Light and slightly awkward conversation fills the air for the next twenty minutes or so. Brittany is stuck between feeling thankful that her friends are there, and especially thankful for Sam, and wanting to be alone with Santana. Pretty much everything hurts and the fact that she can't be held by Santana the way she wants right now is also not helping things. Quinn's cell phone starts ringing and the noise makes Brittany wince.
"Did that make your head hurt worse B?" Santana asked quietly. She had been mindful of how loud she was speaking. During cheerleading her senior year she got a minor concussion, nothing like what Brittany has gone through, but she could still remember how much less it hurt when things were a little more quiet
"A little." Santana pressed the gentlest of kisses against Brittany's forehead. Santana, leaning over the top of her, blocked out a little more of the light which helped too. She couldn't wait until they got to go to sleep. "Wait. Are they going to let you stay with me to sleep? San I don't think I can sleep if you're not here. If you can't stay I'm going to…"
"Shhh. Don't upset yourself Britt. I'm not leaving unless they physically carry me out. And something tells me my parents won't let that happen."
"I'm glad they're coming." Santana nods in response.
"S your parents are going to be here in like two minutes. They are parking. They have the room number. But that means we have to go. The nurse said nobody else could come back while we were still here." Quinn gets up and walks over to them. She gives them both hugs, lingering an extra second with Brittany. "I'm so glad you guys are going to be ok. Let me know what's going on. Ok?" Santana nods. Assuring her that she will. Sam comes up next and hugs Brittany making her promise that they'll get their 'nails did' soon. Santana hugs him tighter than she normally ever would which surprises him for a second before he hugs back.
"Thank you so much. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up. She could have-"
"Don't. Don't think about it. And don't thank me. I would do anything for my girls. You know that."
"I know. I will watch any movie and listen to any impression without complaint from here on out."
"Don't make promises you can't keep Lopez." He kisses the top of her head and waves to Brittany once more before leaving with Quinn. Santana walks over to the light switch and dims the lights a little more and climbs back into bed with Brittany. They are alone in relative quiet for approximately two minutes before the door flies open.
The best way Santana could describe her mother was panicked. She was muttering in Spanish and clutching her chest. As soon as she saw Brittany and Santana in the bed she ran over inspecting them. "My babies" she kept saying as she touched their faces and hands. Quinn had told her vaguely what happened. She knew that Santana had been waiting to see Brittany and that she had a dislocated shoulder and some bruising. But she had no idea if Brittany was ok or what the extent of the damage was. But she was awake and responding and seemed ok under the circumstances.
Santana, and the entire hospital probably, can hear her dad in the hallway demanding information and questioning anyone who would listen about Brittany's care. Once he seemed satisfied with the answer he rushed in and pulled out her chart, going over it quickly before replacing it. Then he inspected everything that Brittany was hooked up to before finally stopping and looking at the two girls still laying on the bed. "Are you two ok? Brittany can I look at your head? I promise I won't hurt you?" Brittany nods and Santana helps her sit up. Antonio gently looks at the injury on the back of her head. It looks pretty bad but the doctors did a good job stitching her up. Minimal scarring he thinks. But why anyone would hit this child so hard to cause this kind of damage was beyond him.
"Is it ok Papi?"
"Yeah Mija. It looks like they did a good job. Can I look at your ribs now Brittany?" Brittany nods and Antonio unties the sides of her hospital gown so he doesn't leave Brittany feeling exposed. He pulls some of the bandaging down and Santana gets a look at the bruising for the first time. Her breath gets stuck in her throat and tears spring to her eyes. Her mother is right there grabbing her hand. "Ok. I don't see signs of internal bleeding. It's possible that broken ribs can puncture a lung or any number of other organs but I think we're ok. But if you feel any additional tenderness in your abdomen area, or are finding it difficult to breathe, make sure you tell someone. Ok?"
"Ok." Santana makes a mental note to keep asking Brittany about that. He takes a few minutes to check over Santana's injuries as well before going back over and standing with his wife.
"Can you tell us what happened?"
"Quinn didn't?" Santana really didn't want to tell this story for what felt like the millionth time.
"No. We didn't really give her a chance. Quinn told us that Brittany was hurt really bad and that you were roughed up and that was all we heard other than the hospital name."
Santana nodded and launched into the story yet again. She watched as her mother got more and more upset, tears flowing freely. And her father getting more and more angry. Her father, like her brothers, were very protective of her and her mother. "The police are coming tomorrow to talk to Brittany. They already talked to me." She felt Brittany tense in her arms. "I know babe. I'm sorry."
"Well if we aren't here when they come, I want you to call us and we'll be here within just a few minutes. I'm sure they're doing a fine job, I just want to hear how things are going. Ok Mija?" Maribel tries her best to always trust the people on the right side of the law. But being a lawyer she's privy to a lot of things other people aren't. And while it isn't incredibly common, she doesn't want the police having any accidents on this particular case.
"Thank you Maribel."
"Of course sweetie. Have you called your parents yet? Would you like me too?"
"The hospital called." Maribel did not miss the bitter tone in her daughter's voice.
"And?" Santana hesitated. She didn't want to say it again. Didn't want to make Brittany deal with those feelings again.
"They couldn't come because they were going away."
"And they knew how serious this was?"
"She wasn't even awake yet Mami. All they knew was that the doctors expected she would be ok."
"Enough is enough. Brittany I would like it if you would switch us over to your emergency contacts when you get back to school. I will sign anything that I need to. There is no reason you shouldn't have full confidence that people will be here when you need them."
"Really?" Brittany was trying not to cry. She wasn't sure if it was the effort to stop herself, or the fact that she was failing and starting to cry anyway that was making her head hurt worse.
"Of course." He watches as Brittany press her hand to her head. "Does your head hurt worse?" Brittany's nod is so small it's almost imperceptible. He walks over and pushes a few buttons. "That should help in a minute." Maribel spends the next few minutes fussing over them being warm enough and having enough to drink. She notices the pain medicine seems to be taking effect and Brittany's eyes are getting heavier.
"We're going to go to the hotel nearby. Remember to call if the police get here before us. Or if you need anything at all."
"San can't leave." Brittany mumbles. Her tongue feeling suddenly like it's not working very well. She tries to increase her grip on Santana.
"She can stay here with you. I will make sure of it on my way out." Antonio pats Brittany's hand before heading out. Maribel follows after two rounds of gentle hugs and kisses were given. Santana climbs out of the bed and dims the lights further before crawling under the covers with Brittany and placing a kiss on her cheek.
Now that it's quiet and dark, Brittany can't help but feel the fear of what happened to them creeping into her chest. She knows Santana is trying not to hurt her by leaving a little bit of space between them but she needs her closer. She finds Santana's hand and pulls her until Santana gets the message and presses her body against Brittany's uninjured side. Brittany settles Santana's arm, hands clasped together against her lower abdomen. "Can you sing to me?" Brittany mumbles.
"Mhmm." Santana starts to hum before breaking into a version of "The Story" by Brandi Carlisle that she would be embarrassed of if she weren't so tired. But it's enough to sooth Brittany who drifts to sleep before the first chorus is up. Santana follows shortly behind grateful that exhaustion can override her racing mind.
After a surprisingly dreamless (she blames the pain medicine) sleep, Brittany wakes up to hushed voices in the room. She briefly considers trying to go back to sleep but the fact that she has to go to the bathroom so bad it's uncomfortable is making that a little difficult. She forces her eyes to open and starts searching for Santana's hand under the blanket.
Santana feels the movement and looks down at Brittany with her eyes barely open and a pout on her face. "You're up. Are you in a lot of pain Britt? What's wrong?" Brittany nods because yes she is in a lot of pain. But there are more pressing issues.
"Hafta pee." She mumbles. Santana looks to her dad, unsure of what to do. Should they call a nurse? Is Brittany allowed to walk?
"You can take her Mija. If you're okay with Santana helping you Brittany?" Santana hoped she would be. Hoped Brittany would let her take care of her.
"Duh." He chuckles a little as he comes over to the bed to help her sit up. He unplugs the IV from the port in her arm before sliding a hand behind her back.
"Just put your hand behind her shoulder and help her. Let me know if it hurts too bad Brittany." They help her sit up and Santana wants to stop every second because the look on Brittany's face is telling her the truth even when Brittany tells her it's fine, keep going. But they get her into a sitting position, and from there Brittany can handle the rest with less pain. Santana stands there, her arms out, braced, and ready at any minute to catch Brittany should the need arise.
They make their way to the bathroom slowly and shut the door. Santana turns respectively away as Brittany pulls up her hospital gown. She manages that part pretty well but can't figure out how to bend to pull her underwear down. "San." She wines. Santana whips around and sees Brittany standing there looking pathetic and in pain. It breaks her heart. "I need help." Santana rushes over and pulls Brittany's underwear down and helps her sit down. "This is the opposite of sexy." She mumbles, both embarrassed but feeling better now that she doesn't have to pee so badly.
Santana had turned back around to give Brittany some privacy until she needed help again, but she couldn't let that comment slide. She turned back in time to help Brittany stand back up and pull her underwear back up for her. "What do you mean babe?"
"Usually when you undress me sexy things are involved. And this is the opposite of that and I am just scared it's weird for you or something." She watches as Santana's face contorts into an almost hurt look.
"Brittany I don't- Sex isn't the most important thing here. Or ever. I love you. I want to be with you always. Taking care of you will be part of that sometimes. And I want that. I want to do these things for you. I hope you're comfortable with that."
"I am. I just don't want you to look at me different."
"You're still beautiful and amazing and sexy and everything else even if I have to help you pee Britt. Nothing is going to change that." She leans down and kisses Brittany's forehead. "Do you want to put on some clothes? Quinn brought you some of my sweats and a hoodie."
"And I have toothbrushes for both of you!" They hear from the other room. Santana hadn't realized how thin those doors were.
"Thank you Mami." She says back as a door opens and the bag of clothes and another bag is thrust into her hands. "Do you want to change?" Brittany nods. Santana helps her up again and over to the sink to wash her hands. She breaks the toothbrushes out of the package and holds them up to Brittany to choose color even though she knows Brittany will take the blue.
After teeth are brushed Santana sets to work pulling off the gown Brittany is wearing, leaving her naked except for the bandages around her chest and ribs, and the socks she had put on her last night. She can see some of the bruising and tries her best not to let it physically affect her. It's difficult. Brittany's pain makes her feel sick to her stomach and want to cry but now isn't the time for that. "Ok. Sweat pants. And a hoodie. Do you want to put your underwear back on? Quinn didn't bring any of yours. Or there is a pair of my boxer briefs if that's not weird?"
"I wear your boxers all the time San. It's not weird." Santana nods. Of course. And pulls them out of the bag.
"Put your hands on my shoulders and lift up one foot at the time. Just a little."
"My legs are fine Santana."
"Yeah they are." Santana jokes as she slides the briefs up Brittany's legs and rolls them once at her hips. She's not sure how far down the pain in Brittany's ribs goes and she doesn't want to risk it. Next the sweat pants. She kisses Brittany on the lips gently as she stands up and takes the hoodie out of the bag and unzips it. She helps Brittany in one arm at a time and then zips it for her.
"Can I have a hug?"
"I don't want to hurt you." Santana hesitates. Not immediately giving into Brittany is not something that comes naturally to her.
"You won't. I just need it." Santana steps forward and puts her arms around Brittany. Brittany sighs into the hug even though it's way more gentle than any hug she's used to. She just needed Santana's arms around her. The less hold the pain medicine has on her the more uncomfortable she feels, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It might not be so bad if Santana could hold her tight but she understand that's not going to happen. But being surrounded by her, wearing her clothes, and the hug, it helps. A lot even.
"Is everything ok in there?" Santana hears her mother ask through the door. She reluctantly pulls herself away from Brittany.
"Yeah Mami. Fine. We're coming." She turns back to Brittany. "I love you."
"I love you too." Santana puts her hand at the small of Brittany's back and guides her back into the hospital room. As soon as they walk through the door Antonio is leading Brittany back to the bed to plug her pain medicine IV back into her port. It's not long before Brittany starts to feel some relief and can relax into the bed a little.
"I brought some food. Just something small so you girls didn't have to eat the food here." She pulls some containers out of a bag and starts opening them. Brittany wants to be hungry but she just isn't. She's uncomfortable and she wants to leave and go lay with Santana in her bed.
"Are you hungry babe?"
"Not really." She replies quietly. Not wanting to hurt Maribel's feelings.
"What about just a few grapes? Just get something in your belly." Santana picks up a grape and holds it to Brittany's mouth, when she parts her lips Santana slides the grape in then moves her hand to caress Brittany's cheek bone as she chews.
Maribel watches the tender scene play out in front of her. She's never seen Santana be so gentle and outwardly loving with anyone or anything. But the way she touches Brittany, and the way Brittany looks at her, you would have to be blind to not see their love.
After a few grapes Brittany starts drifting off again. Santana is content to sit and watch over her all day, except that not five minutes later, the police walk in after lightly knocking. Santana doesn't want them there. She doesn't want them upsetting Brittany. But they are as polite and as nice as they possibly can be. They don't press Brittany for any additional information or make her try to remember things she can't. They tell Brittany the same thing that they told Santana, they'd be in touch, and left. "Can we go to your home now?" Brittany mumbles reaching for Santana's hand. Santana looks to her dad and he gets up and walks out of the room.
"Soon baby. We can go home."
"I like home. When we don't say yours. Even if it's yours. I just like home." Santana reached up and brushed away some of the hair that was near falling into Brittany's face. That sentence probably would have confused a lot of people. But Santana understood perfectly. Brittany likes home with her. When it's theirs together. That's all Santana can ever think to want for the rest of her life.
"It can always be ours. Close your eyes love." Brittany closes her eyes and Santana talks to her mami quietly all the while keeping her hand placed, with almost no pressure on Brittany's chest. She felt comforted by the steady, even if still shallow, up and down movements. While she was asleep, it definitely wasn't restful sleep. When her father came back in he told them that the nurse would be in to discharge them in a few minutes. "Should I wake her up?" Antonio nods in response and Santana leans forward and brushes her thumb back and forth over Brittany's cheekbone while whispering her name. Her eyes eventually fluttered open and her lip immediately curled into an adorable pout. "Oh baby. No pouts. They are coming to discharge you." Brittany's pout turned into a small smirk.
She thought it would go quicker. She thought the doctor would come in and say ok bye, and that would be it. But the nurse came first and gave her some pain pills that would help her once the IVs were taken out. Which she did next. Then the doctor came in and checked the clipboard at the end of her bed. Then checked her head and her ribs. Then left again. The nurse came back in a few minutes later with a prescription for more pain pills and then finally, after she had to sign a million papers, Brittany was allowed to leave. By time she had gotten out of bed and settled into the wheelchair they insisted she leave in, she could feel the IV pain medicine leaving her system. The other stuff wasn't quite as good. It kept the edge off, but she was definitely feeling very stiff and very sore.
By time they got back to Santana's apartment Brittany was feeling completely exhausted again. Santana could tell as she helped guide Brittany slowly up the stairs to her apartment that she was losing what little energy she did have and was putting more of her weight on Santana's supporting arm. "What do you want to do Britt?" Brittany looks around noticing that Quinn must have cleaned. She hesitates before she answers. She doesn't want anyone to think she's unappreciative of them being here but she's not sure she can stay awake.
"Would it be ok if I took a nap? I'm sorry I'm just really tired and sore." Santana tightened her grip on Brittany's hand. She hated that she couldn't get rid of her pain.
"Britt you don't need to apologize. Do you want me to lay with you?"
"I don't want to go by myself. But is that ok?" She looks to Santana's parents.
"Oh sweetie don't worry about us. We were going to run to the store and do a few things anyway." Maribel hugged both girls before they walked slowly back into Santana's bedroom, hands still linked.
When Santana opened the door it was obvious Quinn had been in the room. The note on her desk was probably the most obvious indicator, but her bedroom was also clean where when they had left the previous night it had been a little messy.
S,
Thought you guys might like some clean sheets when you got back. And then I couldn't stop. Love you guys. If you need anything I'm probably asleep but don't hesitate to wake me up.
Q
She did appreciate it. She was glad that Brittany got to come home to a clean and uncluttered room. But somehow, even though it was just some clean sheets and the dirty clothes put in the hamper, it just hammered in how much has changed in less than twenty-four hours. It exhausted her even more. She walked over to the bed and turned back the covers. "Can you help me take some of these clothes off?" Santana grabs a tank top out of her drawer knowing that's what Brittany will want to wear. She helps her undress down to the boxer briefs she had on, and the bandages still wrapped around her chest. She slips the tank top over Brittany's head before changing into a similar outfit.
Brittany gets into bed carefully with Santana's help and she instantly felt more relaxed than she had at the hospital even with the stronger pain medicine. As soon as Santana cuddled into her side she felt the added warmth and safety, and honestly she didn't stand a chance against sleep. Santana was surprised how fast Brittany fell asleep. She probably shouldn't be. Brittany had been through a lot. Last night and in general. Santana tried to push the thoughts out of her mind for the time being. Instead she counted the freckles on Brittany's nose. Counted her breaths. Made sure she brushed the hair out of her face if it fell. After she lost count of the breaths for the third time she fell asleep as well.
Brittany shifting wakes Santana. She opens her eyes thinking Brittany had already woken but she hadn't. A quick glance at her phone tells her that they've been asleep for almost three hours. She's glad. Brittany needs it. She presses herself closer to Brittany's side already missing not being able to hold her in her arms. After a few minutes of just watching Brittany she starts to notice the voices in the apartment. She had almost forgotten her parents were here. As soon as her mind drifted away from Brittany she was hit with a smell. She couldn't tell quite what it was, a mixture of things. But she was sure her mother was cooking. Her stomach growled a little. Other than a little bit earlier that morning she hadn't eaten anything since their early dinner the previous night. Brittany had eaten even less this morning. She wasn't going to wake her though. Or let her wake up alone. So she pressed a kiss to Brittany's bare shoulder and settled back into watching Brittany and trying not to think about what had happened.
It wasn't much longer that Brittany started to stir. Santana was a little afraid that Brittany was going to try and roll into her, which is what she would normally do if Santana weren't holding her. But if she did that it might hurt her. Thankfully before she actually rolled, Brittany began to wake up. First her nose scrunched up which Santana had a hard time not leaning up and kissing. Then Brittany yawned a little kitten yawn, which was the cutest thing she had ever seen. She pressed a few kisses to Brittany's shoulder and then cheek helping her out of sleep a little faster. "Thirsty." Brittany croaked. Santana turned and grabbed the water bottle she kept by her bed every night and tipped it to Brittany's lips. "Better. Thank you." Then Brittany pouted.
"What's wrong baby? Can I get you something?"
"I don't like sleeping flat it feels funny. And my side hurts. And I'm hungry."
"I know Britt. Maybe tonight you can try sleeping on your good side? But I think I have solutions for the other things. My Mami is cooking. And we have your pain medicine out in the living room. Feel up for hanging out on the couch?"
"Yeah." She started pushing herself into a sitting position, Santana helped her a little. As Brittany was still wiping the sleep out of her eyes Santana got up and threw on some shorts. She grabbed a pair of sweats for Brittany and helped her into them. They walk slowly out towards the living room. Nobody notices at first when they first walk in. Santana notices there's a lot of food on the counters. Multiple pans full. Where did all of that come from? Her dad and Quinn were watching football in the living room and her mother was predictably occupied in the kitchen. "Where did all this food come from?" Brittany says exactly what she's thinking. Maribel whips around, and seeing them, hurries over. She puts her hands on both of their cheeks and kisses them.
"We went grocery shopping. I needed to do something so I made you food for the week. You need good food to heal and you're all too skinny anyway. Tonight's dinner is almost done. How are you girls feeling?"
"Hungry. But fine." Other than her shoulder being a little tight and sore, Santana really did feel fine.
"Me too. Hungry. And some pain." Maribel nods.
"Antonio get Brittany her medicine."
"I can do it." Brittany tries, looking around hoping to see it laying out somewhere.
"Nonsense. We're here to take care of both of you. Let us do that. Ok?" Brittany nods almost disbelievingly. She was so used to taking care of herself when she was sick or whatever that it still took some getting used to. It might always. "Go sit down on the couch. Both of you." Santana takes Brittany's hand and pulls her over to the couch. There are already some pillows set up there with a blanket and Santana helps Brittany sit down.
Brittany takes the medicine that Antonio gives her and tries to get comfortable but she's having a hard time. Santana notices Brittany shifting around. "What do you need B?" She continues to shift around for a few minutes before answering.
"Can I lay against you? Everything makes it worse. But not if it hurts you, I can figure something out." Santana shakes her head back and forth.
"Let's lean you up." Santana helps her lean forward and then squeezes in behind her. Brittany leans back against her chest and sighs.
"Perfect." It's the most comfortable she had been since last night. "I don't want to move again."
"We don't have to." Santana says quietly and kisses the back of Brittany's head gently.
"How are you guys?" Quinn asks as she sits lightly next to them, trying not to jostle Brittany.
"We're ok Quinn. Thank you for cleaning up the room."
"Yeah Q. That was awesome. Have my parents been driving you crazy?"
"You're welcome. And no. They're fine. Just worried about you two. I don't need to tell you this but never ever again. Ok? Never walk home at night by yourselves. Please. Just-" Santana can see Quinn is tearing up.
"We will be safer Q. It's ok. The police are going to get those guys." Quinn nodded. Nobody wanted to talk about this right now. She got up and went over to the table.
"When we were out your mom picked up this movie. She thought Brittany would like it. And said you were too whipped for it to matter if you liked it or not." Quinn smirked over her shoulder at the look on Santana's face.
"MAMI! I am not- I mean I just love her so whatever she- whatever." She could feel Brittany giggling slightly against her chest.
"Ow." She said pitifully holding her side.
"Let me get you some ice Brittany." Antonio suggested. As soon as he got back with the ice pack Santana took it and held it to Brittany's side so Brittany didn't have to do it. The ice really did help. Plus the painkillers were just starting to kick in. The house was warm and filled with noises, people, and smells that made her happy. Most of all she's in Santana's arms, which is the only place she ever wanted to be.
"I love you." Santana whispered behind her.
"I love you too. So much." Santana couldn't stop herself from smiling. She was so thankful that she could bring Brittany comfort. She readjusted the ice back to cover another part of Brittany's injured ribs and felt her sigh into her even more. A few minutes later her mother announces that dinner is ready and that she will bring their plates. Brittany sits up with Santana's help as Maribel hands her a plate. She finds the action of bringing the fork to her mouth uncomfortable. But holding the plate up with the hand on her injured side isn't any better. She puts the plate on her lap but the rice kept falling off of the fork before she got it all the way to her mouth. She makes a noise of frustration but before she could even try and solve the problem Santana takes her plate and scoops her food onto her own plate. Then she holds it between them so that they are eating off of the same plate.
Maribel watches on and can't help but picture them in ten years. Santana taking care of a pregnant Brittany. Hopefully. She loved Brittany in a way she didn't know that she could love a child that wasn't hers. But to know Brittany was to love her. At least she thought. She couldn't fathom how Brittany's parents had treated her the way they had. And it broke her heart that last night had happened to both of them. "Your Papi and I talked about it girls, and I think I'm going to stay back from going to Puerto Rico. I don't want to be out of the country with everything that has happened."
"Wait I don't want to ruin your plans. I'll be ok." Brittany hated that she might be an inconvenience to someone who had treated her so well.
"Honey. You're not ruining my plans. Antonio still has to go. His Aunt is getting surgery and asked for him to be there. But I'm staying. We've talked about it. I don't want them to pick up the people who did this to you and you not be able to get a hold of me because I'm not in the country. Or if you need something. Your brothers are around but if I left I wouldn't stop worrying the entire time so it's better for all of us if I stay."
"Thank you so much. I don't know what I would do without you guys." Brittany felt overwhelmed with how much the Lopez family cared about her.
"You won't ever have to find out sweetie. We're going to leave tomorrow afternoon and take Quinn with us so she doesn't have to take the bus. Then your Papi is going to leave and I need to do a few things at the office. But then maybe I could come back down Thursday and take you girls shopping or something fun if you're feeling up for it."
"That sounds great Mami. Thank you."
After dinner they sat around watching Tangled. Brittany had a difficult time staying awake nestled into Santana. By time the movie was over Santana had to gently wake her.
"Girls we're going to get going. Brittany you can take your bandages off when you take a shower. But don't put them back on. Whenever you think about it I also want you to take a deep breath. I know it will feel uncomfortable but you should also try lying on your injured side. It will help with deeper breathing. A lot of times broken ribs lend itself to pneumonia and collapsed lungs. But you're young so as long as you're careful you should be ok. But at the first sign something is wrong I want you to call me or go straight to the doctor."
They could tell Brittany was getting tired again, and to be honest, Maribel and Antonio were pretty tired themselves so they headed back to the hotel after they promised to be back for breakfast in the morning.
"Want to take a shower baby?"
"Will you go with me?"
"Do you even have to ask?" Santana lays a kiss to Brittany's shoulder before getting up and helping Brittany stand up. Once they get in the bathroom Santana starts the water and then pulls off all of her clothes. Brittany can't help herself. She knows nothing can happen. She's in too much pain for that, but Santana's body is something meant to be admired. And admire she will. "Put your arms out so I can take this off of you." Santana tugs at her tank top hem. Brittany does what is asked and is left standing in an ace bandage and sweats, which Santana pulls down next.
As gently as she can she removes the clip holding Brittany's bandages shut. Then she begins to unwrap them. The more she unwraps the more she wished she could stop. Inch by inch of deep bruising is revealed to her. It makes her feel physically ill. By time the last of the bandaging has been pulled away Santana can feel tears burning in her eyes. She did a pretty good job all day not thinking about what happened to them last night. But here it was, a giant reminder that someone had hurt the love of her life. She ran her fingers up Brittany's side, barely touching her skin. She needed to be strong for Brittany. So she pulled away and turned towards the shower and stepped in. She held her hand out for Brittany to take to help steady her as she climbed in as well.
Brittany could tell it bothered her. She could read Santana better than any book she had ever tried. "What's wrong San?" Santana just shook her head and turned around looking for the body wash.
"Where the fuck is it?" She kept turning until she saw it. She grabbed for it but it slipped out of her hand and made a loud noise when it hit the bottom of the bathtub. "Fuck! Just fucking-"
"Stop. Santana what is wrong?" Brittany tried pulling Santana towards her to look at her but Santana avoided her eyes. "Look at me Santana." And when she did Brittany saw the tears coming out of her eyes. "Baby." She whispered.
"I'm sorry. I'm trying to be strong for you. I'm sorry." The tears started falling faster and Santana's chest started heaving with the effort of trying to keep it all in. Brittany reached up and pushed wet dark hair behind her ear and held Santana's face between her hands. "I was s-so s-scared Brittany." Then she broke down. She started sobbing and Brittany pulled her into her body. She couldn't stop herself from crying either.
"I know San. Me too. But we're ok."
"But you're not! You're hurt Brittany. You have stitches and terrible bruises and broken bones! He tried to touch you!"
"But he didn't" She pulled back to look into Santana's tear swollen eyes. "Santana he didn't. You stopped it. I'll be ok. We are both going to be just fine. I promise." Santana nodded and reached up to wipe some of Brittany's tears away. She pulled her in for a kiss. Tasting tears and finding a kind of comfort that they only bring to each other. Brittany pulls away and places one more kiss on Santana's forehead. "Ok?"
"Yeah." Santana nods sniffing back more tears. "Ok. I'm sorry."
"Feel better? Sometimes crying helps."
"A little. Can I wash your hair?" Brittany nods, and lets her. They finish up in the shower and walk back to Santana's room in just their towels. "What PJ's do you want?"
"Just underwear." Santana nods. Grateful for Brittany's decision.
"Have you been taking deep breaths?" Brittany stops. She hadn't actually been thinking about it. She takes one and feels a stabbing pain.
"I don't like that."
"I know baby. But you have to." Santana hands her a pain pill and the bottle of water while she turns back the covers on the bed. "Want to try sleeping on your bad side tonight? My dad said it would help with breathing."
"What if it hurts?"
"It might. But what if I lay on my side, and then you lay on your bad side and I will hold you. And if it starts to hurt too bad all you have to do is roll more on your back and I will help support you so it will hurt less. Ok?" Brittany agrees. Mostly because it means sleeping in Santana's arms as opposed to just next to her. She crawls into bed after Santana and slowly and very carefully lays on her injured side. It's uncomfortable and tight, but not something she can't deal with. Especially when she feels Santana's warm naked chest press into her back and an arm drape over her and a hand press to her chest where her heart is.
"I love you."
"I love you too Brittany."
"Sing to me."
"Always." She sings a half asleep version of "The Luckiest" into Brittany's ear as she feels Brittany's uneven breathing level out. After giving several kisses to the back of Brittany's necks, and several more whispered I love you's, Santana allows herself to fall asleep as well.
AN: Sorry it's taken so long.
Already started on the next chapter. I hope it will be quicker than this one.
Thank you to my beta as always. And thank you to all of you guys and your amazing comments. Let me know what you guys think. Anything you want to see?
About 10 chapters left.