Quinn had to stay in the hospital for the rest of the week. She was very thankful Rachel had stayed with her. She was sure she would have gone crazy if not for Rachel keeping her company and making her laugh.
Coach Sylvester had come to visit on Friday afternoon. Quinn had never seen Coach S like that before. She looked tired and frazzled. She kept saying how sorry she was for Quinn's accident. Rachel told her later that Coach S felt responsible for the accident because she knew Julie was sick and not 100% but wouldn't let her stay home and threatened to kick her off the cheerleading squad if she missed cheering at the game. Quinn felt a little better that Coach S was taking responsibility for her actions. It was just sad that someone that to get hurt for her to realize she needed to ease up with the military style coaching. Rachel also told Quinn the school was undergoing investigation and Coach S might lose her job. Even though Quinn hated the way Coach S treated her and the other cheerleaders, she was a good coach and Quinn had a soft spot for the woman.
On Friday night, Rachel's dads came to see both her and Rachel. Hiram had drove Rachel's car up there and Leroy had followed him in their van. They wanted Rachel to have her car for when she would finally come home. That was actually the first time Quinn had met Mr. and Mr. Berry. They were kind people and Quinn could see where Rachel's generosity and love came from. Rachel's dads wanted to take Rachel out for dinner since she hadn't left the hospital in a week and they said they could bring Quinn anything she wanted to eat. Rachel absolutely refused. Quinn was able to hear the conversation between Rachel and Hiram. Leroy had gone down to the gift shop to look around.
I told you already, daddy. The only way I'm leaving this hospital is if Quinn is going with me.
Rachel, you can't stay here with her. You need to let her mother bear this responsibility. I know she's your friend but think of how much school you're missing.
Is this why you and dad came here? To bring me home?
Well, yes. But your dad figured that if we couldn't talk you into it, at least you'd have your car if you decided you wanted to.
I'm sorry daddy, but I'm not leaving. I'm not worried about school or anything else like that. The only thing I'm worried about is when Quinn is going to get to come home. Until then, this is where I'll be.
At least let me and your dad take you out for a nice dinner. We'll bring Quinn back something.
Thank you for the offer daddy, but I want to stay here.
Rachel, why are you putting this responsibility on yourself? You're just a kid.
I'm seventeen daddy, I'm not a kid.
Quinn could tell Rachel was trying to find the words to explain why she wanted to stay here with the girl who had bullied her constantly over the years, but they were interrupted by Leroy who had returned from browsing the gift shop. Rachel's dads left soon after that and Quinn couldn't help but feel guilty that Rachel was missing school and just missing out on her life all because of Quinn.
Rachel?
Yes, Quinn?
You can go you know. I mean…if you need to…or want to. You can go back home. It's going to take a while for you to get caught back up on your school work. We've already missed two weeks of school.
Quinn immediately regretted saying those words because Rachel looked like she was going to burst into tears.
Rachel whispered, Do you want me to go?
Quinn sighed. Of course she didn't want Rachel to go. If she could have her way, they'd leave this hospital, drive back to Lima, pack their things, and go live on some remote island just her and Rachel. But that wasn't reality. She contemplated, just for a second, telling Rachel to leave and that she didn't need her to look after her but when she looked at that beautiful face, the words could never form on her lips. She had to be honest with Rachel even though honesty came with selfishness.
No. I don't want you to go. But I heard what your dad said and he's right. I feel guilty because you've been holed up in this hospital with me for a week and your missing school and missing out on life.
Quinn, I don't care that I'm missing school. As you know I'm very intelligent and making up missed assignments will be a breeze for me. And I guarantee you I'm not missing out on life. Sure, I'm missing Glee club but that's not what I care about. I care about you, Quinn. Anywhere you are is where I want to be.
Rachel curled up beside Quinn on the hospital bed where she had slept with Quinn for the past two nights. Rachel was able to talk the nurses into letting her do it. Quinn wasn't quite sure how she had managed to do that, but she didn't care, sleeping beside Rachel was the best thing in the world.
Quinn? Do you remember our conversation from Wednesday night? Right before you fell asleep?
Ummm…no, I'm sorry Rach. Everything was kind of a blur that day.
Oh no, yes, I understand completely. You had just woken up that day so it must've been confusing and disorienting to say the least.
Quinn didn't understand why Rachel looked sad after Quinn had said she didn't remember their conversation. It must have been important to Rachel because she had turned over away from Quinn and had curled up into a ball. Quinn could hear sniffling sounds coming from Rachel. Quinn took Rachel's shoulder and rolled her back over.
Rachel, what's wrong? Why are you crying?
Oh, it's nothing, Quinn. I'm just tired. Emotionally tired, I guess.
Rachel, I know when you're fibbing. Tell me.
I just want to sleep Quinn. Okay?
Quinn nodded her head, not wanting to push the issue. Rachel turned back over and quickly fell asleep. Quinn couldn't sleep though; she wanted to know what she said that made Rachel so sad. She couldn't bear the thought of Rachel being upset at her. Even though her mind was racing, the medicine being pumped into her body eventually won, and she too fell asleep.
The Glee club, along with Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury, came to visit Quinn the next day. The nurses agreed that Quinn could go outside for a little while with her friends as long as remained in her wheelchair. As much as she hated it, she agreed, because she missed her friends and the fresh air and she wanted Rachel to have some social interaction with someone besides her. The nurses wheeled Quinn to back patio of the hospital. Quinn smiled when the cool breeze of the fall air brushed her face. She sat a table with Santana, Brittany, Mercedes, and Tina while Rachel was across the way talking with Kurt, Blaine, Finn, Artie, Puck, Mike, Sam, Mr. Schue, and Ms. Pillsbury.
Brittany quickly got bored and wanted ice cream so Santana sent Mercedes and Tina with her to the cafeteria to get her some.
Quinn was relieved that she could talk with Santana alone. Santana was her best friend and she missed her crazy, bitchy self. Quinn wanted to tell Santana about her and Rachel. She still didn't exactly know what she and Rachel were yet. She just knew she wanted to be with her 24/7 and she was pretty sure she loved the little pint sized singer. Quinn knew Santana could relate because she was in love with Brittany and they had been dating for almost a year. It was the happiest Quinn had ever seen Santana. Quinn didn't know how Santana would react, though. They had picked on Rachel relentlessly and Quinn was unsure if Santana did it because Quinn instigated it or if Santana actually hated Rachel with a passion.
As soon as Brittany, Mercedes, and Tina had left and were out of earshot Santana said to Quin:
So, are you getting tired of the hobbit yet? Want me to tell her to leave?
No! I mean…no, don't tell her to leave. She's…nice…to have around ya know.
Okay, seriously Q, that fall must have injured your brain more than I thought because the Quinn I know would've told RuPaul to get the hell out of dodge a long time ago.
San, don't call her names.
Quinn turned to see where Rachel was, hoping she couldn't hear their conversation. She was relieved when she saw Rachel laughing at something Kurt had said. She was happy to see Rachel smiling and laughing with her friends. It made Quinn smile, too.
Santana sighed when she saw a smile form across Quinn's face.
You know, Q, I didn't want to admit it to myself. I didn't want to admit that I loved Brittany. I was scared of all the looks, the talks, and the stares. But sometimes you have to let yourself fall for that special person. Rachel loves you, Quinn. And you love her.
Quinn's face went white. Santana knew. Santana knew and wait…did she just say Rachel loved her? But how did she know? She had to gasp for air because she had temporarily stopped breathing from the shock of what Santana had said.
San, what are you talking about?
You know exactly what I'm talking about, Q. You think I don't know where you were last week? You suddenly got "sick" when you found out Rachel had been suspended. You came with her to the football game. She ran out onto the field when you had your accident. You should've seen her, Q. She was a nervous wreck, crying as they lifted you into the ambulance. No one knew how bad you were hurt. She rode in the ambulance with you, rode in the helicopter with you when they transferred you here. She's the only one that's been here with you this whole time. If that's not love, I don't know what is.
Quinn caught Rachel's eye. My god, she was beautiful. Quinn gave her a little smile and wave and Rachel did the same. Then all of the sudden, it came back to her. It hit her like a ton of bricks. Waking up in the hospital, wanting Rachel, Rachel being there, Rachel's phone conversation with one of her dads, Rachel telling her about the accident. She gasped. The conversation when they were lying in her hospital bed two nights ago. Quinn had asked Rachel how she had convinced Quinn's mom to go home and let Rachel stay with her.
I told her that I love you.
No wonder Rachel had been so upset when she had asked Quinn if she remembered. Rachel had told Quinn's mom that she loved her. Rachel loved Quinn. Quinn loved her right back. Finally, she knew. She knew what she wanted out of life. Everything fell into place once she remembered those words Rachel had spoken. She wanted to be with Rachel wholeheartedly and completely. She wanted to be Rachel's girlfriend, her fiancé, and eventually her wife. She wanted to go with Rachel to New York City after they graduated. She wanted to marry her and then have little Fabray-Berry babies once they were together for a while. She wanted to watch Rachel perform on Broadway and bring her flowers on her opening night. She wanted a life with Rachel.
Quinn desperately wanted to tell Rachel then and there that she loved her too but she wanted to tell her outside of the hospital walls. She didn't want Rachel to remember that special moment in a hospital.
The Glee club left later that day and she thanked Santana for making her see the light.
Rachel and Quinn spent the rest of the weekend watching movies and playing cards and board games that Kurt and Blaine had brought for them.
They got wonderful news on Monday morning when the doctor came to assess Quinn and told them she was well enough to go home but would have to miss that week of school so that her head could heal from the surgery. Quinn didn't even care about missing school, she was just so overjoyed that she could finally get home and out of the hospital and back to her life.
That afternoon Quinn was released from the hospital. She grinned from ear to ear when Rachel slid into the driver's seat and they pulled out of the hospital and onto the freeway. Quinn grasped Rachel's hand and gave it a squeeze.
I'm so happy we're going home, Rachel. It feels so good to be out of that hospital.
Agreed. I'm just sad you're not going to be at school. I called my dads to let them know you were coming home. They threatened to ground me if I didn't go back to school tomorrow. And if I were to be grounded, I couldn't see you and I just can't have that. So, I called your mom and she is going to stay with you during the day and work from home this week then I'm going to come after school while she goes to the office. And maybe if we're lucky, I'll get to stay the night with you.
I'd like that. I'd like that a lot.
Quinn was happy Rachel agreed to go back to school. It was important that Rachel made good grades so she could go to NYC for college. The rest of the drive back to Lima was fun as they turned the radio up and sang along to their favorite songs and stopped for ice cream.
As they approached Quinn's house, she began to feel sad. She was happy to be home but that meant Rachel would be leaving soon and going home.
They were greeted by Quinn's mom as soon as they got in the door. Rachel took Quinn up to her room and got her settled in bed and turned the TV to Quinn's favorite channel and unpacked Quinn's things while Quinn's mom started dinner.
After a little while, Quinn's mom came up to Quinn's room to check on them.
Rachel, do you mind going to check on dinner? I need to talk to Quinn for a moment.
Sure, Ms. Fabray!
Rachel bounded down the stairs and Quinn could hear Rachel gag at the smell and probably the sight of what Judy was cooking, chicken.
How are you feeling Quinnie?
I'm fine, mom. Just tired.
Well, I didn't want you to be upset with me because I wasn't there at the hospital with you. I figured Rachel would be more fun and she put up a fight to stay there with you. I figured if she wanted to stay that bad then I should let her.
I'm not mad at you, mom. I wanted Rachel there.
Judy smiled knowingly. But Quinn was sure her mom didn't know that Quinn knew that Rachel had told her mom that she loved her daughter. She really didn't care at that point, obviously her mom was okay with it or she would have said something to Quinn about it.
Judy gave Quinn a kiss on the head.
I'll send Rachel back up.
Rachel came back up a few minutes later with a tray full of food. Quinn's mouth watered. It had been two weeks since she had a decent meal. She smiled when she realized her mom had also made Rachel a salad and had cooked her some vegetables.
Both Quinn and Rachel ate until they were so full, they could barely sit up. It was almost 9 o clock and Quinn knew Rachel would be leaving soon. She couldn't let Rachel leave without letting her know how Quinn felt about her.
I don't want to leave you, Quinn. But I promised my dads I would come home tonight.
It's okay, Rach. I understand. I just wanted to talk to you about something before you left.
Okay, what do you want to talk about?
Quinn took a big, deep breath and slowly let it out. She couldn't back out now. It was time.
I remember the conversation. That Wednesday night. The first time you and I slept in the hospital bed together. I didn't remember it when you asked me, though. I couldn't understand why you were sad that I didn't remember. Then, the day the Glee club came to visit, all of the sudden, I remembered. I didn't want to talk to you about it then though because I wanted to tell you when I got to come home because I wanted it to be special. I wanted it to be more special than this, but I just couldn't wait to tell you.
Tell me what, Quinn?
That I love you too, Rachel. I've loved you for almost three years. I just was so scared. I'll never be able to tell you how sorry I am that I made fun of you and bullied you all those years. But I'm not scared anymore, because I realized I never want to be without you. I love you so much.
Quinn didn't realize what happened because it happened so fast. Before she could speak another word, Rachel's lips were attached to hers. It felt so right and natural to be kissing Rachel. Quinn moaned as Rachel's teeth tugged on her lower lip.
Rachel took a moment to lean into Quinn's ear and whisper, I love you Quinn.