Chapter 14 - Encore
The best feeling when Quinn was young - around 10 or 11 - was when she'd wake up early on a schoolday and then be told that school was cancelled for that day. Because of snowstorms, or any other reasons, like a special Teacher Conference day - It didn't matter. As long as she woke up and got to go back to bed - best feeling ever.
She thought life didn't get better than that then.
Foolish child. She laughs at herself on the inside, and decides that kissing Rachel is definitely at the top of her list of best feelings in the world: no school days, reading a good book while drinking coffee, sharing a bag of gummy worms with Santana after school when they were in high school (and to this day still), having Beth in her arms for the first time.
Kissing Rachel.
Their lips meet and slide against each other's softly and curious. Rachel lets Quinn take control; lets her explore because Quinn is new at this kissing another girl thing and her ego is boost up enormously by knowing how much Quinn wanted this - wants it. Slender fingers run up her neck, into her chestnut hair and she melts at the feeling. They travel down her skin, and over her shoulders, until Quinn is grasping the collar of her vest, pulling her closer.
Quinn could learn to live kissing Rachel. As in, literally live while kissing Rachel. Take a shower kissing Rachel, go to the bank (how much she loves that stupid bank for bringing Rachel to her) kissing Rachel, make lunch kissing Rachel. Never prying their lips apart because they mold so well, like pieces of a puzzle. That missing piece in every puzzle, and when it's found - it just works. And it's a source of great joy.
It's cliche, but it's what happens. A knock on Quinn's window is the only thing that separates them. Neither know how long they've been sitting there, just kissing. Rachel takes a while to crash back down to earth from heaven, but eventually she registers Quinn's husky -huskier now - voice speaking to the police officer. "It won't happen again," Quinn promises with a hint of mischief twirking at her lips and eyes. Rachel nods behind her at the cop, and he gives them a knowing look before parting.
What a fucking kiss. And that was just lips touching - no tongue or teeth involved. That's saying something. Rachel fucking loved it.
She and Quinn exchange a look and then giggles, and they both flush - Quinn gets as red as a beet. "That was so worth it, though." She tells Rachel. "The kiss was... God, Rachel - you're such a good kisser."
Rachel smirks and replies as she starts driving again, "you, too." More words come at her to explain the kiss - fucking fantastic, perfect, majestic - but she settles for a smile. Quinn giggles and pecks her cheek, her lips warm from the kiss.
"We have got to do that again." Quinn says.
"I am definitely not opposed to that," Rachel informs her, opening her right palm for Quinn to hold it. The blonde takes it happily and sets on playing with Rachel's fingers, much like Rachel always plays with hers. "We need an encore of that and soon." Suddenly, she remembers her father asked her to call when they were coming by the restaurant, so she nods at her phone, plugged into the radio, and asks Quinn. "Will you please text my father for me? He's under 'Dad.'"
"Sure," Quinn tells her, letting go of Rachel's warm hold for the cold block of technology. "What would you like me to tell him?" She opens the message app and waits.
"Tell him we're on our way," Rachel says and puts her sunglasses back on. It came off sometime in between taking the exit and kissing Quinn.
"There," Quinn says and smiles at Rachel.
Rachel smiles back, warmth filling her chest just by thinking of everything that's happened in the past day with Quinn - how far they have progressed. "Thank you," she really just can't get over how it's all working out. She misses New York - sure, but Lima is taking ahold of her heart steadfast. More of a specific woman and her daughter, really.
"You're welcome."
Thinking Quinn has probably figured out by now that they're going to her father's restaurant, she says, "I don't want you to think I'm being cheap on our date and taking you to Dad's because I get free meals." Quinn's brows dance and irk, as if not ever having considered that before. Rachel continues, "it's just that I think you deserve an awesome lunch experience on our first date/outing. And my dad's is the best." She thinks about it then says, rolling her eyes at herself, "unless you consider my cousin's birthday party our first date, then that Spanish restaurant would've been first."
Quinn outright laughs. "We can just say your Dad's is first, even though I do consider that day our first date."
"Really?" Rachel asks with a tone that could only be described as a hybrid between excitement and disbelief at the discovery.
Hazel eyes narrow at her playfully, "of course."
And how can Rachel ever want to leave Lima now? Who would have ever thought that the same small town she so wanted to leave behind just a few years ago, would be the place she couldn't see herself leaving now? At least not for the time being. Not while she's just getting to know this girl. If only she had known that this town held such treasures.
"We're here," Rachel announces when they're making the exit to the restaurant. The place is located off one of the most popular neighborhoods in Lima, where the rich reside and hang out. It's a Sunday afternoon, so the place is packed with couples and families walking about. A valet driver offers to take her car to a parking spot, and Rachel smiles wide, accepting it. They get out together, and Rachel makes sure to not be so overt that they're together on a date.
Quinn has never explicitly said it, but Rachel doesn't think that she's any more ready now to come out to her town than she was a few weeks ago when they met. So she simply touches Quinn's wrist lightly when they make it to the door of Eclectic, and smiles at Quinn. Reassuringly. Quinn smiles a timid smile back and allows Rachel to hold the door open for her. That's as far as they go, because Rachel knows Quinn will probably be recognized by many here. These are the kind of people Quinn's family probably hung out with before their falling out. And she's right, because even before they properly make it inside, faces turn toward them and then back at their tables and comment on the blonde beauty.
Before they have any time to ask, Leroy is marching out of the kitchen, searching for the duo. "There you are!" He cleans his hands on a towel hanging from an apron tied around his waist. His chef's coat is not buttoned all the way to the top, showing a bright pink shirt he's wearing underneath. "I informed the valets outside to let me know as soon as you guys got here. How are you, Quinn?" He directs his question at her, ignores the hand she sticks out, and hugs her. "I kind of smell like food, but I feel like we're past shaking hands, don't you?"
She smiles and admits, "yes, we are. And you don't smell like food. I'm..." she considers how she should respond to his question. With the truth, "I'm doing very well today." She has a hard time to hide the grin that's threatening to take over her face. Rachel clears her throat behind her and she feels her cheeks burn.
He looks from her to Rachel to her again and understands. "Ah," he smiles at Rachel and winks, but Quinn misses that because she's trying to burn a hole through the ground. "Well, I reserved our best table for you guys. It's actually a remote booth, so you guys will have a bit more privacy." He winks again, and then calls a waiter over. The girl comes quickly and he tells her to show them their table and to get them drinks.
They follow Ina - according to her nametag - and are soon being seated. The cushion of the booth is extremely comfortable, and Quinn feels her body mold against the seat. Rachel sits next, at a 90 degree angle from her, rather than immediately next to her. They order drinks - water with lemon for Quinn and unsweetened tea for Rachel. "This place is ridiculous, Rachel." Quinn says once Ina leaves them.
The deco of the restaurant is classy and warm at the same time. There are exposed brick walls, and exposed pipes above their heads, cool metal and concrete surfaces. The booths are deep red, and the tablecloths are black underneath and white on top. "This place is my dad's baby. He needed a new one once I left for New York," Rachel jokes.
As soon as Ina shows up with drinks, they are also presented with a basket of warm bread, house salad with a dijon mustard dressing, and appetizers - freshly prepared bruschetta. Soon after, Ina takes their order. Rachel's dad knows exactly what she'd like, but she orders anyway so Quinn doesn't feel intimidated. Her plate is something vegetarian and foreign, while Quinn goes for some fancy pasta meal with crab.
Leroy comes see them halfway through the meal to ask how everything tastes and if they'd like anything else. Quinn is basically in love with this man's talent. She just wants to never stop eating his food.
She wonders if she can go on living without ever stopping from kissing Rachel and also without ever stopping from eating Leroy's food. Sounds hard, but manageable. Maybe she'd get super fat but she could live with that.
She smirks at her thoughts during one of those moments of quiet but appreciative silence.
Rachel asks, "what?" while forking an asparagus. The tiny smile on her face probably gives away how smitten she is just by watching Quinn eat. The sounds she makes while eating alone could make Rachel go literally crazy.
"Nothing, just wondering if I could live the rest of my life without ever stopping from kissing you or eating your Dad's food..." she says in a hushed tone of voice, timid for being caught, but what she says makes Rachel's small smile grow.
"I could help you with the kissing part. And matter of fact, I think we should totally leave now because..." she trails off and raises an eyebrow. Quinn laughs at her and nods. Rachel continues, impressed by the need to touch Quinn's lips with her own. "You know, we can continue what was rudely interrupted in the car by that cop." That sounds as bitter as she feels at that thought, now that she thinks about it. Before she was in a daze and hadn't even had time to properly hate the man but now she can't help but wonder how much longer they would have stayed there. And how Quinn's tongue would feel against hers. Yeah, hot damn. Just the thought is making her flustered.
She raises a hand confidently at Ina who's currently behind the bar, and she scurries over quickly. Rachel asks her to tell her father to send the dessert over as quick as possible, please, and Ina nods before going into the kitchen.
Quinn giggles a little and irks an amused eyebrow, "are you in a hurry?"
"Well, I've never been the most patient person, Quinn," she admits and taps her fingers on the table as she waits.
Finally, Ina brings over a large bowl to share with brownies on the bottom, vanilla ice cream on top, caramel and chocolate syrup over it all, and strawberries cut into it. "This looks so good."
"Everything is made from scratch," Ina informs Quinn.
Rachel beams proudly. "Wow," Quinn manages. Then she takes one of the spoons and takes a bite with everything, humming appreciatively at the decadence.
Soon enough, Rachel is getting up, dropping some money on the table as a tip for Ina, and then dragging Quinn with her into the kitchen so they can look around and so they can say bye to her Dad. Rachel is not hiding her wish to get out of there as soon as possible at all. She's also hoping Quinn will be up to going back to her place - since Britt is most likely to be home and Quinn's house is definitely out of the question. Her daddy isn't home, so there's heavy possibility for some making out.
"Dad!" She hugs him from behind as soon as she sees him walking out of the walk-in freezer. He's cold and holding something rather large. "We just wanted to thank you for the meal and say bye," Rachel starts. Quinn is hanging around behind her a couple steps, listening but also looking around at how magnificent the kitchen is.
It's spacious and clean and shiny. There are a lot of people working back here, she notices. There are people constantly barking orders. Others walk in the kitchen with empty trays and walk back out with full trays in their outfits of black and white vest and tie.
"...right, Quinn?" she hears Rachel ask. She snaps back to the present conversation, and blushes when she finds she wasn't listening afterall, struck by how cool everything around her is.
"I'm sorry," she apologizes. "I was distracted by how beautiful this kitchen is. It's amazing, Leroy. What were you guys talking about?" She looks from father to daughter and hopes they don't find her rude.
Rachel thinks she's absolutely adorable. "Just telling dad how Ina was great," she smiles hoping that'll relax Quinn a bit.
It does, instantly. "Oh! Yeah! She was great. Everything was perfect, really. The food was simply outstanding. Thank you so much," she would shake his hands, but he's holding a large cut of frozen meat.
He smiles in gratefulness, "It's my pleasure, Quinn. You're always welcome to come back."
They leave right after that, thanking Ina on their way out. She smiles warmly and thanks them back.
Rachel's car has already been fetched by the valet and she gives him some money too, discreetly, as he holds the door open for her (after opening the door for Quinn).
"Do you have to go back home yet?" Rachel asks, as they're driving away.
"No. Puck has Beth for the next few days. You know, since he's here and they haven't seen each other in a while... Besides, I wanted to spend some time with you before you have to leave." Quinn tells Rachel and sighs, thinking about Monday. A week from tomorrow, Rachel will be getting on a plane to New York and they'll see each other again who knows when.
The subject makes Rachel's heart constrict. She just really doesn't like the idea of going back right now. Play be damned. It does make her glad to know that Puck is spending some quality time with Beth though, and that she and Quinn have the next few days to hang out together as many times as they want, when Quinn's not at work.
"I hate thinking about that," Rachel admits to Quinn while intertwining their fingers. "If 16-year old me heard me saying this, I'd have a heart attack then, but... I really don't want to leave so soon."
Quinn kisses the back of Rachel's hand tenderly, "I wish you didn't have to." Selfish is something she's been called by many before, but admitting things like this to Rachel doesn't really scare her. She knows Rachel won't interpret it as being selfishness. They just started getting to know each other and it's not fair that it has to be taken away from them so soon.
They're stopped at an intersection that depending on Quinn's answer, she'll have to take a right to drop her off. If she agrees on coming over, she can go straight. "Want to go back to my place and hang out some more?" Rachel asks.
Quinn makes this noise which basically sounds like, 'are you stupid?' "You don't ever have to ask me that as if I'd say no. Of course I do." She rolls her eyes goodheartedly. Besides the fact that it's Rachel's childhood home (which means she gets to learn more about the girl), she's hoping they get to do more of that whole kissing thing. Rachel already has implied she wants it too, so as far as she's concerned, the question needn't even be asked.
Even though Puck has Beth for the next half week, she doesn't know if he's left Santana's and Britt's yet because they're so good friends. Thinking about it, he's probably making the two pose for a thousand new pictures. By this time, Santana's back from work and if they aren't having an impromptu photoshoot, the three are catching up while watching old Friends episodes. So, no. She doesn't want to go back to Santana's and her own home is not an option right now (or will be for the time being, since her mother doesn't know know about she and Rachel's relationship).
The garage door makes a low rumbling sound as it opens, and then Rachel's parking the car and they are walking inside the home.
Quinn remembers when she was here on Friday and how perfect that evening had been. That time she had entered through the front door though, and now she's coming in through the garage. Their hands clasp together as Rachel leads them through the small hallway that connects garage to laundry, and then they find themselves in the kitchen.
"So," Rachel starts, blushing slightly, suddenly hyper-aware that they're alone in her home. She wants to show Quinn her bedroom because she never properly showed it to Quinn last time on Friday. But, she doesn't want to sound like she's propositioning for sex so early in their relationship. 'Want to see my bedroom?' doesn't sound like the right way to go about it. Getting to make out with Quinn on her bed wouldn't hurt though. "Want an official tour of the house?"
"Yes, please." Quinn responds. Her thoughts are similar to Rachel's in the manner that she can't wait to reach her bedroom. She didn't see it last visit, and the possibility of messing up her bedsheets is appealing. Not sex! She's so not ready for that yet, but just a little (maybe a lot) of making out would be completely accepted and expected. It's reasonable for her to want it, especially now after having tasted Rachel's coffee-vanilla chapstick and after having been indicated that they would get to. She feels silly, like a young hormonal teen who can't wait to make out, and not the adult she is, but she just chalks it up to the affect Rachel has on her. And fuck it, just look at Rachel. Hot as hell, who in their right mind wouldn't be excited to kiss her?
The brunette guides them through the different rooms of the house, naming them, "well, you've seen the laundry, kitchen, living and dining rooms, and the bathroom downstairs. If you go this way, you'll get to my fathers' room and their bathroom. Now, up the stairs," Rachel goes first and Quinn follows, busying herself with appreciating Rachel's ass, moving at eye level. "Studio-slash-office here," she opens the door of the last room to the left and starts making her way to the other side, opening every door and showing quickly inside each room, "guest bedroom, another bathroom, and finally - my room."
It's as if the door opens in slow motion, but the room slowly comes into view. Quinn can practically see little Rachel growing up here. While the room definitely still has signs of being a young girl's room - like the soft pink on the walls, and the princess-like chandelier above the bed,- there are also signs of a grown woman: bras hung on the white chair in front of a white, well worn-out desk, the laptop, a Cosmo magazine promising the secrets to Great Sex, bills and letters, tons and tons of large books, and shoes and clothes all over the carpeted floor. Quinn kind of likes it that Rachel went through these many shoes and clothes before choosing an outfit.
Quickly, Rachel sets out to organize her room. She's embarrassed that she forgot the mess she left her room in that morning. First and foremost, she grabs her bras and stuffs them on the first drawer of her cabinet. "I'm so embarrassed," she mutters as she moves around. Then she grabs her clothes and throws them inside a large black suitcase - a reminder of Rachel's imminent leaving - off to the side of the Queen sized bed. Her shoes, she picks them up by pairs and throws them inside her closet and then shuts the door forcefully. A little out of breath and panicked, she turns to face Quinn with a blush ornamenting her face.
It makes Quinn's breath catch at the way Rachel looks at her, under her eyelashes. She's so gorgeous. "You don't have to clean up for me," she says, her brows furrowing just so as she considers that.
"Yes, I do." Rachel argues, coming closer to her desk and gathering the envelopes on top, to find something to do with her hands and not give in to the strong urge to throw Quinn on her bed and mount her. She opens a drawer - she doesn't really register which - and drops them inside. Chewing nervously on the inside of her cheek, she opens the blinds of her window and lets natural sunlight in. When she turns back around, Quinn is sitting on the edge of her bed. "I'm usually not this messy," she tells her and then sits down next to her, dangerously close. She cherishes the feel of Quinn's warm hand instantly seeking hers.
In the proximity, Quinn can feel just how nervous Rachel is, and she hopes it's for the same reason as she. "I don't care," she says, distracted by Rachel's left hand pushing a lock of gold hair behind her ear.
Leaning forward, Rachel gulps hard, and stares at darkened eyes, before closing her own and kissing Quinn again. The other woman seems to relax and she feels Quinn's eyelashes flutter closed against the skin of her cheeks.
Their lips slide together much like in the way it did earlier that day, curious at first and then growing in certainty. Noses bump each other, and more than once they tilt their heads, as if they've practiced this before. A sure hand comes to rest on Quinn's waist, a thumb runs circles on the spot. Another hand cradles the blonde's neck, leaving Quinn's hand - once previously tangled in Rachel's - free to explore as well.
The touch of Quinn's fingertips to Rachel's cheek feels electrifying and it burns in a really good way. Then a thumb caresses up and toward Rachel's ear. It's that tug that makes Rachel open her mouth slightly, gasping in ecstatic surprise.
Not one to waste opportunities, she takes this as an excuse to use a little tongue in the next kiss she gives Quinn. The blonde's lips encircle her tongue quickly, but it's all that it takes for Quinn to moan and open her mouth too.
Nails scrape down Rachel's neck and down her back until Quinn's hand is holding the hem at the back of Rachel's vest. Rachel deepens the kiss, introducing her tongue further into Quinn's mouth, and Quinn desperately feels like this should never ever end. Her thought from earlier in the day when she felt like that had been the best kiss ever? This one topples it tenfold.
At some point, it becomes too hard to breathe, so they shift away only enough to rest forehead against forehead and share the same air. Eyes still shut closed, Rachel speaks first, the ghost feeling of her breath hovering over Quinn's tingling lips, "you're..." she concentrates hard to put her thoughts into words. "Really, but really good at that." Her hands come up to hold Quinn's face, and she kisses her upper lip softly, her hands moving to grip blonde strands. "I think I'm never going to be able to stop doing this."
Quinn giggles against her lips and runs her thumb over Rachel's bottom lip, loving the easy way it glides across, "Sounds like a good plan to me, because I don't want to stop either." She dips her head and captures Rachel's lips again, hand carefully holding under Rachel's chin to keep her there (as if Rachel would ever leave).
Rachel is getting uncomfortable kissing like this, but she doesn't want to rush or pressure Quinn. The idea of kissing Quinn while they're both laying down is appealing, and she doesn't even dare think about kissing Quinn while the gorgeous hazel-eyed girl is straddling her - her entire being would short circuit. Carefully, she suggests, "do you want a pillow?"
Quinn nods excitedly, and even before Rachel instructs her, she's on her back and pulling herself up toward the headboard. The image alone drives Rachel wild. Quinn. Quinn in her home. In her room. On her bed. Quinn on her bed, hair disheveled and swollen lips. Their chests are giving away how hard their lungs have to work at the moment, moving up and down with such purpose. Rachel must stare for long than she notices because Quinn lets out an amused giggle and irks an eyebrow.
"You gonna join me up here or what?"
Fuck. Rachel scrambles up and places her right hand on the pillow to the side of Quinn's face. Her left finds a spot on Quinn's waist, and she lowers her body only to get more comfortable. She wants to kiss Quinn and stuff, but she wants to be respectful about it. Her forehead falls forward, thuding slightly against Quinn's and she breathes out, "my god, you're so beautiful." Her vantage point shows flawless skin tinted rose, striking hazel eyes burning into her own, and those lips - those damn lips.
"Rach," Quinn says with a smile. "You're the most strinking woman I've ever seen," she lets her know and lifts her back off the matress a little to kiss her again. She drops back down but keeps a hand holding onto Rachel's neck, and she feels comfort in the way Rachel's hair shields the outside world from her confession. "That first day I saw you, my world stopped." She raises again and kisses Rachel's slick lips again. Her back thuds against the bed's comforter one more time, the bedsheets giving way to her body. "I didn't want to admit it then, but I was seriously attracted to you. Still am. And it's not that hard to figure that out because the entire bank stopped to watch you."
This time Rachel kisses her first, forcing her to stay down with a hand placed on her shoulder. "You're lucky then," she jokes between kisses. "I'm a fucking catch."
The girl beneath her laughs, and Rachel pulls away to watch her do so. She's magnificent, and the way her lips curl upward and part, to show her perfect teeth in the most gorgeous smile; and the way her eyes seem to shine with mirth; and the way her nose wrinkles; and how husky and throaty her laughter comes out - it's all such a beautiful phenomenom and Rachel gets to witness it first hand. "Sure. You really are. You've been nothing but great."
It's the way the air suddenly shifts around them that makes Rachel completely comprehend where Quinn is coming from. "Baby," Rachel says and caresses both Quinn's waist and cheek at the same time. "You're a fucking catch, too."
Butterflies dance in Quinn's stomach, escape it, and flutter around in her ribcage, making her heart pound irregularly and ever harder. Baby. Rachel's baby. She thinks about it, and pulls Rachel closer, snaking an arm around her neck. They settle on their sides, facing each other, her arm still over Rachel's shoulders. "You make me believe it."
Rachel has completely forgotten about her burnt tongue from drinking steaming coffee that morning with the way Quinn's works around it and over it.
And in her mind she considers if love can come so soon. But how can she fight it when the woman she's kissing is so beautiful inside and out?
She remembers her tattoo, the literal meaning of it and the meaning behind it and smirks as lips meet lips and tongues meet teeth and hands touch skin. Quinn's lips mirror hers - smiling too; she feels it.
And Rachel promises herself that she'll always work to help Quinn believe just how fucking incredible she is.
...
I promise to plant kisses
Like little seeds on your body,
So in time you can
Grow to love yourself
As I love you
...
A/N: I usually don't use poetry in my fics, but I recently read that on Tumblr and I felt like it went well. Whatever. I just really wanted to use it, hahah. I don't know the author or if it's unkown or whatever, so if you do recognize it and you know who authored it, let me know, please. :)
Or, is that even a poem or is it song lyrics? O.o
Oh. And no, that's not Rachel's tattoo. That'll come up on the next chapter. :]
P.S.: can I just rant for a bit about how EVERY SONG IS FIT FOR FABERRY? Everything I hear makes me want to write a fic. It's so difficult to live life this way.
P.P.S.:I'm so glad I finished this BEFORE the site maintenance stuff. This way I get to upload it and I don't stress about wanting to, but not being able to and whatever. Hahah.
And always remember, in the words of the wise and great Lil' Wayne (I don't really like him, but I do love Delilah's rendition of this song and the lyrics are cool, so.):
"You deserve the best and you're beautiful. Baby, you're beautiful."
-TWiM