Thank you so much for all of the support last chapter!
Isaiah Flamez - So here we have Izzy coming over for dinner to meet Beca and Chloe. Along the way, she realizes that Quinn might be getting a little too comfortable. An argument between the two ensues, mostly because Izzy is feeling a little forgotten (and perhaps a little jealous). Thanks for following along!
Hetwaszoietsals - I'm excited for you to see the next couple of chapters! A combination of fluff, drama, smiles and tears... who knows what will happen! I have written down your one shot requests, thank you so much! And of course, thank you for your review and your continued support!
NJCE - You didn't get carried away at all, I love hearing your thoughts! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter... that one was a little challenging just because there were so many perspectives and "hidden meanings" I guess, but you hit the nail on the head. Izzy's in the unique position of both looking in on the Perry siblings' life and being a big part of it. So, not only does she see things that she wants to protect them from, but there's also a part of her that knows she's going to be affected, too. Like you said, her frustration definitely came from a combination of fear for Quinn and the kids, fear for herself, and some jealousy. About the prompts, I would say that any other groupings would have to fit within this universe and somehow have to do with Beca/Chloe/Macy/the kids/etc., so maybe Mitchsen as a friendship if that makes sense? Thanks so much for asking! And thank you for your review and continued support!
Wolvezzz - Ah! Your sister! That is so amazing and so happy! I grinned so much when I read that - that's amazing :) / I'm glad that you liked the chapter! I hope that Izzy comes around, too :( I don't want to give anything away, but it might be a bit of a rough path... but the good thing is, now that Quinn is starting to let the Mitchells in, she'll have more people in her corner. Haha I'm glad you're excited for the new story! I started it over the summer so I'll definitely have to edit the first few chapters, but it'll be here eventually! Thanks so much for your review and your continued support!
Guest (Dec. 19) - I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter! Last chapter definitely had a lot, and I totally agree with what you're saying about Quinn and Izzy. I had such a hard time with the second half of that chapter (the dinner, the fight) just because I knew it had to make sense from both of their perspectives, even if they aren't necessarily voicing them, if that makes sense? But you're exactly right; Quinn is starting to see that it's not just about the kids, that she can actually have this family, too, and it just sucks that she doesn't necessarily have Izzy's support right now :'( Okay, on a more positive note, BECA AND CHLOE'S PROM?! I read that and then my mind wouldn't leave it alone for hours ahahaha. Thank you so much for your requests, they have been added to the list :D (the kiss really did save 2020). Thank you so much for your review/thoughts and your continued support!
Chapter 17
Quinn lays back on her bed with a sigh, bringing her hands up to cover her eyes. The sound of the empty dial tone bounces around her brain, mocking her like it has been for the last week.
It's been a tough couple of days filled with radio silence from Izzy. Quinn has tried to talk to her multiple times a day, calling her in the morning before school, from Chloe's cellphone at lunch, and throughout the afternoon and night once she gets back to the house. She's only gotten an answer a few times, resulting from Quinn practically begging her best friend to call her back so that she knows she isn't hurt or lying dead in a ditch somewhere.
Even those conversations were short, though, with Quinn starting to apologize and Izzy saying that they're fine even though they clearly aren't.
It's infuriating, hence Quinn's current defeated position, tears stinging at the back of her eyes and the back of her throat burning.
She lets out a frustrated groan, wishing more than anything, that last weekend hadn't happened.
"Quinn!"
Quinn jumps slightly at the call coming from behind her door, followed by the incessant knocking of two little fists. It isn't hard to figure out who is behind the door, waiting. She can hear the two girls giggling as they start to knock different patterns against the wood, the ache in her chest dimming slightly as she hears the five-year-olds' combined laughter.
Pushing herself off the bed and quickly rubbing her face so as to get rid of any evidence that she may have been crying, Quinn crosses the room. She opens the door with a small smile, looking down at Ava and Rosie.
They're both half-dressed in the Thanksgiving outfits that Chloe bought for them: jean skirts and a soft brown sweater for Rosie, and a reddish one for Ava. But in their hands are the tights that they are meant to be wearing. Quinn is chuckling before they even get a chance to ask.
Ava holds her pair out to Quinn. "Can you help us, Quinn?"
"Sure, monkey."
Ava grins at Rosie. "See, I told you Quinn would help us."
Quinn leads them into the bedroom. It's been a hectic morning, with both Beca and Chloe getting up early to start cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Quinn and the rest of the kids had woken up at their normal times, and after a pancake breakfast (Quinn has to admit, the Mitchells make some pretty amazing pancakes), they were sent upstairs to get ready for the day. Jordan followed the directions relatively quickly, and then headed back downstairs to sit at the piano, where he has been practicing some basic notes and chords for the last five days straight. Quinn retreated to her bedroom to get dressed and call Izzy, while the girls have been playing for the better part of two hours. "Did Beca do your hair?"
Rosie nods, her curls bouncing up and down. "Mhmm and then she said, 'don't get it messy'!"
Quinn gives her a small smile, gathering the excess material of Ava's tights into her hands, and guiding her foot into the first leg. "Well, you want to look nice for your aunt and grandparents, right?"
Rosie shrugs, "I wish I got to wear a dress like you."
Quinn glances down briefly at the sweater dress that Chloe had left on her bed a few days ago while she was in the shower. It's not something she would normally wear, but it has a higher neck, and is so soft that it feels like a blanket. She put it on a little while ago, shook her hair out from its natural position in a bun on top of her head, and wasn't horribly disappointed with how it turned out. "Well, I think you both look adorable in these outfits. And you're matching."
She fixes Ava's skirt over the tights, bopping her on the nose when she's finished. "All set, Ava. Your turn, Rosie."
Quinn does the same thing for Rosie, Ava standing beside her, waiting. "Are you going to see Izzy today?"
Quinn stills, glancing over at Ava before turning her attention back to make sure Rosie's tights aren't crooked. "Um, no, monkey. Not today. I talked to her a few days ago, though."
"Is she still angry?" Rosie watches Quinn with wide eyes. They're not oblivious, not that Quinn ever assumed them to be, but she wonders how much they fully understand what happened with Izzy.
It can't be much, because she's still confused herself.
"Um…" she sits back on her calves after Rosie is done getting dressed, giving the girls a tight-lipped smile. "Things are still a little tense, but it's okay. We're both just taking some time to calm down."
Ava's voice is quiet as she asks, "but we're going to see Izzy again, right?"
"Of course, we are. She's still our family. We'll see her soon, I'm sure." This brings a certain lightness to Ava's demeanor, who finally seems content with the answer.
Quinn brings one hand to each one of the girl's stomachs, tickling them quickly while they erupt into a fit of giggles.
"What's going on in here?"
All three of them look up to see Beca watching them with a humored expression on her face, dark blue eyes shimmering with mirth. The younger girls, breathless and red in the face, can't answer, so Quinn does through a light laugh. "I was just helping them with their tights."
To Quinn's surprise, Beca doesn't look too taken aback. "Thanks, Quinn."
"Sure thing."
"Thank you, Quinn!" Rosie joins in on the sentiment, wrapping her arms around Quinn briefly, with Ava doing the same as soon as she's done.
"Auntie M and Uncle Lucas and Nana and Papa are already downstairs, girls, if you want to go say hi. I think Chloe also put some snacks out, too."
Their faces light up even more, and before anything else can be said, they're running off down the hallway, leaving Quinn and Beca alone in the bedroom. Beca's eyes flick to the abandoned phone on Quinn's bed, letting out a deep sigh. "Were you able to get ahold of her?"
Quinn shakes her head, suddenly becoming very interested in the carpet beneath her. "No."
"She'll come around."
Beca and Chloe haven't really left Quinn's side since Saturday. They've been constantly checking in on her, making sure that she's okay, asking if she wants a ride to Izzy's house (a 'no', because Quinn doubts she's even there). It's nice, having them care so much, but it also makes her feel a little guilty. Guilty because she knows she's responsible for Izzy's anger towards her, and guilty because she knows that Izzy doesn't have anyone doing the same thing for her. But then Chloe wraps her in a tight hug, or Beca squeezes her shoulder in passing. They're little things, but things, nonetheless, that no one has ever done for her before.
"I hope so."
Beca's frown deepens, and she moves to sit on the edge of Quinn's bed. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"
She shakes her head immediately. "No. Not really."
"Okay, no pressure, but just know that both Chloe and I are here if you ever want to talk about it. And there's also Macy, and Lisa and Kevin, and Stacie and Aubrey… you have a whole host of people in your corner. It's not just us."
Quinn nods along, because she does know that they would be willing to talk, but she also has no idea how she would even broach the subject. Hey, Beca, Chloe, um, just wanted to let you know that my best friend is mad because we were supposed to leave the city after we turned eighteen and live in a shitty apartment by ourselves after living with our drug-addict moms for our entire lives while simultaneously raising two kids.
Because that would go over well.
But then, the same nagging thought that has drifted through Quinn's mind a time or two over the last couple of days, returns. The thought that maybe just maybe Beca might understand where she's coming from on some level.
And with that thought, every time it reappears, it makes her stop and consider the fact that she might be able to talk to Beca about some of this stuff. Not all of, obviously. She's not stupid. But some of it. About moving away, about raising her siblings, about growing up and surviving the system. It's become an idea that is much more fathomable than it was when she first moved in. Quinn's not sure how it happened, how she went from even refusing to think that her and Beca may have one or two things in common, to actively considering starting a conversation with her foster mom that is deeper than some sort of surface level topic.
Especially with Izzy not talking to her and Quinn not exactly knowing how to fix it (because really, there's nothing she can do short of taking her siblings and running away from the Mitchells' house), the urge to start that conversation has grown tenfold.
Quinn's not sure if she should feel guilty or regretful about that or not, but it's there. It's hidden in the back of her mind, it resurfaces every time she hears her siblings talking to Beca or Chloe, followed by them laughing or getting a hug from the older women. It says you could have that, too, before Quinn shoves it back into the furthest corner of her consciousness.
Yet here she is, sitting in front of Beca, and the opportunity is too perfect for Quinn to restrain it any longer.
"Hey, Beca?" Quinn keeps her focus on the carpet, running her fingers over the scratchy surface so that she doesn't have to look at her foster mom's face. "Did you…did you have any, like, friends or anything that you kept in contact with when your parents died?"
Beca furrows her eyebrows slightly, looking down at Quinn and almost willing her to glance up and meet her gaze. The question comes after a few beats of silence, and while Beca and Chloe have been waiting not-so-patiently for Quinn to start talking to them about the things that are so obviously on her mind, she was not expecting it to come out of nowhere. It does make Beca a little nervous, just because she does not want to mess this up, but she takes a deep breath and treads carefully. "Do you mean like you and Izzy?"
Quinn shrugs even though that's exactly what she means.
Beca bites her bottom lip, thinking back to all those years ago. "No, not really. I had always sort of kept to myself when I was at school, even before I went into the system. I had a few friends, I guess, but I never really thought about them after I left."
Quinn's attention moves to a hangnail on her thumb, digging her nail into the piece of loose skin. She doesn't exactly find what Beca said surprising; she does seem to be much quieter than her wife. But still, she finds it hard to believe that Beca didn't have anyone to talk to. Quinn knows that she never would have made it through the better half of her life if she didn't have someone that she could talk to about her siblings and everything that she had to do for them. She would have been so alone if she didn't have Izzy, and she knows that she would've been absolutely miserable. "What about after you moved for the first time?"
"I don't think so." Beca shakes her head again. At this point in her life, the first couple foster homes that her and Macy were in are sort of a blur. "I mean, looking back on it, I sort of shut down after the accident. I knew that I needed to take care of Macy and I sort of fixated on that. I didn't really start letting myself get relatively close to other people until I was probably sixteen or so."
Quinn finally lifts her head to look at Beca. "So, you didn't talk to anyone? About Macy and stuff, I mean."
Beca has to stop herself from letting out a sharp laugh, reminding herself that, as an adult, she recognizes her mistake, and does not want to give Quinn any reason to make the same mistakes she did. "Not really. And I mean, don't get me wrong, I wish I had someone that I could have talked to, but it just didn't work out like that. Not until I was older, and I met CR; she was the first person I actually started talking to about Macy and some of the other things that I had kept in."
"CR was your boss, right? She's the one that lives in Maine?"
"She was… hopefully you'll get to meet her soon." A fond smile blossoms on Beca's face. She really does miss the other woman. They saw her this summer, CR and Denisse and their kids had come down to Atlanta for a week and stayed with them. But, because of the distance, the two families don't get to see each other nearly as often as they would like to.
Beca takes a deep breath when Quinn falls silent. "So, besides being your best friend, is Izzy that person for you? The one that you talk through everything with?"
A faint blush rises to Quinn's cheeks, not exactly wanting the questioning to be reversed on her, but also not being surprised by it. "Yeah. Well, everything that was going on with Amanda wasn't really a secret, but she moved in right when it started getting worse. And then she was there when Jordan was born, and Ava. She was there through everything, so I could talk to her about what was going on, if that makes sense."
"It definitely makes sense." Beca resists the urge to reach out and gather the teen in a hug; to try and take the girl's pain away. But she remains seated on the bed, not wanting to scare Quinn back into silence. "She lived through all that shit with you. She understood, at least to some degree, what you were going through."
Quinn holds back a small scoff, knowing that Beca is still completely unaware at how similarly Izzy grew up across the street. But she is not about to correct her ignorance.
"Are you afraid that your fight is going to ruin that? That you're not going to have Izzy to talk about that sort of stuff with anymore?" Beca wants to get as much information out of Quinn as possible, the teen having been practically silent for the entire five days following the dinner with Izzy. It's like coaxing information out of Macy, needing to move carefully and search for little pieces of the puzzle one word at a time.
"Yeah, I guess." That, and about a trillion other things – one of the big ones being that she is terrified that Izzy will have to live through her own shit by herself.
"Well, I'll tell you the same thing that Chloe and I told you on Saturday: this one little fight isn't going to destroy your friendship, Quinn. You and Izzy… you have something that not a lot of people have. It's not something that just completely goes away with one argument." Beca lets out a heavy sigh. Her and Chloe still have no idea what their fight was even about, and while they're not going to force Quinn to tell them, it certainly would be helpful. "But, even if you feel like you can't talk to her, I hope you know that you can talk to us. Both of us, just one of us, whatever you feel most comfortable with."
The corner of Quinn's mouth quirks upwards, and she locks eyes with Beca's navy blue orbs. Her foster mom's sincerity is clear in her expression, and while she knows that Beca isn't as touchy-feely as Chloe is, there's something about the look on Beca's face, combined with the words coming from her mouth, that make Quinn feel as though she's being wrapped in a warm hug. "Thank you. And uh, thanks for, you know, telling me all that stuff."
"Of course. You're not alone in this, kiddo, and we will keep reminding you of that for as long as you need so that you can start believing it."
Quinn decides to stay upstairs for a little longer, Beca 'okaying' the request when she takes a careful look at the teen's face. Both Beca and Chloe have noticed that it doesn't seem like Quinn has been sleeping, and as much as they would love for her to come downstairs and socialize, they understand that she needs some time to herself.
So, Beca heads back down the stairs, the noise of her family's laughter, combined with the sound of Jordan practicing the chords Beca had written down for him on Monday, filling her ears as soon as she hits the first stair. She gives Jordan a small smile on her way past the living room, but the eight-year-old doesn't even look up, his focus solely on the keys beneath his fingertips. Beca grins to herself, leaving him undisturbed, as she moves into the kitchen.
Macy, Lucas, and Lisa and Kevin arrived at the house a little while ago, the two cars pulling into the driveway at roughly the same time, before all four of them came into the Mitchell house in their Thanksgiving attire. It's a miracle, really, that all of them are in the kitchen, ahead of schedule, for a meal as big as this one. But then again, it was really only Beca and Macy that were late to dinners and such when they were younger.
"How's it going in here?"
Beca meets Chloe's gaze across the kitchen, her wife looking radiant as ever as she stands in the corner of the counter sipping a glass of wine, her apron tied loosely around her neck. Beca plucks a chip off of Macy's plate on her way over to her, before pressing up against Chloe's side. "It's smells delicious, Chlo."
"Thanks, babe." Chloe presses a kiss into her cheek, handing Beca her own glass. "How's she doing?"
Beca shrugs. "She still hasn't heard from her… but she seems okay, all things considered." Beca keeps her answer short and sweet, knowing that her and Chloe will have a chance to go more in depth later tonight. "Did the younger girls come say 'hello'?"
Lisa laughs, "they did, and then promptly ran downstairs after grabbing a few chips."
Beca just shakes her head, her expression filled with mirth. It's not exactly surprising. Those two are, more often than not, lost in their own world. Quite frankly, neither Beca nor Chloe are sure how well Ava would have been able to adjust had it not been for Rosie. She turns to Chloe, "do you want me to go get them?"
"No, let them play. There's still a half hour or so before dinner."
"What about J?" Beca juts her chin in the direction of the living room, the boy playing one chord after another, before going back to the first one and playing the cycle through all over again. "Has he been in there since I went upstairs?"
"Mhmm… as soon as you left he was pretty much done with the old people."
"Oh, Beca, it was the cutest little thing," Lisa's eyes shine at the memory. "He sort of hesitated at first, and then went up to Chloe while she was at the stove, and whispered in her ear –"
Chloe smirks, "he was just making sure that it was okay."
"He really is such a sweetheart."
Beca beams with pride. All four of their kids are special, and nothing is better than having other people see it, too.
Macy pops another chip in her mouth, sitting in the chair next to Lisa, Lucas' hands on her shoulders. "And he looks exactly like you do when you're playing…so focused and sort of tilting his ear toward the keys to hear a little better, staring off into space a little bit."
"He gets frustrated like her, too," Chloe muses, stopping Beca as she starts to protest. "Oh, stop it, it's a good thing. I told you how the other night, he couldn't remember what one of the notes was and his face got all scrunched up and he just sat there glaring at the keys. But as soon as he remembered, he lit up like a Christmas tree."
"But he remembered it."
Chloe rolls her eyes with a laugh, the other adults in the kitchen joining in. "Yes, he remembered it. Just like you would have."
When the laughter dies down, Jordan's playing once again being the only sound on the first floor, Beca asks Chloe, "is there anything I can do to help?"
The redhead thinks for a second, before her eyebrows shoot up, having forgotten something despite her multiple lists scattered about the kitchen. "Can you put the silverware out?"
"Yeah, of course."
Lucas moves from out behind Macy's chair, "I can help."
Beca is already shaking her head, taking the handful of silver forks, spoons, and knives, from Chloe's grasp. "No, that's okay, Lucas, I've got it."
"I seriously don't mind."
Beca tries waving him off, but he doesn't budge, simply following Beca down the hall toward the dining room and taking half of the cutlery from the brunette. Beca simply can't help but laugh; despite him only being a few years younger than her, he's always treated Beca and Chloe like Beca treats the Beales. It's a little strange, and sometimes it makes Beca feel old, but Lucas is respectful and kind, and it's not like she can complain about that.
"I'm glad that you were able to get the day off this year. Macy said she wasn't sure if it was going to happen."
Lucas nods, starting to place a fork on each one of folded cloth napkins. "I am, too. I'll have to work Christmas, but I have Christmas Eve off; I figured it was a good trade… I know Mace likes spending Christmas morning with you guys."
A subconscious grin starts to spread over Beca's face. "I think it's more Rosie that Macy likes spending Christmas morning with." But really, she can't blame her little sister. It's pretty amazing, seeing a kid fully believe and embody the magic of the holiday. This year, with two little girls and then Jordan, who's still young, Beca is sure it's going to be even better. "We'll miss you though."
"I'll miss you guys, too." They switch spots on the table, each of them placing the other pieces of silverware that aren't already there. "But you guys will have a great time, and I'll be there at Lisa and Kevin's for Christmas Eve. I'm sure you and Chloe are excited, right? First Christmas with Quinn, Ava, and Jordan?"
Beca nods, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "For sure. Chloe's determined to make it, and I quote, 'the best Christmas in Mitchell family history'."
Lucas chuckles. "Oh boy."
"Yeah, so don't be surprised if, come Christmas Eve, she's asking everyone to dress up as elves and eat ten pounds of Christmas cookies."
"I wouldn't mind eating ten pounds of Christmas cookies if they're from Lisa's recipe."
Beca lets out a snort, laying her last piece of cutlery down. "You and me both."
Lucas stands awkwardly a couple of feet beside Beca, no longer having any pieces of silverware to keep him busy. He runs one of his hands across the back of his head, his eyes flicking across the various pictures that are hanging on the wall. Some of just Beca and Chloe, a few of Rosie as a baby, some of the three of them, some with Macy. His eyes linger a little bit too long, clearly getting lost in his thoughts, as Beca watches him carefully. "You okay, Lucas?"
When he turns to face her, a thin sheen of tears glistens in his hazel orbs. He lets out a thick laugh, running a hand over his face. "Crap, I told myself I wasn't going to do this."
At his reaction, Beca takes a few steps forward, concern taking over her own expression. "What's going on? Are you okay?" She waits a few beats, her heart starting to race a little bit more. "Is Macy okay?"
"Yeah, no, everything is good… really good, in fact." He gulps, clasping his hands in front of him. "I, uh, I actually just wanted to talk to you – to ask you – something. If that's alright?"
Beca furrows her eyebrows, not at all enjoying the feeling of dread building in her stomach. "Yeah, yeah, of course. What's up?"
Lucas hesitates for another moment, glancing behind them, back to the kitchen, where they can only faintly hear the conversation going on. He places his hand gently on Beca's shoulders, guiding her into Chloe's office, and closing the door behind them, before exhaling a deep breath.
"Lucas, you're kinda freaking me out here."
Lucas runs his hand over his neck once more, before finally meeting Beca's worried gaze. "You um, you have no idea how much respect I have for you as a parent, Beca. And I'm not talking about Rosie, and Quinn, and Ava, and Jordan, I'm talking about Macy, too. I'm talking about how you were ten years old when you turned into her mom, and that's not to say that you're replacing Amelia or anything, I just mean that you have been this supporting, and loving, and protective, maternal figure to Macy since she was five."
He clears his throat, desperately trying to get rid of some of the thickness. "When Macy first told me that she grew up in foster care with you, and that you gave your everything to make sure she had some sort of normal life, I was shocked. She always talked about how amazing you are and how amazing Chloe is, and when I met you for the first time, I knew that I was meeting the most important person in Macy's life."
Tears prick at the back of Beca's eyes, and she has to focus all of her energy on spinning her wedding band around the base of her finger, so she doesn't completely fall apart.
"And Macy…Macy has quickly become the most important person in my life." He takes a deep breath, his nerves seeming to lessen. "So, with your blessing, I would like to ask Macy to marry me."
Beca lets out a shaky laugh, suddenly overwhelmed by an immense surge of joy. She brings her hands up to her mouth, grinning behind the barrier, and slowly shaking her head in disbelief. "Dude, I literally thought you were going to tell me you were dying or something."
Lucas looks stunned at first, paralyzed from finally getting out the question (and hearing Beca's unexpected response). "S-sorry?"
"No, no it's fine, it's just… God that was really serious and all for something so happy." Her grin widens, her mind finally catching up with the situation. "You um, you have no idea how much all of that meant to me."
Beca shakes out her hair, wiping the dampness from underneath her eyes. She, too, clears her throat, staring at the man in front of her. The man that her baby sister is going to marry. The man that makes her baby sister happier than Beca has ever seen her with anyone else. "Not that you need my blessing, but I um… I couldn't imagine anyone more perfect for Macy. I'm really thrilled that you both are ready to take that next step."
Lucas' shoulders sag, relieved with Beca's answer. "Thank you. I love her. More than anything."
"I know you do, Lucas. I knew from the first time you came over that you did. And she loves you, too." Lucas blushes, the same way that Macy does whenever he's around. "Are you allowed to tell me when you're going to ask her?"
Lucas grins. "I think on New Year's Eve. I know it's cliché, but neither of us are working, and we're just supposed to be eating Chinese food and watching Harry Potter movies. I figured it would be best not to do anything fancy or with a ton of people around."
Beca smirks. "You know her well."
"I should hope so." Lucas dips his head, before meeting Beca's gaze once more. "But seriously, thank you. Not just for, like, trusting me, or whatever, but for welcoming me into your family. Letting me be here. I love all of you guys, and the kids, and Macy, obviously… it means a lot."
She gives the man a shrug, before moving to bring him into a hug. "Hey, you won us over all on your own."
While Beca and Lucas are talking in Chloe's office, Chloe is putting the finishing touches on dinner in the kitchen. She turns back around after she checks the sweet potato casserole in the oven, catching Macy's slightly furrowed brows.
"You okay, Mace?"
She blinks out of her reverie, forcing a smile on her face. "Yeah, sorry. It's just that Bec and Lucas have been setting the table for like ten minutes."
Chloe waves off her concern, having noticed the same thing, but knowing that Beca will tell her about whatever happened later. "I'm sure it's fine. She already gave him the 'I'll hurt you if you hurt my baby sister' talk years ago, right?"
Macy snorts, starting to gather the empty paper plates and used napkins from the counter to throw away. "True."
In the living room, the continuous sound of the piano that has been coming from that direction for the last hour, stops with the last note dying out, followed by the sound of Jordan pushing the cover back down over the keys. Chloe leans forward over the counter while Lisa starts asking Macy something about work, smiling as soon as she sees Jordan creeping out into the kitchen in his dark jeans and button-down shirt.
She holds her arms out to him, the little boy grinning and walking a little faster, wrapping his own arms around her waist as soon as she's close enough. Chloe runs her fingers through his hair, planting a kiss on top of his head. "You were sounding pretty good in there, buddy."
Jordan blushes at the compliment, tilting his head back so he can meet Chloe's gaze. "Thank you. Was I being too loud?"
Chloe shakes her head immediately. "Nope, not at all. We loved hearing you play."
Additional confirmations quickly come from Macy and Chloe's parents, which only causes the tips of Jordan's ears to glow a brighter red.
"Is it almost time for dinner?"
Chloe nods. "Almost. About ten more minutes. Do you want to go get your sisters? I think Ava is still downstairs with Rosie, and Quinn is up in her room."
Jordan gives Chloe another tight squeeze, resting his cheek up against her stomach for a brief moment, before letting her go. "Okay. I can go get them."
"Thanks, buddy. I appreciate it."
He throws another grin in Chloe's direction, before heading back toward the basement stairs, Macy ruffling his hair as he passes her.
Once Jordan is out of earshot, Kevin looks over at his daughter, who is watching the open door with fond eyes. "Have you and Beca talked next steps yet?"
Chloe turns to face him, a soft smile on her face, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. "Hm?"
Kevin chuckles, his daughter so consumed by her love for the boy that she wasn't paying attention. "Have you and Beca talked about moving forward with adopting the kids?"
Chloe shrugs, flicking her eyes over to Macy, who she knows has heard this conversation multiple times from Beca. Everyone knows that neither of the Mitchell women would be able to give the kids up – not that they would want to, obviously – but they've also been trying to be patient. As much as they want the kids to officially be a part of their family, they know they need to move slowly, especially with Quinn. "Not really. We've been waiting for things to calm down, and just wanting to make sure that all three of them are comfortable."
Lisa nods in agreement. "But you want to, right?"
"Oh, of course. That's always been the plan… but it's not about us and what we want. They have to be ready and be comfortable, and want it, too."
Macy grasps Chloe's hand across the counter. Not that she ever doubted it, but she has been constantly blown away with how amazing Chloe and Beca have been with the Perry siblings. Thinking back to where they were less than a month ago, compared to now, is remarkable. She knows that it has a lot to do with the unconditional love that the two have been giving the kids. "They will. You can already tell."
Quinn can't help but smile at the conversations going on around her. She's nestled in between Beca and Jordan, eating spoonful after spoonful of Chloe's mashed potatoes that have to be the creamiest mashed potatoes that she's ever eaten. Jordan has a giant grin on his face, a splotch of cranberry sauce already on his shirt. Ava is laughing about something that her and Ava are talking about as they sit side-by-side on the other side of the table. Kevin said something that apparently was funny enough for Beca, Chloe, Macy, Lucas, and Lisa to laugh out loud at, each of them covering their mouths with either a napkin or their hand.
It just feels right, which is something that Quinn has never felt at a foster home before. She's never felt this kind of peace; this ability to let her guard down and just enjoy being with everyone.
She loves seeing her siblings acting so carefree and at ease. She loves hearing them laugh, to see them smile.
While she's trying her best to just enjoy it while it lasts, it makes her heart ache for all the times she couldn't give that to them.
Quinn feels a light nudge against her right shoulder, and she looks down to see Jordan grinning up at her. He has a milk mustache, but the joy in his eyes is enough of a distraction from that. She nudges him back, talking quietly enough that only Jordan can hear her, her voice buried under the sounds of both music and other people talking. "What're you looking at?"
"Are you having fun?" His hazel eyes flick across her face, as though trying to determine the answer before she has a chance to say it.
Quinn can't help it. She takes his napkin and wipes off his mouth, tapping the corner of it on his nose when she's done. "I am. Are you?"
Jordan nods. Of course, he's having fun. "Mhmm. I'm glad you are, too, though."
Quinn widens her eyes, lowering her voice even more. "Well, of course I am. Have you tried the mashed potatoes? They'd make any day a good day."
A light laugh flits past Jordan's lips, and it makes Quinn's heart swell. "Do you remember the Thanksgiving that you and Izzy took us to Friendly's?"
Quinn pauses, her heart skipping a beat. "I do. I'm surprised that you do, though."
"Why?"
She offers him a shrug. It's not like she can tell him that she's been afraid that all of his memories are going to be replaced by memories of the Mitchells, and she's going to be the only one left remembering their times together. "Because you were young. Like, four, I think."
"Yeah, but you made the day really special. That was like, our best Thanksgiving ever." Jordan takes a bite of stuffing, never once shying away from the conversation. "I don't think I'm ever going to forget all of those little – and big – things that you did for us. Even if I was little."
With tears burning at the back of her eyes, Quinn wraps her arm around her little brother, pulling him into her side as a silent thank you for saying exactly the words she needs to hear.
Beside her, Beca, who has been focusing on their conversation as opposed to the conversations going on around her, grins across the table at her wife.
"I want to print this photo and hang it on every single wall in the house." Illuminated by the light of Chloe's cellphone, the two Mitchell women huddle together in their bed, looking at the picture that Lisa had taken of them earlier that evening.
They took it shortly after dinner, a mistake on their part because everyone felt bloated and not at all photogenic, but Chloe (and secretly Beca) was adamant about getting a family picture to commemorate their first Thanksgiving together. So, they corralled all four of the kids into the front entryway, Quinn only mildly grumbling. They positioned Quinn in the middle of the two moms, Chloe holding Ava and Beca holding Rosie, with Jordan standing in front of Beca and Quinn. Miraculously, they were able to get one version where everyone was looking at the camera, and everyone was smiling.
It truly is beautiful; with Quinn looking genuinely happy, Rosie and Ava having matching, cheeky grins on their faces, Jordan leaning contently up against his foster mom. Beca and Chloe, above all, seem so joyful with their family. They've been staring at the picture (and the series of outtakes, including one where Jordan burped and the younger girls erupted into laughter, while Quinn looked disgusted, which happens to be Beca's (close) second favorite) for almost fifteen minutes.
Beca taps on the photo, zooming in as she lays against Chloe's chest. She moves to each one of the kids' faces. "They just look so happy."
"They are happy."
"Did you hear Quinn and Jordan at dinner today?"
Chloe starts to draw patterns on her wife's back. "No. What were they saying?"
She nuzzles deeper into Chloe's side. "Apparently, Quinn and Izzy took them to Friendly's one Thanksgiving. Jordan was just saying how he'd never forget any of the things Quinn did for them. I think it meant a lot to her."
Chloe clicks her phone off, placing it back on her bedside table, and sliding underneath the comforter, starting to get comfortable. It's late, and while Lisa and Kevin left hours ago, Macy and Lucas only left a little after eleven. "I'm sure it did. Maybe that's why she seemed a little bit… lighter, after dessert."
Beca lets out a deep breath, finding Chloe's hand on top of the covers. "They're getting there, Chlo. They're getting comfortable."
"I know." In the darkness of the bedroom, Chloe grins. "It makes me so excited about everything. The future, I mean. Like even the next week, I just can't wait to see everything that they do. How much they grow. I just… I love them so much, and I hope they can see that."
Beca nods in agreement. Well, as much as she can from her current position. "I love them, too. And if they can't see it yet, they will. Because we're not going anywhere."
Chloe presses a kiss into Beca's head, her eyes fluttering closed. "No, no we're not."
Thanks so much for reading! As always, I look forward to hearing any thoughts/comments/predictions/questions/etc. that you feel like sharing :) See you on Thursday!