Warnings and Disclaimer in Chapter 1. Enjoy.

"Grandma!" Beth exclaimed happily as she ran out of the restaurant to meet them. "We got the table for you. We even had them take one of the chairs away for Quinn. Why are you so late getting here? Did you get lost?"

"No Beth, we just had a little chat along the way and didn't realize how long it took." She looked over at the overly enthusiastic child. "Can you hold Tobey while I get the chair out?" Beth nodded and opened the back door carefully. She used her body to block the exit while she carefully attached the leash, not that Judy thought that would stop the dog. And not that she ever thought Tobey would do anything like that. Sure enough, while she struggled to get the chair out from the trunk, Tobey hopped down from the back seat and stood patiently at Beth's side. Quinn pulled herself smoothly into the chair once it was free but she let her mother push her in the unfamiliar surroundings. Finn saw them coming and quickly held the door open for them.

"What?" he asked when the chatter died down as soon as they entered. "Haven't you ever seen a dog before?" A few people laughed and just like that talk started up again. Judy smiled at him gratefully.

"Thank you."

"Not a problem," he told her. "Your table is over there, right next to ours." She looked where he was pointing. Shelby was waiting patiently at their small table, just big enough for the four of them, and next to them were four tables pushed together for the Hummel-Hudson clan, the Berry men, and Anderson family. Judy noticed Rachel had put herself closest to where Quinn would be and she sighed when she thought about her daughter's looming love life.

"Is everything alright?" Shelby asked once Beth had distracted Quinn with the menu. Judy nodded.

"Just another bombshell my daughter dropped on me," she said quietly. Rachel heard and raised her eyebrows questioningly. Judy waved off her concern. "I just need to go freshen up," she said, once the waiter had come and taken their orders. She excused herself to the ladies' room. Rachel quickly followed her.

"Is everything alright?" she repeated the question, taking the opportunity to fix her make-up. Judy nodded, then turned to the Diva.

"You would never hurt my daughter, right? At least, not intentionally."

"Of course not," Rachel exclaimed. "Why?"

"Just remember she's confused," Judy said, not answering the question. "You've had over a decade to muddle through your feelings and figure out who you are and who you want to be. She's just starting to realize it's okay to feel things."

"You're scaring me," Rachel said, moving closer to the older woman. "Did something happen on the way here? Shelby said you left right after her, but she's been here thirty minutes already."

"No," Judy shook her head, smiling weakly at the younger girl, "but I'm afraid something will. And I'm worried it could destroy everything we have." Judy finished touching up her make-up and left, leaving Rachel reeling in the bathroom.

After a few minutes she followed her out, glancing at their table as she retook her seat. She could tell Quinn had been crying, but Kurt was already there, being able to spot a make-up emergency even in this crowded room. She didn't look sad though, she was nodding and smiling at him as they talked, so she decided to bury her curiosity for the time being. She would figure out what Judy was talking about later and enjoy this day. She did keep a hawk like gaze on the blonde though.

"Alright, Alright. Can I have everyone's attention?" Someone called out after nearly everyone was done eating from a stage that was along the far wall. "I would like to thank everyone for coming out for our bi-annual wedding reception." That got a chuckle out of everyone. "Even if some of you are fashionably late."

"Like seven years late girlfriend," Mercedes called out from somewhere in the crowd. This prompted a round of clapping and whooping.

"Anyway, I would just like to say a few words before we really get started. First, I would like to thank Sugar Motta and her father, who's kind generosity rented out this place for us."

"Again!" Sugar shouted out, causing the crowd to laugh again.

"Again," Mr. Schue corrected himself. He got quiet for a minute before speaking. "When I took over glee club nearly a decade ago, I wasn't sure exactly why I was doing it. I thought it was to relive my glory days. But it was really to find myself. Because I was lost. So lost I didn't even know I was lost. You guys saved me, my original New Directions. For that I can never say thank you enough."

"We love you too Mr. Schue," Puck shouted out.

"Sometimes I think you guys taught me more than I ever taught you. And most importantly, that choir room gave me, gave all of us, a safe place where we could be ourselves. In that room, I learned everything about who I am and want to be. I met my lovely wife and bride to be, Emma, and I found a family I cherish over my own relations. So, I just want to say thank you all for being here as Emma and I celebrate our love."

There was a giant wave of applause after that, and more than one person wiping their eyes dry.

"Now that we've gotten all the heavy stuff out of the way, I want you all to enjoy yourselves. Use this time to reconnect with each other. Catch up and enjoy old times. Get all your passive aggressive anger and snide comments out of the way, and yes Santana, I was talking to you."

"Whatevs, you know you love me," Santana smirked from across the room. More laughter.

"And let's get this party started. It's open mike and we have the dance floor set up. So, let's get our groove on." The room groaned at that one, but everybody started moving to dance. Someone took the mike and soon the sounds of rapping filled the air.

"He sounds like a really great teacher," Quinn said.

"He is," Judy agreed. "He did so much for you kids. More than I ever did for you."

"May I have this dance?" Puck broke in, disrupting the moment before it could get depressing. Quinn laughed.

"They're rapping," she told him. "How do you even dance to rap?"

"Any way you want," he told her. She laughed as he started pulling back her wheelchair. "Wait. I don't want to dance in the chair."

"I can carry you," he offered, surprised when she nodded.

"Just don't let go," she said as she pushed back enough to let him scoop her up in his arms.

"Never," he whispered as he carried her to the dance floor. They stayed out for several songs before her grumbling stomach reminded him that she hadn't finished her dinner. He returned her and was quickly pulled away by someone else. She was constantly approached throughout the night by people. Individually and in small groups, though never enough to overwhelm her. She finally met Artie, Tina and Mike who finished off the original New Directions. She met Matt, Sugar, and Lauren who admitted they were only there for a year or so and had been too intimidated to try and get to know her. She was confused by that. She didn't think she could intimidate anyone.

"May I have your attention please," someone said harshly into the microphone, "for all the good that will do." The room went completely silent. "I have had the displeasure of being intimately familiar with the bride and bride wanna be," Sue glanced over at Will, "for more years than I will even admit to being on this Earth. I have watched them intently, as a hunter watches her prey, and loathe I am to admit it, I envy them. They have found something few can say, someone who will not only put up with all their idiosyncrasies, someone who loves them because of them. And despite my many attempts to break up and or kill them throughout the years, their love has remained as true as it was the first time Will Schuester nearly killed his entire Glee Club to ask for the hand of a neurotic woman who couldn't even stand being in the same room as the pool. I'm still not entirely sure how you ever thought that would turn out good?" The room laughed at that. "So, raise your glasses, or your sippy cups, to Will and Emma. I have never been happier to be proven wrong. Congratulations buddy."

"To Will and Emma," sounded out throughout the room.

"Who was that?" Quinn whispered to her mother, as she started rubbing her eyes.

"Coach Sylvester," Judy explained. "She's the cheerleading coach at McKinley. She can be a bit brash, but she really does care underneath that gruff exterior."

"If you say so," Quinn murmured quietly, just as the woman in question came over to their table.

"Hey Q," she greeted as she pushed Kurt out of his chair and sat down at their table. Kurt glared at her but was rescued by Blaine, who pulled him to the dance floor. "I thought I'd have to use my bear spray to get those gleesers to leave you alone long enough to come say hi."

"Umm," Quinn said, not quite sure what was going on here. She reached out for her mother's hand, and Judy immediately grabbed it, and squeezed, but she was being unhelpfully quiet. Tobey sensed Quinn's confusion and stuck his head out from under the table, growling softly at the woman, but Sue wasn't fazed at all.

"Nice kitty," she said, as if a growling dog at her lap wasn't anything to worry about. "You should see the new crop of Freshmen we have this year. Just thinking about them makes me want to bash my head against the wall repeatedly. You would have thought they would have learned something since the year started, but I guess hoping for two miracles in one year is reaching."

"Two?" Quinn asked, rubbing her eyes again as she started searching for her sunglasses. Judy handed them over without saying anything.

"I don't often say things like this and mean them, but this time I do, and I will deny it with my dying breath if anyone ever asks, but it is good to see you Q."

"Thanks Coach," she replied. She thought the 'Coach' part would feel awkward when she said it, but it felt right.

"Don't get teary-eyed on me now Fabray, that's what tomorrow's for." And without another word she was gone.

"What did she do?" Rachel immediately demanded, at her side in an instant. Quinn could only shake her head. "I have half a mind to file a complaint against her, not that it would do any good."

"You know her?" Quinn asked, slipping on her shades. She felt instantly better.

"We've all had the misfortune," Kurt replied, leaning against her other side. "You should be flattered. She only insults people she likes and I think you're only the second person I've seen her not insult. That means she really likes you."

"She doesn't even know me," Quinn argued.

"Actually, honey," Kurt said softly, "she probably knows you better than you know yourself right now." Quinn looked confused.

"You were on her cheerleading squad," Finn explained. "You were the youngest person ever to make Captain. You were only a Freshman. Nobody has been able to do that before or since."

"I was a cheerleader?" she asked in bewilderment. The only thing she knew about cheerleaders is that they wore skimpy clothing and her father hated them.

"You, Santana, and Brit," Finn told her. "You guys were amazing too. Won the National Cheerleading Championship every year except one."

"Why? What happened?" Quinn couldn't stop herself from asking, curious about this part of her life she never knew about.

"You have to understand that Coach Sue is a little bit crazy," Kurt started and somehow Quinn knew this would be a good story.

"What did she do?" she asked, nearly giddy with anticipation.

"She tried to shoot Brittany out of a cannon," Rachel told her. "And not one of those theatrical cannons that shows sometimes use. A real life, honest to God, cannon."

"No way," she whispered.

"Way," Kurt added. "She was trying to convince Brittany to do it and tried to show her how safe it was by shooting a dummy out. We were picking up pieces of mannequin for weeks."

"So what happened?"

"You, being the responsible and level-headed Captain that you were, tried to bring it up through the proper channels, but Sue has always gotten her way. You tried rallying the rest of the squad, but they were too afraid of Sue's wrath to do anything. Eventually you had to take drastic action and quit, taking Brittany and Santana with you."

"Then what happened?" Quinn asked.

"Without her star performers she lost," Finn said. "She was brought down a peg or two,"

"Or ten," Rachel added. Finn smiled.

"She actually seemed a bit more human after that," he said, reminiscing. "At least for the rest of that year. She didn't try to ruin us as much as she usually did."

"Ruin us?" Quinn asked.

"The Glee Club," Kurt explained. "She had a personal vendetta against the Glee Club. Still does from what I hear."

"Wow," Quinn said, taking off her shades and handing them to her mother. Judy took them cautiously.

"Do you need to go home sweetie?" she asked.

"No," Quinn answered, eyes widening when she realized the headache had stopped. "It stopped. It's never stopped on its own before."

"Leave it to Sue to know exactly how much to push," Kurt said as he left the table, pulling Rachel with him. "I know you've been dying to perform for all these people."

"I have," Rachel said quickly, but she was hesitant to leave the blonde's side. Judy smiled at her.

"Go show them what Broadway is all about," she said. Rachel smiled nervously as she and Kurt took the stage. Their duet was amazing and brought the house down, until Santana started griping about real music and she and Mercedes took the stage. Eventually everyone started taking their turns on the stage, with everyone else enjoying themselves and having a good time. Quinn was having such a good time she didn't realize she had been there over four hours until a tired Beth crawled into her lap.

"You ready to go Beth?" Shelby asked as she rejoined the table.

"No," Beth shook her head, but was yawning at the same time.

"C'mon. I think it's time for bed." Shelby was gathering her things, ready to take Beth home when they suddenly had two visitors at their table. "William. Emma. Congratulations again."

"Thank you," the red head said, but Will only had eyes for Quinn.

"Oh, God Quinn," he said, throwing himself into her arms and hugging her tightly. She normally flinched when people touched her unexpectedly so she surprised herself when she returned the hug just as tightly. "I couldn't believe it when I heard. I wanted to rush up there that second, but they said you didn't remember and they wanted to go slowly."

"It's okay Mr. Schue," she told him softly. "I missed you too." Will Schuester, who had never been afraid to let his emotions show, had tears streaming down his face. He also didn't look like he was letting go anytime soon, even though Quinn was paling and starting to tremble.

"Emma," Shelby asked politely, seeing the delicate state Quinn was working up to, "do you mind if I borrow your husband for a dance?"

"No, not at all," the guidance counselor said, recognizing something was happening and not having any idea how to help. Shelby stood and pulled Will away from Quinn, dragging him to the dance floor. The red-head took a step closer to Quinn. "Quinn. I want you to know we are always here for you. Even though you're not a student anymore my door is always open. And I know Will feels the same way about the choir room." She reached out and hesitantly put her fingers on Quinn's arm, only to jerk back when Tobey popped his head out and laid it in Quinn's lap. "Oh. There's a dog." She looked hesitant but forced her hand back, laying it gently on Quinn's arm. "I just want you to know you are very important to both of us and if you ever need anything you can call."

"Ms. Pillsbury. Can I have this dance?" Finn extended his hand politely. Emma looked between Quinn and Finn before nodding. He helped her to the dance floor. Once she had left Rachel quickly took her place.

"It's okay Quinn. Just focus on my voice." She grabbed the blonde head with both of her hands, leaning down until their foreheads were touching. "Don't try to force it. Just focus on my voice. Knowing it's there is enough. It will come. Just let go. Focus on me." Rachel continued to coach Quinn.

"Is everything okay?" Will asked quietly, his dance forgotten as he watched the scene unfold.

"Yeah," Finn said. Will reached out and clutched Emma's hand, pulling her tightly against him. "Rachel will sort her out. She just gets these episodes sometimes. It was nothing you did," he reassured him. He nodded and watched as Quinn reached out for something. Judy put a pair of sunglasses in her hands. Rachel lifted her head long enough for Quinn to slip them on before lowering again so they were touching. The whole time she continued to whisper reassurances to the blonde.

"Great party Mr. Schue," Santana glared as she approached him. "Great to know you can still knock us for a loop."

"She doesn't mean that," Brittany followed closely behind her, giving both of them a big hug. "She's just worried about Quinn. We were worried that seeing everybody might trigger an episode, but she really wanted to come."

"At least it happened when most of the people are too drunk to notice or have already gone home," Santana added. "I will defend my girl's privacy."

"Santana," Emma scoffed before turning to Finn. "Is there anything we can do?" He shook his head.

"Rachel has it all taken care of," he said lovingly. They watched as Rachel slowly straightened up, her hands moving to Quinn's shoulders and her eyes never leaving Quinn's hazel ones. Quinn passed the shades back to her mother before she started rubbing her eyes tiredly, one hand clenched in Tobey's fur. Judy gathered her purse before approaching them.

"It's time for us to be off," she said as she gave Emma a quick hug. "Thank you for a lovely evening."

"I'm sorry for that," Will apologized. "I didn't realize." She waved off his concern.

"It was bound to happen at one point. The evening actually went better than I hoped." She leaned in and kissed Will on the cheek before turning back to Emma. "I'll see you at the chapel at ten to help with the decorating?"

"You don't need to," Emma started. "If Quinn needs you more." Judy looked back to check on her daughter. She could see the pained expression on her face that clearly told her she had a headache, but she was chatting amicably with the Berry men, trying her best to act normal.

"I'll let you know," Judy compromised.

"I'll be there," Shelby told them, smiling. "Beth also wants to help, but I'm afraid it might be more like hinder."

"I'm sure we can find something for her to help with," Emma said, as she hugged the women once more. They moved back to their table. Shelby plucked a nearly asleep Beth from Quinn's lap. She protested lightly but was asleep again before they made it to the car. Finn helped Judy get Quinn out to the car, Rachel hovering nervously next to him.

"If you need me," she said to Quinn, but Rachel caught Judy's eye. The elder Fabray nodded. Finn helped her get Quinn into the car, Tobey quickly jumping in after her. By the time she pulled out of the parking lot Quinn was already asleep.