Djinn and Juice Boxes

Santana kept her hand on Tristan's shoulder as they made their way through the quiet halls. She'd deliberately waited until after dinner, close to the end of visiting hours, to bring him – hoping there'd be fewer people around. When she peeked into the room, she found Rachel and rocking the baby. "Knock knock!"

"Come on in," Santana said softly.

Tristan entered first, smiling brightly. "Is it a boy or girl?" he asked.

"Girl," Rachel said. "And we need –"

She broke off, because at that moment the baby started to cry. The little figurine lamb on the table began to glow, as did Tristan's necklace.

"Oh my god," Santana said.

"What is it? What's happening?" Tristan asked, panicked. "Mom?"

"I…think she…I think her soul source chose you," Rachel said gently. "She's a genie like I was…before your mom freed me."

There was silence in the room, apart from the baby's fussing and the sound of the other three breathing. Then Tristan turned and ran.

"Damn," Rachel breathed.

"Don't worry," Santana said, kissing the baby and then her wife. "I'll catch him." She walked out into the hall and a nurse simply pointed to the left. "Thanks." She knew her son well, though, and she didn't need any help knowing where he'd go. When he was upset, he liked the outdoors. She went to the elevator and took it straight up to the rooftop garden.

"Tristan?" she called. She wandered around until she found him behind a pillar, looking out onto the street below.

He was huddled against the wall, one arm around his knees and one hand grasping his necklace. It was a Tree of Life pendant that Santana had brought back for him from Ireland. "I…I can't," he stammered. "I can't be that – I can't protect her! If someone wants to hurt her or…take her away…I'm only fifteen!"

"Hey," she said quietly, taking him by the shoulders. "It's okay. Her soul source may have chosen you, but we are still her parents. And anyone who wants to hurt any of you has to come through me first – and god help them if they try it. It's okay. Everything's going to be okay."

"But what does this mean?" he asked.

Santana thought for a moment, and then shrugged. "I don't know, but we'll figure it out, okay? Come on, let's go back downstairs. You can say bye to your mom and I'll take you back to Quinn's house."

Shaking and fidgeting with his necklace, he stood up and walked with her back to the elevator.

Santana did her best to ignore the fact that he was nearly six inches taller than her now. "She needs a name," she said conversationally.

"You didn't pick a name yet?"

"We were banking on another boy."

"Not another M name," he said.

"No. Had she been a he, we were going to go with Ronald or something like."

"Ronald…" he muttered.

Santana let him think for the rest of the walk back to the room. When they got there, Rachel quirked an eyebrow at them. "Everything's fine," she told her.

"Sorry if I scared you, Mom," Tristan said, blushing slightly.

"It's okay, honey. I'm sure that was a shock. Come sit," she said, and nodded toward the chair. When he did, she passed the baby to Santana, who passed her to him.

"Wait!" he said, panicked. "I don't know what I'm doing – what if I break her?"

"Please…you held your brother and sister when you were only five. There you go, watch her head."

The two women watched as the boy settled back comfortably to rock his sister. He was still muttering different versions of Ronald under his breath.

"Ron…Rona…Ronnie…Ronnie!" he said.

"We are not naming her Ronnie, Tristan."

"Fine, name her Veronica or something and I'll call her Ronnie. Yeah, Veronica Quinn Berry-Lopez. It sounds good, right?"

Santana smiled at Rachel, who nodded. "Quinn will be elated. She struck out three times on the whole 'getting a kid named for you' thing."

Tristan grinned proudly, and continued to rock the baby.

15 Years Later

All in all, the dinner had gone well. Her moms hadn't said or done anything too embarrassing, her brother and sister hadn't started showing off with magic, and Spencer had been the perfect gentleman all evening. Even her Mami was impressed. She was starting to relax by the time dessert rolled around.

"Why is there another plate?" she asked.

"We have one more stopping by for cake," Rachel said. It was obvious she was trying not to smirk.

"Who? Is it Aunt Quinn?" Ronnie asked excitedly.

"Um…no, not this time," Santana said.

"Then who –"

The doorbell rang, and then they heard the door open. A voice boomed along the passage.

"I'm home!"

"Oh god," Ronnie said, nervous again. She turned to the blonde boy at her side. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" he asked, completely confused.

Just then a man entered. He was large – at least six foot, eight, and two hundred and fifty pounds of what looked like pure muscle. He was dressed in Air Force fatigues and grinned broadly at them. "Just in time for dessert!" Tristan said. "Ronnie! Come give me a hug!"

Forgetting the fact that her brother was probably going to kill her boyfriend, Ronnie smiled and ran over to hug her brother. "I'm glad you're back," she said. "Tristan, this is Spencer. Spencer, my oldest brother, Tristan." She grabbed Tristan's shirt and hissed, "Be nice!"

Tristan laughed and pulled up a chair right next to the young boy. "So…I hear you're dating our Ronnie."

Spencer looked like he was about to wet himself. "Uh…yes…sir."

Santana smiled at Rachel. She, Santana, had taught the boy the art of intimidation, and he wore it very well.

Rachel smiled and shook her head. It was good to have the family together again.