Chapter 38 - Gradumacation
"Fuck! Where are my shoes?!"
"Honey, slow down, you barely got home."
"And we're late! Graduation starts in, like, twenty, and just the drive to the place takes, well, twenty minutes!"
Leroy breathes out, bouncing Beth in his arms and shoots a look to Hiram. He straightens his polka-dot bowtie and approaches Rachel carefully. "Baby girl, you literally arrived from New York not even five minutes ago. Will you slow down, and let all of us stay calm?"
Blaine, who's up to this point been fairly quiet, produces shoes out of nowhere. They aren't exactly what Rachel had in mind, but they will work anyway. "You have always been a terrible packer," he jokes, letting her hug the air out of his lungs.
When she releases him, she slips on her combat boots and looks around to make sure they're not forgetting anything. She grabs the bouquet of purple flowers she bought Quinn on the way from the airport as they exit out the door.
It just so happened that her play wouldn't let her get away from rehearsals until that morning so both she and Quinn were bummed they wouldn't see each other until after graduation: Quinn had to be on site two hours earlier and Rachel would be arriving in Lima half an hour before graduation started. It sucks, but that's what they were dealt.
Quinn was super excited that weekend because she thought Rachel would be there to wake her up on graduation day (even though she knew she was barely going to get any sleep regardless). But then Rachel had to break it to her that her producers weren't letting her go home any days early.
It wasn't their best conversation to date. They had gone to bed on Sunday night upset at each other because of this little strain and hadn't really talked it out since. Which sucked for Rachel because she wanted Quinn to know that, this Tuesday, the day was hers and she was so sorry for Sunday, and that she wished she could've made it.
And now she was late. Knowing Quinn, she would feel the moment Rachel walked in and would know she was late. The thought made Rachel laugh, as she snuggled closer to Blaine in the back seat, with Beth dreaming away on the carseat to her left.
"I'm soooooo proud of you, baby!" She texted Quinn.
Quinn replied, "I'm so glad you made it! I'm sorry about how I was a jerk Sunday night."
"Don't apologize, it was me. But I can't wait to see you walk that stage."
":) San has all your tickets. She should be waiting with Britt and my mom by Gate A."
Rachel smiles at her text and lets her eyes close shut to imagine how adorable Quinn must look in the blue gown. "Blaine's here. Have enough?"
"Of course, I knew he was coming. But I gotta go! We're starting and I have to turn off my phone. Wave me off when you get here - I'm toward the middle center."
"Isn't middle center redundant?" Rachel asks back but Quinn stops replying which means they're probably starting.
When they first arrive, Santana is looking worried at the bottom of the front steps. She's pacing with Brit behind her trying to calm her down. As soon as she sees Rachel walking up with Bee, she relaxes. A smile takes over her frown and she relaxes her shoulders. "Finally, Berry! This way - follow me."
There is no time for introductions of any kind, but Blaine's heard enough about Santana to know not to be offended. Britt does approach him as they practically jog behind Santana and Rachel to their seats. "I'm Britt. Santana's girlfriend and Quinn's best friend."
"Very nice to meet you, I'm Blaine." They shake hands - awkwardly because of the whole jogging thing - and he adds, "has it started yet?"
"No, they're late, but this is a Lima event so it's bound to happen."
The conference center where graduation is happening is in a neighborhing city because Lima is so small. Surprisingly enough, Quinn's class is not as small as Rachel thought it'd be, considering she goes to Lima U and it's Winter graduation. Lima University is not a community college but it's not big because the city isn't big.
Rachel follows Santana to the middle of the columns of chairs set up for guests and right at the very front -second row- is Judy, saving up enough chairs for all of them. There are literally people standing by the chairs, staring with angry eyes.
"Oh! Here they come! Here they are!" Judy yells and points at the group.
The other guests sigh annoyed, roll their eyes and leave and Judy finally relaxes on her seat. Santana smiles at Rachel as she takes Beth from her and is the first to venture to sit next to Judy.
The lady instantly brightens up when she sees Beth waking up, hand in her mouth and lazy eyes. She grabs her from Santana and Santana turns toward Rachel with a wink.
Rachel wanted to spend time with Beth too, but she sees Santana's point. With Quinn at her house now, Rachel will get to see Beth more often than Judy does, so it only makes sense for the grandma to get time with the baby girl.
Brittany takes the seat next to Santana, followed by Blaine, then Rachel, and finally Hiram, with Leroy on the aisle seat.
Pomp and Circumstance finally begins to play five minutes after they arrive, and the line of students marches down the aisle. The graduates come in from the back, then stop at the front, climb the stairs onstage and sit down to watch the program.
There are about ten people before Rachel spots Quinn. And she was right, she looks adorable in the blue gown. Rachel and her friends and family clap and hoot excitedly as Quinn passes directly by them and Quinn finds herself not being able to contain her smile at all.
She follows John Edwards up the stairs and then sits right in the middle center of the chairs on stage. Rachel can still see her face, and it seems like Quinn is staring right at her. She waves, Quinn waves back. Success!
The ceremony begins with the national anthem, then there's the school's alma matter, then there are a few words by the president. A Salutatorian speaks, then the Valedictorian. Quinn probably would've been Valedictorian were it not for the getting pregnant deal.
Eventually they reach the commencement speaker, Sue Sylvester - 7-time National Cheerleading Champion Coach - from Quinn's high school, McKinley. She spends most of the time berating the students and the school and the educational system. It comes to a point that Rachel wants to get up and go (and it looks like everyone else feels the same way) but she stays because of Quinn.
Sylvester finally just gives up halfway, calling everyone lazy and exiting without saying another word. It's awkward for a second but then the class starts laughing, uncontrollably. The president laughs his way to the podium and starts calling the first names.
"James Abott..." There's scattered clapping for James. It takes each student approximately one minute to get the diploma, shake hands with the three officials on stage, and get a picture taken by a "professional" service hired. Then they sit back down.
"Hayley Al... Margaret Brown..."
Blaine leans into Rachel, "aren't you so proud? It's almost her turn." He puts his arm around her shoulders and Rachel nods, eyes not leaving Quinn.
"Trish Campbell... Theodore Dickens..."
"I am going to cry," she admits, tears already beginning to form.
"Frederick Dudley..."
Her dads both lean forward to get a better glimpse of Rachel and put thumbs up. "All cameras ready?"
"Edith Eaton... Charlie Emmett..."
Judy puts up Beth standing on her knees and raises both her little arms.
Britt, Santana, Blaine, and Rachel all take out their phones to capture the moment. Hiram pulls out a professional camera from under his chair.
"John Edwards..."
The Team Quinn moves to the edge of their seats in unison.
"Quinn Fabray...!" cheers erupt from Team Quinn. Britt jumps off her seat and whoops, and Rachel follows along, clapping wildly. Santana looks mildly embarrassed for once, but rises too, rolling her eyes all the way. The parents plus Blaine eventually stand to give Quinn a standing ovation for accomplishing this step of her life, and she only turns enough to acknowledge that she heard them. Her reddened cheeks are evidence that she is mortified by their behavior, but that doesn't mean she doesn't feel loved and proud of herself.
The rest of the ceremony is boring and not of importance to Rachel, who's really just dying to get her hands on Quinn. She wants to take her up against any wall to celebrate her diploma with her, and she's been itching this entire time to see her again since she visited in New York. There's just something about the way Quinn walks that makes Rachel all hot and bothered, is that even possible?! Just the way she walks.
Rachel shakes her head. It's not like she doesn't know how much in love with Quinn she is, but sometimes she just gets so caught up with being in love with her that she doesn't realize how pathetic she's become. She's practically staring at her girlfriend with hearts for eyes. Whatever, she doesn't care. She's in love and if she's pathetic for it, let her be. Seriously, her girlfriend is ridiculously hot, intelligent, hard-working, and the best mother anyone could ever meet - Rachel's lucky to have Quinn in her life, and she's truly honored to be able to call Quinn hers.
Pride swells in her, making her sit up a little straighter. She feels how smug she must look at the moment, and knows that if Quinn saw that change take place in her eyes, Quinn would've slapped her on the arm and then kissed her on the cheek, laughing. Rachel sighs, happy. She watches Quinn through the rest of the ceremony, and her eyes don't leave that girl for a moment.
Finally - finally! - Quinn stands to file out behind the other graduates. She passes by Quinn Team again and winks at Rachel, who swears she has just died and gone to heaven. Is it normal to still be this into someone even though they've been dating for three months? Like, she's pretty sure she falls for Quinn every time she sees her, and sometimes still wonders if Quinn knows she's dating her, too.
The music stops playing and Rachel goes off to find Quinn, wherever it might be the graduates are supposed to stand to wait for families. When she spots her, Quinn runs at her, and Rachel stops walking to be able to handle the impact. They break into a fit of laughter when they reach each other, and the hug feels both familiar and new. The excitement rushing through Rachel's veins as she feels Quinn's arms tighten around her skyrockets. She is so happy she could cry, "I'm so fucking proud of you, baby," she says - whispers, in Quinn's ear. She plants as many kisses as she can on Quinn's cheek before they have to break apart so Quinn can talk to the other people who came to see her graduate.
Even as Quinn talks to the other people, they keep sneaking glances at each other, promising without words that they will get to kiss and make up for lost time.
Quinn takes Beth in her arms, after a long hug from Judy, and speaks to the group. "Thank you all so much for coming, it means a lot. I couldn't have asked for a better support group. Thank you, Britt and San, for always being there for me and helping with Beth when I needed you to. Thank you Rachel, for being an amazing friend and an even better girlfriend," she blushes here, trying not to mind the fact she just said that out loud and in front of people. "And for lending me your parents in my time of need... and on that note, thank you, H and Lee, for being my fathers when you guys have only known me for three months. Finally," Quinn takes a breath and focuses on Judy, who's bawling already, "thank you, mom. That despite everything we've been through, you've never once doubted I'd finish school... - and you have always come back to me. You're learning to accept me for who I am, and I thank you so much for the effort you're making, even if it's hard for you. And Beth. Who is my inspiration and motivation to keep going. I love you all."
The speech was not expected by any of them. They all cry and have a group hug, with Quinn and Beth being suffocated by love in the middle.
"Ugh," Santana, being the first one to break off the group, says, "this is too sappy for me. I have reached my quota." She winks at Quinn, though, and then at Rachel and everyone laughs as they release from the group embrace.
Quinn laughs along, "yeah, I know. This kind of thing isn't my thing - the emotional stuff in public."
"I think we should go celebrate," Judy says, still trying to dry the tears.
Rachel perks up and says, "I definitely agree. What should we do?" She turns to Santana, because she seems to be the one who would know what to do.
Santana shrugs, "I think we should all get drunk or whatever, but that's not cool with old people," she jokes.
Hiram and Leroy laugh, and at first Judy is perplexed by the suggestion but realizes it was a joke and laughs, too. "I actually wouldn't mind going out with the kids for Quinn."
"Yeah, but Beth -" Britt reminds them.
"I think we should just go home and I'll cook us a fantastic meal in honor of our graduate," Leroy says, pulling Quinn in for a side hug. He's probably as proud of Quinn as a father would be.
The collective "yes" heard 'round the group is telling that they all agree with the idea. They all discuss where everyone parked and decide to just meet at the Berry's.
Blaine offers to go with Judy, since she drove there alone. She takes up on his offer and thanks him with a grateful look. Quinn had to drive herself, so Rachel obviously tells her parents she'll be going with Quinn. Hiram is the one who takes Beth away from Quinn with a wink and a look that tells the two to say hi properly and stuff.
Quinn blushes prettily and lowers her eyes to the ground - as she slips on a coat and scarf - so Leroy and Hiram can't see it in her eyes how much she would love to be alone with Rachel right now.
Rachel takes Quinn's hand, cautious at first, although she is smiling, and forces Quinn to make eye contact with her. Judy's been gone with Blaine for a while, Britt and Santana left five minutes ago, and her parents are leaving as well. "Is this okay?" Rachel asks.
"What?" Quinn asks, still shy.
"This." Rachel says and raises their hands. "Me holding your hand in public."
Quinn shrugs, "it's not like the entire town doesn't already know. Besides," Quinn manages to smile at Rachel, "I do love holding your hand. It feels good to be able to do it."
"Can I ask you something?" Rachel asks as they're walking to Quinn's car.
"You just did," Quinn points out, holding back a giggle.
Rachel rolls her eyes good-heartedly and asks, "why didn't the rest of your family come down to your graduation?"
Quinn looks serious immediately. She shrugs, "my sister kind of hates me. And my grandparents are too old to make the trip here just for graduation. Especially now that they've heard from Frannie that I'm dating a girl. I mean, they're pretty hateful people, Rachel. I wish I could tell you that they aren't, but that would be a lie."
"But they'll be here for Christmas! And they know I'm coming then."
"They'll be coming because it's tradition, and you don't mess with tradition in this family. I'm messing with tradition, by bringing you - so. We'll just have to see."
Talking about Quinn's family only brought down the mood and their spirits, so Rachel sighs and apologizes. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. Not right now, not today."
Quinn faces her and squeezes her hand once, "it's okay, Rach. I don't mind talking about it with you. I feel safe."
They arrive where Quinn's car is parked. Rachel asks, "oh yeah?" And raises one eyebrow at Quinn, a challenging look in her eyes. "Tell me more about how much you want me right now." She smiles and leans on the side of Quinn's car. She pulls Quinn into her, wrapping her arms around Quinn's waist. Quinn automatically places both hands on Rachel's shoulders.
"I... didn't just say that..." She drags on. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Rachel tells her, "I really really would love to kiss you right now." Unsurprisingly, her eyes fall to Quinn's mouth.
Quinn notices this and slowly licks her lips, "and who's stopping you? You let me know," she says, poking Rachel's shoulder, "and I'll tell them to fuck off."
Rachel's mouth opens in surprise, "what?! Quinn Fabray, did you just... what?!"
"New York changes you," she says, laughing.
"You were there for less than a week!" Rachel points out, pulling Quinn even closer.
They stare at each other's eyes for a while until Quinn asks, "what's taking so damn long?" Which is enough for Rachel to sneak a hand behind Quinn's neck and pull her in for a kiss, chuckling the entire time.
It's unreal how sexy Rachel is to Quinn when she does that. When she grabs her by the neck and pulls her in closer while chuckling. Her laugh - loud and vivacious - is one of Quinn's favorite things about Rachel. But the way Rachel chuckles quietly just for them, like that, before kissing Quinn's lips always, without fault, makes Quinn melt.
"You're smexy," she tells Rachel's lips, eye still closed and lips slightly parted. It is winter in Ohio, and it's supposed to be freezing outside, but the kiss warms her up from inside out, fueling enough of the fire within her to keep her warm a little while longer. "And I missed you."
Rachel laughs this time - that way: loud and vivacious - and wraps her arms around Quinn's neck, tightening them. Quinn finds the nook of Rachel's neck to hide her face. The scent of Rachel's perfume mixes with Rachel and Quinn finally feels complete again, knowing Rachel's around. "And I missed your sexy self."
"Can we get in the car now? I'm cold." Quinn says, shivering a bit. She touches her cold nose against Rachel's neck, making her jump. "See?" She unlocks the car doors and opens the passenger side for Rachel, "girlfriend," she gestures for Rachel to get in.
"Thank you!" Rachel says, flattered by Quinn's gesture.
Quinn walks around the front of the car, still in her cap and gown, and gets behind the wheel. "So are we going straight to your parents or...?"
Rachel squeals, "Quinn! What did you have in mind?" She asks, suddenly very interested in knowing what Quinn's been thinking.
"I just thought we could - fool around a little." Rachel isn't ever opposed to that idea. The car starts when she turns the keys and immediately the heater kicks in, loud and still very cold. They both yell at the same time at the cold air on their faces, until Quinn rushes to turn down the air knob. "Sorry. The car needs to warm up first." She rubs her hands together, then blows air in them. "Are you cold?" She asks Rachel.
"Not as cold as you, that's for sure," Rachel tells Quinn. Rachel's pretty bundled up for the winter of Lima. Quinn, on the other hand, has on a dress, a grown on top, and a coat. Besides the scarf, that's all the protection she's got. She's wearing flats and her legs are exposed, not to mention her hands and head are also uncovered. "I'm sorry I made you kiss me outside the car, in the cold." Rachel reaches for Quinn's neck and massages the area. "Do you need me to help you warm up?"
"That's exactly what I was trying to say when I asked if we were going straight home!" Quinn laughs and leans toward Rachel. "Remember that time we made out in your car in that alley behind the office? That was so hot." She kisses Rachel deliberately and slowly.
Rachel remembers, of course. That had been a good morning. Those kisses were enough to wake her up and keep her going through the rest of the day. "Of course I do," she says when the kiss is over. "That was hot," she agrees. "Repeat?"
Quinn looks around. There are enough people she recognizes walking around, and even though her reputation in Lima is already shot, that doesn't mean she wants to get caught making out with her girlfriend in her car in the middle of a public parking lot in the daylight. A kiss is one thing, but full on, heavy making out? The kind that might fog up the windows in this cold winter's day?
"Not here because that's just tacky. But I know a place."