A/N: Sorry it took forever to put up this update, my laptop went haywire! Hope you are enjoying the story so far... I've mapped out a few more chapters so the next couple updates will come around quicker. I'd love to hear from you guys.. What do you guys think? Suggestions? Thoughts? Criticism? And can someone tell me how I can find a beta?

9:08 AM.

Brittany would never know if Santana decided to accept the promises she wholeheartedly swore that morning. Just as Brittany pulled away from the kiss to search for Santana's eyes, a haunting gasp echoed throughout the room. Santana's door flew open hard enough for it to send items from Santana's desk and shelves crashing onto the floor. Mr. Lopez's towering stature shook within the doorframe. His hand gripped the door knob, knuckles white, arm trembling. Santana pulled away from the kiss. There was no question that disgust and shame were written on his face. Terror overcame her and everything that had happened after her father entered the room went by like a blur.

In an instant, Brittany was torn away from her embrace unable to counter a force that sent Brittany's body flying to the floor. "Embarrassment!.. Shame!.. under my roof.. sin.. no decency.. get out!" Santana could not grasp every word that was said as her father shoved Brittany out of the house. The little that she heard was too hurtful, degrading, and enough to make it feel like her ears would bleed. She felt numb finding her face wet with tears.

When her father returned, in a voice both demanding and unwavering he said, "You will never see her again. If you do, you are nothing to me. I'll cut you off and you'll be dead to me. Do you understand?"

Santana knew that it was a command, no question about it. "Look at me when I talk to you."

"Yes papi," Santana nodded.

"We raised you to be respected.. what you're doing is not normal.. where did we go wrong?.. it's those kids you call friends.. spoiled.. shame.. sickness.." Santana easily believed that she was a daughter who had disappointed her parents, who was not normal, who didn't deserve anything good in her life. She was overcome with guilt, shame, and most of all heartache. She felt the blood that ran through her veins grow cold and she swore that her heart had stopped beating.

"Papi, I love.." SMACK! The crack of skin on skin echoed through the room. Mr. Lopez's open hand struck Santana's right cheek, a handprint was quickly reddening on her brown skin. Pain shot down to her core as her hand slowly made it to her tender cheek.

"Idiot. You don't know what love is."

Santana's eyes were glued on her father as he rummaged through her belongings.

Mr. Lopez grabbed her keys, cell phone, and laptop. He tore down pictures of Santana and Brittany and, as if to make a point, he took her desktop and sent it crashing against the wall.

Hammering the final nail into her coffin Mr. Lopez ended his tirade with, "Brittany can't exist in your world anymore. Santana Lopez, you disgust me." Mr. Lopez stormed out of the room with no intent to look back.

Time passed slowly, painful and excruciating. When she snapped out of her daze she found herself still naked, her blankets loosely wrapped around her body, in complete darkness. Drowning in a sorrow so heavy, for the first time in her life Santana felt defeated and unworthy. She was alone and ashamed. No one would ever know how long she spent crying, calling out Brittany's name.

Next day, 8:58 AM.

"My goodness. Santana?"

When the next morning came, Mrs. Lopez walked into Santana's room in complete horror. The remains of Mr. Lopez's damage was in full display. She had no knowledge of what had caused her daughter to look so broken. Her heart dropped. Santana looked like a ghost, the color from her face gone and replaced with the saddest of emotions. Santana was naked with eyes glazed over. She didn't know if Santana realized she was there so Mrs. Lopez cautiously walked to her bed and sat beside her. Careful not the frighten Santana, she pulled a blanket around her limp body and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Maribel was patient. Though hundreds of questions needed answers, she knew that Santana would speak when she was ready. Every now and then Mrs. Lopez would have to look at her daughter's eyes, it was the only sign of life she could detect. Santana remained frozen, slumped over in her mother's embrace with parted lips. Maribel thanked God everything she caught Santana blink.

10:28 AM.

Moments of silence passed until Maribel felt Santana move. Santana raised her right hand, uncurled her fingers, and winced. The ring had made a deep indent into her palm, deep enough for skin to break. Dried blood covered the diamonds, stealing away its brilliant shine.

In a voice so small and so broken, Santana looked into her mothers eyes and said, "I love her Mom... but why does it have to be so hard? Brit... She'll never know my answer.." Mrs. Lopez could barely hear the last words, but she understood. Watching her daughter grow up over the last four years, she knew that the only person to have a positive effect on her daughter was Brittany. She was thankful for Brittany because sole handedly she was able to break down Santana's walls and make her feel. Feel anything and everything at the same time. Mrs. Lopez understood that their friendship had grown more than just that. She understood wholeheartedly that Brittany loved her daughter deeply, honestly. Of all she understood that Brittany's love was good for her and that Santana loved her equally. Santana never had to confess this, Maribel just knew.

"I love her too, mija. Brittany knows, she'll always know. I love you, I always will no matter what. You don't have to hide from me. When you're ready we can talk. Just rest now." With those words Santana let the pain wash over her. The shock that left her incapacitated was being challenged by the comfort of her mom's words and warmth. Her mom knew and her mom still loved her. She relaxed into mother's arms and finally allowed herself sleep.

Maribel looked at Santana with sadness. She examined Santana's room. What on heavens happened? She brushed Santana's hair away from her face and tenderly wiped away a tear that had just rolled down her cheek. Is it possible to cry while asleep? "I'm so sorry mija.. I'm so sorry." She noticed redness on Santana's check, the hint of a handprint, and gently ran her fingertips along the print. "My baby.." Mrs. Lopez had no intention of leaving her. She wanted to ensure that Santana woke up without the feeling of being alone. She adjusted herself against the headboard and pulled her daughter closer. In the process, her hand brushed against a hard object. Curious, she pulled the object into her lap. She examined it. It was a book which read"The Story of Us: Just the Beginning" on the cover. Guilt washed over her knowing that in some ways she would be invading into one of the most personal aspects of her daughter's life. She eyed Santana carefully. Even though she was out cold, there were still signs of worry written on her face. Maribel silently prayed that Santana felt peace and wished with all her might that she didn't feel any pain. She then opened the book and dove straight into the story between Brittany and her only daughter. Tears, both caused by heartache and joy, flowed from her eyes. Maribel was both comforted and devastated to discover that her daughter had experienced the feelings of knowing true love.

The BLUR, 9:08 - 9:12AM.

In less than 8 seconds, Brittany was being dragged out of Santana's room by her hair. With all of her their might, they tried to avoid the separation. Mr. Lopez had pried them apart and sent Brittany crashing onto the floor. Fully aware that she was naked, Brittany grabbed an oversize hooded jacket from Santana's pile of cloths and pulled it over her head. Once she pushed away the hair that covered her face, was dragging her out of the room and forcing her out of the house. With courage and selflessness she attempted to fight her way back into Santana's room but she could not overpower his strength. There was a brief moment when Brittany was able to squeeze through his grasp to run back into Santana's room. Brittany's outstretched arms were inches from Santana until they weren't. Mr. Lopez had wrapped his arms around her stomach, dragged her back towards the front door, and with no regard, flung her out. Brittany landed on her behind as tears blurred her vision from pain that radiated from every pore of her being. She called out for Santana, tried to explain to Mr. Lopez that she loved his daughter, and begged him to let her see her. He was cold and unforgiving. No amount of reasoning or tears would allow him to have a change of heart.

"If you ever come back Brittany, I'll see to it that you'll never be able to see her again. If you care about her, you'll walk away and make this history. She'll be miserable the moment you try to see her and days, even years, after you do. Disgusting sickness. You have corrupted my family and brought shame and sin into my house. Love? You stupid girl. Leave now and don't look back. Never again."

Without a blink or show of remorse, he looked her up and down only to solidify the disgust that he felt. He took a step back into the house and slammed the door shut.

His words were final and absolute.

A/N: I know this chapter is kind of short but I promise to make up for it! AND I hate asking (begging), but reviews/comments/criticism would be greatly appreciated :) Depending on your responses and interest, I hope to have the next chapter posted within a week. I still need to double check the grammar and spelling.. though I know I'm not perfect (beta? anyone?).