"Good morning, Mrs. Lopez-Pierce." She was greeted as she strode down a busy hall on her way to her office.

"Good morning, Mrs. LP!" The guy with the brown curly hair greeted her politely.

"Morning, guys." She smiled warmly at them as she walked confidently.

"Hot milk chocolate, no whip. Just the way you like it."

"Aww. You remembered!" She took it from her. "Thanks, Marley!"

"No problem, Mrs. LP! So, here's your schedule for today…" Marley walked behind her as she followed her back to the office. She placed her laptop bag down along with some stuff that she was holding. She listened intently as Marley ran down her schedule. Before she could even sit and start her day, Marley concluded and said, "and Mr. Lopez asked you to come down his office whenever you're free this morning."

"Did he tell you why?" She asked worriedly as she bit her bottom lip. Was she in trouble?

"No, he just told me not to forget to tell you."

"Okay. I'm gonna head there now. Anything else I need to know?"

"Nothing else. I'll be here when you need me." Marley then stepped out of the office again and sat down on her chair just as the phone began to ring.

"There you are." Ric stood up from his chair as soon as she entered. He was smiling genuinely. There were lines at the sides of his eyes showing and the glitter in his eyes shined like his daughter's whenever she was happy about something. Like that time she went on a 2-day business trip and was surprised when Brittany appeared at her hotel room just so she could sleep better. Her smile that time brightened up the whole place, it radiated between them.

Brittany swore to herself that she'd do everything she could just so she'd continuously see her wife that assured and happy.

"Knock, knock..." She sing-sang when she entered Ric's office. "Marley told me you need me? What's up, papi? Is everything okay?" She then took a few steps to meet him halfway.

"Oh, yes, yes, darling. Everything's fine." She motioned for her to sit with him. "Don't worry too much. I just wanted to know how you are? I haven't seen you in two days since you started here."

"Sorry, papi." She laughed nervously. "I just don't want to disappoint you and Santana. She made a lot of plans and I don't want her to worry at home. You know how she can get."

"Well, that must be hard, Brittany. But you don't have to work that hard. Besides, you're doing us a favor with you being here."

"To be honest, I didn't really know how much I missed working in a company like this until I walked down the hall. It was super good to be back. Not that I'm thinking that this is going to be permanent. I haven't even talked to my wife about getting that far but…" Brittany trailed off, worried that her father-in-law wouldn't like her rambling. But, instead Ric laughed genuinely and nodded his head.

"I get it, kid. Believe it or not." He cleared his throat to stop laughing. "Remember when I got hospitalized?" Brittany nodded. "All of you practically tied me at home and I couldn't do anything about it. Then I returned here and oh! How I've missed the fun and the adrenaline and even the boring meetings." Brittany laughed with him. "I know you haven't talked with Santana about working again but know that you're welcome here though I'm sure your dad would kill me for stealing you." Ric winked at Brittany as she nodded her head.

"Then, we have to make sure that he won't." Brittany reached for her father-in-law's hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"Oh! And your mami wanted me to give you this." Ric stood up and brought something from his desk.

"What's this?"

"Your favorite."

"Aww, I suddenly missed cooking with her."

"You and Santana should come and visit. I told you, you can live with us again now that Santana's resting. Maribel could also keep an eye on her."

"Well, Santana insisted that we stay home. I don't want to argue with her because she'll end up yelling or crying."

"Hormones." Ric sighed.

"Yeah… would it always be like that, papi? You know, when mami was pregnant with Santana."

"Nah, that's not going to last. They can be hot and cold because of the pregnancy hormones kicking in but it's pretty normal. Just enjoy the process, kid. I'm sure you'll miss all that when the baby comes." When Ricardo mentioned the word baby, the shine in his eyes were even brighter. He didn't hide his excitement anymore. Brittany was glad about the fact that all of them were excited about the baby.

"Well, I better go back to work." Brittany sighed and stood up. "I have to call Santana too before she appears here just to tell me how to use my phone."

Ric let out another laugh. "Go do that, kid. Santana and your mami are very much alike."

"Alright, I promise to treat you to lunch this week."

"Looking forward to it." Ric then went behind his desk as Brittany made her way back to her office.

She immediately dialed her wife's number and it didn't even ring twice before she picked up. "Finally!" Santana sighed dramatically over the phone.

...

"B-Britt?" Santana was awakened by the continuous beeping that resounded in the room. "Babe?" She called out again. Her lips and throat were both dry. She tried to sit up a little and felt Brittany's hand on her stomach. She then looked down to see the position of her wife. She was seated on a chair, her head rested on the sheets and there were tear stains on her face. She was asleep but wasn't sleeping well. Santana was so sure of it. "Britt?" Santana whispered again, hoping to gently wake her wife up.

Brittany nuzzled her head against Santana's hips and slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times before she stood up abruptly. "Oh my gosh! San!" She frantically buzzed in to request for their doctor. "Are you alright? Shit, that's a stupid question. Do you feel any pain or discomfort?" She rambled as tears started to roll down her face.

Santana frowned at what she saw. She reached for Brittany and she gladly took the hand and clasped it between hers. Brittany peppered kisses on her palm and the back of her hand. "Britt, stop crying... please." She sounded broken too. "The baby? Did..." The look on her face changed - it was like she'd seen something horrific unfold in front of her. She soon turned pale and her plump lips trembled in fear.

"No, no... The baby's fine. She's fine. She's here." Brittany shook her head and then rested her hand again on Santana's belly. "Our baby is okay. Are you okay? Please be okay, San. I'm so sorry. I'm really, really sorry." Brittany apologized again over and over.

Santana breathed out a big air of relief. That's all she needed - reassurance - and of course, Brittany.

"Britt, I'm okay. I-I'm just... I thought... I thought we'd lost -" Santana then stopped and shook her head. The events of the night came rushing in and invaded her mind. She, too, was scared to death. She wanted to throw up as she remembered the moment she saw the blood on her hands, the time Brittany carried her, and when she was rushed to the ER. The last thing she remembered was shouting until she could no longer hear her own voice. The only rational thing she was able to do was message Quinn on their way to the hospital with those two short sentences that said 'ER. Now.' After that, she was once more enveloped in fear. She knew that her wife seemed to be holding it together on the outside but she felt her silent fear too. She was grateful nonetheless for Brittany's quick actions. Brittany's other hand tightly held hers during the quick drive. She often took a side glance to check on Santana. That somehow made it easier for Santana, she never felt alone. "Come here." She pulled her wife and Brittany leaned carefully. Santana buried her face on the crook of Brittany's neck. They stayed like that for a while. It was as if nobody was there in the room. It was like they were inside their own bubble again. All the fears, all the anxiety... they just needed each other's presence just to cast them away. Brittany then pulled back a little only to pepper kisses on Santana's face. She then planted soft kisses on Santana's lips over and over in between their 'I love you's' and 'thank you's'.

Maribel and Susan were awakened a few minutes before, and they silently watched their own daughters in pain. Quinn, who hasn't slept yet, watched them in tears. She closed her eyes and silenced her cries before they even noticed her.

The doctor rushed in and examined Santana after a while, but their hands were still entwined tightly. Neither of them were willing to let go.

"Just one more day to make sure you will get enough rest, Santana." The doctor sternly told her because she knows that she would insist of going home.

"But - " Santana was about to complain, as expected, but Brittany seconded the doctor's recommendation.

"Yes, we'll stay one more day."

"Alright, that's better. Here's the list of the updated vitamins and meds that you need until we deliver your precious angel. And listen to your wife." The doctor emphasized. "Stop stressing yourself out because the baby can feel it."

"I'm not stressed out. I'm totally fine. I didn't even know why this happened." Santana flailed her arms defensively.

"Okay, okay. No need to start bitchin' on me now." The doctor chuckled.

"Sorry about her. Hormones." Brittany sighed and looked at Santana. "Nevertheless, I love you so, so much." Brittany winked at Santana while she playfully rolled her eyes at her. One minute they were both over dramatic and the next you'd find them annoyingly cheesy.

"I'm all done here. I'll come back in the afternoon to check on them again."

"Oh, thank goodness. Thank you so much, doc." Maribel moved to Santana's side and kissed her on her forehead. Most of them were relieved that she could go home the day after. Maribel and Brittany's mom talked to both of them convincing them to move back to the Lopez's until the baby's born. But then again, Santana was adamant of complying with their request.

"Brittany, may I talk to you for a while?" The doctor asked as she was about to step out of the room.

Santana looked at them worriedly but the doctor assured her that she'd just tell her wife a few more reminders. Santana was hesitant but still let go of Brittany's hand to follow the doctor out. When they were out of the room, the doctor faced Brittany who was now sporting a worried look.

"I know I've told you this a couple of times but you both need to be careful." The doctor started in a soft voice so only the two of them could share the conversation. "The next time this happens, which we all pray won't reach that point again, it would cause some serious damage or worse you'd lose the baby."

"I totally understand that, doc."

"I would recommend for her to stay at home. Her pregnancy is a delicate one that we need to monitor. I'd say we put her to bed rest but we both know how hardheaded your wife is. So, the least you can do is convince her to take a leave from work as early as now and rest as much as she can."

"I'm willing to do anything just to make sure they're both safe." Brittany kept on nodding her head.

"And one more thing, keep her away from stress not just from work but from everything that causes her to be stressed."

"Okay." Brittany let out a choppy breath. "Okay."

"Do you still have sex?"

The question took Brittany by surprise. She wasn't expecting that question at all and left her with no words to say right away.

"Um..." She bit her lip nervously, she was so uncomfortable talking about it.

"Because, you need to be able to satiate her needs. Pregnant women experience increased libido so you better make sure that it isn't one of her stressors." Brittany gave her the most incredulous look in the entire planet. Like, is she for real? Are they really going to talk about that. "Look, I know you may be scared to touch her or you may have this fear that you may poke the baby while doing it but I assure you that it's totally fine to have sex with your wife. Take advantage of it. I promise you that once the baby's born you won't get enough of it... and it's happening sooner rather than later, Brittany."

"Oh-kay." Brittany gave her a nervous answer. "I'll take care of it." Take care of it? What kind of answer was that? Brittany just wanted to wrap up the conversation they're having and ran back to her safe haven that is Santana.

The doctor laughed. She must've sensed how uncomfortable Brittany was. "Alright, mommy to be. I'll leave you to it." The doctor then excused herself and Brittany went back in.

"Are you okay?" Quinn said just above a whisper. She was by the door and immediately saw Brittany.

Was she okay? She just had the most embarrassing and the most uncomfortable conversation in her life. Was she okay? Girl - she was too far from it but she's getting there.

"Y-yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Brittany tried to act cool but Quinn could see her flushed face and beads of sweat that formed on her forehead. Quinn wiped them off swiftly.

"She'd be worried if she sees you like that." Brittany nodded her head. "I'll just go home, shower and probably finish some work. I'll come back tonight." Quinn pulled Brittany into an warm embrace. It lasted for a while, they both needed it as one of them sighed and relaxed into the loving comfort.

They pulled back and Quinn excused herself. Brittany stopped her just as the door opened. "Hey Q!" Quinn turned slightly. "Thank you." Quinn nodded, gave her a small smile and left without saying anymore words.

Brittany then went straight to her wife who was now resting again.

Santana felt the bed dip when Brittany sat beside her. "Go back to sleep." Brittany whispered.

Santana opened her eyes. She was once again mesmerized by the same ocean eyes that she kept on swimming in. "I'm not asleep." She gave her a faint smile.

Brittany leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. Both of them has their eyes closed. Santana then cupped Brittany's face when their foreheads were rested against each other. "Santana, I..." Brittany sighed and shook her head. "I was so scared." She whispered.

"I know, Britt. I'm sorry." Tears rolled down Brittany's face once more. "Sshhh..." Santana wiped them away and kissed the tip of Brittany's nose.

"I'm sorry. I'm such a baby." Brittany clumsily wiped her tears away. "You're the one lying there, you shouldn't be - "

"Sshhh..." Santana hushed her ramblings again. "I was scared too." She pulled Brittany in again and rested her forehead on her wife's. "But none of that matters now because we still got each other and we still have him." She whispered.

"Her." Brittany opened her eyes and used a faux stern stone to correct her wife.

Santana smiled her big smile, the one where you could see her bright teeth that made her even so beautiful. "You so sure about that huh?"

"Yeah. She's definitely a her." Brittany pouted.

"Alright." Santana kissed her. "Stop pouting." And she planted another kiss on her lips which made Brittany smile. Santana used her knuckles to wipe the remaining beads of tears off her wife's face.

"Get some rest." Brittany said as she sat back up again.

"Too much sleep makes my head hurt." Santana frowned.

"You're cute when you pout. Don't make it a habit though before our daughter picks that habit from you and I'm sure you won't be able to say no to anything she would want."

"Why would I even say no? I'm also sure you'll spoil her."

"I beg to disagree." Brittany let out a chuckle. "And so, you wouldn't say no huh?" Santana quirked an eyebrow at her. "Not even if she started dating and introduce her boyfriends or girlfriends?"

"Oh hell no!" Santana was so quick to answer as her wife smirked. "That's a different matter. She's my baby and I won't let her have those until she's thirty or something. I wouldn't let her be like me."

"Well, I love you." Brittany furrowed her brows. "There's nothing wrong with you. I love you, faults and all."

"I'm talking about the old me, babe." Santana pursed her lips. "My life's great now because I have you. But, if I don't have you in my life I'm sure I'd be totally ruined and fucked up."

"Well, let's not go further into that road because you aren't gonna have that life as long as I'm here."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Britt."

"So do I."

...

"I'm home." Brittany called in as soon as she entered the house. Nobody answered so she figured that Santana was upstairs or at the back. She had a long day at work so she decided to hop in the shower first to relax and freshen up. Brittany made sure that before she hugs or gets close to her wife, she has showered or got cleaned up. She didn't want anything to happen to both her wife and child. She was completely unnerved by the thought of going home and bringing some kind of virus or disease.

When she entered their room, Santana wasn't there as well so she just took a quick shower then look for her wife.

Brittany was glad that she was able to convince her wife to stay at home. Quinn suggested that she proxy for Santana while she was away, in that way Santana wouldn't worry too much and she could still have complete access at work. Luckily, it worked. It was a win-win for the both of them.

Santana was a little worried during her first day. She kept on calling and texting her. She also made sure that Marley knew what to do to accommodate her wife. After Brittany, Marley and Angel's reassurance, she somehow managed to tone down her restlessness at home. Brittany gave her a list of homework that she could do like catch up on some TV series that she has missed, visit the nursery, take a nap, have a relaxing bath - practically everything that would relax her.

Brittany went out of their room after her quick shower. She was now longing to touch her wife. She knew that the second she saw Santana, she would feel a lot better. Santana's warmth was the thing she always looked forward to whenever they'd come home from work. She always longed to touch and smell (and yes, even taste) Santana. After the rattling incident that happened the week before made Brittany even more protective of her wife. She couldn't lose her or her child. Santana's her whole world. She didn't even know how to function properly or how her world would work without Santana in it. The shiver that she felt when she rushed Santana to the ER came coming back along with the horrifying memories. She shook her head.

"SAN?" Her voice resonated around the house, like when you speak in an empty glass but just a bit louder. When she was about to step down the stairs, she heard some shuffling inside the nursery room. The light was on, someone was definitely inside. She then skipped towards the room and slowly opened the door.

"Hey?" She carefully tiptoed inside. Santana was seated on the floor organizing some baby clothes.

"Hi babe." Santana greeted her while trying to get up.

"Careful, careful." Brittany rushed beside her to help Santana up.

"What time is it? Oh, gosh. I'm sorry."

"It's a little after six. Why are you apologizing?" Brittany motioned for Santana to seat on the couch while she bent down and gathered the basket of baby clothes Santana neatly folded.

"Because I haven't texted you or even asked you what you would want for dinner." Santana explained, she really felt bad and Brittany instantly felt her mood shifted.

"Babe, it's fine. I went home as soon as you told me to." Brittany chuckled. "Oh gosh, I sounded so whipped."

That made Santana smile but her smile faltered when she asked, "Am I nagging you? Am I becoming that crazy pregnant woman mami always talks about?"

Brittany knelt down in front of her and held both of her hands. "Nope. You are not. I love you and I missed you. Even if you don't tell me to go home yet, the instant the clock strikes four I'm out of there. I can't wait to go home to you."

"Really?"

"You're the best part of my day, Santana."

"Thanks, Britt. You're probably saying those nice things because I'm becoming over dramatic again."

Brittany shook her head. "I meant everything I've said."

Santana kissed her as an answer. Brittany leaned further into the kiss when Santana was about to pull back. She put Santana's arms on her shoulders as she placed hers on Santana's sides. Their kisses were soft, too gentle. It's as if they were caressing each other with their sweet, gentle kisses.

"I've missed you today." Santana said in between kisses.

"Yeah." Brittany pecked her lips one last time and pulled back. She then took a seat beside Santana on the couch and brought Santana's legs to her lap. "I've missed our sweet lady kisses." She mumbled after a sigh. She then started massaging her wife's foot up to her legs. Santana relaxed further until her head rested on the edge of the couch.

"How's work today?"

"Tiring but I'm not complaining. You have one of the coolest jobs in the world!" A smile crept up Brittany's face. Santana knew how her wife loved being at work especially the kind of work they have even though it was just temporary.

"Hey, hey! Don't get used to it." Santana pouted. "Am I selfish for wanting you all to myself?"

"Aww. No, of course not babe. But, if that's how it seemed then we can be selfish together."

Santana bit her lip to help herself from smiling too much.

"Hm, I must say that Elaine did a good job in our nursery."

"I approve." Santana said as they both looked around. This was the first time they were really seeing the room. It was already painted, wallpapers were up with the decorations they have requested. Everything inside the room almost reflected how they envisioned it to be. Brittany added some finishing touches just as they had originally planned.

They were both satisfied as to how it turned out. Brittany was also satisfied that Elaine took their serious talk well. After that, she has only seen the woman once at the prepping stage and the rest was finished by her staffs. The poor girl surely didn't expect that epic comeback.

"Hey, San?" Brittany suddenly broke their comfortable silence. She thought that her wife fell asleep because she has her eyes closed.

"Hm?" Santana responded immediately and opened her eyes.

"Have you thought of a name yet?"

I'm sorry. This is all I could offer at the moment. :( I promise I'll do better in the next chaps.

Stay healthy. Be well. Be kinder. Keep on praying for our sassy angel that she rests well. :(