Heaven Sent
Chapter 3
*0*0*
I finished up some paper work on a case I needed done before the week comes to an end. Luckily I didn't have to be in court anytime today so I was free to get that done. I guess it comes with the territory. I'm basically my own boss, while in law school on of my professors loved my dedication and took me under his wing. Now here I am working for his private firm and I really only have to take orders from him. He trusts and knows I can handle myself, he did teach me the ropes, so I get to call my shots. It's a dream job for me, with Beth and all. I can have a somewhat flexible job with great pay for us. I am finally dwindling down the pile of papers and getting a chance to take a breather I feel nervous, no, excitement. I can only think of one reason and her name is Santana Lopez. I told mom and Beth that we would be going today after I got out of work. Beth was overjoyed with the news. She went and told Mike while she was in dance class. Of course he told Brit. Brit went and called Sam who happened to be out with Mercedes. So that leads up now, seven of us own our way to see Santana. I don't think they'll let us all in at the same time. If it comes down to it I guess we can take turns.
Walking up to her room first is Beth, mom and I. The others were going to come right after so it wouldn't be too noticeable that a mob of people went into a room. Screw two at a time or whatever it was. We were all going to sneak in. Knocking forcefully yet quietly we waited until we heard the "come in" and we did. Once again Blaine was there but this time he was wearing regular clothes. He was dressed in khaki pants with a checkered red shirt and bowtie. Well that explains the bowtie comment she made last time. Luckily the bed next to her is empty so she has no roommate and we all will be able to fit. I take it look at her on the bed and I can't help but wonder how she can be so beautiful even in a hospital gown?
"Hi Blaine, hi Santana I hope we aren't interrupting anything, we wanted to stop by and these two," I motioned to Beth and my mom, "wanted to give you a proper thanks. Actually so did they."
Brit comes in with Mike, Sam and Mercedes. My mother cuts in before I can say anything else and engulfs Santana in a bone crushing hug that I'm sure is causing more harm than good.
"Thank you, Thank you!" She squeezes tighter. I can see she's in pain from it and as I open my mouth to tell her to let go she just looks at me and waves it off, that it's ok my mom is squeezing her to death. She finally lets go of her body to only grab her face and look in her in the eyes with a gleam of joy in them covered by unshed tears. "You, my darling" kiss on the cheek "are heaven sent." Kiss on the other cheek. "Thank you so much for saving my grand baby" she finishes it off with one last kiss to her forehead. "Thank you! If there is anything I can do for you, you just let me know. I'm Judy Fabray by the way. Oh and I made you this pie. I hope you like it."
"Thank you. I would love something other than this crap here. And it was no problem." She says sincerely and I can't help but sense a hint of something else in her eyes.
I shake it off and introduce Brittany and Mike to them both. They too give her their thanks, along with balloons Brit couldn't resist to buy her. Sam and Mercedes also say their thanks, though Mercedes is more there for support to Sam since she hasn't really met Beth just heard of her. I appreciate her doing that for Sam, for Beth and me. Beth finally goes up to her and I follow close behind. She tries to get up closer but can't so I rest her softly on the bed next to Santana.
"Did you like Mr. Sunshine?" she asks her while playing with her hands. "I tried to give him extra special long hugs so when you hugged him you could feel better."
"You mean," Santana smiles and reaches under the blanket and pulls out the teddy bear, "this Mr. Sunshine? The one who has been keeping me company and giving me hugs anytime I want? Every time I hug him I feel so much better, thank you."
"Really?" Beth asks with a huge smile on her face.
"Yup," Santana nods. She leans in closer and whispers to Beth. "I think your hugs worked because I can feel all the love you put in him when I hold him."
Beth squeals with joy and leaps up and onto her lap to hug her neck. Santana is a bit surprised but hugs her back whole heartedly. Then I see it, tears are rolling down her cheeks. She wipes them away quickly before anyone can see and at this moment a doctor walks in looking down at a folder.
"Well Ms. Lopez it looks like you'll.." he finally looks up and reacts. "Oh I see you have company."
Everyone quickly says goodbye but I tell her I'll be waiting outside. Once out, Brit and Mike say they have to go they have routines they need to work on. Sam and Mercedes have plans to go out and I tell my mom to go as well. I want to stay and talk to Santana a little longer. I don't know what's making me stay, there are no words or anything I could do that would ever express or repay Santana for what she did for me and Beth. Hell I might be more of a nuisance then anything but I can't go. I just feel like talking to her, heck just looking at her would suffice but why? She's beautiful and obviously self-sacrificing. She must be an amazing person and I want to find out just how much.
When the doctor leaves Beth and I walk in again slowly.
"Hi, is everything ok?" I ask Blaine who is packing up things into a bag.
"Yes, their letting her go home, she's changing now."
"Shouldn't you be helping her?"
"Probably, but she's a stubborn one. She doesn't want my help."
He's her boyfriend he should be helping her even if she doesn't want it, she's hurt.
"You have a wonderful catch there, but I'm sure you know that."
He scrunches his eyebrows at me so I continue.
"Santana. She's your girlfriend right? I mean you're always here and you were together at the park" I trail off.
His face turns to that of realization and it looks as though if he doesn't know whether to laugh or be appalled.
"What?! You thought San and I were? No..n-No!" He shakes his head. "We're close but not that kind of close and I'm gay anyways but Either way just no." He finally laughs.
"Oh sorry I just thought, wow that was a really bad assumption."
"It's ok don't worry." He chuckles, "I'm here now because I got off of work and came to check on her. Our other friend Sugar was here earlier watching her but she had to go."
Santana finally comes out of the restroom. She is wearing a simple v-neck shirt with skinny jeans and converse. She had on a sling and some cuts and bruises were still evident on her face.
"Is she going to be ok mommy?"
"Yeah the doctor said she can go home but I'm sure she still needs to rest sweetie."
"Make sure you don't forget Mr. Sunshine. He can help you."
Once we have Santana seated in the wheelchair they provided she smiled wide and tells her, "How could I forget him? He's so cuddly, I'm sure he would go great when I get home and get to eat some real food and have some hot chocolate."
Beth's eyes immediately shine bright at her words. "Mommy can we get some hot chocolate too? Please?" she asks with pleading eyes.
"Yeah baby when can get some on our way home."
"Or you can get some at my house Beth?" She looks up at me, "If that's ok with you that is. Would you two like to come over for dinner and hot chocolate?"
She has a smile on her face and by god of course I want to go over. She's so alluring and I don't even think she's trying to be.
"If it's not too much trouble, I wouldn't want to impose or anything." I can't help the burning in my cheeks. She makes feel so shy and confident all at once I don't know how she makes me feel that way.
"Follow us then. Blaine you brought my car over right?"
"Yeah I'll wait for you out front." With that he left and we waited for Santana to sign the last of the discharge papers.
"Hey Beth, do you wanna hop on for a ride?"
She looks up me waiting for me to say something so I just nod at her that it's ok. She eagerly nods to her so Santana picks her up and places her on her lap.
"I'm not hurting you am I Ms. Lopez?"
"No sweetie you're super light don't worry. And you can call me Santana."
She ducks her head down and whispers, "I can't say your name, it comes out funny."
Santana lets out a soft laugh. "It's ok a lot of people say it funny the first time they see it. You can call me San or Tana for short."
"Can I come up with one of my own?"
"Sure you can."
"Ok, let me think about it and then I'll tell you. It'll be a surprise."
*0*0*
At her apartment, which was really nice, Blaine helped Santana get up and was going to join her up to her floor but she shooed him away saying she was fine and to have fun on his date. There was the smell of food already cooking when we walked in and it smelled good.
"San hon is that you?"
"Yeah, we have some guests too that I want you to meet."
Out came a woman shorter than Santana. She was dressed in nice clothes with a pair of slippers I'm sure she didn't wear during the day.
"Hey sit down, relax. You should be resting. I got everything going it'll be ready in a few minutes."
"Sugar, I want you to meet Quin and her daughter Beth. Quin and Beth this is Sugar my neighbor and close friend."
"Mommy does that mean she's really sweet since she's sugar?"
"No she's not sweet," Santana bursts into a hearty laugh. "Oh ouch, ow don't make me laugh so hard Beth."
"Serves you right," Sugar states. "Oh you are the cutest little girl, No I'm not made of sugar but yes I am sweet, don't listen to her. Hi," she went and hugged Beth then shook my hand. "It's nice to meet you. San she is gorgeous." She tried to whisper the last part but failed miserably. Santana swatted at her and it made my cheeks go red.
"Quin can you help her to the table while I get everything set up please?"
"Oh yea, of course."
"This tastes really good thank you Sugar."
"Well technically you should thank Santana, she's actually the one who taught me this dish."
Beth did a lot of the talking, which surprised me. She was happy to talk to Sugar and even more to Santana. Both were willing to entertain her and Sugar was fun and energetic for Beth. She almost reminded me Brit at times. Once dinner was over Santana made hot chocolate as promised even though we all told her to sit down she refused. She said Sugar couldn't make it the way she did and also wouldn't be as special for Beth to drink if she didn't make it. Santana said it was worth the bit of pain because Beth told her it was her new favorite hot chocolate. When we had our fair share of hot chocolate with sweet bread Santana had bought, I could see Beth was starting to get sleepy.
"We should get going, it's late and I'm sure you'd like to get your rest as well." I started to pick up Beth but she groggily got up herself and walked towards Santana on the sofa.
"Thank you for the hot chocolate it was," she broke off with a yawn, "delicious." She gave Santana one more hug and turned to me to pick her up in my arms.
"No problem Beth, you can come by anytime and I'll make you some."
The only indication I got that made me know she heard her was the smile and nod she gave on my shoulder.
"Thank you Santana really, for dinner, for the hot chocolate, for saving Beth. You have been wonderful to me. I can't thank you enough."
"I already told you that little girl being here and smiling is enough for me."
"Can I have your phone number?"
She quirked an eyebrow up at me and smiled up in shock.
"Well you know, um 'cause Beth loved your hot chocolate so much she's going to want some more. She'll probably make us come back since I don't know how to make it and I don't want to be a bother. And I can just call you later for the recipe unless…"
"Hey," she says quietly while getting up and grabbing my hand. "I meant what I told Beth earlier. She can come over whenever she wants some and if you didn't know that invitation was extended to you as well." She gave me a shy smile and added, "Give me your phone though, so you can call me if you have any questions."
I handed her my phone and once she was done I called out a goodbye to Sugar who was cleaning up in the kitchen.
"Bye Quin, it was nice meeting you. Take care." She gave me a quick hug and went back to the kitchen.
Santana walked me to her door and before I knew what came over me I leaned in and planted a kiss to her cheek. I bashfully pulled away but the smile on her face made it worth it.
"Have a good night Quin."
"Night Santana, thank you again."
I couldn't avoid the smile on my face nor the warm feeling in my stomach. Leaving her apartment and carrying Beth back to ours I knew I was in deeper than I realized.