Chapter 4
Quinn woke up in unfamiliar surroundings, she waited for a few minutes to open her eyes just to adjust to the light. Slowly she sat up in a queen sized bed, while trying to remember what just occurred the previous night. She made a quick change to her previous clothes which where neatly placed by the foot of the bed. Quinn looked around and she saw Rachel's picture hanging on the wall. Quinn eventually remembered everything, to her dismay she didn't see Rachel's luggage that she saw yesterday. Quinn felt her heartbeats weren't normal, she suddenly felt a surge of panic, just the mere thought of Rachel leaving without even talking to her.
Quinn went downstairs almost running and calling Rachel's name, but to her dismay there is no petite brunette appearing. She looked at the wall clock hanging on the living room and found out it was already 11:30 in the morning.
"Oh G-d, why didn't I wake up on time?"
"O honey, because you were delirious last night so given that reason it's not really surprising for you to be awake at this time" Olivia said while sipping her hot tea.
Quinn didn't even notice that there was someone sitting on the couch, how could she be that oblivious, she was only thinking of one person. But whoever this girl would be for sure she has some answers. Quinn's head was throbbing again, she thought about school and Glee practice. There are a lot of things that she needed to do but she didn't have the strength and motivation to do it.
Olivia stood up in front of Quinn and looked at her in the eye, the blonde is practically tall but at least not taller than her.
"My name is Olivia, I'm Rachel's cousin. We were not properly introduced last night since you passed out right after Rachel touched you." Olivia teased Quinn.
Quinn felt her cheeks were getting redder with that statement. She examined the older brunette in front of her, she's beautiful too in a way that she has a strong facial feature. Rachel's eyes are warm and innocent while Olivia's is more intense, she doesn't know how to put it.
"Yeah sorry about that, listen I know Rachel is not here but what time will she be back?" Quinn asked hopefully.
"Oh, she isn't coming back until next year. Rachel already left at 7:00 am, her flight is scheduled to take off at 10:00 am"
Quinn suddenly felt week and crashed on the couch beneath her, she looked at Olivia with her watery eyes and said "I messed up big time, we were already fine but I said things to her last night and she walked out. All my life I've always hurt Rachel. I just can't seem to do it right with her."
When she didn't get a response from Olivia, she felt that the best thing to do is leave.
"I should go, I need to go to school so at least I can still rehearse for Regionals" Quinn said weakly while getting up from the couch.
Before Quinn walked to the door Olivia grabbed her arm and said "You can't leave Quinn."
"Why? You don't have the right to tell me what I can or can't do, just let go of my arm."
"Okay." Olivia released Quinn's arm before she continued "I made a promise to my cousin Quinn, she made me promise to look after you at least until her fathers get back from the airport. If I let you go out that door, for sure Rachel will know that, I'll be doomed. You don't know my cousin when she's disappointed."
"Oh I think I have a very clear picture on what you are talking about Olivia" just imagining Rachel's face brought happiness to her heart.
"Oh you're smiling, I think that is a good sign then."
Quinn glanced at Olivia and reclaimed her previous position on the couch, the older brunette claimed the space beside Quinn and gave her an assuring smile.
"For what it's worth Quinn, Rachel never left your side last night. She stayed there the whole night just to make sure you're okay. Whatever you said to her it's already forgiven, Rachel is not really good in holding grudges, that's not her best asset you know."
"It's just that, I don't know I really don't know what got into me last night when I said those things. I know she just wanted to help out but I was awful to her for years. How can she possibly accept me unconditionally?" Quinn said desperately. When she did not get any response from Rachel's cousin, she continued pouring her heart out.
"If the situation was reversed I don't think I'll do the same" Quinn just put her hands to her face and started to cry. Quinn had been crying since yesterday and she just can't help it. The rejection that she felt from her parents, her downfall from the social ladder and Rachel, she didn't even know where to start, Quinn felt like running in the dessert without anything to quench her thirst and Rachel appear like an oasis for her. She felt Olivia's arm enveloping her fragile body, and they stayed together for a while until they heard a click from the door, it was Rachel's fathers.
Quinn pulled away from Olivia and looked at the couple while getting up from the couch.
Matthew and Lucas eyed Quinn for a while and gave the blonde an encouraging smile.
"Quinn, we need to talk to you" the lawyer said.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Nope honey, nothing is wrong. Just sit right there while you talk to Lucas, Olivia and I will prepare something to eat, as you see it's already lunch time." with that Matthew kissed Quinn on her forehead and grabbed his niece's arm while moving towards the kitchen.
Quinn sat silently opposite Lucas, she had tons of things running in her head on what might be the things that they are going to discuss. Clearly not even for 24 hours, she started to like Rachel's fathers, they are caring, sweet, supportive and ready to lend their ears, which are the total opposite of her parents.
"You know that Rachel already left and she will not be back anytime soon right?" Quinn just nodded her head and let Lucas continue.
"My husband and I, we never interfere on our daughter's decision, whatever it is that she wanted as long as we know that she will be safe we are totally okay with that. We know who you are Quinn, you are the head tormentor of our daughter, but like Rachel just said to you, it was all in the past. What we need to do is move on and be our best."
Lucas eyed Quinn intently, he wanted to make sure that the blonde will fully understand what he wanted to say. They already know that Quinn freaked out last night on the issue and if they want to get a positive answer from the blonde they need to be patient.
"Mr. Berry I do apologize for everything that I've done to Rachel. I know as her parent considering your close relationship with her I've hurt you guys too. Believe me when I say if I can just take back everything that I said and redo every situation that I put her into I will do that in a split second, but I can't I just can't, I'm really sorry Mr. Berry" Quinn looked at Lucas and tried to comprehend what's was written all over the older man's facial expression but she couldn't read anything.
Lucas did the same with Quinn and gave the blonde a reassuring smile.
"Quinn, we don't want to talk to you because of that. I know you overheard Rachel last night about her request and we also know too how you reacted on the given situation. What I'm trying to say is can you reconsider our daughter's offer? Living in this house will never be the same again while Rachel is gone. "Lucas saw the change of emotion in Quinn's hazel eyes.
"It's not what you think Quinn, we don't want a replacement, and we are just offering you to live with us until you figure out what to do with your baby. Since my Matthew is a doctor you're quite sure to be in good hands with your as yet to be born baby girl."
Quinn didn't even know how to react to the offer, it was a pretty good offer considering she already had tons of problems facing her on how she will be after the baby is born. Surely the insurance can't pay everything even though Puck promise that he would help her, she just can't be at peace with that. The only reason why she accepted Puck's proposal to live with him is she didn't have any place to go.
"We are not pressuring you for your answer Quinn, take your time don't worry about anything. We can discuss those issues later on, okay? And please do call me Lucas"
"Thank you Lucas, that's very generous of you."
Lucas stood up from the loveseat and pulled Quinn into an affectionate embrace. Quinn felt safe that very moment, all the worries that she has been harbouring for quite sometime now flew away. It felt like she was a child again in her father's arm, the only difference is Lucas isn't her father. She wished that her father was like Lucas, it wouldn't have reached this point of feeling so astray if her father could only understand and love her. Since she's here now, what she needs to do is to attend to the matter at hand, from the bottom of her heart she already made a decision but she needs to be 100% sure first.
Quinn life turned upside down after a couple of weeks passed. Glee, school, the baby, Puck, the offer and Rachel, those are the only things that she can think of. Glee rehearsal was getting tedious, two more weeks and they will be competing at Regionals and nobody had the guts to admit that they are kind of anxious and missed Rachel. This would be the first time that they are going to perform without the brunette. When she went back to rehearse after her short stint with the Berrys, she was bombarded with tons of question except for Puck who knew what happened.
Regionals came up and every one is at their best behaviour, a little nervous but Quinn knew things would get better. It had been a month since the last time she heard Rachel's voice and it had been a week since she accepted the Berry's offer. Living together with Lucas and Matthew has been the best decision that she made so far, everyday it was always like an affirmation that she made the right decision. She doesn't care what her parents would say if they found out, though her team mates at Glee don't even know it yet but Puck did and he never said a word. It was easy telling Puck that she's leaving and when he asked her where she's going to live, Quinn gave him a straight answer. Since then Puck never said anything and she was grateful because she doesn't know how to answer that.
Quinn was in the lounge waiting for the Berrys to come as they promised. They will be in the audience watching her and she was ecstatic when they told her.
"Hey sweetie" Lucas greeted her then gave Quinn a quick peck on her cheek, Matthew did the same.
"Hey" Quinn says while giggling, she felt really at ease already with the couple. "You're just on time."
"Of course, at least we try to be" the African-American dad of Rachel said.
"Honey, don't start with your corny jokes at Quinn they are about to start, we need to find our seat" Matthew said playfully.
Lucas' phone rang and he excused himself from the two who were chatting animatedly. Quinn just loved Matthew's sense of humour as it never failed to amuse her. She's about to say something when she hears her name being called by Lucas.
"Quinn, someone wants to talk to you" Lucas handed the phone to the blonde and talk to his husband.
"Hello."
"Hi Quinn" Quinn felt her heart beat faster upon hearing the voice that she so missed.
"Rachel, Oh gees I wanted to say a lot of things but the competition are about to start….." it was pause on the other line, Quinn can only hear a labour breathing from Rachel.
"Rach are you still there?"
"Yeah, I'm right here"
"I miss you Rach, I wish you were here." Quinn said sadly.
"I miss you too Quinn. Listen, I called because I want to wish you good luck on your performance, my dads told me that you guys were having one heck of a rehearsal. Don't stress yourself Quinn, it's not good for the baby and for you too."
"I know this will be the last time but if ever we can make it to Nationals I won't have my protruding stomach anymore. How's everything over there?" Quinn wanted to talk more but she knew she didn't have enough time, since Santana keep giving her death glares for the last 10 minutes.
"Quinn, listen I don't have enough time to talk, cellular phones are not allowed during weekdays, I just requested our Headmistress to allow me to make this phone call. Everything is fine, it's totally different but I'm starting to like it here, people are nice they don't have much of a bully in here" Rachel said trying to be funny at her last sentence.
"Rachel C'mon, the game is about to start! Hurry up!" Quinn heard someone talking to Rachel at the background.
"Give me a sec, I'll be right there" Rachel replied to whoever that was. Quinn felt a sudden irritation at that voice.
"Quinn,"
"I know Rach, you need to go now, and can I even talk to you again?"
"I'll call dad on the weekend, I know you're living with them Quinn. I really got to go, Louella is going to kill me if I'm not outside the door in 10 seconds. Goodbye Quinn, please tell my dads I love them. Take care of yourself and break a leg!"
Before she can even say goodbye it was a dead line already. Quinn handed the phone to Lucas and told them what Rachel said and hugged each of them before she joined her team mates. When she got in all eyes is on her, as if she did something horrible.
"What was that, Fabray?" Santana asks.
"What was what?
"I mean if I'm not mistaken that's Rachel Berry's parents, what are they doing in here?" Mercedes snapped.
"Oh that, there are here to watch us, is there any problem? Quinn barks back.
"Berry is not here, why do they need to come?" Kurt snorted.
"Because I'm here Kurt, they are here because I'm here! Are there any more questions? If you guys are already satisfied can we focus now?"
Quinn glanced at everyone and saw them nod. They watched the other performers, every show choir who just performed was amazing. When the emcee called Vocal Adrenaline, the audience went wild it was quite obvious that they are the crowd favourite. When the performance of the number 1 contender was done the emcee went back in the middle of the stage and introduced their school. Quinn looked at the couple in the second row and blew them a kiss while they are waiting for their cue.
Santana started singing their ballad song, everyone was amazed on how good Santana's voices was. It was a nick of time decision to change who will song the solo. At first it was Mercedes but for some reason Mercedes could not nail it until one day Santana talked to Mr. Schuester and let her sing. Schuester let Santana sing it in front of everyone and it was an unanimous decision that she sing the solo spot. When Rachel left, the whole group felt something was missing, there are times in the middle of their rehearsal everybody will just be quiet, look at each other and say nothing. They couldn't admit to them selves that without Rachel Berry it became totally different. They don't hear someone who will say how bad the choreography was and the choices of music are not appropriate.
When Santana finished the ballad, they gave every ounce of their energy to their group performance and the audience went wild to their very original rendition of Lady Marmalade. When they finished their performance they received a standing ovation from the audience. They exited the stage, as soon as they reached their lounge area everyone was screaming their hearts out with the reception that they received from the audience. They knew they had a chance to win it.
"I'm so proud of you guys, you did wonderful in there" their director said to them while grinning ear to ear.
"We did it, didn't we?" Tina said enthusiastically.
William Schuester approached Santana and gave her a squeeze. "We made the right decision putting you in there".
"Listen guys, whatever happens tonight even if we don't win the title, and place only second we still get our chance to compete at Nationals, the more important thing is you guys had fun" Mr. Schuester said.
Everyone nodded in agreement, before they heard the emcee went back on stage to announce the winner. New Direction was the last performer that night. Every team was called back on the stage, and the emcee starts announcing the winner.
"And now our second place, well whoever is called out for the second place post the team that will remain will be the Regional Champion" the emcee announced.
Quinn looked at everyone, it seemed that each one of them felt quite nervous. She looked at the audience and saw Matthew and Lucas smiling at her and she smiled back, suddenly she wasn't feeling anxious anymore. Quinn knows that even if they lose she will have a family to go home to. Quinn focused her attention on the emcee while they are about to announce the winner.
"Second place goes to New Directions of William McKinley High School, Lima Ohio."
The audience went wild when they heard that New Directions was awarded second place. It only means that again Vocal Adrenaline will take home the Regional Title.
New Directions was trying their best to cool it off, Finn took their award and the whole team followed him and did their bows to the audience. Immediately they went backstage to waiting and talk among themselves on why they didn't make it.
Jesse St. James approached and congratulated them. "Do you really think you could defeat us? If you still had Rachel Berry with you guys, there might have been a chance for you to at least match us."
Jesse looked at everyone and said "Victory is sweet" With that he turned on his heels and left the disappointed New Directions before they could even retaliate at him. Too bad Rachel is not there anymore, because he knows for sure if Berry was even there, New Directions has a big chance of winning. The petite diva can beat him on the stage with her powerful voice. He was just glad at least before he left Vocal Adrenaline they won Regionals again.
Quinn was staying at home due to Matthew and Lucas's requests, since any moment she could be having the baby. For her part she doesn't want to take a risk, that's why she obeyed. For the last few weeks after their devastating loss to Vocal Adrenaline, everyone seems to have one goal that is to win Nationals and take the title away from Vocal Adrenaline who has held it for 3 consecutive years. Even though no one is talking about it, she knew one of the reasons why they are working their ass off during rehearsal. It's because of what St. James told them that if Rachel Berry was with them they have a huge chance of winning it. Some of her team mates even cursed Rachel for leaving the school and left them without the lead singer, Mercedes is powerful singer but not powerful as Rachel. Everything is under the bridge now, Rachel is having a fun time in her new school in Switzerland, according to what Rachel told her during last week's conversation and yet again cut short because a certain Louella interrupted them and Rachel said goodbye to her.
It was kind of a nice arrangement. Every weekend Rachel would call her fathers and ask for her and they would talk for about an hour, just merely discussing what happened during the days. It will only be cut short if one of them needs to something like going to the bathroom or something else.
Quinn sat on the love seat, turned on the TV and looked for something sensible to watch until her phone rang, she turns down the volume first before she answered.
"Hello."
"Hey Quinn. I though maybe you were sleeping"
Quinn lit up when she heard the brunette's voice,
"Nope I'm just watching something sensible on TV, what's up? Why are you calling? It is only Friday"
"I hope you're watching something good for the baby Quinn, I've told you before whatever the baby hears does somewhat affect her, even inside the womb. Yes, I am perfectly aware that today is Friday, Switzerland has official holidays except for the usual ones so we were able to get our phones earlier"
"Then you called me right away?" she was teasing the brunette.
"Nope, I called dad first. I wanted to make sure you're fine."
"That's very sweet of you to do that Rachel, really what your family is doing to help is more than enough. I don't even know how to repay you guys."
Rachel has discussed this matter with Quinn many times already, but it seemed the blonde couldn't get enough of it.
"Quinn Alicia Fabray, it's getting tedious discussing this matter over and over again, I already told you like a hundred times that you don't have to do anything now. If you figure out what you want to do with your baby and the future that's the time we can discuss this matter but for now can we just drop the subject?"
Quinn felt the pleading in Rachel voice, she kind of liked it when the brunette asked her to something.
"Okay, I'm sorry."
"You're forgiven, did you ever think about your plan for the baby? Are you going to keep her?"
There was a silence.
"Hmmm…yeah I've been thinking a lot lately and I know what I want to do. It's just that I don't think if I can do it."
Silence again.
"You want to keep the baby." It's more of a statement on Rachel's part than a question.
"H—how do you know that?"
"My fathers said that you asked for my baby pictures and you've already looked at the album many times already and every time that they watched you, you always have tears in your eyes. That's why they felt you wanted to keep your baby."
"Oh, I didn't know that somebody was watching me" she cleared her thought before she continued "I want to keep her Rach, it's just that I am not capable of raising her, I can't afford those baby things. And I have to go to college, I just don't know how to deal with these problems."
"Quinn, listen to me. Like I told you don't worry about anything, my fathers and I will support you no matter what kind of decision you may decide either way. College we can deal with that later, we have to take one step at a time and right now think about your baby in your womb and how you will let her see the world safely."
Quinn held her stomach when she felt the baby kick.
"Oh Rach, the baby just kicked" Quinn had tears in her eyes. Yet again she knew she made the right decision in keeping her. She wanted to be the best mother not in the world but at least for her baby. "Her" that's a very nice thing to hear.
"Rachel, you still there?" Quinn asked worriedly.
'Yeah, sorry. I was kind of zoned out. "I know my dads will kill me if I say this to you, but I need you to know it."
"Rach, what is it?" Quinn asks worriedly.
"Go upstairs, go to the guest room that's already your room because you refused mine."
Quinn rolled her eyes with what Rachel just said, she remembered the arguments with Rachel when she refused to move to the brunette room.
"Okay I'm here, what now?"
"Can you see the door near the dresser?"
"Yeah. Rach what is this? Your fathers told me not to open it" Quinn said, sceptical to follow Rachel's instruction.
"Well yeah, I'm so sure they will say that because it wasn't finished until 4 days ago. For sure it is safe for you to go inside, by this time the paint has dried already."
Quinn felt exited immediately, slowly she opened the door and was amazed to see a nursery room with complete baby stuff. The crib was placed in the middle with four bin bags each side, the painting on the walls are colourful, mostly animated characters from the fairytales story. There is a working table on one corner of the room, beside that is the well decorated lavatory specifically designed for babies. The other side of the room is a single bed which is properly decorated too. Quinn felt her eyes begin to swim with tears, before she knew it she was silently weeping for joy, she was so touched and blessed having be at the Berrys.
"Quinn, are you still there? Oh you're crying you don't like it? Just tell me I'll talk to my dads right away"
"Oh Rach, no don't do that, it's perfect. It's just that I am overwhelmed, these are tears of joy. Rachel Berry, I don't think I've felt this happy since everything went chaotic. Thank you Rach, I just wish you would be here when I deliver" Quinn was able to say out loud what's in her heart and mind for the past few weeks. She knows it would be impossible because the brunette just left a couple of months ago.
"If I could I would, but I can't it's against school policy, my dad promised me to take a video of you." She said excitedly.
"No way, Rachel I wouldn't allow that! I mean I'll be delivering a baby in normal way, no no no… that's not going to happen."
"Well, Quinn Fabray I thought you lost that in you, you're still concerned about your figure then, we'll see about that" Rachel burst out in soft giggle.
"Rachel, I'm not talking about how big I am right now, I'm talking about the way the baby will be delivered! I'm quite sure you attend biology right?"
"On that, still Quinn you have nothing to be shy of" Rachel said, still smiling.
Rachel joyful voice was contagious and she couldn't help being affected too. Quinn left her room and went back downstairs while still talking to Rachel on the phone, she reclaimed her previous position and lifted her feet on the table when she felt something wet dripping from her legs. She touched it and said to Rachel "Rach I think my water just broke" trying to be calm.
Rachel almost felt panic when she understood what just happened.
"Okay, Quinn just hold on the line don't close it, I'll tell my dads."
Before she can even protest, Quinn heard Rachel talking to her roommate asking for the phone.
"Give me your phone now Louella, Quinn is about to deliver the baby I need to talk to my fathers"
"Use your phone" Louella said.
"I can't, she's still on the line" Rachel said annoyingly.
"Oh mother of mercy, you really love her Berry" Louella rolled her eyes and give her phone to her friend.
"Oh thank you!" Rachel immediately dialled her dads number and waited for someone to pick it up "C'mon dad answer the phone no voicemail please, she continued the mantra until the fifth ring. She heard her dads baritone voice.
"Dad it's Rachel, Quinn just have her water break, go back home now, she's alone there!" Rachel requested her father, it was like more of an instruction than a request.
Matthew didn't even have a chance to greet the caller who happened to be his daughter. Before running to his car he ran to his assistant. "I'll be back. Ask them to prep the delivery room. I am going to get Quinn." The assistant just nodded her head and obeyed what the doctor just told her.
"Quinn, dad is on the way to pick you up."
"Okay Rach… I think I'm in labor too…" Quinn said while panting.
"Okay Quinn just take a deep breath, do you want me to call someone else at least to be with you in the hospital?"
"You"
"Honey, I can't do that" Rachel said in frustration.
"I know, Rach. It hurts, I don't think I can make it to the hospital" Quinn said hysterically.
Rachel's heart was beating faster, she doesn't even know what to do or say to Quinn, she never had an experience with pregnancy, she reads book but not about this stuff. Rachel looked at her new found best friend and mouthed "I don't know what to say to her."
Before she knew it Louella grabbed the phone from Rachel's hand and talked to Quinn. She knows exactly what to do, thank goodness she has a sister who happened to be giving birth at home thru Lamaze method.
"Hey Quinn, my name is Louella McDormatt. I'm Rachel's friend."
"Hey, I'm Quinn" she doesn't know why Rachel passed the phone to the girl.
"Okay, listen up. Take a deep breath, try to stand up and walk"
"Are you insane? I'm in labor, how could I probably stand up?" Quinn said sardonically.
"Okay I'll let it pass, it's the technique in Lamaze method. Quinn, you have to walk around during labor so when you deliver it will help you cope during the strong and painful contractions. Do you understand what I am talking about now?"
"Yeah I guess" Quinn tried to relax herself and started walking back and forth. When she felt a contraction she stopped and took a deep breath.
"You get it now?" Louella asked worriedly.
"Yeah thanks, can you pass the phone to Rachel now? "
"Of course"
"You okay now? " Rachel asks sweetly.
"Yeah, it helped" Quinn continued to do the technique while talking to Rachel until Matthew got there.
Matthew arrived at their home, quickly followed by Lucas. Lucas went directly to her room to get her emergency bag. When he went back downstairs he saw his husband checking Quinn vitals while still on the phone.
"How many cm honey?" Lucas asks.
"It was 5, how long have you been in labor?"
"Almost an hour" Quinn said while wiping her sweat.
"Is that Rachel?"
"Yeah" Quinn handed the phone to Lucas.
"Honey, you have to put it down now, we're going to the hospital. We'll keep you updated whatever happens."
"Okay daddy, I just stayed on the line because Quinn was alone and now you guys are there I know she will be safe. Can you pass the phone to her?"
"Quinn, I'm going to put the phone down now, and my fathers will take good care of you. Oh I really wish I was right there."
Quinn felt the emotion from the brunette.
"It's okay Rach, I'll talk to you soon."
There was an awkward amount of silence. Quinn felt the need to go and said "I love you Rachel" with that she finished the call and put her phone in the emergency bag and glanced at the couple who looked pretty much stunned. She didn't know where she got the courage to say those words that she's been harbouring for weeks now.
Matthew and Lucas eyed each other and smiled happily. They knew sooner or later Quinn would come out but not in front of them.
"So you love our daughter Quinn Fabray." It's more like a statement than a question on Lucas' part.
Quinn looked at Lucas and said confidently "Yeah, I love your daughter."
"Good, at least now we know that Rachel will not get hurt" It was Matthew.
"What do you mean by that?" she's kind of hopeful that the brunette felt the same way.
"You'll know soon, but now we need to go to the hospital and deliver this baby to the world." Lucas said while carrying Quinn, which the blonde felt safe in his arms.