When Rachel went home that afternoon, she immediately checked her phone and realized that she has several missed calls and text messages from Quinn.
She instantly remembered the previous happenings and figured that she has to deal with many things first before dealing with Quinn. They will be together again, her heart, mind, and whole being agree with that, but they can't jump into that state quickly, they had to deal with other things as well—those things that broke them. She has to make sure that those things will never have a chance to break them again.
She opened the first message and read silently.
"I wanted to follow you but Britt said she'll handle it. I'm really sorry, Rach, it's not what you think. Please let's talk."
She looked up the time when the message was sent and realized that was also the time Brittany and her were talking in the bathroom. Quinn may probably had no idea about the thing they were talking about that time.
She opened another message, also from Quinn.
"You two were taking so long. But I don't think I should interrupt. Britt looked like she has to say something. Anyway, I'm with your friend Tina and I'm not sure if I should tell her anything.."
She frowned upon reading the message. She realized that Tina was not home yet, maybe out somewhere thinking about things. Just few hours from now and she will recall everything that she and Quinn has been through again, but this time, not just to herself but also to someone.
"You didn't even tell me you're going. Anyway, please take care. I still care about you a lot, Rach."
She felt her heart beats faster after reading that message. She missed receiving message like this from Quinn, really. She wanted to reply that she still cares so much about the girl too, but they can't talk about it for now. She doesn't want to lead Quinn on and hurt her in the process. Just like she said, there are still things to deal with.
She opened the last message as she pour herself some shots of wine just to relax her mind from all the things she had learned.
"Please answer my calls! Britt isn't telling me anything. Did she hurt you? What did you two talk about? Please let me know soon. I think I'll die not knowing anything. Please please please call me when you get home."
She was glad that Brittany did not tell anything to Quinn, because it would not be nice if all the revelations will come from Brittany and not from her. She needed to apologize to Quinn big time about not trusting her and neglecting her all throughout those years. She owes them to her.
She decided to send Tina a message first to explain everything to her.
"Come home now. I'll explain everything. I'm sorry. Xoxo"
She smiled and sent her message to Tina. She knows that her best friend will not last that long ignoring her. They knew each other since forever, and she knows that there's nothing that she will do that will make her best friend mad.
Her phone suddenly buzzed and she grinned when it was from Tina.
"I'm on my way, bitch."
She poured herself another shot of wine and typed a message for Quinn. They would have to reschedule their 'talk' because she has some things to arrange before anything else.
Before sending the message, and idea popped into her mind.
This idea may be so sudden but this will be her hint if it was going to be Quinn and her forever. If this plan will turn out to be successful, then she would be the happiest girl in the world, but if not, she will just have to accept the fact that maybe, Quinn is not the one destined to be with her until eternity.
"Quinn, I'm sorry. Let's meet next Saturday instead. Have things to deal with."
She made sure not to sound so sweet to Quinn just so it wouldn't give the blonde some false hope. But her heart is quietly whispering how much she loves the girl and how much she missed everything about her.
Her mind broke its trance when her phone rang and Quinn's name began flashing on the screen. She immediately contemplated if she should answer the call but decided that she at least owe this one to Quinn.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Finally!" she heard Quinn breathed in excitement and relief. "You answered. I've been waiting for you forever."
I've been waiting for you forever, too. Her mind answered. Instead, she took a deep breath silently before speaking. "I'm sorry. Why'd you call?" she asked.
"I was really worried about you." The girl simply answered but with an obvious worry in her voice.
She smiled unconsciously and was immediately thankful that Quinn can't see her. "Why?" she asked even though she knows the answer to that already. She just wanted to hear Quinn say it. She doesn't understand but she feels like she was becoming her 15 years old self again, where she was so innocent and madly in love with Quinn. There's nothing wrpng with that anyway.
Quinn sighed. "Because I care about you so much, Rach. You know that."
"Oh, right." She answered safely.
There was a pause for a moment, each of them just hearing each other's breaths until Quinn spoke. "Did Brittany hurt you?"
"She did not, Quinn, stop worrying." She answered with a smile.
"I can't help it."
"Well, okay."
"Are you—are you alright? You just disappeared earlier. Your friend was also worried." Quinn informed her.
"Yeah, she's on her way now." She answered shortly.
There was an awkward pause again. She tried to clear her throat to get Quinn to speak.
"Rach.. can I ask you a question?" Quinn asked her hesitantly.
"Quinn, not now, okay? I told you we'll talk next week. We're not supposed to talk about that over the phone."
"Just let me ask this question, please." Quinn begged and used that tone that she had missed. She imagined how Quinn must have her duck face on right that moment on the other line. She can't help but gave up.
"Okay, I guess."
"Thank you." Quinn took a deep breath and spoke. "Please don't take this the wrong way, okay? I just needed to know because I can't concentrate on anything right now. Britt is not even giving me a hint of what you two talked about earlier and I badly wanted to know what is it that—"
"Quinn." She interrupted when she realized that Quinn was getting out of breath from speaking. "Just ask me."
Quinn sighed loudly again. "Are—are WE okay?" the blonde asked her nervously as she emphasized the word 'we'.
She didn't answer immediately. She actually doesn't know the answer. Are they okay? Like, right now? She knows that soon they're going to be, after they talk about everything, or if she will be lucky, after her plan, but what about now? Why is Quinn not even mad at her about everything? How can Quinn be that amazing?
But she figured out that if they really had to talk about what happened, they needed to be okay with each other. They're about to start again and her heart was already jumping in joy just thinking about it.
"Yes, Quinn, we're okay." She answered after a long moment of silence, unable to hide the happiness in her voice.
She heard Quinn released a sigh of relief again. "Thank you, Rach. That means a lot to me."
"I know."
She suddenly heard someone fumbling with the keys outside and was opening the door and realized that Tina finally arrived.
"I miss you.." Quinn told her silently.
She smiled when she felt that familiar twist in her stomach. "Me too, Quinn."
"I can't wait for Saturday."
"Yeah. Hey, I have to hung up now, okay? Tina's already here." She heard Quinn grunted and it made her smile. "But I'll definitely see you on Saturday."
"Sure, goodbye, Rach. Please take care of yourself always." Quinn reminded.
"You too. Bye." She answered then hung up. She put her phone back above the desk on the living room and welcomed Tina in the front door.
She instantly hugged her best friend and led her to the living room. She also poured Tina some wine and the girl gladly took it.
"So?"
"So?" she asked back.
"What happened? What the hell was that about? Who are those girls? Why did THAT happen? Explain to me everything! I can't understand even a single thing! It's so confusing! All of it!" Tina asked her continuously with curiosity and annoyance.
She drank the last drops of her wine and sighed loudly before facing her best friend and initiated eye contact. "The taller blonde's name is Brittany. Brittany Pierce, and the other one is Quinn Fabray." She started.
Tina took a moment to process the names she had said and nodded. "You only answered one of my questions. What about the others?"
"I can't answer them all at once!" she answered defensively. "Ask for a specific detail. I don't want to go on and on until I lose my breath."
Tina glared at her but she knew that she will agree. "Okay. How did you meet them?"
She knew that just by answering that certain question will reveal a lot of new information to Tina, including her past with Quinn, but it does not matter anymore. She should have told her about everything a long time ago anyways. Her best friend deserves to know.
"Remember when Aunt Holly came back from Australia?" Tina nodded. "Well, we agreed that day to go play Dance Revo in front of my parents, but we ended up going to the bar. Aunt Holly's plan."
Tina has this amused look on her face but she still continued on talking. Tina can't react right now. "Well, she met her ex there and apparently he broke up with her at the bar. I then realized that aunt was not beside me anymore so I settled on one of the couch there and played PSP.."
Tina laughed and she smacked her shoulders. "How innocent and boring." Tina responded.
She glared at her best friend but continued. "Then Quinn came and approached me and then she played the race with me and she won. Oh, and she's 8 years older than us."
Tina looked surprised. "Really? Doesn't look like it. What about the Brittany girl? How did you meet her? Seems like they were best friends or something. Were they together that night?" Tina asked.
She shook her head. "Brittany was.. well, Brittany was her girlfriend back then."
Tina spilled out the wine she was sipping and looked at her disbelievingly. "What? So they're also gay? The bar you and your aunt went to.. was that a gay bar?" Tina asked with too much amusement.
She can only nod in response but shook her head again. "And no, it wasn't a gay bar. Brittany was not with her that night."
"So how did you know her?"
She sighed. "She threw me out of Quinn's apartment when we were hanging out."
"Oh, that's rude."
"Yeah. But Quinn broke up with her eventually."
"But why were they so surprised when they saw you earlier?" Tina asked with eyebrows knit together.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and decided to finally reveal everything. There's no turning back.
"Because—because I became Quinn's girlfriend after they broke up, and Brittany did not like it."
It may be impossible but Tina's eyes got really wide right after she said that, her mouth hanging open and the girl became motionless for a while.
"WHATTTT?!" Tina asked loudly.
"You heard right."
"Oh god." Tina shook her head. "I cannot believe it."
"Well you must. And I'm sorry for not telling you, though." She answered with low voice.
"No, it's fine, Rae." Tina thought for a moment. "You said Brittany was mad. What did she do?"
That's it. She bit her lip trying to resist her eyes from watering. It was all in the past anyway. "She—she called my dad and told him about Quinn and I. Dad was furious. He hit Quinn and made Quinn go away. So Quinn and I decided to part ways for a while. She said she will come back every midnight of my birthday until I turned 18."
Tina nodded in understanding while biting her lip, processing the new information. "I don't know who's the worst person. Your dad or Brittany."
She shrugged and continued. "Quinn did not come back on my 18th birthday so Santana and I went to Quinn's hometown and asked her parents where she was, but they said she was already married for a year with Brittany.."
"Oh god, that was terrible." Tina looked confused. "But I thought they were not together anymore?"
"That's the thing. It was not true at all, but I was a fool to believe. Brittany told me she told my dad Quinn's Kentucky address before. Everything then started to make sense. My dad went to Kentucky earlier than me and asked Quinn's parents to let Quinn back off." She answered already feeling her chest hurting. Seriously, how can someone do such a thing?
Tina reached out to hug her and rubbed her back. "I'm so sorry, Rae. I wasn't that much of help. That must really hurt. I really hate Hiram right now."
"I know. I hate them too." She answered while pulling out of the embrace.
"Does Quinn already know what happened?" Tina asked.
She shook her head. "I think I'll have to deal with mom and dad first. But I'm planning something once everything's dealt with. It's kind of a really big plan." she answered, thinking about her plan again.
"What is it?" Tina asked.
She struggled if she also has to say this to Tina, but she figured that she has to. She needs some advice about it anyway.
"Come here. I'll whisper it to you." she said and motioned Tina to lean forward.
"You don't have to whisper it. Just say it."
She shook her head. "I want to."
Tina sighed and gave up. Her best friend leaned forward and waited for her to whisper something. She cleared her throat before whispering her plan.
"Oh. My. God. That was a big step, Rae!"
She bit her lip. "I know. But I can't wait anymore."
"I'm not saying you shouldn't do that. That was actually a really good and sweet idea, but.. Just think about it. I don't want you to get hurt again." Tina answered with concern.
She was touched. She quickly stood in front of Tina and embraced her. "Thank you so much, Ti. You're my best friend. I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Rae." Tina responded. "So you're going home?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"Well, then, you must go now!" Tina encouraged her and stood up from her seat.
She realized that she really has to so she quickly went to open her laptop to book the earliest flight possible. It has to be done.
"Britt, where are we going?" Quinn asked confused as Brittany drives the car after her talk with Rachel.
"To the hospital." Brittany answered quickly.
Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. "To the hospital? What are we doing there?" she asked.
"I forgot to tell you. I have an offer here. I'll take a look at the hospital to see the department. If it suits me, then I'll move here. That's quite an opportunity, Quinn."
"What about Melissa?" she asked with concern.
Brittany shrugged. "I don't know. I'm still waiting for her but I have to build my own life too, you know? I'll travel back there immediately as soon as I hear from her, and you know that. But for now, I need to give her the space she wanted."
"I don't really understand you two.."
"Yeah. But it happened with you, Quinn, we didn't work out when I tried to keep on getting back with you. I just—I don't want her to get tired of me. I don't want to commit the same mistake anymore."
"I hope so." She simply answered. "Have you heard from her parents yet?"
"Yeah. They said Melissa keeps on saying she doesn't want to get back with me anymore."
"Why is that?"
"'Being a burden or something' issues." Brittany answered. "We're here."
She looked around and realized that the hospital is not really far from the company she works for.
"It looks fine." She complimented as they entered the hospital.
Brittany smiled and went to the information counter while she looks around the lobby appreciating the place. Her attention was immediately caught by a beautiful blonde kid, about 7-9 years old, walking and familiarizing herself with the place with the use of her white cane. Sympathy immediately ran towards her being as she realized that the girl is blind.
"Can you wait here for a while, Quinn?" Brittany asked.
She nodded still not looking away from the blind kid as Brittany made her way with one of the nurses down the hall of the hospital.
The child sat on one of the visitors' seats alone while probably waiting for someone. How can someone leave the kid alone?
She immediately had the urge to talk to the kid and make her happy because she can feel that she was really sad and lonely.
She made her way towards the visitors' seat and sat right beside the kid.
"Who- who's there? Nurse Jackie? Is that you?" the kid asked immediately once she felt her sat beside her. There's pure worry in the child's voice.
"Hey. No, don't be afraid, okay? I'm not going to hurt you or something. I'm not Nurse Jackie." She answered and held the girl's now cold hands.
"I'm sorry but—what are you doing?" the kid asked hesitantly and worriedly while pulling back her hands.
"I'm not going to hurt you, okay? I just want to be friends." She answered and reached out for the kid's right hand to shake it. "My name is Quinn. I'm also blonde like you."
"Really?" She studied the girl's face and smiled when the girl's trembling lips turned into a happy grin. The girl pressed her hand into hers and shook it as well. "I'm Lily. I wish I could see you right now. It's so nice the we have the same hair color." Lily replied excitedly.
She smiled at the adorable gesture and playfully ruffled Lily's hair. "Yours is much more beautiful than mine."
Lily shook her head. "No. Don't say that. Everyone was born equal."
She smiled adorably. "You're right. How old are you?" she asked with curiosity.
"I'm eight." The girl answered proudly with her little voice. "How old are you?"
"Oh, I'm already 31. Quite old, right?" she asked with a grin.
Lily shook her head adorably. "Not really. You're- you have the same age as my mother. I'm sorry I was rude to you earlier. She told me not to talk to random strangers." Lily apologized.
She tore up a little when she remembered how Rachel said those exact lines when they first met at the bar when the girl was 15.
"It's okay, Lily." She squeezed the little girl's hands.
"You keep on doing that."
"Doing what?" she asked confused.
"Squeezing my hands."
"Oh. It's because they're really cute and tiny." She smiled and got her Pokemon massage ball in her bag and put it in Lily's hands.
"What's this?" Lily asked while pressing the massage ball.
"It's a massage ball."
"What's this for?"
"Well, you can squeeze it so that your hands will always feel soft." She informed.
Lily seemed happy and amused as she continuously squeezed the massage ball.
"Hey, Lily.."
"Yes?" Lily asked.
"Why are you alone? Where is your mom and dad?"
Lily's face suddenly fell and the girl's whole being became sad, it was really obvious on her facial features. She immediately felt bad for asking the girl about her personal life.
"She's—"
"Lily!" a nurse called Lily loudly as she approached them. "Where have you been? I looked for you everywhere! Come here!"
Lily stood up quickly and headed to the nurse's direction with the help of her white cane. She stood up from her seat and guided Lily from walking until Lily was in the arms of the nurse.
She studied the nurse and realized that she may be in her early 50's already. She doesn't look so approachable and she's a brunette. Was this Lily's mother? Doesn't really look like it.
"Who are you?" the nurse asked her with a straight face.
"Oh, I'm—"
"Her name is Quinn, nurse Jackie. She's really nice. She talked to me and gave me this! We're friends now!" Lily showed up her massage ball that Quinn gave her.
Nurse Jackie did not pay attention to what Lily has said, instead, she glared at her and asked. "Are you visiting a patient? Here for a check-up?"
She shook her head. "I'm waiting for a friend."
"Well, then, have a good day. Let's go, Lily." Jackie dismissed and guided Lily to walk away.
Lily did not walk away, instead, she went back to her direction and hugged her thighs. "Are you going to come back here?" Lily asked.
She got down on her knees to be face to face with Lily. She brushed the girl's blonde locks with her hands and kissed her forehead. "Yes. Will you be here when I come back?"
Lily grinned happily and jumped in excitement. "Yes! I'm always here! Please come back soon!"
"Lily! Let's go!" Jackie interrupted and dragged the girl's hands.
Lily's face immediately saddened.
"Hey, be careful. Don't drag her like that." She told Jackie with a firm tone but Jackie just glared at her.
The two went their way until they were out of sight anymore. She noticed one of the girls in the reception eyeing her, so she walked to that direction and decided to ask some questions.
She made her way towards the reception desk and asked. "Is Lily a regular patient here? The little girl who's.. visually impaired."
The nurse seemed to know who she was talking about immediately, then shook her head. "She was a patient before, though. About a year ago."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "A year? That was a long time ago. What about now?"
The nurse seemed to be hesitating for a second. "I—I really can't give you the information you need, Miss, I'm sorry."
"Please. I'm harmless. Just tell me. If she's not your patient anymore then what is she doing here? She said she's always here every day."
"I'm sorry, Miss, it was really confidential. It's against the hospital policy." The nurse looked so apologetic.
"You seem to know a lot. How is she related to that nurse Jackie? Please tell me." she asked again.
The nurse started to grow annoyed at her persistence. "I'm really sorry. I can't elaborate anymore."
She sighed in frustration and defeat. She really doesn't want someone to get fired because of her. "Fine."
She turned around and noticed Brittany approaching her way with another physician.
"Quinn. This is Dr. Ramirez. Dr. Ramirez, this is my friend, Quinn." Brittany introduced them and she shook hands with Dr. Ramirez but she still can't hide the fact that she was annoyed.
"What's wrong?" Brittany asked her.
"Oh, nothing." She tried to force a smile. "I just met this very cute little girl—actually, she's blind but she's adorable. I asked the nurse right there about her but she refused to give me answers."
Brittany looked sympathetic and confused. "They can't give out information like that, Quinn."
She nodded in understanding. "Yeah.."
"I'm sorry to interrupt but.. are you talking about Lily?" Dr. Ramirez asked.
Her face lighten up and she quickly nodded. "Yes, Lily. She said she's 8. Blonde hair. About this tall." she said and motioned Lily's height in the air with her hand.
Dr. Ramirez nodded. "Yes. I know her. Everybody here in the hospital knows her. She's a really nice kid."
She was surprised but also very curious. "Why? The nurse told me she was a patient about a year ago, what is she still doing here? She's not continuing her medication anymore?"
Dr. Ramirez looked really sad but also careful with the words she says. "Let's sit for a while."
They all sat away from the nurses and continued talking. "Since Brittany here is my friend, I'm going to tell you the details, but you have to promise me that this won't come out, okay?"
"I promise. I was just concerned about her."
"Okay." Dr. Ramirez cleared her throat. "A year ago her mother brought her here with bloody eyes. She was in an accident. Her playmate accidentally poked her right eye with a pencil. She was not saved, her right eye got blind since then, her left eye, however, was not really an advantage because it also can't see clearly." Dr. Martinez finished with a hushed tone.
She heard Brittany gasped beside her and she instantly felt sorry for Lily. Who knew that such tragedy can happen in just a simple game between children?
"Where is her mother? I'm pretty sure nurse Jackie isn't her mom." She asked curiously.
Dr. Martinez sighed and seems to hesitate for a while but managed to continue. "They were actually a poor family and her mother was a single mom. When her mother knew the amount it will cost for an eye donor, she left Lily in her hospital room and vanished. No one has ever found her even until now. I was one of those who helped Lily settle her bills, together with her doctors."
A drop of tear left her cheek. How can someone neglect their child like that? Lily's mother was just pure evil. She doesn't want to judge but Lily doesn't deserve to be treated like that. She was a kid, she was her child, she was supposed to be supported and not abandoned. She was supposed to enjoy this world.
"How did she end up with nurse Jackie?" she asked again.
"She volunteered to bring Lily home when no one claimed her after 5 months, her husband opposed, that's why she did not continue Lily's medication anymore. She doesn't have that much money too. As time goes by she started to get tired of Lily. She said she's going to give up Lily to the orphanage soon, although she still wished for Lily to have someone who can pay a donor for her. There are actually a lot of donors. Problem is, she can't afford them." Dr. Ramirez finished.
She only nodded although her heart was already breaking inside because of too much sympathy. How can a kid, just eight years of age, was now suffering like that? There are many criminals who deserved to be treated this way, but Lily is not one of them. She immediately prayed for Lily to finally be fine. She wanted to help, badly.
"Thank you so much for all of this, Dr. Ramirez. I promise I won't tell anyone." She thanked Dr. Ramirez and shook her hands once more as they stood up from her seat.
"You're welcome. I always pray for her, you know." Dr. Ramirez told them and they only smiled. "Anyway, I have to go. Brittany, think about the offer, okay?"
Brittany nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Ramirez."
Dr. Ramirez nodded and went her way as she and Brittany went outside the hospital to her car and drove away.
During the ride home she can't stop thinking about Lily and ways on how to help the poor girl.
"We'll help, Quinn. I promise." Brittany assured her and she smiled in response.
Rachel took an early flight back to Los Angeles just to see her parents and confront them about everything they did to her and Quinn's relationship, and also to their whole lives. It took her about 6 hours and it was lunch time by the time she reached her hometown. The money she spent for tickets doesn't matter anymore. This is about time for this.
She can't believe her parents can do such a thing. She knows that they are against her and Quinn, but going as far as talking to Quinn's parents like that and initiating them to get Quinn out of her life is just pure evil. It's just really hard to believe. She thought that her parents have tried to make up with her, but what they did just made all things worse. And this time, they can't make up for it anymore.
Maybe if they did not do all those things, her life, her and Quinn's life will never be as miserable as what it has been before. Maybe they have been happier a long time ago, if not for her parent's stupid plans and ideas.
She pressed the doorbell at the new apartment her parents moved in three years ago. Although it was not really clear to her why they moved, she already has an idea, and she will make them all clear later as the confrontation starts.
This house has not been really a home to her because she never visited her parents too often when she started college. She does not even go there when her birthday comes, just during the holidays. But if she only has a choice, she would rather spend the holidays with her friends. Being with her parents has been really exhausting.
She cleared her throat trying to calm herself for a bit. She has no idea how to start the conversation but she figured that she will just go with the flow.
She inhaled a breath again as she saw the knob twisting and soon after it revealed her mother who looks older now than she was before.
Her mother instantly hung her mouth open and widened her eyes in surprise upon seeing her. They don't really expect her to visit that soon since there are no upcoming holidays or whatsoever. Her mom instantly enveloped her in a hug, very very tightly.
"Baby girl! How you've been? I'm not really expecting you here today!" her mother exclaimed as she dragged her to the living room.
She only bit her lower lip as she looked around the house which hasn't been really a home for her. "Yeah. Where's dad?" she asked in a straight tone.
It made her mother stop grinning widely. Her mother's features were instantly exchanged by worry, and it made her sick how pretentious her parents have been all these years.
"Are you okay, baby? You seem a little upset." Her mother went to her and felt her forehead, checking if she has a fever. "But you're not sick. What's wrong?"
"Stop it, mom. Of course, I'm not sick. Don't do that again. I'm not a kid anymore." She answered, already feeling annoyed. She has to confront them already so she can go. She can't last being with these evils anymore. "Where's dad?"
Her mother was surprised again by her sudden behavior, she knows that her parents were not used of her being upset, especially with them. But they can't go away with this anymore, she already knew everything. They can't possibly get out of this conversation anymore.
"In- in the study room. Wait a minute, I'll call him." Her mom answered with fear and disappeared to the study room.
She sat on the couch in the living room and reached for the remote to open the television. She needed to relax for a bit. The conversation will not make sense if she will let her negative emotions go through its way.
She switched to every channel, unable to find any interesting shows. After a while, she stopped on Cartoon Network. She instantly smiled and remembered her childhood and teenager days when she used to love spending her time watching several cartoons, when she was still innocent and a simple cartoon can make brighten up her whole day.
She still is a gamer until now but it was not as frequent as before, considering her age and responsibilities. It has been years already since she last watched a cartoon and she missed it already. It makes her reminisce her childhood days, and also her happy days with Quinn.
She cracked a light laugh when she saw how Tom lost for the nth time in his battle with Jerry. The baby duck also never failed to make her laugh because of its voice. After a while, she was already cracking loudly until her dad's voice interrupted her. She sighed and felt angry all over again. Mood killer.
"Baby girl! What are you doing here this early?" her father asked her excitedly and opened his arms widely. "Come here and give me the sweetest hug!"
She rolled her eyes annoyingly and turned off the television to face her dad. She did not move a single inch just to embrace him. "There are important matters that we need to talk about, dad." She answered with bitterness in her voice especially when she said the word 'dad'.
Her father dropped his hands to his side instead feeling really embarrassed. She heard her mother gasped lightly from behind her dad but she shook it off. Her dad can't beat her for her behavior now, can he?
"What's wrong, baby girl? You're being quite rude." Her father asked with that voice he always used to soothe her when she was crying when she was still a child.
She composed herself on the couch and her father and mother followed her and sat across her. She gave her parents a glare and shifted on the couch uncomfortably, trying to compose everything she has to say to them in her mind.
"What is it?" her father asked and she saw her mom was also eager to ask the same thing to her. "It must be important since you travelled that long." His father's voice was already straight and firm.
"Do you remember Quinn?" she asked with an angry and low voice.
She studied her parents' reactions and saw how her mother's face became surprised and turned into guilty ones. Her father let out the same reaction as well but he settled in being angry. She knows it hit him a nerve, she knows how angry he was with Quinn. And until now, she still can't understand why.
"Why are we suddenly talking about her?" her dad asked angrily, her mother just sat beside him with her lips zipped. That's how she always is anyways.
She smiled evilly. "Well, I guess you do remember her and everything you've done to her? To us?" she asked.
His father shifted in his seat and clenched his hands together. "What—what do you mean, Rachel?"
She shook her head disappointingly. "Don't pretend that you don't know!" she yelled already losing her temper.
Her father was surprised but knit his eyebrows in confusion and he still has that worried look in his eyes, as well as her mother. "Know what, exactly? If you came here just to disrespect me and your mother, I think you just have to go."
She sighed and matched the look in his father's eyes. "What have you been doing since I was 15?"
Her father chuckled. "Taking care of you! Of your innocence! Protecting you from any harm that people may cause you."
"Those people you are talking about did not cause me any harm, dad! They didn't! You did! Both of you did!" she yelled back, tears instantly forming in her eyes while pointing directly at her father's face.
Her father stood up from his seat, his eyes finally burning in anger. Her mother came in rescue and stopped her dad from going near her and slapping her face.
"What did you say? After everything that we've done for you?! You aren't even thankful of us?!" her dad asked, looking like a growling tiger.
"How can I be thankful, dad?! When all you did was to make my life miserable? What makes you think that everything you do makes me happy? What, dad?! What?"
"You get all the things you wanted, Rachel! Ask us, and we'll instantly give it to you! How can your life be miserable? Tell us!" her father sat on the couch again while pointing at her.
"You made my life miserable the moment you threw Quinn out of my life. She was the one I wanted, but did you give her to me?" She answered with a low but firm voice.
"You were so young! You were just 15! How can we accept that? Your mother and I can't just stand there and do nothing when some pervert adult takes advantage of you!"
"She's not a pervert, dad! She respects me with all of her being! She did not take advantage of me! She let me decide about us! Hell, she won't even touch me if she sees that it makes me uncomfortable!" she said as she stands up and paced angrily across the room.
Her father suddenly got quiet but she can see that his jaw is clenching as well. His whole body is shaking because of too much anger she's causing them, but she does not care about it anymore.
"You're on her side instead of ours, Rachel? Us, your parents. Us, who worked really hard just to assure that you'll be having a great future ahead of you, just like what you are now?" her father asked with low voice.
She crossed her arms across her chest just to prevent it from doing anything she would regret. This statement of her father does not make her any less angry, in fact, it made her even more angry. She looked at her father with fire in her eyes.
"Stop saying you want what's best for me, dad. I am what I am now because of my own hard work, because of my own body and mind, because of my own perseverance. All you did was give me the money but you haven't helped me even a single bit until I reached the top."
"You wouldn't be there without the money we gave you!" her father snapped back.
"If you didn't, I would work on my own to earn money." She simply answered and it made her dad speechless.
"What did you do that night of my 17th birthday, dad? Tell me what have you—a concerned parent—has done?!" she continued and asked them angrily and straight to the point while tears are already falling from her eyes.
Her father looked at her surprisingly and panic was suddenly evident in his being. "So that is why we're having this conversation?" he asked trying to sound confident.
"Just answer me!" she yelled and it made her mother gasp again.
"How did you—"
"It's not important, dad! Just- just tell me what the fuck you did that night of my 17th birthday! Tell me everything that you have been keeping from me."
Her father looked at her as if he was sorry for what he did but that doesn't make anything hurt less. Besides, it's too late to apologize, it's done.
"We—we went to Kentucky—that's where her parents live back then—and told them to tell their daughter to back off. They deserved to know that, Rachel. They deserved to know how disappointing their daughter was for taking advantage of your innocence—"
"SHE DID NOT TAKE ANY ADVANTAGE OF MY WHOLE BEING! Will you stop saying that?! It's exhausting! It's really exhausting that it was your only reason for doing all the bullshits that you've done to her, to me, to us! Fuck you, dad! I honestly want to kill you right now!"
Her dad walked to her direction and slapped her really hard. It hurts. It actually hurts than any of those punishments he gave her in the past. She did not think that his hand would hurt than a leather belt, but whatever. His slap might hurt but she can't be defeated by it, it must not have an effect on her.
"What did you say to me?! You're cursing me, Rachel?!" her father asked with a red face.
"YES! Honestly, you do not just deserve a curse! You deserve everything worst!" she answered back angrily.
Another slap hit her right cheek and just like before, she will just hold the battered part and rub it until the pain fades. "You will regret that you're doing this now someday, Rachel. You will."
"You wish!" she answered and started crying. "How can you do something like that, dad?"
"All we did is tell her parents what they deserve to know."
"Did you know that she got kicked out of the house that night? Did you know how she starved herself just to pay for her own apartment and school? She wanted to finish school because she wanted to give me a good future! That's how much she loves me, dad, she's willing to suffer just to make sure I'll be happy, just to make sure I'm safe, and you failed to do that because you did not even consider my happiness, which is the first and foremost thing that you have to consider. You failed, dad. You failed! Screw you!"
Her dad's emotions fell and she saw how he started to tear up. His shoulders fell to his sides and he dropped back to the couch beside her mom who was already crying. "It wasn't our fault that her parents are also disappointed in her."
She shook her head disbelievingly. "Did you just stand there and watch dad do evil things, mom?" she asked now facing her crying mom. She did not even feel any sympathy for both of them.
Her mom nodded slowly and it made her cry even more. "I'm sorry, baby.. you don't know how much I wanted to back out but-"
"But you can't, because you're his underdog! You're a fucking coward!" she finished for her mom.
Her mom did not answer anymore. She glanced to her parents once again and noticed how guilty the two were with their heads down, shaking shoulders, and quiet sobs. They look like a criminal caught in action.
"During my 20th birthday, what did you say to her, dad?" she turned her attention back to her dad and asked, but it was a quieter tone this time. She already knew, but she wanted to see how sorry her father was for doing it.
Her father slowly looked up until their eyes met. She saw how red her father's eyes are but it does not have any effect on her. Honestly, she wants to wish him dead already.
"I hit her—but it was because she disrespected me, Rachel. She talked to me like I wasn't older than her-"
"Quinn did not hit me even if she's older than I." she cut her father off. "That's not an excuse, dad. You did not just hit her, you also hit a GIRL, who's disrespectful now?"
Her father shook his head. "I did not mean any of that."
She chuckled in a mocking way. "Regardless. What else did you do as a concerned father?"
"I told her the truth, Rachel. I told her you weren't here, and you weren't really here." He answered like a child trying to sound innocent about breaking her mother's flower vase.
She shook her head disappointingly. "Did you tell her where I am?" she asked even though she already knew the answer.
Her father looked at her with pure apology but she did not buy it anymore. "I didn't."
She nodded and bit her lip to prevent herself from crying loudly once again. She did not talk for a while to see if her parents still have something to say to her that Brittany missed, but they also did not talk.
"That's also the reason why you moved into this house." She states, she did not ask, but states.
Both of them nodded, but have nothing to say anymore.
"She spent her whole life looking for me.. she never gave up. Are you still going to think she wants to take advantage of me? After all these years?" she asked but no one answered her. "You let her suffer this fucking much. You made her life miserable! If you didn't do all those bullshits, we would be happier a long time ago, and this confrontation wouldn't happen! How selfish you two are? Pretending to be religious and all, when in fact, you two are worse than Satan!"
"I'm sorry, baby.." her mother spoke with a very broken and low voice.
"Don't call me that! I was never your baby! I don't know you anymore!" she yelled angrily, her nose flaring. "If not for you interfering in our relationship, we would be all living happily until now, with me not hating you as much as I do now."
Her father slowly walked through where she was. She instantly brought her hands up to stop him from going near her. "Don't you fucking touch me. Stop right there."
Her father stopped walking and spoke. "I'm very sorry, Rachel. I thought I was doing the right thing. I just wanted you to have a good future and be safe. You know how much we love you, you're our only child, of course we care that much about you. You can't blame us if we get paranoid with people who come near you."
"You gave Tina, Santana, and other people a chance to get near me, but not Quinn. What has she ever done to you?"
"I didn't need to give her a chance because I already know that she won't be a good influence on you! She's a headache to her parents!" her father argued once again.
"But not to me! She was the sweetest, most thoughtful, most loving, most respectful, most gorgeous, and most responsible person that I have ever met! She's definitely the best influence on me, dad, if you just gave her a chance."
Her dad finally seemed defeated because his face softens again upon hearing her response. "I'm very sorry.."
She shook her head immediately and went to arrange her things on the couch. "It's too late, dad. It's too late for both of you."
"Baby, don't do this. If you want to be happy, don't worry, we will support you, whether it was with Quinn or any other, just—please, don't do this to us. We are your parents." Her mother said and walked through her direction to hug her.
She immediately brushed her mother's hands away with a force and took a step back. "Wow. How thoughtful, mom. I was touched, really." She replied while holding her heart as if she was really touched.
"Rachel, please.. don't do this. We did all of those things because we love you that much." Her father reasoned.
"Oh, so you'll have to secretly kill the woman I love just to make me feel your love?" she asked, and she knows that her dad will not have any answer to that anymore. He dropped his head and mumbled an apology.
"It's done, mom, dad." She grabbed her purse and walked through the front door. "Just give me few more years to pay all those dollars you spent for my FUTURE."
"Please, baby, don't do this." Her mother begged her once again.
She opened the door and turned to her parents before walking out of it. "I request you to do me one last favor.." she trailed off with a low and firm voice. "Please forget that you still have a daughter, because she was out of your life now, and she will never come back."
Her mother tried to speak once again but she shut the door already and quickly hailed a cab to go to the nearest hotel.
She continued working once she was back in New York like nothing between her and her parents happened. It actually made her feel free. It was like she's not doing something and becoming afraid that her parents wouldn't like it.
Once she was done with her Friday shift, she quickly called Quinn and prepared to ask her out not on a date, to talk and to make everything right.
"Hello, Rach?!" Quinn answered on the first ring excitedly. "How are you?! It's been forever!"
She rolled her eyes playfully because of Quinn's being adorable. "It's been five days, Quinn." She corrected. It was already Friday and Sunday was her last talk with Quinn. Although she can't hide the fact that she was also excited hearing the blonde's voice.
"It's forever to me." Quinn answered seriously and she smiled. "How are you?"
"I'm fine." She simply answered.
"Are we still on for tomorrow?" Quinn asked worriedly. "But if you're not yet done dealing with things, I totally understand. I just want to make sure you're okay."
"Yes, Quinn, I'm okay." I'm beyond perfect. Her mind answered. "And yes, I'll definitely see you tomorrow. I actually have a surprise for you."
Quinn sighed in relief from the other line and she knows that the girl was grinning widely. "Surprise? Are you sure, Rach? If you're busy I'd totally understand.."
"Do you want me to cancel it?" she asked playfully.
"No! No! Of course not! I just want to make sure." Quinn answered defensively.
She chuckled and thought about making fun of Quinn for a while. "So you think I'm not sure?"
She heard Quinn gulped. "No, Rach. I promise, I don't. I just—I don't want to interfere with the things that you've already planned."
"So you think that agreeing to talk to you is not included in my plans?" she asked again resisting herself from laughing out loud when she hears the panic in Quinn's voice.
"Rach, I—I don't. I swear.. Please don't act this way. You know how much I wanted to talk to you." Quinn said and she sounded like she was about to cry.
She did not answer for a while just to see how Quinn would react. "Rach? Rach? Please answer. You're making me nervous. I'm sorry for making you think that you didn't plan on-"
Quinn was cut off by the laugh she finally let out. She heard Quinn grunted from the other line and it made her laugh even more. "I.. was.. just.. trolling.. you.." she answered in between laughs.
"Rach!" Quinn responded but she knows that she was smiling. "Stop laughing!"
She finally stopped after a while and spoke. "You found it funny."
"I didn't." Quinn answered immediately. "I was too worried."
"I know. I just wanted to see how worried you were."
"Very, very worried. You know how much tomorrow will mean to me." Quinn answered her with seriousness.
Her playful reaction instantly faltered and she became serious as well, but she still has that genuine smile on her face. "I know. It means a lot to me too, Quinn."
"I just wanted to clear things up, Rach, those things that were left unclear."
She nodded. "Yeah.. yeah, I know."
"Do you?" Quinn asked.
"What?" she asked curiously but with confusion.
"Do you.. do you also want. Uh, nothing." Quinn hesitated in answering.
She sighed. "Yes, Quinn, more than anything, that's why I want to take you somewhere tomorrow."
"Really? Where?"
"It's a secret, Quinn. You're spoiling the fun."
Quinn chuckled nervously. "You really didn't have to do this, Rach, taking me somewhere and all."
"Believe me, we need this."
"Yeah, I believe you, Rach. See you tomorrow. Bye."
"Bye." she answered.
She put her phone down but realized that Quinn did not drop the call. She put her phone on her ears again and spoke. "Why didn't you drop the call?"
"I was waiting for you to drop it." Quinn answered.
She furrowed her brows in confusion. "Why me?"
"You're the one who called me."
"That doesn't mean I have to be the one to end it."
"But you said goodbye last." Quinn argued.
She inhaled a large breath and spoke. "Okay, fine, bye for now, okay? I'm going to drop the call now."
"Okay, bye, Rach." Quinn told her with a light chuckle.
"Please be there, okay?." She asked Quinn with a smile.
"I will, I most definitely will, I promise."
"Can I pick just pick you up? It doesn't really look gentle if I let you travel on your own." She suddenly asked when she realized that she was not really sure if Quinn knows the place they are going tomorrow, and it's not really appropriate for Quinn to drive herself when she can do that for her. She asked her out, she was also supposed to be Quinn's prince.
"So.. is this going to be a—a date?" Quinn asked shyly. She cracked a light laugh when she realized that Quinn was acting like a lovesick teenager ever since they started talking, but she found it really new and adorable. And of course, it will always look like it—a date. She knows that they can't look in the eyes not showing how much they love each other.
"Yes it is. It is important to me, Quinn, and I hope that it is to you too." she answered. "So, can I just pick you up? Just like the old times, but reversed?"
She tore up a little upon remembering the old times but resisted. "Yeah. Of course. You have no idea how important it is now to me."
"Perfect! How about 7?" she exclaimed.
"Seven's perfect. I'll text you my address." Quinn simply answered.
"Okay. I'll be there on time." She answered. "Bye, Quinn."
"Bye." Quinn answered back and dropped the call.
She lay on her bed with a genuine smile and felt her heart jumping in joy. She can't wait for tomorrow already. She went to her drawer to stare at her present for Quinn. Only a few bucks were left in her savings because of the amount she spent for tickets back and forth to LA, and for this present to Quinn, but it was fine. It's results were amazing.
The only one left that she was looking forward to is Quinn's reaction to her surprise tomorrow.