Chapter 11: Breathe in, Breathe out

Santana wakes up to the most gorgeous eyes she had ever seen.

"You do know you're being a creep, right?" She croaks her voice husky with sleep. Blue eyes sparkle with amusement and something else that makes everything perfect. Her heart pounds in her chest, more alive than it ever was in almost three years. Brittany blushes just as a smile stretches her face. It takes her off guard, with the light behind Brittany's face; it was sheer beauty in Santana's eyes.

"You're adorable when you sleep." She says, her voice coated with sincerity and adoration. Santana's cheeks flare so she buries her head against the blonde's neck, inhaling her comforting scent. Brittany giggles silently, unready to break the moment yet. "Good morning, stranger."

"'Morning." Santana kisses her neck and closes her eyes as she presses herself closer to Brittany's figure. Her bed had never felt fuller than it does right now. She feels Brittany's arms wrap around her and there's a feeling of safety she hasn't felt for a long time that overcomes her. She sighs, content, forgetting all the wrong in the world and lets herself be engulfed by the best thing that ever happened to her: Brittany.

Brittany threads her fingers through Santana's hair, soothing every worry, every fear, every wound. She's everything she could have ever wished for and she's certain that her heart had never felt more complete.

Santana looks at her, allowing the sun to light up her face. She hears Brittany suck in a breath and feels her heavy stare as the blonde tries to commit what she's seeing to memory. Everything of this morning feels like a cliché but at the same time the moment feels like it's theirs and only theirs. NO movie can ever portray how it feels like to have someone stare at you as if you're their entire world, their entire heart.

Santana takes her hand and slowly presses it to her lips, her eyes never dropping Brittany's.

"I love you." The declaration comes out of nowhere and everywhere that it makes Brittany's heart stop and stagger to keep up with the joy she's feeling. Santana watches her smile wider and she's so beautiful it makes her wonder what she ever did to deserve her.

"I know."

"Good." Brittany scoots closer so she can kiss Santana's forehead lovingly.

"I love you."

"I know."

"Good." Brittany says. The couple burst out laughing both feeling light. They were in their own world – a world where nothing could go wrong, a world where everything is just perfect. Santana feels relief because such a world exists. It's enough to pull her through another day, another challenge. It gives her hope that she can rely on this world to keep her standing and to keep her going.

Brittany stares into brown pools and she remembers the first time she'd ever laid eyes on them. They were broken then. It was pained, shining with unshed tears, and utterly lifeless. There was no sparkle even when she let a quiet chuckle escape. Then, even the chuckle sounded pained as if she feels like that she's forbidden to. There was a storm raging in those eyes that day. But now, it's a quiet ocean: serene and calm. There are waves that are too big for Brittany's liking but with a little more time, she will be able to soothe it. No matter what. There's a sparkle in her eyes and Brittany knows that she'd do anything to keep it there.

And when she laughs, the sound fills her entire world and everything looks brighter, happier.

"Come on, sleepyhead. It's the last working day of the week. Be productive." Brittany says softly afraid her voice would break the moment. She laughs when Santana groans.

"Don't want to. I'm good here." Santana buries her head back to Brittany's neck to prove her point. Brittany pulls away and Santana grasps her shirt. "Noooo."

"You big baby. I have to go to work, San. The kids will be waiting for me." She lets go of Santana, successfully freeing herself form her grasp. Santana buries her head to Brittany's pillow. It smells like her but she instantly misses the blonde's warmth. She scowls into the pillow as it fails to satisfy her. She hears Brittany giggle.

"Fine." Santana sighs. She drowsily rolls of the bed and reaches out for Brittany's hand. "Damn you for being responsible." Brittany laughs and squeezes Santana's hand, leading her out of the room.

"Aww. Cheer up, San. 'Sides, I smell crappy takeout pancakes like you called them." Santana shoots her an amused look at the memory.

They walk in the kitchen hand in hand. Their food is already waiting for them along with Quinn who's happily pigging out with her pancakes. She looks up and eyes their conjoined hands and soon Quinn had her 'aww' face on. It was comical the way her face changed from confusion to realization that Brittany let out a giggle.

"Good morning, lovebirds." Santana blushes and scowls sleepily at her but doesn't let go of Brittany's hand.

"'Morning, Q!" Brittany bounces to her seat, dragging Santana with her. Quinn finds it amusing how different the two were. Santana looks like she was still asleep whereas Brittany was this bouncing ball of energy. She knows she's watching perfection when Brittany lets go of Santana's hand, earning a grunt of disapproval from the brunette, to put syrup on Santana's pancakes, not too much, because she's not that much of a fan of sweets. Brittany stirs Santana's coffee, putting two spoons of cream the way Santana likes it. Quinn gushes over the couple when Brittany begins to poke Santana's cheek in an attempt to pull her back to the real world.

"Eat." Brittany says when Santana's eyes open. Brown eyes disappear for another couple of seconds and then they reopen as she sighs.

"Yes, Ma'am." Quinn giggles.

"Had a good night, San?" Santana smiles genuinely. Quinn could see her eyes shine and it feels so good that

"No nightmare." Quinn's eyes soften, relieved that her best friend is healing. But then she smirks and Santana raises an eyebrow at her.

"You guys were so quiet last night."

"We were sleeping." Santana deadpans.

"Oh? It's okay you know, I had a good night's rest too. I wasn't disturbed by uhm, inappropriate noises."

What the hell are you talking about?" Santana says. Quinn grins slyly at her.

"I think she thinks we had sex last night." Brittany whispers to Santana's ear. The girl's cheeks flare and she chokes on her pancake.

"Q! We didn't have sex last night!" Quinn laughs, a mock doubtful look on her face. Brittany laughs with her when Santana frantically grabs a glass of water. Soon, after Santana can finally breathe properly again, the trio laughs at it all.

Santana walks through the glass doors of the law firm, an air of confidence exuding from her. She had just come from dropping Brittany off at the studio and she finds herself missing the blonde as if they haven't seen each other in days.

"Did you murder anyone?" Puck greets her by the entrance. Santana smiles easily at him. "You look pretty fucking happy. Where'd you hide the body?" Santana jabs him in the ribs, smirking when Puck yelps.

"Ass."

"Bitch."

"I know." Puck punches her shoulder lightly as they make their way to the empty elevator.

"Tone down the smile, Lopez. You're risking your rep." He says as he eyes her with interest. The brunette seemed light, cheerful. The bags under her eyes aren't completely gone yet but it's easy to ignore it with the smile adoring her face. He can't help it, he matches her smile.

"Fuck them. I haven't smiled in a damn long time. I'll be all scary again tomorrow."

"Aww, babe. No need, this suits you better."

"I'm not a pig, Puck. There's no reason for you to call me 'babe'."

"Oh, I know you're not a pig, San. With that hot piece of ass, no way in hell are you a pig. It should be banned, your ass. It's too tempting, you'd make a married man cry in self-pity." Santana winks at him, riding the game.

"You're too sweet. But sorry, it doesn't work for me. This ass is owned by the most gorgeous woman in the entire universe." Puck's jaw drops comically.

"That has got to be the cheesiest comeback. Damn, Satan. You're whipped!" He receives a punch to his shoulder.

"You're just jealous."

"Damn right, I am." The elevator dings and they walk out.

"I'm happy for you." Puck says just before Santana enters her office. Santana smiles gracefully at him.

"Thank you." She says genuinely and Puck knows she means it.

Brittany wipes the sweat off her face. It's her 30-minute break time and she spends it by stretching her legs out to prevent muscle strains. The kids were extra nice today and they seemed to get what she was saying without much trouble compared to the previous days. It makes everything a lot more fun than stressful not that she ever got tired of her job. Suddenly, she feels her phone vibrate in her pocket. Her face lights up when the receiver displays her mom.

"Hey, Mom." She says brightly.

"Hi dear. Am I interrupting your classes?"

"Nope. I'm on my break time."

"How are you? Are you eating right?" Brittany chuckles.

"Yes, Mom. How are you guys? I miss you."

"We're okay. We miss you too. That why I called. Can you come home this weekend? Annie got her Saturday free which by the way is equal to her winning the lottery. You should have seen her when she announced to the entire neighborhood that her classes are cancelled because of a faculty meeting. She was all over the place."

"Yeah, I can imagine. I bet she jumped on her bed too." Brittany laughs at her mother's hum of approval, the image of her 19-year old sister in second year college being a child by jumping on her bed.

"So, what do you think?" Brittany thinks. She misses her family very much since being at home always felt nice and warm. But then, there's Santana. She's not so sure if she'd want to come with her. After all, the place seemed like hell to her right now.

"Uhm, I don't know." Brittany says, the uncertainty clear in her voice. Her mom gets her wavelength instantly.

"You can bring Santana too if you like. Or if she wants to come. I think it's time for me to meet this mystery person who got my baby to grow. I can get the guest room ready for her or do you guys sleep in the same bed now?" Brittany blushes.

"Mom!" Her mom chuckles.

"What?"

"I'll ask her, okay? But I'll be there tomorrow afternoon regardless." Brittany's hoping Santana would say yes though.

"Yay! Tell Santana if she decides to come that your cousins are going to be here too so it might get rowdy. And also, I'd really, really like to meet her. That should help your case, right?"

"I'm praying for it. Thanks, Mom." Brittany says, grateful.

"I love you. I'll see you tomorrow, then? Take care of yourself and Santana too."

"I love you too." The call ends and Brittan puts her cellphone back to her pocket, her heart hammering, her palms sweaty. Suddenly, she feels nervous about how Santana's going to react when she asks her but at the same time, she feels giddy and excited.

Her break time ends and her studio is filled with excited kids. As she watches them settle down, Brittany catches a glimpse of a brunette girl with big blue eyes saying goodbye to her mom. The mom smiles at her which she easily returns. The girl runs to the corner of the room to drop her bag there and then runs to her friends, a big smile plastered on her face. Brittany can't help but think that the girl looks a bit like her and Santana. She's struck by a sudden yearning. The feeling is foreign and in a way, it scares her. But then she imagines Santana dancing with the little girl and something makes her heart swell. The feeling overwhelms her and she gasps in some air. The hollow bit of her heart that seemed to vanish when Santana came into her life began to ache. It is only half-filled but the image in her head fills it a little more and Brittany is struck with the realization that it's her dream.

It's her dream to see Santana holding a child, staring at him or her like how her mother looks at them. It's her dream to be see her rock a baby back and forth and sing lullabies. It's her dream to see her tear up when the bundle of joy is handed to her by the nurse. But most of all, unknowingly so, it has become her dream to witness it all with Santana – to be part of the picture in her head, to start a family with her, and cry side by side with her when they grow old enough to go to school.

"Hey, guys. Let's start?" Brittany says and the class settles almost immediately, looking at her expectantly.

Behind the desk, Mike witnesses the change in Brittany. He had seen her look at the child with a look of yearning. He had seen her eyes tear just a bit and Mike gets the reason behind it. His bestfriend is completely and irrevocably in love with Santana. He watches her move in a way she'd never moved before. The dance seemed to make her body flow. The studio had turned to watch her as she performs for the kids. She is lighting up the whole studio. But more than that, Brittany glows with life and love.

The dance ends with a graceful leap and everybody in the studio claps. Brittany blushes as she catches her breath, shuffling her feet shyly. She timidly smiles at her audience.

"Beautiful." She whips around to be greeted by the sight of Santana clapping, pride shining in her eyes. Some of the parents agree with her. The children crowds around Brittany but both had eyes only for the other. Santana is giving her that look again: the look that makes her feel like she's on top of the world, the look that tells Brittany the love that takes more than words to express.

Soon, she finds herself pressed to Santana, tan arms wrapped around her waist.

"God, you're so damn beautiful." I love you. So much.

She hears some of the parents whisper curiously, the hug too intimate for normal friends. But Brittany could care less. She's where she wants and will always want to be.

Caleb signs the last of the papers on his desk, relieved to finish it before a new stack comes. He checks his watch and smiles when he hears the elevator ding. He raises his eyes to meet green ones. His face stretches to a grin matching the smile that Quinn is giving him.

"You better escape while you still can." She says. Caleb stands up from his chair, grabs his wallet and keys, and rushes to meet Quinn in the middle of the office.

"Hey." He says, scratching his unruly hair. He bends to kiss Quinn's cheek causing it to redden. He catches a glimpse of the promise ring around her neck and he feels something melt inside him. God, this woman owns him so much sometimes it scares him. But most of the time, the feeling gives him a sense of life. The feeling that he belongs to someone makes him forget that he was ever lonely.

"H-Hi." She stammers. She clears her throat. "You ready to go?" Caleb nods and lets Quinn take his hand. They walk hand in hand out of the office and even in the car, needing no words to communicate to each other how content they are in this moment. They arrive at their usual restaurant and both smiles knowingly at each other at the image of Brittany and Santana talking to each other; Brittany in an animated manner as if she wanted Santana to laugh as much as possible, Santana in a quiet manner as if everything she says is only meant for Brittany. The livelier of the two looks up from her conversation with her other half.

"Q, Caleb!" Brittany waves at them and the couple chuckles at how adorable she looked. Santana tears her gaze away from Brittany and offers them a genuine smile.

"Have you ordered?" Quinn says as soon as they get settled.

"No. We were waiting for you guys. What took you so long? Make out session in the car?" Santana says, smirk in place.

"I wish." Caleb says. Quinn looks at him, wide-eyed. "Jesus, Q. Try not to misplace your eyes, I love them where they are right now though I have to admit, I'll still love you without them."

"AWWWW." Brittany gushes over them as Quinn blushes.

"Whipped." Quinn glares at Santana.

"As if you're not."

"I am. Happily so, though if you ever tell that to anyone, I'll slice your perfect nose off."

"Aww, did you just compliment my nose, San?" Quinn mocks Santana.

"Shut up." The brunette says, a playful smile on her face.

"I'm jealous." Brittany says. Caleb nods his agreement. Santana turns to look at Brittany's smiling face. She touches her cheek.

"I love you!" Brittany beats her to the punch just before Santana says it. Quinn and Caleb laughs at Santana's face. "S, you look like a fish." Santana closes her mouth and settles on taking Brittany's hand in her own.

"Oh, B." She says softly and Brittany hears more than words. It's perfect.

"We've all turned into saps in love." Caleb declares. Nobody bothers to argue otherwise. They don't mind.

After lunch, Quinn and Caleb goes back to their own offices needing to finish the paperwork so that they can enjoy the weekend without having to worry about unfinished stuff. Brittany drops Santana off at Mercedes' office with a kiss before she returns to her studio. It takes Santana a while to step into the office remembering how much she hated being there during the first few sessions. But right now, she can't deny the fact that her session with Mercedes were and still are a big help.

"Come in, Santana." Mercedes says when Santana knocks on the door. She smiles up at her client and gestures to the couch. "How are you today?" She asks, noting the easy smile.

"Perfect." Santana says as she flops down on the couch.

"No nightmares last night?"

"None." Mercedes writes on her notepad.

"Well, Santana, I'm happy to say that you're healing."

"Believe me, I am goddamn happy to hear that." Mercedes grins at her. But then, her face turns serious and the change worries Santana a bit.

"However, you're not done yet. What do you feel right now?" Santana takes a deep breath. There's that question again. The hardest question to answer after "are you okay?". She tries to relax her muscles and concentrates on her.

"I feel incredibly light as if, half of the world was lifted from my shoulders. I feel so fucking well, I feel like Superman. " Mercedes raises her eyebrows. "Well, not really. But you get the point. Anyway, it's the best I've ever felt in a really long time and I'm not sure whether to be happy about it or not. But regardless, I feel great. Then again, you, Wheezy, are worrying me. What's the deal?" Mercedes sets down her notepad, glasses, and pen.

"It's time." Santana raises a perfect eyebrow.

"Explain." She says, her heart hammering in her chest.

"It's time to go back. I need you to hold on to what you're feeling right now, Santana. It's vital for the next step to happen."

"Which is what exactly?"

"What are the things that you fear?" Mercedes asks, temporarily ignoring Santana's question. The question takes Santana aback.

"Fire." She stutters out almost immediately. Stating it required no thought. Fear is equal to fire - to the sole reason why she doesn't have them right now. The word alone brings images of the orange and red waves that rise to devour everything. The word breaks her happy world and it shatters in a million pieces. She's brought back down to reality, the harsh, harsh reality that she can't seem to battle against.

"Remember." Mercedes' voice penetrates the painful images of flames, wood, bodies. Santana closes her eyes. For a moment, she could see only fire and tears. She could almost smell the scent of brunt flesh. She was almost sucked back to the memory when Brittany's face flashes. Santana immediately grasps that memory. She struggles. But when Brittany's laughter sounds inside her head, it becomes a little easier. Slowly, the flames vanish into a distant image. Santana breathes a little easier.

"Sorry." She whispers out softly, hoarsely. Mercedes watches her client in turmoil and smiles sadly at her.

"Take your time." Santana is still swimming between images. Damn it, she thinks, get a hold of yourself. She focuses on the memory she got earlier this morning, when Brittany was staring at her like she was the only person in her entire world. Fire flashes briefly but Santana holds it down. She thinks of calm blue pools, Brittany's soothing touches. Santana opens her eyes and Mercedes could see the inner battle dying to a weak clash.

"Go." Santana gives the signal to continue.

"How long have you been far from home? Did you go home since the incident?" Santana flinches.

"I haven't."

"So you haven't visited your family since they were buried?" Santana looks down to her hands, the words slapping her harshly.

"I wasn't there when they were buried. I couldn't be there. I could barely live my life, I was terrified I'd die when I see them being lowered to the ground."

"It's time to go back home don't you think?"

"I'm sorry, I know this is painful, but we need you to confirm that these were your family."

"We need you to sign these papers. It's for your family's funeral."

"I'm so sorry."

"Condolence. I'm sorry you lost them. Will you be at the burial?"

Santana had shaken her head when she was asked, saying she was in no condition to walk out of the room yet. On the day of the burial, Santana runs away from Ohio, away from pain.

"I can't." Santana says through gritted teeth.

"You have to." Santana glares at her but all Mercedes could see is fear.

"Fuck you. I don't."

"Santana, please. Calm down. You can't avoid home forever. You can't run away forever."

"Watch me." Santana hisses.

"You have to say goodbye."

Santana had been avoiding those words. But now, there is no escape. They hit her like a million bricks and this time it's hard to remember the glow of this morning, the happy memories. In the night, Santana would regret not going to say her final words. She remembers hating the way people looked at her with pity. After all, pity can't bring her family back. So she avoids it too. Part of her thinks that it's because she hasn't accepted it but still another part of her believes that it's because she doesn't want to let them go. Not yet. Her heart constricts for the all the wrong reasons and suddenly breathing becomes a hard task.

"I don't think I want to." She says, the struggle evident even in her hushed voice. She'd never admitted it out loud because she knows that doing so would make everything harder. And it does. Damn, it does.

"I know. But you have to. You have to tell them the things you didn't get to tell. You have to trust that they can hear you, that they understand."

"They're dead, goddamn it. They can't hear."

"They may be dead, Santana. But they're not gone. You're alive, aren't you? You're living your life for them. They live in you."

Santana walks through the busy streets, lost and lonely all over again. She doesn't understand how everything could shift in a few hours, how everything can go wrong in a short span of time. People bump against her, lost in their own inner turmoil, drowning in their own misery. They walk in a mask of indifference. Then again, there are those who cannot contain their feelings. Some walk with a huge smile, some in tears. It emphasizes the beauty of walking through busy streets: nobody gives a damn.

It makes her wonder if she walks like that. It makes her wonder if anyone in the crowd can see her losing to herself. She's back to playing hide and seek but this time it's to herself.

"Listen to me, mija. No matter what, daddy will always find you. There's no need to be afraid, okay?" Carlos is kneeling in front of a 6-year old Santana. The little girl was in tears having been in a dark place for the longest time because her friends couldn't find her in a game of hide and seek. They had long gone home and it was dusk when her dad found her with a worried look on his face.

"Papi. It was dark in there." Santana sniffed, her eyes big and teary. Carlos smiles at her and Santana feels a little bit safer.

"There are many dark places in the world, my love. But don't be afraid, I will find you, no matter what. You just have to trust me. Okay?" Santana wipes the remaining tears in her eyes with the sleeve of her dress.

"Si, Papi." Santana throws her little arms around her father's neck and feels the man chuckle.

"That's my girl." He carried her home that day, telling her all about how he too was once afraid of the dark, how he used to believe that there were monsters in the closet. Santana had listened attentively to him.

"…I was afraid then. But your Mami comes and finds me. She was scared too, you know."

"Mami?"

"Yes. And I didn't like it when she was afraid so I had to be brave. Since then, I was never afraid of the dark because I had your Mami beside me." Santana had clapped then, cheering for her dad.

She had stopped being afraid of the dark since that day. But then, she was 6-years old. She's not so sure now. Santana feels like she's walking in the shadows and trying so hard to catch up with the light. But it keeps on slipping from her grasp.

Santana comes to a stop to the bench in the park where she first let Brittany in. She gazes at the setting sun and the slow creeping darkness. Her mind drifts to home. Santana isn't so sure if she can handle seeing something that used to be her fort, burnt and gone. The image weakens her and she's reduced back to the child she once was. She pulls up her knees and places her head to her knees.

"Freaking coward." She hisses to herself. She knows, damn it. She knows that she needs to go back home. Laughter breaks her anguish and she turns her head bitterly to the sight of a family. The mom is holding a baby boy in her arms. The man beside her had his arm wrapped around her waist while the other hand held a little girl's hand.

The image tears her apart, the irony of it stabbing her through. But something was off with the image. The little girl is looking for someone, her childish face scrunched up as if she's about to cry. None of them seemed to notice though. And then the little girl's face changes. It splits to a ridiculously big grin as she spots something coming toward her. Santana follows the girl as she lets go of the man's hand and runs to meet another woman.

"Mommy!" She hears the girl say.

"Hey, baby." The woman replies. She picks up the little girl and moves toward the others with a content smile on her face. She kisses the baby's forehead first and Santana could hear his joyful giggles. She turns to look at the other woman, now a blushing mess.

"Hey there." The woman meets her gaze, a shy smile on her face. Santana is reminded of teenage relationships and first love. Suddenly, the woman leans forward, careful to avoid the baby, to kiss the other right on the lips. Santana gazes at them mostly in shock but also in envy. The picture looks perfect now as the little girl complains of cooties. Santana watches them as they continue their serene walk, the love in the both women's eyes striking Santana. The man must have been a brother for he trails behind them, a proud smile on his face.

The family had faded into small dots and it's already dark when Santana stands up from her seat. She walks first, contemplating, the image of her own family burned side by side with the woman's family.

"It's hard, I know, mija. But goodbye doesn't necessarily mean that you'll never see the person again. It just means see you later. Because when you love a person, they will always be a part of you. You can't erase that. Not even death can change that. So don't be afraid to say goodbye. Or better yet, don't say goodbye. Say 'see you later'."

Her mother's voice resounds in her head and her stomach tightens. Before she knows it, she's running. This time, she's not running to escape the shadows. Instead, she runs alongside them toward the light.

Brittany lounges on Quinn's couch, tired from a day of teaching. Quinn had given her a duplicate key the other day saying that if she can let herself in anytime she wants to. She had been grateful and honored to be part of Quinn's household and of their lives. She had hugged Quinn then and whispered a teary thank you.

She pulls up her feet and lets her mind drift. She's nervous. She's waiting for Santana to come home so that she could ask the brunette if she'd like to come with her back to Lima. She prepares a speech in her head, ready to explain the suddenness of the request. But Brittany knows that she doesn't have the heart to push her to do something she's not ready to do yet. She can't do that to Santana.

Brittany's eyes shoot open when the door suddenly bursts open. She stands up from her position on the couch, moving cautiously toward it. Santana appears into view and she breathes a sigh of relief.

"God, San, you scared me. You can't do that!" Brittany chuckles to herself and frowns when Santana doesn't join her. She notices that concentrated look on Santana's face and the way she's clenching and unclenching her fists the way she usually does when she's uncertain. "San? What's wrong?" Brittany moves toward her slowly, not wanting to startle her.

"B." She says when Brittany takes her hand gently and squeezing it. The action sends a burst of courage in her systems and uncertainty leaves Santana immediately. It's settled.

"Yes?" Brittany says softly.

"I need to say goodbye." Brittany's eyes widen and fear clouds her thinking. She lets go of Santana's hand and stumbles back. Santana looks at her worried.

"You want to… say goodbye… to me?" Brittany breaks a little bit as she says the words and she wonders how much it will hurt to actually hear Santana say the words. The worst possible scenarios parade in her mind. But then she stops panicking when Santana takes her suddenly in her arms.

"No! Why would I do that?" Santana says, incredulous. "I love you, B. I won't, can't, do that." Brittany exhales the breath she doesn't realize she's holding and grasps Santana too her.

"Oh." She says. "I'm sorry. I thought…" Santana chuckles against her, the sound vibrating to Brittany making her smile. Santana pulls back and there's that look again. Brittany waits for Santana meet her gaze or to say something.

"Listen. I have to say goodbye… to them." Brittany sports a look of confusion and Santana takes a deep breath as she grasps both of Brittany's hands. "I have to go back home to say goodbye to my parents." The words slice her through but at the same time, her shoulders begin to feel a little lighter. Brittany cups her face so that she meets her gaze.

"Are you sure?" Brittany says quietly. Santana gives her a sad smile.

"Yes. Will you come with me?" Brittany breaks into a huge grin and before she knows it, her lips are claiming Santana's. It lasts for a second but it's all Santana needs.

"Of course. You can stay at my house. My parents have been bugging me to bring you home so that they can meet you." Brittany takes Santana to into her arms and the brunette holds her, letting her ground her to this reality, to this moment.

"My parents would really like to meet you too." She whispers to Brittany's ear as she moves her lips to kiss it. Santana knows that in this moment, she's got all she needs to shine again.

A/N: Oh God, I am so sorry it took me so long to update. School has been hard the past month, I'm sorry. I will try my best not to let this happen again. I feel bad! :( Anyway, thank you for all the reviews last chapter. I'm so sorry to those without an account. I really wanted to reply to your reviews. Nevertheless, I hope you know that I am thankful. Immeasurably so. I'll be posting the next chapter soon so please, forgive me?

Tell me what you think?

(This chapter is for me and to those of you who needs to be reminded that running away doesn't solve anything. Sometimes, the best way to heal is to face what's wounding you. I sincerely hope I remember that. To all of you who need this reminder, I hope with you all that we may be strong enough to face what's been keeping us down.)

Brittana all the way,

theangel1710