Graduation Day

(Quinn)

I was nervous, or rather anxious. It was cloudy and sultry in New York on my graduation day. My mother was in town, in my house. I paid the train fare so she could come here. My mom arrived yesterday and the first thing she did was complain about my place and the fact I share it with a hairy man. It's not my fault that Santiago liked his long hair, and to be honest, he had worse haircuts. I settled my mom in my room and shared my bed with her, as we always did. I always tried to offer my best to her, and about that she couldn't doubt.

I sent invitations to my mother, Frannie, my father (I had to show him), the Lopezes, and Mike. Santiago had an idea and we diagrammed an informal invitation to distribute to friends and the rest of the family. My mother gave some to my grandparents, uncles and her friend that helped her in the sewing business. These people wouldn't come to my graduation, but it was only a matter of delicacy warning. Then at night, I and Santiago and some of our friends planned a celebration party at a pub. But the lunch was reserved for the family, even though I wasn't sure who would come.

"Let me help you with your dress." My mother straightened the bent handle and passed her clinical eye on me. "We can put a pin here to improve a little bit."

"Pin, mom?"

"Diaper pin, a small one. It is very discreet and makes miracles."

I let her help me. It was only a small satisfaction that I could give to my mother. Then, I finished my makeup and waited for Santana, who said would drive us.

"You're almost looking like a person, Mr. Santiago. Not a caveman." He laughed with this almost compliment from my mother. "You should cut your hair."

"It's part of my style, mrs. Fabray."

"Please, Santiago, it's miss Penn. I don't use my ex-husband surname anymore."

"All right, ma'am."

"Will your parents come?"

"Oh yes, they're in the city as so my lil' sister and brother. They are eager to meet Quinn, since she's the one who put some sense into my head."

"It's true!" I snapped.

"And I made you go back to focus." He was referring to when I was loose in my career, taking any job to survive until he convinced me to do the selection tests process in Bad Things. Well, we kind of save each other at some point.

We hugged each other and I knew that the day would be more emotional than I realized. Santana honked and said us to go downstairs. My mother insisted on carrying my gown because, apparently it was an important job. Santana was beautiful, in a slightly tight dress at the knees and heels. She knew to dress very elegantly when she wanted, I had to admit. Unfortunately Rachel wasn't with her: sign that she couldn't catch the flight she intended. The filming schedule was tight and Rachel said me she would do the possible to take the first flight to New York she could. Honestly, I was afraid to call her only to find that she didn't make it.

"And Rachel?" My mother had to ask. I closed my eyes in anticipation for the answer that would be a disaster for me. "Doesn't she even have time to come to the graduation of her own girlfriend?"

"Didn't Rachel tell you?" Santana said in small voice and I just shook my head no. "She managed to catch a flight, but she doesn't know whether she will land in time for the ceremony."

My heart skipped a beat. The problem of flights between Los Angeles and New York is they were long, out unforeseen, air traffic, bureaucracy and airport exit, city traffic. At least my Rachel was struggling to come and I was glad. The graduation ceremony would begin at ten o'clock and we were almost there. It was better to keep my expectations low.

When we arrived at the Tisch hall auditorium specially decorated for the occasion, we began the process of looking for known people. Then I saw the Lopezes and Beth. It was hard to believe that my daughter would be in such a special moment of my life. She couldn't like me, but that didn't stop my chest fills with pride. Beth looked so beautiful in white and pink dress and ribbon in her hair. Juan gave me a tight hug and looked at me with pride. The same look I would like to receive from my own father. Shelby greeted me quietly and Santana practically pushed Beth to hug me. I took the chance to put her little body against mine as much time as I could.

"Quinn!" A familiar voice came from behind me. My heart nearly stopped.

"Frannie?" We hugged in a second. It was so good my sister coming. When she graduated, I couldn't go to Texas, so I sent her flowers, a gift and a card saying that I would be at her graduation from law school. I thought my sister would revenge not coming to my graduation. I was even resigned to it. "I brought a gift for you!" She said in my ear.

It was my father.

Russell Fabray.

The man I hadn't seen and wasn't speaking directly for seven years. I got no reaction. I felt a hand on my arm, and I think it was my mother, I don't know, I couldn't focus on anything else. Here was my father next to a woman younger than my mother, maybe she was his second wife Frannie talked about. He was wearing an impeccable suit, his blond hair was very well groomed and he had a stern expression. Suddenly, I lost a bit of my strength.

"Hello Quinn." He said in a formal tone. "It's a pleasure to see you well, graduating on a major university. Who knew?"

"Hello father." I didn't know what to do. Frannie pushed me so I greet him.

Part of me wanted to hold him in a hug, after all, he was my father and I loved him unconditionally. Another part remembered all the pain I went through since he threw me out because of an accidental pregnancy when I was only 16. The way he disowned me, sold my stuff, and tried to erase me from his life was very painful. Again, he took the initiative and held out his arms so that we could hug quickly. So I did it. I felt the smell of mint shaved shaving lotion with cigar. It was always the same: one of my childhood smells. I struggled to not cry.

"Quinn, this is my wife, Bethany." I made sure to greet her immediately.

"I have no words. Thank you for come."

"It is a honor finally meeting Russell's youngest daughter. He talks a lot about you. Oh, and this is my boy, Lucas." She introduced me to a boy who appeared to be Beth's age.

"Hello, Lucas." We shake hands.

"It was time, Quinnie. Don't you think?" My mom alerted me.

I nodded. I noticed that the Lopezes watched everything from a safe distance. Suddenly I felt like a Montecchio that needed to introduce my parents to the Capulets.

"Oh, father and Bethany... these are Juan and Shelby Lopez, my girlfriend's parents." I said formally and left them to greet with all the world's coldness. "And this is my friend Santana Berry-Lopez, and this princess here is Beth." I took a deep breath. "Beth is my biological daughter who was adopted by the Lopezes."

Santana just nodded to my father. She was always aloof at his presence or Frannie's and apparently she wouldn't change it. Beth didn't move. She crossed her arms and pouted. Even angry, she was lovely and it made Bethany smile.

"It looks a lot like you, Quinn." My father said a little too loudly, which made Juan squint. I wasn't sure if those two could make amends someday when they have a past of innumerous arguments.

"We will look for a place to sit." Shelby held her husband hand and pushed him to the auditorium, taking Beth with them. The tension eased a little.

"Quinnie, baby." My mother held my arm. "Maybe it's time for you to wear your gown, don't you think?"

I nodded. It was healthier get a little away from my family tensions. I looked for the girl from the ceremonial, which led me to the room in which all graduates were dressing and waiting. It was interesting to meet so many colleagues in such environment for the last time. I hugged everyone and took pictures. I knew my professional environment would give the opportunity to reconnect with several of them. For example: Lisa Buhours, Grant Pitt and Mike Cordell were my colleagues at NYU and worked in Bad Things.

The ceremony began ten minutes late. I checked my watch. Maybe Rachel was still at the airport at that time or maybe it was the time to conform me that my girlfriend couldn't attend my graduation. The ceremonial organized us alphabetically, so Santiago and I sat side by side: Fabray and Follett. During the speeches, I tried to locate my relatives and my guests. My parents and the Lopezes were close, oddly enough, but not together. Mike was there, as well as Johnny. I waved at the distance to my friends. Nothing about Rachel.

The called Owen White to make the speech. And like any writer who thinks it was a genius, he made a text if a lot of catch phrases and tried to make people cry in the end. I never spoke to him, but the fame of pretentious fit him. After many blah blah blah and a small theatrical performance later, the master of ceremony began to draw students in alphabetical order to take the stage and receive the symbolic diploma.

"Lucy Quinn Fabray." He called my name.

I took a deep breath, managed my tears and went up there with my nose up. I received the straw, took a picture with the teacher and looked towards mines that beckoning. I threw a kiss to all of them. Everything happens so fast that I couldn't see if my Rachel was there. I so wish she had witnessed that moment. Santiago was behind me and I waited at the end of the stage. We return to our sits embraced. At the end of the ceremony, after throwing our hats up and also all the confetti inside the straw, he hugged each other before returning to our families.

"Fabray." Santiago pulled me quickly. "I would like to introduce you to Mrs. Teresa and Mr. Steve." I embraced the parents of my friend and his siblings. Kayla, Santiago's girlfriend, also was around and I hugged her.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you all."

"We only hear good things about you, Quinn. Thank you for being in my son's life." Mrs. Follett said humbly.

"So, are you all going to our party later?" I asked.

"I won't miss the opportunity to have a beer in honor of my son." Mr. Follett said with touching pride.

"He's the best." Santiago said and I just nodded.

"And what about you, Quinn?" Mrs. Follett asked me. "What are your plans?"

"I will have lunch with my parents, my sister and my girlfriend's family."

"That's nice, dear."

Santiago looked at me strangely, as if he had seen something extraordinary on my shoulders. Without a word, he just pointed behind me, and I had to turn around. My heart stopped for a second or two.

Rachel!

Rachel was there, in wrinkled clothes, a small red suitcase wheels on the side. She was slightly disheveled and had a crying face.

"I tried, Quinn!" She said almost in a whisper. "I swear I tried, but I couldn't see you graduating."

I ran to kiss her and hug her. Rachel cried on my shoulder.

"Sorry. I couldn't."

"Hey, you tried, and you're here!" I tried to console her. It was strange to comfort her and feel a world the size of happiness in my chest. "You're here. You're here!"

I let Rachel cry a little before breaking the hug just enough to kiss her again. I wish it was a longer, but Santana approached and touched my shoulder.

"Not that I want to stop your show, but I have to. We are in public and we have things to do at my place, it's noon and the lunch is waiting for us."

"Lunch in your place?" It was strange.

"Surprise!" Rachel said with a small smile.

We sorted the people in the car and cabs, all for Upper East Side. Rachel, always hand in hand with me, said that she combined with Santana to organize a reception and lunch at their home for our families. It was better than going to a restaurant. The party at the pub the night, of course, was still standing. Rachel funded everything and I didn't know whether to be angry or if I loved her for it. She, through Santana, hired a buffet and people to serve and then leave everything clean.

I blushed when we entered the apartment and saw in the foyer had a full buffet with my favorite treats and a well tacky sign saying "Congratulations Cinematographer Quinn Fabray." I had to take many pictures in front of it. Our families settled in the large living room while the two girls from the buffet company served wine and snacks. And there I was, the cause of the party, not knowing how to move.

On one side was my family. Frannie, my father and his new wife. The other was Juan, Shelby, Santana and Beth. In the middle term, confused, were I, Rachel, my mother, Mike and Johnny. It was certain that the strange weather and unforeseen settled because no one dreamed that my father or my sister would appear. I needed to take the first step. Then I held Rachel's hand and took her before my father.

"I would like to introduce you my girlfriend, Rachel Berry-Lopez."

"You're an actress, right?" Bethany said with some enthusiasm. At least she tried to be friendly. Rachel nodded.

"Yes, I am."

"I have a feeling I know you from somewhere."

"Broadway?"

"I don't think ... I'm not a theater enthusiastic."

"I've done some small roles in films... and I'm working on HBO's Slings and Arrows."

"I've never seen this series... oh, I know now... The Widows of Eastwick! It's a silly movie that a really like. You were Cher's granddaughter."

Rachel nodded and looked apprehensively at my father. I was too.

"So this is your apartment?" My father asked.

"Yes. Mine and my sister's."

"It's a beautiful place. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

I was afraid that my father would say something more to insult Rachel, but he took a glass of wine and remained silent.

Gradually, Rachel and I have tried to put the two poles together, so that at least a better conversation could be established. I knew that Juan hated my father and vice-versa. It's not for free. Years ago when I was about seven, I was with my father and he made a comment that I don't remember the right words. But I do remember that they were directed at Hiram Berry, who was a little effeminate, but not as much as Kurt. He didn't like what my father said and they stated fighting verbally at the door of the store, until the owner called the police, which led Hiram arrested. And Hiram was the only one arrested because he was gay. Luckily my father argued with Hiram, because if he had a fight with Juan, he would have left with a purple eye and without a tooth. Juan is taller and stronger while my father smokes and drinks too much. What I know was that since that day my parents and Rachel's dads become enemies. That's why my father never allowed me to talk with Rachel and Santana at junior high or play with them and others kids in the park. That's why Santana hated me so much for a long time, and that's why I had to blackmail and make a deal with her to us to join forces at high school. Sue Sylvester helped on that too.

Hopefully, all of these are in the past. At least fate played a trick on all of us: I fell in love with Rachel and my daughter was adopted by Juan. One way or other, we are all together.

"So… do you now have business in Austin?" Juan asked my father a little after the lunch.

"San Antonio. Who lives in Austin is Frannie. I still have my office, but now I also invest some of my money in dairy cattle. My in laws are great farmers and they convinced me to try it."

"It's not that great. We've just in the business for a long time, so we have some experience." Bethany said with false modesty. Frannie said that bitch was very rich.

"And you?" My father again had the word "Still working at the hospital in Lima?"

"No longer in Lima. Now I am a general surgeon at Mt. Carmel in Columbus, and Shelby was hired to reactivate the OSU's choir."

"Yeah." Shelby added. "I got a job as assistant professor at OSU's Theater Department and I will be responsible for the choir. In the meantime, I will master in musical theater. It's a wonderful opportunity that I will embrace."

"That's interesting. By the way, how did this happen? Your wedding with this beautiful woman? As I remember well, you were married to another man" I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I felt that that dialogue would shit.

"Unfortunately Hiram died in a car accident. Shelby is the biological mother of my daughters and we happened to meet again after this tragedy."

"If I may ask, how a gay man married a woman? That sounds confusing, Mr. Lopez."

"I'm not gay. I'm bisexual, which means I love the person, not the gender." Juan replied with some irritation. "I had a happy marriage with Hiram, I have now happy marriage with Shelby, and I have absolutely nothing to hide from anyone. I believe we should seek to build our lives without glass roofs. Hiram and I spent that thought for our daughters, as well as Shelby and I taught it to Beth. And I'm very proud of that. My daughters can declare themselves as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. For us, it doesn't matter. They will never be repressed because of their sexuality. And as you know so well, there is no point in imposing a label that is not part of the being of the person. The truth will always come up."

My father took a sip of wine and there was silence at the table. Of course, Juan was referring to the creation of my father towards me. In fact, I suffered a lot to accept that I am lesbian when I was educated to demonized homosexuals. It was hard to suppress that I was attracted for girls, that I looked too much at my sister's friends boobs, that I felt hot seeing some cheerios naked, including Santana, and all my feelings towards Rachel. All because I had to follow a plan drawn up by my parents: marry a rich guy, have kids, be a good wife. It came to a point that I couldn't deny to myself that I wasn't sexually attracted to men. I couldn't connect sexually with Puck or Sam. I couldn't love Finn and let him touch me. But the first time I've been with a woman was gorgeous and it made me understand a lot of things about myself.

"I've never had problems with gay people." Bethany searched around. "When Frannie said that her sister was... gay… Russell got nervous, but I think he was more afraid of bad things that could happen to Quinn. I know a few people with this lifestyle, but they are discreet in what they do and say. Depending on the place, you can get hurt."

After a meal like that, my father use to smoke a pipe or a cigar and rest on the porch. He also smoked an ordinary cigarette in the absence of the other two. So when I saw him looking for cigarettes, and knowing that the Lopezes didn't smoke (except Santana that sometimes smoked some marijuana, but she do it outside, far from us), I suggested to show him the terrace of the building. There are three in the building and the first of them was on the 12th floor. We took the elevator and I tried to control my embarrassment and my bitterness. Seven years without seeing my father. Seven fucking years. And when we find ourselves in a celebration, he had to show that nothing has changed? Was he not able to evolve a bit?

My father looked at the landscape of Manhattan and seemed unimpressed. He took out a cigarette and lit it. He offered one to me.

"I don't smoke."

"Really?" He swallowed and then expelled the smoke. "I thought it was you who stole my cigarettes."

"Frannie stole your cigarettes. I tried smoking once, but quit after a month."

"When?"

"After I gave my daughter for adoption."

"Oh!"

"Dad, I really appreciate you're here. I'm really happy with your presence, but I need to know why did you came and why now? After seven years, it seems that you didn't change any of your prejudices. You still don't like gays and I'm sure you disapprove that I majored in cinematography."

He swallowed his cigarette quietly. The weather was cloudy and drizzling, but we were still there.

"You're right, Quinnie, I'm still not accepting. I still think that gays should learn a lesson, that Latinos should stay on their land, that Cinema is a graduation for bums and I think you disrespected me deeply when you got pregnant at 16 of an idiot."

"I think we have reached a term." I fought not to cry in front of him. "Thank you for your sincerity, but you still haven't answered my question: why are you here?"

"Because although you are gay, dating the Jewish daughter of the latino doc, majoring in a bum profession and embarrassing your family forever, I admire you." I looked at him in astonishment. "That's right Quinnie. I admire you. Think about it: you had everything to fail, to be a loser in life. Still, you survived, graduated on a great university, have a job, a roof... so yes, Quinnie, I wanted to be here and say that despite all these deviations, you are strong, a winner and a Fabray. And I admire you."

The words of my father dismounted me. I took a deep breath, turned my back on him and let a few tears fall before continuing the conversation.

"You're right, Dad. I'm a strong, I'm a winner and a Fabray... but know that I had all the help I needed from the daughters of those sinners, as you used to say. Don't forget that."

"Still not like to take all the credit like Frannie would do." He shook his head.

"I am not ungrateful, it's different. And I just told the truth. I don't see where it would possibly take my merit. It's like making a movie, you know? You can't do it alone. Still, I never cease to be the director of my own film."

"Your new language is funny. Even your accent changed."

"Five years living in New York. What can I do?"

My father finished his cigarette and threw the butt in the corner of the courtyard.

"You do have the balls, Quinnie. Maybe those guys from television are right when they say that some people are born with the wrong gender. At the time your mother got pregnant, I prayed to our Lord to be a boy. I think my fervor was too strong. You just missed the penis."

"Don't get me wrong, dad, but I'm a gay girl who likes to dress and act like a girl. They called it femme. So femme I am. Still, I can use a penis better than many men."

My comment sparked an unprecedented laugh at my father. He laughed so hard that he lost his breath. It took a while to him calm down.

"Maybe you should go back smoking, Quinnie."

"I don't like it. Furthermore, Rachel hates the smell." I stared at my father seriously. "How are we from now?"

"How about we leave this drizzle and finished with yellow smiles down there? I'll take my wife, my stepson and go back to the hotel. Before that, I will pick up your phone and give you mine. So I expect a call from you. I did my part, now the second step is yours."

"Thanks, Dad." I hugged him. Now without strangeness.

"Um... at least your daughter seems to be pure... she has your face."

"Beth is half Jewish by Puck's side."

"Puck? Wait... that's not the name of that boyfriend of yours."

"Finn Hudson? He was stupid enough to believe that got me pregnant when he cum in the Jacuzzi. Noah Puckerman got me pregnant."

"Cum in the Jacuzzi? Really?"

My father let out another laugh. I have to admit that the idiocy of Finn Hudson was funny. Finn was a good guy with a good heart, but he wasn't smart.

Not that everything magically was fine between me and my father. That was a first step of many before one back part of the life of another. My father sat at table and talked to Frannie. Rachel glared me with questions, and my mother was also curious, but I didn't want to talk about this. Not right there with them. I needed some time to digest the first conversation in years I had with my father. My father, Bethany and Frannie were the first to leave and I he gave me his card with the phones.

Johnny and Mike said goodbye, but not before reaffirming that they would go to the party at night. Then, Santana paid the buffet staff while my mother accepted go out in the company of Shelby, Juan and Beth. That's when I finally was able to be alone with Rachel in her room.

"I'm dead!" She threw herself on the bed.

I approached slowly, sat beside her on the bed and then lay down to kiss her the way they wanted for the first time in weeks: a long caress, without haste, without witnesses, with my fingers lazily strolling through her hair. Rachel corresponded my advances, went into my rhythm. So good, so in tune.

"I need a bath!" Rachel broke our kiss. "I'm smelling after my adventure at the airport."

"I don't care." I kissed her neck.

"But you could take a shower with me…"

"Really?"

"What about we take a bath together, and start our lovemaking session there. Then, we will come back at this huge bed already naked and I will let you have me in any position you want as a graduation gift."

"Any position? Can I have you against the wall and then you will kneel before me, eat me and make me cum? And after that you will be at your fours, so I can use that little friend a little bit?" I said while taking of her clothes and kissing her beautiful body.

"Yes!"

"And then can we finish the first round of our lovemaking session with that delicious 69?"

"Yes, please!"

"Deal!"

Rachel held my hand and let me to her bathroom. We didn't lose time and your lovemaking session started for good as soon as she turned the shower on.