Protecting the Heart

Disclaimers: I do not own any part of Glee or its characters. This is purely for pleasure I get nothing else for this. Want to give a special thanks to Niekie for helping proof read this story for me. She's all kinds of awesome and an amazing author herself. Check out her Glee fic too.

Chapter 8

The next few weeks were spent in preparation for the baby, Teddy's birthday and Thanksgiving. His birthday fell the Saturday after Thanksgiving so they were planning on having his party then. Santana already called and rented out a party room at the children's museum for that Saturday. They had taken Teddy there a few weeks ago and he loved it. When they asked him if he wanted his party there he squealed and said he couldn't wait to take Eli there.

It was now Saturday morning, the weekend before Thanksgiving and Santana was just opening her eyes. She looked down awkwardly to see Rachel totally burrowed into her neck and she just smiled and pulled her in impossibly closer just holding her for a moment. Taking a look at the clock knowing Teddy would be up soon she tried to get out of bed as quietly as she could and moving Rachel as little as possible so that she could sleep some more as she started breakfast. Rachel wasn't cooperating.

Every time Santana started to move and slip out from under her she tightened her hold. The third time she tried Rachel groaned and threw her leg over Santana's hips pulling her closer. "No… stay… mine…" she said in her sleep.

Santana chuckled and realized that like every morning she wasn't going to be able to get up without Rachel waking up too. They just slept too intertwined in each other. The same was true for Rachel too. She couldn't get out of bed without Santana pulling her back or waking up right along with her.

Not wanting to risk hurting the baby now that Rachel had her leg over her she gently started rubbing her arm. "Hey querida it's time to get up."

Rachel groaned softly and nuzzled her neck. "No… sleeping…"

As she nuzzled she kissed her neck softly and Santana's breath hitched. "Come on babe. Our boy will be up soon and wanting food. Let me up and you can sleep a bit longer."

She just shook her head and burrowed in more. "He'll come get us when he gets up. It's Saturday just lay with me for a while."

She continued kissing her neck and ran her hand along her stomach. Santana held her breath waiting to see where the hand would go and let it out as Rachel ran it up her body between her breasts and up to her cheek.

The last few weeks they had been kissing more and more. Their intimacy level skyrocketed to the point that both of them were ready to explode any moment with the least little push. They still weren't talking about their feelings, both still terrified that the other was just playing a part and passing the time. Both petrified of losing the family that they had built together. Neither had been acting for a very long time if they ever had at all.

Their times in the morning tended to be the most intense when one of them was still a little incoherent initiating the kisses and it just grew from there as they woke up.

Today Rachel was wreaking havoc on her neck and she was in heaven. "God that feels good." She whispered on a groan as Rachel suckled her pulse point.

She ran open mouth kisses all the way up her neck to her ear, her voice was still husky from sleep and now lust. "I just want to kiss you until we absolutely have to get out of this bed."

She emphasized this with a lick to her ear lobe and Santana moaned turning her head. "Then kiss me," she whispered before taking the lips in front of her.

Rachel pushed up on her elbow until she was hovering slightly above Santana deepening the kiss. She ran her tongue along the seam of her mouth and was granted immediate access as Santana sucked her tongue in. Rachel moaned loudly and pushed in more forcefully running her hand down and grazing over Santana's breast.

Santana arched into the touch, "Jesus Rachel…"

Rachel chuckled lightly and bit her lip playfully. "Ah ah ah, you better watch the names."

Santana scowled and pulled her mouth back to her and kissed her savagely. When she finally released her so they could breathe she rested their foreheads together then softly spoke against her mouth, "I want to kiss Rachel, not Maria."

Rachel sighed and melted into her. "I was teasing sweetie. You can kiss me anytime you want but you will always be Ana to me. Just like when we were kids."

What no one had ever known was that there was a year before they started middle school that Santana and Rachel had been best friends. Santana had just moved to town and after Rachel defended her because someone made fun of her accent they became fast friends. A year later Brittany moved to town then Quinn and it was like they had never been friends at all. That was another of Santana's regrets, losing their friendship over bullshit.

Santana pecked her lips lightly. "I only ever let you and Mami get away with calling me that, even then." She leaned up and connected their lips again but this time the kiss was different.

They came together in a slow melding of lips as they lovingly stroked one another's tongue and explored each other's mouths. Most of the time they came together in desperation, sheer hunger or just for comfort but this was a whole new animal. It was raw and full of emotion. They were laying themselves bare to the other and had no desire to rein it in.

Santana shifted rolling Rachel to her back not releasing her lips until they could no longer deny the need for air. "God, I could kiss you forever."

Rachel smiled and looped her arms around her neck pecking her nose as she regained her breath. "I wouldn't complain."

They leaned in again but pulled back slightly at the knock on the door and sighed into each other when it was then pushed open and Teddy came bounding in the room and crawled onto the bed squishing himself between them.

Santana chuckled moving to accommodate him. "Well good morning mijo, did you sleep well?"

He nodded happily snuggling into Rachel's chest rubbing her stomach lightly. "Yes and I got up hungry for Mami to make pancakes and soosage."

They both laughed at this and Rachel tickled his tummy. "You don't like mama's pancakes and sausage?"

He giggled at being tickled and turned over to be saved by Santana. "Yes but Mami puts syrups in the soosage and the pancakes are fatter."

Santana pulled him away from Rachel's tickling fingers and rolled him to her other side. "Face it babe, he just likes mine better. Lucky for you I will make enough for you too and make this little guy here help."

She rolled over him and off the bed scooping him up and throwing him over her shoulder. As he squealed in delight she moved to Rachel's side of the bed and leaned in kissing her breathless when she sat up. "Shower and come down when you're done. We're going down to make breakfast. I'll make you some scrambled eggs too and don't forget that Will is coming in a bit for your shopping trip."

Rachel was set to go out with Will today because Santana would be painting the nursery. Since she couldn't be there because of the fumes they agreed that once they picked a color, that Santana would paint it while she was out then air out the house so she could come home. The next day they would put all of the furniture together and decorate the room together.

Rachel smiled kissing her once more. "That's sounds lovely. I'll be down in a bit."

Santana nodded turning to march out the door with a still laughing Teddy on her shoulder. Breakfast was a success and once they finished and the kitchen was clean it was time for Rachel to be off with Will.

A while later Santana and Teddy were in the nursery painting the walls. She was just putting the final coat of the pretty yellow on and turned to look at Teddy who had his own little paint brush and was painting on the other wall. He hadn't said much and kept eying the door. "What's up buddy you've been really quiet since we started. Is something wrong?"

Teddy turned to her and sighed. "Where is Mama? Doesn't she want to help for my sister's room?"

Santana smiled putting down her roller and knelt in front of him. "She wants to help but she can't be here with the paint smell. It could make your sister sick and make mama have a headache and make her stomach hurt. That's why I have the fan blowing and after we are done I'll open the window in here and close the door so it can air out. Tomorrow Mama will help up put in all of the stuff we bought at the baby store."

He nodded his understanding then turned back to the wall to paint some more, "Oh good. I thinked that she was mad at her for being stubborned like you and pushing up her ribs."

Santana almost choked to keep the laughter in. "No mijo she's not mad at the baby."

He just nodded again while she chuckled softly and they got back to work. Once it was all done they cleaned up the mess and she did as she told him she would to air it out then they went downstairs to the kitchen after texting Rachel what time she should come back. Santana set him on a stool at the breakfast counter and went to the fridge to get them a snack.

She found a plate with a sticky note on it that said snack for each of them in Rachel's handwriting, "Score buddy. Mama left us some cookies and cut up veggies with ranch." She took the wrap off and set them on the counter sitting next to him. "So, have you figured out what you want for your birthday? You only have a week."

He looked off deep in thought and shrugged. "I don't know Mami; I have everything here so I'll just keep that."

"I know you have a lot but I want to get you something for your birthday mijo. Mama does too."

Looking up at her a little tear formed in his eye. "Can you take me to see Papa and Granddaddy?

Her heart breaks seeing the tears swimming in his eyes and scoops him up in her arms, "Oh mijo. I wish I could but I just can't yet. I promise you that as soon as it is possible you will see them again."

He burrowed into her neck. "Can't we just tell them to come here with us? Pappy can work at the college with you. I heard them call that man Doctor."

Santana rubbed his little back trying not to cry herself. "I'm sorry baby it's just not safe for us or them. No one can know we are here but when it's all over you'll get to go back and be with them again at your old house."

At this he looked up sharply. "You're coming home with us aren't you? Our old house is bigger enough for us."

She almost sobbed at the look on his face. She wanted nothing more than to go home with them. "No buddy. I have my own place and my job."

His little lip quivered and tears started pouring out of him. "But I thought you loved me Mami."

Santana choked on a sobbed and pulled him tight into her chest. "Oh mijo I do love you. I love you so much just like I grew you like your mama did, like she's growing your sister. Things will just go back to the way they were when we go back. But I promise that I will come and see you as much as I can and I will spend so much time with you and your sister and your mama that you won't even know I'm gone."

He sniffled into her chest and shook his head. "It won't be the same. I need my Mami with us. So does sissy and Mama. Please Mami, can you stay with us?"

Wishing that Rachel was here to help she sighed trying to reign in her own emotions. "I know it won't be the same baby and I need you all too. You aren't losing me mijo. I will always be there for you, your mama and your sister. I love you all so much."

He sat back and looked in to her eyes cupping her face in his hands. "Can I always call you Mami?"

She wanted to sob again. This kid was going to kill her. "Yes you can if mama says it's alright. I will always be your Mami."

Nodding resolutely he kissed her cheek and climbed down to the floor. "I'm not hungry. I'm going to go to my room afores dinner."

She watched as he silently walked out of the room and wanted nothing more than to tell him that she'd live with them forever. She wanted nothing more than to be with them for real. After all this time away from her and now being with her like this she finally admitted to herself what she buried so deep in high school and after. She loved Rachel Barbra Berry. The last few months have just made her fall more and now all she wants is to marry that woman for real and raise this family together.

She's loved Rachel all this time. It's why she couldn't commit to Brittany or any other woman. She wanted Rachel and now that she's admitting that to herself she's sure that she's destined to being on the outside of her life and never have what she wants from the woman she loves.

Shaking out of thoughts she wipes her face and starts getting things out for dinner. An hour later Rachel finds her at the stove just stirring some sauce looking lost.

She puts her things down and walks over wrapping her arms around her from behind. "Hey, you ok?"

Santana smiles slightly and turns in her arms kissing her lightly. "I'm fine. How was shopping with Will?"

Rachel didn't believe that for a minute but let it go for now. "We had so much fun. I think I got everything we need for Thanksgiving. Will said they would love to join us for dinner and he wants to help cook so they are coming over in the morning. You and Daniel can just find something to do."

Santana chuckled. "Will is not kicking me out of my kitchen. I promised you I'd help cook and help I will. My Mijo and I are making the stuffing and some pies so you better section us off a spot to work."

Rachel smiled seeing some of the light return to her eyes and leaned in kissing her softly. "That works for me. I was just giving you an out because I know you don't like to cook that much."

She shrugged pulling her as close as the belly would allow. "I don't mind cooking at all. You just do it better than me and I love eating your cooking. The only thing I do better is grill outside, Mexican food or bubby's pancakes and sausage. I can make an amazing stuffing and pies. I also make a mean spaghetti sauce."

Rachel blushed at the compliment and pecks her lips once more before pulling away. "Stir your sauce," she said with a grin as she moved over to sit at the counter and watch. "So, how did painting go? I figured I'd see him down here with you when I got home."

"Painting went fine. He was concerned that you were mad at the baby for kicking your ribs too much and thought that's why you weren't helping us paint. It was really cute. He had a blast painting though and I have the three spots taped off for tomorrow that we are each painting a picture in and he's really excited for that."

They had decided that it would be cute to tape off a section on each wall without a window and for each of them to paint a picture for the baby. Santana already bought the paint that was safe for Rachel to use and some framing material. She was planning on framing around each one when they were done.

Rachel pouted playfully, "I hope you explained that I'm not mad at the baby."

"Of course I did and its fine."

She turned distractedly back to the stove and got lost in thought again as Rachel just sat and watched her. Something was off and she didn't like seeing her like this. "Are you sure you're ok Ana?"

Santana turned back to her, "Huh, oh, yeah everything's fine."

She lied and Rachel just shook her head sadly walking toward her. "Well, when you are ready to talk about it I'll be here. I'm going to go up and see baby boy and tell him dinner is almost ready." She kissed her cheek lovingly and headed upstairs.

She found Teddy sitting on his window seat with his dinosaurs but he wasn't playing with them. He just sat looking out the window. "Hey baby, did you have fun painting with Mami today?"

He looked over and smile, "It was fun but I can't wait until I get lots of color for the picture tomorrow. I know just what I'm going to paint for my sissy."

Rachel sat next to him on the seat. "Dinner is almost ready. Mami made spaghetti." He just nodded looking back out the window. "What's wrong baby?"

"I'm sad. I wanted to see Papa and Granddaddy for my birthday but Mami said no. But now I sided I don't want to go back. I want to stay here forever." He shrugged continuing to look out the window.

Rachel's heart broke seeing the sadness in his eyes. "Why do you want to stay here?"

He looked at her like she should already know the answer, "So that Mami stays with us forever. I know how to fix it though so it's ok."

"Oh baby, how are you going to fix it? You know that when we go home Ana has her own house and has her job but she will see you as often as she can. She lives in New York too."

He just shook his head and looked out the window again. "I know but I don't like it so I'm going to fix it."

She sighed pulling him to her. "I know you love her baby and you want her to be with us always and she will be with us just in a different way. I promise she will always be there for you."

He just nodded into her chest forming his plan to keep her. Rachel just held him, her heart breaking because all she wanted was for Santana to stay too. She loved her and the more they were together like this the more she wanted her. If there was any way for her to keep her she'd jump on it, even if like Teddy said they had to stay here forever."

She was pulled out of her musings by Santana's voice. "Dinner is ready."

They both looked over to her and Teddy climbed down and ran to her raising his arms. She scooped him up and held him close and Rachel realized that he must have talked to Santana about all of this as well and that was probably what was wrong with her too.

Walking over she kissed them both and rubbed his back. "Come on, let's go eat."

They both nodded and they headed down to dinner. Neither Santana nor Teddy talked much during dinner unless Rachel asked them a direct question. Then after they ate and Teddy got his bath he went to bed saying he just wanted to lay and watch his movie until he fell asleep. Santana went into the garage and started measuring out the framing for the next day and got it all cut and ready. Rachel just sat in the living room flipping through channels at a loss of what to do for either of them while her own heart hurt just thinking of losing what she now had with Santana.

A while later Santana came in and knelt in front of her caressing her belly. "I'm done for the night if you're ready we can go on up to bed. I'm exhausted."

Rachel smiled cupping her cheek and kissed her lightly. "Yea, I'm ready to go up too."

They moved upstairs and checked on Teddy. He was sprawled across his bed sound asleep so they tucked him in and turned off his TV and on his nightlight then headed to their own room.

Once they were dressed and ready for bed Rachel climbed in and held out her arms to Santana. In a rare show of vulnerability Santana climbed in and burrowed herself into her chest and just started crying. Rachel held her close not saying anything just being there. There wasn't anything to say really. They had talked about this all before and she had known that Teddy was going to be heartbroken when they had to leave Santana. What they hadn't counted on was Teddy bringing it up before they left.

Rachel knew that Santana loved her children and the longer they were there the harder it was going to be for all of them when they went back.

Eventually Santana fell into an exhausted sleep and Rachel just held her rubbing her back praying that tomorrow would be better for her and their boy. When her own eyes started drooping she ran a hand down to her stomach and gently rubbed. "Your Mami loves you baby girl. She just fell asleep before she could say it tonight. Goodnight baby."

She sighed wrapping her arms more tightly around Santana and let sleep finally take her.

Back in New York things were not going well for anyone there either. Brody had spoken to his father and there was now a full out man hunt for Rachel and Teddy with no luck at all so far. It looked like witness protection did a good job and the leak hadn't been able to garner any information about their whereabouts.

Angel and the other officers on the case were not having any luck either. The officer still on the inside undercover hadn't uncovered what the DA was wanting yet so they were at a standstill until he got the evidence they needed waiting for the right moment to bring down the family. As she sat at her desk going over the files once again the clearing of a throat caused her to look up and smile slightly at her captain. "Hey Cap, you headed out for the night?"

He sat on the edge of the desk and sighed seeing the file open there. "I was about to head home for dinner and thought I'd come and invite you over. Martha keeps telling me to bring you home but you always say no. Take a break from all of this and come eat with us."

Angel chuckled lightly. "She only wants me to come over because she wants to set me up with Elliot. No offence Cap, but your son is so not my type. I think I actually scare the man and he's a Detective."

They both laughed at the truth of this and he stood. "Well at least get out of here and go get some beers with Michelson and Richards. I heard them saying they were on their way to the club or just go home and get some sleep. That file will still be there tomorrow."

She sighed and sat back in her chair. "I know it will but I also know that I'm missing something. Something just doesn't add up. I mean, San gave us all that she had and the other witness gave us another alias for the boss's boy along with, from what we can come up with, his first direct kill. I keep going over the woman's statement and San's files and debriefing, and I just feel like I'm not seeing something that has been right in front of us."

She shifted to another file, "and without San or this… Rachel… to testify we really have nothing unless our guy on the inside gets what he's after. It's just so frustrating. We have to crack this Cap, we have to. To honor my sister we have to bring this scum down."

"You are too close to it. Go home or go out. Take your mind off of it for a day or two. Or even just for the entire night than look at it with fresh eyes. Maybe you are skimming over whatever it is you are looking for because you are too focused. Give it a rest. There is nothing more we can do with this until the other undercover officer gets us what we need so let it breathe."

Angel closed the file and scrubbed her hands over her face. "Maybe you're right. I think I'll head to the store for a six pack and head home to watch the game I DVR'd today. I'll let it rest for the rest of the weekend and look at it again on Monday."

Simmons clapped her on the back as she stood and smiled. "Good. Get some rest and come at it with fresh eyes Monday. Come on, I'll walk you out."

He waited as she locked up the files and her office then they walked out together. Captain Simmons just wanted her to get some real rest. The woman had been going non-stop since Santana's funeral. Angel was just hoping that with some rest she'd have some clarity and find some answers. The talked about the Jets prospects for the season and laughed together as they left, neither saw the figure in the shadows watching them leave.

A/N: Hello my lovelies. Life is what it is right now and I have almost no time to write these days but here's another chapter for this one and if you read any of my other stories I haven't abandoned any of them. I will continue to update as often I can.

Next up: setting up for the baby and Thanksgiving and Teddy's party. Things are going to come to a head for our little family soon.