A/N: I think … THINK … this is winding down. I could be wrong. It's been known to happen.

Duff's is an awesome wing place in Buffalo.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Chapter 47

Santana POV

When Santana woke the next morning, Brittany was wrapped around her, holding her tightly. Santana smiled and lightly skated her fingers up and down Brittany's arm. She didn't want to wake Britt but she didn't want Brittany to wake up alone while Santana slipped away to use the bathroom.

"Sweetie? I have to pee."

Brittany grunted and clung even tighter. Santana huffed a laugh and tried again.

"Brittany, honey, I need you to wake up. Come on, baby, it's not going to be fun waking up in a puddle."

The blonde groaned and her eyes fluttered open. "San? Time'sit?"

"Not sure." She reached around to the nightstand and checked her phone. "Little after seven."

"Why are you trying to make me wake up then?" She pouted.

Santana giggled. "Because if I don't get up and pee, this bed is going to be a mess and we have several more days to sleep in it."

Brittany eyes finally registered what Santana was saying and loosened her grip.

"Be right back." Santana kissed Brittany's forehead before jumping out of bed and out the door.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Brittany's POV

Brittany yawned and stretched; her body was aching and she felt like someone had thrown sand in her eyes. She definitely wasn't ready to be one with the world yet and hoped she could convince Santana to go back to sleep for a little while longer. She chuckled slightly knowing it wouldn't take much at all to convince San to go back to sleep. Last night … damn, it was a roller coaster of emotions. The exhibit had been amazing and she had been bouncing off the walls. Then the conversations with her father and Santana.

Santana was right. Susan – the incubator – didn't deserve any of Brittany's time or energy. So much easier said than done … but maybe not as hard as she'd thought last night. She'd given up on having a 'mom' when she was fifteen. She hadn't spoken to Susan since Thanksgiving and, if she was honest with herself, hadn't missed her at all. She guessed it was the finality of it that hit her so hard; finally knowing what she'd always suspected. Her mother didn't love her, hadn't wanted her. As much as she'd always kind of known it, having it confirmed was like a dagger to the heart. She understood why her father had told her; she had no doubt at all that Susan would, eventually, seek her out once dad left her. She'd be looking for money. Brittany hardened herself; Susan wouldn't get anything from her. Not money, not time, not a conversation. Nothing. She was not going to waste one more minute or ounce of energy on that woman.

Brittany sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. It was so easy to say and think that way but, when presented with Susan in front of her, saying all the things that Brittany had always wanted to hear … would Brittany be able to hold strong? She really wasn't sure.

Santana came back in the room and climbed in to bed. "You okay? I mean, you know what I mean?"

Brittany smiled softly at the Latina. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm … getting there. I think it's easy, you know? Lying here and thinking about it … I promise myself I won't give Susan the time of day or money or whatever but, when she's standing in front of me … will I be able to stand up to her?"

Santana turned on her side, facing the blonde. "I get it. It's so easy to think you'll be able to stand up to someone but the reality is usually so much harder. Especially for someone with a kind heart." She reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Britt's ear. "But, I will do everything I can to help you stay strong. I'm willing to cut a bitch if I have to." She grinned which elicited a laugh from Brittany. "Now, what say we get our cuddle on and get some more zzz's before we go wreck your dad's credit card? Maybe talk Grams into lunch and mani/pedis?"

Brittany grinned and nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Santana scooted closed and wrapped her arms around Brittany; the two of them snuggled under the covers and drifted back off to sleep.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

When they next woke up, it was just before ten. Brittany glanced over and saw Santana slowly waking and smiled. "Rise and shine, beautiful. I smell bacon which means Grams is up and cooking."

Santana opened her eyes and smiled. "Hi." She yawned and stretched, then grabbed Brittany in a tight hug, kissing her briefly.

Brittany giggled. "Hi."

The girls got up and headed downstairs to find Grams at the stove, dancing to the music coming from the old fashioned radio on the counter, scrambling eggs and frying bacon.

"Morning, Grams!" Brittany bounced over to her grandmother and kissed her softly on the cheek.

"Morning, Grams." Santana was a little … okay, a lot … less bouncy with her greeting.

Janine turned around slightly and smiled at the girls. "Good morning, my girls! I was going to come wake you when breakfast was ready but you beat me to it."

Brittany poured herself and Santana each a cup of coffee. "Need any help?"

"Not at all. Sit, enjoy your coffee."

A comfortable silence, broken only by the music, settled over them until Janine plated the food and set it on the table in front of them. She got her own cup of coffee and sat with them.

"I'm fine, Grams," Brittany said softly as she noted the look of concern on her grandmother's face.

Janine smiled at her granddaughter. "I heard you last night, honey, I just wanted to make sure."

Brittany flushed in embarrassment at the memory of her breakdown. "I … it was just a lot to handle last night." She glanced at Santana and bit her lower lip, smiling slightly. "San … she, um, kind of helped me through it. I'm, um, doing better this morning."

Janine nodded. "Good. I'm glad." She smiled at Santana and then quickly changed the subject. "So, I thought we'd start at Target then maybe Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Bath & Body Works, and maybe Macy's or Kohl's depending on what you two still need. Then, lunch at Duff's, followed by mani/pedis?"

Brittany grinned brightly. "You read our minds!"

Janine laughed. "Good."

They finished breakfast and Brittany helped Grams with the dishes while Santana showered and got ready.

Around eleven-thirty, they headed out for a day of shopping, food, and fun.

Xoxoxoxoxoxox

The three of them walked into the house around six p.m., laughing. David and Dave were there waiting.

"Well, hello, ladies!" Dave exclaimed. "Where have you been?"

"Shopping!" Janine laughed again, dropping the bags she was carrying on the couch. "Come on, help unload the car."

It took all five of them several trips to unload everything. They had definitely taken "wreck the card" literally. There were sheet sets and curtains, a new comforter, plastic window insulation, clothes, shoes and boots, hygiene products, and food. Janine had insisted on buying a ton of non-perishables for the girls.

"I'm not cooking so someone order a pizza." Janine grinned as she sat with a groan and put her feet up.

David laughed as he called in the order. "Did you have fun?"

Brittany grinned brightly. "Yeah, we did! We pretty much bought out Bath & Body Works of their Black Cherry Merlot scented stuff. And I'm pretty sure that cashier at Target will never recover from our six cart checkout."

Santana laughed. "The look on her face! I almost felt bad. At least they opened two more registers to help other customers while we checked out."

They chatted and laughed; continuing to do so when the pizza arrived. They pulled out board games and played until Gramps called it a night; he had to be up early to do surgery on a sick dog. The clock said it was just before midnight so the rest of them decided to call it a night as well.

David was getting ready to climb the stairs.

"Dad? You staying here?" Brittany asked.

David nodded. "If I want to get any rest," he shrugged.

Brittany hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry, dad."

David hugged her back. "None of this is your fault, sweetheart." He pulled away. "I love you. How are you doing?"

She nodded. "Better." She glanced over to where Santana was helping Grams finish cleaning up the snacks and games. "Santana made me realize that …" she shrugged, "Susan is little more than a surrogate. You wanted a child so you paid her to have one. It's easy to understand in my head but, yeah, my heart is still having a few issues with it. But San's helping. She keeps reminding me that I don't actually like Susan. I don't actually have any positive feelings toward her at all and there's no reason she should occupy my thoughts. Which, she usually doesn't anyway. I'll be okay, dad. Yeah, it's going to take time but … I've got you and Grams and Gramps." Santana caught her eye and smiled, causing Brittany to smile. "And Santana. Always Santana." She said softly.

"I am so happy for you, Brittany. And I'm so proud of the young woman you're becoming. You're amazing and I hope you know that."

"I'm being reminded of that," she laughed, "a lot."

"Good." He hugged her again and kissed the top of her head. "Good night, honey. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Night, dad." She turned and went to finish helping with the clean up.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

They were settled in bed and Santana was holding her again.

"Today was fun," Santana murmured.

"It was. I had so much fun with you and Grams. It made last night a little easier to deal with; being with two people who love me and like having me around. Two people who made me laugh until I was almost sick. Thank you for today, San."

"Hey, your dad provided the credit card. I just happen to be really skilled at using them."

Brittany laughed and cuddled further into the Latina's embrace. "I love you, Santana Lopez."

"I love you, too, Brittany Pierce." Brittany smiled at Santana's deliberate omission of the S. She wasn't sure anyone but Santana would have understood everything she'd gone through in the past twenty-four hours. Then again, she didn't want anyone else.