SANTANA

"Dad?" I call out downstairs.

"Yes, mija?"

My dad sticks his head out from his downstairs office and smiles when he sees me.

"Quinn and I were going to start dinner, did you want anything specific?"

"I think Mom said she was going to make homemade pizza tonight, so there should be ingredients for that in the fridge," he spots Quinn round the stairs behind me and says, "Hiya Quinn!"

"Hi, Mr. L," she answers in a singsong voice before traipsing into the kitchen.

"Do you guys need help?" Dad offers.

"No, we've got this. Do you know when Mom will be home?"

"Probably pretty soon, she got caught at the office but didn't think it would be too late before she got back."

"Okay, I'll call for you when it's ready."

"Thanks sweetheart." He disappears back into his office.

I walk into the kitchen to find Quinn has already started taking out ingredients. She's wearing the sweatpants I gave her this morning, but took off the sweatshirt and pulled on a snug black tank top that she must've grabbed from my dresser. Her tiny baby pump actually looks cute in this outfit, and I want so badly to wrap her in my arms.

We settle in beside each other and start putting dinner together. We joke and tease each other over silly things, and I find myself laughing hysterically and Quinn's goofiness. She's a total dork, and she brings out my inner dork too.

When my mom comes walking into the kitchen, Quinn and I are engaged in a battle of Sean Connery impressions. We're laughing so hard at each other we're practically snorting, and my mom smiles at us affectionately.

"You're both goofballs," she says with a shake of her head. "How much longer until dinner is ready?"

"About 8 minutes," Quinn answers after a quick glance at the timer.

"Do you mind if I steal my daughter for a minute then?"

I look at my mom in surprise.

"Of course not! I'll start setting the table," Quinn says brightly, and for some reason I find this so endearing that I want to kiss her on the spot.

Instead, I follow my mom to my dad's office, and feel my stomach turn. I have no idea why my parents want to talk to me alone, especially with a guest over, but I can't imagine it's a good thing. I sit down on the arm of the small couch in the office and wait.

"We want to talk to you about Quinn," my mother starts.

My blood runs cold. No fucking way. Less than 24 hours. Fuckity Fuck Fuck. Motherfucker!

"Since you told your mother about Puck being the father of her baby, we've been really concerned. It's only a matter of time before this comes to light, and Quinn will not be able to stay with the Hudson's. Plus, it's really not fair to do this to Finn," my dad continues.

Oh thank you sweet baby Jesus, oh thank Christ. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

"I know, we've talked about this somewhat. She's going to tell Finn the truth this weekend; she just made a poor decision because she was scared." I don't know why I feel like I need to defend Quinn, my parents haven't been accusatory at all.

"Well, we're not all that concerned with that part of it. But, if she's going to tell Finn, where will she live?" My dad asks.

Both of their eyes are on me, as I realize I hadn't really considered that far in advance. God, how could I miss that? She can't live with Puck of all people. Ugh.

"I-I don't know. I don't think she does either." I tell them honestly.

My parents exchange a glance before my mother speaks up.

"I know you guys have just reconnected as friends, and this might seem like a lot, but we think Quinn should move in here with us. But we want to make sure you are comfortable with that before we offer our home up to her."

I feel my jaw drop. I want to cry and laugh at the same time. No way.

"I think that would be amazing. You guys are awesome," I choke out before I feel tears on my cheeks.

I stand up and walk to my parents, enveloping them both in a big hug.

"Great, we'll talk to her over dinner then."

I smile at them and wipe at my eyes.

"Perfect."

QUINN

I love eating dinner with the Lopez family. They talk and joke and tease each other throughout the meal, and I love seeing Santana get double the sass than she gives out. There is so much love here that it makes me feel lighter and happier just watching them.

Right when dinner is finishing up, Mrs. L clears her throat and I notice that all eyes are on me.

"Quinn, we'd like to talk to you about something important."

My heart clenches tightly and I feel nerves settle over me. I nod, and try to steal a glance at Santana. I'm surprised when she gives me a little reassuring smile and reaches out openly to grab my hand on top of the table.

"I don't know if Santana ever told you this, but I got pregnant with her at 17." I cast a quick look at Santana, who gives me a slight nod, and then turn my attention back to Mrs. Lopez. "My mother, thankfully, didn't throw me out despite her threats to do so. And I was also very lucky to have this wonderful guy by my side who stuck with me through it all." Mrs. L pats her husband's shoulder. "We obviously got married and have managed to make it work, but I was very lucky."

I nod, uncertain of what to say to this revelation. A look is passed between the three members of the Lopez clan, and I feel sure I'm missing something. Mr. Lopez speaks up next.

"Quinn, we want you to move in here with us for as long as you need. Forever, if that's what you'd like. It's entirely up to you, but we want you to know that we'd love to have you."

My heart stops in my chest for a second, and my mouth goes dry. I whip my head around to look at Santana, who is grinning through watery eyes and nodding at me. I know my mouth is hanging open, but I can't seem to find words. Finally I drop my head down and bury my face in my hands for a second. When I pick my head back up I'm grinning and nodding.

"I'd love to live with you guys. You are like the family I've never really had already."

"Oh, honey…" Mrs. L sounds heartbroken for a second. She comes around the table and wraps me in her arms tightly. "We're gonna take good care of you, sweetheart," she whispers in my ear before releasing me into a big bear hug from Mr. Lopez.

I spot Santana standing off to the side, waiting her turn, and I want to literally leap into her arms. When Mr. L lets me go I pretty much do just that, and we hold each other tightly for a long minute before we let go.

"I'll call Carole Hudson and see about you going to pick up your belongings. We think it's better if you move here before you tell Finn," Mrs. Lopez says.

I feel my face flush with embarrassment, and I look down at my feet.

"You know?" I ask ashamedly.

"Yes. But it's water under the bridge, Quinn. You did what you felt you had to do, but Tana tells us you plan on telling Finn the truth."

I peek at Santana and she looks at me encouragingly.

"I'm going to tell him this weekend, so we can deal with it in private."

"Okay then, I'll talk to Carole and see if we can get your things tonight or tomorrow."

I feel a flutter of nerves at the thought of seeing Finn again, or his mother. I've really screwed up, but I know telling them is for the best.

Santana reaches over and grabs my hand, giving it a little squeeze and smiling at me.

"It'll be okay, Q. I promise."

SANTANA

Quinn and I clear the table, and I can tell she's nervous about Carole and Finn being upset that she's moving out. She's moving slowly, silently, and I think she's straining to hear my mom's phone conversation. I can't take her discomfort anymore, so I grab her hand and pull her into the living room. I know we're alone, so I sneak a quick peck to her cheek and pick up the phone. I hope my mom won't hear the click when we join the line, but I don't think she'll be too upset if she catches us. I press the button and pull Quinn closer to me so we can both listen in. She looks a little horrified to be eavesdropping, but I know she'll cave because this shit is important to her. We're silent as we listen.

"Are you sure you don't mind taking her in, Maribel? I feel like it's my responsibility to take this on," we hear Carole first.

"We don't mind, and we've got the room to do it. Quinn and Santana are so close, now that they've patched things up I have a feeling we'd have Quinn here more often than not anyway."

"I'm a little concerned that Finn might be upset. He really wants to do right by her, but I think their relationship is struggling. He thinks she likes someone else, and I'm almost positive that he does."

My eyebrows are in my hairline and I look at Quinn, but she just gives me a shrug as if to say "don't know, don't care."

"Finn might be upset at first, but I'm sure Quinn will talk to him about everything when they're away from school and can have a minute. We just want to get her set up here as quickly as possible so that we can all get settled into a routine and disrupt the kids' lives as little as possible."

"Okay, well come over whenever you'd like. Quinn doesn't have that much stuff here. Her parents didn't give her much time to gather her things."

I glance carefully at Quinn at the mention of her parents, and I can see her expression is hard. I really fucking hate those people.

"Ugh, those people are such assholes of the highest order. Thanks Carole, I'll send Miguel over with the girls. Is Finn home right now?"

I stifle a snort at my mother's language, and I see Quinn grin as well.

"No he's out with one of the glee club girls, Rachel, I think."

Again I look at Quinn, but her face looks unaffected by this revelation.

"Ah, I see. I'll send everyone over now, they'll probably be there in about 15 minutes.

I turn the phone off and put it back on the charger. I grab Quinn's hand and hurry back to the kitchen and pretend to keep cleaning up.

"Santana Diabla Lopez," my mother says in her serious tone.

I decide to go with sweet and innocent, but I know I'm screwed if my mom asks Quinn, she'll totally cave.

"Yes, mami?" I ask, turning on the charm.

"Sé que estuviste en el teléfono, Santana."

"No sé lo que está hablando."

"Santana! Do not lie to me."

I jump when she yells my name, and I see Quinn do the same.

"Lo siento. Please don't be mad, Mom. Quinn estaba nervioso, por lo que escuchó. We weren't trying to be rude."

"We'll talk about this later, Santana. For now, go with your father to gather Quinn's belongings from the Hudson's." She turns to my mute friend standing next to me, "Quinn, do you think it will take long?"

"No, Mrs. L. I don't have much besides a suitcase and a couple of other things, and I've never bothered to unpack them."

My mom's face contorts very briefly in sympathy for Quinn and anger for her parents.

"Okay, sweetheart, well go grab it. We'll all go out for some girl time and go shopping for anything else you need later. Maybe we can go out on Black Friday or something." Mom gives her a big smile at that, and Quinn smiles back as we move towards the door.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lopez," Quinn says as she wraps my mother in a hug.

"I'll run upstairs and grab our shoes and stuff," I mumble, knowing I'm still in trouble.

Quinn reaches out as I pass by and grabs me, pulling me into the hug. It's a genius move, because my mom won't actually refuse to hug me, especially not when Quinn has involved me. I make a point to squeeze them both tight, then pull back and run up the stairs to grab Quinn a sweatshirt, find myself some sweatpants, and grab us both some sneakers to wear.

I'm back downstairs in a second, and we're dressed to go a minute later.

"Ready?" my father asks us.

I look at Quinn, and she gives me silent, nervous nod.

"Let's do it," I say with confidence, and link my elbow with Quinn's as I lead her to the car.