Christmas Eve

The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time for all. However, inside the Berry house it was a different story. Sure, Quinn and Rachel were getting along with no major issues, but there was still slight tension between the pair. Tension that was mostly caused because the girls were not entirely sure what to say to one another. Rachel had forgiven Quinn, and the secret of Rachel's nightmares had finally came to light, but they continued to feel as though they were walking on egg shells around another in hopes of not causing a rift between them.

Brittany and Santana had decided to leave the girls be for a few days following Rachel's "intervention", and were off spending the holidays with their own families and each other.

Shelby had messaged the girls a few times to check on them and to make sure that everything was going as well as could be expected. She was keeping her word and respecting the girls need for privacy and not pushing her way into their lives.

Quinn and Rachel were cuddled together on the couch with the fireplace roaring as they watched the snow fall outside. The Christmas tree was perched in the corner of the room, brightly lit up. Underneath was Quinn's presents from the Berry men, gifts from each other, Shelby, Santana, and Brittany. Everyone had exchanged gifts the previous day, with the agreement to open them Christmas morning.

Quinn was reclined back against the arm rest of the couch while Rachel's back was pressed into her front with her head on Quinn's chest. Quinn had her arms wrapped around Rachel, their hands linked together on Rachel stomach as Rachel hummed along to the quiet Christmas music playing on the radio.

"Hey Rach, do you think maybe we should talk about what's going on between us? We're only speaking when we have to, and it just feels awkward and forced. We need to talk if we want this to work. No more of this tip-toeing around each other crap. It didn't work last time, and it's not going to work this time either."

Rachel bit her lip as she thought. She knew Quinn was right, but that didn't make it much easier. "I know we need to. I'm just not sure what to say honestly."

"Lets just start simple, okay? Hi, I'm Quinn Fabray. I've been living with you, Rachel Berry, my girlfriend, for about a month now."

Rachel couldn't help but giggle at Quinn's statement. But, she would be lying if she said it didn't make her feel better. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Quinn. I wasn't sure who this person that has been living with me was. It's nice to finally know."

Quinn smiled at Rachel's playful tone. She'd missed that side of Rachel more than she realized and finally hearing it after weeks, made her feel better. It was a step that they both needed. She placed a kiss to the top of the brunette head on her chest, inhaling the smell that was distinctly Rachel as she did so. She'd missed their cuddling like this, and it was the first time they had in a few days. They had been keeping their space, but having Rachel back in her arms made everything feel right again, even if it wasn't. "So, what do you want to do tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure. I'm so used to spending the holiday alone that I don't know what to do in this situation. When my dads were actually home for Christmas, we just opened presents and spent the day in our pajamas watching movies together. We would make something simple for dinner, like pizza, and that was it. What should we do tomorrow?"

"We can do anything we want to, baby. There's nothing that says we have to do anything. We can spend the day in bed if we so choose. However, I would prefer that we didn't, not that I don't love being in bed with you, I just think maybe we should do something. What about celebrating your birthday tomorrow?"

"No, we don't have to do that. I told you not to worry about it. My birthday was a week ago. I think it's too late for that anyway."

"It's never too late. I told you that I wanted to make it up to you. I still feel terrible that I forgot. You don't deserve that. Especially not from me."

"No Quinn-"

"Rachel, stop fighting me on this. Please, let me do this for you. I need to make this right for both of us. Please?"

Rachel still wanted to tell her no and to drop the subject, but the pleading tone in Quinn's voice was enough for her to understand that this was something that the girl really needed to do. So, even though she was still hesitant; "Okay. If you feel that this is something you need to do, then alright. I'm not going to stop you. I just ask, please don't make this into a big deal. Just let it be something simple between the two of us. That's all I ask."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Quinn breathed out a sigh of relief. "I promise it'll be just us and nothing too extravagant."

"Quinn, it's getting kind of late, and I'm tired. Can we please go to bed now? I just want to lay down."

Quinn, realizing that their conversation was over, quickly agreed. "Sure. Go ahead upstairs and I'll meet you up there. I'm going to turn off the lights down here and I'll meet you in bed."

It took Quinn less than five minutes to take care of the downstairs, but by the time she had made it to bed, Rachel was already asleep, curled in a ball on her side.

Quinn made her way onto the bed and pulled Rachel flush against her. Even in her sleep, Rachel pushed herself into Quinn's body, searching for the comfort that she still found in her arms. "I love you, Rachel. So much that it scares me sometimes. I promise to make tomorrow special for you." Placing a final kiss to Rachel's head, Quinn snuggled into the warm bed, joining Rachel for a peaceful night sleep as the snow continued to fall outside.

A/N: Oh, hi! I guess I should apologize that it has taken me so long to finally start the sequel. So, I'm sorry! Please forgive me! That being said, I'm back! And I already have the next two chapters planned! So, yay for that! I'll try not to make you guys wait too long for the next chapter! And yes, I'm aware that this chapter kind of stinks, but I had no idea how to start back with this story. I promise the next chapter will be better!

Also, big thank you to my beta dancelikeheya for putting up with me and my claiming that "I'm going to start writing soon!" Since February.