Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or anything mentioned below.
"You ready Quinnie?" John yells from downstairs.
He had been waiting for his granddaughter to leave with him to church for a total of twenty minutes.
"Coming!"
Five minutes later, Quinn is in the truck with her grandfather, heading to the local Sunday services.
After the break down at the store, the truck had been sent to a mechanic and was delivered the previous day, allowing them to drive to their desired locations. Since they had a lack of transportation the past week, Sam had gladly offered to allow the two to use his truck anytime they needed. They took him up on his proposal, and borrowed the truck a couple times during the week. However, as an excuse, Quinn claimed she had bad luck with cars and insisted Sam drive and only take her with him. He bought it and did as she told.
"You look pretty, darling."
"Thank you, Grandpa. You look very handsome yourself."
"Gosh, I can't believe you're gonna be a senior. Seems like just yesterday, I was holding you in the hospital when you were a newborn."
"Oh, Gramps," she responds, smiling at him.
They arrive at the church, many cars stationed in the small parking lot. Quinn finds herself looking for a particular navy blue pick-up, when she is snapped out of her search.
"Quinn, did you bring any money? I need change for a ten, so I can put five in the collection box."
"Yeah."
She hunts for the money in her purse, then upon finding it hands the cash to her Grandpa.
"Thanks. You ready?"
Quinn nods and steps out of the truck, her gold sandals smacking against the smoldering pavement. Closing the car door, she smooths the soft material of her light blue halter dress against her thighs and starts to her Grandfather. The two ascend into the church, taking a seat in a pew on the right side. They receive stares from a few people, Quinn guesses the cause is because she's new in town. She nervously combs through her soft hair with her fingers, trying to ignore the attention. The service begins and they kneel down to pray.
Soon, they reach the middle of the mass, or the collection sequence. When her eyes land on the volunteers who are collecting the money with the baskets, her eyes focus on the blonde boy taking up the charity on their side of the church. Grandpa pulls out his wallet, retrieving the money Quinn had borrowed him earlier and handed it to her. The smug grin on his face automatically makes her know the reason of his current action. He somehow knew she had feelings for the boy who was about to be in front of her any minute.
When Sam reaches them, Quinn places the dollars in the container, flashing a smile. His face lights up when his eyes land on her. Unsure of what to do, he does his best to nonchalantly throw her a wink, causing her to hold in a giggle. Sam continues his duties, gathering the rest of the money from the parish, before heading back to sit with his family.
John grins at his granddaughter, thinking of how much she's grown as a person. Earlier in the week, she'd told him her future goals when he casually brought up the subject at dinner. Quinn explained that she planned to work hard her senior year and do everything in her power to graduate as Valedictorian of her class. She didn't want to rush into picking a college or attend a school her mother insisted she go to. She trusted herself on this matter, and thought that there is a school out there for her that could lead her to the future she hoped to have.
On the other hand, she also added that she also wanted to get married one day and have children. Seeing her lay out her future, made his heart swell with pride for his youngest grandchild.
The last prayer is said, and the crowd starts to make their way to the exit. The two Fabray's stand and make their way to outside the building. After shaking hands with the pastor, they stand outside and chat with some of the locals.
A lady places a hand on Quinn's shoulder, glancing at her grandfather.
"John, is this your granddaughter?"
"Yes Mrs. Anders, this is Quinn," he replies, smiling with joy.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you," the young blonde greets, shaking the older woman's hand.
"You, too, dear. May I say you are exquisitely beautiful. I'm sure you can't keep boys away," she states, adding a wink to the part of her last sentence.
A rosy tint covers her cheeks, while she beams at the woman before her.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"I'm just saying the truth, honey. You are simply gorgeous. Well, I better go now. My husband's at home waiting for me. It was nice to meet you."
"You, too. Goodbye."
"Bye, Mrs. Anders."
She watches the lady slowly walk away, holding her purple church hat, so it doesn't fall off. Quinn wonders why her husband, didn't come to church with her, but realizes it's really none of her business.
Wiping the thought away, John guides her over to where the Evans family is standing. To her surprise, she doesn't see the boy she was searching for. Instead, she is welcomed with what seems to be his parents and two younger siblings.
"Hi, John!"
"Hey, Dwight. Hey, Mary. How've ya been?"
"Good. I see you brought a guest with you today," Sam's mother responds, grinning at Quinn.
"Yes, this my granddaughter."
"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Quinn," she mentions, shaking Mary's hand.
"Hi, nice to meet you," Dwight chimes in.
"It's so nice to finally meet you. Sam's told me a lot about you, and you seem wonderful. Which I now see is true," the woman replies, sharing a shining smile that Quinn believes is identical to her son's.
"Thank you. Sam's amazing as well. I'm sure your very proud to have him as a son."
"You are too sweet. Thank you. He should be here any minute. Yeah, he had to go help put out the candles in the foyer, but I'm sure he'll be done soon."
"Okay."
Mary looks at her two children standing beside her. The little girl is dressed in a baby pink sun dress with matching accessories, while the boy is sporting a blue dress shirt and slacks. She sends a timid grin Quinn's way, before hiding behind her mother's long legs.
"This is Stacey. And this is Stevie," Mary says, beckoning to her two youngest children.
"They're adorable," Quinn squeals quietly as she squats down.
The tiny blonde hesitantly shuffles in front of her mother, holding her small hand out to the older girl. Quinn shakes it, smiling at the little girl's actions. Stevie runs a hand through his gelled down hair and squirms in his uncomfortable Sunday clothes.
"Hi," Stacey says shyly.
"Hi, I'm Quinn. I like your dress."
"Thanks. I like yours, too," she replies, smiling at the bright blue garment.
About to make more conversation, she looks up to find Sam leaning against the wall and smiling. Quinn stands up, smoothing down her dress.
"Hey, when did you get here?"
"Just now."
"So why exactly did you not tell me about your super cute siblings?" Quinn jokes, tilting her head to the side.
"I told you they're the reason I give awesome piggy-back rides."
"Oh, I see."
He ruffles his hair, and coughs at his mother, who at the moment is fondling over the two teenagers. A flash of recognition crosses her features and she takes hold of her toddlers hands.
"It was so good to see you, Quinn."
"You, too, Mrs. Evans."
"I'll see you at the house mom."
"Okay, sweetie," she answers, kissing his cheek.
"Mom," he mumbles, his face becoming flushed.
"Okay okay I'm gone."
Quinn and Sam wave bye at the kids and their mother until they are to their vehicle. He turns to her, sporting a shy grin.
"So maybe, if you're not busy...we could go get some breakfast."
"I'd like that," she replies, staring into his light green eyes.
Smiling happily, he grasps her hand. The blondes make their way to the two men chatting alongside the priest.
John and Dwight are invested in deep conversation about farming, so Quinn slowly interrupts them.
"Hey, Grandpa," she says, touching his shoulder.
He smiles, before meeting her eyes.
"Yes, dear. Are you ready to go?"
"Well, Sam offered to take me to breakfast…if that's okay with you?"
The man's face falls marginally, but he quickly folds his lips into a reassuring smile.
"Yeah. Have fun."
"Okay, thanks. I'll see you when I get home. Love you," she replies, kissing the side of his ripened face.
"You, too."
"Thank you, Mr. Fabray. I'll have her home by lunch."
John nods at his young employee. The two teenagers start for Sam's truck, and he watches them walk away. Dwight says farewell to him, then heads to his family awaiting him in the car.
Exhaling, he begins to mimic his friends' actions by going to his own vehicle.
"Thank you," Quinn states as her acquaintance opens the restaurant door for her.
"No problem," he responds, letting his southern gentleman really shine through.
The small diner basically screams small country town. Everything from the welcome mat at the door and aroma of coffee lingering in the cool air, sets a cozy feel for any customer that enters the facility. Two farmers tip their caps when they spot Sam, while he sends them a half grin in return. The boy clutches her hand, leading her to a booth by the window.
"Is this okay with you?"
Quinn can't but help smile at his kindness. She had a theory that every single one of the boys at her high school were immature jerks.
"Yes."
The two glide into the blue cushioned seats, grinning at one another.
Their ogle fest is interrupted by a waitress.
"Hello, how may I help you?" she says, her voice monotone while she stares at her notepad, blowing a bubble with her gum.
It isn't until she glances up, that she realizes who she is serving.
"Hi! How's your summer been, Sam?" she asks much more cheerily.
Quinn raises an eyebrow at the brunette before her. The girl seemed oddly familiar.
Sam manages not to groan, plastering on a slight smile.
"Good Cassie. How about you?"
"Pretty cool. Who's this?" she questions, an expression of envy and curiosity upon her face.
He opens his mouth, but the blonde seated across from him intrudes.
Quinn now recognizes her as the, as she put it in her mind, "jealous bitch" from the dance hall.
"I'm Quinn. Quinn Fabray," she introduces, wearing a sly smile.
"Oh. Well, I'm Cassie."
"So I just heard…"
"Yeah, Sam and me go way back. We-"
"I'll take a coffee," the tallest of the three quickly interjects before the brunette can continue.
"I'll have a tea," Quinn orders, her eyes fixed on the boys' light green ones.
"'Kay," their waitress replies, smacking her gum and pivoting back to the kitchen.
Once she is out of earshot, Sam leans over the table an inch or two.
"Don't listen to a word she says."
About to reply, she gets cut off by a familiar voice at the door.
"Noah Puckerman, my hash browns better not be burnt again! Don't make me come back there," Rachel yells as she makes her way to the counter.
Viewing the room, she notices her two blonde friends. Her face brightens and she walks to greet them.
Standing, Quinn is welcomed with a tight embrace from Rachel.
"Nice to see you, too," she utters, giggling at her affectionate friend.
Sam gives his friend a quick hug before she is exclaiming another statement that popped into her mind.
"Happy Sunday!"
"Happy Sunday," Quinn says, an uncertain expression on her face.
Sam chuckles at his long-time friend. She was always unique and bubbly towards everyone. There wasn't a time when he didn't know she was in a room.
"Do you wanna eat breakfast with us?" the light-haired girl questions, gesturing to the booth beside her.
"I don't want to interrupt," she replies, shaking her head and smirking at Quinn, "I'm just getting some breakfast to go."
"Oh, okay. Well, it was nice to-"
"Excuse me, Berry," Cassie churlishly interferes, jostling past her, the blondes' beverages in hand.
Rachel raises an eyebrow, while Sam wishes he wouldn't have brought Quinn here. He knew she didn't deserve this.
"Oh, hi Cassie. It's so nice to see you again," the short girl remarks, her voice solid sarcasm, "So I see you quit your job at Jim's whore house."
The opposite brunette whirls around angrily, the brown coffee swishing in it's cup, to face a grinning Rachel.
"What did you just say?!"
"You heard me."
Quinn takes a step back from the two feuding teenagers, while Sam steps in between them.
"Okay, that's enough," he demands, his tone serious.
Grinning, Cassie does the unthinkable.
Facing Quinn, she shoves the liquid in the tan cup she's gripping towards the blonde. Sam feels like it all happens in slow motion as he moves to shield her, steaming coffee coating his shirt and seeping through onto his chest.
Quinn covers her mouth in shock, gathering what just went down. The small Jewish girl places her hands on her chest, feeling sympathy for her friend. Cassie's eyes are saucers, not to mention her mouth that is gaping open so wide her pink gum almost falls out of it.
"Rachel, I got your hash-….browns," Puck states, while entering the room to see the incident.
"I-I'm so sorry, Sam. Here let me get you-"
"Stop. It's fine. Quinn, do you mind if we leave?" he asks, wiping coffee from his neck.
"Yes. Let's go."
She grabs a stack of napkins from the table, after Sam and her murmur goodbyes to Rachel and Puck.
Making it out the door, Quinn stops him at his pick-up.
"Sam, you did not have to do that."
Gently grabbing a napkin from the stack in his date's hand, he wipes lamely at his shirt.
"Actually, I kind of did."
Her lips curling into a smile, she towers on her tippy toes to compel her lips against the boy who just saved her from a piping hot caffeine bath.
The arms wrap around one another, but Sam pulls removes his mouth from hers.
"I'm gonna get coffee all over you," he says, smiling into her eyes.
Shaking her head, she responds to him.
"I don't care."
A/N: Well, it's that time of year again. It's the horrid back to school for me. So I apologize for not updating in forever. School has had me so busy, I have had hardly any free time. But I really hope you enjoyed it and I will see you soon! Also thank you for all the beautiful feedback. :) Mwah.