Not having Kai around is super weird for Santana. She realizes one toddler is way easier to handle than two but she misses her baby. Both of her babies. Why Quinn decided to go to Lima without her, or at all, is a complete mystery to her. Why would she want to leave her? Especially for her lame-ass family, but whatever.
Facetime doesn't do her any justice and honestly, it just feels like cruel and unusual punishment. Yeah, Santana wants Quinn to reconnect with her family but not if it means she can't see her every day. Quinn never even mentioned that she, her mother, and sister had even gotten that close but she didn't dwell on it, only doing the most logical thing next.
She was going to Lima to be with her girls. It's been almost 2 weeks and that was long enough. Rachel did put a damper on her plans slightly though, agreeing to let her bring Benji only if she stopped by the Berry household. While she agreed, she didn't say when or for how long. Hiram's opinion on Santana's relationship with her son still makes her want to literally shred the man into pieces but...he is her son's grandfather and she has to interact with him. Though that doesn't mean she can't put him in his place. Whatever he feels towards her has nothing to do with her ability to parent and he should mind his own business.
Quinn expected to regret her decision but...she hasn't. Originally she planned to stay in Lima for a weekend even though Frannie told her she'd be there for three weeks since the kids were homeschooling and she needed a change of scenery. For once, her tendency to overpack panned out for her and she honestly found herself really enjoying her mother and sister. They'd really changed in all this time and it was for the better.
Frannie isn't how Quinn remembered her to be at all. She used to be snobby and stuck up but life must have really humbled her. Judy is actually pleasant to be around and she's exactly what Quinn pictured her to be as a grandmother. Doting and spoiling Kai rotten. Kai seems to have attached herself to the older woman but Quinn is sure it's because she keeps sneaking her sugar, though she doesn't mind much because she's been able to burn off all the extra energy with her cousins.
"When do you have a second to breathe?" Quinn asks as her 8, 6, and 4-year-old nephews run past the couch she's sitting on.
"I don't." Frannie huffs as she sits next to her. Quinn chuckles as Frannie sighs.
"Boys! Take it outside!" Frannie shouts and the two watch as the giggling boys run out the backdoor to the backyard.
"If you want, we can switch." Frannie's eyes wander to her niece in the corner of the room, playing with her building blocks.
"Ugh...I wanted a girl so bad." Frannie groans and Quinn smirks.
"So bad you tried three times, huh?" Frannie shakes her head lightly at her sister.
"You live and you learn. I still might try one last time." Quinn quirks an eyebrow.
"Seriously?" Frannie nods.
Quinn was surprised Frannie had so many children. Growing up she always talked about how she never even wanted them.
"But you can save me from that if I can come see Kai whenever I need a break from all the testosterone." Quinn chuckles.
"I think I can help but she has a brother and they're virtually inseparable so be prepared for that. The first few hours after we left home was hell."
"Santana has another kid?" Quinn nods.
"They're the same age." Quinn shakes her head when she notices Frannie's eyebrows lifting.
"Don't ask. It's not what you think and his name is Benji."
"Benji? I like that. Wish I'd thought of it. Is mom still in the basement?" Quinn instinctively glanced towards the hall leading to the basement.
"I think so. Why?"
"Just didn't want her to hear me." Frannie turns her body to face Quinn before continuing.
"So...I heard from Russell about a month ago. Has he tried to contact you at all?" Quinn's eyebrows furrow.
"No...what did he want?"
"A fucking kidney." Frannie sounds like she almost doesn't believe the request herself.
"A kidney?" Frannie nods.
"Apparently he has kidney failure. Thought it'd be his liver with all the drinking he did." Quinn nods.
"He'll be highly disappointed if he calls and asks for any of my organs." Frannie exhales deeply as she props her arm up on the back of the couch, her palm supporting the weight of her head.
"I actually considered it for a literal second and then realized...I'd rather pan-sear my own kidney and eat it before I gave it to him." The pair chuckle as Kai gets up and runs over to Quinn, placing a blue block in her lap causing Quinn to grin.
"Thank you, baby." Quinn kisses the girl's forehead and Kai giggles before running back to her toys.
"She is just too cute. At that age, they all tortured me. They didn't politely bring me anything and just place it in my lap. I got hit over the head with it." Quinn chuckles.
"Boys can't be that bad. Benji doesn't do that but he'll throw anything he gets his hands on." Frannie gives Quinn a sympathetic look with a half-smile.
"Baby sis...that's how it starts." Quinn shakes her head good-naturedly.
"And you're going to press your luck with another one?" The older blonde shrugs.
"Just one last time." She casually responds.
"I guess I should make sure they're all still breathing. Be right back." Frannie stands from the couch and quickly disappears in the direction of the back door.
Almost as if on cue, Judy emerges from the basement with a bright smile as she scoops Kai into her arms. It's been a little weird seeing how loving her mother has been to Kai. Judy wasn't that way when Quinn was growing up but as long as Kai feels loved, she won't have any complaints. Quinn watched the pair for awhile since Frannie hadn't come back.
Kai doesn't want to be held so she squirms until Judy puts her back down. The older woman isn't satisfied with that so she drops to the floor to play with her granddaughter. Quinn discreetly takes a picture before sending it to Santana then tucks her phone away.
As much as she's enjoyed herself with her family, Quinn really misses Santana and Benji. Yeah, it hasn't been that long but you see time differently when you're unsure of how much you have left. Once Judy was tired out, she helped Kai outside with her cousins and designated Frannie as their chaperone. Once Judy returns, she hands Quinn a pack of square shortbread cookies that she hadn't had since she was a child.
"Oh my God!" Quinn's wide eyes examine the package with a childlike wonder.
"Where did- they're still in business?" Judy chuckled lightly, sitting next to the woman eagerly tearing into the plastic wrapping.
"They're still so good." Quinn continues around a mouthful of buttery goodness.
"I'm glad you're enjoying them."
Before Quinn's family moved to Lima, they lived in Chillicothe, Ohio. There was a small bakery that she and her mother would walk to Sunday mornings to buy a pack of cookies. A lot of things changed after they moved and Quinn can't remember how long it'd been since the last time she enjoyed her favorite treat.
"How did you even remember that?" Judy smiles softly as she crosses her legs at the knee.
"You're a mother now. I'm sure you know." Quinn smiles sweetly at her mother.
"Thanks." The woman nods slightly and Quinn holds a cookie out to Judy who looks hesitant but takes the offer.
"I'm so glad you decided to come." Judy softly pats Quinn's knee as she bites her cookie.
"Me too. Who knew we could actually be a functional family?" Judy chuckles softly.
"I think we always had the potential," Quinn nods, finishing her cookie.
"When are you going home? I hope this isn't affecting your treatments." Quinn shakes her head slightly confused.
"I cleared it with my doctors. I went for a treatment a few days ago, remember?" Judy nods, taking Quinn's hand in her own and Quinn smiles softly, squeezing the hand in hers.
"Senior moment I suppose." Judy chuckles.
"I know I've missed a lot but I'm here for whatever you need. Say the word and I'll be on the first flight to get to you." The sincerity in her voice and the ferocity in her eyes almost brings Quinn to tears.
"We can't keep having these sentimental moments. I'm tired of crying." Judy chuckles as Quinn lets out a small laugh and sniffles.
"Sorry, sweetie." Quinn shrugs it off.
"I'm probably not going to stay much longer."
"That's fine. You can just leave Kai and I'll bring her back when she's 18." Quinn snorts.
"I'll be taking her back with me. Take Liam." Quinn figured her youngest nephew would be the easiest to offer up.
"Liam eats literal dirt. I've told your sister to take him to a doctor."
"Mom, I've told you he's fine and so have his doctors," Frannie says as she returns with Kai on her hip.
"It's not normal." Quinn chuckles at her sister's eye roll.
"How would you know? The last time you had a kid was in the 90s."
"What does that mean? Children haven't changed. "
"But parenting has. I don't see you lecturing Quinn." Frannie says as she hands one very tired toddler to her mother.
"The minute I see something to lecture her about, she'll be receiving one." Frannie groans as she sits beside their mother.
"Quinn, she caught him doing this once, two years ago and I haven't heard the last of it. You would think I'm spoon feeding him soil." Quinn chuckles as she holds Kai in her arms and the girl makes herself comfortable, burying her face into her mother's neck.
"Well, you did say he needed more vitamins. How would I know you're not doing that?" Judy states.
"It was a joke. Obviously!" Judy shakes her head softly, graying curls covering her face briefly as she stands.
"I'll lie her down if you'd like." Quinn shakes her head.
"She's okay for now." Nodding, Judy walks off to the kitchen.
"Of all the people to be handing out parenting advice?" Frannie covers her mouth to muffle her laughter.
"Right?! But I'll give her some credit. She's one hell of a grandmother. Between me and you, " Frannie leans in, her voice quiet.
"I think she's trying to make up for where she messed up with us." Quinn shrugs, gently running her fingers along Kai's scalp.
"As long as Kai is happy, so am I." Frannie nods.
"Before I forget. We're doing Christmas this year at my house and I would love it if you joined us." Frannie's pleading eyes and pout made Quinn chuckle.
"I'll have to run it by Santana first since I'm sure Maribel will be disappointed if we don't show up."
"She can come too. We're all family now and don't worry about plane tickets or anything. It's all on me." Quinn quirks an eyebrow.
"Being married to an NFL player must be nice. " Frannie laughs.
"It has its perks. Think about it and let me know, kay?" Quinn nods.
"I'm going to help your mother make lunch." Nodding once more, Quinn watches her sister disappear before lying Kai down on the couch.
This is the family she imagined having growing up and she never thought it would become a reality. It was a little freaky. Grabbing her phone, Quinn frowns upon seeing Santana hasn't responded to her texts. Maybe she was busy? Sighing, Quinn positions her legs on either side of Kai and lies against the armrest and the back cushion.
Sleep was something that constantly snuck up on her and she had no clue she was unconscious until she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Quinn." Her eyes shoot open and her mouth opens to speak but her sister's warm smile and words halt her.
"She's in your room but you have a visitor. Well, visitors." Quinn's eyebrows furrow until Frannie steps aside.
"Merry Christmas!" Santana smiles as Quinn eagerly wraps her and Benji in her arms.
"It's not Christmas." Quinn chuckles, burying her head into Santana's neck relishing in her familiar scent.
"I know, but whenever I see you I feel just like a kid on Christmas morning." Quinn smiles, pecking Santana's lips before taking Benji from her who began to excitedly reach for her the moment she woke up.
"Hey handsome, I missed you." The boy gives her a toothy grin as his arms wrap around her neck.
"Hi!" Quinn chuckles as she holds him close.
"What are you doing here?"
"I missed my favorite girls and he just came along for the ride." Santana jokes, tickling Benji's side.
"Where's Kai?"
"Asleep." Santana sighs.
"I'll just have to settle for you then." She smirks and Quinn slaps her shoulder lightly and sets Benji on the floor.
"Where's Judy?" Santana asks to which Quinn shrugs.
"I was asleep too."
"I'm going to find her to say hi." Quinn looks at her curiously.
"What?"
"You have manners?" Quinn snorts at Santana's eye roll.
" H." Quinn tosses her head back laughing.
"It was a joke!" Santana rolls her eyes, wandering into the kitchen to find Judy.
Quinn helps Benji get settled before taking him to see Kai. Normally she wouldn't wake the girl because she's notorious for being cranky but she's willing to deal with the consequences today. As the day carried on, Santana took the time to actually talk to Judy and Frannie. At first, her plan was just to take Quinn and Kai somewhere so that she didn't have to interact with them, but if they could make Quinn extend her trip she had to know why.
"Wait, so that one is eight?" Frannie laughs at the Latina's disbelief.
"Yeah." Santana looks at Quinn for confirmation.
"I said the same thing." Frannie ruffles her son's hair before sending him off to play.
"He's only four foot, eight inches." She shrugs.
"He's a mini giant. How tall is their dad?" Frannie's lips purse and her eyes squint slightly.
"He's six foot seven but closer to eight."
"Damn!" The three blondes laugh at Santana's reaction.
"How the hell did you make three kids?"
"San!" Quinn chides and Santana shrugs.
"What? we're all adults here."
"You don't just ask people about their sex lives in front of their mother." Santana rolls her eyes while Frannie laughs.
"Just know I'd literally die under him. I'm sure you can work the rest out." Judy only shakes her head at the conversation.
"Wait until you meet him. His voice is like thunder." Judy adds.
"He's harmless though. The definition of gentle giant." She continues.
"You think he'd autograph like...ten jerseys for me?" Quinn's eyebrows furrow as her head turns towards Santana.
"You don't watch football. Why do you want that?"
"I have two college tuitions to pay for." Quinn nods.
"Make that twenty jerseys and pass some around the team." Frannie chuckles but nods.
"I'm sure I can make that happen." Santana grins like a Cheshire cat.
As the night began to wind down, Santana and Benji said their goodbyes because Santana promised her mother she and Benji would stay the night with her. The next morning, Santana woke up early with intentions to get back to Quinn as soon as possible but she had to drop Benji off first. Huffing, Santana grabs Benji from his car seat and tosses his Paw Patrol book bag over her shoulder.
"Mijo, be good for your grandpas okay?" Benji nods his head excitedly as Santana closes her mothers car door. As she walks up the driveway, she's met with Leroy rushing outside.
"Benji!" The small man happily exclaims and Santana internally sighs in relief.
"Hey Leroy." Santana offers as the man takes the boy from her arms, hugging him tightly.
"Santana! Always great to see you, honey." He pulls her into a one-armed hug.
"Thank you so much for bringing him." Santana smiles politely.
"Rachel wouldn't have it any other way."
"Do you want to come in? I just finished breakfast." Santana declines.
"Thanks but no thanks." Leroy nods understandingly.
"I know we've hardly spoken since their birthday but I want to apologize to you on behalf of my husband. He was completely out of line."
"I'd accept that if it came from him. What is his issue with me?" The older man sighs softly.
"I wish I knew. He insists that he doesn't have any problem with you but his actions speak otherwise."
"Is he inside?" Leroy nods.
"Send him out here." The man gives her a tight lipped smile as she slips the bag from her back.
"Not a problem." Santana kisses her son goodbye before the man returns to the house.
Whatever unresolved issue Hiram has needs to be addressed right now. There lives are intertwined now and will be for many years to come so Santana feels like they need to clear the air. She stuffs her hands into the pockets of her jeans as she waits for Hiram to show himself. When he emerges from the house, he doesn't look happy and Santana sees him forcing a smile.
"Hello Santana, how are you?" Santana rolls her eyes.
"Cut the shit. We're alone." Hiram didn't even attempt to keep up the charade, his face falling the second Santana paused to breath.
"What is your issue with me?" Hiram crosses his arms, taking a small step towards Santana.
"My issue with you is all the hurt, pain and confusion you've caused my daughter." Santana lifts an eyebrow.
"She proposed to you! She fret to us for months over this. Of course I didn't want her to do it but she had her heart set on you. You said yes and then come back and tell her you got another woman pregnant!"
"Rachel broke up with me. I wanted to get back together!" Hiram rolls his eyes.
"Of course she broke up with you! How many times could she have her heart broken by you?! What the hell have you done for her other than hurt her?!" Santana only stares at the man. He was seriously holding a grudge against her because she and Rachel didn't work out?
"And now...now she's tied to you forever...or for at least the next 17 years." He sighs exasperatedly, running his hand down his face.
"I want her to be happy and not have to see you flaunting your fucking family in her face!"
"Rachel is in a relationship!" Santana emphasized.
"With your best friend! Just more ties to you."
"Who fucking cares Hiram? Rachel is over me, I'm over her and we're raising our son." The furious man took a step closer to Santana.
"I fucking care! I wish you had nothing to do with my grandson's existence!"
"Too fucking bad. That's my fucking kid and where the hell do you get off trying to boot me out of his life? I'm a fantastic mother and if you enjoy seeing him, you might want to stop fucking with me." Hiram laughs mirthlessly.
"Is that a threat?" Santana steps towards the man, tilting her head up to look into his eyes.
"It's a fucking promise." The two glare at each other until Santana speaks again.
"You don't have to like me but you sure as hell aren't going to disrespect me and if I even think you're talking shit about me to my son," She grins wickedly.
"We can take a walk to the other side of the tracks. These hands are rated E for everyone, Hiram." The man rolls his eyes.
"My grandchild is being raised by a neanderthal. What the hell did Rachel ever see in you?"
"I'll show you a fucking neander-
"What is going on here?!" Leroy questions as he quickly approaches the pair, knowing this conversation would turn sour.
"Nothing. Go back inside." Hiram grits out, his anger getting the better of him.
"Santana I think it's time you left. I'll bring Benji by -
"No. Actually, I think Benji's going to go back to my mom's. If you want to see him Leroy feel free to stop by but leave this douchebag home." Leroy's jaw goes slack and his eyes widen.
"Santana...surely you can't be serious? I understand that things got heated but -"
"Leroy, can you just bring me, my son?" Santana asks curtly, her eyes remaining glued to Hiram who hasn't said a word.
Leroy sadly walks back to the house to retrieve his grandchild. Hiram feels his blood boiling but he already knows he's gone too far. The pair stare daggers at each other until Leroy returns with Benji.
"Can I put him in the car for you?" Santana nods, unlocking the car with the remote.
"Enjoy your day Hiram." She smiles sweetly before getting into the car and driving away.
"Are you sure you don't want anything to eat? Not even a piece of toast?" Judy asks, concern lacing her voice. The medication had made Quinn sick but it wasn't anything she wasn't used to.
"I'm fine. I just need to sit down." Nodding, Judy helps Quinn off the bathroom floor and walks her back to her room.
"I can take Kai today if you need me to." Quinn smiles softly as she lies down.
"Santana is here so don't worry about it." This was the first time since her visit that she'd gotten sick and now she feels guilty for worrying her family.
"I brought saltines and a Gatorade. It was all I could find on short notice." Frannie says as she sits next to Quinn and sets the items on the nightstand.
"Thanks but I-"
"But you are going to eat and drink that." Frannie sternly tells her and Quinn sighs. She doesn't feel like fighting.
"Fine...and for the record that Mom voice didn't work on me. I just don't feel like fighting with you." Frannie smiles slightly.
"A win is a win. Get some rest." Frannie leans over to kiss Quinn's forehead before she and their mother leave.
"Who even are these people?" Quinn asks herself. All this warmth is really throwing her off. Sighing, she closes her eyes again until her phone begins to vibrate on the nightstand. Sitting up slightly, she picks it up to see it's the doctor's office. What else could possibly go wrong?
"Hello?"
"Hey Quinn, It's Dr. Braxton. How are you?"
"Alive is all I can say at the moment. Hopefully, this conversation has nothing to do with that."
"It does...but I think you're going to love what I have to say." Quinn's eyebrows furrow as she sits up completely.
"What's going on?"
"Oncology sent me your latest scans and I wanted to be the one to tell you that the tumor has decreased significantly and we're going to get you scheduled as soon as possible." Quinn feels like she stopped breathing.
"A-a-are you serious? It's...you can remove it?"
"Well, not me but yes. As soon as possible." Quinn can hear the smile in her voice as her body is overcome with emotion.
"Quinn?" Quinn could barely breathe as the tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I'm still here." She sniffles.
"The first open slot is on the 16th, which is exactly three days from now. Is that fine?"
"Yes! Yes!" Dr. Braxton chuckles lightly.
"Alright, you're all set and should be getting more instruction soon okay?" Quinn wipes her eyes and pulls herself together.
"Okay. Thank you so much."
"Of course. Enjoy your day." Quinn smiles.
"You too. Goodbye." As soon as the phone call ends, Quinn calls the first person she can think of. Sophia.
When Santana got to the Fabray household, she was pretty confused that they seemed to be having a party in the living room at 9:37 a.m.
"Uh...what's going on?" Santana asks as Frannie closes the door behind her. Everyone other than Fran is dancing in the living room, including Quinn. Benji wiggled his way to the floor to join the party, running over to his sister and Quinn gives Santana the widest smile she could possibly muster as she skips towards her.
"You must be feeling really good today." Santana jokes.
"I feel tremendous! Remarkable! Phenomenal!" Santana grins.
"Dr. Braxton called me and they're taking out the tumor in three days!"
"Oh my God!" Quinn chuckles heartily as Santana takes her in her arms, hugging her tightly and just like that, Santana's morning went from one of the worst to one of the best.