Wednesday arrived with a stillness in the early morning air, but despite the quiet, Brett and Santana had both been restless all night. Sleep had evaded them, the weight of what was coming too heavy to allow their minds to quiet. The anticipation of the embryo transfer had been building for days, and now that the moment was finally here, neither of them could find any relief in rest. Instead, they lay in the dark, holding hands across the bed, their fingers intertwined as if that connection could somehow make the waiting easier.
By the time the alarm went off, signaling that it was time to get up, both were already awake. Brett had kissed Santana's temple before getting out of bed, and they moved through the morning routine in a haze of nervous energy. Breakfast was a quiet affair, neither of them eating much, though Brett had insisted on making her an Omelet. "You should eat something," he'd said gently, but Santana had only smiled weakly, her stomach too twisted with anxiety to manage more than a few bites of toast.
Now, they sat in the waiting room of the fertility clinic, the sterile white walls and soft humming of the air conditioner only adding to the surreal atmosphere. Santana's leg bounced nervously, her knee rising and falling as her mind raced. Brett sat beside her, his hand resting firmly on her thigh, his fingers pressing gently into her skin in a silent act of reassurance. It wasn't just to comfort her; Brett needed the contact, too. He needed to feel her close, to remind himself that they were in this together.
The waiting room was quiet, with only the soft murmur of other couples sitting in their private bubbles of anxiety. Time seemed to drag, the clock on the wall ticking steadily, though each second felt longer than the last.
Brett glanced over at Santana, who was staring straight ahead, her eyes focused on a spot on the opposite wall but not seeing it. Her hands were folded in her lap, fingers fidgeting slightly. He squeezed her thigh lightly, and she turned her head toward him, offering a small, tight-lipped smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. He smiled back, though it was just as tight, both of them trying to be brave for each other but sharing the same unspoken fears.
Before Brett could say anything, a nurse appeared at the doorway, clipboard in hand. "Santana Pierce?" she called out, her voice soft but cutting through the quiet of the room like a bell. Santana took a deep breath, her heart skipping a beat as she stood up, and Brett followed suit, his hand finding hers again as they made their way toward the nurse. She gave them a warm smile as she led them down the long corridor toward the private room where the procedure would take place.
The room was much like the others they had been in before: clean, white, and sterile, with a hospital bed in the center and a couple of chairs off to the side. There was a small changing area behind a curtain, and the nurse gestured toward it as she handed Santana and Brett their respective gown and scrubs.
"You'll both need to change into these," the nurse said. "We'll be doing some preliminary checks before the doctor comes in, so just let me know when you're ready."
Santana nodded, and she and Brett moved behind the curtain. As they changed the reality of the situation seemed to settle over them even more heavily. Brett caught Santana's eye as he put on his scrubs, and for a moment, they shared a small, private smile—one that spoke of the surreal absurdity of this moment. Standing in hospital clothing, about to undergo one of the most significant events of their lives, it was hard to process the enormity of it all.
When they were dressed, they stepped out from behind the curtain. The nurse returned, asking Santana to sit on the bed as she checked her vital signs. Brett stood beside her, his hand never leaving hers, even as the nurse wrapped the blood pressure cuff around Santana's arm and pressed a thermometer to her forehead. The routine nature of the checks was both comforting and unnerving, reminding them that this was just another day at the clinic for the staff, even if it was life-altering for them.
Santana's blood pressure was slightly elevated, but that wasn't surprising given the circumstances. The nurse assured her it was normal and that everything else looked good. After noting down the stats, she smiled again and told them that Dr. Greene would be in shortly.
They waited for nearly an hour. Santana lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, while Brett sat in the chair beside her, his fingers tracing slow circles on the back of her hand. The silence between them was comfortable, but the tension was and then, Brett would glance at his phone, but neither of them felt like talking. They were both lost in their thoughts, wondering what the next few hours would bring.
Finally, the door opened, and Dr. Greene stepped into the room. Santana and Brett both sat up a little straighter as she entered, a sense of relief washing over them at the sight of her familiar face. "Good morning," Dr. Greene said, her voice warm as she approached the bed. "How are we feeling today?"
"Good," Santana said, though the nervous tremor in her voice betrayed her. Brett nodded beside her, his expression tight with the same anticipation.
"Well, I've got some good news for you," Dr. Greene began, flipping through the chart in her hand. "We have four embryos that have developed nicely. They're all grade 2, which is a good sign. We're optimistic."
Santana felt a wave of relief wash over her, though her heart still pounded in her chest. Four embryos. Four chances. It was more than she had dared hope for.
Dr. Greene continued, her tone steady and professional. "Now, I want to go over your options. You can choose to transfer one embryo, which carries a lower risk of complications but also a slightly lower chance of success. Or, you can transfer two embryos. The benefit of transferring two is a higher chance of implantation, but it does increase the risk of twins and potential complications during pregnancy."
Santana and Brett exchanged a glance. They had talked about this moment, about what they would do when presented with this choice, but now that it was here, the decision felt heavier than they had imagined. Brett could see the uncertainty in Santana's eyes, the way her brow furrowed as she processed the information.
Brett squeezed Santana's hand, grounding her once again. "What do you think?" he asked softly, his voice gentle but steady. Santana bit her lip, her eyes flicking between Dr. Greene and Brett. She had been leaning toward one embryo before, wanting to minimize the risks, but now, with the chance of success so tantalizingly close, the thought of transferring two was tempting.
"I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want to do whatever gives us the best chance." Brett nodded, his hand still holding hers tightly. "I'm with you, whatever you decide."
After a long pause, Santana took a deep breath and turned to Dr. Greene. "I think we'll transfer two," she said, her voice steady now, the decision made. "We'll take the chance." Dr. Greene smiled, nodding in approval. "That sounds like a good plan."
As she began preparing for the procedure, Brett leaned in close to Santana, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "We've got this" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. Santana nodded, her heart racing but her resolve strong. They had made their decision, and now it was time to take the next step.
The moments leading up to the transfer were tense, even though Santana tried to stay calm. She felt Brett's presence beside her as they walked hand in hand behind the nurse, who led them through the quiet, sterile hallways of the fertility clinic. Each step echoed slightly in the silence, and Santana's grip on Brett's hand tightened with every turn. The excitement that had carried them through the early morning hours was now morphing into tension.
They entered the procedure room, where a faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the air, adding to the clinical feel of the space. The room was brightly lit, with an array of medical equipment, an ultrasound machine, and a large monitor set up beside the bed. Santana's eyes flicked over the machinery, feeling a pang of anxiety twist in her stomach. This was it.
Dr. Greene was already there, standing at the foot of the bed, her calm presence and warm smile immediately bringing some comfort to Santana. "Hello again," she greeted them, her voice soft yet professional, as if sensing the weight of what this day meant to them. She gave Brett a quick nod before focusing on Santana. "Let's get you settled in."
Santana hesitated for a second, and Brett squeezed her hand, a silent message that they were in this together. He helped her climb up onto the examination bed, his fingers brushing the back of her hand as she lay back. It was a simple gesture, but it grounded her, pulling her away from the swirling chaos in her head.
The nurse adjusted Santana's legs into stirrups, the familiar discomfort of medical procedures returning, though the emotional weight this time was unlike anything she had experienced before. As she shifted to get comfortable, Brett pulled up a chair next to her, close enough that their hands could stay entwined. The metal chair squeaked slightly as he sat down, but he didn't seem to notice, his attention completely focused on her.
Dr. Greene moved to the ultrasound machine, positioning it so they could both see the monitor. "This part of the process won't take long," she assured them, her tone soothing as she spoke. "But you'll be able to watch everything on the screen here."
Santana nodded, her mouth dry as she tried to find her voice. "Okay," she murmured, stealing a glance at Brett, who smiled back at her, his eyes full of encouragement despite the tension in his face.
Dr. Greene began to explain the procedure as she prepared the instruments, moving with practiced ease. "What we're going to do is transfer the embryos directly into your uterus," she began. "We use a very thin catheter to place them as close to the ideal spot as possible. The catheter goes through your cervix, and we use the ultrasound to guide us, making sure the placement is just right."
Santana listened carefully, focusing on the doctor's words to keep her mind from spiraling into worry. "You won't feel much, maybe just a bit of pressure," Dr. Greene continued, giving Santana a reassuring smile. "It's not painful, but it can be a little uncomfortable. The most important thing is for you to relax, okay?"
Relax. Santana knew the advice was well-meaning, but how could she relax? This was the culmination of months of effort, hope, and fear. Her entire future seemed to be held in this moment. But she nodded anyway, taking a deep breath as she leaned back on the pillow, Brett's hand still clasped in hers.
The ultrasound screen flickered to life, showing a grainy black-and-white image of her uterus. Santana stared at it, trying to calm herself by focusing on the fact that they were about to witness the beginning of something incredible. Brett leaned closer to her, his shoulder brushing hers, his warmth an anchor.
Dr. Greene took her place beside the bed, the catheter ready in her gloved hand. "We'll be placing two embryos today," she said, her voice steady but full of compassion as if she understood the magnitude of this decision for them. "You'll be able to see the embryos on the screen as I transfer them."
Santana nodded again, her throat tight with emotion. She turned her head slightly to look at Brett, and he gave her a small smile, his eyes shining with the same combination of hope and anxiety she was feeling.
Dr. Greene began the process, gently inserting the catheter. Santana felt a slight pressure, just as the doctor had described, but it wasn't painful. The ultrasound showed the catheter's tip moving slowly into position, the doctor guiding it with expert precision. Santana's eyes were glued to the screen, watching the surreal image of her own body on the monitor.
"Here we go," Dr. Greene said softly. On the screen, two small, bright dots appeared, almost imperceptible against the black-and-white background of the ultrasound. "These are your embryos," she explained, pointing to the specks. "We're going to place them right here."
Santana's heart skipped a beat as she watched those tiny dots—those tiny beginnings of life—being gently released into her uterus. It was almost too much to take in. Brett's grip on her hand tightened slightly, and she could feel the tension in his body as they both stared at the screen. For a moment, the world outside the room disappeared, and there was only the sound of their breathing and the hum of the machine.
"And they're in," Dr. Greene said after a moment, pulling the catheter out smoothly. "It's done. The transfer went perfectly."
Santana released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her chest loosening as the tension began to ebb away. She glanced at Brett, who was smiling now—really smiling—and she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. It wasn't over yet, of course. They had days of waiting ahead of them before they would know if the embryos had implanted and if they would continue to grow. But for now, this was a victory. They had made it through this step.
Dr. Greene wiped her gloves clean and turned to them with a gentle smile. "Now, we wait," she said. "I know it's the hardest part, but try to take it easy over the next few days. You've done everything right, and now it's up to those little ones."
Santana nodded, her voice catching in her throat. "Thank you," she whispered, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Brett echoed her thanks, his voice soft but full of sincerity.
Dr. Greene patted Santana's knee. "I'll see you both in a couple of weeks for the hCG test."
The nurse helped Santana sit up, and Brett was immediately by her side, his arm slipping around her waist to support her as she stood. They left the procedure room together, walking slowly back to the waiting area where they had started their day, but everything felt different now. There was hope. There was a possibility.
Once they were outside in the cool air, Brett pulled Santana into a tight hug, burying his face in her hair as they stood on the sidewalk, wrapped up in each other. "We did it" he whispered, his voice full of awe and love.
Santana nodded against his chest, her eyes closed as she breathed him in, the relief and emotion finally breaking through. "We did" she whispered back, her heart swelling with gratitude. Brett pulled away from the tight embrace, his eyes softened as he looked down at Santana, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. "We have the day off work, so how about we make the most of it?" he suggested, his voice tender but with an edge of excitement. "Let's go on a lunch date then we can spend the rest of the day watching movies in bed. No stress."
Santana looked up at him, her heart swelling with love and relief. After all the tension and nerves of the morning, the idea of something as simple and comforting as a lazy day together felt like exactly what she needed. "I love that idea," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, though her smile was warm, easing some of the exhaustion that had been building since the night before.
Brett grinned, his expression brighter now that they were on the other side of the procedure. He wrapped his arm around Santana's shoulders, leading her gently toward their car. There was a newfound lightness between them like a heavy weight had been lifted, even if only for the moment. They had done everything they could, and now it was time to just be. To live in the now.
As they got into the car, Brett turned to her. "So, where do you want to go for lunch?" he asked, one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested casually on his lap. He gave her a playful glance. "We deserve something greasy." Santana thought for a moment, her mind wandering through their usual favorite spots, but then she caught the glint in Brett's eye. "How about pizza?" she suggested, knowing full well that it was one of his absolute favorite foods.
His face lit up, a full grin breaking across his features. "Pizza it is. We've earned it," he agreed, pulling the car smoothly out of the parking lot and onto the main road. When they arrived at the pizza restaurant, Brett parked the car and turned to Santana, catching her hand before she unbuckled her seatbelt. "You know, no matter what happens, I'm proud of us. We've come so far already," he said, his voice low and earnest, the playful edge from earlier replaced with sincerity.
Santana smiled, squeezing his hand gently. "We have, haven't we?" she replied, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "And you're right—we've earned this. All of it."
They got out of the car and made their way into the small, cozy pizzeria. The place was one of those hidden gems they loved—family-owned, with checkered tablecloths and the smell of freshly baked dough filling the air. Brett waved to the familiar faces behind the counter as they found a table near the window. The sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over the restaurant, making it feel even more intimate and comforting.
After they ordered a large pizza with all their favorite toppings—pepperoni for Brett, extra cheese for Santana—they settled into their seats, the comfortable silence between them filled with the soft hum of the restaurant and the clinking of plates and glasses around them.
Santana leaned back in her chair, gazing out of the window as she let the tension from the morning fade. She felt Brett's eyes on her, and when she turned back to him, she saw the way he was looking at her—not just with love, but with admiration, and respect. It made her heart flutter.
"What?" she asked, a teasing smile tugging at her lips as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. Brett shrugged, though his gaze didn't waver. "I'm just thinking how lucky I am," he said, his voice soft but full of meaning. "You're incredible, Santana. I know today was hard, but you've handled all of this with so much strength."
Santana felt her cheeks flush slightly, though she rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm not that strong," she said, though there was a hint of bashfulness in her tone. "You've been by my side through it all, Brett. I couldn't have done this without you." They shared a quiet moment, the weight of their journey present but not overwhelming. The waitress arrived then, placing a large pizza between them, and the sight of the perfectly baked pie was enough to break the tension. Santana laughed softly as Brett's eyes lit up in excitement.
"Now, this is what we needed," Brett said, grabbing a slice immediately, his mood lifting even more. "Nothing beats pizza after a morning like that."
Santana smiled, following his lead and taking a slice for herself. As they ate, the atmosphere between them lightened even more. They chatted about nothing in particular—movies they wanted to watch later, plans for the weekend, funny stories from work. It felt so normal, so wonderfully mundane, and that was exactly what they needed after the intensity of the clinic.
By the time they finished their pizza, they were both laughing, the heaviness of the day fading further with each joke and shared smile. Brett paid the bill, insisting it was his treat, and soon they were back in the car, driving home.
When they got back to their apartment, the cozy space they had created together felt like a sanctuary. Brett kicked off his shoes by the door, turning to Santana with a mischievous grin. "You ready for part two of our stress-free day date?" he asked, reaching out to pull her into his arms.
Santana laughed, resting her hands on his chest as she looked up at him. "I've been ready. Bring on the movies."
They headed to the bedroom, where Brett grabbed the remote while Santana changed into one of his oversized t-shirts—her favorite thing to wear when they were having a lazy day. She climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to her waist as Brett joined her, settling in beside her.
He scrolled through their Netflix, landing on one of their comfort films, Step Brothers a stark contrast to the emotional rollercoaster they had been riding all morning. Santana snuggled into his side, her head resting on his chest, and as the opening credits rolled, she felt a deep sense of contentment settle over her.
This was what she loved most about being with Brett. No matter what life threw at them, no matter how stressful or overwhelming things became, they always found their way back to each other. "I love you" Santana whispered after a while, her eyes half-closed as she basked in the warmth of the blankets and Brett's steady presence beside her.
Brett kissed the top of her head, his hand resting gently on her hip. "I love you too," he replied softly, his voice full of certainty. Santana smiled, closing her eyes completely now, letting herself drift into the peacefulness of the moment. They had faced so much together already, and there was still a long way to go, but right now, none of that mattered. Right now, they had each other, and that was more than enough.
The following two weeks crawled by, each day seeming to stretch longer than the last. Santana tried her best to stay calm, but the anticipation of the pregnancy test gnawed at her constantly. Every twinge, every flutter in her body made her wonder, hope, and sometimes doubt. Was it working? Was there a little life growing inside her? The questions never ceased, and the waiting—oh, the waiting—was unbearable.
Brett, sensing the tension building in her, did everything he could to distract her. He'd taken her out to dinner multiple times, insisting that a good meal would take her mind off things. They'd gone to the movie theater to watch the latest rom-com, even though Santana had barely paid attention to the plot, her mind a million miles away. On one particularly restless evening, he'd even taken her bowling, convincing her that knocking down pins might release some of the pent-up stress. And while Santana appreciated his efforts, nothing could shake the weight that pressed on her chest, the constant reminder that they were waiting for an answer that could change everything.
Brett, ever the optimist, seemed to be holding up better than she was, though Santana knew he was just as nervous. He hid it well, with his easy smiles and lighthearted jokes, but sometimes, late at night when they were lying in bed together, she would catch him staring at the ceiling, his face serious, deep in thought. She never asked what was going through his mind in those moments. She already knew.
When the day of the hCG test finally arrived, Santana woke up with a strange sense of numbness. It wasn't fear or excitement anymore—it was just the exhaustion of waiting, the weariness of not knowing. She went through the motions of the morning quietly, showering, dressing, and eating breakfast, but everything felt muted. Even the sunlight streaming through their kitchen window seemed duller than usual.
Brett had to work that morning, so Santana had planned to go to the clinic alone for the blood test. It was a simple procedure, just drawing blood—nothing major. She figured there was no need for both of them to take time out of their schedules, especially when the results wouldn't come until the next day.
She arrived at the clinic a little early, checking in at the front desk and taking a seat in the waiting room. Her foot tapped nervously against the tile floor, her eyes wandering around the room, but nothing could distract her from the thoughts racing through her mind. She tried to remind herself to breathe, to stay calm, but every minute that passed seemed to stretch longer than the last.
About fifteen minutes later, the door to the clinic swung open, and Brett rushed in, slightly out of breath. His tie was loose, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows as though he had left work in a hurry. He glanced around the room, searching for her, and when their eyes met, Santana couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.
"I got stuck in traffic," he sighed, walking over to her. Before she could say anything, he bent down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. Then he took a seat next to her, his familiar presence immediately calming her nerves, if only a little. Santana looked at him, raising an eyebrow playfully. "I told you that you didn't need to come," she said with a small shrug. "It's just to draw some blood. No big deal."
Brett leaned back in his chair, turning slightly to face her. His expression softened as he looked at her, and there was something tender in his eyes, a quiet understanding that made her heartache. "I know," he said, his voice low and gentle. "But I know you, and you need me." He smiled, reaching over to take her hand in his, squeezing it lightly.
Santana sighed, her smile widening as she looked down at their intertwined fingers. "You know me too well," she murmured, her voice soft.
A nurse called Santana's name a few minutes later, and the two of them stood up together. Brett's hand never left hers as they were led back to a small room where a nurse prepared to draw her blood. The process was quick and efficient—just a few minutes of small talk with the nurse, a needle prick, and it was over. But the real waiting was just beginning.
"We'll call you tomorrow with the results," the nurse said kindly as she finished up, pulling off her gloves. "It should be in by mid-morning." Santana nodded, trying to keep her nerves in check. She wasn't sure how she would get through another night of waiting, but at least the end was finally in sight.
As they left the clinic, Brett turned to the nurse. "I'm going to take the day off work tomorrow," he said, his voice steady but full of purpose. "I want to be there when we get the results." Santana looked up at him, surprised. "You don't have to do that," she said softly, though her heart warmed at the thought. "It's just a phone call. I can call you right after."
Brett shook his head, smiling down at her. "I know", he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I want to be there, with you, when we find out. No matter what happens, we're in this together." His words were simple, but they meant everything. Santana blinked back the sudden rush of emotion that threatened to spill over. She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
That evening, as they lay in bed, Santana found herself wide awake, her mind racing with a thousand different thoughts. Brett, sensing her restlessness, pulled her close, his arm wrapping around her waist as he kissed the top of her head. "Whatever happens," he whispered against her hair, "we've got this. You and me." Santana closed her eyes, letting his words soothe her. She knew he was right. No matter what tomorrow held, they would get through it. Together.
The following morning, they both woke up early, the air in their apartment thick with anticipation. Brett had called in to work, explaining that he needed to be home for personal reasons, and now they found themselves sitting together on the couch, waiting for the phone to ring.
Every time the phone buzzed with a notification, Santana's heart leaped into her throat, only to sink back down when she realized it wasn't the call they were waiting for. Hours ticked by, each one feeling longer than the last. Santana was practically vibrating with nervous energy, pacing the living room while Brett watched her with quiet patience, though she could see the tension in his jaw.
Finally, around 11:30, the phone rang.
Santana froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat. Brett stood up from the couch, crossing the room in two strides to stand beside her. He gently took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as she reached for the phone.
This was it.