Santana was sitting at her kitchen table the next morning sipping her coffee. Her phone call to her mother last night hadn't been as productive as she had hoped. Her mother insisted that this was a conversation to have face to to face and that she was driving down to see her today.

Santana smiled she hadn't expected her mother to make the trip, but she was secretly glad she was coming. She hasn't had many chances to see her mother over the last few months and it was long overdue.

Taking the last sip of her coffee she rinsed the cup and placed it in the drain board. Grabbing her keys and purse she headed off to work. Since she was taking of on Tuesday she had ask Sue if she could work Saturday to make up the lost time. The clinic was only open on Sunday's for emergencies, so she would have a full day to spend with her mother.

Pulling into her parking place Santana had every intention of having a good day, and try not to get too distracted thinking of a certain blonde.

Walking through the waiting area she says good morning to the few patients who are already waiting and gives a small wave to Tina who is already busy at work. She goes to her office grabs her white lab coat and goes to call her first patient.

Xxxxxxx

Several hours later and one change of clothes thanks to a puking child and Santana is officially ready to call it a day. Finishing up some paperwork in her office her thoughts are stopped when she hears laughter coming from outside her office. Laughter that sounds eerily familiar.

She gets up from her desk and opens her door. "Mami? What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming till late tonight. How did you even find the clinic?"

Santana's answer is answered when Brittany steps around the corner wearing her Sheriff's uniform. "I pulled Maribel here over for speeding about an hour ago. Don't worry I let her go with a warning this time" she gave Santana a small wink. "I knew you were getting off at 4 so I thought I would show her around a little before dropping her off. She left her car at you place."

"Brittany what are you doing working, I thought you didn't work on weekends."

Brittany smiled. "Probably for the same reason as you are. I'm taking of Tuesday so I switched with Finn, my deputy chief who is usually in charge when I'm off. The kids had a play date with some friends so everything worked out perfectly."

Santana's mom grabbed Brittany's arm. "Brittany here has been a darling. I can see why you are so infatuated Santana. She is quite the catch."

Santana ignored her mother's comment. "Mami why were you speeding?"

Her mother looked at her sheepishly. "I was too excited to see you that I hadn't realized how fast I was going. It's a good thing that this town has such a vigilant Sheriff."

Santana sighed and smirked at her mother. "You should've gave her a ticket Brittany that would have taught her a lesson."

Brittany laughed. "No I try to give first timers a warning." But she gave Maribel a stern look. "But don't do it again, or I might have to make you spend a night in the county jail."

Maribel gave Brittany a small salute with a "Yes ma'am."

Santana laughed at their antics but couldn't be happier that two of the most important women in her life right now were getting along.

Brittany cleared her throat. "Well I have to be going I still have a couple of hours left on my shift. Maribel if you are still in town on Tuesday you should come with us to the zoo, it's my son's birthday, and the more the merrier." Maribel nodded. "Well I might have to take you up on that offer. I haven't seen the inside of a Zoo since Santana was a child.

Brittany grinned and gave both Maribel and Santana a hug before leaving, Santana's lasting a little longer. She waved towards Tina and then was out the door and back into her cruiser.

Maribel linked her arm with her daughter's and walked into her office. "Mija if you don't marry that girl you are a fool. If I wasn't so old I might have taken a crack at her."

Santana slapped her mother lightly on the arm. "Mami it's too early to talk about marriage we have went on one date. She's not even my girlfriend."

Her mother waved her arms. "When you know you know mija. And besides you said you were in love."

"I think the more correct term would be falling, and falling fast, but that doesn't mean she feels the same." Santana said once again sitting behind her desk.

"Mija, that girl feels exactly the same. You can see it all over her face when she looks at you." Maribel walked around the desk and put her arms around her daughter, Santana leaned into her mother and sighed. "I'm scared. I have never felt like this before."

Maribel moved the hair out of Santana's face so she could look her in the eyes. "I know it's a scary prospect honey, but you have to think about all the good things that could happen and take a chance."

Santana looked at her mother. "Did you ever feel this way about papi?"

Maribel sighed. "I think that one of the reason's it was so easy letting your father go was because I didn't feel that way. We got married after we got pregnant because it's what our parents wanted. I think I grew to like him, but it was never a choice for me whether it would be you or him. Your children are always going to come first. I think that's a reason you get along so well with Brittany, you understand her priorities and aren't trying to change them."

Santana shook her head rigorously. "I always want her to put Emily and Nate first. I would do the same. It's weird how I'm already so attached."

Maribel once again nodded. "See mija you already have everything figured out. Just follow your heart and go at the pace that works for you. Some may think its fast but only you two can decide that."

Santana nodded. "Are you hungry? I'm pretty much done here for the day. I made sure the fridge was stocked so you have plenty to work with." She gave her mother a wide grin.

"Oh mija when I have I never not cooked for you." Maribel chuckled.

Xxxxxxx

After stuffing herself with her mother's amazing cooking. The mother and daughter duo settled in the living room to watch a movie together. "I don't have to work tomorrow mami so we have the whole day to spend doing something."

Maribel stood up and stretched. "That sounds wonderful dear if we are going to have a busy day tomorrow I better get to bed now, I'm not as young as I used to be." We that said she gave Santana a kiss on the forehead and made her way to the guestroom.

Santana decided to also turn in for the night. She might as well get as much sleep as she could she never knew what was in store when she hung out with her mother.

Xxxxxxx

The next morning Santana woke to the smell of pancakes and bacon. She didn't realize how much she missed having someone else in the house. It's not the same when you are living alone. She walked downstairs in her sleep clothes and sat at the table waiting for her mother to finish.

"Mija why don't you set the table I'll only be a few more minutes." Maribel pointed at her with her spatula until she got up to do as she was told.

A few minutes later the two were seated and eating breakfast.

"So what is there that we can do here?" Maribel asked cutting into a pancake.

Santana shrugged. "We can take a walk on the beach, and there are a few nice little shops in town."

Maribel nodded. "It's been awhile that I been shopping in something that wasn't a chain store. This could be fun."

Santana smiled, she was looking forward to spending the day with her mother.

Xxxxxxx

To say they shopped would be an understatement. Her mother had to go through each shop in town with a fine tooth comb. By the time that they were done it was already late afternoon. Santana suggested eating dinner at the diner and Maribel happily agreed.

They stowed their purchases in the car and walked up the steps to the diner opening it and looking around.

"Sanny!"

Santana looked around and saw the Pierce family waving them over. Santana grabbed her mother's arm and tugged her over. "Hey guys, you mind if we join you?"

They all nodded their consent and Santana and Maribel sat. Emily and Nate had demanded that Santana sit between them, so that left Maribel and Brittany sharing the other side of the booth. "Have you guys ordered yet?" she asked.

Brittany shook her head. "We actually just got here too, Mike hasn't been around yet. The diner is usually busy on Sunday's."

"Who are you?" asked Nate looking at Maribel.

Maribel smiled at the young boy. "I'm Santana's mother. But you can just call be abuela."

Santana looked at her mother. "Mami!"

Brittany was confused. "What does abuela mean?"

Santana looked at Brittany apologetically. "It means grandma in Spanish."

Brittany gave a small smile. "That's okay San, it's like a respect thing. It's like how the kids call Mike Uncle. It would be weird if they called her Maribel."

Emily smiled. "Abuela, that sounds funny."

Maribel laughed. "It does doesn't honey."

"We don't remember our grandma she died when we were just babies, our grandpa too." Nate looked at the adults.

Nobody was quite sure how to answer Nate. Brittany had turned a pale color and was looking down at her plate.

"Mommy did I say something wrong?" Nate asked quietly he wasn't used to his mom looking like that.

Brittany looked up and gave Nate a small smile and grabbed his hand. "No Nate, it just makes me sad to talk about grandma and grandpa."

"Oh okay, but can we still call her abuela I think it would be cool." Nate asked hesitantly.

"I think that grandma and grandpa would want it no other way. They always did like sharing." Brittany smiled.

Santana looked over to Brittany, but she just smiled and mouthed later.

The somber moment was broken when Mike skipped over. "Howdy there ladies!" winking at Nate. "And gentleboy. How may I help you on this fine Sunday?"

Nobody could stay in a down mood with Mike's cheerfulness. "I think its burgers, fries, and milkshakes for all." Santana told him looking around the table for approval, which they all agreed.

"So do you come here often?" Maribel asked Brittany.

Emily laughed. "We always come on Sunday. Mommy says she too tired to cook every day of the week."

Brittany blushed a light pink. "Well maybe I wouldn't be so tired if my kids were calmer."

Nate spoke up. "But mom you're always saying you love how much energy we have."

Brittany laughed. "Your right, but your mom is getting old."

Mike came back with the milkshakes and placed them in the designated spots. Emily and Nate receiving kid sizes.

Emily looked up at her mother. "Mommy you're not that old, your only forty right?"

Brittany spit out the milkshake she had just taken a sip off and looked offended. "Do I look forty?"

The whole table let out loud laughs but Brittany just pouted and sat back in her seat. "Don't laugh so hard San, if I'm forty than so are you."

Emily grabbed Santana's hand. "Sanny only looks twenty-five."

Brittany folded her arms. "I'm pretty sure that Santana is older than me."

Santana laughed and flicked her hair back. "That may be Britt, I just naturally glow youngness."

Emily reached over for her mother's hand. Brittany unfolded her arms and took the hand offered. "I'm just kidding mommy, you look just as young and pretty as Sanny."

Brittany squeezed Emily's hand. "Thank you baby."

Mike and another waitress came over carrying their meals. The next 15 minutes were filled with nothing but the sounds of chewing and forks against the plate.

Nate took a bite out of his burger. "So Sanny you and abuela coming with us to the Zoo on Tuesday right?"

Santana grabbed a napkin and wiped the ketchup from his face. "You shouldn't talk with food in your mouth." Nate nodded and finished swallowing. "Are you?"

"Well I am definitely coming, but I can't answer for my mami." She said looking over at her mother.

"Well if you don't mind me tagging along I would love to come celebrate with you guys." Maribel looked at Brittany.

Brittany nodded. "Like I said before, the more the merrier."

"Yes! This is going to be the best birthday ever." Nate yelled.

Brittany laughed at her son's enthusiasm. "How about I pick you guys up bright and early Tuesday morning. There doesn't seem to be a reason to take two cars. It quite a lengthy drive to the nearest zoo."

Santana nodded. "That's fine as long as you have room."

"My car seats five comfortably even with the kids car seats." Said Brittany.

After everyone was done with their meal Mike dropped off the check, and before Brittany or Santana could grab it Maribel was already laying down her card and handing it back. "Don't worry dears this one was on me."

Brittany sighed. "Maribel you should've let me pay."

Maribel patted her hand. "Think of it as a thank you for letting me tag along on Tuesday."

Brittany nodded. "Alright but don't try to pay me back for the zoo tickets. I won't be accepting any of your money."

Maribel smiled. "Whatever you say dear."

Brittany looked over at Santana. "What? She's my mother I mooch off of her all the time."

Brittany shook her head. "Hey guys you want to go to the park for a little while before it gets dark."

Both kids nod their heads furiously. Brittany gave Santana a look that meant she wanted to talk. "Hey mami would you mind watching the kids while Brittany and I talked." She looked towards her mother.

Maribel looked between Brittany and Santana and gave a small smile. "Of course, I'm sure you have some things to discuss."

When they arrived at the park, the kids ran over to the swings followed closely by Maribel. Brittany grabbed Santana's hand and continued on towards the beach. She sat down in the sand and pulled Santana in between her legs.

Brittany laid her chin on top of Santana's head. "I'm going to tell you everything okay San, but I'm going to warn you know that it's kind of a long story."

Santana snuggled closer to Brittany absorbing her warmth. "It's okay Britt take your time."

Brittany sighed. "When I joined the military I served a couple of tours overseas, and on my last one l was shot straight in the chest. The bullet pierced straight through my armor."

Santana pulled away from Brittany's arms and turned around to face her as she continued. "The doctors say I should have died. I still have the scar where they had to crack open my chest to restart my heart." She touched a few inches from her neck and dragged it down till just below her breast.

Santana placed her hand on top of Brittany's and nodded at her to continue. "They had me held at the military hospital in Germany for months. When they finally released me and sent me home my parents picked me up from the airport. On the drive back a drunk driver slammed into the driver side of our car. My dad died on impact, but the car flipped and my mom and I were still inside. The last thing I remember is flames consuming the car and then I woke up in the hospital." By this point Brittany was openly crying and Santana couldn't help the tears that flowed from her eyes. She gathered Brittany into her arms and held her as she sobbed.

"It's okay Britt, just let it out. It will be okay." Santana wiped the tears from Brittany's face and kissed her forehead.

Brittany shook her head. "The doctors said that my mom pulled me from the car. They found her covering my body with her own. They suspect she dragged me from the car and died shortly later."

They sat there in silence for a long moment. Santana couldn't fathom what Brittany had gone through. When Brittany's tears finally subsided, Santana grabbed her chin and softly kissed her. It wasn't a passion filled kiss, but it was the most intimate kiss Santana had ever had, it was a promise. A promise to not leave.

When she broke the kiss she was confused for a moment. "Britt, Nate said that his and Emily's grandparents were alive when they were babies, but when did you have time to have kids if you were serving overseas."

Brittany all of a sudden stood and closed her eyes running her hands through her hair. She opened them and Santana could see the pain reflected in her eyes.

"I'm not really Nate and Emily's mother."

Oh no a cliffhanger. Who's the real mother? Stick around till tomorrow to find out.

Thanks for reading.

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