Let's set the scene, shall we?
Imagine-a small, intimate restaurant, upper east side.
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Mom? Dad?" Judy and Russell stand as the girls walk up
"Good to see you again my dear " Russell's smile spreads as he extends his hand "So, have you been taking good care of our Lucy?"
Santana Lopez was not a shy nor was she easily intimidated. Quinn rolls her eyes knowing her father should have seen the setup. With a sly smirk in place Santana nods her head a little too eagerly.
"As a matter of fact..."
A loud chuckle is heard causing Russel and Santana to turn as Miguel and Maribel walk up.
"Santana Marie Lopez don't you dare finish that sentence"
Judy laughs, scooting past her husband as the two women embrace
"Judy" Maribel smiles to which Judy returns the gesture
"It's so great to finally get together again. We've miss you two! Quinn has been going on and on about you both"
Santana looks over at Quinn as a blush creeps up, she leans into her girlfriend's space and whispers "You been talking about me or my parents Luce?"
"Okay you two, That is definitely enough of that" Miguel says, making his way in between both girls "It's great to see you again Mija"
Mr Lopez embraces the blonde before moving to sit down.
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As the parents make small talk amongst each other. Quinn leans her back against the booth with Santana's back against her front. The brunette idly drawing lazy circles on the blonde's hand as Quinn plays with her hair.
Judy excuses herself heading to the restroom and Russell towards the bar. Miguel nudges his wife.
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"You know back in the day, that's how you used to look at me, ahora es como ves su hamburguesa" Miguel jokes as Maribel shakes her head
"Andale mocoso, Y vas a ver!" She playfully pinches her husband's side causing him to laugh louder.
Their laughs and playful banter break the girls concentration and they each smile looking on
"You think we'll be like that in 10 years?" Quinn whispers into Santana's ear. The brunette shakes her head causing the blonde's eyebrows to furrow "You don't?"
Santana leans back, making eye contact with the blonde "You said Ten years. That's not long enough for me, I see us like that forever"
Quinn smiles, wrapping her arms tighter around her girlfriend as Santana kisses the blondes hand.
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The next couple months pass like a whirlwind. While each girl had their respective careers and goals already achieved, neither had ever planned on adding love or distance to the mix. And maybe that was the problem?
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Santana was in New York and Quinn in Boston.
Easy.
They knew that. They accepted and understood that.
They would each take turns traveling back and forth, that was the deal.
Not thinking of the long term of it all and much like fools in love do, they were blinded, absolutely convinced it would simply just work.
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It had to, right?
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The days turned into months and yes they've hit bumps along the way but who doesn't? Taking turns flying out to see one another, constantly reassuring one another that they only had to hang on a little longer. Since Judy and Russel spent most of their time in Manhattan, Quinn had planned on opening a central New York office and everything was set.
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Then Russell got sick.
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Plans of a new office were put on the back burner, all hands were needed on deck so back to Boston Quinn went.
Instead of finding a way to make it work, they began fighting, arguing over who's turn it was to travel.
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Santana's surgeries began to skyrocket causing her to work nonstop. And with Russell's health deteriorating, Quinn was almost impossible to reach. If they had trouble staying in touch before, it was pretty much impossible now.
Little did they know, things would finally unravel on Santana's last visit to Boston.
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"I'm not giving up my dream Quinn. I've worked too fucking hard to just walk away" Santana raises her voice, continuing to pace around Quinn's office.
"I am not asking you to give anything up, Santana! But I am asking for a little understanding, just like you have your dream job in New York, I have mine here in Boston and I have worked my ass off to get to where I'm at but between you taking so many extra shifts and me having to take over here full time, it's been too much….And to make my life even more perfect, I was told today that my dad isn't going to last much longer and I just……"
"Are you okay?" Santana stops, turning her attention towards the blonde
"I don't know what to do Santana…" defeated, Quinn buries her face in her hands "I can't leave Boston"
"And I can't leave New York"
Quinn sinks further into the couch, lowering her head.
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How the hell did they get here?
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She opens her now watery hazel eyes, looking over at the woman who holds her entire world.
"Do you think we were a mistake?"
"No...I..." Santana has never looked so defeated, as the mascara streaks down her face I think we had the right love just maybe….. at the wrong time "
"I absolutely hate this," Quinn whispers as she hands Santana a tissue.
"We've tried our best to make it work but neither of us are going to bend and we shouldn't have too" Santana sniffles "I will always love you" She looks up at the blonde while scooting a little closer, taking her hand
"It'll be okay. Maybe this isn't a goodbye, maybe it's just a see you later?"
Quinn nods, crumpling the tissue in her hand "I just love you so much, Santana" finally breaking down she embraces Santana. "And I love you, Quinn. So. Much."
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Quinn insists on driving Santana to the airport and Santana insists that isn't necessary but knowing very well, this was a fight she wouldn't be able to win, Santana agrees.
The drive was a silent one. Santana kept her focus set to her right, out of the window. Knowing if she glanced a look over at the blonde to her left, she wouldn't be able to do what they both needed her to do.
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The walk to the gate seemed to take an eternity. As both girls stood side by side, waiting, Quinn leaned her head on Santana's shoulder.
A simple gesture.
But that's all it took.
Santana's resolve cracks or maybe that's just the sound a broken heart makes? She feels tears begin to pool from her eyes but makes no effort to move. Quinn feels a tear land on her cheek and glances up just in time to see Santana's bottom lip quiver. The blonde quickly wraps her arms around the girl.
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"It'll be okay" Santana whispers as her voice cracks and right now she's not sure if she's reassuring Quinn or herself but all she can do is squeeze the blonde in her arms, a little tighter
"I will love you either way"
Quinn's cries have now turned into sobs as she holds on to Santana's shirt for dear life. What started out as a fairytale quickly unraveled leaving something neither girl was ready for.
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Mustering what little strength she had left, Santana offers one last wave at the gate. Quinn, in return blows one last kiss as the tears continue to flow. Overwhelmed, she covers her face with her hands, taking a seat.
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The brunette nods, thanking the attendant before entering the plane. After stuffing her carryon into the compartment she takes her seat, quickly putting her headphones on. Exhaling, she looks down at her tear stained shirt, a whimper escaping her throat. Gripping onto the tee shirt, she pulls it slowly over her lips, leaning her head on the window, attempting to control her shuddering breaths as her eyes close.
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