A/N: I wish an apology for posting so late made things better. Like I've mentioned before, I have a very demanding job, a family and soon, I'll be back in school. This chapter has been in the works for weeks. I keep opening it, adding a little, and getting interrupted, so it might not be the best chapter. I still needed to get on with it. I'll be posting a question at the end of the chapter about the future of the story. Your responses will help shape what goes on. Hope you like it.

Chapter 25

The weekend was something Quinn would never forget. She hadn't thought it possible, but she was even more in love with her girlfriend. Santana had spent the entire weekend showering her with love and attention. She'd never felt closer to another person and their bond seemed to have solidified even more.

She'd lost count of the times they had loved each other and the pleasant ache of her muscles was a clear reminder of everything they had shared together. She didn't know her body could feel so much pleasure in so many different places but Santana had taught her differently. She had also grown bolder and sure of herself when it was her turn to reciprocate and Santana had praised her efforts over and over, which gave her the confidence she had been lacking. Santana had also been a patient teacher when she wasn't sure what to do or where to touch. She had guided her tenderly and never once made her feel like an idiot for asking or for being unsure about the things she wanted to do or try.

Santana has also taken care of her aching muscles and the soreness between her legs by running hot bubble baths for her. She had infused them with scented oils and salts and she had also given her massages that led to more lovemaking or put her to sleep. Her girlfriend was fully prepared for their weekend and had taken into consideration how Quinn's body would feel after their almost continuous lovemaking. She'd also made sure Quinn ate enough and had plenty of fluids.

Not only had Santana taken her to unimaginable heights of pleasure, but she had made sure she had taken care of her as well. She continued to see a side of Santana she hadn't seen in a very long time. Her girlfriend was a giving, loving and warm human being when she was comfortable with her surroundings and Quinn had been on the receiving end of it for the past two days.

Santana had truly made her feel like a queen.

It was Sunday now and they would be checking out in a few hours. Santana was currently asleep and cuddled into the side of her body. Quinn had woken half an hour before and had been content to just hold her sleeping girlfriend while playing with a few strands of her hair absently.

They hadn't stepped out of their room once and she was wondering what her mother would think about that when she asked what they had done in Columbus. Quinn wasn't going to lie to her, which would lead to her mother knowing what kinds of activities she had been participating in all weekend long.

A small smile formed on her lips as she tightened her hold on Santana. She wouldn't change anything that had happened so far for anything in the world. She was happy, fully sated and feeling so much love in her heart that nothing could really put a damper on her day.

"You're thinking too loud, babe," came the husky voice close to her neck.

Quinn giggled and placed a quick kiss on top of Santana's head. "I'm sorry. I just can't sleep anymore."

"Aren't you tired?"

"Not really. I slept plenty."

"We went to sleep like five hours ago."

"And whose fault is that, huh?" she asked playfully.

"Mm, I'd have to say yours for being so damn beautiful, sexy and tempting."

"It's not like I have much of a resistance when it comes to you! I'd say you're to blame as well."

"How about we compromise and say that we're both flawless and it couldn't be helped?

"That sounds like a brilliant plan, baby." Quinn kissed her again. "Go back to sleep, love. We don't have to check out for a few more hours."

Santana stretched her body and moved so she was laying half on top of Quinn. "I don't know if I can sleep anymore either. I'm sort of used to getting up at the ass crack of dawn thanks to Sylvester."

"Then how about we shower together and then go find a dinner to have a huge breakfast that mostly consists of bacon and coffee?"

Santana chuckled. "I can go for that. That way I can tell mami when she asks that we did leave the room!"

"I was thinking about the same thing. Not that I think they're going to be surprised by it when we tell them we didn't go anywhere."

Santana lifted her head and looked down at her girlfriend. "I'm glad we took this time just for us. I know we have the trip to New York coming up soon, and then Christmas break, but once we come back from that, time will fly by and then we'll both be living in different places. I want to spend as much time together before we have to leave for college."

"Don't think about that just yet, muffin."

"It's something that's going to happen whether we want it to or not. I don't think about it all the time, but it is in the back of my head. I just don't know how we're going to do this once we're not in the same place."

Quinn frowned at her words. "What do you mean? Are you thinking we're going to break up when we're in college?"

"It's not what I would want, but I have a feeling it's going to be difficult," she answered as sincerely as she could.

"I know the distance is going to suck, but I'm sure we can work it out. I mean, neither of us was planning on this happening, but now that is has, it's not something I want to lose."

"I don't want to lose it, either."

"Once we're settled in our new schools and have an idea of what our courses will be like and what free time we'll have, we'll come up with some sort of system so we can see each other on weekends and such. I know it won't be every weekend, but maybe twice a month we can visit with each other."

"I've been thinking of finding a small studio outside of campus so I don't have to share a dorm with anyone. It's something I'm going to be discussing with mami and papi soon and I figure if I can do some tutoring during the week, I can help pay for it. That way when you visit, we won't have to worry about interruptions."

"Hmm, that sounds like a great idea. I'm sure there are plenty of places outside of campus I can look at myself. Something small and quaint that I can make mine and where you'll feel at home when you're there."

Santana was pensive for a moment and Quinn rubbed her finger at the small crease between her eyebrows.

"Baby, I don't want you to worry like this, okay?"

"I'll try not to. I didn't mean to put a damper on our weekend, but this is something I've been thinking about for a bit."

"You should have mentioned something before, San. It's not like I'm thrilled about leaving your side, either. I know there will be busy times when we won't be able to spare weekends, but if we both want it, we can make it work. I don't want to lose you now that I have you, love."

Santana placed a soft kiss on Quinn's lips and nodded. "I have no plans of losing you, either. And I'm sorry if I'm being overly dramatic. I just love spending time with you and soon enough it won't be as easy."

"Then we'll make sure we spend as much time together now and we'll make lots of amazing memories to keep us going when we're not together. I'm going to be video calling you anytime we have free time as well."

"Promise?"

"Of course! I'll want to see your pretty face every day."

"I love you," Santana said simply and held her close.

"Love you, too, sweetheart. Now let's go take a shower and then go find me some bacon!"

"We have time for a long shower," Santana said suggestively as she wiggled her eyebrows and Quinn couldn't help but laugh at her as they got up.

"I like the way you think!"

0-0

They arrived back in Lima in the late evening, having spent their afternoon browsing around the local market after their late breakfast. They'd even bought matching hemp bracelets with each other's initials on them.

They'd talked non-stop on the way back and by the time they arrived back at Quinn's, they didn't know how to part. Quinn sighed and rested her head on the seat rest before turning to look at the Latina.

"Would your parents be okay with you staying over tonight? I'm not ready to let you go yet. Not after everything we shared this weekend."

Santana smiled warmly at her. "I'll just send mami a text letting her know we got back okay and there shouldn't be a problem. It's not like I want to leave you either."

So she did just that and then they picked up their bags and headed inside.

To their surprise, there was a note from Judy explaining she was out with Phillip and would return late since they were attending some charity function out of town.

"Pizza, movie and cuddles?" Quinn asked after she finished reading the note.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

That night, after the movie was over, they cuddled in Quinn's bed and talked softly about their future, making plans and trying to figure out how they were going to handle everything on their own once they were in college.

Before falling asleep in each other's arms, they pleasured each other slowly and tenderly once more, ending their amazing weekend on a high note.

0-0

"I want to hear all about it!" Rachel said excitedly the next day when she met up with Quinn on their free period. They'd decided to go to the auditorium so they could talk privately.

"Everything?" Quinn asked with a small smirk.

Rachel blushed. "Well, not everything per se, but how was it?"

"I don't think there are enough words in the English language to tell you about it. It was certainly the best weekend of my life. Santana is the perfect girlfriend and I'm so lucky to call her mine!"

"Oh, someone sounds completely smitten!"

"That I am, Rach! She was amazing the entire weekend. I felt so loved and cherished. She made me feel like I was the most important person in her world. She was romantic and sweet and took such good care of me I just can't get over it."

"You don't have to answer this if you don't want, but how was it? Being with her?"

Quinn had the dreamiest look on her face and Rachel just smiled at her.

"It was incredible. All of it. I never knew it could be like that."

"I haven't experienced incredible myself, but my daddies always told me that when you find the right person and true love is shared between the two of you, nothing can really compare to being with them."

"Your daddies are so right, Rachel. Everything Santana and I shared was amazing and it feels like I love her even more now. I'm hopelessly in love with that girl, Rach."

"It looks good on you, that's for certain. And you deserve this, Quinn. You've been through so much already and you've lost so much. I'm glad she is the one making you this happy."

"I loved your gift, by the way. Thanks for helping her this weekend and for being such a thoughtful friend. It means so much to me. I know she might not say it, but it means a hell of a lot to her as well."

"Aww, Quinn, I'm glad you liked it. And of course I was happy to help. Santana did say thank you, just so you know. I'm glad she's not hiding her true self anymore under her usual façade of bitchiness and fierceness. She can be quite amazing when she sets her mind to it, and so romantic! I think it runs in the family because I see it with Juan Carlos as well."

"Yeah, she's great," Quinn said dreamily before snapping out of it and smiling at Rachel. "But speaking of JC, how are things between you guys?" Quinn asked, changing the topic so it wasn't all about her. She didn't want to be that selfish girl anymore.

Now it was Rachel's turn to look dreamy.

"He asked me to be his girlfriend this weekend," she squealed happily.

"Oh, my God, Rachel! You said yes, right?"

"Of course I did! I love spending time with him and he's an amazing guy. I mean, I have the worst track record when it comes to guys, but he is something truly special. I wonder if it just runs in the Lopez family because we lucked out with our significant others. Dad and Daddy simply adore him and he's so good to them as well. He can talk sports with one and sing with the other."

Quinn had to laugh at the image. It would probably be a lot of fun to get their families together for a big barbeque before winter really set in. It'd be loads of fun.

"We both have bad track records but we're good people, Rach. Even when I was a raging bitch there was some good in me. I was just playing the part of Queen Bee not realizing that wouldn't make me happy. You're one of the few people that kept trying to make me a better person and I'm glad you never gave up. You've also endured a hell of a lot in this school. I say we both needed something positive."

"When you put it that way, I have to agree."

"Senior year is turning out to be the best one yet and I can finally say I'm happy and comfortable with whom I'm becoming. I no longer care about projecting a certain image. My main goal is to finish this year on a high and go after my dreams."

Rachel smiled and gave her a heartfelt hug. "It's good to finally hear you speaking this way. You have incredible potential, Quinn Fabray, and I know you're going to go places and make a big difference."

"So are you, Rachel Berry! You're going to take the New York theater world by storm soon enough and I'm going to be so proud to see you name in lights on Broadway."

"You'll be there for my first ever show, right?"

"You can count on it. I'll be in the front row cheering you on."

Rachel sighed happily and smiled at her. "We're finally going to be happy, aren't we, Quinn?"

"We already are, Star. We just have to make sure we hold on to it."

0-0

That afternoon found Santana wrapped in her mother's arms as soon as she got to her house. She hugged her back just as tightly and closed her eyes, savoring their closeness. She knew she was going to miss her parents terribly when she left, so she was enjoying these moments.

"Bendición, mami. It's good to see you."

"Dios te bendiga, mi amor. How are you and how was the weekend?"

"I'm great! It was a wonderful weekend I'll never forget and I am so grateful you helped me with it."

Victoria took her hand and led her over to the living room where they settled by each other on the sofa. "Was it everything you wanted?"

"That and so much more, ma. I'll never forget it."

"How is Quinn?"

Santana couldn't help but smile. "She's great. We had a wonderful time."

"Is she home now? I figured you'd be attached at the hip even more than usual."

She tried to shrug nonchalantly but the knowing look on her mother's face told her she wasn't buying the act. "She had to go home and see her mother. Judy wasn't in last night when we arrived and I guess we were asleep by the time she did. We didn't see her this morning either. She just left a note for Quinn to be home this afternoon."

"Is she nervous about seeing Judy?"

"Pretty much. I offered to go with her, but she told me this is something she had to face on her own. She promised to call when they were done to let me know how it went."

"I'm sure it'll be fine, cielo. Judy did agree to let her go and even paid for half of the hotel stay so I don't see how it would be a problem now."

"It's still weird, ma. Judy knew exactly what would happen over the weekend. They don't have the type of open relationship we do. I know things are a lot better between them, but it's still going to be hard for my girl to sit with mama Fabray and talk about these things."

Victoria nodded and patted her knee. "She will be fine. Judy is a lot more open now that Russell is gone, so I don't think Quinn has anything to worry about."

"I hope so."

Victoria took a moment to observe here before saying, "there's something bothering you."

Santana sighed before playing nervously with her fingers. "Ma, how do you think papi would feel if I didn't go to Harvard?"

Victoria raised both eyebrows in surprise at the question. "Do you not think you'll get in?"

"No, I know my chances of getting in are really high. I'm also applying for all kinds of scholarships and grants so it's easier to pay. It's got nothing to do with that."

"Then what is it? I thought you were set on going there."

"I sort of am, but I just don't know how I'm going to handle being away from Q."

"Ah, I see," Victoria nodded in understanding. "You're afraid if you're not close by the relationship will fizzle out."

"Well, not fizzle out, but I think it will have an impact on it."

"A negative impact?"

"Maybe?" Santana ran her fingers through her hair in frustration before looking back at her mother. "I just don't know how I'm going to handle being away from her when all I want to do is be with her at all times. I'm used to seeing her every day, to just driving down the road to her place or spending every weekend wrapped in her arms. What if I can't handle the distance?"

Victoria patted her knee soothingly. "It's not easy, baby. When your father and I had to separate so he could go on to Harvard for medical school, it was really hard on us. We ended up breaking up for an entire semester before we realized we loved each other too much to really let the other go. So I'm not going to sit here and tell you it'll be easy, but I can tell you if you both want it and love each other enough, it's doable."

"I didn't know that. I just don't know what to do about it."

"Are you considering Yale as a possibility?"

"Not right now, but it has crossed my mind."

"It wouldn't hurt to apply, princesa. I mean, you still have time and when you're accepted, you will have an easier choice. Maybe you can both do your bachelor's there and your continued education at Harvard. It would mean going to both of your choice schools and it would keep you together."

Santana smiled at her mom. "I didn't think of it that way. Does it make me needy to feel this way, ma?"

"I wouldn't call it needy, exactly, princesa. You're in love and it's recent, so of course you want to spend as much time with Quinn as possible. Especially now that you guys have been intimate. It's a new bond and it's going to be difficult being away from her. Have you talked to her about this?"

"We talked about it yesterday."

"And what did she say?"

"She's a lot more optimistic about it than me. She promised we'll make it work somehow and told me she doesn't want to lose me."

"See?" Victoria cupped her cheek and smiled at her lovingly. "Honey, this is part of growing up. Things from here on out are going to take more planning and decision making on your part. Soon you're going to be on your own and you'll really know what growing up and being responsible for yourself means. I truly believe you'll be fine and I know you'll make this work."

Santana hugged her mother tightly. "Thanks, ma. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime, mi cielo."

0-0

When Quinn walked into her house later that day, she wasn't sure what to expect. She hadn't seen her mom since Friday morning and she just wasn't sure how to face her. Her mother wasn't stupid, so she knew exactly what Quinn had been up to with her girlfriend all weekend. Even as much as Judy had changed since Russell had left, she just wasn't sure how the older blonde would react to this turn of events.

Taking a deep breath, she went to look for her mother.

She found her in the kitchen getting things ready for dinner. Judy looked up from her cookbook and smiled at her.

"Darling, you're home!"

She quickly came over and hugged her tightly and Quinn sagged in her arms in relief. Maybe things would be all right after all.

"Hi, mama."

"How was your weekend? Was it everything you expected?" she asked as she moved over to the stove and put two chocolate chip cookies on a plate before giving it to Quinn. The she moved to the fridge to get her some milk.

"Well, I wasn't expecting anything because I only found out about it right before we left. But had I had any expectations, they would have been surpassed."

"That good, huh? Want to tell me a little bit about it?" Judy asked as she gathered the ingredients she needed for their meal. "I'm making one of your favorites for dinner. Spaghetti Carbonara with extra bacon! I figured we could spend some time together."

Quinn smiled at her mother and decided to help her once she had polished her cookies. "I'd really like that, mama. I'll toss a salad and maybe make some garlic bread to go with it."

"Perfect. Now, how did she tell you about the weekend away?"

Smiling dreamily, she walked over to the fridge to get the things she needed for the salad. "She took me to the auditorium when some of our Glee friends were waiting and sang me this beautiful song. Then when we left the school, she told me we were going to Columbus for the weekend."

"And how was it?"

Quinn sat at a stool on the island and looked at her mother seriously. "Are you really okay with this? I know it can't be easy. What with your beliefs and all. Please don't think you need to be okay with it to keep me happy if you're not."

Judy put the pot of water on the stove and turned to look at her daughter. "Honey, believe it or not, I was never uptight and before Russell, I was quite open and supportive of different life styles. I'm sorry that I let your father turn me into what he did. Now that I'm no longer under his rule, I can be myself again. I want to be supportive and I want you to believe that I'm here for you and I'm never going to stop loving you for any reason. I'm never going to risk losing either of my daughters again now that I have you both back."

Quinn got up and went to her mother, hugging her as tightly as she could. "I'm so happy to hear that, mama. I don't want to ever lose you either."

After giving her a kiss on the forehead, Judy smiled at her. "I adore both of you and if you're happy, I'll adore whoever makes you happy. Santana has made such a huge difference in your life these past few months and I've never seen you so radiant before. It's easy to accept this, Quinnie, so please don't ever think we can't talk about it."

"You really are one cool mom, do you know that?"

Judy beamed at her. "I try!"

"So what do you want to know about?"

"Well, actually, I'm under strict orders from your sister dear to call her so she can be in on this conversation."

"What! No, mama! She'll just make fun of me the entire time," she finished with a pout.

"None of that! We'll just call her and she'll be a good sport about it. She was really excited when she found out what was going on."

Quinn sighed and then took out her cellphone, speed dialing her sister and resigning herself to her doom. As soon as it started ringing she put it on speaker.

"Hey there, Little Q! How are you after your fabulous weekend escapade?" came the happy voice of her sister. "You still walking all right?"

"Oh my God, Fran! I have you on speaker phone and mama is standing right next to me!" was Quinn's outraged response as her cheeks turned a bright crimson.

Frannie just laughed her ass off for a moment before controlling herself. "Hi, mama!"

"Hi, darling. And to answer your question, she seems to be walking all right to me, but she might just be pretending for my sake."

Quinn's eyes widened in surprise as she looked between her mother and her cellphone. Frannie was laughing once more and Judy joined in.

"I take back what I said about you being a cool mom. Actually, you both suck right now."

"Aww, Little Q, don't be like that. We're just messing with you."

"It's not funny, Fran!"

"All right, let's just settle down. Now, then, Quinnie, tell us all about your weekend."

"Fine," Quinn huffed, but a moment later she was all smiles as she told them the PG version of the weekend, even when Frannie kept prodding for more. She just couldn't do it in front of her mother.

By the time she was done, the other blondes were impressed with Santana and extremely happy that Quinn had found someone so amazing and romantic so early on in her life.

"You're gonna marry that girl, right? Because I might be older than you guys by four years, and I like boys, but I might be persuaded to join your team if it means I get to be with someone like her!"

"Hey now! That is my girlfriend you're talking about," she warned.

"So is that a yes to marrying her?" Frannie insisted playfully.

"When we finish college, it's a hell yes!"

"Atta girl!"

"I don't mean to be a downer here," Judy edged, "but have you guys thought about going to different colleges yet?"

Quinn sighed. "We did, actually. Santana seems really worried about it and I tried to reassure her I'm not going anywhere and that I love her, but I don't know if it worked."

"It's going to be kinda hard, Little Q. I don't want to sound like the voice of doom, but as close as you two are, it's going to be difficult getting used to the other not being there all the time."

"I know," she said with a sigh. "But I don't want to break up with her. There has to be a way to work it out. I know I want an apartment off campus so when she comes over to visit it will be just us. She's going to do the same."

"That seems reasonable, darling. I'm sure an apartment outside of campus is going to be cheaper as well and you can decorate it as you wish and not worry about the distractions of a roommate that could turn out to be a nightmare. We should start looking at possibilities and not leave it till too late so we can get you a good place."

"I'll help pay for it," Quinn offered. "I can get a part-time job at school."

"I'm doing well in my job, so I can always pitch in as well," Frannie promised. "I'll send you a monthly allowance for groceries and personal stuff. You can help mama with the rent."

"You don't have to, darling. I made sure Russell put enough money in the account I have for you girls to cover school expenses as well as room and board for a good seven years. Neither of you have to worry about that."

"Really, mama? I didn't realize you had that much money saved for us," Quinn told her.

"Your father is loaded, darling girls. I've been saving money for years without his knowledge. We have a pretty comfortable nest egg put away for anything you might need."

"Wow, mama," Frannie exclaimed. "I'm really impressed."

"Well, I had access to his account and whenever I needed something, I would just tell him and he'd tell me to take it out of it. I always took out extra and put it away and he didn't have an idea."

"So I can really have an apartment off campus?"

"Yes, you may."

"I think you should look at renting a small apartment on someone's property, Little Q. A few of my college friends did that and they loved the privacy it afforded them. There aren't the usual distractions of living in a big apartment community with the wild weekend and weeknight parties. You're a nerd, so you'll want your quiet time to study."

"Hmm, I hadn't thought of that, Fran, but I think you're right. Your sister is not the partying type and a studio apartment over someone's garage or on the back of their property would be ideal."

"I really like that idea. Even with me having some college credits under my belt already, Yale isn't going to be a piece of cake and I'll need to really concentrate on my studies to keep my GPA high."

"See? A total nerd!"

"Shut up, Fran! It's not like you weren't at the top of your class, smartass. You might be an even bigger nerd than I am!"

"So not true. I knew when to have fun as well. I haven't always been saintly, you know!" she defended herself.

"Too much information!" Judy exclaimed as she drained the spaghetti noodles and started tossing the pasta dish together.

"Sorry, mama!"

"It's okay, darling. Just go easy on your poor mother, girls."

"So, talking about you, how's that gorgeous man of yours doing?" she asked cheekily.

"Mm, he is pretty dreamy, isn't he?" she sighed and Quinn laughed goodheartedly.

"Oh, goodness, Frannie, you should see the smile on her face. Our mother is totally smitten with Phillip."

"All right, mama! Get you some!"

"Now you just sound like Santana," Quinn pointed out.

"I think I need to find myself a hottie. Then we can all gush about our significant others together."

The rest of dinner was spent along with Frannie on the phone and in between peals of happy laughter and teasing, their evening ebbed away. Quinn couldn't remember the last time her family time had been so happy and she was immensely grateful to have her mother and sister back.

That night, as she lay snuggled between pillows in bed, she told Santana how very happy she was and how much she loved being close with her family again. She told her of the plans they had made to look for an apartment and how everyone wanted to help.

Santana filled her in about her own conversation with her mother and they once again made promises to make things work between them even with the distance. Santana seemed more relaxed with their plans and it wasn't long before they were saying their goodbyes and blowing kisses at each other like silly kids.

Maybe life was just being good to them because of the things they had already gone through. Maybe it was fate. But whatever was responsible for their happiness, they were just so grateful for it.

0-0

A/N 2: Now, then, here's a question for all of you still reading. I don't know why, but I want to add some angst to this story. I'm going to be skipping a few months in the next chapter to get them closer to the end of their school year. The two ideas I have so far are including Quinn's accident in the story, or them struggling with the distance and breaking up after all.

So what would you like to see happen? I'm thinking a few more chapters and I'll be done with this story.