A/N: It's nice to see some of you really getting into the story. Some of the things you have mentioned in reviews have changed the chapters that follow and part of the story, which means a lot of re-writing and re-thinking things. There are more up and downs to come so don't get comfortable just because Quinn and Santana spoke a little about what's going on. When trust is broken in a relationship, and in their case it goes both ways, there are a lot of obstacles and questions to get through. But like I always tell you, I never write a story that doesn't have a happy ending. It's just not how things work in the worlds I try to create.
Chapter 5
While Santana showered and got ready, Quinn called Carlos to check on Isabel. Nothing had changed, which wasn't altogether bad news. She promised to bring him coffee and told him they'd be there soon.
Then she called Rachel to check on the boys. They hadn't slept well so she had kept them at home instead of sending them to school. She had also let their teachers know what was going on. Quinn thanked her profusely and asked her to bring them by the hospital if they were up to it.
When she was done with phone calls to both of their publicists, she decided to make coffee for them and she also filled out a thermos to take to Carlos.
Once the coffee was ready, she called their driver and told him to meet them in front of the house in half an hour so he could take them to the hospital. She didn't feel like fighting New York traffic in her tired state. It wouldn't do for her to get into an accident as well. He told her he'd text her when he was there.
She was putting her phone down when Santana came out dressed in comfortable jeans, a long-sleeve fitted shirt and leather loafers. Quinn told her about her conversations and then went to take a shower hoping it would make her feel better and more alert.
Santana drank her coffee while she gathered her tablet and song writing journal. After putting everything in her bag, she ran down to the basement apartment and picked up Quinn's tablet and laptop in case she felt like writing while they waited. She knew they'd need something to keep their minds occupied since she figured they'd be at the hospital all day even if they wouldn't be able to see Isabel all that much due to the restrictions of the ward.
She took a moment to look around and noticed the many pictures of her and the kids that Quinn kept around. She smiled tenderly before grabbing Quinn's bag and going back up to the house.
She walked back into the kitchen as Quinn was coming down the hall.
"I don't feel like eating, but do you want something?" she asked.
"No. Just the coffee I made. I don't think I can stomach anything just yet."
"How about I bring some snacks along just in case you want to eat later?"
"Just an apple or some string cheese. Nothing too heavy."
"OK. I'll grab those and then we can leave."
"Make sure you grab something for yourself as well, San. You've lost weight."
Santana's eyes moved up and down Quinn's thin frame and she frowned. "Speak for yourself. I should pack high calorie snacks just for you."
Quinn rubbed her hand back and forth over her flat stomach subconsciously. She had noticed her clothes fit looser, but she hadn't given it much thought. So she forgot to eat sometimes. Other times she just couldn't be bothered. But now, with everything that was happening, they'd both need their strength and energy, so it was time to start taking better care of themselves.
"You're right, San. I think we both need to work on eating better and when we're supposed to."
"So you're not eating?" she couldn't help but ask worriedly.
Quinn sighed and shook her head. No use denying anything when Santana knew her so well. "Only when I remember to."
"Quinn!"
"I know it's not okay, all right? Can we just go?"
Santana frowned at Quinn's irritated tone but nodded nonetheless. She didn't bother grabbing anything more to eat. She just figured she'd get Quinn a double chocolate muffin or something as equally high in calories and fat when they got to the hospital. It was ingrained in her nature to worry about Quinn, no matter how many issues they still had.
She turned to walk towards the front door when she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist from behind. Her body tensed for a moment before relaxing into Quinn's front.
"I'm sorry, San. I shouldn't have snapped like that. I know you're just worried."
"I don't want to fight anymore, Q," she admitted tiredly.
Quinn wrapped her other arm around her and held her tightly. "I don't either. I'm just tired and worried and that didn't come out right. I promise when we get to the hospital and see Isa I will find us both some breakfast."
Santana rested her hand on Quinn's arms and nodded. "That sounds good. We should head out."
Just then, Quinn's phone beeped and she took it out of her back pocket to see a message from their driver.
"Julius is outside waiting but he's warning us the paps are there as well. He brought one of the body guards with him and they'll escort us from the front door to the car."
Santana sighed. "Of course they're here. Money hungry assholes."
Quinn placed a kiss on the side of her head and stepped back. "Let's just get this over with. I'm not giving them any information about our daughter. They know our kids are off-limits to all of them anyways."
"I'll tell them to fuck off," Santana said as she helped Quinn pick up the things they would take with them to the hospital.
0-0
"Aunt Rachel, can you take me to the hospital later?" Sebastian asked as he finished putting their breakfast dishes away after he had helped her clean the kitchen.
"Sure, honey. We can leave in a few minutes if you want."
"Will my moms be there?"
"Yeah. I talked to Quinn earlier and they were getting ready to leave. She asked me to bring you both by if you wanted to be there." She watched him as he nodded and remained pensive. It was obvious there was something on his mind but he was probably afraid to talk about it. "Honey, come here," she asked him as she patted the seat next to hers.
Sebastian looked up at her and quietly made his way around the kitchen island. "Yeah?" he asked once he sat down.
"Is there anything you'd like to talk about?" she asked gently as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Nothing we talk about has to leave this room."
He sighed before looking at her. "I'm just so worried about my family, Aunt Rach. I don't know what to do to fix us."
Rachel's heart constricted at his words. He was already so mature for his age, so family oriented. Quinn and Santana had done a fabulous job of raising their kids and he was a fine example of that.
"Baby, it's not your job to fix anything! You have to trust that your moms will find a way to work things out so you guys can go back to being the happy family you were three months ago."
"But I feel like I have to do something. I love them to death, but damn if they're not stubborn as hell. They're both obviously lost without the other, but this is just something they haven't been able to work out and it's tearing our family apart. I don't want them to end up getting a divorce, Aunt Rachel. None of us do!"
"You're right about all of that. Quinn and Santana can be very stubborn and they are lost without each other. They've always been so close that they don't really know how to function fully if the other one isn't around. They truly are soul mates and because of that, I believe they will be able to get through this in the end."
"I don't think mamma cheated on mami at all. She's so committed to their marriage and to us that she would never put any of it on jeopardy," he told her solemnly.
"If it helps in any way, I don't think Quinn cheated either, baby. I honestly think she was framed by that woman just to get Quinn's attention. She should have known better."
"I'm glad you think so. I know mami is confused and her head is telling her one thing and her heart another. We all know she loves mamma still. Isa couldn't sit still anymore and that is what started the fight between them yesterday."
"Could you tell me what happened?"
"Isa and I were in their office looking at the photos. Somehow Isa found out mami had them locked away in her desk, so we opened it and we were looking at them trying to figure out a way to make mami see that mamma didn't do anything wrong."
"And Santana walked in on you guys?"
"No. After we talked about it, Isa decided to talk to mami again. We put the photos where we found them and she locked the drawer back up."
"Does Santana know you both saw the photographs?"
He nodded. "Isa told her as much. I knew they would end up fighting so before she went to see mami, I went back to my room. It wasn't long before the shouting started and then I heard the front door slam."
"Did you see the accident happen?" she asked gently.
"No, but I heard it."
His eyes filled with tears as he told her how he had jumped up from his bed and ran to the window. He couldn't see clearly because of the trees in front of their brownstone, but he had seen his mother run out of it and down the street. He had soon followed and found them just as an ambulance's siren could be heard in the distance.
"I'm so sorry you had to witness that, baby."
"Mami was hysterical, Aunt Rach. I couldn't go in the ambulance with her, but one of the cops on the scene gave me time to lock the house and then brought me to the hospital. Mamma got there a little later and then all of you."
"Isabel is strong and I honestly think she will make it through this. It's not going to be easy, but we're all going to be here for all of you. She probably has a long recovery ahead of her and she's probably going to be home schooled for a few weeks, but I'm sure she's going to make it. You have to believe that, too."
"What about my moms? Do you think they'll ever get back together?" he asked timidly.
"I've known both of them for over twenty years, honey, and I've been a witness of their devotion for each other. While I know they could survive without each other, I don't think they'd be as happy as they are when they're together. They just have to remember that."
"That sucks. I just wish they could really sit down and talk about it. If there is something I've always liked about them is how much of a team they are. I miss that. I miss my happy home, Aunt Rach," he finished sadly.
"I know you do, sweetheart. I also know they miss each other. I only hope Isabel's accident is the catalyst that brings them together again. Maybe something good can come out of this tragic event after all."
"I hope you're right."
"I'll help in any way I can, okay?"
He nodded and gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Aunt Rach. I feel a little better after getting that off my chest."
"I'll always be here, baby. Now let's get ready and head over to the hospital, yeah?"
0-0
Getting out of the house and into the waiting SUV hadn't been easy. Santana had thrown a few colorful curses at the paps when they moved closer than usual and Tony had to push them away from them. Once they were in the back, their driver made surprising quick work of getting them to the hospital and promised to be close by in case they needed help. Tony got down with them and wrapped his huge arms around them until he had them safely inside of the hospital. He promised to call for more back-up in case the paps got out of control. Even if they had been a little more respectful at the hospital entrance and had kept their distance, he didn't want to take any chances.
"Are you staying with us?" Santana asked him as they walked down the hallway.
"I will in a minute. Just go on to the ICU and I'll meet you there once Julius and I figure out how we're handling this, ma'am."
"Thank, Tony," Quinn told him as she squeezed his arm. "We appreciate it."
"Anything for you and your family, ma'am. I'm really sorry Miss Isabel is in here and if there is anything you need, you just let us know."
They both nodded at him as he turned and walked back towards the hospital entrance.
"We really do have the best team, don't we?"
Quinn gave Santana a small smile and nodded. "I'm glad we can fully concentrate on our daughter and not worry about anything else for now."
"We'll have to give the press some information, though, and ask that they respect our privacy at this time. If we stay quiet, they'll keep hounding us, our family and friends."
"You're right. I'll have Richard draft something and once we approve it, it can be given to the press. I refuse to talk to them, though," Quinn finished adamantly.
"Yeah, I don't feel like talking to those fuckers, either," Santana murmured.
Nothing else was said as they neared the doors for the ICU. Instinctively, Santana sought out Quinn's hand and the blonde laced their fingers together.
"I'm so scared," the Latina whispered as she gave Quinn's hand a hard squeeze.
Quinn turned sideways and wrapped her free arm around Santana, bringing their bodies closer. Santana buried her face in Quinn's neck and wrapped her arm around her waist, her body shaking slightly. She breathed in Quinn's scent trying to calm her nerves. Being close to her had always had a calming effect on her and she was glad she could still go to her when she needed her wife the most.
"I am, too, sweetheart, but we've got each other. We're going to be strong and we're going to fight for our beautiful family. We're going to help Isa get better and we're going to fix things, alright?" she reassured her. "It's going to be hard and our emotions are going to be put through the wringer, but we'll make it because the love we all share for one another will see us through."
"Do you really believe that?" Santana asked in a tiny voice.
Quinn tightened her arm around her and nodded. "I really do, baby."
Santana took a deep, shuddering breath before nodding and stepping back so she could look into Quinn's eyes. The love and support she saw in them made her feel a little better.
"I'm glad you're here with me."
"There is no place else I'd be. My place is next to my wife and our family."
Santana kept her eyes locked on the blonde's for a few silent seconds. She didn't know what to say exactly, but she felt better just knowing they would deal with things together.
She moved closer and placed a tender kiss on Quinn's lips before stepping back and looking towards the closed door.
"Let's go see our princess."
Quinn, too stunned by the unexpected kiss, just nodded and took a step towards the door. She took a big breath and closed her eyes for a moment before pushing the door to the ward open and walking in.
0-0