CHAPTER 1
Quinn peered into the smudged mirror, rubbing her eyes. She knew that the mirror wasn't exactly lying to her, but it was hard to believe that the worn-out girl she saw reflected in the glass surface was really Quinn Fabray. Dark hollows had formed under tired eyes, and a face that was usually pleasant, rounded oval shape had taken on a gaunt, angular contour. Her hair was still blond, but it seemed muted, as though, it, too, wanted to give up, and her blue eyes looked dull and flat.
Quinn ran her fingers over her face numbly. Had taking care of Beth, her own, dear, sweet Perfect Thing, robbed her of her beauty as well as her time? She sighed pulled her dress over her head, examining her body long enough to register that her ribs were beginning to show in a way that was not entirely flattering before she stepped into the bathtub.
The steaming-hot water relaxed her almost immediately, and she closed her eyes and dipped her head underwater. Her blond hair fanned out behind her, making her feel lighter, carefree. Quinn held her breath, stretching out the time until she had to resurface by one second, two, three, four...Quinn broke the surface of the water and wrung out her wet hair, then lathered it with shampoo. She rinsed it until she was sure it was as clean as it had been in weeks, then massaged a dime-sized amount of deep conditioner into it. She sighed as she leaned back against the cold, slippery rim of the tub. It'd been a while since she'd felt head-to-toe clean.
Quinn was about to reach for the damp copy of People magazine lying on the floor when Puck burst into the room, juggling a screaming Beth and an empty baby bottle. Puck's brow was creased in concern, and he was humming softly, trying to calm the fussy baby. "Quinn!" Puck said, completely ignoring the fact that she was naked, to Quinn's mixed relief and disappointment. "Can you take the baby?" Puck asked, shoving Beth at Quinn, and Quinn noticed for the first time that Puck looked stressed, too. The sleepless nights had taken a toll on his handsome face, and his cheeks were hollow. There were dark circles under his eyes.
Beth, on the other hand, was round-faced and healthy. Quinn sighed and stood reluctantly, slipping on her fluffy white robe, and took Beth from Puck. "Shhh... Shhh..." she crooned, pressing Beth to her chest. "Get your guitar." She addressed Puck without looking up from Beth. Obediently, he left the room, closing the door behind him.
He was back in a half a second with his shiny wooden guitar. Quinn sat down on the edge of the tub, rocking Beth in her lap, and she closed her eyes as Puck began to strum the soft opening chords of Beth's favorite song.
So long, I've been looking too hard, I've been waiting too long
Sometimes I don't know what I will find, I only know it's a matter of time
When you love someone, when you love someone
It feels so right, so warm and true, I need to know if you feel it too
Quinn felt tears welling in her eyes as Beth reached out a tiny hand to curl around Quinn's finger. Puck's voice rose as he neared the chorus, the part of the song that always gave Quinn goosebumps.
Maybe I'm wrong, won't you tell me if I'm coming on too strong
This heart of mine has been hurt before, this time I wanna be sure
I've been waiting for a girl like you to come into my life
I've been waiting for a girl like you, your loving will survive
I've been waiting for someone new to make me feel alive
Yeah, waiting for a girl like you to come into my life
Beth's crying, already softer, stopped altogether as Puck sang the chorus, and Quinn let her tears fall. Beth yawned as a salty drop landed on her cheek and stretched out her pudgy arms. Quinn stroked her strawberry hair, fine and soft as corn silk.
You're so good, when we make love it's understood
It's more than a touch or a word can say
Only in dreams could it be this way
When you love someone, yeah, really love someone
Beth closed her eyes, and Quinn kissed her cheek. She waited for Puck to finish his song, but he kept going, and Quinn new that he was singing to her now.
Now I know it's right, from the moment I wake up till deep in the night
There's nowhere on earth that I'd rather be than holding you tenderly
I've been waiting for a girl like you to come into my life
I've been waiting for a girl like you, your loving will survive
I've been waiting for someone new to make me feel alive
Yeah, waiting for a girl like you to come into my life
Quinn tried to suppress her sobs, but they bubbled from her mouth in tiny, soft, involuntary noises.
I've been waiting, waiting for you, ooh, I've been waiting
I've been waiting
(I've been waiting for a girl like you, I've been waiting)
Won't you come into my life?
Puck drew out the last word, and when he set his guitar down, Quinn buried her face in his chest. Puck took Beth from her and set her on his lap, then wrapped his arms around Quinn as she cried. He stroked her hair as if soothing a puppy.
Quinn didn't know how long she cried, but when she finally raised her tear-stained face, Beth was sleeping peacefully on Puck's lap. She rubbed her eyes and stood, picking Beth up in her arms. Quinn left Puck to put his guitar away and walked to Beth's room, kissing Beth's silky hair before gently laying her in her cradle. She stood there for a moment, watching Beth's peaceful breathing. "My perfect little thing." Quinn whispered, and switched off the light.