AN: I am so upset at myself for missing a day! FF was being a little weird, and I had a Christmas party to attend. I hope you like this one! Characters in this story: Quinn, Finn, and Rachel. Please R&R! :o)
Six Months Old
Olivia was six months old. Quinn could not get over the fact that she had given her beautiful baby up for adoption. She realized it was better this way, but it still hurt.
Thankfully, she and Finn had found a loving, young family who were willing to have an open adoption. Tom and Renee Carver wanted Finn and Quinn to be a part of Olivia's life. So, it made the separation a little easier on Quinn.
This was Olivia's first Christmas. The Carvers were visiting Renee's family in Michigan for Christmas, so they called Finn and Quinn up to spend Christmas with Olivia the week before.
"Are you sure?" Quinn had asked hesitantly.
She had wanted nothing more than to spend some quality time with her daughter, but she didn't want to impose.
"Of course! We want you and Finn to come and see Olivia!" Renee had assured her.
Finn was looking forward to the visit as well, but he was just as nervous as Quinn was. They had only seen Olivia once after she was born, but that was over two months ago. She was sure to be even bigger; babies grow so fast.
Quinn and Finn walked up the steps of the Carver's home, arms laden with gifts. Quinn had gone a little crazy, but Finn knew it was important to her.
"Come in out of the cold," Tom said, opening the door before they had a chance to knock.
They exchanged pleasantries, and Renee offered them some pound cake. While Finn ate two slices, Quinn and Renee chatted about school and Glee. Renee caught them up on Olivia. She was starting to teeth, which sometimes made for a cranky baby, but they were getting used to it. Then, as if on cue, Olivia started to cry. Renee made a move to get her, but then she turned to Quinn.
"Would you like to get her?" she asked softly.
Quinn bade the tears not to well up in her eyes.
"Yes," she said, barely forming the words past the lump in her throat.
She looked at Finn who was polishing off the last of the cake. She looked at him questioningly. He realized she wanted him to go with her, so he got up and followed her to Olivia's room.
It was the perfect little girl's room with a white crib with frills and pale pink curtains at the window.
"Hey there, Olivia," Quinn cooed, reaching in to pick up the crying baby.
"Hi, Livy," Finn said over Quinn's shoulder.
Olivia was still crying, but as Quinn bounced her gently and rocked her, she began to quiet down. Soon, she was cooing and gurgling like a content baby. Finn played peek-a-boo with her, hiding his face and popping out, which made Olivia smile and squeal.
Quinn was content just to look at Olivia. She was a beautiful baby, with Quinn's green eyes and a mop Finn's sandy brown hair. She was a happy baby, always willing to give big smiles to her "Auntie Quinn" and "Uncle Finn." She felt that gnawing in her chest at the fact that all she would ever be to Olivia was an aunt. But Tom and Renee were good parents; Olivia was in a good place.
Finn complained about wanting his turn to hold Olivia so Quinn handed him over, and they made their way back into the living room. Quinn was surprised to see other presents had joined the ones they had brought.
"Well, I think it's time to open some presents," Finn said. "What do you say, Livy? Wanna open your presents?" he asked, tickling the baby ever so slightly.
Quinn loved the fact that Finn's pitch raised an octave when he was talking to Olivia. She found it funny that all people resorted to their own version of "baby talk."
"Olivia," Renee said in a singsong voice, "it's time to open presents."
Finn handed Olivia to Renee, and Tom grabbed a present. They opened each gift from Finn and Quinn and oohed and ahhed for Olivia. They gave Olivia some new outfits, some toys, a cute little bathrobe that had a hood shaped like a duck, and some diapers. Quinn wished it could've been more.
After all Olivia's gifts were opened, there were still three presents left on the table. Finn eyed them suspiciously.
"We wanted to get you guys something," Renee started.
"But we didn't get you guys anything," Quinn said.
"Do you honestly think we care about that?" Renee asked incredulously.
Quinn smiled at Renee's comical face. "Okay, if you insist," Quinn said.
"Of course we insist," Tom threw in.
He handed a box to Finn, while Renee handed two smaller boxes to Quinn.
"You first, Finn," Quinn said.
Finn looked like a kid on Christmas morning, which, of course, was appropriate. He unwrapped the box and found three new Xbox 360 games—Call of Duty: Classic, Madden NFL Arcade, and much to Quinn's enjoyment, Karaoke Revolution.
"Wow! Are you kidding me?!" Finn shouted! "Oh, sorry!" he quieted as he realized Olivia was drooping in Renee's arms.
Tom and Renee smiled at each other before turning to Finn.
"Thanks, guys," Finn said. "This is seriously awesome of you." He grinned at them widely.
"Okay, Quinn, your turn," Renee nudged her knee.
Quinn gently unwrapped her first box. Inside she found a pair of beautiful emerald earrings. Quinn's breath caught in her throat.
"Renee, this is too much," Quinn whispered, pushing the box back to Renee.
"Honey, you gave us something that is irreplaceable and worth more than anything money can buy," Renee explained with tears in her eyes.
Quinn nodded. Renee pressed her to open her second box. Quinn complied and found the box contained a woven cap, scarf, and gloves in powder blue.
"These are beautiful," she murmured. "Thank you both so, so much."
"You're more than welcome, Sweetheart," Renee said, hugging Quinn tightly.
Just then, Olivia woke up and was passed to Finn and Quinn some more. Tom went to put her down for a nap, but Olivia just wailed.
"She's a stubborn one, that girl," he laughed.
"Just like her mother," Finn quipped, nodding at Quinn.
Quinn's eyes flew open in surprise, hoping that Renee wasn't offended.
"Both of them," Tom interjected sarcastically.
This made everyone laugh, while Renee squeezed Quinn's hand and nodded knowingly at her. The four talked a little more until, all too soon, it was time to go.
"Thank you so much for coming by," Renee said.
"I'm still just so grateful you are letting us be a part of her life," Quinn replied.
The two women hugged, and Finn and Tom shook hands.
"Thanks again for the gifts," Finn said.
"Merry Christmas," Quinn and Finn said, waving goodbye to the Carver family.
Finn looked nervously at Quinn leaning against the window as they drove home. She got this way the last time they visited the Freemans. He listened to her sigh softly, and his heart broke.
"You okay, Quinn?" Finn asked gently.
Quinn just shrugged her shoulders and shook her head against the window.
"Baby, you want to go over to Rachel's?" Finn pressed.
Quinn just sniffled and nodded her head.
Finn waited till a red light and sent a text to Rachel. Even though they weren't the best of friends a long time ago, when Quinn got pregnant with Olivia, Rachel became her champion. Rachel took Quinn under her wing so to speak, and surprisingly Quinn allowed her. When Quinn was kicked off the Cheerios, Rachel was there to spend time with her and get her mind off things. Rachel took her to doctor's appointments when Finn couldn't make it.
They became pretty good friends. They went shopping and did other girly things. Quinn was there to gossip when Rachel and Puck started dating and was there to be Rachel's shoulder to cry on when they broke up. Quinn was also still in "matchmaker mode" when it came to those two, though she would never admit it to anyone.
Finn knew she needed Rachel, so he had warned Rachel that they may be coming over after visiting the Carver's house. Of course, Rachel told them to come over afterwards if that's what Quinn wanted.
They pulled into Rachel's driveway, and Rachel met them outside. She pulled Quinn into a big hug and walked her to the door. By this time, Quinn was in tears.
Rachel soothed Quinn by rubbing circles on her back. Finn and Rachel shared a meaningful look, and Finn mouthed, Thank you. Rachel nodded.
"She is six months old, Rae," Quinn whimpered into Rachel's shoulder.
"I know, Honey, I know," Rachel whispered, leading Quinn into the house, as the snow fell around them.
AN2: So, this chapter made me kind of sad writing it. Anyway, I hope you still liked it! Remember, R&R=Love :o)