Chapter Ten: Lilies & Roses

Epilogue: 17th November 2039

Twenty-five years of happy marriage was the reason Brittany and Santana were celebrating with all of their family and friends today. It had come around so fast, and neither of them could quite believe the life they'd managed to build together in the last quarter of a decade. They'd had some of the happiest times of their lives in these years, some sad times too, but the important thing was that they'd always been by each other's side.

Santana walked over to sit with her wife. She'd had enough of entertaining their party guests, and she just wanted to be beside by the love of her life. Brittany could sense Santana's presence coming towards her, without even looking up. They were so in tune like that.

"Hey beautiful" Brittany looked up to greet her wife. The sight of Santana walking towards her, never failed to take her breath away. Just like it had done on this day exactly 25 years ago, when Santana had walked down the aisle towards her. Now here they were, still as happy and in love as ever.

"I missed you" Santana said softly, as she took a seat next to Brittany and leaned over to give her a kiss.

Brittany laughed lightly, it was so typical Santana to be missing Brittany even when they were in the same room and had only been apart for an hour or so while they milled around speaking to their friends and family. She felt the same though, she was never as happy as she was when her wife was by her side.

A slow song came on, and they watched as their guests took to the dance floor, the two of them deciding to just watch and be in their own moment together. Santana cast her eyes over to their eldest daughter, Lily, who had dragged her boyfriend Max on to the floor to dance with her. She loved to dance, just like her mom.

Santana shook her head to rid herself of the emotion that suddenly came over her.

"She looks just like you at that age Brit" she sighed happily, watching as her daughter with the same awestruck expression she had looked at her with when she was born.

"I know. I can't believe we have an almost 18-year-old on our hands" Brittany agreed, tilting her head to rest on Santana's shoulder as they watched Lily together.

"I hope 18 is kinder to our baby, than it was to us…" Santana laughed, and Brittany knew what she was talking about. 18 was the age they had split up and spent those long 8 and a half months apart.

"It's crazy to think though, that at Lily's age, I already knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. And now I look at her and…it seems so young" Santana continued

"But no regrets?" Brittany smiled. It was a rhetorical question that she already knew the answer to.

"No regrets" Santana smiled, nuzzling her nose against Brittany's before turning her attention back to the dancefloor.

"What's even crazier is when we first met and fell in love, we were only a year older than Maya" Brittany shook her head, glancing towards their 13-year-old, an absolute carbon copy of Santana. She was sat to the side and refusing to dance as she looked at her phone with a scowl on her face. She was going through the "moody teenager years".

"Now that really is scary" Santana laughed.

They watched as Maribel fussed over Maya, trying to get her to be in the moment and come off her phone, but to no avail.

"What's even scarier is that if she's anything like you were at 14...God help us all" Brittany laughed, and Santana nodded her agreement, joining in with the laughter.

As the song came to a close, they smiled warmly as their eldest daughter approached them.

"Mami, Mom, I see you two are looking as loved up as ever" she laughed, gesturing to their positioning. Brittany still had her head resting on Santana's shoulder, while Santana wrapped a protective arm around her wife.

"Well you don't do twenty-five years of marriage together without a hell of a lot of love" Brittany laughed.

They broke apart and shuffled over, so Lily could sit in the middle of them. She may have been 17 now, but she was still their baby girl.

"No, but seriously…" Lily continued "What's your secret? I need all of your tips so I can sit here with Max one day after 25 years of marriage, and when my kids ask how we did it, I'll say well…Abuela and Grammy taught me a thing or two" Lily laughed.

Santana's heart swelled, Lily's words making her think of the day that Lily would have children of her own, and her and Brittany would become grandparents. She thought back over the past 20 years, how they had just flown by.

After their conversation about starting a family on their sixth wedding anniversary, they had put the wheels in motion straight away. After some intense research, Santana in particular needing to make sure she had all the facts and tools for this journey, they picked their donor and decided to go with IUI.

Brittany was going to be the birth mom, and Santana was more than happy to let her have this role considering the thought of going through childbirth quite frankly terrified her. She did worry how protective she was going to become over Brittany though. She was protective already, but having Brittany carry her child was bound to make her even worse, and she knew the worrying was going to be off the charts.

The start to their pregnancy journey was tough, with Brittany struggling to conceive at first. Santana head read all about how lilies signalled fertility, so she brought fresh lilies home every week, in the hope it might somehow help. That particular flower was already so special to them, for obvious reasons, now it was going to be even more special.

After several attempts, lots of tears from a disappointed Brittany and a lot of support and encouragement from Santana, they fell pregnant in June 2021. June must have been a lucky month for them, because it was the same month they had gotten back together, all those years ago. Brittany was emotional when they found out of course, but it was Santana's reaction that surprised them the most. She had cried like a baby when they turned over the pregnancy test and saw the two little lines. For all she had said she was indifferent towards children, that all changed as soon as Brittany was pregnant with their baby. She loved the baby instantly, and was so excited to meet the little life, growing inside her wife.

She had been right to think she'd become even more protective when Brittany became pregnant. She was borderline neurotic over her. If anyone accidentally nudged her, or cut them up while they were driving, you could bet they'd feel the wrath of Snixx in a heartbeat.

"What the fuck are you doing arsehole!? My wife is pregnant!" she'd rage, earning a comforting look from Brittany.

"Sorry baby" she'd apologise, placing a kiss on Brittany's cheek for losing her temper, before placing a hand on Brittany's stomach "Sorry to you too, Little Bug"

Brittany's pregnancy had been moderately easy, but that didn't stop Santana from fussing around her, making sure she did everything for her. Santana had always been chivalrous, but this had stepped up a notch now Brittany was with child. She couldn't even let Brittany open the car door for herself, even going as far to buckle her in, checking they were extra safe. Brittany knew Santana was being overly pedantic, but she loved her for it, and found it adorable. It made her feel safe, knowing she was having a baby with someone who would always go the extra mile for her and their child.

Santana always made extra sure she was communicating in Brittany's love language during her pregnancy. This was Brittany's pregnancy, so everything had to be about her. She would cook healthy nutritious meals for Brittany, take care of all the household chores before Brittany had chance to argue and made sure she was always asking Brittany what she could do for her. When Brittany was aching and sore, she would either massage her, or she would treat her to a professional massage.

Knowing how important touch was to Brittany and to both of them, she would make sure sex was till enjoyable for her, even in the later stages of pregnancy. She would cuddle her, kiss her, and cradle her growing baby bump. When Brittany got really big and tired, she would do little things to take care of her like brushing her hair or washing her body in the shower.

Then there was the gifts and gestures. Constant bunches of lilies still, even though their attempts to get pregnant had been successful, there'd be a new bunch before the old bunch had even died. Handwritten notes and cards left dotted around when Santana had to leave for work saying things like "Me and Little Bug love you more than anything. Lunch is in the fridge x". When Brittany's feet got sore, she bought her the most padded pair of slippers she could find. She bought her all of the baby books in Barnes & Noble (though admittedly she wanted to read them herself too), and she always came home with little treats to make Brittany smile. Whether it be her favourite body oil, a new maternity shirt, or something for the baby.

When Brittany had gone into labour on the 13th February 2022, Santana had momentarily freaked out. Their lives were about to change forever, and she was so scared of something going wrong with either Brittany or the baby. But then she had checked herself and pulled herself together. This needed to be about Brittany now.

Seeing her wife in pain had been worse than she anticipated. She knew it was going to be horrendous to see her like that, but she wasn't prepared for just how helpless she felt seeing Brittany whimper and tell her she couldn't do it, and to please make it stop.

"You can do it baby; you're doing so well!" Santana soothed, wiping the hair out of Brittany's face and kissing her clammy forehead "I'm so proud of you angel, keep going. Soon our Little Bug will be here with us"

She had to use her words to help Brittany through it, but she still kept up with speaking in Brittany's love language. She fed her snacks to keep her energy up, she massaged her, and she breathed with her. She analysed Brittany carefully to make sure that whatever she needed, she got. She made sure her own anxieties were pushed to the side, so she could be fully present with Brittany, a strong pillar of support by her side.

In the background, was a playlist with all of their favourite songs on, that Santana had created to help relax Brittany. Songbird, Landslide, Mine, Valerie, At Last, and all the different songs that had played a significant part over the years.

Santana had also had a picture made, of a lily blooming. She had read about giving your partner a focal point to focus on to get through a contraction. Since lilies were so significant in their relationship, and in their pregnancy journey in particular, she thought it would be nice to remind her that each contraction was a step forward to their own little flower blooming, preparing to meet the world.

"Look, baby" Santana said, pulling out the picture in between contractions "The next time you have a contraction, I want you to think about our own little lily blooming inside. The heavier the pain is, the closer we are to seeing them. Use this as a focus to distract yourself sweetheart, and I'll be right with you"

And when Brittany had pushed their little girl into the world on 14th February 2022, Santana had sobbed. A little girl. A little girl that looked so much like her wife it made her feel overcome with emotion.

"I'm SO proud of you Brittany" Santana had cried, and before long the three of them were cuddled up together, Brittany and Santana contentedly staring down at the little life on Brittany's chest. Brittany sighed in happiness. For all the pain she had endured in the last 22 hours, it was all worth it, for this moment.

"Are you happy?" she whispered, looking at Santana through watery eyes.

"Happy?" Santana swallowed the lump in her throat "Baby, happy doesn't even cover the way I feel right now. I've got my two girls, and I'm just so…I can't even find the words" she let out, and Brittany nodded, because she fully understood.

While Brittany and the baby had fallen into a content sleep, Santana had slipped out to get something for Brittany. Something small, the bigger gift would come later, but just something she had done Brittany's whole pregnancy and needed to carry on now that the baby was here.

When Brittany woke up, she smiled when she saw Santana stood at the window with the baby, showing her the world outside. She noticed the big bunch of lilies on the bedside table, figuring Santana must have gone out to get them while she had been sleeping. As she read the note, she let out a huge smile

Happy Valentines Day, my love. Thank you for making me a mami, love always- S x

Simple but effective, and the content sigh she let out alerted Santana to the fact she had woken up.

"Thank you for the flowers baby, they're beautiful" said Brittany, her heart filling up at the sight of Santana holding their tiny little girl "Sorry for falling asleep on you"

"Don't be daft darling, you need your rest" Santana laughed lightly "Besides…I had this little one keeping me company. We had fun while Mommy was sleeping didn't we Little Bug?" Santana said, the baby voice she had subconsciously adapted for their daughter melted Brittany's heart even further. As Santana joined Brittany on the bed, both of them staring down at the little pink bundle in Santana's arms, Santana spoke out.

"She needs a name Brit. We can't keep calling her Little Bug forever" she chuckled, and Brittany nodded her head in agreement.

"I know, I know. Has anything come to mind for you?"

Santana shook her head firmly.

"You did all the hard work bringing her into the world, I want you to be the one to name her"

Usually, Brittany would protest, but as she stared at the bunch of flowers next to her the name that sprang to mind just seemed so fitting. Lilies had been such an important part of their relationship. The flower that Brittany had littered the choir room with on the day they had got back together. The flower that had been a part of countless anniversary gifts and sweet gestures over the years. The flower that had aided their fertility. The flower that had been a part of Brittany's whole pregnancy. The flower that sat here today, welcoming their little girl into the world. What was even more special, is that lilies also symbolised birth and fresh life, so it seemed all too fitting for their little girl.

"How about Lily?" Brittany suggested lightly.

Santana's eyes instantly lit up at the name, and as if on cue, the baby gurgled in Santana's arms, causing Santana and Brittany to laugh in admiration.

"I think someone agrees. Is that your name little Lilybug?" Santana cooed, before turning her attention back to her wife.

"I love it. Can I…give you a suggestion for a middle name?"

"Of course, San" Brittany nodded frantically. As if Santana would even need to ask permission.

"Well I was thinking…how about…Hudson?" Santana rambled nervously. She didn't know why she was feeling nervous, but it was apparent to Brittany that this was very important to her.

The death of Finn had touched Santana greatly, and Brittany thought her wife's choice was a very fitting tribute to him. Of course, she was going to agree.

"Lily Hudson Lopez-Pierce" Brittany said out-loud wistfully. She instantly loved the way it had sounded.

"It's perfect" Santana sighed, her heart bursting with love.

"She's perfect" Brittany added "Just like her Mami"

"Ten years ago, today was our first Valentine's Day officially together. You made me that playlist, remember?" Santana sighed happily, as Brittany nodded with a smile. Of course, she remembered.

"I remember thinking that day, I couldn't physically get any happier. But today, ten years later, you're my wife. And you've just given me the greatest gift of all time. I love you so much, Brit"

And as Santana moved forward to kiss her wife, the three of them sat in their content little bubble. They were a family, and they were so happy. Nothing could break their joy as they stared down at their perfect little girl, with the perfect name to match.

Life with their blonde haired, blue eyed little girl was a dream. She did things that amazed Santana and Brittany every single day. Her first word was Mami, and Santana had cried so much. Then they had cried again when she called Brittany Mommy two weeks later.

She was an easy child. Kind, caring, and sometimes a little shy. One thing Brittany was sure she had inherited from her other mother, was Santana's giant generous heart.

Just before Lily turned 4, they discussed the possibility of a 2nd child. Lily was born maternal, just like her Mommy, and she had been asking for a baby sister or brother, for at least the past year. She loved playing with her cousins, Quinn and Puck's children; Charlie and Emily Puckerman, and of course Rachel and Jesse's son, Beau St. James and not forgetting little Everleigh Anderson-Hummel. They felt ready and capable of having another child, and they still had the donor sperm that they had used with Lily, that they had frozen at the time in case they wanted another baby.

But Brittany was nervous about going through the process of trying again. Last time, it had really taken it out of her. Every failed attempt was a knock to the heart, and she wasn't sure she was mentally strong enough for it. So, Santana had a suggestion.

"How about I be the one to carry our baby this time?"

Santana was terrified at the prospect of giving birth, but seeing her wife so disheartened at each failed attempt last time, had killed her. She couldn't see her go through that again. She also didn't think she could cope with all the worrying and anxiety a second time around, so as much as it scared her to do this, she would do it a thousand times over to see Brittany happy, and to not have to worry about her.

And though it seemed impossible to fall in love with Santana any more than she already had, she did. Because seeing Santana make this sacrifice for them, so they could grow their family once more, meant everything to her. Of course, they had no idea how long it would take for Santana to get pregnant either. But Brittany knew she'd be able to cope this time, because she wouldn't be blaming herself. Every time the pregnancy test had come back negative when they'd been trying the first time around, she had felt like a failure. Like it was her that was the problem. She knew no matter how long it took with Santana; she could never think her beautiful wife was a failure.

Santana actually fell pregnant in their first attempt. It was almost too good to be true, and they couldn't believe it. They kept it a secret until the 12-week mark, but when they were sure everything was going well, they told Lily. She was so excited, and she was thrilled to be given a t-shirt that said, 'I'm going to be a big sister'. Later that week, the Lopez-Pierce's held a party, designed to tell everyone their news.

"Where's Lily?" Quinn asked, looking around the room.

"She's right here. Come on Lilybug!" Santana exclaimed, beckoning the little girl out who bounded around in her t-shirt. And as family and friends read her shirt and began to realise, the tears and congratulations started pouring out.

Although falling pregnant had been easier this time around, Santana's pregnancy was a lot more problematic than Brittany's ever was. She suffered terribly with morning sickness, and by the time her sixth month rolled around, she was ordered onto bed rest for high blood pressure. The doctors were worried she had a high risk of developing pre-eclampsia.

Being a work-a-holic now they had the business, being told she had to slow down, was difficult for Santana, but Brittany was always there to make sure she stuck to the rules. Taking care of Santana was something she had always loved to do, and even more so now she was pregnant, but like Santana had done with her, she made sure she communicated in Santana's own love language.

She constantly affirmed her with sweet words. When Santana was tearful because she felt poorly, Brittany would say;

"I know you're not feeling well again sweet girl, but I want you to know how much I love you, and how grateful I am that you're doing this for our family. I wish I could make this experience easier for you"

When Santana moaned about how big she was getting, and that she had found another 3 stretch marks, Brittany would say;

"Your body is so beautiful baby. I've never been as attracted to you as I am right now, adorable and glowing with your cute little bump. Carrying our baby inside"

And when she'd watch Santana lovingly tuck Lily into bed at night, something she always made sure she did no matter how unwell or tired she was, Brittany would say;

"You're such a great parent sweetheart. And you're going to be a great parent to our little Jellybean too"

Brittany also knew how important quality time was to Santana, and with a second child on the way it would be harder to come by, so she made sure to make the extra effort so that Santana was getting what she needed. Alone time, just the two of them. She made sure that every night when Lily was in bed, they'd have uninterrupted time just the two of them. No phones, no TV's, no outside influences. Just them, talking about their day.

When she booked a massage for Santana, the way Santana had done for her when she was pregnant with Lily, she made it a couples one so that they could go together. When Santana was on bedrest, she cut down her hours at the school to spend time with her, and the two of them would sit in bed reading baby books together, reacquainting themselves with all the new-born stuff.

It was on one of those days together, that they got chatting about baby names. This time, they knew they were having a little girl, they'd decided to find out at the scan unlike they had with Lily.

"I was thinking about names for Jellybean earlier" Brittany mused "I'd really like our girls to have names that are somehow connected, so I was thinking…how do you like the name Rose?"

"Rose?" Santana said out loud, wanting to hear the name on her tongue

"Yeah…I mean obviously it goes well with Lily. And I know lilies are an important part of our relationship, but roses always were too. Remember you used to buy me them all the time when we first got together. And on Valentine's Day, you got me that…"

"Single red rose to symbolise the love at first sight I had for you?" Santana finished with a nod.

She put her hand on her baby bump, stroking it gently as if she was seeking silent clarification.

"Well…I think we have our baby name. Rose Lopez-Pierce" she smiled, leaning forward to give Brittany a quick peck.

"Now we just need to think of a middle name" Brittany shrugged "Maybe it will come to us when we see her"

"Three more months to go little one" Santana smiled, stroking her stomach with her thumb, as Brittany bent down to place two kisses. The first on Santana's bump, the second on her lips.

Two weeks later, Brittany surprised Santana with a baby moon to Long Island. They couldn't go too far now Santana was so heavily pregnant, plus she had only just been allowed off bedrest, but It would be the perfect chance for quality time alone together before baby number two arrived. It was early September, so the weather was still fairly good, and they enjoyed romantic strolls along the beach, a picnic up Montauk Point and lots of deep bonding time. They felt more connected than ever, in this exciting time in their life, and the weekend had gone without a hitch. Santana had for the most part felt quite well and was able to actually enjoy her pregnancy for the first time.

Unfortunately, this feeling didn't last long, because a week later Santana was feeling more unwell than ever. Her hands and face had begun to swell, and her blood pressure was sky high again. Tests confirmed that Santana was now suffering from pre-eclampsia, and she needed to remain on strict bedrest for the rest of her pregnancy, with a doctor visiting every 2 days to monitor her.

Santana became teary, she was truly fed up, and it pained Brittany to see her this way. All she could do was assure her and be by her side the way she always was.

"Not long now baby girl, you're being so brave. It will all be worth it when we see our little Jellybean"

But Santana's condition showed no improvement, and when the doctor came around one day in late September to examine her and told her he wasn't happy and was admitting Santana to hospital for the rest of her pregnancy, Santana completely broke down.

As someone who had been scared of this all along, it was her worst nightmare come true. Now they were telling her she needed to have 2 months in hospital, away from Brittany, away from Lily. The date was the 30th September, and her due date wasn't until the 20th November, she wasn't sure she could do it and she started hysterically crying.

The doctor grew concerned, as the raise in blood pressure could be harmful for her and the baby, so it was up to Brittany to calm her.

"Baby, baby, baby, please calm down. I need you to calm down and think of Jellybean now. Come on sweetheart, you know this isn't good for her. Take some deep breaths, come on do it with me. That's it, niiiice and slow" Brittany encouraged, her hands rubbing soothing motions on Santana's arms, as she breathed with her.

She continued whispering soothing words in her ear, and when she was satisfied Santana was calm enough, she talked her through the plan.

"We're going to go with the Doctor now angel and get you to the hospital. I know you don't want to be there, and believe me, I don't want you there either. But it's the best place for you and the baby. They're going to send an ambulance for you, just so they can monitor you, but I'm going to be right there with you soon. As soon as I've got your stuff together and dropped Lily with Quinn, I'll be there with you sweetheart."

"Will you stay with me as much as possible?" Santana asked tearfully, the vulnerability in her voice breaking Brittany's heart.

"You just try keeping me away!" Brittany smiled through her tears.

"And Lily?"

"I'll bring her to see you as much as I can sweetie. This is only temporary, but it's what we need to do to make sure you and our little Rosie are safe"

So, Santana agreed, and as Brittany watched her be wheeled into the ambulance, she was strong for her. But as soon as she was gone she broke down, because truthfully, she was scared. She couldn't have anything happen to her wife or their baby and seeing Santana so vulnerable and frightened was killing her inside. She felt desperately helpless.

As scared as she was when Santana had originally gone in to hospital, nothing had prepared Brittany for the fear she would feel 4 days later, when out of nowhere, the nurse taking Santana's blood pressure pressed the alarm next to her and started strapping all sorts of machines to her. Santana eyes widened in panic, and Brittany stepped forward to take charge.

"Excuse me, what's going on? Is there something wrong with my wife? My baby?" she asked desperately, all the while trying to comfort a hysterical Santana.

"Mrs Lopez-Pierce, a doctor will be here in a moment, if you could just keep your wife as calm as possible please?" she asked softly.

It was a task that was easier said than done.

Within minutes a doctor had arrived, and after a quick conference with the nurse he turned to address Santana.

"Mrs Lopez-Pierce, I'm afraid your blood pressure is at a dangerous level and drastically rising. It's too risky to wait any longer, and we need to get your baby out now. I need you to sign these forms please, to consent to an Emergency C-Section"

And Santana swallowed, her head light as she gasped for air. She couldn't believe this was happening.

"What! No!? No please, it's too early. There's still 7 weeks to go before my due date. She's safe in there"

"Mrs Lopez-Pierce I can assure you, the risk of her going full term greatly outweighs the risk of delivering her early. If we keep her in there for much longer, there's a high chance that both of you will die"

And the words panicked Santana, and she began screaming so loud that it physically hurt Brittany inside. Brittany was also terrified. They were going to cut into her wife and pull out their precious baby girl far too early. She was scared senseless, but she needed to stay strong for Santana.

Santana screamed so much, and despite Brittany's attempt to calm her, the doctors had no chance but to sedate her. It was all down to Brittany to sign the consent form now. They had an operating room ready, and they all set to take Santana.

Brittany bent down and pressed a long kiss on Santana's head as she slept, knocked out from the anaesthetic.

"I'm sorry baby, but I need to sign this to keep you both safe" she whispered, so that only her wife could hear.

She could only hope that Santana would understand. Yes, the risks of delivering their baby now were high, but if she did nothing, she'd lose Santana and their baby. That was something she couldn't live with, so she hurriedly signed the forms, and before she knew it, she had her gown on and was on her way to the operating theatre with Santana. It all felt so surreal, and such a blur, knowing that within the next half hour or so, she'd be a mother to two.

As she held Santana's hand, squeezing it tight as she watched her sleep, she felt so sad that Santana was missing their baby's birth. She whispered so many words to her in that moment, as the doctors worked away.

How much she loved her, how proud of her she was, how she admired her strength, how everything was going to be okay and soon they'd be proud mamas to two beautiful girls.

And suddenly Brittany was brought out of her thoughts by the doctor. She had been so focused on Santana; she had forgotten to look what was going down at the other end.

"She's here Mrs Lopez-Pierce" the doctor said.

Brittany placed a soft kiss on Santana's hand. She was reluctant to let go, but she needed to go see their baby. The tears formed in her eyes as she stared down at the tiny, tiny bundle in front of her. She weighed in at a teeny 2lb 14 oz, and Brittany had never seen anything so small and fragile, but so incredibly beautiful. She wiped a tear that had slid down her cheek.

"Hi baby, I'm your Mommy" she said gently "Your Mami is just over there. She's getting better for us, just like you need to, but she can't wait to meet you"

"Mrs Lopez-Pierce, we really need to take her off to Neonatal Care now" the nurse said sympathetically.

Brittany placed a soft kiss on her own finger, lightly pressing it on the baby's arm with a soft stroke.

"I love you baby girl; I'll see you soon"

Before tearfully heading back over to her wife, who was still heavily sedated. She grabbed Santana's hand and placed several kisses on it.

"She's here Santana. Our little baby girl is here, and she is so beautiful. I can't wait for you to wake up and meet her"

A few hours later Brittany was dozing lightly in a chair next to Santana, when she felt Santana start to stir. She shot up and squeezed Santana's hand, so that Santana knew she was here.

"Hey sweetheart, how are you feeling?"

Santana groaned so Brittany shushed her again.

"It's okay honey. Don't try to speak if it hurts. Just rest"

Santana went to open her mouth again, and Brittany could tell she wanted to know about the baby, so she rushed to assure her.

"Our little girl is here San. She's here and she's doing really well. She's so tiny, but so perfect, and she looks a lot like you. I can see Lily in her too" she gushed "They had to take her to the Neonatal Unit because she's still so small, but they say she's doing really good. I keep going back and forth between here and there to check on her. I can't wait for you to see her"

Santana blinked slowly, still hazy from the drugs and trying to make sense of everything Brittany was saying.

"You understand, don't you angel? Why I had to let them do the C-Section? If we didn't, I could have lost…"

"I know. I know Brit, I understand" Santana said softly, as she found her words and gave Brittany's hand a gentle squeeze. She knew what Brittany was about to say, and she would have done the exact same in her position, if it was her faced with the decision of losing Brittany and the baby.

Santana glanced at the calendar on the wall and observed the date. She hadn't even had chance to register when her daughter's birthday was, because everything had happened in such a blur.

4th October 2026

"Brit the date!" Santana suddenly exclaimed "What is it with our babies coming on significant dates. First Lily on Valentine's Day, and now this one comes on 4th October. If she'd gone full term, I bet she would have arrived 3 days early and come on our anniversary" Santana laughed lightly.

And as Santana said the words out loud, Brittany registered the date.

"Oh yes…4th October, so it is. 14 years to the day since you broke up with me" Brittany smiled sadly. Even though they had been married for almost 12 happy years now, the memory still pained her.

"Well yeah that but…I like to think of it more as 12 years to the day since I decided I wanted to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you"

Brittany frowned; confused.

"Yeah I remember it like it was yesterday. We were back in Lima helping out the Glee Club, and I was round at your house and we had champagne and strawberries. That's how I remember the date so well, because we were making a point of having a special night together, since it was the date of our break-up. We had the most mind-blowing sex, as always, and we were just both so happy and content. I remember you told me you would love me for infinity, and that was it. It just sparked something inside me that made me think, I want to marry this beautiful girl and make her happy for the rest of my life"

Brittany's eyes watered as Santana relayed the story.

"San I never knew that…" she said softly, as Santana gave a bashful shrug.

"For the record, I still love you to infinity. In fact, no, I love you beyond infinity Mrs Lopez-Pierce. You, and our two beautiful girls. I didn't know my heart was capable of so much love…" said Brittany

"I love you beyond infinity too Brit…"

A short time later, a doctor came in to examine Santana. He explained she would need to be on bedrest for a while longer, because there was still a risk of eclampsia developing, even after delivery.

Santana had cried all over again when she was told she wouldn't be able to meet her baby today, and Brittany's heart broke for her. All she could do was show her photos of their little girl, but it wasn't the same.

"She's so tiny" Santana sobbed as she looked at the photos, their baby was all covered in wires and tubes, and looked so fragile "She's so tiny and it's all my fault. I couldn't even do my job properly and keep her safe"

"Don't you dare say that!" Brittany said firmly, pressing a kiss on Santana's head "Don't you dare say that ever again. Baby, none of this is your fault. These things just happen. You're an amazing mother, to Lily and to this little one. I won't hear you say words like that again"

The next few days were rough. Santana still wasn't allowed out of bed to see the baby, and the baby was too small to leave the NICU. And Brittany was torn between three places at once. Her wife's bedside, her tiny baby in the NICU, and her first baby at home who was worrying a lot about her mama's and asking Quinn constant questions.

On one particular quick visit home to pick up more stuff, and to see Lily and assure her everything was going to be fine, that soon she'd be allowed to see her Mami and her baby sister, she had returned to the hospital to find Santana sobbing desperately.

"They won't even let me go to the bathroom Brit. How am I ever going to be allowed to see my baby, when they won't even let me do something as simple as use the toilet"

Brittany felt so weak and powerless, seeing Santana like this, and knowing there was nothing she could do to help. But the harsh reality was, that Santana was still high risk, and her every movement needed to be closely monitored.

On the plus side, baby Lopez-Pierce was flourishing, and hitting every NICU milestone. It was too early to say she was out of the woods yet, but the doctors were pleased with her progress so far.

On day 5, Santana and Brittany finally got the news they had been hoping for. Santana was well enough to leave her hospital bed and see their baby for the first time. As Brittany pushed Santana down the hallway in her wheelchair, the excitement bubbling away in both of them, Santana felt like she was in a TV advert with her hair flying around freely. She wasn't on a high-speed boat, she was in a wheelchair, being pushed down the corridor by her wife, but she felt so free and happy at last.

As Brittany watched Santana's face melt as she met their baby girl for the first time, she couldn't stop the silent tears running down her face. It was such a beautiful moment. They had taken for granted the fact they got to bond with Lily straight after her birth, now they knew the other side of it, and how hard it was. They were so grateful to be here as a family at last. All they needed now, was for Lily to be able to meet her baby sister.

"Hi baby R…" Santana began, before hesitating on saying the name they had picked out for her.

Brittany looked at her understandingly. She'd had the exact same feeling for the past 5 days, that only grew every time she saw her.

"She doesn't look like a Rose, does she?" said Brittany, saying what they were both thinking.

Santana shook her head in agreement.

"She looks like a…" she squinted, observing the tiny little girl she had carried for 7 months "She looks like a Maya" she smiled shyly.

Santana had always loved that name for a little girl. She had no idea why, it was just one of those names that she heard once, and she loved it, and it stuck with her. When she was 15, she used to sit bored in class, doodling in her book the names of 'boys she fancied'. She used to write all her baby names out in a row and add 'Puckerman' on to the end of it to see how it flowed, and she always used to write Maya Puckerman , because she'd always had that picked out as one of her 'future baby names'. The irony of it all made her laugh now, being that she was a lesbian, and knowing that Puck was now married to one of her closest friends.

She had almost forgotten about that name, until she looked down at the little girl in front of her. It just seemed to fit her.

"Maya…" Brittany said to herself, before turning to Santana "Sweetheart I love it. It suits her perfectly"

"But I love the Rose thing too, and the meaning it has to us, and how it's linked with Lily" Santana mused

"Well how about…we have Rose as her middle name. Maya Rose Lopez-Pierce?" Brittany suggested.

"I love it baby" Santana smiled, leaning into kiss Brittany before glancing down at their tiny girl again "Our little Maya. She's going to be just fine; I know she is"

Brittany nodded her head in agreement.

"Of course, she is. She's so strong. Just like her Mami"

"And she's so beautiful" Santana added "Just like her Mommy"

The next month was a whirlwind, with Maya in the Neonatal Unit and Santana still recovering from both the C-Section and being heavily monitored for signs of eclampsia. To make matters worse, they were both missing Lily so much, and they longed for the day they'd all be home together as a family of 4.

There were some really tough moments, times when Maya scared them, and they worried for their baby girl. Santana being discharged which although great, scared them, because she felt too far away from Maya now that she wasn't just down a corridor. But there were some beautiful moments too, like the first time they got to hold her and feed her and change her little clothes. And the first time they got to bring their excitable four-year-old in to meet her baby sister for the very first time.

And on their 12th wedding anniversary, 17th November 2026, they received the best anniversary gift, ever.

Baby Maya could come home.

Then life started as a family of four. First words, first steps, all those amazing milestones came again, and seeing Maya hit them was always that bit more special, being that she was premature, and they had to monitor her development. Luckily Maya didn't have any problems, the only thing was that she was quite small for her age, but this didn't hold her back. Just like her birth mother, what she lacked in height she more than made up for in bite. She definitely had Santana's personality, laced with some of Brittany's characteristics too. Such as her sweetness and her sense of humour.

They also got to hit new 'firsts' with Lily too. First day of Kindergarten, first missing tooth, first time she ever won a dance competition.

They were so happy, so in love, and so blessed to have their two beautiful girls and each other. They took motherhood in their stride, and in true Santana and Brittany fashion, their parenting styles were Yin and Yang. They were different, but they complimented each other. Santana was the strict and protective parent, while Brittany was the fun, easy-going parent.

Together, they were a dynamic duo, and more in love than ever. The important thing was, that they made all of their decisions together, and they had a sound understanding of each other. So even in areas when they were profoundly different, they could work together as a team.

As Santana thought back over all of their happy years together, she instantly had the answer to her daughters' question.

"Communication" she answered simply "That's how we made it work. In the early days, we worked hard to communicate what we needed, to the point where now, we don't even need to. I can tell what your Mom needs just by looking at her"

"And I can tell what your Mami needs by doing the same" Brittany agreed.

Lily nodded, glancing over at Max who was chatting away to Whitney.

"Honestly, if you can get him to take the test online to find out what both of your Love Languages are, it will be the best thing you ever do." Santana laughed, and Brittany glanced at her knowingly.

"I'd say you're a Words of Affirmation girl like your Mami, but the important thing is, you need to learn Max's too. Then you can communicate better together" Brittany smiled.

They still firmly believed that taking that test all those years ago, when they'd argued the time Brittany was sick, was one of the best things they had ever done. The understanding they had of each other was so solid, nothing could ever tear them apart now.

They were interrupted by Maya running over and jumping onto Brittany's lap. Maya was growing up, and she may have been in the moody teenager phase, but now and again she'd have little moments where she was still just a little girl, and she'd cling to her mothers the way that she used to. It always warmed Santana and Brittany's hearts, and they cherished these rare moments.

"Oooh, to what do I owe this pleasure" Brittany laughed, tickling Maya and causing her to giggle.

"My phone died" Maya laughed.

"Oh well I might have known!" Brittany laughed, but she held Maya close, grateful for the contact.

If they could keep her their little girl forever, they would.

Santana seized the moment to place a kiss on Maya's cheek.

"Mami!" Maya laughed, wiping Santana's lipstick from her face "I've told you I'm too big for kisses now"

"You're still my little girl angel, you'll never be too big, I'm sorry. And neither will your sister" Santana said, before grabbing Lily and planting a kiss on her cheek too.

A song came on that Santana and Brittany didn't recognise, were they really that old now? It was obviously something current because Maya jumped up out of Brittany's lap in excitement.

"Lily! Lily! Come dance!" she shouted, and Lily laughed.

"Okay Mai-mai, I'm coming"

Brittany and Santana sighed in content as they watched their two girls on the dance floor, surrounded by the rest of their family and friends. Brittany turned to Santana with a watery smile.

"Are you happy?"

"Happy!?" Santana swallowed the lump in her throat "Sweetheart, happy doesn't even cover the way I feel right now. I've got my three beautiful girls. I've got everything that I ever wanted" she said, subconsciously mirroring the words she had said shortly after Lily's birth.

"I feel the same" Brittany sighed "You, Lily and Maya, you're just…well you're the best thing that's ever been mine"

And Santana smiled, as she caught a tear that ran down her wife's face, before moving in to claim her lips.

"I love you so much, Mrs Lopez-Pierce" said Santana.

And Brittany sighed to compose herself, her voice cracking with emotion, because she felt so lucky to still be hearing and saying these words all these years later;

"I love you too"

END

Hope you all enjoyed! Would love to hear your thoughts and reviews! Thank you for reading x