Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or its characters (I wish!)
A/N: This is my first story in a long long time, my first about Glee and English is not my mother tongue. Thank you very much for all the reviews on the first chapter, I really appreciated them. Hope you enjoy this one too.
CHAPTER – 2
Both stand silent, not knowing how to react next.
Rachel's mind is thinking too fast as she looks Quinn up and down, making herself certain it IS her. She can make the lot of questions in her mind to stop so she can choose one to ask:
"When did she leave Lima? What is she doing here? This is Beth! She didn't give her up in adoption? She wanted to be so much more than a secretary. How is she doing? She looks very good. Is she dating Puck anymore? She doesn't wear a ring, so that means at least she is not married."
More or less the same was going through Quinn's mind at the same exact moment.
"What is she doing here? Is she in any problem? Did she know I work here and came to visit? Of course she didn't. Don't be ridiculous. She looks good. Why is she standing right there not moving? Why doesn't she say anything? The Rachel I knew would always have something to say, always! Ok… then come up with something"
Quinn starts to open her mouth, but the sound doesn't come out fast enough.
-Do you know my mommy? – little Beth enquires Rachel.
She lowers her eyes to look at the little blonde, smiles and slowly nods.
-Cool! – and she falls silent waiting for someone to articulate a word.
-Hi! – says finally Quinn – It's nice to see you.
Quinn takes a step forward and, after giving some thought, she extends her hand ready for a polite handshake.
-Hi! – Rachel walks the space that separates them, ignores Quinn's hand and gives her a little hug. A warmth feeling invading Quinn.
A few seconds away, the hug breaks apart and Rachel can't help but blush a little. She is always so impulsive. Even with the woman that used to torture her in high school. Although that was something Rachel had erased from her memories, because at the end she had discovered that Quinn was really a nice person and that were stupid high school things.
After years in New York, she can't help notice this city is bigger and people is colder. She isn't alone anymore, like when she first arrived, she now has friends, but still there is something about the people in her hometown that she really misses. Something Quinn has.
-How are you? How have you been? – Rachel asks her.
-Fine, I guess. And you? – Quinn asks, pretending she doesn't have a clue.
-I guess I've been fine too.
-Mommy - Beth claims attention – Rachel told me that she is going to get us tickets for her musical.
-You told her that? - Quinn asks suspiciously to Rachel.
-Yes, I did. – And now talking to Beth, she added. – And if you make your mum take you there early, I will show you the backstage and you will meet everyone.
-Thanks! – Beth shouts and hugs Rachel's legs. Then she turns around and says to her mum. – You see? I didn't make it up. – And she puts her tongue out to her mother.
Quinn looks at her daughter disapprovingly and back at Rachel.
-Thank you, Rachel. – She says and Rachel knows she really means it by the sincerity in her eyes.
Again, they fall silent and again, it's Beth the one to break it.
-Rachel wanted to see auntie, but I told her she's busy and she could wait for her or for you to come. – She said proudly.
Quinn remembers she works here and walks behind the desk.
-So did you come to see Brittany? – asks Quinn, clicking something on her computer.
-Who?
-Brittany… - says again Quinn, and starting to realize Rachel had no idea… - the lawyer!
-Auntie Brittany! – helps Beth.
-You're kidding me, right? – Quinn stares back at her trying not to laugh at her surprise – Brittany, your friend, the blonde cheerio. Brittany, the 'did you know dolphins are just gay sharks' Brittany?
Quinn bites her lip and laughs at the old quote.
-Yes. That Brittany. She's the owner of this firm, Robertson's & Co, one of the top firms in the city.
-Who would have thought that? I didn't even know Brittany had a second name… - they both laugh at the memories of high school.
-Do you want to talk to Brittany or would you prefer another of our lawyers?
-No, I think it'll be less awkward if I know somehow the lawyer.
- Ok, let's see… - Quinn watches for a while the screen – She can see you on Wednesday, at 5pm? It's the first appointment I can give you, she's real busy. Here – she takes a form and a pen – we need some of your personal information, such as a telephone number we can contact you at, just in case.
While Rachel writes down her information, Quinn takes a card from a drawer and writes something in the back. When they finish, they exchange the documents.
-Here you have a card with the office information.
-Thank you very much. My friend, the one who recommended this law firm, told me you have a huge waiting list… - she smiles and winks to Quinn.
-Well… we've made an exception. Don't tell anyone – she smiles back.
They both fall silent once again.
-So… - starts Rachel – see you on Wednesday?
-See you then. Have a nice weekend.
-You too.
-Goodbye Rachel! – says Beth.
-Goodbye Beth. I won't forget your tickets.
And so, she walks into the elevator.
-Mommy, how do you know a Broadway star?
-We want to high school together.
-Really? – Quinn nods – Cool! Was she your best friend?
-No, sweetie. Your aunties were.
-Auntie Brit and Auntie San?
-Yes – Quinn starts to remember those days at high school while Beth keeps talking.
How the three of them, in her cheerios uniform, walked down the aisles and made fun of everyone.
-You know what Mark Sheppard told me? That Aunties Brit and San weren't really my aunties.
How they tortured Rachel and she just put up with it. She tried to remember though, why in particular they liked to torture her so much.
-And you know what I told him? I asked him what his auntie did for him.
She had an awkward taste in fashion. She thought she sang better than anyone. She was screaming for a slushie in her face with every step…
-And he told me his auntie lives in Europe and he doesn't see her much.
But really, she knew that wasn't the truth, only stupid excuses. From a more mature perspective, she realizes that they kind of envied her.
-And then I told him that my aunties were better than his auntie even if they are not my real aunties. Right, mom?
Rachel Berry was one of the bravest person she's ever met. She didn't wait for her dream to catch her, she made it happen. Guess Quinn still envy her…
-Right? – Beth finally gets Quinn attention.
-Right sweetie.
Quinn gets back to her computer to type on Brittany's schedule the new appointment on Wednesday. She will have to talk to her and beg her to make it quick with the previous clients, though she knows it won't be difficult.
She takes the form Rachel filled out and examines it.
Name: Rachel H Berry
Address: Rushmore Hotel, room 15
She stops reading. Why does she live in a hotel room? And more important, what does the crossed H mean? A middle name she doesn't want anybody to know? Curiosity building up. She didn't ask her why she needs to consult a lawyer. Actually, it had crossed her mind earlier, but she considered she wasn't in the best place to ask.
She ends typing the information onto the computer file and takes out her mobile phone. She isn't sure why she's doing this but dials Rachel's number and saves it. As she clicks the 'OK' button, she smiles.