When the Fabray family got home Quinn immediately went to her pool house with Charlie. Zed ran out to greet them the grey and white husky's eyes look worried that his master hadn't come home earlier and he almost knocked Quinn over when he jumped on her.
"Ouch Zed calm down bro!" The blonde exclaimed laughing as she scratched the dog's head lovingly. Charlie stood a distance away dogs always scared her especially big dogs… Quinn seemed to sense her discomfort and beckoned her over.
"No Quinn I'm good here…"
"Char stop being silly he won't hurt you."
Charlie shook her head again Quinn stood up and motioned for Zed to sit. The younger Fabray went over and took Charlie's hand in her's. Slowly she approached Zed Charlie whined and tried to twist out of Quinn's grip but Quinn kept pulling her until they were within arms distance of the dog. Zed sat there patiently not moving his clear blue eyes were watching Quinn. Charlie tensed big dogs really did scare her.
"Charlie if we are going to be hanging out more then you're going to have to get used to Zed. He won't hurt you. Seriously he won't he's very gentle and kind." Quinn brought Charlie's hand in front of Zed so he could smell her. Zed sniffed her hand and seemed to be thinking about what to do next he stared at Charlie with his blue eyes and she was afraid she'd done something wrong for a second. Then Zed licked her hand gently before sitting down and staring at her. Charlie smiled, "See he likes you" Quinn said as she let go of Charlie's hand.
Charlie smiled slightly and followed Quinn and Zed into the pool house. Zed ran ahead and jumped onto the bed Quinn laughed.
"He thinks the bed is his," she explained shaking her head as she collapsed beside the large dog. Zed growled playfully and licked Quinn's face until she laughed and pushed him away. Charlie smiled at the two, they seemed so happy together. She hadn't been happy in a long time when was the last time she was really happy? She racked her brain Christmas? She had received a iPad and some clothes she had asked for. Quinn got a car because Charlie already had one. Her birthday? No that's when Quinn got Zed, she smiled. Their father had blindfolded Quinn and sat her in a chair, their mother brought in the puppy with a red bow tired around his neck. They tried to keep him quiet so Quinn wouldn't hear him but as soon as he saw Quinn he got excited and started barking and squirming.
"Is there a dog in here?" Quinn had asked as she removed the blindfold, Judy rolled her eyes and handed Quinn the puppy who jumped up and licked the blonde's face repeatedly until she pulled him away laughing. "Aw you guys got me a puppy? Really? I get to keep him?"
"Yes Quinnie you get to keep him now we have to puppies in the family."
Quinn didn't really hear him after he said yes she was hugging the puppy trying to come up with names. The final three were Zed, Seether, and Aladdin. Judy said no to Seether it was too long for a dog, and Russell said Aladdin would be shortened to Al which could confuse the dog. So he was named Zed and he and Quinn were basically inseparable other then when the blonde went to school. And even then Zed would wait patiently by the gate for his best friend to come home.
"Hey," Quinn called from the bed. Charlie looked up at her she hadn't realized that she had been staring at the floor. "Where'd you go a minute ago?"
"I was just thinking about when you got Zed last Christmas." Quinn laughed.
"I remember that I'm surprised you were able to keep it a secret from me for so long normally you cave after a few hours."
"I guess that just means I'm stronger than you think," Charlie said quietly. Quinn frowned, quiet was something Charlie rarely did.
"So are you going to tell me what's bothering you or do I have to weasel it out of you?"
"Nothing's bothering me," Charlie mumbled almost as if she was trying to convince herself.
"Char, you know you can come to me with anything. I won't judge you no matter what. You do know that right?" Charlie nodded.
"I should go you're probably tired," Charlie turned but Quinn grabbed her hand.
"Do you really want to go I'm alright I mean you don't look too hot yourself maybe you should stay with me tonight?" Charlie looked relieved and sat on the bed. Quinn stood and got her a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt. "I can take the floor I doubt you, me and Zed will fit on the bed."
"I think we can…"
"Have you seen the size of my bed?"
"Please…I don't wanna be alone tonight…it helps having you close to me." Quinn paused, Charlie had never been really touchy feely with her. But today she didn't really stop touching her not in a weird way but more than normal. Like crying into her chest at the hospital, holding her arm the ride home and now she was holding her hand as if she was afraid she'd disappear. Something was up most definitely but she wouldn't press it now. Her sister needed her and she was going to be whatever she needed.
"Well let me change and I'll be right back ok?" Charlie nodded and Quinn went to the bathroom to change. When Quinn came back in her boxers and a wife beater she saw Charlie looking at Zed who was snoozing on her pillows. Charlie scooted closer to him carefully and put her hand above his head for a few minutes unsure of what she was about to do. Then she lowered her hand and ran her fingers through the dog's fur. Zed moved into her a bit and Charlie smiled a real genuine smile which was something Quinn hadn't seen her do in over a year.
"I told you he doesn't bite," Quinn said as she sat on the bed. Charlie laughed
"He's really nice and he's cute when he's sleeping."
Quinn didn't respond her stomach was hurting and she was tired. She stretched out on the inside of the bed and closed her eyes.
"Um…could I have the inside?" Charlie asked timidly.
What the fuck since when was Charlie shy? Quinn opened her eyes and nodded sitting up so her twin could take the inside. Quinn lie back again but Charlie remained sitting up.
"He won't roll onto us Char its ok." Charlie lie down slowly as if she was afraid she'd wake the dog. "Are you ok are you cold or anything?" Quinn asked without opening her eyes. Charlie didn't answer instead she shifted so her head was on Quinn's chest and an arm was draped across her stomach. Quinn stiffened a bit, why was she so insistent on cuddling and with me of all people? Do sisters even cuddle like this? Charlie nuzzled into her sister's chest and let out a tired sigh. Quinn was very confused but she wrapped her arm around Charlie and rubbed her back.
"Quinntopher?"
Quinn smiled Charlie hadn't called her that since they were kids, "yes Charlie the pooh?"
"Why are stars so bright?"
"Because they reflect the smiles of all the people in the world Pooh."
Charlie yawned, "why's the moon so bright?" She murmured sleepily against Quinn's chest.
"The moon's bright because it reflects your smile, my smile, mom's smile, and dad's smile. And Zed's too." Quinn said sleepily.
"Quinntopher?"
"Yes Pooh?"
"Promise you won't leave me…ever?"
"I promise."
"Night Quinntopher."
"Night Pooh."
