IX

I have to go to the hardware store today. Think we can make it our second date?

Quinn chuckles as she reads Rachel's text, taking a break from tiling the backsplash in her kitchen. She's almost done, in fact, and she actually needs to pop out to the hardware store for a few final items herself.

Not very romantic, is it?

Well, I'm pretty sure we can find a secluded spot to make out.

When you put it that way ;)

Maybe we can get lunch after? Hugo's been waxing poetic about having Indian food since the two of you made that chicken curry the other day.

Quinn grins to herself, because Hugo has really taken an even bigger interest in cooking since she's been around, and she's quite chuffed that it's something she can be a part of.

Well, if we're going to be including our kids in our dates, then I'm pretty sure we've been dating a while, Ms Berry.

Does that mean you've been counting?

To be perfectly honest, I kind of have. Though, I haven't been able to pick an actual date, you know, for a year from now when we celebrate our anniversary.

Do you really think we'll still be together a year from now?

I have no doubt in my mind.

How can you be so sure?

There are so many things Quinn can say, but she's certain Rachel isn't ready for them. If anything, even she's not ready. So she goes for something a little safer.

I've seen the future ;)

I'm dating a Seer?

It's cute that you have that on hand.

If you're about to tell me that HP is a no-no for you, we're breaking up right now.

Quinn rolls her eyes, because Rachel can be a bit of a nerd sometimes.

Meet you at noon?

I'll bring the Chocolate Frogs.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Rachel blinks up at her, looking a little confused. "I - I - "

Quinn's brow furrows. "Did I do something wrong?" she asks, and she looks genuinely bemused. "It's just that you said it'd be easier if I ordered for the table, and I - "

"It's not that," Rachel says, her eyes a little wide. "It's just that you also ordered vegetarian dishes."

Now, Quinn knows she's confused. "Uh, I'm pretty sure you told me you're a vegetarian," she says. "You have to be able to eat something. Was I not supposed to?"

Rachel reaches for her hand under the table, linking their fingers. "People usually don't remember."

"Oh."

Quinn glances at their sons, who have a set of crayons and several sheets of paper between them, provided by this family-friendly Indian restaurant. They even have a high chair for Max and a selection of soft foods with minimal spices for him to try, if they're interested.

Quinn is definitely coming back here.

She squeezes Rachel's hand in her own and looks her in the eye. "Well, I remember," she says. "I promise your vegetarianism isn't some burden or nuisance to me. I respect it, okay?"

Rachel's bottom lip trembles a little, and Quinn's eyes widen in panic. "I'm okay," she's quick to say. "I just - I really appreciate you, Quinn."

"Okay."

"I wasn't always a vegetarian," Rachel eventually says, using her other hand to make sure Max doesn't end up throwing his stuffed elephant into their glasses of water. It's a multitasking masterclass, and Quinn admires her so much.

"Well, I'm sure you weren't born a vegetarian," Quinn jokes.

Rachel just squeezes her hand again. "I'm trying to tell you I was actually a vegan."

"Oh, my God."

Rachel laughs. "All through high school," she elaborates. "I switched to a vegetarian in college, because, God, being a vegan is sometimes so inconvenient on a student budget. When Hugo arrived, there was just no way I could keep it up, and now I'm perfectly fine cooking whatever for the family as a whole, and then just picking out the meat."

"But then where do you get your protein if you're doing that? Are you replacing it with some kind of meat alternative?"

Rachel blinks. "What?"

"Not that I'm creepy or anything, but I do notice everything about you, and your diet is not balanced, as healthy as it is."

Rachel just stares at her.

Quinn shrugs, blushing slightly. "I took a class in nutrition as a freshman," she says. "Back when I was convinced I could maybe, eventually work in the field after I retired from being a professional soccer player."

Rachel looks as if Quinn has just revealed the secrets of the world, her expression one of wonder. "You are a soccer sensation."

Quinn rolls her eyes. "I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have played past college," she says, her left eye twitching, which she knows is her own sign of an untruth. She had great dreams of changing the world, somehow, and a career in soccer was just going to be a platform to do just that.

Then Alexander Lucas Fabray was born, and Quinn's dreams changed.

She didn't even realise he was her dream until he was a squirming bundle placed in her arms. Until this moment, nothing has come close. This secondary dream, involving Rachel and her boys, has definitely switched things up for her; presented her with a new future.

"Is that something you would ever get back to?" Rachel asks her, one eye on Max, who is growing slightly restless.

"Playing soccer?"

Rachel nods.

"God no," she answers with a laugh. "I'm perfectly happy doing what I do, thank you very much."

"Which is write?"

Quinn glances at her. "Yip."

"You don't talk about it that much," Rachel points out, which is the truth. Quinn avoids speaking about her profession like it's something to be embarrassed about. She isn't, for the most part, but she writes under a pseudonym for a reason. She's always had Lex to consider, and she enjoys a sense of anonymity, even if authors aren't generally in the spotlight. Ask her to pick Suzanne Collins out of a lineup, and she would fail epically.

"Maybe I'll start," Quinn says, meeting Rachel's gaze.

"I'd really like that."

Quinn's heart can't handle this. It honestly can't, because there's a woman who actually exists in this world who seems to want her in a way Quinn's never experienced. She doesn't mean to compare this relationship to her previous ones, but she can't help it, and she gets the feeling Rachel does the same.

They're startled out of further conversation by the arrival of their food, and the moment between them fades away. It's not technically a date, but Quinn thinks they learn a lot about each other as they sit and eat and talk with their children.

Well, Quinn's sure Rachel learns a hell of a lot about her general capabilities when both families retreat to Rachel's house, so Quinn can help with all the baby-proofing Rachel has planned, now that Max is growing more and more steady on his feet. He's adorably wobbly, still, but he's now curious, and having a mobile baby who's curious requires a lot more baby-proofing than the house currently has.

So, Quinn spends parts of the afternoon seeing to it, fully aware of Rachel always within a few metres of her. Watching her. Studying, observing and, dare Quinn say, admiring.

"It's the utility belt, isn't it?" Quinn asks her, calling her out when they have a moment alone. Max is napping and the boys are upstairs, making a mess in Hugo's bedroom.

"It's only part of it," Rachel agrees, and then closes the space between them to kiss her. They're just inside the kitchen, Rachel having made them coffee to tide them over, but neither of them seems interested in the hot beverage.

Quinn has never tasted anything sweeter. They kiss slowly and sweetly, and Quinn even presses Rachel against the counter, listening with one ear for any sounds of their children, prepared to break apart at the first slap of bare feet.

Rachel's fingers thread through her hair, pulling her closer. Quinn shifts her hips forward, and Rachel groans right into her mouth. "You take care of me," she whispers, which is some kind of truth for them both. "You take care of us."

Quinn kisses her harder, and Rachel's left hand snakes down her side, along her muscles, and her fingers hook into her belt loops.

"Damn," Rachel murmurs. "Maybe it is the belt."

Quinn laughs, breaking their kiss. "Have certain fantasies about it, do you?"

"About you, yes."

Quinn rests her forehead against hers. "We take care of each other," she says. "We take care of one another."

Rachel kisses her again and again, holding her close. Quinn thinks there's still an element of disbelief in their actual relationship, and she's not sure how to get Rachel to believe she's in this for now, and for as long as Rachel will have her.

Have them.

"I do have a certain fantasy," Rachel says, licking her lips.

"Oh?"

"About your utility belt."

Quinn raises her eyebrows.

"And only your utility belt."

"Christine has been missing you," Jane tells Quinn later that evening, both of them managing to sync time to have an actual Skype call.

"Just my little Tulip?" Quinn asks; "or her mothers as well?"

Jane rolls her eyes. "I'm being serious here, Quinn," she says. "I have a plan."

"Oh?"

"This weekend, we're all going to meet in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania."

Quinn raises her eyebrows. "Is that so?"

"It is," Jane says. "It's relatively halfway between Lima and New Haven. It's perfect. We'll get to see you, and you'll get to see us, so I won't have to deal with an extra cranky Detective and two-year-old."

"So, it's really all about you, huh?"

"As it should be."

Quinn considers the suggestion, her mind automatically thinking about Rachel. Rachel, her… person, whom she now has to consider when making any kind of plans. It's interesting and terrifying and lovely, and all she wants is to tell Jane about their relationship. "Tell me more," Quinn says.

Jane clears her throat and makes a show of turning a few pages in her diary, hunching over. "Lou can get off at lunch on Friday, and then we'll head out to meet you and Lex at the hotel."

"Hotel?"

"I've already made a reservation."

"Of course you have."

Jane grins at her. "I'm giving you the option, of course, but you don't have a choice," she says entirely too seriously.

"I'll have to check my schedule," Quinn says, arching an eyebrow.

"Sure you will."

Quinn rolls her eyes, panicking ever so slightly. She wonders if she should be planning for a trip with Rachel. Would Rachel even want that? Does she maybe want some space instead? They've been interacting quite a lot lately, and, well, Quinn doesn't want to overwhelm her.

"Okay," Quinn eventually says. "Send me what time we need to leave and what I need to pack."

"Do I have to do everything?"

"Yes."

Jane rolls her eyes. "You're lucky I love you."

Quinn grins at her. "I am, yes."

Quinn can't quite figure out if she's supposed to be asking Rachel for permission. Her blessing. Her acknowledgment. Something.

It comes up the next day, when Rachel calls about making plans to take Lex and Hugo for that paintball Quinn once mentioned.

"Over the weekend?" Quinn asks, wincing as she gets milk out of the fridge for her coffee.

"Does Saturday work?"

Quinn hums softly. "Uh, not really."

"Oh?"

"We're going to Bellafonte," Quinn explains. "Under duress."

"Where?"

"Bellafonte," Quinn repeats. "It's in Pennsylvania."

"What on earth are you going to do there?"

"I'm not entirely sure," she admits. "All I know is we're basically meeting New Haven halfway. Apparently, we're missed, and Janet's organised quite the expedition for us."

"Oh?"

Quinn hesitates. "Is - is that okay?"

Rachel is quiet for a moment. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"I'm not sure," she admits. "We're... together now. I feel weird about just telling you I have these plans without you."

"Quinn, you know you can do things without me, right?"

"I'm still trying to convince myself I even want to."

"Aw," Rachel says; "you like me."

"I do," Quinn breathes, unashamed. "I really, really do."

Rachel sighs dreamily. "When do you leave?"

"Friday afternoon."

"Maybe we can have dinner at my place tomorrow night, then," she offers. "A tiny little farewell."

"We'll be back Sunday," Quinn lets her know.

"It's Wednesday, Quinn," she points out. "Are you willing to go at least five days without seeing one another, because I'm not?"

"Aw," Quinn echoes; "you like me."

"I prefer Lex," Rachel jokes. "He actually likes berries."

Quinn laughs out loud, casually stirring a teaspoon of brown sugar into her coffee. "You're never going to get over that, are you?"

"I can't even tell you how it feels to know the woman I'm dating doesn't care for any kind of berry, when my surname is literally Berry," Rachel says. "I honestly can't even."

Quinn's laughter fades slowly. "You're cute."

"I like to think so."

Quinn hums. "What are you doing right now, anyway?"

"Trying to figure out what to make for dinner," Rachel answers.

"Just ask Herman," she says. "The kid knows what he likes."

"Don't you want to come over?"

"That is a trick question, Bagel," she says. "Obviously, I want to."

"But...?"

"We're having dinner tomorrow," Quinn points out. Then: "Also, we're doing something just the two of us when Baby and I get back, okay?"

"Okay."

"That was surprisingly easy," Quinn comments.

"If you didn't suggest it, I was definitely going to," Rachel confesses. "I really, really want to kiss you again. And maybe do other things."

"Other things?"

"Other things that maybe make you use my real name."

Quinn sucks in a breath. "That's a little presumptuous, don't you think?"

"That I could make you wild enough to say 'Rachel?'"

"Jesus."

"Rachel," she says. "Ra-chel, say it with me."

"You're evil," Quinn says. "Pure evil."

"Hmm," Rachel says, neither agreeing nor denying. "Well, I will admit that the fantasies I've had are decidedly not pure."

"Fuck."

Lex pops up out of nowhere, making Quinn shriek. "That's five dollars in the swear jar!" he squeals.

"Jesus," Quinn says again, Rachel laughing in her ear and Lex doing an excited little dance at the money he's just scored.

Quinn can't even bring herself to be irritated.

Rachel drags Quinn into her laundry room the first opportunity she can, kissing her fiercely and barely giving her the opportunity to breathe. Her hands slide under Quinn's t-shirt, fingers trailing over hot skin and making Quinn burn.

"I don't want you to go," Rachel says, sounding a little petulant.

Quinn kisses her harder, taking back some kind of control. They probably have less time than they think, so Quinn makes the most of it, pushing Rachel back against the washing machine. Her lips move from her mouth to her neck, nipping and sucking, as her hands move over Rachel's curves.

"Quinn," Rachel murmurs, asking for something.

Quinn's hands drop to her thighs and she lifts, setting Rachel on the washing machine, which - fortunately or unfortunately - is off, and wraps those tanned legs around her hips. The kiss turns dirty, Rachel gripping Quinn's hair as they move together, hearts pounding and arousal building.

"We - we - fuck, Rach," Quinn stutters, forcing her mouth to disengage. "We have to stop, or I won't be able to."

Rachel lets out an exasperated breath, her hands dropping from Quinn's shoulders. "We are spending time together, just you and me, when you get back."

"We already agreed," Quinn reminds her.

"I'm just making sure," Rachel says, dropping her legs from around Quinn's hips and sighing. "This sucks."

Quinn laughs. "I should tell you that I am very good at sucking."

Rachel pushes on her chest. "Get away from me."

Quinn presses a kiss to her lips, and then steps right away. "You've got me all worked up, and now I have to go and cook dinner for our children. You should be ashamed of yourself."

Rachel just hooks a finger into one of her belt loops, drawing her closer. "I have no shame," she says, almost purring. "How can I, when you look the way you do?"

Quinn can't resist the urge to kiss her again, crowding her space and overwhelming them both. They're lucky they get the five minutes they do, because then Hugo comes calling, forcing them apart.

Quinn smooths her hands over her hair, trying to tame it while she ignores Rachel's smug expression. "You truly are evil."

"Never tried to deny it."

And, truly, Quinn can't even be mad about it.

"Hey."

Rachel looks up from where she's doing the dishes, smiling at Quinn. "Hey."

"Might I ask a favour?" Quinn asks, walking into the kitchen and smiling so warmly that Rachel wants to kiss her. And hug her and hold her for all of eternity.

"Of course."

"Would you mind watching Sash for the weekend?" Quinn asks. "She's capable of staying on her own for a few days, of course, but I wouldn't want to leave her alone if I don't have to."

Rachel looks curious. "How would she stay alone?"

"She's a very disciplined dog," Quinn answers. "There's a dog flap to allow her to come and go, and I would leave out all the food and water she would need." She pauses. "Or, I guess I could find a kennel, though I'm not sure they would take her on such short notice."

Rachel shakes her head, as if it's absurd that Quinn would think she wouldn't agree. "We can watch Sasha," she says. "I think Hugo and Max would love that, actually."

"Possibly make you miss us less," Quinn teases, getting closer to Rachel.

"Unlikely," Rachel says, turning her body to face Quinn.

"Oh?"

"Not to sound clingy or anything, but I already miss you and you're still here."

Quinn smiles softly, her own heart stuttering at the sound of those words. "I've been a bit worried that I've been overwhelming you," she admits. "I started to think you might need some space."

"Why would you think that?"

Quinn gnaws on her bottom lip. "I guess it might have something to do with Blair," she says quietly. "There were times when she needed a break from us, I guess, and she wouldn't quite let go of her own apartment, saying it was a retreat of sorts."

"Well, I don't need a break," Rachel says, and she looks and sounds genuine. And maybe a little irritated with the information Quinn's just told her. "I'd keep you around all the time, if that wasn't too weird."

"Not weird," Quinn says.

Rachel glances over Quinn's shoulder to make sure no little heads are within visible distance, and then leans forward to kiss Quinn's lips. It's chaste and perfect, and speaks of many more to come.

"Thank you," Quinn murmurs.

Rachel just kisses her again, and then says, "Anytime, Quinn Fabray."

Quinn is convinced she means it.

Quinn and Lex have lunch at Rose's before they set off for Bellafonte. Marley looks surprised to see just the two of them, which Quinn finds particularly funny.

They do things without Rachel and her boys, surely.

"We didn't get to hear you sing," Marley points out when she brings them their food, a Cobb salad for Quinn and a chicken mayo sandwich for Lex. "I was looking forward to a potential duet."

Quinn rolls her eyes. "It was going to be awful."

"I definitely don't believe that."

Quinn pops a crouton in her mouth. "Rembrandt mentioned the Open Mic Night was your idea."

"Who?"

Lex giggles. "She's talking about Rachel."

Marley nods. "Oh, right," she says. "And, um, yes, I guess it was my idea. My mom lets me take full rein."

"It seems like a special night," Quinn says. "Sorry we couldn't stay for all of it."

Marley just smiles, always so polite.

"Do you like music a lot?" Lex asks Marley.

"I love it," she gushes. "It's honestly my favourite thing in the world."

"Does that mean you also sing?" Quinn asks.

Marley blushes, and then nods. "It's what I want to do for the rest of my life," she says. "Songwriting, too. It's why I admire Rachel so much. She paved a way for girls like me." She pauses, giving Quinn a rather significant look. "I just wasn't sure how much we actually had in common until recently."

Quinn blinks, unsure what she means by that.

Marley just shakes her head, blushing that bit more, and then says, "I should go check on the other tables."

Quinn is still very confused when Marley leaves, and it takes Lex rolling his eyes at her to realise she's possibly being dense.

"Mom," he says, sounding so done with her.

"I don't know," she says, a little defensive. "I mean, she's not trying to tell me she has a crush on me, is she?"

Lex takes a bite of his sandwich. "Not you," he says, and then makes a point of looking over his shoulder at the front counter, where Kitty is currently wiping down the surface.

"Oh," Quinn says. "Oh."

Lex shakes his head. "Mommy, you're silly."

Quinn really has no current evidence to dispute that statement, because, honestly, she feels it. Huh.

Quinn almost gets tackled by Louisa when she and Lex first step into the hotel foyer. It appears that being apart has made Louisa fond of hugs, and she practically squeezes the life out Quinn.

"Dude," Quinn complains.

"Shut up," Louisa mutters, setting her on the ground and moving on to Lex, just as Jane moves into Quinn's personal space with Christine hanging off her shoulders.

Quinn grins stupidly as she hugs them both, and then takes Christine into her arms. She's definitely missed her goddaughter something fierce.

"Do you want to get checked in, and then we can get dinner?" Jane suggests. "I spent six hours in a car with this idiot who's done nothing more than say she wants tacos."

Quinn laughs. "Sure, Jake, we can do that."

Louisa asks the concierge the best place to get tacos while Quinn gets their room key, she and Lex disappearing upstairs for a few minutes to deposit their bags and freshen up a little.

Quinn sends a text to Rachel, letting her know they've arrived, and then spends the next few hours enjoying her best friends and allowing the familiarity of New Haven to wash over her.

Louisa goads her into piling jalapeños onto one of her tacos, which is amusing at best. She ends up having a second mojito, only after Jane insists she'll remain sober enough to make sure nothing goes wrong.

"Enjoy yourself," Jane tells her, and Quinn does.

Quinn's missed her friends and she's missed the city life. She stands by the decision to move, because she definitely needed it. She likes to think Lex did, too, because the reminder of Blair everywhere they turned was just too much.

Quinn wouldn't say she's drunk, but there's a certain tipsiness that creeps into her interaction with Louisa. Which is really why Jane sends them both into Quinn's room, while she keeps Lex and Christine with her when they get back to the hotel.

"My wife doesn't love me," Louisa complains as she throws herself onto Quinn's bed and pats the space beside her. "But, you love me, right?"

"Most of the time," Quinn says as she kicks off her shoes and joins her, stretching her body out and sighing.

"Ouch," Louisa pouts.

Quinn just grins at her. "I did miss you, though."

Louisa smiles a little dopily, her eyes slightly unfocused. "So, how is your MILF situation?" she asks.

Quinn rolls her eyes. "Who even taught you that?"

"I'm a millennial, Q," she says; "I know things."

"You obviously don't know enough not to use that acronym."

Louisa pinches her arm. "Answer the damn question."

Quinn drops her gaze, feeling a little overwhelmed by how much she wants to gush about her new relationship. She thinks she could talk endlessly about how being with Rachel makes her feel, but there's also a certain beauty in keeping it all to herself.

"Quinn?"

She clears her throat. "We've been hanging out," she admits. "The boys are getting along really well, which is good."

"Brownie points, huh?"

Quinn looks at her, her expression a little too serious. "I really like her, Louisa," she says. "It terrifies the shit out of me."

Louisa grows still. "Quinn?"

"It's the worst it's ever been," Quinn confesses. "Why are women just so..." she trails off, unable to complete her sentence.

"Dude," Louisa says, commiserating. "The life of a woman who loves women can be rough. They're just so fucking perfect."

Quinn nods in agreement.

"What are you planning on doing about it? I mean, do you even know if she'd be interested?"

Quinn smiles softly. "I reckon I've got a chance," she says. "If I play my cards right."

Louisa rolls onto her side to look at Quinn properly. "You're taking care of yourself, right?"

"I swear, if you mention my private parts, I'm going to strangle you."

Louisa laughs. "I wasn't going to, but I still stand by the truth you need to get yourself laid."

Quinn can't help thinking about Rachel; about possibly getting her naked and touching her and making her fall apart with her own body. God. Quinn desperately wants.

Louisa pokes her stomach. "Please don't be having sex thoughts while I'm in the room."

"Like you haven't done the same," Quinn complains. "About my best friend, no less."

"But, come on, have you seen how hot my wife is?"

Quinn rolls her eyes. "Please stop."

Louisa laughs. "But, in all seriousness, you're taking care of yourself, right?"

"I am," Quinn answers, because she likes to think she is. "Things have been good."

"And Lex?" Louisa asks. "Has he brought up Blair?"

Quinn contemplates her response for a moment, before she decides on saying, "We had a talk about what I may or may not be feeling for someone new. I wanted to be sure he was comfortable with it, given how I handled everything the last time."

"And?"

"He likes her," Quinn reveals. "I have received his blessing."

"Are you worried?"

"Not as much as I thought I would be," she admits. "I'm going to keep checking in with him as things progress."

Louisa snorts. "You sound quite sure of yourself there, hey, Q?"

Quinn chuckles. "I'm a fucking catch, Lou."

Louisa has nothing in rebuttal.

In the morning, after a buffet breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, Jane tells them the agenda of the day. Louisa grumbles, as is expected, but Quinn's oddly curious to learn about this town Jane has brought them to.

It's old and historical and Victorian, and she's starting to think it's a place she might actually want to bring Rachel to one of these days. It's almost magical, from a different time, and rich in history.

When they're all ready to go, Christine strapped in her push chair, hats on their heads and skin layered in sunblock, Jane leads them on a self-guided walking tour of the Bellefonte Historic District. As an architect, she goes a little crazy for the various buildings, looking so much like a tourist with her town map held open in front of her.

Lex stays glued to her side, Quinn and Louisa trailing behind with Christine. Louisa looks a little pale, and Quinn pinches her side, teasing her about her lack of sun.

"Work has been particularly rough," Louisa tells her. "It's like the crazies have just come out, committing murder everywhere."

"They're overworking you?"

Louisa shrugs. "I think they're planning on expanding the department," she says. "People have been whispering about promotions."

Quinn looks over at her with concern. "What does that mean for you?"

"Nothing, really," she says. "It's possible I might get a new partner, because Mark has been wanting to transfer to Cyber, now that Stacey's given birth to their third child."

Quinn can hear something very specific in her voice. "You're thinking about it again?"

Louisa casts a nervous look in Jane's direction. "I'll never forgive myself if something ever happened to me," she says. "God, just the thought of her having to take care of me makes me want to quit."

"Lou," Quinn breathes.

She shakes her head. "She'll never let me, I know."

"Why are you so convinced something's going to happen to you?"

"My job is dangerous, Quinn," Louisa says. "I've watched my colleagues die. In New Haven."

Quinn slows her steps. "Is this a conversation we're really having?" she asks. "Like, the kind of conversation we have when you tell me you've made me your Power of Attorney and not your wife?"

Louisa can't even look at her.

"Louisa," Quinn hisses, and both women come to a rather abrupt stop. "We are not having this conversation. Ever."

"We're going to have to."

"No, we're not."

Louisa levels her with a very significant look. "It isn't only for my benefit," she says. "Have you even thought about what happens to Lex if, God forbid, anything happened to you?"

"Don't do that," Quinn says, tense. "Don't even turn this around on me when you're the one who's being all morbid and defeatist."

"I'm being realistic."

"You're being an idiot."

Louisa glares at her.

Quinn sighs. "And, for your information, of course I've thought about it," she says. "I've spent years thinking about it. How can I not, when I'm the only blood relation he has in this world?"

Louisa looks at her. "Who?"

Quinn clenches her jaw.

"Who?" Louisa repeats.

"You know who," Quinn tells her.

"And you weren't even going to talk to me about it," Louisa accuses.

"No, I wasn't," she snaps right back, the two of them squaring off on the sidewalk with Christine looking between them with wide, confused eyes.

"Why not?"

"Because, Lou; the sheer idea of leaving him with someone who isn't me isn't really something I want to be discussing with anyone."

"Not even me?"

"Not even you."

"So, what? He's just going to be ours? Just like that? Without us having talked about it?"

"Yes!" Quinn explodes.

"How can you just say that?"

"Because there's nothing to talk about," Quinn says. "God. You know it as well as I do. There is nothing to discuss. We're not talking about it, because we already know what the other person is going to say. I already fucking agree, and so do you, so why the hell are we even wasting our goddamn breath discussing something we already know?"

Louisa just stares at her, and it's the first time she realises Jane and Lex have also stopped walking, both of them looking perplexed at whatever showdown she and Louisa have just had.

"Mommy," Lex says, recovering. "I don't even know if that's six or seven dollars in the Swear Jar."

Jane just pats his shoulder. "I think you can get a whole ten out of her, Bud."

"So… do you want to tell me what that was all about?"

Quinn looks up from where she's reading up on some history on the Bellefonte Armoury. Jane has kept mumm about whatever fight she and Louisa had earlier, acting completely normal as they passed through the Centre County Courthouse and the old Pennsylvania Match Factory.

But, now, Louisa is further ahead with Lex and Christine, and Quinn is left to face the music, as it were.

"What was what all about?" Quinn asks, playing dumb in an attempt to buy herself time.

Jane is having none of it. "Louisa will get her turn," she says. "Whatever you tell me will determine if I make it painful for her."

Quinn puffs out a breath. "That's not fair," she says. "My response will just clue you in to more of what went down."

"Then just tell me."

Quinn glances at Jane. "You are my family," she says. "Out of everyone in this world, you are the people I consider to be my family."

Jane's smile flickers, clearly not understanding what this has to do with anything.

"I'm the same for Lou."

Jane blinks. "But not for me?"

Quinn shifts awkwardly. "It's different."

"Because my blood family hasn't shunned me for being gay?"

"Something like that."

Jane seems to ponder that. "I still think there's something you're not telling me."

"There's a lot I'm not telling you."

Jane gives her a curious look. "It's about her job, isn't it?"

Quinn doesn't respond.

Jane sighs heavily. "I thought as much," she mutters, and then slides right into Quinn's space, slipping an arm around her waist and hugging her close. "You are my family, Quinn Fabray."

"I know."

"You know, if I didn't love that ridiculous redhead so, you'd be my one and only."

Quinn rolls her eyes. "We both know we would have killed each other by now," she says. "Being your roommate was one thing, but living every day with you - wow, no thank you."

Jane pinches her side, and Quinn yelps. "Just tell me you love me and you're going to be here for us, always."

Quinn looks right into her eyes when she says. "Jane Monica Rodriguez, I love you, and I promise to be here for you, always."

Jane blinks slowly. "How has nobody snapped you up already?"

Quinn looks away, hiding her blush. "I'm high maintenance or something like that."

"Don't I know it."

After their tour, they pick up a takeout lunch from a local restaurant and make their way over to Talleyrand Park for a bit of a picnic. It reminds Quinn of their park back in Lima, and she laughs when she really figures out why. Because, trust Lex to find the place where the ducks have congregated. It's as if he has a built-in duck radar, which is actually a little terrifying.

Jane finds them a spot near the Spring Creek and takes charge of setting them up with their food. Quinn allows herself to enjoy being able to switch off, a little. It's a little exhausting always being on, and Jane seems to be giving her the opportunity to follow someone else's lead.

Even Lex seems to be enjoying his mother, who's relaxed and present and free. She lets him eat whatever he wants, which definitely includes a bubblegum milkshake that he practically guzzles.

"Goodness, Lex," Louisa says, eyes a little wide; "Does Quinn not feed you or something?"

Lex grins at her. "She feeds me, and I feed Sasha," he says with a cute little shrug. "Mommy says milkshakes are for special occasions."

"And this is a special occasion?"

"Of course," Lex says, giving her a bit of an incredulous look. "Every time we see you will be a special occasion." He blinks. "So we have to see you all the time."

"Sounds like a solid plan, Kid," Louisa agrees, taking a bite of her burger and giving herself sauce whiskers.

Quinn's heart very nearly bursts out of her chest when Christine crawls over to her with a dirty paper napkin clutched in her left fist and lifts it to wipe at her mother's mouth.

Goodness gracious, the baby fever is very real.

"Oh, my God," Quinn murmurs, exchanging a look with Jane, because what cuteness is that?

Jane eventually clears her throat, holding out a steadying hand when Christine returns to her mac and cheese bites. "Speaking of, who is Sasha with, anyway?" Jane asks, biting off a piece of her quesadilla.

Quinn almost blushes. "Uh - " she starts.

Thankfully, Lex answers for her. "Sash is with Hugo," he says. "We dropped her off at their house."

Jane blinks. "And Rachel was just okay with that?"

"She loves Sasha," Lex says. "Everybody does."

Jane keeps her eyes on Quinn, who makes a point of not looking back. It's already difficult enough not to talk about Rachel without her friends actually bringing her up, and her heart is racing at the thought of having to keep lying.

Omitting.

"Interesting," Jane comments, returning her attention to her food.

Oh, boy.

Though, if Quinn expects Jane to say anything more about it, she's surprised when she actually doesn't. Instead, they take a slow stroll through the park before making plans for the evening. Quinn offers to keep the children occupied if Jane and Louisa want to explore the nightlife, which Louisa is very quick to accept.

"Princess can even sleep with me," Quinn tells them. "You know, in case Mommies want a wild night, or whatever it is wives do."

Louisa shoves her shoulder and says, "Has it really been so long that you've forgotten how to say 'have sex?'"

Quinn swats her hand away. "Keep that up and I'll rescind my offer."

"Please don't."

"Then be nice."

"I'm always nice."

Quinn rolls her eyes. "I have it on good authority that the rookies are fucking scared of you."

"As they should be."

"Ooh, the big, bad Homicide Detective Louisa Stone."

Louisa shakes her head. "Why am I even friends with you?"

"Because JR would divorce you so hard if you weren't."

Louisa's eyes widen. "Dude," she says, nodding her head almost dumbly. "She totally would."

Quinn can't stop her laughter when she and the kids come downstairs for breakfast the next morning. Jane and Louisa look wrecked. Eyes bloodshot and skin pale, both of them frowning at the world.

"Wild night, huh?"

"Shut up," Louisa grumbles, practically gulping her coffee.

Quinn just shakes her head, taking a seat at the table and adjusting Christine in her lap. "Mommy looks a little green, doesn't she, hey, Chris?"

Christine claps her hands in agreement, reaching for Quinn's silverware. Jane diverts her attention by handing her a small roll, and then asks if they had a good night.

"Yes, Mama," Christine says, smiling toothily before attempting to sink her teeth into her roll.

"We built a fort," Lex says. "Mommy even had them bring us more blankets."

Jane looks at Quinn. "The Fort-Quinn strikes again, huh?"

Quinn grins a little lopsidedly, feeling irrationally happy at Jane's bringing out her old nickname. It was borne of the Roommate Wars of their freshman year. Quinn would build intricate forts in their shared room, and then leave them for Jane to find and have to dismantle when she returned from classes. It took years for Jane to find it at all amusing, and now Quinn suspects she misses it.

"We had a great time," Quinn says. "Though, in comparison, at least we don't look like raccoons."

Louisa rolls her eyes. "I don't think we've even slept," she admits.

"Oh, so it was quite the wild night," Quinn teases.

"Shotgun not driving," Louisa says.

Jane doesn't even react, and Quinn reasons she's come to accept her wife for all she is. It's beautiful, really, and Quinn can't help wondering if she and Rachel will ever get to this point in their lives and relationship.

She really, really hopes so.

Besides her own past relationships, Quinn doesn't have much to compare to, given the toxicity of her own parents' marriage and the fact she's met her sister's husband only twice - which were both largely unpleasant meetings.

This, right here in front of her, is the kind of relationship she wants. It's always been, in truth, and she's now coming to realise Rachel is the only woman she's believed she could achieve it with.

Well.

Jane pinches her leg to get her attention, and Quinn's head snaps up. "You okay?" Jane asks, her expression slightly unreadable.

Quinn nods, smiling. "I'm great," she says, and she really, really means it.

Quinn and Lex get into Lima quite late.

Late enough that Lex is already asleep in the backseat, looking a little uncomfortable. He has his pillow pressed against the window, but his head is leaning in the opposite direction.

It's adorable.

Quinn drives straight to Rachel's house, suddenly very eager to see her. Normally, she can handle not seeing her, but that's when they're actually in the same place. It's weird, but Quinn is convinced she actually felt the distance between them.

So, she really needs to see Rachel.

And, what happens to her heart when she does is something she wouldn't even be able to put into words. It stops and starts and jumps and slows, and Quinn is glad she's managed to bring the car to a stop before Rachel comes out the front door, Sasha following behind.

Quinn opens her door and closes it as quietly as possible once she's out. There's no use waking Lex this late, and Quinn will admit to wanting a few moments alone with this woman who's stolen her head and heart.

Quinn leans against her car door, watching Rachel's approach with tender eyes. Wow, she's missed her. And Sasha, too, who reaches Quinn first and buzzes about her legs in excitement. Quinn bends to greet her, scratching the backs of her ears and getting a little whine out of her.

"My turn," Rachel says a beat later, and Quinn straightens to give Rachel her full attention.

"Hi," Quinn says.

"Hi."

"We're back."

Rachel reaches out to hold onto her shirt, fisting the fabric and using her grip to pull herself closer. "I can see that," she murmurs as she closes the space between them, wrapping her arms around Quinn's waist and tucking herself into her body.

Quinn's own arms enclose around Rachel's shoulders and her chin rests on top of her head. There's something so beautifully simple about this moment, and she feels her entire body exhale at the feeling of having Rachel so close.

Rachel presses a kiss to her neck. "We missed you," she murmurs.

Quinn hums in response, her eyes closing and her heart rate slowing. "We missed you, too."

Rachel kisses her neck again and again, trailing her lips up over her jaw, her chin, until she finds Quinn's lips, ready and waiting. They both sigh in relief, as if this is the moment they've been waiting for.

And it is. Quinn feels her entire body just relax at being able to hold Rachel; just touch her and feel her. There's just something so simple about being able to be together this way, and Quinn is determined to hold onto it as much as possible.

This woman is someone to whom she wants to come home.

"Are we seeing you tomorrow?" Rachel asks, breaking their kiss and resting her forehead against Quinn's.

Quinn just breathes for a moment. "Why don't you and the boys come over for a barbecue tomorrow?" she suggests. "We can hang out, eat some food, build a fort, make out when the boys aren't looking, all those lovely good things we can do as a family."

Rachel grins at her. "A family, huh?"

Quinn nods, expression serious.

"And you'll tell me all about your trip?"

Quinn nods. "As if you don't already know everything we did, from the endless chain of texts I sent you."

"I want to hear the stories," Rachel says. "From you, and from Lex."

"Oh, he's just bursting to tell you all about the ducks."

Rachel leans to the side to get a glimpse of Quinn's sleeping son, smiling softly and feeling her heart grow in size. "Baby, if you're not careful, he's going to use those puppy dog eyes on you to get himself an actual duck one of these days."

Quinn's eyes widen. "Don't even put that into the universe," she says. "I am way too young for that kind of responsibility."

Rachel's brow creases. "How old are you?"

Quinn raises her eyebrows. "Just because we're two women in this relationship, doesn't mean it's suddenly okay to ask that question, you know."

Rachel laughs softly, kissing the underside of her chin. "I'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours."

"I don't care how old you are," Quinn says, and she means it.

"Well, I'm turning twenty-eight in December."

Quinn exaggerates a gasp. "Wow, you're old."

Rachel pinches her side. "Shut up."

Quinn just laughs, pressing a kiss to her hairline. "It's okay, you old whiskey," she murmurs. "I definitely still like you."

"I see you missed your backyard, huh?" Quinn says, watching as Sasha runs around on their lawn as if she hasn't seen it in weeks. Really, she lives with such drama queens.

Sasha just barks in response.

Quinn glances up at the bright sun, enjoying some much needed Vitamin D. She's just spent the last hour cleaning the grill for their proposed barbecue, feeling a bit giddy at the idea of the five of them spending the day together.

She would be embarrassed if she could bring herself to care. She adores Rachel and her sons, and she's not going to shy away from it. She's spent far too long suppressing her feelings, and she's ready and willing to make sure Rachel is aware that Quinn wants this.

Sasha's bark catches her attention, and she smiles down at her. "Ready to go back inside?" she asks. "Have some water? Possibly catch a nap?"

Sasha actually yawns, and Quinn just laughs as she turns and heads for the back door. Her dog can be such a diva, really.

"Go on in," Quinn says, and Sasha squeezes past her. She closes the door behind Sasha, smiling down at their trusty pup. "It's obvious you missed the backyard, but the important question is did you miss us, huh?"

Sasha just lets out a soft bark, which Quinn will definitely take as confirmation. She eventually disappears somewhere into the house, leaving Quinn to head towards the front room. She can't hear where Lex is, but that's normal. He's a slippery little dude.

Quinn's just taken a step into the corridor when she scratches at her right arm with her left hand, pressing her forearm against her own abdomen.

Which is the moment she feels the sting.

She winces, moving her arm away from her body, and seeing a bee fall to the ground, landing at her feet.

"Oh, shit," Quinn suddenly says, staring at her forearm in mild horror, already feeling the anaphylaxis kicking in.

Lex pops out from wherever he's been hiding, his ears ridiculously tuned in to any curse words that may or may not leave her mouth. "Mom," he squeaks. "That word is three dollars."

"Lex," she says as calmly as she possibly can, and he instantly straightens, his expression growing serious. "Get the EpiPen," she manages to say, her right hand carefully pinching at the sting sight to remove it from her skin.

Lex's eyes widen, and he takes off immediately.

She's already dizzy, and it takes great effort to stumble her way to the couch, dropping onto it and trying not to panic. She can't help it, though, because her heart rate is rapid and she can't seem to catch her breath. Shit shit shit.

"Mommy!" Lex yells as he runs back into the room, auto-injector in his hand.

Quinn presents her thigh to him, suddenly thankful for her tendency to wear shorts. "Just like I showed you," she mumbles.

Lex takes a breath, shifting the little rod in his small hand. "I don't want to hurt you," he whispers.

"It's okay, baby," she says, putting her hand over his. "We'll do it together."

They do.

It stings, obviously, and she feels the jolt as the epinephrine enters her body, her heart pumping triple-time.

For a moment, its blissful: the relief.

She thinks she smiles, but she loses consciousness a moment later.