A/N: Back and forth I went with this chapter. I want this story to be lighter but there is this dark element that is necessary to get out because I like to be realistic. This sequel is a story about the trinity and as such...it can't be all fluff. But I'm trying my very best!

So, how am I doing?

-A

Call It What You Want (Foster The People)

Brittany's POV

"What do you want?"

"To talk to my son."

"He's asleep. It took me hours to get him to stop crying after what you did."

"That was an accident."

"Call it what you want, I'm going to the cops and I'm getting a lawyer. I'm not going to let this happen again."

"If you go to the cops, you'll be sorry."

"I can't be anymore sorry than I already am, Derek."

"We'll see about that."

The phone clicked in my ear and I had the urge to throw my phone across the room but I resisted.

Gigi sat across the table from me and rubbed my hand.

"What did he want?"

"What else...to talk to Nicky and probably try to explain himself. I can't let that happen...Derek is so convincing and he will get Nicky to forgive him. This happens every time."

Her eyebrows went up and her eyes got big.

"You mean this wasn't the first time that he hurt him like that?"

"It's never been this bad...but yea...it's not the first time."

"Brittany, you should call the cops...like now. I know that Quinn isn't answering her phone but maybe the cops should be involved sooner rather later. Don't you think?"

"I want to let him sleep. When I left Derek, I took the kids to a shelter and then I ended up camping outside of my friend's apartment not knowing that she was out of town. The kids just really need a good night of sleep...especially Nicky."

"I understand."

"Do you?"

"I know I'm a nervous wreck most of the time and incredibly anxious but I think that I can agree that maybe waiting just for the next few hours isn't such a bad thing. Maybe you should get some rest too."

"Yea...maybe for a little bit."

A big part of me had been afraid to go to sleep but I knew that I needed it too...if not for me then for the baby.

My plans had to change.

When I woke up in the morning, Nicky refused to move.

He just laid there crying into the pillow.

I didn't force him to get up...the cops and Quinn were just going to have to come to me.

His eye was swollen shut and his skin was all black and purple, so if he wanted to lay there...then I was going to let him.

And Zack, my sweet baby boy was being the best brother in the world.

He refused to leave Nicky's side.

I sat on the edge of the bed holding the ice on his face and watched as Zack laid next to him and sang to him.

After awhile with the mixture of his tears and the singing, Nicky was able to fall back asleep.

I was grateful for that because I knew he wasn't in as much pain while he slept.

Thankfully.

I heard her come into the apartment but I didn't bother moving from my son.

Even with him asleep, he was still whimpering and making faces.

My hope was that it wasn't anything more serious than a bruise.

When Quinn came into the room, I saw that she was on the phone but then she mumbled into it and hung up.

"Have you talked to the cops yet?"

"Um...not yet. I was going to go there this morning but he was in so much pain, I didn't want to move him."

"Santana and her dad are on the way...he can tell us if you need to go to the hospital. I will have Gigi call the cops."

"Thanks."

"What about you...are you hurt?" She asked as her eyes looked me over.

I shrugged and refocused on Nicky.

He was still whimpering and I was starting to get nervous.

"I'm doing better than him...he's all that I'm worried about."

"Let me see your arms." She said as she continued to stare.

I didn't want to do anything right now but take care of Nicky but I knew that Quinn was doing her best to help me and I had to cooperate.

So, I got off the bed after making sure that there was a pillow behind Zack who was still singing to Nicky and rubbing his hand.

Quinn watched with wide eyes as I lifted up the sleeves of my shirt.

I had dark purple bruises around my upper arms from where Derek had grabbed me and now that I was paying them attention, I could feel the dull throbbing from them.

So much for ignoring my own pain.

Good job, Derek.

When I left home, I didn't expect to have to deal with abuse anymore.

But now as I sit here in the hospital, watching them put a patch over my son's eye and seeing the pain that he has to go through, I'm reminded of just why I left.

Thanks to Quinn, I was able to get the protection order against him and temporary custody of Nicky was handed back over to me.

And so even though, it ached to see how badly my son was hurt and that Derek was already denying our unborn child on top of ignoring Zack, I knew that with my friends back in my life...I was going to be okay.

I may have burned bridges at home with my family and with most of my friends...but I still had people who were still there for me.

Even if Derek told me differently.

And even if I stupidly believed that he was right...Santana and Quinn had my back and that was way more than I could ask for.

I was going to survive this...

My children meant the world to me and for them, I was going to swallow my pride and fear and fight for them.

Nicky had gotten caught up in the crossfire and now Derek was going to pay for hurting him.

Quinn had been afraid that I would be tempted to go back to my husband and maybe I would have...but then he reminded me of why I left.

And that is a blessing all by itself.

A/N: I worked hard on this chapter...accept it with love. Fun times are on the way!