a/n: sorry, I know it's been awhile, but my Christmas fic was my first priority. But I finally have an update! this chapter went a different direction than expected, but I like it. hopefully I didn't name Brittany's parents elsewhere. if I did sorry for the name change. I'll be using these from now on. Enjoy!

Chapter 14: Reconciliation

Thanksgiving break, a chance for the Berry, Pierce, Lopez families and, well, Quinn, to get together again. Quinn had assured Maria and Hector that she had no issues when they proposed the idea. They'd asked her first, worried she may feel how she did when Rachel's dads had the get together a few months earlier, but this was an entirely different situation. She'd had a lot more time to process and she truly felt like a member of the Lopez family. It was a bit weird, seeing as she saw Maria and Hector as parents, but she never saw Santana in a sisterly way. She supposed this was like when people had a good relationship with their in-laws. After all, both her and Brittany often called Maria and Hector Mami and Papi. Quinn did wonder why the Lopezes offered to host, other than the fact they had the most room, according to Santana her family was particularly interested in roasting a bird in America's honor.

"Everyone's going to bring something, so it's really just the space. We know all four of you girls would probably enjoy spending the holiday together, so we put our feelings about it aside. We are embracing the family side and ignoring the historical hypocrisy." Maria had explained.

"Not for my sake I hope. I fully well understand the problems with the holiday, and it was never a fun time in my household." Quinn worried.

"No, mostly for Brittany and Rachel actually. They both live in a world of innocence, best not to shatter it more than Santana has managed to." Maria sighed "I'm glad she's doing better, I just worry."

"Well, worry not." Santana rolled her eyes "I'm a lot happier now. I've learned to love myself." Santana assured her mother "so what can we help with?"

"Well, we need to go shopping, but I want to confirm what the Pierces and Berrys are bringing first. Can you run interference?" Maria asked her daughter and Santana nodded, pulling out her phone. "Quinn, is there anything you'd really like to have or make?"

"Actually, yes, there is one thing. It's something my mom and I would make tons of as long as cranberries were in season. It's called cranberry fluff. I have her recipe up in my room. It's a mixture of cool whip and cranberries and apples and mini marshmallows. It's delicious and a Ross tradition." Quinn explained.

"Britt is going to love that." Santana peeked up from her phone "Speaking of, they are gonna bring three pies- pumpkin, apple and mixed berry. They'll bring the toppings too. Rachel says her dad's are going to bring a vegan tofurkey for her and would like to make the mashed potatoes and green beans so that those are vegan as well."

"Oh good, I keep forgetting about her dietary restrictions. We should try and make sure the rolls we get are vegan safe." Maria notes.

"I wonder if I can make some of my stuff vegan safe…" Quinn immediately started researching and Santana smiled. It was domestic and almost disgustingly adorable. She quickly found some vegan alternatives for the cool whip to look for and figured out what brands made vegan mini marshmallows. It sometimes slipped their minds that they needed to accommodate Rachel, and despite begging her to lower the restriction to vegetarianism, she insisted. They'd found everything vegan ever, for every snack and picnic and she once refused to kiss Santana cause she was wearing Burt's Bees chapstick. She only backed off when she saw how sustainable the company was and that it was actually improving bee life.

With confirmation from the other two families, Maria brought Quinn and Santana to the store with her. Santana wasn't impressed, she hated grocery shopping, but she also knew when she came she got herself something special so she tolerated it. Quinn thought she was ridiculous, she loved grocery shopping with the elder Lopez. It was the bonding time she had always wished for. Santana didn't have the same appreciation, and Quinn supposed it was because it was Mami. No other mother compared, not that Quinn had met.

"Alright, stick to the list. We are on a mission." Maria said as they got to the overcrowded store. She wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible, so she had had made three lists so they could each collect part of it. Santana grumbled but went off to get her assigned items quickly so she could spend the rest of her time looking for what she was going to get for herself. Usually this wouldn't take her more than a second, her mom knew she always picked one of a few different sour candies, but Santana was planning on getting Brittany something. After what had went down with Rachel, Brittany had spoken to Santana privately.

"What's going on B?" Santana said as she watched the blonde pace back and forth.

"I don't wanna say it wrong." Brittany chewed on her lip, not pausing her movements. Santana stood and took a hold of her by the shoulders.

"Look at me Britt." the Latina said and Brittany's eyes quickly moved to meet hers "You can't say it wrong okay? I'm here to listen, and when it comes to sharing your emotions you have to say them as they are, even if that might be hard for someone to hear." Santana smiles softly "Now, come on, sit with me." Santana sits on the end of the bed and pats the spot beside her. Brittany takes a seat and picks at a loose thread on her jeans. Santana gently places a hand on top of hers to still the movement, letting her know it's time to talk.

"Sorry. I'm just worried you'll be upset. And I hate upsetting you. I'm worried it's wrong to feel what I'm feeling. That it means…" Brittany shakes her head "Like maybe I'm not committed to this right. Somehow I'm undervaluing Rach and Q's importance." Brittany takes a breath "Is my love not enough for you anymore?"

"What?" Santana says and Brittany goes to repeat herself "It was rhetorical honey. Of course your love is enough for me."

"Is it wrong that we could both be…happy still? If we weren't in love with them too?" Brittany asks.

"No." Santana isn't actually sure, but Brittany needs to hear that, so she says it. "We do love them though. And so, because I am in love with her, it was like if you hadn't loved me back. My biggest fear."

"So I'm enough…but because you love them you need them too." Brittany tries to piece things together "I'm not sure I really get it Sanny. But I think if I was in your shoes I'd have been sad too. Even though you and Q loved me, it would hurt to know my affection wasn't returned."

"But I'm still enough too." Santana says "Right?"

"Yeah. You're my soulmate." Brittany says "Is it wrong that I don't think they are my soul mates too?"

"Britt, I wish I knew." Santana kisses a freckled tempted "I'll try and find out though, hmm?"

"Thanks Sanny." Brittany whispers and she curls up against Santana's side.

Later, after she'd convinced Brittany to take a nap, Santana got on her laptop and tried to find some answers. There was nothing certain. After lots of searching, she knew that the answer didn't lie out there to be found and be one size fits all. It was defined within every relationship differently. Still, she felt confident that Brittany and her were not wrong in their feelings. Quinn had confided in her that she felt like her connection to Rachel was similar to Santana's with Brittany. She wouldn't want to be without them, but she also knew there was a different connection between her and Rachel. Something metaphysical. Santana knew now that while none of them would ever want to be without all three, there were two primary partnerships, and that was okay. For them it was. It had to be. She knew Quinn and Rachel would have to be consulted but she wasn't sure how to approach the topic.

Since then, Brittany has been a bit different, not as bright and bubbly. On the surface it was necessarily noticeable to the untrained eye, but Santana could see the way her smile would falter, how her laugh wasn't genuine, how her eyes weren't bright. Quinn thought she was insane, Brittany was the same Brittany she'd always been. This only further confirmed that a conversation loomed that had to be had. She shook her head free of thoughts for the time being and finished her list and went to find something for Brittany. That's when she ran into Quinn.

"San!" Quinn said as they nearly bumped into each other "Did you finish your list?"

"Yeah." Santana lifted the basket "I'm trying to find something for-" she cut herself off.

"For your reward? I know you get one dork." Quinn said, continuing walking. Santana followed with "I can't believe Mami puts up with your drama."

"I do a good job." Santana shrugs "What are you still looking for?"

"The vegan stuff for Rach." Quinn sighs "Found it!" she grabs what she needs "That was hidden. Say, why aren't you in the candy aisle, you usually walk out with something bizarrely sour." Quinn questions.

"Just looking for something different." Santana says when she sees the seasonal aisle and exactly what she wants.

"What are we doing in the Christmas aisle?" Quinn asks. "You hate this stuff."

"But Brittany loves it." Santana says grabbing a stuffed reindeer "Would she like this?"

"Your mom isn't going to buy Britt a gift." Quinn crosses her arms.

"I'm using my one item pass for her." Santana says.

"What's going on? You never pass up your sour candy." Quinn taps her foot impatiently.

"I told you, Britt's sparkle is dim. I gotta get it back somehow." Santana says "Now which reindeer?"

"Santana" Quinn says and the Latina shakes the reindeer "Rudolph obviously" and Santana nods, putting it in the basket "San, Britt's fine."

"Quinn, I know you think so, but you're wrong." Santana says "Look, we'll talk about this when we're out of the store, I see Mami." she drags Quinn towards Maria who just sighs at Santana's choice and checks out. They get in the car and Quinn immediately demands that Santana explain.

"What's with the reindeer? What's with your extra worry about Britt?" Quinn asks. Maria tries not to listen in.

"Her sparkle isn't as bright as it's supposed to be." Santana says again "You're doing the same thing going all vegan for Rach."

"Am not!" Quinn says "I'm just being considerate."

"You literally could've just given her cranberries and she would've been happy and you know it." Santana sighs.

"That's not fair to her. I hate when she can't partake. It makes her so sad." Quinn says.

"She literally says it's fine and actually prefers her own snacks because they're healthier." Santana accuses.

"She's clearly just saying that to make us feel better!" Quinn argues.

"Girls" Maria pipes up "I think you're both right. Quinn, Rachel is your soulmate. I knew it the first time I saw you two interact. And Santana, I've known Brittany was your soulmate since you were five. Yes, all four of you love one another, but you can't force that connection. It's outside of human control. And it's okay that it's there too."

"Mami Yoda strikes again." Santana shakes her head "Q, she's right. I've been meaning to talk about it."

"Once we bring the groceries in, you can." Maria parks the car. "But you better call the other two." The girls help take the groceries in and head into Quinn's room. They call their girlfriends and once everyone's ready Santana finally does what she's been dreading.

"It's come to my attention that within our quad there are two partnerships. And I think this is totally okay. Even Mami sees it. Two sets of soulmates." Santana says.

"No introduction necessary then…" Quinn says "But I think she's right, and I think we have to acknowledge it."

"Do we?" Brittany says "It feels wrong, doesn't it?"

"We all still love each other. There's just a deeper connection between myself and Q." Rachel comments "Just like has always been true of you and Santana."

"But are we doing polyamory wrong?" Brittany asks.

"You can't really do it wrong. Well, you can, but this isn't one of those ways. We all understand this and consent to there being deeper connections in those configurations, don't we?" Santana questions.

"I do." Rachel says.

"Me too." Quinn says "Britt?"

"But doesn't that mean I'm discounting Q and Rach?" Britt responds.

"No honey." Santana assures "There's something deeper than we can control between us. And the same goes for them. No one loves each other any more or less, we just share another different level of connection."

"It feels like I'm betraying them." Brittany whimpers, and Santana quickly realizes Brittany needs her and just her. Quinn nods and they had used two phones so she stays on the phone with Rachel while Santana takes her call with Brittany to her room.

"You've got to trust me Britt. I've thought about it over and over. In our relationship, this is just part of the dynamic. It's completely okay." Santana promises.

"Then why don't I feel okay?" Brittany asks.

"Because you feel emotions stronger than anyone else. Honey, you feel like you're betraying them, but you also feel a touch of rejection don't you?" Santana knows the answer but asks anyway.

"It hurts Sanny. Can't we all just be soulmates?" Brittany is near tears, Santana can hear it in her voice.

"We are, just in a different way. We need each other in our lives, all four of us. But on a deep, uncontrollable level, you can read me like a book and I can do the same. It's this innate understanding that we simply can't explain. And it creates a connection separate that doesn't affect anything else. Our souls are just father intertwined. There's simply no way to change that." Santana explains.

"I need you Sanny." Brittany cries into the phone and Santana looks up to see Quinn in her doorway, telling her to go. Santana nods and tells Brittany she's on her way. Quinn lets Maria know why Santana just ran out the door at sonic speed. She watches as the Latina pedals away on her bike.

"Santana" Mrs.Pierce says "Go on up." she immediately allows seeing the look of determination on the girl's face.

"Sanny?" Brittany says from where she's curled into a ball in her bed.

"I'm here now B." Santana says "are you okay?"

"I curled in a ball so I couldn't do anything bad." Brittany sniffles, immediately burying her face in the crook of Santana's neck.

"Good." Santana strokes her back "It's all gonna be okay. Do you understand what we agreed upon?"

"The inevitable destiny." Brittany says "I always saw it. But I thought maybe we could beat it."

"Why would you want to?" Santana questions "Honey, what's between just us doesn't change anything about what's between all four of us. It doesn't outweigh it. It's all a perfect design."

"I know. I just thought it might hurt. And I was right." Brittany says her grip tightening on Santana.

"Honey, you have to be okay with it." Santana says "Accept it. I promise, only in acceptance of this predetermined fate did I find peace and so will you." Santana can feel Brittany at first hug her tighter and then her grip relaxes and a small cry escapes her. A cry of relief.

"Thanks for coming." Brittany says "I needed to hold you. To ground me. I accept it. And it's perfect."

"Perfect for us." Santana says "Completely perfect for us." Brittany doesn't loosen her grip any more, content to lay there, her ear pressed to Santana's chest, listening to her heartbeat. Santana let's hers, she knows it's what Brittany needs. She's not sure how much time has passed when Mrs.Pierce comes up the stairs and knocks lightly on the door frame. The door is open as is policy in the Pierce household.

"I just wanted to see how you two were." she says "Are you okay?"

"We're perfect." Santana says. Brittany just tightens her grip on the Latina. She can tell her mom wants her to go.

"Well, I don't want to keep you from your mom too long, I'm sure she needs help preparing for Thanksgiving." Whitney tries to hide her intentions.

"Quinns helping her. I don't cook." Santana says.

"Well I um…need Britts help." Whitney explains.

"She doesn't cook either." Santana rolls her eyes "Mrs.P, right now, I think it's best if she's not alone."

"Fine. But keep the door open." she walks away. She didn't have a problem with their relationship, but she didn't want anything happening under her roof. She knew exactly what Brittany's inheritance- the house- had become. It didn't sit well with her, but Maria told her it wasn't worth the fight. Teenagers had sex, and at the very least they had the advantage of not risking pregnancy.

"Sorry about her." Brittany grumbled, her good mood ruined.

"Your mom just wants you to stop growing up so fast. It's hard to remember you're 16 when you're so darn innocent and cute." Santana says.

"Well she needs to figure it out." Brittany sighs.

"She also worries about you. If both of us have so much emotional trauma, she worries it's a recipe for disaster. And honey, she has some validity there." Santana reminds.

"So, what, she wants me to lean on her?" Brittany chuckles "As if."

"Why not Britt? Mami helps Quinn and I so much when we let her." Santana explains "I'm sure your mom would love to be there for you too."

"Please, she'd just be trying to mold me into her mini-me just like Lily." Brittany argues.

"Have you given her the chance, recently?" Santana carefully adds the last word.

"No…" Brittany admits "But she won't get it. She never does. At least Dad was understanding about my trouble with school. She told me I just have to try harder." Santana remembers that.

They were around nine years old and sitting at the Pierce table doing their book reports. Santana had finished hers and Brittany pouted, staring at her unfinished book. She also kept comparing how thick Santana's book was and how thin hers was. The assignment said the book had to have a magical element, so Santana had just done hers on the fifth Harry Potter book which she had just started for fun anyway. Brittany picked the next Magic Treehouse book, which was Tonight on the Titanic. She hadn't even finished reading the book, which was only 70 pages, no match for Santana's 750. Santana sat with her reading aloud.

"Brittany, why aren't you done?" Whitney said coming in from putting Lily down for a nap. She was only 2 at the time.

"We only have a few pages left Mrs.P." Santana explained, "And then I can help her with the project."

"She's supposed to do it herself, you did yours alone, didn't you?" Whitney said admiring the Latina's handiwork.

"Well yeah, but it's easy for me. It's okay that Britt needs help." Santana said as if it was obvious.

"I'm sure she can handle a seventy page book and its report alone." Whitney crossed her arms.

"Sure she can but aren't we supposed to help when someone asks? My parents help all sorts of people." Santana says.

"And they get paid to do it. Is she paying you?" Whitney tapped her foot impatiently.

"In friendship bucks, yeah! We spend them to choose who gets to pick the movie we watch." Santana smiled widely.

"She needs to do this herself. Helping her is cheating." Whitney finally put her foot down.

"Oh…well cheating is bad." Santana frowned "Sorry Britt Britt, I didn't know."

"S'Okay. Thanks anyway." Brittany said.

"I think you should go home so she can focus." Whitney said "I'll call your mom, pack your things."

"Okay. Bye B." Santana hugged Brittany how she always did and worked on putting away her things and cleaning up the mess she made. As she was tying her shoes in the foyer she heard Whitney talking to Brittany.

"Why aren't you more like Santana, hmm?" Whitney looked at the book "What are you, two years old like your sister?"

"The letters are hard to make sense of mom." Brittany responded.

"God, why are you so stupid? Your father and I moved here to give you a good education and you're wasting it." Whitney scoffed, "Finish your book and stop crying."

"But mommy-" Brittany said.

"Grow up! I'm not your mommy." Whitney walked away and saw Santana looking at her with a glare that could kill in the foyer.

"You shouldn't talk to her like that." Santana said.

"And you shouldn't be rude to adults." Whitney said. "Go wait outside for your mother. She will be here soon." Whitney went upstairs. Santana looked to the table where Brittany was crying, and saw her mom pull up. She was conflicted, but she went out to the car. She got in, her confusion and upset clear on her face.

"What's wrong mija?" Maria said as Santana buckled her seat belt.

"Mrs. Pierce was really mean to Brittany." Santana shook her head "Maybe I misunderstood but I don't think so."

"Is Brittany okay?" Maria asks.

"She didn't hurt her. But she was crying…but I don't think Mrs.P would like it if I had given her another hug." Santana chews on her bottom lip. "So I didn't"

"What did she say?" Maria says as she pulls out.

"She called Brittany stupid." Santana explains "And told her to grow up. But you said we're just kids."

"Lo siento bebe. Mrs.Pierce is wrong." Maria's grip is tight on the steering wheel. "Did you both finish your projects at least?"

"No… I think that was the problem. I finished mine but B didn't even finish her book yet. She says the letters don't make sense. That she can't tell them apart. I thought they looked fine though." Santana sighs.

"I see. How about we pick Brittany up early tomorrow morning for school and we'll help her finish?" Maria says.

"Mrs.P says helping is cheating." Santana pouts.

"I'll explain to your teacher, don't worry. I'll handle Mrs.Pierce too." Maria says, and Santana feels a little better.

"Worst day ever." Brittany says having remembered too. "At least Dad convinced mom to let me go with you early the next day."

"Honey I just…I bet your mom is sorry these days. Now that we know why." Santana says "Dyslexia isn't a choice."

"Don't forget dyscalculia and ADHD too." Brittany is clearly annoyed. "I'm broken."

"No you're not. We are all different. You dance amazingly and look at Finn!" Santana tries to cheer her up.

"Mike dances just as well, if not better, and is top of our class." Brittany says.

"You can't compare yourself to others. We are all individuals." Santana shakes her head.

"And I'm a stupid one." Brittany rolls away from Santana, but the Latina doesn't need to see her eyes to know that they're brimming with tears.

"You are so much smarter than you give yourself credit for." Santana hugs Brittany from behind "You're creative and artistic, and you are doing great in school."

"I guess so." Brittany sighs "Sing me a song?"

"Britt…" Santana says.

"Please?" Brittany begs and Santana gives in.

It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside

I'm not one of those who can easily hide

I don't have much money, but boy if I did

I'd buy a big house where we both could live

Santana has been singing Your Song by Elton John to Brittany since they were little. It was one of their favorites to dance to together. At that young age they'd twirl each other, giggling. These days they'd find themselves swaying or waltzings as Santana sang along softly. It was their song.

I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind

That I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

Brittany rolled to face Santana and kissed her softly in thanks.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything." Daniel Pierce said from the door.

"Sorry Dad." Brittany blushed bright red "It was just a kiss, I swear."

"I know, I heard our songbird singing." he winked at Santana "I just wanted to see if you were staying for dinner Santana. I'm ordering pizza, and I need to know how much to get."

"Is it really getting close to dinner time?" Santana asked.

"Yeah, it's almost five." Daniel said "Did you not realize?"

"No, I didn't. I think my mom will want me home for dinner. Thanks for the offer though." Santana says.

"Sure thing. Do you need a ride home or are you okay to bike back?" Daniel asks.

"I'll be okay, thanks." Santana gets out of the bed "I'll just steal one of Britt's old jackets."

"Is that why you keep them?" Daniel asks and Brittany nods sheepishly "Stop being so shy kiddo, it's sweet."

"She's the sweetest." Santana says shrugging on a Teddy bear jacket. "Well I better go before Mami starts calling. See you tomorrow, right?" she says to Daniel.

"Of course." He covers his eyes smirking as Santana kisses Brittany goodbye. Brittany smiles sadly as Santana makes her way out.

"You're in loooooove." Daniel teases.

"What else is new?" Brittany sighs.

"Something on your mind kiddo?" Daniel sits in Brittany's desk chair "I'll fight Puck for you."

"I love you, I don't want you to go to jail." Brittany says seriously "I'm okay."

"So we're lying now?" Mr.Pierce raises an eyebrow.

"Dad, I'm fine, really. Just…" Brittany sits up "Santana thinks I should open up more to mom. That may be why she's so touchy about how much time we spend together."

"And you think your mother will just belittle you, right?" Daniel asks and Brittany shrugs before nodding.

"I mean, I know it's been seven years since that fateful day but she hasn't given me reason to believe anything has changed." Brittany pulls at a loose thread on her blanket "You advocate at my IEP meetings, she just signs papers. You help me with my homework, she says Lily needs her help even though we all know she doesn't. She never tries to teach me how to cook after I ruined pancakes. It's like I'm a burden."

"You are not a burden." Daniel scoots close to the bed "I'm sorry that your mother treats you the way she does. But I promise, it's not your fault. She blames herself for a lot of your struggles."

"What do you mean?" Brittany asks.

"Well, you know you were born early, right?" Daniel asks and Brittany nods, she was born a month early "And luckily you had no physical problems, the doctors said there wasn't much to worry about. So we didn't. We raised you the same as we would if you'd been born on time. You experience no obvious delays until you started reading. You wouldn't look at the words, you would just try to make sense of the pictures. We thought maybe you just didn't like to read."

"To be fair, I don't. It's tiresome." Brittany says.

"I know. But if you weren't dyslexic you might actually enjoy it. Look, when I realized what was going on when you were nine, your mom was in denial. Because she blamed herself for you being premature, and she was sure that was the root cause. Furthermore, her sister, your Aunt Susan, your middle namesake, has Dyslexia too. She never graduated high school as you might know because of that." Mr.Pierce sighs.

"So…mom blames her genetics and basically things completely out of her control for my learning difficulties?" Brittany inquires.

"Yeah. And she just doesn't express that very well." Daniel smiles encouragingly "But talk to her. I think she can really help you with all that emotional stuff. I'm not very good with that stuff."

"You're joking, right Dad? Who did I tell I was in love with Santana first? Heck, who did I ask if girls could love girls? What about who I came crying to when Puck first slushied me? And after you both found out about…" Brittany gestures to her stomach "these, I told you why first. You get me dad. You help me put things into words when I don't know how. She just gets frustrated."

"Well, if you're willing, come to me then. That should appease her some too. Or come to both of us at once." Daniel stands "Now, Supreme without the mushrooms and olives as usual?" he asks

"You know it." Brittany smiles and Daniel kisses the top of her head as he walks out making an order for the pizza. She grabs her phone and sees a few texts.

Q: How are you Britt?

R: ditto

S: she's better

S: about this anyway

Q: what happened?

R: *confused face emoji*

S: she'll share what she wants when she gets a chance

Q: okay

She shakes her head and types a response.

B: I'm better. Santana explained. I get it now. We were talking and I had a kind of bad memory. But my dad cleared things up for me and Santana sang to me.

S: shhhhh

R: awwwwwww

S: shut up Berry

Q: She's a softy. Came home in that Teddy bear jacket and everything. *picture of santana in the jacket*

S: I hate all of you except B

Q: lies

R: LIES

B: you said you'd stop lying

S: *sighing emoji*

B: Anyway, I'm better now. My dad is so awesome.

Q: facts

S: I love Dad Pierce.

R: I want to get to know him better

Q: Tomorrow!

B: I wonder what his nickname for you will be.

R: nickname?

S: everyone gets one.

Q: yeah, I'm Butterfly

B: I'm Bumblebee, or just bee

S: and I'm Songbird

S: you'll probably be short stack

B: Apologize

R: wait are they not all complimentary

B: Ignore sanny

S: sorry, jeez

Q: whipped

R: as if you're one to talk

S: HA

B: don't worry Rach, I'm sure he'll have a great one for you. It'll be better than Lily's "Flower Bud" I'm sure

Q: Lily loves it

S: but it's soooooo a dad joke

R: I hope I'm Broadway or something

B: don't worry, it'll be great. See you all tomorrow right?

S: I live here

Q: slaving away in the kitchen so I better have people to feed

R: my dads are thrilled

B: awesome

Brittany puts her phone down and smiles and goes downstairs. Her parents are talking in low voices in the kitchen. She hears this and stops at the bottom of the stairs.

"She hates me." Whitney sighs

"She feels like you hate her. She can't ever please you." Daniel explain

"What am I supposed to do?" Whitney asks.

"Offer to help her, teach her to cook without judgment, and most importantly apologize." Daniel lays it out clearly.

"What are you doing?" Lily says coming down the stairs, alerting their parents.

"Brittany…" Daniel says softly.

"Ooh, you're in trouble." Lily goes to the couch.

"Eavesdropping?" Whitney shakes her head "What's next? It's like I'm raising a criminal." Brittany's eyes immediately fill with tears and she goes back upstairs, closing her and locking her door.

"Whitney!" Daniel says "that was uncalled for. Britt!" he goes up the stairs, knocking on her door. "Let me in please."

Brittany just curls into a ball on her bed, crying, tucked into a corner. She doesn't hear the lock click as her dad opens the door. She just feels when his weight sits on her bed. He gently pulls her towards him. "Shhh." He says, combing through her hair. "Give it time. Please." Brittany doesn't plan to respect his wishes, but he doesn't need to know that right then. When the pizza arrives, Brittany eats one slice before she's no longer hungry. She says she wants to save as much room as possible for Thanksgiving, and her parents don't press the issue. She sips on her rootbeer as everyone else eats, not wanting to argue over leaving the table. Eventually, Lily finishes and Whitney goes to help her pick out an outfit for the next day.

"How are you holding up my little bumblebee?" Daniel asks and Brittany just shrugs. "Here" he grabs her now empty cup, refills it and adds a scoop of ice cream "Your favorite, root beer float."

"Thanks." Brittany says, stirring it "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything." Daniel says, making himself a float too.

"Am I a disappointment?" Brittany asks and Daniel immediately sets aside what he's doing and pulls his daughter into a bone crushing hug.

"Absolutely not. You're the kindest person I've ever met, an amazing dancer and you never give up." Daniel says "Why would you ask that?"

"You know why." Brittany's shoulders slump.

"I'm sorry kiddo." Daniel says "Just know that you'll always make me proud. Like a bee, you do a lot, but people can't always recognize it."

"Thanks dad." They sit back down and enjoy their floats together.

"I thought you were saving space for tomorrow." Whitney says when she comes back downstairs.

"Leave her be Whit, I made it for her." Daniel says.

"Don't you think Lily would've liked one too?" Whitney asks.

"She doesn't like root beer. Just like you." Daniel says.

"Whatever. She doesn't need to have all that sugar. She'll be all hyper now and that's incredibly unhealthy. Dancer's have to stay in shape." Whitney retorts.

"Do you even hear yourself?" Brittany stands "Do you have any idea how it feels to be constantly criticized by your own mother?"

"I'm only trying to give you advice." Whitney brushes her off.

"No, you've been criticizing me my entire life. Comparing me to anyone and everyone. Why am I not as smart as Santana? Why aren't my turns as neat as Mike's? Why don't I try to fit in like Lily?" Brittany lists just a few instances "Have you considered how that makes me feel?"

"It's just motivation." Whitney continues to deny her mistreatment.

"Oh really?" Brittany stomps up the stairs and slams her diary open on the counter "I guess it did motivate one thing."

"Bee?" Daniel asks and Brittany looks at her dad "Is this all true?" Brittany nods. Scrawled into the diary is the report of the first time she self-harmed. How her mother influenced it. The first time she got blackout drunk was because of her mom. Her first time getting high, her mom had read her the riot act for getting second place in a dance comp.

"You just need more self control obviously." Whitney shakes her head "This isn't my fault."

"Brittany" Daniel seeing his daughter's face grow redder "Go upstairs. Now." Brittany grabs the notebook and goes upstairs. The shouts can be heard though. Her dad standing up for her and her mom finally giving up the denial act.

"Brittany" Lily says from the doorway "Brittany, I'm scared. Mom and dad never fight."

"Come in. Shut the door." Brittnay says and Lily does so hugging her older sister gently. "It's okay, you can hug me as hard as you want." Brittany assures and she feels her little sister's grip tighten. She grabs two pairs of noise canceling headphones and plays some music, putting a pair on both of them but secretly keeping one ear out of hers. She wants to hear it all. Lily snuggles into her side and Brittany gently smoothes her hair. She hears the front door slam and it shakes the house. Lily looks up at her. Brittany tells her to stay put and looks out the window. Her mom is pulling out of the driveway. She sends Lily back to her room with the headphones and goes downstairs.

"Dad?" Brittany says.

"Bumblebee." he says holding a bag of frozen peas to his eye "She hit me. She's never hit you has she?"

"No more than a spanking when I was really little. I can't believe she hit you." Brittany says "Sit on the couch, I'm gonna get a first aid kit."

"You don't need to do that." he says but Brittany insists and he sits down. She gently takes the bag of peas and holds back a gasp at the sight of his quickly swelling purple eye. "She got me good. I didn't hit back. I just told her to get out."

"Where do you think she went?" Brittany says as she applies Neosporin to the cut below his eye and puts a small bandaid on it before handing him the peas again.

"I have no idea. Maria won't stand for this though…" Daniel sighs "What are we gonna do about Thanksgiving?"

"I don't know, but we'll have to do our best to cover up your eye, it'll set Quinn off." Brittany sighs.

"She just swung. I think reality came crashing down and she just wanted the reality check to stop." Daniel says.

"There's no excuse. We should head to bed though." Brittany said.

"Good plan." Daniel says and they head up the stairs. Brittany resists the urge to find one of her many hidden razor blades as she falls into a restless sleep.

--

"What are you doing here Whitney?" Maria asks, letting the woman in.

"I did something terrible. Oh why…I'm a terrible person." Whitney says.

"Take a breath and explain." Maria says.

"Daniel confronted me about my treatment of Brittany." Whitney starts.

"About time." Maria says and Whitney looks at her dumbfounded.

"Have I really been that deep in denial?" Mrs.Pierce asks.

"Apparently yes. But I still don't understand why you're here." Maria taps her foot.

"We were arguing and I just…I don't know why even I just swung and I hit him. I…I hit my husband. I can't believe I hit him." Whitney cries.

"You need to get your anger under control if you want to be around my girls." Maria says "You know Quinn's history."

"Unfortunately yes, I do. I should go home and apologize. To Brittany and Daniel." Whitney says "Maria, I swear, this will never happen again. But if you wish for me to not attend Thanksgiving I understand."

"Nonsense. Nothing will be fixed by your absence. But you should apologize, I agree. See you tomorrow." Maria bids her friend farewell and sighs heavily.

"Mami?" Santana says "Did I hear that right?"

"Santana, what have I told you about listening in on conversations?" Maria says.

"Not to." Santana says "Lo siento. I was coming down for water."

"It's okay. Yes I think you did. I believe this is a turning point though. She just hit rock bottom." Maria says.

"I hope you're right." Santana says.

Back at the Pierce household, Whitney apologized to both her husband and daughter, but understood that there was a long way to go to repair what was broken between her and her daughter.

The next day, everyone arrived at the Lopez household for Thanksgiving. There was tons of food and the families truly started to connect. However, most importantly, was what this meant in reconciling Whitney's relationship with her daughter. She invested time in getting to know each of her girlfriends and understanding what life was like for all of them. Daniel focused on getting to know Rachel.

"Brittany was right, you're a total diva." Daniel laughs and Rachel huffs annoyed "Hey, it's okay. You're also clearly very strong willed. You're my Mockingbird. Loud and always singing but with perfect pitch."

"I'll take it." Rachel says, glad to have earned her nickname.

Thanksgiving brought the families together again, and it was clear that what was once four families was now one.