Be aware of a little time jump in the middle of the chapter!

Chapter 38

Ella could listen to Chloe sing all day. Her voice was so beautiful, so angelic. Especially when they sat in downtown traffic on their last day of school. That meant she got to listen to it longer.

"Hey can I check my history grade on your phone?" Ella asked as Chloe leaned against the window in frustration of the traffic.

"Sure thang," Chloe replied grabbing her phone from the middle console and handing it to Ella. After a few taps and clicks Ella opened the browser window that had her grades on it.

"Shit," Ella muttered.

"You got an A!" Chloe exclaimed. Noticing Ella's fallen face she wished she hadn't said that. "Or not…?"

"I got a D. My grade went down to a B+. Ughhh I'm so screwed."

"Are your moms really that strict on grades?" Chloe asked. Traffic was finally moving so her mood was slightly improving.

"Not really but like, they just want me to try my hardest. They aren't going to be happy when they find out the reason I wasn't studying was because I was talking to you all night. After they told me not to."

"Then don't tell them El, not that hard," Chloe replied.

"I don't like to lie to them," Ella muttered, putting Chloe's phone back in the middle console. Chloe let out a sigh.

"It's not lying, its just not expanding the truth. Don't overreact. It's not like you're a failing student."

"I know," Ella sighed. "I just feel bad. I could have probably studied harder. Or not. I hate history."

"And its over now," Chloe said parking her car outside the apartment building. "So cheer up! It's summertime!"

"Wait. No. Don't go," Ella said frowning, realizing they had to depart for a few days. Chloe was going upstate to visit her aunt and uncle with her whole family and it would be the first time the couple would be apart for a few days. Chloe picked up her phone to check the time.

"I have like a half hour tops. I have to get home to pack."

"Come up and watch an episode of Sixteen and Pregnant?" Chloe let a grin escape her lips. Ella was always able to convince her with trashy television.

"Alright, alright," she said laughing and pulling into the parking garage. "And you know I'm only going away for 5 days and when I get back we can spend practically every day together having cute couple adventures in the city." A smile crept across Ella's face and she was unable to contain it.

"I love you," she muttered while Chloe shut her car off. Chloe returned the smile and leaned over to give Ella a sweet kiss on the lips.

"I love you too El." The girls got out of the car and went up to the apartment, Ella bracing herself for however many family members could be there. She was happily surprised when just it was only her mom there.

"Hi girls," Rachel said from the dining room table where she was working on her laptop. "Are you guys interested in going to Evita tonight? I just got 5 tickets."

"I wish," Chloe replied. "I have to get home soon anyway to pack for a trip. But thank you. Can I get a rain-check when I get back?"

"Certainly," Rachel smiled. "What are you guys going to do in the mean time?"

"Just watch some TV up in the loft. No one else is here right?" Ella asked grabbing some sodas and a bag of popcorn. Rachel shook her head.

"Nope. You are free to make-out or do anything else in this house. I won't bother you." Ella spun on her heel to face her mom, her face bright red.

"MOTHER." Rachel burst into a fit of muffled laughter and Chloe had to bite her lip in order to prevent herself from doing the same. "Come on Chlo. I'm sorry my mom is so, so weird."

"Nice seeing you Rachel," Chloe said grinning as she was dragged out of the kitchen.

"Likewise Chloe. Have a good trip," Rachel said still trying to cover up her laughter.

"I love your mom," Chloe said once they got up into the loft.

"Yeah, yeah okay. When your mom embarrasses you in front of your girlfriend like that you'll think differently." Chloe squinted her eyes in a joking glare and wrapped her arm around Ella once they were situated on the couch in a big, tight hug, kissing the top of her head. After kissing for a few moments they were comfortably snuggled against each other and Ella grabbed the TV remote. After flipping onto the selections of the DVR she was less than pleased to find out that the episode of Sixteen and Pregnant seem to be missing.

"Dumb sisters," Ella muttered. "Deleting my shows without my permission."

"It's fine," Chloe said snatching the remote from Ella and flipping on E! t some fashion show neither of them really had any interest.

"Now, back to the important matter at hand." Chloe turned the TV up a little louder and gently pushed Ella down onto the couch. The two were at each other's lips within milliseconds and hands started exploring regions that neither two had done with each other before.

"Chloe," Ella gasped in a low whisper. "My mom is downstairs."

"She can't hear anything I promise," Chloe replied quietly.

That wasn't true. Rachel had superpower hearing and it was even more sensitive when she wasn't supposed to be listening. But she went into her bedroom to change into some more comfortable clothes before going to the theater and giving her daughter the privacy she deserved and rarely got. Quinn and Abby walked through the door a few minutes later.

"Hi honey," Quinn said kissing Rachel's cheek. Rachel grinned but put a finger to her lips.

"Ella and Chloe are up in the loft." Quinn nodded in understanding and looked around her for a moment.

"Um… where did Abby go?" Before the two could do anything else they heard a loud groan of frustration.

"MOM!"

"Too late," Rachel muttered, shutting her eyes for a moment. Ella stomped down the loft stairs and into the kitchen with Chloe in tow.

"Ella and Chloe were kissing. It was gross," Abby declared, following them into the kitchen. "I just wanted to play wii…" Rachel eyed Ella for a moment and could see the embarrassment on her face. She was pretty sure those girls were doing a little more than just kissing.

"I told you that you were to go get in the shower, put your leotard in the washing room sink and get ready to go to Evita tonight," Quinn said grabbing Abby's shoulder before she could start digging through the pantry for something to eat. "No snacks. I'll make dinner soon."

"Can I not have a moment of privacy in this house?" Ella announced hopping up on the counter. Chloe patted her leg in sympathy and gave her a soft smile.

"You have a bedroom," Quinn replied. "Hello Chloe. Nice to see you."

"You two are coming to Evita tonight?" Rachel chimed in. She put a hand over her heart. "I'm so honored!"

"My bedroom is a mess," Ella countered.

"And whose fault is that…." Quinn muttered. "Lil and Shelby are coming too, Rach." Ella rolled her eyes. Rachel did a little cheer to herself.

"Fine, we're leaving now but not because I want to. Because I'm getting kicked out of my own house."

"Bye Chloe!" Abby waved from the counter.

"Bye Abby," Chloe said. "Bye Quinn, bye Rachel."

"Bye sweetheart, sorry the little munchkin came and bothered you guys," Quinn replied.

"No harm done," Chloe said with a smile.

"SERIOUS HARM DONE!" Ella yelled from the front hall.

"That's my cue," Chloe replied rolling her eyes. The two left the apartment and Ella walked Chloe down to her car.

"I am so, so sorry," Ella said as the exited the elevator.

"Honey, stop apologizing," Chloe said grabbing her hand. "Your family is adorable and they make me feel so welcome. That's all I can ask for, really." Ella smiled.

"If you say so. Next time you come over nobody will be here, I promise." Chloe leaned in to press a kiss to Ella's lips.

"And even if they are," she started. "I don't care." The two embraced in a tight, warm hug good-bye. "Now go clean your room." Ella rolled her eyes.

"Very funny," the blonde replied.

. . . .

"I still don't know why you want to do this," Shelby said taking her seat the piano. "People don't exactly take lessons from me because they like me. They do it because I know how to win and make people the best."

"Well," Lily began. "Mommy said you were the best. So make me the best Annie that Broadway has ever seen!" Shelby smiled at the girl's determination.

"Fair enough. Shall we warm up?" Lily nodded and set down a bottle of water and music on the stand next to the piano. Shelby ran her through a few scales and breathing exercises that Lily was accomplishing with ease. But Shelby had some tricks up her sleeve. They ran through Lily's 3 big songs from the show a few time each to start and get a feel for them all.

"Okay now I want you to sing 'Maybe' and you can only breathe after each period. So not phrases but sentences." Lily gave a confused look.

"But those are all different lengths…" Shelby nodded.

"That's the point. It's a challenge. Something you need." Shelby began to play the piano and cut Lily off from saying anything else. Needless to say Shelby's breathing exercise was one of the most daunting tasks she had ever performed in her 10 years of living. Shelby ran her through a few more weird but beneficial phrasing and tone drills before presenting Lily with her next task.

"Okay now I want you to sing the song backwards. We can go slower if you need to figure it out." Lily gawked.

"What? That's impossible!" She exclaimed. Shelby shook her head.

"It's really not, I do it for every song. It's sort of fun, requires you to use your brain in a different way then just singing a song you know." Lily gave Shelby a hard stare.

"This isn't fun." Shelby smirked and turned back to the piano.

"Ready?" Lily groaned but began, struggling to sing the song backwards. She had to stop and start over. And again. And again. And after the 6th attempt Shelby was beginning to get amused. It was the first time she had witnessed her granddaughter struggling at something.

"One more time. You're doing great." Shelby placed her hands on the keys as Lily stomped her foot on the ground.

"No I'm not," Lily began. "This is hard."

"Life's hard Lily," Shelby said softly. "You've had a pretty easy ride and right now my job is to toughen you up. Do you think if your mom tells her director that certain part of a song is hard that he makes it easier on her?" Lily shook her head. "That's correct. Part of the Broadway world and part of life, too is having to do things without the ability to make them easier."

"K," Lily replied quietly.

"Let's try it one more time." Lily took a deep breath and began to sing. While she struggled, she was noticeably improving. Shelby grinned and turned around applauding. Lily rolled her eyes slightly.

"It wasn't that good."

"You aren't going to be perfect every time. In fact you're not even going to perfect most of the time. Life is about learning how to deal with mistakes."

"I don't like making mistakes," Lily replied taking a seat next to Shelby on the piano bench.

"I don't know many people that do." Shelby replied. "But." She wrapped an arm around Lily and squeezed her tight. "Have you learned something today?" Lily nodded.

"Yes."

"Good. Now. I'm starving. Shall we make something for dinner before Evita?"

. . . .

A month later, the family was still in a flurry of activity. Ella was gone most of the day spending as much time with Chloe as possible before she went away to school. Even though she will be close by, she knows Chloe will be a little busier so they thought that they might as well make the most of their time right now. Lily had begun rehearsals and was loving every minute of it, naturally. Abby was doing some summer gymnastics classes to prepare for her camp almost every day and came home almost too exhausted to eat—even for her. Quinn was able to work the same amount with Shelby helping her with meals and driving too and fro while Rachel had shows Thursday-Sunday. Some may say the family was crazy but it was what they were used to.

"MOMMA I CAN'T FIND MY PURPLE LEOTARD!" Quinn nearly dropped the pot holding the boiling, steaming vegetables on the floor after hearing Abby's shriek. "Abigail what I have said about yelling," Quinn said walking into the girls bedroom after safely depositing the vegetables in the sink.

"Sorry," she muttered, her head in her closet digging through a large pile of gymnastics tops, jackets, shorts tank tops, and leotards. The girl had more practice gear than Quinn and Rachel had clothing—combined. And she had pulled all of it off the shelves and onto the floor. Quinn looked up onto a shelf and saw the shiny purple leotard bunched up into a corner. She reached up and grabbed it, dangling it over Abby's head as she continued to dig.

"Ehem." Quinn cleared her throat causing Abby too look up and smile.

"Thank you," she said grabbing it from Quinn's hands and taking it over to the suitcase that was sitting on her bed. Quinn glanced over the suitcase and could tell that once Abby went to bed she would probably re-pack it for her.

"Are you sure you don't want my help?"

"Positive," Abby replied. She folded her leotard up neatly and placed it on top of the handful of other favorite ones already in the suitcase.

"Are you excited?" Quinn asked sitting down onto the bed and re-folding a pair of sweatpants. Abby nodded quickly with a smile before plopping down onto the bed next to Quinn.

"But I'll miss you and mommy and sometimes Lily and Ella." Quinn smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"We'll miss you too peanut. Lots and lots. But if you need absolutely anything they have plenty of counselors and teachers there to help you out. And Auntie Sanny and Britt will be nearby if you need them."

"I know," Abby replied letting out a gentle sigh. Her face perked up almost instantly. "I'm really excited though! How long until we leave for the airport?"

"10 hours honey," Quinn replied glancing at her watch. She loved waking Abby up at 4:30 in the morning like she liked getting hit over the head with a brick. She'd make Rachel do it.

"I'm too excited to sleep!" Abby said going back over to her closet. Quinn rolled her eyes before walking out of the room to finish preparing dinner.

"You better sleep," she muttered.

. . . .

"I hate you," Ella said for the 15th time as she and Lily piled into the mini-van at 5:05 the next morning.

"I agree," Lily said. Quinn set down her cup of coffee and turned to face them as they buckled in.

"That's enough. Your sister would be coming to say good-bye to you at the airport if you were leaving for two weeks."

"I'm so excited!" Abby said jumping into the car after Rachel put her bags in the trunk. Ella gave her a half-hearted smile before rolling her eyes and Lily collapsed her head onto the pillow she had brought for her and Ella to share.

"It's too earrrrly for you to be excited," Lily whined, still clad in her pajamas bottoms and a sweatshirt. Ella grabbed a blanket from the backseat and threw it over her and Lily.

"Wakey wakey girls!" Rachel cheered hopping into the drivers seat. She turned to her wife before starting the car. "Did you sleep at all?" Quinn shook her head.

"I think its finally hitting me that we're sending our little baby off without us," she replied quietly. They both glanced to the backseat where Lily and Ella were already back asleep and Abby was sitting listening to Ella's iPod and playing a game.

"She'll be fine. And she won't be alone. We know she's going in good hands," Rachel said. She grabbed Quinn's hand that was resting on her leg and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Quinn let out a deep breath before closing her eyes as Rachel drove to the airport.

. . . .

"I don't understand how you aren't a morning person with an almost 1 year old," Quinn said. "I outgrew the phase of waking up early once Abby turned 4 but those early months are killer." Santana looked over at Quinn with a hard glare as she hoisted a suitcase up on the counter for the agent to check.

"B does everything past 3 am. I do the days and late nights. And I don't wake up this early. That's how." Quinn giggled before turning around to grab Abby's bag. Abby and the rest of the girls were over at a bench saying hello to Maddy and Brittany.

"Willy!" Lily squinted her eyes in frustration at the baby.

"Lily, Maddy. La-la-la L not W," Lily said.

"Ella!" Maddy clapped her hands together as Ella waved to her.

"No fair," Lily muttered to Ella. "Lillllyyyyyyyy." Maddy gave a quizzical look to the brunette before turning to Abby.

"Abba!" Abby smiled and shrugged.

"Close enough!" She replied. Lily sighed and sat next to Brittany.

"She'll get it soon. Some sounds are just harder than others." Brittany bounced the baby on her knees causing her to giggle and the girls fawned over her.

"Okay here is every number that you already have. Just…in case you lose your phone or something. And here is an extra bag of her vitamins and allergy medication… she has them and knows how to use them but in case her bag gets lost and she knows your cell phone by heart, here are the directions to the camp and information about the show on the last day for parents. Um…am I missing anything Quinn?" Quinn stared at her wife for a second before shaking her head.

"Deep breath Rach," Quinn replied. "Just like you told me to do in the car."

"She'll be good," Santana replied. "I'll call you when we get her checked in, okay?" Rachel let out a deep breath, her own nerves starting to set in. They called Abby and the rest of the group over to a spot right outside security where they couldn't go without tickets. Quinn and Rachel were the first to give the big hugs and kisses.

"Have so much fun," Quinn said beginning to tear up.

"You have everything you need and remember even if you need anything you call Auntie Sanny and Auntie Britt," Rachel added kissing her on the forehead. "We'll see you in two weeks."

"I know," Abby said. She threw her arms around Rachel and Quinn who were crouched before her.

"Love you sweetie," Rachel whispered into her ear.

"Bye Abby," Ella said giving her a hug. She lifted her off the ground and spun her in a circle. She set her down and allowed Lily to give her a hug goodbye.

"Thanks again S," Rachel said hugging her friend.

"Not a problem. You ready Abs?" Abby nodded and tugged on her backpack, grabbing Santana's outreached hand. Rachel and Quinn held onto each other as they watched her go down the security line meeting up with Maddy and Brittany; Abby periodically looking back and waving and the two blowing kisses.

"I'm gonna miss her," Lily said quietly as the four became out of their line of vision.

"I'm not," Ella replied.

"Ella…." Quinn added as they got in the elevator to go back down to their parked car.

"Kidding… I will," Ella began. "But its going to be so-o much quieter at home!"

"I can practice my music without bugging her! Free at least!" Lily cheered.

"Did you say something about it being quiet in the house?" Rachel asked Ella.

. . . .

Nobody went back to sleep when they got home; instead, they went out to buy bagels and had a slow easy morning on the couch watching some television. It was a Monday morning so Lily had rehearsal at 2 but other than that and Quinn going to work for a few hours the family had no real plans for the day. The girls lounged around casually doing some chores and tiding up the place. Ella and Lily were at the kitchen table eating lunch with Rachel a few hours later when Quinn came home.

"You're home early," Rachel announced when Quinn entered into the kitchen.

"Missed you too," Quinn muttered kissing Rachel on the lips.

"There's some extra salad in the bowl," Rachel replied taking another bite. Quinn dumped a pile of mail on the table for Rachel to sort before going and making herself a plate.

"Did I get anything?" Lily asked cheerfully.

"Who would be sending you mail?" Ella sneered taking a sip of her juice.

"Ah ha ha," Rachel said holding 3 envelopes. "Report cards." Ella's eyes became wide. She forgot all about those. Rachel set them down, opening them one by one.

"Abby…. 5, 5, 5, 4."

"What was the 4 in?" Quinn called from the kitchen.

"Math. Numbers just aren't her thing. Her comments are 'A pleasure to have in class and a hard worker'." Quinn nodded returning to the table as Rachel opened the second envelope.

"Lillian C. Berry-Fabray," Rachel began. "5, 5, 5, 5."

"Yes!" Lily exclaimed shooting her fist into the air.

"Dedicated student always on top of work. A pleasure to have in class." Quinn reached across her chair to kiss Lily on top of the head.

"Proud of your honey. With all your activities too its hard to focus on school but you're doing great. Nice work." Lily smiled at her mom and continued to eat her lunch. Nobody had noticed Ella had stopped eating and was patiently staring at Rachel to continue opening the letters.

"Annnd Eloise. Keeping that 4.0?" Rachel asked. Ella pursed her lips and gave a shrug. "I'm sure you are." Rachel winked. She read over the grades before furrowing her eyebrows slightly. "A, A, A-, A-, B+? Can be easily distracted in group work?" Ella let out a sigh and avoided both of her moms eyes.

"Ella," Quinn started. "Anything to say?" Ella shook her head and placed her napkin on top of her plate, pushing her chair away from the table. Rachel glanced over at Quinn with a raised eyebrow and mouthed out 'Girlfriend'. Quinn nodded subtly as Ella put her dishes in the sink.

"I'm sorry," Ella announced. Quinn and Rachel turned around in case she wanted to elaborate.

"We're not mad," Quinn replied. Ella was turned away from them but glanced back and nodded, heading off to her bedroom.

"Lily can you go get changed for rehearsal and get all your books together?" Rachel asked politely, hoping the little girl would get the idea that momma and mommy wanted to have a private conversation.

"Sure," she said, taking her own dishes to the sink and going off to the office where her music was. Quinn and Rachel both watched her walk out of the kitchen and out of hearing range before speaking.

"Are you mad?". Quinn shook her head.

"I'm just glad to see her doing okay. She had a rough start to the year. I wish she would have maybe asked us for help with history if she was struggling but she's not failing." Quinn glanced over the report card once more and shrugged.

"I agree." The two discussed enjoyed a nice quiet lunch in their dining room without children bickering around them and catching up on each other's days and upcoming weeks. Quinn even poured them both a little wine.

"I'm going to Chloe's," Ella called suddenly when they were doing the dishes.

"Be home by dinner please," Rachel answered.

"Bye!"

. . . .

"Long day?" Chloe asked once the two entered Chloe's bedroom and Ella collapsed onto her back onto the bed.

"Just…. dumb. Its fine. My parents didn't really care about my grades but I'm kind of upset with myself."

"Well you have plenty more opportunities to show them you're a good student. Take summer school and you can cancel out the grades you don't like."

"Yeah…maybe next year." Ella sat up and leaned against Chloe's pillows as the older girl shed her sweatshirt and shoes.

"Ella," Chloe said, crawling onto the bed next to Ella.

"Chloe," Ella replied.

"You're wearing too much clothing."

Twenty minutes later the girls were both engaged in a full on make-out session, shirts and pants had been discarded, and things were getting hot and heavy…quickly.

"Oh my god," Ella muttered biting her lip to keep in any abnormal gasps or moans. Chloe was good at this. Ella stopped to think for a second as Chloe was kissing her neck fiercely how many girls Chloe has made out with. Probably dozens. And here was Ella… new at the whole being gay thing. Well, she had to start somewhere. And she had a great partner to learn from.

Chloe topped Ella for a few moments and ran her hands through her silky blonde hair as she sucked on Ella's neck.

"That might leave a mark. Sorry." Ella grinned but caught Chloe's lips on her own before she could go any lower than her neck.

"Ella," Chloe protested against her lips. She tried to move down to Ella's breasts but was stopped by Ella's voice.

"Chloe…I…"

"What babe?" Chloe asked seriously, focusing in on some obvious worry coming from the blonde.

"I… just don't know…if I'm ready for more." Ella could see an immediate look of annoyance but Chloe quickly covered it up with a soft smile.

"We can go slow. You're fine. I'm right here." Chloe gently grazed Ella's breast with her tongue causing Ella to arch her back up in pleasure. Yes, she was enjoying this but she had no idea what was going on. What happened when she had to do it to Chloe? She had no clue what she was supposed to do.

"No, no. I'm sorry." Chloe pulled away and Ella sat up. "Sorry." Chloe gently lifted Ella's falling chin and cupped her face with the other hand. She placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Don't apologize. I'll be here for you when you're ready."

A few hours later Ella walked back into her apartment, much more relaxed and feeling a lot better than when she had left.

"Dinner's almost ready, wash up please," Quinn said once Ella entered the family room. Lily was reading over a script on the couch and Rachel was sitting next to her with her laptop on her lap working. Ella flopped down on the chair next to the couch and turned the TV on.

"Have fun with Chloe?" Rachel asked, eyes still down onto her computer.

"Mhmm," Ella replied flipping through channels.

"What did you guys do?" Ella thought for a moment. Made out…cuddled… baked cupcakes…made out some more…

"Baked cupcakes."

"Ooh yummy," Lily said grinning. "Did you bring me some?" Ella shook her head and Lily huffed, going back to her script. Her eyes looked back up at Ella once more. "What's that thing on your neck?" Ella's eyes darted over to her sister and her hand shot to her neck. Awesome Chloe. Thanks so much. She jumped off the chair and over to a mirror that sat against the wall near their dining room. Sure enough, there was a red and purple bruise forming just under her chin.

Quinn walked over beside Ella shooting a smiling Rachel a wink.

"Aw," she started standing behind Ella in the mirror. "My baby girl's got herself her first hickey!" Ella groaned in embarrassment and ran out of the dining room into her bathroom.

"What's a hickey?" Lily asked. Quinn's eyes shot to Rachel's, giving her a 'you tell her' look. "Will I get one?" Rachel almost choked on the water she was sipping and cleared her throat.

"Maybe someday Lil…"

You like? I liked writing this one. And hello to all my new tumblr followers. Don't be shy, come say hi! Anyway. Reviews would make me a happy girl! And once again if you have any questions/requests/etc feel free to message me on tumblr or DM me! Thank you for your love and support as always! Please review!