Before you guys attack me, I am so sorry for the wait. I have been uncontrollably busy and I'm going throught a tough break-up with my (now ex) girlfriend so I just haven't had the time to sit down and write this chapter.
But here it is! This chapter is filled with a little fluff but a lot of drama. Sorry for any mistakes, I only re-read this once and I rely on spell check a lot.
"Britt, baby, I'm going to talk to Mallory about the kids. Do you need anything while I'm out?" Santana called from the kitchen.
It's been about a week since they first had the kids and things were going smooth so far. Both Santana and Brittany have learned all about the kids. For example, Brayden loves baseball and will not eat any sandwich if the crust is there. Or with Paisley, she loves carrots raw but will not eat them if boiled. And with Rosie, she will only take a bottle if it's the right temperature and likes to be burped on the right shoulder.
All three kids were as different from the next but Santana and Brittany loved them more and more every day.
Brittany walked into the kitchen with Rosie on her hip. "No, I think we're all good. Are you sure you don't want me coming with you?"
"It will only be about ten minutes. I'm just going to ask her about starting the process. I promise you, nothing serious will happen." Santana winked at her wife before grabbing an apple from the bowl and taking a bite.
"Mami!" Paisley said as she came running into the room. Brittany looked at her wife and saw the huge smile on her face that she gets when the kids call her mami.
"What baby?"
"Where are ya goin?" Santana picked Paisley up and set her down on the island.
"I'm going to talk to Ms. Mallory."
"Can I come?"
"No baby you can't. You have to stay here with mama, Rosie and Brayden."
"Why can't I come?"
Santana saw the tears starting to form is Paisley's eyes.
"Because Mami has to talk about really important stuff hunny."
Paisley frowned and wrapped her arms around her Mami's neck.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you to princess. Now let go before mami is late."
Paisley did as she was told and gave her mami a kiss on the cheek before hopping off the counter and running back into the living room. Santana laughed at Paisley's cuteness as she walked over to her wife. She wrapped her arms around Brittany's waist and pulled her close, still cautious of Rosie in her arms.
"I'll see you later babe. I love you."
"Oh babe, can you get some more diapers while you're out."
"Sure, just text me if you need anything else."
Santana said goodbye to the kids before grabbing her bag and heading down to the parking garage. She said 'hello' to the receptionist and one of her neighbors when she walked through the lobby. Everyone in the building was friendly and Santana couldn't have been happier.
When she and Brittany first moved in, they were welcomed by their neighbors Some cooked whole meals for them while others simply gave them directions to the nearest restaurant or grocery store. The only neighbor that gave Santana the creeps was Mr. Mishow. He was an old Asian man who lived in the apartment two doors down from them. He had a Siamese cat named Chu-Chu who always hissed and clawed Santana when ever she got close.
Little shit.
Santana walked down the stairs into the parking garage and made the quick walk to her car. While walking, she passed a young women who was stepping out of her shiny red Mercedes. She had on a tight black dress and a pair of big Chanel sunglasses. Looking at the girl reminded Santana of herself ten years ago.
If she never married Brittany and for some reason they went their separate ways, that would have been her. She would have used up all of Daddy's money on some fancy car and would probably have the attitude that she was better than everyone around her.
Actually, that was her in high school. Brittany really kept her grounded but without her she was a cocky, rich teenage girl who thought everyone below her were her servants and that they worshiped her.
Everyone at McKinley really did worship her, but only out of fear.
Santana unlocked her car and got into the front seat. After putting her seat belt on, she started the car and backed out of her parking spot.
As she pulled out of the garage, the nerves started to set in the pit of Santana's stomach.
What if something went wrong while trying to adopt the kids. That would emotionally crush Brittany and herself. They have spent so much time and effort in trying to get these kids to adapt to their lifestyle and already formed deep connections with each of them.
Not only would Brittany and Santana be crushed, so would the kids. Paisley got emotional when Santana left earlier. Brayden always tries to do everything with Brittany. And with little Rosie, she just likes being loved by both Santana and Brittany.
Santana pulled into the parking lot and parked her car under a tree so her car wouldn't become hot in the sun. She stepped out and was met with a gust of cold wind.
Living in New York City during this time was tough. If you didn't have the right type of clothing then you would have a difficult time managing to stay warm when going out side.
She walked into the building and saw that Mallory's office was on the third level.
For a moment, Santana debated whether to take the stairs or the elevator. If Brittany was with her, she would have made them take the stairs but since she wasn't, Santana was taking the elevator.
When she stepped out into the main office, Santana walked over to the reception's desk.
"Hi, I have an appointment with Mallory."
"Name please?"
"Santana Lopez-Pierce."
"Ah, she's been expecting you. Let me take you to her office."
Santana watched as the little old woman stood up from her chair and made her way down a long hallway, motioning for Santana to follow her. The woman knocked on the fourth door on the right and stuck her head in.
Soon, the door opened fully and Santana saw Mallory siting at her desk, eyes focused on the computer.
"Hello Santana, take a seat." Santana sat down on the big, maroon colored chair in front of her desk. Mallory clicked a button and then closed her lab top. "So how is everything?"
"Everything is great." Santana beamed. "The kids are adjusting very well and Brittany and I are doing the best we can to make them comfortable and happy."
"I'm very happy to hear that. Have you finally come to a conclusion about adopting them."
"Yes. Brittany and I would like to start the paperwork as soon as possible."
"That's great to hear. I will get everything assembled and have you and Brittany sign everything in about two weeks. But for now I just need you to sign some papers saying that the kids will be in your custody for the two weeks needed to complete all the paperwork."
"Is this anything big? I promised my wife I wouldn't make any huge decisions."
Mallory smiled at the love between Brittany and Santana. It made her feel warm inside that these kids were put in the right family. "No, nothing big. They are actually the sane papers I had you sign the first time we met. I just changed the dates at the top."
Santana smiled and grabbed the pen that was next to the small stack of papers. Knowing that they were the same papers made it easier and quicker for Santana to sign them.
Once she was finished, Mallory took them from Santana and put them in a folder.
"Are there any questions you have before I let you leave?"
"Yes, what happens if there is a family member that steps forward and says that they would like to adopt the kids."
"If that happens, then you and Brittany can either give the family member full custody or you can fight. As of now, I haven't found any relatives of the children but if I do them I will immediately call you and Brittany."
Santana smiled and shook Mallory's hand. "Thank you so much for all your help."
"Anytime. Tell your wife and the children that I say hello."
"Will do. Have a nice day."
"You as well."
"So, what do you guys want to do today? Your mami and I both have the day off." Brittany said as she joined her wife on the couch.
It's been about a week since Santana met with Mallory. So far they haven't heard a word about there being a family member willing to take the kids which meant Santana and Brittany were happy.
It was Saturday which meant both Santana and Brittany didn't have to work.
"Can we go to the zoo?" Paisley said as she jumped up off the floor from where she was coloring in her coloring book.
"No baby, I'm afraid it's to cold out." Santana said as she pulled the little girl on her lap. Santana saw that Paisley was starting to frown so Santana kissed her temple and squeezed her, making the little girl giggle.
"Brayden, is there anything you want to do?"
"Can we go to Toy's R Us?"
Brittany looked at Santana with a raised eyebrow. Santana shrugged her shoulders and pushed Paisley gently off her lap.
"Yes, we totally can bud. Pae, are you okay with that?" Brittany asked,
"Can I get a new dolly?"
Paisley looked hopefully at her mommies. She had the classic puppy dog eyes and the fat bottom lip, something that Brittany and Santana were a sucker for.
"I guess so. You just have to be extra good for your mommy tomorrow while I'm at work." Santana said as she tickled Paisley's side.
"Now go get your coats so we can leave soon." Brittany said while grabbing Rosie and bringing her to get her coats and hat on.
Paisley and Brayden both cleaned up what they were playing with before running off to put their coats and shoes on.
While Santana was walking to go help Paisley, she heard her phone start to ring from the kitchen. When she saw who was calling, her stomach dropped.
"Hello?"
"Hi Santana. It's Mallory." Santana immediately knew that bad news was coming. There was a different tone in her voice. Normally she was all cheery and happy but today she sounded dull and sad.
"Hi Mallory."
"Is there any possible way you and Brittany can come to my office. I have news to tell you that I would like to say in person, not over the phone."
"Yes. Brittany and I were just going to take the kids shopping but we can come visit you first. Can we bring them or should we find a babysitter."
"No, you are more than welcomed to bring them. We have a day care in the office for the kids."
"Okay. I'll see you soon then."
Santana said goodbye to Mallory and leaned against the counter, running her hands down her face. She felt the tears come to her eyes but she quickly pushed them back down when she heard Brayden come into the kitchen.
"When are we leaving!"
"Soon bud. But Brittany and I have to go talk to Ms. Mallory first and then we can go to the store. Are you alright with that?"
"Yeah! Do you think I can get a new baseball glove at the store later?"
"Of course bud." Santana ruffled his hair before walking into her bedroom to find her wife braiding Paisley's hair. "Hey Britt, can I talk to you for a second?"
Brittany looked up at her wife and noticed how neutral her face was. She could sense that something was very wrong. Brittany tied the elastic around Paisley's hair and sent her off to go see if her brother was ready.
"What do ya wanna talk about." Brittany asked while patting the spot on their bed next to her. Santana sat down and rested her head on Brittany's shoulder.
"Mallory just called me."
"Wha-What did she want?"
Santana noticed how nervous Brittany got. Through her shoulder, Santana could feel her wife's heart pace rapidly increase.
"She said she has news for us. We are stopping at her office before taking the kids to the store."
"Alright." Brittany kissed her wife on the forehead and hugged her. "Everything will be okay San. We will fight for these kids not matter what."
"I love you Britt."
"Forever and always."
"Hello ladies. Thank you for coming in at such short notice." Mallory said from behind her desk. She had her hands folded in front of her and was leaning against her desk.
"It was no problem." Brittany said quietly. They were sitting in the two chairs placed in front of the desk, their hands linked together. The kids were in the room next door with a women, no older that 25, keeping them entertained during the meeting.
"So last night I received an e-mail from Edward Cross. He is works with me on these types of case. He specializes in finding distant family members. In the e-mail, he said that he has found someone. Someone who is willing to take the children in under full custody."
That's all it took for Brittany to start crying. It wasn't loud, hysterical sobs but there was soft noises being made. Santana just squeezed her hand and gave her wife an encouraging smile, trying to stay strong for the both of them.
"Who is it? I thought there was no family members even alive."
"Apparently," Mallory grabbed a folder and opened it. "their mother has a half-sister who is saying she will take responsibility for the children. Her name is Samantha Holloway. She's 35 and lives in Dallas, Texas with her Tom. They have no kids and a decent income."
"So what does all this mean?" Santana asked, her voice on the verge of breaking down.
"It means that we will probably have to get you guys a lawyer and you will fight."
"How would it be possible for her to get custody of the kids? Has she ever even met them or seen them or interacted with them?" Santana was on the edge of her seat. She could feel the anger building in the bit of her stomach.
"The only reason the judge would give them custody is because they are blood related family. Since Samantha is their mother's half-sister, it means that they either share a mother or a father, therefore she is blood related to these children. It's ultimately what's best for the children. wherever the judge finds that they will be the best is where they will be put."
"When will this all happen?" Brittany asked, finally regaining her strength.
"First I'll set you guys up with a lawyer. I have a couple in mind that would suit this case very well. Then either the end of this week or next week, you guys and your lawyer will meet with the Holloway's and their lawyer, I will attend the meeting also. And we will see how it goes from there on."
"How do you think we should tell the kids? Should we even tell them?"
"Personally, if I was in your situation, I would sit the kids down and tell them. I wouldn't sugar coat it because then it could just cause more emotional damage if you don't tell them what is really going on."
"Okay, thank you so much for your help." Brittany said, standing up to shake Mallory's hand.
"I'm just doing my job ladies. I will be in contact with you about a lawyer within the next three days. I wish you the best of luck in this whole situation."
"Thank you. We're going to need it." Santana shook Mallory's hand. The three women said goodbyes and Santana and Brittany went to get the kids from the next room.
Hope you all enjoyed this! Unfortuantly, I am going to Florida in a week so I might be able to squeeze out the next chapter but if I can't I am deeply sorry for making you guys wait so long.