Hi guys, it's straight to be getting a couple of reviews now so thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying. It's going to be a journey, but I promise it's a good one if you stick with it :)

In this chapter, we take a five year jump, taking us closer to the opening scene. Don't worry though, there'll be flashbacks along the way to fill in the cracks.

Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts! Xx

5 Years Later- March 2014

"Honestly Brit, I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I know she said it on purpose to embarrass me" said Santana, on FaceTime to Brittany. They had come a long way in terms of technology, since their Skype days.

Brittany chuckled as she imagined the story in her head, of a 5-year-old Mila walking in to find a strange man in her Mom's bed that morning. Luckily, they weren't indecent, but as the man scrambled up to leave Mila had innocently asked:

"Are you my Daddy?" leaving Santana blushing bright red.

"She's a smart lady, like her Mama" Brittany laughed

"She's a little madam is what she is! I need a lock on my door"

"Orrrr just stop bringing strange men home?" Brittany teased, poking out her tongue.

"I have needs Brit!" Santana moaned in frustration.

Brittany was startled by the door closing, alerting her to her boyfriend's return home from work.

"I better go San, that's Denver home, but I'll text you. FaceTime me later when you're putting Meels to bed, I wanna kiss my Goddaughter goodnight"

Santana smiled. Although separated by distance, her and Brittany were still closer than ever, and Santana adored Brittany's relationship with Mila. It had become a tradition for them to say goodnight over FaceTime every night.

She was the perfect Godparent, and Mila loved her Aunty Brit-Brit. She especially loved going to visit her in New York, or when Brittany came to Lima, bringing lots of presents back. They'd get to see her 4/5 times a year, fitting in with Brittany's busy job as a Broadway Choreographer.

Mila also loved her Aunty Quinn, who she got see all the time. Aunty Quinn was the funny one, with the wild stories. She would make Mila belly laugh. Aunty Brit-Brit was the one who gave great cuddles and always cheered Mila up if she needed it.

If she had a bad day at school, she would ask to FaceTime Aunty Brit-Brit, knowing she could make it all better. It made Santana melt, seeing how her daughter used Brittany as a source of comfort in the same way she always did.

"You know I always hated school too, but your Mommy made it so much better for me. Then I started to really love it, and I missed it when it was time to leave" Brittany would tell her, causing Santana to smile as she listened to her. Brittany really had come full circle.

She was so proud of Brittany. She had stuck it out in New York and made a life there for herself. When she met Denver, things had gotten better for her, and she started settling into the flow of New York. She made friends, and she embraced it all.

She cried at Graduation because she didn't want to leave, similar to her experience of Elementary School. When Brittany broke the news that she'd be staying in New York because she'd been offered an Assistant Choreographer job for Wicked on Broadway, Santana was bursting in pride. Of course, for selfish reason, she wanted her to come back to Lima, but she had always wanted Brittany to chase her dreams. And she was, she was living it.

Santana didn't feel quite so accomplished. She was a single mom with a turbulent dating life. She didn't have a college degree, but she had recently landed an Executive Assistant role at a Law Firm, so it was a start. She would have loved nothing more than to go to college part time, but it seemed so out of reach for her.

She also hated being stuck in Lima. It was never how she saw her future, to still be here all these years later. Brittany had suggested on a few occasions that she should move to New York, but Santana knew she couldn't do that. She was a single parent, and she needed all the help she could get with Mila. Her family were a great source of help, both financially and personally. They'd look after Mila a lot for her. She couldn't leave that support network behind, she struggled enough as it was.

At Brittany's College graduation three years ago, she had cried her eyes out. She was so proud of her. But later that evening as they took a walk in Central Park, she'd had a bit of a meltdown. Seeing Brittany achieve so highly, as proud as she was, evoked thoughts about her own life. She felt like a failure, like she was going nowhere.

"Look at her" Brittany had said, gesturing to the 2-and-a-half-year-old sleeping in the stroller "She is your biggest success. You made this perfect little girl. And then you brought her up, all on your own. How could you ever think you're a failure? You inspire me every day".

Snapping back to reality, Santana turned to the phone to address her best friend.

"Okay babe. Enjoy your dinner and say hi to Den for me. I'll call you later with Mila kisses!"

"Bye honey!" Brittany waved, before hanging up the call and spinning around to face her partner.

"Is dinner ready?" Denver asked, before Brittany had chance to greet him.

He walked into the kitchen, his gaze firmly fixed on his phone, slinging his briefcase down on the table.

"Not yet, but it will be in around 10 minutes" Brittany smiled, keeping her tone light.

Denver finally glanced up from his phone to look at his girlfriend.

"Well maybe if you spent less time on the phone to Santana, it would be ready" he snarked, raising his eyebrow.

Brittany felt the tears burn her eyes at her dressing down, so she turned to busy herself with the dinner.

"Actually, Santana was asking earlier if you could go over that Criminal Law book with her? You know how she's trying to better her knowledge to impress them at work. They might give her an internship or…"

"Oh, Brittany how many times!?" Denver interrupted in frustration "I'm a busy man with a full-time job. I don't have time to be tutoring your friends, and quite frankly it's not going to get her anywhere."

Brittany sighed

"If she wanted to be a Lawyer, she shouldn't have so willingly dropped her panties for some scrawny teenager, should she?" Denver added.

Brittany felt her face burn, the comment fuelling her with anger. How dare he speak about Santana like that. She slammed the bowl she was holding onto the counter, before storming out of the kitchen.

Santana was sorting through the laundry when her phone buzzed. She set down the sweater in her hands and picked up the phone.

"Hi mom" she smiled into the phone

"Hi darling, how was work?"

"It was good! A lot to pick up on but…I'm getting there. How's my Mila?" she asked.

Ever since Santana had started her new job, Maribel or George would pick Mila up from pre-school, as Santana didn't finish until 5pm. She missed it. She loved seeing Mila's face light up when she saw her and headed out into the school grounds, and she loved the car ride home asking her all about her day. She was at the age where she would still tell you what she'd done at school that day, and Santana knew if she was anything like her, she'd grow out of that in a couple of years. As much as she missed that part of their routine, she knew it was for the best. She was working hard to create a better life for them. Her bosses had been kind enough to let her start work 30 minutes later than everyone else, so she could take her in the mornings, so she couldn't really complain.

"She's good! She's just had her dinner. I was actually calling to see if we could hang onto her for the night. She said she wants one of Abuela's movie and treat nights" said Maribel with a laugh.

Santana smiled and shook her head. Her mother was always spoiling Mila. Santana tried not to give her too many sweets and treats, but Mila knew she could have anything she wanted at Abuela's house. It reminded her of her relationship with her own Abuela.

"Yeah of course. Be my guest!" Santana laughed "Do you need me to bring any of her things over?"

"No, it's okay sweetheart, we have things for her. You just enjoy your night off! You work very hard"

"Thanks mom, I will. Is she there and I'll say goodnight to her?"

"Yes, one second" said Maribel, before covering the mouthpiece to shout "Mila! Come here and speak to your Mami please".

Santana heard the pitter patter of tiny footsteps get closer, and the rustle of the speaker as Maribel passed her the phone.

"Hi baby" Santana said warmly

"Hey mama!" Mila replied sweetly

"How was school today?"

"Hmm it wasn't too bad I guess…"

Santana listened tenderly as her 5-year-old recounted her day at school, praising her when she found out she'd received a sticker for her reading. She felt so blessed to be her mom. She asked what Mila was doing, and Mila told her all about the painting she'd been doing. She was very artistic and loved to draw and paint.

"Okay well I'll let you carry on with your pictures. Just make sure you do an extra special one for Mami so I can put it on the fridge" Santana enthused. The fridge was littered with Mila's artwork already. Santana kept everything she did, in true proud mom fashion.

"Okay" Mila giggled.

"Be a good girl for Abuelo and Abuela, and I'll see you in the morning. Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!" said Santana, starting their bedtime ritual.

"Te Amo Mami"

"Te Amo Mas Mila Moo" Santana replied, the same as she did every night. And every night Mila would ask how much.

"Cuanta?"

"Mas que nada en el mundo"

"I love you more than anything in the world too Mama"

"To the moon" Santana continued

"To the stars" said Mila

"And beyond" Santana finished with a heartfelt smile. She wasn't sure when the nightly ritual had started from exactly, but she had started saying goodnight to Mila in Spanish when she was just a baby. She wanted to raise her bilingual, and now code-switching to say goodnight was just part of their routine. She always wanted Mila to feel loved more than anything. She still harboured some guilt over the fact she was going to originally put her up for adoption. She couldn't imagine life without her now.

"Night Mami" said Mila sweetly, breaking Santana from her thoughts.

"Goodnight my angel" Santana replied

"Wait! Will you send Aunty Brit-Brit my kisses?" Mila exclaimed, aware that now she was staying at her Abuela's, she wouldn't get her nightly Facetime with her favourite aunty.

"Of course! I spoke to her just before I spoke to you, and she sent a lot of kisses, so I'm sending them to you now" Santana replied, blowing into the phone, "Did you catch them?"

"Yes. Got them!" Mila giggled "Bye mama"

"Bye darling" Santana replied, listening as she heard Mila pass the phone back to Maribel.

"Thanks again for having her Mom" said Santana

"Nonsense! No need to thank. We love having her. And you deserve the break." Maribel scoffed, before her tone turned firm and sensitive "I mean it Santana, go and have some fun, let your hair down!"

Santana smiled. She could go out, she mused. And at least if she came home with anyone, there'd be no Mila there to walk in on them.

With that, she said goodbye to her mom, and set about finding something to wear.

Back in Lima, Brittany was laying on her bed when a text came through from Santana.

Hey B! Mila is staying with my Mom tonight, so won't be with her to call. She sends lots of kisses though. Would call for a girls' chat, but going to use the time to go out, let my hair down. Mom's orders haha! Have a good evening, and we'll call you tomorrow xxx

Brittany read the message with a smile, and quickly typed her response back.

Okay honey, sending lots of kisses back to my little moo. Your Mom is right, you deserve a night off! Have fun, and be safe! Speak tomorrow xxx

She sighed as she set her phone down on the bedside table. It was just her tonight then. She had heard Denver leave with a slam of the door, just after their argument. She knew he wouldn't be back until late, most probably drunk.

She picked her phone up again, and retreated downstairs to clear the kitchen, thankful that Denver had been responsible enough to turn off stove before his storm out. Nevertheless, the dinner was cold and spoiled, so she threw it away. She wasn't hungry anymore anyway, but if she did get peckish later, she'd treat herself to a pizza.

As she sat down on the sofa, turning the TV on and flicking aimlessly through the channels, Brittany reached for her phone. She paused for a moment and contemplated texting Denver. She hated arguing with him. But then she remembered his cruel words towards Santana and thought better of it.

Recently Brittany and Denver's relationship had been strained to say the least. They'd been together for almost five years now, and living together for three and a half of those. The first year was dipped in honeymoon period. After meeting at a party in March 2009, Denver and Brittany had built up a friendship pretty fast. Since he charmed her with his kindness that night, Brittany found herself laughing and enjoying herself properly for the first time in New York. She clung to him, and she clung to that feeling, but she was shocked when Denver asked her on a date 3 months later.

"Why not? It's the end of the school year now. We've got nothing to concentrate on, and it should be fun" he'd suggested. Brittany was unsure. She was close to Denver, and she wasn't sure she wanted to complicate it by dating him. He was now her closest friend, after Santana of course. She was scared if things went wrong, she'd be back to square one with her loneliness.

But in true Denver style, he had charismatically assured Brittany, that this is what they'd been building up to all along. They were perfect together, and everyone around them could see it. So, she agreed to a date.

Santana had excitedly helped her pick what to wear over Skype and demanded Brittany call right away with details when she got home. Brittany's stomach had twisted in knots as she arrived at the New York Italian restaurant, to find Denver waiting for her, holding a rose and dressed smartly. They both giggled nervously as they slid into the booth.

"Chill out, it's just dinner with Den! You've done this loads of times!" she had assured herself.

But the energy that night was different. There was no denying the chemistry between them once the feelings were put out in the open. Brittany remembers the moment her heart flipped, and she realised she did in fact have feelings for him. It was when she watched him scour the menu and order for her, without asking. He didn't need to; he knew her so well. Brittany felt so happy to have a person in New York who could read and understand her. It was one of the things she missed the most about Santana.

And after that, Brittany fell hard and fast.

Their summer was spent going on cute dates, long walks and trips to museums. They were so loved up, that they only made it back to their hometowns for a brief visit. Santana had been disappointed, because she was looking forward to spending summer with Brittany and Mila, but she was happy for her loved up friend. She told Brittany to move on with her life, and Brittany had.

Brittany thrived in her second year, the love radiated off her and she suddenly became a social butterfly and made many new friends. She made sure to Skype Santana and Mila every day though, telling Santana "I will always have time for my favourite girls".

Brittany and Denver spent that year very much in the honeymoon period still. He laughed at Brittany's unique way of thinking, finding it adorable. She embraced Denver's protectiveness, the way he still ordered food for her like a gentleman, and how he'd fiercely drive away any man who so much as dared to look at her.

They saw no flaws with each other, and by September 2010, they were ready to make more of a commitment to each other and move in together. It wasn't their own place, it was a house share with other students, but it was a start. The year was more of a challenge, as by now the honeymoon period had died down, and both were stressed with college. Brittany was in the final year of her degree, and Denver in the final year of his JD. There were arguments caused by the tension, but they always ironed them out. Their relationship was moulding into a true adult relationship with ups and downs, but the important thing is that they were always happy.

They continued to live there, after they graduated in June 2011, until September 2012 when they could finally afford their first home of their own. Brittany by now was making good money in her Assistant Choreographer job, and Denver had passed his bar exam and was now practicing. It was a small two bed loft apartment, but it was something, and it was theirs. Brittany really liked that apartment, and the routine they had there, but after just six months there Denver decided he wanted something bigger.

Now he was earning good money, he wanted a flashy lifestyle to go with it, so they moved into a four-bedroom house outside of the city, and into the suburbs in July 2013. It was way too big for Brittany's liking, but as she always did, she went along with what Denver wanted.

But it was a case of bigger home, bigger cracks. By now they had been together four years and they had well and truly passed the honeymoon period of their first year, the settling in period of their second year and the stability and successes of their third year. Their fourth year was when the cracks were truly beginning to show. Without the rose-tinted glasses they wore when they first fell in love, prying eyes of roommates, the stresses of college and new jobs to distract them; for the first time it was truly them and they could see each-others flaws.

Denver no longer entertained Brittany's unique way of thinking, in fact he would often ridicule her instead. Being called stupid by her boyfriend, was something Brittany had become quite accustomed to. She had also started to realise that Denver's 'protectiveness' was less gentlemanly, and more controlling.

Their communication had completely broken down, and the physical aspect had started to die down too. At first Denver had made excuses that he was too tired from work, and now Brittany had found herself doing the same thing whenever he tried. Denver ploughed himself into work more, taking longer hours, accepting more out of state conferences. Whenever he was home, he'd just be consumed by his phone.

He started to make Brittany feel that her job was less important, less stressful. That it didn't matter how much her body ached from a day full of dancing and choreographing, she should have his dinner ready for him after work, because 'he was the main breadwinner in this house'.

Their spark had been lost, and their love was dwindling. As they were now approaching five years, family and friends were starting to ask about an upcoming engagement, and if she had an inkling that Denver would pop the all-important question soon. She would just shrug and laugh them off. She couldn't see they were in a good place to get engaged right now. Truthfully, she thought they had fallen out of love long ago, outgrown each other, but were staying with each other for comfort. Which is why it confused her even more so, that for the past six months, Denver had been insisting they try for a baby.

Brittany thought it was a ludicrous idea, they were no way in a position to have a baby in a relationship like this, but her resistance only caused more arguments between them.

She sighed as she thought about her complicated relationship. She never told anyone about their troubles. Not even San. She knew if she did, Santana would tell her to leave him. But Brittany didn't want to do that, underneath it all, she still loved him. She wanted them to work through their issues. She knew underneath the harsh-ness, was the soft Denver she fell in love with. The years and stress had just simply withered away at him, she mused. But they'd find their way back, soulmates always did. That's when she decided to reach out and initiate a peace-offering. A simple text.

To: Denver

Sorry x