AN: Thanks for the reviews. There won't be flashbacks.


Santana felt like shit. Five more sessions to go, every three weeks and then surgery. She didn't quite understand why she needed to feel like shit to get better. The nausea the dizziness was killing her, the damn pills that they had given her to take for her nausea were not helping. Then there was the exhaustion, she just felt exhausted, but she'd be damned if she was just going to keel over and just take the big 'fuck you' that life was giving her. If anyone was going to beat this damn thing it was her. She had a daughter to take care of, a business to run and she liked being alive. As it stood, she wasn't exactly thrilled that she was going to need to invest in a wig, but she was just a bit vain and she didn't want to appear weak. Brittany was going to go with her tomorrow to begin the process. Brittany had even offered to shave her head with her.

A smile tugged on her lips, she wasn't quite sure if she could do this without Brittany's support. Santana sighed as she finally made it to Quinn and Rachel's apartment and placed her hand on the wall to steady herself. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath which only made the nausea worse, Santana straightened herself up and adjusted her jacket, Bela would worry if she didn't pull it together. She was the mother in this relationship and she didn't want Bela panicking or crying and worrying that she was going to die. She was ten, if nothing worked and she only had a few months to live then she'd tell her. Until then she was going to keep her daughter in the dark. Santana moved to the door and knocked on the door just as firmly as she had when she had dropped Bela off. Rachel opened the door a few moments later. "I'm here to pick her up—she behaved herself didn't she?"

Rachel winced, she didn't think Santana was going to be impressed with all of the things that Charlie had bought for Isabela. "Well, there wasn't any real trouble but—"

"Mom! Mom! I got a new iPhone! Look at all the stuff Charlie bought me for my birthday," Bela said holding out her new phone. Beth had set it up for her. "Can I put Charlie's number in it? I also got a new skateboard! And a PlayStation 4!"

Santana stared at her daughter and then turned to Rachel. She was torn between feeling betrayed and enraged. They had promised that Charlie wouldn't be in the picture and yet Charlie was trying to muscle in on her daughter, trying to buy her affection, just like most of the damn Fabray's. Santana takes a shaky breath and turns to Bela, "It is nowhere near your birthday."

Bela suddenly realized that she might be in trouble and quickly gets defensive crossing her arms over her chest. "She missed ten of them! This is fine, mom. She said she could afford it, and she gave me all these presents. You said it's not polite to give gifts back. So did abuela!"

"She wants to give you a gift card, that's fine but all this? This, is why I didn't want you getting to know these people." Charlie's drug addiction hadn't happened in some vacuum, and this kind of materialistic behavior, buying affection with gifts, using money to skirt consequences was not what she wanted to impart on her daughter. "Four hours with them and you're already acting like a spoiled brat. This is just stuff—"

"You didn't care that Dani bought me presents like all the time!" Bela challenges immediately.

"Yes, candy bars and like books and—and stuff. Like teddy bears and dolls, not a damn PlayStation!" Santana snaps back, she was way to fucking tired to deal with this.

"I hated playing with dolls and Aunt Brittany gives the best stuffed animals—she was giving it to me so she could do adult things with you," Bela says accusingly.

Santana frowned at this it was the first time she was hearing about it and she glanced at Rachel who looked like she was going to speak up. "And you think Charlie isn't doing the same thing?" Santana snapped back.

"Beth and I asked her for this, it's not the same thing." Bela responds not understanding why her mom was so angry. She liked Charlie, she was fun and she didn't treat her like some kid, well she did but only because she had no idea what she was doing.

"I knew it!" Rachel says immediately, Beth was grounded. She was going to be grounded for a long time. "Santana I assure you I had no idea that they planned to manipulate Charlie's guilt into buying them presents, I feel that this is my fault I have told Beth over and over again that it's not a nice thing to do especially since Charlie can't afford it."

"She told me she could afford it," Bela throws in furrowing her brow, that guilt coming back. If she had known that Charlie couldn't afford it then she wouldn't have asked for all of the stuff that she had gotten.

Santana eyed Rachel, "What do you mean she can't afford it? Charlie has money. Her trust—"

Rachel hesitates for a moment, "You were the one protecting her more than anyone else, and once you left she spiraled. Russell found out. The terms of the trust meant that Charlie became ineligible to be a beneficiary. And she refuses to comply with the terms to get herself reinstated. All the money she earns comes from her home renovation business."

Santana blinked, she hadn't actually thought Charlie was serious about being a contractor. It was so different than the twenty-five year old stockbroker that she had left when she found out that she was pregnant. "We're taking it back, what you did was manipulative and I'm not standing for it. You're going to apologize to her, for what you did. Because what you're doing is telling her that she has to buy your affection with material items and I did not raise you like that. So grab all this shit, we're taking it to Charlie."

Rachel watched Santana handling her daughter effectively, ignoring the pout and the dramatics and cutting to the issue. Even though Bela didn't look thrilled by it, she was respecting her mother's wishes. Something that she hadn't been able to do with Beth, maybe they could extend parenting tips. Her fathers had spoiled her giving her everything she needed to become the star that she was today and yes she had her moments but she honestly didn't believe that she was this bad. "Let me at least drop you off, I don't know how you're going to get the television to Charlie but it's cheaper than a taxi."

"Wait—you asked her for a television? What else did you ask her for? Food to eat—we have a television at home!" Santana said shaking her head. She's hit with a fresh wave of dizziness and casually leans against the door frame to settle herself. She swallows and flicks her eyes to Rachel, "You know what a ride would be—amazing thanks."

Rachel nods, she was an actress she noticed the little things and she had noticed Santana lean against the door for support. She leans over and grabs the television surprised by how light it is. "Of course Santana right away. Beth, come on we're going to take this stuff to your Aunt Charlie's."

-0-

Charlie sighed as she tugged on some pants, she was going to be late for another meeting. They were used to it by now, her schedule was all over the place and the guys at her meetings didn't mind. She just didn't like interrupting people. Their recovery was just as important. She glanced around for her keys when she couldn't find them on the island where she normally tossed them. She frowned and walked around the island spotting them on the ground. She quickly bends down to pick them up, only to jerk up when there is a sharp knock on her door causing her to bang her head against the island. She grimaces and touches her head hoping that she's not bleeding and glances at the door. She sighs, hoping it's not Quinn to smack her again. She didn't get many visitors. Two people in as many months was a new record. She moved to the door and opened it without checking who it was as she rubbed her head. She paused for a second, as she took in the bags of stuff and a petulant looking Isabela. Charlie winced when she looked at Santana and immediately stumbled back, "Santana."

Santana raised an eyebrow and looked around the apartment, she expected it to be in shambles but, it looked empty, sterile even. The only thing that seemed to be out of place was the jacket on one of the bar stools, and a single dish spoon and glass in the sink. Truthfully the place seemed a bit depressing, and she flicks her eyes to Charlie whose hands are up like she's ready to protect her face. She can't help but roll her eyes, she had no intention of hitting Charlie. "Bela has something she would like to say to you," Santana said looking at her daughter. Bela looked like she wanted the world to swallow her whole when Charlie turned to glance at her again.

"I'm sorry I manipulate you into buying me birthday presents. I didn't know you couldn't afford them—" Santana clears her throat and Bela's nose crinkles. "Even if you could, I shouldn't have done it, and I hope you can forgive me."

Charlie blinks and rubs her arms not quite knowing what to say. She glances at Santana who is watching her like a hawk and she bites her lip. "Uh—it's fine. Beth was right—I did miss ten of your birthdays."

"Regardless, we're here to give them back so you can return it. Her birthday was months ago and you don't need to give her belated birthday presents." Santana said glancing at Bela.

Bela shrunk back a bit, "Yeah," she mumbled looking away. "Sorry."

Charlie studied Bela for a moment and looked at Santana. "I'm sorry I didn't ask you first—but she's my daughter. I just—I wanted to do something nice for her."

Santana paused, it was the first time that Charlie had openly claimed Bela as her own, and she found the whole thing irritating Charlie couldn't just decide when Bela was her daughter. Bela needed stability, someone who knew structure. She couldn't have Charlie flaking on her daughter. She opens her mouth to say something when she turns positively green. "Where's your bathroom?" she manages to get out.

Charlie blinks and tilts her head. "Um, first door on the left," Charlie said pointing to the hall. She was nearly bowled over by Santana and crinkled her nose as she watched her ex-girlfriend run to the bathroom and close the door. She heard the click of the door locking and turned to Bela who was still looking at the ground. Charlie rubbed the back of her neck and looked around hoping for a buffer, Bela seemed too old to find keys fascinating. "Um—hi?"

Bela made a small face and turned to Charlie, "Are you mad at me?" she asks. She had forgotten all about her plan to get Charlie to be the savior, because of some fancy things. "Cause I am really sorry—"

Charlie shifted a bit, not quite sure what to do. Bela looked absolutely distraught and she didn't quite like it. "Bela, this is mostly my fault—and Puck's. I should have said no, or asked your mom if it was okay."

"You're the savior, I'm not supposed to make you feel guilty." Bela explains. "I'm supposed to be your side kick and help my mom find her happy ending and you're supposed to help."

Charlie stared at Bela suddenly feeling guilty, "Look, Bela—I'm not a savior. And your mom certainly doesn't need my help finding a happy ending. She's beautiful, and smart and perfect all on her own. She'll find her own happy ending, and you need to let your mom be happy. She deserves that, so you have to give them a chance."

Bela crinkled her nose at this. "Do you mean Dani? Ew. No. I don't like Dani and she doesn't like me. Mom needs to pick someone else."

Charlie sighed, she really wasn't good at this parenting thing.


Santana closed her eyes and splashed her face a few times. She exhaled shakily and looked at the toilet and quickly flushed it a second time, like she was supposed to. Even emptying the contents of her stomach didn't seem to do anything for her, the nausea was still around with a vengeance. She wasn't even quite sure how she was going to make it back to a taxi. She exhales again, she just needs to keep her mind busy to get her stomach to settle down and she looks around. The bathroom is just as sterile. Santana quickly takes in her surroundings. A sponge, a towel that's still a bit damp from a recent shower. A toothbrush and some toothpaste. A bottle of Listerine. A little shower caddy that was attached to the shower wall, where there was some shampoo and a body wash, and conditioner, all of it was relatively cheap. Honestly the whole thing was rather—normal. Too normal and Santana eyed the toilet tank. It had been where Charlie had hid all of her drugs before. She exhales and moves toward it and pulls off the top. But it's empty. Quietly placing the porcelain top down. It had been ten years, maybe she had gotten better at hiding it. She frowns slightly, when there's a knock on the door. "Yeah?"

"When you're done going through my things, we'll be in the living room," Charlie calls through the door before heading to the living room where Bela is sitting.

Santana blinks at this and crosses her arms. She should be embarrassed by this, but Charlie still knew her. It was a habit she couldn't help. "Didn't need your permission," Santana says with a wave of her hands as she leaves the bathroom and walks across the hall to the bedroom. But it's just as boring as the bathroom is and everything is out in the open. Even her hamper has her clothes neatly folded in them. When had Charlie become so anal? There's nothing to see here, and she shakes her head and walks out. "Come on Bela, we're going to call a cab."

Charlie looked at Santana and then all the stuff that she had bought for Bela, "Santana—can she keep the stuff? I should have talked to you before I did this—but what's done is done and I don't—really want to take it back."

Santana studies Charlie for a moment and then looks at Bela and sighs, she's too tired for this argument, and she just wants to go home and crawl into bed. She can be sick for the rest of the weekend, but right now they have to catch a cab and then the Amtrak. "Look—it's going to be a pain to drag all this stuff back to Philadelphia and we've got to put it in a cab, then take it from the cab and load it onto an Amtrak—"

Charlie frowned a bit, "I can take you home."

Bela grins at this, "If Charlie is taking us home can we stop for food! Can we get something with bacon in it?"

Santana groaned, damn those Fabray genes. She didn't even like bacon all that much. "Bela." Santana says firmly and turns to Charlie. "Look thanks—but I can take it from here. I'm sure you're quite busy—doing whatever it is you do for fun."

Charlie reached for her keys and picked up her keys. "I don't have anything really important tonight," Charlie admits. "So I can take you home, it's cheaper."

Santana scowled at this, "You don't just get to walk in here and decide these things," Santana snaps at Charlie who shuffles and grabs the television box. "God damn Fabrays this is why I didn't want you anywhere near them," Santana grumbles to Bela who simply smiles and holds her hand.

"Are you upset because you can't think of a reason to say no?" Charlie asks and looks at Bela. "Not today Bela, maybe another time?"

A smile tugged on Santana's lips for a split second; that was the Charlie that she remembered. "I can think of plenty of reasons to say no," She snaps back and looks at Bela who is pouting. "We're not taking that clunker you call a car right? What happened to your car?"

Charlie shrugged her shoulders, "I needed some money to start my business and I didn't want to go to the bank for a loan. It was still worth something, so I sold it and I basically sunk all the money I still had into courses to make me a better at my job, and I took a business course just to make sure I was doing right." Charlie answered truthfully. Her job had paid her well, but rehab had been expensive, especially after she had been cut off like she had been. She had blown through most of her savings, which was a good thing. Even now that her business was successful, she didn't like having access to too much cash. She didn't trust herself and buying up assets was the best way to keep her personal budget tight make sure she didn't have too much cash that she could get into trouble.

Santana raised a brow, the first time the two of them had sex was on the hood of that car, and she studies Charlie for a moment, the contractor not bothering to look at her. "I never liked that car anyway."

Charlie stops for a moment and turns to look at her, meeting Santana's defiant eyes, daring her to say something. Charlie glances at Bela for a moment, she didn't want to call her a mother a liar in front of her. "Probably for the best I got rid of it then," she mumbles. She's about to say something else when her phone buzzes from where it's hooked to her belt. Charlie immediately pulls it off, answering it without looking at the name. "Hello?"

'Charlie I wanted to make sure that you're okay. You're never this late for our meetings. I know you've been busy at work lately, which is good. But I was thinking of taking you out to dinner, so we can talk. You know about the family situation, what your options are. I mean a daughter? That's like earth shattering news, and I know that you like to be in control.'

"I'm fine Mike, I'm not coming. I'm taking my daughter home."

'Again?'

"If you have somewhere to be—" Santana begins, studying Charlie carefully.

"I'm taking you home Santana, stop looking for an excuse." Charlie said with a sigh.

'Santanayour ex. Oh. Look I get it and if you need to talk when you get back to the city or need a place to get your head on straight. You know my door is always open.' Mike said.

"Thanks Mike, I'll talk to you later," Charlie said ending the call. She definitely would be taking him up on that, but now she had t get Santana and Bela home.


AN: Please review.