Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of its characters. I don't have a beta so all mistakes are mine.
Chapter 23
Winter Break
Christmas Eve morning Quinn woke before her girlfriends. She lay there still curled into Rachel with a hand on Santana's side. No matter how many times the three of them have slept in the same bed together they have gone to sleep and woke up the same way. She loves it. Never in a million years did she think she could have this. She had watched Rachel from afar for a long time scared of her feelings toward the girl. Fearing her parent's reaction. She is sure that her father would have cut her off or sent her to a camp to turn gay kids straight.
He can't do anything now. He already released her trust fund to her when her mother divorced him wanting to break all ties to his former life. She is 99.9% sure her mother will kick her out as soon as she finds out, but she can't bring herself to care. After her father left and released her trust to her, her mother not wanting to be out done did the same and still gives her money regularly. So no matter what happens with her mother she will be financially stable. Her mother is gone most of the time on business and is never around when she is home. But even if it weren't for San and Rach, she is still gay and it would have come out eventually. At least her girls would be there for her in the event that she is kicked out. They are worth the risk, they are worth everything.
She had been friends with San since they were ten. She fell for her so slowly she didn't even register that it was love and not friendship she felt until this summer when she finally came to terms with her sexuality. The kiss they shared this summer by the pond that Rachel came upon was an experimental kiss. She really wanted to kiss San so she said she wanted to see if it was the same as kissing a boy. It was so not like kissing a boy. It was so much better, but that could have just been because it was San. Kissing her and Rachel the day before had been amazing. She saw fireworks and the universe opening up. So, no matter what happened with her mom, she would be ok, she had her girls.
"You're thinking too loud." Rachel says chuckling as she shifted and turned toward her. She wrapped her arms around her and looked into Quinn's eyes. "Everything ok Q bear? What has you thinking so hard?" she says kissing her lips lightly.
Quinn just leans in and kisses her on the nose. "Everything is perfectly fine sweetie. I was just thinking about the changes that have happened over the last two days and weeks, and the changes still to come."
Rachel looks a little apprehensive. "Good thoughts I hope. You're not second guessing being with us are you?"
Quinn leans in again and kisses her deeply trying to leave no room for doubt. "Absolutely not. I want nothing more than to be with you and San." She pecks her lips again. "I was just thinking about my parents. My lack of a father, and what my mother's reaction is going to be when she finds out that I am gay, let alone that I have not one but two girlfriends. I know it will not go well, but I'm ok with that. It's not like I have her in my life now, and I have been so much happier in the last few week, despite what has been going on, being here with you and San. I wish you had never had to go through what you have, but I will not regret having you and San in my life or that your mine." Rachel just sighs and hugs her close. Neither realizing San has awoken too.
"I feel the same," San says as she wraps herself around Rachel's back hugging them both. "I hate what happened, I hate it so much, but I am glad that I am here with you both." She softly kisses Rachel's neck then Quinn's cheek.
Rachel turned her head toward San kissing her deeply. "I know what you mean. I wouldn't change a thing if it meant I wouldn't have you two." She turned back to Quinn and kissed her too. "We just start from here and move past all the bad."
Quinn leans back in and takes her lips again. This kiss gets heated quickly. San joining in kissing Rachel's neck and rubbing her hand up and down Quinn's side. Rachel moves to where she is laying on her back. As she finishes shifting San and Quinn lean over her to kiss each other. Rachel watches them for a moment loving the sight. She than leans forward attaching her lips to Quinn's neck, burying her hand in San's hair scratching her scalp lightly with her nails, causing a moan from both other girls. They detach from each other and lean down to Rachel. San taking her lips and Quinn taking her neck, than working their way down and up her jaw respectively, switching places. Quinn has a hand on Rachel's stomach where her shirt has ridden up rubbing circles. San is working her way a little lower toward her cleavage.
Somewhere in the back of Rachel's mind she realizes they need to slow down and stop or they are likely to go farther than any of them are ready for. Breaking the kiss leaning her forehead against Quinn's breathing heavily she guides San's head up to them with the hand that is in her hair. "We need to stop." She says still trying to catch her breath.
They speak at the same time looking equally horrified. "I am so sorry querida. I shouldn't have done that." and "Oh god sweetheart, I'm sorry."
Rachel quickly lays a hand on each of their faces. "No stop. That's not what I meant. Neither of you did anything wrong. Believe me I was thoroughly enjoying every second of this. So much so I didn't want to stop, but none of us are ready to go further. This between us is so new, I just think we need to take this slow. I need to finish getting over what happened. I don't want it to ever taint anything we share and if we went further now it would. But that's not going to stop me from kissing and making out with my girls." She says looking back and forth between them and kissing them each lightly.
They both let out a breath neither realized they were holding. San leans in nuzzling her neck. "Nothing will taint us carino. We won't let it, and I agree, nothing will go further than this until we are all already. But I love kissing you both."
Quinn nodded caressing Rachel's cheek. "I agree, no more than kissing until we all ok with it. We won't let anything taint us." She says kissing her softly leaning down to do the same to San.
They both shifted to lay their heads on Rachel's shoulders, just being together for a few moments while she runs her hands through their hair. After a bit Rachel speaks up. "As much as I love being the middle of this very wonderful sandwich. I need to get up and use the bathroom. Then we need to get dressed for the day and get some breakfast."
San is the first to move sighing her displeasure. "I would argue but I need to use the bathroom too and I am starving. We just snacked last night and didn't eat a full meal. I needs my eats."
Quinn slapped her on the ass as she crawled over them. "Yes I agree. Feed us woman it's your turn to cook." She says laughing with Rachel at the way San shakes her ass as she moves away from them and out the room.
San showers and changes quickly heading down to cook while Rachel and Quinn, after trips to the bathroom, straighten up the media room turning off the equipment they left on the night before, than showering and dressing for the day themselves. When they make it down stairs they find the table already set and San finishing up a mushroom, onion, tofu and soy sausage scramble. There is also fresh fruit and orange juice on the table. Rachel moves to the coffee pot and makes them all a cup and heads to the table to sit.
As they tuck in Quinn looks to Rachel. "We don't have to be to the mission until 3:00 right?" She asks
Rachel nods, "That right, that's when the other volunteer's will be there to start preparing the food and sorting toys for the kids."
Quinn looks over to the clock on the wall. "Well its only 9:15, I say we have a lazy day in front of the fireplace and our tree watching TV until it's time to go. I also picked up vegan marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. We can make s'mores later." She tells them excitedly.
San looks at her in awe, "You got stuff for s'mores? You do love us, you do." She say's as Rachel chuckles at her antics.
Quinn just smiles, "yea, lucky for you."
San just smiles, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Yes it is, and I like the sound of that plan." Rachel nods her agreement and they tuck in to finish their breakfast.
After they finish eating and cleaning the kitchen they head to the living room. They sit together on the couch cuddled under a blanket enjoying the fire watching Miracle on 34th Street when the doorbell rings. They all startle a little and look toward the front of the house.
The girls look to Rachel. "Are you expecting anyone querida?" San asks as Rachel gets up headed to the door.
She shakes her head. "No. I have no idea who would be out in this weather let alone coming here." She says as she enters the foyer.
Quinn and San look at each other for a second than get up to follow after their girl.
Rachel makes it to the door and opens it to find Finn standing on the other side looking sheepish. "Finn." It's almost a whisper.
"I was just in the neighborhood and wanted to talk to you." He says.
At the sound of his voice Santana and Quinn are instantly in Rachel's personal space as she is backing up. Feeling them behind her she turns into Quinn as San moves forward and in front of them yelling at the boy. "What the hell are you doing here Hudson?"
Finn takes a step back confused as to why the other girls would be there. "I was headed to meet my mom at my grandma's house, she lives two streets over and I wanted to talk to Rachel. Not that it's any of your business." He snaps back at her causing Rachel to jump at the tone in his voice and Quinn to tighten her hold on her girl.
San sees this and it angers her more. "It's my business because I am welcome here and you are not. You need to leave."
He just seems to be getting angrier. "You do not have the right to tell me to leave." He says with his hands fisted at his thighs. Quinn gets her phone out of her pocket texting Matt cause she knows he lives a block away and Mike is spending the holiday with his family, hoping he is home and not at a family thing elsewhere. Finn doesn't notice. She also fires off a text to Finns mom. She had given Rachel her number after the incident with Finn in case she needed anything. Quinn and San had both put the number in their phones.
San steps slightly to the side so he can see the other girls. "Do you see her?" she says pointing to Rachel. "Does it look like you are welcome here or that she wants to talk to you? Your scaring her you idiot."
He calms slightly. "I wouldn't be if you would just let me talk to her. I want to apologize. I just want to start over with her and try again at a relationship."
San and Quinn both growl at this. San talks through clenched teeth. "That is not going to happen Finn. You need to leave her alone." About that time a snowmobile comes flying into the front yard with Matt and Mike on it.
Finn is visibly turning red. "You can't talk for her. You don't know that."
San is not thinking when she yells back. "Yes I do because she is gay. She is my girlfriend and will never be dating you. Now back the fuck off and leave before I call the cops."
Finn sees red and goes to lunge at her just as Matt and Mike make it onto the porch and grab him. Matt yells at him, "What the hell Finn? What do you think you are doing? Why are you even here?" It is taking all the two boys have to hold him back. San has moved over to the other girls standing directly in front of them Rachel clutching the back of her shirt.
As the boys hold him back and try to get him out of the doorway Carol Hudson pulls up out front jumping out of her car running the best she can through the snow. "FINN CHRISTOPHER HUDSON! What the hell do you think you're doing?" she yells as she makes it to the steps. He instantly deflates and stops trying to get out of the other boys hold. She makes it to him pushing him back out of the door with the boys still attached. She looks to the girls. "Are you girls ok?" she sees that Rachel is shaking, burrowed into Quinn as Santana stands guard in front of them. "Did he hurt you Rachel?"
Rachel looks up just enough to look in her eyes as San steps back to put an arm around them. "No ma'am, but if the boys hadn't showed up when they did he would have hurt Santana. They caught him mid-air. She told him I never wanted to date him because I am gay and he lost it and lunged at her. He showed up wanting to talk and got mad when he was asked to leave and kept yelling at us."
Carol gasps at this, "Rachel I am so sorry he showed up here like this. He will be grounded and his keys and truck taken away from him."
Rachel nods, "Ok, but if he comes near me, Santana, or Quinn again I will be filing a protection order through the police department. I don't want to talk to him and I definitely don't ever want to date him. He scares me and I want him to leave me alone. Please keep him away from us."
Carol shakes her head in disgust at her son. "I am so sorry for his actions. He will be lucky to be allowed out of the house for anything but school when he is allowed back." She turns to Finn who is looking at his shoes. "No sports, you will be quitting football and basketball. No glee either, she will not have to worry about you there. I will be talking to Mr. Figgins, Mr. Shuster, and Miss Sylvester again to inform them of what you did today. You will stay away from Rachel and these girls or I will be shipping you off to Military School immediately. You will not leave the house except to attend church and go to your anger management classes, and I will be taking you to those. You will not be driving anywhere once we get home your keys are mine. Do I make myself clear?"
He looks at her in shock. "But mom?"
She was in his face in a second. "Don't you but mom me. You are out of control and you will fix yourself or I will fix you for you." She turns back to Rachel. "I am assuming your fathers are not home since they are not out here with us. So can I have their numbers so I can call them and assure them that I will be handling this boy?"
Rachel flinched and the girls tightened their hold. She steps away from them motioning toward the living room. "May I speak with you privately please? I don't want him hearing."
Carol nodded. "Of course." She looks back to the boys. "Would you mind keeping a hold on him while I talk to Rachel?" Both boys nod saying yes ma'am, and she followed Rachel into the other room leaving the five other teens in the foyer.
Rachel takes a deep breath. "Mrs. Hudson, my fathers don't live here. My daddy died almost two years ago and my dad left me with my aunt signing away his rights after that happened. She then kicked me out when she couldn't get to my daddy's money through me. I am an emancipated minor. I live here alone and do not want Finn or anyone knowing that just yet as it is a danger for me to live alone but I have no choice in the matter. Quinn and San stay here often but I don't want this advertised. I just wanted you to be aware of this. If I had been alone when he got here I couldn't have defended myself and that scares me more than you can ever realize."
Carol just stares at her in shock. "Oh Rachel, I am so sorry for all you have been through. I will keep your secret and keep him away from you. If you need anything, anything at all you call me. I have you in my phone under a different name so he will not know it is you. He never has my phone anyway. I mean that, if you need anything call me." She says hugging her.
Rachel pulls back. "Thank you, I will. I just want to get on with my life and not have to worry about him."
Carol nods, "Well, let me get him out of here. He will not be bothering you again."
They go back out into the foyer, Rachel immediately moving into Santana's arms with Quinn rubbing her back. Carol walks out with Finn following. The boys stand there watching Finn leave, not turning back until his truck is out of sight.
Matt looks at the girls curiously for a moment. "So, you girls are dating?" he asked to San and Rach.
Rachel looks up out of San's neck. "Yes we are, but we would appreciate it if you could keep that to yourselves for the time being. We aren't ready to come out yet."
Both boys nod their agreement and Mike looks her in the eye. "We will keep your secret. It's no one's business anyway. As long as you're happy that's all that matters."
Rachel smiles at them. "Thank you, and thank you for coming so quickly when Quinn texted you. I don't even want to think of what would have happened if you hadn't got here when you did." She says moving forward and kissing both boys on the cheek.
She moves back to San and she pulls her back in to her. "Yes thanks guys, we really appreciate it. I'm a badass but he's a giant and I was too worried about Rachel and Quinn." She says pulling Quinn in too.
Matt just shakes his head holding up a hand. "It's not a problem, anytime. I mean that Rach, you have my number, use it if you need to. I will be here as quick as I can." He says walking over to hug the three girl pretzel. Mike does the same. "We should get headed back to mine. What are you guys up to tonight?"
Rachel smiles, "We are going to the mission to feed the homeless, pass out toys to the kids and sing carols." She says as the other girls nod.
Matt and Mike look surprised, "Really?" they say together.
San smirks, "Yep, that's how we roll. Those little fuckers need food, music and a new toy." She says causing everyone to laugh.
Rachel recovers first. "Yes, I have done it every year since I was eight. My daddy wanted me to appreciate everything we had and not take it for granted."
Matt looks impressed. "Text me a time and place and if mom will let us out we will come and help." Mike nods his agreement.
Rachel claps excitedly. "Of course." She says grabbing Quinn's phone out of her hand and texting the information to Matt. "We can use all the help we can get. Usually there aren't enough people to help and it take twice as long as it should."
Matt just smiles at her enthusiasm. "Well we will be there with bell on and even help back you up when you sing. Besides everyone should hear a voice of an angel on Christmas Eve, me included." He chuckles as she blushes at the compliment. "But we do need to go now before mom freaks that we are gone too long. We were only supposed to be out with the snowmobile for about an hour." They all say their goodbyes and Rachel closes the door as the boys leave.
She turns to the girls and is back in their arms in an instant. "I think I can go the rest of the school year without that kind of stress happening again." She sighs against San's shoulder. "I'm sorry I froze and hid while he was here. I should have told him myself to leave."
San lifts her face to look at her. "Hey, don't do that. You had every right to be scared of that asshat. Hell he scared me for a minute when I thought he might get past me."
Quinn turned her face toward her. "You don't have to apologize for needing us. We wouldn't have it any other way. Just like we need you. OK?"
"Ok," she says leaning over kissing her softly, turning back to do the same to San. "Now let's go finish our movie that was so rudely interrupted before we need to get ready to head to the mission." They nod and head back in and snuggling up to finish their movie, San and Quinn holding Rachel between them.
At 2:30 they head out to the mission. Once they get there they are put to work doing the prep work for the food while some of the other ladies there do the cooking. They are then taken to the toys that still need to be wrapped for the children. Once they finish with that it is getting closer to time for people to start arriving and Rachel seeks out the guy in charge, San and Quinn following behind.
She finds the guy that helps him. "Hello Mr. Cline, I was wondering if you could tell me where Rabbi Richard is. I needed to ask him a question."
Mr. Cline smiles at her but it doesn't reach his eyes. "He had a last minute errand to run but I may be able to answer it."
"Well, he is usually in charge of the money and I was just wondering how much was left over this year and put into Walmart gift cards for the families."
Mr. Cline sits in the chair behind the desk no longer looking at the girls. "Well I was actually in charge of the purchasing this year as Richard had some other thing going on. I decided that we would need to keep the extra money at the mission to go toward the everyday soup kitchen we run to make sure we had enough food for the homeless for a while." He says while he shuffles papers around.
Rachel is livid. "Mr. Cline, I don't know if you know this or not but my family has been doing this for seven years. Every year we make sure that the families get that extra much needed money to help them out."
Mr. Cline looks up at her. "I really don't see how this is any of your concern Rachel. The money is given by your father for the mission to see fit as to its use."
San is ready to fly over the desk at him but Rachel puts a calming hand on her arm. "Actually Mr. Cline, my daddy passed away almost two years ago and the money that has been given to the mission the last two years have been given by me. It was my daddy's wish that the extra money be given to the families and that has always been the arrangement. Not to mention the fact that a monthly allotment is given to the mission to help with the daily soup kitchen, also provided by me. Now if I cannot trust that the money that I give is going to be used in the way it was intended I can start giving less money every year at Christmas and purchase the gift cards myself." She say's passionately trying to reign in her temper. Neither of them noticing someone else entering the office.
"That will not be necessary Rachel" Rabbi Richard says from behind her, Mr. Clines eyes going wide at being caught going against his wishes. "I will be taking care of it myself from now on. I am so sorry that this insensitive fool has gone against your wishes and has insulted you."
Rachel perks up at his voice. "Thank you Rabbi, do we have time for someone to run to Walmart and get the gift cards?"
The Rabbi just looks at the other man, "No worries Rachel, Mr. Cline was just heading out to do so now, and the amount this year is $295 per family."
Rachel nods with a small smirk on her face. "How many families this year?" She asks.
He just smiles sadly, "We are anticipating thirty-five families this year."
Rachel nods digging in her purse, "I will make up the difference so it can be an even $300." She says handing him $175.
He just smiles shaking his head. "Ok, Rachel." He say's handing the money to Mr. Cline. "Go ahead and run to Walmart and get the cards, but hurry people will be arriving soon. And don't ever let me hear of you talking to another volunteer that way again. She is one of our biggest supporters, without her generosity we couldn't do half of what we do every year. Now go." He says sternly, turning back to Rachel and the girls. "Now ladies, I think it's time to get ready for our Christmas guests." He says leading them out of the room.
San looks to Rachel as they walk. "Querida? If this is a Jewish mission why are they serving for Christmas?" She asks, Quinn looking curious as well.
"The mission serves all families in Lima, not just the Jewish ones. They have a dinner on the last day of Hanukah as well. They do this for all major holidays minus the toys of course. The kids don't understand the differences in the holidays so they just don't point them out. Everyone is welcome here. They don't focus on the religion they focus on the people's needs." She says as they walk back into the kitchen.
They stop short at what they see. Sue Sylvester in an apron behind the serving line along with all the Gleeks minus Mercedes because they didn't invite her, Puck and Britt because they were out of town. They walk up to coach. Rachel speaks first. "Merry Christmas coach, this is a first, I have never seen you here before."
Sue just chuckles, "Well that's because I have never been here before. My sister is sick and not feeling up to company. As I usually spend the holidays with her I was left with nothing to do. Brittany sent me a text after Mike sent her one telling me you would be here tonight and why, so I figure I would come and help out."
Rachel just smiles and looks to the Gleeks. Kurt turns to her. "Yea, Matt text and told us you might need some extra hands and voices tonight so here we are." Rachel clapped and bounced in place excitedly while San and Quinn just watched her, smiling indulgently, happy that she was so happy. Especially after this afternoon. They were all put to work and soon the place was filled with families ready to eat and be entertained. After the food was all served Rachel, her girls and the Gleeks went to set up the music.
While they were setting up they heard then saw a little boy pulling his mother toward them. "Look mommy it's the nice lady with the angel voice." He said as he stopped in front of Rachel. "Hello, are you going to sing for me again? You sing really pretty." He said to her shyly.
She knelt down in front of him. "Yes I am. What's your name?"
The little boy smiled looking down. "Todd."
Rachel just chuckled. "Well Todd. Is there a special song you would like to hear tonight?"
He looked up. "Can you sing Rudolph again?"
She beamed at him. "Of course I will, just for you."
His smile lit up the room as he hugged her and pulled his mother back to their seats to get ready to watch the show. The rest of the glee club just smiled at her in awe. San turned her to look at her. "Do you sing here often?"
Rachel just smiled shyly. "Whenever I volunteer and they ask me to, but he was here last year. Not all of these families are homeless. Some are just really poor and this way they get a good meal and a present for their children."
San hugged her and Quinn joined in, "You just amaze me Rachel Barbara Berry." Quinn says, all the Gleeks just watching on.
They sang about ten carols including Rudolph together. Than Rachel gave a solo rendition of O' Holy Night that was so breathtakingly beautiful that it left anyone over the age of ten with tears in their eyes. They then acted as elves handing out presents to all the children and the Rabbi made Rachel hand out the gift cards to the parents. All of them hugging her and thanking her and the other kids for a wonderful evening.
After they helped clean up they headed home. Once the girls were home, changed, and in bed they snuggled in to each other and fell asleep thinking about the wonderful evening they just had and looking forward to Christmas together the next day.
A/N: Ok another chapter down. Sorry to bring Finn into their happy bubble but that's where it went to while I was typing. Next Christmas day and Christmas with Puck and Britt the following day.