I am so so so sorry for taking so long to update. I've been so busy with work and graduating from university as well as trying to overcome the god awful writers block. This next chapter is absolutely terrible and I am sorry for any typos or spelling mistakes, but I thought you all deserved the next update to read. Thank you so much for the ongoing reviews, PMs and just all round support. I am determined to keep writing this for you all for as long as you want me to. I hope you enjoy it, even though it is not my best work. ~ Regina.
P.s, as always feel free to PM me with prompts or just to chat. I love hearing from you all.
Brittany carried Rachel down into the living room with Santana following behind them anxiously. She was struggling with her emotions, feeling both guilty and elated at the fact that Rachel had chosen (albeit, not really by choice) to let Rachie be seen. Santana couldn't help the faint smile of adoration on her lips as she watched the little diva curl against Brittany's side when they reached the couch. And yes, she was possibly a little jealous too.
Santana was utterly inept at accepting and correctly acting upon her feelings for the brunette, but contrary to popular belief, she did not hate the girl. Quite the opposite in fact, she loved her. She came to the realisation with the help and gentle prodding of the ever perceptive Brittany, of course. One night when they were snuggling, she'd pointed out how they had both developed feelings for Berry. Santana, of course, argued it at first, denied it until she was blue in the face but ultimately she knew that Brittany was correct. Just like she also knew the small girl would be the perfect third addition to their unconventional family.
"Whatdya wanna watch, Rachie?"
Santana ensured her voice was soft and unthreatening as she asked the girl, the small angelic voice that met her ears instantly making her heart melt.
"Wion King, pease, Sannie."
She merely nodded, flashing both girls on the couch a soft smile as she set the DVD to play before joining them once again. At first she was conscious of her position on the couch, not wanting to get too close to Rachie and scare her off, but about thirty minutes into the movie Rachel's giggles erupted, filling the room with the innocent sound.
"Did you see the hyena, Sannie?"
She giggled happily, moving to rest her head on the latinas shoulder, having relaxed further through the comfort of the familiar movie.
Midway through the film, both cheerleaders noticed that the now silent Rachel had fallen asleep resting against Santana's shoulder.
"Mama?"
"Yes, Britt-Britt?"
"I like Rachie cuddles."
Now that the Diva had fallen asleep, the blonde felt no need to be strong for her, thus her inner little found her way out.
"I wan' Rachie cuddles all the time!"
The blonde giggled whilst Santana nodded her head in agreement, her gaze moving toward the sleeping diva. She could feel her heart swelling with adoration for the young girl, wishing more than anything that she could see this side of Rachel again.
Santana slowly manoeuvred herself from the resting Rachie, replacing a couch pillow under Rachels head before draping a blanket over the sleeping girl. Once she was sure she hadn't woken the Diva, Santana turned her attention to Brittany, the smile gracing her features full of warmth.
"I'm just going to set out the blankets in the bedroom for when we all go to bed, okay, baby? You stay with Rachie."
Brittany merely nodded at Santana before she left the room.
Santana made her way to her bedroom, wanting to ensure that the room was ready to sleep in when the three girls finally retreated for the night. She quickly made work of changing the sheets on her bed, Brittany had spilt coffee on them before school and she didn't think Rachel would want to sleep on coffee stained sheets. Once the bed was freshly made, with the pillows all freshly puffed and looking tidy she decided to lay out the girls pyjamas for them, her motherly instincts kicking in. First Santana went to her closet, grabbing her own PJ shorts and tank top before picking a ducky onesie for Brittany. She knew that even if Rachel didn't know about Britts little side that she wouldn't even bat an eye at Britt-Britt sleeping in a onesie. The blonde cheerleader was well known for her whimsical innocence. She laid the clothing on the end of the bed before deciding to grab Rachels from her bag too. After locating the Divas bag in the corner of the room she quickly opened it up with the intention of grabbing her pyjamas to lay them with the others but before she could grab them she was met with the sight of Mr Harrison, the girls teddybear once again.
Santana's lips curled into a soft smile as she pulled the bear from Rachels bag, inspecting the comfort item that she'd only seen once before, in the school bathroom. Rachel had insisted it was her cousins item, but just as Santana had suspected, it was obviously hers. Quickly shaking herself from her thoughts, the latina placed the bear aside, reaching into the bag in search of the pyjamas once again. She pulled out soft cotton PJ's that were patterned with gold stars, a knowing smile gracing her lips as she let out a light chuckle. Of course Rachel would wear stars to bed. Santana quickly propped the bear back into the bag so that Rachel was unaware that she'd seen it before standing with the Pj's in hand to fold them on the bed next to hers and Brittany's. It was only when she began to fold the items of clothing that Santana realised something was wrapped up in the shirt of the garments. She quickly folded the trousers before shaking the shirt to release the item, her brow raising in surprise when a small purple pacifier landed on the fresh sheets of her bed. She had a binky! Rachie had a binkie!
Santana felt her stomach flip with butterflies as she imagined Rachel soothing herself with the item, her heart feeling like it was growing even more with love for the girl. She quickly placed the shirt with the other items of clothing before placing the pacifier back into the divas bag, not wanting her to be forced into declaring her little items if she wasn't ready to do so yet. Once she was finished in the bedroom, Santana made her way back to the living room to find her girls. Yes, they were her girls. She was determined to make Rachel let her in.
"Sannie!"
Santana was met with the two girls calling her name in tandem, although Rachels voice a little quieter as she had obviously just awoken from her little nap. Rachel flashed Santana a sheepish smile as she rubbed her tired eyes, her petite frame moving closer to Brittany as if to shield herself slightly from view. It was clear that she felt a little embarrassed or scared of the Latinas reaction to her little outburst earlier in the evening. Santana made note to try and make Rachel feel more at ease over the course of the sleepover.
"Hey girls. Still watching the film or do you want to head to bed now? We can watch cartoons and snuggle until we fall asleep."
Brittany instantly hopped off the couch, holding her hand out for Rachel.
"Come Rachie! Lets go snuggle in bed!"
Although her words spewed from her lips in an excited rush, it was clear by the yawn that followed that Brittany was also tired and ready to turn in for the night. Rachel slipped her small hand into the taller Blondes, following along as they walked into the bedroom.
Rachel let her gaze scan around the large room, her lower lip worming between her teeth when she spotted her PJs resting on the bed. She didn't get them out.. Did Sannie see her binky and bear? She hasn't said anything about it.. Maybe she didn't see? Rachel tried to usher away her worries as she settled herself on the edge of the bed, her fingers running along the soft sheets.
"You got my PJ's out, Santana?"
The latina nodded, smiling softly as she grabbed her own clothing.
"I hope that's okay, Rache. I just wanted to set everything out as I know you're both tired. Save time and all that."
Santana shrugged her shoulders all nonchalant, not wanting to give away having found her other items. The brunette cheerleader began to undress, following Brittany who had already gotten into her onesie.
"I'm just going to wash my face and change in my Pyjamas in the bathroom, okay?"
Rachel's words were laced with fatigue and nerves as she padded into the connecting bathroom, not waiting for a response as she closed and locked the door behind her. She heard Brittany speak to Santana, her words muffled from the next room as Rachel paused for a moment to take in her reflection in the mirror.
Was this really happening? She was staying the night at Santana Lopez' apartment? How would she cope without cuddling her bear and sucking her binky? And what about her diaper?! Oh gosh. She was pleased she had barely drunk anything over the course of the night. Hopefully she would make it through the night dry. Rachel took a deep breath in an attempt to settle her nerves before she changed into her pyjamas and neatly folding her clothes in her arms before making her way back into the bedroom to find the girls already in bed. She smiled sheepishly before glancing around.
"Um, Santana. Where should I sleep?"
Rachel's demeanour was uncharacteristically timid as she laid her clothing on top of her bag before shuffling from foot to foot waiting for Santana to answer. She was still nervous, the events of the evening running through her mind as well as her fears surrounding this entire event being some sort of prank. Santana merely smiled tiredly at the Diva before lifting the blanket, gesturing for the girl to climb into bed beside her. She didn't say a word, instead watching the emotions flashing across the stars petite features. She didn't want to overwhelm her. She wanted Rachel to be comfortable and so she was truly delighted when the diva crawled into bed beside her without question, her small frame fitting perfectly beside Santana's.
After a quick discussion each girl declared that they were all exhausted, deciding to forego watching TV in bed and instead turned off the lights to settle down for the night. Brittany was the first to fall asleep, her soft breathing bringing comfort to Rachel. It was nice not sleeping alone for once. Rachel closed her eyes, feigning sleep as she waited for the Latina beside her to drift off as well. She wanted her binky and the only way she would be able to get it would be once the others had fallen asleep. It wasn't until about an hour had passed that Rachel believed Santana had fallen asleep before she slowly and carefully released herself from the bed. Tiptoeing in the dark to her night bag so she could grab her pacifier from inside. As soon as she felt in her hand she instantly relaxed, climbing back into bed as quickly and quietly as she had left it. Rachel turned onto her side so she was facing away from the Latina before slipping the item past her lips, the sensation of the paci in her mouth lulling her into a light slumber completely unaware that Santana was still awake and had witnessed the entire thing and thus missing the warm tired smile on Santanas lips before she too fell asleep after the diva.