and offers Brittany a smile when she immediately helps her to put the groceries in the trunk.
"Can I have one of these just now, mom?" Arizona glances across at the apples in Brittany's hand.
"Of course, babe," Arizona smiles. One thing they never had to force on Brittany? Healthy food. And they love that. "Why don't you get into the car and I'll take the cart back," Arizona suggests.
"Front seat?" Brittany questions with an angelic smile, causing Arizona to roll her eyes.
"Sure. Hop in," Arizona nods, gesturing towards the car door. "I'll be right back." Arizona walks across the parking lot, pushing the empty cart, and she smiles to herself. She sometimes can't quite believe their luck, and even something as simple as buying groceries with one of their girls makes her heart swell with happiness. Pushing the cart into the correct place, Arizona makes her way back to the car and shakes her head in amusement when she hears music blasting from her car.
"Is it too loud?" Brittany asks as Arizona climbs into the car. Truth be told, it actually is a little loud for her liking, but Arizona can't resist the smile on Brittany's face. It's sometimes really hard to say no to their girls, and Arizona sometimes lets them have their own way when it's something trivial. Something that occasionally irks Callie.
"No, honey, it's fine," Arizona smiles. She starts the car and attempts to block out the pounding music as she guides the car out of the parking lot. Arizona notices out of the corner of her eye that Brittany has already demolished the apple, and she's glad. It's sometimes hard to get the other girls to have a healthy snack, especially Santana and her addiction to candy and chips. It's an ongoing battle.
"Mom?" Brittany turns the music down for a moment.
"Yeah, babe?"
"I bet Santana is in the corner when we get back."
0-00-0
Arizona isn't all that surprised when they return home to find that Brittany had been wrong. Santana hadn't earned herself a trip to the corner. Arizona had kinda guessed that she wouldn't. Santana had been napping when they left, but Callie had filled Arizona in on the events of this morning. It makes her heart ache to to think about any of their girls being hurt in the past, and it's even worse to think about how it still hurts them to this day. Arizona can't imagine how awful is must have been for Santana to be forced, by her subconscious, to relive those bad memories.
"Mommy?" Quinn's voice shakes Arizona out of her thoughts and she gazes at the girl that is suddenly standing in front of her.
"Hey there, baby girl," Arizona smiles, pressing a soft kiss to Quinn's forehead. "What are you doing out here?"
"Why are you just standing in the garage, mommy?" Quinn asks, ignoring Arizona's question.
"I was going to bring the groceries inside," Arizona tells her, before she notices that the trunk is empty after Brittany had already taken everything inside. She shrugs, "mommy got a little lost in her thoughts, I guess." Quinn scrunches her nose up and giggles adorably,
"you're silly, mommy." Arizona chuckles lightly and accepts the hug her little girl suddenly offers her. "Can I change please?" Arizona pulls out of the hug and holds Quinn at arms lenth, her hands on Quinn's shoulders.
"Why do you wanna get changed, sweetie?"
"It's dirty," Quinn mumbles as she points towards the bottom of her summer dress. Arizona's gaze travels down until it lands on a very small grass stain.
"That's okay, Q bear," Arizona shrugs. "We're just in the house, a little grass stain is okay. It'll come out," she kindly states. She knows what's coming, but Arizona is praying that she can hold it off.
"But it's dirty, mommy. It's not perfect," Quinn whispers, her hazel eyes brimming with unshed tears. In that moment, Arizona hates the Fabrays. As messed up as their family life had been, they had been sure to put on a facade to the outside world. They were, to outsiders, this perfect christian family that did everything right and made no mistakes. They were always presentable, always...perfect. Arizona's eyes are sad as she gazes at the six year old. No six year old should be worrying about grass stains on their clothes.
"Quinn, sweetheart, look at mommy," Arizona states in a soft tone, using her finger to gently tip Quinn's chin upwards. She smiles tenderly when sad, hazel eyes stare into her blue ones. "You are perfect. To mama and I, you and your sisters are the most perfect girls in the whole world," Arizona murmurs sincerely.
"Really?" Quinn quietly questions, vulnerability extremely visible in her voice and on her features.
"Really," Arizona nods. She takes Quinn's hands into her own and gazes at her girl, carefully studying her. "Have you ever heard anyone say that a person is perfect in their imperfections?" she asks the girl. Quinn looks confused,
"no, mommy," Quinn shakes her head. "What does it mean?"
"Well, sweetheart," Arizona begins. "It pretty much means that everyone has little flaws." Quinn frowns and opens her mouth to speak, "let me finish, Q bear. Every single person in the world has little flaws, and that's okay. Flaws and qualities are what makes up a person's personality...it makes them who they are. A person can be messy, or can cop an attitude with their mommy and mama," Arizona taps the tip of Quinn's nose with her finger and winks at her. "But they can also be sweet, and kind, and very, very lovable," Arizona states kindly. A person is who they are because of their little imperfections, too. Not just because of their qualities. They're perfect because they're not perfect, do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"I think so," Quinn slowly says. "I'm perfect to you and mama because I have little flaws, too?"
"Yeah," Arizona grins. "Everyone has them, including me and your mama," she tells her. "Mama and I love you, because of who you are. You're funny, and beautiful, and kind, and you're sweet and we love that. You can be messy, and you can be naughty, and you sometimes get your clothes dirty, but we love that, too," Arizona passionately says as she moves her hands to cup Quinn's face. "Clothes can be washed, naughty behaviour can be punished, and messes can be cleaned up, but you...you can't be replaced. We love you with all of our hearts. Mama and I don't want you to worry about getting your clothes dirty, or not being perfect, because you are perfect. Everything that makes you you is perfect to us." Arizona blinks back sudden tears when Quinn launches herself into her arms, the girl holding onto her mommy as though she'd fall off the earth if she didn't.
"I love you, mommy," Quinn mumbles into Arizona's neck.
"I know, baby. Mommy loves you, too. So, so much," Arizona tenderly murmurs, rubbing Quinn's back. They stay like that, in each others arms, for several moments. Quinn feels more comforted than she has ever felt in her life, and it eases old insecurities. Arizona prays that Quinn believes everything she has told her, but she knows she and Callie will remind her of this at every opportunity if she doesn't. Hell, they'll remind her of it all the time even if she does already believe it.
"Mommy?" Quinn asks after another moment.
"Yeah, baby?"
"I'm hungry." Arizona chuckles lightly and kisses Quinn's temple.
"Well, I guess I better feed you, huh?" Arizona teases her as she pulls out of the hug, but leaves one arm wrapped around Quinn's waist.
"Yes please," Quinn nods seriously.
"Alright, sweet girl, let's go get some food." Arizona leads Quinn through the house, her arm still around her as the girl leans into her side. Her and Callie's girls may have insecurities because of their old families, but they are more than happy to ensure they spend their time letting the girls know how special they are to them. It's their job to raise them all over again, and to love them, and take care of them...and they will do that. They will help their girls make the most of their fresh start, and they will love them harder than they have ever been loved.
They walk into the kitchen together, and Arizona immediately frowns when she sees Santana. The girl is straddling Callie's lap and her head is laying on her mama's shoulder, and a devastating pout is fixed on her lips. Santana looks exhausted and sad, and Callie doesn't look much better.
"Go sit at the table, I'll get you some food in a minute," Arizona murmurs to Quinn, sending the girl towards the table with a maternal pat to her behind. Arizona greets Rachel with a kiss to her forehead and a playful poke to the ribs, "hey there, pretty girl," Arizona smiles. "Whatcha doing?"
"Nothing anymore," Rachel shrugs. "I helped Brittany put the groceries away, though." Arizona smiles, knowing what Rachel is hinting at.
"I will put a sticker on the chart for you," Arizona reassures her. "Where'd Brittany go?"
"Bathroom, I think," Rachel tells her. Arizona nods, making a mental note to also give Brittany a sticker, too.
"Santana's sad," Rachel whispers to her mom, her features showing Arizona just how much it upsets her to see her sister suffer.
"I thought mama helped her feel better?" Arizona questions, glancing over her shoulder at Callie and Santana.
"She woke up crying from her nap," Rachel explains. "Now she's too scared to go back to sleep. I tried to help, mommy, but..."
"It's okay, it's okay," Arizona coos, wrapping her arms around Rachel. "I know you tried," she reassures Rachel as she senses that there's going to be tears from another one of their girls today. "You did a great job this morning, honey. Mama told me all about it. Sometimes, people can't be cheered up until they're ready. It doesn't mean you're not doing a great job."
"Okay, mommy," Rachel whispers.
"Why don't you go sit with your mama and sisters, okay? Sometimes just being there is the best thing to do." Arizona leads Rachel towards the table and ushers her into the seat on the other side of Callie, whilst she kneels down next to the other side and places her hand on Santana's thigh. "You're safe, sweetheart. We're all right here." Santana keeps her head buried in Callie's neck, refusing to even look at her mommy. Arizona doesn't take it personally, though. Sometimes little girls just want their mamas, there'll be plenty of other times that Santana will only settle for her mommy, too.
"Everything okay?" Callie softly questions, jerking her head towards Quinn. She had easily noticed the dried tear tracks on their girl's face when she walked into the room.
"I'll explain later," Arizona murmurs. She and Callie exchange a sad look. They're going to have a rough day.
To be continued... There will be one more chapter to this story. It will be posted next week. Please review.
