Disclaimer: These characters belong to the creators of Glee; the only one I own is Sophie.
A/N: I hope you all enjoy, let me know whether you like it or not and as always, all mistakes are mine :) It's a day early but I'll send out my Happy New Year wishes today! I hope you all have a fantastic/safe time celebrating the New Year.
Chapter 11:
She takes a final drag of her cigarette before tossing it to the ground and squashing it with her foot, silently promising herself that that cigarette will be the last she smokes, she did tell her mom she would try to stop after all. She's been hovering outside his apartment for the past twenty minutes waiting for him to make an appearance. She thought he would have been on his way to work by now.
Trust him to have a lie-in the one day she wants to speak to him.
After her mom had told her that Artie was directing a Broadway play, she had paid a visit to Mrs Abrams to ask where her son was living whilst in New York, claiming she didn't want to pass up the chance to re-connect with him whilst he was in the same state as her. After an hour of sitting in the house whilst Mrs Abrams showed her Artie and his wife's wedding photos, she finally received an answer.
She's fully aware that resting against a wall outside Artie's apartment for twenty minutes, her gaze never wavering from the front door is showcasing stalker tendencies but if she manages to get Rachel an audition, it will be worth it.
A better approach would have perhaps been to ask his mother for his cell phone number but there was always the chance he wouldn't get back to her time. If auditions end after the New Year, she doesn't have long to try and get Rachel the shot she so desperately craves.
For all she knows they could end tomorrow.
She pushes herself off the wall when the door to his apartment opens and a satisfied smile fills her face when she sees Artie making his way down the wheelchair ramp beside the front steps. After a quick glance in both directions to ensure no traffic is coming, she runs across the road towards him.
"Artie!"
He stops his wheelchair suddenly at the vaguely familiar voice before glancing over his shoulder to see Quinn standing a few feet behind him. The pink hair she had sported during their final year together in high school had disappeared and all too familiar blonde hair had taken its place. "Quinn, well this is a pleasant surprise. I haven't seen you since high school."
"I know. It's been too long. We should really organise a Glee Club reunion sometime next year, get the old group back together."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, it would be good to see everybody again," Artie replies. "Since high school the only person I've seen is Puckerman and that's only due to the fact that we both moved to California after graduating."
"I still see Santana and Sophie."
Artie chuckles and pushes his glasses further up his nose. "Well of course, you three were the three musketeers; it would be more surprising if you weren't still in touch with them. How are they anyway?"
"They're both doing well; Santana's engaged if you can believe it."
"So she finally found somebody who could put up with her," Artie says with a chuckle. "I'm happy for her." He taps the wheels of his chair in an awkward manner. "I don't mean to be rude but I'm running late for work, can we talk later?"
"It's kind of important."
Artie bobs his head. "Okay, in that case would you want to walk to work with me; we can talk on the way?"
"Of course," Quinn states as she starts walking beside Artie. "I hear congratulations are in order." She points to his wedding ring as she speaks so he understands what her congratulations are for.
"Thank you," Artie replies with a wide smile. "How did you know?"
"How do you think?" Quinn replies playfully. "Your mom told my mom and she told me, I think she hoped it would spur me to get married myself. You know how much mothers like to gossip. What's her name?"
"Her name is Sugar," Artie tells her. "We met in our first year at university and have been together ever since. I think it was close to our year anniversary when she started hinting at engagement rings and those hints never stopped. Subtly is not her thing."
"Yeah, it certainly doesn't sound like it."
"I may be mistaken Quinn, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong," he starts as they stop at the side a road. "But I don't think it's a coincidence we bumped into each other, or rather you bumped into me."
Quinn smiles before crossing the road with him.
Obviously subtly isn't her thing either.
"You're not wrong, I do have an ulterior motive but that's not to say it isn't lovely to see you and I really would love to catch up with you."
"What's the ulterior motive?"
She fiddles with her fingers, suddenly nervous about broaching the subject.
"I was hoping to ask you for a favour."
"Shoot."
"Aside from informing me of your recent nuptials, my mom told me you're directing a revival production of Les Miserables on Broadway."
Artie nods as he checks the time on his watch. "It's a stepping stone in my director career which will hopefully lead to directing films but at the moment, I love doing Broadway, some of the talent I see is just mind-blowing. If you thought our Glee Club singers were amazing, you should hear some of the people who come for auditions. They put us all to shame. Are you interested in auditioning or something?" He questions lightly. "If I remember correctly musical theatre wasn't your thing. Didn't you study English at NYU?"
"Yeah I did."
"Although if your passion has changed, I'm sure I can find you a part. You would have to audition though."
Quinn chuckles softly and shakes her head, talking before Artie can ramble some more. "I don't want to audition; singing is just a pastime for me now, not a career."
"Are you after free tickets then because I've already promised some to Sugar and my parents," he explains. "That's not to say I couldn't try, being the director certainly has some perks."
"Artie," Quinn sighs lightly. "I don't want free tickets."
The chestnut brown haired man smiles shyly at her. "Sorry, I'm attempting to guess when it would be simpler to just ask. What is the favour?"
"You were close with your first guess except it's not for me, I was hoping you could give somebody an audition," Quinn explains nervously. "I have this friend and performing on Broadway is her dream. She's been in a couple of off-Broadway productions and she's an amazing singer."
Okay, so she doesn't know that for definite since she's not had the luxury of hearing her sing but if she's been in off-Broadway productions, she must be better than good.
"A friend?"
"Yeah, I would really appreciate it if you could find the time to give her a chance and I know she'll appreciate it to. I understand if you're too busy to see her though, you must have your hands full with other auditions."
Artie looks like he's contemplating her request and for a moment Quinn thinks it's been a waste of time. Before she knows it they're outside the Shubert theatre, she hadn't even realised they'd walked that far.
"Auditions end on the 3rd January. Tell her to come in at five and I'll allow her to be the final audition, that way she isn't taking time away from anybody else," he tells her, wheeling himself towards the theatre's side door. "But Quinn, I'm not making any promises, she'll suffer the same treatment as everybody else. If she's not good enough, I'm not going to give her preferential treatment because she's your friend."
"I wouldn't expect you to do that," Quinn replies. "As long as you give her a chance it doesn't matter. Thank you Artie, you have no idea how much I appreciate this."
"She must be a good friend for you to go through all this trouble."
Quinn gives him a small smile. "It's no trouble."
Opening her eyes, she glances out of the window to see the scenery starting to come into view for the first time in under three hours. The pilot's voice comes on over the intercom telling all the passengers that they will be landing in Ohio in fifteen minutes time. She fastens her seat belt even before the fasten seat belt sign starts to flash and concentrates on the developing scenery rather than think about the plane's final descent.
There's still fifteen minutes left for something to go wrong.
"What are you doing in Ohio?"
She turns her head away from the window to the young brunette woman sitting next to her, her attention momentarily taken away from the card game she was playing with either her son or little brother. It's the first time she's properly noticed the woman sitting beside her due to the fact that the minute she sat down, she closed her eyes, desperately trying to think of anything but flying.
"I'm surprising somebody."
"Is it a special somebody?"
Quinn nods her head slowly, wondering why the woman has suddenly decided to talk to her when they've been sat next to each other for the past three hours. "What about you?"
"I'm visiting my mom," the woman replies. "She spent Christmas with me so I promised I'd fly to Ohio to spend New Year with her."
"That's nice," Quinn replies through clenched teeth as the plane jolts suddenly.
"Are you a nervous flier?"
"What?"
The brunette gestures her head towards Quinn's hands which are currently gripping the armrests as tight as possible, her knuckles turning white as a result of the pressure. Quinn had forgotten she was even doing it.
"Oh right, yeah, I hate flying."
"I thought talking may help take your mind off the fear. I would have started a conversation sooner but you looked fast asleep for most of the flight so I didn't want to disturb you."
Quinn gives the woman a tight-lipped smile as the plane starts to descend causing her to grip the armrests even tighter if that's possible. "Don't worry about it, thanks for talking to me now."
She has always hated flying, ever since she was little. Whenever her family would go on vacation, they always faced a struggle trying to make sure she focused on anything rather than flying. Eventually they started to take road trips rather than fly whenever they visited another state.
It was easier that way.
Even if they never left North America.
This is the first time she's flown in over a decade, normally she follows her parent's example and drives across states but she didn't really fancy driving for 9 hours just for one night.
"Don't mention it," the woman smiles. "I'm Marley by the way."
Quinn gives her a small smile. "I'm Quinn. I would shake your hands but they're kind of indisposed at the moment."
"I'll let you off, just this once," Marley replies lightly. "This person you're surprising must be special if you're flying when you don't like it."
As the scenery outside the window starts becoming clearer and she receives her first glance of Ohio, Quinn smiles properly for the first time since stepping foot on the plane. "Yeah, she is."
"Will you stop messing with your tie," Rachel pleads with her dad quietly. "You look great."
They had come to the party about an hour ago, Rachel dictating that since the Pierces had stated the party started at 8 o'clock, they should arrive promptly. Arriving fashionably late isn't something Rachel Berry does, it never has been.
Punctuality is her thing.
The past couple of days have passed by rather quickly with Sophie and her dad getting on like a house on fire as usual whilst she watched from the side lines. Her parents fell in love with Sophie as soon as they met her and now there's never an uncomfortable moment between Sophie and her dad, instead they discuss everything from musical theatre to sports and she knows her dad sees her like a second daughter.
She fiddles with her watch, seeing that it's only a little after nine, they still have three hours to wait until midnight. She sends a soft smile in Sophie's direction before letting her mind wander to Quinn, hopelessly wondering what the blonde is doing right now. She can't help but wish that Quinn had taken her up on the offer of coming to Ohio. Even though she wants to believe she invited Quinn so the blonde wouldn't spend the night alone, she knows the real reason is because she wanted Quinn's company for the night.
Leroy brings his fingers away from his tie and places them at his side. "I don't want to look too formal for a party; the last party I went to was a fiftieth birthday party and it was certainly not as lively as this."
Rachel glances around as more and more people start to arrive, it seems most people didn't share her belief in punctuality. "It does seem to be getting livelier," Rachel replies. "Although it still has a hint of sophistication about it because a lot of the people here are older."
"Are you saying I fit right in then?"
Rachel chuckles lightly before catching a glimpse of Santana and her mother drinking copious amounts of liquor in synchronisation.
Like mother like daughter.
"I think the level of sophistication might decline shortly."
Leroy follows his daughter's line of sight. "Maybe I should join them, if Mrs Lopez can drink as well as a 24 year old I'm sure I could."
"I'm not carrying you home dad."
This time it's Leroy who laughs.
"Your drinks," Sophie announces as she reappears in front of them, handing Rachel and her father glasses of juice. "Brittany's parents are in the backyard if you want somebody more mature to talk to Leroy."
Leroy fights the urge to fiddle with his tie again. "If you want to get rid of me so you can spend some time with my little girl alone, you only need to ask. There's no need to fabricate an excuse."
Sophie blushes as the older man calls her out. "Sorry, I just wanted to talk to her."
"Say no more." Leroy kisses the top of Rachel's head. "I'll see you later."
Bringing her drink to her lips, she takes a small sip. She glances at Sophie who is standing in front of her fiddling with her fingers. "Is something wrong?"
"Why would anything be wrong?"
"You said you wanted to talk to me," Rachel declares. "That normally means something is wrong."
Sophie interlocks her fingers with her girlfriend. "Nothing's wrong, I just…are you okay? I can't help but feel like you've been distant these last couple of days. Did you not want me to fly out for the holidays?"
"Of course I wanted you to fly out. I'm sorry if I've been distant it's just –" Rachel begins, scrunching up her nose. "It's the first holidays without my daddy and it's been difficult."
The response seems to appease the auburn-haired woman who closes her eyes and nods slowly. "I'm such an idiot; of course it's been difficult. You've lost your dad and here am I thinking I've upset you or done something wrong."
It's ironic that Sophie thinks she's done something wrong when in reality, the only thing she's done wrong is be a perfect girlfriend to somebody who is doesn't deserve it right now.
"You're not an idiot."
Sophie grins at the reassurance. "Did you like your present?"
Rachel looks down at her left wrist where Sophie's present rests. One of her Hanukkah presents for Rachel, alongside the two bunches of flowers over two days, a box of chocolates, a necklace, Broadway tickets to see Wicked and a teddy bear holding a heart with the words 'I love you' neatly written on it, was a replacement charm bracelet for the one she lost a couple of months ago.
Even though Rachel had told her not to buy a present for each day of Hanukkah, Sophie had ignored her plea, giving her a gift every day so far.
The bracelet wasn't an exact replica but Sophie had tried to make sure it was as similar as possible. She'd bought the same charms even though they don't look exactly the same. The silver isn't tarnished so the brightness of the gold is no longer in stark contrast with it and this bracelet doesn't hold sentimental value but Rachel appreciates it never the less and when Sophie had given it to her, her heart had swelled with adoration.
She always had hated herself for being so careless with her old one and losing it.
"I love it."
"I love you."
Rachel ducks her head so the words come out as a whisper. "I love you too."
Sophie pecks her girlfriend's lips. "I promised Brittany I would keep an eye on Santana tonight; make sure she doesn't get too drunk. Apparently Santana always becomes nervous whenever she's around Brittany's parents and acts inappropriately so I have to be there to stop that from happening. You don't mind if I float between the two of you do you?"
Rachel shakes her head. "Not at all."
Sophie kisses her quickly before taking a sip of her own drink, tapping her foot in time with the music. It's ironic how Rachel had wanted Quinn to come to Ohio so she wouldn't spend New Year's Eve alone, yet it seems that even though Rachel's surrounded with family and friends, that's how she's going to be spending her night.
Rachel finishes her drink before throwing the plastic cup into the trash and heading upstairs. Growing up she only entered Brittany's house once in order to work on a duet for Glee Club so she can't really remember the layout. All the doors are closed on this floor and she's having trouble locating the bathroom is. Knocking on the first door, she receives a blunt 'we're busy', a voice that sounds distinctly like Santana's. She apologise quietly, unsure whether they'll even hear her before knocking on the next door.
"Are you lost?"
Rachel spins around at the voice and beams when her eyes land on tussled blonde hair. She has to contain herself from sprinting towards the blonde and wrapping her arms around her. The sight of her makes her heart swell and the knowledge that she has come all this way just to spend New Year's Eve with everybody is heart-warming.
Although part of her hopes that Quinn has come for her rather than everybody else.
"Quinn, you came."
Quinn steps forward and embraces the other woman in a hug. She feels Rachel bury her head into the crook of her neck and gives the brunette a squeeze in response. The contact lasts much longer than a friendly hug should until eventually Quinn releases her hold on the other woman. "I decided the prospect of spending the night in Ohio with everybody was better than spending it alone."
"I'm really glad you came, I just hope it's worth it since you've made the trip."
She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth as she rakes her eyes over Rachel. "Trust me; it's already been worth it."
Rachel feels herself blush and ducks her head, hoping Quinn won't see the pink tint which fills her cheeks.
"You're cute when you blush." Quinn closes her eyes quickly, silently berating herself. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"It's okay."
Quinn smiles softly. "So, are you lost?"
"I was looking for the bathroom."
Quinn nods before wrapping her fingers around Rachel's waist and leading her towards a door at the end of the corridor. She's slightly surprised that Rachel is willingly following her without even questioning Quinn's actions; still she can't pretend Rachel's trust doesn't delight her. Pushing open the door she steps inside, closing the door once Rachel has followed her in.
Rachel looks around their surroundings with a smile. "We're in the bathroom."
"We are," Quinn replies with a laugh. "I want to give you something and then I'll leave you alone."
"I don't want you to leave me alone."
The words come out of her mouth before she can stop them and her eyes widen once she's spoken. She's about to speak again, to try and rephrase that but Quinn beats her to it.
"I just meant I'll leave you to use the bathroom."
Rachel bobs her head awkwardly. "What did you want to give me?"
She's grateful that Quinn doesn't press the matter anymore. "Your Hanukkah present," Quinn explains, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small, neatly wrapped present.
"I haven't got yours; it's in my dad's house," Rachel tells her. "I didn't expect to see you tonight.
"It doesn't matter." She hands the present over with a wide smile. "There you go."
Rachel takes the box from the blonde and the excitement that washes over her makes her feel like a child again. She rips the paper off eagerly and opens the lid, grinning widely when she sees the contents of the box.
"My charm bracelet?"
"I know it's sort of a cheat because I didn't buy it for you but I found it in my living room after we…you know," Quinn explains, using her hands to make her point. "Anyway, the clasp had broken so I sent it to get fixed."
"I wasn't even sure I'd lost it in your apartment, I thought I might have lost it in the bar." Rachel subconsciously pulls down her cardigan so it covers Sophie's replacement bracelet. She fingers her old bracelet observing all the charms. Her dad had bought her the charm bracelet for her Batmitsva along with the Star of David charm, Sophie had bought her the heart charm on their sixth-month anniversary, Kurt had bought her the microphone after they won Nationals and her daddy had bought her the two stars, informing her that like the gold star which shone brighter than the rest of the bracelet, she shone brighter than anybody else. Her fingers come to rest on a brand new charm that hadn't been there when she lost the bracelet. "Did you add this?"
"Now that can be classed as a present because I did buy that," Quinn replies with a sense of pride. "You said Wicked was your favourite play so I thought a witch charm would be a nice touch. I would have bought you a charm to do with singing but you already have the microphone so I wasn't sure what to get."
"I love it Quinn, thank you." Rachel holds out her right wrist with the bracelet in her left hand. "Will you put it on me please?"
Quinn takes the bracelet and fastens the clasp over Rachel's wrist. "Is that okay?" She feels Rachel's lips graze her cheek in response.
"It's perfect."
"I have something else for you too," Quinn starts, holding her hand up as she sees Rachel open her mouth, most likely to berate her for buying another gift. "I didn't buy it so you can't shout at me. I don't want to spoil the surprise but promise me that you'll keep the afternoon of the 3rd free."
Rachel furrows her eyebrows. "Why?"
"I can't tell you, just promise me you will."
"Okay, I promise."
Quinn beams before remembering where they were. "I'll let you use the bathroom now but I'll see you at midnight?"
"Midnight?"
"The whole point of New Year's Eve is to celebrate at midnight, why wouldn't I see you then?"
Quinn leaves the bathroom and shuts the door behind her before Rachel can give an answer.
Quinn glances at the clock which hangs in the kitchen to see that it's only five minutes to midnight. She hasn't spoken Rachel since leaving the bathroom and that was over an hour ago. Since then she has talked a little to Brittany and even less to Santana who is currently having trouble standing and resting against the kitchen counter as a result.
She had spoken to Sophie briefly, the auburn-haired woman telling her that they need to spend the day together shortly; it's been too long since they had seen each other. Quinn could tell that Sophie had been surprised to see her in Ohio since she's the only one of her friends who knows about Quinn's fear of flying but thankfully, she didn't question Quinn on it.
"S, have you seen Rachel?"
Santana looks at her with glazed eyes and shakes her head before nodding then finishing off with a shrug of the shoulders.
"Well that's a very helpful answer, which one is it?"
"Easy with the questions Q," Santana states loudly, talking just to the left of Quinn.
"You're not even looking at me Santana."
Santana raises her eyebrows quickly before whipping her head to the right, bypassing Quinn and staring at the guy standing just behind Quinn. "There you are."
Quinn sighs heavily and steps to her left, stepping directly into Santana's aim. "Have you seen her?"
"I'm seeing three of you right now Quinn, I have no idea if I've seen Rachel."
She sighs again and walks away from the Latina, Brittany's going to have a fun night now Santana's drunk. She can hear people shouting that it's nearly time for the countdown but the only thing on her mind is Rachel.
She pushes through several people as she makes her way throughout the house, spilling several drinks in the process but not caring in the slightest. She's just about to enter the backyard when she bumps into somebody.
The apology is on the tip of her tongue when she sees brunette locks and breathes in the unmistakable scent of vanilla and strawberry.
"There you are," Quinn breathes out lightly.
"You've been looking for me."
Ten.
"I told you I would find you at midnight. I wanted to see in the New Year with you," Quinn replies quietly, pushing back against people who are bumping into her. She subconsciously brushes a strand of brunette hair behind Rachel's ear. "I wouldn't have come to Ohio otherwise."
Seven.
"You know they say the way you spend New Year's Eve is the way you going to spend the rest of your year," Quinn continues.
Four.
Rachel smiles shyly. "Is that so?"
Two.
Quinn nods quickly, her bottom lip tugged in between her teeth.
One.
Happy New Year!
Cheers and party poppers erupt around her and even though they're in a crowded room, she finds herself leaning towards Rachel.
She can't stop herself.
She hears Rachel's breath hitch before somebody comes between them and the sight of Sophie swooping in and pressing her lips against Rachel's causes her to feel sick with jealously. She automatically looks away, finding the sight unbearable.
As if she would have been able to kiss somebody else's girlfriend at a New Year's Eve party in front of everybody, it's probably a good job Sophie intervened because otherwise her friendship with Sophie could have been over there and then.
Quinn turns around quickly and nearly falls back in surprise as someone places their lips on hers. It's only brief and before she knows it, the contact is gone. She's about to lose her temper and tell whoever has just kissed her that you can't just go around kissing random people when the person moves away and long blonde hair comes into view. She releases a quiet laugh when she realises it's just Brittany.
"No, you can't kiss Quinn," Santana slurs from the kitchen. "You're mine, not hers."
Brittany blows a kiss in her fiancée's direction. "Happy New Year Quinn."
"Happy New Year Britt, what was the kiss for?"
"It's bad luck not to kiss anybody at midnight Q," Brittany tells her with a sad smile. "It means you're going to be lonely for the year to come and I don't want you to be a sad panda anymore."
Quinn scoffs lightly. "I don't believe in superstitions."
Brittany beams at her. "Well you don't need to because now I've kissed you, you won't be lonely."
Maybe Brittany's right about the superstition and maybe she's right about how Quinn won't be lonely the next year but as she casts her gaze back to Sophie and Rachel, she can't help but wonder whether in order to not be lonely the next year, the kiss has to come from the right person.
Unfortunately, this year, it didn't.