Chapter 13

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The ride to the hospital was like one big blur. Because the next thing that I knew Fred was poking his head in through the door and saying something I didn't quite catch. I wasn't even sure where my thoughts were but now that he interrupted them I was never going to remember.

"Uh sorry, what was that?"

"Miss Fabray, I said are you coming? We're here."

"Oh yeah, yes."

"If you don't mind me asking Miss, but are you okay? I mean it's not a dire is it?"

"Umm no, nothing like that. I don't know details I just know my daughter and something about a broken arm." I replied.

He gave a small nod in understanding and closed the door behind me.

"Thank you Fred. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"No, I'll have none of that. It was no problem. I'd do anything for Santana and she asked that I take good care of you. She seems to really like you, you know. I haven't seen her this excited or concerned about a girl who..well in a long time." I didn't say anything. He gave me another small nod and a smile before getting back in the car and driving off. I think I smiled back, but I'm not entirely sure of it.

I stood there speechless. Motionless. Thoughtless, really. I wasn't even really sure what I was staring at but the blaring horn of taxi brought me back. I had to go in and find out what happened.

I was walking briskly into the emergency room. It wasn't too long before I was being greeted by Brittany, which was good because I wasn't really sure where to go. I, especially, was in no mood to start asking nurses the where about of patients, who would no doubt have more questions than answers.

"Where is she? Is she okay? What happened?" I began shooting question after question when she was within ear shot.

"Hey we're so so so sorry that we had to…wait Quinn what's wrong? What happened? Are you okay?" She redirected my questions to me. I'm sure she could sense that there was something other than the expected worry in my appearance.

"Britt please.. Can we not talk about it right now? Can-can you just take me to her?" She knew this was a moment for her to just let me calm down. She took me to the room and we walked in.

"There's my beautiful little girl." I said coming to stand by the bed. "How are you feeling baby?"

"Mommy" she whined out somewhere between a whisper and cry. Her eyes were hooded and only barely kept them open when she spoke to me. "It really hurts."

"I know baby I know. It's gonna be okay sweet heart. I'm sure they gave you something for the pain.." I trailed of, glancing up at mom, who was already standing next to Beth on the other side of the table/bed. I'm sure Britt called her up sometime before calling me, who she should have to begin with.

My mother nodded her head yes. "Yes, it should be working anytime now." And as soon as she said that Beth was fast asleep. I leaned down and kissed her forehead lightly. "Yeah, they said they might put her to sleep." She added when Beth's head fell slightly to the left.

"What happened?" I asked, still looking at my daughter, caressing her cheeks.

"Well.." My mother began but she was cut off.

"I'm Sorry Quinn." Brittany spoke up from the back. I hadn't even noticed when she came in. Hmm probably with me. "We were playing on the bed. You know the way I usually bounce her on the bed while I hold her hands. I went out really quick to go get some milk for her. Honestly Quinn it wasn't even a minute." She kept wringing her hands. And her lip would quiver ever so slightly, the sure sign that she was going to start crying soon. I could tell Britt felt guilty for this. It wasn't her fault. It was an honest accident. "She fell and I guess landed wrong. Quinn, I'm so..."

"Britt, come here." I cut her off and pull my best friend into a hug. To be quite honest I think I needed the hug more than she did. "Hey, you didn't do anything wrong okay. Things happen. Accidents happen. She's a kid. Things like a broken arm are kind of expected to happen. It could have happened to me too okay so don't blame yourself." I give a forced chuckle. "Hell Britt, my daughter almost got run over on my watch. If it wasn't for San.." Just like that the water works begin and it's Brittany who is comforting me.

Sam who was out getting coffee for my mom came back in and took Beth in his arms. Brittany still had me in hers. Once the nurses gave us everything we needed, we were on our way back to my place. The trip was silent and for that I was grateful. After Sam dropped Beth off in bed he left to go back to his. Britt and my mother decided to stay. Mom helped me with Beth. We made sure she was as comfortable as she could be, kissed her and left the room. My mother went off into the guest room I assumed to go to bed. I headed off to my own room to do the same.

As I finished changing I sat down at the end of my bed. I was dreading lying down and not because my body wasn't tired. I knew sleep wasn't going to come easy, not after the events that had occurred earlier at dinner. I had too much on my mind. I got up and quietly went out to the kitchen to maybe find something to sooth me. I expected to find darkness but was met with the smell of tea and the image of my mom and Britt on the couch, cups in hand.

"We were wondering when you'd finally come out." My mother said as she handed me a third cup. Mmm, just what I needed. I thought as I took mug and inhaled the calming scent.

"Now come sit down and tell us what happened." Britt motioned for me to take the space between them both.

I did what I was told. We stayed silent for a few minutes, just drinking our teas till I finally decided I need to ask my mother something.

"Mom.."

"Yes dear"

"When.. Did you know before you got married, were there any signs that Russell was going to be abusive?"

Her eyes went wide and quickly asked, "Did she hurt you Quinn?"

"Quinn" was all B said as she took my hand.

"Oh no, no, she didn't do anything like that." I tried to ease their worries. I realized that what I said didn't sound convincing so I continued. "It's nothing like that. It's just.. We were having a wonderful evening. She was incredibly sweet and charming. Dinner came, and when I went and tried to pay for the bill I noticed all my cards we're gone. I had no money, nothing. I went crazy thinking I had lost it." When I mentioned the money issue I noticed Britt looking down so I gave her hand a squeeze to give her some kind of knowledge that this wasn't her fault. I wasn't going to put any blame on her regardless.

"I asked Santana and she just laughed. She told me she had asked Britt to take out my cards so I didn't try to pay for dinner. It was too late though. I had lost it. All I could think was Russell doing the exact same thing to you mom. He was charming when he had to be, smiles and laughs in front of people than once we were home.." I trailed off. It was still hard for me to talk about. I'm sure it was still hard for my mom to hear.

"Quinn I'm so sorry. I totally ruined your whole night." Brittany half cried, half whispered out.

"B, this wasn't your fault." I pulled her into me.

"It just all reminded me so much about what happened to us with him. I won't let that happen to me again. I'm certainly not going to let it ever happen to Beth."

"Quinn, how did you get to the hospital?" The question took me by surprise. "You said she asked Brittany to take your money. Obviously you didn't have any, so how did you get to the hospital."

"She told her driver to take me where ever I needed to go." I said not completely understanding where this was going.

"Where did she take you on the date?" Now I was really confused.

"What does that have to do with anything?" She gave me her serious "do not argue with me" face.

"I think you should just answer your mom." Britt whispered.

"She, she took me to the opera." Both Britt and my mom had questioning looks so I continued. "She said Beth told her I had been wanting to see opera singer. We figured out that Beth meant to say Oprah instead. Or something like that I'm not exactly sure." A soft smile took a hold of my lips as I remembered how embarrassed Santana was.

"Continue," my mom insisted.

We sat drinking our tea as I filled them in on our night. I told them about La Bella Fontana. They both knew exactly how much I wanted to go. I told them how Santana talked to me about her childhood, however not exactly retelling them her story. I felt it was personal and didn't think I had the right to share it. By the time I got to the money issue I realized we were right back where we started.

"Okay, so now that I've told you about my date I think you should answer my question." I addressed my mom.

However Britt was the one to reply simply with, "You already answered your own question Quinn."

What the hell is she talking about? "What? How?" I asked incredulously.

"Quinn," my mom began. "Listen to everything you just said about your date. About Santana. Hell you don't even have to focus on just tonight. Think about the time she took you and Beth out. Think about the teddy bear she bought Beth. The puppet show Beth can't stop talking about. Those are all the small things Quinn. The big one, the one I know we are all grateful for, is that that woman, she jumped in front of a car for a little girl she knew nothing about." She smiled taking my hands. "Sweetie, she is nothing like Russell. That man was horrible. Look at everything this girl has done for my amazing girls." She squeezed my hands. "It wasn't the best thing she could have done.."

"Yeah I'm sorry Quinn." Britt cut off my mom. "I didn't think you'd get this upset about it. When she asked me to do that she was so caring and genuine about it that I didn't think twice about her motives. They seemed honest enough for me. I thought you'd see it at as her being sweet but I was wrong. I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that."

"What's done is done." my mom continued. "There's no use blaming yourself Brittany. Besides the poor girl doesn't even know why you reacted the way you did. She doesn't know that this is a sore spot for you."

"Ugh I'm such and idiot." I huffed out.

"I think it's time we all go to bed." My mom said patting my thigh and getting up. "You're not an idiot honey." She said kissing my cheek. "Now go get some rest, you've had quite the night. Goodnight Brittany." With that she was off to the guest room. Britt was fixing the pillows on the couch for her to sleep on.

"Hey B?"

"You don't even have to ask Q. Come on let's go to sleep."

I lay in my bed for a minute. My best friend lying at my side just holding my hand.

"It's going to be ok Q. Close your eyes." She whispered into the dark.

It will be okay. I thought right before I closed my eyes. The night's events draining me emotionally and physically, I fell into my slumber rather quickly.

*0*0*

I awoke to the sound of knocking on the door. I looked to my side and saw that Britt was gone. She probably went back home. What time is it? I sat up and checked my clock. 9:13 am. I went to go relieve myself and brush my teeth. I left my room to find out that Britt had not only not left but Mike and Sam were now here as well. I didn't mind, they were family and always welcome. Mom had made breakfast. Beth was seated at the bar eating pancakes with Sam, while Britt, Mike, and my mom were at the table.

"Morning everyone." Quick mornings were sent my way. I went over to the bar and kissed Beth. "Morning baby. How are you feeling?"

"Better." She announced "This cast thing helps. It's kinda heavy though. And really hard mommy. Wanna hit it?"

"I would hope so sweetie, it's supposed to be hard so it will protect your broken bone. No baby I'll pass on that, thank you though." I chuckled at her and went to serve myself breakfast.

I sat down at the table with everyone. I was about to start eating when I noticed a rather big box.

"What's that?" I questioned.

Brittany was the first to speak up. "It's a package. A guy delivered it just before you came out. It's, it's from Santana."

I got up and walked over to the box. Opening it up, I pulled out a beautiful vase and floral arrangement. There was a letter inside the box which I began to read to myself.

Dear Quinn,

I'm so sorry about what I did. I realize that wasn't the smartest thing to do. It was wrong of me and I crossed a line. I greatly apologize. I wanted to do this in person but I wasn't quite sure you'd want to see me so soon. I wanted to and needed to apologize to you as soon as I could. I hope you at least read this letter. I'd really like to do this in person, if you give me the chance. Please.

-xo Santana L.

P.S. Fred mentioned Beth breaking her arm. The other box is for her.

I took out the box and saw it was addressed to Beth.

"Beth. Are you finished eating yet?"

"Yea mommy, why?" She said coming up next to me. "Oh wow mommy those are pretty." She said touching the flowers with her good hand.

"Here baby this is for you." I said handing her the box.

A big smile took over her face. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure. Santana sent it over for you."

"Santi!" She squealed in excitement. She tried her best to open the box but with the cast, it was rather difficult for her little fingers. "Ugh mommy can you please help me?"

"Of course." Everyone sat around watching curiously to see what was in the box.

Finally getting the box open, Beth pulled out a small bouquet of purple flowers, another letter with a sheet of stickers, and lastly markers. All kinds of assorted markers. She tried reading it but could only make out her name.

"Can you please read it mommy?" She handed the letter over to me and I began to read aloud.

Hi Beth,

I heard you broke your arm. I'm sorry that really sucks. These flowers are for you I hope you like them. I know purple is your favorite color. Also, with a broken arm comes a cast so I got you these markers. I wasn't sure what colors the hospital had to offer as casts or else I know you'd pick your favorite. So I bought all these different markers for you. You can get all your friends and family to sign your cast or draw whatever you want.

-Hugs & Kisses Santi

"Oh cool! There's even glitter ones." Britt said inspecting all the markers. "Let me see I want to be the first one to sign it."

"No, I'll be the first to sign it." Sam piped up looking at all the markers, trying to decide which color to go with.

"No I will!" Mike spoke up from the table.

The three began arguing, till finally Brittany broke it up. "There's only one way we're gonna settle this. Bethy over here is just going to have to tell you losers that she wants her Auntie B to sign it first. It's that simple." She said with a big smile on her face as she took Beth in her arms.

"What!?"

"Nahh!"

They both began arguing.

"Sweetie will you please put us all out of our misery and pick who you want to sign your cast first." I said as my mom and I laughed at the situation.

"Okay I pick.." Beth smiled looking at the three adults. Sam, Mike and Britt all waited to hear their names be called out. "Santi!" Beth giggled.

"That's not fair!"

"She's not even here!"

"She wasn't even a choice!"

They began arguing, making my mom and I laugh even harder.

"She bought me the markers, it's only fair." Beth reasoned. There was no arguing, she wanted Santi to sign it first and if I knew my daughter she was going to stick to that. Obviously so did they because they went back to eating with dejected faces.

"Mommy, when can we go see Santi? I want her to sign it first." Beth asked.

"That's a good question baby. That's a good question." I said looking back down at the letter in my hands.

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A/N: Everyone, huge apology for the huge time gap in updating! There was a lack of internet there for awhile. However I do take main credit for not writing it fast enough. Again sorry everyone!

Thank you for all the reviews. It's always nice to hear what you all think.

-Leti: Thank you for clearing that up, I appreciate it. I am not an Italian speaker. What I wrote was what I got from an English to Italian translating site.

-niccici30 & everyone else: Do Not worry. I will see this story through. I do not plan to leave anyone hanging.