Juggling two pregnant women was much easier than juggling two newborns. With both of them being three months, Santana has been seeing their personalities surfacing. Kai has a pretty easy temperament unless her needs aren't being met. Benji on the other hand, is a bit more difficult, having much louder and more intense crying fits, being very easily overstimulated and still difficult to remain asleep once he's in his crib. It also doesn't help that he seems to be a mama's boy and loses his mind when Rachel isn't around.
Benji is most calm when he's around his sister, but even then, he's still fussy. Between the three women, Santana's schedule is the most flexible, allowing her to spend most of her time with the kids so that's what she does. Quinn went back to work last month, a week after Rachel, so Santana has been on her own for a little while now. While she's still adjusting, it isn't as difficult having them both as it once was.
Sitting between her children on their playmat in the living room, Santana sighs in contentment.
"Alright, thing 1 and thing 2. You've been fed, changed and entertained. You hear that?" Santana glances at their faces and chuckles at their blank stares.
"Silence. It's beautiful right? Keep it that way and I'm looking at you Benji." Santana's head turns slightly more to the right so that she can see her son.
"I don't know if being dramatic is genetic or not, but dude tone it down for like 10 minutes." Benji looks at his mother as she talks and kicks his legs slightly.
"And you." Santana begins, turning her head slightly to the left.
"Enough with the back talk for the day. Yeah, they're not words, but I know you're being a smart ass." In response to her mother Kai begins cooing and babbling, turning her head to face her brother and Santana watches with an amused smirk.
"Are you trash talking me? Right in front of my face?" The fluctuation in Santana's tone causes both children to look at her. Santana chuckles and rubs their bellies.
"You're lucky you're cute or I'd be showing you how things go down in Lima Heights Adjacent." Benji sticks his fingers in his mouth while Kai continues to stare at their mother.
"Okay, Kai. You get...the weird fuzzy ball thing I found." Santana says, picking up the object from beside Kai's leg and holding it out in front of her until she grasps it.
"And Benji, you get whatever this little ring thing is. It's textured so knock yourself out." Santana repeats her previous actions until he takes the item from her hand then she lets them explore their toys.
She'd read that at this age, touch is becoming more important so everyday she's been giving them different things to feel. With both kids currently distracted, Santana takes the moment to check her emails on her phone. After responding to a few, she hears Benji beginning to whimper.
"What?" Santana puts her phone down and looks at him as his face scrunches and the real tears come. Santana's eyebrows crease as she picks him up.
"Mijo, what's wrong?" She says softly, holding him against her body and rocking him gently. Santana checks to make sure he doesn't need to be changed when Kai starts to whimper.
"Oh, no. You're okay mija, don't do it." Santana softly coos, rubbing Kai's stomach gently to calm her but it's to no avail.
"Alright, alright." Santana says, picking up Kai and positioning both of her children against her chest. Kai stops crying almost immediately and Benji's crying slows to a stop as she rocks them both.
"See? You're okay. Everything's okay." Santana softly murmurs to them before pressing a kiss to their foreheads. Once she feels like they're calm enough, Santana places them back on the padded mat.
"Okay...I expected that from you, but Kai? Don't be a copycat. Nobody likes a copycat. Or a snitch, but we'll deal with that later. "
Santana decided to read them a book since they both obviously wanted her attention. Soon, an hour has gone past and Quinn, Brittany and Rachel have finally returned.
"I want a baby." Brittany says, pouting from her seat on the couch as she looks down at Santana and the kids.
Santana is now in a hook lying position on the playmat with Benji resting against her legs and Kai lying on her back beside her.
"Take your pick. Feel free to take whichever." Santana says as she absentmindedly plays with Benji's feet who is smiling at his mother's actions.
"Do not auction off my child." Rachel says firmly from her seat next to Brittany.
"Ditto." Quinn responds from her spot next to Kai on the floor, holding a toy out for her to reach for.
"If I give them away for free, it's not an auction." Santana responds with a light shrug.
"I want my own baby. Like being pregnant and stuff." Brittany says.
"No you don't." Quinn jokes, smiling at Kai as she attempts to roll over, but falls into Santana's arm.
"I do." Brittany responds firmly.
"Just don't look at me. I'm out of the baby making business." Quinn glances at her momentarily while she rolls Kai back onto her stomach.
"Speaking of kids...Q and I wanted to ask you two something." Santana sits up and faces the women sitting on her couch, positioning Benji on her thigh.
"In case we die or something, would you want to be her godparents?" Brittany beams, holding back her squeal as she nods her head enthusiastically.
"I'd love to!" Quinn smiles at her before hers and Santana's eyes settle on Rachel, who sends them a warm smile.
"I would be honored. Thank you."
"Thank you. I know it might be weird, but...Santana and I thought it would be best for Kai." Quinn responds.
Originally, Quinn wanted Mercedes and Sam to be the godparents, but if something were to happen to her and Santana, she wouldn't want Kai and Benji to be separated so this made a suitable alternative.
"I don't find it weird...but I may be biased. Why haven't we spoken about godparents?" Rachel asks Santana.
"I don't know but Lady Hummel isn't getting my kid so he can force him to join his band of elves." Santana jokes and Rachel rolls her eyes as Quinn chuckles.
"That was not funny." Rachel huffs and Santana chuckles.
Quinn picks Kai up and sits her in her lap. As time went on, Quinn realized that if she wanted a bond with her daughter she was going to have to work at it and so she did. Every single day she tried her best and when Kai had her moments of upset and Quinn couldn't console her, she didn't let it discourage her. Soon, those inconsolable moments decreased and Quinn began to feel like she was more capable than she gave herself credit for.
"It was, just a little. And if you give Benji to Kurt, Blaine might drown him in hair gel and that's extremely dangerous for a baby." Brittany adds with her own smile and Santana chuckles.
"Anyway, Brittany and I should get out of your way." Rachel stands from the couch with Brittany following shortly after. Santana and Quinn stand as well and Quinn hands Kai to Rachel.
"Uh...wrong baby Q." Santana says, handing Benji to Brittany.
"Rachel and Brittany offered to babysit this weekend." Santana's eyes light up at her words.
"Seriously? Thanks. If you need anything, don't call me." Santana says playfully before kissing Benji's head then moving towards Kai. Rachel and Quinn roll their eyes at her while Brittany giggles.
"Everyone who doesn't live here, get the hell out." Santana says as she moves away from the group.
Quinn and Brittany gather the baby's things as Santana lies on the couch. Soon, Rachel and Brittany are gone and Quinn is wondering if Santana is already asleep.
"Are you conscious?"
"Barely. What's up?" Quinn sits on the couch near Santana's feet.
"We have a whole baby free weekend and you're going to sleep it away?" Santana nods, her eyes remaining closed.
"Do you have another idea in mind?" A sly smirk in place, Santana cracks open one eye.
"I did actually. Since we never got that date...I figured we could go out." Santana's eyes slowly flutter open as a genuine smile replaces her smirk.
"Are you asking me out?" Quinn shrugs.
"It's less of a question and more of a demand. Every time anything remotely romantic happens between us, it's interrupted so we are going out unless the world ends in the next few hours. Now get up, shower and put something on that'll blow me away." Santana chuckles as she props herself up on her elbows.
"Fine, but I might need a little...motivation though." Quinn lifts a perfectly arched eyebrow.
"Motivation, huh?" She husks.
Santana nods as she watches Quinn's eyes slowly rake over her body with desire. Quinn places her hands on Santana's thighs, smoothly gliding her hand along her body as she crawls toward her. Santana's hands rest on Quinn's hips as she hovers above her.
"Motivation enough?" Quinn whispers as her lips ghost near Santana's.
"Besame ahora." Santana almost growls after having tried to close the distance between the two, only to have Quinn pull away. Quinn chuckles lightly with a sly smirk.
"Paciencia." Quinn responds and Santana chuckles.
"So you were listening when I told you to learn Spanish?"
"Obviously. I can't have you two talking shit about me while I'm in the same room." Santana giggles.
"You know me so well." While Quinn is smiling, Santana takes the opportunity to capture her lips.
"Why don't we have any wine at home?" Quinn shakes her head as she watches Santana sip the white wine from the glass in her hand. Since this is technically their first date, Quinn wanted to take Santana somewhere nice, so they ended up at some restaurant her work friend recommended, receiving a 9 course meal.
"Because you'd turn into an alcoholic." Quinn jests. Santana lets out a satisfied sigh before glancing at Quinn.
"You're probably right. God, I miss booze." Quinn laughs and shakes her head.
"Now more than ever." Quinn adds, lifting her glass to her lips.
"You know...you don't have to impress me. You were getting some at the end of the night anyway." Quinn shakes her head at her girlfriend's smirk. Quinn moves closer to her in their booth and looks out into the low lit restaurant.
"I have to impress you. If I don't show you your worth, you'll find someone else who will." Santana smiles softly at the woman next to her.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were actually in love with me." Quinn chuckles, sliding an arm around Santana's waist.
"I do love you. On levels I'm still trying to comprehend. I'm just so happy to have you in my life...even if our relationship is backwards." Santana eyes her curiously.
"Backwards?" She questions.
"Yeah. Normally people date first, then move in together and have a baby." She explains.
"Right, we made a baby, moved in together and then dated. Maybe the rest of the world has it wrong?" Quinn nods with a smirk.
"Yeah...maybe." She tilts the glass up to her lips, listening to soft music being played on the piano by the pianist across the room.
"Guess that only leaves marriage right?" Quinn feels her heart skip a beat and she almost chokes on her wine. Santana laughs as Quinn jerks forward, coughing and gasping for air.
"It was a joke! Don't die." Santana says as she sits her wine down to pat Quinn's back. Quinn sits her glass down on the table as she collects herself.
"I guess that's one way to say you don't want to marry me."
"I'm glad you find this so amusing." Quinn says with a glare and Santana continues to chuckle.
"Lighten up Lucy. Are you okay?" Quinn nods as she clears her throat.
"And I'm not saying I wouldn't marry you. It just surprised me."
"I can tell." Santana says with a smirk.
"For the record, yes marriage would theoretically be the next step." Santana nods.
"So, would you marry me?" Santana asks seriously.
The last year of her life has been nothing but a whirlwind, but she's thankful everyday that Quinn was a part of it. Santana has thought about marrying Quinn on more than one occasion but now that it's a real possibility...she's still certain she'd marry her.
"I would have, but now...I'm not so sure." Santana's eyebrows furrow at Quinn's response.
"Why not?"
"Were you serious about not having any more kids?"
"You want more kids after almost dying to deliver the last one?" Santana asks, almost shocked. Quinn rolls her eyes before responding.
"I didn't almost...okay I might have, but I'd love to have more kids. With you specifically. I just...I don't want the topic to be off the table." Nodding understandingly, Santana leans back against the booth.
"I wasn't serious...so the topic wouldn't be completely off the table, but I don't know if I want more. Though, if we were married I'd be more willing to compromise." Quinn nods.
"Then I'd definitely marry you. In a heartbeat." Santana sits her hand on Quinn's waist and gently pulls until she leans against her.
"I really wish we didn't wait so long to become a thing." Quinn laughs as she sets her hand on Santana's hip, resting her head against her shoulder.
"If someone wasn't so hung up on a small Broadway star...it wouldn't have taken so long." Santana rolls her eyes but holds no malice.
"If you would've just told me not to ask her out, this would've happened." Quinn moves her head and lifts it slightly to see Santana's face.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Of course you don't remember. You went back to Lima for something...I don't remember, but it wasn't long after you broke off things with that creepy old dude." Quinn rolls her eyes, but remembers the time frame Santana is talking about.
"He was only 32 Santana."
"Yeah but we're still not even 30 so...still a cradle robber. But back to the point. You were in Lima and I had just left and called you on my way to work."
Flashback
Santana's finger nervously hovers over the call button, while she contemplates if this is the right decision. She doesn't want to ruin a friendship she cherishes so much, but maybe it'll be worth it? Santana is really tired of being so conflicted.
After all of their high school bullshit, Quinn stuck around and Santana knew she'd be lost without her. The last time she felt this way about someone, it didn't go over well, but she pushes that thought away. Steeling her nerves, Santana presses the button and stares at herself until Quinn picks up. The small smile on Quinn's lips is enough to send Santana's heart into a frenzy.
"Hey San." Quinn answers. Santana smiles softly as she lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Hey Q. You busy?" It looks like Quinn is outside.
"Not really. Just getting some gas." Santana nods.
"What's going on? You have that look." Santana's eyebrows crease in confusion.
"What look?" Quinn chuckles and looks away from the camera briefly.
"You get this look when you want to say something, but don't know exactly how to say it. It's rare but it happens." Santana rolls her eyes.
"Don't think you know me." Quinn chuckles again.
"I just need some advice..." Santana says, quietly trailing off.
"It must involve a girl. You knock someone up?"
"No, will you just shut up?!" Quinn laughs, but nods in response.
"I have this friend..." Santana begins.
"Are you seriously being vague? Since when aren't you direct?" Santana glares at the woman on the screen and sighs with a shake of her head.
"Okay, last comment. Continue." Santana glares at Quinn for a while, long enough that Quinn thinks the phone froze.
"San?"
"Like I was saying...I have this friend and she's into two different people. One is a really good friend and she doesn't want to fuck it up...but she's had feelings for them for a really long time. The other...the feelings are newer and comes with less risk. She isn't sure who to ask out." Quinn nods thoughtfully.
"Which one does...your friend think will have the better outcome?" Quinn asks.
"The newer girl." Santana responds.
"Then she should ask her out. Friendships can be complicated enough and sometimes...you just have to move on. Or at least try to."
"Even if the friend has no idea she's in...she really wants to date her?" Santana asks and Quinn sighs softly.
"Yeah...some things are better left unsaid San." Santana licks her lips as she nods.
"Thanks Q."
"Anytime. Good luck."
Present
"I'm a complete idiot. I remember that! When you called...I had given up hope that we'd ever be more than random hookups. Hell, I thought you might've been talking about Britt. Then you started dating Rachel..." Santana nods as Quinn trails off.
"Why is that the moment you decide to listen to me? You don't any other time."
"I do listen to you. I just make an executive decision in the end, but none of that matters now. We've got each other and a beautiful, healthy baby girl." Quinn nods.
"You're right. We're together now and that's all that matters. Best part is I got a baby that looks just like you and you got one with Hazel eyes."
"She does not look just like me. She has your lips." Quinn shrugs.
"She does, but have you seen that picture we took with Rachel and Benji? Rachel and I look like the three of you adopted us." Santana chuckles as she grabs her glass of wine.
"Strong genes I guess. Lucky them." Quinn rolls her eyes as she wraps her other arm around her girlfriend and pulls her close.