Sorry for the long wait for an update. I needed time away from this story for awhile. This chapter is long so I hope it is worth the wait. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Santana and Brittany hurried to the maternity floor and to the nurses station area. "Hi, our friend Quinn Puckerman is in labor we were wondering if you could give us an update." Santana said slightly out of breath.
"I'm sorry but I can't give out any information unless you are family. I'm going to have ask you to have a seat in the waiting room." A nurse told them. Santana was about to argue when she left Brittany hand on her back. She knew it was Brittany's way of telling her to calm down and do what the nurse asked them to do. So they walked to the waiting room and sat down.
Santana called her mother and told her that Quinn went into labor and that they were at the hospital. Collin wanted to say Hi to his Mami so Mariel held the phone for him.
"Hi Collin. It's Mami." Santana said with a huge smile on her face. It was still so unbelievable and new to her that her little boy was talking and had grown up so much.
"Hi Mami. Me play with my trucks."
"That sounds like fun sweetie. Say hi to Mom now."
Brittany took Santana's cell phone from her. "Hi Collin."
"Hi Mom. Me playing with my trucks."
"I know you love your trucks. What did you have for lunch?"
"Me had nutwiche and carwats."
Brittany laughed. "You had a peanut butter sandwich and carrots. Thank sounds yummy. Bye Collin. Mom loves you." Brittany wasn't surprised Collin loved peanut butter sandwiches with all of the peanut butter Santana ate when she was pregnant with him.
"Wuv you Mom."
Brittany handed the phone back to Santana.
"Collin it's Mami again. I love you."
"Wuv you Mami."
Maribel came back on the phone and Santana told her she called as soon as there was any news about Quinn and the baby.
After talking to Collin on the phone Santana noticed a change in Brittany. She was staring at the floor and scowling. It almost looked like she was trying really hard not to cry.
Santana reached over and took Brittany's hand and laced their fingers together. Brittany didn't react she still just sat there. Santana knew what Brittany was thinking about and she wanted her to talk about it because she was thinking about the same thing. It was one of those times when as a couple they needed to lean on each other for support and love. "Britt, what's wrong?" Brittany shook her head. "Britt, let me in."
Hearing those words Brittany turned and looked at Santana with sad tearful eyes. "That could be us in that delivery room right if I hadn't lost the baby." Brittany and Quinn's due dates were less than two weeks apart.
"I know sweetie. I was thinking the same thing when we sat down. It was a horrible experience you went through, we went through, and we will remember forever the baby we lost. When the date of the miscarriage comes around every year we will remember. What we have to concentrate on right now is our new baby growing inside you. We need to love and nurture this baby and before you know it will be us in that delivery room waiting to meet our son or daughter. That doesn't mean that we will ever forget the baby we lost because that baby is a part of us forever even though we never got to meet him or her. Ok?"
Brittany nodded her head and fell into Santana's arms and cried silently. They stayed that way for several minutes. There was an older couple in the waiting room but Santana and Brittany were in their own little world.
"You're here!" Puck shouted as he came into the waiting room wearing green scrubs. "The baby…she's beautiful." Puck was breathing so hard he was almost hyperventilating.
Brittany's somber mood immediately changed as she and Santana got up from their chairs and hugged Puck. After sitting down for a few minutes Puck calmed down before he went back to be with Quinn and their new baby daughter.
Several minutes later Puck came back to the waiting room to tell Santana and Brittany that Quinn was in her room and that they could go and see her and the baby. Santana and Brittany walked in the room where Quinn was sitting up in bed holding her and Puck's daughter.
"She is so beautiful. Look at her tiny button nose." Santana gushed over the baby.
Brittany stood beside Santana smiling. "She is amazing."
Santana held the baby and kissed the tiny forehead of the sleeping baby. "What's her name?
"Her name is Alaina." Quinn said quietly.
"Here Alaina meet your Auntie Brittany." Santana held the baby out for Brittany and she watched Brittany's reaction to make sure she was going to be ok.
Brittany held the baby for a few minutes smiling at Alaina and kissing her forehead before handing her back to Santana. "I need to go to the restroom. I'll be right back." Brittany gave Santana a quick kiss on the lips before leaving to let her know she was ok and not to worry.
Quinn looked at Santana. "Is Britt ok? I know Alaina being born must be a reminder of her miscarriage."
"She'll be ok. We talked about in the waiting room. We both are so happy for you and Puck, and what is important today is celebrating Alaina's birth. I'm just hoping there won't be any complications with Britt's pregnancy this time and it will help her heal emotionally."
Quinn was confused. "What do you mean Britt's pregnancy this time?"
Santana scowled at Quinn until she realized what she had just said. "Shit, we weren't going to tell everyone for another two weeks until Christmas. Brittany's pregnant again, as matter of fact we just found out this morning before Puck called to tell us you were in labor."
"That is fantastic news! Congratulations. I didn't even know you two were trying again."
"We decided not to tell anyone we were trying again. We wanted to keep it private just between the two us until Britt got pregnant."
"I can understand that and I promise I won't tell anyone not even Puck that Brittany's pregnant again. I'm happy for you two. I want Brittany to be able to experience what it's like to carry a baby and give birth because I know how much she has wanted it for a long time."
"I know and I want so much for Britt to experience what it's like to hold our baby that grew inside her body. I look at Collin now and I still can't believe he came from my body. It truly is a miracle."
The next two weeks were extremely busy getting ready for Christmas. This was Collin's first Christmas where he was starting to understand what Christmas was all about. He knew who Santa Claus was and that he was going to bring him presents and put candy in his stocking. This was going to be the first Christmas where everyone went to Lima to celebrate at the Lopez's house. Maribel and Carlos flew to Lima a couple of days before everyone else was to arrive to get the house ready. They were going to have a house full with Santana, Brittany, Collin, Linda and Steven Pierce, and Andrew and Sugar. Quinn and Puck were staying in LA to celebrate Alaina's first Christmas with their parents.
Santana was excited when she found out Lima had had a winter storm and there were six inches of snow on the ground. She couldn't wait for Brittany and Collin to spend their first Christmas in a snowy, cold place because to Santana that is the best way to spend Christmas. Christmas in LA with the warm weather never seemed like Christmas to Santana. Brittany's parents and Andrew had spent all of their Christmases in LA so they were excited about the snow too.
Santana and Brittany were worried about Collin on the plane. It wasn't his first time flying because he had flown to NYC a couple of times when he was younger when Brittany opened her new studio there but he was 2 ½ years old now and he could be a handful at times. They packed snacks and books to keep him occupied on the flight.
They had put Collin's car seat in the plane seat by the window so he could look out the window. He was all excited about looking out the window. As the plane took off his eyes got bigger and bigger. When they were up in the air he had his little face as close to the window as possible.
"Couds mom!" Collin said to Brittany who was sitting in the middle seat between him and Santana.
"The clouds look like fluffy cotton balls don't they. They are beautiful." Brittany looked out the window with Collin and kissed the back of his head.
Santana watched Brittany and Collin as they talked about the clouds. She loved waiting them interact when they both were so excited about what they were talking about.
An hour into the flight Collin and Brittany had fallen asleep. Santana wasn't really sleepy so she read a magazine she had brought with her for the flight. Brittany woke up and of course had to go to the bathroom. This pregnancy was already causing her to go the bathroom more than usual and she was only 8 weeks pregnant.
When Brittany came back from the bathroom she didn't go back to sleep but stared straight ahead which Santana noticed. She put her hand on Brittany's leg. "You ok Britt?" Brittany nodded her head yes she was ok but Santana knew better. Since finding out she was pregnant again Brittany had times when she retreated into herself and this was one of those times.
Santana leaned her head on Brittany's shoulder. "It's ok to be scared."
"I know I just wish I could stop feeling scared. We went to the doctor yesterday and he said everything was fine. He did the ultrasound and everything looks good. I just can't stop thinking about losing our other baby sometimes."
Santana kissed Brittany's cheek. "It's a normal reaction Britt. I get scared sometimes too. We just have to deal with it as best we can and remember that each day that goes by the chance of a miscarriage becomes less and less. Are you having second thoughts about telling our families on Christmas day? We don't have to tell them if you'd rather wait."
"No, I 'm not having second thoughts about telling them. As long as I have you to lean on when I feel scared I'll be just fine and I want you to lean on me when you are scared to too. I'm pregnant, I'm not made of glass I won't break." Brittany kissed Santana on the lips.
By the time the plane landed in Ohio they were all tired. Collin was cranky and moody which made things even tougher as they tried to get their luggage from the baggage claim area. Brittany was holding Collin's hand and watching the airport luggage cart. Santana was trying to grab their luggage from the carousel as it went by. Finally Santana had found all of their luggage and the only problem now was getting it all to fit on the luggage cart. They Collin's car seat they used on the plane plus luggage containing clothes and luggage containing their presents.
Collin was being fussy and dropped to his knees not wanting to walk which made Santana angry but she counted to 10 and then picked him up and carried him. They should've brought the stroller but there just wasn't enough room. Carlos and Maribel were picking them up at the airport and it was an hour drive to their home in Lima.
Finally they made their way to the area where Santana's parents would be waiting for them. "Nana". Collin shouted when he spotted Maribel. Santana put him down so he could run to Maribel. Brittany had been pushing the luggage cart which Santana didn't like one bit but she also wasn't crazy about her being the one to carry Collin when he refused to walk.
Santana hugged her mother and father even though they had seen each other three days ago in LA she had missed them. Brittany was next to get hugs. Santana looked at her mother in her winter coat with matching scarf, hat, and gloves. She couldn't help but smile because it had been years since she had seen her mother in her winter attire.
"Santana where are your winter coats and boats? You are going to be cold when we go outside. It's only 30 degrees." Maribel scolded her daughter.
"I have coats packed for us to put on now if I can just remember which suitcase we packed them in. Britt do you remember which suitcase has the winter coats in it?" Santana stood staring at the luggage on the cart.
"I think it's the really big one, no maybe it's the middle size one." Brittany scowled as she spoke.
Maribel rolled her eyes at her daughter and daughter-in-law. Several minutes later Santana, Brittany, and Collin were wearing their winter coats although they didn't have any boots. Maribel again rolled her eyes at them and said she knew this would happen so she had bought winter boots for everyone and they were at home.
Carlos went to get the car and move it to the airport pickup lane so they wouldn't have to carry the luggage so far. When they stepped outside the airport to wait for Carlos they all shivered when the cold air hit their faces. They weren't used to it living in LA. Even Maribel and Carlos had gotten used being in the warmer weather.
"It's snow!" Brittany shouted. It wasn't the prettiest looking snow but there were piles of snow where they had plowed. Collin was being too cranky yet to even really notice his surroundings. He definitely needed a nap.
Santana smiled at Brittany. "Wait until we get to Lima and you will see how pretty the snow really is." Just then Carlos drove up and they quickly put their luggage in the car. Once they had Collin's car seat installed they took off for the hour drive to Lima.
It wasn't long before Collin was fast asleep and Brittany fell asleep soon after. Santana had noticed Brittany was a lot more tired with this pregnancy but she tried not to worry about it because fatigue early on in a pregnancy was normal. It did bother her that Brittany didn't seem to have morning sickness yet like with her other pregnancy. Santana knew she had to stop herself from thinking about Brittany's other pregnancy and comparing it to the current one. Each pregnancy was different. Some women don't suffer morning sickness and some suffer with crippling morning sickness which Santana experienced personally with Collin.
When they reached Lima it was early evening so it was dark outside. Brittany and Collin had both woken up a few minutes before they entered town. "Sweetie, look at all of the pretty Christmas lights." Santana said as she watched Collin's eyes get bigger and bigger. It seems like people in Ohio use a lot more Christmas lights than people in California.
Carlos pulled the car into the driveway of the Lopez home. Santana sat there looking at the house she grew up in but hadn't seen in several years. Suddenly she felt herself getting emotional and a flood of memories came into her mind.
Brittany had taken Collin out of his car seat and stood him on the driveway. "No!" Collins shouted while picking up his feet like he was walking across hot coals.
Hearing Collin shout brought Santana out of her trip down memory lane. She hurried out of the car and ran to Collin who was standing on the other side of the car. He was still shouting no and picking his feet up and down off the ground. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"
"Pick me up!" Collin said through a few tears.
Santana picked Collin up and he settled down. Brittany had been talking to Carlos as he took their luggage out of the trunk but she was now looking at Collin in Santana's arms with concern on her face.
"What's wrong Collin?" Brittany asked as rubbed his back.
His lip quivered as he spoke. "What's that?" He was pointing towards the ground.
Santana and Brittany both smiled when they realized what had Collin upset. Santana carefully put Collin down the driveway. He clung to her legs. "It's ok sweetie it's just snow. Remember how we watched Frosty the Snowman the other day?" Collin nodded his head yes. "Frosty was made of snow and you loved him."
Brittany gathered up a bit of snow in her hand. It was her first time feeling the coldness and wetness of snow. She squatted down in front of Collin and took his little hand touching the snow with it. At first he pulled his hand back after feeling how cold it was. "It's ok. It's snow and it's supposed to be cold. Doesn't it feel neat? Tomorrow when can build a snowman and play in the snow ok? I can't wait to build a snowman because it will be my first snowman too."
Collin smiled and grabbed the snow from Brittany's hand and watched it as it melted in his hand. Santana took out her phone and took a few pictures of Brittany and Collin experiencing their first snow.
"Let's get you two inside and get warmed up. Tomorrow when we play in the snow we will have to wear the boots abuela got for us. Plus our hats, scarves, and mittens."
Carlos had taken all of their luggage into the house and up to Santana's old bedroom. They ordered pizza for dinner since Santana, Brittany, and Collin were tired from their trip and the time change. During dinner Collin was so tired he was falling asleep at the table. Santana took him upstairs and got him ready for bed. He would be sleeping with her and Brittany.
Santana and Brittany went to bed soon after because the next morning the Pierce's and Sugar would be arriving from LA. It was going to be a busy day because they were going to the pick out the Christmas tree and decorate it.
Santana and Brittany were lying in Santana's old bed with a sleeping Collin between them. "Your old room is just as I would've have expected it to look. It's dark but not in a bad way. In a way like the darkness made you feel safe." Brittany whispered to Santana.
Santana thought about what Brittany said and it was probably true the dark colors of her room made her feel safe but it was also a symbol for the walls she had built up to protect herself. During high school was trying to come to terms with her sexuality and most of the time fighting herself. "I can't believe my parents kept it exactly the same way. I can remember laying her night after night wondering if I would ever be able to accept I was a lesbian. Now look at me lying in the same bed with my pregnant wife and our son. I wish I could go back in time and tell the younger me that everything was going to be ok."
"If you could do that then you wouldn't be the person you are today because you wouldn't have had all of the experiences leading up to you accepting yourself. You wouldn't be the woman you are today. The mother you are to Collin or the woman I love so much." Brittany said softly.
Santana felt a tear running down her face. "I guess you're right. I love you Britt."
"I love you too."
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The next morning everyone was up early so they would be ready when the Pierce's and Sugar arrived around lunch time. They were renting a car from the airport and driving to Lima. Carlos had offered to go pick them up because he was concerned because none of them had ever driven on snow covered roads but they said they would be ok.
Linda sent a text when they saw the 'Welcome to Lima' sign so they would arrive at the Lopez house in about ten minutes. Brittany opened the front door so Collin could watch through the storm door window. He and Brittany quickly became fascinated in how condensation appeared on the window from the cold air outside and the warm air from the house. Brittany showed Collin how to use his finger to draw the window. She made him a heart.
When a car pulled into the driveway Collin got all excited so Brittany opened the door for him. "Gamma, Gampa, Unca Drew, Suga look snow!" He shouted to them all excited.
Andrew immediately made a snowball and threw it at Sugar which caused Collin to giggle. Santana walked over to the door and laughed at the Pierce's first time seeing snow. Sugar had gone skiing in the mountains of California a lot so she had at least seen snow.
Steven and Andrew got their luggage out of the rental car as Linda and Sugar walked to the house. "Oh my, I'm not sure I brought a warm enough coat and gloves I'm freezing just walking to the house from the car." Linda said as she shivered.
Carlos and Maribel had joined everyone to welcome the guests. "Don't worry Linda I have a warmer coat that will fit you and I have hats and gloves too." Maribel hugged Linda. They had become really close friends since the Lopez's moved to LA.
When Andrew entered the house he immediately picked Collin up which made him giggle. "Unca Drew you see snow? We going make Frosty."
Andrew laughed, "Do you think I can help you make Frosty cause I've never made a snowman?" Andrew nodded his head all excited. Andrew and Collin had a special relationship as uncle and nephew. While Andrew was the sperm donor it wasn't something the family thought of very often. Andrew was Collin's uncle and that's who he was always going to be to Collin.
After the Pierce's and Sugar took their coats off and got settled into the guest bedroom they had lunch. Maribel had made one of their favorite cold weather meals of chili and cornbread. It was during dinner that Andrew all of the sudden burst out laughing. Everyone looked at him wondering what was so funny.
"Babe what are you laughing about?" Sugar questioned.
"I can't believe you all aren't laughing. Um…Britt…Santana…you know I don't like stereotypes but when did you become the lesbian lumberjack family?" Andrew barely got it out before he burst out laughing again.
Santana scowled while Brittany just smiled. "If you must know it was your sister's idea that all three of us getting matching red flannel shirts for our trip to Lima for Christmas. Besides it's not any dorkier looking than that sweater you have on. Is that Rudolph on it?" Santana said sarcastically to Andrew.
"It's a moose." Andrew said back in defense.
"Ok, you two now stop it. Yes, it was my idea for Santana, Collin, and me to wear matching flannel shirts and yes while we may look like a lesbian lumberjack family, I happen to think we look quite cute." Brittany said as she kissed Collin on the cheek and then Santana on the cheek.
"I think they look adorable don't you Maribel?" Linda said.
"Absolutely adorable. I never thought I'd see the day my daughter wore a flannel shirt though." Maribel said while smiling at Santana. Santana just gave her the usual eye roll.
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"Look at all of the pretty lights Collin." Brittany said as she sat in front of the Christmas tree while Collin on her lap. They had just finished decorating the tree and everyone was enjoying some hot chocolate admiring their work.
Santana sat down beside them and stroke Collin's hair as he yawned. "I think it's bed time for some sleepy little boy. Beside's it's Christmas Eve so you need to get to bed so Santa will come."
Hearing the word Santa made Collin perk up. "Santa coming."
"Yeah, Santa is coming tonight and in the morning your stocking will be filled with candy and presents." Santana said with smile because she loved how this year Collin was really into Christmas for the first time.
The Lopez fireplace mantel had nine stocking all lined up waiting for Santa to fill them. Santana looked at them as she filled Collin's stocking. She felt Brittany's arms wrap around her waist from behind. "Are you thinking the next time we come here for Christmas there will more stockings hanging on the mantel?" Brittany whispered in her ear.
"That's exactly what I was thinking." Santana leaned body back against Brittany as the two enjoyed looking at all of the stockings filled with candy and presents.
XXXXXXX
Christmas morning everyone was up early. Collin was the main attraction because of how excited and happy he was with all of his gifts and candy. He was amazed Santa had eaten the cookies and drank the milk he left. He carried around the thank note Santa left him all morning long.
The morning went by quickly and by the time it came to start making Christmas dinner both Collin and Brittany were exhausted. "Sweetie, you go take a nap with Collin." Santana said while rubbing Brittany's lower back.
"I can't take a nap on Christmas day. I've got to help make dinner. It's kind of rude to take a nap while everyone else is busy making dinner." Brittany responded.
"No one is going to think it's rude. We can just tell them you have a slight headache unless you want to tell them now about you being pregnant now. You know once we tell them they will all tell you to stay off your feet and they will pamper you like princess." Santana kissed Brittany's on the temple.
"I want to tell them later today like we planned. Ok, tell them I have a slight headache. Actually, I've been feeling a little queasy since eating breakfast."
"It's settled you go take a nap with Collin. I'll wake you up when it's almost time for dinner."
Maribel, Linda, and Sugar were concerned about Brittany's headache of course and they all understood why she was taking a nap. They knew Brittany was the first one to help whenever they had family and holiday dinners.
Santana was about to go wake up Collin and Brittany when they both walked into the kitchen. "Something smells fantastic." Brittany said as she kissed Santana on the lips.
"How's you headache Brittany?" Linda asked while putting the mashed potatoes in a bowl.
"It's all gone now. Thanks. Sorry I didn't help with dinner."
"How about we get all this food on the table so we can eat?" Maribel said.
They were all sitting at the table with their heads bowed while Carlos said grace. When he finished he looked at Collin sitting in his booster seat and then with a big smile he winked at Santana. She knew that her father had noticed Collin's t-shirt. She winked back. She wonder how long before everyone else noticed.
They had been eating for about ten minutes when Sugar squealed which caused everyone to look at her. She then leaned over and whispered in Andrew's ear. He immediately looked at Collin and then got a huge smile on his face. He looked at Brittany who gave him a huge smile back.
"Can someone please tell me what is going on? Why is everyone smiling?" Linda asked.
"Why don't you ask Collin." Andrew replied.
Maribel, Linda, and Steven all looked at Collin. It didn't take them long to notice his t-shirt. They all three looked at Santana and Brittany who both smiled and nodded their heads yes. Maribel and Linda had tears running down their faces as they got up from the table to hug their daughters.
Santana looked at Collin who was too busy eating to pay attention to what was going on around him. "Collin what's that on your t-shirt?"
He looked at his mother before pointing to his t-shirt saying "duckie". There was a baby duck on his t-shirt with the words 'I'm Going to be a Big Brother'. It was Santana and Brittany's way of breaking the news to their family.
"How far along are you Britt?" Linda asked while drying her eyes. They all knew Brittany was the one who was pregnant because Santana and Brittany had decided Collin would be their only child if Brittany never got pregnant. Collin was more than enough for them if they weren't blessed with another child.
"Just about two months. Um…we had our first ultrasound before the trip." Brittany got up from the table and grabbed six envelops from her purse giving one to Carlos, Maribel, Steven, Linda, Andrew, and Sugar.
They opened the envelopes and took out a copy of the ultrasound. There was silence for a few moments while they looked at the ultrasound. Again Carlos was the first one to look at both Santana and Brittany with a huge smile. He was a doctor so of course he knew what he was looking at but it didn't take a doctor to see what was on the ultrasound.
"A-are y-you h-h-aving twins?" Maribel sputtered out.
"Yeah we are having twins. We just found out the day before we flew here. They are fraternal twins as you can see." Santana explained as she reached over and took Brittany's hand.
"Oh my, my baby is having twins." Linda seemed in shock.
Steven got up from his chair and walked over to Brittany giving her a hug. He then hugged Santana.
"When is your due date?" Carlos asked.
"August 24th." Brittany said as the silent tears fell down her face. She was so happy and scared at the same time. The what if question was still haunting her. What if I have miscarriage again? I would be losing two babies this time.
Santana sensed Brittany's struggle and squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek. They will both be so glad when Brittany reaches 12 weeks when the risk of a miscarriage goes down dramatically.
"While we are celebrating great new, um…Sugar and I have something to tell everyone." Andrew said nervously.
"We're getting marriage!" Sugar shouted.
"My baby is getting married." Linda shouted as she hugged Andrew and then Sugar.
Brittany got up and walked over to hug Andrew and Sugar. "I'm so happy for you both I wondered when he was going to get up the nerve to ask you. It's none of my business but where's your ring? Don't tell me he didn't buy you one." Brittany teased.
"It needed to be resized and with the Christmas rush the jeweler was too busy to get it done for Christmas but I'll have it by New Year's." Sugar explained.
"Well, actually I lied the jeweler had time to get it resized I just wanted to give it to you when everyone was together." Andrew took the ring out of his pocket and placed on it Sugar's ring finger. The happy couple shared a kiss.
"Unca Drew Sugar kiss." Collin said while giggling.
Everyone laughed at Collin as they all looked around the table at one another and thought how much they loved one another and how many blessings and special memories the New Year would be brining them.