Two and a half weeks later

Santana frowns in confusion looking away from her painting as she feels her phone buzz and wipes her hands on the rag she keeps beside the easel placed in front of the window of her apartment, she pulls her phone out of the pocket of her sweats and raises an eyebrow as she sees an unread text from Holly.

Hey sweetcheeks, weird question but have you seen B today? - Holly

She frowns in concern knowing the mentioned blonde had her first exposure therapy today and quickly types out a reply.

Hey Holly, no I haven't heard from her since yesterday why what happened? - San

She drops her paintbrush in the cup filled with water and glances at her phone as it buzzes once again.

She had her first exposure therapy today and afterwards she went out on a run but she didn't come home yet, I know she can care for herself but it's hours ago and well I am getting kinda worried. - Holly

She shakes her head walking into the kitchen to wash her hands and sighs knowing exactly where the blonde might be, she grabs her phone from the counter after drying her hands and replies to Holly.

I think I know where she is, I will go take a look and write you as soon as I found her. - San

She slides her phone back into the pocket of her sweats and walks down the hall to her sons bedroom, she pushes the small button build into the door frame that will light up the room to announce that someone is coming into his room and walks in smiling as he turns to her with a big smile, she crouches down kissing the top of his head as he walks over to her and bites her lip. Mijo I think Britty is a bit sad, do you want to come with me and cheer her up?

Diego immediately nods his head and pouts. Will we bring her home? We can cheer her up here with ice cream and a movie!

Santana smiles lovingly and slowly nods her head. I am sure she will like that, go put on your shoes baby. She stands up as he runs out of his room and shakes her head with a loving smile, she quickly walks into her own room changing out of her sweats and decides to just slip on a pair of yoga pants hoping she won't be out for long.

She slips her phone back into her pocket after calling for an Uber giving the address where she wants to go and selecting that a car seat is needed beforehand and walks out of her room as a message pops ups that a driver will be there soon, she walks towards the front door smiling lovingly as she sees her son already waiting for her with his jacket on and slips into her own shoes.

Is Britty with Holly? Diego asks cutely as his mami turns to him asking if he is ready to go, Santana shakes her head and bites her lip.

No I think she is at the beach baby, she had a hard day and she goes there to relax and think.

She grabs her keys as he nods his head and walks out of the apartment taking his little hand in her own, together they jog down the flight of stairs and walk out of the apartment building. She smiles as a car already waits in front of the door for them and opens the back door helping Diego climb in, she buckles him in and slides in to sit beside him having requested for a silent ride and knowing the driver who already picked her up a few times complies every time.

She turns to her son as he taps her hand and smiles as he points at the huge banner of the next Rams game and nods her head, Diego tilts his head and pouts. When we going mami?

Santana sighs inwardly knowing he wants to visit his very first game soon and smiles sadly. Soon baby, soon I promise. She promises him inwardly cursing herself because she can't comply to her sons wish, she sighs in relief as he nods his head with a bright smile and leans over kissing the back of his head smiling lovingly as he takes a hold of her hand playing with her medical bracelet.

She takes off her seat belt as the driver turns to her as soon as he parked and nods her head in thanks, she slides out of the car smiling as Diego just slides out after her and takes his hand once again chuckling softly as he waves excitedly at the car driving off.

Diego looks up at his mami and smiles brightly. We find Britty now?

Santana nods her head and runs her hand through his short dark blonde locks. We do but don't run and jump at her for now okay? We need to approach her carefully so we don't scare her.

She kicks off her shoes as he nods his head in understanding and picks them up, she takes Diego's shoes as he holds them up for her and walks out onto the beach keeping a hold on his hand.

They walk along the shore for a while with her splitting up her attention to attend to her son as he squeezes her hand and looking around for the missing blonde before Diego excitedly taps her hand the second she turns to look at the beautiful sunset Diego was pointing at the whole time, she glances down at him with a raised eyebrow and slowly looks up as he points in the direction of the big rock where they talked to Brittany for the first time.

She smiles sadly as she sees the blonde sitting against the rock with her face buried in her knees and slowly walks over to her keeping a hold on her sons hand, she bites her lip thinking how she can call for the blondes attention and freezes raising an eyebrow as she sees her lift her head turning to look in their direction in surprise.

She looks down at her son blinking in surprise as he is already looking up at her with a hand cupped in front of his mouth and chuckles softly as he just looks at her with a grin.

Am not scared anymore mami. Diego signs to her shrugging before taking off into a sprint, she smiles lovingly as she watches him jump into Brittany's arm hugging her tightly and slowly follows his lead.

Hey what are the two of you doing here? Brittany asks curiously after hugging Santana the second she joined them, she smiles as Diego kisses her cheek before walking off to play and turns her attention back to Santana as she sits down beside her.

Santana crosses her legs facing her and smiles lovingly as her son plays a few feet away from them but still in sight, she locks eyes with Brittany and shrugs her shoulders with a sad smile. Holly texted me asking if I had heard anything from you, she is quite concerned because you didn't come home after your session.

Brittany gulps thickly as soon as she heard that her aunt is searching for her and quickly grabs her phone laying beside her, she bites her lip as she sees that her battery died and holds it up to show it Santana. My battery died.

Santana just smiles slightly unlocking her own phone and holds it out for her. Take mine.

Brittany shoots her a grateful smile and takes the device from her, she opens messenger and taps her aunts name quickly writing her a message.

Hey aunt H, sorry I completely forgot the time sitting at the beach. I am okay, Santana and Diego are here with me now. Love you. -B

She hands Santana her phone back and leans against the rock sighing deeply, Santana looks at her in concern and tilts her head. What happened B?

Brittany licks her lips and shrugs. The session was just really difficult today.

Exposure? Santana asks she pouts as Brittany nods her head confirming it and reaches out to hold her hand. Want to talk about it?

Brittany locks eyes with her and gulps. It was the first session together with Sam and it just send the both of us back to the day in the jet, we fed off of each others emotions which just terrified us more and after I just didn't know wrong from right. I was about to buy a bottle of jack and spend the night with it, but Sam managed to talk that idea out of my head and offered to drop me off at the beach knowing I love to sit and think here.

She runs a hand through her hair blinking away the tears and shrugs. Sue had some people from the fire department starting a fire but the second the first flame started up already send us hurling through flashbacks, I know we have to continue and she managed to see our fears in action but it's always so hard that it's sucking all the energy out of me and I just want to flee from reality.

Santana smiles sadly as she sees the first teardrop run down her cheek and tugs on her hand, she pulls her in her arms tilting her head as she automatically nuzzles her face in her shoulder and runs her hand down her back.

She looks over to her son and smiles sadly as he watches them with a pout, she continues rubbing Brittany's back as he sprints over to them and smiles lovingly as he easily slides in her lap sandwiching her in a hug.

Brittany closes her eyes the second she feels Diego's little arms wrap around her shoulders and sniffles as his soft sweet voice reaches her ears. ''Don't cry Britty, we here now.'' She wraps an arm around his waist realizing just how comfortable he feels around her and kisses the top of his head quickly silently showing her appreciation, she freezes the second she realizes what she did and quickly glances over at Santana.

Santana just shakes her head the second she sees the shock in her eyes and smiles lovingly. He feels really comfortable around you, it's really heartwarming to see. She slowly pushes herself up and holds out her hand. Will you join us at our apartment? D and I would like to invite you over for ice cream and a movie.

I think I would love that. Brittany replies before grabbing her offered hand keeping a hold on Diego, she smiles as Santana easily pulls them up enjoying the little giggles escaping Diego and lifts him up allowing him to settle on her shoulders.

Santana watches them with a loving smile and turns to the blonde walking backwards. Sam dropped you off right? She pulls out her phone as she nods her head and quickly calls for an Uber hoping the one that dropped them off is still around.

What did you just do? Brittany asks looking confused as soon as she turns her attention back to her, Santana shows her, her phone and smiles slightly.

Called an Uber, that is how D and I sometimes cross the city.

Brittany looks at the little screen pointed in her direction smiling as she sees that Santana requested a Uber without talking and nods her head, she grabs onto Diego's leg making sure he is secure and follows Santana towards the parking lot in silence.

Santana pulls out her phone as it buzzes looking down at the notification and chuckles as she sees that she received a message from the driver who picked them up telling her that he was still around and I waiting at the spot he dropped them off at

She stops at the edge slipping on her shoes and turns to her son holding his on, she shakes her head with a chuckle as he shakes his head with a big grin and nods her head to the car with the big tribal painted near the drivers door silently telling Brittany that it's their Uber.

Brittany nods her head silently telling Santana to lead the way and follows her reaching up to pick Diego up off of her shoulders, she places him on her hip as she walks around the car and places him in his seat chuckling as he immediately pulls her in. She pulls back a bit reaching for the seat belt for him and winks. You and your mami can cuddle in the back buddy, I will sit up front alright?

She closes his door as he nods his head and opens the passenger side of the car, she leans in looking at the driver and smiles slightly. ''I know she requested a silent ride, but do you mind me sitting here instead of cramping up in the back?''

''Not at all, jump in.'' The driver responds with a kind smile, she slides into the seat immediately putting on her seat belt and leans back as he drives off after making sure that Santana and Diego are buckled in too.

She turns her head looking out of the window enjoying the soft music filling the otherwise silent car and reaches up playing with the tags on her necklace as they pass a cemetery knowing a few of her mates are buried there.

''Veteran?''

''Huh?'' She asks turning to look at the driver, the driver glances at her and smiles slightly.

''Sorry forgot the silent request for a moment, forget what I asked.''

''No it's okay I just didn't listen sorry, what did you ask?''

''Are you a veteran?'' He returns his eyes back to the road as her eyebrows raise in surprise and chuckles softly. ''You are playing with your tags and a sad smile pulled at your lips the second we drove past the cemetery, you either are still on active duty or a veteran.''

''Yes I am a veteran.'' Brittany replies softly, the driver nods his head and reaches out to grab his wallet placed in front of her, he opens it and shows her the military ID.

''Former Marine, retired eight years ago.'' He tells her. ''Life back at home takes a while getting used to but giving back to others while also picking up my life changed it for the better, I don't drive around often unless certain requests come.'' He continues. ''Requests like these, silent and short drives. I met Santana and Diego about two years ago and every time a message comes through and I don't have anything planned, I take it because it allows me to also just think about life.''

''How long did it take before you felt like you settled into your life?'' Brittany asks curiously.

''Three and a half years, met the love of my life and she made me power through therapy to be the best husband and father to our two children.''

Brittany glances behind her smiling lovingly as she sees Diego and Santana playing a game on the Latina's phone not noticing the conversation going on in front of them and turns back to the driver. ''What would you have done, had you met the love of your life sooner?'' She asks softly.

''We talking about me or about you soldier?'' The driver asks smiling knowingly, Brittany blushes sliding down her seat and sighs.

''Both? Sorry but you are someone with a bit of knowledge about overseas life and the terrors it brings with it, I have someone else but he is going through the same shit I am going through now.''

''No need to apologize, I understand.'' The driver tells her with a kind smile. ''I would have done the same I did back then, I would allow my ass to get kicked and pulled down during therapy and come out stronger than before.''

''Do you mind me asking where you went to therapy? I appreciate the work my therapist is doing but sometimes I think that a second help would be very much appreciated to not bury her under a shitload of emotions.''

''Sylvester's office on broa..''

''Broadway..'' Brittany breaths out turning to him in shock. ''No way..''

The driver laughs parking his car in front of the apartment and turns to her smiling. ''She is your therapist now?'' He holds out his hand for her to shake and winks. ''my name is Kevin by the way and Sue is the best, she will pull you out of this soldier.''

''I sure hope so, thank you for the ride and my name is Brittany.'' Brittany tells him shaking his hand, she slides out of the car reaching out to open Diego's door and leans back to look at Kevin. ''Thank you for the ride.'' She glances at Santana walking around the car to join them and smiles slightly. ''I am sure we will see each other more often from now on.''

''I am sure about that too, have a nice night.'' He ducks down locking eyes with Santana and waves with a kind smile, Brittany closes the door turning to Santana and smiles shyly as she looks at her with an eyebrow raised.

He noticed me playing with my tags the second we drove past the cemetery, turns out he is a veteran and went through therapy at the same office Sam and I are going to now. She explains quickly, Santana smiles slightly nodding her head in understanding silently glad the blonde got to talk with the driver during the ride and grabs her hand leading her into the apartment building shaking her head as she sees her son bounce around in excitement.

She jogs up the stairs smiling lovingly as Diego turns to Brittany the second they reach their floors and shakes her head as he immediately asks her if he can show her his room, she unlocks the front door as Brittany nods her head and watches Diego pull her inside and down the hall after both kicked their shoes off.

She walks into the kitchen taking out her phone and quickly sends Holly a message.

Hey Holly, Brittany will charge her phone soon but I just wanted to give you a heads up that she is at my apartment. D and I invited her over for ice cream and movies, I hope that is alright and if you want you are more than welcome to join too. - San

She smiles slightly as Holly immediately opens her message and leans against the kitchen counter after flipping the switch to boil water, she glances down at her phone as it buzzes and reads her reply.

Hey sweetcheeks no I will stay here I think B needs your presence to relax, she will probably kill me for telling you this but ever since that one night a week ago where she allowed herself to sleep in your arms she didn't sleep again only for a few minutes before waking up screaming because of a nightmare. If she falls asleep, she always carries a small tube of ointment around, will you please remind her to rub it in?

She places her phone down after promising Holly that she will remind Brittany to rub her back in and reaches up grabbing three cups, she drops a teabag in all three of them and fills the cups with hot water.

She carries them out into the living room and walks back into the kitchen opening the fridge, she grabs the chocolate ice cream she made herself and walks back into the living room after grabbing three spoons smiling slightly as she sees her son pull Brittany into the living room bouncing around with a big smile.

Calm down mijo, she will be here for a bit. She tells him as he looks at her with a big grin, she sits down on the couch pointing at the TV and smiles lovingly. You can pick the first movie.

Brittany sits down beside Santana as Diego immediately runs to the TV and looks at her thanking her for the tea. You have a beautiful apartment Santana and D's room is amazing, I love the Rams posters on his wall.

Santana smiles lovingly as she watches her son tap his chin looking at the movies they have and turns to Brittany. Yeah he is a huge fan and wants to go to a game, I'm not sure how long I can keep putting that off.

Putting it off? Brittany tilts her head and raises an eyebrow. What do you mean? She grunts as Diego jumps in her lap with a giggle and looks down at him, she nods her head as he points at the screen with a big smile chuckling as she sees that he chose Spiderman after she told him that it's her favorite movie and ruffles his hair.

Santana watches them smiling lovingly and nods her head to the TV as Brittany turns back to look at her silently telling her that they will talk later, she leans forward grabbing their ice cream bowls and holds them out for the blonde and Diego.

She folds her legs under her ass reclining back against the arm of the couch as soon as they took their bowls and takes a small bite of her ice cream, she watches her son settle contently in Brittany's lap munching on his ice creams and bites her lip as she feels her stomach flutter the second she sees Brittany wrap a protective arm around his little waist making sure he is comfortable.

Brittany glances at Santana as she feels her eyes on her and raises an eyebrow as she quickly looks away acting like she is watching the movie, she chuckles softly as she sees the slight blush creeping up her cheeks and places her empty ice cream bowl on the table taking Diego's too as he holds it out for her.

She leans back against the back of the couch making sure not to put too much pressure on her back and smiles lovingly as Diego grabs her hand to play with the friendship ring on her middle finger, she turns her head to look at Santana smirking as she quickly tries to turn back to the TV once again and raises an eyebrow slowly patting the spot beside her.

Santana blushes as she notices that Brittany caught her staring and slowly scoots closer smiling as she just lifts her arm not once mentioning her staring, she cuddles into her side wrapping her arm around her son and smiles lovingly as he leans back against the both of them still focusing on the movie.

Brittany listens to what's happening in the movie contently leaned back with Diego and Santana cuddled up against her and allows herself to relax completely, she sighs softly feeling the stress from the therapy slowly escape her body and leans her head back running her thumb over the back of Santana's hand as she feels Diego intertwine their hands.

Diego smiles happily as he feels his mami relax behind him and looks down at the intertwined hands in his lap, he places his little hands on top of theirs and lays his head back against Brittany's chest feeling the steady thump of her heartbeat beneath his ear. He kisses his mami's temple as he sees her watching the movie and tilts his head up kissing Brittany's cheek whispering. ''Gracias.''

Brittany looks down at him smiling as she sees the happiness in his eyes and winks her heart skipping a beat at his soft cute voice, she runs her free hand through his dark blonde locks and nods her head to the TV silently telling him to watch the movie and relax.

She squeezes Santana's hand softly as she feels her drawing random patterns on the back of her hand and keeps running her free hand through Diego's hair. Best way to end a hard day.

She thinks to herself a small playing on her lips as she hears Santana and Diego both chuckle at something happening in the movie.