Chapter 10

The next morning Callie knocked lightly on the door to her guest bedroom before pushing it open. She smiled at the sight of her niece burrowed underneath the covers, her similar dark locks curtaining her face.

Quietly, she made her way over to the bed and climbed in with her. She lovingly brushed the hair from Santana's face before leaning down and placing a kiss to her forehead.

"Santana, sweetie it's time to get up." she announced softly.

Callie giggled as her niece groaned and cuddled lower under the covers.

"Santana, your flight is at noon. You have to get up." she said a little more loudly, gently shaking awake the sleeping teen.

Reluctantly, Santana slowly opened her eyes and was met with the smiling face of her aunt.

"Do I have to go?" she asked sleepily.

Callie nodded, "I'm afraid so."

Santana sat up and ran her hand through her hair as she sat against the headboard of the bed.

"How long do you think I'll be grounded for?"

With a laugh Callie mimicked her nieces' actions and leaned against the headboard.

"I don't think she'll be that hard on you." Santana raised an eyebrow in her aunts direction and Callie couldn't help but chuckle. "Okay fine. She'll be mad, she'll yell get all flustered," they both let out a laugh knowing exactly what Aria Torres looked like when she was flustered, "but she loves you and she's only doing what's best for you."

Sighing, Santana laid her head on her aunt's shoulder, "I'm gonna miss you."

Callie wrapped her arm around her niece's shoulder and held her tight. "I'm gonna miss you too, mi sobrina." They sat there for a while before Callie announced that it was time to go.

Across the hall, Mark was hopelessly trying to calm Puck, who had taken to pacing back and forth in front of the t.v.

"I mean, I just can't let her go back alone, right?" he asked, before Mark could answer Puck spoke again, "Her mom is pretty nuts. I should go with her. She needs me to-"

"Puck." Mark shouted catching the attention of the rambling teen, "Calm down and take a breath."

Puck sighed as he flopped down onto the couch next to his uncle. "I have to go." he finally decided.

"You have to go." Mark agreed with a smirk. "I think you accomplished everything you came here for. And now, you can go back home and finish living your life!" he said playfully punching his arm.

Looking up at his uncle Puck smirked, "Thank-"

"Don't even try to thank me." Mark said holding his hand up. "I didn't do anything. It was all you, Puck."

"Yeah. But still, you made me see that it's okay to feel things even if I'm afraid, and I will always be thankful for that." he sent the signature Sloan Smirk his uncle's way and received one in return.

The two men sat in silence for a while before Mark cleared his throat, "Okay!" he announced, "Enough with this male-bonding crap. We have to get you packed up."

"Aaah, and here I thought we were finally having a moment." Puck joked as he got up off the couch.

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"Santana, let's go!" Callie called from the door, slipping on her coat. Santana grumpily trudged out of the guest room, rolling her suitcase behind her.

"Ready?" Callie asked as she opened the door.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Santana muttered as she followed her aunt out of the apartment.

"I have to let Uncle Mark know we're leaving. I'm sure he wants to say goodbye." Callie told her then crossed the hall to Mark's and knocked. She was met with the smiling face of her boyfriend a few seconds later.

"Hey." he greeted her and leaned down to leave a soft kiss on her lips.

"Hi. We're about to head out. Santana's plane leaves soon."

"Make that Santana and Puck's plane leaves soon." Mark corrected her and watched as both Latina's faces tilted in confusion.

"What do you mean Puck's plane too?" Santana asked from behind her aunt.

Puck appeared in the doorway, his luggage in tow and greeted them with a wide smile. "He means that I'm going home with you."

"What-"

Before Santana could finish Puck continued, "You really don't expect me to leave you alone to face your mom for a 4 hour flight by yourself do you?"

"Are you serious?" Santana asked.

"As a heart attack." he replied with a smirk. "Come on. Let's get going. We don't want to miss our flight." he stepped out the door and laced his fingers with Santana's then began to lead her toward the elevator.

Callie watched the teens stroll down the hall before turning back to Mark who was grinning cockily at her. "That was quite sneaky of you Dr. Sloan."

"Eh. I try." he said with a shrug. Callie laughed before pulling him out the door and down the hall.

"Come on, we're gonna make them miss their plane."

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Awhile later, Mark parked the car at SeaTac International Airport and hopped out to help Callie out as Puck did the same with Santana.

As they made their to the check-in, Aria was waiting outside, looking sleek and prim as ever, with her arms crossed over chest.

"Santana," she greeted her daughter, "I see you are still capable of making wise decision." Santana rolled her eyes at her mother as she reached down and clasped her hand to Callie, who had immediately stiffened at the sight of her sister.

"Calliope."

"Aria."

Aria then turned to Mark who was watching both sisters silently, "Mark, nice to see you again."

Mark sent a half smile her way, "You too." Aria smile at him before turning to her daughter whose hand was clasped tightly to Puck's.

"Are you ready to go Santana? Our flight leaves soon."

Santana nodded at her mother and turned to Puck, "Ready?"

"Yep." he said with a smile.

Aria looked between the two teens with a confused expression on her face, "Who is this? And what is he ready for?"

Santana rolled her eyes and took a deep breath, "This is Puck mom, my boyfriend. And he is flying home with us."

Puck held out his hand to her mother, "It's great to finally meet you Mrs. Lopez." Instead of shaking his hand, Aria simply stared at it then turned to her daughter.

"He is not flying home with us."

"Yes he is." Santana stated, "It's either he flies home with us today or I fly home with him later. Without you." Both mother and daughter stared each other down both their facial expressions the same.

Giving a defeated sigh, Aria nodded, "Fine. I'll give wait for you inside." she said as she turned and headed into the airport.

"Alright kiddos," Mark announced after she was gone, "Enjoy High School, enjoy life, and don't forget to call every once in awhile." he said with a chuckle as he punched his nephew playfully in the shoulder.

"We promise we'll call when we land." Puck promised and Santana nodded her agreement.

"You better." Callie said, trying her hardest not to cry. The speakerphone announced that their flight was about to start boarding. She turned to Puck and smiled, "Come here, you." she said pulling him into a warm hug.

"It was really nice to meet you."

Puck smiled as he hugged her back, "It was nice to meet you too."

Callie squeezed him tight and whispered, "Take care of her for me."

With a nod, Puck pulled away from her, "Of course."

Beside them, Mark pulled Santana into a big hug, lifting her off her feet. "You're a great kid, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Make sure you keep Puck over there in line."

"I will." Santana chuckled as he set her down on her feet, "Take care of my Aunt Callie for me." she whispered.

Mark smiled down at her before placing a kiss to her forehead, "I promise." Santana smiled at him before turning to her Aunt Callie who gave her a small smile.

The two Latina's embraced each other in a big hug, slightly swaying back and forth. "I love you, mi sobrina." Callie whispered into her niece's hair.

"I love you too, tía." she whispered back. They pulled away from each other, but held the other at arm's length.

"You're gonna be fine." Callie reassured her. Santana simply nodded. "Call me. Anytime."

"I will, I promise." Santana leaned forward and kissed her aunt's cheek, "Bye."

"Bye, sweetheart."

Mark and Puck watched as Callie and Santana hugged each other before turning to each other. "We don't have to hug." Puck stated.

"Yeah." Mark agreed, but through an arm around his shoulders, "But we can."

They did the common male hug complete with a slap on the back. "Keep in touch." Puck told his uncle.

"I will." Mark promised. "That goes for you too." Puck simply nodded at his uncle.

"Ladies, I'm sorry to break this up, but we have to go." Puck said as the speaker announced for the last call for their flight.

Last goodbyes were said and soon Puck and Santana were hand in hand walking toward their gate.

Mark and Callie stood back, their hands intertwined, as they watched them leave.

"I miss them already." Callie said as she watched them disappear around the corner.

Mark through an arm around her shoulders and placed a kiss to her temple. "Me too."