I'm back! I've decided to continue with this story, although I'm still having a little bit of writers block for what to do with the plot, I'd love some suggestions! Anyways this is a short chapter, but I just wanted to get something out. I will try to update once a week from now on as well. Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me so far!

Familiar Patterns
Chapter 13

When Santana woke up her eyes stung and it took her a few seconds to remember everything. The graduation, surprising Brittany, their talk, telling her the truth. It's only then that she realizes there's a soft body pressed against her back and warm breath on her neck. A huge smile crosses her face and she snuggles back into the warmth.

Her wiggling stirs Brittany from her sleep. The blonde lets out a surprised squeak until the night floods back into her mind.

The brunette smiles and turns around to face the blonde whose face is full of so much emotion that it hurts.

"Hi." Santana mumbles shyly.

"Hi." Brittany repeats with fascination. "Did you sleep okay?"

The brunette nods and they both smile.

"Thank you." The blonde whispers, letting her eyes drop from Santana's. "Thank you for everything. I feel like I don't deserve this. I broke your heart, I chose someone I didn't love over you because I was upset… I almost lost you. But here you are."

"Here I am." She smiles.

"Thank you." Brittany repeats.

"B, I…" she pauses, "I'm sorry for leaving. Maybe it wasn't right for me to do that, but I was so hurt, I just couldn't. I couldn't be what you wanted, couldn't stick around and watch you be with someone else, especially when I felt like it was my fault."

Brittany presses her fingers to plump lips.

"It's okay. You are here now. We can start over, but first you need to know what happened with Quinn. Let's shower and then I'll make you breakfast so we can talk? Sound good?"

Santana nodded and hugged Brittany close, not wanting to let her go. In that moment the Latina realizes just how scared and broken she's been without this girl, no matter how much she's tried to hide it. Sure the girls helped, especially Marley, she's like Santana's guardian angel, her saving grace, but even her arms weren't enough to rid the pain of not having Brittany in her life.

When they were both showered and Brittany had made them pancakes for breakfast, they sat together in silence. It wasn't awkward or unnerving, just simple, like old times.

"San, you remember last night how you told me that you needed me to just listen and not interrupt so you could tell me what happened?"

The Latina nods.

"I need you to do that for me now, okay?"

Another nod.

"Before… Before our break up, when Sam and I were just friends, he was talking to Quinn. They weren't really dating, but she came back almost every weekend to see him, they were even sleeping together, but I didn't' find that out until later."

Santana can't help the horrified look that crosses her face, just thinking about Quinn and Sam together makes her want to throw up.

"Anyways, after Thanksgiving, Sam and I started getting closer, and he stopped seeing Quinn. She was furious, but she didn't know I was the reason until she came home for Christmas a week later. When she found out that Sam had left her for me she was really mad. Then after we got fake married because the world was ending, she flipped out. She came to school one day and started screaming at me in the hall, calling me all sorts of nasty names, then she attacked me."

"What did she call you, I will ends her!" Santana shouted in her best Lima Heights voice. She tried to stop the words from escaping but thinking about someone attacking Brittany made her blood boil.

Brittany put her hand on Santana's, "Let me finish, okay?"

The Latina took a deep breath and nodded.

"Sam and Blaine came and pulled us apart. There was a lot of shouting and cursing. That's when I found out she was pregnant…"

Santana let out a shocked gasp, her mouth hanging open. Brittany reached over and used her index finger to pull her jaw closed.

"She thought she was pregnant with Sam's baby."

Santana let out the breath she was holding, sighing in relief.

"Weeks later I found out that she wasn't, she just thought she was… But I said some really mean things, like really mean… She called me a home-wrecker and said that I was a disgusting slut. I guess she thought I was sleeping with Sam…"

The blonde trailed off at this, meeting Santana's eyes for the first time since she'd started her story.

Two tears slipped down tan cheeks, her eyes asking a silent question.

"Never."

Before Brittany had a chance to say more Santana's arms were around her, hugging her tightly, crying into her hair.

They didn't move for several minutes lost in each other. When they finally pulled away Santana's eyes were shinning brighter than Brittany had seen in a long time and her smile was dazzling.

"That fight, all the accusations, everything. That's why Quinn hates me. After she found out she wasn't pregnant she never could let go and forgive me for the things I said to her, or forgive me for taking Sam from her, even though I didn't know there was anything going on with them in the first place."

Brittany sighed and dropped her gaze, scuffing her shoes on the floor.

"She never told me."

The blonde looks up at the Latina, waiting for her to continue.

"I didn't know she was with Sam, or that she thought she was pregnant, and I definitely didn't know about the fight. I'm sorry Britt, I'm sorry she said those things to you and that I wasn't around to make it better."

Santana hugged Brittany again.

"It's okay San. I forgive you. And I forgive Quinn for the nasty things she said and did, I just wish she'd forgive me too. I don't want her ruining our second chance San, she's your best friend and…" The dancer whispered sadly.

Santana pull away from the hug and runs her hand down the blonde's cheek.

"I won't let her ruin this Britt. I've lost you already and I won't let it happen again. We have a lot of work to do to get back to where we were, but I promise you that I won't let Quinn's opinion change my mind."

Brittany lets out a huge breath she'd been holding.

Santana just smiles into her neck and plants a kiss on her cheek.

They spend the rest of the day packing up Brittany's stuff, laughing and goofing around; it's nice and fills them both with hope for the future.

When they're finally finish they plop down on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and two sodas. Brittany insists on watching a Disney movie but Santana doesn't mind. They eat their snacks and watch each other more than the movie. It surprises them both how easily they fall back into the familiar pattern.

Halfway through the movie Santana lays back and opens her arms to the blonde in a silent invitation. Without a moment's hesitation Brittany crawls over and cuddles into Santana, letting her head rest over the smaller girl's heart.

Santana tangles her hands in silky blonde hair, playing with the strands just like she used to. Her heart is pounding in her chest and she knows that Brittany can hear it. She tries to breathe deeply but she can't stop the feelings rising up inside of her.

Finally Brittany is in her arms again, no one is standing in their way, they've both shared their demons. The Latina feels dizzy as she breathes in Brittany's familiar scent, and when the blonde looks up at her and smiles her heart skips a beat.

Her mind is racing with a million thoughts, but they all stop when she feels Brittany wriggle up her body and press their lips together.

She moves slowly, savoring Brittany's taste before sliding her tongue along the blonde's bottom lip, asking for entrance. Instantly their tongues meet and move together in a familiar rhythm. Pale hands cup her cheeks sweetly, holding her close. They explore each other, letting their tongues graze over every inch of the other's mouth.

When they break away, both out of breathe with wide smiles on their lips, they can't help but giggle at the familiar pattern they are already sinking into.