Author's Note: These chapters are going to be smaller than previous ones. This is a baby chapter. Maybe even a fetus. Its cute though, I liked it because I say ridiculous things such as what's in the chapter, rarely, but they do get said and even more bizarre is that people laugh. Updates won't be frequent. 4 jobs, desire to go to the gym, occasional socializing doesn't leave much room to write, not when I want to read books. Books books! I could live in a bookstore and be content. The world is a library (I happen to also work in one.) Enjoy this very tiny chapter.
"I'm exhausted!" Rachel said as she gracefully fell into the oversized chair at the cafe. Quinn only rolled her eyes. Not that they were her eyes, but the expression couldn't have been stopped.
As she set the bags down, having carried them all after numerous fans came up to Rachel on the street and asked for pictures, autographs, almost anything and Rachel was a real sport about it. Quinn could have sworn she was seconds away from bursting out a ballad for one of her fans. A little before that Quinn just took the few bags Rachel had off her hands and carried them. "You didn't even carry any bags," she said in a factual tone and saw that the singer was about to comment until the chance was taken away. Santana's voice cut through the lazy, afternoon crowd and exclaimed, "Fabray, I've been waiting her for over an hour. I've run out of reasons why Britt can't have anymore coffee," she said in a loud tone and the former blonde looked around to see the dancer. "She's upstairs in your loft thing you idiot," the lawyer added in bluntly, "with Riley."
Rachel watched the conversation intently. Her eyes darting back and forth. Who was Riley? Riley could be a girl or boy's name. Was the person an ex of Quinn's? The brunette had a range of questions bombarding her head and she got an answer as Santana was ranting what century it was and how Quinn needed to keep her god damn phone on or what was the point of even having it. Really.
All thoughts of an ex stopped when Quinn was engulfed around the legs by a young boy. "Tag! You're it! And what I say goes becaaaaause Britt-any calls be a cutie and Tana says you're Quinn's brother who's just like Quinn! And I love Quinn." He added bashfully. "That's means you're nice. Right? Tana said you're nice." He said looking up hopefully. Quinn kneeled down as best as she could and watched Britt chuckling into her hand as Santana said,"he's your relative" to her love.
For the most part Rachel's brain was keeping up until she hears Quinn a minute later saying Raaaaar Raaar Raar and chasing around Riley. The customers didn't even seem to mind, she watched as some had small smiles on their faces, clearly not annoyed that there was an obvious distraction. Santana twirled around smoothly in her chair and went back to talking to her sister and Brittany placed her hand on her lower back, rubbing small circles and saying that she'll win the case. At that point Rachel tuned out even though a small part of her wanted that. Someone to rub her back and say you're going to own the stage tonight. She was still in her jumble of thoughts until Quinn stops in front of her, blue eyes shinning and says, "I'd make a great dinosaur," and there was a degree of pride in her voice as her eyes dashed around the room, keeping eye on Riley. It also hit Rachel how there was a without a tone laced in that statement as well. She stared at Charlie knowing he would never act goofy.
Is this real life? She asks herself because she's entered bizarre world. When did her life become a circus where she's in the fun house with distorted mirrors, swirl paintings and unsolid ground? She knows she's sung to sold out crowds and everytime that shocks her but seeing Quinn being...obscenly charming is...for once she's at a loss of words as she watched Quinn chase around Riley saying Raar Raar, come back her little man! When did Quinn vanish before her eyes? She was just there. And now she's back again.
I need to sit down. I am sitting down...
The words adorable, aloof, and cute popped into her head as rachel continued to watch, unaware of eyes on her. She never thought Quinn could be anything along the lines of adorable but here she was standing over her, Riley at Rachel's level since he was hung upside down with this massive smile on his face. For a split second Rachel was worried until she saw how careful Quinn was being with him, how delicate the hold was, even in a strong gasp and he giggled. Charlie's facial expression bore a smirk and said, "An herbivor so you wouldn't get upset by me eating other dino-steaks though," she clarified and waited to smile, waited to see if Rachel would find it amusing or lame.
Laughter burst out of her. Rachel couldn't remember the last time she laughed that hard, spontaneously and unable to contain it. Quinn lightly smiled down at her and the brunette found it endearing how Quinn was comfortable being a complete nerd. She would have liked this Quinn in high school she thought quickly.
When she manages to catch her breath she says with pure honesty, "You would have been wonderful with Beth." And it takes less than a second to realize she's said exactly the wrong thing as Quinn gently sets Riley down next to the dancer, turns to the counter, says a few words to Brittany quietly as Santana looks disturbingly fierce and smoothly leaves the cafe.
Rachel glances at Santana and wishes she hadn't considering she looks like she'd make a serial killer blush and cower.
"Berry, how many nails do you have up those sleeves for that coffin?"
"Santana," Brittany says gently but holds an undertone of a command to stop. Rachel had never been more thankful for Brittany more than in that moment, knowing Santana was about to unhinge her jaw and swallow her whole or throw her usual verbal knives at her. A chill sweeps through her body at the thought of Santana being in court, but there was that soft side to her as she watched the tan woman stride across the cafe and out the door as though she were on a mission.
