A/N – I know this is a quick update but this chapter is shorter and yet it's one of the most important ones. Thanks for the reviews. Some of you were mad at the way Santana acted in the last chapter. I totally understand why you felt that way because I wrote the chapter and I wasn't too happy with her either. Hopefully you feel she redeemed herself in the end. This chapter will set up how the rest of the story plays out. In this chapter you find out that Brittany has been keeping some information from Santana. Hope you enjoy it. Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there.

Chapter 10

Brittany knocked on Santana's apartment door and waited for someone to answer it. She hoped Santana's headache was better so they could take Liam to the park. It was a beautiful spring day in Chicago. Brittany knew today could end up being a defining day in her relationship with Santana because there was something she had to tell her that she had been holding back from her. Brittany especially had to tell Santana now since she had gotten an offer to buy her apartment and could be moving in two weeks.

It took a several seconds but finally Santana opened the door. Brittany couldn't help but notice how Santana's hair was up in a messy bun and she was wearing sweatpants and t-shirt that was too big for her. Brittany assumed by the size of the t-shirt that it was one Santana had worn when she was in the last trimester of her pregnancy. Santana's beauty still took Brittany's breath away.

When brown eyes met blue Brittany could see how red and swollen Santana's eyes were either from crying or not sleeping, or possibly for both reasons. Brittany's bet was it both because of the dark circles under Santana's eyes as well.

"Hi", Brittany said softly and as soon as the word was out of her mouth she felt Santana's arms around her. Brittany could feel how tightly Santana was holding onto like she was her lifeline so she held her back just as tightly. Brittany closed her eyes as she held Santana but sensing someone was standing there she opened them to see Alma standing a little further into the apartment watching them. Brittany looked at Alma with a questioning looking asking what was going on with Santana. Luckily Alma could Brittany's expression and so she mouthed the words I don't know and walked away.

Santana finally let go of Brittany and grabbed her hand holding it as she walked them to her bedroom. When they were inside Santana's bedroom she let go of Brittany's hand and walked over to check on Liam who was sleeping in his crib. She then walked over to her bed and got on it so she was sitting with her back against the pillows that were piled up in front of the headboard.

Brittany walked over to the bed and sat on the edge at first but when she noticed a tear running down Santana's cheek she quickly moved she was sitting beside Santana. She put her arm around Santana and wasn't surprised when Santana laid her head on her shoulder and wrapped her arms around Brittany's waist.

They sat there like that for a few minutes before Brittany spoke, "Do you still have a headache?" Brittany felt Santana nod her head against her shoulder. "Did you get much sleep last night?" This time Brittany felt Santana shake her head no against her shoulder. "Did Liam have a bad night?" Again Brittany felt her shake her head no against her shoulder. "Did you have a bad night?" Santana nodded her head yes. "Can I ask why?"

"After I got home from your place I just couldn't turn my mind off and all of these thoughts kept me awake. Then this morning I've been all weepy and I don't know why. Usually I only get this way when I get drunk. It's like I can't control my emotions." Santana's voice was raspy from being so tired.

"It sounds like you are experiencing some postpartum emotions. The hormones in your body are trying return to normal after having Liam. You are stressed too and that combined with the hormones is why you are weepy this morning. Can I ask what kind of thoughts kept you awake last night?" Brittany gently rubbed Santana's shoulder.

"Thoughts about moving to Columbus, about Liam, and about us. Then this morning I got the call about the couple making an offer to buy my apartment and it just added more to my thoughts. I never dreamed I'd have only two weeks to pack up my apartment and move. I thought I'd have a month at least. So now I have that added to the thoughts going around in my mind."

"I know two weeks isn't a long time to pack and move. Maybe the couple buying the apartment will give you more time if you ask. But now you can move to Columbus to be near your parents so they can help you take care of Liam. It all worked out for you."

"I know and I'm happy that Liam will be able to grow up getting to know his grandparents and great-grandmother. Not to mention all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins too. I have no doubt in my mind that Liam and I belong in Columbus. It's just that now you are in my life and I'm afraid I'll lose you even before we get the chance to be together. " Santana's voice cracked with emotion.

Brittany felt a tear run down her cheek because Santana had taken the words right out of her mouth. "I'm afraid of the same thing. Santana, there's something I need to tell you. I haven't told you what I'm about to tell you before now because I thought it would add more stress and confusion to our situation. I just hope you won't be too upset with me for not telling you this sooner."

Santana lifted her head from Brittany's shoulder so she could look her eyes and she saw how scared Brittany was in that moment. "I can't promise I won't be upset because I have no idea what you are going to tell me but I do promise to hear everything you have to say before I say anything." Santana noticed how Brittany was now looking down at the bed and not looking at her so she reached over to gently stroked Brittany's cheek which caused her to look at Santana. "I don't want you to ever be afraid to tell me anything."

Brittany felt reassured by Santana's words. "When I came to Chicago to work at the women's health center I signed a contract to work here for five years. The end of my five years is on December 31st of this year which is seven months from now. The head doctor at the center has been after me to sign another five year contract for the past few months but I've been holding out on signing a new contract. I love living in Chicago but it doesn't feel like home to me. So for the past four months or so I have been seriously thinking about moving back to New York to be close to my family when my contract runs out. I already have my license to practice medicine in New York State because I worked there briefly before coming to Chicago." Brittany stopped talking and looked at Santana who was looking right Brittany waiting for her to continue on.

"I hadn't told anyone until now that I was thinking about moving to New York. I hadn't even told my family because I didn't want to tell them until I was positive I was moving there. Then you and Liam came into my life and turned my world upside down in a best way possible. I had no idea what I was going to do especially when you told me you were moving to Columbus. If I moved to New York I would be further away from you than if I stayed here in Chicago. I know what I really want to do but I don't want to seem overconfident or put pressure on you." Brittany's voice trembled with emotion.

Santana wasn't upset that Brittany hadn't told her about her plans to maybe move to New York especially since she had those thoughts before they had even met. She did however wish Brittany had felt comfortable to tell her about it sooner. "Britt, what is it that you really want to do?"

Brittany swallowed hard because what she was about to say could make or break her relationship and future with Santana. "I…um…want to move to Columbus when my contract is done in December so we are in the same city. I know we aren't in a relationship, not yet at least, but this is what I want to do because it feels like the right decision. I've felt this way since I knew you were moving to Columbus. I know that I should have told you all of this sooner but to be honest with my head has been all over the place on this."

"What about you moving to New York to be close to your family? If you move to Columbus you won't be much closer to them." Santana asked wondering if Brittany was torn between moving to New York and Columbus.

"That's what I wanted and to be honest a part of me would love to live closer to my family but the need that I feel to live where you and Liam are living is stronger. I wanted to move to be closer to my family because I didn't really have anyone in my life but now I have you and Liam. If you don't want me moving to Columbus please tell me." Brittany knew this conversation would be emotional and her emotions were starting to get the best of her.

Santana took Brittany's hand and brought to her mouth and kissed the back of it. "I honestly would really like it for you to move to Columbus so we could be together in the same city. It's just that everything is happening so quickly and I don't want you to end up regretting your choice. I would never ask you to choose your family over Liam and me. Just like I know you would never ask me to pick you over my family. Both of us have a strong sense of family and I admired that trait in you."

"How could I regret my choice when I'll be able to spend time with you and Liam without having to wait until I have time off to fly to Columbus to see you two. I'll be right there and we will be able to see each other whenever we want to. I know this is all so sudden and I know we have so much to learn about each other yet but when I see the future I see you and Liam. You two are becoming more like my family every day. I'm not an impulsive person but something inside keeps telling me this is the right decision and if I don't move to Columbus I'll regret it." The tears were flowing freely down Brittany's face.

Santana smiled and felt happy tears falling down her face. "When I see the future I see you with Liam and me too. It's scary because it has all happened so quickly but I can't deny how I feel about you. I'm not an impulsive person either but this all seems so right." Santana leaned forward and kissed Brittany gently on the lips. The kiss lasted for several seconds before they pulled away. Santana then leaned her head on Brittany's shoulder again and the two cuddled in silence both taking in all that just had happened while giving their emotions time to calm down a bit.

Santana's mind was still racing but she felt a lot happier than she had earlier. "I just thought of something, do you have a license to practice medicine in Ohio?"

"No, I don't have medical license from Ohio but I it shouldn't be a problem for me to get one. I have already read online what I need to do to apply for a license. It costs $1,000 and will take 3-4 months. If I apply now I'll be able to start looking for a job before I move to Columbus. I want you to know that I'm not expecting for us to live together as a family. I know you have a lot to do when you get to Columbus like finding a place to live, a job, and new doctors for Liam. If I move to Columbus we are still going to be apart for seven months before that happens. I'll visit you whenever I can but we both know how a doctor doesn't get much time off. I don't know maybe we're kidding ourselves that this can work."

Santana removed her head from Brittany's shoulder and sat up in bed. She then reached over and gently grabbed Brittany's face with both hands. "This can work if we both truly want it to work. Seven months is a long time but it will go quicker than you think it will. I know this is a major life decision for both us but especially for you. I'm going home to where my family is but you are uprooting your entire life and career. We can wait and see how the next seven months goes between us before you make a final decision on moving to Columbus."

Brittany looked into Santana's eyes and in that very moment she knew what her final decision should be. "I'm moving to Columbus when my contract is over. That's my final decision."

Santana smiled the biggest smile and then kissed Brittany gently but soon the kiss turn more passionate. When the both moaned they knew they needed to slow down. Santana leaned her head on Brittany's forehead. "I have just one more question. Does this mean we are exclusive?"

"It's what I want because I can't imagine ever feeling about another woman the way I feel about you or wanting to be with another woman." Brittany quickly kissed Santana's lips.

"That's the way I feel too. So were exclusive like girlfriends then." Santana smiled as she kissed Brittany's nose.

"Yeah like girlfriends." Brittany giggled.

There moment was interrupted when Liam started to cry. Santana got off from the bed and got Liam out of his crib. She then sat back down on the bed beside Brittany and handed Liam to her. Liam stopped crying as he adjusted his eyes to look at Brittany and his mother.

"I can't wait for all of his firsts to happen but the one first I'm most looking forward to is his first smile." Santana said as he stroked Liam's cheek.

"I bet he will have the cutest smile just like his mother." Brittany kissed Santana gently on the lips. When the kiss ended Santana put her head on Brittany's shoulder and for the first time in a very long time she felt content with her life.

TBC

There are still going to be some rough times for them but Brittana and Liam are end game.