Here it is, I have the next chapter in the works and that should be up shortly.
Read and Let me know what you think!
I also realize that up until now there has been very little trouble between Rachel/Quinn but that may change as this story continues
THANKS
The year seemed to be flying by, and before Quinn knew it snow was falling around her as she waited outside of the school for Beth. The little girl's Winter break was going to begin, and Rachel and Quinn had decided they would all spend Christmas back in Lima with both of their parents. It was not something Quinn would usually look forward to, but now that she was returning home with a family, it didn't seem like such a bad idea.
Quinn was pulled from her thoughts of home when she felt two small arms wrap themselves around her waist. The blond looked down and smiled at Beth and leaned down to place a kiss on top of her head.
"Come on its cold" Quinn signed and then took Beth's hand as they began to walk.
They came to a small cafe, causing Beth to look at her with confusion.
"Hot chocolate" Quinn signed and Beth clapped happily.
The two women got their hot drinks, and took a seat at a table.
"Beth, there is something we need to talk about" Quinn signed
Beth looked at her mom for a minute and then quickly started signing. "It was an accident, Honey didn't mean to chew your slipper, don't send her away"
Quinn's eyes softened "That isn't what I was going say, and no one is going anywhere"
Beth let out a sigh and nodded, waiting for Quinn to continue
"I want to ask Rachel to marry me" she signed and waited for a reaction. Beth just kept looking at her and sipped her hot chocolate.
"I love her very much, and I want us to all be a family for a very long time" she continued.
"Ok" Beth signed and smiled
Quinn could tell that Beth was okay with what she was telling her but was still concerned by the lack of questions or comments coming from the small girl.
"Do you want to ask me any questions?"
The little girl thought for a moment. "Can I get a cookie for the walk home"
Quinn gave a small laugh and nodded.
Half an hour later the two girls walked into the apartment, where Rachel was sitting on the couch reading. The two puppies laying on her lap, as she used one hand to pet them while the other held her book.
The sound of the door opening caused the brunette to look up and smile. She stood and kissed Quinn hello, and then knelt down to Beth out of her coat and gloves.
"How was school?" Rachel signed to Beth
"It was fine, I don't have to go back for a whole two weeks"
"I know, and you should start packing while dinner is cooking. We leave tomorrow"
"Ok" was all she said and the skipped off to her room
Rachel and Quinn were now alone in the living room, and it didn't take long for them to be in each other's arms.
"I missed you" Rachel said adoringly
"I missed you too, did you get the rest of your christmas shopping done?"
"I did. I also mailed off a few boxes of presents, that way we don't have to carry them on the plane with us tomorrow."
"That was a good idea, what time is the car service coming to get us tomorrow?"
"The driver will be here at noon, our flight isn't until three, so it will give us enough time to get there and go through security"
"Are you nervous about going home? With Finn there and everything?" Quinn asked nervously
"I don't want to see him, but if I do I'll be polite, and you'll be with me, so it will be fine"
Quinn smiled, satisfied with the answer. "You know, I don't think you ever really told me what happened between you two"
Rachel sighed and led them to the couch. "Finn came to New York with me after High School, and we soon got married, and everything was okay, not great but okay, and then Shelby died, and Beth came to live with us. Finn wasn't happy, he didn't want to learn sign language, he would get impatient with her, and with me when I would tell him that she was just a little girl, who just lost the only mother she ever knew"
Quinn could feel herself getting more and more angry but let Rachel continue
"Anyways, one night I came home later than usual and Finn was yelling at Beth for leaving a toy around. I told him to leave and he did"
Quinn was seething "I'm going to kill him"
"No, no, you will not" Rachel insisted "Look how happy we are now and what would I do if you went to prison"
Quinn looked into Rachel's eyes "I love you so much, you are such a great mom to Beth, and I can't imagine my life without you"
Rachel responded with a deep kiss "I love you too. My life is so much better now that you're back in it"
The next morning Rachel, Quinn and Beth were in their seats on the plane, preparing for take off.
"Why is this plane so small?" Quinn leaned over and asked Rachel who was sitting next to her.
"Don't be nervous, it is only small because it is just used for connection flights" Rachel said giving Quinn's hand a squeeze
"Rach, this plane is smaller than the plastic elephants for the dumbo ride at disney world" Quinn quipped, her voice with hints of panic in it.
"I've taken this kind of flight many times, I promise it will be okay, just hold my hand"
Quinn did as she was told, and with her free hand started looking in the pocket infront of her for the airplane safety pamphlet. Beth seemed to sense her mother's discomfort because she looked over from her seat in the adjacent row and signed "What's wrong?"
"Nothing honey, I'm fine, everything is fine, we're all going to be fine" Quinn signed back
Rachel, who had watched the interaction quickly signed to Beth "Mom is just a little scared of flying"
"No I'm not, I'm afraid of flying in planes made by Fischer-Price" Quinn said to Rachel, not wanting to scare Beth, she didn't sign it.
Rachel chuckled, and reached into her bag and pulled out some crayons and coloring books.
"That's a good idea, it will keep Beth's mind off the flight" Quinn said as she noticed the items Rachel was retrieving
"Yeah and for you too" The brunette said handing each of the girls to the sides of her a box of crayons. She gave Beth the coloring book and pulled out some blank pieces of paper for Quinn.
"Are you serious?" Quinn questioned "I'm not five... and how come she gets the coloring book"
"Less talking more drawing" Rachel ordered and pulled out her magazine.
A couple of hours later the flight was over and Quinn was carrying a sleeping Beth off the plane, while Rachel toted their carry on luggage.
"Should I wake her up?" Quinn asked
"No, she didn't sleep much last night, she was too excited for the trip" Rachel said, running a hand over the sleeping girl's cheek. "If we can make it to baggage claim, my father's should be meeting us there, he can help carry her"
"I'm a little nervous about seeing them, I mean, you and I weren't best friends in high school" Quinn said
"Don't worry, I've told my father's all about our relationship now, and they approve and are dying to meet you"
Quinn let out a sigh of relief and then asked "Um..what do you mean 'all about our relationship'?"
"Quinn! I wouldn't tell them about THAT, what we do in our bed is none of their business" Rachel replied
"I know I'm sorry, I'm just nervous"
They entered baggage claim and Quinn spotted two, slightly older looking, familiar men. The greetings were warm and welcoming. Ben, the taller of the two took Beth into his arms effortlessly, while Hiram collected the girl's bags and helped them to the car.
It was only an hour or so before they were unpacking their bags into Rachel's old bedroom.
"My god, its like a shrine in here" Quinn said looking around the room, that looked like a seventeen year old girl was still living in it. There were trophies and ribbons and pictures everywhere.
"I think we should wake Beth up, or she won't be able to go to sleep later tonight" Rachel said ignoring the fact that Quinn had started rummaging through her old stuff.
"Yeah thats a good idea, but first..." Quinn said coming up behind Rachel and kissing her neck.
Rachel smiled and turned around in Quinn's arms "Not while my dad's are here" she said and kissed Quinn on the lips.
"Are we still having lunch at your mother's tomorrow?" Rachel asked
"Yes, she said that she was excited to meet your family" Quinn replied flopping down on the bright pink bed.
Rachel laughed at the blond and continued to unpack. A voice came from the door.
"Lunch is almost ready girls, and Beth is awake and downstairs helping us" Ben said peeking into the bedroom
"Thanks Dad" Rachel said and Quinn quickly jumped up
"I'll come and help set the table" the blond offered
"That would be great, Thank you Quinn"
Downstairs in the Kitchen Hiram and Beth were making sandwiches. When the little girl saw her mom and grandpa come down the stairs she perked up and signed "Look I made lunch"
"Very good. Is that for me?" Quinn asked
"No, this one is for Mamma Rachel" the little girl signed.
"When did Beth start calling Rachel mamma?" Ben asked Quinn as they began to set the table.
"When we all started to live together" Quinn said "We are a close family. A little complicated, but very close"
"That is great to hear" Hiram said coming over and joining them, leaving Beth much on the chips she was supposed to be setting out. "Rachel hasn't been this happy since opening night of her first broadway show."
Quinn bit her lip and thought Now or never "I'm glad you think so, because Rachel and I love eachother very much, and I'm going to ask her to marry me" Quinn said in a hushed tone, so that the brunette upstairs didn't hear her.
The two men were a bit surprised at how quickly Quinn had told them this, she had only met them officially a few hours ago.
"I realize that this may seem sudden, but I assure you it isn't" Quinn said, her confidence shaken a bit by the lack of response she was getting from the two men.
Hiram put his hand on Quinn's shoulder and gently said "You have our blessing, I'm sure she will say yes"
Quinn let out a breath she didn't know she was holding smiled. Beth ran up and grabbed a hold of Quinn's leg.
"Can we eat now?" the little girl asked
"Yes, go get mamma" Quinn signed back
The little girl was off running up the stairs, and found the room that Rachel was unpacking in. Beth hopped onto the bed and signed to the brunette "Lunch time"
"I'll be down in a minute" Rachel signed, a sad look crossing her features
Beth tilted her head in question "Whats wrong?"
"Nothing honey, I'm okay"
"Do you miss Honey and Bear?" Beth asked "Because Mom said that they were being taken care of by nice people"
"I know they are sweetheart" Rachel ran a hand through Beth's curly hair and swooped her up into her arms "Lets go eat"