A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites! And a BIG welcome to all the new people who have joined the story! I see you ;)
This chapter is dedicated to all of you who have waited so patiently for baby, and who have supported my story!
Enjoy...
Chapter 20: Mine Closure and Completion
Santana sat next to her wife at the dining table, and nervously drummed her fingers against the lacquered cedar. She was trying her best to act interested, and be an active conversationalist as Britt chirped away mindlessly about this and that. But, she couldn't hide her flinching, or the fact her heart skipped a beat every time her wife winced with a contraction.
"Best part about being in labor so far San, definitely the sorbet for breakfast since Dr. Beckett said no solids!" Brittany grinned as she licked the back of her spoon.
Santana forced a polite smile, but immediately went back to her strained expression.
"Oh honey, you look like someone kicked your puppy!" Brittany cooed, and reached to cup Santana's hand. "Are you still upset about the bath thing babe? Because you didn't even start the water, stop beating yourself up!"
Right after Santana gave herself the peptalk in the mirror, and repeated her you can do this! mantra a few times, she turned to reread the labor Do's/Don'ts list the couple had pinned up in the bathroom. It specifically said DO NOT take a bath after your water breaks, because of a high chance of infection.
"Britt, I suggested it! I've read that list a million times, and it still slipped my mind!" Santana whined.
"San, calm down. You didn't actually start the water, and you caught the mistake. Plus, I forgot too!"
"Britt, you're allowed to forget! You're the one in freaking labor right now!" Santana drummed her fingers faster. "I have one, one job! And that's to help get you through this safely, and I almost just epic failed right out of the gate!"
Brittany couldn't contain her giggles as she spooned more sorbet into her mouth. Early labor had so far been pretty pleasant for her. The contractions were about twenty minutes apart with only mild tightening lasting about fifteen seconds. In all honesty, she was more worried about Santana than herself at this point. Her wife was shaky at best, and sweating bullets.
Brittany put down her spoon, and turned to take both of Santana's hands. "Okay, baby look at me. Look right in my eyes," Brittany demanded, and Santana flashed those vulnerable, puppy dog eyes Britt loved so much. "You're my strong lady. You're the love of my life, and I trust you with it! I trust you Santana..."
Santana nodded, however she couldn't shake how backwards this whole thing felt at the moment. She should be giving her wife encouragement right now, not the other way around.
"I need you to be my calm little cookie, like always sweetie. Can you do that for me?" Again, Santana nodded at Brittany. "Good, I love you," Brittany pecked her wife's pouty lips.
"Whoa! Oh wow..." Brittany winced and bent over at another contraction. She gripped her wife's hand with one, and white knuckled the edge of the table with the other.
"Breathe Britt, just breathe!" Santana went into calm cookie mode, and coached her wife through a few steady breaths.
"That one was a little bit stronger." Brittany breathed out.
"Maybe we should take you in now honey?"
"Nu-uh, Dr. Beckett said to come in at noon unless time between contractions suddenly increased, or I started to get sick." Brittany rubbed her tummy. "It's only 8:30 babe, I want to stay home as long as possible."
"Okay..." Santana whispered, but was becoming increasingly trigger happy to just throw her wife in the car and get to the hospital. "When do you want to call our parents, Shannon, and friends?"
"Before we are about to leave for the hospital," Brittany went back to her sorbet. "This is our special time San, I don't want them hovering and taking over."
Santana had to internally smile at the comment. Brittany, throughout this pregnancy, had gone out of her way to include Santana in as a complete partner. She literally acted as if Santana was the one who knocked her up. Well, she did, but not in the conventional way. There was no more doubt in Santana's mind; she was baby's mama and Brittany was mommy.
"What time is Rox supposed be back?" Brittany asked.
Santana rubbed her brow. "Oh, I totally forgot all about her sweetie. We have to get a hold of her, but I'm sure the prison takes your phone before you enter the visiting area. I think the paper said the event ends at five o'clock though."
"What if she doesn't get back in time? I really wanted her there San!" Brittany panicked.
"Shh, it's okay, it's okay Britt," Santana soothed her. "You remember Jenna from Lamaze class? She said she was in labor for twenty hours with her first. If it's anything like that, Roxie should be back in plenty of time."
"Okay..." Brittany whispered, and Santana pecked her lips for reassurance. Brittany smiled and spooned some sorbet into Santana's mouth.
"Breathe, baby, breathe..." Santana was at her wife's side as Britt leaned against the kitchen island, grimacing a few hours later.
"That was a big one..." Brittany tried to catch her breath as Santana massaged her lower back.
Her contractions were still about fifteen-twenty minutes apart, but they were gaining intensity. The couple was doing the silent breathing technique to get through them.
"You want to sit Britt?"
Brittany shook her head. "No, I think I'm gonna pace the stairs for a bit."
Santana nodded, but she was uncomfortable with the fact Brittany wanted to mill around instead of rest. She also found it better to take her contractions against the refrigerator or counter, instead of sitting. Santana was becoming more anxious watching her wife waddle and putter around the house. She even insisted on a walk down the block an hour before.
"Mija, I'm telling you... she needs to be resting with a heating pad!" Maria shot her two cents in from entryway.
"Oh, I don't know Marí. I needed to pace around just like Britt in my early labor for both my daughters." Jessie added from her seat at the dining table.
"Oh lord! I remember Britt-Britt's labor was twenty-two hours..." Michael shook his head at the agonizing memory.
"Miguel! What's your medical advice on what Britt should be doing right now... resting or pacing around?" Jessie asked. Everyone turned their attention to Mr. Lopez as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"How should I know? I'm an Otologist, I just deal with the ear, nose, and throat!" He casually shrugged, and took a sip of his coffee.
Santana and Brittany gazed dumbfounded at the conversation, and both slowly turned to scowl at Brittany's little sister Shannon, who cowered away in fear and guilt. She quickly looked back down, concentrating on the dishes in front of her.
"I'm going to pace the stairs." Brittany shot everyone a death glare as she waddled into the hall, daring anyone to follow her.
The four elders reconvened at the dining table, and easily picked up conversation, unfazed by Britt's glare.
"This is your fault Shan!" Santana whispered to her sister-in-law as the girl scrubbed away at the dishes. "Britt and I weren't gonna call the Motley Crue until we were safe in the hospital already!"
"How is it my fault Sanny? I just called to check what time the barbecue was, and Brittany told me she was in labor!" She whispered back.
"Yeah, and you told your mom! Who in turn, told the rest of the retirement home!" Santana pointed to the parents, who had just started a game of bridge on the dining table.
"Again, not my fault San! My mom called me to ask what ice cream I wanted with dessert. And, if you haven't noticed all the Pierce women have the Jedi Force! My mom is like Darth Vader... she Sith force choked it out of me!" Shannon exaggerated.
"What the fuck is a Sith?"
"A Sith?" Shannon rolled her eyes. "A jedi who's gone to the darkside, really Santana?"
"Oh, it's not my fault when you and Britt put on that six movie marathon once a year that I fall asleep after the first movie!" Santana nudged her.
"Glek Santana... very glek!" Shannon slowly shook her head.
"What the hell does that mean?"
Again, Shannon condescendingly rolled her eyes. "I said sad... in Ewok language, duh!"
"How in the hell do you have a boyfriend?" Santana squinted her eyes and shook her head. Shannon laughed.
Before the two could get anymore quips in, Brittany came into the kitchen from back down stairs. This time her face was paler, and her skin clammy. It was similar to when she was going through her morning sickness.
"Santana... baby, I think it's time to go to the hospital," she leaned against the entryway with a hand on her lower back.
"Are you sure?"
Brittany nodded. "I just threw up, and I'm feeling nauseous. That's one of the last stages before active labor, right?"
"Yeah, let's go! I'll grab the bag!"
Santana walked over to Brittany, and everyone took that as their cue to literally go bonkers, and scramble around. It was chaos in a millisecond as everyone was barking random orders at each other, talking over one another. It looked like a scene from one of those National Lampoon Vacation movies. The noise level rose fast, and you would have thought you were front row at a metal rock concert at Madison Square Garden.
"ENOUGH!" Brittany shouted, and everyone froze.
"My wife is driving me to the hospital, and no one else in the car! Shannon, you're driving everyone else in your car! And, when we get to the hospital no one in the room! Santana will give you all hourly updates!" Brittany's chest was heaving up and down.
"Also, Shannon call Quinn, Mercedes, and Kurt. Santana make sure to leave a clear voicemail with instructions for Roxie for when she gets her phone back! Is everyone clear on their jobs?"
Everyone slowly nodded wide-eyed at the irritated woman. Shannon slowly raised her hand.
"U-uh Britty, my car only seats four..."
"SHANNON!" Brittany growled at her little sister, her look was murderous.
"I'm sorry, you're right Sissy. I can just stuff daddy in the trunk or something..." Shannon trailed off, and looked away.
It was silent for a beat, everyone now scared to even breathe around Brittany.
"Let's go! Now!" Brittany barked, and everyone hopped to it.
Roxie stared with dead eyes at her mother from across the chessboard. The day started off with a good ole fashion search as the visitors entered the restricted area. All electronics, including phones were taken away. People were allowed only some money for vending machines located in the visiting room. The whole event was supposed to be over by five o'clock, and it was almost four. Roxie still had yet to get any answers. Every time she tried to have a meaningful discussion with her mother throughout the day, Valerie would just deflect or change the subject. So far, the only truth to the letter she sent was the fact she was clean. Only by default though, it's pretty hard to be a crack addict in prison.
Valerie looked at the board in concentration, her forest green prison shirt and hoodie hanging off her frail body. She smirked before making her move. Roxie hated that smirk. She hates how she always carries herself so cocky for no reason. - The woman was in prison for crying out loud.
"Your move mija." She leaned back and smiled, satisfied with herself.
Roxie, still staring with dead eyes wasted no time in leaning forward to make her quick move. "Checkmate..." she coldly stared back at her mother.
Valerie stared at the board for a second in disbelief, then resigned her King, ending the game.
"Yay!" She sarcastically clapped. "You learned that trick from Tata didn't you? I know because he always was a Rook-Knight player." Valerie started setting up the pieces for another game.
"No one ever sees the Rooks coming, they hide in the corners..." Roxie added, still blankly staring at her mother.
"And that is what he would always say," Valerie laughed. "You remind me so much of him mija."
"That's funny... you don't!"
Valerie froze and looked up, locking eyes with her angry daughter. "Harsh..." she nodded with a subtle smile, as to say, touché!
Roxie rolled her eyes, already tired of her mother's passive aggressive attitude. "Look, I came here for answers..."
"Well, it's bonding time... so shoot bebé!"
Roxie swallowed, mildly shocked her mom was game so quick. She powered through. "Why did you allow all that shit to happen to me when I was a kid? All those fucking men mom? You had to have known what they were doing!"
"I was an addict mija! I was never in my right mind baby," Valerie leaned over the table, still setting up the pieces.
"No, no... you don't get to use that lame ass excuse! Not when it was you who was selling me! And you who put ointment on the cigarette burns on my back! How did you assume they got there?" Roxie drummed her fist on the table, causing some chess pieces to fall over.
"Rox, I was beat, molested and raped growing up! You need to get over things, madura niña!"
"I should grow up?" Roxie raised her voice, she glanced at a guard, then lowered it. "So getting raped and abused is some right of passage in your fucked up, delusional world?"
Valerie sneered, and grinded her teeth as she scooted closer to the table. "Is this what this is all about Rox? You're trying to sort out your mommy issues? We're from Brooklyn chica! Bed-Stuy to be exact! We don't do feelings, or therapy... or did you forget?" Valerie pointed.
Roxie balled her fist to keep from launching herself over the table and pummeling the woman.
Valerie continued. "So, is that what those foster moms are doing to you? Huh, they turning you soft like a bitch?"
Roxie looked up confused, then flashed her eyes back down as she knitted her brows. "You know, you got the termination papers?"
Valerie chided. "Por supuesto, I got the papers Roxanna!"
"So that's what this was about?" Roxie asked. "Inviting me here in order to look good in front of the judge when you fight termination?"
"Don't look so shocked mija. Looks like we're both using each other, no? You're no better than me." She smirked, her grin almost psychotic.
That was about all Roxie could take. She stood up from her chair, and looked down at the pathetic woman sitting in front of her.
"When you lose custody, and get paroled in a few years... don't bother contacting me," Roxie confidently spoke.
"I'm not losing custody to two dykes!" Valerie's expression was hardened. "You're my daughter, entiendes?"
Roxie shook her head. "Not anymore! Also, in sixteen years you don't even come close to how amazing they've been to me in just nine months! I'm leaving now, to spend Mother's Day with my real mothers!" Roxie turned to walk away, then suddenly stopped and turned back.
"I want you to know, I forgive you for all the horrible things you allowed to happen to me," Roxie spoke steadily. "I hope you can one day forgive yourself. Have a nice life Valerie."
Valerie snarled, leaning back in her chair. "Te amo también mija!" She watched her daughter walk away. "Rox, I'll see you on the outside in a few years huh?" She shouted after her, but Roxie never turned back – she would never turn back again.
Roxie walked away with her head held high, and the closure she had been looking for all these years. She had finally begun the process Dr. Levy had spoken so often about - she finally started to let go.
A few minutes later, Roxie found herself on a bench with a few other visitors waiting for the early shuttle. She may not have gotten the exact answers she wanted, but she heard enough to know that Valerie Ramos was her past. Santana, Brittany, and the baby were her future. If nothing, the talk with her biological mother made that a little bit clearer to the teenager.
Roxie nervously jittered her legs, wondering where the fuck the shuttle was. The prison had suddenly started to give her the creeps. She nibbled on her bottom lip as she turned on her cell phone, and started listening to her voice messages. Halfway through the first message from Santana she shot up off the bench wide-eyed in a panic, startling some of the people around her, and alarming a prison guard. Roxie stared intently at the gate where the shuttle would be pulling up, almost praying for the bus to get there.
The sound of Santana's voice still ringing in her ears... Brittany was in labor!
Brittany pinched her lips and grimaced, then roared through the end of another contraction. She sank back into the bed, and Santana was starting to notice her body language was beginning to look defeated. She took the washcloth and wiped her forehead, smoothing her sweaty bangs backwards and out of her face. Santana didn't want to admit it aloud, but she was having second thoughts about not letting both mothers in. This was getting overwhelming really fast. She didn't know how much more she could take of seeing her wife scream and contort in pain.
"You're doing so well Britt..." Santana flashed a pained smile, then wiped her sweaty, and now numb hand on her jeans.
"What time is it?" Brittany gripped the bed, readying for another contraction. They were now four minutes apart and lasting the full sixty seconds.
"A little past eight o'clock," Santana murmured.
"Fuck! I've been going at this since this morning! These contractions have been like this since fucking three in the afternoon!" She swallowed hard, leaning her head back against the pillow.
Santana sympathetically nodded. They had been going at it for a long time, and Britt's last check showed her at six centimeters, nowhere near ready to push yet. After making a big splash on the scene this morning, baby suddenly became shy, and decided to slow play it the rest of the day.
"Where's Roxie San? She should be here by now!" Brittany panted.
"She just called sweetie. She ran into some Mother's Day traffic on the subway. She was taking a cab from the station, and should be here any minute now babe." Santana wiped more sweat off Brittany's brow.
"How much longer?" Brittany whispered to herself, and closed her eyes in concentration.
"Britt, you were six centimeters awhile ago honey. I bet you when Dr. Beckett comes back in, you're gonna be ready to push!" Santana did her best to keep Britt's spirits up.
"Mmm... uh..." Brittany groaned, and leaned forward. She gripped Santana's hand as another contraction rolled through her body.
"Breathe, baby... just breathe." Santana did the tantric breathing with her wife, coaching her through the contraction. Again, Brittany turned bright red as she roared through the end. Santana was starting to take the roaring as a good sign it was getting closer to pushing time - at least - that's what she kept telling herself.
"It hurts so bad San..." Brittany whined.
"I know it does baby... I know. We're almost there Britt." Santana caressed her cheek. "How about I get that nurse back in here, we can discuss the epidural options again. She said it wasn't too late honey," Santana pleaded.
"No, I can do this! I'm only four centimeters away. With you at my side... I can do this." Brittany brought Santana's hand up to her lips for a kiss, and it instantly wiped the numb-pain away. Santana suddenly felt silly for wanting to give in so easy - for doubting her wife.
"Right, we're going to be pushing soon Britt. Every contraction is getting us closer to meeting baby! Just keep telling yourself that!" Santana smiled. "You're my strong beautiful girl, and you can do anything..." she leaned over to kiss Brittany's clammy forehead.
The couple's moment was interrupted by a light knock at the door, then Jessie poked her head in. It easily took every ounce of her not to run and be by her daughter's side. Jessie could feel the pain radiating off of Brittany from the doorway; the woman instantly looked like she wanted to cry for her daughter.
"Uh, Roxie just made it in." She softly spoke, and Santana nodded.
As Santana made her way out of the room, she was met by her mom, Jessie, and Shannon hovering at the entrance. All three women stared like lost puppies, waiting for a sign. Santana smiled and nodded to them, giving all three the go-ahead to be with Britt. She had another contraction coming, and Santana didn't want her to be alone as she went to get Roxie from the waiting room. They all kissed and hugged Santana as they quietly made their way into the room.
Santana took a few deep breaths, and leaned her back against the wall for a second. She wanted to get a quick breather in before turning the corner to face their friends and family. She fanned herself at the collar, and wrung the nerves out of her hands. They hadn't even gotten to the pushing yet, and she was ready to drop dead from her anxiety. Santana flexed her swollen hand, and massaged her wrist. She bent over like one of those track and field athletes do after a sprint. She needed a gin & tonic, but she would have to settle for water.
"Tía?"
Santana looked up from her bent position with her hands on her knees. She had never been so relieved to see anyone in her life. She quickly glided over to Roxie, and engulfed the girl in a bone shattering hug. To Santana's surprise, Roxie didn't do her normal tensing before relaxing into the hug. She hugged her tightly back - like she missed her just as much.
"Oh my god mija... you made it back!" Santana mumbled into the top of Roxie's head. "I'm so glad you made it back..."
"Tía... you're hurting me!" Roxie squeaked out, and chuckled.
"I'm sorry babe," Santana released her death grip. "Let me look at you... are you okay?" Santana did that thing parents do where they quickly check their child's body for any injuries.
"The bitch didn't hurt you, did she?" Santana cupped Roxie's face, pulling down her eyelids with her thumbs. She then turned her head from side to side, checking for any marks. "You didn't get shanked or anything, right? And no one tried to make you their bitch?"
Roxie laughed. "No Tía... stop..." she batted her hands away like an irritated child.
"Sorry... sorry! I'm just a little worked up right now Rox." Santana calmed herself, placing her hands on her hips. "Did you get what you needed out of it?"
"Yeah I did..." Roxie smiled and nodded. "Closure..."
"Good..." Santana whispered through a very proud half smile.
"U-uh, how is she?" Roxie turned her attention to the door, frightened by a muted roar from Brittany.
"She's in a lot of pain, and still determined to do it naturally..." Santana forced a smile. "She's strong though Rox, we're almost there. But, you don't have to go in if you don't think you can handle it," Santana reiterated.
Roxie pinched her lips and took a long breath in through her nose, then breathed out. "I want to! She needs us, right?"
Roxie looked up at Santana with all the confidence in the world. She had just made the comment that Brittany needed us, but it was Santana who needed Roxie too. It was important for the future family to be there for each other in the end, because that's what families do. And just like that - like the energizer bunny - Santana was recharged and ready to go. She was ready to see this through, and meet her child.
The two headed into the delivery room confident, and together.
"Alright, I'm going to need you to give me a big push on the next contraction Britt!" Dr. Beckett instructed from her position between Brittany's legs.
Brittany nodded, her chin in her chest as she panted, exhausted from the last push. It was half past ten o'clock at night, and Brittany had been pushing for thirty minutes. Santana had been at her side the whole time giving her all the encouragement she could muster, but was wavering a bit with each push that came up Snake eyes.
"Here it comes!" A nurse informed.
Brittany leaned into the contraction, letting out a shaky groan, and gripping Santana's hand through the ten count. She pinched her whole face as she yelled through it. A chorus of good jobs! rang out from Dr. Beckett, the two nurses, and Santana. Brittany melted back into the bed, and tried her best to gather herself before the next contraction.
"You're doing so well honey... so good Britt." Santana reached up with her free, non-numb hand and wiped sweat from Brittany's brow.
Santana did a quick check on Roxie who had taken Britt up on the offer to pull a chair off to the side. But, halfway through the transitional phase when Brittany started pushing, Roxie stood up, becoming too antsy. She paced, rubbed her ring, folded her arms, chewed her fingernails, nibbled the inside of her cheek. Santana also noticed she was getting closer and closer to the bed; almost like she was willing herself to be at Britt's side. She had her fingers interlocked above her head as she now stood no more than a foot away.
"Britt, doing so well! One more big push and I think baby will be crowning!" Dr. Beckett encouraged.
"You hear that Britt, almost there! A few more big pushes sweetheart!" Santana tried to stay strong, but Brittany looked at her paler than a ghost, her body quivering. Santana didn't like the look she was getting from her wife at the moment. This needed to be over, and fast.
Brittany again beared down on the next contraction. She was determined to get the baby closer with this one. She regripped Santana's hand, and hunched down - chin to chest through the ten count. She turned all shades of pink as she growled through the end.
"We have crowning Britt! Good job!" Dr. Beckett applauded. And Santana knew better than to look. Not so much because she would be disgusted, rather she didn't want anything to break her focus on her wife.
"Ahh... I'm not going to be able to get the head out San!" Brittany cried. "I don't think I can do it... I'm so exhausted." Brittany looked up at Santana terrified. She looked lost and confused, something they were warned about in Lamaze class; like a lost car driving around in circles - hopeless - and no end in sight.
Santana wouldn't let her wife give in to the exhaustion and confusion that easy - not when they were this close.
"You can do this Britt! Next contraction, you're so strong honey!" Santana flashed a look at Roxie, who stared back with an apologetic expression like she wanted to help but, just didn't know how.
"Give me my baby Britt! I want to meet my baby!" Santana whispered in Brittany's ear.
"Next contraction in a few seconds..." the second nurse warned.
Brittany nodded at her wife, but her attention was suddenly drawn away by Roxie taking her other hand. She interlocked her fingers with Brittany's, and shakily smiled down at her foster mother.
"You can do this Auntie B, just a few more pushes!" Roxie brushed some of Britt's bangs back.
Brittany hunched down with all her might on the next contraction, and the whole room guided her through the ten count. Her growl was guttural, yet determined; Roxie and Santana at her sides as she yelled through the end.
"We have a head, stop pushing for a second Britt!" The room was immediately filled with the sounds of Dr. Beckett's suction device, as she cleared the baby's airway. Santana still determined not to look, buried her face into the crook of Brittany's sweaty neck whispering more words of encouragement. When she looked up again she was met by the bulging eyes of Roxie.
"Tía, I looked!" She whispered, and looked mortified. The gag reflex kicked in as she tried to hold in her dry heaving.
"Why did you do that Rox?" Santana shook her head.
"I don't know!" Roxie mouthed.
"One more big push and we should have baby!" Dr. Beckett's voice was booming at the prospect of the finish line.
Brittany roared through the ten count, and Roxie gagged, missing every other number. It was like slow motion to Santana, and her wife's screaming was muted. She looked down and slowly saw Dr. Beckett's arms retreating as the baby was coming out, a nurse ready with a towel. Santana doesn't remember any other sound except the relieved moan of her wife as she collapsed back into the bed; then the sound of a squishy gurgle, followed by the most delightful pinched scream in the world.
"We have a baby boy!" Dr. Beckett proclaimed as she laid the mucus covered infant on Brittany's chest and stomach. Nothing much was registering to Santana as the nurses tagged teamed their son, wiping as much blood and mucus off as the wrinkled infant wailed; his tiny balled fist swinging through the air in anger at being expelled from his warm, cozy home of nine months.
Santana hadn't noticed, but she was sobbing uncontrollably; her body shuddered and trembled with waves and waves of emotions she had never felt before. It didn't just feel like her heart cracked open, it felt like a volcano had erupted inside her chest; the warm lava seeping through her body. She felt like she would never cool off again. It was love at first sight as she locked eyes with the dark, watery orbs of her whimpering son, as he continued raising his balled fist in rage. Her heart and soul were lassoed. She would forever be wrapped around his finger - it was a done deal.
Brittany was shaking with her own fit of sobs; a mix of relief and euphoria - the pain now a distant memory - all but forgotten. She bent down to kiss their son. His dark, matted hair felt like silk against her lips. His smell was neutral, but still so sweet - Brittany breathed it in like she wanted it to become apart of her.
"Oh hi baby boy... happy birthday!" She half cried and cooed as he continued his adorable pinched cries.
"Britt we have a son!" Santana cried. "Look at our baby..." She kissed her wife's temple, lingering there for a moment, so proud of her.
Santana looked up at Roxie who had her hands tented over her nose and mouth in awe of the moment. Tears were cascading down her face as she looked between her foster mothers and fussing, baby brother in disbelief.
"He's amazing B..." Roxie finally whispered with tears stinging her eyes, and leaned over to kiss Brittany's forehead.
The family of four were huddled around with tears in their eyes; three were bawling uncontrollably because of extreme happiness and relief, and one because of utter confusion and shock of environment. Even when Roxie had to take a seat for fear of passing out, did she not stop sobbing. And even after Santana cut the cord and their son whisked away to check his vitals, did they not stop sobbing, and peppering each other with kisses and I love yous.
Santana and Brittany watched as their son jerked and wailed as the nurses poked and prodded him on the exam table. They smiled, not knowing how such pinched, shrill cries could literally be the sweetest music to their ears; on par with the great symphonies of Mozart himself.
Santana lay on the bed with Brittany an hour later; She had an arm around her wife as the two cooed, and smiled down at their son in Brittany's arms. He had only been on the Earth for an hour, but Santana was sure he was the greatest person who has ever lived - she was already that head over heels for her son.
"Aww, that squishy face he makes is already my favorite face ever!" Santana baby talked, and leaned down to gently kiss the dark tuft of hair on her son's head before pulling his blue cap back down.
Their son continued to lightly grunt, jerk his arms, and stick his tiny tongue past his toothless gums as he gurgled. The light blue receiving blanket was wrapped snug around his little, seven pound body.
Brittany laughed. "You already said the face where he wrinkled his nose and forehead after he breastfed was your favorite honey."
"Yeah, well they're already all my favorites... yes they are!" Santana sang down at the baby, not breaking her gaze from her son as he gripped her pinky.
"They're all my favorites too babe." Brittany leaned her head against Santana's temple, continuing to grin like a crazy person down at their baby boy.
"He needs a name before meeting everyone." Brittany softly spoke, then lifted her head off Santana to look in her eyes.
"Baby definitely needs a name, I agree honey," Santana smiled. "But, I'm at a loss for boy names Britt. Not gonna lie, I really felt like we were having a girl. I have tons of girl names picked out!" She laughed.
"How about Gabriel?" Brittany asked, her eyes so gentle. "When we got back from the cemetery that evening, I couldn't stop thinking about the name San, and his amazing story."
Santana smiled at her wife. "Roxie's grandfather..." her grinned widened. "I love it Britt-Britt!"
"I love it too," Brittany agreed, and kissed her wife. "He also needs a middle name."
"Oh, well that's just a no brainer! We have to go with Michael, because of our dads." Santana again cooed down at their son who crinkled his brows at her voice.
"It's settled then." Brittany decided. "Hello Gabriel Michael Lopez-Pierce!" She leaned over to give her son an Eskimo kiss. He opened his mouth, sticking his tongue past toothless gums again, and gurgled.
"Our little archangel, who is named after a real American hero!" Santana added.
"Gabriel Michael sounds like one of those big, important Catholic saints," Brittany chuckled. "Or like the Pope... I love it!" She bit down on her lip.
Just then, Roxie quietly came back into the room. Soon after Gabriel was taken away for his first baby bath, Roxie announced she needed some air, and disappeared for awhile. Santana thought most likely to Upchuck the prison lunch, and get her wobbly legs back underneath her.
"Okay, you guys have got to hurry up and let them in," Roxie pointed back towards the door as she entered. "They're like a pack of rabid animals. Quinn and Mercedes actually cornered me in the bathroom wanting to know every detail about the birth and baby! And Kurt did this really weird thing where he kissed my hand like I was royalty for just seeing the baby."
"Don't worry about the crazies Rox, they can wait. Come here sweetheart, come meet your brother!" Brittany waved her over to the bed.
Roxie smiled, and gently walked over. "How is he?" She folded her arms, and looked down at the child in Brittany's arms.
"You wanna hold him?" Brittany asked.
"U-uh, I d-don't want to hurt him! He's so small..." Roxie nervously smiled.
"I promise, you're not gonna hurt him honey!" Brittany scooted forward, and moved to give Roxie the baby. "Come on, hold out your arms... support his head."
Roxie gave in, and did as she was told. Santana watched from her wife's side a little nervous, Roxie didn't look like the coolest cucumber at the moment. The last thing they needed was an accident to ruin the perfect day. Roxie's mouth was in the shape of an O as she concentrated on doing exactly what Britt said. Gabriel let out a few fussy whines and grunts, but eventually let out a cute, little sigh as he settled snug in his sister's arms.
"Hi baby..." Roxie cooed down at her brother, then looked up grinning at her foster mothers. "He smells so good," she chuckled, grazing her nose gently along his forehead.
"That's your brother Rox... Gabriel Michael Lopez-Pierce." Brittany smiled, tears brimming.
Roxie quit cooing, and looked up in utter shock; mouth ajar, and bewildered at Brittany and Santana. She swallowed hard as tears began to sparkle in her eyes. She looked back down at the baby in her arms.
"H-hello Gabriel. I'll tell you all about the great man you're named after when you get older mijo," Roxie whispered into a kiss on Gabriel's forehead.
Santana and Brittany watched for a few moments from the bed as Roxie bounced, and swayed around the room with Gabriel in her arms. She was a natural as she made faces at him, laughing and wooing when he would make cute gurgle or grunting noises.
Brittany breathed out a content sigh, and pulled Santana's arm around her tighter, leaning her body into her wife as they watched. Santana glanced up at the clock, and smiled.
"It's 11:56 Britt! Happy Mother's Day baby..." She kissed Brittany's temple.
Brittany looked up at her wife, then smiled into a kiss. "Happy Mother's Day Santana..." she whispered.
They continued to hold on to each other, watching their children bond. If you would have told Santana Lopez ten years ago she would be in this position, she would have never believed you. It wasn't conventional - her family was not conventional. But it was hers, and made from the purest love - perfect - and now complete.
End Note: And, The Golden Review goes to... ThePillowQueen! Once I read their review on how baby should be a boy named in honor of Roxie's grandfather, it clicked! Seriously, how could I not lol? Plus, I just happen to really love the name Gabriel! I regret nothing!
Also, a boy in a house full of girls? I just love the contrast it creates. Brittana & Roxie for Gabe's first steps... Brittana & Roxie for Gabe's first words... Brittana & Roxie for Gabe's first everything! Plans for this family... I have them!
Three women and a baby... here we go ;)
As usual, any questions or you just wanna talk? Shoot me a PM, or hit me up on tumblr (martianinthought)