Episode 4 - Glee and The Birthday
The Diner – Park Avenue – Wednesday Afternoon
"You look beat, Rachel" Quinn noted as the waitress passed them all their lunch orders. While Santana and Mercedes were immediately tucking into their food Rachel had her head leaned against her hand and looked like she couldn't keep her eyes open.
"Just a long night" Rachel shrugged off as she sat up and started eating her lunch, not wanting to bore her friends with how Henry had kept her up all night because they'd accidentally let him see a film that was too scary from him and now the three-year-old was convinced a monster lived in his closet.
So, the girls ate in silence for a few minutes until Santana put down her fork and glanced over at the others, with an expected and determined look.
"So, what are we doing for Mercedes birthday" Santana asked. Quinn and Rachel smiled at Mercedes when she let out a loud groan. Mercedes had never been one to celebrate her birthday because she never liked getting older and they knew the year she was going through a divorce wouldn't be any different.
"We don't have to do anything, really I'm fine skipping it this year" Mercedes argued. Santana rolled her eyes at her.
"You say this every year and every year we ignore you" Santana replied "Let's go somewhere fabulous this weekend, I got a weekend pass to a spa from one of my clients and it's supposed to be amazing"
"Quinn and I can't this weekend" Rachel commented "Finn and Noah are going to a conference in Atlantic City this weekend"
"A conference in Atlantic city is that a euphemism for something" Santana quipped. Mercedes smirked at her then glanced at Rachel who was rolling her eyes.
"Finn and Noah have to go to a conference, it's this big workshop where schools come together to share idea and get talks from other academics to help improve learning and this year it's in Atlantic City" Rachel explained. While Finn was usually able to get out of the conference this year he hadn't been able to because it was Puck's turn to go and he had told Finn he wasn't going to suffer through it alone.
"Okay that's Finn and Puck but why do you have to go" Santana wondered. Rachel wasn't sure why Santana was so bothered when it wasn't even her birthday they were celebrating.
"Because they asked us to come, it might be fun" Rachel replied.
"It's Atlantic City, trust me it won't be" Santana grumbled as she stabbed her fork into her pasta dish.
"We can always do something next weekend" Quinn reasoned.
"But then it won't be Mercedes's actually birthday" Santana argued. Rachel and Quinn shared a look, they knew Finn and Puck wouldn't let them out of going to Atlantic City, especially after already telling their children they were going.
"Well no celebration is fine with me; you guys are busy and I don't feel there is anything to celebrate so that's fine" Mercedes smiled. Santana stared at her wide eyed, she knew Mercedes didn't like her birthday but Santana didn't think she would give up so easily.
Santana sighed dejectedly then went back to her lunch, the others shared a look noticing Santana's sullen mood.
"Santana what's the big deal, we can just do something next weekend" Rachel argued.
Santana nodded at her lamely "Looks like we'll have to"
Rachel's Office – Broadway Star Offices – Wednesday Afternoon
After lunch with her friends Rachel went back to her office, she had to finalise everything for the cover shoot the next day but all she could think about was Santana's reaction to them not celebrating Mercedes's birthday. Rachel wasn't sure what to make of it, she didn't understand why Santana was so upset about it and Santana refused to say anything more for the rest of the lunch.
"I think we should go for the green dress, as a homage to her character on Wicked" Sarah, the assistant stylist at Broadway Star told Rachel as she showed her the green dress from the rail of clothes in front of Rachel. Idina Menzel was going to be on the cover of Broadway Star and because it was an important cover Rachel wanted everything run by her first.
"If people don't know who she played on Wicked, they shouldn't be reading my magazine" Rachel quipped, she didn't want to sound short with her staff but she had already had a long day. "Show me the Marc Jacobs one"
Sarah was showing Rachel another dress when Tina walked into the office.
"Rachel, Santana is on line 2" Tina told her. Rachel shook her head, she'd been waiting for the call since she left the Diner, she'd already ignored 6 calls from her on her cell.
"Tell her I'm busy and I'll call her back" Rachel replied before going back to the clothes rail.
"She said it's important, a code five"
"Fine, I'll use your phone, everyone stay here I'll be back in a minute" Rachel instructed as she walked out of her office. She took a seat at Tina's desk and picked up the phone. "You better be dying, what is so important"
"Why aren't you answering your cell"
"Because I'm busy at work Santana, what is it?" Rachel snipped. She leaned back on Tina's chair and looked out over the large office floor.
"I've been thinking about Mercedes Birthday, it's not right that we're not doing something" Santana argued. Rachel sat up straight again and rubbed circles into her forehead.
"We never said we weren't going to do anything, we're just busy this weekend. And Mercedes said she wasn't bothered anyway"
"She only said that because she thinks we don't care, we have to show her we do"
"And we will, we'll just do it next weekend" Rachel quipped.
"This is how it starts you know, we miss a birthday then before you know it we're only seeing each other once a month then just at Christmas then not at all" Santana argued. Rachel was startled for a moment, not sure why Santana was making such a big deal about a birthday.
"Santana, you're never this dramatic. We can't do anything this weekend but we'll go big next weekend. Now I have to get back to work and I'm sure you do too" Rachel said, she got up from the desk ready to put the phone down.
"I'm not dropping this"
"I didn't think you would" Rachel mused before putting down the phone. She walked back into her office and took a seat at her desk, nobody had moved since she had left them. "Okay where were we"
Rachel and Finn's House - West Village - Wednesday Evening
"I don't understand this show, they are pigs but they are having bacon for breakfast"
"Mommy can we have some bacon" Henry asked looking up at Rachel. Rachel wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.
"How much can you fit in there, kid, we just had dinner" Rachel said tickling Henry's stomach.
"You are silly mommy" Henry laughed from his seat on Rachel's lap, Rachel tickled him for a few seconds then they went back to watching Peppa Pig. Finn and Rose were sat next to them on large sofa reading through an American Girl book. Rose had recently got a new doll to add to her collection and the book had come with it. Rose had decided her father had to read it to her every night because he was the best at it.
The family had had dinner at an Italian restaurant around the corner form their house, and then decided to have a quiet night at home, Rachel was tired from her busy day of work and fielding Santana's calls all day.
"Okay that's the third time tonight, no more" Finn instructed as he closed the book. He put it on the coffee table as Rose snuggled into her father, Finn could see she was tired otherwise she would have fought him for another story.
"One more mommy" Henry pleaded when Pappa Pig finished. He pouted at Rachel, she smiled at him then put on another episode. The family were watching telly for a few minutes when Rachel phone started to ring. She reached across to the coffee table to answer it, already knowing who it was.
"What is it now Santana" Rachel asked, annoyed. She had been getting messages from Santana for most of the day about Mercedes's birthday and Rachel was getting sick of it.
"Okay Mercedes has agreed to go out for her birthday as long as we don't mention her age or the sad state of her life her words not mine and Quinn said she's willingly to talk to Puck about Atlantic City if you run it by Finn first" Santana explained. Rachel rolled her eyes then glanced over at Finn.
"Santana's hellbent on us doing something for Mercedes birthday this weekend, how much would you kill me if I skipped on Atlantic City" Rachel asked Finn.
"Why don't they just come with us, I'm sure Santana and Mercedes can get a room last minute" Finn suggested. Rachel pulled the phone away from her ear when she heard Santana shouting.
"YES, YES WE'RE THERE"
Rachel gave Santana the details for the hotel and then hastily put down the phone before Santana could make more plans for the weekend.
"What do think this is all about, I didn't think Santana would be so excited for Atlantic City" Finn mused as he moved Rose onto his lap in a more comfortable position as the five-year-old had fallen asleep. Rachel turned on another Peppa Pig episode for Henry before turning to Finn.
"I really have no idea, Mercedes wasn't even bothered to celebrate. I have no doubt we'll find out this weekend"
Finn shook his head slightly "Well this conference just got more interesting"
Finn and Rachel's House – West Village – Friday Afternoon
"Henry I won't ask you again put on the jacket" Rachel scolded Henry as she held out her son's coat for him. The family of four was getting ready to leave for Atlantic City, Finn was driving them there the night before the conference began so he and Puck could have a fresh start in the morning.
"I don't wanna wear it mommy" Henry whined throwing himself on the floor. Henry had been difficult all day and Rachel wasn't looking forward to a two-hour car drive with a whining toddler.
"Henry it's cold outside, put on the jacket" Rachel pressed, she put the jacket next to Henry on the floor just as Finn walked into the reception area with their suitcases and Rose following behind tightly holding three of her American Girl dolls.
"Is Henry being naughty again?" Rose asked as she watched her brother rolling around on the floor. Henry stopped suddenly and looked crossly at his sister.
"I'm not naughty, mommy tell her" Henry cried. Before Rachel could say anything Rose and Henry both started shouting at each other waving their hands around like only young children could. Rachel looked helplessly at Finn, he moved the suitcases to the front door then picked Henry and moved him away from Rose.
"Rose, it's not nice to yell at your brother now please go put on your jacket and I've already told you that you can only take one doll with you" Rachel told her daughter firmly. Without another word, Rose stormed back upstairs to put away two of her dolls. Rachel took that as a win then walked over to Finn and Henry where Finn was helping Henry put on his jacket while Henry sobbed loudly.
"I'm sorry mommy" Henry cried reaching out for Rachel. Once his jacket was on Rachel picked up Henry and settled him on her hip. Henry wrapped his arms tightly around Rachel and laid is head on her shoulder.
"What's with him?" Rachel asked Finn over Henry's head. Finn shrugged as he put on his own jacket, ready to leave.
"I have no idea, I didn't even say anything to him before he started crying"
"Maybe he's on his period" Rachel quipped just as Rose came marching back downstairs, her coat on and just one doll in her hand. With Henry, still on her hip Rachel took Rose's hand and helped them both outside and into the car. Finn was putting their cases into the boot of the car when a taxi pulled up and the Puckerman Family got out. Finn and Rachel both noticed Puck and Quinn looked tense and it became clear to them both that the couple had been arguing. Puck helped Finn with the cases while Quinn strapped NJ into the third car seat.
"Is everything okay" Finn whispered to Puck as they secured all the luggage.
"Yeah everything fine" Puck shrugged off. He closed the boot of the car then got into the passenger seat. Finn walked over to Rachel who was locking up the house, he checked to make sure the car doors were closed so no one could hear them then turned back to his wife.
"What do you think is up with them?"
"Maybe they are on their period as well" Rachel joked, although it wasn't hard for her to see something was clearly going on with Puck and Quinn.
"Oh, this weekend is going to be a nightmare" Finn groaned before they both got into the car. As Rachel felt her phone vibrate with another text from Santana, she couldn't help but agree.
Skyline Inn Hotel – Atlantic City – Friday Evening
Three hours later, after a tense car drive, the Hudson and Puckerman families arrived at their hotel at the same time as Mercedes and Santana who had taken the Greyhound down because Santana didn't want to be stuck in the car with children. The group all checked in and while Finn and Puck went to get their schedule for their first day at the conference the woman and children took a walk around the hotel.
The hotel wasn't as bad as Rachel had been expecting, she had never been to Atlantic City, but her mother had once told her how much she loved it, so Rachel knew it wouldn't be to her taste but as she looked around, she noticed a spa and a huge pool, a few nice restaurants and even a lounge that had entertainment, as well as a large casino. She felt she could have a relaxing weekend at the hotel even with two children clinging to her arm.
"So, when are we going to start celebrating Mercedes birthday" Santana asked as she nodded her head over at a bar that had a patio area by the pool.
"First, we need to feed the little ones and get them settled" Rachel said as she picked up Henry who was reaching his arms out for her, she settled him then looked back at Santana who did not look happy.
"Can't Puck and Finn do that, I thought we were here for Mercedes birthday" Santana argued.
"We're here because you forced me to come, I don't feel like celebrating my birthday" Mercedes moaned. She had only agreed to go because Santana had paid for her room and threatened bodily harm if she didn't.
"I could use a break, I'll go for a drink" Quinn mused, moving NJ from one hip to another as the three-year-old was already asleep.
"Quinn's in, Rachel?" Santana asked just as Finn and Puck walked over to them. Puck took NJ from Quinn and she smiled shyly at him, it was the first interaction they had since they had arrived at Finn and Rachel's.
"You wanna go up to the room and just order room service, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow" Finn asked Rachel, Henry was already falling asleep in Rachel's arms and Rose was leaning against Finn's leg.
"That sounds like a good idea" Rachel agreed before turning to the others "Rain check? We can celebrate tomorrow when the guys are busy"
Santana nodded firmly then watched Finn and Rachel leave with their children before glancing at the others. "What about you guys?"
"Actually, I think we need to get NJ down, and then Puck and I need to uhhh… talk" Quinn stuttered, Santana knew that really meant they had to make up from whatever they had been fighting about. Santana finally turned to Mercedes when Puck and Quinn went to their room.
"What about you, no kids, or husbands that you need to take care of" Santana quipped, Mercedes rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"No there isn't" Mercedes sighed "I think I'm going to just relax in my room tonight, I'll see you in the morning"
Before she realised Santana was left alone in the hotel lobby, she let out a loud sigh then decided to just go to the bar alone.
Hotel Pool – Skyline Inn – Saturday Morning
"Somebody looks a little rough" Mercedes noted as she glanced at Santana who was nursing a large cup of coffee, she had large sunglasses on despite the mild day and her hair was like a bird's nest on the top of her head.
The girls were having breakfast by the hotel pool with the children, the guys were already in one of the hotel conference rooms listening to one of the many lectures of the weekend. The others had been enjoying their breakfast when Santana had practically crawled over to them and cautiously laid down on one of the loungers and curled up into a ball.
"Well when you guys ditched me last night, I had to have fun by myself and ended up having a few drinks to many" Santana groaned. Rose looked at her strangely.
"Is Auntie Sans sick" Rose asked her mother.
"Auntie Sans had too many grown up drinks last night" Rachel answered, Rose nodded then glanced back at her auntie.
"You should stop drinking them Auntie Sans, they make you sick" Rose said before going back to her breakfast. Rachel smiled at her daughter and kissed her head gently.
"So, when are we going to get out and see what Atlantic City has to offer, I mean I haven't even gambled yet" Santana said, she slowly sat up on the lounger and looked at her friends through her glasses.
"Santana, we have three young children with us, I think the day is going to be spent looking around the shops or at the pool" Rachel stated. Santana rolled her eyes, she had hoped the girls would be able to do something more exciting while in Atlantic City.
"What about the guys can't they watch them" Santana asked before taking another huge drink of her coffee.
"The guys are going to be in conference room A for most of the day, they came here for work" Quinn answered as she wiped the oatmeal covering NJ's face. The young boy was wiggling around as he was eager to get in the pool.
"Why don't you two have a go on the slot machines and we'll meet you for lunch later" Rachel suggested. She could see Santana wasn't going to be happy spending the day by the pool despite how hungover she felt.
"It has to be all four of us!" Santana demanded.
"Mommy, I wanna go in the pool" NJ cheered as he pulled on Quinn's arm. Quinn nodded at him then turned back to Santana.
"We need to get the little ones in the pool" Quinn said cautiously, noting Santana's face and tone. Santana let out a sigh and laid back down on the lounger and wrapped one of the towels over her face. The girls decided to let Santana sulk for a while and took the children into the pool, they would deal with Santana later.
Hotel Restaurant – Skyline Inn Hotel – Saturday Evening
"I have never been so bored in my entire life; the guy spoke about proper chalk board methods for twenty minutes. We don't even use chalk boards anymore" Puck ranted to the group. After a long day of listening to boring lectures Puck needed to vent about it. The group were having dinner at one of the restaurant in their hotel after the girls spent the day by the pool with the kids and the guys listened to four different lectures as part of the conference.
"Are you guys at least getting paid to be here" Mercedes wondered as she bounced Henry on her knee while he watched a Disney movie on Finn's iPad.
"They consider paying for travel and hotel as payment enough" Finn answered before taking a drink of his Budweiser.
"Seems like you guys could use a quiet night in your hotel room, watching sports and playing with your children" Santana reasoned with a smile, although they could all see through it. Rachel shared a look with Finn, she had told him already about how much Santana wanted the girls to go out without the children or husbands.
"What's it worth to ya" Puck smirked at Santana. Santana sat up straightener and stared straight at Puck.
"Give me tonight and I'll be on babysitting duties for the next month" Santana stated, she saw that Finn and Puck were still unconvinced, so she added "And I'll get you both courtside seats to the next Knicks game"
Finn and Puck shared a look then nodded at Santana "Come on kids we're going up to the room, you can order all the room service you want, it's on Auntie Sans" Finn smiled as he got up from the table. He picked up Henry from Mercedes' lap then held on to Rose's hand before leaning down to give Rachel a sweet kiss.
"Thank you husband" Rachel smiled at Finn then kissed him again before he, Puck and the kids left the table and made their way back to the rooms.
"Thank god, now we can have some real fun" Santana cheered as she called the waitress over to order them all another drink.
The girls all moved over to a smaller table as the waitress brought them their drinks. Santana drank half of hers in one go then let out a cheer.
"Now we can start celebrating Mercedes' birthday"
"My birthday isn't until tomorrow and I told you I'm not celebrating" Mercedes told her as she took a sip of her own drink.
"Fine we can celebrate the four of us being together" Santana shrugged.
"We're together all the time" Rachel quipped, rolling her eyes. She still didn't understand Santana incessant need for them to all be together.
"Not lately" Santana whispered as she took another drink, however Rachel heard her.
Hotel Bar – Skyline Inn Hotel – Saturday Night
An hour later the girls had moved out of the restaurant and into another bar in the hotel, Santana said she wanted a few more drinks before they went to the casino.
"So, Mercedes you gonna tell us why you don't wanna celebrate your birthday this year" Quinn asked as she took a drink of her cocktail. While Mercedes usually didn't want to celebrate her birthday, she seemed even more determined not to than usual.
"What do I have to celebrate, I'm getting divorced, I'm sleeping on my friend's couch and Sam isn't taking any of my calls" Mercedes said, sadly.
"Mercedes, you know I don't mind having you there" Santana said. After living with Rachel for two weeks Mercedes had moved in with Santana when she could see you was getting under foot at the Hudson residence.
"I know you don't but I need to get my life together before I feel like celebrating getting older" Mercedes mused. They girls all looked at Mercedes sympathetically, they knew there was nothing they could say to her. After a tough year, Mercedes had to be the one to help herself after relying on someone else to take care of her for so long.
"We're still here though for whatever you need" Quinn said, firmly as she took Mercedes' hand in her own.
"I know you are but this is something I need to do for myself" Mercedes affirmed before taking a drink.
"Where does Sam fit in to all of this" Rachel asked. The last time she had really spoken to Mercedes she had was thinking about getting back in touch with Sam but Mercedes had yet to do it.
"I'm really not sure, it's probably a good thing that Sam isn't returning my calls, it's not fair to drag him into my baggage again" Mercedes admitted with a sad smile.
"But its great baggage, like Louis Vitton baggage" Rachel smirked, Santana and Quinn nodded in firm agreement.
"If you say so"
"We do say so" Quinn affirmed. Mercedes gave her a sad nod then drank the rest of her cocktail. Santana looked at them all and rolled her eyes.
"Well this got depressing quickly" Santana quipped, Rachel playfully nipped her arm.
"When it's your birthday we can do what you want, until then zip it" Rachel argued. Santana rolled her eyes as Quinn rose from the table.
"Why don't I get us all a drink" Quinn suggested.
"I'll help you" Rachel said. The two went to the bar and ordered another round of drinks, while they waited Rachel cautiously turned to Quinn.
"So how are you and Noah" Rachel asked, trying to sound casual.
"We're fine" Quinn shrugged, but she didn't look at Rachel, instead she was watching the bartender make their drinks.
"You seemed tense yesterday, have you been fighting" Rachel pressed. A part of her knew Quinn wouldn't tell her but she had to make sure that Quinn also knew that Rachel was there for her.
"Every couple argues Rachel, even a couple as perfect as you and Finn. It is what couples do, we're fine" Quinn stated, firmly. Before Rachel could say anything else the Bartender handed Quinn their tray of drinks and she stalked back to their table. Rachel shook her head before joining them back at the table. She chose to ignore Quinn's comment about her and Finn as she took her seat. Quinn lashed out when she felt cornered and Rachel should have expected it.
Rachel was pulled from her thoughts when she heard her cell phone, she fished it out of her bag to see that it was Finn calling her.
"Hey Finn what's up" Rachel asked, ignoring Santana telling her 'no husbands'.
"Rose has been throwing up and she's asking for you"
"Oh no, is she okay" Rachel asked, worried as Rose had been fine just an hour before.
"Maybe it's something she's eaten, she's mostly drying heaving now and it's not pleasant for her"
"Okay, I'll be right there" Rachel put down the phone then glanced at Santana who was sending her a pressing look.
"Rose is throwing up, I need to go back to the room" Rachel said as she collected her bag.
"But it's only been an hour" Santana argued, Quinn and Mercedes set her confused looks. They thought Santana would know that Rose being sick came first.
"Rose is sick Santana!"
"Finn's there I'm sure he can handle it. We haven't had a night just the four of us in so long, this is how it starts. We can't get to together for birthdays then before you know it we're only seeing each other once a month then not at all" Santana argued before finishing off the rest of her beer. She slammed it back on the table while the others looked at her confused.
"I can't talk about this right now" Rachel sighed, she still had her bag in her hand but didn't make a move to get up from her seat.
"Of course, you can't, everything is changing and you guys don't even care"
"It's not that I don't care Santana but right now I have a sick daughter and no matter what is going on that will always come first" Rachel argued, Santana huffed and looked away from her "I'll talk to you guys tomorrow"
Rachel and Finn's Hotel Room – Skyline Hotel – Saturday Night
"Oh, sweetie I know it's not nice but just keep sipping the water and you'll feel better"
Rachel helped Rose take a sip of water then continued to slowly rock her in her arms from where they laid out on the bathroom floor. Finn was sat next to them holding a damp cloth so Rose's forehead. Rose had stopped throwing up but instead was dry heaving which was upsetting the four-year-old even as her parents coddled her.
"My tummy hurts mommy" Rose cried as she buried her head into Rachel's chest.
"I no sweetie but the medicine should kick in soon" Rachel soothed Rose. Rachel had luckily been able to find some children's Calpol for Rose and she hoped it would kick in soon because seeing Rose so upset wasn't pleasant for Rachel and Finn either.
Eventually, after a few more sessions of dry heaving, the medicine kicked in and Rose finally fell asleep in her mother's arms. The couple stayed in the bathroom just in case Rose woke up needing to throw up again.
"So how was your night before all this" Finn asked as he got a little more comfortable on the bathroom floor.
"It's was depressing for lack of a better word. First Mercedes was upset about the divorce and everything that's happened which is understandable but then Santana also started on about how things were changing and sooner or later we won't see each other anymore" Rachel explained. She knew that soon she would need to sit down and talk to Santana about how she was feeling but at that moment all Rachel cared about was making sure her daughter was okay.
"It's always something with your friends isn't it" Finn mused, with a slight smile. "What do you think is going on her with her?"
"I have no idea, maybe it's the accident or Brittany. I'll talk to her properly when we get back to New York" Rachel sighed as she softly played with Rose's hair.
"I know it's a taboo subject with your friends especially with Santana and Mercedes but maybe you guys need to acknowledge that things are changing between you all" Finn reasoned, he leaned his head back on the bath tub as he continued "We have children now, so do Quinn and Puck. The most important thing in your life can't be each other anymore not when you have little ones to think about. But if you make sure that Santana and Mercedes know that the bond between you all won't change and that you'll be there for the important things then I'm sure they will understand"
"Your very wise husband" Rachel laughed. She realised that Finn was absolute right, things were different than they were five years before. Before Rachel would drop everything even if her friends told her they had a hair emergency but now she had children to think about and worry about before she thought about her friends.
"It's all these seminars, I'm very wise now" Finn joked. Rachel moved Rose gently in her arms as she put her head onto Finn's shoulder and enjoyed the silence. After a few minutes of comfortable silence in each other's arms, Finn looked down at Rose still sleeping in Rachel's arms.
"Think we can risk moving her" Finn wondered. Rachel nodded and gently passed Rose to Finn. He held her close and slowly carried his daughter into the other room and put her down gently on her bed. Rachel pulled the covers back and but a sheet over Rose so that Rose wouldn't get too warm in the night. The parents let out a sigh of relief when Rose didn't wake up then both fell onto their own bed.
Finn turned to Rachel and he could tell she was still thinking about her friends. "Santana and Mercedes will be fine Rachel, you know that. You'd never let them be anything but fine"
"You're right, I know your right" Rachel agreed.
Even though Finn and Rachel were both still fully dressed they found themselves slowly falling asleep but just as they were about drift off Rose jumped off her bed.
"I'm going to be sick Mommy" Rose cried running into the bathroom. Finn and Rachel both jumped off and followed her into the bathroom.
Hotel Bar – Skyline Inn Hotel – Saturday Night
"Okay, you gonna tell me why I'm the one getting older but you're the one who's depressed" Mercedes quipped as she put a bottle of beer in front of Santana. Once Rachel had gone back to her hotel room, Quinn had had two more drinks before going to her own room leaving just Santana and Mercedes in the bar to drown their sorrows with alcohol.
"You know I used to get so mad at you for saying things were different now that Quinn and Rachel had kids but I don't know maybe you were right. I mean look how much it took just to get us all together for your birthday" Santana argued before taking a drink of her beer.
"You are making too big a deal about my birthday Santana, it was one time and look we didn't let it pass. We're all together"
"Hardly, the other two are with their husbands and children" Santana grumbled. Mercedes smirked at her.
"You're being a big baby, Rose was sick. Our only niece with her cute dimples and curly hair was puking her guts out and wanted her mommy. Did you really expect Rachel to stay down here with us having a drink?" Mercedes argued giving Santana a pressing look. Santana sighed before taking another drink.
"I guess not, I just don't wanna lose you guys. You're all I have" Santana admitted, sadly.
"And we're not going anywhere"
"Aren't we all at some point though. What if they have more kids? Or they decide to move to a bloody cul-de-sac or they start hanging out with other couples who have kids as well. Things are changing and we'd be stupid to continue ignoring it" Santana argued. Mercedes wasn't sure what to say, she didn't know why Santana suddenly felt that way and she wondered if it was because of Santana's accident, something she had only just fully healed from.
"Santana – "
"Save it, please I know you're going to say something to cheer me up but I really don't want to be cheered up right now, I just want to feel like this" Santana sighed before finishing off the rest of her beer.
"So, what, do you just want to sit here in silence, drinking" Mercedes quipped, Santana nodded firmly.
"Pretty much yeah"
"Happy birthday to me" Mercedes laughed, she leaned back in her chair and picked up her drink. After a few minutes of silent drinking Mercedes reached over and took Santana's hand in her own. Mercedes knew Santana didn't want to talk but Mercedes wanted her to know she was there. Santana didn't say anything but she held onto Mercedes' hand tightly.
Hotel Restaurant – Skyline Inn Hotel – Sunday Morning
The next day after spending the night on the bathroom fall with Rose, Finn and Rachel made their way into the Food Hall at the hotel for breakfast. Rose was felling a lot better but was still very clingy with her parents and wanted to be held all the time and so he wasn't left out Henry wanted to be held. So, as they walked into the restaurant to find their friends Finn and Rachel each had a child on their hip.
"There they are" Finn said nodding his head to the table in the corner. Finn hiked Rose further up his hip as he walked over to the table. The others said a quick hello to the family and all noticed the weak look on Rose's face as she laid her head on her father's chest as he took a seat at the table.
"Rough night" Quinn asked, sympathetically. Rachel and Finn both nodded their head and Quinn noticed the dark circles under their eyes.
"Well you'll be happy to know that I got us out of the lectures today" Puck said through a mouth full of bacon. Quinn rolled her eyes but Puck didn't notice.
"How did you manage that?" Finn asked as he tried to pour himself some coffee with Rose sat on his lap.
"I told them you had a sick daughter that you needed to take home"
"How does that get you home" Finn wondered, he poured his drink then tried to lean over the table so he could reach a piece of toast but Rose was having none of it as she snuggled further into Finn.
"I'm the very concerned Uncle who has to help you" Puck smirked, Finn rolled his eyes although he was pleased he didn't have another long day of boring lectures.
The table ate in silence for the next few minutes, despite their children sitting on their laps Finn and Rachel were able to eat some breakfast and feed their children as well. Once he had finished Finn shared a look with Puck, they both could see that the girls were in some sort of argument and that they needed space to talk.
"You finished Puck, I think I'm gonna stretch my legs, you coming" Finn asked as he got up from the table taking Henry and Rose with him. Puck picked up NJ and followed Finn without another word from either of them.
Mercedes rolled her eyes as she watched them leave the restaurant "Subtle them two aren't they"
"We should talk though" Quinn said cautiously, she took a drink of her tea as Santana and Rachel stared at each other, waiting for the other to start talking. Eventually Rachel broke the silence.
"I'm not going to apologise for leaving last night. You know I love you guys but my children will always come first and I'm not going to apologise for that" Rachel argued. Santana nodded solemnly which surprised Rachel, she had been expecting some kind of argument from Santana for her leaving the night before.
"You're right, I over reacted last night, Rose was sick of course you had to leave" Santana replied. The others shared a look they could see that something was still bothering Santana. She'd made a bigger deal about them all being together for Mercedes' birthday because she didn't want to face what was truly worrying her.
"I hope you know Santana that while things may have changed in the last few years the one thing that never will is the bond we all share. You guys are just as much my soulmates as Finn is. And if you ever needed us we are always going to be there, you know that right" Rachel explained, she leaned across the table and took Santana's hand in her own.
"I do know that" Santana nodded "It's just nice to be reminded sometimes"
The Boardwalk – Atlantic City – Sunday Morning
After enjoying their breakfast together, where they had the waiter bring them a piece of chocolate cake so they could sing 'Happy Birthday' very loudly to Mercedes, the girls went to the Boardwalk to meet up with the guys and the children so they could have some fun at the pier before they all drove home.
"There they are" Mercedes pointed over to where the guys were playing arcade games in the outdoor arcade while Rose, Henry and NJ watched on.
"Hey, you guys kiss and make up now" Puck asked when she saw the girls approach. His two second distraction made Finn win the game they were playing, Finn cheered loudly while Puck grumbled as he put the pretend gun back in the holster.
"You owe us all some ice cream" Finn smirked as he picked Rose up while Rachel took hold of Henry's hand. Puck rolled his eyes and then lead them out of the arcade and over to the ice cream shop.
Twenty minutes later Rachel and Finn were sat on one of the many benches on the pier enjoying their ice cream. Henry was sat next to Rachel with strawberry ice cream all over his face from his own cone while Rose was still sat on her father's lap her head tucked into his chest. The parents knew Rose was obviously still not feeling great when she didn't even say yes to cookie dough flavoured ice cream.
"So is everything okay now, between you guys" Finn wondered once he had finished off his mint chocolate chip ice cream.
"I think so yeah, although I can see something is bothering Santana. I don't think she'd ever admit it but I think she's feeling a little bit lonely. Brittany and Danni are both out of the picture and when we were all too busy for Mercedes' birthday I think she thought that meant she was on her own now" Rachel explained, they more she thought about it, the more it made sense to her. They had all been at Santana's house around the clock since her accident but now that Santana was fully healed they had gone back to their own lives and Santana was probably now feeling the physiological effects of her accident and its aftermath.
"What are you going to do?" Finn asked as he watched Rachel wipe the ice cream from Henry's face then pull him into her lap.
"I have an idea"
"You always do" Finn smiled at Rachel but he saw that she was distracted by something in front of her. Finn turned to see what she was looking at and saw Quinn and Puck having yet another argument while Mercedes played with NJ in the distance.
"Do you think they are okay" Rachel asked, worried. Finn continued to watch as Puck threw his hand up in annoyed defeat then walked away from Quinn. Quinn turned away from her, saw that Finn and Rachel had seen the argument then quickly turned back and followed after Puck.
Finn continued to watch them "I honestly have no idea"