A/N: I really am sorry for this lateness guys, I'm just really busy with work and uni and plus I get writer's block like ALL the time but I am definitely NOT giving up on this story until the end, just bear with me on this LONG ride. Okay? Love you all so much and thanks for reading but a special thanks to those who takes the opportunity to drop me a review. They are my motivations so thanks. xox
Our Love Was Always Forever.
Chapter 30 - Part of the Showdown.
The next day Rachel woke up to the chirping of birds, sunlight against window making a reflection against the carpet of her bedroom with the smell of coffee whiffing through the air. The brunette's nose twitches at the fresh smell calling out to her, not one to deny a cup of coffee in the morning she slowly got off her warm bed and slipped on some slippers throwing a robe to cover her sleepwear before slipping out the door to follow the wonderful smell.
Her senses guiding her to the kitchen where she found a shirtless Quinton Fabray standing in front of the stove only clad in pair of sweat pants, his dirty blonde hair a mess from sleep as he happily whistle while stirring whatever he was cooking. Rachel was instantly hit with an old flash.
A version of younger Quinton standing in the middle the Fabray kitchen supporting only a pair of shorts, the necklace Rachel made for him as a gift hang loosely around his neck with messy hair from sleep. Feeling a pair of eyes upon him, he turns around to find Rachel by the doorway.
"Hi babe," he let out, his voice deeper than it usual is with a half grin/smile on his face and Rachel felt her heart thud against her chest before finding herself smiling back shyly.
"Rachel," the brunette was snapped back to reality as she came face to face with Quinn who was staring at her with concern hazel-green eyes.
"You're okay?" He asks moving toward her.
Rachel unable to find words to reply only manages to nod her head dumbly as she found Quinn in front of her, raising his hand toward her to feel for her forehead.
"Nope, your not hot." He observed pulling his hand away and Rachel frown because she only saw his mouth move and not the words that came out of it as she was still lost in her trace.
"What?" Now Quinn was frowning and he looked so cute.
'Oh my god' Rachel's subconscious screamed with wide eyes.
"Rach," Quinn calls again. "Are you sure you're alright?"
'Ohhh that's what he asked' the brunette flushed furiously feeling as if she was a teenager once again having Quinn smile at her in the hallway of McKinley.
"Ye-yeah, I'm good. Great even." She rambles moving fully inside the kitchen and taking a sit at the breakfast table.
Quinn with eyebrow raised looked at her for a moment before being satisfy that the brunette was in fact fine then moved back to his cooking.
"Hmm, something smells nice, what you making?"
"Well Chef Fabray is making à lá 'jumbo chickpea pancake' " he replies with a fake posh French accent making Rachel chuckle.
"You do realise that vegan right?" The brunette asks as moving to stand beside him.
"Yes and I also seem to remember a good friend of mine is a vegan so I thought, 'hmm let me be a good friend and make her some breakfast.' Got a problem?" He joked slightly with a sideway grin at her and Rachel's heart melted.
'Why is he so good to me.'
Without realising what she was doing the brunette reaches up to her tippy top and place a kiss on his cheek.
"You're amazing."
"You better believe it." He joked with a wink and Rachel rolled her eyes good naturally. "Now step away from the stove and stay over there!" As he was saying this he subconsciously flicked his hand which was covered in pancake mix and flour in process it ended up on Rachel's face.
Rachel's face now covered in flour and pancake mix stood in shock as Quinn tried so hard not to bust out in laughter.
"I am so sorry" he apologise although his tone of voice suggested otherwise. "That was an accident," he mistakenly let out a small laugh because it was just that funny.
"Mmhmm," Rachel hummed as if accepting the apology and Quinn missed the evil look in her eyes before he saw a flash of white and his face was covered in flour.
Rachel's laughter was loud and so not apologetic.
"Looks like Christmas came early," she teased Quinten who's face was more covered with flour than Rachel's.
"Oh yeah?" He smirked and before Rachel could react a flash of white fled toward her and her whole face and hair was white. It wasn't long before the two found themselves in a flour match. Messing up the kitchen in the process but they didn't care. They felt a sense of freedom and calmness. They laughter was filled with joy and happiness, they were just happy to have shared this moment together.
"Alright, alright, I give, I give." Quinn calls over his laughter, gently taking a hold of Rachel around her waist in a way to stop her from reaching for more flour.
Rachel eventually calmed down from her high and realise the position she has found herself in, Quinn's arms wrapped around her petit waist as their bodies practically intertwined. Her laughter instantly subsided while her heartbeat picked up, drumming hard against her chest she was almost positive Quinn could hear it too.
"Wow Rachel, I always knew you were gonna grow white hairs before I do but this is a little early." Quinn chuckles jokily referring to the flour covered of Rachel's hair.
The brunette scoffed. "Speak for yourself," then reaches up to mess with Quinn's hair resorting in some flours to fall off of his hair onto his bare shoulders. The brunette's hand lingering there for a moment taking her time to remove slowly dragging it back down for it to subconsciously come to rest against Quinn's hipbone, her fingers then started to slowly trace on his 'RB' tattoo that rested just above his waist and hip.
"Remember when you got this?" She questions in a small voice, her eyes moving to take in the ink.
Quinten lets out a low chuckle as his eyes trailed down where Rachel was looking. "Perfectly, mum went crazy and you thought I was crazy," he shook his head at the memory.
Rachel removes her glance from the ink to stare up at Quinn.
"You were! You were even crazier when you went and got the second one." She declares in amused voice.
"Best decisions ever." Quinn says his eyes locking onto Rachel's brown eyes and it was like a magnetic pull or something because the two ex lovers found they bodies flash against each other, they were now standing so close that it was hard to make out when one ended and the other began.
Rachel felt like she could barely breathe, the feeling she used to get back when she was a teen when near Quinn was surfacing like a ton of bricks and Rachel was scared, because now Quinn wasn't single, Quinn wasn't hers, Quinn was someone else's and Rachel would be damn if she tries something because Rachel Berry is many things but there's one thing that she isn't and that is a cheat. So as much as Rachel wanted to stay in Quinn's arms, wanted to be held and rest her head against Quinn's chest and hear his heart beat, as much as she wanted to reach over and run her fingers through his hairs heck as much as she wanted to lean over and kiss him, to feel his lips once again upon hers after so many years, she knew she couldn't. She wouldn't.
So with all her might and will power, she disentangled herself away from Quinn and stepped away from his intoxicated, inviting and tempting body and dizzily stumbled backward only to be caught by the waist by Quinn.
Rachel's hands automatically extended out to push on his broad chest.
"Rach," Quinn whispers and Rachel breathed loudly, an inhale of loud breath as her body tensed at the feel of Quinn's breath against her face.
'Oh god'
She was saved from speaking by the fire alarm that suddenly decided to go off making them aware of the food Quinn was meant to be preparing. Snapping out into action, Quinn quickly raced toward the stove and moved the pan off the burning stove, opened all the windows in the kitchen to welcome some fresh air from outside as he tried to put out the ringing fire-alarm. Unknown to him Rachel had taken that opportunity to quietly slip out the kitchen so when all was calmed and he turned back around, she wasn't in sight anymore. Leaving Quinn confused. Not by her departure but what just transpire or almost transpire between them.
x-x
After what happened between them, both Quinn and Rachel lost into their thoughts sat down together and ate they breakfast after getting the kitchen cleaned. When breakfast was done the two parted ways to get ready for the days occasionally bumping into each other on their way to they respective rooms, after apologising to each other they disappeared into they rooms.
/
Later on, Rachel went out search for jobs per usual while keeping in mind what Quinten had suggested last night at dinner while Quinn had to meet up with a new client about redecorating their bedrooms.
Rachel spent most of the day wondering around the small town trying to see whatever interested her or even if she could get an employment anywhere that is but it seemed like wherever she turned the answer was still no. So the brunette with spare time in her hands because she didn't yet want to return home in case she bumped into Quinn and the blonde wanted to talk about what happened this morning, because god for bid she couldn't bring herself to talk to the blonde just yet. Especially not after that realisation, the idea that she always has been in-love with Quinn. No she couldn't because they were friends. Is what they were now and Quinn had a girlfriend, who was so sweet and nice to her daughter heck she was even nice toward Rachel and the brunette wasn't going to be a bitch who tries to come in between them.
That is why she found herself standing in front of the Jones-Puckerman house, debating if it was a good idea to ring the doorbell or just turn back around and leave. She hasn't got time to actually go and see her friends since coming back, what with the whole ordeal with Jesse and Quinn saving her then the curly haired guy disappearing outta the blue and changing his number- not that she wasn't thankful or anything but Rachel had tried calling him to ask for a divorce but he has been unreachable.
Just as the brunette was so far lost in her own thoughts the door finally opened to reveal Mercedes Jones, well Puckerman now who seemed shocked to see her old brunette haired friend in front of her porch.
"Rachel," the African-American woman exclaim, the surprise and shock evidence in her facial. "Well I'll be damn. Rachel Berry." Then she chuckle happily and before Rachel could react or say anything, she found herself being hugged by Mercedes. "God girl, I hasn't seen you since mini you's party, with the whole Santana thing" she trails off after she pulled away from the hug.
"I'm sorry to just show up like this, I'm just gonna go I don't wanna intrude-" she started turning around only to be stopped by Mercedes who caught her by the wrist.
"Rachel c'mon girl, stay." She sincerely stated with a happy smile. "We all missed you, the diva clique wasn't complete without the queen of all divas." She teasingly grinned at Rachel who relaxed after that.
"Now you finally decided to crown me the queen." The brunette grins back making Mercedes chuckle.
"Come on in, Tina and Kurt are here." She spoke as she lead the two inside the house.
Rachel looked around the place that looked so cosy, welcoming and homey then smiled. It was just a mix of both Mercedes and Puck that it was hard to miss who's house it was.
"Cedes what's taking so long? Who's at the door?" Kurt's voice called impatiently through a closed door.
"You will never guess" the woman sing-song tagging Rachel forward with her, when they finally approached the closed door Mercedes pushes it open to reveal a fine modern decorated kitchen and Rachel instantly picked up the work of her boyfriend, I mean EX boyfriend. God that sounded like the taste of lemon in her mouth...bitter.
"Rachel Berry!" Both Tina and Kurt exclaim, Kurt being the closest one to the door ran to his old friend and enveloped her into an embrace that lasted so long that the brunette had trouble breathing until Kurt let go then a pregnant Tina wobbled toward her also gave her a hug.
"I can't believe this, our own queen diva in the flesh!" Tina grins her arm wrapped Rachel.
"How-how are you guys being so welcomed toward me after-" but Mercedes spoke before she could finish.
"Rachel please, we're all humans we sometimes act before we think and we also all have made mistakes," she spoke as both Tina and Kurt nodded along with her words. "If Quinn was able to forgive you whom you hurt then why should we hold a grudge against you? He's always been a pretty good judge of characters and Rach you are not a bad person." The woman advice sincerely.
The brunette felt like crying, after what she did her friends still consider her as one of them, well except for-
"Santana hates me," she voiced.
Kurt scoff taking his original sit as did Tina. "Girl please, Santana hates everyone who isn't Brittany and now Ethan but we all know it's just her way of showing she cares and trust me, she doesn't 'hate' you per say."
"And besides, Isabella turned out just great. She has an amazing dad and now she has her great mum back." Tina offered.
"Speaking of which, I heard you guys have a full house now," Mercedes grinned taking a sit beside Rachel.
"You could say that." The brunette shrug, not really up to talking about said topic.
Kurt being Kurt instantly picked up on that and before Mercedes or Tina could ask another question, he spoke.
"Anyway, what you been up to miss diva." Kurt asks diverting the conversation away.
"Well I have been trying to look for a job for the pass weeks, nothing has come up."
"That's Lima for you, literally either you have your own business or nothing, it's like everyone aren't just employing whatsoever."
"Quinn suggested I create my own musical lesson where I could give kids instrument lessons,"
"Hey that's actually a great idea, I mean we do have Britt with her dance studio but it would be good to also have a singing & instrument lesson." Tina cheered already thinking of signing Mike JR.
"Um, I er. I don't know about singing. Maybe piano lessons" Rachel says with a certain uneasiness to her voice as she uncomfortably shifted around in her seat.
"Oh Rach c'mon, it would be so great! That way they will be ready for glee when they hit high school".
"I agree with Kurt, it actually is a great idea." Contribute Mercedes.
"Well I will consider it." The brunette smiles timidly just as a pair of feet was heard running upstairs.
"Mike's up," Tina announce just as a cry rung out the house from upstairs.
"Chris's up." Mercedes announces too following after Tina as both left to tend to their respective child.
"So, why is Ms Berry. Never afraid of the spotlight suddenly afraid of giving a couple of kids singing lessons?" Kurt questions with raised brow and Rachel sighs, figure she might as well tell her oldest friend everything.
/
Two weeks has pass since Quinn and Rachel's kitchen food fight, the two tried- well Rachel tried avoiding Quinn as much as she could as to not restore to talking about what happened but at end Quinten eventually cornered Rachel and apologised if he ever stepped his boundary as it was not his attention and he wanted them to be friends without the need to feel awkward around each other to which Rachel assured him he didn't do anything wrong and that they were fine to prove it the brunette hugged him which lasted longer than intended but eventually they pulled away and went they separate ways.
Two weeks pass since Rachel came into the realisation and accepted the fact that she was still in-love with the blonde that stole her heart since she could remember. But she also knew she couldn't do anything about it well other then try and put it at the back of her mind, two weeks pass since Rachel finally putted Quinn's idea into plan and she was now giving piano lessons to little 'brats' as Kurt chose to call them of Lima. Those children with parents of high paid jobs, but also of lower paid as long as the child was happy to learn. Isabella was one of them too but her daughter was an angel and of course she did it for free. Her baby was so talented, she truly takes after her. Two weeks pass and a lot of things has happened since.
"Do not walk away from me Quinten Fabray," warn an annoyed Jen, the colour of her face rivalry of tomato.
"I'm sorry but I don't wanna fight again Jen so I'm gonna do the rational, sensible thing here and walk away because I am not dealing with your ridiculousness right now." The blonde response descending the stairs, he's annoyance although evidence he tried not to show it.
He was just thankful Rachel took his daughter out with her, shopping she said. He was glad to see the two bonding, getting closer but god the thought of his baby shopping and being girly felt like the girl was already talking about boys.
"Quinten!" Jen's voice seethed after realising he was far from even listening to her.
"Jen please, not right now." He calmly replies tiredly. It feels like déjà vu because he is constantly having the same fight with the brunette and really he is tired of it.
"I'm your girlfriend, and yet you act like she's your girlfriend."
"She, has a name it's Rachel and no I do not. Excuse me if I want to spend time with other people beside you but she's my friend."
"Friends? Friends don't stare at each other longer than you two do nor do they act like they still in-love with each other Quinn, they don't! You always spending more time with her than you do with me. I'm your girlfriend. Not her!"
"How many times are you going to keep referring to you being my girlfriend? I'm sorry if you have a hard time accepting Rachel is a part of my life. I have a child with her so she's always going to be in my life like it or not. You should really stop with this ridiculousness you have started."
"Oh now I'm being ridiculous? Maybe I have something be 'ridiculous' about, do I?"
The silence that followed was so quiet drop a pin could drop upstairs but you can still hear it.
"Do I?" The young brunette questions once more, her voice quiet and heart beating wildly like a drum against her chest.
Quinn sighed before stepping toward the girl and circling his arms around her waist. "No." He whispered but firmly "It's you I am with and want to be with. Can't you just trust me?"
"I'm sorry, I just-" but her sentence was cut off as Quinn bend down and placed his lips upon girls, kissing her passionately.
Soon Jen's arms were wrapped around Quinn's neck as the blonde backed her up against the kitchen island his lips moving from her lips to neck leaving small butterfly kisses resorting in the brunette to moan in approval and pleasure.
"Ewwww!" A voice drawls behind the couple and Quinn quickly pulled away.
'Ewww' was the exact word she was thinking, thank god for her daughter because the word was just in the tip of her tongue.
"Hey baby," Quinn greets his daughter who had a sore face plastered upon her adorable face. Feeling slightly embarrassed with being caught he scoops up into his arms and kissed her cheek. "How was shopping?" He questions in hopes of not having to deal with Bella's questions. His daughter never having to see him kiss someone especially not the way he was kissing Jen.
"It was awesome! Mama let me brought loads of things!" She exclaim her hazel-green eyes identical to her father's widening in excitement.
It really was a shocker to everyone when Isabella called Rachel 'mama' for the first time, Quinn could still remember it and the look of happiness in Rachel's face and the blonde had to admit it melted his heart.
-
It has become quite a routine with both Quinn and Rachel putting their daughter to bed with a bedtime story or else she wouldn't go to sleep. With her dad laying on one side of her and Rachel on the other putting her in the middle. And this night wasn't any different as the three settled into position the only difference was that the small girl refused to go to sleep claiming she wasn't even tired and wanted to stay awake and play- they blamed Finn for letting her eat sugary treats while he had her for the day. Since it seemed difficult for her to sleep, Quinn and Rachel compromised with her that they will lay here with her until she falls asleep.
But that still wasn't working with Isabella being a bit mischievous and started bouncing up on the bed talking wildly to her parents about her day with her uncle Finn.
"Bella baby stop jumping like that, you're going to hurt yourself." Rachel advice trying to take a hold of the girl.
She quickly squirmed away then gleefully started circling her bed, the bed being big enough to run in a circle with her parents still laying on it.
"I think little miss had way too much sugar today" Quinn said sitting up and trying to catch her.
Isabella laughed loudly jumping off her bed and running around her room instead.
"Isabella Charlotte Fabray" Rachel calls sitting up as well but the little girl just continued laughing.
"You can't catch me, you can't catch me." She chants in between laughter.
Rachel smirks getting off the bed and chasing after her, being so small she was eventually caught by her mother who took her into her arms and started tickling her. The small brunette gave out a loud bellied laugh.
Quinn just sat there watching them with a smile stretched against his face, not even knowing he was smiling.
"Oh I caught you now." Rachel teased with a smile lighting her face at the sound of her daughter's loud laughter.
"I-I'm s-sorry," Isabella let out in between laughing.
"Nope! I didn't hear you." The older brunette yelled pretending to be oblivious her pleads.
"I sai-d, I-sorry." She laughed loudly "mama I give," she laughed/yelled to the top of her lungs. However to Rachel that one word 'mama' stopped her mid tickle and just stared at her beautiful daughter with a shocked face with a wide subconscious smile.
Quinten looked where Isabella laid on the carpet breathing hard from her excitement to Rachel's face, and his heart melted at the look. The older brunette looked so proud, happy, shocked and amazed. Quinn finally got off the bed and approached the two.
"Your okay Rach?" He questions.
The brunette turned her head sideways to find Quinn kneeling beside her.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She breathed, she was just so speechless the girl had call her 'mama' and not Rachel, to be honest the brunette was content with whatever Isabella called her because she knew the small girl just didn't have that much attachment or affection despite them getting along really well and Isabella was so accepting so she didn't expect to hear her daughter finally call her mum for a while. "I'm just perfect." She sighed in content because her daughter just called her 'mum" and not 'Rachel'.
Quinn nods in an acceptance to the brunette's reply before wrapping an arm around her shoulder and giving her a sideway hug.
Unknown to them a pissed off Jen stood right at the doorway having witness everything, the girl looked like she's about to explode! Shooting one last glare at the back of Rachel's head she disappeared out of sight.
xox
Isabella would now occasionally still call her 'Rachel' but most of the times it was 'mama' especially when she wanted something, the little girl had picked up on the reaction that it brings to Rachel whenever she would call her that so if she wants something all she had to do is ask Rachel with 'Can I? Please mamma' and the older brunette would be melting ok the floor and agreeing.
"Oh really?" Quinn questions and Isabella nods her head, her bangs bouncing up and down.
Jen then moved closer to Quinn and snake her arm around his waist laying her head against his shoulder before looking up toward at Rachel then smiling.
Rachel seeing that rolled her eyes, it wasn't something really new to her. The youngest brunette has somehow taken into trying to make constantly make Rachel jealous by doing little things like touching, kissing, teasing Quinn when she was around then she would look toward her and smile, the brunette couldn't figure if the girl has somehow figured Rachel's feelings toward Quinn or not. But it really pissed Rachel off and Jen knew it.
"Wanna show me what you got?" Quinn asks oblivious to what's happening between his girlfriend and ex as he carried his daughter out the room leaving Rachel and Jen alone.
The two brunette stood there in a show down of eyes stares. Each girl holding they ground not wanting to be the one to give in.
"I know what you're doing, and I just want to ask. How old are you?" Rachel asks with raised brow. Jen, although taller than her did not even phase the older brunette. If she can stand up to Santana then who did this girl think she was?
"I don't know what you're talking about." Jen smirked playing dumb which just pissed Rachel off even more.
"Cute, but trust me kid. You don't want to go up against me when it comes to Quinn's affection." Rachel replies cockily, she likes to believe she somehow still held a place in Quinn's heart even after what happened, if Quinn didn't love her yes he may not be IN love with her anymore but he still loved her or else he would of never given her a second chance of being in Isabella's life nor welcome her into his home.
"Is that a threat?" Jen asks in a daring voice taking a step closer to Rachel.
"No. It's a warning." Rachel spoke confidently as well as firm. Glaring at each other once more Rachel then challenged her high school self and Berry stormed out the room leaving a seething Jen in her awake.
/
Another weeks passed and the day Rachel has been dreading for finally came...thanksgiving at the Fabrays. And that meant one, no actually two think. 1. Charlie is going to be there. 2. Judy is definitely going to be there.
'Fuck'
And Rachel for the life of her was so not looking forward to being confronted by the two Fabray women. She counted her blessing that Quinn had interrupted Charlie during Bella's birthday party because the blonde would of seriously hurt her if Quinten hasn't gotten in between. The older blonde has always been protective of her brother, no seriously she broke Noah's nose after the boy had 'accidentally' taken his playfulness with Quinn far which resorted in the blonde being in the hospital for a week! And Judy barely saw her seeing how it was in the middle of the showdown between her and Santana so the blonde mother didn't have a chance to have a word with Rachel. She was so screwed!
"You look beautiful." The brunette turned around to find Quinn standing by the doorway of her bedroom smiling at her. That adorable boyish smile that Rachel always melts over.
"Thank you." She says, her voice laced with a tint of nervousness.
Quinn frown his brows at the girl's shifting, that was Rachel's sign of nerves. She was moving her hands around as if she didn't know what to do with them or if they were even hers.
"May I?" He indicate inside her room waiting for an invite to come in.
"Um, ye-yeah. Sure." He stepped in and Rachel finally took him in fully, he was already dressed for the evening in a light-blue button down shirt and black dress pants. God he looked so good.
"You need to relax." He instructs.
Rachel smiles a nervous smile at him. "Easy for you to say, I am completely going crazy with nerves. I can't do this Q." She rambles sitting on her bed letting her leg bounce up and down.
"Rach-" he started then pause placing a hand on her dress clad thighs to the leg that was bouncing to halt her movements. "You're going to be fine." He smiles reassuring to her.
The brunette frown and Quinn couldn't help but chuckle.
'So damn cute' he thought as Rachel pulled her bottom lip between her teeth biting hard on it.
"How'd you know?" She pouts and Quinn could definitely see his daughter through her mother.
"Because I'm going to be there and I promise I won't let them be TOO hard on you." He winked trying to get her to laugh and relax and it worked because Rachel let out a chuckle although small, it was still something.
"Quinn Fabray I swear if-" he swiftly cute her off by grabbing her hands into his.
"I promise." He stated staring into her eyes. Rachel was frozen in a trace so she just nodded dumbly with him.
"What's going on here." Quinn instantly let go of Rachel's hands and turned to face Jen, she looked pissed.
"I was just giving Rachel a pep talk". He answers standing up off the bed "your going to be fine." With a finally squeeze of her shoulder, he left the two alone to go see to his daughter.
"You don't want a war with me." Jen says after Quinn was out of sight, stepping inside the room with her arms crossed over a deadly look in her eyes.
Rachel raised her brow at the girl standing up to her feet, damn this height thing was not helping, you would think now she's wearing heels it'll help. Nope! Because Jen was also wearing heels which still made her taller but Rachel would be damn if she let her try and it intimidate her.
"War? With you?" The older brunette chuckles. "Nobody is in war with anyone. You don't like the fact that Quinn is my friend? Get over it." Rachel smirked before she turned to leave only to be caught by the arm.
"I'm going to tell you this once! Stay. The. Hell. Away. From. MY. Boyfriend." She seethed close to Rachel's ear.
Rachel just stared hard at her as Jen stared back.
"Mama?" At the sound of the voice, Rachel turned toward the door to find her princess standing there, snatching her arm away from Jen she walked to Bella. "Daddy said to say we leaving now." She says in a small voice, although her attention was to her mother, her stare
was on Jen.
"Okay sweetie, let me just grab my purse." Rachel walked back to her dresser passing Jen who was standing in the middle of the room to grab for her purse.
Isabella stared hard at Jen and when the brunette smiled at her the small girl didn't even crack one back, she just stared at Jen until Rachel's voice grabbed her attention.
"Let's go baby" the brunette took a hold of her daughter's small hand into hers and both mother and daughter walked away.
/
"Guys stop running and walk! Ned get off your phone for a moment would you." Charlie calls, loud noise of children yelling filing the air. 'Oh lord'
"Why!" Her eldest son called sounding annoyed who was sat by the stairs landing texting away on his phone.
Charlie stopped in her walk toward the door to fix him with the 'Fabray stare' "because I said so, off now!"
"Ugh fine!" The 14 year old exclaim before climbing up the stairs once he handle his mother his phone.
"No video games either!" The blonde calls knowing that's exactly what her son is going to do.
"I know JESUS!"
"Don't use Jesus's name in vain either." She rolled her eyes as she heard Ned's 'whatever' reply, she was so sick and tired of his newly formed attitude. It was starting to piss her off that she was considering sending him off to boarding school.
The doorbell ringing once again remindered her why she ended there in the first place. "I'm coming!" She calls before yanking the door open.
"Took you long enough." Quinn announce.
"Aunt Charlie!" The blonde woman's reply was cut off by her niece's presence.
"My princess" she hugged her tight picking her up and placing her against her hips then looking at the rest of the guess. Quinn, Quinn's new girlfriend. It's not that she didn't know her name she just hasn't known the girl for long and Rachel. And Charlie growl and Rachel flinch. 'Good'
"Can we please come in? It's cold" the blonde man complain and Charlie moved to let them in before closing the door. "The guys are in the living room and girls in the kitchen." She instructs leading Rachel and Jen where the woman were with Bella in her arms.
Before Quinn could enter the living room he gently pulled Rachel away "you're going to be fine." He assured her with a smile.
"Quinn!" Charlie calls seeing Rachel standing away from her and Jen with Quinten. Jen was seething, glaring at Rachel.
"You two go in, I have to say hi to mum anyway." He pulled Rachel along with her following after Charlie and Jen.
When the kitchen door opened it revealed most of the gleeks girls, Judy Fabray and another woman who was a mystery to Rachel.
"Mum look who's here" Charlie calls going to sit where she currently was next to Santana who took Isabella in her arms.
"My baby!" The blonde mother stopped what she was doing to embrace her son.
"Hey Ma,"
After they exchange they greetings Quinn was then kicked out the kitchen by Mercedes as he was leaving he quickly shot Rachel an reassuring smile before disappearing out of sight. Then Charlie's daughter came and took Isabella away leaving Rachel with nothing to focus on but Charlie, Santana and Judy.
'Crap'
"Rachel sit sit, here you can take care of the vegetables. I am still aware of your vegan regime." The only oldest woman in the room stated smiling gently at her.
The brunette was taken by surprised with Judy's approach with her, she knew the blonde woman was really protective of her children, especially her "little boy" so she did not expect this at all. Her shock stance was short lived as she took a sit beside Tina who smiled at her and Rachel felt slightly eased.
/
The kitchen was cleared and cleaned, the food cooked the table were being set up when Judy pulled Rachel aside after all the other girls have left to fetch the children or the guys in the living.
"Thanks for inviting me Mrs Fabray, I know I'm probably not your biggest fan at the moment but I'm glad that you took the opportunity to invite today." The brunette securely says, looking shyly at the woman she once was like a mother to her.
"I don't have a problem with you Rachel, I see how happy my granddaughter is and yes Isabella has always been a happy little girl but I can tell with you around is different. It's as if she was always lacking that spark every child has with a mother around and I am glad to see it now. But I'm no fool either, Quinn was in bits after you left Rachel. I nearly lost my baby because of what happened don't think I am blaming me here because I'm not I know you made a mistake so I won't be a great person if I hold a grudge against you for what happened. You know I always liked you because I knew you bring out the best of my son and he was quite fond of you so I will look pass what happened in the pass because of that also because of the relationship I have with your fathers and the most beautiful little girl you gave my son. Just please, don't hurt him anymore, I just can't go back to that place with him anymore. Okay?"
Rachel heard and was thankful for the older woman because she honestly thought Judy Fabray hated her but she didn't. And she no chance in hell was planning to ever do what she did to Quinn again.
"I understand Mrs Fabray, I only want to amend what I broke in the first place but I need a chance to do that, so thank you for giving me that."
"Oh dear please, it's still Judy." The blonde winked teasingly smiling at her. Rachel beamed back in reply "come on dear, the food is getting cold." Then she picked up a few a bawl and left with Rachel following after her.
/
"Finally! We getting hungry out here" Russell Fabray announce at the end of the table when he saw Judy and Rachel enter.
"Oh hold your horses honey," the blonde woman went around and stood in front of a chair beside her husband. "Rachel dear grab a sit."
The brunette looked around to see the only chair was left was next to Quinn who was next to Jen. 'Great' she thought with an urge to roll her eyes because she rather sit next to Charlie who was sat next to her husband or Santana who sat between Puck and Brittany than sit beside the happy couple.
After the oldest woman within the group had said grace, everyone went around and said what they are thankful for. Thankfully the dinner went without a gliche, everyone were well behaved and that's probably to do with the presence of one Judy Fabray.
xox
Once the table were cleared, the ladies helped with cleaning the dishes and putting them away everyone retired to the sitting room with a cup of teas in hands as they settled for a small chat while the older children were in the game room and the babies were asleep.
Rachel politely excused her from the group to go the restroom.
The brunette exited the restroom after finishing with it, just as she came out however one Charlie Fabray was stood leaning against the wall in front of the restroom door waiting for her with arms crossed over.
"Charlie," she says startled a little.
The blonde pushed herself off the wall, "can we talk?" Without waiting for Rachel's reply she turned and headed toward the backyard through the kitchen. Sighing the brunette followed with a bit of hesitation.
Once outside Rachel shivered by the cold air that she was meant with, Charlie was standing there on the balcony patiently looking toward her. And Rachel actually shivered by the look and that wasn't even due to the coldness of the night.
"So, uhm-"
"Why are you here Rachel." The blonde quickly cut her off before she could even speak.
"Well your mum invited-"
"That's not what I'm talking about." The older girl cut her off once again this time taking a step toward her. "Why are you back here? Why did you come back to Lima?"
"This is where I belong Charlie contrary to your opinion of me but this is where I belon-"
"No Rachel, you DONT belong here!" The blonde exclaim with fire burning in her eyes, "you're wrong! You don't belong here, you haven't belonged here for the past 5 years so why don't you do all of us a favor and just disappear again!"
"Because as far as I am concern my brother nor my niece wants or needs you. Isabella hasn't needed you for the past five years now so don't you even think you can troll your way back in here and try to be a mother now after what YOU did to MY brother. So you're wrong Rachel, you do NOT belong here, no one needs or wants you. You don't have any friends here nothing, feel free to go back to the rock that you crawled out from."
"You think I'm unfair or being a total bitch? Oh no little girl I'm not, I am simply telling you the naked truth here and that is you are NOT wanted!" The blonde ends, her face red as a tomato she looked wild as if she was about to attack anytime soon while glaring angrily at the brunette.
Rachel for her part was stood still taking in Charlie's words as her eyes clouded with tears.
"You put my little brother through hell when you left, did you know that? Did you know that we almost lost him because of YOU? Did you?" Charlie questions her voice raising an octave high.
"Charlie enough!" Quinn's voice boom from behind them and Rachel didn't even turn to look at Quinn because she was busy wishing the ground to open and swallow her whole.
"And you! What the actual fuck!" The blonde woman exclaim her arms flapping around wildly as her attention fell on her brother. "How can you be willing to let her live with you after what SHE did?" She growl toward Rachel.
"I mean it Charlie, enough." Quentin said stepping in front of Rachel to block Charlie's view of her. "Enough." He spoke calmly but firm.
"What is up with you? Huh?" Charlie questions her brother.
"Leave her alone Charlie. Your my sister and I love you Charlie but I will not tolerate you to speak to the mother of my child who's just upstairs may I remind you, like that."
At the thought of Isabella, Charlie although still fuming relaxed a little. Shooting one more glare
Quinn sighed and relax once Charlie had left, it wasn't easy to stand up to one Charlie Fabray because when the blonde was angry she was like a damn lion! But he also promised Rachel he wouldn't let Charlie nor Santana get at her. Turning around he finally focused on Rachel.
"Hey, you're okay?" He places his hand softly on her shoulder to grab her attention.
"She's right." She whispers tearfully.
"No Rach, she's not. Okay fine you did leave but your here now and trust me, this is exactly where you need to be." He assure.
"Do I?" Questions Rachel who finally let her tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Yes!" He forcefully stated then in a calm voice added "Yes." He reached up and slowly wipes her tears with his thumb. "This is exactly where you need to be." He whispers as his thumb softly strokes Rachel's cheek, drying her tears.
"Both your mum and Charlie have said it today, you were in a bad place after I left. What do they mean?"
Quinn sighs at the question, pulling himself away from Rachel and going to seat at the bench that was placed on the balcony.
"Quinn?" The brunette questions following after him and taking a seat beside the blonde.
"That was in the pass so it doesn't really matter." He answers looking out into the night sky.
"Tell me," Rachel insists, reaching over and taking a hold of Quentin's hand into hers.
Quinn adverts his gaze away from the sky to look down at Rachel's hands on his then glancing back up into deep brown eyes before looking away at the speed of his heart.
"I just-" he took a pause then continue. "I got involve with some stuff here and there." He explains with a shrug.
"Like what?"
"Rachel-" Quinn groans not wanting to tell the brunette knowing what her exact reaction is going to be if he does.
"Quinn please, I need- I need to know."
Quinn decided to take a chance and glance at her again and for just a moments he did nothing but just hold his gaze with hers before speaking.
"It was mostly drinking at first, then the drugs started." At Rachel's gasp Quinn turned so he was now facing her. "But I'm fine, nothing happened to me."
"Quinn" whispers Rachel brokenly.
"No! I don't want you feeling guilty because of this. I decided to start the drinking and the drugs you didn't make me."
"But-"
"No!" He forcefully said kneeling in front of her while Rachel was still seated on the bench and took her hands into his. "No Rachel, but nothing. Yes I was hurting after you left but it was my decision to strive the direction that I did but I got back and you know why?" He rhetorically questions and Rachel shakes her head.
"Because I looked at Isabella and realise 'this little girl needs me, this little girl is depending on me, she's depending on me to be the best dad ever, to always be there for her to give her what she deserves' so I agreed with my mum to check me into rehab and I got better. Isabella did that. OUR daughter did that and now she needs you, she needs her mum. To be there for her always and it doesn't matter if you weren't there 5 years ago but what matters is that you are here now and always will be."
"I'm sorry," Rachel cries. "I'm so sorry." The brunette instantly breaks down into Quinten's arms, her sobs shaking her whole body as she clings onto Quinn who held her tightly into his arms. "I'm sorry." She repeats her face buried within Quinn's chest, her tears staining his shirt.
"I know and I forgive you. I'm not mad at you Rachel, I'm just glad to have you back." He answers. "This is where you belong and I promise to never let you go ever, just please stay." He spoke with such love and care, kissing the top of her head.
"Stay." He repeats.
'I love you' was both of they subconscious thoughts as the two ex lovers sat into the cold air with Quinn tightly holding onto Rachel who's sobs was slowly subsiding.
TBC...
This was such a long chapter. Wow. Idk if you guys liked it or not.
QUESTION:
1. Do you think Charlie was unfair or just plain honest?
2. What did you like or didn't like about this chapter?
3. What would you like to see next? Or more of?
