Quartie Ever After
Chapter 2: Confusion
By Wilde Abrams
Author's Notes: Thank you everyone who liked, subscribed, and reviewed the first chapter of this story. It's gotten a much more favorable response than I imagined that it would, and I was honestly a bit apprehensive about releasing it. I didn't think that there would be that much interest in what was basically a dead ship. But I guess if RIB can resuscitate a dead cannon ship like Tartie, I can resuscitate one that was popular in fanfic but didn't have a real chance because RIB were too stubborn and closed minded.
DISCLAIMER: This chapter and the ones after it contain discussion about the specifics of adult sexual relationship. While it is not in any way considered 'smut' such discussion may make some readers uncomfortable, so be prepared for that.
Like all of my work, the thrust of the story is the emotional relationships, but I can not properly tell this story without delving into some of the specifics.
I hope you like the new chapter and let me know if I should continue!
# # # # # #
Following their conversation Quinn finished the meal she was preparing for the two of them, and afterwards they sat down in the living room and discussed some more specifics.
"So I guess we should agree on some things up front," she told him.
"That would be a good idea," he agreed, grinning.
"First of all," she asked, "while right now it seems unlikely that either of our living situations or relationship statuses are going to change significantly any time soon, 18 years is a long time. What role do you want to play in his child's life if one of us meets someone or moves?"
"Well, I'm the father of this child, and one us getting into a relationship would not change that," he told her. "I know that I had some reservations at first, but I'm all in now; even though we aren't together. That means I want my name on the birth certificate, either my last name or hyphenate the two if you prefer, and an an equal say everything. If we are no longer living together, I would want visitation. I think that's only fair."
She smiled, "Good, I'm glad. I was hoping you would say something like that. It's important to me that my child has a relationship with his or her dad. It really sucks that Beth never got that with Puck; but he made his own choices, and both of them have had to live with them. I was thinking hyphenating the last names, but we can discuss that in more detail later."
He nodded in agreement.
"That brings up the next thing" she continued. "What are we telling people about the paternity of the child. Both to our friends and family, and to the press. We know they are going to have a field day with this."
"Are they?" He asked. "People, including other celebrities, have children outside of marriage all the time. This isn't like it was 15 or 20 years ago. I say we just tell people the truth. That is, unless you're uncomfortable with people knowing that you slept with someone in a wheelchair," he joked.
"Don't be ridiculous," she laughed.
"I didn't think so," he told her, "but I figured I would put it out there."
She nodded, a little surprised that he would even think that if her, but set the thought aside.
"I don't know about your parents or sister," he continued, "but mine will probably be thrilled. Mom asks me about my relationship status every time we talk, and regularly reminds me that I'm not getting any younger; and that if I want kids, I had better act soon. Mom and dad love you. They always have, so I can't see them objecting."
She nodded, "Mom likes you as well. I'm mostly concerned about the older generation understanding of this."
He couldn't help noticing that she avoided mentioning her father. Russel Fabray had thrown his daughter out of the house when he'd learned that she was pregnant as a teenager, and her mom Judy had let him. That was when he'd thought that the child was Finn's. He'd liked Finn. When he'd found out that the child was really Noah Puckerman's, things had gone even more downhill between them. Eventually it had been revealed that Russell was a hypocrite, because had been having an affair behind their backs the whole time, and Judy had thrown him out and later divorced him.
While Quinn's relationship with her mom had recovered over time, the same was not true or her relationship with her father. They had eventually started talking again, after several years, but their relationship was still strained and distant. Quinn's sister Franny was several years older and had already gone away to college when Quinn had been thrown out so their relationship hadn't really been affected.
"It may be hard for them to understand at first, he told her, but they love us and will support us regardless," he assured her.
She smiled and responded, "You're right."
"As usual," he grinned. "And as for our friends and anyone else, the ones that matter will support us. Anyone who doesn't, apparently isn't as good of friends as we thought."
She leaned in and gave him a hug. "Thank you! I'm so glad you agreed to do this with me."
"I'm glad you asked me," he told her.
"What about financial costs?" She finally asked. "Having a baby and raising it are expensive." She'd been saving this potentially divisive topic until last.
"I'm well aware of that," he told her, smiling. "I'm willing to contribute whatever is needed. We both work in a field that is sometimes sporadic, but between the two of us, we should be fine."
She noded. That was a load off of her mind, and her biggest concern. She was a struggling actress, and right now he was making a much more steady paycheck then she was. She still hoped to make it big, or at least to the next level as a steadily working actress, but there was no telling when that was like to happen, or even for sure if it would. Hearing his unwavering pledge of financial support made her feel much better.
The two of them continued talking for a while longer about assorted things, and eventually it was agreed that the two of them would begin trying to get pregnant four days from then on Friday since neither of them had plans for the weekend.
# # # # # #
Over the next few days, Artie put his previous concerns aside and focused on the future. After their discussion about the specifics of their plan, this whole thing became suddenly very real.
By the time Friday morning came around, he was genuinely excited about the prospect of becoming a father. But as the day went on he began to get more and more nervous. He knew that Quinn had been with her share of guys - able bodied guys - and he was afraid he somehow wouldn't measure up in the bedroom. He knew that it shouldn't matter because they were only doing this to conceive a child, but for some reason it did.
# # # # # #
Quinn spent the next few days thinking of very little else other than the prospect of having a baby with the man she thought of as her best friend. When she thought about Artie, she smiled to herself. The two of them were so much more prepared to have a child now as when she and Puck had been back in high school. Back then it had come as such a shock that she has been pregnant, and she had just wanted for it to just be over with so the two of them could get back to their lives. Now she was excited for it to begin so they could embrace the new adventure of parenthood together.
But as Friday night approached, she began to get more and more apprehensive.
# # # # # #
After dinner Friday night, Artie went into his bedroom and spent a couple hours doing pre-production work on on his laptop for his next film. At around 8PM he went into the bathroom, and completed his nightly routine, and then returned to his room to wait for Quinn. They had agreed to do this in his room, because he had a special kind of mattress cover that helped him avoid pressure sores that could happen when his lower half didn't move for hours while he slept.
After dealing with the supper dishes, Quinn spent most of the evening trying to convince herself that she wasn't terrified of what was about to happen, while aimlessly flipping through channels on the television. This was real. They had really agreed to do this. What if it didn't work? It wasn't unheard of for people with spinal cord injuries to have impotence problems, or have problems conceiving children even if they didn't. Was she too old herself? What if she didn't like it? What of he didn't enjoy it as much as she did? He'd been with other women and no doubt had had many enjoyable encounters. She'd had her share but not as many as he probably thought. Did any of that even matter since they weren't actually together as a couple?
When she saw Artie roll out of the bathroom, she knew it was time for her own pre bedtime routine. She psyched herself up, setting her worries aside, and grabbed the stack of clothing she'd left sitting on her bed and headed into the bathroom.
She slipped out of her current clothing and stepped into the shower. As usual, Artie had made sure to leave her plenty of hot water. He was always very considerate that way. She scrubbed her body head to toe, and then stood there letting the warm water rush over her body as she started to psych herself up for what was planned for later.
When the water began to cool she stepped out of the shower and began to dry herself off. She slipped into the new yellow nightgown she'd bought for the occasion, and then began to do her hair and makeup. When she was finally finished, she examined her work with satisfaction in the mirror, and finally sprayed on some of her favorite perfume.
# # # # #
Artie was sitting on his bed, once again trying to read a script on his iPad. He'd re-read the same page four timed without really taking it in, when he heard a gentle knock on his door. He'd left the door partially ajar. He heard Quinn let herself in, and take her place on the vacant side of his queen sized bed.
He finished his page, still not remembering what it said, and set his iPad aside and turned to face her. It was only then that he realized the extent of her preparation for the evening. She was dressed in a satin yellow nightgown that he didn't think that he'd ever seen before. Her hair and makeup were done. Her bare legs were obviously freshly shaved, and she smelled faintly of strawberries, the perfume he knew she favored.
"Wow!" he said, a broad grin forming on his face, "You didn't have to go to all of that trouble for my benefit."
"I know," she told him, "but sometimes a woman just wants to feel sexy, ya know?"
He nodded.
The two of them turned on their sides and faced each other, taking each other in in.
Artie was dressed in a clean pair of blue boxer shorts, and a plain white tank top undershirt; his typical sleeping attire, Quinn knew. She could see his ample pecs under the shirt, the obvious result of years of pushing himself around in a wheelchair.
Quinn's satin nightgown was low cut, but tastefully so, and hugged her body in all of the right places. She was obviously not wearing a bra or panties underneath.
The two of them lay there grinning at each other like idiots for about five minutes before Quinn finally cleared her throat and broke the silence.
"So," she began, "we haven't really talked about the … mechanics … of how this is going to work."
"It will work best if you're on top," he told her, sheepishly. "I hope that's okay. Most women seem to enjoy-"
"That's fine," she told him. "I had assumed as much. I was thinking more along the lines of weather you needed any ... help. …" she gestured to his crotch.
He shook his head, understanding. "No. While I enjoy a little physical stimulation down there as much as the next guy, my injury isn't a total nerve disruption, so I am generally capable of becoming aroused without direct physical stimulation, just like any other guy."
She nodded, but didn't say anything else. He could tell that she was a little embarrassed.
"It's okay Quinn," he reassured her, "you don't need to feel embarrassed. If you have questions, please just ask."
"Thank you," she answered, smiling. "I think that about covers it though."
"Good," he responded.
"So what exactly is the protocol for having a baby with someone that you're not actually dating?" she wanted to know.
"I'm not sure there is one," he told her, "but if we are going to do this then we may as well enjoy it." She smiled and nodded as he continued. "I think it would be the most enjoyable for both of us if we approached it the same as any other encounter," he finished.
"I was hoping you would say that," she responded, leaning over and giving him a passionate kiss.
# # # # # #
Two hours later Quinn lay naked in bed with her sleeping best friend. Shortly after their sexual encounter - she refused to think of it as love making - Artie had dozed off.
But she lay there wide awake unable to sleep. She couldn't believe what had happened. Of all of the scenarios she'd come up with in her head, this had not even made the list.
She looked over at her dozing best friend and gave him a kiss on the cheek, hoping that they hadn't made a huge mistake, before crawling out of bed and heading for the door.
"You're leaving already?" she heard him ask behind her. She sighed inwardly. He'd been awake the whole time.
"I just have to use the bathroom," she reassured him, and walked out the door and over to the bathroom.
Once inside she stood in front of the sink and splashed some water on her face. "Get ahold of yourself, Fabray," she told herself. "He didn't seem offended. Maybe he didn't even notice?" But how could he not?
A few minutes later she walked back into his bedroom, crawled back into bed, and snuggled up next to him. Hopefully he hadn't noticed or at least wouldn't say anything.
# # # # # #
After Quinn and he had had sex, Artie had started to doze off. He'd felt good about the experience, not having been with a woman in several years. He'd genuinely enjoyed himself and Quinn appeared to have as well. It was nice sharing a bed with a woman, and having a warm body pressed against his. That was something that he hadn't had in a long time. The fact that it was someone that he cared deeply for made it so much better.
While she seemed to have enjoyed herself during the encounter itself, he couldn't help notice that she wasn't nearly as relaxed as he was afterwards. Quite the contrary; she seemed agitated and on edge. He wondered if she had enjoyed herself as much as he had. He reminded himself that she was an experienced actress, and he knew she could fake it if she wanted to. She tossed and turned until he felt her move away from him towards the door.
Great, just as he'd feared. He'd been so bad in bed that she couldn't wait to get away from him.
"You're leaving already?" He asked, almost desperate for it not to be true.
"I just have to use the bathroom," she responded, and walked out the door.
A few moments later she returned and snuggled up with him in bed, but somehow he wasn't reassured.
He managed to fall asleep about an hour later. When he woke up in the morning she was gone.
# # # # # #
The following day they went about their business as usual, and did their best to not think about what had happened, each hoping that it was just a fluke. He continued to work on prepping his movie script, and she went shopping.
But the following night had been a repeat of the first. The encounter had seemed to go well as far as he could tell, but she had been on edge again afterwards. Whatever was bothering her had happened once again, leaving both frustrated and confused. But neither was willing to talk about it for fear of discouraging the other.
This happened several more times over the next few days. But, by Wednesday he could no longer ignore it and worked up the courage to broach the subject with her.
She was sitting on the couch watching TV when he wheeled over to her.
"Quinn," he asked her sheepishly. "Do you have a minute?"
"Sure," she said turning her attention to him. "What's up?"
"I was just wondering if everything was okay between us? I've noticed that you're kind of quiet after we have sex and I was wondering if there was anything wrong or anything that I could-"
"No," she responded. "Everything is fine." She took a deep breath and continued. "I've just been a little stressed lately about not landing any jobs, add to the fact that I guess I'm putting too much pressure on myself to actually conceive a child."
"You don't need to feel stressed about work," he assured her. "I know that you like working, but I make enough money to support both of us, and a child for the time being, if necessary. And, when you get pregnant, you'll have to take some time off working anyway. As for actually getting pregnant, don't worry so much! It'll happen when it happens."
She nodded and smiled. "You're right." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
But in the back of her head she was glad that he'd bought her excuses. She was way too embarrassed to tell him what was really on her mind.
Over the next several nights she continued to be distant after their sexual encounters, though she got better at hiding it.
# # # # # #
Friday morning, Quinn took her first pregnancy test. They had been trying for a week now, and she was starting to get excited. But when she took a look at the results she was disappointed to see the negative sign.
Artie beckoned her to him, pulling her into his lap, holding her in comfort. "It's okay," he told her, "We just started trying. It will happen when the time is right."
# # # # # #
Later that day Artie went off to have a meeting with his producer, Antonio to discuss some of the plans for the upcoming shoot. The next two weeks they would be working on casting during the day most days, and Artie would need to have meetings with, and his notes ready for, the production designers, set dressers, wardrobe, and prop people in between those sessions. To say that the next two weeks were going to be hectic was an understatement, but Artie loved it. It was his passion!
# # # # # #
While Artie was at his meeting, Quinn had lunch with Mercedes, who was in town for a few weeks recording for her next album.
"What up with you, girl," Mercedes asked from across the table at the restaurant. "How's life as an aspiring actress? Land any good parts lately?"
"Not much is up," Quinn told her, frustrated. "And honestly, i haven't landed anything really exciting in quite a while. I'm still going to auditions several times a week, but haven't had much luck getting anything but the occasional commercial or guest spot. Nothing really big yet."
"It'll happen for you," Mercedes reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're just gotta be patient. If you remember, I went through three producers before I found one that really understood, and respected my vision!"
"I know," Quinn told her with a forced smile. "Hopefully it will happen sooner than later though. I'm going to need some additional income soon."
Mercedes raised her eyebrow in reaction to the last comment, but said nothing.
"But in other news," she added, changing the subject, "Artie and I have decided to have a baby together."
"Wait? What?" Mercedes asked with a shocked look on her face. "When did Quartie happen, and why wasn't I informed sooner? So the tabloids got it right for once?" She glanced at her friend's hand which was sitting on the table. "I don't see a ring on your finger. I love Artie and all, but he better be giving you a ring-
"No, no, Mercedes," Quinn told her friend, holding up her hand to stop her friend mid sentence. "We aren't together in a relationship."
"I don't understand," her friend told her, a look of confusion on her face.
"We aren't dating," Quinn clarified, "let alone engaged. We're both just frustrated at our lack of luck in the relationship department, but both want kids and are getting to the age where we know that if we don't have them soon we never will."
"What brought this on?" Mercedes asked, genuinely concerned for her friends.
"Well," Quinn told her. "I've been feeling that way for a while now, but attending Beth's High school graduation kind of reality brought it home."
"Quinn," Mercedes pleaded with her. "You have a lot of time left-"
"I'm 36 years old Mercedes," Quinn told her. "As you get closer to 40, the possibility of complications or birth defects rises considerably. I haven't had a serious relationship in almost ten years, and I've barely dated the last five."
"So date Artie then!?" Mercedes pleaded with her. "You know that I don't believe in sex outside of marriage, and I know each of you crossed that bridge almost 20 years ago, but you should at least restrict it to the bonds of a committed relationship."
"Mercedes…."
"What? You'd make a cute couple! I'm sure I'm not the only one who noticed the looks the two of you used to give each other in Glee Club-"
"What are you talking about?" Quinn asked. "Artie and I are just friends. That's part of the beauty of this. We aren't in a relationship, so we get to avoid all of the usual relationship drama!"
"There's always going to be drama, wherever sex is involved," Mercedes informed her.
"Says the woman who has only ever had sex with one man," Quinn retorted. "Artie and I are just friends. That's all we ever were, and that's all we will ever be. Why can't you just support me on this?"
"I do support you," Mercedes said, placing a hand on her friend's forearm. "But part of that is warning you if I think you're going to get hurt."
"Artie would never hurt me. I trust him more than any other man that I've ever known. I get what you're trying to say, but can you please just be happy for us?" Quinn pleaded.
"I am happy for you," Mercedes told her friend. But she still had her doubts about it.
"Good," Quinn said smiling. "Now how about you let me live emotionally vicariously through you, and tell me how married life has been treating you. How are things between you and Michael?"
"Great," Mercedes gushed, and the two of them talked about Mercedes' relationship with her husband Michael for almost another hour.
# # # # # #
Artie's meeting lasted all afternoon, and by the time he got home Quinn was just finishing up with dinner. She seemed to be in a much better mood than she had been that morning. Her lunch with Mercedes had apparently done her a whole lot of good.
A few minutes later, Artie smiled at Quinn from across the table as the two of them related their respective days while sitting there eating dinner together. She was in a better mood than he'd seen her in days, and he was looking forward to tonight, hopeful that it would carry over into bedtime.
He finished his nightly routine twenty minutes earlier than usual, and retreated to his bedroom to work on his script some more while waiting for her. But by 11 PM he looked over at the time, and came to the reluctant conclusion that she apparently wasn't coming, and turned out the lights.
# # # # # #
The following morning, Artie got up and rolled out into the kitchen to have breakfast. Quinn was already there eating a bowl of cereal and some O.J.
"Good morning," she greeted him warmly, kissing him on the cheek "Sleep well?"
"I slept alright," he told her. "I missed you though."
"Yeah," she told him. "Sorry about that. I forgot to tell you that I got my period yesterday, and then the cramps set in after dinner. Sex when you're on your period can be pretty messy, especially when the girl is on top, and the possibility of conceiving is remote anyway."
He nodded. "That makes sense then. I'm just glad it wasn't anything that I said or did."
"Of course not," she told him. "I would have told you."
He questioned that because clearly something was bothering her that she would not talk about, but he pushed that thought aside for the moment.
"I've just become accustomed to having you there with me," he told her. "I've think I sleep better."
She nodded, "I do too. You know, if you want I could come in and sleep there even though I'm on my period. I just don't want to disturb you."
He smiled. "I'd like that. You're not disturbing me at all. Consider it an open invitation to share my bed for the foreseeable future!"
"You sweet taller you!" she responded, laughing. Then she leaned in and gave him a hug. "I'd be glad to."
That night and for every night following, Quinn joined Artie in his room after their respective routines and the two of them shared a bed and cuddled with each other most nights before nodding off. Artie couldn't help but wonder why she was so much more relaxed sleeping with him when they didn't have sex than when they did.
# # # # # #
Monday morning Artie attended the first casting session for his new movie, "The Reckoning."
He met his producer Antonio, and casting director Linda at the studio office an hour before the first group of actors and actresses were scheduled to arrive for their readings. He had worked with both of them before, so they slipped into an easy rhythm.
Linda had arranged appointments for each of the actors and actresses throughout the day. She'd organized their resumes and headshots, and provided a brief blurb about what she saw as the relative strengths and weaknesses of each actress for the role or roles that they were up for. This made their job a whole lot easier, and the auditions went very smoothly.
The first three hours were relatively uneventful. They had seen a half a dozen actress, two of which they expected to give callbacks to. All in all an average day. They had one more woman to see before they were going to break for lunch.
"Santana Lopez," Linda called out. Artie did a double take as he took another look at the casting list containing the names of the actresses.
"Fancy meeting you here Weels," he heard a familiar voice say. "How's it hanging?"
"Santana?" He asked in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" she told him. "I'm auditioning for this movie."
"Well yeah," he told her, "I know that part. What I mean is what are you doing here in California? The last I'd heard, you and Brittany were living in New York."
"You might want to log into Facebook once in awhile," she retorted in her usual playful smart-ass tone. "Brittany and I got tired of the limited opportunities on the east coast, so we decided to try our luck here about a month ago."
"Oh," he told her, "I guess I've been very focused on this project lately."
"You two know each other?" Antonio asked.
"We went to highschool together," he answered simply, not wanting to mix his personal and professional lives too much.
"We did more than that," she reminded him, clearly not worried about the same thing. "We were in glee club together for three years, you directed me in West Side Story, and you helped plan my wedding."
"You two were in Glee Club?" Linda asked. "So was I," she volunteered, not even waiting for either of them to respond.
"Anyway," Artie suggested, back to business, "Why don't we get on with the audition. You're our last reading for lunch. If you're interested we could maybe go get a bite to eat at the diner across the street and catch up."
"Sounds like a plan," she told them.
# # # # # #
Twenty-Five minutes later Artie and Santana entered the diner, and took a seat at one of the tables after Santana set one of the chairs aside to make room for his wheelchair. It turned out that Santana had done pretty well in her reading, and while he still had to discuss it with the others, Artie was pretty confident that she would get a callback. In fact, she was in the lead for the role as far as he was concerned. Of course the professional director in him would not allow him to actually tell her that.
The waitress approached them, gave them their menus, and took their drink orders before leaving them to to decide what they wanted to eat.
"So how are you and Brittany doing?" Artie asked casually, opening his menu.
"We are doing great!" Santana told him. "We are still so much in love with each other, and people are so much more open minded about same sex relationships these days. We haven't seen you in quite a few years, but if you've been following us on Facebook, you know that we have three children now. On son that Brittany carried, and two twin daughters that I did." Artie nodded.
She took out her phone and showed him a picture. "The boy looks like Blaine," Artie joked.
"That's because Blaine is probably his father," Santana informed him.
"Really?" Artie asked.
"Yeah," Santana told him. "After Quinn donated the egg and Rachel carried their kids for them, Blaine and Lady Hummel decided to pay it forward and donated the sperm for us. The in vitro fertilization clinic mixed the sperm from them and the eggs from us, so we can't be completely sure who the biological parents are, but he definitely looks like Blaine."
He nodded, smiling, "That makes sense. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks," she told him smiling. "What about you? Any special ladies in your life? Your Facebook status still says single, and the last time I saw your picture in a tabloid, you and Q were walking some red carpet together."
"That pretty much sums it up," he told her. "You know how unsuccessful I was with love in high school and college. That hasn't really changed out in the real world." Santana frowned. She was sorry to hear that. "Occasionally I get an aspiring actress who shows interest, but they have pretty much all turned out to be gold diggers hoping to use me and my connections to further their careers. When that doesn't happen they tend to make themselves scarce and stop answering my calls. So I haven't had any serious relationships in a long time. A few years back Quinn and I both needed to go to the same event - The Golden Globes, I think - so we decided to go together. We had fun, so we decided to make a tradition out of it.
"Neither of us have had any real luck in the dating department, so we regularly accompany each other to events. I got tired of having to question people's motives, and she got tired of guys trying to get in her pants. We've been friends for a long time and are comfortable hanging out and going to things like that without it getting weird."
"Back in high school I would have never described you two as friends," Santana told him. "At least not outside of Glee Club."
"That's because you never really got to know me, and always seemed to be in competition with her. Maybe no one told you because neither of us really made a big deal out of it, but we have been friends since we were kids, and after her car accident her senior year we spent a lot of time together, and we got especially close again."
He knew he could have gone into much more detail about their long, enduring, friendship; but he decided that there was no need to, and Santana probably didn't care anyway.
Santana nodded, vaguely remembering the three months that the two of them had been inseparable after her accident until they had some kind of fight on senior skip day, and she started half dating the creepy new kid Joe who had basically admitted to Sam that he wanted in her pants.
"What's up with Q anyway," she asked. "Do you see her often? Or just when you need a red carpet date? I need to look her up and catch up soon."
"You could say that," he chuckled. "I last saw her about four hours ago. We actually live together now."
"Really?" Santana asked, shocked. "You and Q are cohabitating?"
"It's not like that," he told her. "We both came to Hollywood about the same time almost ten years ago. We kept running into each other, and worked together on a couple projects. One day about seven years ago or so, we were chatting, and I told her about my problems finding a good, affordable, handicapped accessible apartment, and she vented to me about her annoying roommate Lea who was obsessed with her own stardom and always talking about herself. She wanted her own place, but couldn't afford it.
"We continued talking, and after running some numbers, decided that we could help each other out. We agreed to look for an apparent together. With two incomes we were able to find a decent two bedroom handicapped accessible apartment that we liked and could afford. We are often working at different times so we each get our share of privacy, and when one of us is working more than the other one, the one working less takes care of most of the housework. Right now I'm working a lot on this movie and she's between projects, so she's doing most of the cooking and cleaning, but it will be my turn once she lands a role in a movie or television series."
Santana noded. "That makes sense I guess." But it still seemed weird to think about.
The waitress returned and took their orders.
After she left to put the orders in, the two of them sat there in silence for several minutes as Artie considered whether or not to tell Santana about Quinn's and his plans to have a child together. She'd said that she was going to reconnect with Quinn herself soon so he figured he may as well.
"There's something else that I should probably tell you before you get together with Quinn," he began reluctantly. She turned to face him. "After attending her daughter Beth's High School graduation a couple weeks ago, we decided to have a child together," he finally got out.
"You have got to be kidding!" Santana told him. "You and Quinn? I don't mean to be mean, but are you even able to have kids?"
"Of course I can!" he told her, defensively. "Just because I'm a paraplegic doesn't mean that I'm sterile!"
Santana realized that she'd offended him and was taken aback. After all of these years she still came off as a royal bitch sometime, even without intending to.
"Look," she began, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I shouldn't have said that. After all of these years I still struggle at filtering what pops into my head before it goes straight out of my mouth."
He nodded, accepting her apology.
"I'm just surprised is all," she told him. "I've never heard you talk about wanting kids before, or heard any of the women you've dated talk about wanting to have kids with you."
"That's because like you, most women assume that I can't have kids," he informed her, "and the few that don't assume that, generally don't think about it. Despite all of the increase in open mindedness in recent years, most women don't give serious thought to having children with a handicapped person, because they don't want to be hampered down by the 'inconvenience' of having a partner who is in a wheelchair. In the back of their minds they decide I'm not a suitable father for their children, so the discussion never comes up unless I bring it up, and if I do, they generally come up with another excuse to end the relationship shortly thereafter. So I just don't bring it up anymore."
"But you and Q…"
"Quinn actually broached the subject with me," he informed her. "We've known each other all of our lives, and lived together for seven years so she is very much aware of my … difficulties … and doesn't care."
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around this," she told him. "What happens if one of you meets someone? How is this going to go over with that person?"
"Come on, Santana," he responded. "If it hasn't happened by now, it's pretty clear that it isn't going to. Quinn wants a child. So do it. Neither of us sees that happening with anyone else anytime soon if at all. So we are helping each other out. I'd love to believe that marriage and family were going to happen, but I'm 36 years old now, and it's pretty obvious that it isn't in the cards for me.
"Sex doesn't have to involve romantic emotions. You know that. Hell, you and Brittany taught me that when she and I dated briefly. Remember?"
Santana did indeed remember. Santana and Brittany had each slept with many guys in high school, because it would not have been acceptable to be together back then. It had been like a game to them to see who could get more notched on their bedpost. Eventually Brittany had wanted to come out together fully, but Santana had resisted, afraid of what people would think. Brittany had used Artie in an attempt to make her jealous, taking his virginity, and had scarred him deeply as she recalled.
"Look," Santana told him, getting serious for a moment, "I really should have said something fifteen years ago, but as you know, apologies have never been my thing. I'm really sorry for how I treated you when you were dating Brittany and for my role in your breakup. I've had feelings for Brittany for as long as I've known her, and I had a hard time coming to terms with them, because they weren't appropriate to express back then. I was angry and hated myself, and lashed out at you because I was jealous that someone else was making Brit happy. I used the feelings that I knew she had for me as well, and manipulated her into cheating on you. You didn't deserve it, and I'm sorry that you got hurt. If it means anything to you, I know she loved you too.
"Thanks," he told her. "That means a lot. I've never been one to hold grudges, so I forgave the two of you many years ago, but it's nice to finally hear it.
"I know she loved me. She just loved you more, and considering that you've been married to each other for almost fifteen years now, clearly you two were meant to be together.
"But it's just very frustrating. Every woman that I date ends up finding someone better than me: Tina, Brittany, Sugar, Betty, Kitty, numerous other classmates and actresses … It just sucks the I keep getting the short end of the stick! I keep asking when's it going to be my turn? Well I've finally come to terms with the fact that it probably never will be and I'm slowly becoming okay with that."
Just then the waitress arrived with their food.
When she had departed, Santana told him, "You never know. That person could be right under your nose and you might not realize it. But if you have a kid that you're actively raising with another woman, you become instantly undesirable."
And with that they changed the subject to Brittany and Santana's children while they ate their food.
# # # # # #
After the two of them finished their meals, they parted ways. Santana was off to another audition, and Artie returned to the casting office for an afternoon of more auditions. They did indeed agree to give Santana a callback, along with seven more actors and actresses that they had auditioned that day.
When they were finally done, Artie returned home where Quinn was making dinner again.
"Guess who showed up at my audition today?" he asked her.
"Who?" Quinn asked casually.
"Santana," he informed her. "It turns out she and Brittany have moved out here looking for more job opportunities."
"Really?" Quinn asked surprised."That's great," she said. "I've really missed them!"
"Yeah," he told her. "I figured that you did, so I hope you don't mind that I told her that we would go out to dinner with the two of them one night this week."
"Of course I don't mind," she assured him.
"Oh, and I may also have told her about the two of us trying to have a baby together," he added.
"Oh boy," Quinn asked. "how did she take it."
"She thinks we are nuts," he told her. He didn't have the heart to tell her the details of their conversation.
"Typical Santana," Quinn laughed.
# # # # # #
Author's Endnote: For those who are wondering, Michael, Mercedes husband, is the Christian musician with the big booty, nicknamed 'Tank', whom she mentions dating in What The World Needs Now. We got a glimpse of what I always assumed was him, standing behind Mercedes during the Tony party in Dreams Come True, so we can assume that they are still together at that point. This is Nine years later so I assume that they are married and may have started a family at this point.
You know the drill. If you've read the story drop me a review and tell me what you thought and weather you think I am on the right track and should continue with this. Thanks!
[ minor text revisions 4/30/17 ]