A New Saga - Part 1
(Quinn)
It was my last night as a single woman. And man, I was so tired! My past week was full of events. First of them: work as hell before take my accumulated time off in order to marry. Second: I had to clean my room of the apartment that I shared with Santiago in Washington Heights. There was nothing else in that room my, not even my furniture, which were all sold. And I was very happy with that. I hated that apartment, although it was relatively decent and cheap: the building was old, was infested with cockroaches, the neighborhood was dangerous, sometimes I felt the smell of sewage, the elevator was broken almost every week, a drug dealer was my downstairs neighbor, and there is this Armenian upstairs I swore he was a fundamentalist radical. At least the most popular local pizzeria in the neighborhood was really good.
But I met some really good people too. Sr. Ramirez from the grocery shop was a decent guy and always gave me something, like an apple or some more vegetable, because I was a nice costumer. I also liked talking with Gloria, a middle-aged waitress who had strongly smells cigarette. We used to take the same train to New Rochelle. I will miss her because, despite the grumbling, she had good and intelligent opinions on little things in life. Too bad she didn't follow her own advice.
After cleaning my part in that apartment, the guys took me straight to Las Vegas, where Santiago, Mike and Johnny organized my bachelorette in a very male way. It was fun, but sometimes the boys forgot that I was just a girl with best boyfriends. We spent a night drinking, betting and seeing strippers. Nothing much happened beyond these somewhat masculine amusements, except with Mike and Santiago: both ended the night sleeping with strippers. Johnny merely did the same things as me: drinking, playing games, watching strippers. Nothing more. We enjoyed ourselves, but the trip back on the plane was a storm: I got sick because of all the drinking and I had to ask for God's love for any medicine. The flight attended gave me aspirin and an anti-sickness. It was my salvation.
So when we got back to New York, all I did was go home (the twins' apartment and my new home), get clean clothes for the honeymoon trip, then get my dress before following trip to a charming Inn in the Hamptons for my own wedding. Good thing Santana was able to hire the services with PinkyBriders because all that Rachel and I need to do was to choose and pay. The service was so good that we wouldn't have problems with photographers, music band, buffet, nothing. And I cano' complain about Juan Lopez, who insisted on paying half the costs.
I briefly talked to Rachel after we got to the Inn because we were too busy paying attention to our parents, relatives and friends. I was surprised that my father and my sister came to my wedding, even if I had to listen things from my father such as: if you are a lesbian, at least be the one on the top; be the girl you always be outside your house, but in your home, show you're the man of the place. It was terrible spending half an hour with my father saying how I should proceed in my marriage. No wonder my mother broke down and filed for divorce.
I spent the day seeing Rachel sporadically and only had the opportunity to stay by her side during the rehearsal dinner. I've never thought that getting married was so laborious. But the look of pure love that Rachel gave to me after we kiss good night... our last kiss as fiancées… I slept dreaming with it. I couldn't believe that Rachel Barbra Berry-Lopez is going to be my wife.
…
(Rachel)
I barely slept. Perhaps the correct term was that I barely took a nap. Most of the night I rolled anxiously from one side to the other on that bed. All I want was going downstairs, where Quinn's room was, stay with her and maybe have sex just to relax. But no! I couldn't pass through superstition and tradition, so knocked on Santana's room instead. She answered me in a way that suggested that I was interrupting something.
"What?" It was a relief to see her fully dressed.
"I can't sleep and I can't be with Quinn today."
Santana rolled her eyes and sighed defeated.
"Give me two seconds!" She said.
She went back in the room, said something to Johnny and then reappeared dressed in a bathrobe.
"Only because you're the bride!"
It was ridiculous that I needed Santana to give me some comfort at the eve of my wedding. I was an almost 23 years old grown up and independent woman for God sake! But no! I needed someone to hold me, and the best person for this job besides Quinn was my sister. Santana walked me to my room and we cuddle on my bed.
"Sorry to interrupt you." I said softly.
"More five minutes and you would have interrupted something."
"Sorry."
"I'm cuddling with you just because you can't show up on your wedding with dark rings under your eyes." She whispered.
I closed my eyes and tried to doze.
It worked. I relaxed in my sister's arms enough to take a long nap. I woke up again at six-thirty in the morning with Santana still dead to the world next to me. I got up to take a shower, put on a hobby and just wait for someone of my family appear: my mother, aunt Mary, or even Giles, who would do my makeup and hair. My dress was right there waiting for me. There was some panic about it: an anxiety for everything to end soon. I understood the truth behind the Jewish tradition where the bride should fast on the wedding day: the emotions are so touched that it would be unwise to eat something.
I was in a beautiful Inn in the Hamptons that met all my requirements: confidentiality agreement and adequate space for the ceremony. Most of my relatives attempted the wedding to honor me and Quinn: my parents, Beth, my grand's, my aunts and my cousins with their significant others are here. And also mr. Weiz, Mercedes, Kurt, Mike, Brittany, and some people who work with me. I wanted to invite Rom Tyler, but Quinn objected and I respected her arguments. For the same reasons, Finn was not invited: it would be strange to have him in my wedding knowing that he still has feelings for me. We invited Emma and William Schuester, but they couldn't come. Instead, they sent a lovely gift and a video message.
From Quinn's side attempted: Russell, Judy, Frannie, Santiago and some of her friends from work. I was really surprised with Russell, but after Quinn graduated at NYU, they started to talk again and it seems that things are better since he's here. I'm happy for my Quinn, of course, but I wouldn't mind if Russell hadn't come.
Santana woke up and looked lost for a few seconds.
"What time is it?" She asked.
"Seven in the morning."
Santana groaned and slowly stood up from the bed.
"Don't you think it's too early?"
"No, I don't."
"What the hell!"
Santana kissed on the cheek before leaving my room. I took a deep breath. I needed to control my anxiety, but it was hard. In a few hours I'm going to marry Lucy Quinn Fabray.
…
(Santana)
The kisses that Johnny and I were exchanging started getting hotter when Rachel interrupted us. The rehearsal dinner happened without major problems despite the butterflies in my stomach I felt the whole time I was with my boyfriend and Brittany in the same moment. Brittany is one of my sister's bridesmaids, which is fair since she is our oldest friend: we know each other since we were seven. But man, how weird is seeing her, talks with her after we kissed in LA a few months ago. I chose Johnny, but I will love Britt Britt for the rest of my life. That's my fate. Johnny noticed my discomfort, but I managed to circumvent some major constraints and we ended talking a little bit after the dinner. Then, I decided not talk anymore. That's when Rachel interrupted.
I wasn't so surprised when Rachel knocked. If I was a little anxious to see my twin sister married, picture herself? All I could do was help her by giving my company. It wasn't uncommon Rachel try to cuddle with me. Even when things were really bad between us when we were teenagers and I tried to ignore her at McKinley High as she had leprosy, there were times when we just enjoy the comfort of another at home while watching some TV. Like the time that Finn broke up with her. Although I had visualized fireworks in my mind because I hated seen them together, I broke into my sister's bedroom and I lay down beside without say a word as she cried curled up on the corner of the bed. I knew that my presence was important.
I think that's what unconditional love is about, right? There was a time I thought a lot about love. But after too much thinking and none valid theory for what is love and its classifications, my only conclusion is that when it's true and genuine, it is unconditional. I love bubbee, regardless of the past period in which she acted as Mr. Weiz's private prostitute and had his child, and because she never told this to zaide, this secret burst in my face out of nowhere and I'm the one paying for it. I love Shelby, although she hurt me and my family for being a coward who can't cope with feelings (okay, I inherited some of that one). I love Brittany, although all confusion about our relationship and friendship. I love Johnny, even though he is a sensitive and complicated subject. I love Quinn, even she being a jealous treacherous bitch. I love Rachel despite the long list of cons. My sister is one of the most important people in my life and, frankly, I would be lost without her.
Now she's starting another saga with Quinn Fabray. How odd!
When I woke up, I almost got a fright when I saw my sister sitting in the armchair, staring at nothing.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"Seven in the morning."
Seven in the morning was still horribly early, considering that Rachel would marry at 11am.
"Don't you think it's too soon?"
"No, I don't."
"What the hell!"
I got up and before leaving, I gave a kiss on my sister's cheek. What the hell, I couldn't believe that my sister was getting married!
…
(Rachel)
I shouldn't have let Santana leave the room. Panic came over me: a willingness to jump out the window. I urgent needed of a drink and I was almost shouting in the hotel corridor to the first to appear to bring me a bottle of anything. Yesterday I wasn't so nervous! But it wasn't the day, but again: I was busy and I barely saw Quinn. Today is the day! Oh my God, help me!
I looked at the room in search of something that would help calm me, but all I had was a TV. I put on HV1, that was showing videos of artists that I hated, but so what? Music, good or bad, always caught my attention.
An hour later, Santana entered the room again with a sheepish smile.
"I've just come across papi. He looks like a living dead."
"Hangover?"
"It seems that he couldn't sleep too."
"And Shelby?"
"I didn't see her, but if you ask me, everything seems to be going well."
"With papi as a zombie?"
"Nothing that a little makeup can't solve."
"Are you getting ready now?"
"Soon." Santana smiled and patted my hair. "Cool down. Everything is going well. In a little while the hair and makeup people will be here and you will become the most beautiful bride in the world."
We heard a knock on the door. It was Michele was Stephan, the ceremonial coordinator.
"Good morning, Miss Berry-Lopez. I' just letting you know that everything is running smoothly. In two hours we'll open the hall for the accommodation of guests and the wedding will start on time. Do you need a drink or something to eat?"
"A bottle of champagne for me, please." Santana hit me. "Rachel needs fast until the minister declares her and Quinn wives... for her it's only water!"
"All right." The coordinator nodded and left the room.
Then, coincidentally, Giles and his assistant came into my room. It was time to make my hair and makeup. Santana didn't want to stay, she said she would go to her room to also get ready. She better, because I want to see my sister impeccable in red dress she chose for my bridesmaids. I sat on the vanity stool and began to get ready.
…
(Quinn)
I was so anxious. I wanted to see Rachel, but at the same time I also want to respect the traditions and be able to have the pleasure to see her in a white dress walking down the aisle with her father. I wanted to have the pleasure of this surprise. That thought was helping me to control my anxiety and desire. But I wanted that the hours go faster so bad: I wanted to have Rachel in my arms as soon as possible. I was afraid to leave my room. Rachel and I took care to book rooms on different floors, yet I was afraid to risk a short walk down the hall. But I needed to relax a little so bad, that why I took a deep breath and left the room.
"Miss Fabray?" Michele Stephan, the PinkyBrides' ceremonial coordinator, surprised me at the exit of my room. "Good morning." She said with a wide smile. Miss Stephan proved to be very professional, but she had the defect of being too efficient that drove me crazy.
"Good morning..." I tried to disguise the fact that she surprised me, as if she had caught me doing something wrong.
"I'm here just to let you know that everything is running on schedule and within hours we will open the hall to accommodate the guests."
"Great… great… have you talked to my fiancée?"
"Not yet, I'm on my way. But, firstly, would like something to drink or eat while waiting for the moment?"
"Pancakes and coffee, maybe?"
"I will provide."
"Thank you."
I gave up to walk. Better that way or I would go to Rachel's room, for sure. I sat on the bed and sighed, I didn't even know where to start. I stood there looking at the window when a waiter came in and put a tray with my breakfast and a pitcher of ice water and glasses. I thanked him, but I didn't touch anything. I didn't know how long I stood there half catatonic, but then I decided to move and do my hair. That's when my mom and Frannie came into my room. I sighed with relief. It was nice to have family around these times to help me.
…
(Santana)
When someone invites you to be a bridesmaid, don't feel so honored because this means you have a number of responsibilities. So many that is why a bride chooses some to share the tasks. This wasn't the case here. Although Frannie, Brittany and Mercedes also are bridesmaid, I was the only one that worked my ass off in this wedding. True that the only thing that I really put my money on was in the events related to the bachelorette party for my sister, but that doesn't mean I haven't worked on other things. My father sent money to pay half of the wedding services and reception, Rachel paid the other half and closed contracts, my grandparents gave her the honeymoon trip, and Mr. Weiz gave her the entire legal service to confidentiality agreements. But Quinn, Rachel and I had to work a lot on this.
Oh, and Russell Fabray paid the rehearsal dinner's buffet, but only because it was tradition the groom's parents pay that part of the wedding. For Real? Groom's parents? Not that I'm judging. But yes, I am. He was Russell Fabray, right? What an asshole!
A little after left my sister's room and before getting ready for the wedding, I went for a walk in the Inn. The place use to host events, which facilitated things. And also Pinkybride's services were perfect: that's why it was expanding in the market.
"Santana!" Papi called me in the hall. He looked like he didn't sleep at all. "Me alegro de verte aquí."
"Papi? Usted no parece estar bien."
"Estoy cansado y nada más. Tu hermana?"
"Em el domitório para vestirce. Shelby y Beth?"
"Se encuentran em el domitório."
Papi asked if I wanted to join him for breakfast and I thought it was a good idea to eat waffle and drink a mug of milk. We sat in the cafeteria where we could see all the movement of people carrying flowers, carpet, chairs. The musicians of the string trio just arrived for the wedding, and we saw the guys from the band carrying their instruments for the reception.
Rachel and Quinn will stay in the Inn and at the reception until five in the afternoon: that's when they will return to New York and fly to Mexico in the next day for their honeymoon. I was so jealous! In this final semester of the college, I didn't have many plans but to spend the holidays in Ohio with my parents and Beth, and study like hell for my final exams. I'm not intending to be that desperate in the last week, although I will do the traditional Columbia's Primal Scream, for sure.
"Will you do me a big favor, Santana?" Papi asked me after we sat down at the table to have our breafast.
"What is it?"
"Don't get married until 30, because doing this is exhausting."
"Do what?"
"Give my daughter to someone else."
It was the moment I started laughing.
"Papi, you know Quinn and Rachel... well, since when Rachel was 17..."
"I'm not talking about your sister's sex life, and I don't want to talk about it, thank you very much! Ok?" He screwed his face, clearly offended. "It's hard, Santana, because now she will start her own family and I have to let her go for real and for good. Your sister will have another surname... these things. It's not easy for a parent. As much as I'm happy for her, seeing a daughter getting married is emotionally exhausting. Walking Rachel down the aisle will be a trial by fire."
"Papi... Rachel already owns her nose for so long... and yet she will never fail to be your daughter."
"I know all this, San. I'm glad that Rachel is an independent, hardworking and beautiful young woman. That's not the issue. You don't understand because you're still just a daughter. But the day you become a mother and go through it, you will understand me. You will understand what I'm talking about." Then he shook his head and smiled. "Nevermind… don't pay attention on this old man here, okay?"
Papi stopped talking, as if something had called his attention. I turned to see who it was or what it was: Russell Fabray had entered the small cafeteria with a cigar in one hand. He noticed us and greeted us with a quick nod. Papi did the same and turned his attention to me.
"I hate to think that guy will be my Rachel's father in law."
"Russell is an idiot, I endorse it. But I don't think he'll cause problems for Quinn and Rachel."
"Fate has a sour mood sometimes." Papi nodded.
"I bet he must think the same of you."
"I'm sure he does, if not something worse!" Papi smiled and finished the meal. "I'll check on your mother."
Papi and I got up and left the cafeteria. We both needed to get ready for the wedding.
…
(Rachel)
I looked at myself in the mirror. I was dressed, with my makeup and hair done. And I was also nervous as hell. All that remained was put on the veil, which was small and discreet, but attended symbolism. It should be placed by my parents before I walk down the aisle and then it should taken by Quinn after the ceremony. Not papi nor Quinn were Jews, but I still like to have that little tradition. The champagne bottle was half full, but it was not my fault: I just drank water. That was my mother's and Santana's fault. My mother seemed more nervous than usual.
"It seems that things will start." Santana broke into the room for the umpteenth time. She was so beautiful with red dress. "The guests are waiting."
"Papi?"
"He's coming." She looked at me in a loving way and took my hands. "You are beautiful, Ray."
"You too, Santy." We hug. Our last one before I became a married woman. "I remembered something now."
"What?"
"The hierarchy."
"What about it?"
"Now it will always be by my side, miss Santana Berry-Lopez."
"And what makes you think that?" She frowned and clutched her waist. It's amazing how my sister was always sensitive to the issue, even in times like that, even when the hierarchy was nothing more than a joke to tease each other.
"I'm getting married first. Now I am a mrs, and you're still a miss. The hierarchy will always be with me and you have the supreme duty to hear me whenever necessary."
"Just because you will let Fabray put a handcuff on your finger, it doesn't means you're now the new matriarch of the family."
"You will still living with me, so…"
"Just until I graduate, we've talked about it."
"Even after that, don't think I will no longer be watching you, Santana Berry-Lopez. I will always keep an eye on you."
"Don't forget that I'm still 29 minutes older."
"Yeah, whatever…" I rolled my eyes. "I just want that you put your heart in the right place and don't get caught on things from the past. You should go forward." It was just a reinforcement that I gave her about the fact Brittany and Johnny are in the same environment. I think she understood my message.
We heard some knocking on doors: they were our parents.
"It's almost time." Shelby said.
She hugged Santana aside while my father approached me. It was the first time in the day that he saw me. His eyes lit up when he held my hands and kissed my forehead. Tears filled my father's eyes and I struggled not thrill too.
"You're so beautiful, mi estrellita. The most beautiful bride in the world." We smiled at each other.
"Papi..." I took the veil that was on the bed. "I know you don't care about religious traditions, but could you? It's important to me."
"I don't know the right words, hija. I hardly can pronounce words in Hebrew. Hiram would know..."
"Use your own."
He took a deep breath and put the veil on my face.
"May God bless you, hija, and your union with Quinn. The path is not easy, but you're my little warrior and you will know better. May you be very happy in this new journey."
He kisses my forehead again and we hugged. I took a deep breath and I couldn't contain some tears. We were interrupted by Michele.
"Rachel." She said cautiously. "It's time."
My father offered his arm. It's time!
…
(Quinn)
"The flowers you choose are lovely, Quinnie." Mom took another sip of wine. "You always had impeccable taste for such things. More than your sister."
"That's for you pay landscapers and decorators, mom." Frannie snapped.
"Only one thing." I said . "Rachel and I chose the decor. Together."
"But lilies are your thing." My mother insisted. "It's your favorite flower."
"I like her perfume and Rachel too. Also, it means marriage. We think it's appropriate."
"It's very strange to see you marring Rachel Berry-Lopez." Frannie shook her head. "Worse: it's very strange to see you marring before me."
"Your wedding will be next spring!"
"It's still strange. I am the eldest and I should do these things first."
"I don't even know your fiancée in person." I snapped.
"He's not comfortable being in gay marriage."
"Then, I'm happy that he didn't show up. Sorry Frannie."
"I love him, but I'm here for you, sis."
"I learned to like Rachel." My mother was already clearly high. "She's good girl despite being somewhat ingenious and self-centered. But how can I blame her: Shelby thinks she's better because she's working in the college. And that her sister? She looks at me like I was Cruella De Vil. So rude!"
"Guys!" I had to take measure against the direction the conversation was taking. "It's my family you're talking about. Could you stop just?"
They apologized. Not that the effect of my complaint would last much, but I was about to walk down the aisle and I needed peace. My mother started drinking again and Frannie stood before the mirror to fix her dress.
"Loved this dress. Red is my color." She said and I didn't answer.
At that time I heard knocking at the door. My father came along with the ceremonial girl.
"Very well Quinnie, it's time." My father gave me his arm. "Now let me do my job" And he gave me an affectionate kiss on my cheek. "Love you kiddo."
I took a deep breath. It's time.