Two updates in the same month? It appears I'm on a roll. Enjoy :)
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Chapter 8
Quinn's POV
"Just come down when you're feeling better." I tell Santana as I leave the crackers and soda on the bedside table.
I walk back into the dining room and all eyes are on me. Except for Callie and Beth, they're still eating.
"Everything okay?" Of course Puck is the first to ask. I nod.
"Where's mami?" Costa asks me.
"She's just laying down for a bit sweetheart. She'll be down soon."
"Can I go with my mami?"
"You don't want to miss all the fun we're gonna have after dinner do you?" Puck says before I could even respond. "I might even show you one of my dinosaur tricks!" He says with a wink.
Costa's face instantly lights up with a smile and he goes back to eating. As did everyone else. After a while Kurt starts talking to the twins.
"So how do you guys like it here?"
"I like it a lot. Beth is my bestest friend!" Callie is the first to answer. "But I miss daddy." She adds sadly. Costa immediately drops his fork as soon as she says that.
"Oh and where is he?" Rachel questions. Everyone is silent, curious about that as well. I'll admit I am too.
"Rachel." I say with a warning tone.
"What I'm just asking what everyone else wants to know." She replies with a shrug. "Sorry for wanting to get to know the strangers you invite into our home."
"He went to work." Callie answers not noticing the tension in the room. "He goes away to work and he always brings me and Costa presents when he comes back home. And sometimes he gives mami a really pretty necklace. I hope he gets me a bike!"
"Callie, mami said we not supposed to talk about daddy anymore!" Costa tells her in a loud, angry whisper.
Interesting. He must travel for work. Are he and San still together? But why doesn't she like talking about him? Maybe it was a messy break up or divorce or whatever. Wow. I'm starting to realize I hardly know anything about Santana.
"Why doesn't your mother want you to talk about your dad Costa?" Rachel asks. She's basically interrogating these kids.
"Rachel that's enough." I say.
"I'm just-"
"I said enough Rachel." I cut her off. "We're here to celebrate Beth's birthday."
"Exactly. And I have an early birthday gift for the little princess." Kurt adds, helping to change the subject.
"Mommy can I open it? Please please please?!" Beth begs. I give Kurt a playful glare but not to Beth.
"Go ahead." She hops out of her seat and runs over to Kurt.
"What is it Uncle Kurt?!" She asks excitedly while pulling him out of his chair. They exit the room with Beth trying to guess what Kurt got her.
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Santana's POV
The crackers and soda have helped settle my stomach. Now I'm just trying to find the courage to get up and face everyone. I'm so embarrassed and I know they're going to ask questions. Questions that I definitely don't want to answer. How can I- what would I even say? And Quinn? What will she think? She'll probably think I just got knocked up by a stranger or something. I'd better get up though, I'm sure the twins are worried.
I get up with a sigh and head into the dining room thinking everyone is still in there. To my surprise it's empty and the table has been cleared. It sounds like everyone has left. I walk around the house looking for them until I hear screaming and laughter coming from outside. I quickly run outside and am met with the sight of Beth driving a toy Mercedes directly towards Rachel. She was the one screaming and everyone else is laughing.
"Beth hit the brakes baby!" Quinn yells out to her in between laughs. "Leave it to you to go over the top Kurt." She rolls her eyes at him.
"Hey!" He responds in a high pitch. "It wasn't even my idea! I was going to get her a 12 month subscription to Vogue. This was all Blaine. He was all 'she's a child Kurt. She doesn't want magazines Kurt.'" He says mocking Blaine's voice.
Blaine in response blushes while everyone else bursts out laughing. Callie is in the truck with Beth with a big smile on her face. I panic when I don't see Costica right away. I look over towards a tree and see him playing and laughing with Noah. They look like they're having a lot of fun. He spots me a few seconds later and comes barreling towards me.
"Mami! Look what Puck taught me!" He says and stands back and lets out what I assume is supposed to be a very big roar. "He showed me how dinosaurs roar!" His eyes are lit up like Christmas trees and I feel my own start to water. I quickly push the tears back, I'm not about to start crying now.
Everyone looks over at me once they notice I'm back. "Hey." I say quietly and wave to them.
"Are you feeling better?" Mike asks me.
"Yeah. Yes. I was umm I was feeling nauseous earlier and I guess the smell of the pasta just made everything...come up so to speak." I reply. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to ruin the evening."
"You didn't ruin anything sweetie." Kurt tells me. I hear a scoff coming from where Rachel is standing.
Callie comes up to me. "Mami look Beth has a truck like daddy! I want one too."
"Callie..." I say with a sigh.
"Please! I be good at school. I don't get color changes! Pleeeeaaaaassse mami? You can tell daddy to get it for when he comes home!"
"We'll talk when we get home mija." I tell her.
"Where is their father?" Rachel asks. "Is he even in the picture or does he just drop off gifts for the kids every once in a while like Callie says?"
"Rachel?!" Quinn shrieks. "I need to talk to you now." She says leaving no room for argument. They both head into the house. I just stand there speechless, not really sure what to say.
"Uh oh. Rachel's in trouble." Beth said with wide eyes.
"Don't mind Rachel. She's just a tad bit-" Blaine says and twirls his finger next to his head.
"Crazy." "Bitchy." Brittany and Frannie finish for him simultaneously.
"Yeah, that." Blaine replies with a laugh, not clarifying who he was agreeing with.
"I don't think she likes me very much. Maybe we should just go." I say. "Let's go babies. We'll just walk so you don't have to leave Noah." I tell him.
"Nonsense I'll drive you guys. I don't mind."
"Mami can we please stay? Beth is gonna let me drive her truck!" Callie whines with a pout.
I sigh. "Five more minutes and then we're leaving. And Noah it's alright. It's your daughter's night I won't take you away from that. It's not too far." Callie runs off as soon as I finished addressing her.
We hear the door open and look to see Quinn coming back outside with a sullen-looking Rachel behind her. "What's not too far?" Quinn asks.
"My apartment. We're going to head out."
"San you don't have to go. Ignore Rachel. She seems to have forgotten her manners in New York." She says while glaring at Rachel. Rachel just scoffs and turns away from Quinn. "I'm really sorry about her. At least stay for cake?"
"I want cake mami!" Costa shouts excitedly. I can't help but laugh because he really just came out of nowhere.
"I guess we're staying for cake then." I say with a shrug.
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"Ready for your party tomorrow little one?" Noah asks Beth.
"I told you I'm a big girl now daddy!" Beth replies, her face covered in cake. She even has some in her eyebrows and hair. Everyone chuckles at her cuteness.
Once the twins finish their cake, I take them to the bathroom to get cleaned up.
"Mami?" Callie starts after I finished wiping her face. I start wiping off Costa's but it's pretty hard because he's half asleep.
"Yes mija?"
"When is daddy coming home?" She asks.
"¿Que te dije?" I ask with a raised voice causing Callie to jump and Costa to wake up. I take a deep breath to call myself down before I continue talking. "I said we don't talk about daddy right?" She nods her head slowly. "Ok so stop it. And I'm sorry for yelling at you."I finish and place a kiss on her head.
I finish wiping off Costa's face and then struggle to pick him up. I can't wait until this cast is off. "Open the door for me mija." I tell Callie.
We go into the living room where everyone is and Noah jumps up as soon as he sees me and takes Costica from me. Quinn gives him a strange look but it went away as quickly as it appeared.
"You shouldn't be carrying him." He tells me. "I mean with your arm and all." He adds somewhat nervously.
"Thank you."
"You ready to go?" He asks. I nod to him and grab Callie's hand. "What about you Brit?"
"I'm gonna stay a bit longer. Mike is going to drop me off." She answers. She then walks over and pulls me into a hug. I hug her back awkwardly since my only available arm is the broken one. "Bye San." She says cheerily.
"Bye Brit. Callie say bye sweetie."
"But mami I wanna stay with Beth." She whines and starts to pout. "We could have a slumber party!"
"No baby. Beth has to be well rested for her party tomorrow and I'm sure Quinn needs rest too." I tell her.
"Actually its fine she can stay." To my surprise it's Rachel speaking. "I'm sure Beth will love it and I'll watch them. That way Quinn can get sleep." Beth is gives a fist pump and smiles at Callie.
"I- no it's okay. I'll just take her home. I don't want to impose."
"Nonsense. She's staying." Rachel says. "It's final." I look over to Quinn for reassurance.
"Everything will be fine San. She'll be well taken care of." She says to me. "She'll be okay." She says looking directly into my eyes.
"Al-alright. Okay." I kneel down in front of Callie. "Dame in beso grande." She obliges. "Now be good and listen to everything Rachel and Quinn tell you okay mija?"
"Yes mami."
"Te amo."
"I love you too mami."
"Come on. I'll walk you guys to the car." Quinn says motioning towards the door. She opens the door for us since Noah has his hands full with Costa. He puts him in the truck, making sure he's in there securely. "I'll see you tomorrow Santana," she tells me as I climb in the passenger seat. "Hey Puck let me talk to you for a sec."
"Sure thing baby momma. What can the Puckster do for you?" He asks and she pulls him a little ways away from the truck.
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Quinn's POV
"I told you to stop calling me that." I cuff him in the back of the head.
"Umm ouch. You didn't have to hit me. But seriously what's up?"
"Leave Santana alone Puck." I answer. "Don't try anything with her."
"Why the hell not? I think she likes me." He says with a smirk. "What, are you trying to keep her for yourself? So selfish Quinnie." He laughs as I try to keep my blushing unnoticeable.
"I'm serious! Do not get involved with her. I know how you are and you will not treat her like some two dollar whore."
"Whoa whoa whoa. I don't treat anyone like that." I raise my eyebrow. "Okay okay maybe I have in the past but it's not like that Q-tip. I actually like her."
"What do you mean you actually like her? You hardly know her!"
"And you do?!" He yells in response.
"I-is everything alright?" Santana asks coming from the truck shocking is both.
"Everything is fine! Get back in the car, we're leaving." Puck responds angrily. Santana jumps at his tone and climbs back into the vehicle hurriedly. She always seems so nervous.
I didn't mean to upset him, I just don't want Santana to get caught in everything that is Puck like I did. I mean, she obviously can't get pregnant since she apparently already is but like its Puck. Puck doesn't do romance or love or anything of the sort. Santana doesn't deserve that. She has her kids to think of and she doesn't need to add any stress or heartbreak to her life. I'm not saying Puck is a bad guy, it's just that Santana deserves more.
"Look I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just, she's my friend and I don't want her getting hurt." I tell him.
"Gee, good to know how little you think of me." He scoffs and goes to get in the car.
"Puck wait."
"I'll see you tomorrow Q." And with that he hopped in his truck and drove off.
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Back inside, Beth and Callie are dancing with Brittany and Mike.
"What was all that yelling about?" Kurt asks.
"It was nothing. Puck and I just had a small disagreement. Everything is fine." I tell them.
"You sure?" I nod. "Okay then. Well Blaine and I have to get going. Need our beauty sleep for tomorrow and all. Can't turn up at the party of the century looking like we're dead." I just shake my head.
"Beth sweetie come say bye to your uncles."
"Bye Uncle Kurt and Uncle Blaine!" She runs over and hugs them. "Thank you for the best birthday present EVER!"
"Indoor voice honeybee. And you are quite welcome. We'll see you tomorrow" Blaine tells her and they both plant a kiss on her cheek.
I say my goodbyes as I walk them to the door. Back in the living room, Frannie is enthusiastically listening to some story Callie is telling her about her dolls. Beth and Mike appear to be having a staring contest and Brittany is cheering them on. Rachel has disappeared somewhere in the house again. It's like she can't get away from us, me, fast enough.
"Hey Callie can I borrow Frannie for a bit?" I ask interrupting her. She nods and runs off towards Beth.
"What's the matter Quinn? What was Puck going on about?"
"Nothing. I was just telling him not to get involved with her." I say. "You and I both know how he is, he'll just lead her on and then when things even seem like they're getting too serious he'll leave. I don't want that for her." I finish with a sigh.
"You know you can't control either of them. If they are attracted to each and want to start something, it's not your place to stop them."
"But that's the thing!" I exclaim. "I don't think she wants to date him. Every time he touches her she gets nervous and fidgety."
"I'm sure she'd say something if she wasn't okay with it Q."
"I doubt it. She doesn't seem like one to stand up for herself. You see how timid she is." I say. "I mean she's scared of Rachel for goodness sake."
"I doubt she's afraid of Rachel, she's probably just not sure how she's supposed to respond to half the shit she says just like everyone else."
"She's pregnant Fran. Puck will run for the hills when he finds out. Just like he did when I first told him about Beth."
"He also got himself together and did what he had to for Beth, Quinn. He's grown up, even if it's only a little bit, but he has." Frannie says. "Why is it such a big deal?"
Why is it such a big deal? I don't know. It just really frustrates me that he's always flirting with her. Trying to use his 'boyish charm' just to get in her pants. Ugh! This is stupid and it's just making me angry.
"It doesn't." I say before walking out of the room and go to the bathroom.
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Santana's POV
I almost run back to the car when Noah snaps at me. I knew his niceness was an act, he's just like Adrian. They all are. I just want to go home now. I see him walking back to the car and pray that he doesn't yell at me again. He slammed the door as he got in, causing me to jump and startling Costa awake.
"Mami?" He cries out.
"Shh it's okay. Mami' okay. Go back to sleep mijo." I coo. I reach in the backseat and he grabs onto my hand before falling asleep again.
The drive home is completely silent. The radio isn't even on. Noah is extremely pissed. I don't know what Quinn said to him but he obviously didn't like it. When we finally get home, he goes to get Costa out of the back but I stop him.
"It's okay, I got him." I say.
"But your arm. Just let me take him."
"It's fine." I say. "I won't be needing a ride tomorrow. We'll just walk. I'll get their car seats out of the truck some other time."
"San wait." He grabs my arm and I freeze. "Look in sorry for snapping at you. I just, Quinn was- I'm just sorry okay? It won't happen again. Now let me help you."
"It's fine I don't need help. Thank you for the ride. I will see you at Beth's party." I tell him. I struggle getting Costa out of the car but I eventually do and carry him into the apartment complex. The walk to our apartment is awkward because Noah lives across the hall. It feels like he's following us but I remind myself that isn't the case. He stops me once we reach our respective doors.
"Santana I'm really sorry. I'm not letting you walk to Quinn's house tomorrow. I'll give you guys a ride okay?" I nod and go inside once I unlock the door. Once I'm inside I pull out my phone and text Quinn.
To Quinn:
Is Callie doing okay?
Her response is almost immediate.
From Quinn:
Yes everything is fine. She and Beth are coloring now. Get some sleep. She's in good hands I promise :)
To Quinn:
Okay okay sorry for bugging you. Goodnight Quinn :)
From Quinn:
No worries. Night San :*
That last text threw me off. My stomach is doing somersaults and I rushed to the bathroom thinking I was going to puke however the vomit never came. I shake my head and then grab Costa's pajamas and my own.
I change him and then take a quick shower and hop in bed myself. It was really hard to go to sleep. That last text message sent my mind into overdrive for no apparent reason. I spent most of the night thinking about it. Why had she sent me that particular emoji? What did it mean? I eventually fell asleep thinking about what it would be like to kiss Quinn.
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Quinn's POV
Santana didn't even wait 30 minutes before she texted me checking on Callie. I told her to relax and that I had everything under control. Shit. I don't know why I sent that emoji to Santana. She's probably going to think I'm flirting with her now, which is definitely not the case. Not at all. I'm with Rachel and I love her. I put my phone done and go to join the girls coloring. When I got to Beth's room, Rachel was in there asking Callie all kinds of questions.
"Why doesn't your mother want you to talk about your dad sweetie?" She asks in a sweet voice.
"I don't know." Callie replies with a shrug. "Maybe cause she's mad at him."
"Well why would she be mad at him?"
Callie shrugs again. "When dad had his party they said something about Uncle Drew and mami and then mami was sad and daddy looked mad. Maybe he put her in timeout and she got mad." Interesting.
"Rachel I told you to stop questioning her." I scold her before she can ask any more questions. She rolls her eyes and mumbles a whatever before leaving the room. "Alright girls it's getting late. Time to get ready for bed." They both groan and pout at me. "Come on girls you don't want to be or look tired tomorrow. It's going to be lots of fun and we're going to take lots of pictures and princesses can't look tired. Especially not on their birthday or their friend's birthday so let's go."
I read them a short story before tucking them in and looking for Rachel. I find her in our bed on her phone texting.
"What is your problem Rachel?"
"Excuse me? I don't have one but apparently you do." She responds flippantly.
"You're right, I do. I don't appreciate you interrogating my friend's kids. Santana has been nothing but nice to you." I say.
"Well somebody has to. You know nothing about the girl Quinn and you just let her into your life without even trying to find anything out. All of you have. It's incredibly stupid! What if she's psychotic or something? You wouldn't know because you hadn't taken the time to really learn anything about her. Don't you think it's odd that she says she just decided to move here and didn't even think to enroll her kids in school? That should have been one of the first things she did before she came. That and finding a place to live. It's not okay to just let someone into your life because you thinks she pretty." She huffs.
"Is that what this is about? You're jealous?" She shakes her head.
"What? No I just think you're insane for letting a stranger into your home. You have a kid. If she were mine, I wouldn't allow that. It's not safe."
"What do you mean if? What the hell is that supposed to mean? She's as much yours as she is mine." I say with tears forming in my eyes. "You've been there since I found out I was pregnant. You helped raise her before you ran off to Broadway and practically abandoned us!"
"Oh please. The girl doesn't even like me. I'm sure she'd be happy if you just got with Puck and you can all be one big happy family. Or better yet, you and your precious Santana can date and she can adopt Beth. She'd probably enjoy that even more!"
"Get out." She stares at me, unmoving. "Leave!" I shout. She grabs her phone and one of her bags and hurries out of the bedroom. I hear the front door open and shut, then her car starting and that's when I completely break down.