A/N: This chapter is fairly long, I hope you don't mind!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Quinn's week went by excruciatingly slow because all she could think about was how on Friday after class she was heading to New York to see Rachel. As Quinn stepped off the bus in NYC, she was surprised to see Rachel waiting for her.
"Rachel." Quinn breathed as her smile grew.
Rachel smiled back and immediately took Quinn's luggage. It was the kind that conveniently had wheels, so it was easy for Quinn to handle while trying to walk with a cane. But nonetheless, she was grateful for Rachel to take it off her hands.
"I didn't plan on you coming to meet me; I was going to grab a cab." Quinn said.
Rachel shook her head and scoffed. "Nonsense, I'd never make you try to wander through New York alone, Quinn."
The blonde followed her girlfriend back to the apartment she shared with Kurt. When they arrived, the boy was not yet home. Rachel brought Quinn's suitcase to her bedroom and returned to the living room, coming face to face with the blonde.
"So, we're alone?" Quinn smirked as she playfully wiggled her eyebrows.
"Quinn!" Rachel shoved her, but the blonde caught her and pulled her in for a kiss.
Rachel instantly slid her lips across Quinn's and their tongues got re-acquainted with each other. They made their way to the couch as their hands wandered freely. Quinn started to kiss the brunette's neck, before sucking it and claiming her. She smiled to herself when she heard her girlfriend moan loudly at the sensation.
Before they could further enjoy their reunion, Kurt walked through the door. "Okay, while Quinn's here we will have to initiate our rule."
"What rule?" Quinn asked as she pulled away from Rachel and straightened her hair.
Kurt rolled his eyes at Quinn's attempt to appear innocent after he just saw her groping his best friend. "The sock rule…or was it a scarf?" He replied as he threw Rachel an amused look.
"It was scarf, and I hardly think it'll be necessary."
Quinn furrowed her brows. "What do you guys need a rule like that for?"
"So I don't walk in on what I just walked in on." Kurt said as he made his way to the kitchen and poured himself some juice. "And since Blaine's going to visit for Thanksgiving, and you'll make frequent visits as well, I figured it was prudent to establish rules now."
"Oh my god. You've been living with Rachel for a month and you already talk like her. Did you create a powerpoint presentation to outline your…rules?"
"Hey!" Both divas pouted causing Quinn to smirk proudly. Rachel smacked Quinn's shoulder playfully before she headed for the bathroom.
"Rachel said that we're all eating in and having a girls night." Kurt said when Rachel was safely out of earshot.
Quinn frowned slightly. She had been hoping for some alone time, just to catch up with the girl. Barring that, she hoped to explore the city a little.
"She's doing better, Quinn. I think she just wants to have a normal night in. A slumber party like the good ole days." Kurt explained as he sat beside the blonde.
Quinn was quite for a while as she pondered Kurt's choice of words. "She was supposed to introduce me to a friend of hers, Kahlan?" The blonde made a statement but it sounded more like a question.
"Kahlan? She's great, you'll love her."
Quinn rolled her eyes and Kurt chuckled. "And she was planning on having Kahlan over tomorrow evening. She was going to invite her to the slumber party but I had to tell her that I didn't think that was a wise idea."
"You think?" Quinn groaned. Really? That would have been awkward.
The boy smiled at her. "She's just so excited to have a friend Quinn, relax. It's a good thing."
"What does she look like?" Quinn asked because she needed to know.
The boy's eyes widened which Quinn took for a bad sign. Then the bathroom door opened and Rachel walked out. The blonde heard Kurt whisper, "You'll find out tomorrow."
"I thought we could have dinner together and watch movies tonight." Rachel said as she climbed into Quinn's lap and let the blonde hold her.
"Do I get a say in the movie choices?" Quinn asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I guess." Rachel smirked. "Though I can assure you that I had no plans on watching any musicals."
"She's been on an action movie kick." Kurt commented. "And the only reason I sat through the movie '300' was because none of those very toned men wore shirts."
Quinn laughed out loud.
"Kurt can mock me all he wants, but he cried at the end of Gladiator just as I did. Also King Arthur was a decent movie, and not just because Keira Knightley was in it." Rachel replied.
Quinn shook her head in disbelief. "Seriously, Rachel? I didn't realize you liked action movies."
Rachel shrugged her shoulders. "They aren't straight up action movies, they are somewhat historical."
"You and your history, I didn't even know she liked the subject until she made me sit through The Patriot." Kurt mused.
"She loves History. We watched the history channel a lot during the summer. You even got my mom and Fran interested in those documentaries that you left at my house. Fran was just talking about one of them this week."
After a few more minutes engaging in small talk, they discussed what to have for dinner. They settled on ordering in from Kurt and Rachel's favorite Thai restaurant. Quinn was in awe of how good the food was as she devoured it while watching A Knight's Tale.
When the girls were done with their food, their bodies naturally drifted towards each other. Quinn reveled at the feel of Rachel in her arms as the brunette's head rested in her lap. She let one arm drape across Rachel's torso as she drew hearts on the exposed skin there. With her other hand, she continued to run her fingers through Rachel's silky locks and gently massage her scalp. She wasn't sure which hand was earning the soft purring from the brunette, but she had no intention of stopping the movements of either.
They barely got through one more movie before Rachel started to yawn.
"Baby, it's getting late. Maybe we should call it a night." Quinn whispered in her girlfriend's ear.
"But we didn't even get to the girl talk and the gossip and the…" She yawned again.
Quinn smiled adoringly as she placed a gentle kiss on top of Rachel's head. "We still have tomorrow night, love. I promise we can do everything you want then."
"Mmmkay." Rachel purred as she burrowed her face into Quinn and started to softly snore.
Kurt watched the interaction with amazement. "She truly is a completely different person with you, Quinn." He checked to make sure that Rachel was in fact sleeping. "She sleeps with her bedroom door locked at night and she's still not too affectionate with anyone. She keeps her distance…but with you…she's so…comfortable."
Quinn let Kurt's words wash over her as she stared at her sleeping beauty. "I guess I never really thought about it, since she's never distanced herself from me. I…I don't know why she lets me in but I'm glad she doesn't shut me out."
Kurt scoffed at her. "You don't know why she lets you in? The girl is hopelessly in love with you."
Quinn's whole face lit up. "Well, the feeling's definitely mutual."
Upon hearing that Rachel slept in a locked bedroom, Quinn knew that she wouldn't just let the girl sleep on the couch tonight. "Rach…baby, we're going to go to bed, okay? I need you to get up."
Rachel's eyes popped open as she peered at Quinn sleepily. She rubbed her eyes like a little kid, trying to get the sleep out of them. Quinn couldn't help loving her even more for it.
"What time is it?" Rachel asked through a yawn.
"Nearly midnight." Quinn answered. "Guess you had a long day."
Rachel nodded. "Kahlan worked my butt off in class today. I was exhausted."
The blonde nodded as she tried to bite back the jealousy. "How's class going?" Quinn asked as she tried to get Rachel off the couch.
"Good. I think I got my first form down." She seemed to perk up a bit at the mention of it.
Kurt wrapped one of Rachel's arms around his shoulders as he helped the girl sleepily stumble to her bedroom. Quinn limped behind them with her cane in hand. When they got inside, Kurt looked at Quinn.
"Can you handle it from here?"
The blonde nodded.
Rachel crawled on her bed and under the blankets. Quinn sighed and instead of putting pajamas on she just took her pants off and climbed into bed with the brunette. She wrapped her arms around Rachel, who held her in place firmly and soon the brunette was asleep again.
Quinn pulled Rachel further into her and nuzzled her nose into the crook of the brunette's neck. Then she waited for sleep to take her as well. But not before whispering, "Goodnight, Beautiful. I love you."
Rachel was awake by 7am the next morning, and woke Quinn up as she tried to sneak out of bed. "What's on the agenda today?" Quinn asked as she saw Rachel strip down to her bra and panties.
The brunette turned around and looked at Quinn shyly. "I…"
Quinn climbed to the edge of the bed and looked at Rachel. "I was actually hoping to take you around to some spots I know you haven't been to yet." Quinn offered, earning an intrigued look from Rachel.
"You…the tourist…are going to show me my city?" Rachel asked with amusement.
Quinn smirked at Rachel's response. "Your city, huh?"
Rachel shrugged as she ducked her head in embarrassment.
"What do you say?" Quinn urged.
"I say that I pay this time because you paid for everything at the carnival which upset me because it was your birthday and…"
"How about I pay for the activities and you pay for our meals." Quinn suggested.
"Quinn…"
"Let me do this for you, Rachel." Quinn practically begged. She smiled with Rachel reluctantly agreed.
As they got ready for the day, Quinn rifled through her luggage and grabbed a present she brought for Rachel. "Hey, Rach, I have something for you." She waited for Rachel to approach her and handed the wrapped gift to the brunette.
Rachel opened it and pulled out a black t-shirt that said 'I'd rather be watching Merlin' in white lettering. Rachel grinned at her.
"I made it online after our little discussion about TV shows." Quinn shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant but secretly hoping Rachel didn't hate it. "It isn't much, I just figured…" She trailed off suddenly embarrassed because Rachel had yet to respond.
But when the brunette tore off the shirt she was currently wearing and put on her new one, Quinn knew she did the right thing in getting it for her. She smiled when Rachel enveloped her in a hug. "Thanks Quinn! I love it."
00000
The first place Quinn took Rachel was on a ferry ride around Liberty Island to view the Statue of Liberty. "I promise we'll come back here when I can actually walk up those steps to the top." Quinn said with certainty.
"I would love that." Rachel replied in awe. "It's so much bigger up close. I see it almost every day and never really looked at it."
After the trip around Liberty Island, they went to Ellis Island. "I know you like history and since you once mentioned that your Dad's ancestors came through here, I thought maybe we could look for their names."
"Can we do that? I thought that was just something they let Will Smith do in Hitch."
"Where do you think I got the idea?" Quinn smirked.
Both girls were fascinated by the history that surrounded them. They took the tour and marveled as the man told them everything they could ever hope to know about the place. And when Rachel found her ancestors names on the ledger, it made the whole trip worth it.
After the Ellis Island adventure, they grabbed lunch on their way to Central Park. They had to walk slowly, as Quinn had to hobble around with her cane, but they had all day and the blonde was just happy to be with Rachel.
"Last time we were here, I was in a wheelchair and I was too scared to tell you how I felt about you. Now, you're actually my girlfriend and I'm walking!" Quinn mused with a smile that couldn't be tamed.
"I can't believe how well you're doing with your walking, Quinn. You've come so far." Rachel said proudly.
Quinn returned Rachel's smile as she led them to the Central Park Zoo.
"Really? I've actually been looking forward to coming here!" Rachel announced as Quinn paid for their tickets and they walked inside.
"I know."
They went to see the lions, elephants, penguins and monkeys first. Quinn had to sit down every so often to rest her legs but when she did, Rachel sat beside her and talked excitedly about the animals they had just seen.
"If you could be any animal, what would you be?" Rachel asked her.
"Dolphin."
"Oooh, great choice! I love dolphins. But I'd have to be some sort of songbird."
"Obviously." Quinn grinned. "Then I want to change my choice. I want to be a bird too."
Rachel smiled adoringly at her. "You'd do that?"
"I'd do anything for you."
Rachel rested her head on the blonde's shoulder. Quinn noticed how the brunette's walls were slowly coming down and she was ecstatic about it. It was the first intimate action Rachel had taken with her in public. She wanted so much to hold her hand while they walked from place to place, but didn't want to push Rachel beyond her comfort level. So she simply enjoyed Rachel's head resting on her shoulder. She vowed to find joy in the smallest things.
"Hey, can we go to the petting zoo? I wanna see if they have any lambs."
Quinn nodded, then stood up and they walked to the petting zoo. When Rachel squatted down to pet one of the lambs, Quinn snapped a picture with her phone. Rachel's smile was wide as she hugged the animals gently and squealed with joy when it licked her.
They stopped at the souvenir shop afterwards and Rachel bought them each a t-shirt. After they were finished with the activities that Quinn had planned, the girls returned home. The blonde was happy to collapse on the couch and put her sore legs up for a while.
Rachel sat beside her and rested Quinn's legs on her lap before taking each leg and massaging it. "You really shouldn't push yourself too hard. I don't want you to be sore for days just because you want to see everything New York has to offer. You'll have four years to see it all, Quinn."
Quinn closed her eyes and imagined the next four years with Rachel. A content smile graced her lips. She was surprised when Rachel's soft lips touched her own but immediately reciprocated the kiss. When Rachel finally pulled away, she sighed. "I've wanted to do that all afternoon. I considered following you to the bathroom just so I could have some alone time with you."
Quinn's eyes immediately darkened. "Why didn't you?"
Rachel shrugged. "I still don't know what's appropriate for us."
The blonde frowned. "What do you mean…appropriate?"
"Had I shoved you in the bathroom stall just to make out with you…would that have been…acceptable?"
"Hell yes."
Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, Rachel. I'm fine whenever you want to kiss me. But as for the whole bathroom scenario, believe it or not I actually thought about a similar thing before."
Rachel looked at her apprehensively.
"Come on, after how many big confrontations or heart wrenching conversations that took place in restrooms…you've never imagined it? Our first real kiss was in the bathroom, Rachel."
The brunette bit her lip in thought. "I hadn't previously imagined it, but I think I might start to now."
"Stop thinking…start doing." Quinn grabbed Rachel's face and crashed their lips together again.
Before they even got started, they were once again interrupted by Kurt. "I swear, if you guys don't start implementing our scarf policy, I'm going to get my revenge when Blaine comes to visit." He groaned as he shielded his eyes and walked passed them to his room.
"We weren't even doing anything Kurt!" Quinn complained as she sat up and cuddled into Rachel.
Rachel claimed a quick kiss from the blonde before climbing off the couch and walking to the kitchen. "Any requests for dinner?"
"Are you going to cook for me?" Quinn asked with a raised brow.
"I have been getting better. Kurt even said that my vegetable soup is edible."
Quinn laughed out loud.
"I can also make vegan pizza, but that is significantly less…adequate."
"Well, I'll be daring and try the pizza." Quinn smiled.
"Great!" Rachel smiled back.
Quinn helped the brunette make dinner, sharing gentle kisses along the way.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you!" Rachel exclaimed as she pre-set the oven. "I told Kahlan about us."
Quinn stared at her girlfriend in awe. Coming out to anyone was a big step for Rachel, and Quinn was proud of her. "Really? Why?"
Rachel hopped up on the countertop and beckoned Quinn to her. The blonde limped over to her, and stood between Rachel's legs. They shared a soft kiss before Rachel answered. "Kurt came by after my Martial Arts class a few times so I introduced them. One day she asked if he was single because she wanted to set him up with her best friend if he was. Since I realized that she was completely fine with having gay friends, I told her about us. She's excited to meet you."
They shared another languid kiss, before the oven beeped signaling that it was ready for them to put in the pizza. Kurt joined them halfway through dessert preparation and the three of them laughed and talked as they made their vegan chocolate chip cookies.
At promptly 7pm, there was a knock on the door. Rachel hurried to the door to let their guest in. Kurt and Kahlan shared an easy hug while Quinn silently observed the woman. She looked their age, or near enough to it. And she was gorgeous. She had black hair and blue eyes that appeared jade at times. She was thin but looked toned, and she had pale skin…though not as pale as hers. Instantly Quinn wanted to hate her.
When Kahlan and Kurt parted from their hug, the jade eyes turned their attention on Quinn. "And you must be Quinn; you're as beautiful as Rachel said you'd be." Then she looked at Rachel. "And I thought she was exaggerating." She finished with a smile.
Quinn blushed with the girl's words and her eyes immediately caught Rachel's. Rachel ducked her head shyly as Quinn wrapped her arm possessively around her girlfriend's waist. "Thank you."
Kahlan gave her an easy smile. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you." The raven haired beauty extended a hand in greeting and Quinn took it firmly in her own as her gaze never left Kahlan's.
"The pleasure's mine, I've heard so much about you." Quinn was outwardly pleasant and to those who didn't know her, maybe even kind. But Kurt and Rachel knew the cool as ice façade she was putting forth, though neither said a word.
"All good I hope." Kahlan smiled before glancing at Rachel. Perhaps she was well aware of Quinn marking her territory.
"Only the best." Quinn returned her smile, though hers was tight lipped and forced.
She felt Rachel squirm in her hands and decided to tone it down. So she leaned in and kissed Rachel's cheek before retiring to the living room. Kurt followed her.
"I think peeing on her would have been more subtle." He quipped eliciting a scoff and an eye roll from the blonde. "Your show of dominance was entirely unnecessary. She's straight and has a boyfriend."
"Like that stopped me from falling for Rachel." Quinn pointed out.
"Oh, honey, you were never straight."
Quinn's mouth dropped open to argue until she realized that it was futile.
"And besides, Rachel is hardly interested in anyone but you." Then he added pointedly. "What with your charming personality, I don't have a clue as to why."
"Sorry." Quinn groaned. She felt sufficiently reprimanded.
Quinn decided to give the girl a chance and noticed that they were not giving off any vibes other than that of friends. They sat at a suitable distance and Kahlan kept her eyes properly away from any of Rachel's finer…assets.
After a pleasant dinner, in which Quinn learned that Kahlan's boyfriend was the bass guitarist in a country band and that the girl was well read and loved to write, they began a game of Scrabble. It turned out that Kahlan's vocabulary was commendable, but the fact that she didn't let Rachel win (causing the diva to pout like a proper sore loser) earned her a few points in Quinn's book. After all, it was Quinn's job to give Rachel what she wanted and reap the benefits for doing so. So as Rachel sputtered about cheaters and demanded a rematch, Quinn smiled smugly knowing only she could love this side of Rachel.
"I didn't realize you were such a…diva." Kahlan mused as she played her first word of the second game.
"You should have seen her storm-outs in high school. They were legendary." Kurt smirked.
Rachel huffed at the slight teasing, and leaned into Quinn as the blonde held her happily.
"Please tell me you don't always let her win Quinn, because I thought better of you." Kahlan asked.
"I was Valedictorian of our graduating class; I don't let anyone beat me." Quinn grinned proudly.
"Valedictorian and Head Cheerleader for two years." Rachel gushed as she kissed Quinn chastely.
"Way to bust the stereotype, I'm impressed."
"As you should be." Rachel smiled.
Quinn won the next game, just to prove to Kahlan that she wasn't a push over. Rachel took losing slightly better that time.
After their Scrabble showdown, the four of them relaxed to watch a movie and enjoy the homemade chocolate chips. They chatted amicably through most of the predictably boring romantic comedy that Kurt picked out. And at the end of the night, Quinn actually found herself liking Kahlan. Though, she would always be a bit jealous of how hot she was.
Rachel walked Kahlan to the elevator, while Quinn tried her best to help Kurt tidy up the vacated living room. When everything was taken care of and they had gotten ready for bed, the girls retired to Rachel's bedroom.
"I can't believe you never told me that she looked like the hot chick from Merlin." Quinn tried to contain her jealousy.
The brunette rolled her eyes and huffed. "Are you serious right now?" She crossed her arms over her chest in defiance. "You had Megan Fox as your OT and didn't seem to notice but now that my friend happens to look a little like Katie McGrath…you're jealous?"
"First of all, I noticed Sadie. She was hot, I'm not blind I just wasn't interested. Second, if she had showed any interest at all in you…I would have blown a gasket."
"Quinn…"
"I'm jealous of anyone when it comes to you, Rachel. I was jealous that Puck grabbed you and threw you in the pool when we were in New York for National's in May. I was jealous that you remained friends with Finn even though it was clear you had no interest in him and that was before I knew he wanted you back. I was jealous when Nicci said you were hot."
"Wait, Nicci thinks I'm hot?"
"Rachel, you're not helping." Quinn groaned. Then she sighed. "I was even jealous that you slept with Simba every night."
Rachel could barely contain her composure at the admission. Seriously? Jealousy over a stuffed animal?
"I assure you that what Simba and I had is over. I moved on. I have Kovu now." Rachel replied steadily, trying to keep from smiling.
Quinn sighed loudly before giggling overtook her. Rachel watched in amusement. When Quinn finally regained her composure she spoke. "You're right. I'm over-reacting."
Rachel smiled adoringly at her and Quinn felt her heart skip a beat. Then the brunette rolled her eyes and smirked. "I can't really get mad at you for your unwarranted jealousy…since I facebook stalked your roommate the moment I left Yale. It seems that since she's straight and has been in a relationship with Jack for three years now that I shouldn't have anything to worry about."
Quinn laughed out loud as her face morphed into that of pure bliss. Rachel was jealous. She shook her head incredulously as she replied to her girlfriend. "You went through all that trouble with stalking Sydney, when you had to know that I wasn't in the least bit interested in her?"
"I couldn't be sure. You seem to have a thing for brunettes." Rachel smiled shyly.
"One brunette. And I'm lucky enough to claim her as my girlfriend."
"I am yours, Quinn. Please remember that." Rachel said as she approached the blonde and wrapped her arms around the girl. "You're still the prettiest girl I have ever met."
Quinn seized Rachel's lips. They made their way to the bed, shedding their shirts on the way. Quinn wanted to relish in the knowledge that Rachel was hers so she attached her lips to every spot of exposed skin she could mark as her own. Rachel moaned approvingly.
Eventually they shed their bras too, and Quinn took the same care on each of Rachel's breasts that she did on the rest of the girl's neck and torso.
"Quinn…" Rachel whimpered. "I do have to be somewhat presentable. You can't just…"
Quinn smirked as she twisted a hardened nibble in her mouth.
"Oh god!"
"You have to be quiet, Rach, Kurt's in the next room." Quinn whispered against Rachel's skin as she worked her way back up and claimed Rachel's lips again.
000000
The next morning, Quinn woke up with Rachel in her arms. She smiled knowing that she wore Rachel out so much that the girl didn't get up until after10am. When she felt Rachel shift in her arms, she placed an open mouthed kiss to the brunette's bare shoulder.
"Morning, baby." The blonde whispered softly.
Rachel turned in Quinn's arms and smiled. "Morning."
Quinn leaned in for a kiss, but Rachel stopped her. "Morning breath."
The blonde rolled her eyes. "Then let's hurry and brush our teeth because I need to kiss you."
As soon as their teeth were brushed, Quinn attached their lips and sighed into the kiss. She could wake up this way forever.
"It's way too early for this." Kurt groaned as he stood in the doorway of the open door.
"Sorry." Rachel replied apologetically.
"Please tell me that the next visit is you going to Yale." He replied pointedly.
"Yes, of course. Thanksgiving break." Rachel smiled brightly.
"What! I won't see you for six weeks?" Quinn whined.
"We better make up for lost time." Rachel grinned and Quinn kissed her.
"No way. Not until I leave the apartment." Kurt demanded causing both girls to chuckle.
Instead of doing what they started, Quinn grabbed her laptop out of her suitcase and sat it up in the living room.
"Hey, Rach? I was going to Skype my mom and Fran. We're kind of starting up an old tradition for Sunday brunch. I'd love for you to join me."
"Of course!" Rachel smiled as she looked down at her appearance and back up at Quinn. "Is this okay? Or should I change?"
"You're fine, now get over here." Quinn beckoned with a smile.
Rachel sat beside Quinn on the couch, and draped her legs over the blonde's lap. Quinn kissed her softly before she turned her attention to the screen and waited for someone to answer her call. Soon, both Fran and Judy could be seen.
"Rachel! What a lovely surprise! I didn't know you'd join us." Judy said as soon as she saw the brunette.
"Morning Judy, Fran." Rachel greeted happily.
"How's NYADA, Rachel?" Fran asked.
"Getting better." Rachel replied honestly.
"How's New York?" Judy asked, hoping for a more elaborate response.
Rachel's whole face lit up. "Quinn took me on a ferryboat ride around Liberty Island and then we went to Ellis Island and found information about my ancestors. And then we went to the Central Park Zoo after that." She looked at her girlfriend and touched Quinn's cheek gently. "New York's more fun with Quinn in it."
The blonde blushed and ducked her head at Rachel's words. She could hear her mom 'awww' and Fran make fake gagging sounds. Quinn shot her sister a glare causing Fran to erupt with laughter.
"So what else did you do this weekend?" Judy asked.
"Only G-rated responses please." Fran teased.
Quinn rolled her eyes. "We had a movie night with Kurt on Friday and I met one of Rachel's friends last night."
"She was jealous." Rachel smirked.
"Quinn! Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid." Judy scolded her.
"Actually she handled herself well. Just claiming her territory a bit but she's lucky I thought it was sexy."
Fran chuckled and Judy blushed but Quinn smiled proudly.
After learning about Judy and Fran's rather dull week, they finished with their small talk.
"Okay, now what are your plans for this next week?" Judy asked, initiating their new (old) tradition.
"I want to pass my stupid Lit test." Quinn mumbled.
"I want to get a date." Fran replied.
"I hope to find a new job. I've been working part time but I need something more." Judy said.
Quinn smiled at her mother proudly; she truly admired her ability to continue on with her life despite the obstacles she faced. She used to think her mother was weak, but lately she realized that she would be blessed if she possessed just half of her mother's strength and tenacity.
"I hope to make another friend." Rachel said into the silence.
Judy and Fran shifted awkwardly. "Are you having trouble making friends, dear?" Judy asked with concern. "Those kids don't know what they're missing."
Rachel smiled sadly. "I haven't really given them the chance; I've sort of been keeping to myself. But I intend to put myself out there a bit more."
"I am so proud of you, Rachel. Both of you." Judy smiled then looked at Fran. "All of you. I'm proud of all of my girls."
Of course that led to the four of them crying and exchanging 'I love you's.' When the call ended, Rachel and Quinn made themselves breakfast.
"Thanks for including me in that. It's great that you guys are getting together every Sunday to think positively about the coming week." Rachel said before taking a sip of her orange juice. "Perhaps, I'll start something like that with my dads."
Quinn smiled. "I think they would enjoy that."
0000
The time to leave came far too soon for Quinn, especially with the knowledge that it'd be weeks until she got to hold Rachel in her arms again. Before she climbed on her bus, she hesitated because she really wanted to hug Rachel goodbye, but it was in public so she decided against it. Just before she climbed up the first step, Rachel called out to her.
"Quinn…?"
The blonde turned around and was engulfed by the brunette. She instantly returned the hug, squeezing Rachel close to her. "I'll miss you, Quinn." Rachel whispered against her ear.
"I'll miss you too, Rach."
And before Quinn could pull away, Rachel's lips brushed her cheek. They lingered just long enough for Quinn to know that it really happened. Then Rachel backed away and smiled at Quinn. "I love you. Call me when you get in so I know you're safe."
Quinn nodded. "I will. I love you to, Rachel." The blonde smiled before turning around and struggling to limp up the steps. When she made it to her seat, she looked out the window and saw Rachel watching her. She waved and Rachel immediately waved back. As the bus took off, Quinn rested her head against the seat with contentment. Sure it was a kiss on the cheek, but it was progress. Rachel was really trying for them, and Quinn couldn't ask anything more of her. Her eyes closed and sleep took her as she traveled back to Yale and dreamed of her beautiful girlfriend.
A/N: Up next, they spend the next several weeks apart. Will absence make the heart grow fonder?
