A/N: So this is my first Glee fanfic. I'll be editing the first chapter once this is posted so that will be up shortly. I have seven chapters written so far, but I'm not sure how often I'll update. I'm not the greatest at keeping up with that. If you follow my other story you'll know all too well. This is slightly AU. Okay I'm done rambling. Enjoy! Especially you, musicwillsaveusall. I really hope I got your username right. :)

Prologue

"Well it looks like that's everything," The young woman slammed down the trunk of the car before turning to an older woman beside her. "I'm going to miss you Mami," she said as a few tears threatened to escape. She quickly stopped them before she let them fall. Santana Lopez does not cry, even if she really wants to cry in her mother's arms before she heads off to New York to start her new life.

"I know mija." Santana's mother pulled her daughter into a loving embrace and held her tight. "I'm going to miss you too, but you're going to do so great up there. I know you are destined for so much more than you realize. You were always too big this town." Santana pulled away and looked at her mother while still holding onto her shoulders.

"I am Santana Lopez after all and nobody is going to get in my way." Santana tried to say as confidently as she could. Around everyone else she was the fiery Latina from Lima Heights Adjacent, but when she was with her mother she was quieter, kinder, and more loving. She could always show how she really felt around her mother. It was a great comfort to her and she knew she'd miss these moments with her mami most of all.

"Don't I know it? You've never let anyone put you down. I am so proud of you mija. Your father and I both are. So are your sister and your nieces. Have you said goodbye to them yet?"

"Yes, Mami I have. It broke my heart. I'm going to miss them so much." Santana looked down as more tears started to fall. She wiped them away before looking back at her mother. "I wish I could say bye to Papi one more time before I left, but I know he had to be at work. Give him another hug and kiss for me when he gets home?" Santana asked sheepishly.

"Of course mi amor. He wishes he could be here too, but I'm sure we'll hear from you soon enough. You will tell us when you get there safely, right?"

"Yes, I will. Thank you for everything Mami. I should leave before the girls get home and see me still here. They might think I'm not leaving after all." Santana and her mother hugged each other tight one more time. "I love you Mami."

"I love you too, Santana." The pair broke apart with tears in their eyes. Santana straightened out her clothes before climbing into her rental car and driving off to begin her new life in New York City.