Chapter 6

Rachel's Pov

I woke up the next morning to find that Santana and I had switched positions and now she was spooning me from behind. I looked at the clock on the nightstand next to the bed and it was barely five in the morning so I closed my eyes to go back to sleep. I snuggled more into Santana's body and when her arms tightened the grip on my waist I almost instantly fell asleep.

I woke up again later to the sensation of a hand running through my hair. This time I was with half my body on Santana's and my head hidden in the crook of her neck. I tightened my arm's grip on her waist and sank deeper into her neck, hearing her giggle.

"Morning, Rach. Are you comfy there?" I just nodded my head and let out a sigh when she scratched my scalp. "Well, I'm sorry to inform you that I need to go to the bathroom, so you must move."

I grunted and rolled onto my body until I was lying on my back. Her laugh faded as she disappeared into the bathroom. I stood there with my arm above my eyes trying to block out the sunlight.

"Move your lazy ass, Rach. I wants to gets my food on"

I felt a weight fall on my abdomen and groaned, removing my arm above my eyes. Santana was floating above me sitting on my belly. I smirked as an idea crossed my mind. I put my hands on her hips and rolled over until I was on top of her. Santana let out a squeak of surprise and her hands were now resting on my shoulders. Our noses were almost touching.

The door flew open and I jumped away from Santana just by the time Theo was walking in. "Tanaaa, you're here!"

Santana spread her arms still sitting on the bed and Theo ran to her to hug her. "Hey, T-boy."

"And for me there is no hug?" Santana pulled away from Theo, leaving one arm around his waist and stretching the other, inviting me into their hug.

I smiled and approached them feeling Theo's arm around my neck and Santana's around my waist. "Much better this way." I just nodded, completely agreeing with Santana.

We stood there for a while until Santana's stomach growled. I pulled away giggling and took Theo into my arms. "We'd better make Tana breakfast before she starts eating us."

Santana smirked and I just knew what she was about to say. "Wanky!"

I left the bedroom and walked over to the kitchen and put some coffee in the pot. I gave Theo some cereal with milk, bread with jam, and juice. I knew it was a lot for him but if he didn't finish it, I would.

When Santana came down the coffee was ready and there was a steaming mug on the counter waiting for her. Meanwhile I was on the stove preparing some eggs and bacon. With my hair in a messy bun and a towel hanging from my shoulder.

"Am I smelling bacon?" I felt Santana lean over my shoulder to see the stove and I turned my face, nodding at her question. "But I thought you were vegan, Rach."

"Oh, I was. But during pregnancy I got meat cravings, and guess who loves bacon now?" She giggled and grabbed some plates, helping me serve breakfast.

We sat at the table eating breakfast in silence until Santana decided to speak. "Rach, I was wondering if you would like to come to Lima with me for Thanksgiving."

I choked on my food and Santana started patting my back to calm me down. Return to Lima. "Santana, I don't think I'm ready to face Lima."

"Look, every year the Glee Club got together for a barbecue but you don't have to go, I'm not going to force you. However, I wouldn't want you to spend Thanksgiving alone with Theo, that's why I'm inviting you to come to my mami's house with me." I wrinkled my nose, still unsure of going back to that place. "Hey buddy, what do you think about spending Thanksgiving where your mommy grew up?"

Theo got up from the table yelling something about packing and I looked at Santana without believing what she had done. "That was a dirty move."

She shrugged, smirking. "When your coach is Sue Sylvester, you learn to play dirty."

*

After many attempts, Santana managed to convince me and we were just parking in front of her parents' house. It was not only her who convinced me, but Theo who at the end of the day already had his suitcase packed.

"T-boy, can you take this to the front porch?" Before Theo could reach the porch, the door swung open and Santana's mother almost ran toward her. "Hi, mami."

When the woman left her daughter, she took me in a tight hug that I reciprocated. "Rachel, honey, how are you? It's been so long."

I looked at Santana silently asking for help, literally. She moved closer to her mother, pulling her away from me. "Mami, how about you let us drop off our luggage and then we talk? There are a few things you need to know."

After leaving the suitcases in our respective rooms, Santana and I went downstairs to the living room. Maribel was sitting on the couch waiting for us to talk.

"What are those few things I need to know?" Santana looked at me for permission and I nodded hugging Theo who was sitting on my lap.

She took my hand interlocking our fingers before speaking, "Rachel is mute, mami. Throat cancer."

"Oh my God! Rachel, honey, I'm so sorry. Are you in chemotherapy?" I shook my head and Maribel looked at Santana.

"She's been in remission for two and a half years."

Maribel let out a sigh of relief and stood up to hug me. I didn't know how long we held each other, but it was comforting to feel the support of someone else. Theo's voice brought me back.

"Momma..." I looked at him and he was sitting on Santana's lap looking at me and stretching his arms.

"I'm okay, honey." I said taking him in my arms and hugging him tight against my body. He kissed my cheek and hugged me once more, making me smile.

"Mami, I'm going to go with Rachel to the supermarket. Can you take care of Theo?" Maribel nodded and took Theo's hand leading him into the kitchen.

Santana took my hand and nodded at the door. "Come on, I know you need some distraction."

We left the house and on the road Santana turned up the volume on the radio and lowered the car windows. I felt so free that I would have screamed at the wind if I could.

*

Santana picked up the cart and began to carry it while I looked at everything, waiting for her to tell me what was missing. I grabbed some flour, baking powder, butter, some milk, eggs, chocolate chips, and Santana stared at the cart with her forearms resting on it as she carried it.

"What is all that you just took for?" She asked with a smile, and I shrugged taking a packet of flour.

"You invited me to spend Thanksgiving at your place, Tana, the least I can do is make some cookies." She tossed her hair to one side and wrinkled her nose.

"You don't have to do anything, Rach. Mami doesn't mind that you and Theo are there and it bothers me much less." I chuckled, taking a packet of baking paper.

"We both know you love my cookies, Tana. If I don't make them as a thank you, then I'll make them for you."

I winked at her, smiling, and started walking into the next aisle while Santana was still in the same spot leaning further against the cart. I smiled when I finally heard the wheels of the car screech, getting closer.

"We have to get the turkey, Rach. There's no Thanksgiving dinner without turkey!" I got on the cart and pointed to the sign that indicated the meat aisle.

"Then take me to the turkey, Tana." I said looking at her.

She started running, pushing the cart with me on it as we laughed like two teenagers. We were almost reaching the meat aisle when a cart came out of nowhere and we crashed into it. Santana and I laughed even harder with our hearts pounding from the adrenaline of the moment.

"Santana? Oh my God, Rachel!?"

I stopped laughing immediately. I knew that voice, it was the voice of the boy who was once my best friend. I was still inside the cart with my legs dangling over the front of it. Kurt took turns looking from Santana to me and I didn't know what to do.

Santana looked at me and understood my pleading look. "We have to go, Liberace." Kurt opened his mouth to protest but Santana cut him off. "No, she doesn't want to talk, especially to you, so back off before I go all Lima Heights on your gay ass." She passed him pushing the cart and stopped again, turning to see him. "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention anything about Rachel being in Lima. Understood?"

He nodded just as Blaine arrived and stopped next to him, staring at us in awe. "Rachel..." Kurt cut off whatever Blaine was going to say by grabbing his hand and pulling him away from us.

"Let's go get that damn turkey and get the hell out of here. Maybe we can snuggle up with Theo and watch some movies. How does that sound?" I nodded as Santana was taking the largest turkey in the freezer.

Once we were at Santana's home, we helped Maribel store the groceries. After that, the latina tooked me to bed, making me rest my head on her chest while Theo was on the other side with his hand in mine. I didn't watch the movie, I just snuggled close to Santana rejoicing in her body heat.