You Get My Love (P!nk)

QUINN'S POV

Santana's grand gesture of surrounding me with a network of support, fed my soul.

She had strengthened my spirit by believing in me still.

And truth be told, Lydia was right.

When we got home later that morning and the kids were still at school, including Sasha...I pulled her right into bed with me.

I made love to her, over and over again.

Soft and sweet, until we were nothing but sweaty, naked bodies trying to catch our breaths.

"I love you more than I ever have, Santana. I will never stop." I said, as I hovered over her, my fingers running up and down her side.

Her dark eyes were sparkling as she looked up at me, her hand burying itself in my hair.

"I love you too. Para siempre. We're a team now, you and me, Luce. We got together, grew apart, got over ourselves and now it's time to build together."

"Team Sinn all the way." I said and she scrunched up her nose.

"Quinntana is better."

"Nah...I like to sin with you babylove."

"Mmm...you can say that again." She pulled me down into a kiss and I savored every part of it.

It wasn't meant to lead to more sex, instead it was just for the comfort and love of it.

Once air became a necessity, I collapsed onto her shoulder and traced my fingers over her chest.

The scar marks still seeming foreign.

But she just laid there and let me run my fingers over her.

"I love you." I whispered before leaning in and kissing one scar and then I moved over to the other. "I love you."

And then I looked up at her and could see the tears in her eyes...her small smile seemed out of place with the sadness in her eyes.

"How'd they do?"

I tried to lighten the mood.

And sat up, running my fingers over the lines again.

"Are you asking me for my surgical suture expertise?"

"Yes."

"Almost seamless."

"Almost?"

I shrugged.

"I could have done better but they came pretty close to perfect."

"Well not everyone can be you, Q."

"Exactly."

She let out an actual giggle and I loved the sound of it so much that I had to hear it again.

I dug my fingers into her sides and she let out a squeal.

Her giggles reminded me so much of Sasha's and I couldn't help but laugh along with her.

This right here...the beauty of this moment is something that I would give my life for over and over again.

I finished packing lunches as the kids ate breakfast at the table.

Beth was helping Sasha feed herself and Gabriel was finishing some last minute homework.

Santana was already out taking her last final and so it was going to be just a quiet morning.

The last real one by myself.

And so I was going to head right back to bed once the kids were off.

I was tired after yesterday, I could still feel the soreness in my body from all the love making and fucking...

Yes...those ARE two different things.

I smiled to myself as I sipped my coffee and watched the kids interact.

And then my alarm was going off.

"Gabriel, put your stuff away, the bus will be here soon. Beth, honey, I'll finish helping her...go get your bag."

They both nodded and happily moved along...finally used to me being home with them.

Being a mother to them.

The one that they needed me to be for way too long.

I handed Gabriel his lunch and the cupcake container.

"For the bake sale."

"You made them?!" He said excited. "Mami always just bought them. This is awesome! Thanks Mama!"

"You're welcome, Gumdrop." I said, as I brushed off imaginary dust before kissing his sweet cheeks.

He let out a giggle and headed to the door.

"Bye, Mama, Love ya."

"Love you too, baby."

Beth came into the living room with her makeup perfect and her ponytail just so...giving me a moment of dejavu.

"You packed me a lunch?" She asked, confused.

"I have been for weeks...you just always forget it."

"Oh...well, I have a meeting after school, so I won't be forgetting it today." She leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Thanks, Mama."

"You're welcome, Sweets. I'll see you tonight."

The next morning, Santana told me to sleep in while she got the kids ready for school and so I went back to sleep.

But what felt like two seconds later, she was shaking me awake.

"Quinn...wake up. Quinn?" Santana called to me sounding panicked.

"What is it?" I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and was met by her look of terror.

"Q..." She said, her voice choked up.

"Who died?" I asked...suddenly alert as I sat up, causing my back to spasm as I did. "Shit. Say something, are the kids okay?"

She nodded and then sputtered out. "Noah's plane was shot down last night...they recovered his body this morning."

"Oh God."

"I had just dropped Sasha off when Jake called me."

"And Beth?"

"Is on the school bus."

"We've got to go get her...right now."

"Yeah."

And then I was on auto pilot, getting dressed and then following Santana out to the car.

She held my hand the entire ride to the school.

We both looked a wreck but how could we not?

Our phones kept going off.

Jake.

Rachel.

Kitty.

Brittany.

Tina.

Matt.

Rachel again.

Mr. Schue.

Sam.

Mercedes.

Kurt.

Rachel again.

All the calls came in within the matter of minutes that it took us to get to the school.

As we pulled up, I could see Beth getting off the bus with a girl...they were holding hands.

I watched as she leaned in and kissed her...a brunette...a tan one, like mother, like daughter.

She should be able to be happy right now.

Always.

But now she had yet another parent dead.

And I had to be the one to tell her.

Before the Air Force Officers showed up...and God knows they just might.

BETH'S POV

Alicia had finally said yes.

We were official, my first real girlfriend.

And the moment we were off the bus, I kissed her in front of the whole school.

Not caring what anyone else thought because, from the moment I got to this school...she stood out like a beacon.

She didn't care about being out in front of everyone, she didn't judge me for my miscarriage, my two moms with addictions, my half black brother or Puerto Rican sister or my trysts with guys in the past.

All she cared about was me.

I thought she would be a perfect fit with my mixed family.

My moms would love her because I did.

And even though I could never quite understand why my moms stuck it out...when they clearly hurt each other all the time...I think I get it now.

Love is blind and stupid. It makes you do things that seem crazy to everyone else.

It's a high and even though it's been a few months of getting to know her, I'd move heaven and Earth for her.

And if that's how I feel after a few months...then my moms deserved every chance to get it right.

No matter how long it takes.

They've taught me that, how love is the greatest thing.

How you should cherish it and not cheapen it.

And I'm so very grateful for it.

Listen to me, a SAP.

Ugh...for her, I don't care.

I'll be sappy all day long.

As long as she gets to be mine.

I didn't see the car when I kissed her.

I didn't hear Mami's footsteps as I entered the school.

Alicia though, stopped short.

"Isn't that your Mom?"

I turned and caught a glimpse of her, walking into the office in sweats.

Which alone, made me worry.

Mami rarely goes out in public without a full face and dressed to impress.

But now...she looked a mess.

"You should go see what's going on."

"Come with me." I said and she nodded.

She held my hand still as we walked into the office.

"Oh perfect, I don't have to call her down." The secretary said and then gestured towards me.

Mami turned around and I could see her red rimmed eyes behind her glasses.

She looked upset.

My first thought was Mama...was she okay?

What happened?

"Hey kiddo, you have that appointment, I forgot to let you know before you left."

"Right...I forgot."

There was no real time for introductions but Mami knew who Alicia was, I told her about my crush.

"Why don't you come by for dinner tonight?" She said to her and Alicia was wide eyed as she nodded.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lopez."

"You bring the smile back to the kid's face, my wife is going to want to meet you."

"Great."

Mami had her arm around me as we walked towards the car.

Mama was sitting in the front seat, staring off with a red face.

So it wasn't her...what the hell was going on?

Were we about to go pick up Gabe?

What the fuck happened?

Once I was in the car, Mama reached a hand back and took mine.

She looked at me and gave a sad smile.

Then my mind went straight to the cancer.

But apparently it wasn't back.

"You two are killing me...what did I do wrong? Did someone die?" I finally asked and Mami pulled the car into the driveway before looking over at Mama.

Mama turned in her seat and then the words were coming out.

My heart stilled as the wind knocked out of me.

Puck.

My father.

The war hero.

Who had called me twice last week.

I hadn't answered...I'd stopped taking his calls a long time ago.

He'd remarried, was raising someone else's child in Montana somewhere.

I was jealous but he still called.

Twice a week and left voicemails...still kept me on his medical insurance.

Still put money in my bank account each week.

And now he was gone.

Forever.

QUINN'S POV

Two uniformed officers waited for us on the front stoop.

Beth trudged behind us and then stopped when she saw them.

Just like I had wanted to do.

This was NOT supposed to be happening.

But in the back of my mind I always expected it.

He'd visited me in rehab.

Told me that she was his next of kin.

That he was going on a new tour of duty and that it was hopefully his last.

He was right.

Too right.

It had been a surprise visit but seeing him and updating him on everything, including her miscarriage had reminded me of just how much he loved her.

Even if it was from afar.

He told me that he called her every week.

That he wished he was a better father to her but he knew that she was in good hands.

But I hadn't told her any of this.

Didn't think she needed to know any of it.

She just didn't seem like she wanted to know about him.

Or his life...Santana was her world, which is why I was glad she had survived the cancer.

I couldn't imagine me being all that Beth had left.

My God...I have to be better.

Love better.

Show her everything that I thought I couldn't for one reason or another.

Because now, more than ever, she needed ME.

I sat on the couch with Beth, her hand in mine as Santana made us coffee.

The officers gave their condolences, said that since Beth was Noah's next of kin, the body would be flown into Dover the next day.

She was zoned out as she nodded.

And unlike in the past, I spoke up for her.

I asked all the questions that needed to be asked, including military honors.

He'd saved 214 people and was on his way to saving more when he'd been shot down.

He'd probably get a Purple Heart which would go to Beth.

I could just see his cocky smile now.

He'd kicked ass at the military thing.

And went down as a badass.

Beth leaned into me as she just listened to them talk about a man she barely knew.

A man who provided half of her DNA.

Santana was kind enough to see the officers out after they finished their remarks.

I could tell Beth was holding back.

But that didn't last long.

At first it started as just a deep breath, then another before she was completely leaning into me and sobbing.

Her whole body was shaking but I held her tight with no intention of letting go anytime soon.

I rested my head against hers and let my tears fall silently.

Santana was pacing.

This comforting the kids thing, had been her job but right now she looked helpless as I took over.

I knew she needed to be doing something...anything to distract herself.

Puck was her first boyfriend...our shared first sexual partner...our first guy friend.

But they hadn't been on good terms in years.

She'd been getting at him for not being around...for years...calling him a deadbeat in front of Beth.

Now, she was wracked with guilt.

I'd told her about his visit on the way to get Beth and now, she was upset.

But I couldn't talk her through it...Beth needed me more than she did.

She had cried herself to sleep against me.

I sat against the corner of the couch and held her like I had done when she was small.

Her hair was fanned out on my lap as she whimpered in her sleep.

Santana covered her with a blanket and then crouched down in front of me, her hand on my cheek.

"You okay?"

"I don't know."

"Jake and Kitty are flying in now, I have to pick them up from the airport. I'll grab Gabe and Sasha for the ride. Will you be okay alone with her?"

"Yes."

"I invited her girlfriend over tonight. Alicia is her name, Beth has been crushing on her for months...today I think we witnessed them making it official. She should be here...I know Beth is going to need her."

"Okay."

"I'll grab dinner too...you two just take it easy."

She leaned in and kissed my lips hard, I could feel her tears on my face before she pulled away.

"I love you, Santana."

"I love you too." She said before leaning over and kissing Beth's forehead. "I love you, kiddo." She whispered.

This was it...we were the parent's she was left with.

Now more than ever, we had to be the best one's in the world.

I fell asleep thinking about Noah and all the things we had been through to bring Beth into this world.

How he had gone to the Air Force after Finn died, wanting to provide a better example to Beth.

And he had.

Without even knowing it...he'd been a very big impact on her.

He'd made room to allow Santana to be her rock and for me to be her tether.

"I will be better for you, Sweets. I will give you everything that I have, my heart...my soul...my fight. All of this...every good thing I've done has been for you. To be worthy of being your mother. I've fallen short and I'm ashamed of that...but I love you fiercely and completely." I said as I brushed her hair from her face.

Her breathing evened out and I leaned forward to see her staring blankly ahead.

She'd heard my words.

"I love you too, Mama. Please...don't leave me." She said before the sniffles started again.

"I won't leave...you've got me, Sweets. Always."

"I should have answered his calls...even just one. He promised to be here for my 16th birthday next month and now he won't be. I thought I had more time." She said, her voice sounding hollow and harsh.

"He knew that you loved him, he told me so."

And then I told her about his visit.

About how his eyes shinned when we talked about her and he said how proud he was.

How beautiful she was.

But more than anything how much he loved her.

JUNE

"If there is only one thing about me that you can trust/You get my love, baby/You get my love

Don't let my mistakes take that away from us/You get my love."

BETH'S POV

I held tight to Mama's hand as we walked behind the casket. Behind us, Uncle Jake and Aunt Kitty, followed by Mami and everyone else that loved Puck.

This last two weeks has emptied me of all emotion.

I feel so numb inside...I haven't been able to cry since that first day.

It's all just so mechanical.

They talked about him at the service.

The old Glee gang and I even overheard them at the repast talking about a Glee club curse.

To which I actually chuckled...probably a little too creepy.

Gabe held my hand a lot.

I kept wishing that Alicia's parents had allowed her to come but they were still not keen on her being with me...even as a friend.

But she still checked in...sent me hearts and love.

It all seemed so silly now.

Love.

What was the point?

We'd all just die randomly anyway.

Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone.

I don't know about a Glee curse but a Beth curse might just be a real thing.

Mom.

Meemaw.

Abuela.

Almost Mami.

My barely baby.

Puck.

I don't think I'll ever stop waiting for the next shoe to drop.

And it hurts so fucking bad.

They'd talked about burying him in Arlington because he qualified but I knew him, without knowing him.

He'd want to be with his family.

In Lima.

Next to his best friend.

And so when I had Mama check in with the cemetery, I felt happy when I found out that the plot next to Finn Hudson was empty.

They'd been best friends.

He'd been the man that Mama wanted to be my father and Puck had been the one who actually was.

It seemed fitting that they'd rest together forever.

He'd died overseas...surrounded by people who barely knew him...I couldn't let him be buried the same way.

I watched them giving his honors and then I sat front and center with Mama and Mami on each side of me.

They finished folding the flag and then the soldier brought it over.

"Beth on behalf of the United States of America, we thank you for your father's service and sacrifice. I'm sorry for your loss."

I took the flag and felt my body fold over it as I wept openly.

About a billion hands of the people who loved him all touched my back or my head, comforting me.

But the one hand that I felt more than any other was Mama's.

She rested her head against mine, her lips next to my ear.

"We loved you from the moment we knew you were there. He fought for me to keep you. He loved you, he named you...his little Beth. He's always with you, Sweets. Always. Love never dies...ever. It's always worth fighting for and he fought like hell for you...he loved you the most. You hear me, don't you lock up on me...love out loud...like he did."

I nodded as I continued to sob...she was right.

Love was risky.

But it was worth fighting for.

I could have been better as a daughter, he could have been better as father but the love never died.

Mistakes couldn't take that away.

Love was eternal.

A/N: I cried writing this...the words came through me...this song just brought forth all the love that I felt writing this story. Light from here on out...Three chapters to go! I love you chicas!