A/N: This is the final chapter. I do think it needs and epilogue, though, as it doesn't feel quite "finished".
Chapter 17
Over the next few weeks, Santana got stronger and healthier. Brittany and Santana attended counseling sessions both separately and together and gained tools to help with their PTSD. They grew closer through the sessions as it caused them to open up and be more honest about their feelings and what they were going through. There were a lot of tears but, ultimately, their relationship grew stronger and flourished.
Santana tried to get Brittany to go home but she stubbornly refused although she did finally agree to start attending her dance classes again; as long as someone was there with Santana while she was gone. Santana rolled her eyes and tried to tell Brittany that she didn't need a babysitter but all it took was one look from Brittany and Santana caved which led to a revolving door of friends and family keeping Santana company while Britt was out.
Maribel was visiting one day and Santana wasn't looking forward to telling her mother about the lawsuit. Whitney had agreed to sign the legal documents as Santana's legal guardian since Santana couldn't sign anything legally binding as a seventeen-year-old. Santana wasn't sure how her mother was going to react to the fact that she literally gave away millions of dollars.
The suit had been settled and the funds had been set up to provide Santana with a monthly income as the principle continued to grow while still granting her access to the principle should she need it for a major expense (such as the purchase of a car, or a place to live). She'd also set up the fund for Brittany so Britt wouldn't have to worry about taking out student loans. Brittany had still been unsure about it but Santana pointed out that she'd also set up funds for Quinn, Mercedes, and Courtney. She had more money than she'd ever spend especially considering she still had the trust fund her grandfathers had set up for her and she wanted to make sure Brittany was taken care of. And, since they were going to get married, why take out student loans and pay the interest on them when she could just pay outright?
Brittany had finally agreed that it made sense.
"Mami, there's something I need to tell you."
"Alright. What's on your mind."
"I had a lawsuit against Reggie Salazar. I can't really talk about it but it got settled and, between that and the trust fund from abuelo and abuelito, I'm set for life. I also made sure that Brittany, Quinn, Mercedes, and Courtney had funds set up to help them with college or chasing their dreams."
"I see."
"I love her. I know I'm young but it's not my fault that I found my soulmate at such a young age. I don't need all that money and I wanted to do something for Quinn and Mercedes for standing by me and helping Britt through everything. And Courtney's like my sister, I don't want her to struggle if I can prevent that."
Maribel looked at Santana thoughtfully. "Mija, I'm not sure what you want me to say or what you're expecting me to say. That money is yours to do with as you see fit. I'm not going to judge you for how you choose to use it." She sighed. "I know you're used to how I was with your … sperm donor … but my true self is nothing like that woman. I'm working hard to be the woman I always wanted to be. That money is yours. Distribute it as you wish. Burn it, if you want – although I think that would be a waste," Maribel winked at her daughter.
Santana visibly relaxed. "Thank you, Mami."
Xoxoxoxoxo
Six weeks after she woke up, twelve weeks after the attack, Santana walked back into the Glee Club choir room to the cheers of her teammates.
"Thanks, guys," Santana smiled, "I really appreciate all the support you've given me and Brittany over the past few months." She took a deep breath. "If you'll indulge me? Just for a few minutes …" Everyone nodded and Mr. Schue smiled and nodded at her to encourage her.
"So, before sectionals, I talked to Mr. Schue about something I wanted to do with New Directions and The Troubletones no matter who won. It's … um … kind of pointless now but … I want to do it anyway." She looked around the room. "I know I've been a bitch and that my 'honesty' is brutal and most of you haven't deserved it. There's one person, though, who saw through me. Who cared about me and who showed me what love was. Britt … this is for you. I had to change some of the words because it's very much present tense, not past." She smiled shyly.
Brittany looked surprised as Santana nodded at Brad and the music began to play.
For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful, baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through, through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you love me, ooh baby
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand, I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I have your love, I have it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I am blessed because I'm loved by you
You were my strength when I was weak (you were my strength)
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you love me, oh
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
You were my strength when I was weak (you were my strength)
You were my voice when I couldn't speak (oh, when I couldn't speak)
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you love me, yeah-yeah
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak (my voice)
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you love me, oh
I'm everything I am
Because you love me
The music faded away and tears were slipping down both girls' faces. Brittany started to stand up and Santana put up a finger, asking her to wait a minute.
"That was going to be my coming out song. In case it wasn't clear enough; I'm gay and I am completely head-over-heels in love with Brittany." She smiled at Brittany, who took that as her cue to move.
Brittany wrapped her arms tightly around the Latina. "I love you, so much, Santana. That was absolutely beautiful." She whispered in Santana's ear.
Santana held on tightly and reveled in the feeling until suddenly she was being held from behind by two strong arms. She lifted her head, trying not to panic, and saw Mike wrapped around Brittany's back, Sam wrapped around the two of them from the side, and, with a small turn of her head, saw Puck holding her from behind.
"From now one, we've got your back, Lopez. If you guys need to stay late, one of us will stay to walk you out to your car. This shouldn't have ever happened and we're gonna make sure it never can again."
Suddenly the entire Glee Club was engulfing them in a group hug.
There was the sound of a throat clearing and everyone looked up to see Finn shuffling his feet nervously.
"Santana, Brittany I am, God, I am so sorry. I never stopped to think about the consequences of what I was saying. It never even occurred to me that … anything like that could happen. I hope someday you can forgive me and, if any of the guys aren't available, I'd be more than willing to walk you out to your car. When I outed Santana, I was angry and stupid and I never considered the collateral damage that would be done to Brittany as well as Santana. It wasn't my place. I was so wrong and I am so very sorry for all the harm I did." He looked at Quinn. "For all the consequences you had to pay for what I did."
Santana broke away from the group and looked at Finn. "I want to say 'it's okay' but it's really not. I lost almost everything because I wasn't ready to be 'out and proud' but I'm okay. Forgiving you is easy, Finn. Forgiveness isn't really about the other person; it's about you and granting yourself peace. I've forgiven you but that doesn't mean I feel like I can trust you. That's gonna take time."
Finn nodded and gave her a sad smile. "I understand."
"Good." Santana smiled and looked around the room. "So, what are we doing about Regionals?"