Sorry this has been a few days coming...got some pretty major stuff going on right now.
Hope you enjoy the chapter!
To the guest who wrote that really awesome review...thank you it was really nice of you to say :)
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"Santana please try and drink something at least" Maribel placed the sandwich on the table but kept the bottle of juice in front of her.
"I'm not hungry or thirsty Mama"
"I know you aren't sweetie but you are going to have to force yourself to have something"
Santana crossed her arms over her chest she knew her Mom was right but the thought made her feel sick.
"Santana I can only imagine what you said to Quinn before her surgery but I'm sure you mentioned fighting or staying strong?" Santana nodded her head at Judy's question.
"Right, now you need to do the same, you probably feel sick because you haven't eaten and you are running on adrenalin now like your Mom said please have something to drink at least"
She took the bottle from her mother's hand and took a sip; it stung a little going down her throat….her throat like her eyes felt raw and her head pounded.
"Actually do either of you have some pain killers my head is killing me" she looked at her Mom and Judy.
"Yes I do actually"….Judy rummaged through her bag and pulled out a tray of tablets "perhaps only take one for now seeing as it's on an empty stomach" Santana nodded again and popped a pill in her mouth before taking a longer sip of the juice.
It had been 6 hours since Santana left Quinn and she wasn't sure how much more she could take…..her back ached from sitting down and he feet ached from standing and pacing.
She looked up as both her aunts came back into the room.
"Any news?" her aunt Sophia asked almost hesitantly
Santana shook her head
"How is Mama?" Maribel queried
"She is ok, they have given her some pretty good pain relief to help her sleep through the night….she should be released tomorrow they just want her In overnight in case any delayed shock sets in" Maribel nodded and then remembered her manners
"I'm sorry this is Quinn's Mom Judy, Judy these are my sisters Sophia and Angela" Santana was obviously in shut down mode so couldn't be expected to make introductions
The women made some small talk before Sophia & Angela left to get a taxi home.
1 hour later
Santana looked around the room her Dad was snoozing in a very uncomfortable chair, her mom was reading a magazine and drinking from a steaming cup Santana assumed it was coffee. Judy was busy messaging on her phone, she looked and caught Santana's eyes and smiled at her but it didn't quite reach her eyes….it must be killing her also Santana thought, she got up from her chair and went and sat on the floor in front of Judy and rested her head on her knees.
"My girl is a fighter Santana she will come back to us"
"She loves you so much you know Mrs F"
"Oh I know and with how much she loves you she is well and truly tied to this earth"
Santana nodded she hoped like hell it was true.
There was a shuffling of footsteps in the corridor but Santana couldn't even bring herself to lift her head anymore, she jumped when she felt arms wrap around her but quickly relaxed when she recognised the embrace.
"I came as fast as I could"
"I'm so glad you are here" Santana hugged back tightly
Maribel smiled from across the room
"Thank you for coming Rachel she needs her best friend"
"Well she gets more than that" Santana looked up and smiled as Kurt and Brittany walked in.
"I brought the cavalry with me" Rachel smiled at her.
Carlos got up from his seat "Who wants drinks?"
Judy and Rachel both requested a coffee and Kurt offered to go with him to see what was available.
"So you've been stuck in this room for how many hours? Rachel asked to no one in particular
"Heading towards 8 now" Santana answered her voice was husky
"Do you want to get some fresh air San?"
"No I can't leave in case the doctors come"
"I left my phone in the rental come on 5 minutes is better than nothing" Santana reluctantly nodded and allowed herself to be pulled up off the floor. She turned to talk to Judy but was stopped from muttering a word
"I will get you if anyone comes sweetie"
Rachel slipped her hand into the taller brunettes and led her out the room.
Brittany grabbed a magazine and sat down next to Judy she had hesitated in coming not wanting to cause any issue with Maribel but in the end the want and need to be there for her friends outweighed any negativity she might get.
Maribel looked towards her and smiled "It is good of you to come Brittany"
"I wanted to be here for San and Quinn"
"I know" Maribel nodded and a silent truce was made.
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"Ok I know it's a stupid question but are you holding up ok?" Rachel asked as they made their way across the car park.
"Well I've e had better days"
"I know sweetie"
"She promised me she would fight though Rach so that's just keeping my head above the water"
"She is strong Santana emotionally and physically if anyone can pull through this its Quinn"
"I'm going to wrap her in bubble wrap you know"
"Good idea, Have you spoken to Karen and Amelia?"
"Judy has they are waiting till after the surgery before they make any plans"
"Yeah that makes sense"
"So when did Judy call you?"
"She didn't"
Santana stopped and stared at her
"You Mom rang me San"
"She did?"
"And she said to bring the strongest people for you…I don't know if she meant Britt but she is good to have around"
"She wouldn't have meant Britt at all….speaking of we should probably hurry that room could be quite uncomfortable"
They were at the rental by this stage and Rachel grabbed her phone quickly before they both hurried back in relative silence.
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45 minutes after they returned a doctor entered the room and sought out Judy and Santana, everyone else sat forward in their seats.
"Hi ladies I'm Blair Longford, I was one of the surgeons operating on Quinn today"
Both of them could only muster a head nod in recognition.
"Quinn is currently stable but the next 24 hours will be very critical, we had to remove her spleen and one of her kidneys. She has multiple fractures to her ribs on the right side and one did pierce her lung" Judy grabbed Santana's hand and held it tightly.
"She is in a coma and machines are currently breathing for her"
Santana swallowed hard this was far from over.
"Will she be ok?" Judy almost whimpered through tears
"It sounds scary but it's her body's way of coping, at this stage like I said the next 24 hours are critical."
"Can we see her?" Santana asked she was so desperate to see her girl….. To hold her hand.
"I can only allow direct family in the ICU, can I suggest that everyone else heads home to get some rest" the others nodded in agreement.
"Give me 10 minutes and I will come back and get you" Doctor Longford instructed and left the room.
Santana turned around to face her friends and family.
"I will be back first thing baby girl and I will bring you a change of clothes" Maribel put an arm around her daughter.
"Thanks Mama"
They hugged everyone goodbye and remained standing in the waiting room awaiting the doctors return.
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Judy and Santana walked quickly behind the doctor as he led them to Quinn's room
"Quinn still has quite a few wires and machines attached to her so please be careful as you sit down"
He held the door open for them and they each immediately took a side of the bed.
"We're here baby" Judy picked up Quinn's hand and kissed it gently.
Santana was speechless she grasped Quinn's hand and let the tears fall from her eyes.
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Santana awoke with a start when a hand was placed on her shoulder; her eyes darted straight to the blonde on the bed before she turned to whoever was behind her it was the same doctor who took Quinn into theatre the day before.
"Hey sorry to startle you"
"It's ok" she looked around the room unsure as to how long she had been asleep.
"If you are looking for your mother in law she is just taking a shower"
Santana nodded she desperately wanted one also but would probably have to be torn away before she moved from her girlfriend's side.
"Any updates Doc"
"Well we are going to take her off the breathing machines today and then it will be up to Quinn"
"When will you do that?"
"I'm just waiting on a colleague of mine and we will do it shortly, she gave me the hard word you know"
Santana raised an eyebrow at him in confusion
"She said you would kick my ass if I didn't get her through surgery"
Santana actually laughed it seemed like a surreal thing to do given the current situation.
"Well she was probably right"
"So I'm off the hook then?"
"Is my girl awake?"
"Well no not yet"
"Then you are still very much on it"
"Hey go easy on me…..besides it's you that's going to play a vital role in the next stage"
"What do you mean?'
"Oh come on you've seen the TV shows I'm sure…you are going to have to make your girl come back to you…..bring her back from wherever she is"
"Oh she'll come back Doc she is crazy about my hot ass"
"Ha ha I'm sure she is…..her stats are looking quite good her oxygen levels are good her pulse is a little weak though so it may take a bit of time but just keep talking to her"
"Oh god is everything ok?" Judy walked back into the room and was concerned upon seeing the doctor, she saw Santana's smiling face though and instantly relaxed a little.
"I was just explaining to your daughter in law that we will take Quinn off the breathing machine shortly and then the rest is up to her" he smiled at the older blonde and excused himself to chase up his colleague.
"You hear that Quinn….enjoy the rest of your sleep in whilst you can honey" Judy grinned at her daughter and then at Santana she was sure Quinn had more colour in her cheeks today.
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"Ok and that's it she breathing on her own which is a good sign"
"Thank god for that" Judy whispered
"Her pulse is still quite weak so we will be monitoring that quite closely it now all lies with your daughter Mrs Fabray"
"Ok sweetie it's time to come back to us" Judy looked across the bed at Santana she had been so quiet and barely moved as they took the tubes out of Quinn's airway.
"San honey breathe ok" Santana shook her head she had gone into a daze, she rubbed her thumb over the soft skin on Quinn's hand and began a chant inside her head – wake up wake up wake up.
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24 hours later
The doctors had been looking over Quinn's charts, checking machines and altering medications all day and yet she still wasn't awake and her pulse was still low.
"Why isn't she waking up Doc?" Santana asked almost angrily
"She has been through a great deal of trauma and her body is working over time trying to heal, it could take some time"
Santana sat heavily back in the chair.
"Baby girl why don't you go and take a shower and freshen up a little" Maribel suggested she had been sitting with her whilst Judy went to get some fresh air.
"I can't leave her Mama"
"You won't be leaving for long sweetie…..what happens if she wakes up and you look and feel awful"
"Wow thanks!"
"Come on just make it a quick one, wash your hair and brush your teeth you will be surprised how much better you will feel".
"Ok fine I will go once Judy is back"
"That's my girl"
Judy returned 15 minutes later and she was pleased to hear that Santana was actually going to leave the room being in such a small space for a long time will mess with anyone's head.
Santana took Quinn's hand once again and whispered into her ear.
"I'm going to get all hot and soapy in the shower hot stuff you better wake up soon so you can start joining me again" she then placed her lips onto the blondes softly bringing her other hand up to cup her cheek, she realised she hadn't actually kissed Quinn since saying goodbye before her operation….her lips had missed it so much.
"Santana don't stop kissing her" which of course made her snap her head towards Judy
"Ok Mrs F I love you and everything but watching me snog your daughter…..not cool"
"Oh shut up I'm serious her heart rate climbed when you kissed her….do it again"
Santana did as she was instructed this time keeping her eyes on the heart rate monitor, Judy was right it certainly climbed.
Within seconds Dr Barker and a nurse were in the room.
"We noticed a spike in her pulse"
"She kissed her" Judy said in disbelief she knew Quinn had found her soul mate but she hadn't realised the extremity of the bond they shared until that moment.
"Things like that will do it…..I told you this will be a vital role for you too Santana" Doctor Barker looked at her and smiled.
"But it's not staying up…..surely we need it to stay up and I can't kiss her all the time" Santana groaned.
"Well I never thought I'd see the day" Maribel laughed
"You know what I mean Mama"
"Any raise is good Santana, we may actually lift her bed slightly to see if we can get her blood circulating a bit more" Doctor Barker motioned for the nurse to adjust it slightly so Quinn was sitting up a little more.
"This is good, it's a positive sign hopefully one of many more" he returned her chart to the end of the bed and left the room again quietly.
"Come on honey let's get you showered and back before anything else happens" Maribel picked up the bag she had brought in with Santana's things.
"I'm going to be right back my love" She kissed Quinn again and once again her heart rate rose.
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Judy was reading a newspaper article out loud to Quinn when she heard a small knock at the door.
"Come in" she called out in quiet tone
Santana's Aunt walked into the room pushing Carmen in a wheel chair
"Judy this is my Mother Carmen, Mama this is Quinn's Mom"
Carmen held her hand out to shake Judy's
"I'm so terribly sorry this has happened Judy"
"You have nothing to be sorry about"
"I am allowed to go home today and I wanted to see young Quinn before I did if I may"
"Of course by all means" Judy made her way around the bed and moved the hospital chair out of the way so Carmen could be wheeled up to the bed.
"Where are the girls?"
"Santana is showering it's the first time she has left the room and Maribel went with her" Judy gave her a half smile
"She is very loyal my Santana, she will be a good wife to your daughter" Judy's smile was wider this time….she knew Santana had had problems with her grandmother accepting her sexuality so she saw this as nothing short of amazing.
"I'm sure she will, I feel very blessed that she will be joining my family"
"Your daughter saved me you know"
Judy nodded her head quickly
"So I've been told and it doesn't surprise me"
"May I have a few minutes alone with her?" Carmen asked tentatively
Judy hesitated for a moment either Santana or herself had always been in the room, but she felt she could trust the older lady so agreed.
"Sophia please help me stand I will be ok for a bit"
"Are you sure Mama?"
"Of course darling I won't be long"
Sophia and Judy both helped her up before leaving; Carmen watched after them and turned to Quinn once the door was shut.
"Ok young lady it's time you wake up, people here need you greatly, they are hurting and they need you back you hear me….plus you have a ring you need to give my grand baby" Carmen picked up Quinn's hand and kissed it softly before reaching up around her neck and undoing the delicate gold cross that she had worn around her neck for over 20 years.
"Now I don't know if you are a religious person but I'm going to leave this with you…it will take good care of you" She fastened it around Quinn's neck and took a step back.
"I will be expecting a call to hear that you have woken up shortly…..don't make me come back to this place to tell you off alright"
And with that she made her way to the door.
Santana returned 20 minutes later after her mother had convinced her to get something to eat and drink also. As she soon as she was close to Quinn she noticed the gold cross.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Yes darling your gran stopped by before she went home"
"Wow I don't think I have seen that off her neck ever"
"Well that makes it very special indeed then, I thought it was a lovely gesture"
Santana agreed and turned her attention back to Quinn.
"Hey baby so I'm smelling all sorts of good now and totally FYI I'm wearing some of my new lingerie so you best be opening those beautiful hazel eyes if you wish to get a good look" She kissed Quinn's forehead and sat back down in the chair beside the bed she was convinced her butt print must be permanently indented into the cushion.
The rest of the day passed pretty uneventfully. Rachel, Brittany and Kurt had all called in to visit and to check up on her and soon enough it was just her and Judy again positioned on either side of the bed. The nurses had bought in a small TV for them to watch….it was on quietly in the corner but neither of them were really paying much attention to it. Santana could feel her eyelids dropping so she positioned her head on the side of the bed as she had done numerous times before and let the wave of sleep take her away. Judy made herself comfortable reading a magazine in the dim light her eyes also dropping every so often.
That's exactly how they still were 15 minutes later when Quinn's eyes flickered open.