A/N Sorry for that little gap in updating! I've been trying to do it more regularly and this is definitely better than I used to, right? :P This is sort of a few mini-chapters shoved into one. Back into intensity over the next couple chapters, so enjoy the filler/fluffy-ness. :)
Santana was released two days later, when the bleeding had stopped completely and the doctors were positive that it was safe for her to return home. They'd concluded that strict bed rest was unnecessary but warned Santana not to overdo it, and to be mindful of how much she exerted herself. Finn took it upon himself to make sure she was careful, watching her every move and snapping to attention at any little moan or groan she made, and giving her looks when he felt like she was walking around too much. It was nice, and Santana supposed it was only natural for him to be extra wary and observant.
Despite how many times the doctors told her everything was fine, she still breathed easier when she could feel the baby moving, and she made sure Finn was aware it was happening too, often reaching for his hand and placing it on her belly. His relief was just as obvious as her own during these moments, and she found herself growing more and more grateful and thankful for him.
He stayed with her the entire time she was there, having his mother bring by clothes when the weather cleared, showering, sleeping, and eating there in the hospital, only leaving her side to use the restroom and even then most times he talked to her while he was in there, shouting through the closed door. He wanted almost constant contact, and while sometimes (okay, most times) that was pretty irritating, she also thought it was kind of sweet and tolerated it well, knowing he had been just as scared as she had been and was still a bit nervous about the episode.
Santana was pretty sure that this sudden clinginess also had a lot to do with what she'd finally said to him... There was no official exchange of words, nor had they even asked each other if they were dating. It just was what it was. But she'd heard him call her his girlfriend at least twenty times to various people, the doctor, random nurses, their family, friends, with the same proud tone each time.
Surprisingly, she didn't mind. Girlfriend. It felt like ages since she'd been one of those... Not a fuck buddy, not a good ride, not a hook-up at a party, but an honest to goodness girlfriend. She wondered vaguely if she even remembered how to be a girlfriend, but figured Finn would definitely guide her along the way as he had been so far. That was why this felt so effortless; Finn was practically the girl as far as emotions went, and he took her least favorite part of relationships onto himself naturally.
When she was finally released and back home, her parents treated her as if she was made of spun sugar. She knew part of that was guilt (Burt was the first person the hospital was able to contact, with Santana's parents still out of town and inexplicably unreachable until an entire day later) but she also knew they were genuinely worried. Despite her protests, her father carried her upstairs to her bedroom upon her arrival, and her mother hovered over her for almost an hour before Santana convinced her that she would indeed be okay if left alone. Finn had wanted to stay as well, but with urging from both Santana and Carole, he eventually went to his own home, leaving Santana alone for the first time in days.
They weren't parted for long though. Santana was settling in to sleep, finally finding a position that was mostly comfortable and she'd just started to feel herself slipping off when there was a loud ping on her window. After a bit of a struggle she sat up, and she lumbered off to the window and peered out cautiously. Down on the lawn below was Finn, and she quickly opened the window to call out to him.
"What are you doing? This isn't the eighties, you can't just throw shit at people's windows."
He shrugged his shoulders, craning his neck to look up at her. He had a bag of fast food in one hand and a few tator tots in the other. He dropped the tots to the ground out of embarrassment.
"I know but I couldn't sleep... All this baby stuff..." he explained, talking a little bit louder than he had to to be heard.
"Well, as the person who is growing this baby, I need to sleep," Santana retorted a little snarkily, but she had to admit she was happy to see him. "Come inside, come to bed with me."
Finn rose his eyebrows at her and looked off to the side of the lawn, unsure of how to take this invitation.
"Uh..."
"Not like that," Santana said quickly, shaking her head. "I don't know, just get in here so I can go back to sleep, please."
Finn did just that, entering the Lopez household through the unlocked back door and quietly creeping upstairs and into Santana's bedroom. By the time he did, she was back in bed underneath her quilt, curled up on her side and facing the door. When he came in she smiled at him and patted the empty space of mattress beside her. Finn shucked his jacket and shoes off and crawled into bed gingerly beside her, taking her in his arms. Santana snuggled close, happily sighing as she closed her eyes.
"I'm glad you're here. I think I got used to you being around while I slept," she whispered, chuckling a little.
"Yeah, I spoil you," Finn replied, his own eyes fluttering closed. They were silent for awhile, each just listening to each other breathe. Eventually Finn broke the quiet. "Are you ready to go back to school tomorrow? You sure you don't need another day?"
"No, I'm ready. The doctor said it was fine." Santana didn't even open her eyes, having no reason. She had missed two days already and while bumming it in bed wasn't a horrible way to spend her time, she knew she would have plenty of time off once the baby came and she didn't want to fall behind on her classes.
"But if you get tired or anything, or you want something, whatever it is, just text me okay? I'll drop whatever I'm doing," Finn responded hurriedly, giving her a little squeeze as he spoke. Santana knew he was still worried but she also knew that she was fine and there was nothing to worry about. That, and she was really tired.
"Finn. Go to sleep."
The fact that they were dating went over well at school. The two didn't bother hiding it, but it was definitely Finn doing a lot of the talking and telling, which was fine with Santana. Kurt had gotten the news spread pretty well before they'd even stepped back into McKinley High, and it seemed as if people were expecting it to happen anyway. Even Rachel was civil about it, though Santana wasn't expecting her not to be.
When they walked into Glee Club that afternoon holding hands, the brunette songstress beamed at them happily.
"I'm sure I speak for us all when I say that I'm glad everything is okay, Santana. We were all very worried! And I hear you two are now an item," Rachel didn't wait for either of them to confirm, already knowing it to be true. "That's just great news all around. I'm very excited for you two!"
Finn and Santana shared a confused look, and Mercedes piped up, looking rather bored.
"She's been like this all day. We just found out our competition for sectionals."
"Needless to say she's rather confident we're going to win," Kurt added, smoothing a flyaway down.
"Old people and an all boys' school; of course we're going to win!" Rachel practically shrieked, not believing any one could doubt her judgement. Everyone around her rolled their eyes. Santana was happy to see not much had changed in her absence, and sat down next to Brittany, who had squealed when they had walked in.
"I missed you!" Brittany said, hugging Santana. "My mom said I needed to let you rest, and that's why I couldn't visit. But you're rested now, right?" The blonde looked at her friend with her eyebrows knit in concern.
"I'm very rested, Britt," Santana assured her, patting her on the shoulder. Brittany seemed very relieved to hear this, and spent the rest of Glee Club with her pinky linked with Santana's.
The weeks dragged on, and Santana just got bigger and bigger. Standing in front of her bedroom mirror, Santana frowned at her appearance as she looked at herself in her bra and boy shorts.
Not all that long ago she'd been thin, so thin in fact most everyone assumed she had an eating disorder. And now look, she was gargantuan. She bit her lip as she turned to the side, her large baby belly protruding so far out she couldn't even wrap her arms around herself any more. Her face was a bit pudgier, her ass had indeed grown to what felt like mammoth proportions.
What the hell kind of sick joke was this? She remembered how Quinn had looked at Regionals... She'd been such a cute, tiny pregnant girl. And she'd ballooned into a friggin' whale. She allowed herself to sulk a little until her eyes swept up her body again.
One positive though, her boobs were awesome, she noted with a smile. They'd been fine before, but now they were just... BAM. Definitely eye catchers. She grabbed the shirt she'd had laid out on the bed and pulled it on, grimacing at how tight it looked. Still, everything was covered. She tugged on sweatpants and headed downstairs. Everyone would just have to live with her looking a little... less... today.
By the time Glee Club rolled around, Santana was spent. Walking around school while lugging this baby around was hard work, and while everyone else got to practice their pieces for sectionals in the auditorium, Santana sat at the piano, plunking on keys randomly. She was bored, her back ached, and she felt pretty useless just sitting around. Brittany eventually ambled in, sweaty from dance rehearsals and a little winded.
"Hey San," Brittany called, standing by her friend and looking her up and down. "How're you doing in here?"
"I'm just miserable," Santana lamented, laying her head down on the piano. Brittany joined her, sitting atop the instrument with her legs dangling over the edge. After a few moments of silence, Brittany spoke up.
"Do you want to play the Breath Game like we used to?" she suggested, swinging her feet slightly. Santana angled her head so she could see what Brittany was doing and nodded. They used to play this while waiting for Glee Club to start, but she couldn't remember the last time they'd taken part in the silly past time.
Brittany leaned her face down towards the top of the piano and breathed on the glossy black surface, creating fog, and promptly drew a shape with a fingertip. Santana smiled having automatically recognized it.
"It's a heart."
"Right! Good job," Brittany cheered, clapping her hands for her friend. Santana chuckled at her friend and then quickly stopped, suddenly feeling a seeping between her legs. She groaned at the wet sensation as Brittany stared on in horror at the growing dark spot on her pants.
Santana was hoping she'd be able to avoid peeing herself, her mom and Quinn teasing her that she'd do it at least once. But this seemed like an unusual amount of liquid, and Brittany jumped atop the piano.
"Santana, you couldn't make it to the potty?" Brittany groaned, wrinkling her nose in disgust. When the leaking continued, Santana's eyes widened.
"Britt, I don't think that's pee..."
"Well what else have you been keeping up there?" Brittany questioned, looking at Santana from the sides of her eyes.
"I think my water broke!"
