Woo Chapter two! This is a fairly long chapter because it may or may not be a while before I can update next. Finals are coming up and I already procrastinated by writing this chapter. The song "Songbird by Fleetwood Mac was used in this chapter. Anyone who has read my other stories knows I cannot resist Fleetwood Mac. Please Read and Review! Reviews ,motivate me to update quicker! Hope you all enjoy this chapter
-Ashlee:)
Chapter Two
Rachel was lying on her bed, just absorbing everything about the Mcintoshes and was interrupted from her thoughts by a knock on the door.
"Sorry to bother you miss Rachel, but Miss Quinn asked me to come get you for dinner," Lola said with a shy smile.
"Oh it's no problem," Rachel got up from the bed and followed Lola downstairs.
When Rachel arrived in the dining room, she was met with a large and decorated white, marble dining table. There were azalea centerpieces and floral placemats. If it wasn't obvious before now, Quinn really loves flowers. Rachel smiled at the thought and stood at the dining table.
As if on cue, Quinn walked down the stairs with Claire in her arms right as the elevator dinged to signal Biff's arrival.
Claire squirmed out of her mother's arms and ran to her father. Biff was on the phone so he held up his hand and patted Claire on the head as a hello. After the small interaction, he walked towards what seemed to be his office.
Quinn sighed, rolled her eyes and followed after Biff.
Claire was looking sadly towards her feet so Rachel figured this would be a likely time to step in.
"Hey Claire, are you excited for dinner? I am willing to bet a nickel that chicken parmesan is your favorite food," Rachel said poking Claire in the stomach.
Claire giggled and responded, "how did you know that?" With a look of shock on her face.
"Because you were practically drooling when your mommy brought you down the stairs."
"Well that's because it's the best food in the whole, wide world! What's your favorite food?" Claire said grabbing Rachel's hand and leading her to the table to sit next to her in her booster seat.
"I really love pizza!"
"Oh my goodness me too!" Claire said with disbelief.
"Well Claire it seems we have something in common already."
"I can't wait to play with you tomorrow. We are going to have such a great day!"
Rachel was just about to respond when Quinn and Biff entered the room.
"Rachel, I'd liked to introduce you to my husband Biff." She turned and looked at Biff, "Biff this is Rachel."
Biff extended his hand in his best business handshake, "Pleasure to meet you Rachel."
"Likewise Mr. McIntosh," Rachel said with a coy smile returning the handshake.
"Well, that's enough with the pleasantries how about we get to eating, "Quinn said rubbing Claire's back as she walked to sit directly across from Rachel. Biff sat next to Quinn and was right across from Claire.
"Claire, sweetie, did you get any reading done today?" Biff asked Claire as Lola began bringing out the plates.
"Yeah daddy! I almost made it to chapter two of "Junie B. Jones"
"That's good. Maybe tomorrow with Rachel's helped you can get to chapter three. If you want to get into preschool in the fall, you're going to have to work harder."
"Yes sir," Claire said with a firm nod and began eating.
Quinn looked like she wanted to dump the entire tray of chicken parmesan on her husband and Rachel didn't blame her. So far, Biff had appeared to be a workaholic who was neglectful as a father and husband.
The remainder of dinner consisted of the adults chatting here and there and Claire adding her input from time to time. Biff asked Rachel a lot of questions about school and where she was from. Quinn mostly interrupted to lighten the mood when Biff's question almost turned into an interrogation of sorts.
Biff wiped his mouth then stood up, "well I am done here. Rachel it was truly a pleasure, and please make yourself at home," Biff walked back into the room that was most likely at this point his office.
Quinn grabbed everyone's plates and angrily walked into the kitchen. Rachel and Claire were still sitting at the table and Rachel was looking around in confusion of what to do next. Lola noticed and spoke up.
"Claire, let's go get you bathed and ready for bed."
Rachel became alert, "Wait, aren't I supposed to do that?"
Lola laughed, "Well yes, but it's your first night you can begin your duties tomorrow. I think you should go check on miss Quinn."
Claire ran up to Rachel, "goodnight Rachel, sweet dreams and I'll see you tomorrow!"
Rachel accepted the hug from the little girl and responded, "goodnight Claire, I hope your dreams are sweeter than mine." Claire smiled and grabbed Lola's hand to walk up the stairs.
Rachel headed into the kitchen. Quinn looked like a housewife from the fifties. Her hair was tied up and she was in a less casual dress than earlier that evening. She was wearing a yellow apron and rubber gloves while aggressively scrubbing marinara sauce off the plates.
"Need any help with those?" Rachel asked quietly trying not to scare Quinn.
Quinn jumped anyway and turned and looked at Rachel while setting the dish down in the dish rack, "I am so sorry for the way Biff was acting. I wish I could say this isn't like him, but it is. I just don't know why he acts that way! Sorry for ranting it's just that cleaning and venting help me when I'm angry. And did you see how he just dismissed Claire and didn't even hug her! She looked so upset. I should've consoled her instead of yelling at him, it didn't do any good anyway." Quinn realized she had barely breathed during all of that, "I'm sorry. I-I just laid all of this on you and you must think we are crazy and neglectful parents and I understand if you want to qui- "
Rachel cut Quinn off, "Whoa, whoa, Quinn. Who said anything about quitting? It's okay. No family is perfect no matter how many people try to appear to be. First of all, I've dealt with a lot worst fathers than Biff so don't worry about it. Second, I'm an angry crier and pacer. I pace and cry when I'm angry so at least yours is more productive. Third, Claire was fine when I brought up her favorite food, chicken parmesan, so don't worry about it, okay?"
"Rachel Berry, how are you so amazing?"
Rachel blushed and shrugged.
"What do you say we put on our PJ's, drink some tea and get to know one another?"
"That sounds lovely."
"Okay, I'll meet you in my room in 10 minutes," Quinn said with a smile.
Rachel looked a little hesitant.
"What's the matter, Rachel?"
"Um, won't Biff be in there to go to sleep soon?"
"Well no. Why would Biff come into my room?" Quinn laughed as she removed her apron and left the kitchen leaving a speechless Rachel.
Rachel couldn't help but wonder if this meant that Quinn and Biff don't even sleep together. How strange.
Approximately 10 minutes later
Rachel walked out of her room and saw Quinn walked out of Claire's room.
Quinn turned around and saw Rachel standing there in some pink pajamas with stars on them. "Oh good, you're out here, follow me to my room."
Rachel followed Quinn who was wearing a short sleeved satin and lace nightgown. At the end of the hall was a room Rachel swears she never noticed before now. As they entered the room, surprise, surprise, flora everywhere. Quinn had an armchair almost identical to the one downstairs and a king sized bed. There were wood dressers and cabinets and carpeted floors. There was a large bookshelf filled to the brim, it was clear Quinn loved to read. Quinn walked over to the dresser and began making tea in her Keurig.
"Have a seat Rachel," Quinn said grabbing the mugs from a cabinet above the dresser.
Rachel looked at her seating options, then looked back at Quinn.
"You can sit on the bed if you like. It's memory foam," Quinn said with a smile.
Rachel nodded and sat on the bed and sighed. Boy, did she love memory foam.
Quinn handed Rachel a black mug with a red lightening bolt on the outside.
"I take it you're a Harry Potter fan," Rachel said inspecting the mug.
"The biggest. How about you?"
"I've seen all the movies and read two books. I can tell you the obvious stuff about the series, but that's about it."
"Ugh, I thought I found a friend in you, Berry. Guess I was wrong," Quinn said playfully.
"Hey, I'm into musicals. If they would've added a song or five, I would've known as much as you do."
"Oh really? Well what's your favorite musical?"
"Funny Girl," Rachel said without missing a beat.
"Oh, wow, that was fast. Ah Barbra Streisand. She's such a timeless beauty and oh so talented."
Rachel stared blankly at Quinn. "Y-You know Barbra?"
"I haven't been living under a rock. I admire her greatly."
"Quinn, I do believe you have just become one of my favorite people. Ever."
Quinn laughed and took a sip of her tea, "glad I could impress you. So are you a singer?"
"Eh, I don't sing as often as I use to, but yes, I do dabble."
"No way! Sing me something."
"Oh no, no, no."
"Rachel you have to!"
There was no way Rachel could say no to that face, "Fine. Any request?"
"Songbird by Fleetwood Mac."
"That's a great choice. I love them.
For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining,
And I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right
To you, I'll give the world
to you, I'll never be cold
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right.
And the songbirds are singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before."
Rachel stopped there and Quinn looked teary-eyed.
"Rachel. Your voice is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard."
"Oh stop, you're just saying that."
"No. Truly Rachel, that was miraculous."
Rachel began blushing, "well thank you Quinn. Honestly, I haven't sung in so long that felt wonderful."
"Why don't you sing more often?"
"I don't know. I guess I haven't really had any reason to…"
"Well, Rachel I'm glad I could finally be your reason," Quinn said nudging Rachel playfully.
Quinn and Rachel stayed up for hours laughing and talking like they'd known each other for years. Around 2 am Rachel figured it was time for her to go to bed and tried to say goodnight, but something in Quinn didn't want whatever this was to be over.
"Why don't we make this a sleepover party?"
"I don't know Quinn, it's late."
"Which is exactly why you should stay. My bed is huge and I know you're too tired to walk down the hall and you're already dressed for bed. Now I'm not taking no for an answer."
"Fine I'll stay," Rachel said mockingly rolling her eyes.
"That's what I thought," Quinn said victoriously as she had won.
Rachel got under the covers as did Quinn.
"Goodnight Rachel, sweet dreams," Quinn said rolling over on her other side.
"Goodnight, Quinn."
Rachel closed her eyes to drift to sleep and as she heard Quinn humming 'Songbird' she knew she would have nothing but sweet dreams.