Happy Birthdays, Happy Endings
A.N.: Thanks so much for all the story alerts! I was really hoping that people would keep reading, since the first chapter is actually my least favorite and I think it gets better from there. Especially these next few chapters. Enjoy!
…..
Rachel is reluctant to break the embrace, but, feeling distinctly uneasy about her less-than-satisfactory injury examination and wanting to get Quinn off of her feet, Rachel gently prods Quinn to walk with her to the car. She settles Quinn safely into the passenger's seat, making doubly sure to buckle her seatbelt, and reaches into the backseat to grab a blanket and a water bottle.
When Quinn is tucked snugly in, Rachel retrieves her phone from the floor. She has 17 missed calls and 28 texts, all from Santana and Puck. She immediately punches in their numbers and hits the conference call button.
"WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, HOBBIT?" Santana screams into the phone upon answering. Before Rachel can say anything, a list of English and Spanish expletives pour into her ear, and she takes the phone away slightly, wincing at the pitch, volume, and crassness of Santana's speech.
Quinn chuckles lethargically. "Santana, calm down. I'm right here," Quinn says with as much conviction as she can muster. The wailing on the other end of the phone ceases immediately.
"She's all right, Santana, I've got her. She's okay—"
"Give me her," Santana demands, cutting Rachel off. "Give me her right now."
Rachel hands the phone to Quinn and starts the car, slowly shifting into drive and beginning to make their way to the hospital.
…..
"Sanna," Quinn breathes into the phone. A lump forms immediately in Santana's throat. Quinn hadn't used that nickname since they were kids.
"Hi honey. How are you?" Santana questions softly, trying to keep her tone calm and even.
"Rachel's here, Sanna. She found me." Santana can tell how tired Quinn is, and she smiles in spite of herself—the girl sounded happy.
"I know, baby. We were really worried about you."
"Sorry…," Quinn whispers, trailing off. "I just… couldn't do it anymore."
Santana thinks to herself that she doesn't blame Quinn at all for that.
A moment passes. "Will you come see me at the hospital?"
"Already here waiting, Q." Santana hopes that Quinn is smiling now, even if it's just a little bit.
…..
Quinn and Santana's conversation is short, and when Quinn hands the phone back to Rachel, she says that Santana is waiting for them at the hospital.
Rachel brings the phone to her ear and hears Puck's voice instead of Santana's.
"Is she okay, Rachel?" Rachel can almost feel his guilt and sadness through those four small words.
"She's okay. Everything will be all right."
Puck sighs sadly. "I wish."
