Hello guys! Just updated both fics since I have more time in my hands but I'm seem to be having a bit of a block from writing! Hope it goes away soon as I hate leaving such a long gap between posts! Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. Now that Santana and Brittany are back together, I'd like to explore their relationship more and why they are so good together. Also, more interaction with Santana's parents and probably Brittany's too. We'll see :) Enjoy!

Chapter 20

"We have begun our descent towards Dayton Airport. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts. Thank you for flying with United Airlines. We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable flight." The pilot's voice blasted through the plane intercom as the plane descended towards its destination.

Seated somewhere in the middle of the plane on an aisle seat, Santana tightened her grip on her armrest. She closed her eyes momentarily, feeling the obvious change of altitude making her more nauseas than she wanted to be. She has never been a fan of plane rides. As much as possible she wanted to stay on ground level where there's no chance of crashing back down to earth in pieces of unidentifiable material. Planes made her feel claustrophobic; there's nowhere else to go. Once you're in, you're trapped in this heavy metal cylinder with metal wings and massive metal jet engines and how the hell can it stay up there when it's fucking heavy? She shook her thoughts and looked around to see everyone chatting normally, no one is more panicked than her in this freaking plane. She felt a light brush on her left hand and she turned to see blue eyes staring at her full of concern. She smiles at Brittany to re-assure her that she's fine. She's freaking out but she'll be fine. The blonde understood her message but she never took her hand away of the brunette's. She tactically intertwined their fingers as she slowly ran her thumb on the side of Santana's hand.

"Babe, I'll be fine. It's just routine anxiety." Once again the shorter woman stated; as if she was also trying to convince herself of the same thing.

"I know babe. I just want to hold your hand." Brittany smiled as she rested her head on Santana's shoulder.

Santana's lips grazed the crown of her girlfriend's head. She could smell Brittany's favourite shampoo and somehow it gave her a sense of comfort. She imagined them back in Los Angeles, having a lazy day in bed all cuddled up and this took her mind away from the plane's further descend.

As the wheels first touched the tarmac of the runway, it made the plane jerk causing Santana to tighten her grip on the armrest even more. She now had her eyes tightly shut; nose crinkled up in a terrified reaction. Brittany sympathized for her girlfriend's fear of planes and flying but she found this thoroughly adorable. Whenever they fly anywhere, this is her favourite moment. Seeing Santana let her guard down and admit that she's shit scared; Brittany just wanted to protect her and envelop her in a tight hug. A few more minutes and the plane was running smoothly on the track and a loud exhale came out of Santana's lips.

"I fucking hate planes." She intentionally whispered to Brittany as there were a few kids in the plane and as much of a badass she is, well bar the whole plane thing, she still respected the fact that parents would not appreciate swear words in front of their youngsters. "I wish I can just drive everywhere."

Brittany offered her an understanding smile. "Well, if it makes you feel better, you look totally cute with your face all scrunched up."

Santana gave her an incredulous look. "Thanks?"

The plane finally came to a halt and they gathered their bags and lined up to exit the cabin. Santana was the impatient passenger who, without Brittany almost physically holding her back, would have pushed her way out of the narrow aisle just to get out. But then she realizes what's waiting for her in Lima, Ohio and she wasn't sure if she wanted to push through the crowd or stay buckled in her seat.

/

The drive from Dayton to Lima took just a little more than two hours given that Brittany was the one behind the wheel. The girl liked to stick to the speed limits, do the occasional pit stops and what not. Santana would usually get impatient and ask to switch places but this time she sat quietly on the passenger's side contemplating how she would handle the situation waiting for her at Lima Memorial Hospital. She could picture her mother crying incessantly and her father lying on the hospital bed helpless. She's never been in this situation before and she thought that if she ever saw this day, Marco would be there to hold their family together. That was the ideal situation but the reality is that she's the only one left to hold them together. Marco would have been great; he handled stressful things so calmly and Santana, well, she doesn't but she's going to have to try so damn hard. She needs to make sure her mother gets some rest and also, she needs to know her father's situation. When she thought life couldn't get any worse? At least Brittany's there with her and that saves her from a complete meltdown.

"Hey San, are you alright?" the blonde's voice invaded her thoughts and she blinked out of her trance and cocked her head to the driver's side.

"I don't know Britt." Her hands were clasped together as she nervously nipped her skin, "I'm scared."

Brittany offered a sympathetic smile. It was hard to offer words of encouragement without sounding like a Hallmark card because she knew Santana didn't like mushy things. She knew the girl didn't like things sugar coated; she wanted the real low down. It's difficult for someone like Brittany think about things with a pessimistic mind set; she's always been the optimist out of the two. Looking at Santana, she knew the girl is on the verge of crying and it pains her to see that face all tear streaked. She pulled over on a lee way so she can comfort the brunette.

"San, you're a strong person. I know you're scared right now but you will find the strength within you to help you deal with this and I'll be here to help you find it. You've been through a lot and look at you, still standing and fighting. I believe in you, San." Brittany said as she leaned over to cup Santana's face. She planted a slow searing kiss to help the brunette relax her nerves a little bit.

It was just like high school all over again during her senior prom when she ran to the choir room revelling in defeat and self pity. Brittany was there to comfort her and to encourage her to forget her fears. Brittany has always believed in her; more than she ever believed in herself and that's what keeps her going up to this very day.

"I could have never done this without you, Britt. I could have never lived my life the way I have without you."

The hospital still smells the same and Santana still hates it as much, if not more, than she did before. She and hospitals have never had the best of relationships. The last time she was here Brittany was lying helpless on the bed, fighting for her life; before that, well, the morgue was technically still part of the hospital and she did not like that at all. Now she's back for the third time in less than a year, what the heck? She prayed to whoever is up there that this will be the last time she'll ever have to step in this building again.

She kept her hand intertwined with Brittany the whole way through the lobby and now in the elevator; she could feel her palms sweating with anxiety and the gentle squeeze from the blonde to re-assure her. Thank goodness she's here otherwise; Santana would not be standing here. She'd still be back in Los Angeles probably admitting herself to a mental institution. She looked up to smile at Brittany, it makes her feel so much better seeing her smile back with so genuine concern.

The elevator doors opened and they both stepped out of it into the unfamiliar part of the hospital. This floor looked like a five star hotel, the decorations looked expensive, the floors were spotless clean and not made up of that cheap vinyl flooring and most of all, it did not smell like standard disinfectant. Yes, there was still a hint of it in the air but the ventilation here was probably better than the rest of the building. In short, it didn't feel like a hospital and immediately Santana relaxed a little bit. They both looked at each other with an approving look, as if they know this is what the brunette's father would have picked.

"Even in times like these, he's still such a snob." Santana uttered it in a matter-of-factly tone. She wasn't being horrible; she was just telling the truth.

"Babe, you know your dad. Plus, he's a doctor here. This was probably part of his benefits working here." Brittany smiled, trying not to urge on Santana's observation although she was probably right, it was the last thing she should be worrying about.

They kept walking down the hall still admiring how posh this area was. Santana looked out for her father's room number. When they finally reached the room, Santana stood there stuck for few minutes. She wanted to compose herself before going into that room. She needed to look strong for her mother and her father even though he wouldn't be able to see her. Brittany opted to sit in the lounge and convince her girlfriend that it will be better if she went in on her own first, talk to her mother and then bring up the fact that she's not on her own. Santana hesitated at first but eventually she gave in; it was the better plan. She shouldn't bombard her mother with too many things all at once; it could be overwhelming for her.

"I'll be out here if you need me okay?" Brittany re-assured, touching Santana's cheeks with both her hands.

"I know, thank you for being here." Santana smiled letting her know that she will be alright.

She turned her back on the blonde and faced the white door.

"Dr Alberto Lopez…" She read the name plate mentally before finally turning the door knob and slowly opening the door as she took a deep breath, as if she was diving into the deepest part of the ocean.

So there we go, another arc to the story! Hope you like it! Please comment and review! THANKS!