Hey everyone. Update! Thanks again for all the reviews I really appreciate it and I hope you enjoy this one. Just a little fluffy chapter. I hope you like it.
The one thing about being back in New York that Rachel had never realised she would hate, was the whole 'city that never sleeps' thing. I mean sure, it was great when she was living it up, loving her job and having late nights out with her wife and friends when they had the novelty of being two young women with no responsibilities outside of work. But when you throw a new born into the mix, you being to realise just how precious the quiet can be, and that was something Rachel was desperately beginning to miss about Lima.
Charlotte was an angel, she slept most of the night and she rarely cried, however, the little girl was having a tough time adapting to her new environment. It was different to what she had become accustomed to in Lima, which was quieter and less fussy, but at only one month old, even the slightest of changes can be huge so her mother's didn't begrudge her those little moments were she just needed to cry, even if it was at two o'clock in the morning. Although Rachel and Quinn had become used to it at this point so they would often rotate feeding duties for the three a.m session.
Sleep deprivation was also something Rachel was beginning to get used to. At first it sucked, like really sucked, but Quinn was often quick to remind her that Charlotte wouldn't be a baby forever and that usually made her more grateful to be able to experience those early morning moments, even if she was desperate for just one long nights rest. Luckily, she had a wife who was very hands on and who would encourage her to take naps in the afternoon while the blonde spent quality time with their daughter, before heading off for a night shoot in down town New York. Sure the system may have been a little hectic at times, but it worked for them.
So here Rachel stood in their spacious living area, overlooking her favourite city in the world as she nursed a cup of coffee in her hands. Decaf obviously, since the diva was unwilling to put any 'toxins' in her body that could alter the natural milk in her body where her daughter got all her nutrients from. She would have given it up completely, but quickly figured out that just having the taste of coffee was enough to sustain her, even if it didn't give her that buzz she loved. Glancing at the clock she noted that it was ten a.m, Charlie was due a feeding.
Walking back towards the kitchen, she dumped the cup in the sink to be washed and then made her way down towards the master bedroom. Charlie had woken up earlier and Rachel had scooped her up and rocked her for a little bit to send her back to sleep. The problem was, the diva couldn't manage to do the same thing, so, she decided to stay up and get some housework done. Rachel placed Charlie onto the middle of the huge king size bed next to her slumbering wife and admired the sight of her two girls sleeping next to each other, it made her heart swell. Not wanting to take the risk of Quinn rolling over and crushing their infant daughter, the diva picked up one of the heavy throw pillows and placed it in between mother and daughter, knowing that the obstruction would wake Quinn up if she began to toss or turn.
That had been an hour and a half ago and when she entered the room she was greeted by the sweetest vision she had ever seen. Quinn had turned over and removed the pillow and was now cradling Charlotte close to her on the bed, a protective arm wrapped carefully around the baby holding her in place tucked snugly against her bigger frame, like a human blanket, the blondes pressed against the tiny brunette's temple. It was the most adorable sight. With as much stealth as she could manage, Rachel reached for Quinn's camera that was sitting on top of their dresser and picked it up, snapping multiple pictures of the scene from different angles, some in colour, some in black and white. Quinn would love those pictures when she saw them.
Moving over towards the bed she gently slipped in next to her family and softly stroked her fingers up and down Quinn's forearm that was wrapped around the baby. Within seconds, hazel eyes began to flutter open at the sensation, and once they registered the image that was in front of her, a smile adorned her face. "Morning," Quinn managed through a slightly slurred, sleep filled voice as she lifted her head from the pillow. Rachel smiled back and ran her fingers through her wife's messy bed head. "Morning Sleeping Beauty," she replied as she leaned back against the headboard.
It took Quinn a moment to gather her bearings and once she did, she turned to face the baby that was still snuggled against her. Freeing her arm that was trapped beneath her own body, she gently slipped it under Charlotte's tiny frame and when both arms were holding the baby securely, she lifted her daughter from the bed and laid her against the her chest, before sitting up against the headboard. "You know I could really get used to this whole family thing," Quinn said with a cheeky grin. Rachel just shook her head before running a hand up and down Charlottes back.
"Good to know cause I'd really hate to have to kick you out of home," she replied earning a playful slap on the shoulder from Quinn. Rachel leaned across and kissed her wife sweetly on the lips before leaning down and placing a kiss on Charlotte's cheek. Quinn smiled and then straightened up. "Hey what do say we go to the zoo? I know Charlie's not old enough to really understand what's going on, and she'll probably sleep through the entire thing, but, I dunno, I just think it would be nice you know," Quinn said with a shrug of her shoulders, her eyes gazing lovingly at her daughter.
"I think that sounds amazing," Rachel beamed making Quinn look up and smile, feeling a little less ridiculous for even suggesting it. "How about you jump in the shower and get dressed while I feed Charlotte and then when you're done, you change her and I'll get ready and then we'll have breakfast together," Rachel said as she twirled a strand of Quinn's blonde hair around her finger. Quinn leaned in brushing their noses together and smiling. "Sounds great," the blonde replied as she gently passed her daughter off to her wife and climbed off the bed and headed to their en-suite.
Rachel made her way to the nursery and sat down in the rocking chair with her daughter, opening her shirt she raised Charlie's head to her breast and the little girl instantly latched on. Once Rachel was sure that her daughter was feeding, she began to sing to her.
In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daugter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes
Fresh out of the shower and dressed for the day, Quinn made her way out of the bedroom and once she was in the hallway she heard her wife's voice floating towards her looking a soothing wave of warmth. Stopping at the doorway to her daughter's nursery, she leaned up against the door frame and crossed her arms over her chest, her heart full of pride and love at the image of her wife and daughter in one of those beautiful natural moments. Quinn never believed she could love Rachel more than she already did, but when she saw her like this, she fell deeper and deeper for the woman who captured her heart when they were so young, the woman who Quinn was sure would own it for the rest of her life.
However Rachel did have some stiff competition, because Quinn was hopelessly in love with the little girl currently resting in her wife's arms. Even after a month of actually having baby Charlotte in her life, it still surprised her how strong her motherly instincts and feelings were. It didn't matter where she was or what she was doing, Charlie was always on her mind. She was so completely consumed by the love she felt for this tiny human she couldn't help but think she was the luckiest woman on the planet.
When Rachel had finished singing, Quinn stood from the doorway and walked across the room. "Showers free," she said as she bent over and softly stroked the dark tufts of brown hair on her daughters head. Charlie grunted at the sensation before a tiny hand reached up with an open palm. Having seen what the baby was doing, Quinn chuckled before bring her hand down away from her daughter's hair and watched as Charlie latched her tiny hand around her pointer finger. The baby released what sounded like a contented sigh now that she had a hold of both her mom's.
It wasn't long after when Charlotte decided she'd had enough and was quickly being deposited into Quinn's arms. Rachel didn't bother doing up her buttons again, knowing the shirt would be coming off when she jumped in the shower. Quinn grinned at the sight of her wife's bare breasts on display and couldn't help asking her wife a rather playful question. "Hey babe, not that I don't love how beautiful it is seeing you provide for our daughter like that, but when exactly does Charlie stop her free pass to your boobs and return them to me. I mean don't get me wrong fondling them is great but there are a lot of other things I'd really like to do to them right now," Quinn said with a lick of her lips for added emphasis.
Rachel just sent the blonde a mock glare swotting her on the backside as she exited the nursery. Quinn watched her just watched her go, "So soon then right?" she called out and smiled when she heard her wife's light laughter disappearing down the hall. Walking over to the baby changing table that was positioned just next to the door close adjacent the crib, Quinn laid Charlotte down and unbuttoned her cute little onsie. Opening up Charlie's diaper Quinn was surprised how tame it was compared to some of the other diapers she'd had to change over the weeks.
"I'm glad to see someone's giving Mommy a break," Quinn joked as she tickled Charlie on the chest earning a little grunt from the tiny tot. Quickly cleaning her daughter up, Quinn carried Charlie into the adjoining bathroom so she could give her daughter a quick wash. Filling the huge sink with warm water and baby bubble bath, just enough to cover the base, Quinn tested the water with her free hand before gently lowering Charlotte into the water. The little girl kicked her legs for a moment at the feeling of the water, but eventually she settled down against Quinn's arm as her mother gently splashed some water up against her tummy.
"Yeah you like that huh," Quinn cooed with a soft smile. Picking up the baby sponge, the blonde placed it in the water and soaked it, bringing it back up and slowly rubbing it against Charlie's skin. As her mother continued her ministrations, the little girl took it upon herself to strike up a conversation, her little grunts and gurgles making her mommy laugh. "Just like you're Mama huh baby, always talking," she said as she dropped the sponge and tapped Charlotte on the nose. "And that's one of the reasons I fell in love with her," Quinn sighed. Lifting her daughter out of the water, the blonde laid her on a towel and dried her off before wrapping it around her and carrying her back into the room and laying her down on the baby changing mat.
After applying some baby powder, Quinn picked up a fresh diaper and put it on her little girl before proceeding to change her daughter from the clothes stashed in the drawer built into the changing table. It was a little chilly out so Quinn had picked out a pair of denim dungarees with a little bear sewn into the bottom of the left leg, a white sweater top underneath and some cute little booties to keep her feet warm. "You are just little cutie pie," Quinn smiled as she picked Charlie up and carried her out of the room, holding her securely against her chest. Walking into the kitchen, Quinn beamed at the sight of Rachel cooking breakfast. Stepping around the kitchen island she came to a stop next to her wife and pecked her on the cheek.
"Smells great babe," Quinn said as she gazed at the eggs benedict Rachel had made just for her and the tomato and basil omelette she'd made for herself. During the pregnancy, the diva had found it difficult maintaining a strictly vegan diet, so she'd decided to cut back to vegetarianism instead. That way she got her dairy products, however she made sure they were all from free range farms. Smiling at Quinn, Rachel picked up both plates and carried them to the dining table where fresh orange juice, toast, and fruit salad were already waiting.
Placing Charlotte down in the play crib in the living area, she turned on the overhead mobile and made her way to the dining table. Sitting down she placed a napkin over lap and leaned over and pecked Rachel on the lips. Taking a bite of the food she moaned in appreciation, she loved her wife's cooking. "Sweetie this is amazing, thank you," she said before taking another bite. Rachel smiled back and took a sip of her juice. "Honey you don't need to thank me, I love taking care of you." The girls engaged in easy conversation as they finished breakfast, before Quinn called for a car to take them to the Central Park Zoo and Rachel gathered together a day bag for Charlotte.
Once Charlotte had been placed securely into her stroller, Rachel placed the baby body carrier in the little compartment underneath, in case her daughter got fussy and wanted to be carried instead. Quinn emerged from the hallway with two coats, putting hers on first, she then picked up her wife's and held it open for Rachel to step into. "Thanks babe," Rachel said as she fluffed out her hair. Picking up keys, phones and of course her camera, Quinn made her way to the door and held it open for Rachel and the stroller. Just as she was about to leave, she turned and jogged back to the kitchen, picked up a dog treat and placed in Arthur's bed, scratching behind his ear and making sure he had fresh water before finally leaving the apartment.
The car ride to the park had been surprisingly quick, considering New York traffic. Once they hit their destination, the driver had taken the liberty of removing and unfolding Charlotte's stroller so that Quinn and Rachel weren't standing around too long to be noticed. After thanking the driver and arranging to be picked up at two o'clock, the girls set off towards the zoo, basking in the moment of their first family day out. As Rachel pushed the stroller, Quinn wrapped her arm around her wife's waist. "This is nice," she smiled giving Rachel a little squeeze while staring down at her daughter. Rachel smiled up at her briefly before refocusing on the path ahead.
"It is. I hope it's always like this, you know, you me, Charlie, just being able to relax and enjoy quality time. I mean, I know there's gonna be moments were the press or the paparazzi intrude on us, but, as long as we have these moments where we're just a normal family, I think we can deal with it," Rachel said with a shrug of her shoulders. Quinn nodded in understanding, realistically it wasn't always going to be possible for them to hide Charlotte away, but as long as she had a relatively normal up-bringing and could do the things other kids were able to do then, Rachel was right, they could deal with it.
"Of course we can, and I promise, I will do everything I can to make Charlotte has as normal an up-brining as possible, and that we," Quinn trailed off hugging her wife into her side, get to have as many of these moments as we can." Rachel leaned into Quinn's side and smiled. She loved how safe and secure being in Quinn's arms made her feel. It was like the world outside their happy little bubble didn't exist, nothing could hurt them.
Their little stroll finally brought them to the entrance of the zoo and luckily for them, Quinn had had the good idea to all ahead to inform them they would be stopping by, so they were quickly shown inside and once passed the gat they were offered a complimentary family snap from the zoo's local photographer, although Rachel insisted they pay. Even though they were rich and often received gift baskets or freebies, neither girl felt entitled and preferred to pay their way. Something they hoped to instil within Charlotte as she got older. They wanted her to understand the value of a dollar rather than becoming one of those spoiled rich kids.
After having their family picture taken and printed out, both Quinn and Rachel posed separately for pictures that the staff could pin to their visitor's wall, sort of as a thank you for their hospitality. They then set off on the little excursion around the park. Quinn was in her element snapping pictures of the sea lions, the polar bears, the red pandas, the penguins, the emerald tree boas to name just a few. She even captured some pictures of Rachel and Charlotte gazing at the animals and her wife head traded places numerous times so Quinn had pictures of herself with their daughter.
"Hey did you take these?" Quinn asked, she had just scanned through her memory card and stumbled upon the pictures of herself asleep with Charlotte in her arms. Rachel smiled and nodded her head. "I took them this morning you guys just looked so cute together, I couldn't resist." Quinn beamed at the pictures, she really did love them. "I want to get this one printed out and framed," Quinn said with pride at the black and white picture staring back at her. Whatever way Rachel caught the light coming through the window, it just illuminated the image of Quinn and Charlotte, perfectly illustrating the contrast in Quinn's blonde hair and Charlie's dark locks.
Another hour passed and the girls were ready to head home, however a call from Puck had informed the girls that the paps had caught on to the twitter sightings of the girls and they were waiting for them outside the zoo. Quinn called the driver and told him to meet them at the exit he had dropped them off at. "Are you okay to push Charlie in the stroller or should we carry her?" Quinn asked, trying to figure out the best way to get their daughter out of there with as little stress as possible. Rachel thought about it for a second, glancing down at the baby in the stroller.
"Can you carry her? I'd feel better if you were shielding her. They tend to listen to you when you tell them to back off," Rachel reasoned as she bit down on her lower lip, glancing up at her wife who was nodding her head in understanding. It was true what the diva said, the paparazzi really did listen more to Quinn, mainly because she had a fierce dominating presence and that old HBIC glare that could a person's blood run cold. "Of course," Quinn replied as she stashed away her phone and handed Rachel off her camera.
Reaching under the stroller Quinn picked up the baby carrier and strapped it to her body with the help of her wife. Once all the straps were securely set, Rachel, having put away her wife's camera, reached into the stroller and lifted baby Charlotte into her arms and transferred her into the carrier. Once she was safely settled, Quinn made sure that her daughters cap was on and the hood of her little coat was up to shield her face from the glare of the cameras that would be waiting for them before they set off for the exit.
Walking out of the Central Park Zoo, the girls were ambushed by a wave of flashing lights and men screaming their name, fighting each other for the best angle to try and sneak a shot of the new 'Fababy' as the media had dubbed the little girl. Rachel walked slightly ahead, using the stroller as method to force the paps out of their path while Quinn followed behind, trying to sooth a distressed Charlotte who was having a hard time dealing with all the shouting and flashing lights, the scene proving to overwhelming for the tiny tot who was trying to bury herself into her mother's chest.
"Sssh, it's okay baby girl, I've got you," Quinn whispered trying to calm her child, her arms wrapping a little tighter around Charlotte. Rachel who was worried for her daughter and annoyed that these grown men didn't have the decency to respect the boundaries of a small child lost what little patients she had left. "Guys seriously can you back up! We just want to get to our car," she shouted, drawing most of the attention towards, so what if it earned her a spot on TMZ later, at the very least it was taking the heat of her daughter and that's all that matter.
As soon as they hit the sidewalk they were greeted by the sight of their driver walking towards them and taking a hold of the stroller. After Rachel explained to him how it folded, he tucked it away along with the girls other belongings as the girls jumped into the car to get away from prying eyes. "Well, we almost got away without being spotted, at least they didn't arrive until the end of our day out," Rachel said jokingly as she glanced over at Quinn who chuckled lightly. "How's our girl?" Rachel asked as she peeked around the carrier still attached to her wife.
"She's okay, a little spooked but she'll be fine. She just needs a little cuddle," Quinn replied as she dropped a kiss to Charlie's head before turning to face her wife. "I can't wait to get home and just, relax," Rachel sighed as she leaned back in her seat. "Me too," Quinn replied as she ran a hand up and down her daughters back, cradling her close and inhaling that baby scent she loved so much. The day may not have ended like they'd hoped, but at least she had a camera full of memories, and that was worth the small bump in their otherwise perfect day.
So I hope you liked it, please review I love hearing your thoughts. The song in the chapter is 'In My Daughter's Eyes' by Martina McBride.
The next chapter will probably be set around Christmas where Nicole will make her return, this will be the last light hearted chapter before I delve into some more angsty stuff. So enjoy the fun while it lasts.
Also, reward time. How would you like to appear in the story? I'm gonna give one lucky loyal reader/reviewer the chance to make an appearance in the next chapter. All you have to do is message me a general idea of your appearance for writing purposes and an idea of how or what your "character" will be doing. It's that simple. I'd prefer if people PM'd me if they want to appear, but if you can't PM me just leave it in the review section.
Until next time