A/N Future AU, established Quinntana, Quinn is a widow, Santana is single when they hook back up. Both have children when they decide to move in together and become one big family. Quinn is a strict mom but she does not believe in spanking. Santana is also strict but she does spank her kids. This causes trouble in their relationship and with the kids.
Based on a prompt from NayaFan.
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Chapter 7
Santana drove as fast as she was safely able. She needed to see her kids. Looking quickly in the rearview mirror, she saw the three girls all huddled together like little baby kittens, sleeping soundly. It was a sight that warmed her heart. These three had at least bonded. Now they just had to get Beth and Santiago on board with the rest of the family.
She stole a glance over at Quinn. She had her eyes closed, but the Latina could tell she wasn't sleeping. The brunette thought back over their roadside talk. She was glad they had worked out some of the argument. She was unsure what to do about Tigo. Now that she knew he was safe and alive, she wanted to kill him. She felt the same about Beth.
Quinn and the kids were the most important things in her life now. She was going to try her best to keep them all together.
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It was after 1:00 o'clock in the morning by the time they arrived at the hospital, "Quinn," She spoke softly, "we're here baby."
The blonde sat up, and rubbed her eyes, "I can't believe I fell asleep. Oh honey, I'm so sorry I made you stay awake and do all the driving."
The brunette smiled, "It's ok, I wasn't tired at all. What are we going to do about the munchkins in the back seat? I guess we didn't really think this part out very well."
Quinn looked in the back seat, "I have a suggestion. Why don't you tell me what you think? We find a hotel close by, and we get the kids settled in. One of us stays at the hotel with them, and one of us comes to stay at the hospital with Beth and Tigo."
Santana looked up at the hospital. Then in the rearview mirror again at the sleeping girls. Then back at her fiancé, "I hate the idea, but it's the only one that makes sense. Go in and stay with the Beth and Tigo. I'll find a hotel, and get the girls settled. I'll be back with the munchkins in the morning."
"Are you sure honey? You can go up, and I'll go back to the hotel if you prefer?" Hazel eyes swept over the brunette in front of her carefully, "they are your kids too."
Santana smiled widely, "I know. Believe me, they will be better off with you tonight. Now I know that they are safe, I want to turn them both over my knee!" She winked at the blonde.
"I'm not so sure they'll be safer with me tonight either. I've spent the entire car ride rethinking my stance on spanking children." She said angrily.
The Latina's jaw dropped open, and she sat there stunned, "Are you joking with me?"
Quinn turned slowly and her green gold eyes flashed dangerously, "They could have been killed today Santana. Maybe with something this dangerous and foolhardy, spanking would be a useful deterrent. Not only for them, but for the three in the back who watch every move we make. This is certainly not behavior I want to see emulated."
Santana said carefully, "Babe, we don't have to decide anything tonight. We just need to let them know we love them, and we are grateful they're alive. We will talk about this fully when we get home. We still aren't exactly sure why they did this crazy stunt. I know they thought they were fixing the family, but I can't for the life of me figure out how either of them thought Puck could do anything. Dude's a first class fuckup and always has been."
"Language, Santana." Quinn scolded, as she looked back to make sure the girls were still sleeping.
Santana rolled her eyes and chuckled, "Yes mom!"
Quinn smiled, and slapped her arm softly. She leaned over and kissed her fiancé softly on her firm, warm lips, "I love you so much."
"I love you too baby. We will get through this, because that is what families do. Go in and love up our babies. Then scare the crap out them, just like they scared the crap out of us." She smirked at the look on the blonde's face. She really wished she could be in the room to see this.
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Santana waited until Quinn was safely inside before driving off to find the nearest affordable hotel. According to the GPS, it was about 10 miles away. She left to get a room, and get the girls settled for the night.
Santana left the girls sleeping, as she went in to the office and paid for a room. She gently shook Sierra and Emma awake. She picked up Kate, and headed to the room. The two oldest girls followed silently, shuffling like zombies. Santana switched a completely out of it Kate to her right side so she could unlock the door and turn the light on, "Shoes off girls, and use the bathroom first. Then get right into bed, and under the covers."
Sierra sat down on the bed and gestured for Emma to go first. The little brunette with the pigtails shuffled into the bathroom.
Santana undressed Kate, and laid the little girl gently under the covers. The girl instantly curled on her side, let out of soft snore, and stuck her thumb in her mouth. It was so adorable that the Latina sighed softly. Her mischievous nature getting the best of her, she took out her phone and snapped a picture of the little tough cookie sucking her thumb. She couldn't wait to show that picture to Kate. She kissed the youngest on her forehead and whispered, "Goodnight munchkin."
Emma had come out of the bathroom. She was sitting on the bed in a daze. Santana walked over and took the tired girl's shoes off. She helped her get undressed, and pulled the covers back for her as well. As she helped Em into the bed, she asked gently, "You alright sleeping with Sierra peanut?"
Big, brown eyes looked at Santana, "My daddy used to call me peanut before he went to Heaven." She said sadly.
"Oh Em, I'm so sorry, I didn't know that." Santana felt tears build up behind her eyes.
"No, I like it, can that be my nickname from you now, Mamí?" The little brunette said sweetly. None of Quinn's kids had called her Mamí before, and she almost wept. Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded happily and pulled the girl into a big hug. She smiled at Sierra who had watched the whole thing. Sierra walked over and joined the hug.
"Get some sleep now peanut, we have to get up early and go get your crazy brother and sister from the hospital." Emma just nodded and rolled over. She too, fell quickly back to sleep just like Kate. but without the thumb in her mouth.
Sierra looked at the girls, "How do they sleep like that Mamí?" Santana looked at her daughter and laughed out loud, trying not to wake the other girls.
"I have no idea mija. Quinn does the same thing. Out like a light in an instant. It takes me forever to fall asleep."
Sierra looked around, "Where is Mom?" She looked at the surprised look on her mother's face, "It is ok if I call her Mom isn't it?" She said insecurely.
"Of course it is mija. I'm sorry I was just shocked. I've never heard you call her anything actually. It will make her very happy. Are you sure you're comfortable with it?"
"I love her. I guess I just wanted to be mad at her like everyone else. I'm really tired. Can I go to sleep now Mamí?'
"Let me help you baby girl." She helped Sierra get undressed, and into bed. Santana was surprised by the fierce hug she got.
"I love you, and I'm so glad we aren't breaking up with Mom." Santana smiled gently into her daughter's neck at the girl's use of the word "we".
"Me too mija, me too! Sleep now, early day tomorrow." She laid the half-asleep girl down. She looked around the room at her family, sleeping soundly, and was overcome with love. She snapped a quick picture. She shot off a quick text to Quinn, along with the pictures. She told her everyone was settled in. She told her she loved her, and hoped things were going well at the hospital. She crawled in behind Kate, and tried to fall asleep.
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Quinn got off the elevator at the 6th floor, which was the pediatrics floor. She walked to the nurse's station informing them who she was, and that she had just arrived. A young doctor was reviewing a chart and overheard her speaking to the nurse. He walked over and introduced himself.
"I've been keeping an eye on Beth ma'am, and so have the nurses. It was a mild concussion, but unfortunately about 25 stitches. She is going to have a big headache for a few days. Everything else checks out normal. Santiago is a brave boy. He got between her and the robber, and defended his unconscious sister. You must be very proud of him."
Quinn felt her heart thud loudly at the thought of the not so very big 9 year old standing up to a full grown robber, who had no qualms about hurting a young girl. He definitely had Santana's heart and her courage. It sounded exactly what the Latina would do to protect any of her loved ones. Santana made her feel safe.
She smiled softly, "We are very proud of him. Thank you for taking such good care of them until we could get here."
"I don't see any reason why they can't both leave tomorrow. The detective left a card with a number for you to call. They took Santiago's statement and Beth's description of the guy. I think it should be fine to go home tomorrow. I would just check with them first, see if they need any other information. Come on, let me show you to the room."
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Quinn was stunned to walk in the room and find the two curled up together in the same bed. She choked up as she realized they had bonded over what was clearly a traumatic event for the both of them.
She looked up and said a quick prayer of thanks to whoever was listening, and softly walked towards the bed when her phone chimed. She opened it and saw the adorable pictures. She took one of the two kids sleeping in the bed. Santiago had his head on Beth's shoulder, and her arm was wrapped around him. She sent it quickly back to Santana.
The camera flash woke Santiago up, and he looked at Quinn and started to cry again, "Mom I'm so sorry." She went to him quickly, and pulled him into a relieved hug.
"Oh buddy, you guys scared us so badly. Don't ever run away and scare me like that again. I don't think my heart can take it."
Santiago cried in her arms for a few minutes, as Beth woke up but pretended to be asleep. She really did not want to face her mother just yet. The boy wiped his eyes and asked, "Where's Mamí?"
Quinn answered him, but she noticed her daughter pretending to be asleep and smirked, "She took the younger girls to a hotel so they could go to bed, honey. She'll be here early in the morning. We both love you so much, and we're so glad you are both safe."
"Is she super mad at me mom?" He asked on the verge of tears again.
"Santiago Lopez, both your Mamí and I are very angry that you ran away like that." She nudged Beth, "Both of you. You can sit up now. I've known you for 15 years. I know when you're really asleep." She said sternly to the teenage blonde.
The teen rolled her eyes and sat up, "I'm sorry mom. Please don't be mad at Tigo, this is all my fault. He came along to protect me. It was my idea though. I'm the one that should be punished, not him." She said sadly with tears running down her face.
Quinn pulled her teenager into her arms, seeing real guilt and sorrow, "We don't have to talk about punishment right now. I'm so relieved that you're safe. I would have died if anything had happened to you or Tigo." She hugged harder.
"Mom, you're choking me." The teen said.
"Don't give me ideas." She winked at Tigo, who laughed and launched himself at Quinn for anther hug.
Beth pulled back with tears in her eyes, "Mom that guy stole your credit card, and the necklace you and Joe gave me, and Daddy's last post card." She burst out sobbing, all her most precious treasures gone.
"I'm sorry baby. I know those things were important to you. The most important thing, is you and Tigo are safe. I would gladly give away a million credit cards to keep you guys safe."
Beth sat up and wiped her eyes, "Mom, if Tigo gets spanked for this, then I should too!" She said bravely as the boy turned quickly to look at her. Her mom took in the serious nature of the teenager's request, "It's only fair. I've been trying to break you and Santana up on purpose. This mess is my fault, her leaving and everything."
"That's why you ran away with Tigo, to save our family?" Quinn had her suspicions, but she wanted to hear the reasons from Beth.
"Yeah, we were trying to find Daddy. Everything kind of fell apart after he left. I thought if he would come back, you guys would remember how happy all three of you guys were as friends. Maybe he could convince you guys to get married." Beth said quickly, "Stupid huh?"
"No not stupid at all. It was kind, thoughtful, dangerous, and reckless. It was a very sweet gesture. Did I mention dangerous and reckless?" Quinn said shakily, crying a little herself.
Santiago looked at Quinn sadly, "I disobeyed you on purpose. I knew Mamí would spank me and you two would fight. I'm sorry, this is my fault that you and Mamí aren't going to get married anymore."
Quinn sat up stiffly. She looked at both of them sternly, "First of all, we are still a family, no one has broken up. We had an argument, and couples sometimes argue. Yes, we have things to work out. We are still planning on getting married."
She looked at Tigo, "Aren't you happy at the house, Tigo?"
Beth nudged him, "Tell her the truth, talk to her. Remember what I said about mom?" she whispered to him even though Quinn heard everything.
"Everyone always leaves us. I thought you were going to go away too. I thought if I made you break up, and you went away quickly, it would hurt less than when Uncle Puck left. I was wrong. It hurt so much more. I love you mommy. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
Quinn engulfed the sad boy in her arms, "Oh sweetheart, I would never leave you. Even if Mamí and I did break up, I would still love you. I will be here for you forever baby."
Beth snorted, "Told you so!" Quinn glared at the girl who quickly sunk back into her pillows, "Sorry."
"You really won't leave us, you promise?" Santiago begged.
"I promise with all my heart." Quinn said passionately, "Now, enough talk about punishments, spankings, and breakups. It's time to sleep. We will get you guys out of here tomorrow. We will talk everything out once we get home."
The blonde leaned over and tucked Beth in, and kissed her gently. She led Santiago over to the empty bed in the room, tucked him in, and kissed him as well, "Goodnight babies, I love you both so much."
"Goodnight Mom!" Both kids muttered sleepily.
Quinn sat down in the armchair. Finally giving in to the stress and worry, she allowed herself the release of tears. She was just so relieved that nothing worse had happened. She had Santana back. Their kids were safe, and they would be back home soon. Maybe, things could get back to some form of normal for them all.
To be continued…..