Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.
A/N: Guys, I'm really sorry for taking so long to update! But some relatives of mine came over and I had to stay away for a while. But now everything is back to normal and I really hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Thank you very much for the sweet reviews, you make me very happy!
A big thanks to my beta harleysantana23!
Have a nice reading!
Chapter Eleven
I Bought a Ticket to the End of the Rainbow
Quinn woke up as soon as the sun rose the following day. She took a shower, put on a simple dress and a cardigan and drove off without her breakfast or telling her mom that she was leaving. The truth was her thoughts hadn't left Rachel since the previous night. She loved the girl dearly and couldn't imagine her life without the adorable diva. The HBIC decided that no matter what the starlet said, she would be by her side forever.
The Head Cheerio drove a few miles out of town until she reached her destination: a flower farm with the most beautiful roses she had ever seen in her life. As soon as she parked her car, a handsome middle aged man approached her with a genuine smile.
"Is my vision playing tricks with me or is my favorite flower really here?" He asked offering Quinn a hug. The blonde girl chuckled and patted his shoulder.
"There, there, Uncle Robbie, you're suffocating your most charming niece." Robbie broke their embrace and laughed out loud.
"Oh dear, how modest you are." He mocked her with a charming British accent. "Don't let Frannie hear you."
"I won't." Quinn promised as the man guided them towards the floriculture. Quinn took a moment to appreciate her surroundings. It was one of the rare occasions when she felt like home. Lately, the feeling was stronger when she was with Rachel.
Robbie had been observing his niece since she got there and he just knew that something was wrong. Quinn wasn't showing off her cocky attitude like she usually did and her smile didn't reach the corner of her eyes. He wasn't used to see the teenager like that.
"What's wrong, kiddo?" He asked. "You hadn't joked about my old fashioned hair yet, so something must be seriously bothering you." Quinn smiled sadly as she toyed with a red tulip that reminded her of Rachel's inviting lips.
"Am I that easy to read?"
"Perhaps, but I think it's mainly because I know you too well." Robbie winkled. "C'mon, kiddo, tell me what's wrong." Quinn sighed. It was impossible to hide anything from her uncle.
"There's this very special girl that I like…" She started shyly. Robbie smiled warmly. It was no secret for him that Quinn was into girls. In fact, he had been the first person she had confessed it at the age of fourteen and honestly, he was ok with it, as long as she was happy.
"So, has someone finally conquered your heart, hmm, stud?" Quinn blushed and nodded.
"It's impossible not to fall in love with her, Uncle Robbie. She's so talented and kind and beautiful." Robbie chuckled at her dreamy tone.
"Well, if is she's all that, then why are you so sad? Doesn't she like you back?" He asked turning the sprinklers on and opening an umbrella to protect them from becoming drenched. Quinn took a shaking breath as she eyed the small drops of water adorning the flowers like tiny tears. She tried not to whip like them.
"Quinnie?" Robbie called her worriedly.
"She's… She's sick, Uncle Robbie." She whispered trying to ignore the stupid lump on her throat. "She has leukemia and I'm terrified. I'm fucking scared because I can't lose her." Robbie didn't have the heart to reprehend her for cursing because he had never seen the girl so broken before, not even when his idiotic brother left them for a silly younger woman. He had no doubt that his niece was completely different from Russell. She was capable to love and to change for the better, and he would proudly support her, no matter what.
"Oh, honey. C'mere, everything will be ok." He soothingly said as he wrapped his strong arms around her. Quinn buried her head on the crock of his neck and allowed her tears to break free.
"I love her, uncle Robbie. We can't be apart." She sobbed.
"Shh… It'll ok, sweetie. She'll be fine". Robbie said as he caressed her golden hair. The HBIC nodded, trying very hard to hold on to the words of hope from her uncle. She broke the hug and wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her shirt.
"She's avoiding me but I'm not going anywhere." Quinn fiercely guaranteed. Robbie smiled encouragingly and rubbed her hair.
"You spoke like a Fabray, doll face." He said proudly. "Go get your girl, tiger!"
"That's why I'm here." Quinn said smiling teary. "I need help from the master of the flowers himself." Robbie chuckled.
"Well then, miss." He said handling Quinn a basket. "Follow the master of romance. And don't forget to call me when she falls into your waiting arms to tell me everything in details."
XXX
Every Sunday morning Leroy Berry went out to exercise in order to keep his body in good shape. He usually came back home by ten, and he was used to seeing the same things over and over again: his neighbor yawning as he feed his dog, his newspaper hanging by his roof thanks to the paperboy's terrible aiming and Mrs. Foster taking a sunbath with her hideous glasses on. However, this Sunday was different. He certainly wasn't expecting a tall and athletic blonde adorning his front porch.
"Quinn? What are you doing here?" He asked eyeing the hundreds of different flowers on his yard. The blonde added the last bouquet of gardenias by the door and smiled at the man.
"I'm not going anywhere, Leroy. Please tell Rachel this." She said. Leroy put his hands over his mouth as he smiled.
"Well, it's crystal clear to me that you won't." He commented touched by the sweet gesture. "And I'm glad, Quinn. Very, very glad." The Head Cheerio nodded pleased and walked towards her car.
"My mom must be worried because I haven't left a note telling her where I am, so I'll go home." She regretfully told him. "Do you… Do you think it'll be ok if I stop by later?" She asked biting her lip expectantly. The short man chuckled at the adorableness of this.
"Yeah, I think so. Her inner diva won't be able to resist those flowers." Feeling loads better after his assurance, the blonde waved goodbye and drove off. Leroy chuckled as he admired Quinn's sweet handwork and noticed that each flower held a note written by hand. Just as he was about to read one, the front door opened to revel a surprised Rachel. The brunette stared at all the flowers wide eyed before focusing her attention on her father. Leroy giggled and raised his hands in defeat.
"Don't look at me, honey. It was your girlfriend's doing."
"What?" She asked confusedly. Leroy smiled and handed her a yellow tulip along with a note.
"It seems like she really loves you, Rachie. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll lecture your Dad on how he should be romantic like Quinn to heat up our marriage." He said winkling.
Rachel couldn't help but smile. It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. She smelled the flower and read Quinn's neat handwriting: "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May… Did you know that yellow tulips mean 'There's Sunshine in Your Smile'? It's so true. I'm sure the sun is jealous because I don't need him to warm me up. I have my own personal star." Rachel giggled at the adorable note and reached for a mistletoe hanging by the door. She wondered how Quinn had found those on that time of the year. She laughed when she saw that Quinn had drawn a miniature of herself with the cutest pout ever. The mini-Quinn said: "My lips are so sad… Can you kiss them better?" She eyed a bouquet of orange blossoms and smiled teary when she read the heartwarming words. "'I'll love you, baby, always. And I'll be there forever and a day, always. I'll be there 'till the stars don't shine, 'till the heaven burst and the words don't rhyme'. Orange blossoms mean eternal love and that's us, baby. Be my Mrs. Fabray-Berry one day soon." Rachel's heart beat faster when she read those last words and she couldn't stop the tears that slid down her face.
Quinn really loved her and she wasn't leaving her. Her defenses were useless and honestly, she was tired of fighting against her feelings. There was an amazing girl out there who wanted her more than anything that was willing to be by her side through those difficult times.
And she sure as hell wouldn't walk away from her.
XXX
The last person Quinn expected to find having a tea with her mother was Santana Lopez. Out of her Cheerio uniform, the Latina almost passed for a sweet and innocent girl. However the blonde knew her better and decided not to let her guard down.
"What are you doing here?" She inquired almost savagely. Santana looked down at her steaming cup of tea in guilt.
"Quinnie! Where are your manners?" Judy reprehended her. The HBIC didn't back down.
"Have you decided that you want to humiliate me even further by poisoning my mother against me?" Quinn mocked. "Very mature, Lopez. Too bad I don't have time or the patience for this shit."
"Quinn Fabray!" Judy yelped but Santana shot her an unusual calming smile.
"It's ok, Mrs. F. I deserved that." The brunette confessed. "I've been a bitch to her and Rachel lately. If the roles had been reversed, I'd probably behave the same way." Quinn huffed and crossed her arms still not buying Santana's kindness.
"Well, I guess I'll leave you girls alone for a while." Judy said walking towards Quinn to give her a kiss on the forehead. "Take it easy, Quinnie." She warned.
Silence descended on them as soon as the older blonde walked out. Santana was focusing her attention everywhere but Quinn while the Head Cheerio kept her gaze upon her, as if daring the shorter girl to offend Rachel again.
"So…" Santana started timidly. "Your mom called me and told me about Rachel." Quinn gasped in disbelief.
"She did what?" Santana cringed at Quinn's angry tone. "Oh, that's just great. She told just the right person." Quinn said pacing. "Well, then, are you here to laugh? Because I swear to God, Santana…"
"Shut up. Q." Santana said. "I'd never do that." Quinn laughed bitterly.
"Oh, really? And I should believe you because… Oh that's right! I shouldn't because you make our lives miserable!" Santana got red and got up facing the taller girl.
"I'm not that much of a bitch! I'd never laugh at this!" She yelled.
"Well, I'm sorry if I can't give credit to the girl who wanted to throw slushies at my girlfriend!" Quinn retorted.
"People change, Fabray, and you, of all people should know better!" The Latina fired back. "You should know better because you've fucking fallen with love with her after a stupid prank and now you should calm your ass down and let your best friend support you through this!" Both girls just stood there, breathing heavily and trying to keep their tears at bay. They failed miserably.
"I've… You've... How…?" Quinn muttered helplessly. Santana smiled weakly and rested a hand over Quinn's shoulder.
"We've done bad shits through our school careers and, somehow, Berry has taught us some important meanings without even noticing." Santana stated. "She's taught a headstrong and careless HBIC how to love…" She held back a chuckle when Quinn scoffed and carried on: "… and she's taught this fierce and totally amazing Cheerio how to grow up and stand up for her best friend and her girl." Quinn laughed through her tears. Santana was being cocky, but she knew it was her way of being genuine.
"She's amazing, isn't she?" Quinn said. "She's the nicest person I've ever known." The brunette nodded.
"I've got your back, Q. And Britt, Puck and Finn are with you as well. They'd like you to know that." Finally swallowing her pride, Quinn stepped in and hugged Santana.
"Thank you." She whispered sincerely. She felt hot tears trickle down her shoulders. Apparently, she wasn't the only one breaking down.
"Don't mention it." The shorter girl said rubbing Quinn's back soothingly before stepping out. "We're together at this, so if there's anything we can do, just let us know." Santana informed her. Quinn whipped her tears and smiled as a plan began to take form in her mind.
"Well… Actually there is something you can do…"
XXX
Quinn huffed as she tried to find the pair of her boot. She was sure she had hanged them by the door, so how had the damn thing disappeared? It was Murphy's Law all over again, and honestly she didn't have time to deal with it. Not when she wanted to be at Rachel's house so bad.
"Fuck! Where is the damn boot?" She exasperatedly said to herself while she threw all she could put her hands on away in order to find the object.
"Mom? Have you seen my boot?" She asked.
"Is this what you're looking for, by the chance?" inquired a soft and amused voice by the door. Quinn froze in place for a moment then slowly turned around to face an adorable Rachel Berry.
"Rach," Quinn whispered as she immediately wrapped the small diva in her arms. Rachel dropped the boot she was holding and circled her arms around the blonde's neck.
"I'm so glad you're here." The Head Cheerio murmured in the starlet ear letting her senses get drowned in the sweet aroma coming from Rachel's hair. The brunette tried to back away, but every time she took a step back, Quinn leaned in closer, practically fusing their bodies in pleasant warmth.
"Baby, shh…" Rachel soothingly said as she caressed soft blonde hair. "I won't run away." Quinn whimpered and didn't move. "Quinn…"
"No." The Cheerio said holding on her for dear life. The brunette managed to take hold of Quinn's cheeks without breaking their embrace. She met shining hazel orbs and melted when she found so much love reflected on them.
"I won't leave you, Rach. Ever." Quinn said. Rachel nodded and smiled.
"I know and I don't want you to." She confessed. Quinn rested her forehead against Rachel's.
"Are you afraid?" The blonde asked in a tiny voice. Rachel closed her eyes for a few moments.
"To death." She finally said. Quinn swallowed a lump on her throat and Rachel gently grabbed a strand of golden locks and pulled them. "Lighten up." The HBIC frowned painfully.
"It's not funny, Rach."
"I know, it's just…" Rachel said with moistened eyes. "I'm afraid we'll be apart." Quinn got the meaning and shook her head.
"Baby, that will never happen." She stated kissing the brunette. "Nothing will keep us apart, trust me." Rachel nodded as Quinn kissed her tears away.
"I do, Quinn. I love you." It was the first time the girl had said those words out loud and Quinn felt like her heart would actually explode of happiness. It was cliché to think of the Big Bang or the outburst of a thousand suns, but she really couldn't find another way to describe that perfect moment. Besides, metaphors are important, aren't they?
"Say it again." Quinn asked. And Rachel did, over and over again so they could record each syllable, whispering along thundering heartbeats during everlasting milliseconds, seconds and minutes of joy.
They kissed and smiled, holding on to each other. They felt so lucky to have found what so many people take decades to acquire. Each brush of delicate fingers and sweet wavering of honest declarations held their mutual wishes of forever.
XXX
"Baby, why did you put this blindfold on me? What's going on?" Rachel asked as Quinn held her securely around the waist and guided her through the desert corridor of the school. Quinn giggled and kissed the girl's cheek.
"Patience is a virtue, babe. Just wait, we're almost there." Rachel huffed.
"But I don't want to be late to Glee!" She whined. Quinn chuckled.
"You won't, I promise." Rachel muttered under her breathe and yelped when she tripped on her own shoelace. Quinn held her tighter against her body.
"Quinn Fabray!" Rachel said exasperated. "I demand you take this thing off of me right this second! I want all my senses back and while I find your guidance very charming and cozy, I'm afraid I'll fall sooner or later and bring you down along with me." Quinn laughed out loud.
"When, then, miss, since you find me cozy, I have no other option but to carry you properly." And before Rachel could protest, Quinn carried her bridal style. The brunette held onto her girlfriend's neck as if her life depended on it.
"Quinn! Have you lost your mind?"
"I have. Don't you know I'm head over heels for you, baby?" Rachel blushed and Quinn placed a sweet kiss on Rachel's lips. "Anyway, here we are!"
"Where is 'here'?" Rachel asked. Quinn didn't respond. Instead, she kicked the door opened and got in with the girl of her dreams in her arms.
"Damn, Q, I though you said this was a place to sing, not your honeymoon." Santana said amusedly. Rachel froze in Quinn's arms.
"Quinn?" The blonde smiled and gently put Rachel down.
"Did they get married, San? Why didn't Quinn invite us?" A puzzled Brittany asked.
"They didn't get married. It's just that Q likes the honeymoon idea better." Puck teased.
"Shut up, all of you. I think it was sweet of Quinn to carry Rachel." Kurt said. Rachel was confused than ever. She didn't understand why Kurt was in the same room as Puck, Santana and Brittany. It didn't make sense.
"Quinn?" She questioned again. The blonde kissed her forehead and unfolded her. Her first thought was that it was a dream, a very strange dream. There, in the Glee Club, sat Puck, Finn, Brittany and Santana and all of them were smiling at her. Like truly smiling. Sam and Mike where there as well and Mr. Schue looked like he had won on the lottery.
"Surprise, babe," Quinn whispered in her ear. She looked at her girlfriend questionably. "Well, now Glee is complete: twelve members. And we'll go to New York." She announced proudly. Rachel was speechless.
"You can bet on it, Q. I want to sing at the empire state of mind!" Santana said and the rest of the group clapped in agreement.
"We'll show them what we're capable of." Artie said.
"And you'll be our star." Quinn said to Rachel intertwining their fingers. "We can't make it without you Rach. We just can't." Rachel smiled brightly and hugged Quinn.
"I love you so much." She said.
"Yeah, yeah, save the make out session for later." Santana said. "It's time for business." As their practice started, Rachel couldn't wipe the bright smile off of face. She just couldn't believe that they had a chance to go to New York and win Nationals. Now, she knew they had a long path to cross, but as long as she had Quinn by her side, everything would be totally worth it.
"Thank you for making my Number One come true." Rachel said resting her head on Quinn's shoulder as Santana and Brittany sang Cherish.
"Baby," Quinn said kissing the top of her head. "I'd do anything for you. Besides the number on is far from being complete. You have yet to become Mrs. Fabray-Berry."
A/N2: Sweet and hot times ahead, but also be ready for some angst on the next chapter. Now, pleeeeeease, review and let me know how I'm doing so far!
A/N3: Is it only me or are you guys also worried about Quinn's destiny on season 4? Seriously, Ryan's 'great plans' for Quinn doesn't sound too pleasant in my ears. I mean, he did hit her with a truck last season, so… #prayingalready
