AN: So with the exception of maybe 3 paragraphs, this entire chapter is one big flashback. I did something that I normally dislike doing and that was include content from the previous chapter...it's just me and my preference as i feel that it can be misleading as to how long a chapter really is as I have seen where some authors have included anywhere from half to almost the entirety of the previous chapter in the newest one. To each their own really, not trying to offend or tell someone its wrong and shouldn't be done as we all write in the way that works best for us. Part of what takes me so long to update is that I end up going back through at least half my story and re-read it in order to keep the same flow/style and pacing that has already been set when I continue with it. That's of course when my squirrels aren't all hopped on Molly and doing such unspeakable things on the dance floor at the rave.
To those of you that continue to stick with this story and my other ones thank you. To those of you with your reviews (that aren't rude) again thank you. I adore you all.
Again I own nothing except the plot and all spelling/grammatical errors. That shit is all mine.
Previously on Forever 18:
Ever since Noah had called them saying that they needed to come home, their fathers had been over protective and bordering on smothering once they were introduced to Quinn and Beth. Ray was glad and appreciative for the extra protection for her soulmate and her mate's daughter, but they were smothering Ray as well. They had flown in from Hawaii when Puck had called them once the vampires, Quinn, Beth and Brittany returned back to the Puckerman-Berry Manor.
"The parentals need to come home."
'Fuck a duck.' Ray thought to herself as she held Beth closer and wrapped an arm around Quinn's shoulders.
"Alright so we need to get home as fast as possible and away from anyone who can possibly eavesdrop." Ray muttered to her brother in Gaelic.
"But first I need to figure out how to convince Figgins to postpone this meeting he wants to have regarding the drama that happened with Hudson today without seeming like I'm avoiding the situation."
"Why not ask coach Sylvester to help?" Brittany asked as she appeared with Santana by her side.
"Brilliant Ducky. Either take Santana home or bring her back to the house. If you go to the house, lock it down tight." Noah softly commanded the bubbly Fey.
"If it's that dangerous I'll just wait here until you guys are done then we can all go together. I know there is something you aren't saying at the moment and that's fine. But if things are that dangerous then S and I can wait." Brittany replied in a firm non-negotiable tone.
Noah looked at his sister who shrugged in return.
"Alright then stay here. Let's go see the coach." Noah replied in response to Ray's shrug.
Santana, looking annoyed and disgruntled that she wasn't able to understand what was being said but sensing that it was important had managed to keep her mouth shut up until Ray, Noah and Quinn walked away from the two Cheerios when she finally blurted out:
"What the fuck is going on and what the hell language was that? You sounded like you had phlegm or something equally disgusting."
Ray let out a small chuckle at the Latina's words as they got further down the hall.
Ray, Noah and Quinn quickly made their way to the Coach's office. With minimal explanation as the shadows had already filled the Unseelie Sidhe in, Sue agreed to help them.
With Sue's help, Ray was able to reschedule the meeting with Figgins to the morning before the Spanish exams and the small group raced back to the house. Once inside and the trio had gotten Beth settled Noah looked over at Ray with a pleading look.
"Oh hell no Noah. You are the one who wont share with the rest of us what you heard and smelled at the daycare and thinks that they need to be called so you can put your big boy panties on and call them." Ray growled at her brother as she lit another one of the herbals that Sue had given her.
"Oh come on Ray," Noah began in a pleading voice that had Ray snarling at him, letting him know that she wasn't in the mood for his shit.
"Fine." Noah sulked out before he picked up the phone and dialled.
He hated being the one calling their fathers because they automatically assumed that he had gotten into trouble. Granted yes that was usually the case but he hated hearing the resigned disappointment and heavy sighs that always came over the line, when he called.
"Hey dad. How are you guys? Yeah, that's cool. Umm so listen we have run into a bit of a situation that warrants you guys return." Noah winced at his adoptive fathers' demand that he spit it out. "Well with all the stuff that has already happened it seems as if Russell knows a werewolf or at least a wolf shifter. He sent one to the daycare." Noah quickly explained and watched his sister warily as she looked at him murderously.
He hung up with their fathers moments later as they said they would be home before dawn and had abruptly ended the call. Puck knew that the only thing saving him from Ray's rage was Quinn. The blonde had been standing behind Ray with her arms wrapped around Ray's neck and shoulders. Quinn tightened her hold minutely, just enough to keep Ray's attention while she whispered in the vampire's ear in an attempt to soothe and calm the inner beast as well as the reminder of what was said in the treatment room. Noah still felt the fear as he watched his sister as it was no longer 'Ray' looking at him but her inner beast, and Ray's inner beast was pissed at him. The look promised him a world of pain once the blonde was no longer awake to save his ass.
Hours later true to what the look had promised, once Quinn was sound asleep, Ray had dragged her brother into the basement and unleashed her inner beast. The next few hours were filled with vicious growls and snarls as Ray and Noah's beasts fought for dominance. Ray's inner beast had seen Noah withholding important information regarding what had frightened her soulmate's child as a challenge and it would not stand. Not only was it seen as a challenge but it was seen as disrespect towards Ray. Once the more primal and baser instincts had been woken, there was no shutting them down until dominance had been re-established. What saved Noah in the end was the arrival of their fathers just as Ray was about to take a chunk out of his neck. She had already beaten him into submission but it wasn't enough for her beast. The beast wanted retribution. Noah's inner beast had been provoked as for the last four centuries he was the one who was defending his smaller sister when things became physical. But the thing that Noah's inner beast failed to recognize that in all that time, it had failed to give Ray a chance to defend herself until they were in Ireland when Ray finally decided to embrace and use the majicks in their bloodline to grow bigger. His beast had failed to recognize that it had been Ray who had planned and schemed and got them out of tricky situations before violence was necessary. It had just assumed that it was the 'Alpha' between the two of them.
"What the hell is going on here?!" LeRoy bellowed as he shoved Ray away from her brother before she could do any permanent damage to him.
"LeRoy...Back away slowly...NOW." Hiram demanded of his husband as he cautiously eyed his daughter who's vampire visage was on full display.
Hiram had seen what his husband failed to notice and if he was honest, he was afraid of his childe. Ray was more powerful than he and his husband combined. And right now 'Ray' wasn't in control.
"Start talking Noah." Hiram demanded of his son once LeRoy had backed away from Ray.
"It was a fight for dominance and Ray won." Noah sighed out as he ran a hand over his mohawk.
"What did you do?"
"I didn't tell her about the wolf at the daycare. First time she heard about it was when I called you guys."
Ray's beast snarled at her brother's words before cocking its head to the side like a confused puppy for a second then disappeared from the room. A few seconds later the sound of Beth crying filled their ears. Hiram and LeRoy looked at one another with horror before blurring from the room. They were about to burst into the room where they had determined the crying had come from and were shocked to hear purring.
"I wouldn't go in there right now Mr. Berrys." Brittany advised with a yawn. "The only one who can break Ray out of her feral state is Quinn. I assure you that Beth is perfectly safe right now." Brittany had pulled up the video feed of Beth's room so the older men could observe for themselves what was happening as the blonde continued on her way up to Ray's bedroom to get Quinn.
Moments later the young mother flew down the stairs and into her daughters room, ignoring the small gathering that was just outside the door. The Berry men had watched in awe as Quinn fearlessly approached Ray and cupped her cheek before plucking Beth out of the vampire's arms and pointed at the oversized chair in the room. Ray sat in the chair and once she was comfortable, Quinn sat in Ray's lap with Beth in her arms. Ray had grabbed the large blanket that had been draped over the back of the chair and wrapped it around the three of them. Both mother and daughter curled into Ray's chest letting the scent of Ray and the purring lull them back to sleep but not before Quinn had tiredly told Ray that they would be talking about 'this' in the morning.
Both Hiram and LeRoy had watched completely astonished as the shorter blonde had effortlessly brought their daughter back from her feral state.
"How?" Hiram asked the young Fey.
"They are soulmates." Brittany replied like it was obvious. "The only two people in this house that are safe from a feral Ray are the two in that room. Quinn is Ray's soulmate and that alone makes Quinn safe. Beth being Quinn's daughter, makes her the most fiercely protected lil girl in Lima. Ray and Beth have bonded on a level that is rather astonishing given that Ray has only been a part of that lil girl's life for barely a month now." Brittany let out a jaw cracking yawn before continuing her attention directed towards Noah.
"You however are a complete ass. The only reason you're not missing a chunk out of your neck or ass is due to the protection spell I put on you."
"She was about to take a chunk out of my neck when dad broke us apart." Puck muttered petulantly.
"Yeah and how long did she have you in that position? I'm betting for at least ten minutes as she struggled to fight through the resistance that she was feeling as she neared your neck. Don't keep shit from her when it's about Quinn or Beth. Next time I won't protect you from her Puckerman." Brittany warned before returning to her bedroom leaving the three men speechless in the hallway.
The following morning had been tense as Ray hadn't completely forgiven her brother for withholding information from her. The upside being that the two Berry men instantly became completely enamoured with the two blonde Fabrays. Beth had been more subdued that morning and wasn't her normally giggling self when Brittany or Santana gently tickled her or carried her around the room in the usual crazy and silly fashion that normally had the tiny tot laughing and clapping her hands for more. Instead she had spent breakfast either clinging to her mother or Ray.
"What are we going to do about Beth? I can't send her back to the daycare because she isn't safe there and I obviously can't stay home all the time with her. Carol has to work nights the next two weeks so she isn't an option."
"Relax love. We will figure it out. For today Beth will come with us alright? She can be with Noah and I as we write our exams. I only really have one class today and that is at the end of the day. After today we can look into what our options are ok?" Ray had flicked her eyes over to her fathers before returning her gaze back to her mate.
Ray already knew that her fathers would be more than willing to look after Beth while they were home. They both loved children and had been saddened when they were unable to have any of their own biologically. Instead they had made the decision to help out children in need as best they could by opening orphanages and group homes. As the world moved into the 20th century the two men had started organizations specifically to help children and abused women. All the men had ever wanted to do was help make the world a better place in any way that they could. It's what led them to creating their current business regarding blood disposal. That was the reason that they had been in Hawaii, they were renegotiating the contract with the hospitals when they got the call from Noah. Talks were tabled for the moment but would be picked up in the next couple of days, most likely via satellite. Hiram having seen the unasked question in his childe's gaze had nodded his head, agreeing that he, at the very least, would help look after Beth while they were in school.
"Ok." Was Quinn's quiet reply before she turned her attention to the light breakfast in front of her.
Once breakfast had been eaten everyone had gotten ready to leave. Hiram and LeRoy had been adamant about attending the meeting that morning, especially after Noah had let it slip that Ray had knocked Mr Schuester out. Ray had bitten back a sigh and instead rolled her eyes before she helped Quinn and Beth out to her jeep where Beth's car seat had been moved to after dinner the night before. The five teens stopped for coffee on the way to the school like normal and Ray had bought chocolate milk for Beth putting it into an empty bottle that Quinn hadn't seen before. Ray shook the contents vigorously as she explained that there was a crushed children's multivitamin inside. It was to help offset any small side effects that Beth may experience from the day before's trauma. Mostly from her lack of appetite that she may experience for the next 24 hours. Quinn had nodded and watched with a soft smile as her daughter's eyes lit up at the first taste of the sweet drink. Ray laughed softly at the tiny blonde's reaction to the milk before getting behind the wheel once again and continued on their way to school.
Once they had arrived, Brittany had skipped over and freed the tot from her seat and danced around with her leaving Quinn and Ray alone to talk.
"What the hell happened last night?" Quinn softly demanded as she watched both Santana and Brittany play with Beth as the other Gleeks came over. Beth squealed happily when she saw her Uncle Kurt come running over to her.
"It was a fight for dominance." Ray had sighed out as she watched Kurt pick Beth up and hug her as he spun around in a small circle. "The beast inside viewed Noah with holding the information from me as a challenge, as a threat. That he was attempting to take the two of you from me. He has always been the one to step in when things got physical, never once giving me the chance to prove myself in that aspect. Mostly due to his perpetual guilt from when we were children I suspect. So when my beast was first tossing him around the basement, his beast came out and it became a vicious battle and Noah was finally beaten into submission. Rationally I know that you would never leave me for him, but on a primal level…" Ray shrugged her shoulders not wanting to get into the whole insecurity because she hadn't fully claimed Quinn.
Quinn studied her girlfriend for a moment. "It's because the claim isn't complete isnt it? Your inner beast feels threatened."
Ray nodded her head miserably. She hated that she was constantly at war with her more primal self. Ray wanted to wait until Quinn was ready to take that next step. Neither of them were virgins but it was still a big step.
"What do you need me to do?" Quinn had asked softly after watching Ray silently berate herself. "Short of us having sex, what will help pacify your inner beast for now?"
Ray swallowed hard as there was something that could be done but it was normally done during sex so it was more enjoyable.
"Allow me to mark you." Ray whispered out as she stared out the windshield. "You carrying my mark will pacify my inner beast until the claim is fully finished. My mark will only be seen by other supernatural beings and they will be able to smell me on you. It's a subtle way of saying that you are taken."
"Ray, look at me baby."
Ray turned to look at her mate for the first time since the conversation started.
"Can you do it right now?" Quinn asked as she stared directly into the vampire's eyes smiling slightly as said eyes widened in surprise before darkening in desire.
"Are you sure?" Ray asked in a low husky tone.
"I am yours just as much as you are mine Ray." Quinn replied as she hit the door lock button ensuring that they wouldn't be interrupted.
Ray had pushed her seat back and gently pulled Quinn over onto her lap. Ray pulled the blonde's hair out of the high pony that it had been in and breathed in the hidden scent that always seemed to stay in Quinn's hair. Ray didn't quite know what it was all she knew was that she was intoxicated by it. Carding her fingers through the blonde's hair Ray gently pulled Quinn's face down to hers and kissed the blonde softly at first before it grew in intensity. Quinn eventually broke the kiss gasping for air and tilting her head, presenting her neck as Ray moved her mouth up and down the smooth column of skin, gently nipping and sucking in some spots. Quinn's hand gripped one of Ray's shoulders while the other grabbed the back of Ray's head holding her close. Ray took that as her cue and let her fangs descend. Ray slipped a hand underneath Quinn's skirt and spanks, fingers teasing and let out a small hiss as she felt how wet her girl friend was. Growling, Ray plunged two fingers inside Quinn, causing the blonde to moan and grind down. Ray hadn't planned on fingering her mate in the school's parking lot this morning but she was going to make marking her mate as painless as she could and the best way to do that was during an orgasm. Ray quickly worked her fingers inside her mate, twisting and curling them until she felt the tell tale signs of Quinn's approaching orgasm. As soon as Quinn clamped down on Ray's fingers, the vampire sank her fangs into Quinn. Both moaning at the sensations. Quinn shuddered out her orgasm flooding her underwear and Ray's hand as she felt the vampire gently suck at her neck. Ray bit her tongue and let her blood seep into the two puncture woods, causing them to close up. Ray licked Quinn's neck clean before pulling back smiling at the satisfied smile on her mate's face. Ray bit into her wrist and offered it to the blonde, who took it and gently drank until the wound closed. Ray had gently removed her fingers from Quinn and licked them clean as Quinn drank from her wrist, moaning at her mate's taste. The two shared another kiss before Quinn returned to the passenger seat and put her hair back into its high pony. Ray had just adjusted her seat back into its proper position when a knock on her window disturbed the peaceful silence. Looking up Ray saw Brittany pointing at her watch and saw her dads as well as Noah looking a bit uncomfortable as they probably heard and could smell what had happened. Ray let a small smirk grace her features before knocking back on the window.
"Thank you love." Ray reached out and cupped Quinn's cheek before leaning over and kissing the blonde one last time before getting out of the Jeep.
The two joined hands in front of the jeep drinking their coffees and smiling at the laughter coming from Beth as Kurt and Blaine played with her. The warning bell rang shortly after and the small group broke apart once they entered the school. Ray carried Beth down the halls of WMHS as she, Noah and their fathers made their way to Figgins office.
The small group politely let Figgins' assistant know that they had an appointment even though they could see into the principal's office due to the glass walls and quietly waited as the PuckerBerry family listened into the intense argument that was already going on inside the man's office.
Coach Sylvester, Schuester and Ms Pillsbury had been in Figgins office for over thirty minutes arguing back and forth over the events that had happened during Glee the day before. Initially Ms Pillsbury had come in early to meet with Figgins as she had been concerned over the scars that she had seen on Ray's back and had concerns over Ray's safety and wanted to clear some time to meet with Ray with Figgins permission given the nature of the meeting. She had just finished explaining how she had come to see the old scars on Ray's back when Sue and Will came barging into the outer office arguing with one another. Both Emma and Figgins sighed at the same time at the interruption and waited for the two to enter the principal's office.
"William as I have stated before this is a very serious accusation that you are making against a student. I can not just suspend them without first meeting with them and getting to the bottom of this alleged altercation you are saying took place during Glee. From the looks on Coach Sylverster's and Ms Pillsbury's faces, I'm inclined to believe that you are omitting important information about what happened." Figgins replied in his monotone voice knowing that it would irritate the other man.
Sue smirked at Spanish teacher as he began to sweat even though he was angry that Figgins refused to just take his word regarding the events that had happened.
"William we all know why you are pushing this so hard is two fold. The first being that the Keebler elves that live in that overgrown chia pet that you call hair, have finally fried your brain while they bake their delicious cookies." (Ray had to turn away and cough to hide her laughter at the insult.) "The other reason is your inappropriate attachment to lumps the clown better known as Finn Hudson and the fact that he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon just after he was served with a restraining order to keep at all times, 100 feet away from two students in this school who both just happen to be in your little club of mouth breathers. I mean really the only reason you are in here now is because of your embarrassment."
"Ray Puckerman-Berry is dangerous and shouldn't be here. She attacked me unprovoked during Glee practice yesterday after school. She's disruptive and has no respect for authority." Schuester spat out as Sue stared at him in mild amusement.
"Your embarrassed rage is amusing as it is delicious and leaves me completely aroused. How about we ask Ray herself exactly what happened seeing as she, her brother and both her fathers are here right now."
Schuester whipped his head around to stare out the office wall with a look of horror as he was met with a bland stare from Ray while her fathers and Noah looked murderous.
"No that's okay, I have to go to my office and get some things before 1st period." Will quickly spit out as he tried to escape the hole he had dug himself into.
"Oh no William, I insist." Sue stated firmly as she pointed at the PuckerBerry family and waved them in.
The small family entered into the principal's office and introductions were made while chairs from the outer office were brought in to accommodate the additional people. Ray and Noah sat on the couch beside the guidance counsellor while Beth looked around the room from her perch on Ray's lap.
"Good morning Miss Puckerman-Berry, I hope that you were able to resolve the family emergency that came up last night."
"Good morning and thank you yes I was able to. I do appreciate your understanding and rescheduling our meeting for this morning. These are our adoptive fathers LeRoy and Hiram Berry." Ray quickly introduced. "I am confused as to why both Mr Schuester and Ms Pillsbury are here...more so about Mr Schuester."
Sue had to hide a smirk at the vampire's innocent and baffled tone. Sue knew that Ray was going to play the principal like a damn fiddle before striking at Schuester. It would be titillating and worthy of being documented into her journal. Sue was just upset that she wouldn't be the one to hammer the final nail in the boy-band wannabe reject's coffin.
"Yes well it seems that William has brought forth some very serious accusations against Ms Puckerman-Berry."
"If it makes it easier you can shorten the last name to PuckerBerry Principal Figgins. Almost all the teachers have already." Ray told the monotone man as Beth played with Rays fingers. "And what accusations would those be?"
"He alleges that you assaulted him, unprovoked yesterday during Glee. Care to explain?"
"Before I do, did Mr Schuester explain what happened during practice yesterday aside from my allegedly assaulting him?" Ray asked as she stared down the Glee director.
"No he did not. Ms Pillsbury however did explain how she had reached the choir room in time to see Samuel Evans and Michael Chang pull William off of you while Coach Sylvester was demanding to know what was happening." Figgins replied as he stared hard at the Spanish teacher.
Sue was absolutely giddy as she watched the walking Chia Pet sweat and try to not fidget as both the Berry men glared at him while Ray laid a gentle hand on her brother's arm to keep him calm.
"Interesting. Would you like to tell him or shall I?" Ray asked blandly, as if she was asking about the weather. "Oh and keep in mind that if you try to lie, I'll do the same thing that I did in the choir room. You have sixty seconds to decide before I ask to use his laptop. I mean I brought mine with me but I already know that you would try to say that it was all fabricated."
All the 'adults' in the room turned their attention to the now pale Glee director. Ray began to hum the final jeopardy theme after 15 seconds of silence, earning her a scowl from the Glee Director and she stared at him with amusement dancing in her eyes knowing that he was boxed in with no way out.
"Fine." Mr Schuester grit out. "I blackmailed a student into joining Glee when I resurrected the Glee club."
Ms Pillsbury gasped in shock while Sue and Figgins glared at the man.
"Ms PuckerBerry how did you find out about this and why did you never come forward?" Figgins sharply asked Ray.
"While I was in Ireland, I discovered some hidden content on a certain school gossip's blog. Seems he has access to the school servers here and there is camera footage of what was done in order to black mail the student. The same content that I showed to the Glee Club yesterday afternoon to show just what lengths Mr. Schuester went to and why he showed such favouritism to Hudson. It also just so happened that I asked the club to think some things over regarding members because of the restraining order and that's when Mr Schuester here more or less attacked me. He grabbed me by my letterman jacket and lifted me up out of my seat. Who knows what he would have done if Sam and Mike hadn't pulled him off me." Ray paused knowing that she had Figgins in the palm of her hand.
"I then showed him what Finn had done and why I thought it was inappropriate that he wanted the glee club to write statements about how Finn isn't violent and would never do what he was charged with. Due to his manhandling of my person, causing me such excruciating pain, I ended up throwing up in a garbage can. I had warned him that if he ever put his hands on me again in any type of fashion that I would knock him out and that's exactly what I did when he roughly grabbed my shoulder when I was leaving the room as Coach Sylvester had directed me to do. I defended myself from a male educator who had already accosted me in a room full of witnesses. If you suspend me for self defense from a grown man or try to press charges, I'll own this school by the time I'm done filing lawsuits."
Ray was broken out of her memories of the last two weeks as she and her brother walked into the choir room and cheers were heard.
"Sorry to crash the party Ms P. but I did promise Beth here that we would come watch her mama sing." Ray apologized to their new student adviser for Glee.
"That's fine Ray, go take your seat. You and your brother haven't missed much as we were just discussing what the theme is for sectionals this year."
Ray and Noah sat down in their usual seats in the choir room. They had only been there for a grand total of five minutes when Becky Jackson knocked on the door during the discussion regarding song selections.
"Sorry Ms. Pillsbury but Coach has asked to see Ray and Puckerman."
"Alright, um, Noah and Ray if you could hurry back if at all possible that would be great. If not I'm sure someone here will be able to fill you in later."
Ray leaned in to kiss Quinn's temple with a quick whisper in the blonde's ear that their fathers were on the roof so if things went south they would hear any screams for help and be inside in an instant. Even though things had been quiet the last week and a half, Quinn was still on edge if Ray or Noah weren't around her especially because they hadn't been able to track down the wolf that had gone to the daycare centre to try and snatch Beth. Quinn nodded once and snuggled her daughter closer to her chest. Ray and Noah quickly left the choir room with apologetic smiles to Ms. Pillsbury who kindly waved them off before she turned her attention back to the group to resume their discussion.
The twins followed the Cheerio down the halls both wondering what was wrong now for Sue to want to see both of them as soon as they set foot in the building. They were both so far in their own heads that they didn't even register that they had followed Becky all the way back to Sue's office. Ray's head snapped up when Noah gripped her forearm hard, bruising for a vampire really and gasped.
"Mom?"
AN 2: Yes, yes I just totally did that... mwuahahahahaha..*cough, hack, chokes..* ahem I mean... surprise?...lol but seriously this was always going to happen. Of course I wouldn't leave Shelby dead - dead. I mean that's just cruel even from my stand point and i'm a twisted individual. But seriously yeah Shelby was always going to make a reappearance it just took longer than I anticipated to get her back.
