"Tana?" Quinn whispers.
She would know them eyes anywhere. She launches herself into Santana's arms and clings for dear life to her neck. Quinn begins to sob while Santana soothingly rubs her back and gently chants encouraging words into her hair.
"It's okay, you're okay, I'm here." She tries to pull Quinn's head back softly so she can see her face.
"Is it really you?"
All Santana does is give her a soft smile and nod her head.
Quinn buries her face back into Santana's shoulder as the tears still stream from her eyes.
The Latina tries again to pull away but Quinn only tightens her grip, "Please don't let go, please."
Santana's heart breaks at the sound of the other girls voice. She sounds so scared and small and reminds her very much of the first day they met. She looks around the garden and can see a secluded hammock in the trees at the bottom of the garden.
"I'm going to pick you up okay?" She feels a small movement in her neck and assumes it's a yes. She gently places her hands on the back of Quinn's thighs and lifts her up. Quinn tightly wraps her legs around Santana's torso as she begins to make her way towards the hammock. The position very much reminding her of when they had to say goodbye.
She slowly sits down and Quinn begins to loosen her grip, she slides from Santana's lap to her side and buries herself there. Her head resting on Santana's shoulder, her legs tucked up beside her and her arm across Santana's waist, pulling her as close as possible. Santana takes this closeness as an okay to put her arm around Quinn's shoulders and feels the blonde instantly relax in her hold.
They sit in silence for a while, Santana staring up at the sky. It's a beautiful night and the stars can be seen, but she thinks nothing will be quite as beautiful as the blonde laying in her arms. She decides to break the silence.
"So, are you okay? You never answered me."
For the first time since they sat down, Quinn looks up and nods.
"He gets like that when he's had a drink. He's much bigger than me so there isn't much I can do. I try not to be alone with him for too long." She can see something unrecognisable swimming in Santana's eyes, anger, fear, jealousy maybe?
"And he's what, your boyfriend? You don't deserve to be treated like that Luce."
Luce
It's been a really long time since anyone has called her anything related to that name at all. Her heart swells hearing them words coming from someone she's pined over for eight years.
"You know I almost didn't recognise you, you look so different now. You still look amazing though."
It's been a while since anyone said anything like that to Quinn and she feels that blush begin to appear on her pale cheeks, something she hasn't felt for a long time. She's glad that it's dark so that her cheeks don't give away her bashfulness.
"Then how did you know it was me?"
"I'd know them beautiful hazel eyes anywhere."
Yep. That did it. Now her cheeks are on fire, she's pretty sure they couldn't get any worse.
She remembers my eyes, the way I remember hers.
Quinn shifts slightly to the side so that she can look up at Santana. Her first proper look in what feels like a lifetime. She's just how Quinn remembers.
Flawless tanned skin, dark brown, mesmerising eyes and the cutest little dimple on her left cheek when she smiles.
"What are you doing here? When did you get back?"
Santana notices Quinn slightly shivering and instantly removes her hoodie to drape over Quinn.
"We've moved back here now, permanently." She makes sure to emphasise that last word and sees the blonde break out into a brilliant smile.
"My mom got her job back at Lima Hospital. She left my Dad and so she wanted to come back. She loved it here. So a week ago, me, her and my brother moved into a little house, a couple blocks from here."
"You never mentioned a brother before."
"Oh, he's not my biological brother. He's actually around here somewhere. His names Blaine. My father served with his parents in the army. They died in an unfortunate accident so my parents adopted him."
Quinn has a solemn expression on her face but doesn't say anything. Instead, she snuggles herself back into Santana's side. For the first time, in a long time, she feels safe and protected again.
"I suppose you're the new girl everyone's been talking about then? Showing up the boys on the football team." She says with a giggle.
Santana laughs in response, "Yeah I suppose so. Your boyfriend hasn't exactly taken a liking to me and Puck just keeps trying to hit on me. I'm running out of things to call that awful haircut he has."
Quinn frowns at the mention of her boyfriend but decides that nothing can ruin the fact that her Tana is back.
She decides to ask the question that she's afraid of the answer, but would rather know sooner than later..
"So you're staying then, right? You're not leaving again?"
Santana gently lifts her chin so that Quinn is looking into her eyes when she gives her response.
"I'm staying right here Lucy."
They both smile and settle back in to each other.
They stay outside for a long time, enjoying each others company and updating each other on the past few years of their lives.
Quinn tells Santana about how she doesn't use the name 'Lucy' anymore and about how her and Brittany are still best friends and are Cheerios at school.
Santana explains about how close she is with Blaine, how her Dads health declined when he returned from duty and how they coped.
Before they know it, it's 3AM and the party is beginning to wind down.
"How are you getting home?" Santana asks.
Quinn can only shrug in response, "I aren't sure, I suppose I'm walking. I came with Finn and he was supposed to walk me home."
"Yeah, well I'm sorry, I know he's your boyfriend and all that but I am not letting that happen, not after tonight."
Quinn smiles at Santana's protectiveness and can't help but feel butterflies.
"Let's go and find Blaine. We'll walk you home, okay?"
Quinn nods in response and Santana starts to stand up. Before she full gets to her feet, Quinn pulls her back, "Wait.. do you think I could have your number? You know, now you're sticking around?" She says with a shy smile.
Santana chuckles and gestures for her phone. She inputs her number, gives it back to Quinn and stands up. She puts her hand out to help the blonde up and once they're both standing, attempts to release Quinn's hand but is surprised when the other girl interlaces their fingers.
She looks up at her and is shocked when she sees an uneasiness in her eyes. "It's okay, if he's still in there, I won't let him near you, alright?"
Quinn nods in response and they make their way inside.
It doesn't take long to locate Blaine and soon the three of them are walking towards Quinn's house.
Santana makes the introductions and the other two seem to take an instant liking to each other. She listens to the two of them chat amongst themselves as they walk along the pavement. She is walking on the roadside, Quinn in the middle and Blaine to her other side. She feels Quinn slip her arm through hers and sees Blaine smile at the gesture over Quinn's head. But she must admit, she can't deny how natural it feels.
Soon they arrive at Quinn's front door and Blaine hugs her goodbye. He winks at Santana and makes his way to the end of the road to wait for her and give them a second alone.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Santana worries.
"I'll be fine Tana, I promise." Quinn pulls Santana into her again for another hug. She can't help but inhale the smell of the brunette's hair, she realises that it calms her immensely. As they pull away she leaves a light kiss on her cheek. "Get home safely, please."
Santana nods and smiles back, "I'll see you soon then Lucy Q."
And with that, Santana turns and walks towards Blaine to make their way home.
Quinn runs upstairs to watch the two disappear from her bedroom window. When she can't see them anymore, she flops down on her bed. It's at this point she realises she's still wearing Santana's hoodie.
She gets changed into her pyjamas and puts Santana's hoodie back on, breathing in the smell of the girl she's missed so much. She decides to send the girl invading her thoughts a text.
Thank you for tonight, I've missed you x - Q
And is surprised when she receives almost an instant response.
I'll always protect you x - S
For the first time, in a long time, she falls asleep with a content smile on her face.