Chapter 9
"So, did you kiss her?"
Santana lay on her bed hoping that if she ignored the barrage of questions coming her way, Quinn would stop asking them.
"You went to her grandparents, right? They have that massive apple tree that she climbs all the time to hide from her cousins. Did you do it up there? Was it romantic? With all the fireworks and everything? San? Did she kiss you back?" she jumped on the bed, her knees narrowly missing Santana's hips.
"Quinn this isn't one of those crappy romance novels that you read."
Her face dropped, "Oh, did it go badly then? I was so sure that she liked you too?"
"No it didn't go badly, it was great! I just, I think Michael saw, so no doubt he's plotting something. I really don't want one of his little mind games to mess this up y'know. I really like her!" The image of his smug grin through one of the upstairs windows entering her mind again.
"Well why don't you just tell your parents about Britt? Then he doesn't have any ammunition anymore?"
"They know, they were fine. Mum gave me 'the talk'" Santana air quoted "She told me how she's aware that teenagers have urges and while she understands that no one can get pregnant in this scenario she still expects me to be respectful and if I needed help acquiring 'certain types of protection' all I had to do was ask."
"Oh, that's nice of her. I think?" a grimace on her lips.
"Honestly, it was mortifying! And I still haven't figured out entirely what she means by protection either." She admitted, pulling a face.
"What was he even doing there?" Quinn asked.
"Huh?"
"Michael? At Britt's Grandparent's house, usually its only family that go to their get togethers, plus the friends she's allowed to invite. Why was he there?"
"You make a good point, Quinn, But this is Michael, why does he do a lot of things. He probably flirted himself an invite just to spy on me. I'm sure Britt has cousin's in town that are around his age."
"I'm sorry he's so awful to you San." She sighed.
"I don't get him, I don't get his games or his incessant need to put me down all the time or one up me. You know he hit on Britt her first day at our school? Like I know she was, let's say, developed for her age. But she was still 5 years younger than him. It's gross and he totally weirded her out, it took her months to tell me what had happened."
"Really? What did he do?"
"She said she was walking through the front gates and he grabbed at her ass and put his arm around her. Said he would've remembered a pretty face like hers and that she must be new. Offered to give her the Michael Lopez welcome all women wanted. I told Dad, but once again, all he got was a good stern talking too."
"Jesus, no wonder she hates having him around. Your Dad really did nothing? That sucks majorly!" Quinn sighed flopping down on the bed.
"I want him gone, Quinn. Like, why can't he just leave and never come back!"
"Aunt Quinn!"
Quinn? I thought. Quinn's in Europe? Continuing with my stellar job of parenting, I didn't even glance his way. Zoey continuing to wail from her seat in the shopping trolley. I am so done with today.
"Parker? Why aren't you at school? And why aren't you with…someone?" the concern evident in her voice.
Wait, that is Quinn. Shoving the magazine I was flicking through back into the rack I grabbed a hold of the trolley, avoiding eye contact with my stubborn daughter and steered in the direction of their voices.
"Me, I'm here! Quinn, I'm so happy you're back!" I kind of fell into her embrace abandoning Zoey and the trolley.
"Yeah, only just thought. Just picking up some food before I head home and unpack." She said pulling out of the hug. "Is everything alright?" she asked tickling at Zoey's bare toes to gain her attention "Are they sick?" she asked eyeing her tear stained face.
"Oh, um, no. not exactly" I frowned. Santana had called the kids out of school and nursery this morning before I'd even woken up to discuss a plan of action. "San and I, um, its…they aren't sick."
"But Mami said that if I see anyone from school I have to act sick!" Parker finished for me and big grin on his face. Quinn smiled down at him, ruffling her hand in his hair. "Is that so? did you check to make sure your Mami wasn't actually an alien in disguise? Cos that doesn't sound like something she'd say."
"Yeah, it was definitely Mami. She was still sad from last night" he said glumly.
I sighed, I was tired and I really didn't know how to approach today.
"Britt? What's going on?"
I could feel the tears threaten to fall. "I can't Quinn, not here. Not with them."
She looked at me with an intensity I hadn't seen from her in a while, like she was torn between demanding to know what was going on and letting it go. Zoey had taken up wailing again, kicking her little legs with such force it was like the sound of her shoes on the metal was amplified around the whole store. Quinn continued to stare me down.
"Zoey! Fucking stop!" I snapped. I instantly regretted it. Her little face fell with genuine upset this time. Quinn raised her eyebrows at me and moved to haul Zoey out of the trolley and into her arms. "Hey kids? How about a sleepover with your Aunt Quinn tonight? We can order pizza and have a movie night?" the stare was back, the one daring me to disagree. I didn't have the energy to.
"That sounds like a good idea," I was faking perkiness. "Would you guys like that?"
Neither of them responded. "Hey, Zozo." I took her from Quinn and cuddled her into my chest. "I'm sorry I snapped baby. Mama's just tired. Would you like to go and have a sleepover and have pizza with Auntie Quinn? I'm sure that will be loads more fun than hanging at home with me and Mami? Huh?" I tickled at her cheeks to get a response, She looked unsure.
"Mami's at work tonight though." Parker reminded me. "Won't you be all alone?"
He was right, I would be all alone in the house and an uneasiness settled in the pit of my stomach. "I'll be fine Parker, I can finally watch what I want on the TV. You can go and have fun."
Quinn must have noticed my unease "Well if San is working then why don't you stay as well? I'll still have the kids, you can just hang out in the guest room. Y'know Netflix and chill, without the chill part." She smirked at me.
"Maybe? I'll speak to San when I get home. It would be nice to get out of the house." I sighed. "Yesterday was crazy."
"Well you know where I am." She eyed my curiously "Whatever's going on, you know I'll try and help the best I can. You guys can stay the whole weekend if you like, San can come crash at mine after work and I'll just keep you company until you both are back on your regular schedule. Keep the kids entertained and such."
"That sounds great Quinn," my voice a bit more at ease "I don't really like the idea of anyone being in the house alone this weekend."
"What's going on Britt?"
I let out the breath I'd been holding. "Michael. Potentially Michael. I don't know. Weird shit happened at the house while we were out yesterday. It all points to Michael. San is pretty freaked out, I'm pretty freaked out! What if he's back Quinn?"
"Are you serious? Where did you stay last night? What happened? Are you okay?" her questions rushed out of her mouth jumbled and concerned.
"Not here, okay." I motioned toward the kids, who were amusing themselves with some books. "We are fine. I'll explain it later."
"Fine, but don't think I'm letting any of you out of my sight until this shit is sorted!"
"Quinn, You've just got back. I'm not moving two kids and their overly dramatic parents in to your house, for however long this takes to straighten out. Its not fair on you. Lets just start with tonight.
