Hello everyone! I have not written a fic in about a year or two and today I was hit with sudden inspiration. I will continue this story if people like it, but updates could be sporadic since I am in school. I am so excited for this new journey and I hope everyone enjoys it!
-Ashlee :)
Chapter One
It was Rachel's first day as a nanny and she could not contain her excitement. Her last nanny gig didn't work out so well. It was the Johnson family. Isabelle was six and little Aaron had just turned four. Those kids were some of the sweetest and lovable children you'd ever meet.
Sadly, Rachel's time as their primary caregiver was brought to an end when one afternoon a year ago. Mr. Johnson came home early from work and tried to hit on Rachel. When she denied his advances well, we'll get to that later. Mrs. Johnson returned home to find Rachel half-naked and barely conscious while Mr. Johnson swearing on his life he was the one who was seduced. Rachel had to say goodbye to Isabelle and Aaron after being in their lives for a long four years. Rachel was devastated and with the help of her father, tried to press charges against Mr. Johnson for sexual assault. However, with him being one of the most successful defense attorneys in New York City, she wouldn't have stood a chance.
Since then, Rachel has made money by teaching a music class twice a week at the most prestigious preschool in Manhattan.
Rachel was on her way to the McIntosh house. Biff McIntosh inherited his father's empire, McIntosh Enterprises. Biff is married to beautiful philanthropist and renowned author, Quinn Fabray McIntosh. Quinn was the most beautiful woman Rachel had ever seen. She had never been lucky enough to witness her beauty in person, but the back cover of Quinn's novels and countless magazines sufficed. The McIntosh's only have one little gem, Claire. Little Claire is only three years old, but has been featured countless times for astounding intelligence. Claire has the reading skills of a six-year-old and social skills of an eight-year-old, but remains in the same preschool because her peers are almost on that level.
Rachel approached the apartment building and was greeted by a very friendly doorman.
"Hi there, I am here to see the McIntosh family," Rachel said with her hand stretched out.
"Why hello there! You must be Ms. Berry. My name is Charles; it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh have been expecting you. They are very excited to meet their new nanny. Follow me to the elevator and my colleague Brian will bring your bags."
Rachel followed Charles to the elevator, which was even more fabulous than her entire apartment that she shared with Kurt and Blaine for the past year.
The elevator dinged to signal their arrival to the penthouse and Rachel's stomach churned with excitement and anticipation.
When Rachel stepped off the elevator she was met with a beautifully decorated apartment. The aroma of apple cinnamon immediately hit her senses. The living room was right in her line of sight. It was filled with a fabulous white couch adjacent to a floral chair that was clearly for Quinn. It had her aesthetics written all over it and she may or may not have read the feature on her home in Instyle magazine.
Rachel heard the clank of designer heels approaching her heart instantly began to race. Then and there she was met with one of the most beautiful smiles she has ever seen. Quinn was dressed in a hot pink pendulum dress with light pink designer shoes. Her hair was up in an elegant bun and had on the most fabulous jewelry she's ever seen in person.
"Hello, you must be Rachel Berry. I am so glad you are finally here," Quinn said while extending her hand.
"Hello, Mrs. McIntosh it is a pleasure to meet you. I am a huge fan of your book series and the countless charities you organize," Rachel said almost in one long string of words.
"Oh, please Rachel call me Quinn. As for your flattery it is always welcome here, isn't that right Charles?" Quinn said in her natural flirtatious nature.
"Ah, yes. Mrs. McIntosh never misses a chance to receive compliments," Charles laughed.
"Well you are not wrong. Thank you Charles, you may return to your post and have Lola put Rachel's bags in her room upstairs," Charles nodded with a smile and headed towards the elevator to go downstairs. "Now Rachel, I'm so sorry Biff could not be here to greet you, but he has a very important business meeting."
"Oh that is perfectly fine Mrs.—I mean Quinn. I understand how important his business is."
"Why thank you Rachel. Let's go upstairs and meet Claire, then I'll leave you to get acquainted with your room and freshen up for dinner."
"That sounds lovely."
Quinn led Rachel upstairs and it took everything in Rachel's power not to stare for too long, so she decided to just admire her surroundings.
"Oh Quinn, I love your paintings!"
Quinn giggled at Rachel's constant enthusiasm and stopped when they both reached the top of the stairs, "Thank you Rachel. As a little housewarming gift, how about later tonight you pick out your favorite from my collection and we can hang it up in your room."
Rachel stared in awe, "Are you serious?" Quinn nodded with a soft smile, "Thank you so much! I'm going to hug you now," Rachel gave Quinn a quick squeeze and backed away.
Quinn can't deny she enjoyed the woman's embrace. "It's really no trouble at all. Now, let's meet my pride and joy, Claire," Quinn opened the door to her child's room.
The room was filled with pink, chiffon, and toys beyond anyone's wildest dreams. In the center of the room sat a beautiful little girl with blonde hair in two pigtails, wearing a lavender jumpsuit while reading the classic "Junie B. Jones." Claire turned around when she heard her mother clear her throat.
"Sorry mommy, I wanted to see if I could get to chapter two all by myself and I almost did, but I got stumped by a few words," Claire finished with a slight frown.
Quinn approached her daughter and kneeled down next to her, "Oh baby, that's okay. I am so incredibly proud of you for trying on your own. That's a very big accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself," Quinn kissed her daughter on the head.
"Thank you, mommy" Claire reached up and gave Quinn a big hug.
Rachel was quite surprised for the love and compassion Quinn has for her daughter. Rachel had been a nanny for six years and she was very familiar with mothers who talked to their children twice a day and kissed them once and that was it. Rachel should have known that Quinn would be different.
Quinn got up and pulled Claire with her, "Claire, baby, this is Rachel, your new nanny. Why don't you say hello?"
"Hi Rachel, it is very nice to meet you. I'm Claire, but I'm sure you already know that," the little girl said with a giggle.
Rachel kneeled down to get to the girl's level, "It's very nice to meet you as well. I am very excited to get to know you. We are going to have a lot of fun together."
Claire was beaming, she loved Rachel already and she had just met the woman.
"Alright baby, I am going to go show Rachel her new room. Go ahead and get freshened up for dinner," Quinn turned her attention to the doorway, "Lola could you get Claire ready for dinner?"
The maid hastily walked in and gave a quick smile to Rachel, "Yes, Miss Quinn."
Quinn led Rachel down the hall two rooms and to the right. "Here is your room." Quinn turned on the lights and Rachel was led to a quaint room with beige walls and a queen bed.
"The bathroom is connected to your room and Lola brings fresh towels every morning. If you would like to paint the room, just leave your swatches with the colors of choice on my desk in my office downstairs. There is cable in here and a DVD player underneath the dresser. If you need anything just ask," Quinn finished with a smile.
"Wow Quinn, this is great. Thank you."
"No problem, Rachel, I will see you down for dinner in an hour? I hope chicken parmesan is okay with you."
Rachel nervously shifted her eyes, "I'm so sorry, I thought I mentioned it in my application, I'm a vegetarian."
"Oh of course, I alerted the chef of your dietary needs, there is eggplant parmesan for you. There is no way I could've forgotten a single word on your application Rachel," Quinn said with a wink and a smile. Quinn walked out with an extra sway in her hips and Rachel thought she was going to lose it.
Rachel plopped down in her bed and started to hum "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" from Annie.
Rachel was very anxious to meet Biff in person, but was confident that Quinn's presence would make everything okay. She could not wait to get to know this family a little better.