A/N: Hello all! So here's the next chapter. I didn't expect to have it done so quickly, but I got on a roll with it and just wrote and wrote!
It's a long one. You know how I said the last chapter was the longest? Well, this one by far definitely is. (Before adding these notes the word count was close to 5,000!) I kept writing and writing. Then when I typed it up, I was like ohh. Longer than I thought it would be! So hopefully it's a good one :) I was going to split it and add more on to the second part, but I couldn't really find a spot I was happy splitting it at, so I left it as it is.
Also, I should add this chapter does get a little bit dark as such, and something not so nice happens.
I also need to add, that this not so nice event might be trigger for some people. It's sort of like, domestic violence. One of the girls *MINOR SPOILER* gets hit by someone in their family. I hope you get what I mean by sort of domestic violence. This is a once off though. So hopefully I don't upset anyone. This event helps show how strong the love Brittany and Santana share is. Well I hope it does, because that was my honest intention, to show how strong their love is. (And I actually had thought of this idea before the synopsis of 'Choke' was released. It just happened to work out the ep aired then soon after I updated.)
Feedback is always welcome. So feel free to review, or send me a DM and yeah :)
The next couple of days came and went. The rainstorm was a once off it seemed, as the rest of the week was fine. Cool, but no rain. Brittany stayed at Santana's, and Santana stayed at Brittany's, like they had planned to do while Brittany's mum was away. On the Friday, Santana went back to Brittany's after school. She wanted to spend as much time with Brittany as she could, because Brittany's dad was going to be in town for the weekend, so she would be busy. Santana attached herself to Brittany's neck as they snuggled on the bed. "I'm gonna miss you on the weekend," she mumbled, lips never leaving Brittany's skin. "Same," Brittany said, her hands stroking up and down Santana's back. Then the pair heard movement downstairs. Unsure if it was Mollie and Brittany's nan, or Brittany's mum returning home, the girls got up and headed downstairs.
"Mummy!" Brittany said as herself and Santana entered the kitchen. "Girls, how are you?" Brianna asked, "You were okay during the rainstorm I hope?" "Yeah, we were okay. Britts made it to my place just in time that morning," Santana chuckled. "Yup mummy, I got inside just after it started. We stayed at San's that day and night because her papi said it was safer too." Brianna smiled, "Oh good. Nanna called before, she's dropping Molls off later tonight or early tomorrow, something about promising her something," Brianna shook her head, laughing. "Did you want to stay for dinner Santana? Have a big girls night in with me and Brittany? Then you both can have some more you time before Brittany's dad steals her for the weekend?" Brittany looked to Santana, smiling, and Santana smiled back, "Sounds great, thank you. I'll go call mama now!"
Santana went into the next room to call her mama and tell her she'd be home the next morning, while Brittany stayed in the kitchen with her mum. Walking around the bench, Brittany hugged her mum, "Thanks mummy. I thought you'd want me all to yourself before I spend time with daddy." Brianna hugged her daughter back, "It's okay sweetheart. I get you every other time. You don't really get a lot of alone time with Santana, and I don't mind sharing you with her." Brittany giggled, and Brianna hugged her a bit tighter, "I'll tell you why too Britty." "Why mummy?" Brittany looked up, waiting for her mum to respond. "Because I've never seen you more happy than you are when you're with Santana. And I trust her completely." Brittany had to blink back the tears as she smiled wide at her mum's comment. "She really does make me happy."
Santana walked back into the kitchen, but stopped shy of turning the corner to where Brittany and Brianna were. She heard what Brianna said, about how she'd never seen Brittany more happy, and that she trusted Santana completely. Santana took a moment to process the words, steadying herself before walking back to the mum and daughter, who she was madly in love with.
When Santana did turn the corner, Brittany was sitting on the kitchen counter, casually talking to her mum. "Mama's all cool," Santana smiled, joining Brittany on the bench. Brittany couldn't hide her smile, resting her head on Santana's shoulder, "What's for dinner mummy?" Brianna stood opposite the two girls, "I was thinking I could go grab some take out? Anything you girls want?" Brittany shrugged her shoulders, debating what she might want. "Chinese maybe would be cool," Santana suggested. Brianna nodded, "You good with that Britt?" "Mmm, sounds good. It was one of the things I thought we could have actually." Brianna picked up her bag and keys, "Well, I'll go get it no then. The usual girls?" Brittany and Santana both nodded. "Anything else you wanted me to get while I'm out?" Brittany lifted her head, looking at Santana, who shook her head slightly, "Nah we're good mummy."
Once Brianna had left to get dinner, Brittany and Santana laid on the couch. Brittany was laying with her back against Santana's chest, and smiled as she felt the strong arms of her girlfriend wrap around her. "Hey B," Santana said, kissing the back of Brittany's head. Brittany smiled at the contact, "Mmm," she replied. "Your mum, I heard what she said earlier in the kitchen..." Brittany shuffled around, so she was facing Santana, "You did?" she said softly. Santana nodded, "Yeah. I'm glad she feels that way. And I'm glad I'm the one that makes you so happy." Brittany's smiled widened as Santana spoke, "You really do. And she's right, I'm happiest when I'm with you." "Love you," Santana said as she held Brittany closer to her body. Brittany snuggled up to Santana, head on her girls chest, "Love you too."
The evening was filled with laughs and giggles and girly movies. After finishing dinner, the trio headed into the kitchen. Brittan and Santana sat at the counter, while Brianna warmed up some apple crumble for dessert. Once it was ready, Brianna plated it up, and then got out three wine glasses. Brittany and Santana sat there, confused. "Mummy, why the wine? We're not twenty one yet.." Brittany and Santana had the same thought, that their age had never stopped them before. But it usually didn't involve parental consent, and the use of Puck's cousin's fake ID. "Yeah Mrs P, what's the occasion?"Brianna smiled as she finished filling up the glasses, "You both. You've shown you're both so serious, that you're actually handling something that some would consider beyond your years. I know that you're both in for the long haul. And you almost never see something so true in people so young." Both Brittany and Santana were left speechless as all three raised their glasses in a toast.
Later on, when Brittany and Santana headed to bed, both were still reeling from what Brittany's mum had spoken of earlier. The girls got changed, Santana borrowing a shirt from Brittany, and got under the covers. Santana leant over, turning the lamp off, and Brittany pulled her closer to her body. Laying there in silence, Brittany and Santana just listened to each others breaths, and each others heartbeats. Their fingers softly caressed skin, roaming wherever they pleased. Lips tenderly touched, relishing in the sensation of the contact. Pulling back, both girls gazed into each others, love gleaming and glowing in the moonlight seeping through the crack in the curtains. "You're so beautiful you know," Santana spoke softly, gently pulling Brittany closer to her. "Nah, you are," Brittany replied, snuggling up to Santana's chest. "Whatever," Santana softly laughed.
The next morning, Brittany and Santana were woken by Brianna coming into the bedroom, asking if the girls wanted breakfast. "Please mummy." "Yeah that would be pretty cool, thanks," Santana replied. "Ohh Britt honey," Brianna stepped back into the room, "Your dad's already picked up Mollie and taken her out for the day, and he'll be back later to pick you up and drop her off okay? Then he'll come get Mollie again tomorrow morning and take you both out together." "Okay mummy," Brittany smiled, "We'll be down soon for breakfast," she added as her mum left the room. "You're excited hey baby?" Santana said. "Yep," Brittany nodded, "I haven't seen daddy in ages." Brittany sat up, and looked to Santana. "Hey umm... Do you think it would be okay if I told daddy about us?" Brittany's eyes then darted down to her own lap. "B," Santana sat up, putting an arm around Brittany, "Of course it is." Brittany rested her head on Santana's shoulder, "Thanks." Santana smiled, stroking Brittany's hair, "Now let's go get some breakfast hey? And enjoy the day we're gonna have before your dad steals you away!" Brittany giggled at this, and the pair got up, and put their clothes on, and headed downstairs for breakfast.
Brittany and Santana's day together included laughs and cuddles and fun. Then once Santana had left, Brittany packed an overnight bag to take with her to her dad's hotel room. Brittany was just about dancing about her room in excitement as she packed her bag. Once Brittany had finished packing, and had double checked she had everything she needed, she headed downstairs. Putting her bag by the door, Brittany then headed into the kitchen. "All packed?" Brianna asked. "Yup," Brittany said, propping herself up on the counter, smiling. Brianna passed Brittany a mug of hot chocolate, "Thanks mummy." "Any idea about what you're doing tonight?" Brittany shook her head, "Not really, daddy said dinner but that's all he would say." Brianna smiled at Brittany's enthusiasm. "Hey Britt." Brittany looked to her mum, "Yes mummy?" "You know me and your dad still love you and Molls right? And us splitting up had absolutely nothing to do with either of you." Brittany put down her mug, "I know," she said, getting down off the counter and hugging her mum.
Once Brittany's dad arrived, and dropped Mollie off, Brittany picked up her bag and walked out the door with her dad to his rental car. Brittany's dad took her bag as she got in the passenger seat. Brittany couldn't keep the smile off of her face. Life for her was going pretty damn well. She was in love. Cheerios co-captain. And her dad was in town for a few days. Brittany was going to tell her dad about her relationship with Santana after dinner that night, when they were back at his hotel room. "Someone's a bit happy," Josh laughed. "It's coz you're here daddy!" Brittany giggled as her dad pulled out of the driveway, and headed towards the hotel so they could drop Brittany's bag off before going to dinner.
"Your hotel room is so pretty," Brittany remarked as she walked with her dad towards the restaurant, which was only a few blocks from the hotel. "Thanks baby bumblebee," chuckled Josh. Brittany rolled her eyes, "Daddy! I'm almost eighteen, I'm not a baby anymore!" Josh hugged his daughter with one arm as they kept walking, "No matter how old you are, you'll always be one of my babies." "I know," Brittany sighed in defeat. "Love you too," Josh smirked, "And we're here," he said, stopping in front of the restaurant. "After you my big baby girl," Josh said, opening the door. Brittany shook her head, laughing softly as she walked inside.
The conversation over dinner was light hearted and fun. Brittany told her dad about becoming one of the Cheerios co-captains, what she was wearing to Prom, and what she wanted to do after graduation. Josh told his daughter all about the new holiday house he had bought, and how he wanted to take Brittany and Mollie to it next school break for a few days. "What are we doing tomorrow daddy?" Brittany asked as she ate dessert. "I was thinking, if it's a nice day, we could go by the lake. Have lunch, go for a swim. How does that sounds? And if the weather isn't so great, movies and lunch somewhere." Brittany smiled, "Sounds perfect daddy!"
There's always room for ice cream. And Josh knew Brittany would say this on the way back to the hotel, so they made a detour to get ice cream. Brittany walked along happily, ice cream in hand. "How can you still be hungry Brittles? I'll never understand where it all goes!" Josh laughed as they walked through the hotel foyer. Brittany shrugged her shoulders, "Well maybe because of Cheerios practice, and dance practice, and I go running a lot?" "I think you're right sweetheart. How about you go and wash up, and I'll get the popcorn ready?" "Okay daddy!" Brittany hugged her dad and skipped off to the bathroom.
As Brittany washed her face, fixing her make-up and hair, a sudden wave of nerves came over her. Brittany didn't like keeping anything from her dad. And she wanted to tell him about herself and Santana. But there was the sudden nervous feeling that hit her. Brittany kept fixing herself up as she thought about how to tell her dad. It was a big thing, and important to Brittany, that she told her dad. And even though it was kind of late, and they were going to watch a movie before bed, she needed to tell him. Brittany couldn't talk about it with him the next day, because Mollie still didn't know. Brittany was startled out of her thoughts by her dad calling out to her. Taking a deep breath, Brittany walked out to the lounge.
When Brittany got to the lounge, her dad was sitting on the couch, bowl of popcorn in his lap. Josh smiled at Brittany, who smiled back, and sat beside him, "So your choice sweetheart. There's quite a few movies we can order from." "Cool, thanks daddy. Umm, before we watch the movie, I need to... Umm, talk to you... Tell you something..." Brittany looked to her dad. "Baby bumblebee, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Brittany nodded, "I'm more than okay daddy." "Then what's up?"
Brittany sat side-on on the couch, facing her dad. "Okay, so it's pretty big, and not many people know yet..." Josh smiled, "Bumbles, are you sure you're okay? If it's that big, and not many people know about this..." "Yes daddy, I'm okay," Brittany interrupted her dad, "But what I'm about to tell you, can you not tell anyone please? It's just... Telling the world..." Josh nodded, "It's okay, I'll keep it to myself." "Thanks daddy," Brittany smiled, "So I don't really know how to say it, so sorry if I ramble... There's so much flying around in my head right now..." Brittany took a breath, steadying herself.
"So umm... I'm in love daddy. I've found someone who makes me feel so happy. And safe. Someone who loves me back for who I am, flaws and all. I... I never thought I would find someone like that ever. We just... We get each other. It's like the world stops turning when we're together, and only we matter. I'm in love daddy, and it's the best feeling ever." Josh's face erupted into a smile, "Ohh Brittany, why were you so nervous? That's amazing news! So, who is the lucky man that captured my girls heart, and when do I get to meet him?" "Well daddy," Brittany started, "You've met them before." "Have I now?" Josh asked, "So which of your handsome male friends is it?" "Actually, they're a she daddy. I... I have a girlfriend. It's Santana that I'm in love with."
As soon as Brittany finished speaking, Josh's body tensed up, causing the bowl of popcorn in his lap to fall to the floor. He sat there, speechless, trying to process what Brittany had just told him. "D-daddy?" Brittany timidly said, "Are you okay?" "You... You just said that you're in love... With a girl..." Brittany nodded. "Are you... Are you sure this isn't just a phase? Or some kind of experiment?" "What? No daddy, I love Santana, and she loves me." "But she's a girl Brittany, you can't be in love with her. It.. It's not..." Brittany looked confused, "It's not what daddy?" "It's not right," Josh replied flatly. "But," Brittany reached out for her dad's hand, and when he pulled it away, her heart sunk, "But it feels so right..." Josh stood up, unable to look at his daughter, "No, it isn't." Tears began to form in Brittany's eyes as she stood up, "But why?"
Josh turned to face his somewhat distraught daughter, "Because it's not natural Brittany. You're a girl. You're supposed to love boy! I don't know what to do about this..." "Pl-please just don't hate me daddy. I'm still... Still your daughter. I'm still the same girl I was just a few minutes ago!" "But Brittany, I don't know how to look at you right now. Things have changed!" "But how?" Brittany began shouting, "Because I told you I found someone who is in love with me as much as I am in love with them? How does that change anything?" "You're only a child Brittany!" Josh shouted back, "You don't know how serious the repercussions can be for this!" "But I do." Brittany had somehow managed to keep the tears at bay, "I'm still your kid, that hasn't changed!" Brittany stepped forward, in an attempt to hug her dad.
Brittany wasn't expecting what happened next to happen. As she stepped forward to hug her dad, his reaction shocked her. "I.. I still love you daddy," she said as she went to put her arms around Josh. But before her arms even grazed the air close to her dad's body, he pushed her arms away. "D-daddy," Brittany said, again attempting to her him. "Get away from me," Josh said, in a tone of voice that held no love. Brittany ignored his order, and she still went to hug him again. "I said get away!" and Josh slapped Brittany with such force, she fell to the floor, hitting her arm against the coffee table. Brittany sat there, and put a hand to her face, and found there was blood on her cheek. Her dad's ring must have caught on her skin. And her arm, it was throbbing from the impact of hitting the coffee table. And all Brittany could think of was running away.
Brittany stood up, wiping her face where it was cut, and stared down her dad, in silence. Then, she turned around, and went to the bedroom where her bag was. Brittany picked up her bag, and headed for the door that led to the hotel hallway. Brittany heard her dad call out, anger still in his voice, "Stay here. I am your father and you will do what I say!" "Carlos is my only daddy now," Brittany yelled back as she slammed the door shut.
Brittany went down stairs, and hurried through the lobby, and once she was outside, Brittany ran a full block and a half, then hid down an alleyway. She hid to avoid her father finding her if he came after her. It was then that Brittany let the tears flow freely. How could things have gone so wrong? Looking at the time, it was close to midnight. Brittany pondered what to do at that point. She didn't want to go home at that point. Even though she wanted to tell her mum everything, she didn't want to wake up Mollie, and make things more difficult than they already were.
Without a second thought, Brittany knew where she wanted to go, knowing she would be safe. Brittany headed to Santana's place.
At the same time Brittany was walking to Santana's, Santana was enjoying a late night hot cocoa with her papi, who had not long got in from work. "Just in time papi, you missed the rain!" "Seems I did," Carlos chuckled. Both kept drinking their cocoa and chatting away, when they both heard the doorbell ring, and looked at each other curiously. Santana told her father to stay and she would see who it was at the late hour. When Santana got to the door and opened it, she was met with Brittany, standing there, soaking wet, and shivering not only from the fact she was cold, but upset and somewhat distraught.
"Britt Britt! What's wrong?" an instantly worried Santana said as she shut the door, and pulled Brittany into a tight hug. Brittany couldn't find the energy to speak, and just held onto Santana, sobbing into her shoulder. "Who is it Santana?" Carlos asked as he came to the front door to investigate. When he saw Santana there, holding a shaking Brittany, he immediately became concerned. "Brittany, darling, what's wrong?" Still sobbing, Brittany lifted her head, looking into Santana's eyes, then to Carlos, and the cut on her cheek became obvious. "Santana, why don't you take Brittany up to your room, get her dry and warm and changed. I'll make a hot drink, and my first aid bag out. Is that okay Brittany?" Brittany nodded, and Santana told her papi they would be back down in a few minutes, and proceeded to take Brittany up to her bedroom.
Brittany was drenched right through, and Santana helped her out of her dripping wet clothes. As she dried Brittany off, Santana saw a bruise on Brittany's arm. Neither girl spoke as Santana took care of Brittany, clothing her and making sure she was warm, and fixing her hair. Once Santana put down the hairbrush, Brittany wrapped her arms around Santana, and whispered the first words to come out of her mouth since she arriving at the house that night, "Th-thank you." Santana rubbed Brittany's back, whispering in return, "It's alright babe. We'll go downstairs now okay? Papi'll have a hot cocoa ready for you, and he'll have a look at your face and arm okay?" Brittany lifted her head up, and looked into Santana's eyes, nodding. Santana left a gentle kiss on Brittany's lips, before taking them both downstairs.
The two girls sat at the dining room table. "Here Brittany, have this and then we'll look at your cheek and arm okay?" Carlos said as he sat down. Brittany cupped the mug in her hands and took a sip. Santana kept an arm around Brittany from the moment they sat down. Wanting to break the silence, and knowing she should really explain why she had turned up at their house after midnight, Brittany put the mug down, and spoke about what had happened earlier on.
"We'd j-just got back from dinner, and he made s-some popcorn while I quickly washed up. Wh-when I came back to the lounge, he was sitting on the couch. I... He said I could pick the movie, and I said I needed to talk to him... And then I told him. About me a-and Santana. He just... He froze." Brittany's voice shook as she spoke. "He said... He thought it was a phase.. An experiment. That I couldn't b-be in love with Santana. Because it w-wasn't right, because she's a girl. That I'm su-supposed to love boys." Brittany started to sob softly again, "He said I was only a child and he di-didn't know h-how to look at me. I... I went to hu-hug him... And... And he... Slapped me. I... I fell. Hit my arm on the coffee table. Then I felt my cheek... And.. Yeah. Then umm, I umm... Stood up, and just stared. And I knew I just had to get out. I went and got my bag... He told me to stay, that he was my fa-fa-father. I said..." Brittany suddenly got a little shy, she wasn't sure how she could or should say that she had told her dad that Carlos was her only dad now. Taking a breath, Brittany continued, "I ran for a bit, and then stopped, and thought about what to do. I wanted to g-go somewhere I felt safe... So I came here."
"Why didn't you go home Brittany? Not that you're not welcome here of course though," Carlos said. "I thought about that. I... I wanted to tell mummy. But I didn't want to go home. If Mollie woke up... It would have been even harder..." Carlos nodded understandingly. "Britt Britt, while papi looks at your cheek and arm, did you want me to call your mum? And tell her that you're here?" Brittany turned her head, facing Santana, "Please. That would be good. If... If she asks why, can y-you tell her? I know it's a lot to ask, but I don't want her to worry not knowing and..." Brittany had started to ramble when Santana interrupted her, "Of course. I'll do that now, and let papi work his magic." Brittany couldn't help but smile a little as Santana finished her sentence. Santana gave Brittany a small peck on the lips, before getting up to get the phone, in the lounge, and call Brittany's mum.
"Tell me if it stings okay?" Carlos said as he cleaned the small cut on Brittany's cheek. Brittany nodded, then stayed still while the cut was cleaned. "You'll just need to give it a bit of a clean every so often, just to make sure it doesn't get infected." "Thanks," Brittany replied. "Now, show me your arm sweetie," Carlos said kindly. Brittany held up her arm for Carlos to see. Carlos pressed around the bruise and Brittany's arm, feeling for any abnormalities. Brittany occasionally twinged when he touched a particularly sore spot, but Carlos found nothing majorly wrong. "It's just bruised, I'm pretty certain that's all it is. But we can keep an eye on it okay?" Carlos said, standing to put away the first aid kit. When Carlos turned back to sit at the table again, Brittany was standing there, and gave him a big hug. "Thankyou, for everything... Just, thankyou." "Anytime Brittany, anytime," Carlos replied, hugging Brittany back.
Santana came back into the room a few minutes later. "What did mummy say?" asked Brittany as Santana sat beside her. "Naturally, she's pretty pissed. But she's happy you're safe now. And she completely understands why you didn't go home and came here. And I told her I'd look after you, well, today," Santana said, looking at the time, "And I said I'd take you home when you were right to go." "Thankyou," Brittany said, resting her head on Santana's shoulder. "Did you girls want another drink?" Carlos asked. Santana shook her head, "You want another one babe?" Brittany lifted her head, "I'm alright thanks. I just want to lay down actually. If that's okay?" Carlos smiled and nodded, "Of course, you two girls go on upstairs, I'll put these in the sink."
When the girls got up to Santana's room, Santana turned the lamp on. "You hop into bed beautiful. I'll get the light." Brittany obliged, sliding under the covers as Santana turned off the light, then joined Brittany in bed. Almost immediately, Brittany cuddled right up to Santana. Santana felt, and understood, Brittany's want and need to be close; to feel safe. She held Brittany close to her chest, and stroked her hair. "You feeling a bit better Britt Britt?" she said quietly. "Yeah, I am. Your papi is so kind." Brittany tilted her head up, looking into Santana's eyes, "And you. I'm in love with the most amazing girl in the whole world." "And so am I," Santana smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to Brittany's lips.
While the pair were laying there, embraced in each other, Santana remembered something from earlier. "Hey B?" "Mmm S? What's up?" "You know when you were telling me and papi what happened?" Brittany tensed up a little bit at the thought, and Santana stroked her arm to comfort her. "Yeah.." "Well, you went to say you said something to him, but then you stopped. Then you kept going on, saying you ran. What did you say to him?" Brittany didn't speak, so Santana quickly added, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want too though." Brittany laughed a little, "It's okay lovely. I just... I went to say it then, but got kind of embarrassed coz your papi was there..." Santana was now even more curious, "Why beautiful?" "Well, because," Brittany rested her head by Santana's on the pillow, "Because when he told me to stay and do what he said coz he was my father, I yelled back that your papi was my only daddy now."
Santana wasn't sure how to react to what Brittany had said at first. Her heart pretty much melted as well though. Brittany had always been like a part of the family. But now, it felt that bit more real to Santana. It definitely was not the way Santana wanted the feelings to grow as such. Santana gently kissed Brittany's forehead, then lowered her head so her eyes met Brittany's. "I think papi would have smiled B. To know that's how you think of him. And he's always loved you like you were one of his own." "Really?" Brittany smiled shyly. Santana's eyes could have said it all, but she still spoke. "Yeah, really. He's always thought you were sweet and kind. Plus, he's happy that I'm happy, and he's happy it's you making me so happy." Brittany let out a small giggle, "That's a lot of happy!" "Yup," Santana softly chuckled, "How's your arm? Think you'll be okay to sleep soon? Means we can snuggle some more, and when we wake up we can snuggle even more, and then I can treat you like the princess you are. All day." Brittany nodded, "I like the sound of that! And my arm and my cheek feel better now. Well kind of. They don't hurt as much now." "Good good," Santana smiled, "Plus, you're not getting a say in the plans for later princess." Brittany raised an eyebrow, "Really now?" Santana's smile turned into a smirk, "Yup."
Brittany settled herself against Santana's chest, ear over her heart, "I'm okay with that." Santana reached over, turning off the lamp, and upon hearing Brittany yawn, Santana held Brittany closer to her body, "Night Britt Britt." "N-night Sa-sanny," Brittany half mumbled as she yawned again, eyes closing and drifting off to sleep, feeling warm, and loved. And safe.