Hey y'all! I wrote this in light of the holiday season. I want to wish everyone who celebrates tomorrow a Happy Thanksgiving. This chapter is a little longer than usual. If you all like it, let me know. Enjoy!
DISCLAMIER: I do NOT own Glee.
Chapter 14 – Things to be Thankful For
The clanging of pots and pans brought Judy Fabray to her kitchen bright and early on Thanksgiving Day morning. When she got down to her kitchen she was greeted by the sight of a distraught son and a completely destroyed cooking area. Food and ingredients were scattered across every available surface.
Charlie was standing next to the island bent over it with his forehead pressed against the smooth countertop, both hands splayed out to his sides clutching what looked to be a bottle of olive oil in each hand.
"Quinton Charles Fabray! What have you done to my kitchen? I have to cook in here today!" Judy exclaimed.
Charlie lifted his head up enough to look at his mother with a sad expression, "She's never going to come over here for Thanksgiving again Mom. Why is vegan food so hard to make? Did know that there are different kinds of olive oils?" Charlie asked Judy, presenting her the items in his hands, "Here we have olive oil, okay that's cool. Then over here we have extra virgin olive oil. I can see where it gets its name because the recipes it's in aren't easy to prepare at all. Who woulda thought it would be so complicated to make a salad? A salad Mom, I can't even fix her a salad. I'm really going to have a hard time trying to making her a vegan apple pie. I need help."
Judy took pity on her son and walked over to him and patted his back soothingly with a smile. "Let me see what we have here. Where is the recipe you're trying to use Quinnie?"
Charlie grabbed his laptop off the counter behind him and showed Judy the recipe and picture of what he was trying to make. Judy slipped on her reading glasses and looked at the laptop screen and read aloud, "Artichoke Salad with Greens and Figs. That doesn't even sound good, Son."
Charlie looked at her with sad eyes, "Well…what do I do? I got the ingredients this salad, some sort of vegan stuffing, and the pie along with vegan ice-cream. Plus we'll have other veggies and stuff she can eat. I want to accommodate her vegan needs. Will you please help me? I want to do this for her, I'll do everything. Just like watch and make sure I don't screw up or anything. I'll help you with your stuff if you help me with mine. Please?"
"Okay deal." Judy said with a smile, "We better get busy if we want everything done on time. Be glad we have a double oven Quinnie."
Later that afternoon Charlie was up stairs in his room getting dressed when his phone chimed with a text message.
Rachel: I'm on my way. See you soon.
To Rachel: Okay darlin. Be careful. See you soon.
Charlie tucked in his white v-neck t-shirt into his black dress pants before he grabbed his freshly ironed maroon dress shirt off its clothes hanger and slipped it on. He buttoned it up and tucked it, smoothing away all of its nonexistent wrinkles. He looked himself over before he sprayed on a little of his cologne that Rachel liked so much, slipped on his dress shoes and his headed downstairs to see if his Mom needed any more help. He left his shoulder sling behind in his room much to his delight. His shoulder felt great today and for that he was thankful.
"You look so handsome Quinnie! Let me get my camera!" Judy squealed when he got into the kitchen.
"No Mom. Rachel is on her way, please don't embarrass me." Charlie pleaded with his mother.
"Fine. Fine. Can you set the table please dear?" Judy asked him as she got the fancy China out of the cabinet.
"Yes Ma'am." Charlie told her, thankful that she didn't pull out her camera.
Before he was finished setting the table the doorbell rang. He sat the rest of the plates down before answering the door. He was greeted by a smiling Rachel Berry clad in the best shirt/dress looking thing he had ever seen.
"Hey." Rachel greeted.
"Hello. Come on in babe." Charlie said as he held the door open for her. "May I take your coat?"
Rachel nodded and Charlie took her pea coat and gently pulled it off her shoulders and took the time to appreciate Rachel's outfit fully. She was a little taller than usual thanks to the knee high black boots she had on that went well with her black tights and blue 'long shirt/dress thing' as she had deemed it.
"What?" Rachel asked worriedly, "Is there something on me?"
"You look beautiful Rachel." Charlie told her as he leaned down to kiss her lips.
"Thank you." Rachel replied as she kissed him back.
A flash followed by another one broke them apart and Judy Fabray stood in the doorway of their entry hall happily taking picture of the couple.
"Mooom! I said no pictures." Charlie complained, as he pulled away from Rachel.
"Only a few dear. You two look so cute." Judy said as she snapped another picture.
"Come on Quinn. Just one, we don't have any formal couple pictures." Rachel said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him back to her side.
"Fine, just one." Charlie conceded as he stood behind Rachel and pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her slim waist.
A dozen pictures later Charlie was able to finish setting the table and return to the kitchen where Judy was telling Rachel all about her and Charlie's cooking escapades from earlier that morning.
"You made these for me?" Rachel asked shyly as Charlie entered the kitchen.
Charlie blushed and nodded his head shyly, "Well Mom helped me and it probably doesn't taste very good so I'm sorry."
"Actually I already tasted some of the stuffing and it's better than the stuffing that my Daddy makes, but don't tell him I told you that." Rachel informed him with a smile.
Charlie's face brightened up considerably at the compliment, "Really?"
Rachel nodded and smirked before moving closer to where Charlie was standing. She took a quick glance around at Judy who was busy in the oven. She popped up onto her tip toes and whispered in Charlie's ear, "And I'll show you how thankful I am tomorrow night." Rachel informed him with a light tug to his ear lobe with her teeth.
Charlie's heart rate picked up considerably at the suggestion and he swallowed nervously before Rachel pulled away and walked over to Judy who was still bent down poking the food that was in the oven.
"Qunnie, will you go get your father and sister and let them know that dinner will be ready in five, please?" Judy asked nicely, "Thank you dear."
Thanksgiving brunch went off without a hitch and now Charlie and Rachel were up in Charlie's room so he could get changed before they met Rachel's Dads at the shelter. Charlie pulled off his dress shirt and flung it toward this dirty clothes hamper before he pulled a pair of jeans out of his dresser and went into the bathroom to change pants. He came out and went into his closet and grabbed a flannel shirt and put it on.
"Is this okay?" Charlie asked Rachel.
Rachel nodded with a smile. "Of course. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes ma'am, let's go good lookin." Charlie told her as he offered her his hand.
When Charlie and Rachel arrived at the Lima Shelter there were already some volunteers there including Rachel's Dads. A tall blonde woman approached them with a beaming smile.
"Hello Rachel, it's good to see you." The blonde woman said as she hugged Rachel, "I asked your Dads where you were and they said you were bringing extra help this year."
"Hey Holly, and yes I certainly did, this is my boyfriend Charlie." Rachel said, "Charlie, this is Holly Holiday. She helps run the shelter."
Charlie extended his hand and shook Holly's gently, "Charlie Fabray, pleasure to meet you ma'am."
"Hmmmm!" Holly hummed excitedly, " Such a gentleman and quite the looker too Rachel."
Rachel nodded and winked in Holly's direction as Charlie blushed.
"Right this way kids, we have quite the crowd this year. And a certain someone has been asking about you Rachel." Holly said as she led them back to the kitchen.
When they got back to the kitchen they saw Hiram and Leroy hard at work sitting out all the food on the food line.
"Hi baby girl. Charlie. How was brunch at the Fabray's." Hiram greeted them as they walked up.
"It was lovely Dad. Charlie made a couple vegan dishes all by himself and they were simply splendid." Rachel told them with a beaming smile as she helped them with the food.
"He did, did he? Well wasn't that awfully nice of him." Leroy said as he eyed Charlie.
"Wasn't it? It was such a delicious meal." Rachel assured her Dads.
"Well I hope you saved some room for later honey because I made you my special vegan stuffing." Leroy told her with a smile.
Rachel smiled gratefully at her Daddy, "Of course I did Daddy. You know I love your stuffing."
Rachel sent Charlie a wink and received a smile in return before getting back to work loading the food line with more pans of hot food. Half an hour later everything was stocked and the dozen volunteers that were helping were at their designated serving positions ready to go. Charlie and Rachel were standing side by side on the food line wearing plastic gloves and red aprons wielding serving utensils. Rachel was in charge of the mashed potatoes section and Charlie was the one serving turkey and gravy. He was really happy that Rachel had asked him to come along for this. It amazed him that Rachel and her Dads did this every year during the holidays. All of the people that were there on that particular evening amazed him. He felt thankful to be able to offer them his help.
He looked over and smiled at Rachel lovingly. "What?" Rachel asked him.
Charlie just smiled and shook his head, "Nothing, just…I'm just really glad you asked me to come along."
Rachel smiled in return, "Me too."
"Alright people, we're about to get this show on the road." Holly alerted everyone as she came through the door, "I really really appreciate everyone coming out and helping us this year. I for one am thankful for all you guys right here because without your help we couldn't get all those people out there waiting on us a hot fresh meal. Thank you, thank you all and a very happy Thanksgiving to each and every single one of you. Tyler, open the door please."
The young man named Tyler opened the side door and people filed in eyeing at the food hungrily. Each person that filed through the line grabbed a tray and a plate before going through the line and receiving a helping of each dish that they desired. Charlie watched Rachel in awe as she greeted every single person with a beaming smile and she even knew some of them by name.
"Good evening Mr. Archie." Rachel greeted with an award winning Rachel Berry smile, "Happy Thanksgiving."
The elderly man that had a slight limp looked at Rachel through it think framed glasses and replied, "Huh? What's that ya say?"
"Happy Thanksgiving!" Rachel stated plainly, speaking a little louder.
"Oh yes! It is a nice evening." Mr. Archie replied, "Hey there Son, I'd like a little of that there turkey." Mr. Archie said as she moved on down the line to Charlie.
Charlie served him with a smile and looked to Rachel with a smirk and raised eye brow. Rachel just smiled in return before serving the next person.
After about an hour and a half of serving a little blonde headed boy that looked to be about ten brought up the back of the line and stopped in front of Rachel.
"Hi Rachel." The little boy greeted.
"Jake! Hi! How are you doing?" Rachel asked him with a smile.
"I'm good. I was asking Ms. Holly about you earlier. Your Dad said that you had another dinner to go to today and I was worried you wouldn't come." Jake explained shyly.
"You know I'd never miss a chance to see you Jake." Rachel told him sweetly, "I was eating lunch with this guy right here before we came to see everyone here."
Jake looked to Charlie and pouted before turning back to Rachel. "Are you going to sing us a song tonight Rachel?"
"Maybe, would you like me to?" Rachel asked.
Jake nodded his head furiously, "Yeah! Thanks Rach, you're the best."
Rachel just smiled at the blonde boy, "Are you hungry? Want some potatoes?"
Jake nodded his head shyly before offered his pate up so Rachel could put some on his plate before he moved on to Charlie.
"Hey Man, want some turkey?" Charlie asked with a smile.
Jake gave him a dirty look before nodding his head reluctantly. Charlie gave him a piece and extra gravy before he watched him slide on down the line.
"I think he's sweet on you baby." Charlie told her with a smile.
"He is. Isn't he adorable? He lost both of his parents a few years ago and had to go live with his grandmother and they don't have much. He spends most of his time here and at the REC center I think. I met him when I volunteered there a few years ago. He's such a good kid. " Rachel explained lowly.
Charlie felt his heart clench for the young boy. It was unfair for someone so young to suffer such hardships. He was glad that he had people in his life that were as wonderful and as giving as Rachel. God, he loved this woman.
Charlie looked toward the door and nobody else was coming in so he turned to Rachel and pulled her gently off to the side out of site of the people who were eating their dinner.
Rachel was a little caught off guard by the serious look on Charlie's face. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing sweetheart, I just want to tell you something because I can't keep it in anymore." Charlie told her softly.
"What is it?" Rachel asked worried.
Charlie licked his lips before looking over Rachel's shoulder to her Dads who were consolidating the rest of the food left on the line. He looked back to Rachel and took in her worried expression before leaning in to kiss her chastely on the lips. His heart was beating so hard that he was surprised that everyone in the room couldn't hear it.
"You are so amazing Rachel Berry and I am so thankful that you are my girl. I've never met anyone like you and I have never felt the way I do about you about anyone else." Charlie told her as he took her hands in his and brought each one up to his lips and kissed it gently. Charlie smiled gently, "You're so wonderful, so beautiful, and I'm so in love with you."
Rachel eyes widened in surprise as the words registered in her mind. She shrieked before she jumped up into his arms and hugged his neck before she dropped back down on her tippy toes with a watery smile and gasped out, "I love you too Quinn." Against his neck as she hugged him tightly to her.
Meanwhile unknowingly to the young couple the Berrymen were watching the scene unfold. Hiram watched he daughter with a smile on his face and a tear in his eye at the confession that he and his husband had just over heard. Leroy watched with a saddened expression.
"He's taking our baby from us, Hiram. I knew it was going to happen, but actually see that, I didn't know I was going to feel so helpless." Leroy told his husband.
"He's a good boy, Leroy. I think he'll treat her right. He's miles ahead of that Hudson boy." Hiram said.
"It doesn't take much to be miles ahead of a complete buffoon, Hiram. You're giving that boy too much credit." Leroy pouted.
"You're not giving him enough credit honey. Look at her Leroy, have you ever seen her as happy as she is right now?" Hiram asked his husband.
Leroy looked over to where Charlie was standing with a beaming Rachel wrapped in his arms. Leroy huffed and looked away from the happy couple.
"Just because she loves another man now that doesn't mean she love us any less. She'll always be our baby Lee, no matter how old she gets or who she falls in love with. Don't you want our baby to be happy?" Hiram asked him with a grin.
Leroy nodded his head and sighed, "Of course, I wish for her happiness more than our own. She's just growing up so fast."
"I know, but like I said, she'll always be our baby." Hiram replied, "We could always have another one if we can find a way to get you pregnant."
"Honey please, you are so the woman in this relationship!" Leroy replied sassily as she eyed Hiram up and down.
"Easy big man, save that for this weekend." Hiram joked. "Hey love birds, we could use some help over here at your earliest convenience, thanks."
Charlie and Rachel looked at him sheepishly before sharing another kiss and going to help the others.
The rest of the evening at the shelter passed by quickly for Charlie. Rachel introduced him to all the volunteers that she knew and some of the other people she knew from the REC center. She sang a song for Jake that he wasn't sure of the name of before he and all three Berrys departed for the Berry house.
Dinner at the Berry's was a far more flamboyant affair than it was at the Fabray's. Hiram Berry was quite the entertainer and even Leroy seemed to be in good spirits toward Charlie.
After dinner the foursome cleaned up after dinner and then played a rousing game of Scrabble. Rachel won by a landslide, and Charlie had a sneaky suspicion that Leroy was right about Rachel cheating. After Rachel rejected their accusations she stormed off to her room and Charlie followed her shyly after a 'keep the door open boy' from Leroy.
When Charlie got up to Rachel's room he knocked gently on the door frame before going into the room.
"Rachel?" Charlie called, "Are you in here?"
He walked toward her bathroom and he heard the door click shut behind him. He turned around and found a smirking Rachel walking toward him before she reached him and pulled him down for a heated kiss.
"I love you." Rachel breathed out against his lips. "It feels so good to finally say it out loud Quinton."
"I love you too." Charlie replied sweetly before she occupied his lips again. "As much as I'm enjoying this baby I really think we need to open the door before your Daddy catches it shut. He might kill me and I don't want tonight to be my last."
"Silly boy, just kiss me." Rachel told him before she pressed the length of her body against his as best she could.
"Rach, the door. I'm serious babe." Charlie told her. "Tomorrow night darlin, we'll have all night. And anything you want is yours. Just right now, I really don't want to make your Daddy angry."
"Fine." Rachel said curtly as she opened the door. "Happy?"
"No, but I'm not scared of a large African American man kicking the door in and ripping me limb from limb anymore. Thank you." Charlie joked.
"Ha Ha. Very funny Charlie. Daddy wouldn't do that." Rachel assured him.
"Right. Well I don't want to risk it." Charlie her as he pecked her on the lips. "I need to go home, but I will see you tomorrow darlin." Charlie told her as he pulled her close to him. He placed a hand on her neck and ran his fingers up into the back of her hair and leaned down to kiss her soundly. "Until tomorrow sweetheart, I love you."
"I love you too. And tomorrow you're all mine Fabray." Rachel said as she pushed him toward the door. "I'll call you tomorrow."
Charlie smirked and waved to her before he made his way downstairs and said goodbye to the Berrymen before he headed home.
The following day around lunch time Charlie was enjoying lounging in his bed in his underwear while perusing Black Friday sales online.
"Sup Q!" Santana greeted as she walked into his room causing him to jump, nearly dumping his laptop off in the floor.
"Santana, what are you doing here?" Charlie asked, trying to calm his heart down.
"I saw your truck was here and your parent's cars are gone and the garage was open so I came on in. Dude, are you lookin at porn?" Santana asked him.
"What? No!" Charlie told her.
"Yeah right, you were looking mighty hard at the screen when I came in Hillbilly. I'm onto you. You don't watch any of that weird shit do you? Puck watches that raunchy mess, completely unattractive things." Santana told him as she climbed up beside him so she could see the screen.
"Over share San, and I wasn't watching porn." Charlie told her as he turned the screen her way a little.
"Jewelry? Isn't that a little feminine for you Q?" Santana joked.
"I'm looking for something for Rachel. Her birthday is in a few weeks and I want to get her something nice." Charlie told her.
"So naturally you'd get the girl you've been dating for like two days really nice jewelry." Santana deadpanned.
"You think it's too much?" Charlie asked her.
"Normally I'd say it's much too much, but this is Berry we're talking about here Man. But Christmas is right around the corner too." Santana reasoned.
"She's Jewish." Charlie pointed out as he clicked the next button.
"Okay so if you bought something fancy like jewelry give it to her the last night of Hanukkah. Let me tell you something about women Q, when you get them nice things for special occasions like her birthday you're just gonna have outdo yourself the next year and that shit gets hard."
"But it should get easier as you get to know them right? And I thought diamonds were a girl's best friend or whatever." Charlie commented.
Santana shook her head, "Say you get her a necklace, for example, for her birthday, that's really nice. Now her expectations are up here," Santana gestured with her hand, "She has a really great expectation of gifts from you from now on. You'll steadily have to get bigger diamonds, better diamonds, if you don't she'll feel let down. Ya feel me?"
Charlie thought for a second before sighing, "So you think I shouldn't get her jewelry?"
"Do what you want, it's your money. I'm just telling ya. And I think there are like eight nights of gift exchanges for Rachel right? Spend wisely my friend." Santana told him.
"Okay, thanks San," Charlie nodded, "I'll just do something nice for her for her birthday and then get her little things then one big thing for the last night of Hanukkah."
Santana nodded, "That sounds like a good idea. Now onto business."
"We have business?" Charlie asked her.
"Yep, tonight's the night at the Berry's right? Of course we have business. Excited? Nervous? Nervously excited?" Santana asked happily.
"Nervously excited sounds about right." Charlie told her as he kept looking at necklaces. "Last night at the shelter I finally told her I'm in love with her."
"The first time you said I love you to your woman was at the shelter?" Santana asked him in disbelief, "Dude, why?"
Charlie looked at her seriously before he replied, "I literally couldn't hold it in anymore. I just couldn't."
"What'd she say?" Santana asked him.
Charlie smiled fondly at the memory, "She said she loves me too."
Santana smiled proudly at her friend before offering him a high five. "Dude, you are so getting some action tonight. If she wasn't so uptight I'd bet my right hand that she would lay it on you hard. You've gotten some major boyfriend points the past few days Q. For real."
"I don't understand what you're saying." Charlie told her.
"Cooking for her yesterday, points. Going to the shelter, points. Dinner with the Dads, points. Saying I love you, big flipping points. Mark my words Q, good things are going to happen tonight in BerryLand." Santana explained.
"But I did those things because I wanted to, not because I want points or anything else from her." Charlie explained.
Santana pointed at him with her finger, "Points, because you're an honest, good man to her. Don't worry Q, just let the cards fall where they may. You love each other and you both know it. It's new love, explore it Cowboy. There's nothing like it."
Charlie nodded in agreement, "You're right San. Thanks."
"No problem. Now seriously, you might want to jack off before you go over there. You don't want to get a big boner as soon as she touches you." Santana told him nonchalantly.
"Santana! Don't say that!" Charlie whispered harshly before clamping his hand over her mouth, "For God's sake someone might here you."
"Dude," Santana said as she moved his hand, "There's nobody here but us. Jeezes. And I'm serious, watch some porn or something and get it outa your system before you go over there. I can tell you that there is nothing more awkward than blowing your load in your pants after a little dry humping. Just ask Finn Hudson."
Charlie got a disgusted look on his face before asking, "How do you even know that that's ever happened to him?"
"Dude, been there and done that. Got the t-shirt and it says It Sucked in massive letters across the front. Seriously, it was terrible." Santana told him.
"Awwhh Santana. That's...more than I ever wanted to know. Ever. And I can't believe you did that!" Charlie exclaimed.
"I was going through an identity crisis okay? Sue me." Santana explained. "Masturbate dude, I'm for real. You don't wanna seem too eager and poke her with a massive erection while you're just kissing do you? Just trying to help you out Q. Just a suggestion."
"It's disturbing to me how comfortable you are with making that suggestion to me, S." Charlie said with a huff.
"Yeah, well you're like my best friend Q. If I can't talk about it with you then who can I talk about it with?" Santana said seriously. "Talking about shit like that with a lover isn't the same as talking about it with your best friend." Santana explained.
"So I'm your best friend?" Charlie asked her with a smirk.
"Keep looking at me like that with those gooey hazel eyes Fabray and you won't be." Santana told him sternly.
"You're such a softy Santana, give me a hug." Charlie said as he lifted his arm toward her.
"No, do not put your naked man chest on me Q." Santana directed.
"You just wanted to talk about masturbation but we can't hug?" Charlie teased her.
"Hey, the line has to be drawn somewhere Fabray. I'm outa here. Good luck with your smirf. Hit me up tomorrow once you return from BerryLand." Santana told him as she headed to the door.
Charlie chuckled and shook his head at her before returning to his jewelry search.
Later that evening Charlie was readying himself for his stay at Rachel. He had showered, packed his clothes, and was trying to talk himself into actually leaving his house. He wrung his hands together one last time before he picked up his bag and grabbed his hat before he headed downstairs to tell his Mom he was leaving.
"Heading to Mike's not sweetie?" Judy asked her son when he arrived in the living room.
"Yes Ma'am, I'll see you tomorrow." Charlie said as he kissed his Mom's cheek and headed toward the door. "Bye Dad!" Charlie called toward his Dad's office.
Charlie heard a faint 'bye Son' as he headed out the door toward his truck. On his way to Rachel's he stopped and got her some flowers and some more vegan ice-cream. He was just going to take the rest that was left at his house from Thanksgiving but he thought that might look too suspicious carrying it over to "Mike's" house. Charlie felt guilty about lying to his parents about where he was going but spending the night with Rachel was well worth the guilt.
When Charlie got to Rachel's house he pulled into the driveway before he hopped out of this truck and grabbed all this stuff. It looked like he was staying a week instead of overnight. He walked up to the door and knocked a few times before he waited. A disheveled Rachel, who's face was marred by a mysterious black substance, answered the door a few moments later. Charlie's eyes widened slightly and he smiled at the sight of her. Rachel smiled meekly before attempting to brush stray hairs away from her forehead only to unknowingly wipe more of the black substance across her tan skin.
"Whatcha been doin Rach?" Charlie asked her with a smirk.
Rachel pouted, "I was trying to be romantic and start a fire in the fire place but it isn't going to well. What's that you have there? Are those for me?"
Charlie smirked at her, "Of course they are." Charlie told her as he handed her the flowers. "If you want me to I can try to light a fire."
"No, that's okay Charlie. The romantic feel is completely gone now. What's in that bag?" Rachel said, as she pointed to the plastic bag in his hand.
"Vegan Ice-cream for my lady. If I can come in I'll put it in the freezer." Charlie told her as she stood in the door way.
"Oh! Of course! Come in." Rachel said as she stepped aside to let him in.
Once Charlie crossed the thresh hold he leaned down and kiss her on her lips soundly. "You're such a dirty girl Rach."
"What?" Rachel squeaked causing Charlie to chuckle.
"You are. Have you looked in the mirror recently?" Charlie asked her with a smile.
"No." Rachel answered suspiciously before she stepped into the downstairs half-bath. Rachel groaned, "Chaaaarlie, why didn't you tell me I look like a coal miner with soot all over my face?"
Charlie chuckled to himself before he answered her, "You still look pretty to me Rach. A little soot never hurt nobody."
"It hurts my delicate skin. Now I've got to go shower. I'll be back down in a few minutes." Rachel said as she made her way out of the bathroom.
"Okay. No rush sweet girl. I'll be here." Charlie told her as he watched her go.
Since Rachel was in the shower he figured it might as well make himself useful. Charlie easily managed to start a fire and he lit the candles that were sitting around the Berry's living room and moved the coffee table out of the way before he laid pillows up against the couch and blankets down to form a pallet on the floor. He slipped Funny Girl into the DVD player before he made his way to the kitchen to fix himself some ice-cream. Charlie had to admit that it wasn't half bad for being vegan.
Charlie was spooning a big chunk into his mouth when he felt slim arms wrap around his torso. Charlie stuck the spoon in his mouth before he turned around in Rachel's arms.
"Elwo." Charlie told her around his spoon.
"Hi." Rachel replied with a smile as she looked up at him.
Charlie looked at her lovingly. He thought she looked beautiful with her hair damp and without any traces of makeup, or soot. She had on a pair of pajama pants and a white tank top. Yeah, his girl was beautiful.
"Want some?" Charlie asked, offering her his spoon.
Rachel nodded and took the spoon. She dipped it into the bowl and got a nice hunk before she offered it to Charlie. He opened his mouth and was about to swallow it until Rachel reached up and pulled his mouth down to her. She licked across his bottom lip before he opened his mouth and allowed her tongue in. Their tongues caressed the other gently for a few moments before Rachel pulled away and wiped a stray bit of ice cream off her lip.
"Mmmm I think I've found my new favorite flavor." Rachel said as she kissed him again.
They kissed a few more minutes before Rachel pulled him by the hand into the living room.
"It looks nice in here Charlie, but are you sure you wanna watch Funny Girl?" Rachel asked him.
"I don't care what we watch Rach. I just wanna lay here and hold you." Charlie told her.
Rachel smiled and took a seat on the floor next to Charlie as he leaned against the couch. He smiled a sweet smile at her before he put his arm around her. She looked up at him shyly before they met in the middle for more kisses.
Rachel's got tired of the angle and scooted up before she straddled his lap.
"This is better. Don't you think?" Rachel said sheepishly.
Charlie nodded and placed his hand on her cheek and stroked her cheek softly.
"I love you Rachel." Charlie told her.
"I love you too Quinn." Rachel replied as she leaned down slightly and kissed him.
"I've been wantin to ask you babe, and feel free to decline, but would you be interested in going home with me for Christmas? I know you don't celebrate it, but just so you could meet my family. You don't have too. I just wanted to ask." Charlie told her shyly as he looked everywhere else but at Rachel.
"It would be after Hanukah right?" Rachel asked as she caught his chin and urged him to look at her.
Charlie nodded as he placed both hands on her slim waist.
"Then I would love to, pending my Dads approval of course." Rachel stated.
"So, no." Charlie chuckled, "Leroy will never let you go with me."
"I'll ask Dad and get him to talk to Daddy." Rachel assured him.
"Okay." Charlie told her as he stroked her sides just under the bottom of her tank top with his thumbs.
Rachel smiled and pressed her chest against his as she hugged him close, savoring the warmth that radiated between them. She kissed him lovingly before it turned heated and she trailed kissed to his ear before nibbling his ear a bit.
"Is this okay?" Rachel whispered.
"Yes." Charlie answered desperately.
Santana words echoed in Charlie's head, slow and steady. He ran his hand up her side and pulled her closer to him. Rachel went back to kissed his lips. Lips, tongues, and ragged breathes were all that was between them.
Charlie slipped his hand a little farther up her ribs and Rachel tugged on his bottom lips gently before kissing him again. The higher his hands traveled he noticed that Rachel was trembling slightly. Charlie moved his hands to the small of her back and pressed their foreheads together.
"Are you okay baby?" Charlie asked nervously.
"Yeah, just nervous." Rachel told him with a small smile.
"We're not going to do anything that you don't want us to do, Rach. You'll never have to feel pressured with me darlin." Charlie cooed at her.
"I know Quinton, it's just that this is the farthest we've ever gone. Just nervous I'll mess up or be bad at something." Rachel confessed.
"That could never be possible. Calm your fears my sexy little songbird, us together could be nothing short perfect." Charlie assured her.
"Sexy?" Rachel asked, with a raised brow, clearly not believing him.
Charlie nodded against her forehead before tucking his face into her neck, "So sexy Rachel."
Charlie kissed up her neck and sucked lightly on her ear lobe, "So incredibly sexy."
Rachel gasped softly and arched into him, "You make me feel that way Quinn. No one has ever made me feel that way."
"You should feel it, always. You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, even when your face is half covered in fire place soot." Charlie said as he smiled against her neck.
Rachel bubbled with laughter and hugged his face toward her, "It's good to know you wouldn't leave me if I ever have to make a living as a coal miner."
"Never." Charlie mumbled against her skin as he pressed a kiss to her neck.
"Good, now kiss me like you love me." Rachel demanded in a whisper.
Rachel moaned softly as he worked magic on her neck. Charlie was careful not to leave any evidence from his lips in his wake. Charlie's hand never traveled any farther north than touching Rachel's ribs and he felt like she was getting antsy. She kept arched her perfect body into him and he could feel his erection forming fast. Rachel was bound to be able to feel it against her bottom soon if it got any bigger.
A few seconds later Rachel froze stiffly against him. Charlie sighed and pressed his head into Rachel's neck before apologizing, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Rachel chuckled, "It just startled me. More kissing."
Rachel seemed to be hyper aware of her hip movements now and kept it to a minimum. Charlie was full on hard now, fighting desperately with himself to not push Rachel farther down onto his lap.
Charlie hoped he had gone slow enough as he inched his hand toward Rachel's breast. When he finally got there Rachel moaned into his mouth causing him to whimper lowly at the feel of Rachel in his palm. He rubbed and squeezed lightly and Rachel seemed to respond well to that as he felt her nipple stiffen from his touch.
Charlie moaned and tried to slow down their kisses as he caressed Rachel's sides.
"I think we should slow down a little sweet girl." Charlie told her with a trembling smirk.
Rachel's face was flushed red as she nodded and climbed off Charlie's lap. Charlie grabbed a pillow and covered his lap before he looked at Rachel who was staring at his crotch.
"Rach." Charlie called, trying to get her attention.
"Hm?" Rachel said not taking her eyes off his pillow covered groin.
"Rachel, my eyes are up here." Charlie joked.
"I'm sorry." Rachel replied embarrassed, "How long is it going to be like that?"
Charlie blinked owlishly at her before responding, "I dunno. Not long hopefully. Wanna watch the movie now?"
"Yeah, just let me know when that goes away so we can cuddle." Rachel told him with a wink.
"Mmkay." Charlie responded, mentally cursing himself for not following Santana's advice. "Kiss?" Charlie asked, and Rachel kissed him chastely.
Charlie knew it was going to be a long night full of awkward moments like this one but he was so happy in this moment with Rachel and had never been more thankful of anything is his life.
TBC
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