Erik made the necessary calls and then prepared his own travel arrangements. He couldn't wait for this all to be over, couldn't wait to meet the man that cared for his family, couldn't wait for the chance to care for his girls and comfort them himself if needed for the first time since they've truly let him in their lives. He was getting closer, closer to reclaiming his family, and with this last piece behind them there would be nothing in their way for continuing on the way they should have been decades ago, as a mother and father with their daughter.
Erik landed in New York and made his way to the hotel to meet the others. After checking in he made his way to Juan's suite where the three Lopezes were talking, the parents mainly trying to keep Santana calm. She was worried about both Pierce women for different reasons. The four talked for a few moments trying to figure out the best course of action to lessen the shock for the women. Santana listened for about 5 minutes before she spoke.
"Erik, they're your family, how do you think we should go about getting the ladies together and telling them?" Juan asked.
"I thought that maybe Santana could call and ask them to meet her and then we can all be there when I tell them about Danny." Erik answered.
"No." Santana said firmly.
"What?" Juan asked.
"We're not doing that, I'm not doing that." Santana answered calmly.
"Mija, this is Erik's choice, it's Erik's family."
"With all due respect I'm not trying to take control of his family, but this is where you two step back and leave this to me. He may know Brooke well but he is just scratching the surface with Brittany and while I haven't known her long I guarantee I know her well. As for Brooke, only one person in this room has the educational background and experience dealing with mental illness and addiction and it's not you two. I respect you both deeply but Santana's not calling anyone to meet her anywhere. Santana is going to go and pick them up and tell them that we are going to meet up with you guys. I won't tell them why but I will let them know that it will be shocking and that they will feel a mixture of emotions. When they get here with us all I will do the talking and I will take whatever reaction comes my way. If I need help I will ask for it. I stepped back on the Martinez situation when I was asked to wait at the hotel and I did so because that was you two doing your jobs and you knew better than me in your world. This is me doing my job because I know better than you in this world of mine. You two did your part here now step back and let me do mine."
Juan just smiled at his daughter and looked at Erik. He was having a total proud daddy moment. Erik looked at Santana and shook his head before smiling softly.
"Okay, you can take it from here Santana. Brittany chose very wisely," he smiled. "Very wisely. You are an impressive young lady indeed."
"Thank you Erik, papi. Now I have to get ready. I told Brittany I would be by this evening and I want to make sure she knows that I'm on my way."
"Ok honey but we are here if you need us. We're following your lead."
"Thank you both," Santana replied as she grabbed her jacket. Everyone had waited long enough for this moment, she wasn't going to prolong it for a second.
"Papi, I need you to make sure Luciana and Roberto stay with Danny. I need you, mami, tio and Erik to wait for me at my place since it's closer to the facility and they will want to get there quickly. Take my keys and leave as soon as possible. I will be wasting no time getting them there."
Santana handed her father the keys and walked out of the room as confidently as she had walked in.
"I'm glad our daughters don't do what we do for a living, my friend. I would hate to go up against either of them." Erik replied proudly.
"Alone they are powerful, together they are unstoppable. I have to agree with you Erik, our blood runs deep in them." Juan replied. "Let me pour you a drink, we're going to need one for this" Juan says. He pours some dark liquor into each glass and raises it in a toast.
"To the best of both of us", he says.
"To the very best," Erik replies, raising his glass before taking a long sip.
Santana called Brittany who was watching "Wheel of Fortune" with her mother. They were planning a simple night together and wanted to surprise Santana with the news that Brittany had gotten a call saying that the apartment was ready to rent for Brooke. Brittany would be going the next day with Brooke to see the place and hopefully sign a lease. They were both excited, and it was the best of both worlds for Brittany. She could still have these nights with her mother, she could have fun with her and watch over her, see her every night if she wanted but she could go back to having her privacy again. She could have Santana spend the night instead of always staying over Santana's. Life just kept getting better and better since The Martinezes left this planet.
When Santana arrived at the house she didn't really have a game plan. She wanted to be as quick, straight forward and to the point as possible. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Hey babe," Brittany answered the door cheerfully, pulling Santana into a hug and kiss. "Hard couple of days,huh? You're out there fighting the good fight. Have a seat and let me get you a plate, we have some good news to share with you."
Santana wanted Brittany to have her moment. She was in great spirits and Brooke was smiling widely when Santana greeted her. She sat as the women sat across from her on the couch and waited for the news.
"So," Brittany started, "The apartment downstairs finally became available. My mom and I are going to see it tomorrow. We would love for you to join us but I know you're short on days off and the last couple of days have been brutal. Hope your client is ok and settled. Anyway, if mom likes it then we're going to go ahead and sign the lease."
"Wow, congratulations guys! I'm so happy for you. I hope it works out and if you need anything you know I'm only a phone call away."
"Yeah, I think it's going to be awesome. It's only a one bedroom and it's not too big so it will be really easy to handle."
"I'm sure Brooke will be fine. She was doing great in Jacksonville and she will do great here. It's just a bonus that you two will be so close to one another."
Both women smiled before Brittany stood up. "Yeah I'm looking forward to having mom around it'll be epic. Plus I'm in a relationship so I don't have to worry about running into my mom as I walk into the building with some random hookup." Brittany said with a sly smile. "Not like I did that a lot anyway."
"What, you? No, of course not," Santana said sarcastically.
"Plus it makes things easy for the Viking, he won't have to go far to see both of us even though we all know whose door he's going to be sniffing at the most don't we mom? "Brittany asked playfully.
Brooke rolled her eyes and Brittany chuckled but Santana simply smiled and used the opportunity to get to the point.
"Speaking of the Viking, Brittany, dinner can wait, thank you. I need to speak to you ladies seriously for a moment."
"What's wrong, Santana?" Brittany asked.
"Please, come sit next to your mother, this is very serious."
Brittany sat next to Brook, both women looking perplexed.
"This is good news, the best news ever, but it's rather shocking as well and I need you to take it all in and then we're going to go out for a while and I'm going to take you to see my family. My parents are here as well as Pedro, Luciana and Roberto. Erik is also here, he will be there with my parents."
"Santana what's going on?" Brittany asked.
"As I said it's great news Britt some of the best news you will ever get. It's the thing I couldn't tell you before, the thing we spoke about that I had to keep private because for everything to turn out well for everyone this had to play out this way. I hope you both can understand, if not today, someday."
"What is it, did Erik find out he has another kid?" Brittany joked, trying to wrap her head around this without freaking completely out.
Santana smiled.
"Ladies, come with me okay? Get your jackets. You're going to feel a lot of emotions, okay?" Santana said looking at Brooke. "There may be shock fear, anger, joy and they will all be valid feelings. Sit with them and remember in the end that this is a blessing, okay?" Santana took Brooke's hand and squeezed it and she relaxed a little.
"Brittany, honey,you trust me right?" Santana asked.
Brittany shook her head slowly.
"Then come with me, okay? I promise you it's one of the best blessings ever once you get past the shock of it. No more questions, mi amor, it's time to go."
Brittany and Brooke grabbed their jackets and Santana hailed a cab. She wanted to get to her place as quickly as possible and she didn't want to waste any time looking for parking so she took a taxi there. The ladies rode silently to Santana's and when they got there everyone was waiting as Santana had requested.
Everyone stood and greeted the ladies, hugging Brittany and Brooke. Santana was now in the zone. Her emotions were in check It was sometimes scary how she could slip into that place where she seems so unbothered by anything, like she had done each time she had lost Valentina.
"Brittany, Brooke, please take a seat but don't get too comfortable, I'm sure you will be eager to get to our next destination."
The Pierce women took that as a cue to leave their jackets on as they sat on Santana's couch with her parents on her love seat and Erik in a chair across from them. Pedro sat on a chair in the dining area. Santana grabbed one of her dining room chairs and took a seat right across from the women just far enough away from Erik for Santana to be the only one in their immediate line of vision. She was going to do this and she would deal with the fallout. She had made up her mind.
"Brooke, Brittany, this is about Danny."
"What about Danny?" Brittany piped up. Her voice was soft but strong, almost ready to be on the defense but she didn't even know why.
"Danny didn't die when he was shot, the Feds had him. Danny is alive."
Both women just stared at Santana. Brooke gasped but it took Brittany a moment to move at all.
"What the hell are you talking about Santana?" Brittany asked, shocked and maybe a little angry she want't sure. This felt mean even though Santana said it would be something good. She's confused. She's dealt with Danny's death, she's dealing with it okay now since the Martinezes were gone. What are they saying?
"It's a very long story that you can hear anytime but right now I want you to get up and let me take you to him okay? Erik has flown him in to the best rehabilitation facility he could find near you and we want to support you in every way and so every one came out here to be here for Danny and for you ladies. He is not 100% but he can speak and he wants to know how his Tink is doing."
His Tink. Brittany thought she would never hear that name again unless someone was telling a story. Now they are telling her that Danny said it. Danny, whose grave she's only been to once and she secretly beats herself up daily for being too weak to ever go again. She sends flowers though, fresh flowers every week, and she prays for his soul that it had found peace. All of these things nobody knows but if Danny isn't dead who has she been talking to, who has she been crying for?
What the fuck is going on here.
Brooke seemed to be taking it a little better. Sure, she looked confused and shocked but it was nothing like the look Brittany had. Brittany's look was more akin to pure panic.
"Brooke, are you okay?" Santana asked.
"I'm okay, Santana."
Santana locked eyes with Erik and indicated for him to go to Brooke.
"Brittany, honey, I know it's confusing but just breathe okay. Danny is alive, take it in honey. Just breathe and take it in and we will go and see him. He's been through a lot and looks a little different and has some motor skill issues and headaches but he's alive and in the best of care. I'm taking you to see him now okay? See him for yourself, it's a gift honey, you got your Danny boy back and everyone flew out to help all of you."
Brittany was still stunned but Santana's words brought her back a little.
"Come on Britt, your mom and your dad and my parents are here, let's go see Danny." Santana said.
"Let's go see Danny," Brittany repeated hoping that they weren't going to the cemetery. The cemetery is closed at night, isn't it?,Brittany thought.
Santana took Brittany's hand and they stood, Santana leading her towards the door. Erik's driver was still waiting outside in the Sprinter in order to transport everyone to the rehabilitation facility. Santana called ahead to let Robbie and Luciana know that they were on the way and to make sure that Danny was prepared for the visit and not blindsided. The two hadn't left his side, wanting him to not only get the love and support he had missed out on all of those weeks but also to try and see for themselves how much Danny was still struggling. Erik would make sure that whatever therapies Danny needed he would get, but everyone knows that the best therapy for Danny starts with his Tink.
The Sprinter pulled up in front of the facility 20 minutes later and even though visiting hours were over Erik arranged for the party to visit Danny in his large private room. Erik had made sure that he had the best space available. It looked more like a hotel room than a hospital, a large room with a beautiful view of the skyline, plants, nice pictures framed on the wall and a sitting area with a small table. He had a large flat screen tv with every channel imaginable, a small stereo system and even a video gaming system. The video gaming system helps those who enjoy playing video games improve their fine motor skills. He had a fridge and microwave as patients were also able to order their meals from a menu and have it prepared to their liking. It truly was a great place to heal.
Everyone piled out of the van and Santana took Brittany's hand and led the way inside. Brittany was eerily quiet and Santana didn't want to get on her nerves by asking how she was doing every five minute. Erik was glued to Brooke's side and they were hot on Santana's heels. The Lopezes followed closely behind.
Santana spoke to the woman at the front desk and then proceeded to Danny's room. Luciana, Robbie and Danny heard all of the footsteps in the hall and knew that Danny's family was there. They stood back so that they wouldn't be in the way. All The Pierce women needed to see when that door opened was Danny.
Santana held open the door and placed her hand gently at the small of Brittany's back to urge her through the door. She didn't use words, Brittany seemed too fragile for words. Everyone thought that Brooke would be the one to worry about but Santana always knew it would be Brittany. Santana understood all of her tough talk was mostly talk. What her skills made her capable of her heart would never allow her to do. Brittany is a softy deep inside and Santana knows it,so Santana won't challenge her with words, and encouragement can be a challenge to a person like Brittany sometimes. She would simply move her, like a mother does a child, when they need to be encouraged to move forward.
Brittany's legs felt heavy as she entered the room, the lighting was low and mainly coming from the tv. Brittany saw someone sitting there smiling but not moving in a big chair that somehow made Danny seem smaller. That's not Danny, her eyes were lying to her, everybody was lying to her and she didn't know why they would want to trick her. She was getting mad, or trying to get mad, but her heart deep down knew it was true.
She needed it to be true.
"Hey kid," Danny said smiling brightly, speaking the first words he ever spoke to her as they meet for the first time once again. Brittany froze, stunned. She needed confirmation that it wasn't all a lie, because she can't believe a lie like this, it would break her all over again and this time who could she take it all out on? The Martinezes were already dead.
Luciana turned on another light to brighten the room a little. They had kept the lights low because of Danny's headaches.
"Tink. Hey Tink, come here babygirl. I've missed you so much." Danny said.
That voice, no longer scratchy from lack of use after his day with Robbie and Luciana, that deep voice that made everything right in the world for Brittany always, that was her Danny. It had to be.
For the first time since Santana took her hand and led her out of her apartment Brittany felt the strength to move on her own. She took one quicker step forward and then another and before she knew it she was staring into familiar eye and before she could even process the condition of the man she lunged herself forward and wrapped her arms around his neck as tightly as she could. Danny couldn't stand very well and so all he could do is pull this grown woman into his lap. After all, he did kind of feel like Santa Claus for her again bringing her the gift she wanted most in the world.
She sat like a child in her fathers lap, her head buried in his neck afraid to look up like it was all a dream and any movement would take it away from her but can you smell a dream? Because this dream smells like Danny.
"Shhh it's okay kid. I love you too Tink. Don't think I said it enough, or maybe it could never be enough, kid. You're my everything. You're my dreams come true Tink."
That's when it happened, the dam broke. Brittany sobbed. She cried like she's never cried in her life before. She still hadn't spoken a word or lifted her head,she just cried and Danny just held her until Brooke couldn't hold back any longer, she needed to touch Danny, to see that he was real. She wanted to wait, she really did. He belonged to Brittany more than anyone in this world, but she was starting to question if the demons were back, if she was seeing, experiencing something that wasn't real, an altered state, sliding into madness. She let go of Erik's hand and brushed slowly past Santana as if she herself were a ghost moving towards this unearthly scene, and she had to touch it, somehow she had to feel it, smell it, join it to convince her brain that she wasn't once again slipping into madness. She looked back as if she were a child, looking to Santana for encouragement to touch them and Santana smiled softly and nodded her head affirmatively and Brooke turned slowly to kneel down, first placing a hand on her daughter's back in comfort, touching the one she knew was real first before daring to touch the other, afraid as if in some fairy tale that if she touched him she would feel some shock, some force field, because he didn't belong to her, he was Brittany's magic thing.
Brooke let her hand fall to the not as strong as before but still strong arm and touched it tentatively. Danny opened his eyes which released the pool of water they had been holding back and smiled at Brooke brightly. Stunned, Brooke sunk to her knees and wrapped her arms as best she could around the both of them laying her head in her daughter's lap,one arm around Brittany and the other wrapped around Danny's leg.
He wouldn't have the chance to get away from them again.
They stay like that for what felt like an hour but was more like 5 minutes. Santana loves to take out her camera to capture every special moment for Brittany but not this one. This one can only be a memory, this one can't be reduced to the likes of family videos of birthday parties and Christmas celebrations. This belonged only to them and the universe and the others there were simply blessed to be able to witness what the aftermath of a miracle looks like when a blessing is granted.
Everybody had tears in their eyes, and the women in the room were openly crying. The men scratching their noses occasionally to quickly swipe at a tear that threatened their eyes.
They are not monsters after all, no matter their occupations.
Luciana went to her friend, as she saw the pain that began to flash in Santana's eyes first before it reached the Lopezes and Robbie. She was happy for The Pierces, happy as she could be.
Still, she wishes they had Valentina back.
Luciana touched her back and Santana threatened to break, but not here. She never let people see her pain before and it wasn't about to start today. She wiped her eyes before turning and walking out of the door. Luciana went to follow but Pedro grabbed her hand to stop her. She looked into his eyes and he shook his head 'no'. He's known Santana her entire life, and he knew she needed to be alone, he knew what she was feeling and she was feeling it more than anyone else who had lost Valentina.
Santana found herself in the street, her feet leading her towards her apartment before she found a bench in a park to sit and cry in. She wanted to be there for Brittany,strong, smiling, the first face she saw when she finally looked up but she couldn't be. She was happy for her but she was also jealous, angry. She had never seen Valentina's body either, neither had Luciana. Was it real? Could the Feds have her too?
Please God could the Feds have her too? Please, she prayed.
But she knew it was for nothing, she knew it was real. Her parents, Pedro, they had seen her in her white dress, satin pillow beneath her head, her dark hair displayed in a way to hide a gunshot wound that had reached her head. They saw her and she was dead.
Valentina was dead, and Santana felt it all over again like it was all new information.
"Val," she spoke into the darkness. "Come back to me Val." she said.
"You have Brittany now, and she's so much better for you," Santana heard. She wan't sure if it was her internal voice because in her head it certainly sounded like Valentina herself was speaking to her.
"I know it was a lifetime ago and you had made your choice, but I held out hope for us always in my heart." Santana spoke out loud to no one, but someone, somewhere, somehow was answering her, and it was real.
"I was never coming back Santana. I may have never belonged to Manuel, but I always belonged to my father. I was never going to be strong enough to leave him behind and he was never going to let me go." Valentina's spirit somehow answered.
"I should have had my papi kill them all and then you would be free." Santana said aloud.
"And then your papi, maybe your tio Pedro too would be dead and then it would be you who would never be free. It is how it was always meant to be Santana. You were the only real thing I would ever have, all I ever needed, but you deserved a woman as strong and beautiful as you are, and now you have one. I am your past mi amor, Brittany is your present and hopefully your future too. You love a memory of me that died even before you left Miami but you are your better self with Brittany. I would have only held you back. I love you Santana, from the depths of my soul from the heavens in the sky I love you always and I'm happy mi amor, I'm happy because I'm free, and now you can be free too."
"I love you Val," Santana spoke aloud and she clearly heard it back. She wasn't going crazy, she heard it from the part of her soul that Valentina held captive for all of these years.
"I love you too, mi reina" and then she heard that laugh, that giggle she loved. The one she would hear when they were together and free.
Santana stood and walked slowly back towards the rehabilitation center, grabbing some drinks and sandwiches to cover for the real reason that she left, although most of the room knew what that reason was. Maybe that would be enough for the Pierces and Erik but for everyone else the tears were falling a little harder.
They were crying for Santana.
When Brittany finally looked up and looked into Danny's eyes all she could do was smile and touch his face. Danny was back and now she just wanted to see his wounds, all of them, so that they could make them better. Brittany finally noticed her mother's position on the floor and she stood, helping her up so she could lean forward and fully embrace Danny. Once that was done Brittany realized there were important people in the room that Danny had never met, and she wanted to introduce him to them.
"Danny I want you to meet Santana..."
Brittany looked around confused, wondering where Santana was.
"She stepped out for a moment, she'll be right back," Luciana stepped up quickly covering for her best friend as she always has.
Brittany, even in her joy, for a moment wondered where Santana had gone. She wanted to share her news with Danny. She found someone, her first love and he would get to see it, to meet her, she would get his opinions, his first impressions.
Where was she?
But then her eyes fell upon Erik and she remembered, she has a family now.
"Danny, this is Erik "The Viking" Eriksen, my father."
Danny's eyes widened and then a broad smile flashed across his face. He extended his hand and Erik came over and shook it firmly.
"I'm so pleased to have the chance to meet you. I've heard many stories of how you saved my daughter's life and how much you helped Brooke. I just want you to know that you will never need for anything a day in your life as long as I'm alive. I owe you everything for keeping my only daughter out of harm's way. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure sir, it was amazing watching Tink grow up, they were the only family I had as well."
"Not anymore Danny," Erik smiled.
Brittany then looked to The Lopezes.
"Danny, these are..."
"The Lopezes. I know who they are Tink. What an honor to meet you officially."
Danny had been in the room with the Lopezes many times but never introduced.
"Good to meet you Danny, I understand that you protected my daughter and Luciana as well, and I never forget someone who has protected my family." Juan said, extending his hand.
"It was my honor, Senor Lopez." Danny said, shaking the man's hand.
"Thank you," Isabella said while taking his hand gently in hers.
"It was my pleasure Senora Lopez."
Brittany spoke up again. "This is..."
"Pedro Rodriguez, yes I know who he is as well." Danny reached out his hand and Pedro moved forward and shook it.
"Welcome home Danny, and thank you for keeping our girls safe."
"You're welcome, sir. I'm so sorry I couldn't help Valentina, I..."
"We know the real story, Danny. We know it was Carlos who was on guard that night, not you. We know pretty much everything there is to know."
"You do?"
"We know what is important to know for now. If there is business to talk we can talk later. For now this is a reunion."
"Okay. Thank you Senor Rodriguez for bringing me home and setting me up here."
"No, Erik is responsible for you being here, he made the arrangements and is covering your bills." Pedro stated.
"As I said, you will never need anything again however I didn't do this alone, the Lopez family contributed a lot of time, efforts and money to what brought you here today. It was Juan who found out that the Feds had you and since that moment was willing to devise a plan and foot the bill to bring you home had I not insisted on doing so. He was still instrumental in the arrangements to get you here."
"Thank you all."
It was in that moment a though hit Brittany. How long did they know that Danny was alive? She needed to ask but not now, she needed to speak to Santana.
Where the hell was Santana?
"Luciana and Robbie have been here all day but they haven't told me anything except that everyone was okay. I didn't want to push for answers and I don't want to now either, I'm sure someone will bring me up to date soon. I am worried about one thing though, The Martinezes..."
"No one seems to know what's become of them, Danny." Juan stated innocently.
"What?"
"They've been missing for a few weeks now," Juan added. "Perhaps they finally crossed the wrong people," he said so innocently that Erik almost forgot that they shot the men.
"What became of Carlos?"
"Carlos is just fine," Brittany answered. "I spoke to him after your funeral..."
"My funeral..." Danny almost whispered shocked when the realization hit him that he must have had one.
"Yeah," Brittany said sadly. "Don't want to talk about that, but I will say you are loved by many."
Danny smiled softly.
Everyone chatted for a while, Brittany excitedly telling Danny about her brothers and her mormor and her 25th birthday party that she wishes he was at. When Brittany mentioned Carlos for a second time telling Danny that Carlos said she was just like him Pedro and Juan studied the man's reaction closely. They still feel better with Carlos out of the equation.
"Do you want Carlos to know where you're at?" Pedro asked.
"No...not now. I need to think." Danny answered and Juan smiled internally.
They were happy to know that Danny was not rushing head first with Carlos. One less thing to worry about.
"Besides there was this cute nurse..."
"Do not tell me you were on to the next conquest while everyone thought you were dead," Brittany gasped.
"But I'm not dead," Danny said wiggling his eyes.
Everyone laughed and even Santana had to smile, who no one noticed had slipped back into the room and was silently standing in the back.
"Santana!" Brittany said excitedly. "Where did you go? I was looking for you." Brittany beamed, happier than Santana had ever seen her before.
Santana held up the bags with the food and drinks and Brittany bounced over and took them, taking Santana's hand and bringing her forward to meet Danny.
"Danny, this is..."
"Ms. Santana Lopez in the flesh." Danny smiled. "So nice to meet you and to see that you are okay."
"I should say the same." Santana smiled, reaching her hand out for Danny to shake. "Thank you for protecting Luciana and I."
"It was my pleasure." Danny answered, still holding her hand.
"Danny, you rudely interrupted my dramatic introduction. I was going to say this is the beautiful Ms. Santana Lopez, my girlfriend."
"Woah Tink, wow. Congratulations you two. You've always had great taste, kid."
"Not always," and again everyone laughed.
"It got better with time, Tink."
Everyone chatted for a while sitting around for about two hours welcoming the man home and enjoying the food Santana brought before everyone said goodnight. It had been a long day and everyone was tired and ready to leave, everyone except Brittany.
"Well Britt, I'm going to get everyone back to the hotel and call it a night. Danny's had a long day and doesn't need all of us here and Luciana and Roberto must be exhausted. I'll call you tomorrow."
Everyone took that as their cue to leave.
"Ok honey, I love you," Brittany said.
"Love you too babe," Santana replied as Brittany planted a chaste kiss on her lips.
"Brittany, honey, maybe you should really go too." Brooke said softly to Brittany.
"No mom you go ahead, I'm staying with Danny," Brittany said.
"You guys start heading out but don't leave, just give me a few minutes with Tink please."
Everyone starts saying goodnight and then head out to the Sprinter.
"Tink, I'm so happy to see you and I know you don't want to leave but it's not just you and me anymore kid. You had a room full of people and they are all yours now too. Brooke looks fucking amazing and you have a dad and brothers and a grandmother and friends, powerful friends and a hot girlfriend, you hit the jackpot Tink. Go home. I'll be here tomorrow I promise."
Brittany didn't want to leave. She felt like Cinderella and leaving would mean waking up and this was all some cruel dream. Nope, she was going to stay here in whatever this alternate universe was where she had Danny back and got to keep everyone else as well. She wasn't going anywhere.
"Danny..."
It's like Danny knew her thoughts and fears without her saying a word. He did raise her after all.
"Tink, I'm real, it's all real and it's okay. I'm tired Tink, it's been along day and I don't need you watching me sleep like a creep. I raised you better than that. Go home. Think of all of the stories you'll get to tell me that they couldn't tell me here tonight. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you Tink, I'm so glad to have you back. You did good kid, you're gonna have to tell me all about how you figured out my clues and how you and Santana started dating."
"She's the one you told me about Danny. I never thought you would get to meet her."
"Oh yeah?" Danny smiled.
"Don't give me that face," Brittany toughened up. "Yeah, I love her Danny boy, kind of a lot."
Danny smiled "See Tink, this is what kept me here."
"Me falling for a hot girl?"
"Yeah and everything else. You're just getting started kid, and I wouldn't miss it for the world."