Merry Christmas Eve Eve, yall!
Chapter 12 – One Big Happy Family
Charlie was woken up the next morning by the sound of muffled voices and his bed dipping. He opened his eyes and closed them quickly to block out the light that was streaming in his bedroom windows. He barely cracked open both eyes to allow them to adjust before opening them again. Movement to his right caught his attention before he turned to address his bedmates.
"Why are there so many girls in my bed?" Charlie asked groggily.
"You're a pimp like that. You didn't know?" Santana responded with a half-smile.
"Q?" Caused him to turn his head away from Santana to his other side. His hair was brushed away from his eyes and he was met with concerned hazel eyes. "How are you feeling?"
Charlie's eyes lit up before he beamed a smile. "Savannah! Did you move here too?" Charlie asked her with wonder.
Savannah scoffed, "Heck naw, I came to check on you dummy. How are you feeling?"
Charlie thought for a second before he smiled at her, "I feel great. How are you feeling?"
Savannah laughed, "It's the drugs, looks like they gave you some good ones. It's good to see you awake. I'm gonna go tell Aunt Judy. Be right back."
"Charlie?" Brittany called as she cuddled up to the pillow right beside him, "Do you remember me?"
Charlie looked confused, "Of course I do, B."
"Good!" Brittany sighed with relief, "The doctor said you might not remember some stuff because you got concessions."
"A Concussion, Britt Britt." Santana corrected gently, "Do you remember what happen at the game last night, Q?"
Charlie thought for a second before looking down at his left shoulder and eyeing his sling. "I got hurt."
Santana nodded sadly, debating on how much she should tell him, "Yeah, you did."
Charlie eyed his sling again before smiling at Santana, "It'll heal, and I'll be able to play again soon."
Santana looked at him sadly before biting her lip. She opened her mouth to break the bad news but Savannah walked back in the room.
"Aunt Judy and Uncle Russ are sleeping and I didn't want to wake them." Savannah announced as she walked back in the room holding a glass.
She took her seat back on Charlie's left side before smirking at him and taking an exaggerated drink from the tall plastic cup. Savannah groaned at the delicious taste of her beverage before she smacked her lips together.
Charlie arched his eyebrow curiously before asking, "Whats'at?"
"The drink of the Gods." Savannah answered nonchalantly before talking another sip.
Charlie's eyes widened comically before he reached for the glass with his good hand, "Gimme!"
"Hmmm, nope. Not without the magic woooords." Savannah sing-songed.
Brittany gasped, "I want some!"
"What's the drink of the Gods?" Santana asked as she smirked at the blonde cousins.
"Charlie's favorite. Isn't that right Charlie-Horse?" Savannah goaded him as she took another sip.
Charlie grunted as he reached for the cup again. "Savannah, not fair. I'm hurt and drugged up."
"Say the magic words and it's yours Quinton." Savannah suggested as she eyed the rest of the cups contents.
"Girls rule and boys drool! Now gimme! Gimme!" Charlie told her as she handed him the cup and downed it in its entirety in a few gulps and burped.
Charlie handed her the glass back before smacking his lips together, "Deliciousness."
"You got yourself a chocolate milk mustache there buddy." Savannah pointed out.
"Chocolate milk? You guys are such losers." Santana said as she watched them in disbelief.
"Psssh. Don't hate on us, hater!" Savannah sassed before she sat the glass on the nightstand.
A knock on the door frame caused all of them to look toward the door. Puck, Mike, and Rachel all stood in the doorway with smiles on their faces at Charlie's alertness.
Savannah stood up to address Rachel, but Puck cut in between them.
"Hellooo, sexy lady. I don't believe we've met. I'm Puckasaurus, and who might you be?" Puck asked with a cocky grin.
Savannah rolled her eyes before bypassing Puck and going straight for Rachel, "What are you doing here?"
Rachel swallowed nervously, caught off guard by the angry blonde. "I came to check on Quinton."
"I don't think you received an invitation to come over here." Savannah whispered harshly, "I think you should leave. You didn't care about him a couple days ago so why do you care now?"
Rachel squared her shoulders before addressing the blonde girl. "Actually I did receive an invitation to come over here last night but those plans got changed, obviously, so I'm here now. We're going to talk things out, so you need to butt out of our business."
Savannah took a moment to reign in her temper before looking back down at Rachel.
"Come talk another time because he's not much up for conversation at the moment since he's high as a kite off pain killers. And if you mouth off to me one more time and I will smack you down like the hand of God. I owe you one anyway because of the way you tre-"
"Rachel, c'mere." Charlie called her from his place on the bed.
Rachel looked to Charlie who was leaned against pillows on his headboard grinning at her like a fool. Rachel looked at Savannah again before pushing past her on her way to Charlie's side.
Puck skirted around to Santana before whispering in her ear, "Who's the hottie?" and consequently receiving an elbow in the ribs from Santana.
Rachel sat down on the bed next to Charlie's injured arm and looked him over and asking, "How are you feeling?"
"I feel great. How are you feeling?" Charlie replied to her with a smile.
Brittany giggled from her place on Charlie's other side, "He keeps sayin that."
"The doctors gave you some good drugs, huh?" Rachel teased him with a smile. "What's on your face?"
Charlie just shrugged one shoulder and grinned at Rachel again.
"It's the drink of the Gods." Brittany explained helpfully.
"Otherwise known as chocolate milk." Santana explained.
Charlie nodded, "So good."
Rachel smiled at him before wiping it off his top lip with her sweatshirt.
Charlie looked at her dreamily, "You're so pretty." Charlie told her as he patted at her face with his fingertips. "So pretty."
Rachel's cheeks flamed red and she pulled his hand away and held it between her smaller ones.
"Told you he was high." Savannah said from her place leaning on Charlie's desk.
"May I have a kiss, Rachel?" Charlie asked hopefully.
Rachel's heart melted a little at his question. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him, but they still hadn't talked, so she needed to wait. She looked around at their audience and back to Charlie before shaking her head, "Not right now, okay?"
Charlie pouted but nodded. "You have beautiful lips. Santana, doesn't she have beautiful lips?"
Santana's eyes wide before she scoffed, "No!"
"Yes, she does," Charlie replied. "Yes, you do." Charlie told Rachel with a smile.
"Will you not kiss me because I had dairy and because of the cows?" Charlie asked her with a pout.
Rachel giggled a little before she smiled and nodded, "Yeah."
"How ya feeling, man? What did the Doc say?" Mike asked curiously.
Charlie shrugged his shoulder, "I dunno. All I know is I woke wearing this and had a bed full of girls."
Rachel arched her eyebrow and Puck mumbled awesome before waiting for more information. Charlie looked to Savannah for further explanation. Savannah looked to Santana who sighed before answering. "The doctor said that his shoulder was dislocation and he believed that his head hitting the ground with no helmet on is what caused his concussion."
"So just pop that sucker back in and he'll be back for a next game, right?" Puck asked.
Charlie nodded his head before he looked to Santana for conformation. Santana smiled sadly before shaking her head no.
"No more football?" Mike asked in clarification.
"He's done for the year." Santana said lowly, "He's got some recovery to do on that shoulder before he's good as new, and that could take weeks."
"What? No, I can still play." Charlie said confidently. "I have to play. College. I have to play."
Charlie started to lean forward before Savannah stepped forward, "Don't let him up too fast."
Rachel placed her hand his chest and tried to push him back a little but Charlie kept leaning forward. He felt slightly nauseas so he complied with Rachel's wishes and fell back roughly against his headboard. He hissed in pain and grabbed at his injured shoulder, his eyes watering slightly as the pain coursed through him.
"Savannah, grab his pain meds from the kitchen." Santana suggested, "Looks like the ones from earlier are wearing off."
Everyone looked on helplessly as he laid there trying not to get upset. Rachel looked him sadly, desperately trying to think of a way to make him feel better. She scooted closer to him and leaned on his chest slightly so she could comfort him with an awkward hug. He pulled closer with his good arm and leaned his head on hers.
"No more football." Charlie whispered sadly, sounding like his was on the verge of tears.
"Here." Savannah said as she made it back into the room with Charlie's pain meds and a glass of water which she handed to Rachel.
"Here sweetie, take this." Rachel said as she offered him the pill, "Open up and then I'll give you a drink."
Rachel slipped the pill into his mouth before holding the glass and letting him get a drink. He took a few sips and tightened his hold on Rachel shirt not wanting her to move away.
"Try not to be upset Quinton. My Dad told me that you should be able to play again once your shoulder fully heals. He said there are exercises you can do to build its strength back up. Good follow-up care is essential and we're going to take really good care of you, right guys?" Rachel cooed trying to soothe him.
"That's right." Santana, Mike, and Puck answered in unison.
"Yep, me and Lord Tubbington too Charlie." Brittany told him with a smile.
"See, you're in great hands, Quinn. And you'll be able to get better and get back out there next season." Rachel told him with a smile.
"That's right, brother. Next year it's on." Puck said, as he high fived Mike. "And when you get ready to get back in the gym me and Mike here got your back. We'll help you get your fitness back up after your shoulder is ready."
Charlie smiled before thinking through a cloudy head, "Wait, did we lose?"
"No." Puck and Mike answered together, "But we're toast in the next round. Finn doesn't have the juice to complete at that tournament level." Mike finished.
"Shit." Charlie sighed heavily, "I'm sorry, guys."
"Don't worry about it. It wasn't your fault. It's because of you that we even made it as far as we did. We just need you to take care of yourself and get ready for spring practices. Next year is our year, I can feel it." Mike told him confidently.
"Thanks man. You guys are awesome teammates." Charlie told the other two football players.
"Are you getting tired Quinton?" Savannah asked as she took her seat at the foot of his bed.
Charlie shook his head no and closed his eyes.
"Clearly not." Savannah scoffed. "Alright y'all let's let him get some rest." Savannah said as she tried to usher them toward the door from her seat.
Charlie opened his eyes and poked Savannah with his foot. "Hey Bossy, they don't have to leave. You don't even live here anymore."
"Right, because that makes sense ya, druggy. You need to rest." Savannah said as she rolled her eyes.
"We'll be back later on to check on you, Q." Santana said as she got up off the bed.
"Good to see you're doing alright, Charlie. Coach Beiste said she was stopping by later after she got the okay form your parental, just a heads up." Mike told him from his place by the door.
"Yeah, good to see you man. We'll see you at school on Monday if you're there." Puck said as he joined Mike.
Savannah cleared her throat, trying to get Rachel's attention but was she was ignored.
"That means you need to leave now too, Rachel." Savannah said, clearly aggravated.
"No, this one stays," Charlie told her as he leaned his head on Rachel's again. "if she wants too."
Rachel nodded her head against his gently causing him to smile sleepily and address his guests. "Bye guys. Thanks for stopping by."
"Ugh gross, hit me up later on the walkie-talkie, Q." Santana said before she walked out the door with Savannah.
"It's cute, San. Bye guys." Brittany said as she followed after Santana.
"Bye." Rachel and Charlie told them as they broke apart.
Rachel sat up and looked down at Charlie who was clearly getting more tired by the second.
"Will you come lay over here?" Charlie asked as he patted the bed next to him.
Rachel nodded and got up and crawled up next to him, careful not jostle his bed too much.
"Closer Rach." Charlie whispered.
Rachel smirked and shook her head, "No funny business, Mister."
Charlie smirked and winked at her sleepily.
"My sweet boy," Rachel whispered as she gently stroked his hair away from his eyes, "we'll talk when you're feeling better and get things worked out between us. It's only been a few days and I already miss you immensely."
Charlie nodded his head against his pillow, "Miss you too Rach. Will you come back tomorrow? I promise I won't take any of those pills that make me feel foggy before you get here so we can talk."
Rachel smiled a small smile at his sleepiness, "You take them if you're in pain, okay? I don't want to suffer needlessly. I'll come back tomorrow, but right now you need to rest. Close those pretty eyes, Quinn."
Charlie nodded and reached his hand out for Rachel's and brought her hand up and placed a small kiss on it.
"G'night, beautiful." Charlie mumbled before letting their entwined fingers fall to the bed and sleep took him over.
The next day Charlie sat on his living room couch grouchily as he watched Santana and Savannah shoot random people on his Xbox. He had tried to play but thanks to his shoulder he was having no luck so he had to give up his controller.
"What's wrong honey? Does your shoulder hurt?" Judy asked him from her place on the other couch.
"No ma'am, just annoyed at it." Charlie said as he adjusted his sling and took a drink of his protein shake.
A few moments later the door bell rang and Charlie got up to go answer the door. He was greeted by a smiling Rachel Berry who was holding a plate of what looked like 'Get Well Soon' cookies. Charlie smiled in return before he reached out for the plate of cookies.
"I've got them. You only have one good arm." Rachel told him.
Charlie conceded before opening the door wider, "Come in please."
"Hey Rachel!" Brittany called before trotting over and giving her a hug.
"Sup Berry." Santana greeted from her place on the floor.
"Hello Brittany, Santana. Good afternoon Mrs. Fabray." Rachel greeted.
"Hello dear." Judy responded before turning back to her magazine.
"Hello Savannah." Rachel greeted politely and was ignored in return.
Charlie shot his cousin a dirty glare which prompted a "Hello Rachel" from Savannah.
"Rachel brought cookies guys, does anybody want one?" Charlie asked them.
"I do." Savannah said as she reached for the plate and sat in on the table in front of her before stuffing a whole one in her mouth and picking the controller back up.
Santana watched her in disgust and slight disbelief. "How do you look so good and eat like that?"
"Outstanding metabolism." Savannah said around her cookie.
Charlie reached for Rachel's hand to head up stairs so they could talk.
"Quinton you have company, where are you going?" Judy asked curiously.
"Upstairs." Charlie said with a tilt of his head.
"But you have company." Judy insisted.
"They'll be fine, Mom." Charlie assured her.
"Fine. Door stays open young man." Judy called after him.
"Don't worry Aunt Judy, they aren't going to do anything. Q's a prude." Savannah said with a laugh.
"Both of them are." Santana said as she laughed in agreement.
"Better safe than sorry girls. Remember that." Judy told them with a smile.
Upstairs the mood of the room was a little more serious. Charlie let Rachel walk into his bedroom before he closed the door behind him. Rachel looked at the door and was suddenly hit with a bout of nervousness.
"But your mom said-" Rachel started.
"I just want to be alone with you. Unless you prefer the door open then I can-" Charlie told her.
"It's fine." Rachel assured him.
Rachel looked at Charlie's eyes, his beautiful hazel eyes, and let her eyes fall down to his bare chest then on down his strong torso to his sweatpants clad legs and landed on the floor between them. She knew what she wanted to say, but she didn't know how to start. Charlie stepped toward her and cupped her cheek and gently urged her to look up at him before moving his hand.
"Do you want to sit down?" Charlie asked her shyly as he pointed toward his bed.
"Yeah." Rachel replied before taking a seat on his bed. "I don't know where to start Quinn. I owe you such a big apology for overreacting and not taking you for your word the first time you told me that you didn't do anything wrong. I'm so, so sorry Quinton."
Charlie took a seat next to her and angled his body toward her so he wouldn't bump his hurt shoulder against her.
"I know you are Rach, but I really want to know why you didn't take my word for it. Do you not trust me or was it something else entirely? Tell me what to do here. Tell me what to do to earn your trust completely. I need to know what's going on in your head exactly, okay? I don't want stupid things like this getting between us in the future." Charlie told her as he reached for her hand.
"Honestly, there is nothing you need to do differently. You are so sweet Charlie, and you have so many wonderful qualities. You don't need to change a thing. I do trust you. If I had just listened to my heart the other day we wouldn't be having this conversation. I knew you didn't do anything wrong, I just let my insecurities get the best of me. I feel slightly inadequate next to you. I know I have some good qualities. I know I can sing, but all I am is my voice." Rachel explained desperately, "You are one of the most popular people in school so why wouldn't you want to be in the classic star athlete-pretty cheerleader type relationship? Stacey is so pretty and she offered you…certain things that I'm not ready for and…and…" Rachel said between breathes.
"Hey, look at me. Always trust with your heart, not your head sweetheart." Charlie told her as he scooted closer to her as they sat on the edge of his bed, "Stupid arm." Charlie mumbled. "Rachel, listen to me. You are so much more than your voice. Yes, it's exceptional but you are the brightest person that I have ever met. You're smart and kind and funny," Charlie listed before leaning down and nuzzling her cheek with his nose, "and so damn beautiful."
Charlie sat back up and pulled her hand until she was sitting in his lap. Rachel draped her arm around his right shoulder and looked down into his eyes. Charlie pulled her closer with his good arm and sighed comfortingly.
"Now this is better." Charlie told her with a smile. "I don't care about the school social ladder Rachel."
"That's easy to say when you're popular, Quinton." Rachel told him sadly.
Charlie shook his head in disagreement. "No. I couldn't care less about popularity. The things I care about in that school are you, our close friends, my grades, and sports. That's it baby. I care about you so much Rachel, so much."
"I know." Rachel said though a watery smile, "I just find it hard to believe sometimes. I don't know how I got so lucky."
Charlie smiled at her. "You just being you sweet girl, and that's all you ever need to be. I'm the lucky one here. I am yours and only yours for as long as you'll have me. I don't care what or who tries to come between us darlin, just remember you are the only one that I want. My feelings for you will not waver, trust me. You're gonna have to get rid of me if you want me going anywhere."
Rachel chuckled light. "You're such a sweet talker."
"Sweet words for my sweet lady." Charlie said with a smirk. "Is there anything else we need to talk about right now? Because if not I have plans to kiss you until one of us passes out."
Rachel leaned her head down and smiled against his lips. "Yesterday when you were drugged up you said that I have beautiful lips and then proceeded to ask Santana for her input on them as well. She didn't seem to share your views." Rachel told him with a giggle.
Charlie smiled against her lips. "She has clearly never experienced them. Your lips are perfect, just like the rest of you my lady."
"Even my Jewish nose?" Rachel asked sweetly.
"Especially your Jewish nose. Now stop delaying our kisses woman, it's been too long." Charlie demanded playfully.
Rachel nodded in agreement before lowering her lips to Charlie's and taking his bottom lip between her own. They both sighed with contentment, both overwhelmed by the feel of the other. Rachel deepened the kiss first and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him impossibly closer to her.
The door to Charlie's bedroom flew open and Santana and Savannah paraded in with Brittany in tow.
"You owe me five bucks, Savannah, I told you they would be in here playing kissy-face." Santana told her as she held out her hand. "Pay up."
"Nope, you said the door would be open. The bet is null and void. I don't owe you jack squat." Savannah said as she jumped on the bed next to the couple who were still in a lip lock. "Hellooo. There are other people present guys. Knock it off."
Charlie and Rachel broke their kiss and rested their foreheads together trying to catch their breaths. Charlie leaned up toward Rachel's lips and chastely kissed her lips again before pulling back to look at the intruders.
"Did you ladies need something or are you all here just to interrupt?" Charlie asked.
"I just wanted my five bucks, but nooooo you just had to mess up the bet didn't ya Q?" Santana joked.
"Sucker!" Savannah taunted playfully, "Anyways, like for real Q, I have to leave in a little bit to drive all the way home. It would be nice if we could all like go get some grub or something before I head out. Since you're feeling well enough to feel up your girlfriend I think you're feeling well enough to go get some dinner. What do ya say?"
"Yeah, of course." Charlie told her before turning back to Rachel, "Wanna go darlin?"
"I don't want to intrude in on family time." Rachel replied.
"You're not. These two are coming too. We're like one big happy family here." Savannah explained as she pointed to Santana and Brittany.
"In that case I'd love to join you all. Let me just call my Dads first. Excuse me." Rachel said as she got off Charlie's lap and walked out of the bedroom while pulling her phone out of her pocket.
"So, were you about to round second in here on your hobbit or what Q?" Santana asked teasingly.
"No!" Charlie scoffed, "And enough with the name callin Santana. Can someone help me put a shirt on?"
"You're such a baby." Savannah said as she walked toward his closet and pulled out a shirt.
"Hey go easy. I'm still sore you lunatic." Charlie scolded when she touched his arm roughly. "Just let me do it."
Charlie pulled the shirt on with his good arm and was trying to work his head when he felt a gently hand on his stomach, his abs flexing in response.
"Let me help you, Quinn." Rachel told him sweetly before she gently slipped his sling off his hurt shoulder and helped him slip his arm through the sleeve of his shirt.
Rachel helped him slip his arm back into this arm sling and he gave her a chaste kiss in thanks.
"Finally, someone who cares." Charlie joked.
"Oh please! I drove seven hours to see your handicap ass. I care." Savannah assured him.
"Are you gonna help him take off his pants too Berry?" Santana joked. "He probably can't get them off by himself. His underroos too."
Rachel cheeks flushed red before she turned shyly to Charlie, "You don't really need help with that do you?"
"No sweetheart." Charlie assured her. "Shut up Santana."
Santana and Savannah laughed before they high fived each other gleefully.
"Come on, y'all. Let's go to that place with the breadsticks, what's it called?" Savannah suggested.
"Uhhh, Breadstix?" Santana said with a laugh, "It's hard to believe you were able to get all the way up here by yourself. I don't even know how you're hungry, you ate all of those cookie Berry brought over."
"You ate my cookies?" Charlie asked.
"Get off my back. Get Betty Crocker here to make you some more. Let's go." Savannah said as she headed out the door.
Charlie shook his head at Savannah's antics before offering Rachel his hand and following his cousin and friends out the door.
TBC
Thanks for reading. Review if you wish.