As the days passed, the easier Santana found it to be around her ex. It still hurts that they're not together but Santana is coping much better and she has Quinn to thank for that. Even on her bad days, Quinn didn't let her sink too far into despair and Santana appreciates that as well as her honesty. She had taken a really hard look at her relationship with Rachel and realized Quinn was right, and Rachel was right for truly ending it. That revelation doesn't necessarily make it easier for Santana to get over Rachel but it definitely makes her think twice before throwing another pity party.
Now that Quinn is nearing her sixth month, she's been starting to get some real pregnancy symptoms while Rachel's has began to settle. With all the things going on in their lives, Quinn and Santana actually found it really easy to live together, quickly falling into a rhythm that works for them. Santana has been doing most of the housework to take the stress off of Quinn and makes frequent trips to Rachel's to help her out and leave her meals.
"Hey Q, do you- what the hell are you doing?" Santana asks from the other side of the bathroom door. Quinn is standing in her bra and panties in front of the mirror pinching her chin, or at least that's what it looks like to Santana.
"I'm realizing I ruined my body again. Probably permanently this time."
"Aw, do you miss your abs?" Santana teases as Quinn looks down at her belly.
"Am I fat?" Quinn looks up at Santana who looks at her seriously.
"Absolutely not. You are doing one of the hardest, most amazing things in the world and you look fucking hot doing it." Tears begin to well in Quinn's eyes as Santana steps closer to her.
"I'm fat and ugly and no one is ever going to love me." Santana's eyebrows crease at her words.
"Q...that's not true. You know that right? It's just the hormones." Quinn sighs heavily, shaking her head.
"No it isn't! This sucks!" Quinn tilts her head back as her tears begin to fall. Wrapping her arms around Quinn's waist she pulls her into a tight hug until she feels Quinn returning it.
"You are beautiful, strong and amazing. Anyone would be lucky to have you." Santana says softly into Quinn's hair.
Santana knows the hormones are probably making Quinn this way but it hurts to see her so sad. It's one thing when cries at a commercial or gets angry when the batteries in the remote die but seeing her confidence deteriorating wasn't something Santana prepared for. Quinn buries her head into Santana's neck, enjoying the warmth she receives.
"Are you okay now?" Quinn nods slightly as she pulls away from Santana to wipe her tears.
"Yeah...thanks."
"You don't have to thank me. It's literally what I'm here for." Quinn nods slowly as Santana's phone chimes.
"I'd still fuck you so that means something right?"
"Not really but I appreciate it...I guess." Santana chuckles lightly as she pulls her phone out of her pocket, checking the message she got from Rachel.
I currently despise you
Santana's confused expression prompts Quinn's concerned one.
"Is everything okay?" She asks.
"Uh...Rachel just told me she hates me so..." Quinn raises an eyebrow as Santana's phone goes off again.
I'm sorry. I don't actually despise you.
Would you mind bringing me some doughnuts? And pickles?
Another chime.
And hot sauce?
Santana grimaces as she reads the third text.
"I...gotta go. I'll be back. You go relax or something." Quinn sighs softly as Santana leaves the bathroom, returning to examining her body.
After getting the items Rachel asked for, Santana let herself into her previous home. Rachel and Santana's relationship has reverted back into more of a friendship and both women seem to be happy with the way things are between them. It's no longer awkward and it's almost as if they didn't go through a recent breakup.
"What kind of psychotic concoction are you about to create with this?" Santana asks as she sits the food down on the kitchen table.
"I'm not creating anything. I just needed a few things. Thank you." Santana's eyebrows furrow at the woman entering the kitchen.
"You...did you just use me?" Rachel sits at the table and opens the box of doughnut.
"Of course not. I asked and you said you would do it. Essentially, you just did me a favor." She says smiling before biting doughnut in her hand.
"I'm getting pretty fed up with you pregnant people." Rachel rolls her eyes at her.
"Consider that the next time you decide to have unprotected sex." Santana rolls her eyes now as she sits next to Rachel.
"So why exactly did you hate me earlier today?"
"My breasts ache...constantly and I blame you." Santana's eyes drift to Rachel's chest. Quinn's boobs have gotten bigger and Santana has noticed Rachel's increased cup size.
"You should be happy they're growing. Now people will think you're an actual adult." The glare she receives is enough for the hair on the back of her neck to stand."
"Can we not joke yet? I'm really not trying to get stabbed today." Santana continues.
"If I were you, I'd stick to casual conversation." Santana nods her head as Rachel begins to eat another doughnut.
"So, you're still staying with Quinn right?" Santana nod again.
"Do you plan on moving before the children arrive?"
"I...hadn't thought about it. I don't know, I mean...maybe it would be good if I stayed with her? It's close enough to you so I can bounce back and forth easier." Santana shrugs.
"Is that the only reason?" Santana's eyebrows knit at the question.
"What are you getting at?" Rachel shrugs as she finishes her snack.
"It was only a question. Next Wednesday is the day we see the baby. You didn't forget right?" Rachel says, setting a hand on her belly.
"How could I forget something like that? I can't fucking wait!" Rachel laughs at Santana's excitement as she puts a hand on her stomach, gently rubbing her hand back and forth.
"As am I. I'm just hoping I don't cry." Santana chuckles as she pulls her hand back.
"You will. It's just insane but in the best way. I fucking cried." Rachel giggles.
"Are you having pregnancy symptoms too? A sympathetic pregnancy so to speak?"
"A what?" Rachel chuckles at her confusion before continuing.
"A sympathetic pregnancy. Sometimes partners of pregnant people experience the same symptoms though they aren't carrying the child."
"Are you kidding? That can't be real."
"It's a psychological phenomenon and it does happen. Have you had any aches and pains? Weight gain? Nausea? I would ask about mood swings, but we both know that's a permanent state you live in." Rachel laughs at the glare Santana sends her.
"First of all, my moods are stable. Secondly, if you can make jokes, so can I. I actually only felt nauseous when I was here taking care of you in the very beginning but that was probably because you kept puking everywhere." Rachel nods.
"Well...if I wasn't already aware of how you reproduce, I would've thought you were at least...2 months pregnant." Rachel leans over and pats Santana's stomach with a smile that quickly turns into a laugh as Santana stares at her unblinking.
"Rachel!" Santana exclaims to which Rachel only shrugs.
"I just thought I'd let you know. How do you like it when the shoe is on the other foot?" Her teasing tone causes Santana to roll her eyes.
"I'm so over you." She says trying to hide her smile.
After spending some time with Rachel, Santana went home and took a shower. Once she was finished, she went to the kitchen to grab a doughnut from the box she'd bought for her and Quinn but doesn't find it. Shaking her head as she walks into Quinn's bedroom, she finds Quinn sitting in bed with the box sitting in her lap.
"What?" Her words are muffled by the food in her mouth and Santana chuckles.
"Can I have one or no?" Santana asks as she walks to the foot of the bed.
"I thought...um...no?" Quinn says uncertainly.
"Are you asking or telling?" Santana asks while sitting on the bed.
"I mean...you could have one...if there was one left..." Quinn's looks away, her eyes darting around her room as Santana chuckles.
"There were eight in that box Q. You didn't think to save me one?" Quinn shrugs.
"I already feel fat enough, don't make it worse." Santana rolls her eyes as she crawls up the bed and sits next to Quinn.
"Rachel told me I look two months pregnant so I guess we both feel fat today." While Quinn is laughing and distracted, Santana grabs her hand that's holding the last of the doughnuts and the blonde quickly turns towards her as she takes a bite.
"I didn't say we could share." Santana laughs as Quinn aggressively pulls her hand away.
"Do it again and I'll slap you." Quinn says with an icy glare.
"You had 7 and a half other doughnuts. I can't have this one piece?"
"Why do you deserve it?" Quinn smirks.
"I deserve way more than a fucking doughnut for having to deal with you, just saying."
"You're not pleading your case." Quinn says as she sits the box on her nightstand.
"How about the fact that I bought them?" Santana rolls her eyes at Quinn shaking her head.
"I'm not above taking food from a pregnant woman. If I run you'll never catch me."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that, pudgy." Santana scoffs as Quinn laughs heartily.
"I'm officially over you too. Give it to me." Santana demands. Quinn arches an eyebrow as she slowly brings the last piece of the sugary dough to her mouth.
"Quinn I swear..." Santana trails off as Quinn begins to open her mouth. Rolling her eyes, Santana watches as Quinn takes a small bite then holds the rest out to her. Quinn feeds the remainder of the treat to Santana before licking the glaze from her fingers.
"You're welcome." Santana doesn't comment as she leans back against the headboard and grabs her phone.
"What do you want me to read today?" Quinn doesn't even try to hide her excitement, smiling brightly and quickly grabbing her phone then moving to cuddle with Santana, lying on her side and resting her head on Santana's chest. Since Santana has started reading to the baby, it's become Quinn's favorite part of the day for two reasons. She gets to lie with Santana and she always falls asleep.
"I was actually reading an interesting article earlier so you can finish it for me." Quinn says while handing Santana her phone. As Quinn drapes her arm over Santana's stomach, the other woman looks at the article.
"This is about a lawsuit."
"Mhm."
"The baby doesn't understand any of that."
"Realistically, they don't understand most things right now. Just read it." Santana lips purse, biting back her retort before she begins to read.
Eventually, Quinn falls asleep and Santana catches herself thinking about how beautiful she is and how happy she is just to be with her. Santana was sure she'd gotten over her crush on Quinn when they were in their freshman year of college...but what if she didn't? What if she only buried the feelings so she could move on? What if...she still has feelings for Quinn?
A/N: Hope everyone's staying safe. See ya soon and I still have my poll up if anyone wants to help out with that.