Chapter Six:
Threat
Thanks Giving was three days away and the annual Thanks Giving fair was in bloom. Both the Berrys' and the Fabrays' were there, as well as the rest of the town. There were stalls selling the ingredients for the different pies, bread and other foods for all the families to eat, fun stalls for the children to go and entertain themselves with whilst their parents shopped and even a little band playing Great American Classics.
Leroy and Hiram walked through the crowd, scanning for the items they needed, with Rachel in tow. Of course, having a vegan daughter, they were only looking specifically for organic foods. They would be having a small chicken between them, whilst Rachel had her vegan supplement. Even on the holidays she kept up with her animal rights pledges.
Carrying their turkey shaped basket, Leroy turned to his husband. "Hiram, what kind of pie are you making this year?" To which Hiram rolled his eyes in a dramatic fashion at his husband's forgetfulness. Rachel laughed as he lightly hit his husband on the arm. "Leroy, darling, I told you already!" He almost shrieked, causing his tall husband to blush slightly at his theatrical husband's outcry; their daughter definitely got her dramatic flairs from him. He rolled his eyes at Rachel and huffed, "I'm making a cinnamon and apple pie to accompany the pecan and glazed orange pie."
"And how many of those ingredients do you currently have in possession at home in the pantry?" Leroy asked, with a stern expression. "Well my love," his husband cooed adoringly, trying to deter him from the fact that he hadn't actually bought any of the ingredients before hand. Their daughter got her organisation skills from Leroy, clearly.
Walking near by, hand in hand but still looking respectable and not at all happy with each other, Russell and Judy Fabray were picking out flowers to decorate their table with. Quinn was being dragged along too, not really looking at anything in particular.
Throughout the few days that she had been forbidden from seeing Rachel, she had secretly been trying to catch as many glimpses of her as she could; Glee Club and after she got slushied were the best times. She would, of course, sit next to her in her classes, but the warning from her father was still present. For some reason, she always had a feeling she was being watched by her father. It wasn't a comforting watch, like she used to feel with God, but an invading and scowling watch. Ever since she found out her father had seen the two of them together, she was now being extra cautious, making an even less of an attempt to show affection towards the girl.
Although she had promised herself several times that she would not allow herself to be afraid of her father, she was still cautious where he was concerned. She had done as he had asked; she hadn't gone round to the Berry's she had not allowed Rachel to go to hers. The brunette was clearly getting upset by the cold shoulder, but she had promised to speak to the girl at the fair. After all, it was a public event and everyone was bound to bump into each other there.
The blonde was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of her father grumbling. He had caught sights of Rachel's father's sharing a quick, chaste kiss. The sight made her own heart melt and she smiled at how happy and content they were, but for her father it made him feel sick and repulsed. "Look at them," he scowled as Judy picked up a particular bunch of flowers, "standing there and pretending they're normal. Well they're not!" He almost shouted, and Judy had to plead with him to keep his voice down. She didn't want him to cause a scene. Russell turned to Quinn, who had been staring longingly at Rachel. She wore a yellow shirt with an orange skirt that came just above her knees with brown knee high socks, draped over her shoulders was a red cape keeping her warm and a red beret. She loved her colours and she loved her berets. She was the picture of Autumn.
"Quinn!" He snapped, dragging her attention away from Rachel's heavenly features and back to her father. "Yes daddy?" She asked, giving him her innocent good girl smile. He twitched his head over to the two men and their daughter. "What do you think?" He asked.
"Think of what daddy?" Quinn replied, frowning her eyebrows a little. Russell sighed and took his daughter by the shoulders. He directed her to his eye line; Leroy and Hiram were holding each other and sharing a little joke, whilst Rachel stood between them, trying to get attention. "That," he spat, glaring further, "Don't you think it's wrong for two homosexuals to be allowed to have a child?" His voice was growling like a lion and his fingers were pressing into her shoulders hard. He continued rambling; spouting how unnatural and disgusting it was for two people of the same gender to even be able to get married. Trying to feed Quinn his opinions so that she would agree.
Of course Quinn disagreed. She would always disagree with him. As of late, she herself had been dreaming of one day getting down on her knees and proposing to Rachel, giving her the most beautiful diamond ring ever created and giving her a lavish Broadway wedding. It wouldn't be long before she started dreaming of having children with the diva; two possibly, 'one each' so that they would both have the chance to be mothers.
Ever since Beth, she had thought she would never wanted to even think about children. With Rachel, she wanted that; she wanted a family and a life. A beautiful four bedroomed house for friends and family to stay in the suburbs of New York maybe, with a back yard and tire swing, toys and games scattered all over their house, pool parties and an ice cream truck coming around in the summer, big open fires and hot chocolate, snuggling under a blanket in the snowy winters and celebrating Christmas and Chanukah. It would be wonderful. She didn't want a husband, she wanted a wife; not just any wife but Rachel.
"Yes daddy." Quinn nodded, sadness lacing her voice, even though she tried to remain strong, "I think it's wrong. Completely and utterly wrong." She felt her father pat her on the shoulder, as if she had just gotten an A on her midterms, and he walked away from Quinn to look at the flowers with Judy. She needed his approval on everything. Everything was his final word.
"Hey look there's Quinn." Leroy stated, seeing that the girl had been looking over at them. He smiled at her, nodding his head. "She hadn't been around for a little while, is everything okay?" Hiram asked, waving over to the blonde. Quinn smiled weakly back at the two men, but looking at Rachel with deep intent and widening her eyes. "Yes daddy," Rachel mumbled, staring into the blonde's hazel green eyes, "Everything's fine." Of course, she knew it wasn't and this was their opportunity to talk about what was really going on. She missed her; missed their talks and laughs. It had been barely a week, but that just showed the affect that the girl had on her: she never wanted to be apart from the blonde.
The short man had noticed the longing looks and faced his husband for a moment. Getting his approval, consisting of a nod of the head, Hiram then turned to Rachel. She was still trying to communicate with her through silence and eye contact, whilst her mother and father's backs were turned. After fishing out a couple of dollar bills from his pocket and said; "Here, why don't you go and Quinn and yourself some candy apples?" He thrust the equivalent of fifty dollars into her small hand and gave her an encouraging smile. She looked up at him, her eyes shifting to her dad and returned their smiles. "Thank you dad, daddy. I'll see you in a little while, okay?" They nodded their heads and walked through the food markets to get their precious ingredients.
Slowly but with a speed of subtle urgency, both girls walked over to each other. They tried to dodge the crowds and had made it to a little wooded corner; a huge old oak tree stood shielding them away from watchful, prying eyes.
At first, they were a little nervous. They weren't entirely sure what to do. They'd seen each other in school, but there they were just friends. On their own, and therefore in private, they were girlfriends. But with the slight change in their dynamics over the previous week, what were they now? Only one half of one set of their parents knew they were dating and didn't see it as an issue at all, the other set would be horrified and disgusted to find out the truth. And, to make matters worse, one part of their couple had been sworn to never see the other girl again. They really were secretive now.
"Hi." Rachel began, sending the blonde haired girl a quick smile before averting her eyes and looking at the fallen leaves by her feet. "Hi." Quietly Quinn said back, also looking at the ground. They shuffled for a few moments, each wondering what to say. "You don't come round any more." Rachel told her, sadness filling her trying to be up beat tone. Digging her hands further into her coat pockets, Quinn sighed, "It's only a been a week."
"So?" The brunette's eyes snapped up to the blonde's. "I still miss you." Her statement made the other girl blush. But this time not because of cute embarrassment, but out of shame. "I miss you too." She said quietly, shuffling her feet and trying to turn a golden leaf over. Rachel's quiet voice distracted her, "You do?" Quinn frowned at the little brunette and subconsciously moved slightly forward, taking hold of her hand. "Of course I do I.." She stopped herself from carrying on.
They were holding hands. In public. Not too far off from their parents.
Both were staring at their holding hands, feeling warmth spread throughout their bodies. They had missed the contact. What they would give to kiss each other again.
It looked as if Rachel were about to cry. Her eyes were glistening slightly in the bright, low sun. It caused shadows to fall on Quinn's face, but made her look even more breathtaking than usual. She appeared as if she had been sculptured; her pale skin gleaming and her hazel green eyes sparkling like gems, her sun-kissed blonde hair flowing around her heart shaped face, framing her like a priceless picture.
"You what?" Rachel asked, her voice slightly raspy and laced with want. Quinn licked her lips, suddenly having a fuzzy feeling rest in her stomach. She walked closer to Rachel, almost pushing her up against the wide trunk of the large tree. They were hidden. Forever hidden. The brunette's locks were tied in little girl bunches, loose plaits, that made her look year younger and yet her eyes gave away her true age. Soon she would be a woman. A real grown up woman, and so would she, and they would be able to get out of the town and out of the state and live their wonderful lives together.
She slowly tucked a lose strand of her hair that had peeped out of her beret and put it behind her covered ear. Keeping her hand placed on her cheek. The girl responded by closing her eyes and sighing happily at the touch. Heavenly. That was the only word she could come up with to describe her. The sunlight glowing on her light olive skin and twinkling with the rays shining on her. With her fingertips, she lightly traced the outlines of her face. Once Rachel had felt her palm slide down her cheek, she reopened her eyes to watch Quinn. The whole time, watching each others eyes. The light touches, sending shivers through their bodies and their cores. Finally tracing her fingers along her jawline and down her long neck, grazing her throat and feeling the ripples as she swallowed, lightly touching her collarbone, dipping her fingers through the fabric to touch her. Trailing her fingers back up she ghosted them over her plump, peach lips. Rachel's breathing had slowed, as did Quinn's, and the wanting for her to touch her was getting overwhelming. However, she would not ruin this intimate moment by suggesting her desires. It appeared whatever had happened in the last week had been forgotten. They still loved each other and they were still together. That's all that mattered. Of course they would need to talk about it.
"I want to kiss you Rachel." Quinn admitted, in a deeper more sultry and seductive tone than Rachel had used before. Her fingers still pressed onto the girl's lips and she lightly gasped as she felt those lips kiss her fingertips. "I want to do so many things, Rachel," She continued, enjoying having her fingertips kissed in such a delicate way. Like being kissed by a butterfly. "I want to do so many things with you and to you and," she took a quick breath to stop herself from crying, "I can't wait to do them all with you. I can't wait to share the rest of my life with you." Rachel took her free hand and dragged it along and up Quinn's arm, making light strokes on it, before taking hold of the girl's hand currently occupied on her lips and entwined their fingers together. Fitting perfectly. "You really want to spend your life with me?" Her voice cracking slightly as she asked. The blond, in all seriousness, nodded her head. "I do. I'm not..completely happy with telling you this in a park, at a Thanks Giving fair but-"
"Then don't!" Rachel stopped her, pressing her body that had been previously resting against the tree, up against the tall blonde's. "Don't." She whispered, smiling up at her. "Save it for when we are truly alone and when we can truly appreciate it." She nodded her head, following as Quinn did the same. "I can't wait to tell you then." Quinn sighed, squeezing Rachel's small hands in her own again. The brunette stood on her tiptoes and whispered in her ear, her hot breath sending heated vibrations through her body, "All good things come to those who wait."
All the while they were sharing their sweet, autumn romantic moment, Russell Fabray was watching. And hating. And plotting.
The two lovers went their separate ways to join their families, however just as Rachel was walking back to her fathers, who were deciding which pumpkin to buy for their winter squash soup, was suddenly stopped and gasped as she felt someone's hand on her shoulder, pulling her round to face them.
"Berry?" Russell asked, accusingly.
"Excuse me?" Rachel stuttered, shaking a little as the man looked at her straight in the eye, not allowing her to let go of his stare. He cleared his throat, but keeping his firm grip on her little shoulder. "Berry. Rachel Berry, right?" He clarified, raising his eyebrow and reminding the girl of Quinn. Nodding her head, she knew exactly who this man was and was instantly afraid. She knew she had to answer him correctly, or else this wouldn't turn out well. "Yes Mr Fabray." She swallowed, confirming him as being correct. "May I talk to you for a moment?" He asked, but really he was demanding. "Um..certainly Sir. I just have to-" She was looking around, trying to find either Quinn or her fathers, but he began to drag her away by her elbow. "It won't take long."
Quickly, he dragged her away from the crowd to the spot where she and Quinn had been standing only moments before. It would no longer be a place for her and Quinn to be happy. Not now that her father had also entered this secluded spot. "What is this about Mr Fabray?" She asked, shrugging him off. Stupidly, she thought, she had her back against the tree, she stared up at him. He was taller than Quinn and with all the death stares the girl had given, were nothing compared to the one she was giving her now. "I think you know exactly what this is about, Miss Berry." He hissed in a cold, sinister tone.
Rachel swallowed, like one of Medusa's victims, unable to take her eyes away from his. They burned into her and she could feel her soul being destroyed. "I'm sorry?" She asked, confused and not understanding about what he was meaning. She was terrified that he had somehow figured out her and Quinn's relationship. He knew they were friends, but what if he had read between the lines? It now dawned on her why Quinn hadn't come round or why she hadn't been able to go to hers; her father had obviously told her not to. Now she was afraid, and sure, that he was going to do the same to her.
He scoffed at her and inched his face closer to hers. "You should be." He growled. "Don't think for one second that I don't know what you're doing."
"What do you-"
"That you have a crush on my daughter and you're trying to get her to feel the same way." He snapped, spitting at her as if she were a badly behaved dog on the street. She tried to scoff back; of course he had partly hit the nail on the head. Of course, it was so much more than just a crush. What she felt for Mr Schuester was a crush. What she felt for Jesse was a crush. What she felt for Finn was a very deep and serious crush. But what she felt for Quinn, and what she felt for her in return, was love. She tried to shake her head and said, "I assure you I do not-" But he hissed and growled once more, this time completely invading her space. His fist grabbed at the front of her cape and shirt; bringing himself closer to her. Smelling each other's breath and he could taste her fear. "Listen here and listen good," he snarled, "my daughter is nothing like you. She will never be like you. So, I want you to stay away from my house and stay away from her." He glared her down, trying to make her scurry away in fear and never return. But he forgot one thing; she was Rachel Berry and she never ran away from anything or anyone. She glared at him back. "What if I refuse?" She asked as strongly as she could. He grinned at her and pressing his face almost touching hers.
"I don't think you're brave enough or stupid enough to refuse."
To fully make sure she got the message, he quickly looked around before taking his fist and thumping her hard in the stomach. She gasped at the blow and doubled over. As he let her go, he pushed her back against the trunk, making sure to put space between themselves, and spat in her face. "Dyke."
Proud and glad at what he had done, he walked away and rejoined his family, ushering them away from the fair with the promises of taking them out for a fancy dinner.
Once she had caught her breath, Rachel walked away from the shadows and went to find her fathers. She didn't want to cry in the middle of the busy fair. With the tears brimming in her eyes, she saw her dad tower above everyone else and she rushed towards him, fighting against the pain. Leroy was startled as he felt his daughter run into him and wrap her arms around him. "Rachel?" He asked, shocked at her clinging, "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Hiram came over too, carrying a wicker basket of goodies. His large smile fell when he saw his daughter begin to shake. He knew she was trying to hide her tears. "Sugar pea what's wrong?" He asked, concerned and trying to turn her head towards him. She sniffled and tried to smile. She was still holding her stomach. "I just feel a little sick, daddy." She told him, shifting her weight to hug him. "Can we go home, please?" She begged in a little voice. Her fathers nodded their heads and guided her through and away from the crowds.
