A Life Well Lived
5. Emma jumped into her car and sped to work. Once there, she exited out it and sprinted to her office. She found Regina there looking annoyed. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Emma said hurriedly. She plopped down into her office chair with a heavy sigh. "Don't keep me waiting that long again," Regina demanded. "Understood," Emma simply said. "So, there's been no incidents for a while, which I take a good thing." "That's a wonderful thing," Regina replied, but kind of guessed that she had already lost Emma. "EMMA!" Regina threw a rubber band ball at her partner for the town. "Huh," Emma retreated from her trance. "I'm sensing that there's more to just not being around her going on here," Regina said knowingly. "She's dying," Emma said solemnly. "She's what?" "Santana's dying of cancer…Um, stage four. She's not seeking treatment cuz she says it won't work. And she doesn't want to spend the rest of her life in a medically induced haze." "Em, I'm sorry," Regina said sincerely. "Thanks, Regina," she replied. Sensing that her Sherriff wasn't totally into her work, Regina rose from the chair and preceded to walk to the door. Once she was in the entranceway, she turned and said, "Oh, Emma…" "Yeah?" "Talk to your parents," she said with wink of her eye and a small smile and then left the room. "What the fuck?" Emma shrugged her shoulders and made a mental note to talk to her patents before she left the office. During that time, on Santana's walk… Santana followed the suggestion and didn't overexert herself. She leisurely walked to the end of the pier and placed her arms on the rails. "Am I doing the right thing?" She didn't really have a plan for her life…Well the rest of her life. "Should I just leave like I did with Britt?" She shook her head back and forth. "Do I wanna live here?" Santana felt herself shake her head up and down. "Wow! I actually want to after everything's that happened. Pretty cool. Never thought I'd find love again. Didn't think I deserved it." She didn't realize that about ten feet from her, Grump, the bartender was standing. He too was looking out at the water. He saw her out of the corner of his eye, so he walked up to introduce himself. He was about to say something when Santana turned. As she was about to take the next step, she wobbled and fainted. She managed to hit head on the wooden planks of the pier. Grump picked her up and flung her over his shoulder. This wasn't an easy feat as Santana was talker than he was. He huffed all the way to the police station. He flung the door open and panted heavily as he approached the front desk. He saw Emma with her nose in a pile of paperwork. "Sherriff," he yelled. "What?" "She's heavy," Grump insisted. This made Emma look up. She leapt into action. "What happened?" "She fainted and hit her head on the planks. She's out good and cold," he said as he gently placed Santana on the desktop. "Is she ok? I heard her talking to herself." He looked mildly concerned. "Oh yeah, she'll be ok. Thank you Grump." Emma said as her full attention was on her girlfriend. "Good luck," he said as he left the station. "Santana, darling, can you hear me?" Emma caressed her face. Then she thought to do something she didn't necessarily want to, but desperate times called for desperate measures. She slapped Santana hard on her cheek. "What the f-?" Santana awoke with a startled expression on her face. "Sorry," Emma said, "I just wanted you to wake up." "How'd I get here?" "Grump…" Santana slightly smiled and then attempted to sit up. She lost her balance due to her dizziness. "Whoa," Emma said as she caught her. She helped Santana to sit up. "Well, I guess you don't want me around now." Santana lowered her head. "Hey, hey," Emma said as she looked hurt. "Why'd you say that?" "Well, this was my first fainting experience. And I don't know if there'll be more. " "Santana, I love you," Emma said to reassure her. "You didn't sign up for this though," Santana said with a slight raised voice. Emma brushed the comment off and walked to the awkwardly placed sink. She retrieved a piece of paper towel. She dampened it and returned to Santana. She lightly applied the cloth to the bump on Santana's head to wipe the blood away. "Ow," she flinched. "Sorry," Emma apologized. "Listen, okay. I love you. I am not going anywhere at all. I wasn't going anywhere before and I'm definitely not going anywhere now. And you're not going anywhere either. In fact, I want us to consider moving in together. The first-floor apartment is available, free and it's bigger. I've been wanting it, but didn't have a reason…until now…" Santana leaned forward and kissed Emma passionately on her lips. Emma dropped the piece of paper towel and wrapped her hands around Santana's face. They kissed back and forth. When they came up for air Santana said, "I'd love to move in with you. But are you sure?" "Absolutely, 110%, no hesitations sure." Santana kissed her again. "You make me feel happy and safe." "I'll do that the rest of my life," Emma said with a grin. "Uh, you mean, for the rest of my life," Santana corrected her. Emma shrugged her shoulders. "Hey, do you have to stay the whole day. Can't you tell the boss that you're needed at home to take care of your girlfriend," Santana asked with a wink and a smile. "Well, I've had the meeting and I have back up, who's late," she said with a light chuckle. Then the officer on duty ran in saying, "I know…I know…" "I'm taking the rest of the day off," she said as she helped Santana off the desk. "Don't fall asleep," Emma instructed the officer. "Yes, Sherriff," he said as Emma and Santana exited the building. "You okay to walk?" "Sure. I feel fine," Santana said. "We'll stop at Granny's and get food," Emma thought aloud. They walked to the car and both got in. Once inside Emma slid the key into the ignition and revved the Beetle. The car was in motion seconds later in the direction of Granny's. When they got there Emma took Santana's order and ran inside. She placed the order and waited. While Emma was waiting… Santana pulled out her cell phone and drafted a group text. To: Mom, Quinn, and Britt Hey all. It's me…just wanna tell you 2 things: 1. I had a little incident, but I'm ok. First time I passed out, but it's okay. Don't worry. 2. Emma's asked me to move in with her and I've accepted. Will make arrangement for my stuff. Love you all. Pls call one at a time. Hehe… She hit the send button. She tucked her phone away as she saw Emma walking back to the car with the bag of food. Before she entered she handed the bag over to Santana to hold it. Then she slid into her car. "Shit. That's a lot of food. Is three a storm a'coming?" Emma smirked at her and replied, "No lunch and dinner. We're not going anywhere else today. Sound good?" "Sounds great. I, um, just texted them." Emma preceded to start her car up and begin the ride to her apartment. "Have they answered?" Santana took her phone out and said, "Nope not yet." "Okay, that's good. It gives us time to prepare…" "For what?" "To explain. San, I'm fairly new to your world and I want them, especially your mom, to feel safe with your decision even if it's your decision. I don't want them to think that I gave you an "Easy out", because that's not what this is." "What is it," Santana asked as she reached over and grabbed Emma's free hand. "It's, um, a genuine offer of love between us. I do love you, Santana Lopez." Emma raised Santana's hand, brought it her face and kissed it. "I want your friends to like me and not feel like I've stolen you." "Em, I think they do like you," Santana answered the statement. "Good, I just don't want there to be any miss communication." They arrived at the apartment and Emma turned everything off. She grabbed the bag from Santana and exited the car as Santana did the same. When they entered the building they quickly peeked inside the first floor apartment. Luckily the manager was there and smiled. "Hey, Emma," he said with a smile from ear-to-ear. "Hey, Happy," Emma replied. "This is my girlfriend, Santana." Happy waved and thought, "Did you want to move apartments?" "You've read my mind. Is that okay?" "Of course, anything for the Sherriff of Storybrooke." He dug into his pocket, retrieved the key, and tossed it to her. Emma caught it with one hand. "Thanks,' she yelled her as she grabbed Santana's hand to guide her out of the apartment. "Wow, you make shit happen!" Santana shook her head as they walked upstairs. "Hey, I bet ya that we could be moved in by the end of today," Emma said hopeful. "You just want my help with packing your stuff," Santana said, looked at her and winked her eye. "Guilty," Emma said with a large grin. "Okay, let's get at it," Santana said as she walked into the apartment. She began grabbing random stuff. "Does this bring you joy?" She held up an old comforter from the couch. "Nah, not really," Emma said as she witnessed Santana throw it into a large brown box that magically appeared compliments of Emma. She grabbed all the stuff in her bedroom and what Santana had brought with her and dropped the pile into a container. She kept doing this until that room was empty except for the bed and dresser. For those items, Emma walked into her closet underneath the staircase and pulled out a hand truck. "Shit, need help," Santana dropped what she was doing and followed Emma back upstairs. "Um, I think a little, if you think you can." Together they lifted the dresser and Emma managed to fit most of it onto the hand truck. "I'm going to attempt to bring this downstairs…" "Good luck, I love you," Santana said as she witnessed her girlfriend bring the piece of furniture down the first flight of stairs in her apartment. When they got to the main floor of the apartment building, Emma's parents suddenly appeared and David sprang into action. "Emma, where's it heading?" "To the first floor apartment. Good timing, Dad," she said with a big sigh of relief. "I'll go up and help Santana pack," Mary Margaret said. Once Emma's Mom entered the apartment and gave Santana a hug, Mary Margaret said, "So I guess she asked you to move in with her." "Yes, she did. I feel so safe in this town and with her that I'd never decline the invitation. She even asked after I passed out and hit my head on the planks at the docks." "Oh, my, I see the black and blue. She was working?" Santana nodded her head up and down. "Grump brought me to her." "Oh, lucky he was there. Has that, um, happened before?" "No first experience with that," Santana said honestly. Meanwhile… "Dad," Emma began. "Um, yeah," "I told Regina today about Santana's condition and she said, 'Talk to your parents.' What does she mean?" David froze in movement for a second. "Nah, nothing…You know her, obviously." "Yeah, I know her. She doesn't just say something to say something. Is there a way in which I can help Santana?" David pretended not to hear Emma's question as he bounded the stairs two at a time. Emma followed him awkwardly with the hand truck in tow. "Dad, you're not gonna answer me?" At the landing of the first flight of stairs, he stopped and turned. "Emma, I wanna, really I do. I just don't think it'll work." "What'll work?" "Nothing," he lied and scratched his head. He then walked into the apartment and left a dumbfounded Emma in the hallway. "How's it going?" "Fine, fine. Santana has told me about her day, so far," Mary Margaret said. "Yeah, your daughter knows how to get stuff done." "I have all the faith in her abilities," David said as he looked at his daughter. He was trying to convey a message to her. Within two hours, Santana and Emma were in their new apartment. "I wanna help contribute to this, Emma," Santana said confidently. "No need, I don't have rent. I paid in full when I first got here. I thought that I'd stay for a long time and it's just easier this way. Don't have to worry about making rent on time." "Fuck," Santana said flabbergasted. "Maybe later. Right now, I think you should call Brittany and Quinn." Santana walked up to her girlfriend and kissed her passionately. After the kiss ended, she dialed the phone and she automatically put the call on the speaker function. "Whazzup?!" "Whazzzup?" "You okay," Brittany asked concerned. "Peachy. Just another day in the life of Santana." "Ok," she hesitated. "What?" Santana instinctively knew when there was something that her ex-wife wanted to talk about. "Well, um, I need to tell you something. Quinn, come here." "Hey, S. you okay/" "Yup…what's shaking?" There was a moment of silence. "Hello," Santana screamed into the phone. "We're here," Quinn replied. "What I'm about to you is something that B and I have thought about a lot." "Okay," Santana drawled out. "We're moving in together," Brittany excitedly said as Quinn sighed out loud. Santana paused for a minute. The news hit her harder than she thought it would. Emma reached for her unoccupied hand and squeezed it. "Santana, say something. Are you pissed?" "Calm your tits, Fabray," Santana finally replied. "Whew. You happy, Sanny," Brittany asked sweetly. "Sanny?" Emma looked at Santana. "Sanny was what Brittany used when she wanted something but didn't know how to ask for it." "Ah, gotcha!" "Of course, I am. Why would I be pissed? We're being adults…we're moving on. You two have each other. And I have a sexy, blonde Sherriff. So, it all good." "Yay," Brittany yelled out. "Just one thing…" "What?" Quinn asked that question. "You treat her good Fabray. Ya hear? If not I'm gonna go all Lima Heights on your ass." Quinn laughed out loud. "You have my promise." "So you're staying there?" Brittany's tone of voice became sadder then. "Yes, B, I am. Emma asked me and I gots to see what happens." "Hey, Emma," Brittany said through the phone. "Yes, Britt," emma replied nervously. "You have someone who I care for a lot. She was my best friend way before anything else. So please take care of her." "You two have my word and my promise that I will take care of this special young woman with my entire life. What's mine is hers." "Good, and oh, welcome to the family. We may fight a lot. But we're family." "Thank you." They talked for a few more minutes. Then Brittany and Quinn hung up the phone. Emma walked up to Santana and pulled her into her arms. "Are you okay?" "What? Yeah, I'm totally fine. I want her to be happy and if Quinn does that for her then that's great. Besides I have you." Santana leaned up a little and pecked Emma's lips. "Eh, I know…I just want to say that I totes understand…" She kissed Santana again and then walked them over to the couch. As she sat down, Santana straddled her legs and pushed Emma backwards. "Oh," Emma said in a little shock. As Santana leaned down, her black hair draped over them. She kissed Emma again and her hands gravitated to Santana's back. Emma pulled Santana as close to her body as possible. She broke the kiss and asked, "Are you sure? You did a lot to help me today." Santana moaned in response. "San…" "Em…" With that Emma scooped her up and stood up. She regained her balance and began to walk to their new bedroom. She walked up to the bed and placed Santana down gently. She moved more onto the mattress so emma could join her. She then perched herself up and just looked at Emma. Instinctively, Emma ripped her shirt open and took it off. She tossed it to the side. Then she removed her jeans to reveal her boxer shorts. Instead in immediately joining Santana in bed she walked over to the radio and turned it on. Instantly they heard the beginning of a country song. Emma walked back over to Santana and extended her hand out. "Dance with me," Emma asked genuinely. Santana leaned forward and Emma pulled her up from there. As soon as she was standing Emma maneuvered Santana's arms so that her hands would rest on Emma's shoulders. Emma placed her hands around Santana's waist.Her day starts with a coffee and ends with a wine
Takes forever gettin' ready so she's never on time for anything
When she gets that, "Come get me, " look in her eyes
Well, it kinda scares me the way that she drives me wild
When she drives me wild
Emma began to sway them back and forth. Her gaze never left Santana's.
Beautiful, crazy, she can't help but amaze me
The way that she dances, ain't afraid to take chances
And wears her heart on her sleeve
Yeah, she's crazy but her crazy's beautiful to me
"You amaze me, Em…you really do."
She makes plans for the weekend, can't wait to go out
'Til she changes her mind, says, "Let's stay on the couch and watch TV"
And she falls asleep
"Me? I'm amazed by you every single day. I can't believe how we met and what has happened so far to us already. The best is still coming, I think."
Beautiful, crazy, she can't help but amaze me
The way that she dances, ain't afraid to take chances
And wears her heart on her sleeve
Yeah, she's crazy but her crazy's beautiful to me
Emma continued to sway them back and forth and has added moving them around the room.
"Woah," Santana yelped.
"You okay?"
She nodded her head up and down.
She's unpredictable, unforgettable
It's unusual, unbelievable
How I'm such a fool, yeah, I'm such a fool for her
Emma began to sing along with the artist, Luke Combs.
"Beautiful, crazy, she can't help but amaze me
The way that she dances, ain't afraid to take chances
And wears her heart on her sleeve
Yeah, she's crazy, she's crazy, she's crazy
But her crazy's beautiful to me
Her crazy's beautiful to me"
At the end of the song, Emma dipped Santana right on cue.