Sunday, July tenth. The day Quinn Fabray's walls were shattered. Monday, July eleventh. The day Quinn Fabrays world was shattered.
Five minutes earlier:
'I'm going to sing it. I'll tell her I love her. I have to, there's no choice.' The former cheerleading captain was getting herself ready to sing to one person and one person only. She was short, brunette and possibly the most adorable thing ever.
She was also not in Glee yet. In fact, Quinn hadn't seen her all day. Maybe she wasn't here? No, she had to be. Rachel was always here, rain or shine.
The choir room slowly started filling as it reached four o'clock and there was still no sign of the diva. In fact, from the murmurs she could hear, no one had seen her.
Finally four came around and Mr. Schue walked in looking quite frantic. Somehow Quinn knew it was something to do with Rachel, something was wrong here.
"Guys, I have some bad news." Everyone in the room quietened, all wanting to know, but guessing it was something about sectionals.
"Last night, while Rachel was driving home she was in a car accident. Her injuries aren't life threatening but she did slip into a coma. The doctors aren't sure when she'll wake up but as of right now they're saying there's no obvious brain injuries."
An audible gasp was the general reaction from everyone, except Quinn who just sat silently, staring at nothing in particular.
"So, as a result of this news practice is cancelled today. Also, Rachel's dads have called me and asked me to tell you they would prefer if you guys wouldn't go visit. They want to make sure Rachel's ready before she has visitors."
Everyone half nodded, now not really listening anymore, instead hoping their friend was okay. Except Quinn, she knew exactly why Rachel was in hospital. It was because of her. She had to see the diva, there was no question. Regardless of what Rachel's dads said, she had to see the brunette.
Arriving outside the front of St. Rita's, Quinn easily found a parking space,but quickly found herself glued to the spot. Slowly she reached up and turned off the ignition and took off her seatbelt but remained stuck.
Eventually, after nearly half an hour she gathered her courage and got out of the car, only to find herself still scared and want wanting to get back in the car and drive home. But she couldn't, she needed to know Rachel would be okay; she needed the doctor to tell her.
The walk up to the hospital entrance was daunting, the normally calming cream coloured outside walls did nothing to put her at ease and then there was something she didn't think of, what if Rachel's dads were there?
She had never met the brunette's parents, but Quinn was sure they knew about her. After all, she had spent years tormenting their daughter. Would they kick her out? Ban her? Would they know that Rachel was on her way home from her house last night? Would they blame her?
The blonde's mind was abuzz as she reached the double glass doors, which slid open, granting her access. She immediatly walked to reception and blurted out her question before she lost her nerve. "Which room is Rachel Berry in, please?"
The receptionist calmly typed on her computer, used to dealing with anxious people. She found the name easily enough. "Room 237. The elevators are to your left." With a nod, Quinn began walking again, still not completely sure of herself.
Upon arrival to the doorway of one Miss. Rachel Barbara Berry's hospital room one quick glance through the glass in the door revealed that one of her father's was already in there with someone who looked like a doctor. Quinn knocked lightly before entering.
Rachel's father turned in his seat, his eyes were red from crying obviously. The blonde's voice was shaky and quiet. "Hi. I'm Rachel's friend from school."
Without a second of hesitation, the balding man got to his feet and pulled the girl into a tight hug. After the two stood there hugging for a minute Rachel's father seemed to realize how strange it must seem and pulled back, extending his hand this time.
"Hiram, I'm Rachel's father." Then with only a moment hesitation he gestured to the official looking man who was still at the end of Rachel's bed. ""And that's Leroy, he's my husband." Quinn just nodded, her words failing her. "And you are….."
Before she could respond there was a murmur from the bed, then a very clear word. "Quinn."
Hiram noticed when the former Cheerio's breath caught in her chest. "So, you're Quinn I take it?"
Once again Quinn nodded, unsure of how this would sit with the two men. But surprisingly enough the man in front of her just pulled her into another tight hug. "That's the only word she's been saying since we got here last night."
A tear made its way down the blonde's cheek when from the background Leroy spoke up. "Hiram, you're going to crush the poor girl. Let go of her and let her see her friend."
With another moment of realization, Rachel's father let go. "Of course." With her body back to herself, Quinn slowly made her way to where the brunette lay, murmuring her name.
Her attention was caught though when the two men started making their way to the door. "We'll give you a minute alone. We could use a coffee." Then with that, they were alone.
"Quinn." Her name was being spoken over and over again. "Quinn." So much so that it began to lose meaning. Who was 'Quinn' anyway? A collective group of sounds that people directed at her to get her attention? "Quinn." Then again in the end it doesn't matter, because as long as Rachel Berry was saying that group of sounds then Quinn Fabray would be right next to her.
It had been three days since Rachel's accident and two days since Quinn was last seen by the outside world. When he wasn't working, Hiram was by Rachel's bedside next to the ex-Cheerio, then when he was working it always seemed as if Leroy was as well, which meant that no matter what she'd have someone watching both her and Rachel.
The hospitality both men showed was unbelievable. They'd brought Quinn dinner each night; even when she declined out of politeness despite being hungry, Leroy organized a cot for the blonde to sleep in next to Rachel after realizing she wasn't going home until the brunette woke up and above all, both men gave her a hug when they arrived and then another hug when they left.
The love that the two men had for their daughter was amazing, more than Quinn had ever witnessed. It wasn't until the third night that she thought things were about to take a bad turn.
"So, what happened between you two?" Hiram sat next to Quinn, neither removing their gaze from Rachel as the brunette continued to mumble Quinn's name.
The question, whilst not stealing the blonde's gaze, did however catch her off guard. "Oh, uh. Well…" The pause was awkward, what was she going to say? 'Oh, well after torturing your daughter for years, we announced a truce then she came to my house, admitted she loved me and drove home crying when I rejected her.'? No, she couldn't say that.
"Don't worry, I know about your past with her and that you two decided to stop being horrid to each other a few weeks ago. But what I don't get is why is your name then only thing she's saying at the moment?"
