A New Life

17.

(Santana's POV)

(Four days later..)

Today is the day, Grace and I leave for London. I clocked out of my last shift at the hospital last night. It was more emotional than I thought it would be. I assumed everyone would have gotten their feelings and crying out the way at the party the other night but clearly not. It's 6:00am, the sun is rising and I look out of my bedroom window and this spectacular view one last time. I decided to not sell the house, I am putting it on the market to lease. I am not jinxing myself but you never know what might happen in the future, it is always good to have a security blanket.

"Mmmm...happy moving day babe." Grace stirs awake kissing me on my cheek. "Happy moving day." I say kissing her back. "What time is it?" she asks through an almighty yawn. "Just gone 6:00am" I say. "Ugh, we got to move. The guys will be here at 7 to pack up the last of our big furniture." Grace reluctantly peels herself from the bed and heads into the shower. I can hear the laughter of my kids coming from down the hallway. That's my own cue to leave my bed. I slip into my robe and take the short journey down the hallway to my kids. "Morning guys!" All three of them all come running towards me, wrapping their little arms around my legs, Mateo's around my waist. "Do you and Grace fly on that big plane today Mami, over the ocean?" Izan asks me, from the excitement in his voice I assume he doesn't realise I won't be coming back. He can't see any further than the fact I'm flying on a plane, which is something he loves to do. "Sure am buddy!" Mateo suddenly loosens his grip around me and let's go, walking off to his balcony. I can sense he is upset.

"Hey guys, won't don't you go find Grace okay? I think she might be downstairs now." I say to Sofia and Izan who toddle off hand in hand in search of Grace. I watch Mateo on the balcony, he's leant against the railings, looking down to the pool. His body language is defeated. This will be a tough conversation I'm sure, but my baby boy needs it. "Hey.." I rub Mateo's back as I join him on the balcony. "Hey" he says meekly. "What's up?" I ask casually, trying to put him at ease a bit to open up. "I get what's going on Yanno? Those two might not, but I do." Mateo says in a slightly annoyed tone. "Get what baby?" I ask again. "I get that you and Mom are divorced because mom cheated, I get that you're with Grace now and you're moving to London, I get that we aren't a family any more! Those guys don't get what's going on Mami, but I do...and it....IT SUCKS!" Mateo starts crying, I pull him in close to me. "Listen to me...no matter what has happened or what may happen, we will always be family. It doesn't matter whether I am down the street or in another part of the world. You feel this?" I take Mateo's hand and place it over his heart. "You feel it beating?" He nods. "For as long as your heart is beating, I am always with you. I made you, you are a part of me. And for as long as you exist, I do too. Okay?" I can see him trying to hold his tears back as he just lunges forward for a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around me. "Come on, let's go find your brother and sister..."

(Brittany's POV)

It's been a few days since Santana's leaving party at work and the communication between the two of us has been super limited. It's been weighing heavy on my mind, I hope she really isn't about to up sticks and leave the country without a proper goodbye. I've got to leave in about an hour to go and collect the kids, Jax offered to come with me, but I figured it was best he stayed here. There is so much I want to say to Santana, so many things I want to thank her for, to say sorry for. I can't leave it unsaid. But if she doesn't give me the opportunity to, then there must be a reason why.

---

It's time for me to leave, I sit on the couch and put my sneakers on. My bag is on my lap and my car keys are in my hand, but I can't bring myself to move off the couch and leave. Because as soon as I do that, it means I have to get into my car and drive to Santana's, which means all of this suddenly becomes too real and I have to say bye in some capacity for what could be several months, I find myself staring off into to space, I didn't even realise Jax has walked into the room. It wasn't until I feel the presence of his hand on my shoulder, I am brought back down to earth. "You good?" Giving my shoulder a squeeze. "Uh yeah..I-I'm good." I say rather unconvincingly. "Haven't you got to leave?" Jax asks me. "Yeah" I say, letting out a big dreaded sigh. "You've got this." Jax leans in and kisses me on my cheek.