Present Day

Santana fixed her make up before getting out of the car and mustered up a smile to greet Sophia and Brittany. They were laughing as they got out of the car, and Sophia rushed forward to tell her mom in detail all the songs they had sung together.

Brittany followed the pair in and immediately Santana and Sophia got in cooking mode.

"What can I do to help?" Santana looked around and handed Brittany three glasses.

"Can you set the table please?"

Brittany grabbed the glasses and flashed a smile as she put them down and went around the kitchen grabbing all the other things they needed. Santana was in charge of the stove while Sophia handed her the ingredients. Soon enough, the pot was full and Sophia went to sit with Brittany in the living room to color.

It was a pleasant dinner, and they fell into comfortable silence that was only broken by Sophia and her occasional comment on her day that she had forgotten to mention before. After dinner, Sophia settled in front of the TV to watch a movie, and Santana motioned for Brittany to follow her outside. They sat in the couch with glasses of wine and were quiet for a while. Brittany started to fidget, and Santana smiled and waited for the blonde to ask whatever was troubling her.

It only took about thirty seconds before Brittany set her glass down and turned to Santana blushing slightly.

"Um, was that whole song thing awkward for you?" The blonde couldn't look her in the eye, so Santana mulled the question over, deciding on honesty.

"Not awkward, just… unexpected."

Brittany frowned. "Is that good or bad?"

Santana sighed. "Both, I guess." When she saw the question mark all over Brittany's face, she continued. "It brings really good memories, you know that, but it also makes me feel sad because that's all they are… just, memories. You know?"

Brittany bit her lip and nodded. She leaned back on the couch. "I get it. I guess it's the same for me."

Santana reached for Brittany and squeezed her hand. The blonde met her gaze and she smiled. "But it's always more good than sad."

Santana saw Brittany's eyes fill with tears as her chin quivered. Brittany took a deep breath and if Santana hadn't been looking at her lips, she would've missed the words that came out of her mouth. "I miss you."

You know how people always talk about their blood running cold? Well, Santana thought that was bullshit because right now, she felt her whole body catching fire. Her words were gone, and before she could say anything, Brittany had wiped her eyes and stood up.

"Sorry, I should go now."

Santana had to rush to keep up with the blonde's stride and only managed to say "Britt, wait, I – " before Brittany had waved good bye to Sophia and disappeared through the door.

Quinn

She was in her happy place. The boys were out in the yard breaking something, probably, but she didn't care. All she cared about was the tiny brunette cuddling next to her in the big recliner. She usually didn't get to share these moments with her wife, because at this time she was normally in the theater getting ready for the show, but because she was now in rehearsals, she had what Quinn called a "normal person schedule". Every Tuesday and Thursday, Sally came to watch the twins for the afternoon as part of her PHD program. Sally was Quinn's friend from college and she was a psychology major. She was specializing in the dichotomy of identical twins and their behavior, and she had asked if she could include Chris and Luke in her studies. When Quinn and Rachel learned that this meant that they'd get two afternoons a week to themselves without having to pay Sally and that it wouldn't alter the twins' routine, they immediately said yes. So for two afternoons, Quinn curled up in the recliner in the basement and watched old movies. Whenever Rachel was home, it was their alone time and they cuddled and talked about anything that wasn't family or work related and usually ended up making out furiously.

This Thursday, it was West Side Story time, but just as the Sharks and the Jets were running through the basketball court, Quinn's phone buzzed. Rachel moaned her complaint and Quinn kissed her on the head before checking to see who it was. When she saw it was Santana, she groaned. "It's Santana, love. You know she won't stop calling until I answer."

Rachel let out a big sigh, paused the movie and curled closer to her wife, who balanced the phone in one hand and used the other to stroke Rachel's arm.

This better be good, San.

Brittany was just here and I'm freaking out.

Quinn sat up straighter and Rachel raised an eyebrow in question. Quinn put Santana on speaker and mouthed Britt drama to her wife.

What happened?

Long story short, her iPod played a song that we used to sing in high school and then Sophia invited her for dinner and it was all fine until she asked me about that fucking song and then she said she misses me and fucking left and I don't know what to think.

Quinn's eyes widened as Rachel made a face.

I probably understood like half of that, but why are you freaking out? Because she said she missed you?

It's just… it's not just that, ok? It's all that comes with it. If she misses me then why the fuck did she leave for so long or why is she just NOW back? And why bolt after you say that?

Look, only Britt can answer those questions for you, but she probably left quickly because, like you, she freaked out. You guys have a complicated story and you need to like get together, sit down and talk it out. Preferably in a room with a lock so neither of you can just leave when it gets tough.

Rachel nodded her agreement and both heard Santana exhale a couple of times on the line before she spoke again. This time, her tone was calmer.

Yeah, I guess you're right. I just hate not knowing how that conversation is gonna go.

I know, but there's no other way, really. Let's just wait until after this big recital you have us all attending, and try to talk to her. You've been doing well being around each other.

Fuck, I have to see her tomorrow at the thing and how am I supposed to act? Like she didn't say anything?

Tomorrow is not about you two. She's gonna be running around getting things ready, you just have to smile and say hello, don't overthink this.

Alright… I'm gonna go take a bath and try to calm down. Thanks for this Q.

Anytime San.

And I hope you enjoyed the conversation Troll! I can hear you breathing through your shnoz from all the way over here.

Santana chuckled as Rachel gasped and brought a hand up to her nose. Quinn just smiled and kissed her wife's nose.

Bye Satan.

Quinn hung up and hugged her wife, who was huffing.

"I do not have a shnoz."

Quinn chuckled and started kissing Rachel's neck until she relaxed her arms and involuntarily moaned as Quinn found her pulse point.

"Let me make you breathe harder, love."

Rachel grabbed the front of Quinn's shirt and laid down on the recliner, bringing the blonde on top of her and kissing her hard. The phone bounced on the floor and disappeared under the clothes the pair were rapidly tearing off each other.

Brittany

IT'S RECITAL DAY! And even though Santana has been on my mind since yesterday, I know I have to concentrate on pulling this off. I get to school earlier than usual and carrying twice as much stuff. I know I won't have time to go home and change, so I brought everything with me. The recital starts at 6, but before that we have to decorate the gym, put all the chairs in and stuff. I breeze through my classes, which are basically just a final run down of the dances and I am happy to note that everyone is doing awesome! As long as nerves don't play against them, they should be fine. And honestly, parents are more concerned looking at their individual child than at the group, so it's fine if they don't get it all perfect.

Two hours before curtain goes up! Erika, a couple of teachers and I are trying to make the gym look presentable and not like, well, an old gym. We put some scented candles in strategic places to try to combat the smell and so far, it's working. The stage is very simple: An elevated platform with a curtain up front. The first two rows are not seats but cushions on the floor for the kids to sit down when it's not their turn to dance so they can get a chance to see their friends. Erika says we should expect between 200 and 250 people, but I think that's too much. Still, she's the principal, so here I am unfolding 200 chairs. The other 50 if they show up can stand. Sorry.

30 minutes before show time! Most of the kids are here looking super cute in their special costumes. It's basically just jeans and a different colored t-shirt depending on the class, but still, they all have special hairdos and I added some glitter to their cheeks, so now they all sparkle! Some boys were reluctant to get glitter on their faces, but after seeing how cool it looked, they let me do it. I saw Santana walk in and my heart stopped for a sec. When she noticed me, she smiled and waved, so I waved back and felt my body relax. At least I hadn't fudged things up too bad between us yesterday. Sophia ran over to give me a hug before going over to her friends. I see Quinn, Rachel, their boys, Puck, Mercedes and Sam all showed up, and I think it's so great they all support each other! They all come over to say hello and how awesome everything looks. All but Santana who is fidgeting with Sophia's hair.

Here we go! It is pretty full in here, and that just makes me extra anxious! Erika says a few words before she introduces me and everyone claps. I wave like a dork and then just go into the first dance.

It's all over before I know it, and all the kids take the stage for a final bow. I see parents waving cameras, blowing their noses and standing up to cheer for their kids. Erika gives me a quick hug and congratulates me for a "show well done", as well as a couple of parents. Most of the kids come over to say goodbye before skipping away with their parents, and when I see Santana and the rest approaching, I feel my face reddening. Sam is the first to reach me, and he gives me those bear hugs that I like so much.

"You are such a great teacher Britt! Those kids were amazing!" I get more hugs and more comments along the same lines, and all I can say is thanks. Santana doesn't hug me, but she squeezes my hand and smiles at me, and I know that we are gonna need to continue our conversation from last night, but for now we're good. They invite me out to dinner with them to celebrate, and as much as I want to, I can't cause I need to finish cleaning up and all that. I do promise to make it to Mercedes and Sam's on Sunday for potluck, though.

Even though the event ended at 8, it's well past 11 when I finally arrive home. I am super tired and all I want to do is take a shower and collapse on my bed. Climbing the four stories to my apartment seems like torture, and I hesitate when I see a figure next to a suitcase slumped in front of my door. It's too dark to make out who it is, and I don't know what to do. I must've made some sort of noise, because the figure shakes and straightens up. My body tenses and I only relax when I hear the all too familiar voice.

"Hi honey, I'm sorry to just drop in on you unannounced!"

I rush over to hug my mom, who sounds tired and… sad? I don't know, something I haven't ever heard in my mom's voice.

"MOM! You can always come visit, but I'm sorry you had to wait out here for so long."

I open the door and help my mom come in, she immediately goes to the kitchen and splashes water on her face.

"No kiddo, don't worry, I haven't been here for too long anyways."

When I turn on the light and I see her puffy red eyes, I get super worried. I sit in front of her and pull her hands towards mine.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

She takes a deep breath and I can hear her voice shaking.

"Your daddy and I are getting a divorce."

I don't know what else happens, because I feel my world crumbling around me.

Santana

The celebratory dinner went really well, and it was the official start of the kids' winter break. Santana almost killed Puck when he gave Sophia skull earrings, but she supposed it was better than another leather jacket.

On Saturday, Santana and Mercedes took Sophia, Chris and Luke to the zoo and while the kids were distracted in the petting zoo, the two women sat on a picnic table with cold beers.

"So, how is the whole teacher Brittany going?"

Santana smiled involuntarily. "Good, Sophia loves her, which doesn't really surprise me, and it seems the rest of the kids do too. I mean, you saw them all yesterday, it was a really good show."

Mercedes nodded. "And you?" She raised an eyebrow at her friend.

Santana took another sip before shrugging. "Sometimes it's good, sometimes we have awkward moments, but I know we need to clear the air at some point, and I was kinda hoping it could be tomorrow, you know?"

Mercedes wagged a finger in front of Santana's face. "Oh HELL to the no, you are NOT gonna get into your drama when it's MY turn for potluck. Y'all can do that afterwards somewhere other than my property."

Santana elbowed Mercedes and they laughed. "Fiiiiiine Wheezy, geez, you're so bossy. This ain't the Troubletones anymore so don't be getting any ideas!"

They clinked their bottles and laughed some more.

When Sunday came around, Santana was feeling more and more anxious. She purposefully hadn't texted Brittany at all since the recital because she didn't want the blonde to get wind of what her plan was. She and Sophia were ready early and drove up to Mercedes and Sam's a good hour before they usually showed up. When Mercedes opened the door and saw Santana shrug, she just shook her head and chuckled.

"You can help me finish cleaning up you eager beaver." Sophia had already disappeared towards the swings when Santana grabbed the broom and started sweeping.

Everyone showed up right on time, and they all started getting their usual dishes ready. No one but Mercedes and Santana seemed to notice that Brittany was not there, or that she'd been invited. Mercedes squeezed Santana's shoulder and whispered "I'll go call her and see what's up."

Santana nodded as Mercedes disappeared inside the house. She couldn't shake this feeling of disappointment. But again, she hadn't told Brittany that she wanted to talk to her, so there was no reason to be so sad. When Mercedes came back, she told Santana the call went straight to voicemail, three times.

Santana was beginning to worry, but Mercedes placed a hand on her knee. "Relax San, you know how Britt can get, she probably slept all morning and forgot to charge her phone. I'll try calling her again and if we don't hear from her in the next 24 hours, Sam has a spare key to her apartment, I'll send him over to check on her." Santana smiled and thanked her friend. After that, it was almost like any other Sunday with her friends. Almost.

That night, she could barely take it anymore, so she called Brittany. It rang for a while, before she heard Brittany pick up. Only it was a very terse Brittany.

Yeah?

Santana was surprised at the harshness in Brittany's voice, so she stammered.

Um, yeah, hi, I was worried about you cause you didn't show up for the potluck.

Santana closed her eyes, she knew how lame that sounded.

Oh. I didn't feel like it.

Brittany's tone was flat, and it made alarm bells go off in Santana's head.

Is everything ok, Britt?

Just leave me alone, alright?

Santana was confused. She tried to soften her tone.

Britt, I care about you, and I can tell something's wrong. I'm just saying, I'm here if you need to talk. Ok?

Stop. Just. Stop it. I don't need you!

Brittany was practically shouting, and it made Santana harden.

HEY, I was worried about you so I wanted to make sure you were still alive and shit, excuse me for caring.

Well, now you know I'm 'alive and shit', so you can stop caring.

Santana pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it, hardly believing what she was hearing and that it was coming from Brittany.

Brittany, I am trying here!

She fought the tears that were coming to her eyes. She didn't know if they were more angry tears or sad.

WHO TOLD YOU TO TRY? JUST FUCKING BACK OFF OK?

Click. And with that, Santana was left staring at her phone, making a fist with one hand as she felt the hot tears fall down her face. Back off? Fine, fuck this then. She deleted Brittany's phone number from her contacts and cleared her messages. She threw the phone across the room and went to take a shower, where it took her about 30 minutes to stop herself from crying.

Quinn

Mondays were usually pretty slow at the office, so Quinn spent the morning organizing her week and answering the weekend emails she refused to check at home. She had grown up with a workaholic dad who never had time for her, so she had vowed that weekends were exclusively for her family, so her work phone got shut off on Friday at 6 and she didn't turn it on until Monday at 8 in the office. Her assistant Robbie knew she could reach her on her personal phone if there was an emergency, otherwise Robbie dealt with the weekend stuff. She was 23 years old, single and very driven, so she didn't mind it. In exchange, Quinn let her come in on weekdays at 11. It was a tradeoff that worked well for both of them.

This Monday, however, turned out to be very unusual. She had a voicemail from 4 am and when she checked it, she found a very indecipherable message from Brittany's number. She couldn't make out full words, but the gist was that Brittany was crying. Immediately, she dialed Brittany's number but didn't get an answer. If there was one thing Quinn Fabray-Berry prided herself in, was her ability to come up with alternate plans. So she decided to ring up the school and see if she was there. Usually teachers still had more meetings and such after the kids were done. She was in luck, the secretary said that yes, Miss Brittany was in a meeting right now that she didn't know how long it was gonna be, but she guessed an hour or so.

Without a second thought, Quinn texted Robbie telling her she had an emergency and would be gone for a bit, but not to worry and she drove over to the school. She decided to wait out by Brittany's car. After 40 minutes, she saw a disheveled Brittany leave the school. Well, truthfully, disheveled was too strong a word. But for someone like Quinn who had known Brittany for years, seeing her without that sparkle in her eyes or the ever present smile or spring in her step was more than enough to cause concern. When Brittany saw Quinn, she stopped and hesitated for a minute. Quinn shrugged and opened her arms. Brittany moved faster than she had in a long time and fell into Quinn's embrace. All Quinn could say was that she had gotten a weird voicemail and decided to check on Brittany.

After Brittany calmed down, she asked Quinn to walk with her, so they both headed towards the field next to the school and walked aimlessly around. Quinn let Brittany dictate their route and was silent, waiting for Brittany to break the silence.

After almost two full rounds, Brittany stopped and sat down on the grass. Quinn followed. Brittany started picking at the grass before she talked in a very quivery voice.

"I'm losing my family."

Quinn took a breath and waited for Brittany to elaborate. She put a tentative hand on the tall blonde's knee to encourage her to keep talking. Brittany took a deep breath.

"My mom showed up on Friday and told me she – um, she and daddy were – um, divorcing."

Quinn saw the tears falling down Brittany's face, but the tall blonde didn't seem to notice, or mind. She kept staring at the floor and picking at the grass, as she continued in a soft monotone.

"She stayed for a day and then went to my sister's and I haven't talked to daddy cause I don't know what to say, and last night I told Santana to fuck off and now I lost everyone in my family."

Quinn kept the pressure on Brittany's knee as she processed all this information.

"Britt, you're not losing your family. I know how it hurts, I've been there. And I know it sucks right now, but they all still love you, including Santana, and you know that. What can I do to help you?"

Brittany bit her lip. "Don't tell Santana about this, please. It's better this way."

Quinn hesitated. "She might eventually find out."

"I know, but not from you and not right now, please Quinn?"

The downside of being a cornerstone of the Unholy Trinity, she supposed. Quinn nodded.

"Ok Britt, I promise I won't tell her."

Brittany nodded. "Thank you." She shook the loose leaves from her hands and stood up, without looking at Quinn. "I'm gonna go home now." And she started to walk away.

Quinn stood up quickly and struggled to catch up with the tall blonde. "Wait, Britt, are you gonna be ok alone? Do you want me to come with you?"

Brittany shook her head and smiled a sad smile in Quinn's direction. "Not right now."

And with that, Brittany got in her car and left. Quinn couldn't shake the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. She had promised Brittany not to tell Santana, and she intended on keeping that promise. But she knew she'd need help from someone else.

"Fuck…." She exhaled as she hit number 5 on her speed dial.

Hey Quinn! What's up?

Hey Sam… We need to talk. It's about Brittany.