Lucy's eyes shined as she said with a smile in her voice. "Your wish is my command."
The next thing Quinn knew they were standing outside a modest two story town house.
"Where are we?" Quinn asked confused.
"At your house... Well the Puckerman family home." Lucy replied.
"Wait... This is where we live?" Quinn asked in disbelief.
"Yup. Oh look! Just in time Mrs. Puckerman is here!" Lucy said.
Quinn can tell you exactly why being referred to as Mrs. Puckerman made her want to set herself on fire but now isn't the time.
Just then the blonde watched as a mini van pulled into the driveway and Quinn's eyes were glued to the driver as she watched her older self exit the vehicle.
She looked older but not old. The woman looked a little irritated. She was grumbling under her breath.
"Can she see us?" Quinn whispered to Lucy.
"Of course not, we are here for a full viewing. Anything we say or do can't be seen or heard by anyone."
Quinn nodded as she walked toward her older self you was in the middle of opening the trunk of the van still grumbling.
"Why am I so upset?" Quinn asked as she stepped up to herself only for her older self to grab the groceries turn abruptly causing Quinn to gasp in surprise when she walked right through her.
"That was so weird." The blonde said.
"Eh I've seen weirder, now come on! Let's find out why Mrs. Puckerman is so upset!"
"Stop calling me that!"
"That's who you are in this life."
"Yeah well I don't want to hear it while I'm here and currently not into being labelled a Puckerman!"
"Fine geez, cool your jets."
The two followed older Quinn in and just as they walked in; Quinn's jaw hit the floor as her teenage daughter from her previous vision Lucy gave her rushed forward to help older Quinn with the groceries.
"I've got it mom."
"Thanks sweetie, you're home early."
"Yeah, cheer practice was cancelled when coach was set on fire." The younger blonde said casually.
Both Quinn's eyes bulged. "What?!"
"Coach Sylvester wanted flame throwers and since the tech in charge of it was explaining the dangers too slow for she tried to do it herself then her track suit caught fire but don't worry she already texted she'd still there tonight." The teen explained.
"We live in Lima?!" Teen Quinn roared in disbelief.
"It appears so, the sweatshirt should have tip you off though." Lucy replied.
Sure enough Quinn's daughter had on her cheerios sweater.
"I thought that was mine from high school! So we are going to be stuck here! Great!"
"Hey, look at the bright side, at least you have a nice place." Lucy reasoned.
"I guess so."
"And your daughter is happy and healthy."
"Yeah.." Quinn sighed with a tinge of disappointment.
"So did you call her?!" Quinn's daughter asked.
"Well..." Older Quinn teased.
"Moooom come on!"
Teen Quinn instinctively put her hand to her swollen belly and felt a genuine smile take over her face and her heart swelled with how close she and her daughter seem to be.
"Of course I called her you goof, when has she ever missed a tournament of yours? huh?"
"You're right, I just know she's super busy with everything going on."
"Yes but like she always says-"
"Nothing will keep her from supporting me."
"Exactly, though you do owe me for making the call; She gave me an earful about the fact that I felt I had to remind her of something so important that's be on her calendar all year."
"I can't believe I'm going to be leading the squad."
"I can't either, the youngest cheerio in the history of Mckinely." older Quinn said with a blinding smile. "You're just a freshman, I still don't understand how coach Sylvester made that happen."
"Well, I've been cheering since I was seven."
"I can't wrap my head around the fact that you wanted to at all."
"Blame yourself, if aunt tana didn't show me the high school pictures of how awesome you are and told me you were the youngest head cheerio ever; I would have never made it my mission to steal the title."
"No way! She fourteen?!" Teen Quinn shrieked in astonishment as pride filled her chest.
Older Quinn began to reply to her daughter. "That ego of yours is going to ge-"
Just then the front door opened then closed and footsteps could be heard.
Just then Quinn and Lucy simultaneously gasped as Puck walked in looking clean and more mature then Quinn ever thought he could be.
"No way..." Lucy said in awe. "Your loser baby daddy joined the AirForce?"
"Oh my god..." Quinn said in awe herself as she took in the Military attire with his fancy haircut looking so put together she didn't believe it was actually him.
Two things happened the moment he walked in that Quinn and Lucy noticed immediately. Older Quinn's smile didn't reach her eyes and the teenager crossed her arms as her mood instantly shifted to an attitude.
"Hey, honey, how was your day?" Older Quinn asked as Puck swooped down to kiss.
Teen Quinn knew instantly that the kiss was forced on her part.
She could clearly see the same tension in her body that she would have in her current life when she and Puck were trying to be together for the baby. It wasn't natural by any means.
"What's for dinner?" He asked.
"Oh! I was just getting ready to start." Older Quinn said and just as she turned her back Puck's eyes cast to their daughter and the tension radiating from the girl could be felt immensely.
Her daughter sneered viciously. Puck furrowed his brow in confusion. Just as he opened his mouth to ask what's wrong the girl stood.
"I'll be in my room." She said then rushed away.
"Beth, honey, would you call your aunt Brit for me and ask if-"
"I will and I know!" the blonde replied.
Beth.
Quinn felt her emotions explode as her future daughters name was finally revealed to her. Her tears came instantly as she cupped her swollen belly.
"It's a beautiful name." Lucy said sweetly.
"It's my grandmother's name. She's the one person on this earth that has never judged me. She passed away two months after I found out I was pregnant. My parents wouldn't allow me to attend the funeral."
"Are you serious?!" Lucy asked in indignation.
"Before she passed I snuck to the nursing home to see her. She told me not to mind my parents. That they didn't know any better and they didn't deserve me if their love is conditional. She told me to love my baby without condition and to always show them how much they mean to me and that she couldn't wait to meet them. She died two days later. Even if they kept me from the funeral at least we got to spend time with each other one last time and had a proper goodbye. She was my grandmother on my mother's side." Quinn finished as she wiped a stray tear.
"She sounds amazing." Lucy replied.
"She was and always will be." Quinn said.
Just then Puck spoke. "So listen I've got to head out tonight."
"What why?" Quinn asked.
"I have to post for the next two weeks."
"But you'll be here for Beth's championship tonight, right?"
"I already have the flight-"
"Can't you just leave after they perform?"
"I don't want to be late-"
"What time do you have to be there-"
"Don't start-"
"Can't you just call and ask your sergeant. I'm sure if you explain it-"
"No Quinn-"
"Puck she's been excited for this all year and you've missed every single tournament all year-"
"Trust me she isn't losing sleep over it."
"What is that suppose to mean?!"
Teenage Quinn watched the two adults with a feeling of nostalgia. She felt like she was watching her parents go at over something trivial. It deeply disgusted her.
"Just let it go Qui-"
Just then the doorbell rung.
"This conversation isn't over." Quinn growled.
"Whatever." He sneered back.
Just then Beth's feet came rumbling down the stairs and before older Quinn could make toward the door it was instantly ripped open and a squeal escaped Beth as the unmistakable laugh of Rachel Berry hit teenage Quinn's ears.
The young blonde's jaw dropped in shock. Lucy's laughter could be heard beside her.
"Oh this is just too damn good." Lucy laughed.
"Hey you!" Rachel gushed as she was barreled into by a teenage blonde that was two inches taller than her.
"I missed you so much!" Beth said with so much love pouring from her in waves.
Teenage Quinn watched on flabbergasted as to how Rachel Berry of all people was adored by her daughter. She couldn't wrap her head around it. They weren't even friends!
"Alright you, quite hogging your aunt." Older Quinn said with a chuckle.
As soon as Rachel released Beth her eyes cast to Quinn and something shifted in the brunette's eyes. There was something beneath the surface that was shining unadulterated but teenage Quinn couldn't read it.
Her older self's eyes sparkled at the sight of the brunette.
"Took you long enough smurfette." Older Quinn snarked.
"Jokes on you Barbie, I'm two hours early because I'm a planner."
Both women reached for each other and the hug was so familiar and full too the brim with affection.
"I missed you Rae."
"Missed you too Luce."
Teenage Quinn felt her eyes fill with tears as she watched her older self be kind to one of the biggest regrets of her young life.
She was not only being kind to Rachel Berry but she somehow acquired and maintained a healthy friendship with the girl and Quinn felt her heart settle.
She may not be able to now but one day it's clear she'd apologize and be forgiven. She couldn't wait for the day.
Rachel eyes caught Puck's as she was hugging Quinn. The two stared each other down and there was a fire of hatred in Rachel's eyes. Puck glared back at her.
Quinn and Rachel pulled apart and Rachel's smile was back in place and teenage Quinn was thrown by the quick alteration to the woman's face.
Once the two women released each other Rachel smiled this cordial thing at Puck that just made teenage Quinn's stomach churned.
"Noah, glad to see you could be here."
"Rachel." Puck nodded in return.
Older Quinn raised an eyebrow.
"Come on Rae, let's get you settled in."
"Thank you."
After Rachel was settled the brunette went down stairs. Quinn had already left with Beth to drop her off at Mckinely to prepare her squad. Just as Rachel stepped into the living room her jaw clenched in fury.
Puck was gathering his things.
"Where are you going?" Rachel asked calmly.
"None of your damn business Berry."
Rachel chuckled darkly. "You know Puckerman, I try very hard to be cordial and patient with you but since you want speak asshole I'm more than happy to oblige."
Quinn. Was. Floored.
Who the hell was this Rachel Berry? She was fascinating to watch!
"I don't have time for your bullshit so mind your own damned business-"
"No you listen! For years I've watched you do nothing but disappoint my bestfriend and god daughter-" Quinn gasped at the news and her eyes bulged. "-Repeatedly at every turn as long as it went your way. I've questioned a thousand times over why you would say you were going to do one thing but actually do another. Then two months ago I get the astonishing but not surprising news that you not only are no longer in the AirForce-" Pucks eyes bulged as realization hit that she knew! "- because you were served a dishonorable discharge but those posts you so love to say you have to be at are actually spent with the other family you've created two years after you married Quinn!"
"What are you-"
"Don't you dare try to lie to me! Because I hired a private investigator and I have the proof Puck-"
"Oh yeah? If you have the proof then why haven't snitched yet? huh?! That-"
"Because your daughter begged me not to!"
Pucks eyes bulged this time but soon morphed into anger. "You're lying!"
Rachel scoffed. "Quinn called me in tears because Beth locked herself in her room and refused to come out! She also refused to talk to Quinn about what was wrong. So Quinn called me, I took a red eye out that night and guess what Puck?! When I got here she was still crying! She answered the phone when one of your other kids called and told her to tell her mom to let you leave so they could be a family because he's tired of seeing his mother cry over you! She made me swear I wouldn't tell until she figured out the right way to tell Quinn! Oh but believe me I wanted to! She made me promise not to confront you but I can't do this anymore! I can't watch you lie to Quinn and spend all this families savings on your other family because you've manage to knock the woman up four times over! The fact that you're now working for that woman's father cleaning fucking pools, the irony isn't lost on me, is fucking insane! And still you aren't bringing in enough to supplement this family and that is not only disgusting but fucking sad! You're wife had to call me and ask to borrow money because you were supposedly overseas and unreachable and the bank claimed she had insufficient funds so she couldn't pay the mortgage or the bills! And now you have the audacity to leave once again during one of the most important games of your daughter's cheer career and not only that but completely disregard tomorrow! Who the hell do you think you are?! "
Pucks brows furrowed in slight confusion.
"Oh my god..." Rachel scoffed in disbelief. "Wow, really? You've forgotten again?! What is this the fourth time!"
"Fuck you Rachel!"
"It's your wife's birthday Puck!"
"I know that-"
"Sure you did! And you're also an amazing father and husband-" Rachel said dripping in hateful sarcasm while clapping her hands in condescendence. "Great fucking job-"
"Fuck this I'm out of here!"
"Exactly! Do what you're amazing at and leave because guess what Puck-" Rachel said as she followed him toward the front door. "-They don't need you they never have and once Quinn finds out your ass is as good as dead and I can't wait to witness it!"
"You know what Rachel?! At least I have a family! What do you have?! That's right no one but your fucking lonely ass bullshit trophy's! That's why you latch on to the family I made with Quinn! Latched on to my kid! And you know what? No matter how long you're around she'll never be yours Rachel! You haven't changed at all still begging for scraps of my wife's attention! The only reason you and Quinn even became friends is because I made her call you to babysit that night when no one else would and I told her to be nice to you so we could get free babysitting out of you because your eager ass would jump for any bone she threw at you! You've always been a loser and no amount of trophy's will make any one want you!"
Quinn and Lucy gasped in shock. Rachel clenched her jaw as her eyes welled. You could see it stabbed her in the heart to hear.
"Fuck you Puckerman."
"I would never let your tranny as touch me. In your fucking dreams loser!" He growled before storming out the door.
"Holy shit.." Lucy whispered.
Quinn couldn't speak. She couldn't move. She couldn't do anything.
What she just witnessed was not only jarring but heartbreaking in every sense of the word.
"He... and she..." The blonde tried but she couldn't actually say what she was thinking.
"How could he?" Lucy asked as she felt her own heart crumple as Quinn's emotions raged so viciously, tears began forming in her eyes.
"Oh Rachel..." Quinn said as she watched the brunette do her best not to give into her tears.
Rachel stormed to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine and set to work. She wouldn't let him win. She wouldn't let the words hurt because this wasn't high school anymore and she wasn't a child.
Noah Puckerman was no more than a piece a shit who is worth nothing and headed no where fast. He didn't matter and so she wouldn't let his words matter.
"Hey I'm back!" Older Quinn called out as she entered the house.
The house was quiet. Quinn knew exactly where to find her best friend. She walked into the kitchen and Rachel was sat right where always sits, at the breakfast bar nursing a glass of wine.
"Hey." Quinn said softly.
Rachel looked up and smiled a soft half smile but it didn't reach her eyes. "Hey."
"I'm guessing Puck left?"
"Ah, I see he at least told you."
"Yes, we were discussing it before you got here actually."
Rachel quirked a knowing brow at her and the blonde rolled her eyes as she chuckled with a shake of her head.
"We were arguing about it before you got here."
"Don't try to bullshit me Fabray."
"Wouldn't dream of it Berry."
Rachel was the only one out of their friends and family that still referred to her as Fabray.
"So, you going to tell me why your going at my wine like it's Tony's week?"
Rachel chuckled then sighed. "I will... Soon."
"How soon? and why can't you tell me now?"
"When? I'm not sure yet. Why? Because I promised that I wouldn't reveal the news until my partner was ready."
"Partner? Rachel are you dating?!" Quinn asked shocked while simultaneously feeling something she couldn't put to words.
"No! What gave you that idea?"
"You said partner."
"I meant in the matter of private personal business."
"Oh, well can you give me a hint?"
"No."
"Come on Berry, I'll make it worth your while."
Rachel snorted in laughter and older Quinn smiled at achieving it.
"I don't think you can bribe me on this one."
"Not even with my special vegan pie?"
Rachel's eyes shined as her mouth salivated and it was clear that she considered it.
"No, I can't. I'm sorry."
"Fine!" Older Quinn huffed. "Well is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"
"Tell me you're happy and mean it." The brunette said lowly.
The blonde's smile slowly slipped from her face as she stared at the brunette whose eyes were boring into hers deeply. Like she was trying to figure out a puzzle.
"Why are you asking me that?"
"You asked what can you do to make me feel better. You never said I had to ask questions. So... are you?"
Older Quinn stared at her and the brunette stared back daring her to lie. The blonde stood up.
"You know we should head out before we're late. I know how you like to get front row seats." The blonde deflected.
"I don't like this." Teenage Quinn said as she watched her older self do what she does now when she feels cornered.
Rachel grasped the blonde's wrist before she could go any further. "Fine. You don't want to answer it's okay because I know you're uncomfortable and I shouldn't have asked such a personal question but Quinn... I want you to know that no matter what happens in our lives I will always be by your side no matter what comes your way. You and Beth will always be a priority to me."
The brunette released her but didn't wait for a response.
"Let's go Fabray I want to get good seats! We're going to be late and you know how much I hate mid row seats!"
The older blonde swallowed thickly. If there is anyone on this planet other than her daughter that gets so deep within her skin it's Rachel Berry.
She always has even in high school. Rachel's question brought up feelings in her that she fights everyday to hide.
No, she isn't happy.
In fact, she's beyond miserable and feels trapped in her marriage.
The only reason she's staying with Puck is because of Beth.
She doesn't know any other way of being in a relationship.
Her only example were her parents. She was too young when her grandpa passed to see the love her grandmother had explained to her.
How you could not only see but feel the difference between genuine love and forced love.
She's never experience real romantic love so she's settling until she doesn't have to anymore.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" The blonde replied in sarcasm.
The two women began talking as if nothing was wrong. As if nothing was secretly hidden.
The laughter was genuine though and so were the blinding smiles and sparkling eyes aimed at each other.
"Please, get me out of here Lucy." Quinn said.
It was clear her vocal cords were fighting for control. She could see it all over her older self's face.
Her older self wasn't happy.
She didn't need to see anymore to understand that Puck no matter how much time passes will continue to ruin her life one way or another.
He'd also hurt their daughter beyond repair as well and she would not let that happen.
"Your wish is my command." Lucy said sadly.