Chapter 1
2014
"This is probably the coldest Lima has been since I could remember." The cold air came out of her mouth just as she finished her sentence. She couldn't help but let go of her husband's hand and rub her arms with her mitten covered hands as they walk to the car. Sam opened the door for her before going to his side to get inside the car. "We should probably grab some hot chocolate before we get home. I'm gonna need some of that warmth to get over this weather."
"Of course. With extra marshmallows and cinnamon just the way you like it." Sam leaned and gave his wife a kiss on the lips before starting the engine. "But you know what's warmer than hot chocolate?" He asked as he pulled back, hinting her with his charming smirk. Rachel just shook her head and smiled back.
"A hot and steamy anniversary sex," he whispered, just before giving her a more passionate and deeper kiss. Rachel couldn't help but giggled at her husband teasing so she played along with it and pulled him closer, making their kiss even more intimate. Rachel didn't mind making out in the car so she just kept kissing and kissing her husband until she lost her breath. Sam was willing to do it in the car but both of them know they'll freeze to death if they take even just one piece of their clothing off of themselves. Being the less adventurous one, Sam pulled back. "Okay, we need to get those hot chocolates before the store closes. We'll save some of those kisses for later."
Sam started driving while Rachel gave her comments about the movie they just saw. It was another chick flick Sam had to sit through because his wife wanted to. Not that he got bored with it but Rachel loved it so a part of him enjoyed the movie as well.
"The ending was kind of a bummer, though. They were still married but they didn't end up together. What kind of a message is that?" Rachel ranted.
"Well, marriage doesn't really mean happy ending. I mean, Douglas Booth's character only married Jennifer Lawrence's character because he got her pregnant. He was in love with Emma Stone the entire film. I think he did the right thing by leaving her in the end." Sam disagreed, giving his comments.
"But they have a child! What's going to happen to the child's growth without a father?"
Sam chuckled, hearing the frustration in his wife's voice. She really took these things seriously and Sam just finds it adorable. "Okay. Can you imagine the child growing up and seeing his father love him but not his mother? That's worse, babe. Totally worse for the child."
Rachel gave up arguing and leaned back on her seat, trying to relax herself. She shook her head and looked at the window. "Whatever. That movie needs a part 2 or else I will personally go to Los Angeles and talk to the director." She let out a big sigh, ending the topic already.
Their car went to a stop when Sam brightened his lights and saw that the road they were on was closed. A construction was on going so they had to take the other way to get to the store. Sam turned the car around and drove to the other street which wasn't familiar to him.
"Do you know where you're going, babe?" Rachel asked, confused with their direction as she's never taken the other way before too.
"Nope but I'll figure it out. Don't worry." He tried to look at the signs and roads as to where the store was. He wouldn't say that they were lost but he wasn't sure which side to go to get to their destination. He was going straight until he finally saw the flickering sign of the store on the left. "Aha! There it is."
Rachel saw a sign by the corner of the street that Sam probably didn't see so she told her husband about it. "Sam, it says no left turn. We have to make a u-turn by the end of the street."
"No, it's fine. There's no traffic aid. No one will notice." As fast as he could, Sam didn't even bother signaling and just drove to the left. He thought he could get away with it but no. The truck was faster than him. All he saw was a bright light and just before Rachel could scream, the truck hit his side of the car and it flew to the end of the street. Everything happened very fast as both Sam and Rachel immediately became unconscious.
Xxx
Quinn stretched and rolled around the bed, not really wanting to get up. Last night's celebration got her really tired. One of the reasons she wanted to stay in bed is that it was her birthday. She opened her eyes, realizing she was a lone in the room and that's when she found a reason to get up - Where's her man?
She jumped up the bed, trying to process what happened last night. They were at the party. She was drunk by the time she blew her candle. They went home at 2 in the morning and had sex before she completely passed out. Quinn heard music from the outside and thought she must've brought home the party from last night. She grabbed any clothing she could find on the floor and put it on before walking out the room. Finally, she found him. Restaurant owner and business man, Biff McIntosh enjoying the kitchen by himself. Other than Quinn's bed, the kitchen is probably Biff's favorite place to be. Being a restaurant owner, he loves experimenting recipes and just simply cooking for Quinn. His taste changed when he met Quinn and her weird food combination.
Sneaking up from behind, Quinn wrapped her arms around her man and gave his shoulder a light kiss. "Have I told you how New York is better when you're here?" She teased, just inhaling the sweet scent of her boyfriend. Biff turned around and gave her a big birthday hug. "About 6 or 7 times now, yes." He replied with a small chuckle. His hands cupped her face as his lips pressed onto hers a couple of times. "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart. I love you." He greeted with another peck on the lips. "Sit down. I made your favorite breakfast." Quinn smiled, leaving that as her thank you before pulling a chair on the dining table to sit on.
Although Quinn knew what he made, she felt very excited about it. Having a boyfriend who loves to cook made her rearrange her diet and eating habits. She knew how much Biff didn't like her favorite breakfast but since it's her birthday, she was excused for the day. Biff set down the plate in front of her and she couldn't help but smile so big. "Ham and Cheese Omelette with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate Syrup, sprinkles and marshmallow, just the way you like."
Quinn let out a moan and squeals just when she saw her food. "Thank you so much. I haven't eaten this in a long time. I'm gonna have to add another hour in the gym tomorrow after this." She playful joked as she started munching on her breakfast.
"That's not all. I have a bigger surprise for you." Biff went to the counter and looked for something when he remembered something. "Oh and your phone has been ringing non-stop since I woke up. Probably just some people who wanted to greet you."
Quinn ignored everything he's been saying as she was enjoying her time with her omelette. Biff sat beside her who was holding a laptop with a smirk on his face. Quinn stopped eating and confusedly looked at him. "What? Don't tell me you got me that laptop 'cause I've had that since 5 months ago." She giggled, still feeling weird at the guy's actions.
"I tried to check my mail when I woke up but when I opened your browser, this came up." He placed the laptop on the table, in front of her and showed the New York Times Best Seller list of book per category. Quinn started tearing up even before she started reading the list. She felt so overwhelmed that she just covered her face, trying to hold her tears so Biff took the liberty of reading it for her.
"As of today, number one on their list is a book called 22 Signs He's not Worth It by Quinn Fabray. Do you know who that is? I heard she's an amazing writer so I think she really deserves that number one spot." Biff joked and Quinn just kept crying and crying tears of joy. All the blood, sweat and tears she has poured onto that book and now, all her hard work was paid off. She stood up and just embraced her boyfriend, sharing the success she just received with him. She kept whispering thank you and I love you to him and Biff couldn't be more proud of her. "Well, as long as the book's not about me then I'm happy for you." He joked again, spinning her around as they both laughed it out. He brought her back to her feet and prepared her for another bigger birthday surprise.
"Okay. I have my book with me and I was hoping I could get it signed."
"Yeah, sure. Of course." She giggled, sitting back on her chair as Biff grabbed the book from the counter and gave it to Quinn with a pen. She opened it became speechless when she saw a beautiful diamond ring taped on the first page of the book. Suddenly, Biff knelt in front of her and she knew what was about to happen.
"We've been together for about a year and a half now. You said you wanted to get married when you're 26 so that when you have kids, you'll still be young enough to play with them." Quinn cried even more than she already has as she continued to listen to Biff's speech. "Well, today you turned 26 so I was hoping you'd say yes to my proposal." He detached the ring from the book and held her hand. "Will you marry me, Quinn Fabray?"
Quinn nodded her head multiple times, letting him know her answer through her actions. She was too speechless with everything that has happened and it wasn't even noon yet. She wrapped her arms around her now fiancée before sharing a kiss as a newly engaged couple. She gave him her hand so he could slide the ring on her finger and make it official.
They celebrated for a couple of moments when Quinn's phone started ringing again. Biff suggested for her to answer her calls first before people start thinking she's a snob. At first she didn't want to but when her phone wouldn't stop ringing, she finally got up and checked who it was.
"Santana, you greeted me last night. You don't have to repeat it today." She joked, answering the phone.
"Oh, shut it, birthday girl. I will greet you as many times as I want." The Latina laughed back at her. "So I heard… NUMBER ONE!" She almost shouted, feeling ecstatic for the girl. She's been her best friend since the third grade and no one knows Quinn better than Santana. Sometimes, Santana knows Quinn better than Quinn herself. "I'm so happy for you, girl. That is one heck of a birthday gift."
"I know, I know. I cried for a couple of minutes when I saw it. Although, I got another gift which is bigger than that." Quinn knew she had to tell Santana as early as that. Her smile beginning to grow the way it did early but Santana probably didn't have a clue on what it was.
"What could be bigger than a New York Times Best Selling book?"
"I'm engaged!" She shouted that Biff heard it and had to smile when he saw her jumping with her phone on her ear. Santana, on the other line, started screaming as well. The ladies were basically just making loud noises at each other as a sign of pure happiness and excitement.
"I'm so happy for you! When did he propose? I didn't see it last night! I was probably too drunk to even be aware of what was happening!"
"Just this morning. It was simple but sweet. I really didn't expect it but I already knew what I was gonna say months ago so…" Quinn screamed again. Her happiness was just too much that she couldn't be kept still. "I need to see you. You need to see the ring. It's so beautiful."
"Yes, of course. I actually called you because I needed to talk to you…in person."
"Uhh… Sounds serious but okay. How about lunch? I'll meet you at the Blue Hill." Both agreed and hung up. Quinn went back to the dining table where Biff was. Santana's tone made her a bit curious on what she wanted to talk about but she was too happy with her fiancé to even think what it could be about. Biff had to pick her mother up at the airport so Quinn had enough time during lunch to spend with her best friend. The couple decided to just meet up later that day for dinner to celebrate all the birthday girl's success.
Xxx
Santana got there earlier than Quinn so she ordered for the both of them. Just as the waiter left, Quinn arrived. The two girls gave each other a hug as Quinn showed her beautiful engagement ring to her best friend. Santana doesn't know the whole story yet so Quinn gave her all the details on what happened that morning. They continued chatting even when their food came. A few minutes later, Quinn remembered Santana's real purpose of meeting with her.
"So, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" She asked, finishing off her plate of pasta.
"Oh, yeah. Now's really not the time to talk to you about this but it's kind of urgent." She paused and Quinn read her face. It was something serious. Maybe it's about family or something that important. "Puck called me this morning."
"Noah Puckerman? Your ex-boyfriend?"
Santana nodded while taking a sip from her water. "Sam's best friend."
Quinn became quiet when she heard that very familiar name that she hasn't heard or said for years. Her face suddenly became awkward and Santana noticed it. One thing about Quinn is that she's very used to avoiding things she doesn't really want to talk about. "What did Puck say? Did he run out of girls to fool or something?" She jokingly asked with a little giggle.
"Quinn, it's about Sam. I know you're not comfortable talking about him but he really needs your help. His family needs your help."
Quinn bit her lip and looked down on her food, not sure on how to react. "You know Sam and I ended everything after college graduation. And it was not a good ending. No one knows why we broke up but you. I'm sure he didn't even tell his family that's why they had the guts to ask for my help." Quinn sighed as she lost her appetite to finish her lamb chop.
"It's not his actual family, Quinn. His family as in his wife."
Every nerve in Quinn's body awakened. She didn't know Sam was married. She lost all connections she had with him the moment they broke up but she thought she'd find out about being married in a different way than this. Proving that she's the Queen of not giving any shit, she just laughed. "His wife? Why would his wife ask for my help? Why do they have to bother someone who's having a perfect life 500 miles away from them when they could just solve their marriage problems with themselves?"
"Look, Sam and his wife got in a car accident last week. The wife survived but Sam was in a coma for 4 days. When he woke up, he lost his memory and what he remembers is that it's college graduation day. The day you guys broke up. What he knows is that you're still together." Quinn could feel the chills in her skin as Santana continued her story. "When he woke up, he couldn't remember his wife. He was looking for you."
"What do you want me to do? Go there and tell him it's been 4 years since we broke up? I wouldn't want to be the cause of the guy's mental breakdown!"
Santana shook her head and reached for Quinn's hand to calm her down. "His parents are coming back to Lima today. Sam doesn't want to talk to anyone but you. He kept telling Puck to look for you. They tried to tell him that it's been four years and that you two are no longer together but he refuses to believe anyone. The doctor suggests you show up and help him remember and understand everything he's missing out. His family agreed and so did his wife. His wife was feeling very desperate for any help they could get."
"You mean tell him why we broke up? He'd hate me more than he did four years ago." Quinn's eyes started tearing up but she wiped it immediately. She was stronger than this and she wasn't gonna cry on her special day because of something that happened four years ago.
"That's the thing, Quinn. No one knows why you broke up. It's time to change the past. Just tell him…you two didn't work out or something. Just make it easier for him until he could get back on his feet and go back to his wife then you can go back to your fiancé and forget about Lima."
"I… I can't do it, Santana." She finally let the tears fall on their own. "He'll remember everything once he sees me. He's gonna remember everything. I can't relive that day all over again."
"What if he doesn't? Just give it a try, Quinn. One week. That's all they ask. It's not like you're gonna get back together with him. You're just going to help him understand that you're not together anymore. His family really needs your help. You were his girlfriend for 8 years. You're practically family to them."
Quinn covered his face and tried to rub the side of her head. She was stressing so much about it. She wanted to do it because she wanted to help Sam. After everything that happened between them, this was the least she could do for him. She didn't want to do it because she was afraid. Coming back meant facing everything she ran away from for four years.
"I'll go with you. I'm not gonna let you do this alone." Santana added to encourage the girl in making a decision.
"Okay, fine. I'll go. When are we leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning. I'll book us a flight back to Lima." Quinn just nodded, finishing her drink before letting out a big sigh.
"You'll be fine. I got your back." Santana gave the girl a warm smile to calm her down. Quinn nodded, putting her entire trust on her with this silly plan she agreed on.
Xxx
The newly engaged couple met up for dinner and Quinn knew she had to tell her fiancé about her plans the next morning. It wasn't really that easy to tell your current boyfriend who is now your fiancé that you are going back to your hometown to help your boyfriend of 8 years who thinks you're still together, understand that you are no longer together. She didn't want to keep secrets from him, though. Like she said, no one knew why they broke up and Quinn wanted to keep it that way until she dies. She had her reasons and she's not one to dwell in the past so she'd rather not talk about it.
"You okay?" Biff suddenly asked, noticing the tension forming on his fiancé's face.
Quinn smiled and nodded. "I have something to tell you. I need to go back to Ohio tomorrow."
"Really? Thought you didn't want to go back there ever again?"
"Yeah, well… Some things came up and… I just have to." It was on the tip of her tongue, ready to confess, but she managed to stop herself again.
"What things?" Biff asked, taking a bite from his roasted chicken.
"I don't want to hide things from you, Biff. I love you, so I'm just gonna say it." She exhaled and closed her eyes. "I'm going back to Lima because Sam needs my help."
Biff stopped eating and just looked at her. "Sam? Your ex-boyfriend?"
"Yeah and I was hoping you could come with me. Santana and I are going but I want you to-"
"What kind of help?" He asked without emotions and it made Quinn even more scared.
"He got into an accident and the last thing he could remember was graduating college. He thought I was still his girlfriend but-"
The sound of Biff's utensils stopped her from speaking. The guy obviously lost his appetite with what she said and Quinn couldn't blame him. He just stared at Quinn like she was some retarded speaking an unknown language.
"Hear me out, babe. He has a wife and his wife needs my help. He needs to talk to me because he doesn't believe we're not together anymore. He needs to hear it directly from me. I know it's not something you want to hear that's why I was hoping you could come with me and see it for yourself." She felt like she was already begging for his forgiveness when she hasn't really done anything yet. She understood his reaction, anyway. If she was in his shoes, she'd probably feel the same way and act even worse than what Biff was showing right now. "I just want to help him. Please understand."
He remained quiet for a while, trying to gather his thoughts. A few seconds later, he smiled a little at her and reached for her hand. "I trust you, Quinn. I love you and you love me. That's all I need. It's Christmas season so I can't come with you. I'm gonna be really busy going back and forth from here and LA. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Quinn smiled, feeling relieved that her fiancé understood her. He was simply the best and she couldn't ask for more. "I'll just be gone for a week. That's enough time to…help him and catch up with some old friends. I promise, I'll be home for Christmas."
"I'll be here." Biff smiled, kissing the back of her hand as the two went back to their meals. It's gonna be a long day for Quinn the next day so she tried as much as she can not to think about it yet and just focus on spending her birthday dinner with her fiancé.
I'M BACK! HOPE YOU ENJOYED THAT! PLEASE DO WRITE A REVIEW IF YOU ENJOYED IT AND WANT ME TO CONTINUE! I PROMISE THIS TIME I WILL TRULY CONTINUE IT IF YA'LL LIKED IT! HAHAHAHAHAHA. READ, REVIEW AND SHARE! LOVE LOTS!
