A/N: I wanted to express my condolences for the loss of Cory Monteith. Sometimes I write Finn as a horrible person, but I always adored Cory. May he rest in peace and may his friends and family find comfort this time.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Quinn was pacing for the last twenty minutes. Rachel was auditioning for a lead role in Quinn's play and the blonde was waiting outside the door for the closed auditions to be finished. She can't remember being this nervous, except maybe when she was proposing to Rachel. Scratch that, the proposal was easy compared to this because even if she royally messed it up she knew that Rachel loved her and would say yes. This was more akin to the time that Quinn prepared the song to sing for Rachel in glee hoping to express her feelings and also beg for a chance with the girl.
She smiled to herself. It seemed so long ago that she and Rachel were dancing around their feelings for each other. Okay, maybe dance wasn't the right word. Quinn spent three years hiding from her feelings, then nearly half of another one pinning for the girl. Then came the almost wedding and her car crash. It would be four years this week that she was in her car accident. At the time she thought her life was over and yet four years later, she feels like her life is just beginning. She knows that even a lifetime with Rachel will never be enough.
The blonde was interrupted from her musings when the door slowly opened and Rachel walked out wordlessly. The look on the brunette's face was unreadable.
"Well?" Quinn asked nervously.
Rachel shrugged. "I didn't get the part." She spoke barely above a whisper, and her tone was emotionless.
Quinn frowned as she rushed to comfort the girl. As she slowly pulled away from the hug, the blonde spoke again. "Did they say anything? Did they tell you why? Because if it was about not being right for the part, we can go in there and tell them that the part was written about you."
Rachel let a small smile pass her lips at Quinn's words. "I thought we agreed that I'd get no preferential treatment."
Quinn pecked her wife on the lips with a smirk. "Oh, you'll always get preferential treatment from me." Then she sighed and stepped away from the brunette. "But we did agree that I wouldn't interfere with the casting process."
Rachel nodded. "Yes, because this is your story and it is your time to shine. I agreed to try out for the part the same as everybody else."
Quinn grabbed hold of Rachel's hand and laced their fingers as they walked toward the exit. "This is not me being biased or anything, but I've seen your audition piece and you had this in the bag. Did they give you a reason why they turned you down? Because maybe you're mistaken and they just told you what they tell everyone so that they can discuss the decision in private."
When the blonde was met with silence, she too became quiet. They walked to the subway hand in hand, but no more words were spoken during their trip back to Rachel's place.
It wasn't until the brunette was turning the key in the doorknob that a thought hit Quinn. "Wait!"
Rachel's hand stopped immediately as she leveled Quinn with a questioning look. "What?"
Before the question could be addressed, the door flew open and Rachel was knocked breathless with the intensity of Kurt's embrace.
"How does it feel to be the first of us to make it to Broadway?!"
"About that…" Rachel attempted to explain the situation, but was drug inside the room.
"Surprise!" A chorus of congratulations followed as several of Rachel's friends popped out of various hiding places around the room.
"Shit." Quinn muttered to herself. She wished she had canceled the celebration as soon as she learned about the outcome of Rachel's audition.
"It's okay." Rachel whispered beside her.
"Come on, out with the details." Kurt continued undeterred and completely unaware of the silent conversation occurring between Quinn and Rachel.
"I didn't get the part, Kurt." Rachel said evenly.
Sadness and compassion shone in the boy's eyes. He quickly hugged her as whispered confusion echoed throughout the room. "Did you choke? I know you had that nightmare when you did your NYADA audition and this was ten times more important than that was."
"Kurt!" Quinn whisper-yelled in hopes of silencing the mettlesome boy.
Rachel tore herself away from Kurt and grabbed onto Quinn's hand. "We'll be right back, okay. Carry on!" She said with a faux-cheerfulness that nearly made Kurt shutter.
Quinn walked with Rachel into the brunette's bedroom. "Talk to be, baby. This was your dream since you were three and you…you don't have to be strong for me. I'm heartbroken for you, so I can only imagine what you must be going through right now."
Rachel shook her head as she sat on her bed, then she gestured for Quinn to join her. "I didn't choke and I didn't fail, because I didn't even try, Quinn."
The blonde stared at her wife with confusion plastered to her face.
"I sat in the audience waiting for them to call my name. The longer I sat there, the more I started thinking. It may have been my dream when I was three. It may have been my entire life when I was in high school, Quinn. But it's not what I want right now."
"I don't understand."
"I knew I was talented. Even as a kid, I understood that my voice would get me out of Lima and it did. I knew that my talent would get me to New York and it did. But somewhere along the way my dream changed." She nervously played with Quinn's fingers, though her eyes were glued on the hazel irises that were piercing her soul as she spoke. "I love to sing. And someday, I may even want to be on stage again. But when I sat there listening to people who were just as good as me, or some that were better…it didn't freak me out the way it used to. I thought the only way I was worth anything is if I was the best at everything. That's why I joined every club in high school. That's why I wanted Valedictorian. That's why I wanted every solo..."
"Rachel…"
With her other hand, Rachel reached up and placed a finger on Quinn's lips to silence her. "Please let me finish." She waited for Quinn to nod her acceptance. "Performing isn't what makes me happy anymore." She paused a minute and bit her lip before continuing. "That isn't true. It still makes me happy. But I guess…the passion isn't there anymore. For now, I think I want to write songs and just sing…"
She trailed off before shaking her head to clear her muddled thoughts. Her eyes were filled with determination and honesty. "The truth is…when I am teaching kids in my Tang Soo Do class…when they get excited because of what they learned from me…when they gain confidence and break their first board…" The smile that crossed her face was the largest Quinn had ever seen. "I give them something that no one ever gave me." She squeezed Quinn's hand so the other girl wouldn't protest. "I give them confidence in themselves. Not in their talent or their abilities, but in themselves. If I had been truly confident in high school…I wouldn't have been so insufferable. I wouldn't have been Tinkerbell."
Quinn chuckled at the reference. "You want to teach Martial Arts." It wasn't a question; Quinn finally understood what Rachel was telling her.
"Not entirely. I want to teach children…young girls especially, how to love themselves. Whether it is through Martial Arts, dance, singing…I think I have the credentials to run my own school and I want to do it my way. I was thinking about asking Brittany…"
She couldn't finish her sentence because Quinn's lips crashed into hers. The kiss grew heated quickly but they forced themselves apart.
"Well, let's rejoin the party. I think Kurt might be broken-hearted by your little epiphany, but on the plus-side, Santana will love you for it." Quinn said with a cheeky smile. "And just so you know, I will support this dream as ferociously as I supported your other one. We'll do this together."
"Thank you. I'm glad you understand." Rachel's smile said it all. Quinn knew that Rachel's fear hadn't been changing a lifetime dream but in disappointing her wife.
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Quinn was standing in the middle of her dorm room wearing a cap and gown. Graduation was upon her and she was never so proud of herself than she was in this moment. Rachel, Santana, Brittany, Fran and Mercedes were with her at the moment. Judy and the Berry men were out grabbing some air (mostly because the combination of Judy's hovering and hysterical crying was driving everyone else crazy). Mercedes came to New Haven with Rachel, because she had been in New York doing a promo spot for her debut album's upcoming release.
"I'm so proud of you, baby." Rachel spoke, her eyes catching Quinn's through the mirror.
The blonde smiled at the brunette. "Thank you." She quickly planted a soft kiss on the brunette's lips.
"Remember when Mr. Shue had us sit in that stupid circle and talk about the things we looked forward to?" Brittany mused from Quinn's bed.
"How could I forget?" Quinn smiled.
"Well you did it. You are graduating top of your class at Yale. You got what you wanted." Brittany stated proudly.
Quinn smiled because she did get everything she ever wanted; her eyes once again caught Rachel's.
"A lot of people did. Mike will be dancing at Carnegie Hall in six weeks, and I got to keep all of you guys in my life." Rachel said with a smile.
Quinn noticed the sadness that clouded Santana's face. It's been four years, and the raven haired girl was still estranged from her Abuela. She wondered if her best friend's dream would ever come true.
"I'm still waiting for mine though." Mercedes commented. "So when are you going to start popping out some mini-Berry's?"
"Gag me." Santana groaned from her place beside Brittany.
"You most looked forward to Rachel having kids?" Fran asked with confusion.
"Yeah, I always wondered about that." Quinn directed her attention at Mercedes. "You said you wanted to see Rachel's kids. You never said Finn and Rachel's."
The other girl shrugged. "I didn't think they'd last."
"What?!" Rachel shrieked.
"Come on, Rach. Everyone knew you two weren't meant for each other. Sure we supported your decision, but no one agreed with it." Santana replied on Mercedes' behalf.
"I regret that Quinn was the only one with the guts to say anything about it."
"Mercedes…" Rachel started but was interrupted by Santana.
"Please, like you could have made a difference. If Rachel wouldn't listen to Quinn, no one else stood a chance." Santana remarked much to everyone's amusement.
"Puck graduated high school." Brittany commented happily causing everyone to look at her. "And with more states legalizing gay marriage, Kurt and Blaine will be getting married soon."
"Speaking of marriage, Britts and I are having a ceremony when you girls get back from your honeymoon." Santana said to a stunned room.
"What?! When did that happen?" Quinn yelled as she eyed her friends carefully. "Last I knew you guys were going to elope to Vegas."
"Santana's Mami heard about you and Rachel eloping and forbid us from doing the same." Brittany replied.
"But I thought you wanted to get married by Elvis, Britt?" Rachel asked.
Santana smirked proudly. "Oh, we're having an Elvis impersonator officiate the ceremony. Mami will have a coronary but at least we're not eloping."
Quinn smirked too, because she knew that Santana was right.
"So, anyway…we're having an actual ceremony." Santana nervously played with the blanket on Quinn's bed. "And I was wondering…" She looked up at her blonde best friend. "Be my maid of honor, Bitch."
"Actually, as she's already married…it'd be matron of honor." Rachel corrected, but trailed off toward the end when Santana scowled at her.
"I don't think I heard a question in that sentence." Quinn smirked darkly. "Did you, Fran?"
The elder Fabray wore a matching smirk. "Now that I think about it, no I don't recall actually hearing a question."
Santana huffed loudly as she rolled her eyes. "Fine!" She stood up and marched over to her friend. "Q…will you please be my matron of honor?"
Quinn leapt forward and enveloped the Latina in response. "Of course!"
"Brittany, if Quinn's Santana's matron of honor…who are you going to have?" Mercedes asked, though she suspected she knew the answer.
"I wanted Q too, but since she could only be in two places at once if she was a twin…" She paused to consider what she just said and smiled broadly. "How cool would it be to have two Quinn's?!" Then she frowned. "But that would be confusing so I think I'd have to call one of them Charlie…"
"Britts?" Quinn interrupted softly.
"Oh, right!" Brittany jumped off the bed and skipped over to Rachel. "Since we're going into business together, that makes you my new official best friend. So will you be my maiden of honor."
"Matr-ow!" Rachel rubbed her ribcage where Santana not so subtly jabbed her. "I would absolutely be honored, Brittany. Thank you!"
The blonde embraced her tightly as the room filled with happy chatter. Soon they were joined again by Judy, Hiram and Leroy (as well as a roomful of others that they 'found' when they were out getting air).
Before joining in greeting the newest arrivals, Quinn pulled Rachel aside. "I lied back then."
Rachel's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "About what?"
"What I looked forward to most? Sure I wanted to get out of Lima as much as you did, and I really wanted to graduate top of my class…but what I wanted most was you. It's always been you."
Rachel beamed at her before kissing her thoroughly.
"Ay dios mio." Santana mumbled from behind them. "You're already married; you can stop wooing her now."
"Don't listen to Santana. She's just being mean because she doesn't want to cry."
Fran laughed out loud. "You guys are too much."
0000000
After Quinn's Valedictorian speech and the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, the entire group went out to eat to celebrate.
"Now that that's over, we get to start planning bachelorette parties!" Tess announced happily.
"Back off, Q 2.0. I's gets to plan their party." Santana declared.
"We don't actually need a bachelorette party, Santana. We're already married." Rachel answered.
"Nope. No way short stack. You are not taking this away from me!" Santana said menacingly.
"Santana's right. We all missed out on your celebration before…" Fran noticed how her statement might be misconstrued. "Not that I don't understand your reasons for eloping…but…" She sighed. "I just really want to celebrate with my baby sister."
"Besides, with school done we're all going to see each other less and less." Hayley stated sadly. "We all need this."
"We'll keep in touch." Quinn promised.
"But we won't be roommates anymore." Sydney spoke.
"And did you girls decide where you're living? New York, New Haven, Lima?" Kahlan asked honestly. "Because either way…most of us will be separated."
Rachel frowned. She loved her friends and hated the thought of not seeing them all the time. "We made it this far all together…we'll do it again."
"Damn straight!" Puck said before sheepishly corrected himself. "Sorry Shelby."
Beth giggled as she collected five dollars from Puck.
"Wait. What was that?" Quinn asked when she saw the exchange.
"Swear jar." Shelby commented.
Quinn smiled proudly at her little girl. "So how much have you made off of Puck?"
The little girl beamed. "Forty dollars!"
"Shit." Santana breathed in awe. That was some scam Q junior was running.
"Ah, Santana pay up." Rachel teased.
The Latina got wide eyed before looking around the room at the expectant faces. Then she reluctantly handed over a crispy five dollar bill to the little con artist. "Don't spend it all in one place."
"I'm saving up for a wedding present for Rachel and Quinn! I almost have enough for what I want now."
A large grin spread across Hiram's face. "You're shitting me."
"Pay up!" Beth wiggled her fingers at the man.
"Damn, Hiram what were you thinking?" Leroy joined in.
Beth's other hand was held out in Leroy's direction.
Shelby shook her head in amusement. This was going to go downhill fast. Meanwhile, Quinn and Rachel simply stared at the beautiful blonde in front of them. She was saving her own money to buy them a wedding gift. Suddenly they felt guilty for eloping and causing this amazing group of people to miss out on their wedding ceremony. Sure, they were having another ceremony soon, but they just now realized how hurt they must have been to have been left out before.
"Fine. You can plan a bachelorette party, Santana." Quinn stated after sharing a knowing look with Rachel.
"But…we want to be together and there will be no strippers." Rachel amended.
"No strippers my ass." Santana smirked before handing a ten dollar bill to Beth. Then she looked at the little girl. "That's for the future, I'm sure I'll owe you one."
"Santana." Quinn said firmly.
The other girl rolled her eyes. "I was never going to hire strippers so chill. It's just…" She paused and looked around the room. "Hayley's right. Soon, we'll be going our separate ways and even though I still might not like you, Cara, I might miss some of you."
"Why don't you like me?" Cara asked, offended.
"Because you have a crush on Rachel and Quinn feels threatened." Brittany answered.
Cara's eyes widened. "I said I had a crush on Rachel. And it wasn't even really anything…just…" She looked at Quinn. "I would never do anything with Rachel." Her eyes widened further. "Rachel would never do anything…"
"Relax, Cara. Don't pop an aneurysm." Santana said with a grin on her face. "You wouldn't be the only one who had a crush on Rachel."
"I still have a crush on Rachel." Syd said then turned quickly to Puck. "Sorry, but it's true. She's sort of amazing."
"Santana had a crush on Quinn." Brittany announced.
Rachel stared at the blonde. "She did?"
"She totally would have slept with her if Q would have let her."
"But tubbers was saving herself for you, hobbit."
Quinn rolled her eyes at the nicknames. Rachel seemed uncomfortable by either the attention or the new information. Quinn squeezed her thigh in comfort.
"I had a brief crush on Rachel too." Hayley said quietly.
"That's impossible. You are like the same person, it'd be…literal masturbation." Santana quipped before looking toward Shelby. "Masturbation isn't a curse word, is it?"
"Please stop saying that word anyway, especially in regards to my daughter." Shelby chided.
"Ow!" Puck rubbed the back of his head. "What was that for?" He glared at Tess.
"That's for picturing my girlfriend naked just now." Tess hissed.
"If it's any consolation I didn't picture her having sex with me, I pictured her with Rach…ow!" He glared at Quinn. "Quinn!"
By this time Shelby as covering Beth's ears and glaring at the people around the table. "Do I have to remind you that there is a child present?"
"About a dozen of them if I'm not mistaken." Judy said firmly, annoyed at the adolescent behavior around the room.
"I'm going to miss this." Rachel said completely unaware of the rising tension.
"Me too." Quinn smiled sadly from beside her.
00000
The day of the bachelorette party, Shelby dropped Beth off early because the precocious blonde begged for the extra time alone to give Quinn and Rachel their present. Shelby was currently with Judy and Rachel's dads preparing for the cookout they were having in the backyard of the Berry residence. Quinn and Rachel wanted an informal celebration and Santana obliged. Although, she still planned on having alcohol, dancing (though Kurt was in control of the music) and a bonfire to end the night. Puck also had fireworks on the agenda and Brittany was in charge of games. It was the adults in charge of the food and Hiram was dead set on having a barbeque.
The girls were happy that everyone else was happy. However, now that each person had their own say in the bachelorette party they felt nervous about what to expect. An example of one of the surprises was sitting in front of them at the moment. Beth tapped her feet nervously as she watched Quinn slowly unwrap the gift she had made for the occasion.
Quinn smile proudly as she revealed a leather-bound book engraved with what looked to be a gardenia. Below the flower were cursive engravings of Rachel's and Quinn's names.
"This is beautiful Beth." Quinn breathed out.
Rachel smiled and nodded her head in agreement. "The gardenia is perfect." She chirped as her fingers grazed over the etching.
Then Quinn flipped the book open slowly, with reverence. Inside was a handwritten inscription on parchment paper. The cursive writing used bits and pieces of the vows that the girls recited to each other atop the mountain at Knapp's Castle. Instantly, Quinn's eyes filled with tears.
"I wrote my favorite parts from the video Brittany took of your ceremony." Beth explained. "The whole book is your love story."
"Beth…" Rachel was speechless as she took the book from Quinn and flipped through the pages.
"I asked everyone for their favorite stories about both of you. And when they wrote them down for me, I had them all bound into a book." She wrung her fingers together nervously. "Do you like it?"
"Oh, baby…" Quinn leapt from her seat and wrapped her daughter in her arms. "It's perfect."
Rachel was still enthralled by the content. Everyone that she cared about had contributed a story to Beth's project. Everyone in her life that meant anything to her supported their love and supported her. The gravity of the love she found herself surrounded with confounded her.
When Quinn separated herself from Beth, she stared into hazel eyes that matched her own. "I don't even know how to thank you."
Beth's smile split her face. "Mom's always saying how much she admires you guys and how strong you are and…" Her eyes shifted toward Rachel. "I really love hearing about your lives, you guys are like a fairytale." Her smile faltered before she spoke again. "I think that your kids will want to hear stories too, and this way you won't forget anything."
Quinn's eyes shined with conflicting emotions. She was in awe of her daughter but she also was heartbroken for her. She took Beth's hands in hers. "Sweetheart, we didn't get a chance to speak with you about…starting a family." Quinn squeezed Beth's hands a bit tighter as she took a deep breath before slowly exhaling. Once she regained her composure, she continued. "I…" She glanced at Rachel and Rachel nodded for her to continue. "We feel really strongly about this…" Her eyes bore into Beth's. "We won't start our own family unless you are okay with it. We don't want you to think that I am replacing you with another child. That I didn't want you but now I want a different one."
"Quinn loves you so much, Beth. She always has, so please know that even if you are okay with us starting a family together…no one will replace you in Quinn's heart."
Beth swallowed loudly; her eyes gleamed with unshed tears. "I know that you didn't give me away because you didn't love me, Quinn." She chewed on her bottom lip anxiously before she continued. "You told me that giving me away was the hardest thing you have ever done."
Quinn nodded emphatically. "Yes, it was the hardest thing I have ever gone through and…I wish things were different." She looked away as a tear streamed down her cheek. "I regret the decision every day."
Her voice cracked at the end of her sentence so she didn't continue. The three sat in silence for two unbearable minutes before Beth broke it. "You've been through a lot Quinn…and if the hardest thing was letting me go…then I know how much you love me."
Quinn's relieved laughter was marred by the tears streaming down her face. "How'd you get so perfect?"
Beth grinned. "It's part of my charm."
"Wow, she's definitely Puck's kid." Rachel blurted out without thought before her eyes got wide and her cheeks turned red.
Beth giggled at Rachel's embarrassment. Quinn smirked at her wife. "She may get her charm and cockiness from her father, but her intelligence, maturity and beauty come straight from me."
Rachel and Beth shared a look before they burst into laughter.
"What?" Quinn asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You're more like Puck than you'd like to admit, Quinn." Rachel smiled with faux-sweetness.
"Yeah, Quinn. I think my confidence…"
"Conceit." Rachel coughed into her hand, causing Beth to giggle some more.
"Conceit." Beth smiled innocently. "Comes from both sides. I'm doomed!" She sighed dramatically which made even Quinn fight back her laughter.
When the laughter died down, Beth stood up and took Quinn's hand in hers. Then she led them both to the couch beside Rachel and sat between the two women. "I love that you think about my feelings. But I'm okay. I'm excited for you to start having kids. I want a little brother or sister." She paused. "Or would it be a niece or nephew?" She looked back and forth at the other girls with uncertainty.
Quinn's eyes widened. "Please never refer to yourself as my kids' aunt! That's…wrong."
"Well, technically she's…"
"Rachel, I love you more than life itself but if you finish that sentence I will kill you in your sleep." Quinn threatened.
Rachel nodded gravely, and then her eyes lit up. "How about you be their godmother, Beth? It'll be much easier to explain and understand."
"And a lot less disturbing." Quinn muttered. Then she turned toward her little girl and smiled genuinely. "But Rachel's right. When we have kids, would you be their godmother?"
Beth looked deep in thought before she answered. "I'd love to…on one condition."
"Name it." Quinn replied instantly.
"You don't let Santana kill me for it."
"Shit." Quinn muttered silently before a small hand was thrust in front of her face.
"You owe me $5."
Quinn groaned as she handed a wadded up bill to her daughter and glared at Rachel, who was chuckling at her.
"Keep it up baby and you'll be going to bed alone tonight."
"Right, like that's a threat you can keep." Rachel chuckled louder.
Quinn rolled her eyes but remained silent because Rachel was absolutely right about that.
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The party turned out well. At least it started to the moment Blaine was able to convince Kurt that Broadway Ballads, though amazing, were difficult to dance to and therefore had no place at a party. With Blaine now in charge of the music, Santana and Tess cleared a spot for a dance floor and people started to dance a little.
Quinn and Rachel had separated during the party to mingle with their guests. Quinn had been excited to catch up with Nicci while Rachel spent time with Mike and Tina. Quinn's eyes never strayed far from Rachel; she always seemed to know where the brunette was. Currently, her wife was chatting animatedly with Will and Emma. The blonde smiled at their interaction.
She was startled back to reality when Shelby appeared next to her. "Thank you." The elder brunette whispered with pride.
Quinn's brows furrowed together as she studied the other woman. "For what?"
"Beth told me about your conversation. I admire you for considering her feelings in your decision to start a family." Shelby explained. Her eyes were trained on Rachel. "Does Rachel still feel that way? That I replaced her with Beth, because…"
Quinn quickly interrupted the other woman. "Maybe at first." She admitted. "It was hard for her not to feel that way with what you did."
Shelby swallowed thickly, shame tainting her features. Quinn placed a hand on Shelby's forearm and waited for brown eyes to find hers. "She understands now, Shelby. She was never yours, not really. You signed a contract and maybe you regretted it…but you're here now and she loves you."
Shelby nodded vaguely. "I told you the truth, when I first came back with Beth. I wanted you in her life because I knew how hard it was to walk away from a child…even one that you gave away in hopes of her having a better life." She glanced at Rachel again. "I love Beth with every ounce of my being…but Rachel…when I realized that I missed out on her life…" She sighed. "Beth's my chance to get it right."
Quinn smiled sadly. "Have you talked to Rachel?"
"I told her everything when I came back during your senior year…" Quinn nodded revealing to Shelby that she was aware of the conversation. "She said she forgave me and that she understood. I just needed to know for sure."
"She loves you Shelby."
Shelby truly smiled for the first time since the conversation started. "And Beth loves you."
Sadness and pride washed over Quinn's face.
"You and Rachel are her heroes. Did you know that?" Shelby spoke honestly, a small smile still playing on her lips. "She admires you both so much. That's why you asking her to be a godmother meant everything to her."
The pain vanished from Quinn's hazel depths and was replaced with peace. "I'm glad."
"She had to write a research report last year about her hero and she didn't know which of you to choose, so she wrote it about both of you. She asked Rachel's dads, your mom, Puck and even Santana for stories about you guys. It kind of snowballed from there. She was so excited to make that book for you."
"It was perfect."
Shelby watched as Beth danced around with Brittany, both of whom had sparklers in their hands.
"I know you regret giving her up, Quinn. But look at her, she is so completely surrounded by love and it's because of you, and Rachel. I brought her back because I wanted this for her." She chuckled as she shook her head. "You are responsible for both of my daughters' happiness."
Tears threatened to spill from Quinn's eyes. "I guess in a way, I have you to thank for both of them. For Rachel and for giving me a second….or third chance to be in Beth's life."
Before Shelby could answer, Brittany came bounding up to them. "Come on Quinn, it's time for the games I have planned for us."
Quinn looked hesitant.
"First up is duck, duck, goose. Santana's out gathering everyone."
Quinn's eyes landed on the Latina who stood menacingly in front of a table where Sydney, Puck, Kahlan, Cara, Tess and Hayley were sitting. She smiled as she watched them stand begrudgingly and make their way toward the dance floor where everyone else was standing. Quinn didn't argue about the choice of game, she simply followed her blonde. Perhaps it was a child's game, but she knew Brittany chose it for just that reason. Everyone feared what was to come now that school was behind them and a little bit of nostalgia was welcomed, at least in Quinn's opinion.
After a few games of duck, duck, goose and then red rover and finally frozen tag, Puck brought out the fireworks. Quinn sought Rachel out and the two cuddled on a blanket as the 'Puckerman Extravaganza' began. Midway through the display (and just before the cops arrived due to a noise complaint and an explosives violation) Tess's voice rang through the speakers.
Everyone at the party glanced around to find the source of the disruption. "Quinn, Rachel…" Tess appeared in front of the group of people. "I'm not one to be all sappy and cheesy, but I'd just like to say that we're all rooting for you. You guys inspire me and everyone else around us; you make us believe in true love and all the stuff I hate to admit that I actually enjoy."
Chuckles rippled amongst the crowd.
"The way you love each other. I want to love someone like that. I want that kind of love in my life. Quinn, I always wanted to find someone to love the way you love Rachel." She smiled at them before her eyes searched for Hayley. "And I too have been lucky enough to find that special someone who is my better half. Who makes me believe in fairytales." She stepped forward, closer to Hayley, and knelt down in front of her. "Hayley, I promise to love you the way you deserve to be loved for as long as you let me…so will you please let that be forever?" Tess sat down the microphone and whispered directly to her girlfriend. "Will you marry me?" She asked as she revealed a glittering engagement ring.
When Hayley pulled Tess into her and kissed her senseless, the audience around them clapped loudly. Of course, it was then that the cops chose to arrive. They were only issued a citation and told to disperse immediately. Goodbyes and well wishes were quickly exchanged as Quinn and Rachel thanked their guests for attending. Santana and Puck were proud of the success of their party (because apparently a proposal and being busted by the cops were proof of their 'badassery').
0000000
"Are you ready to…oh, honey, you look so beautiful!" Judy gushed as she walked into the room.
Quinn smiled at her. "Thanks mom."
Several years ago, Quinn would have relished in Judy's remarks on her beauty. Back in high school everyone thought she was shallow, and perhaps she was. Quinn used to be obsessed with her looks because, at the time, she didn't think she had anything else to offer. She used to be terrified that something would happen and her beauty would fade and she'd be left with nothing. Rachel showed her that she was more than just a pretty face.
Her smiled widened at the thought of Rachel. Quinn still cared about how she looked, but for different reasons now. She wanted to look good for Rachel, because Rachel deserved the best. Rachel deserved to have a beautiful woman on her arm. The blonde took one more glance at the full-length mirror. She wasn't blind, she knew how beautiful she was, but she swore she was never more beautiful than she felt in that moment.
She stood before her mother, wearing a wedding gown with her hair and make-up impeccably done. It took her years to believe it, but she knew without a doubt that she deserved Rachel. Not just because she was a pretty face, but because Rachel loved her for so many reasons that had nothing to do with her beauty. And Rachel's love for her made her believe that she was fully worthy of that love. She only hoped Rachel felt the same. That Quinn's love for the brunette made the brunette feel worthy of such a love.
"What's going through that mind of yours?" Judy smirked. "Not cold feet, right?"
Quinn's eyes widened at the implication. "Never! I was just…" She turned to her mother and hugged her. As she pulled away she spoke again. "We eloped and it was perfect but today…I don't think I even realized how much I always wanted this." She gestured to the dress. "The whole thing…the whole big, traditional wedding."
Judy smiled knowingly as she dabbed at her wet eyes. "I know sweetheart. And I just have to say that I stopped by Rachel's room on the way to you, and well, she's ravishing dear. You did good."
Quinn released a loud, watery laugh. "I know Mom, but thanks for the vote of confidence."
Judy hugged her again, and then led the bride out of the room. Puck was outside the door waiting for her. His face lit up at the sight.
"Wow, baby mama, you look…wow!" He breathed in reverence. Then he smirked darkly. "Just wait till you see my Jewish princess."
She raised an eyebrow. "After today Puck, she'll always be mine."
Puck knew better than to argue. So instead, he stuck out his elbow for her to weave her hand through his arm. "Shall we?"
Judy quickly kissed Quinn on the cheek before hurrying to her seat beside Shelby. Puck led Quinn down the aisle. When they got to the front of the church, he kissed her softly on the lips. "I'm proud of you, Quinn."
"Thanks, Puck." Her eyes found his. "For everything."
He nodded, then stood opposite of her, on Rachel's side of the aisle.
Quinn wanted to be led out first because she wanted to see her two favorite girls in the whole world walk toward her. Beth was first, tossing flowers on her way down the aisle. She was gorgeous and Quinn couldn't help the pride that fluttered in her chest. She did a lot of things wrong during her lifetime, but she did do a few things right as well. And one of those things was bringing Beth into this world.
When the young blonde reached the front of the church, she waived excitedly to Quinn and Puck (both of whom waived back with just as much excitement).
The wedding party walked down the aisle next. Santana, Brittany and Fran with Kurt, Blaine and Mike.
Then the music cued up and everyone in the room stood and faced the back of the church. When Rachel and her fathers came into view, Quinn struggled to remember how to breathe. Her eyes watered as she stared at Rachel with love and adoration. That girl walking toward her, that girl was her whole life.
The Berry men hugged Quinn before taking a seat next to Shelby and Judy while Quinn took Rachel's hand in hers and led her up the steps. Neither took their eyes off the other.
Rachel said her vows first and she barely finished before Quinn quickly leaned in to kiss her cheek. She couldn't contain her affection anymore, Rachel beamed at the action.
Quinn spoke her vows with veracity. Then she listened absent-mindedly as the minister spoke about their rings as symbols of their love. They were circular, without beginning or end. They were made of precious metal and polished to perfection. Just as their love was without beginning or end. Their lives together were precious and their love bordering on perfection. They placed the rings on each other's left hand, and admired the symbolism of the act. They were claimed by the other, forever and always.
Then came the time Quinn waited for, she got to kiss her wife. And boy did she give the audience a show.
When the kiss ended, the minister stepped forward and introduced the newlyweds to their friends and family.
"May I present to you, Rachel and Quinn Berry!"
It had been a long debate between the women, before Quinn convinced Rachel that she wanted to take the brunette's name. She had gone back and forth in her mind about whether or not to keep the Fabray and have a hyphenated name, but in the end she decided that she simply wanted to drop that part of her. She didn't want that reminder of her past; she wanted to move on. And she wanted Rachel to fully move on. She couldn't ask Rachel to take her last name and make the girl have any part of Russell attached to her (even if it was just his surname). But the biggest deciding factor was that Quinn loved the thought of being Rachel's. Taking Rachel's name was like having the girl proudly and publicly claim her. She was Mrs. Rachel Berry and she loved the thought of that.
The reception carried on without a hitch (which is to say that no cops were called this time around.)
Quinn was surprised when Mr. Shue's new glee club took to the stage with microphones in hand, she saw Rachel approach her as the opening notes of "Endlessly" echoed throughout the room.
Rachel's hand stretched out toward Quinn as the brunette bowed dramatically. "May I have this dance?"
Quinn nodded, otherwise speechless, as she was led to the empty dance floor for their first dance.
"I can't believe you set this up?" She hissed, though she wasn't annoyed or upset.
Rachel giggled. "I'd have sung it to you myself, but it would have made dancing with you a bit harder."
Quinn smiled back. "I love you."
"I love you too." She kissed Quinn softly and then rested her head on the blonde's shoulder as they swayed to the music.
After they finished their dance, they shared a delicate kiss before they separated to begin the father-daughter dances. The Berry men took turns with each of the girls. Quinn danced with Hiram first.
She hugged him when he approached her. She pulled away with a smirk, though the sentiment in her eyes was genuine. "Thanks for not faking a seizure."
His boisterous laugh rumbled throughout the room. When he calmed down, he pulled her to him and the two danced slowly. "I was listening to the vows today and it really hit me. For better or worse. You couldn't have done better than my little girl, Quinn."
She smiled fondly. "Believe me, I know."
He nodded and then his smirk matched the one she wore previously. "But unfortunately, she couldn't have done worse."
"Hey!" She slapped him playfully.
He chuckled again before kissing the top of her head. "You know I adore you, sweetheart. And no matter what Leroy says, just know that I love you more than he does."
He said the last part with a conspiratorial stage whisper when he saw his husband approach them.
"Nonsense." Leroy stated when he was next to them.
Quinn shook her head at the light badgering. She loved these two men. She hugged Hiram one last time before he elegantly twirled her into Leroy's arms. Then he went to dance with Rachel, who was laughing at the scene that unfolded before her. It was obvious that she heard the conversation.
Leroy watched the way that Quinn and Rachel looked at each other. A smile graced his lips as he continued to dance with the blonde. "She's happier than she has ever been, Quinn, so for that I will forever be indebted to you."
Quinn's eyes left Rachel's and she immediately met Leroy's kind orbs. "You don't owe me a thing, Leroy."
His eyes grew misty. "My little girl is amazing, always has been…" Quinn hummed in response, because there was no arguing the fact. "But…somehow, you make her even better. She's a better person with you than she ever was without you."
"Leroy…" Quinn's eyes matched his, tear for tear.
He placed a finger over her lips to silence her. "You've both been through Hell and back, and somehow neither of you lost your optimism, hope or your compassion. I know the kind of person you think you used to be; Quinn, but you were never truly her. Rachel never once believed it." He wiped her tears as he lifted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "I'm glad you finally let yourself be who you were always meant to be. And I'm glad that the two of you found each other."
She swallowed thickly as a sob escaped her lips.
Leroy's hand dropped from her chin as he pulled her closer to him. "Now, your mother and I are wondering when to expect some grandbabies."
Quinn's sob turned into a broken laugh as she held tighter to her father-in-law.
After the official dances, the cutting of the cake, and the bouquet toss (which Tess and Santana fought tooth and nail over only to lose out to Sydney), the night seemed to fly by.
Quinn danced with Beth a bit; she also shared a dance with Puck and then her mom. She stood in awe as Mike and Rachel floated around the dance floor gracefully. Afterwards, the girls properly mingled with their guests. They thanked them for coming and shared stories and reminisced with their friends. Quinn was interrupted during a conversation with Artie, when Rachel nudged her with her elbow. The brunette gestured toward the dance floor and a smile met Quinn's lips. Puck was dancing with Beth; the little girl was standing on his feet as he was dancing across the room. The tiny blonde was giggling with amusement.
Quinn scanned the room and saw Shelby standing off to the side with admiration in her eyes. The older brunette must have felt she was being watched because her eyes found Quinn's. They shared a smile and then looked back toward the dance floor.
"He's great with Beth." Rachel stated.
Quinn nodded in agreement. "He always was. I feel bad that I ever doubted him."
Rachel rubbed her back and kissed the blonde's cheek. "You couldn't have known."
"I could have given him a chance."
She was met with silence so she turned to see Rachel chewing on her bottom lip.
"What?" Quinn asked with a raised brow.
"Do you ever think about it? How things could have been?" Rachel couldn't meet Quinn's eyes, so instead the brunette watched Puck and Beth. "Do you think about what life with Puck and Beth would have been?"
Quinn took Rachel's hand in hers. "I regret giving Beth up because she means so much to me, but I wouldn't change anything if I had it all to do over again. Even if I kept Beth though, Puck and I were never going to be a family."
Quinn tugged Rachel's hand so that the other girl would look at her. "I like the way things turned out. Beth's happy. Puck's happy." She kissed Rachel's knuckles. "I'm happy."
Rachel smiled brightly. "I didn't doubt us, Quinn…I just wondered. I see the way you look at Beth, and I wondered."
"Shelby looks at you the same way." She nodded her head for Rachel to look at the elder woman. Shelby was watching them closely. "You want to know what that look means?"
Rachel nodded.
"It's awe. I can't believe something so perfect and beautiful came from me. When I watch Beth, it amazes me to see the person she's becoming. To know that somehow, even if it was just because I gave birth to her, I am part of that little person who's grown into someone so wonderful. That's the way I look at Beth and that's what I'm thinking when I look at her. Like I can't wait to see her take over the world someday. I can't wait for the world to get to know how perfect she is." Quinn smiled at her wife. "And that is the same way that Shelby feels about you. It's a love that only a mother will ever understand. And someday soon…" She made sure Rachel's eyes were on her. "You will know exactly what I'm talking about."
"I love you." Rachel whispered in awe.
Quinn smiled shyly. "Thank you."
"Thank you?"
The blonde pulled Rachel into her and kissed her softly. "Thank you for loving me back."
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Quinn enjoyed the honeymoon even more than she thought she would. Three weeks with Rachel, alone, was pure bliss. They had been married for over a year, technically, but they had spent most of that time in different states finishing school. Then they spent the time after graduation preparing and planning the wedding, so alone time was few and far between. They haven't had much time to actually enjoy their marriage. Quinn looked forward to returning to Lima and house hunting. She couldn't wait to settle down and start a family as Rachel and Brittany got their dance and martial arts studio up and running.
Until then though, she got to enjoy three uninterrupted weeks with her wife. They spent two of those weeks in New Zealand and the last one in Australia. Both had been beautiful, although they didn't do everything they wanted to do because they spent the first 4 days inside their hotel room. Quinn smiled at the memory.
"Earth to Quinn." Rachel waved a hand in front of the blonde. "Where'd you go just now?"
Quinn dropped her voice to a husky tone. "Just replaying that thing you did with your…"
Rachel clapped her hand over the other girl's mouth as a bright flush colored her cheeks. "There are people around!"
They were halfway to Lima on a busy airplane, but Quinn didn't seem to mind. She debated on asking Rachel to join the mile high club with her, but knew Rachel would protest about the insanitary conditions in airplane restrooms.
When Rachel removed her hand from Quinn's lips, the brunette rested her head on her wife's shoulder and the two fell into a comfortable silence for the rest of the flight. Quinn was free to let her mind wander back to the things they did on their honeymoon. Yes, Quinn enjoyed the trip very much.
A week after they got back to Lima, Santana and Brittany were married. It was a larger ceremony than Quinn's and Rachel's had been but that was mainly because Santana's family was so big. The rest of their friends were all in attendance as well.
Santana stood at the front of the church with an Elvis look-alike behind her and Quinn and Rachel on either side. Suddenly, the Latina gasped loudly and Quinn looked toward Santana.
"Are you okay?" She asked nervously.
"My Abuela's here." Santana whispered, scared that she was imagining things.
Quinn followed Santana's gaze and smiled through her own tears. "Has she said anything to you?"
Santana shook her head slightly. "I didn't think she'd show."
Santana's grandmother chose that moment to make eye contact. When she did, she mouthed the words, "I love you."
Santana nearly lost it. Everything she ever wanted just happened. Her grandmother was at her wedding, and in less than thirty minutes she'd be married to the love of her life. Maybe Quinn wasn't the only one who got their happily ever after. Because from where she was standing, Santana knew she was getting hers too.
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A/N: There will be a short epilogue that I plan on posting sometime this week or next. I am so sorry it took so long for this story to be finished, but I hope you like how it ended. I hope I did it justice. Thanks to all of you who have stayed with this story despite my horrendous lack of updates toward the end. I appreciate all the support and encouragement you have given me throughout the process, so I really hope I did the story justice with this last chapter.
