(I apologize, among other things I was taken out by the flu)
December
New York
Her life was becoming Groundhog's Day, get up and go to rehearsal then go home and go to sleep. It was the same thing day after day since her return, she woke up to a new picture from Finn everyday, she would text him a thank you and move on, she couldn't afford to fail, not after going through everything she had. At the moment the pint sized diva was sleeping, on the couch, with her mouth open and drooling, she was pushing herself harder than the others, her voice was powerful but her dancing was average and so she worked harder and came home exhausted every night.
Pulling a blanket over her Kurt headed to the kitchen it was his turn to cook and he was making a spiced vegan lentil soup, something to warm them up. They were going to have movie night, just the two of them and decorate the loft, they'd barely had time together now that he was back with Blaine and she was dating Jesse, he wanted a day just for them before Blaine moved in with them. He'd pulled the boxes out so they were ready when they finished eating, hopefully she would go right back to sleep when the decorating was complete.
"Something smells good." Rachel yawned shuffling into the kitchen, she'd slept another hour until the wonderful smell of dinner woke her up.
"A new recipe I found, a little something to warm us up on manless night." Kurt shrugged.
"We are not manless" Rachel chuckled.
"Well not in that sense." Kurt agreed. He and Blaine had just gotten back together after yet another break up "But we are having a night to ourselves without them and," gesturing around him he added "throwing a little more holiday cheer up in otherwise gorgeous but still un-festive dwelling." the only thing up was the menorah.
"I bought him presents." Rachel said quietly then rambled "I...I know he's too young to remember any of this but I knew Finn would do Hanukkah..." Rachel sniffed.
"Oh honey." Kurt gathered her in his arms.
"I sent them to my Dads," Rachel rested her head against Kurt chest "they Skyped me for lighting the menorah, Finn had him in a little suit, a different suit every day," Rachel couldn't help but chuckle as she held him closer. "you sent them to him didn't you?"
"I may have." Kurt chuckled with her. "I was thinking of a small party for Christmas." Kurt explained "Us, Sam, Jesse and a few other people, just like Thanksgiving."
"That'd be nice."Rachel nodded.
"Oh, did you see?" Kurt smiled pulling out his phone, poking it he handed it to Rachel, Rachel smiled seeing the picture of Santana, Brittany, the twins and Abuela.
"Yes, I'm so happy for them." Rachel smiled asking "Did Finn send you one? Christopher's dressed as a football?"
"I'm just happy it wasn't a pumpkin." Kurt chuckled.
"He was holding him, I know she was taking the picture." Rachel said, her lower lip trembling. "Why does it hurt so bad seeing him with Marley when I'm dating Jesse?"
"First loves hurt when they don't work out." Kurt hugged Rachel from behind, resting his head on her shoulder he murmured "What's important now is you two are moving on, you don't have to like Marley any more than he has to like Jesse, you just need to respect that they are together now and she will be in Christopher's life. I know my brother, he's hurt when he sees you with Jesse, he wishes it could have worked out but you don't belong in Lima and God love him he's too naive for New York."
Rachel couldn't help but chuckle, Finn was really too much of a small town boy, he didn't like all the noise, you couldn't see the stars and she was sure he'd be mugged multiple times because he tried to help someone. "We're where we need to be right now." Rachel agreed.
Lima
Quietly closing the apartment door Finn headed straight for his bathroom, he'd had class that morning but had worked at the garage until close. He was in the living room before too long clean hair slightly damp and smiling at the sight before him. Marley was on the floor with Christopher in his bouncer looking at her, she had been a lifesaver helping out after Rachel's return to New York, and Marley didn't mind she loved the baby. Kitty loved to watch him too. "There's beef stew in the slow cooker."
"Thanks Marley." He lowered himself to the floor on the other side of the bouncer, leaning he kissed her cheek "You know you don't have to make me dinner."
"Oh because you'll make it?" Marley teased kissing his cheek and giving his shoulder a push as she stood, Finn chuckled, Santana's grandma had joined in with his and Marley's moms in giving him pre-made dinners, Mrs. Lopez's he used when he had company, she always made him larger meals and not single servings.
"How about you eat with me and we'll do homework together." Finn suggested unhooking the baby from his bouncy chair "Hey Sprout." Finn smirked at the pajamas, Brittany had picked them out, red feetie pajamas with a football on the butt. Kissing the baby's cheek Finn gave gave a nuzzle with his nose too, Christopher yawned. "Am I that boring buddy?" Finn chuckled. "I missed you, did you miss me?" Christopher yawned again getting another chuckle from Finn, slowly getting to his feet Finn moved over to the bassinet, Marley had brought it out to the living room. Putting Christopher in the bassinet Finn swaddled him, when they were first learning Brittany called it burritoing, he agreed. "Alright buddy, you're burritoed."
"So how was work?" Marley smiled asking over her shoulder as she grabbed two bowls from the cupboard.
"A couple of brake jobs, four tires." Finn smiled down at his now sleeping son. "Steer clear of main and 3rd, there was an accident last week and I don't think they got everything." it was the one thing all his tire changes had in common.
"Okay." Marley nodded dishing up both bowls "Mom sent over chocolate chip cookies, I put them in your cookie jar."
"Thanks." Finn moved away from Christopher "Hey do you wanna go see Santa Claus with us tomorrow? I mean I know he won't remember it but I know my Mom would be excited for a picture of him with Santa."
"Oh that's a great idea and I'd love to." Marley smiled carrying the bowls to the table. Grabbing two waters from the fridge Finn smiled at the two pictures on front of the fridge, him and Marley together with Christopher at Thanksgiving and a beaming Santana with her Abuela, Brittany and the twins.
"I'll pick you up at like nine we can do Santa and lunch."
"Have you finished your Christmas shopping? We could hit a few stores while we're there." Marley suggested.
"I haven't got anything, well except that one thing, but that's a baby present so we need to them something else too," Finn admitted sitting with her "any help would be great."
"After homework we can go over your list and just hit the necessary stores, we should get there when it opens." Marley said then promised. "I'm really good at finding things on sale."
"Me too, before Burt things were really tight, we couponed, still do" Finn shrugged "you know why waste money you can use for other stuff." Marley nodded, she understood. Finn shook his head. "I still can't believe I can afford this place."
"I know, it was great that Brittany's uncle has a student discount." Marley agreed.
Finn smiled watching Marley pushing the stroller, he had tried but he was just too tall and ended up hunched over, he didn't make it two feet before Marley took over. Diaper bag stashed underneath in the basket, they made it inside the mall before taking off their jackets and stashing them underneath as well. Finn just followed Marley, she seemed to know where she was going, he shoved his hands in his pockets looking around at the stores they had discussed the night before. Their plan was Santa first because the line would get longer through out the day and then shopping and then lunch. "Oh, your baby is so precious." Marley stopped pushing the stroller when the older woman touched her arm.
"Oh...thank you." Marley glanced at Finn, they hadn't thought about it, people mistaking them for a married couple or Marley for Christopher's mom. But they were both over sized for their ages and Marley's fingerless gloves covered where any ring could be.
"How old?" the older woman asked fawning over the sleeping infant.
"He's a month and a half." Finn answered.
"Enjoy this age, they grow up so fast, get in all the cuddles you can, Merry Christmas."
"We will, Merry Christmas." Marley smiled starting to push the stroller again.
"Sorry about that." Finn mumbled following her, embarrassed he admitted "I didn't think about that happening when I invited you." they hadn't taken Christopher anywhere together.
"Me either." Marley shrugged admitting "It's fine, I mean I would think the same thing if I didn't know us."
"I guess that's gonna happen all day. Sorry." Finn mumbled.
Stopping the stroller Marley touched Finn's arm waiting until he looked at her before he spoke "It's fine, I'll handle it like I did I minute ago, now let's go get his picture with Santa." pushing up on her toes Marley kissed Finn's cheek, grinning she tilted her head in the direction they needed to go "Come on."
"Kay." Finn followed happy that she was enjoying herself, if she didn't mind he was going to leave it alone, why tell a stranger 'Hey it's me and my ex-girlfriend's baby and this is my new girlfriend I met teaching Glee club at a school I just graduated from.' yep that wouldn't get him stared at like he was some perv, it wasn't weird at all. Bumping into Marley's back Finn lightly grabbed both her biceps to help regain his balance, Kitty Wilde stood in front of the stroller hands fisted on her hips. "Um...hi?"
"Why is my baby at the mall? It's cold outside, you call me, I watch the baby while Marley makes sure you don't buy horrible, hideous, ugly gifts, that's how this works."
"Uhh..." Finn stared down at the fiery blonde.
"We would have but we're doing Santa pictures." Marley explained.
"We need to be first in line, my baby is not sitting on Santa's lap after some snot nosed little booger breath." Kitty linked her arm through Marley's. "Let's go. Finn clear the way, you're ginormous they'll move out of your way for fear of being crushed." Finn wasn't sure why he did as he was told but he walked in front of the girls, essentially clearing the way because people really did move out of his way. "So what does he need?"
"He has a bunch of stuff already Kitty you don't need to get him anything." Finn said over his shoulder.
"Quinn asked me to watch over him and that's what I'm doing." Kitty shook her head.
"Quinn?" Finn glanced back at the mention of his first ex-girlfriend's name.
"You may not have asked her to be his godmother but don't think she's going to ignore this baby." Kitty huffed.
Finn stopped "I didn't name her as a godmother because..." Finn just didn't, his mind went straight to Brittany and Santana.
"Look she gets it, really, but if you think you can have two of the three you're mistaken. Now, go, baby with Santa pictures." Kitty shooed Finn forward. "Then me and this young man are leaving, you shop, we'll go take a nap." Slightly confused Finn just did as he was told.
Finn grinned seeing Brittany and Santana with their double stroller, they were walking towards the line from the other direction, Brittany was pushing the stroller, she didn't let Santana do anything really physical. "Whoever said babies make you a morning person lied out their ass." Santana muttered. Finn chuckled, Santana would never be a morning person.
They had a half hour before it opened, the elves and photographer were getting things set up.
"Did Kurt get your outfits too?" Finn asked glancing down at the sleeping duo, matching red and black dresses with red headbands, his son was in a pants and vest style suit, no jacket but there was a bow tie that matched the red vest.
"He did." Santana chuckled then yawned. "Go Titans."
"I wish Quinn was here, then we could have all the Glee babies in one picture." Brittany sighed.
"She comes in next week sweetie." Santana covered Brittany's hand with her own.
"Actually she came in last night." Quinn chuckled, Brittany squealed spinning around. "Merry Christmas." Brittany beamed Quinn had a sleeping Beth in an umbrella stroller, Judy and Geoffry were standing behind them.
"Merry Christmas." Brittany quietly and excitedly clapped.
Quinn smiled, her mother knew almost everyone "Mom you remember Finn," when Judy nodded Quinn continued "this is his girlfriend Marley and his baby Christopher. And this is Kitty."
Kitty smiled "Quinn's my idol."
"You're a Cheerio." Judy guessed correctly, Kitty nodded proudly, Judy could tell just by how Marley held herself she wasn't."Glee club?" Marley nodded as Judy shook her hand, "Nice to meet you, and Finn your baby is beautiful."
"Thank you." Finn smiled.
"Guys this is Geoffry, Mom's boyfriend. Geoffry this is Kitty, Marley and Finn." the trio nodded and smiled "And Finn's little boy Christopher."
"Nice to meet you all." Geoffry smiled.
"Soooo...Glee baby pictures?" Brittany grinned asking hopefully.
"We have a while to wait but why not." Quinn chuckled glancing down at her sleeping toddler, Beth's outfit was the same colors as the other three, red and black plaid skirt with the solid top with a black bow hair clip. "They are never going to believe this was a coincidence."
Stepping away from the small group Geoffry made a phone call while the group chatted about Christmas plans. "We had Thanksgiving dinner with my side so Christmas and Christmas dinner is with Brittany's parents." Santana explained.
"My parents are coming over in the morning, they have things for Sprout, then we're all having dinner with Marley and Millie." Finn glanced down at the brunette by his side with a smile.
"I'll get coffee." Kitty excused herself.
Tucking his phone away Geoffry rejoined the group looking to Finn and Marley he said, "Would you like to come to lunch with us?"
"Oh, ah..." Finn glanced down at Marley again. "Thank you for the invitation, we actually have shopping to do."
"That's okay." Geoffry smiled then pointed behind them all at Santa's village "Looks like they're opening early."
The mall manager was nodding and gesturing wildly as the elves hurried to their places and Santa took his place on the over-sized chair, Santana glanced at Quinn who simply mouthed 'See.' at her. Scurrying over to them the mall manager softly clapped his hands together "Hello, ladies and gentlemen, such a large and lovely family."
"Thank you." Brittany beamed, Santana smirked, in the sea of blondes and brunettes she stuck out, there was no way the man really thought she was related. "We need a picture of us and our babies together."
"Of course Miss Pierce." he smiled unclipping the rope barrier, Quinn and Santana exchanged looks, no one had said a last name.
Santana smirked unbuckling Isabelle while Brittany unbuckled Brighton, it seemed Santana wasn't the only one with the 'what Brittany wants Brittany gets' attitude. Geoffry smiled watching them all unbuckling the sleeping babies and toddler. "At least they won't be crying." Judy chuckled hearing a loud snore from Beth.
"Here," Finn stepped closer "let me get her up there for you." Finn nodded towards the stage.
"Okay." Quinn nodded, Marley was getting Christopher so it wasn't like he had anything to do, empty handed Quinn followed behind, she wasn't sure where the bench came from but Brittany and Santana were already seated and situating the babies to face forward. Handing her Beth once she was seated Finn took Christopher from Marley before standing behind the trio and next to Santa.
"So how are you all related?" the photographer asked looking at Quinn and Brittany she asked "Siblings?"
"Wha..." Brittany shook her head "Well he's my brother," Brittany smiled up at Finn who grinned down at her "And we're cousins, well not this hottie, she's my fiancée." Brittany beamed lightly bumping Santana's shoulder with her own, Santana grinned when Judy squealed clapping excitedly and Geoffry sent a mock glare Brittany's way, who shrugged and mouthed 'Sorry'.
"Didn't tell your Mom." Santana stated the obvious.
"Britt said keep it quiet, Mom would have told Geoffry." Quinn shrugged.
"You do realize if Geoffry marries your mom you and B really will be cousins." Santana whispered to Quinn chuckling when she saw Quinn's eyebrow arch and her head tilt. "We are so talking after this."
"Alright." the photographer smiled checking her shot."Well then are we ready?"
After taking a few photos the photographer let them figure out who was first with Santa, "You guys need a picture of just you and the girls, you know the Unholy Trinity the next generation." Finn teased.
"Quinn you needs to sit in the middle, me and Britts on the sides," Santana glanced at Santa as they took over his chair "do whatever big man." Quinn gave an amused snort and Brittany giggled.
Handing Marley a hot chocolate Kitty stood next to Finn, "I thought they didn't open for another twenty minutes." Finn shrugged taking a hot chocolate from Kitty.
"They opened early for us." Marley explained.
After taking the photo with Quinn the girls stood to the side, Beth being the biggest they didn't want to make Quinn get up again, so it was Quinn and a sleeping Beth with Santa. It was then that Beth chose to wake up and excitedly squeal at the sight of the bearded man next to her causing Quinn and the others to laugh. Finn handed Christopher back to Marley to help with Beth but Geoffry was already taking a giggling Beth out of Quinn's arms. Quinn glanced at Santana before following Geoffry back to her mom and the stroller, if anyone had trouble letting someone do something for them it was Quinn and Santana. Unless they'd tricked someone into doing something for them or the rare case of Kitty, smiling the smallest of the blondes handed Quinn a coffee. "Thank you." Quinn nodded watching Geoffry moved off to speak to the manager still carrying Beth, her giggling daughter with her arms wrapped around his neck as far as they could reach.
After Santana and Brittany it was Christopher's turn, putting him in Santa's arms Finn stepped out of the picture. Handing Santana and Brittany their coffee and chocolate after they buckled the twin in their stroller Kitty pointed, Finn was holding Marley's hand and bringing her in the picture with him and Christopher. It was the last of the photos to be taken which was good because people were starting to get into line to see Santa. Quinn joined Finn, Santana and Brittany by the small photo kiosk while the others remained with the babies and toddler, "Um hi." Quinn gave the woman at the kiosk a small wave to get her attention. Kitty was making sure she had all of Christopher's things.
"One moment..." the woman smiled at Quinn before looking back at her computer and printer, they couldn't see what she was doing but she was sorting something with two other people. "Okay, here you go." Handing Quinn an envelope the woman smiled.
"What's this?" Santana and Brittany saw the eyebrow arch.
"Your photos Miss Pierce."
"I'm Pierce." Brittany held her hand up.
"I'm Fabray." Quinn corrected handing the envelope to Brittany.
Santana peaked as Brittany opened it "Q, I love you but things are wrong with this picture most importantly, this ain't my kid..."
"And you're hot but you're not my hottie." Brittany shook her head, Santana tugged a photo high enough to reveal a laughing Quinn and a squealing Beth with Santa.
"Okaaay." Quinn took the envelop back narrowing her eyes "I haven't ordered yet."
"Your parents did." she answered pointing to Geoffry and Judy and explaining as she handed Brittany and Finn envelopes too. "Packet B for every group shot, and packet A for every other pose."
"Oh." Quinn glanced over at her Mom and Geoffry.
"I...I can't afford this." Finn shook his head trying to hand it back.
Holding her hands up she refused the packet "You misunderstand, your Uncle already paid for it."
"My uncle?" Finn looked confused.
Gesturing for Finn to lean down Santana whispered "Geoffry."
"Oh." still confused Finn whispered back "But he's not really my Uncle."
"I don't think he really cares." Santana admitted giving Finn's chest a pat. "Just go with it Finnocence."
"Okay." straightening up he looked over to the couple who smiled, Judy blocking her mouth from view was speaking to Geoffry.
"Oh and key chains." one of the other people behind the counter handed a photo key chain to each of them, Finn getting two.
"Thank you." Quinn nodded with a strained smile.
"Relax Q, he's just being nice." Santana whispered.
"I know," Quinn sighed shaking her head "it's that damned 'waiting for the other shoe to drop' crap."
"Sometimes they don't Q, this is one of those times, but I promise if he hurts your mom, you or mini Fabray I'll go all Lima Heights on his ass." Santana promised.
"Thanks S."
"Now let's go thank Daddy and maybe get him to buy his favorite niece a churro." Santana wiggled her eyebrows throwing her arm over Quinn's shoulder causing Quinn to burst out laughing knowing Santana was talking about herself and not Brittany.
"Thank you Uncle Geoffry." Brittany bounced into her uncle's now free arms hugging him, Judy smiled buckling Beth into her stroller.
"You're welcome." he chuckled.
"Thank you sir." Finn smiled catching Brittany around the waist as she bounced into him excitedly before turning to Marley and Kitty to show them the pictures.
"Thank you Geoffry." Quinn smiled, inwardly struggling with what she would say next she cleared her throat asking "Would you like one?" Santana smiled at the happy surprised looks on both Judy and Geoffry's faces.
"Yes. Thank you."