Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of its characters.
Chapter 68
Callie took the drive back to Columbus to think about how she was going to talk to her father about all of this. She had had a feeling that the reason Aria kicked out Santana was because she was gay. Not much else made sense. She had voiced this thought to her daddy and he had said that it didn't matter as long as she was ok but this was different. Her niece had not one but two girlfriends and not only did they know about each other they were all together.
She was honestly ok with this having lived in Seattle for so long you kind of see it all but she wasn't sure that her daddy could handle it. He wouldn't have a choice but to accept it or Santana wouldn't let him in her life and she doubted that any of the girls or women she met tonight would take too kindly to her being hurt anymore so she needed to make him understand because she'd be damned before she allowed anymore shit to befall her niece.
She sighed as she pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and made her way upstairs. When she entered the room her daddy was pacing but stopped the second he saw her. "Did you find her? Is she ok? Why didn't you bring her with you?"
She smiled slightly taking his hands guiding him to the couch in the sitting area. "Sit and I'll tell you everything I found out."
He nodded and settled looking to her expectantly. She took a deep breath and began, "She's fine. She's living with the woman that Mami told us about and is doing good."
"Why didn't you bring her with you?"
"Daddy just listen please. The woman's name is Shelby Corcoran and she has custody of Santana. From what I can see Santana is happy with this and I'm remiss to do anything to uproot her from Shelby's home. That woman seems to love her like a daughter and is very protective of her. Along with her fiancé and another woman named Judy. We will not get to her without a fight and I don't think that a fight is necessary."
Carlos stood and started pacing again. "How can you say this? She is ours and she should be home with me."
Callie shook her head and thought it's now or never. "No daddy. The last place she needs to be is in your home. Mami already said she condoned what Aria did. Santana is a lesbian daddy and Mami would never treat her right so no, she does not need to be there. I am a doctor and I am still a resident that's hardly home so it wouldn't be ideal for me to take her either. She is in a stable environment and I think that if we try to take her away we will only alienate ourselves to her and make her hate us."
Carlos sat back down next to her, "I don't care if she is like you Calliope, I will protect her from your mother even if I have to move the two of us somewhere else."
"It's not just that. She's in a relationship and in her sophomore year of high school. She's a cheerleader and in her school's glee club. She will not want to leave with only two years left until graduation. Shelby is a teacher at her school and the director of her glee club as well. She is happy daddy and I refuse to tear her away after all she has been through."
He looked at her quizzically. "What all has she been through? What happened to my niῆa?"
Callie sighed, "I don't know all of it but I know that Aria was in no way a good mother to her. Santana calls her, her egg donor. She is also in a relationship that I'm not sure how you are going to feel about."
"What do you mean? Is this girl not good to her?"
"They are very good to her." At his confused look she elaborates. "She is in a multi-person relationship. I think it's called polyamorous. It's where three or more people enter into a relationship all together."
Carlos stands and starts pacing again. "This is not right mija, I can't condone this. This is an abom…"
Callie stood and squared her shoulders cutting him off. "Then I will stand with them and fight you. She deserves to love whoever she deems worthy and you have no more right to try and dictate her life than you did with my relationship with Arizona. She is happy, healthy and well-loved where she is and I will keep you from her if I have to, to keep her that way. I will not have her feel the way I did when you brought father Kevin to my job to pray away the gay. This is just another thing you need to come to terms with because it isn't changing and I will protect her like her mother never has from you or anyone else that tries to hurt her."
He just looked at her not sure what to say and she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Look, this was a lot of information and we are both tired. I'm going to head to bed because I'm going back to Lima to see her early in the morning for cheer practice and her afternoon glee practice. After that I am taking them all to dinner, her, her girlfriends and their mothers to a place called Breadsticks. I want you to take the day and think about what you can accept because if you can't then you may as well get back on the plane and head home because I will not allow you to hurt her."
With that she stood and walked into her adjoining suite and went to bed. Carlos sat back down on the couch and just stayed there thinking for most of the night until he finally retired to bed himself. He still didn't know what to do so he gave up and went to sleep for the moment hoping tomorrow will bring clarity.
The next morning Shelby, Sue and Judy were all in the kitchen preparing breakfast discussing all that had happened the night before. Sue sat heavily at the counter with a cup of coffee in her hand. "I don't care who that woman is, she has no rights to Santana. The two of you have shared custody and if it came right down to it she could emancipate herself and it would all stop right there. We still need to talk to them all about how much they want Callie to know. Hopefully after hearing it all she will calm and realize that San needs to be here."
Shelby put the dish in her hand in the oven and walked over to where Judy was chopping fruit. "I know but I'm just worried about what asking San to emancipate herself would do to her. She is happy with the way things are. I don't want her thinking that we don't want her to be ours."
"A piece of paper doesn't change the fact that I am yours Mama Shelby."
They all turned to see the girls coming into the kitchen. Shelby moves to Santana quickly pulling her into a hug. "Good morning babies. How much did you hear?"
Santana shrugged accepting the hug. "All of it. We heard the whole conversation last night since our door was opened." She moved over to Sue and kissed her cheek. "Thank you," she whispered in her ear before hugging her tight and moving to hug Judy too.
Once hugs were given all around Santana moved to pull down their coffee mugs and started preparing them while the girls sat at the counter with Sue letting her keep her hands busy. "We talked about it all last night and this morning. My tiá seems cool but she's worried. After she left and once Rachel calmed me down she made me realize that we kind of threw a lot of crap her way yesterday and still have more to throw at her."
She looked to Rachel and Quinn who just nodded for her to continue. "If she even comes back we have decided that she needs to be told what's been going on. After finding out everything she might think it's all better left alone and just go home."
Judy pushed the now cut up fruit to the side and moved closer. "Oh I have no doubt that she will return, so the question is, how much of it do you want her to know?"
The girls shared a look and Rachel sat forward. "All of it from the beginning. She needs to know all of our stories to fully understand everything."
Quinn eyed her mom for a moment. "Are you ok with that? I don't want to upset you or anything but this…"
Judy grabbed her hand stopping her words. "I'm fine with it. I can own up to my own shortcomings and past mistakes, especially if it helps us to keep San safe and with us."
She smiled over at Santana as she came and sat down the girls coffee then sat herself. "Thank you Mama J, we just have one favor to ask of all of you?"
They all nodded and she took a deep breath. "We need you guys to talk to her for us."
Rachel sighed and leaned into her. "I have to go over all of it for the hearing later this week and I don't think I can talk about it anymore than that. I don't even want to do that but I have to."
Quinn rubbed her back and kissed the side of her head. "We just thought that it would be better for you guys to talk to her so that they don't have to relive it all again and I'm not sure I want to hear it all any more than I have to or talk about my own stuff either."
Santana sighed taking a drink. "I also want you guys to help calm her down after you tell her what my donor did to me when she kicked me out. I have a feeling if you don't she might end up in jail for assault or murder."
Shelby, Sue and Judy shared a look and nodded to each other as Shelby took Santana's hand. "We will talk to her when she comes back and tell her everything. You girls don't worry about any of it. But no matter what she says or what happens we will fight to keep this family together so you just let us handle it."
The girls all let out a collective breath and deflated into each other. Santana could only nod and Rachel gave her mom a watery smile, "Thank you mom."
After that they all fell into normal conversation and enjoyed breakfast before Judy headed off to work with a promise from Sue and Shelby to call when Callie returned and the rest all headed to the school. Rachel wanted to get there early so that she could go over the tape of the stunt from the day before and see if there was really something wrong with it or if she had just been having a bad moment. Once they reviewed it they helped her see that it was ok and they could move on. She conceded and they moved to get the gym ready for morning practice. They would be working on some of the flier stunts this morning so she wanted the mats laid out.
They had been at it for about an hour and were just about to call practice when Shelby came in with Callie in tow. Santana smiled brightly but didn't break formation. Rachel noticed her stiffen beside her and looked to see what had caught her attention and smiled. "I want to run it one more time with us flying. Can you do it or are you too distracted? Tell me honestly because I can't handle you getting hurt."
Santana turned fully to her and took her hands looking her in the eyes. "I promise you I am fine to do this. I just wasn't expecting her until this afternoon so it threw me for a moment. I'm good querida, I promise."
Rachel nodded and called for a reset. They ran through the routine again adding in the stunts and it was almost flawless. "Ok ladies it's coming along very nicely. National's is in a few weeks and we will be ready. The only stunt that we still need to totally perfect before adding is the monster stunt but it's almost there too. That's all for today and if I don't see you before I'll see you in the morning for practice, have a good day ladies."
They all cheered and headed out to the locker room. Santana moved toward Callie with Rachel and Quinn flanking her. When she was close enough Callie pulled her into a hug. "My god Mija that was amazing. I almost had a heart attack when they threw you guys across the room."
Santana chuckled. "Yea, the first time Mama Shelby saw any of us being thrown it was in that big two girl stunt and Rachel was training them and was showing the fliers how to do it properly. I thought she was going to pass out."
They all laughed and Callie stepped back slightly. "I was right there myself. I've been on the running track above you watching since right after practice started. I got here a little late and was afraid of distracting you so Shelby took me up there to watch. You are all very talented." She said looking at all three girls.
Quinn smiled shyly. "Thank you but Rachel created the routine. We just do what we're told."
Rachel slapped her playfully. "Oh shut up you. You know that without the talent of all these girls no matter what I plan out it would be crap. You guys make it great."
Santana nudged her with her shoulder. "We have great trainer that make sure that we are in top shape, who also lets them throw her around as well so don't diminish your role here." She smiled at Rachel's pout and turned back to Callie. "We're all kinds of awesome. Wait until you hear us sing." She looked around for a moment then looked sadly back to her. "I guess Papa wasn't ok with me then."
Callie shrugged. "I'm not really sure yet. I told him after I got back last night but I really didn't give him time to react much. He was ok with you being a lesbian but it threw him for a loop when I told him about the girls. I cut off his reaction to that and told him to take the day to think about all of it before he said anything more. Give him time, he'll be ok. If not I told him that I would stand with all of you against him if it came down to it."
Santana looked up at her in awe. "Are you serious? You really told him you'd go against him for me?"
Cupping her face softly she kissed her forehead. "I would do anything for you Sanny. Even go against my daddy. I believe that you have the right to love who you want even if it is more than one person as long as no one is getting hurt so yes, I would really go against him for you."
Santana launched herself into Callie's arms and stifled a sob. No one outside of her girls and the moms had ever stood up for her and now it seemed that she would have her aunt, which reminded her of something. Pulling away she turned to Shelby. "Can you talk to her before dinner tonight?"
Shelby nodded and Sue joined the little group. "We'll talk to her and make sure she understands but you girls need to head to the showers so you can get to class on time."
They all nodded and Santana turns to Callie hugging her once more. "I heard all that you said last night and I'm not mad at you for it, but I will not allow you to tear apart my family. I really want you to be a part of it so please listen to them and understand that this is where I need to be."
Callie hugged her close and kissed her temple. "I promise to listen to everything and keep an open mind mija."
Santana nodded and they headed off. Sue watched them go then turned back to the others. "We have a meeting first thing this morning so if you want to come back in two hours then we'll have time to sit with you. That will also give us time to call Judy so she can join us and Shelby doesn't have a class to teach until late afternoon. Does that work for you?"
Callie smiled slightly. "That's fine." She paused for a moment then looked at them apprehensively. "I'm not going to like any of this am I?"
Shelby shook her head sadly. "No, not at all but it does have a happy ending so far."
Callie just nodded, "Alright then, I'll see you in a few hours. I'm going to head over to that coffee shop I saw and have a small breakfast while I wait."
They waved good bye and watched her go and Shelby turned and melting into Sue. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this but I will deal because I'd rather it be us that have to go through it all then the girls."
Sue wrapped her in a tight hug. "It'll be fine baby and I'll be right there with you to hold your hand and help you through it. Let's go call Judy and get her here so we can get this over with."
Shelby nodded and they move on to Sue's office to get ready for the day.
A few hours later they were all sitting in Sue's office. Shelby, Sue and Judy sat on the couch and Callie in one of the chairs. Shelby sat forward after they all settled and took a breath, "I guess we'll start with my story."
Callie sat back and just took it all in. Shelby told how she had come to have Rachel and how her father had taken her and sold her to the Berry men. Judy took over after that and told her story about Russel and how worthless of a mother she felt herself to be. She told her all about the way she allowed Russel to pit her girls against each other and how they were with each other until recently. She went on to tell her about what happened with him slapping Quinn and her kicking him out only to not be around like she needed her to be afterwards.
From there Shelby told her about Rachel's life growing up with gay parents and the bullying and torture she went through. Sue interjected things she knew here and there and they stopped at Sectionals. Santana's story was next telling her how she moved here and how her mother blamed her for her father leaving and her neglect, everything. They left nothing out that Santana or one of the other girls had told them about it all.
They told everything, all of their stories right up until Sectionals then took a breath sitting back. Callie was already overwhelmed and from the tone of the other women she had a feeling the worst of it was yet to come.
Shelby stood and walked over to Sue's mini fridge and got out a bottle of water almost downing the entire thing then just stood there leaning on the desk. The next part would be the hardest for her to talk about. Just the thought of what happened to Rachel was enough to buckle her knees and it made it ten times worse because she knew firsthand what her baby had been through and it broke her heart all over again.
Sue gave her a moment before moving to her and Shelby collapsed into her. "Do you want me to tell the next part?"
Shelby shook her head as she straightened back up and kissed her cheek softly. "No honey, I need to do this for the girls."
Sue nodded as she took her hand and they went back to the couch and she started again. "I'm sorry about that I just needed a moment."
Callie took her hand and squeezed it tightly. "No, don't apologize. This is all so awful and I know it's about to get worse so please just take your time. I'm not going anywhere."
Shelby nodded taking a deep breath. "In December right after Sectionals and a few weeks before I found her again Rachel was raped here at school and Santana found her bleeding in one of the bathrooms."
Callie gasped, the tears she'd been trying to hold in instantly pooled in her eyes for what Rachel had gone through and how it had to have affected Santana too.
She listened as Shelby detailed out all that happened in December up until the day she arrived on New Year's Day. Sue filled in the parts that she had more knowledge of and Judy just sat leaning into Shelby trying to give support. Shelby then went on to tell how she came and talked to Rachel and started to get to know them all then stood again as she came to the day Santana was kicked out.
She moved to the back of the couch and started pacing. "I had overheard them talking about how bad things were at home for all of them. The next morning they all stole my heart singing together and I vowed right then that I would protect them all with my life. That day Santana decided to totally move out of her mother's house and Quinn wanted to go get some more things from hers. They left together and Quinn dropped Santana off to gather her things with the promise of returning once she finished her own."
She took a breath stopping to look out the window for a moment before returning to the couch and looking Callie in the eyes as she told her what happened next. She went into full detail leaving nothing out and when she was done Callie had tears streaming down her face and murder in her eyes.
She wiped her eyes and stood. "If you'll excuse me, we can finish this later. I need to go have a talk with my sister."
Shelby, Sue and Judy were up in an instant pulling her back down. Sue forcefully held her by her shoulders and got in her face slightly. "No, San needs you to not be in jail and as much as I want to follow you and hold your coat so you can wipe the floor with that piece of trash, we promised San that we wouldn't let you so you are going to sit here and let us finish telling you all of the shit that they have been through."
Callie looked up at her in exasperation sitting back roughly. "There's more?"
They all sat again and Judy nodded sadly. "Unfortunately there's quite a bit more."
She sighed and settled once more letting them continue telling her the rest.
When it was finally done Shelby and Judy collapsed back into the cushions together both totally spent after all of it. Sue put her arms around them both and they just stayed there together regrouping while Callie absorbed all that she had learned.
After a bit the bell rung and Callie looked up then stood. "Where are they now?"
Shelby looked to the clock and sighed. "It's free period now so they are probably in the auditorium. Why?"
"I need to see them and talk to them, please."
They all stood and Shelby pulled out her phone texting Rachel to make sure they were in the auditorium. Once she got the confirmation of where they were she text back that they were on their way to them and motioned to the door. "Follow us."
Callie followed them through the school and when they entered the auditorium she saw a rather large group of kids, then she saw Santana and her girls stand and move toward them.
The second Santana was in arms-length she was being pulled into Callie's embrace. She stiffened for a moment not expecting it then melted into her. "I love you." Callie whispered in her ear and held on tight.
Looking over to the Rachel and Quinn who were just smiling at them she motioned them closer shifting Santana to look in her eyes. "I have your back mija," she looked to the other two. "All of you. I promise that I will be there in any way I can for any of you. I will help you protect this family if it is needed."
The smile that graced Santana's face could have lit the sky as she bounced in front of her, "Really? You're ok with everything?"
Callie smiled and cupped her face. "Yes baby, you are where you need to be. Esta es tu familia, tu corazon. All I ask is that I get to be a part of the family you have created."
"Yes," Santana sobbed out as she launched herself into Callie's arms crying out her relief in not losing her when she just got her back. Callie just held her close trying to rein in her own emotions. Looking over to Rachel and Quinn she held out an arm for them to join the hug. They rushed into them all too eager to comfort Santana and join in.
Shelby, Sue and Judy all let out a collective breath watching the whole thing unfold and were thrilled that they wouldn't have to fight and drag Santana through a custody battle. They couldn't be happier with Callie and her acceptance.
Once they all calmed Santana pulled out of the embrace and drug Callie over to meet her friends. Sue shifted and wrapped her arms around Shelby from behind. "Well, I think this went very well. How are you?"
Shelby shrugged leaning back into her. "I'm ok, it's hard to talk about it and bring it all up but as long as my babies are happy, healthy and together with us I'm ok."
Rachel looked over at that moment from across the room and moved into Shelby's arms hugging her as Sue stepped back. "I think this will be good for my angel. Thank you for talking to her. I just couldn't do it."
Shelby just smiled and held her tight. "Anything for you, anything for the girls, you know that."
Rachel nodded into her chest then looked up into her eyes. "Yes, I do know that mom. I love you."
They hugged again and looked over as Quinn came over to hug her own mom thanking her for helping to talk to Callie.
Sue stood back watching them all with a sad smile feeling a little on the outside for a moment now that Santana had Callie. She was about to turn and sit in one of the seats when she had her arms full of Santana.
Santana hugged her tight and leaned up to kiss her cheek causing Sue to blush profusely but she didn't relinquish her hold until Santana pulled back slightly. "Thank you… I just… and you…"
She couldn't say anymore so she just pushed back into the hug and rested her head on Sue's chest as tears ran softly down her face. Sue just held her and rubbed her back lightly, "Any time kiddo." When Santana finally completely calmed Sue looked to the others. "Why don't we all go and clean up a bit then show Callie to the Cafeteria for the horrendous slop this school likes to call food and have lunch?"
All the kids cheered and Santana leaned up giving her one more kiss on the cheek before turning to Rachel and Quinn and grabbing Callie leading the way to lunch.
A/N: I know I know it's been way too long but real life sucks. I'm not ever going to give up any of my stories though so here is the latest in Avenging Angel. Next up Glee, dinner and a little more drama at Breadsticks with an unexpected person crashing the party.