The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across Brett's porch as he settled onto the bench, a cold beer in hand. It had been a long few days, he hadn't checked his phone all day, preferring instead to immerse himself in the solitude of his thoughts. But now, as the sky turned shades of pink and orange, he felt compelled to see what messages awaited him.

With a heavy sigh, Brett reached for his phone, unlocking the screen with a sense of resignation. As he scrolled through the notifications, he was met with a flood of messages from friends and family, each one offering words of comfort and support. Despite the warmth of their sentiments, Brett couldn't shake the heavy weight that seemed to settle over his heart.

Then, amidst the sea of well-wishes, he saw Santana's message. "Thinking of you today" it read, simple yet profound in its sincerity. Taking a deep breath, Brett finished off his beer in one long gulp, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. With a steady hand, he navigated to Santana's contact and pressed the call button, the anticipation of hearing her voice filling him with a mixture of apprehension and longing.

The phone rang once, twice, before Santana's voice came through the line, soft and gentle. "Hey, Brett," she said, her tone warm. Brett felt a rush of relief wash over him at the sound of her voice, a lifeline amid his turmoil. "Hey, Santana" he greeted her, his voice warm with affection. "How are you?"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Santana replied, her voice soft and gentle. "I'm okay" she said, a hint of hesitation in her tone. "More importantly, how are you holding up?"

"Surprisingly okay" Brett admitted with a chuckle, a note of relief in his voice. "It's been a hectic day, but I'm managing."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Santana spoke again, her voice filled with genuine interest "How are you doing?" she asked.

Brett sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he considered her question. "Honestly, I could use a break" he confessed, his voice tinged with weariness. "Actually, would you like to join me for a drink tonight? I could use some good company."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line as Santana considered his invitation. Brett held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for her response.

Finally, Santana spoke, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "I'd love to" she said softly, her words sending a surge of relief through Brett's veins. "I could use a break too."

A smile spread across Brett's face at her words, a sense of anticipation coursing through him at the thought of seeing her. "Great," he replied eagerly. "I'll pick you up in half an hour in an Uber?"

As Brett stepped back into the warm embrace of his family home. His mother, Whitney, greeted him with a warm smile, "Hey, Brett" she said, her voice filled with warmth and concern. "Are you doing okay?" she asked gently, her voice tinged with concern.

Brett hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. He didn't want to burden his mother with his troubles, but at the same time, he longed for someone to confide in. Taking a deep breath, he decided to be honest.

"I'm..." he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just been a rough day."

Whitney's expression softened, her motherly instincts kicking into overdrive as she wrapped her arms around her son in a comforting embrace. "I'm here for you, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice filled with love and reassurance.

Brett felt a surge of gratitude wash over him at his mother's words. He knew he was lucky to have her unwavering support, even when he felt like he was falling apart. Taking a step back, he met her gaze with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mom," he said softly, his voice choked with emotion. "Would you mind watching the boys for a few hours? I'm thinking of heading out."

Whitney's brow furrowed in concern at his request, and she rose from her seat, crossing the room to stand before him. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she studied his face intently, searching for any sign of what was troubling him.

"Of course, honey," she replied softly, her voice filled with motherly concern. "But are you alright?"

Brett sighed, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to put his feelings into words. "I'm okay, Mom," he assured her, though he knew his words rang hollow. Whitney's gaze softened at his words, and she pulled him into a gentle embrace, holding him close as if to offer him comfort and reassurance. "I understand, sweetheart" she murmured, her voice soothing and maternal. "But if there's anything on your mind, you know you can talk to me, right?"

Brett returned his mother's smile, feeling a sense of gratitude for her unwavering support. "Thanks, Mom" he said softly, his heart swelling with love for the woman who had always been there for him. "I'll let you know when I'll be back."

With that, Brett settled into the backseat of the Uber, the gentle hum of the engine and the soft glow of the city passing by outside offering a sense of calm amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. When they arrived at Santana's apartment, Brett stepped out of the car and made his way to the door, his heart beating a little faster with each step. He rang the doorbell, his pulse quickening as he waited for her to answer.

Moments later, the door swung open, and Santana stood before him, a bright smile lighting up her face. Brett couldn't help but return her smile, his nerves easing at the sight of her. "Hey," he greeted her, his voice filled with warmth. "You ready to head out?"

Santana nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Absolutely," she replied, stepping out of the doorway to join him. "So, where are we going tonight?" Brett grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Well, I was thinking we could check out Parlay" he suggested, his tone playful. "What do you think?"

Santana's eyes widened in surprise, a delighted laugh escaping her lips. "A sports bar?" she repeated, her smile growing wider. "Sounds like fun! But are we going for the games or the drinks?" Brett chuckled at her question, feeling a sense of ease wash over him in Santana's presence. "Why not both?" he replied, his grin widening.

Santana laughed, the sound filling the air with warmth and joy. "I like the way you think," she said, linking her arm with his as they made their way towards the waiting Uber.

The dimly lit ambiance of the sports bar enveloped Brett and Santana as they stood at the bustling counter, the aroma of various drinks and the low murmur of conversations filling the air around them. Brett turned towards Santana, a warm smile on his lips as he leaned in slightly to hear her order over the loud atmosphere of the bar.

"What drink can I get for you?" he asked, his voice tinged with anticipation. Santana's eyes sparkled as she met his gaze, a playful glint dancing in her eyes. "Mango White Claw, please," she replied with a grin, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.

Brett nodded, a smile spreading across his face as he turned to the bartender to place their order. "One White Claw Mango and a Modelo, please" he requested, his tone polite yet confident.

As the bartender deftly prepared their drinks, Brett couldn't help but steal a glance at Santana, admiring the way the soft glow of the bar lights played across her features. There was something undeniably enchanting about her, something that drew him in like a moth to a flame.

Moments later, their drinks in hand, Brett and Santana clinked their glasses together in a silent toast before taking a sip, the cool, refreshing taste of the beverages washing over them. With a shared smile, they made their way over to an empty booth, the plush seats inviting them to settle in and relax.

As they sat down next to each other, Brett felt a sense of contentment wash over him, the hustle and bustle of the bar fading into the background as he focused on Santana. There was a comfort in her presence, a familiarity that made him feel at ease in a way he hadn't felt in a long time.

"It's been... a day" his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "But honestly, I'm just glad it's mostly over."

Santana nodded understandingly, her expression mirroring his somber demeanor as she listened attentively to his words. She knew all too well the weight of grief and the toll it could take on a person's spirit. "How were James and Oliver?" Santana asked softly, her voice filled with compassion as she reached out to offer him comfort.

Brett's gaze softened as he thought of his sons, the light of his life even in the darkest of times. "Oliver has no clue" he began, a faint smile ghosting his lips at the thought of his youngest son's innocent ignorance. "And James... well, James doesn't understand. He was talking to her headstone like she was going to talk back."

The pain in Brett's voice was evident as he spoke of his older son's innocent attempt to reach out to his departed mother, a gesture both heartbreaking and poignant in its simplicity. Santana reached out to gently squeeze his hand, her touch offering silent solace in the face of his grief. "I think it was harder for her parents to see that" Brett continued, his voice laden with sadness. "To see the boys so clueless, so unaffected by it all."

Santana nodded in understanding, her heart going out to Brett as he grappled with the enormity of his loss and the weight of his responsibilities as a father. She knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and obstacles, but she also knew that Brett was strong enough to weather the storm with grace and resilience. "You're doing amazing Brett," Santana reassured him, her voice soft yet filled with conviction. "And I know that Emily would be so proud of the father you've become."

Brett offered her a grateful smile, the warmth of her words providing a glimmer of hope in the darkness of his grief. At that moment, he knew that he wasn't alone—that he had Santana by his side, a beacon of light amid his darkest days.

As they sat together in quiet solidarity, Brett felt a sense of gratitude wash over him, a profound appreciation for the unwavering support and understanding that Santana had shown him throughout their time together. And as they shared in each other's company, he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, hand in hand, as partners in both sorrow and joy.

"Can I ask one thing?" Santana finally spoke, her voice soft with empathy as she hesitated to broach such a sensitive topic. Brett nodded "Of course" he replied, his voice gentle as he braced himself for her question. "You don't need to tell me," Santana began, her words careful and measured. "But what happened to her?"

Brett took a deep breath, steeling himself to revisit the painful memories that still lingered in the recesses of his mind. "Emily was just feeling sick for a few weeks" he began. "Lots of headaches and various other issues. She went to the doctors a couple of times but they kept sending her away, saying it was nothing to worry about."

Santana listened in quiet horror as Brett recounted the events leading up to Emily's tragic diagnosis, her heart breaking for the woman she had never known but whose memory loomed large in Brett's life. "One evening, she just collapsed" Brett continued, "So we called 911, and... and that's when we found out."

"It was a brain tumor," Brett explained,"And to make it worse, we found out through tests that she was pregnant." Santana gasped in shock, her hand flying to her mouth as she processed the heartbreaking revelation. The magnitude of Emily's sacrifice weighed heavily on her heart, a testament to the depth of her love for both Brett and their unborn child.

"She decided to keep the baby" Brett continued, "Which meant no treatment. I told her to choose herself but she chose Oliver."

Tears welled up in Santana's eyes as she listened to Brett's words, her heart breaking for the woman who had made the ultimate sacrifice for her family. The selflessness of Emily's decision was both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking, a testament to the depth of her love for their children. "She was in a coma when he was born" Brett added, "So she never saw him."

"I'm so sorry, Brett," Santana murmured, her voice filled with empathy as she reached out to gently squeeze his hand in a gesture of comfort. "That's... that's unimaginable." Brett nodded, a sigh escaping his lips as he leaned back, his gaze distant as he revisited the painful memories. "It was... it was a nightmare" he admitted.

Brett lifted the cold beer to his lips, taking a sip as he leaned back in his seat "I'm sorry," he began, his voice tinged with regret. "Here we are, trying to get to know each other, and I keep turning everything into a downer."

Santana regarded him with a soft smile, her eyes warm with understanding. "It's okay, Brett" she reassured him gently. "Sometimes, life is messy and complicated, and that's okay."

Brett chuckled softly, the sound carrying a hint of self-awareness. "Tell me about it," he replied, a wry grin playing at the corners of his lips. "Thank you, Santana," he murmured gratefully.

"So" Santana spoke up, breaking the silence with a playful glint in her eye. "Enough about the heavy stuff. Let's lighten the mood, shall we?"

Brett chuckled, nodding in agreement. "I'm all for that," he replied, a mischievous twinkle dancing in his own eyes. "What do you suggest?"

Santana tapped her chin thoughtfully, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "How about a game of Skee-Ball?" she suggested, her eyes alight with mischief." Brett glanced at Santana, a bemused expression crossing his features at her unexpected suggestion. "Skee-Ball?" he echoed a hint of amusement in his voice. "I haven't played that in years." Santana grinned, a mischievous twinkle dancing in her eyes as she nodded eagerly "It'll be fun, I promise. Plus, it's a classic arcade game—how can you resist?"

Brett chuckled softly, unable to resist the infectious enthusiasm in Santana's voice. "Alright, you've convinced me," he relented, a playful glint in his eye. "But I have to warn you, I used to be quite the Skee-Ball champion back in the day." Santana raised an eyebrow teasingly, a playful challenge in her gaze. "Is that so?" she teased, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Well, we'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

With a shared grin, they made their way to the nearby arcade, the neon lights and lively music instantly enveloping them in a sense of nostalgia. Brett couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement coursing through him as they approached the row of Skee-Ball machines, the familiar clatter of rolling balls and ringing bells filling the air.

Santana selected a lane and handed Brett a handful of tokens with a playful wink. "Alright, Mr. Skee-Ball Champion," she teased, a playful challenge in her tone. "Let's see what you've got."

Brett grinned, accepting the challenge with a playful gleam in his eye as he stepped up to the lane, his fingers wrapping around the worn wooden ball. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he sent the ball rolling down the lane, the satisfying thud as it hit the target bringing a smile to his lips.

With each round, Brett felt a sense of exhilaration wash over him, the thrill of competition mingling with the joy of simply being in the moment with Santana. As the final round came to an end, Brett glanced at the scoreboard with a grin, a sense of pride swelling in his chest at his impressive score. Santana looked at him with a playful smirk, her eyes dancing with amusement.

"Not bad, Mr. Skee-Ball Champion," she teased, her tone laced with mock admiration. "But I think I still have a few tricks up my sleeve." Brett chuckled, a playful glint in his eye as he gestured for her to take her turn. "Alright, show me what you've got," he challenged, his competitive spirit reignited by her playful banter.

With a playful wink, Santana stepped up to the lane, her movements fluid and confident as she aimed at the targets. Brett watched with bated breath as she sent the ball rolling down the lane, his heart pounding with anticipation as it sailed through the air.

As the ball hit its mark with a satisfying thud, Santana turned to him with a triumphant grin, her eyes sparkling with victory. "Looks like the Skee-Ball crown is mine" she declared, her tone teasing yet triumphant.

Brett laughed, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he reached out to bump her fist in playful congratulations. "I have to hand it to you," he admitted, a twinkle of admiration in his gaze. "You've got some serious Skee-Ball skills."

As they settled back into their booth, Brett couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly the conversation flowed between them. Santana's laughter was like music to his ears, her smile lighting up the dimly lit bar as they exchanged stories and shared anecdotes from their past.

With each passing minute, Brett found himself drawn deeper into the warmth of Santana's presence, the worries and stresses of the day melting away in her company. It was as if time stood still, cocooning them in a bubble of shared laughter and easy camaraderie.

But as Brett glanced at the clock on the wall, reality came crashing back in with a sobering reminder. He knew they couldn't stay out too late, "Hey, Santana" he began, his voice tinged with regret as he met her gaze. "I hate to say it, but I think we should start heading out soon. We both have work in the morning, and I don't want to be dragging myself out of bed tomorrow."

Santana nodded, a wistful smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, you're right," she agreed, her tone tinged with a hint of disappointment. "As much as I'm enjoying this, I guess we can't stay out all night."

Brett offered her a sympathetic smile, his heart heavy with the knowledge that their evening was coming to an end. But even as he prepared to bid her farewell, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the time they had shared.

"Thank you for tonight" he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity as he reached across the table to grasp her hand. "I had a great time, Santana. You're something special." Santana's eyes sparkled with warmth as she returned his smile, her fingers intertwining with his in a silent gesture of camaraderie. "The feeling's mutual, Brett" she replied, her voice soft but filled with meaning. "I'm glad we could spend this time together."

As they stood on the sidewalk, the soft glow of streetlights casting gentle shadows around them, Brett felt a sense of warmth and contentment wash over him. "Thanks again for tonight" Brett said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude as he turned to face Santana. "And for putting up with me."

Santana chuckled, a playful glint in her eyes as she reached out to lightly nudge his shoulder. "Hey, it was my pleasure," she replied with a smile. "I had a great time." Brett returned her smile, his heart swelling with affection for the woman standing before him.

As they waited for their respective rides, Brett found himself drawn to Santana's magnetic presence, without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, his lips lingering for a moment before he pulled back, a soft smile playing at his lips.

"Take care, Santana" Brett said softly, his voice laced with sincerity as he stepped back to give her space. "Let me know when you get home, yeah?"

Santana returned his smile, her eyes twinkling with warmth as she nodded in agreement. "Definitely," she replied, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "I'll see you soon, Brett."

With a final wave and a lingering glance, Brett watched as Santana climbed into her waiting Uber, the soft hum of the engine filling the air as the car pulled away into the night. As he stood alone on the sidewalk, a sense of peace settled over him, a quiet reassurance that, despite life's uncertainties, there was still beauty to be found in the simplest of moments.