A/N: I hate trying to explain cars. To me a car is anything that isn't a pickup truck. My best friend calls any vehicle (car, pickup, SUV, Jeep, etc.) a vehicle but, for some reason, I dislike the word vehicle in this context (I'm fine with it in other uses – go figure). SUV, Jeep, sedan, coupe, sports car … yeah, they're all "cars". In an attempt to give more of a visual, I changed Daniel's generic "car" to a Jeep. Which, somehow, totally made a difference to me.
Also; Panera is a restaurant chain in the US and Canada. It's a little pricey but their food is really good. Mostly soups, sandwiches, and salads. Once upon a time, they had this awesome flatbread pizza. This has been an FYI.
A/N2: So. The whole thing with Carmela and Julio stealing from Santana really bothered me because I had no idea why they did it. Thank god Quinn is so smart.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Chapter 64
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Brittany's POV
Daniel and Quinn stood up as the nurse wheeled Santana into the waiting room; Daniel whispered something to Quinn then headed out the doors.
Quinn hurried over to them, handing Brittany the packet of information as she bent to hug Santana; Brittany slipped it into the tote bag without a thought.
"Are you okay? Daniel went to get the Jeep; it's pouring outside." Quinn stood up, eyeing Santana critically.
Santana nodded. "I'm tired, cold, hungry, sore, but, really? I'm kind of okay. Think Daniel'll mind stopping at Panera?"
"I'm sure he'll be fine with it; we were both just saying that we were hungry and were going to order in but Panera sounds so much better."
"Good. I really need some tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich."
Brittany and Quinn exchanged a look and Brittany crouched down to eye-level with Santana.
"Um, honey? It's almost six pm; you haven't eaten since eight this morning … not sure a heavy cream soup and cheese is the best idea on your empty stomach … no matter how comforting it may be. How about you stick with chicken noodle and a turkey sandwich and, if you're still hungry and your stomach handles that, I'll make you tomato soup and grilled cheese later?"
Santana nodded and sighed. "Yeah. You're probably right. No point in eating something that's just going to make me sick. I just wanted comfort food," she pouted, "I guess chicken noodle will have to do. No turkey sandwich, though," she grimaced. "Maybe just some of their really good bread?" Her eyes lit up hopefully.
"Of course, baby. All the bread you want." Brittany grinned and kissed the top of her head, standing up with a groan.
"You okay?" Quinn's question was laced with concern.
Brittany nodded. "Yeah, just sore. I move a lot but I don't usually move the way I did this morning; used some muscles that I don't normally use." She grinned. "I may have to take a break-dancing class to get some of those in use."
Quinn and Santana laughed as Daniel walked up to the doors with an umbrella.
"I think this'll be easier if I take you one at a time. I'll get Quinn settled, then Brittany, then Santana," he glanced at the nurse, "I'll walk you back in after Santana's settled in the backseat with Britt."
The nurse nodded and the plan was quickly enacted.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
"Honey? The girls and I would like to stop at Panera. Santana can't warm up so she'd like some soup; Britt's hungry and I know we are, too."
Daniel nodded. "Sounds good."
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Quinn's POV
Once they entered the restaurant, Quinn and Santana found a booth while Daniel and Brittany went to the counter for food.
"You sent the packets?"
Quinn nodded. "I know I should have talked to you first …"
"No," Santana interrupted her, shaking her head. "I wouldn't have done it and, honestly, it needed to be done."
"I hope this will at least slow him down, you know? I just wish he'd leave you alone."
"It's so weird. I mean, I haven't talked to him since last August. All he has to do is pretend I don't exist. I mean, what was the plan? I'd have run off as soon as I got the chance, is it the money? It's not like they need it."
"Are we sure?"
Santana's face scrunched. "What do you mean?"
"I've actually been thinking about this since you told me about the conversation you overheard about them getting you kidnapped and pregnant. Yeah," Quinn nodded at Santana's questioning glance, "since senior year this has been bugging me; I mean, on and off, not like it was keeping me up at night but when they pull something, I start thinking about it again. What was the point? The trust fund is still yours … did they think you'd give up your baby and give them the trust fund to care for them? But what if …" Quinn paused, thinking, "your abuelo was a smart man. A bit naive but … maybe he knew more about Carmela and Julio than he let on. Maybe when you turn twenty-five, or thirty, or you get married, or … have a kid? There's more to come. You didn't know about the trust, they kept that from you … maybe there's more and …" Quinn trailed off. "I've just been wondering … maybe they're not as well off as they try to make people think they are."
"My abuelo left them millions." Santana stated, her face wreathed in confusion. "Why wouldn't they be well off?"
"Yes. He left them millions but did they invest it wisely? Or spend it foolishly? Your house is ridiculous. It has ten bedrooms and twelve-and-a-half bathrooms, a full eat-in kitchen and a formal dining room, a formal living room and two family rooms, a home theatre, a full gym, an indoor and outdoor pool, a bowling alley, and only God knows what else. And it sits on, what?, like twelve or fifteen acres of land?" Quinn shook her head in disbelief.
"There were four of you living there and, of the staff, only Josefina actually lived in. Your parents rarely entertained more than four people, when they bothered to entertain at all. You never had friends over to watch movies or bowl or anything. Whenever I came over, we stayed in your room.
"What if the reason they were using your trust fund as a piggy bank was because they'd gone through all the money he left them. Your money is tied up in interest accruing trusts. Both of them are income generating and you don't spend money like a drunken sailor on leave; you're pretty careful with your money. I mean, you splurge and buy dinner for all of us once in awhile but, mostly, you're pretty conservative with your spending. If your abuelo just gave them the money …"
Santana gaped at Quinn. "Oh my god." She sat there with her mouth hanging open and Quinn could see the wheels turning in her head. "So much makes sense now. They want me to either get married or have a kid so they can access whatever other funds my abuelo left me. No, they can't touch this trust but …" she got lost in thought for a moment. "I need to contact the trust lawyer my abuelo used and ask some questions. Obviously they can't touch any other trust that may exist because it's set up so that I wouldn't have access until some specific life event happened. They used the trust I had and claimed it was for me and my 'living expenses'. Fuck." She shook her head. "They are beyond unbelievable. I need to see if my mother knows anything or if she can find out anything." She stared at Quinn. "I bet you're right, Quinn. There's more money but they can't touch it and they're desperate because they've been living so far above their means for so long. Julio's pay from the hospital is good but it's not millions."
She laughed. "Maybe that's why they sent those two goons … they couldn't afford competent kidnappers." She rolled her eyes. "They probably didn't expect me to fight back, either. I went easily last time. They didn't account for the fact that I'm not a minor subject to that man's will anymore."
Daniel and Brittany brought the food over and they tucked into it as Santana filled them in on what she and Quinn had been talking about.
"Maybe I should call my dad? He can talk to Uncle Rob about trusts and stuff; maybe give us an idea of where to start?"
"I'll call my mother tomorrow and the lawyer on Monday. If that doesn't get me anywhere then, yeah, we'll talk to your dad." Santana's face fell. "Ugh."
"What?"
"I'm probably going to have to go back to Lima, I can't imagine they'll give me any information over the phone; how would they even know it's me?" Santana sighed and her shoulders sagged. Quinn knew Santana hadn't ever wanted to go back to Ohio.
"Hey, let's cross that bridge when we get there. If you do have to go back, we'll all go back with you. You won't have to do this alone." Daniel stated simply, not even lowering his fork, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Quinn smiled softly at her boyfriend; she knew how lucky she was.
Conversation slowed as they ate. Quinn kept an eye on Santana, knowing her best friend wouldn't … couldn't … just stop thinking; so she noticed when Santana started to get nervous and began surreptitiously glancing at Daniel. Quinn sighed; she'd hoped they wouldn't have to deal with the fact that Daniel had read through the packet and seen the pictures until tomorrow.
"Santana." Daniel set his fork down and waited for the Latina to meet his gaze. "I want you to know that I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for you." He shook his head. "I know that packet is just the tip of the iceberg of the abuse you've suffered; especially given what we've just been talking about. I'm in awe of your resilience. I mean, really, I … I can't even fathom your strength and bravery. I remember meeting you freshman year and I look at you now and I'm just … you're amazing.
"You're Quinn's sister. Closer than her actual sister. That's how she sees you, that's how I see you. Which means, some day, hopefully, you'll be my sister-in-law. I care deeply for you and about you. If you need my help, I'm here. I've got your back. And if that man ever has the balls to show up around here," Daniel grinned, "I will need either bail money or help hiding the body." He winked at Santana who let out a wet chuckle.
"Thank you, Daniel." She ducked her head, trying to hide the unshed tears in her eyes.
Daniel nodded. "We good?"
Santana lifter her head and smiled at him. "Yeah. We're good."
Tension relieved, they finished their meals in comfortable, companionable silence.
Xoxoxoxoxoxo
Daniel dropped the girls off at the apartment to get started on the clean up while he ran to get Santana's prescription filled.
"Call or text me if you need anything for clean up that you don't have. I'll be back in probably half-an-hour depending on the pharmacy."
The girls walked up the stairs; Quinn in the lead, followed by Santana, with Brittany half a step behind her just in case she got woozy or stumbled.
Quinn paused at the top of the stairs; attached to the new plywood was a note.
Hey guys,
Called a few friends and we cleaned up as best we could. Pretty sure we got all the glass up. Anything we didn't know where it went we put on the coffee table or the kitchen table.
Glad Santana's okay. Call if you need anything.
Mike, Lily, Sophia, Carter
"Britt, you have the best friends ever," Quinn handed Brittany the note.
Brittany read it and broke into a broad grin as Quinn unlocked the door and let them into the apartment.
They all sighed in relief at the sight of the spotless apartment. Someone had even done the dishes they'd left in the sink after breakfast; dishes Santana had planned to do after lunch – the lunch she never got to make or eat.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Brittany's POV
Brittany shot off a quick "thank you" text to Mike and Sophia, asking them to thank Lily (Mike's girlfriend) and Carter (Sophia's boyfriend) as well.
"It's just after eight, honey, you still hungry? I can make you that soup and sandwich? Or do you need a drink or anything?"
Santana shook her head. "I think I just wanna go to bed," her eyes looked irritated and Brittany realized Santana's contacts must be bothering her; she also looked just wiped out.
"Yeah, you look like hell." Quinn told the brunette bluntly.
"Thanks, Q. Love you, too." Santana stuck her tongue out at the smaller blonde.
Quinn laughed. "Go to bed. Both of you look like you haven't slept in weeks. Take some Tylenol before you lie down; both of you. Daniel and I are staying here tonight so we'll see you tomorrow." She hugged both the girls and kissed Santana on the cheek.
"You can't shower," Brittany started as they entered the bedroom, "but do you want to get washed up?" Brittany frowned at the tote bag and sighed; she had to deal with the wet clothes.
"No," she shook her head, "I'm finally warm, I just wanna crawl into bed. You can shower if you want, honey."
"No. I think I'm just going to put all this wet stuff on your rack then join you in bed."
"Okay," Santana climbed into bed and snuggled under the covers. "I'll try to stay awake."
Brittany smiled fondly at her girl. "Um, you might want to take your contacts out, honey."
Santana groaned, climbed back out of bed, and went into the bathroom; she quickly removed her contacts, gently dragged a brush through her hair, and brushed her teeth. She kissed Brittany on the cheek and went back into the bedroom.
Brittany dumped the bag of clothes onto the bathroom floor and stopped when her eyes fell on the packet. Shit. She considered reading through it but recoiled in horror at the thought of betraying Santana like that. She'd be so hurt.
She hung all the clothes up, throwing away Santana's ruined t-shirt, and walked back into the bedroom with the packet and discharge papers in hand.
"San? You awake?" She called softly, setting the discharge papers on the dresser.
"Yeah. My mind is kind of all jumbled up with too many thoughts."
Brittany handed her the packet. "This was in the bag with the clothes and your discharge papers. I forgot Quinn handed it to me."
Santana stared at it. "Did you …"
"No." Brittany shook her head vehemently. "I admit I thought about it for a second but then I realized what a complete betrayal of your trust that would be and I don't ever want to hurt you like that."
Santana's face softened at Brittany's admission. "Thank you, Britt. For allowing it to be my choice. You … you can … if you want. You already know the story. The pictures aren't pretty."
Brittany crawled into bed next to Santana, leaving the packet on the nightstand. "Maybe tomorrow." She pulled the brunette into her arms. "Right now, I just wanna cuddle my girl and make sure she's okay."
"I will be, honey. I'm probably going to have nightmares and flashbacks but, right now, I feel okay. I'm tired and sore but no longer cold and hungry so I figure a good night's sleep …" she stopped talking and frowned in confusion as Brittany jumped out of bed.
A few moments later, Brittany came back in with a bottle of water and handed Santana two Tylenol.
"Forgot." Brittany said sheepishly.
Santana giggled. "Thanks, Britt." She took the meds and put the water bottle on the nightstand as Brittany slipped back into the bed.
"Now, you were saying?"
Santana cuddled into her. "Just that a good night's sleep in your arms will probably do me a world of good."
Brittany kissed her softly on the forehead. Conversation halted as they both slipped off to sleep.
