Rachel and Santana had been so alarmed about the amount of people who had probably heard them refer to themselves as Mama's that they didn't notice the bump on Sierra's head until she screamed when Santana placed a kiss on her forehead. Santana moved her head back quickly in alarm, a puzzled look on her face. "What happened to her?" She demanded to know.
"She fell into a chair in the green room that Denise kindly set up for us. She didn't fall super hard, but she went from wide awake and alert to yawning and crying. I mean obviously she was crying from bumping her head and the yawning could also be from tiring herself out crying. But, I'm taking her to the after hours clinic as a precautionary measure." Stephanie wrung her hands together nervously. She already felt horrible that one of the twins had gotten hurt while in her care and now they were probably going to miss the whole show.
"Why are we standing here, let's go then." Santana turned to head towards the back exit of the art gallery.
"Santana, wait!" Santana turned around to look at Rachel who had called out for her. "You have to stay here. This is partially your show too."
"I can't stay here. We need to go with them." Santana was gently bouncing Sierra as the little girl snuggled her head into Santana's chest, hanging on with her hands for dear life.
"How about I go and I promise to call you with updates? You're the ring leader here, at least stay long enough to meet a few new people, talk to some that you already know and get the ball rolling for the kids. Then, if we aren't back, you can leave and come join us." Rachel bit her lip as she waited for Santana's answer. She knew the Latina woman really wanted to go. Rachel really wanted Santana to go with her too, but she had to be here. It wasn't necessarily a family emergency, considering they were only going to the doctor just to be on the safe side. Rachel also knew how much Santana prided herself on being professional at all times in the public eye and leaving right at the beginning of the show would be very unprofessional. Someone also was going to have to stay here and try and defuse any talk that might be going on about the twins. How bad could it really be though? So what if Santana and Rachel were in process of adopting a set of twins from the home that the show was supporting? Would someone be bold enough to say something negative about it? That wasn't even the point, the point was they didn't want to announce anything until everything was said and done.
"Okay...I think I can do that..maybe. I really want to go now instead of staying though." Santana placed a kiss on the top of Sierra's head. "I'm sorry I can't go with you, but Mama is going to be with you and I will be there as soon as I can, okay? You be a good girl for Mama." Santana whispered the words into Sierra's hair. She really didn't want to let this tiny precious human go at the moment, but she knew she had to. "What are we going to do about the people that heard us with the twins? I would love to be able to announce that they were ours forever, but we both know that's not true yet."
"Uhm...I'm at a loss just like you are. People are going to find out eventually, I mean we can't hide them and I refuse to hide just to be able to see them, you know?" Rachel looked down at Samara while she rubbed circles on the little girls back. This was supposed to be a good night, but so far it had a taken a bad turn. It was a shame since both girls looked so adorable in their little party dresses, Samara's blue and Sierra's green.
"Sooo, what's the game plan for now? We don't say anything at all?" Santana asked a little confused.
"We shouldn't have to explain ourselves. It's a personal matter that is frankly no one's business but ours." Rachel shrugged her shoulders. She laughed lightly when Samara scowled from being jostled.
"Santana, we're about ready to start if you're staying. Everyone is inside now." Denise spoke as she came back over. None of the women had even saw her leave.
Santana sighed heavily before kissing Sierra on the temple before passing her back to Stephanie a little reluctantly. "I really wish I could go."
"I know, but I promise to call with updates. You go do your thing and Stephanie and I will take care of the twins." Rachel gave Santana a one armed hug and a kiss on the lips before shifting her body so that Santana could give Samara a kiss too. Stephanie still hadn't said anything else as she turned to follow Rachel out of the back of the art gallery. Santana watched them go, wiping a tear that had slid down her cheek. She didn't want to be here now, she wanted to be with Rachel and her girls, but duty calls. This was for the children, the home that had practically raised her girls, she knew in her heart that the girls would understand, but that didn't make staying any easier.
"I know you're upset at the moment, but thank you for coming with us. Nicky and Rich insisted that I go while they took care of the other kids back at the show." Stephanie broke the silence that had settled between Rachel and herself while they sat in the waiting room at the after hours clinic. They had been here for twenty minutes and was now waiting for a pediatrician to come in, it would be a while, but it was still a shorter wait than the emergency room.
"I'm upset at the situation, but not at you. This wasn't your fault, kids get hurt. They bump their heads, they skin their knees. You can't wrap them in bubble wrap all their lives." Rachel smiled at Samara who was standing at the little kids table in the corner of the room playing with some blocks. Sierra had taken up residency on Rachel's lap, straddling her with her little head resting on Rachel's chest. The bump was definitely bruising. Rachel felt like it looked worse than it probably was.
"I know. I just feel horrible about it. I know Santana was ready to claw my eyes out." Stephanie blew out a breath as she tucked her hands between her knees and focused on Samara. The little girl shook her head around before laughing at herself.
"Santana is super protective, she'll be okay though." Rachel stopped talking when Sierra began to wiggle around on her lap. She laughed lightly to herself before standing up. "Someone needs a diaper change."
"Did she leak on you?" Stephanie asked as she reached the girls diaper bag that was sitting next to her chair.
"No, I just felt my lap get warm." Sierra began to wine at having a wet diaper. She was not comfy anymore at all. "You're okay. Mama is going to go change you." Samara watched Rachel walk into the bathroom with rapt attention before running over to Stephanie and offering her a block with a smile.
"At least I know you're not mad at me." Stephanie mumbled to the baby who just laughed before running back to her stack of blocks.
Santana walked slowly around the art gallery. She had already made the opening speech for the show and now she was more or less just wandering around and talking to people. Shelby, Cassie, Leroy and Bayani had already found her and asked were Rachel was. It was with a heavy heart that she explained what was going on. This night couldn't go by any faster, but she knew if she kept checking the time it would just drag on. At least one good thing was happening, already ten of the children's paintings had been sold for their full appraisal prices. That meant that they had already raised around five thousand dollars collectively. Santana couldn't be more proud of all the hard work that the children had put into their paintings.
"Santana!" Denise whisper yelled as she came practically running across the art gallery.
"What's going on? Are you okay?" Santana asked a little worriedly. Denise didn't appear to be injured, just really really excited.
"I'm fine. But ohhh, have I got something to tell you." Denise bounced around a little. Santana couldn't help but laugh at the woman.
"What is it?" Santana was starting to get excited herself.
"You know Marcson King? He's bought your work before at a couple of shows here."
"Yeah, he's a particularly generous buyer, always paying more than what my paintings are actually worth." Santana knew who Denise was talking about. Marcson King was the owner of a private jets company, he was the best of the best for many celebrities.
"Okay, well I seen him looking at your stuff and I approached him to see if he was interested and boy was he interested. He and his wife just bought a new vacation home in Spain and they want new art work to decorate with. He wants to buy all your pieces as a set." Denise squealed with delight.
"Denise...what's the offer he made?" Santana was beyond curious now, especially if Denise was this happy.
"Wait for it...six million." Denise felt like she was going to pass out.
"WHAT?!" Santana shushed herself when she saw people looking at her oddly. "What? My paintings was only appraised at about three million together."
"I know, he said he wants to match the buying price as a donation to the home. We're already over our initial goal to help all the children's homes. Anything that is sold now is just more icing on the cake. I'm so excited I could pee." Denise done a little dance, almost falling in her high heels.
"I have to call Rachel and tell her. Also I just really want to check on Sierra." Santana couldn't contain the smile on her face as Denise nodded and sprinted off to work the floor and sell more paintings. This night had just took a major turn for the better.
Rachel smiled as she heard her phone going off. Of course Santana would be calling asking for an update already. "Hello?" Rachel answered as she adjusted Sierra on her lap. After her diaper change the little girl was much happier in general. Now she sat across Rachel's lap rubbing her tights covered feet together, while drinking a sippy cup of milk. Both girls had abandoned their little dress shoes a few minutes ago.
Hey baby. I have some news for you and Stephanie, but first how are my girls? All three of you.
"We're okay. The nurse brought us back to a room just a minute ago. The pediatrician is here doing rounds now, so he or she should be here soon and then hopefully we will be out of here."
What are the twins doing?
"Well Sierra is drinking some milk here on my lap and Samara is reading a book with Stephanie." Rachel glanced over at Stephanie and Samara who both looked up and smiled at hearing their names.
I wish I was there with you guys.
"I know you do babe. What's this news you mentioned?" Rachel knew she had to keep Santana focused or she would leave the show against her better judgement.
Oh yeah! So Marcson King is here and you know he always spends way too much money on my stuff. But anyway, he and his wife just bought a new home in Spain and they wanted my work to decorate with. So he decided to buy all of my paintings as a set. Guess how much?
"I honestly have no idea. I know what your paintings was worth. Did he pay full price?"
Double. He is paying the three million and matching that as a donation. He alone has helped us surpass our goal. All of the homes are going to be able to do so much with all the money that is going to be raised tonight. I'm so happy right now.
"Oh my gosh. Santana that's wonderful! I can't believe it!" Rachel started cheering and moving around, earning a little scowl from Sierra.
I know. I'm honestly just happy that everyone can focus on all the children's paintings now. Hmm, I finally see my parents. They see me hiding in this corner. Santana sighed into the phone. I guess that means I have to go.
"It's okay." Rachel spoke as there was a knock on the door and an older gentleman stepped into the room with a warm smile on his face. "The doctor is here now anyway. I promise to call you back in a few minutes. I'm so proud of you love. You've done so many amazing things tonight. I love you and I will talk to you soon."
Thank you. Let me know what the doctor says okay? My parents are looking a little impatient now. Santana laughed before saying her goodbyes and hanging up the phone to go and visit with her parents.
"Sorry about that, my wife was checking in." Rachel apologized to the doctor who had sat down on the stool at the computer in the room.
"That's quite alright. My name is Dr. Blair." Rachel and Stephanie responded in greeting to the doctor. "I was told that someone had a little spill earlier. Now, which one of these cuties is Sierra?" The doctor looked back and forth between the girls. If Sierra hadn't of turned her head into Rachel's stomach, he would be able to tell who was who.
"This one is Sierra. She got a bump on the head from falling into a chair." Rachel turned Sierra around in her lap so that she could face the doctor.
Dr. Blair moved over to where Rachel was sitting on the exam table with Sierra. "Hi little one." Dr. Blair stuck his hand out to shake Sierra's hand. The little girl scowled but reached out and smacked her hand against Dr. Blair's. "Close enough." He chuckled. "Can I see your boo boo?" Dr. Blair pointed to the spot on his head where he could see the deep bruise forming on the little girl.
"No boo." Sierra said as she tried to turn back around in Rachel's lap. Rachel held Sierra in place, they needed to get her checked out sooner rather than later.
"How about this? Would you let my friend Penny check you out?" Dr. Blair pulled a little stuffed penguin from his white lab coat pocket. Rachel could see the head of a pen light stuck under the penguins arm. Dr. Blair turned it on and slowly moved the pen back and forth in front of Sierra's eyes. She tracked the penguin easily, looking at it curiously. That wasn't a giraffe! But it was still an animal..an animal that she now wanted. "Her pupils aren't dilated and she can easily follow Penny, both are very good signs. Now I really hate to do this but I want to make sure there aren't any tender spots around the area." Dr. Blair looked up at Rachel and then over to Stephanie, silently asking for permission to touch Sierra's head.
Rachel braced herself for the scream that she knew was about to happen as she gently rested her hands on Sierra's cheeks. Dr. Blair gently touched the bruised area, cringing when Sierra did in fact let out a very loud scream. However, he knew that what he was feeling was just another good sign. "About how far did she fall?"
"Not even a foot really. She was running around with some other kids, lost her balance and tried to catch herself on the chair, but she missed." Stephanie explained.
"Did she hit her head again on the floor or anything?" Dr. Blair was now making notes in Sierra's chart as Rachel tried to sooth the little girl back down.
"No. When she hit the chair, she kind of sank to her knees is the best way I can explain it." Stephanie was rocking Samara back and forth. She had to focus on something else since this was the first time that Rachel was hearing the finer details of how Sierra got hurt.
"She's been acting normal ever since? No falling in and out of sleep at random moments?" Dr. Blair continued to write.
"Nope. But she did start yawning very quickly like she all of a sudden got super tired, but I really think it was just because she wore herself out crying." Stephanie looked over at Sierra who was now resting her head on Rachel's shoulder looking at her with a small smile.
"I'm going to have to agree with you. I don't feel like she needs a head CT at the moment. I didn't feel any soft spots, she's alert, she's responsive, her pupils are good. I think she just needs some good Mommy snuggles and maybe some baby Tylenol to relieve the pain." Dr. Blair stood up from the stool and closed Sierra's chart. "I hate to leave so soon, but I know you guys are ready to get out of here and I know a lot of other people are as well. I will let the nurse know that Miss Sierra here is ready to go."
"Thank you Dr. Blair." Rachel and Stephanie shook the doctors hand before he left. They both breathed a sigh of relief. "Now, we can get back to Mami and she won't have to come here." Rachel rubbed Sierra's back, thankful that everything was fine and they could get back to their regular schedule of a night.
"When we get back to the art show, I can leave the girls with you and Santana for while if you want. I am sure Nicky and Rich are more than ready to make the first trip back to the home with the little ones." Stephanie offered as she gathered the girls belongings into their diaper bag. Samara had gotten down from her lap and was investigating the stool that the doctor had been setting on.
"I think Santana would love that. She probably needs a break from walking the gallery floor. I should call her back too, let her know that we will be on our way in a few minutes." Rachel responded as she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Santana's number. She was so happy that they would be able to return to the show, the girls should be able to spend some time with their Mami tonight too. It was the one thing she had been most looking forward to about the show in the first place besides helping to raise money for the home of course.