Chapter 10

Santana went back to work on Monday and of course she was swamped with client appointments that had to be rescheduled while she was off recuperating from her injured ribs. Her ribs were still painful but she could manage. She just prayed she didn't sneeze or cough because that hurt the worst.

Even with being busy at work her mind was never far from thinking about Brittany and Daniel. She needed to come up with a plan to help Brittany feel like she could leave Michael. She thought about just telling her that Michael was having affair with the nanny but she was afraid it wouldn't be enough. Besides maybe Brittany already knew about the affair. Your husband having an affair with the nanny would be enough for most women to leave their husband but Brittany was afraid of Michael so she might not leave even if she knew about the affair.

Wednesday came around and Santana still hadn't come up with a plan and she was getting frustrated. She was sitting at her desk eating her lunch when Ava buzzed her phone. "Santana, I'm sorry to bother you there is someone here to see you and she says it's important. I tried to get her to make an appointment but she is insisting on seeing you immediately. Her name is Susan Pierce."

Santana felt her heart starting to beat quickly with fear. "Send her to my office and Ava and if Susan ever comes in the office again asking to see me you send her directly to my office."

"Ok, Santana. I'll show her to your office right away."

Santana's office door was opened and seconds later Ava appeared in the doorway with Susan. "Thanks Ava. Please close the door for me."

After Ava closed the door Santana looked at Susan who didn't seem to be upset which Santana took as a good sign. "I'm sorry to just stop by your office like this because I know how busy you are but I have idea and I wanted to talk to you about it."

"Don't apologize you can stop by anytime you want to talk to me. Have a seat and tell me about your idea."

Susan sat down in one of the two chairs that were in front of Santana's desk. "You know how every October the week before Halloween the whole family goes to my sister's farm to help them with their special Fall Celebration Weekend?"

Santana smiled. "Yeah, I remember how much fun Britt and I used to have that weekend. It was hard work selling pumpkins, organizing the hayrides, and rescuing people who got lost in the corn maze. Sophia would love it. I'm sorry I interrupted you, continue with what you were saying Susan."

Susan couldn't help but smile back at Santana. "I know you and Brittany have a lot of fond memories of those weekends. You both always got so excited when the time came around every year. Daniel loves it and let's hope that next year you and Brittany will be bringing Sophia and Daniel together." Susan smiled at Santana. "This weekend is the fall celebration and as usual the entire family will be going to help my sister. Abbey will be brining her fiancée. Brittany and Daniel will be going too."

Santana looked at Susan scowled. "Abbey's engaged? I didn't know that. It seems like yesterday she was just an annoying little kid who wouldn't leave Britt and I alone. Now she's engaged." Santana always had a soft spot in heart for Brittany's sister.

"She graduated from college last year and now is teaching Kindergarten in Columbus. Her fiancée teaches Math at the high school. Anyway as I was saying, Brittany and Daniel will be there this weekend but Michael won't be there. He helped out with the first year he and Brittany were married but he hasn't been back since to help. He always finds some excuse to not be there but we know the real reason is that he is too lazy to do any kind of hard work. He didn't see the fun that comes along with the hard work of the fall celebration. I talked to Brittany this morning and she said Michael won't be there because he has some kind of special meeting."

Santana rolled her eyes. "Special meeting my ass, I bet he's going to spend the weekend with the nanny. I'm sorry for my language Susan. Back to your idea, I'm assuming it has something to do with the Fall Celebration Weekend."

"Yes it does and this is my idea…"

XOXOXOXOXOX

Brittany was so happy to be with her family for her aunt's annual Fall Celebration Weekend. The farm is about two hours from Lima and Brittany always loved this weekend. She especially loved being able to share it with Daniel now. Brittany felt like she could relax this weekend and really be herself for a change.

The problem was she felt that she had lost her true self. She didn't know who she was anymore. Michael had changed her into a person she didn't recognize. He had taken everything from her everything that she loved and made her the person she was. He took dance away from her, he took away the unique way she had at looking at the world, he took away her optimism, and he took away her belief in true love. Michael gave her Daniel and for a longest time she thought that made up for everything he took away from her but then she saw Santana again and for a brief second she thought about how if she and Santana were together she could have everything back that Michael had taken away from her.

However, Brittany stopped letting herself think that way after Santana was attacked. Brittany knows it was Michael who did it because Santana would never lie to her. It was then Brittany knew that not only did she have to stay with Michael to protect her and Daniel she also needed to stay to protect Santana and Sophia.

The weather was beautiful for the first day of the Fall Celebration Weekend. The farm was full of action with families picking out pumpkins, going on the hayrides, enjoying the farm animals in the petting zoo area, picking apples, and drinking apple cider. Daniel was with Brittany's father, Robert, riding on the tractor he was driving for the hayrides. Brittany noticed how the smile on Daniel's face seemed brighter today than it usually did. He was really enjoying the day.

Brittany and her mother were in charge of the pumpkin patch selling pumpkins. They were enjoying spending time together because they don't really get much time alone together even with Brittany living in Lima now. Abbey, Brittany's sister, came running up to them. "Hey Britt, someone just sent a text saying they were stuck in the corn maze and needs someone to come rescue them." Everyone knew that Brittany was the best at getting lost people out of the corn maze. It was just one of her many talents. Brittany could take one look at the maze pattern which changed every year and have it memorized. In past years they had several people patrolling the corn maze for people who lost their way and this year they still have a few people but this year they also have a number people could text if they were really lost. This was the third person today Brittany had to go and help out of the maze.

Brittany just shook her head because she didn't understand how anyone could get lost in the corn maze. "I hope the person told you what color section of the maze they got lost in." There were colored signs routinely place throughout the maze just in case someone got lost that way they could let them know what color area they were lost in to make the search easier.

"The person's text says they are the red section." Abbey told Brittany.

"I bet the person is alone just like the other two I had to rescue today. The sign clearly says to not go in the maze alone that you must be with at least one other person. I'll be back in a few minutes Mom." Brittany took off to find the lost person in the red section of the corn maze.

Brittany had been walking around the red section of the corn maze for almost twenty minutes and she still couldn't find the missing person. She was just about to call Abbey on her the walkie-talkie that all of the workers carried with them to ask if the person had sent a text saying they had found their own way out of the maze when finally saw the person. The person was standing with their back to Brittany. "Hey there you are I was about to give up looking for you figuring you had probably found your own way out. How on earth did you get lost way back here in this dead end?"

Brittany approached the person who was wearing a black baseball cap. She could tell it was a woman by the shape of figure. The person finally turned to face Brittany who was now standing right beside her. Brittany stared at the person for a moment. The woman had on aviator sunglasses, her hair was somehow all up underneath the cap, she was wearing a black hoodie and black jeans, and black boots. The woman sure loved the color black. Brittany took in a sharp breath, "Santana?"

Santana nodded her head, "Yeah, it's me Britt."

Brittany stood there staring at Santana for a few minutes before reality hit her. "You can't be here. You have to go now. He will find out and he might hurt you again." Brittany started panicking.

Santana reached out and grabbed her hand to calm her down. "It's ok Britt, he isn't going to find out we are talking now. Not unless he has the corn maze bugged and I don't think he would even go to those lengths to keep an eye on you. I just want to talk to you for a few minutes."

"No, I can't take the chance that he will find out we are talking. You've got to leave now. I can't believe you even thought this would be a good idea coming here and getting lost in the corn maze like this." Brittany started to walk away and Santana grabbed her hand again.

"Listen to Britt. It's ok he won't find out. To be honest with you it wasn't my idea it was your mother's. Please give me ten minutes to talk to you. If we stay here in this dead end part of the maze no one will see us. Please?"

Santana still had her sunglasses on but Brittany could picture the way Santana's eyes looked at the moment and she knew she could never say no to those eyes. "I can't believe my mother would do this after the warning Michael gave her about keeping you and I apart. What was she thinking? You've got ten minutes."

Santana had rehearsed over and over in her head what she was going to say to Brittany but now that they stood there facing one another she couldn't find the words. She wished she could just take Brittany in her arms and tell how much she still loved her and that they could be family with Sophia and Daniel. However, she knew her main focus right now needed to be convincing Brittany to leave her bastard husband. Brittany was getting impatient with Santana's silence. "Santana, you've just wasted two minutes of your ten standing there not saying a word." Brittany reached up at stroked Santana's cheek which made Santana look directly into Brittany's eyes.

Standing there looking into Brittany's eyes helped Santana to find her lost words. "All of us are worried about you."

"Who is all of us?" Brittany was confused.

"You're parents, my parents, and me. We are all worried about you and Daniel living with Michael. I know the police can't prove that he was the one who attacked me but I know it was him because I heard his voice. I've seen how he can be violent and I'm worried about you and Daniel. Britt, he controls you like a puppet. What kind of life is that for you?" Santana stopped talking because Brittany averted her eyes so she was looking at the ground and not Santana.

Santana gently stroked Brittany's cheek like she has just done to her and Brittany look at Santana again. "You deserve to be happy Britt and I know you're not. Please seriously think about leaving him. I know you told you would do that before but you're still with him and I know it's because you're afraid of him taking Daniel away from you." Santana stopped talking to give Brittany a chance to respond.

"I can't lose Daniel. If it was just me I would leave Michael in a second but it's not just me. Michael has a way of getting exactly what he wants he knows how to manipulate people. I'm afraid if he filed for sole custody of Daniel that he could convince a judge that I'm an unfit mother. Even if he didn't sue me for sole custody I would have to let him see Daniel what if he just took off with Daniel and went to another country or something. I might not ever see my son again and that would kill me." Brittany was crying.

"I understand you being afraid because if this was happening to me I would want to protect Sophia. I know this isn't easy for you. I'm going to ask you something that you may or may not already know about. Did you know that Michael and your nanny are having an affair?" Santana knew she had to ask the questions because Brittany needed to know if she didn't already know.

"Yeah, I've known for about two years. That's when I realized that I didn't love Michael at all because I didn't care that he was having an affair. Don't me wrong it hurt to be betrayed but at the same time I didn't really care because it has kept him from wanting to have sex with me very often which is a blessing."

Santana couldn't stand it any longer so she hugged Brittany gently and it took a few moments for Brittany to hug her back but when she did they both relaxed. It just felt so right being in each other's arms like it had when they were in high school. Santana whispered in Brittany's ear. "You deserve to be happy and to be with someone who truly loves you. I would love to be that person but I also know us being in a relationship is a big step for both us. Right my main concern is you leaving Michael. You can stay with your parents or if you want you can stay with me. There's no pressure from me." Santana pulled her head back so she could look Brittany in the eyes. "I want you to know I love you and I want what is best for you and Daniel."

Brittany continued to have tears running down her face. "I'm just so scared of what he might do. What if he hurt you or Sophia, or my parents? I can't take that chance. I'm sorry Santana but I have to stay with him. How did you know he was having an affair with the nanny?"

"It's long story and my ten minutes are up and I failed. I failed you because I couldn't convince you that you are better off leaving Michael." Now Santana had tears running down her face.

"San, you didn't fail me. You could never fail me. I'm the one doesn't have enough courage to leave him. I'd better get back to helping my mom. Can you find you way of maze?" Santana just nodded her head yes. "I love you too Santana." Brittany kissed her on the cheek and then walked away. Santana waited a few minutes before working her way out of the maze and driving back home.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Two weeks have passed since Santana and Brittany's talk in the corn maze. Santana hasn't heard from Brittany. Santana talked to Susan after the Fall Celebration Weekend and Susan told her after Brittany came out of the corn maze she told her mother she needed a break from helping out for a few minutes. She told Santana when Brittany came back from her break she could tell she had been crying hard so at least what Santana had said to her was making her think.

Friday night Santana had just dozed off when she heard the door bell ringing. She looked at the clock on her nightstand and it read midnight. Santana hurried out of the bed and downstairs because she didn't want the doorbell to wake up Sophia.

Santana opened the door without even asking who it was because she just wanted them to stop ringing the doorbell. When she opened the door she got the shock of her life. Standing there was Brittany and very sleepy looking Daniel both in their pajamas. He looked like he had just woken up. Brittany eyes were red from crying.

"Britt, what happened?"

"I left him." It was all she could get out before the tears started to fall again.

"Come in." Santana moved aside to let them in.

"Is it ok if we stay here for at least tonight?" Brittany asked.

"You can stay here as long as you need to. Did you pack of any of your things or did you just leave without taking anything?"

"I packed some of our things and they are out in the car but we can get them in the morning. Daniel has had a rough night and he needs to sleep."

"Mami?" Sophia called from the top of the stairs.

Santana wasn't sure what to do. "Sophia, you can come down?"

Sophia slowly walked down the stair and when she saw Daniel standing there she was really confused. "Why is Daniel and his mommy here in their PJs?"

"Sweetie, it's late and we will talk about it in the morning for right now you and Daniel need to get to sleep." Santana hugged her daughter.

"Britt, you and Daniel can stay in the guest room or if Daniel wants he can sleep in Sophia's room with her because there is an extra single bed in her room."

"I think it's best if Daniel and I stay in the same room tonight." Brittany eyes were telling Santana that something happened with Michael and that both her and Daniel needed to be together.

"Mommy, can I sleep in Sophia's room?" Daniel's voice was so quiet they could barely hear him.

Brittany knelt down so she could look him in the eyes. "Are you sure sweetie?" Brittany asked with a little hurt tone in her voice. Daniel nodded his head yes.

Santana noticed that Brittany was about to fall apart. "Ok, so how about we get you two to bed because it's late."

Santana and Brittany got Sophia and Daniel all tucked into bed. Brittany stayed with Daniel until he fell asleep. Santana knew Sophia was confused about what was going on so she watched until she fell asleep too.

Brittany didn't want to leave Daniel's side and Santana could tell it so she gently took Brittany's hand and led her out of Sophia's bedroom to the guest room. "Britt, you should remember this room it used to be Quinn's when were in high school when this was her parents' house. The bathroom is right here." Santana looked at Brittany and saw her sitting on the edge of bed with her head down and her shoulders shaking which meant she was crying. Santana quickly sat beside her and put her arm around Brittany.

Brittany fell into Santana's arms and began sobbing. Santana rubbed Brittany's back to calm her while she let her get all of the emotion out. When she had calmed down Santana spoke to her gently. "Britt, what happened?"

Brittany still had her head on Santana's shoulder. "I couldn't sleep tonight like I hadn't been able to sleep every night since our talk in the corn maze so I went downstairs to the kitchen. I heard a noise coming from the living room so I went in to find out what it was. They were having sex on my couch. The couch where Daniel sometimes takes a nap, the couch where Daniel and I sit when we cuddle and watch movies, the couch where my parents sit when they come to visit." Brittany started crying again so Santana held her tight again.

"Did they know you saw them Britt?"

"I must have made a gasping sound or something because Michael looked up at me while he was on top of her. He looked at me like how dare you interrupt what we are doing. He didn't even care that I had caught him fucking the nanny on in our living room. A normal husband would've felt caught and jumped up off the couch not Michael. I knew he was going to finish fucking her so I ran to my room. A few minutes later he knocked on my door and asked to come in because I had locked the door. I told him to go away but he kept knocking and shouting for me to open the door. Next thing I heard was Daniel's voice yelling 'Daddy stop yelling at Mommy'. Of course Michael didn't pay any attention to him. I opened the door and saw Daniel standing there with tears in his eyes. Michael grabbed me by the shoulders and starting shaking me while yelling that I had no right to spy on him like that. Daniel then ran over and started hitting Michael on the legs while yelling 'You stop being mean to my Mommy'. Finally Michael had had enough so he picked Daniel up and screamed at him 'Don't you ever hit me again'. I grabbed Daniel from Michael and quickly shut and locked my bedroom door. Michael knocked on the door for us to come out for a few minutes but the he left. I heard him slam his bedroom door so after a few minutes went by I quickly packed a few of things and came here."

Santana just held Brittany for next several minutes. "You two are safe now. How about we go to bed and we can talk more in the morning about what you want to do now? If you need anything in the night don't hesitate to knock on my bedroom door."

Santana helped Brittany get into bed and then kissed her the forehead. No words were spoken because none were needed at the moment.

Santana finally fell asleep around 3 AM she was grateful it was Saturday. She was woken when she heard a light knock on her door. When she opened her eyes Brittany had just walked into her room. "Um…I'm sorry I can't sleep at all. Can I sleep with you? If it's too uncomfortable for you to have me in your bed I'll understand."

Santana didn't answer she lifted the blanket and sheet so Brittany could get into bed. When Brittany got in she stayed closed to the edge with her back to Santana. "Britt, I don't want you to fall out of bed you can move over there is plenty of room in my bed."

Brittany rolled over so she was now on her back. "It's ok. I'm fine."

Santana decided not to push it. "Night Britt."

"Night Santana." Brittany said a weak sounding voice.

Santana could tell that Brittany had her left hand under the covers so she decided to be brave and reach out for Brittany's hand. She had to let Brittany know that she wasn't alone. When she found Brittany's hand under the covers she gently laid her hand on top of it. Brittany didn't pull her hand away which was a good sign. A few minutes later Brittany turned her hand over so her palm was facing up and she intertwined her fingers with Santana's. The feeling of touching one another relaxed them both enough that they finally fell asleep.