I would like to begin my 3 part apology by first saying that I'm SO sorry for the wait everyone…second of all, you are all so amazing if you stuck with me…and third, I've been overwhelmed with the end of my senior year on fast approach, so, it's been really hard to find time to update and for that I apologize! I'll try to make this update good (I can't promise much though!). I hope you can forgive me!

…

"Mom! Look! Look at my trophy!" Brittany ran up the driveway weilding the large trophy with both hands as Susan and Braden greeted the trio who had just arrived home that Sunday evening.

"Oh honey," Susan embraced her daughter, "That's wonderful! We're so proud of you! We wish we could have seen you win!"

"She was really amazing!" Santana nodded.

"Well, it was a team win, San! Don't be so modest," Brittany gave her an affectionate look.

"Santana did quite the job keeping our bike in tip top shape…we couldn't have done it without you," James smiled as he joined them.

"Hey Britt, I heard you destroyed those guys from Larsen!" Braden gave that same toothy grin that Brittany always bore.

Brittany shrugged and nodded, "I had to show them not to underestimate me."

"And you did," Santana said proudly. "It was so much fun to be in that atmosphere…it was exciting!"

"You fit right in," James assured her. "I'm glad we hired you."

"And," Susan gave Brittany a nudge, "I heard the trophy wasn't the only thing you won this weekend…" The older blonde woman eyed the two girls playfully and they blushed.

"Mom!" Brittany hissed, embarrassed at her mother's teasing.

"Oh, hush honey! I think it's very sweet. But we will have to be laying down some ground rules now that you two are dating!" Susan asserted herself with a smile, causing Braden to snort.

"Shut up, toothpick!" Brittany shoved his shoulder. He just continued to laugh.

"Why don't we go inside for now and talk about that over dinner, hm?" James suggested. "It's been a long day."

Everyone nodded in agreement and went inside. Brittany and Santana took their bags up to their rooms and started to unpack all the dirty clothes and toiletries. As Santana went about the guest room…her room, there was a knock on the doorway and she turned to see Brittany leaning in the door frame, a tired smile on her face.

"Hey," she offered.

Santana put the shirt that was in her hands on the bed and walked over to the taller girl, "Hey." She pecked her lips and stood back to look at her, "Done unpacking already?"

"I'll do it later…I wanted to ask you about tomorrow…about going to see your mom. We should let my parents know at dinner," Brittany said, lacing her fingers with Santana's.

Santana's expression faltered into a frown for a moment before she nodded, "Yeah…okay. Are you sure they'll let you come with me."

"They'll understand," Brittany nodded, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair from Santana's face. "They'll know that I just want to support you. How many nights should I pack for?"

Santana thought on this, "Just two, I think."

"Okay," Brittany smiled softly and leaned back down to kiss Santana tenderly. "I'm gonna shower. I'll see you at dinner."

…

"So, girls, ready to get back at it tomorrow?" James asked merrily as he passed the potatoes around the table.

Brittany bit her lip, "Actually, dad, mom, there's something that I— we need to talk to you about…"

"What is it?" Susan's face was etched with concern. Santana made a motion to speak, but found it hard to muster up the words.

"Actually…I should tell them, Britt," Santana finally interjected. Brittany gave her a look as if to say, Are you sure? Santana held her hand under the table and continued. "Yesterday I got a phone call from my brother. I haven't spoken to my family in three years and well…he told me that my mother has breast cancer and that she probably won't last much longer. I need to go see her as soon as possible, and I was going to go tomorrow. Just for a couple nights," Santana explained hoarsely.

"Oh, darling, I'm so sorry to hear that," Susan put a hand on her chest and frowned.

"Just hang in there," James tried, not knowing what else to say. "Britt, looks like it's just us for a couple days then…"

"Actually, daddy…that's the thing…I want to go with Santana." She looked at the brunette next to her. "I want to support her."

"Brittany…I don't know…" James began unsurely.

"Dad, please…She needs me there. She hasn't seen them for three years…if it goes bad I want to be there!" Brittany pleaded.

"Susan, honey…tell your daughter that this isn't a good idea," James looked to his wife for help. Susan looked torn.

"I don't know, James…Don't you think it would be okay for her to go? It's just a couple nights and then she'll be back. I would personally feel better with the both of them going to take care of eachother," Susan reasoned. Brittany was thankful for her mom's giving nature.

James sighed in defeat, obviously not too happy with the decision, but understanding regardless, "Fine. But I'll need the information of where you'll staying, the route you're taking to get there, the name of the hospital…the whole nine yards. Is that understood?"

"Yes daddy, I understand. Thank you," Brittany gave him a small, appreciative smile and continued eating her dinner, Santana's hand still locked with her own.

…

"Okay, so, you'll call, right?" Susan asked with a semi-nervous tone as Brittany placed her duffle bag in Santana's trunk.

"Yes, mom, I promise!" Brittany nodded, adjusting her sunglasses on her face.

"And I left a copy of all of the information you asked for on the counter, James," Santana added as she slammed the trunk closed.

"Thanks. Just, drive safe and tell your mother that we wish her well," James nodded.

Santana frowned, "Yeah, thanks…" Brittany rubbed her back for a moment before hugging her mom and dad.

"Well, we better head out. We want to get there by lunch to meet up with her brother," Brittany explained.

"Right, right…well, see you on Wednesday then," James nodded. "I love you sweetie. And Santana, you look out for her, okay?" He asked, half-joking.

"You can count on me," the Latina smiled and opened her door as Brittany bounded around to the passenger side.

"Bye!" Susan waved. Two girls waved as Santana started the powerful engine of her mustang and pulled out of the driveway.

…

Santana had been quiet for most of the car ride, and Brittany knew it was because she was nervous. She let Santana have her quiet and settled for just holding her hand for most of the ride. Sometimes she would bring her hand up and kiss her knuckles, but for the most part, Brittany was just there for her.

"Hey Britt?" Santana asked as they drove along.

"Yeah?"

"Listen…my family isn't…exactly used to me being gay…that's why they kicked me out in the first place…so if you don't want to come to the hospital or whatever, then I get it. I mean, my brother is okay with it, so don't worry about him, it's just I want you to feel—," she was cut off by Brittany, who had scooted up close to her.

"San! It's fine! I'll be okay. I just want to be there for you. I don't care what anyone thinks or says. I'm in this with you. We're in this," the blonde said softly, leaning over and pressing a sweet kiss to Santana's cheek. Santana turned her head slightly and diverted her eyes for a moment to peck her on the lips.

"Thank you B...for everything."

They got off the highway and Santana drove to the address her brother had given her. They pulled up to the apartment complex and found their way to his door, bags in hand. Santana was still holding Brittany's hand tightly as they knocked. After a moment, the door swung open and they were greeted.

"Santana…you're here! It's been way too long, sis."

…

Okay, so I hate short updates, but I'm in a bit of a hurry! I'm sorry! I'll try to have an update again by the end of this week. Again, I'm SO, so sorry!