A/N ~ I do not own Glee or its characters, anyone not on the show I invented.

Rated M: I hope you like it!

Chapter 12 Growing Pains

It had been two months since the foursome had moved in together. It was also two months since Rachel's spankings; one for fighting, the other for getting behind the wheel of a car drunk. The diva was not used to following rules not of her making, and even less used to living in close quarters with three other women. She had been an only child, so sharing was not Rachel Berry's forte. She loved these women, and had wanted this for a long time. It was not easy, but then again nothing in her life ever had been. Rachel Barbra Berry did not give up easily, on anything. She may not be rich and famous like she thought she would be by now, but she was loved, and in love. That meant everything to the woman who spent her childhood feeling alone, left out, and different than everyone else.

It was midmorning, and Rachel was sitting at the kitchen table going over her finances. She left New York City with a small nest egg, but that was nearly gone now. Living in the hotel in Akron had been expensive, but she had never once thought of giving up. She knew she and her girls were destined to be together. It had just taken longer than she had counted on. Rachel had been vague with her fathers' regarding her reason for staying in Akron so long. She knew they were more liberal than most parents, and had no problem with her bisexuality, but three girlfriends might be pushing it. The simple face was Rachel was running out of money. She was going to have to find something to do about that.

She was sipping her coffee, and enjoying some rare time at home alone. The first purchase she had insisted on was a fancy coffee maker. She needed her coffee, and couldn't drink the swill Santana made. Brittany was out grocery shopping, Santana had taken a part time job, and Quinn was checking out some rehearsal spaces.

The Unholy Trinity's last gig had garnered them some great press, and positive attention. Rachel knew music, and she really felt they were good enough to make it in the industry. Well, if they didn't wind up homeless, and starve first. She chided herself for being dramatic. It was just her nature.

They had to capitalize on the good press from their gig. Rachel felt they should record their music, and get it played. That took money, and it was money they didn't have. She wanted to do something spectacular for her girls. It had killed her not to do a big, grand gesture to win Quinn back. Nothing was preventing her from doing it now. Well, nothing but the cash to do what she wanted to do for them. Rachel knew she would find a way to pay for studio time. It meant everything to her. Santana, Brittany, and Quinn had made her dreams come true, she wanted to help make theirs come true.

Rachel poured herself another cup of coffee. She smiled softly as she remembered the first night they had all been back together since high school. It had been the most important night of her life. Being with them had been the aftermath of a lifetime of aloneness, missed chances, and unhappy hookups. The little diva knew she was right where she belonged, finally.

-0-0-flashback-0-0-

Rachel Berry was not happy. For the second day in a row, she found herself with her nose in the corner and a very sore ass. She wanted to stomp her foot in frustration, but that seemed a little childish even to her. More childish even than the kicking, crying, and apologizing she had done over Santana's lap half an hour ago. Plus she had been warned about standing still in the corner, no rubbing, and to really think about the stupidity of drinking and driving. Frankly, she barely remembered doing it, but it definitely sounded like something she would do. She had been on a mission that evening. All this trouble over the urgent need to make "I'm sorry cookies."

She knew she had pulled some crazy stunts in her life, but this had really taken the cake. Stunts she had never suffered any consequences for. Rachel knew she deserved her punishments, but she really hated the fact that on her first day as a couple, or a quadruple, whatever the hell they all were, she had screwed up so spectacularly. It was embarrassing as hell.

Rachel was also insecure enough to be worried that her own personal brand of crazy would irritate the others enough to eventually drive them away. Brittany had reassured her last night. Santana and Quinn had snuggled with her last night during movie night, and reassured her some more. Still, it was going to take her some time to adjust to unconditional love.

She was distracted from her musings when Santana called her out of the corner. The Latina was sitting on the couch waiting. They spent about a half an hour talking about drinking and driving. Rachel had tearfully explained she rarely drank alcohol at all, and even more rarely, as in never before that night, had she ever gotten behind the wheel of a car drunk.

Santana had snorted in amusement when Rachel explained that she might, on occasion, get just a little carried away when she was on a mission, "Like I said before, you are a trouble magnet, baby girl. It was only a matter of time before you got… what did you call it? Oh yeah, a little carried away," she tried to stifle her laughter. She was trying to deliver a serious lecture, and her little short-stack was making it very difficult to keep a straight face, "Now, no drinking or driving ever again. Is that clear?"

Rachel sniffed mightily, and wiped tears away with the back of her hands, "I won't ever again, I promise. I won't ever get in trouble again, honest. I'll be the best girlfriend you've ever dreamed I could be. I won't be any trouble to any of you ever again."

Santana stood up quickly, and took Rachel into her arms. She could hear the panic and desperation in her new girlfriend's voice, "Hey, hey now. What's this all about? We all love you for exactly who you are, Rachel Berry. You don't have to be the best anything. You don't have to be perfect, and you don't ever have to worry that just because you have a tendency to find yourself in trouble we are going to leave you. We aren't. We all love you very much. I am going to spend the rest of our life together happily telling you that. None of us want you to drive yourself nuts, trying to be what you think we want or need you to be. We just need you, baby girl; Rachel Barbra Berry, in all her extremes, her talent, her generosity, her kindness, her selfishness, her craziness, her wild schemes. The real you, the genuine article is the girl we fell in love with, the woman we want to spend eternity with," she kissed the top of Rachel's auburn hair, "so try to relax. It's all going to be ok. You screwed up, you were punished, you are completely forgiven, end of story."

The diva hugged Santana closer, and cried into her chest. The Latina ran her fingers through Rachel's thick hair, and soothed her girlfriend. She didn't even want to tell Rachel that she had gone easy on her, the way she was acting. Yesterday had been the diva's first spanking ever; she didn't want to go overboard. When she saw Rachel's backside was still a little pink, she bailed on using the hairbrush. That would have been the normal punishment for drinking and driving, but she was still hesitant after what had happened between her and Quinn. Santana knew she was going to get shit about it from Quinn and Brittany, but she was hesitant to punish Rachel. She was anxious that her feelings might go overboard again, and she would hurt Rachel the way she hurt Quinn. That single event had thrown her off balance, and she didn't even know it until she had her petite girlfriend over her lap. For now, she was just grateful the punishment was over and she could comfort Rachel.

"I love you guys so much, San. I'll try to stay out of trouble," Rachel continued, unaware of Santana's anxiety.

Santana rolled her eyes at the dramatics, "Good, then I'll try not to spank you again," she nearly laughed out loud when she felt Rachel stiffen up in her arms. This one was going to be a handful, "Why don't you take a nap until Brittany and Quinn get back?" Santana lead the sniffling woman to the master bedroom, where Rachel quickly scooted under the covers.

"Lay with me a while, please?" Rachel whispered.

"Of course, mi amor, I'll stay with you," Santana quickly climbed into the bed next to Rachel, "for as long as you need me to."

Rachel woke up a few hours later to find Santana sitting up stroking her hair, "Hey sleepyhead. How are you feeling?"

"Sore!" Rachel pouted.

"I bet," the brunette chuckled, "but not nearly as sore as you'll find yourself if you ever drink and drive again."

"I have totally learned that lesson," Rachel grinned sweetly.

"I know you have, babe. Are you hungry? B brought back Chinese. She even brought some of that vegan crap you love so much," Santana teased.

"I could stand to eat," Rachel rolled over, momentarily forgetting her sore backside, "Ow darn it, that hurts."

Santana jumped up, "Good, keep that in mind next time you decide to deck that idiot St. James again, and then feel the need to make I'm sorry cookies when you're smashed."

"Jerk…" Rachel smirked at the Latina's retreating back.

"I heard that," Santana sing-songed.

"I wanted you to!" Rachel giggled. She got up and gingerly followed Santana to the kitchen.

Quinn and Brittany each walked over and gently kissed their diva. Brittany went over to the cupboard to pull out dinner plates, and Quinn stayed next to Rachel. She stroked her cheek with her fingertips, "Are you doing ok, Rach?"

Rachel looked down at her feet and shrugged, "I'm fine, just a little embarrassed about acting so stupidly. I'm glad it's all over with," it was clear she was still flustered.

"Yes, I am familiar with zis feelink you are having," Quinn said in a cheesy Dr. Freud accent, "Zis is called post-traumatic spanking syndrome."

The diva giggled, and pushed Quinn gently, "You're such a nut."

The punk haired singer leaned against the counter, eating noodles out of the container with her fingers, "Yes, I am! I just meant that that's part of this relationship. I have a lot of experience acting stupid, being punished, and then being really embarrassed about having to be spanked for acting stupid. I just wanted you to know that you don't have to feel bad. We've all been there, all of us. I'm just trying to say it's over, let it go. You don't have to analyze it, or overthink the situation."

Rachel put her hands on her hips, "Quinn Fabray, I hope you are not insinuating…." She started indignantly.

Quinn just pushed off the counter laughing heartily, "Yeah, like you don't ever overreact or overanalyze anything. Just take my advice, let it all go before the Rachel Berry crazy gene you possess leads you back into hot water."

The tiny brunette tried not to be insulted because she knew Quinn was only trying to help, and it didn't hurt anything to know she was right. Given enough rope, Rachel knew she would definitely hang herself. She tried to be indignant and self-righteous but knew it was pointless.

It was only take-out Chinese, but it was the first meal they ate as a newly formed family. It was fun, and relaxed. Everyone was laughing and joking, and they were talking music. They were talking about a future, their future. Rachel found herself getting swept along with her three girlfriends, and it was a wonderful feeling.

After dinner and cleanup, Santana put on a movie but not surprisingly no one was paying attention to it. Rachel was sitting on the couch next to Brittany. Santana was sitting in the chair with her laptop, and Quinn was sitting on the floor humming a tune, and jotting music notes on a pad.

The diva was startled when she felt hot breath on her neck, as Brittany leaned over and attached her lips to Rachel's neck. She squeaked, and it quickly turned into a moan when the tall blonde bit softly on a tender spot, then gently ran her cool tongue over the spot to soothe it.

At the lustful moan, Santana and Quinn both looked up immediately to investigate. Rachel had turned into Brittany and they were locked into a passionate kiss. Santana got up and sat down behind Rachel. She moved forward and wrapped her arms around Rachel's waist. With her left hand, she moved the hair off of the diva's neck, and nipped her earlobe with her teeth. The surprise of the slight pain mixed with the pleasure caused Rachel to arch her back, and groan.

Quinn had moved behind Brittany, and wrapped her hands around the tall blonde and cupped her breasts. She was massaging them gently. Rachel twisted her head around, and kissed Santana sucking her tongue into her mouth.

Brittany did the same with Quinn. They were all panting and breathing heavily. Santana leaned over Rachel and B to kiss Quinn. The blonde dancer whispered seductively, "Why don't we take this to the bedroom?"

Santana stood up, and held her hand out to Rachel. The girl took it, and stood up effortlessly. She turned to look at Brittany and Quinn. The Latina wrapped her arms around Rachel's waist, and put her chin on the diva's shoulder. She looked at her blonde girlfriends lasciviously and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Quinn saw the wanting and desire in the brown eyes of both her girlfriends, and it sent of jolt of arousal to her core. She felt herself getting wet, "come on, baby," she growled at Brittany, "let's go to bed, we've waited for this for years."

The four of them headed into the bedroom leaving a trail of clothes as they went. The first time they all made love, it was hard and fast. No one even made it the bed. They took each other against the walls, and the door of the bedroom. They were all lying on the floor in a hot, sweaty tangle of limbs when Rachel started to laugh. She just kept laughing, "Wow! That was just, wow! Either I was super drunk that night in High School, or you guys have gotten way better at this."

Brittany's ample chest was heaving, "That was super awesome, Rae! I think you've been practicing too!"

"Yeah, short-stuff that tongue of yours should be classified as a lethal weapon! Hey Q, you alive over there?"

Quinn just let out a long satisfied groan. She was sprawled on her stomach, her head on Brittany's abdomen.

The blonde dancer giggled, "You guys, I think we broke Q," she leaned forward and slapped Quinn's bare ass. They all laughed when Quinn yelped out loud. Brittany giggled sweetly, "Nope, she's not broken."

"I'm not going to be able to walk or sit comfortably tomorrow. That was amazing. I'm going to get the strap on from the closet. You three get your asses on that bed," Quinn ordered possessively as she sauntered towards the walk in closet.

Santana got up and followed Quinn into the closet, "You know what I think?"

"No Santana, I don't know what you think. Your mind is a dark dangerous neighborhood I try to avoid going into alone."

The Latina scoffed, "Hello pot, meet the kettle!" She bumped into Quinn in the dark closet, "sorry, babe I didn't see you had stopped."

Quinn took Santana into her arms, and kissed her deeply. She took her time, enjoying her soft full lips. She licked the Latina's bottom lip, and her mouth instinctively opened. Quinn's demanding tongue wrestled for dominance as the kiss deepened. She pulled away slightly to meet her body's demand for oxygen.

"Madre de Dios! You haven't kissed me like that since High School."

"Then I've been a damn fool on top of everything else," Quinn whispered to her lover as they stood forehead to forehead, "thank you, Santana," she said deeply.

"For what, baby?"

"For loving me, for taking care of B, for forgiving Rach, and helping me forgive her too! I love you!"

"Loving you baby is so fucking easy! Not strangling you with my bare hands has been so much more difficult."

Quinn snorted out a loud laugh.

Santana smirked, "Oh very attractive. See, what's not to love!" She playfully swatted Quinn's ass, "Now find the damn toys and let's get busy. We have two very hot women in our bed."

The foursome made love until the light of dawn started to peek through their curtains. Brittany and Quinn were completely passed out, and Santana was ready to join them. Quinn was curled into Rachel's side with Brittany spooning Quinn, her arm was extended over Quinn and her hand was lying on the diva's stomach. Santana was on the other side of Rachel, he head on Rachel's shoulder, and her hand on top of Brittany's. She noticed Rachel was still awake, smiling contentedly, "What are you thinking, mi amor?" she whispered softly to the singer.

Rachel turned smoldering, caramel eyes towards her Latina lover, and said heavily, "I'm thinking we are going to need a bigger bed."

Santana laughed out loud, and snuggled closer to Rachel, "go to sleep, horndog."

-0-0- end flashback-0-0-

Rachel looked up when she heard someone clear their throat. She flushed a deep maroon when she saw the look of amusement on Brittany's face.

"I caught you, Rae. You have your sexy face on," she crossed her arms, daring the diva to deny it.

"I was actually thinking about a lot of things, but I seem to have drifted back to our first night making love. I don't think I've ever been happier in my entire life."

Brittany came over, and hugged Rachel from behind, "Me neither, Rae. I feel whole now that you and Q live here full time with us now," she reached out and tapped the newspaper open on the table, "want ads?"

Rachel sighed, "Yes, want ads. I need to get a job, Britt. I'm running out of money, and I want to contribute."

Brittany got up, and started to put away the groceries, "You can't just work any stupid job, Rae. You are too smart, and way too talented."

"Thank you for saying so, Britt. I had an idea. I'm going to see if I can give vocal lessons. I can set my own hours, and my own fees. It can be very lucrative. If we do a little work where the band rehearses, we can give music and dance lessons. I know you miss dancing. You can teach dance and the drums. I can give voice lessons; maybe Quinn can give guitar lessons."

"Please, all those horny groupies of Q's? She offers guitar lessons, she'll be booked for years and make a fortune," Brittany laughed sweetly.

"Or maybe Quinn can stay home and work on writing songs?" Rachel finished jealously.

The blonde turned and noticed Rachel's possessive look, "You know, Rae? Q's sex appeal is a huge part of the band's success here in Akron. Her fans are a bit nuts sometimes. You can't get all angry, and jealous about it. It's hard, but Q is with us. You have to trust that, or you're going to be miserable. I mean, Q handles it, but once in a while a fan will have too much to drink and get a little handsy. You can't let it get to you, or it will make you crazy."

"Yeah, I hadn't thought of that," Rachel was chewing on her bottom lip, "I'm going to have to work on that one."

Brittany sat down on the chair opposite Rachel, "We are all going to. This relationship is brand new for all of us."

Rachel reached over and took Brittany's hand, "It's new, and exciting, and wonderful. We'll handle it together, all the ups and downs. Now that we have a way to make some money, I have an idea," she pulled out the paper she had been writing figures on, "I think it's time we rent some studio time and put together an entire CD of music. We've been writing new material, and it won't over well at your last gig. We need to strike while that iron's hot!"

Big blue eyes looked panic stricken, "Oh no, did I leave the iron on again? If Santana finds out, she's going to kill me for sure. She always says I'm going to burn the house down."

Rachel said kindly, "No Britt, you didn't leave the iron on again. I just meant you guys did so well at the last gig; it's time to get a CD of your music out to stations to get played. I have some more contacts I want to talk to. This new music can put you guys over the top. I'm sure of it!"

Brittany leaned over and kissed Rachel, "With you as our manager and songwriter, I have no doubt you will make us stars."

Rachel hummed softly. She had so many plans for all of them. It was time to put them all into action. She couldn't wait to talk to Santana and Quinn when they got home. She got up and helped Britt put the groceries away, her head still lost in the clouds. Everything was falling into place, she could feel it.

To be continued….thanks for reading, let me know what you thought...