A/N – This is a story I started quite awhile ago and only wrote the first chapter. Thought I'd throw it out there to see if there's any interest.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or the any of the Glee characters portrayed in this story. This is written for entertainment purposely only.
Chapter 1
"Want Mommy!" The little boy cried out.
"I know you do Sweetie."
There were several people on the plane already giving Brittany glaring looks because her son hadn't stopped crying out for his Mommy since they boarded the plane and they hadn't even taken off yet.
"Excuse me. I just need to get to my seat there by the window." Brittany heard a woman say to her and without looking she stood up to let the women get to the window seat. The woman took her time putting a bag in the overhead carrier before finally walking past Brittany and her son who sat in the middle seat to take her seat by the window.
Brittany sat back down and continued to worry about the five hour flight from LA to New York City. She had hoped her son would sleep for part of the flight but he was having a bad day so it was doubtful he would sleep. She knew what it was like having one of those bad days. He missed his Mommy and she missed her too.
"Mommy, mommy!" The little boy said this time without screaming or crying. Brittany looked over at him sitting in his car seat that was attached to the plane seat. He was looking at the woman who was sitting by the window. "Mommy, mommy." The woman sitting by the window looked at the little boy and smiled. The little boy smiled back. It was the first time Brittany had seen that smile in three weeks.
"What is his name?"
Brittany was still looking at her little boy who continued to stare and smile at the woman. She suddenly felt someone looking at her and looked up into the beautiful brown eyes of the woman. Brittany felt a huge lump form in her throat and she found it difficult to swallow.
When Brittany didn't answer the woman again asked, "What is his name?"
"Cole. His name is Cole." Brittany said as she looked away from the woman and looked at her son. It was amazing how he had calmed down since the woman sat down. Brittany knew the reason why and while it was awkward for her it didn't matter as long as Cole felt better even if was only for the next five hours during the flight home.
"I really like that name. I'm Santana by the way." The woman reached her hand out for Brittany to shake it.
"I'm Brittany." Brittany just looked at Santana's outstretched hand making no move to shake it.
Santana finally retracted her hand sensing that Brittany felt uncomfortable. She could tell that Brittany was nervous and anxious for some reason so she decided it was best to just sit there and keep to herself.
Brittany knew it was rude not to shake Santana's hand and it was so unlike her to be rude but she couldn't help it. "Mommy, mommy, mommy." Cole said over and over again while looking at Santana. Brittany glanced over at Santana who was looking out of the plane's window. It was amazing how much Santana looked like Brittany's fiancée. It wasn't like they could pass for identical twins or anything like that but they certainly could pass for sisters. Brittany saw the resemblance and it was obvious that Cole at age 2 years saw it too by the way he was reacting to Santana.
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The plane took off without any problems and now an hour into the flight Cole had fallen asleep to Brittany's relief. She watched him as he slept and wondered what had been going on in that little mind of his for the past three weeks. It was three weeks that felt like an eternity to Brittany. Right now all she wanted to do was go home to their apartment where she and Cole both felt safe. She just wanted to block out the outside world for a little while and live in their own little world.
"Excuse me Brittany I need to use the restroom." Brittany stood up to let Santana past her seat. Brittany had such long legs it was easier to just get up then to try and let Santana squeeze by her.
As soon as Brittany sat back down Cole woke up and when he didn't see Santana sitting there he started crying. "Mommy" over and over again. People around them were giving Brittany dirty looks so she took him out of his car seat and held him. She tried to give him his sippy cup that had apple juice in it but he pushed it away. She tried giving him his favorite teddy bear but he pushed it away too and just kept crying for his mommy.
Santana was gone for about ten minutes. "I'm sorry Brittany but I need to get back to my seat." Brittany stood up as best she could since she was holding a still crying Cole. As Santana walked past to get to her seat and Cole saw her he suddenly stopped crying and reached out for Santana saying Mommy.
"It's about time you got back. Next time take your kid with you so we don't have to hear him scream for you for ten minutes while your incompetent nanny tries to calm him down." The passenger sitting across the aisle from Brittany yelled with her voice full of sarcasm.
Santana looked at the woman confused not understanding at all what she was talking about. It was then Brittany hit rock bottom. It had been building up for the past three weeks but finally she couldn't handle it any longer.
"She is not his mother, I am!" Brittany yelled at the woman.
The woman wasn't one to back down and got angry at Brittany yelling at her. "Well you could've fooled me by the way he stopped crying when she came back and how he reached out and called her Mommy. Guess that means you aren't a very good mother." She stood up in the aisle as she yelled at Brittany.
The woman's words hurt Brittany more than they angered her. She didn't have the emotional energy to even reply to the woman so she just sat there staring at the back of the seat in front of her as tears welled up in her eyes.
The airline attendant heard the yelling as was immediately there to take control of the situation. "What is all of the shouting about here?"
Before the woman who had yelled at Brittany could say a word Santana spoke up. "Just a misunderstanding everything is under control now." Santana glared at the woman who yelled and she immediately sat back down in her seat not wanting to deal with Santana. Her glare could be quite intimidating when she wanted it to be. The flight attendant seemed satisfied and walked away.
Santana looked at Brittany who was still just staring straight ahead with Cole on her lap. She then looked at Cole who smiled at her and reached out "Mommy".
Santana had no idea what was going on and why little Cole kept calling her Mommy. She could tell Brittany was having a difficult time keeping it together emotionally. Whatever was going on in Brittany's life had taken its toll on her.
The rest of the flight went smoothly as far as Cole went because he slept for two hours and as long as Santana was in her seat he was fine when he was awake. He still continued to smile at her and call her Mommy. Brittany got up once to take him to the restroom to change his diaper but luckily he didn't wake up. He was the type of kid who could sleep through anything. Brittany knew once everything settled down that she needed to start potty training Cole. He had just turned two years old and it was a good time to start.
Santana was feeling uncomfortable by the whole situation with Cole and Brittany but she also felt sorry for Brittany because whatever was going on in her life had her extremely upset. Santana watched out of the corner of her eye as Brittany just sat there staring straight ahead.
When the plane arrived in New York Brittany felt relieved that soon she would be in her apartment. Santana stood up when they were allowed to leave the plane as Brittany was taking Cole out of his car seat. She noticed Santana standing there waiting for her so she moved out of the way to let Santana walk by. Once Santana had gotten her bag out from the overhead compartment she stood there watching Brittany as she was unbuckling Cole's car seat as he stood there beside her waiting. She wondered if she should offer to help Brittany because it must be quite a chore to get through the airport with a small child, car seat, and luggage. Santana decided to just walk away because Brittany seemed like she really wanted to be left alone. As Santana walked away down the aisle of the plane to the exit she heard Cole start crying out Mommy. A part of her wanted to stop and help Brittany but she kept going until she exited the plane because she had no idea why Cole kept calling her Mommy.
When she got into the airport and got her luggage Santana went to one of the bars to meet a friend who was waiting for her flight to London to leave. It was a quick drink just to catch up because she never gets to see her friend very often because she's always flying to London for business.
After he quick drink with the friend Santana walked out of the airport and was looking for a cab when she heard a familiar cry. She turned to the left and saw Brittany standing there surrounded by luggage and a car seat holding a crying Cole while she was on her cell phone. Santana felt guilty about walking away on the plane and not helping Brittany so she decided to see if she could help her now. As she walked closer she could hear Brittany on her phone talking to someone.
"That's just great, what am I supposed to do now? Cole is exhausted and cranky as you can hear. You are the one who offered to pick us up. I didn't ask for your help. You know what, just forget it and while you're at it forget about Cole and me. You were Gracie's friend not mine." Brittany ended the call and the tears fell down her face. "Cole sweetie, please stop crying. Mama promises we'll be home soon."
Brittany's voice sounded tired and defeated to Santana. "Hi."
Brittany turned quickly and saw Santana standing there. Cole also saw her and started to calm down while reaching out to her saying Mommy. Brittany didn't say anything back to Santana because she didn't even know what to say. She thought once they had gotten off the plane they would never see Santana again.
Santana realized Brittany wasn't going to say anything so she continued talking. "I was wondering if you could use some help you seem to have your hands full. Can I help get you a cab or maybe we could share one if we're going in the same direction."
Brittany finally found her voice. "No, thank you. I can manage on my own. Besides I don't know you, how do I know you aren't going to rob me or something?" Brittany figured Santana probably wasn't going to rob her but it was the only thing she could think off.
"I understand you have to be cautious in today's world. Does this make you feel better?" Santana reached into her bag and pulled out an id to show Brittany. When Brittany saw the id she felt like the air had been sucked out of her lungs. A day three weeks ago started playing over and over in her mind. Suddenly she started gasping for air. "Brittany are you ok?" Santana hurried and took Cole from Brittany and stood him on the sidewalk beside her. Her grabbed onto Santana's leg immediately.
"Brittany, take deep breaths in and out." Santana kept telling Brittany this until her breathing was back to normal. "Are you ok now?" Brittany nodded her head yes. "I'm quite sure you had a panic attack have you had them before?" Brittany again just nodded her head yes. "Brittany, I'm going to get us a cab and I'm going to make sure you and Cole get home safely ok?" She once again nodded her head.
It only took a few minutes for Santana to get them a cab. Once all of the luggage was loaded Santana asked Brittany where she lived. When Brittany told her the address she was surprised to learn they lived just three blocks away from each other in similar luxury apartment buildings. When they got to Brittany's building Santana helped the cab driver take out all of the luggage including her two bags and then paid him. Brittany hadn't said anything since the panic attack and had been holding Cole since they had gotten into the cab. He fell asleep from exhaustion when the 25 minutes cab ride started and was still sleep when Brittany got out of the cab. The doorman for the building immediately started helping Santana with the luggage. He was a nice man but for some reason he kept staring at Santana. Once they were in the elevator with the luggage Brittany pushed the button for the 20th floor. When the elevator door opened on the 20th floor Brittany led Santana down the hallway to the right to apartment 2010.
When they were inside the apartment Brittany turned to Santana. "I'm just going put him to bed and I'll be right back. Have a seat on the couch."
Santana left the luggage by the door and sat down on the couch. The apartment was very nice. It was a large open space. It was beautiful decorated while at the same time it felt homey. Santana let out a breath and laid her head on the back of couch. She was tired because she hadn't gotten much sleep during her three day trip to LA. She felt herself about to doze off when she felt someone sit down on the couch. She opened her eyes and Brittany was sitting there staring straight ahead.
"Are you going to be ok tonight? Is there someone you can call to maybe stay with you? I know it's none of my business but you seem really upset and I would feel better knowing someone was here with you." Santana voice was quiet and full of concern.
"No, I'll be ok besides I just want to be alone with Cole. Thank you for helping me on the plane and getting the cab to bring us home. I'll pay you for the cab ride here and for your cab ride to your home."
"You don't owe me anything besides I live just three blocks away. I can walk there for here."
Brittany for some reason felt she owed Santana an explanation of why she had a panic attack when she saw her id. "I'm sure you wonder what's going on with me. I know I'm a mess and my son is a mess too. The reason I had a panic attack when you showed me your id was because it brought back a tragic memory. Three weeks ago my fiancée, Gracie, was shot and killed during a bank robbery here in the city. Two police detectives came to my dance studio to tell me she had been killed. The first thing they did was show me their badges and id. When you showed me your id and I saw your badge my mind kept flashing back to that day." Brittany was crying and Santana wanted to hug her but they were still strangers.
"I'm so sorry showing you my id and badge upset you. I just thought if you knew I was a Detective with the NYC Police Department that you will feel more comfortable letting me help you. I'm also so sorry for your loss. The robbery isn't one of my cases but I know the general details about what happened that day. I'm glad the three men who robbed the bank were taken into custody without incident within twenty-fours of the robbery." Santana talked like a detective.
"Well, you will have to excuse me if I'm not as glad as you are that they were captured without incident as you put it. My fiancée is dead, my son's mother is dead, and we just got back from LA where she was buried. Her mother said Gracie had to be buried in LA so she could be close to family. What the hell does that even mean?" Brittany was getting upset and starting to breathe hard again.
"Brittany, you've got to calm down or you are going to keep having trouble breathing. Take deep breaths in and out. Watch me." Brittany watched Santana breath in and out until she was breathing normally again.
"I want to go check on Cole and I'm sure you want to get home." Brittany got up from the couch signaling to Santana that it was time for her to leave.
Santana walked to the door and picked up her luggage. She reached into one of her bags and pulled out a card. "This is my card please feel free to call me day or night if you or Cole need anything. Call even if you just what to talk about the weather." Santana gave Brittany a small smile.
Brittany looked at the card that read Santana Lopez, Detective NYPD. It listed her desk phone number, cell phone number, and email address. "Thank for everything but Cole and I will ok. Now that we're home we can start adapting to life with just the two of us. Are you sure you don't want me to pay for a cab so you don't have to walk home?"
"Thanks but I'll be fine walking. It was nice meeting you and Cole. Take care Brittany and once again I'm so sorry for your loss." Santana stood there not sure what to do next. She had the urge to hug Brittany again but decided it was best to just leave.
When Santana walked off the elevator into the building lobby the doorman from earlier was quickly by her side. "Do you need help with your bags ma'am? Would you like for me to call you a cab?"
"No thank you I'll be just fine. I only live a few blocks away." Santana noticed the man was staring at her like he had done when they arrived at the building from the airport.
The doorman noticed how Santana was watching him looking at her. "I'm sorry for staring it's just that you look so much like her. You must be related to Ms. Talbot."
Santana was confused, "Ms. Talbot?"
"I'm sorry I just thought since you look so much like her and you were with Ms. Pierce that you must be related to Ms. Talbot. It was a real tragedy what happened to her. Ms. Pierce and she were going to get married in the fall." The doorman started getting choked up so he stopped talking.
"It was a real tragedy." Santana said slowly was she let the doorman's words sink in. She looked a lot like Brittany's fiancée that's why Cole kept calling her Mommy and stopped crying when he saw her. "Goodnight." Santana told the doorman as she walked out into the NYC night.
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The next morning Santana sat at her desk in the precinct staring at her computer screen. She was debating on whether to do what she wanted to do or not. Finally her curiosity got the best of her and typed in the name Gracie Talbot and within seconds she was face to face with Gracie's driver's license picture. Santana scowled as she studied the picture. Everyone was right. Gracie and she looked like they could be sisters. Santana knew she didn't have any long lost sisters out in the world. Her parents had been together since they were fifteen years old and had three children, two boys and Santana. It was one of those strange coincidences that happen in life. Santana couldn't help but wonder though if it was just a coincidence she sat beside Brittany and Cole on the plane or if it was fate.
TBC