Thank you to everyone who has read and especially to those who have been reviewing; it means a lot.
Chapter 4 – Merriment
Quinn smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles out of her dress once again; if she thought kissing Rachel or having dinner with her girlfriend's fathers was the most nerve wracking thing she would do this year, she was wrong. This was by far worse than either of those things. When she looked into the kitchen, her mother was humming to herself as she made Christmas dinner and Quinn wanted to ask her how the hell she could be so calm when she was about to officially meet her granddaughter for the first time.
She still couldn't believe Shelby just called her out of the blue yesterday, asking if she would like her to bring Beth over that evening. After the stunt she pulled her senior year, she didn't think Shelby would ever trust her around her daughter again. They had kept in touch through email and Shelby had sent pictures, but she wasn't expecting this. Rachel and Puck were both on their way over as well; Puck because he jumped at the chance to see Beth and Rachel because she was coming over for dinner anyway. She had been a little apprehensive about coming over while Shelby was going to be there, but ultimately decided she still wanted to have dinner with Quinn and that she would also like to finally meet Beth.
When the bell rang, Quinn jumped slightly; she smoothed down her dress again and then walked to the door, taking a deep breath before opening it. Rachel was on the other side, smiling; Quinn tried to smile back, but she was so nervous that she was afraid it came out more of a grimace than a smile. Quinn stepped to the side and Rachel walked into the house, shutting the door behind her.
"Don't be nervous," Rachel said, taking a step forward, and wrapping her arms around Quinn.
"I'm trying," Quinn said with a small laugh as she hugged Rachel back.
"Is she here, Quinnie?" Judy asked, coming into the room.
"No, it's Rachel," Quinn replied.
"Hello, Rachel," Judy greeted, giving Rachel a light hug. "It's nice to officially meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Ms. Fabray," Rachel replied.
"Please, call me Judy," the older woman said, smiling at her. "If you'll excuse me, I have food on the stove."
Quinn's mother smiled and then walked back into the kitchen, leaving them alone again. Quinn looked to make sure her mother was out of sight and then turned to Rachel, reaching her hand out, and pulling the brunette toward her. Rachel smiled at her softly and Quinn pulled her in for a kiss. Rachel wrapped her arms around the back of Quinn's neck; the blonde knew they were being slightly careless considering her mother was just in the other room, but when Rachel was in her arms, she couldn't seem to care that much.
"Oh! I—I'm sorry."
Quinn and Rachel pulled apart and Quinn quickly turned to look at Puck, who now had his back to them.
"Hello, Noah," Rachel said, blushing.
Quinn cleared her throat. "Hey, Puck."
Puck turned back to them with wide eyes; he looked quite stunned and Quinn almost wanted to laugh, but then she reminded herself that he just caught her and Rachel kissing. She and Rachel weren't really ready for anyone to know yet and she was already preparing herself for having to have a talk with Puck later.
"I'm sorry," Puck said again. "The door was unlocked, so I came in, but then—I didn't really see anything."
"Knock, knock."
Everyone turned toward the open door where Shelby was standing with Beth in her arms. Rachel immediately reached for her hand and Quinn was grateful for the contact. It had been over a year since she had seen Beth in person, and the little girl had grown a lot in that time. Her hair was quite a bit longer and it looked like she had grown at least four inches.
"Hey, Beth," Puck said, walking over to the two. "Do you remember me?"
Beth hid her face in Shelby's neck, but Quinn could make out a very mumbled, "Hi."
"She's a little shy," Shelby said with a laugh. "Puck, why don't you take her into the living room?"
Puck was smiling at Beth, trying to get her attention; he gently took her from Shelby's arm and walked toward the living room. Quinn watched them go until Rachel nudged her and she looked at the brunette, who motioned for her to follow the two. Quinn smiled at her, squeezed her hand, and followed them into the living room.
Quinn smiled as she watched Puck and Beth together; he was strumming his guitar and she was laughing as she clapped along. She had been fairly quiet in the beginning, but now she was talking to them more and even singing along to a few songs. Quinn was happy to see her daughter liked music so much, but considering who her biological parents were and who her adoptive mother was, she wasn't all that surprised by it.
She had been so engrossed by Beth that it took her a while to realize Shelby and Rachel still hadn't come into the room. She couldn't help but wonder whether or not Rachel was okay; the brunette's relationship was with her biological mother was strained to say the least. She didn't know everything that'd happened between Rachel and Shelby, but knew most of the things and Rachel had been incredibly hurt by a lot of the things the older woman had done. Actually, it seemed like every time they came into contact with one another, Shelby did something to hurt her even more, which is why she was worried for her girlfriend right now.
"I'll be right back," Quinn said to Puck, figuring she should go so if things were alright.
When she walked into the kitchen, her mother, Rachel, and Shelby were all sitting around the island. Judy and Shelby were talking, but Rachel was surprisingly quiet. She walked over and put her hand on the girl's back; Rachel looked at her and smiled softly. Quinn couldn't exactly wrap her in her arms like she wanted considering her mother was right there and it might look a little strange, but she would try to comfort Rachel as best as she could.
"Rach, mom, would you two like to see Beth now?" Quinn asked, rubbing circles on Rachel's back.
"I would love that," Judy said, quickly standing up.
Quinn had to stifle a laugh; it probably took everything in her mother to give her and Puck time alone with the little girl. Rachel was a little less quick about it, but she stood as well, gave Quinn another smile, and followed Judy toward the living room. Quinn was left alone with Shelby and she knew now was the time to say something she should have said a long time ago.
"You look good," Shelby said. "I guess Yale suits you."
"Thanks." Quinn smiled and then looked down; she hated doing stuff like this. "Shelby—I want to apologize for last year. I know I should have said this sooner, but I'm sorry for the things I did and tried to do. At the time I was just—lost. I thought Beth would fix everything, but in trying to get her back, I just made an even bigger mess of my life and nearly ruined yours in the process."
"You really didn't have to apologize, Quinn," Shelby replied. "Though it's nice to hear, I know we've all made mistakes; I know I definitely have."
Quinn nodded, not really wanting to be reminded of the mistakes Shelby made.
"May I ask you what changed your mind at Sectionals?" Shelby asked. "You were so determined and I was waiting for it, but nothing ever happened."
Quinn smiled. "Your daughter."
"I wasn't aware you two were so close," Shelby commented.
"We weren't," Quinn replied. "But out of everyone at the time, she finally got through to me."
Shelby nodded. "You two seem close now, though."
Quinn smiled again, not really able to control her face when the topic of Rachel came up. "Things change—I've changed."
"I can tell," Shelby said, smiling. "Well, it's good to see you two getting along so well."
Quinn nodded; she wondered by the look in Shelby's eyes, though, if she knew more than she was saying. She knew Rachel wouldn't have told the woman—not yet anyway—but Shelby was looking at her as if she suspected there was something more going on than what Quinn was saying. The blonde just smiled, though, hoping Shelby wouldn't question her further.
"Why don't we go see how everyone else is doing?" Shelby suggested.
Quinn breathed a sigh of relief. "I imagine my mom is already spoiling her rotten."
"In two minutes?" Shelby asked, laughing.
Quinn nodded. "Don't underestimate her."
"Are you expecting more company?" Judy asked Quinn when the doorbell rang.
Quinn shook her head; everyone she was expecting was already in the room with her. She shrugged to Rachel as Judy walked to the front door and then continued to watch Beth play with Puck. She heard her mother greet whoever was at the door and her head shot up when she heard the greeting back.
"Is that Santana?" Rachel asked, frowning.
A few moments later, the brunette came into the room with Brittany bouncing a few feet behind her. "Sup, Q."
"What are you two doing here?" Quinn asked.
"You know." Santana shrugged, but didn't finish the rest of the sentence.
"No, I don't know," Quinn replied, confused as her two friends sat down on the floor, completely making themselves at home. "Seriously, what are you two doing here?"
Brittany beamed. "Santana wanted to see—"
"Nothing," Santana interrupted. "We were bored at Britt's and thought we'd stop by to see if you wanted to go to a movie or something."
"She looks just like you, Quinn!" Brittany said, picking Beth up, and putting her into her lap.
"Poor kid," Santana said, smirking, and receiving a frown from Brittany, but Beth smiled at her. "Shit, Puck, she had your smirk; I'm pretty sure that means she's going to be a little terror."
"Will you refrain from cursing in front of the child," Rachel scolded as Brittany's covered Beth's ears.
Santana rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Berry."
Judy looked a little scandalized by Santana's behavior and it almost made Quinn want to laugh. Her friend had always been on her best behavior when her parents were around, so this was the older woman's first time really seeing the girl's personality. Santana hadn't been over to her house much since she'd moved back in; she wasn't Judy's biggest fan after she let Russell kick Quinn out, which is one reason the blonde usually kept the other girl away when her mother was going to be home. Not that Brittany and Santana had been to her house that much even before; her father never really approved of the two and he didn't even know the half of it. If he'd known what went on with the two behind closed doors, Quinn would have been banned from speaking to either of them ever again.
Brittany and Beth seemed to be getting along very well, but Quinn figured it was because her blonde friend was still a kid at heart. They were already playing some game that Quinn didn't understand any of the rules to, but both blondes seemed to understand perfectly fine. Eventually, Puck joined in even though he didn't seem to know what was going on, either.
"Okay, you've had your turn," Santana said, holding out her arms. "Can I see the kid now?"
Puck looked a little apprehensive about handing his daughter over to her, but he eventually relented and put her into Santana's lap. Santana looked a little skeptical about the girl in her lap and Quinn had to stifle a laugh. Her friend was never known for being a kid person and it was clear that she had no idea what to do with the little girl now that she was holding her.
"I need something to drink," Brittany announced as she stood up. "Do you want anything, little B?"
Beth looked up at her and smiled. "Juice."
Santana started grumbling about her girlfriend not asking if she wanted anything, but was interrupted by the doorbell ringing again. Judy and Quinn looked at each other with matching looks of confusion on their faces.
"I'll get it," Quinn said, standing up this time to answer it.
She walked to the door and was surprised to see Mercedes on the other side when she opened the door.
"Hey, Quinn," Mercedes said, smiling at her, and leaning in for a hug.
"What are you doing here?" Quinn asked, hugging her back.
"I'm in town for a few days and I thought I'd stop by to say hi," Mercedes replied.
Quinn was a little confused, but let Mercedes in and led her into the living room where everyone else was. Santana, Brittany, and Rachel all gave the new arrival a hug. Mercedes then sat down next to Santana and held out the brightly wrapped gift she had been holding in her hands.
"This is for you," Mercedes said, smiling at Beth.
"What do you say, Beth?" Shelby prodded.
"Thank you," Beth quietly said.
Santana helped Beth hold the rather large box and rip the paper open. Inside was a brightly colored, plastic, princess tea set and Beth's face lit up the moment she saw it.
"I loved playing tea time when I was little and thought she might like it as well," Mercedes explained.
"That's very thoughtful, thank you," Shelby said, smiling.
Before Quinn had the time to ponder why Mercedes had shown up at her house with a gift, the doorbell rang again. Quinn her eyes, wondering who it was going to be this time, and then walked right back to the door. This time, Tina was on the other side, smiling shyly when Quinn opened the door.
"Hi," Tina greeted. "I just thought I'd—stop by."
Quinn nodded. "There seems to be a lot of that going on."
Tina gave a soft laugh and walked into the house; just as Quinn was about to close the door, she heard someone calling out, "Wait."
She opened the door again to find Kurt and Blaine coming up the walk; both of them had gifts under their arms—Kurt a large one and Blaine a more modest gift.
"Did I miss a memo?" Quinn asked Kurt as he walked through the door and gave her a hug.
"Don't be silly," Kurt replied, waving her off.
She received another hug from Blaine and then she pointed the two into the living room, which was quickly becoming packed with current and former Glee members. She leaned against the archway and watched her friends and mother with her daughter. They were all fussing over her and she seemed to be soaking up the attention. Rachel smiled when Santana threw a wad of paper at Puck's head and then Beth mimicked the action; when she looked up at Quinn, though, her smile grew.
"Excuse me," Judy said, getting up, and walking toward the kitchen, giving Quinn an amused smile along the way.
Rachel stood up as well and walked over to Quinn. "Are you okay?"
Quinn nodded. "I just wish I knew why everyone suddenly showed up."
"I think they just all wanted to see Beth," Rachel said, shrugging. "A lot of us were there throughout your pregnancy and I think most of us wondered what she was going to be like." Rachel smiled. "If you and Puck had decided to raise her, I'm pretty sure that little girl would've had a lot of aunts and uncles in her life."
"It looks like she does, anyway," Quinn commented as she watched Kurt interacting with the little girl. "But how did they even know Beth was going to be here?"
Rachel blushed. "I may have mentioned it to Kurt last night; I'm guessing he told Mercedes and she probably told everyone else."
Quinn laughed and wrapped her arm around the brunette's waist. "It's okay; I just wasn't expecting it.
"Neither was I," Rachel said, smiling. "Kurt mentioned nothing to me about stopping by."
"Are your friends staying for dinner, Quinnie?" Judy asked, walking up behind them. "I don't think I've prepared enough food for this many people."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Quinn replied. "Hey, guys, do you want pizza?"
Brittany clapped in delight while Kurt stated, "No mushrooms, please."
"I'll eat anything," Puck replied.
Santana rolled her eyes. "We know, Puck."
Quinn sighed. "I think our friends are going to corrupt my daughter."
Judy laughed. "I'll go order the pizzas."
"Come on," Rachel said, taking Quinn's hand. "We can't let everyone else have all the fun."
Rachel led them over and they both took a seat on the floor. As soon as they were sat, Beth stood up from Kurt's lap and walked over to Quinn to sit in hers, instead. Quinn hugged her daughter and smiled as she kissed the top of her blonde hair. Rachel was still holding onto her right hand and she couldn't help but think this is the happiest she had been in her entire life. If someone had told her a few years ago that these were going to be the most important people in her life, she would have laughed at them. Now, though, she couldn't imagine her life without them, especially the little girl in her lap and the woman by her side.
When the doorbell rang yet again, Quinn laughed, hoping her mother had ordered extra pizzas.
So obviously their date happened between the last chapter and this one, but I didn't address it; I will be in the New Year's chapter, though, so don't worry.
If you want a schedule for when I'm going to update all my fics, I'm going to keep tumblr updated with the information. You can either look me up under the same name as this site or go to my profile where there's a link.
As always, I love hearing what you think, so please leave a review.
