Title: In the Broken Night, Set Against the Sky
Pairing: Quinn/Rachel
A/N: Chapter 4 of 10! I'm excited for this, guys. The story's really just barely gotten started and I've got so much to cover. I hope you're all enjoying it. ^_^ Also, if you notice any grammatical errors or whatnot, let me know, pretty please? I meant to get this up last night, but I got about halfway through and was practically falling asleep on my laptop - so I got up early to finish and publish. ^_^ Lyrics in the Chapter introduction (?) are from "Lifeboats" by Snow Patrol, and the song referenced in the rest of the chapter is "Lullaby" by Lamb.
faberrydragon: I'm glad you enjoyed that chapter! I like how their relationship is growing, too. They make me happy.
Sharene19: NOW it's here! Tah-dah! Like magic and stuff! Here's a bunny rabbit. LOL. Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thank you, again, for the sweet review. ^_^
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Chapter 4: Your Love is Life
Gliding like a satellite in the broken night,
and when I wake you're there, I'm saved;
your love is life piled tight and high, set against the sky
that seems to balance on its own..
###
Quinn didn't want to admit, the last night in Colorado, that she was afraid of what was coming next. Rachel was resting her head on Quinn's shoulder and lazily eating a melted marshmallow as Hiram told a story on the other side of the fire. The blonde's arm draped across Rachel's shoulder, resting where her arm met her torso, and she closed her eyes. They'd spent nearly a week in Boulder and it had been absolutely breathtaking every step of the way. Quinn was used to beautiful skies, after all it's not like Lima's city lights drowned out the sky by all means, but out here there was something different about it. It was crisp, clear, beautiful. Sometimes Quinn could make out star clusters she'd never seen before - but like memories, if she looked too directly at them, she couldn't see them anymore. It was a funny trick of sight. Without thinking, she was humming the song she and Rachel shared, and felt Rachel's head tilt up a bit in response; the blonde was sure she'd see a pair of dark brown eyes staring thoughtfully up at her, and Quinn's lip quirked in a small acknowledgement of Rachel's gaze.
"Always and forever, you'll see," she heard Rachel singing barely above a whisper, and felt warm fingers tangle in her own, Rachel rocking them back and forth a little playfully, which only made Quinn smile more. She continued to hum along as Rachel sang unnoticed, too quiet for Hiram or Leroy to hear, "Always and forever, be with me," Rachel's voice melded with Quinn's humming and the blonde felt joy bubbling up in her chest, coming to the surface. She squeezed Rachel's hand tighter and wondered if she'd ever be as happy as she was now. She wanted to remember every second, every sound, the way Rachel felt with her weight against the crook of her shoulder, the way the crickets chirped and sometimes distant howls could be heard.
Quinn, still humming, picked up Rachel's words and felt Rachel shift into her arms a little more, "We'll have love aplenty, we'll have joys outnumbered," Quinn's voice was always raspy, soft, like soft earth, at least that's what Rachel was constantly telling Quinn, "we'll share perfect moments, you and me." The ex-Cheerio sang quietly in the curtain of Rachel's hair, feeling the tired droop of her eyes as the lull of the evening began to get to her. They'd had a busy week - hiked miles of trails and seen marvelous and beautiful things - and it seemed they were all a bit worn out. They'd have a week before Rachel's dads left for their 'second-honeymoon' and then Quinn would be on a plane to New York. She didn't want to let go of this moment, wanted to bask in it forever, Rachel humming to her and words lost in the night like childhood memories.
"Cheeseball," Rachel grinned, her word settling on Quinn's ears before the blonde could register, and as Quinn pulled away in shock and mock-offense, she shoved Rachel's shoulder gently as the brunette squawked with laughter. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Rachel fought off Quinn's shove and tangled her arms around Quinn's waist, closed her eyes, and Quinn felt her warm gust of breath as Rachel sighed into her, chest deflating.
"Pinkie promise? I have a reputation, you know," Quinn teased and rolled her eyes, squeezing Rachel tight against her side.
Leroy was busily stuffing marshmallows in his mouth, because apparently Hiram had bet him he couldn't fit 20 in one mouthful, and Quinn looked up in horror at the scene - Leroy looking like a rabid dog with a marshmallow addiction and Hiram snickering at him like a small boy.
"Pinkie promise, only if you promise me we won't be like that," Rachel laughed in her bubbly way at Quinn's side, hands squeezing in emphasis as she looked at her dads.
"It's a deal," Quinn chuckled, exhaling quietly and feeling a shiver go through her as the night air became chill. She fought a yawn, closed her eyes. "Bed?"
"Mm, you look sleepy," Rachel stated, and Quinn felt her fingers ghost over her jaw and brush stray blonde hairs behind her ear. "I'll be in after I say goodnight to my dads?"
"Sounds good," Quinn smiled sleepily, opening hazel eyes. She pressed forward, landing a gentle kiss on Rachel's cheek before she headed toward the tent, laughing as she passed Leroy who was quite literally dumping the last of the marshmallows in his frothing mouth, "Good luck, Leroy."
The man gave her a thumbs up and a marshmallow-smile, and his husband chuckled out a goodnight in Quinn's direction before turning attention back to Leroy.
Quinn stepped into the tent, zipped the door half-way, and heard Rachel outside the tent.
"Night Dad, Daddy," following the words were the sound of hugs murmured goodnights, and Quinn found herself laughing as Leroy even tried to muffle out a goodnight to his daughter.
As Quinn tugged on a comfortable pair of sweatpants and lay her sore body on the air-mattress, she caught sight of Rachel climbing in the tent and tiredly changing into pajamas. Quinn's eyes wandered lovingly - back when she was in denial, it was no wonder she had a hard time looking at Rachel when she'd been in that Britney Spears outfit. The brunette had an amazing figure, and constantly Quinn felt the desire to have contact with that olive skin of hers. Rachel caught Quinn's gaze and they shared a quiet, blushing smile. Rachel winked, an action that made Quinn's heart flutter even now as their relationship was established, and climbed onto the air-mattress beside her. Rachel folded herself easily against Quinn, peppered kisses on her lips, quiet little pecks, and Quinn smiled as the brunette kissed the tip of her nose. The small laugh that escaped her lips couldn't be helped, and Rachel's smile became wider at the sound. Quinn liked being the reason for Rachel's smile. "So weird when you do that," Quinn chuckled and shook her head in the dark.
"Well it's weird that you like Cher," Rachel grinned and rested her head against Quinn's chest, small, soft hands squeezing Quinn's hip as the shorter girl tucked herself against Quinn.
"Mm, it's a secret," Quinn murmured sleepily, felt even breathing against her own.
"Quinn?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you scared?"
"Of?"
"New York, seeing Beth."
Quinn's eyes opened and she frowned into the dark. She pulled Rachel closer against her and buried her face near Rachel's ear, taking a moment to think honestly about that question. Honesty. Openness. Things she really wanted to work on - for Rachel. Quinn hesitated, felt the answer like a weight sitting on her tongue, before she nodded into Rachel's neck, "Yes."
"Me too. My mom, I mean," Rachel's hands soothed over Quinn's sore muscles, fingertips squeezing the gentle curves of Quinn's shoulder-muscles and Quinn could feel the tension melting out of her body. The blonde sighed into Rachel's neck, pressed her lips to Rachel's skin as she listened to her speak, "As you know, we parted on good terms but I ... I always felt as if when she met me, she wanted to meet someone she expected to see. A small girl, perhaps - "
"You are small," Quinn joked softly against her skin, hoping to lighten the moment a little for Rachel, and maybe a little for herself too.
"Quinn," Rachel reprimanded, half-amused and half-scolding, "you know what I mean. I think she expected to see the baby she gave away. Instead she met a young woman who looked starkly like herself and I...I think it startled her. We speak once in a while but it's all very formal. And I wonder what it's like to have a mom, someone I'd call Mom instead of Mother," Rachel hesitated and Quinn continued placing comforting kisses against Rachel's collarbone and neck. Rachel was holding on to Quinn tighter, and her voice had taken on a confused tone.
Quinn thought of the confusion, the feelings she'd felt earlier when Leroy had his 'father-daughter' talk with Quinn, at least a talk she felt like maybe a father would have with his daughter. The awkwardness of hugging a man who, up until the last year, probably hated her. Yet here she was, in the middle of Colorado with them, and he'd told her she was a part of the family. She'd always wondered what it would be like to have an accepting and supportive family like Rachel was lucky enough to have, but she'd never really given thought to the fact that Rachel was missing one thing every girl wanted, in the end - a loving mom. Quinn swallowed, feeling a knot in her throat.
"So I'm scared," Rachel completed, her voice dropping barely above a whisper, "but I'm glad you'll be there, and I'm glad we'll be there to support one another."
Quinn pulled away, sifted her fingers through Rachel's thick, dark locks of hair. She felt Rachel's heartbeat against her own, and in the dark she searched the eyes she knew were looking up at her. Rachel's soft fingers were grasping Quinn's as they cascaded to Rachel's cheeks. "There's so much I want to say, Rach," Quinn found herself speaking, surprised at the sound of her own voice. "So much that I feel. I'm scared, too, but I know that you'll be there with me and we'll be going through it together. This is all so ..." Quinn hesitated, weighed her words, sighed, "new. All of it. Us, me dealing with anything, honestly every bit of my life is different now and new, and scary. I know I don't make much sense right now but .. as much as I'm not good with the whole mushy thing and I'm not good with words like you are, I just love you."
Rachel smiled softly, barely noticeable in the dark tent, but Quinn caught a glimpse of it.
"I can't imagine, I mean I can, but I can't imagine how you feel. About the whole thing. In a way, I can, because my dad, you know ... " Quinn hesitated, bit her lip in thought, and pushed away emotions surfacing. She just needed Rachel to know she understood. "And your dads have been so wonderful. I want you to have that with your mom, in some way." Quinn could vaguely hear Rachel sniffling softly, and she frowned, "Oh, no, don't cry," Quinn insisted, "I'm sorry, don't cry," her fingers fumbled in the dark and found tears on Rachel's cheek.
"It's okay, it's good," Rachel's voice was tearful indeed, and the brunette was pulling herself into Quinn's arms again. "It's good. I hope I get that, too. I think eventually I will have that."
The pair fell into silence, Quinn stroking Rachel's locks again and smoothing them out over the diva's back. She pressed her lips against Rachel's scalp, and hummed quietly to soothe the nerves she knew Rachel felt darting around inside her stomach. Quinn wasn't very good at all of this, didn't know what to do or how, she just knew that she wanted to make Rachel happy, wanted Rachel to feel special and loved. Eventually the even breathing at her side slowed, and Quinn felt the grip at her side slacken. Rachel had fallen asleep, and Quinn knew she was soon to follow. Exhaustion hit her again, and as her eyes drooped shut, she squeezed Rachel closer and breathed in that sweet undefinable perfume. They still had to get back to Lima and make it another week through nerves and doubts before they'd find themselves in New York together, facing down their greatest fears and confronting past decisions.
###
Quinn glanced aside, where Rachel was hanging halfway out of the window, dark brown hair flying behind her in a glorious curtain. The sunlight poured in the SUV as they travelled along the highway, on their way back home, and Rachel somehow managed to look beautiful perching her arms out of the window and resting her head on them. Leroy had fallen asleep in the passenger's seat, Hiram occasionally throwing loving glances beside him or gently patting Leroy's knee when he seemed to jerk or mumble in his sleep.
Rachel seemed to notice Quinn's gaze as it found her again, because she slid back beside Quinn and offered her one of those dazzling Rachel Berry smiles. Quinn felt her heart flutter and she felt herself respond with an equally large smile. They'd woken up in Colorado this morning, and Quinn had to admit she'd miss being in Boulder. It was most definitely a beautiful place and it felt so freeing to be anywhere but Lima. Now they were headed back, and eventually she and Rachel would be on their way to New York. It gave Quinn a head rush when she thought about it, and she found herself laying on the backseat, and rested her head on Rachel's lap. Fingers sifted through her hair, and Quinn let out a pleased sigh.
"Tired?"
"Mm, kinda. And watching the road makes me dizzy."
In her pocket, something buzzed, and she'd nearly forgotten that her phone was there - mostly because she didn't get reception around the mountains - so Quinn startled a little before she sank her head back on to Rachel's lap, where Rachel resumed playing with Quinn's hair. The screen of her phone blinked at her.
When do u and Frodo get bck? - S
Quinn rolled her eyes, sighed a little bit, and smiled. She'd missed Santana, and Quinn glanced up at Rachel, who was smiling amusedly down at her.
"There's something hypocritical about how I'm supposedly the nerdy one, but the girls in cheerleading skirts constantly reference a literature series that is a staple in the fantasy genre," Rachel mused, and Quinn chuckled.
"Santana's a closet case," she laughed at her own phrasing as she looked up at Rachel, "she loves fantasy books."
"Noted."
~Rachel~ and I get back in a couple days. - Q
O, well we totally need to hang when u get bck. - S
Sounds good to me, miss you guys. - Q
Dnt get mushy. Rachel makes u mushy. - S
No, I'm just secretly in love with you. - Q
Both Quinn and Rachel laughed at that one.
"At least she called me Rachel that time."
Sry, meant **Gimli. - S
Quinn glanced up at Rachel, laughing quietly, "You spoke too soon."
Very funny, S. You know you like Rachel, is it really so hard to call her by her name? She is my gf now after all. - Q
Quinn beamed a little to herself, feeling the jolt of happiness, and apparently it was mutual because Rachel was biting her bottom lip as if she was biting back some kind of speech. Quinn wrinkled her nose playfully and stuck her tongue out before responding.
Shut up, go suck your gf's face or something. - S
Why don't you? - Q
Ew. - S
Not my gf, yours. Lesbotron. - Q
B isn't here rt now. - S
Oh? - Q
Family dinner and whatever. - S
Btw you didn't deny that you do like Rachel. - Q
Do you have a point, preggo? - S
Not cool. - Q
Sry, reflex. Frodo's alright. nice and stuff, plus she makes u happy. - S
Forgiven. Miss you guys though, really. - Q
Duh. u 2 tho. - S
"She really isn't too comfortable with emotions, is she?" Rachel inquired delicately, fingers stilling themselves in Quinn's hair and the pad of her finger tracing gentle shapes against Quinn's scalp.
"That's an understatement. She's like me, only more severe about it. That's the main problem she and Britt have," Quinn chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully before glancing up at Rachel, letting her eyes linger on the girl.
Tell Rachel I said hi. - S
Quinn was surprised at that one, and she showed Rachel the text message. She couldn't help but chuckle at the way Rachel's face lit up, and she immediately started texting a response from Quinn's phone. She pressed send before Quinn could warn against it, and Quinn had to try very hard not to laugh at Rachel's text.
Hello Santana! This is Rachel. I've stolen Quinn's phone for just a moment. I'm glad you're doing well and I know you're quite reserved with actual emotion, but I too miss you. Quinn doesn't have your biting humor. - Q
Good god. Rly with all those words? - S
Quinn again, lol. You would expect different from my thesaurus of a gf? - Q
Guess not, but damn. - S
Text you when we get closer. Feeling motion sickness from reading texts while the car's moving. Tell Britt we said hi, when you see her. - Q
Quinn delicately lay her phone on the seat next to her, and shifted so she was laying on her side, head still resting in Rachel's lap. She was idly picking at Rachel's jeans, and yawned a little bit.
"I'm glad we're flying to New York. I don't mind the drive," Rachel stated softly after a lapse of silence, "but it's a lot of hours in the car to Colorado."
"Agreed," Quinn smiled, closed her eyes. She felt Rachel's hand go from her hair to rest on her back, sometimes scratching along the surface.
"Do you think Santana really does like me? As a friend, of course," Rachel questioned after a bit more silence, and Quinn thought it was adorable that Rachel really cared whether or not her friends liked her.
Quinn nodded, "Yeah. She doesn't know how to show it, with anyone, really, but she does."
"Oh good," Rachel seemed to breathe a little easier in relief, and Quinn glanced upward at the brunette. Rachel's expression turned unsure, "I just think it's rather important for your friends to approve of me."
"I don't need anyone's approval," Quinn stated after a moment, thinking how starkly different that statement was from what she would've said nearly a year ago.
The diva seemed to melt a little at the statement, because she blinked disbelievingly at Quinn before sliding her hand around Quinn's waist and lacing their fingers together.
Quinn merely shrugged dismissively, and squeezed Rachel's hand. Her life was very different these days, and she figured she was tired of living for everyone else's approval.
###
"I still cannot believe she asked me if I wanted a happy meal. Why does everyone insist that I am so childlike?" Rachel fumed in the back-seat of the car. It was day two on the road, and they'd gone through a drive-through. The woman had mistakenly glanced in the back seat and asked if the younger girl wanted a happy meal, and commented on how adorable her dress was.
Quinn was stifling laughter behind her hand, and Leroy was chuckling in the driver's seat, "Honey, she didn't have a good view of you," Leroy soothed.
Rachel's arms were folded angrily over her chest, "Now I'm not even hungry. Their vegan food is terrible. Quinn, stop laughing at me, this is all-together a very serious matter. I'm always being pointed out for my height and I find it - "
Quinn silenced Rachel with a shake of her head and a kiss on her cheek, "Relax."
Rachel sighed, and her mouth opened once or twice as if she was going to continue ranting, but she settled and nodded.
Hiram whistled in appreciation, "You stopped a Rachel Berry rant?"
"Daddy!"
Hiram flinched at Rachel's scolding tone, but laughed nonetheless.
Quinn squeezed Rachel's hand and pressed another kiss to her cheek, then several more playful ones, flashing the brunette a brilliant smile as she giggled a little under the ministrations and batted Quinn away in embarassment. Her phone vibrated, and she wondered if it was Santana. Indeed, the Latina was texting her again.
How was CO anyway? - S
Beautiful. Lots of hiking, but I loved the mountains. - Q
Kinda jealous, u got out of this rat-hole. - S
Going to New York a week after we get back, Rachel and I. - Q
Lucky. - S
Quinn hesitated, rested her head on Rachel's shoulder as she pondered what to say. She was excited about the trip, but Santana didn't know that there was a secondary reason for going. She felt Rachel's hand squeeze at her side, gently, as if reassuring her. It gave her the motivation to just come out with it, and Quinn did her best to phrase the next text carefully.
We're going to enjoy NY but also to see Shelby and Beth. Staying with Shelby for a couple weeks. - Q
Quinn drummed her fingers on Rachel's thigh as she waited for Santana's response. She knew Santana would support her, but she was curious as to her reaction. She'd never expressed interest openly about seeing Beth again, in fact she really hadn't spoken of Beth in quite a long time.
U rdy for that? - S
Hope so. Might be good though. - Q
Cld be. Won't be easy tho. - S
Definitely not easy, but maybe necessary. - Q
Look at u, all grown up. Unlike ur gf. Stunted growth. - S
Quinn chuckled, sighed, and felt Rachel shaking her head quietly. Her soft hand had covered Quinn's, and she was delicately running her fingers over the back of Quinn's hand.
You're just jealous my gf is hot. - Q
Dream on. - S
"You think I'm hot?" Rachel spoke suddenly, glancing over at Quinn in shock.
Quinn laughed, "Seriously? You really have to ask?"
Rachel nodded earnestly, "No one's ever ... really .. called me that. Besides Finn, but when he says it.."
"It sounds like he's talking about a steak," Quinn finished that part for her, and she chuckled. "I do think that about you," her eyes flicked to the front seat. She didn't want to go calling Rachel hot or sexy in front of her dads, so she settled for vague wording. "You are absolutely stunning."
Rachel blushed, offered a coy smile, and dipped her head against Quinn's shoulder.
Streisand doing good 2? - S
You're really asking if she's doing well? - Q
Ugh y do u answer a question with a question? - S
Like you did? - Q
Not funny. How is she? - S
Doing good. Glad to be heading home, I think, at least for a week. - Q
Tell her I'm sry. - S
For what? - Q
Being a bitch all the time. - S
You're not a bitch, but I'll tell her. - Q
A surprising show of feeling coming from Santana, Quinn really wasn't sure what spurred it, but a part of her was grateful. Quinn angled the screen toward Rachel, showed her the texts, and smiled as Rachel grabbed for the phone. "Nuh uh. She'll bail on what she said if you send her a paragraph in response."
Rachel, abashed, pulled her hand back and sighed, "I suppose you're probably right."
She says thank you and that she forgives you. - Q
K. Good, cuz I don't say sry to anyone. - S
I know you don't. Why the kindness? - Q
Jst thinkin lately. Life's too short, u know. - S
True. - Q
Plus I like Rachel. She's not bad for a midget. - S
I won't tell her you said that. - Q
Both parts plz. - S
"Liar," Rachel laughed a little as the phone was again angled for her to read. "I wonder why she's being so kind? Normally, yes, she's not too difficult but she's never apologized to me before. Do you think Brittany put her up to it?"
"Maybe, but whatever the reason, it's good to see her being kind of soft. She needs it."
When do u guys get back tmrw? - S
I think sometime in the evening. - Q
Txt me when you get in? wanna hang out - S
Sounds good. - Q
Radio silence followed, and Quinn stared thoughtfully at her phone. It seemed it was a summer of change not only for herself and Rachel, but for Santana as well. Her heart warmed a little, and she glanced aside at Rachel, who looked equally thoughtful. The blonde slipped her hand into Rachel's.
"I'm excited to get home," Rachel stated quietly. "It's beautiful out here and all, but I think I actually miss Lima."
"Me too," even though there wasn't much to miss, Quinn agreed. Lima was home, as much as it seemed like one of those places people never left. Nobody expected you to leave and make a success of your life - mediocrity was the curse of growing up in a place with only 30,000 people at the most.
Rachel was toying with Quinn's fingers delicately, and glanced upward at the blonde from her shoulder, and was about to say something until both girls jumped to attention. Leroy, out of nowhere, started belting out a Bette Midler song, much to Hiram's displeasure. Rachel and Hiram spent the next two hours trying to get him to stop, but their dislike for his singing only seemed to spur him on. Quinn could only laugh as Leroy sang through the muffling of Hiram's hand over his mouth.
###
Welcome to Lima!
The sign glowed brightly under the glare of headlights, the sun just setting below the horizon. Rachel stirred against Quinn's shoulder, yawned and stretched. She'd fallen asleep against Quinn almost three hours ago, and not stirred until Quinn nudged her to let her know they'd made it home to LIma. The family was utterly exhausted from the long day of driving.
"Home sweet home," Leroy sing-songed, rolling down the passenger's side window to breathe in Lima's air. A warm breeze made its way into the car, and Quinn stifled a yawn.
"Something like that," she joked softly, sharing a smile with Leroy before she watched various buildings pass by.
Rachel sighed longingly as they passed the high school, "I miss being in school. Is that strange?"
"Not for you, Rach," Quinn wrinkled her nose in mock-disgust. "I mean really. If I could be done with it now, I would." She teased.
"Well I happen to enjoy the high school experience. Besides the early years of development, the high school years are among the most statistically influential in a person's lifetime," Rachel babbled on, and Quinn raised an eyebrow at the brunette.
"Too many words," she touched her head, "so many hours driving and you're using so many words," Quinn closed her eyes, pretending to be in pain, only to flinch as she felt Rachel's hand gently smack the back of her head, "Ow!"
Rustling followed, and soon Rachel and Quinn were batting at one another, flailing wrists and playfully mock-fighting, until Quinn caught Rachel's hand in her own and made motion to bite at her. Rachel tugged her hand away and ducked away from Quinn's grasp. Quinn laughed softly and gave up the fight when Rachel peeled her arms away from her small waist. The shorter girl was flushed with laughter and Quinn smiled in appreciation, planting a kiss on her lips briefly and wrinkling her nose.
Some time passed, but soon the Berry men had parked in the drive-way and were unloading luggage into the house. Quinn felt a surge of gladness as she and Rachel made their way inside. The fresh smell of the Berry household greeted them, and Quinn bounced a little as she entered the familiar foyer. "Home!"
Rachel mirrored Quinn's enthusiasm, threw herself onto the couch and splayed out on the cushions. "Home sweet home," she echoed and sighed.
Quinn sat on Rachel playfully, sitting somewhere between Rachel's waist and her thighs, and felt the brunette struggle underneath her. The blonde stuck her tongue out and Rachel gave up struggling after a few moments. Quinn rested her head on the cushions behind her and sighed much like Rachel had. Even in her own home, she'd never felt so comfortable and happy. Over the time she'd been with the Berry family, she'd grown to know what it was like to feel like she had a home, people who loved her. She'd forever be grateful for that.
"You girls are so helpful, I'm just startled," Hiram joked from the doorway as he dropped the last of the luggage near the stairs.
"We were warming up the couch," Rachel called from beneath Quinn and bucked her knees up, sending the blonde flying to the floor. She keened with laughter as Quinn picked herself up off the floor and sent her daggers, smoothing out her hoodie and trying to regain her composure. Quinn went flying, the couch rocking back a little as she tackled Rachel back to the couch cushions. Quinn had Rachel pinned against the couch, and Leroy chuckled as he passed the girls.
"Good night, girls. Don't stay up too late," he warned delicately and Hiram nodded in agreement before the couple disappeared into their bedroom, looking absolutely exhausted.
"Say uncle!" Quinn stated triumphantly as Rachel bucked, and the brunette wouldn't give in. Quinn saw a flash of Rachel's tongue as the brunette looked up at her in defiance.
"Never, nope," Rachel got one hand free and managed to shove Quinn off. The blonde landed with an 'umph' on the carpeted livingroom floor, and laughingly Rachel made sure Quinn was okay. Of course, not before smacking a pillow into Quinn's face.
"Oh! I forgot to text Santana."
"Mm? Oh, yes, she did say she wanted to hang out when we got back," Rachel lay down on the livingroom floor next to Quinn, and Quinn tugged out her phone.
We're home if you want to hang out. Might not be super late but it'd be nice to see you. - Q
Quinn sent the text, then gasped as her vision was blocked by the cloth of a pillow again. She sent Rachel a glare as the brunette rolled away from her and covered her head in fear of retaliation. Quinn nudged Rachel with her foot, laughing softly, "You're so violent."
"Incredibly. You have no idea," Rachel grinned and stood, made her way into the kitchen. Quinn watched her retreat, smiled lovingly after her.
B over in a few. - S
Yay! - Q
Plz. Ur all enthusiastic like you missed me. - S
Oh but I did. And I know you missed me. And Rachel. - Q
Yeah rt. - S
Quinn smiled a bit, shook her head. She was a little surprised at her own excitement to see Santana, and as the doorbell rang, she darted to the door and fought with Rachel to open it. It ended in another playful slap fight before Quinn nudged Rachel out of the way and answered the door.
"Santana!" Brown hair flew past Quinn, and Rachel threw herself into Santana with surprising enthusiasm. Quinn laughed a little as she saw Santana look a little confusedly at the short girl in her arms.
"The hell?"
"Go with it," Quinn laughed.
Santana rolled her eyes, looked as if she wanted to peel Rachel from her arms, but instead sighed and resigned herself to patting Rachel's back. Rachel eventually pulled away, glowing, and Quinn shook her head a bit. She stepped forward, too, and knowing Santana's personal boundaries, she hugged her anyway. The Latina returned the hug, squeezed her tight for a moment.
"Good to see you guys," Santana offered, smiled a bit. "How was Colorado?"
"Excellent!" Rachel chirped.
Quinn smirked, "What she said," she nodded in the direction of the livingroom and Rachel seemed to get the hint as they all moved from the foyer to the livingroom. Santana settled in the recliner and folded one leg beneath her lithe figure. "Anything exciting happen here?"
Santana shrugged and shook her head, "Nah. Of course not. Well, except Sylvester apparently ordered a gaggle of geese to be shipped to Schue's place. It was on the news," she snorted a bit. "I TiVo'd it for you guys. They were all over the place."
Rachel looked shocked, and slightly irritated, "That woman .."
Santana shook her head dismissively. "She's entertaining."
"Entertaining?"
"Yeah, Berry, entertaining. I could take a few lessons from her on irritating you."
Rachel glared pointedly at Santana, and Quinn shook her head simply. She sat next to Rachel on the couch, tossing Santana a soda and relaxing against Rachel's shoulder, "How's Brittany? I'm surprised she's not with you."
"She's good. We're working on things, you know. Or I am."
"She's so patient," Rachel mused softly, and when Santana glared at her she stammered out the rest, "I mean it's .. it's good that she gives you time to work through your - " she stopped, flushed red, and covered her face, mumbling something about social etiquette and being unable to word things in the right way.
Santana cracked open the can of soda, sipped at it. "So New York City?"
"Yeah," Quinn responded, and watched Santana's expression.
"You ready to see the little B?"
Quinn shrugged a shoulder, glanced at Rachel, who still had her face covered in embarassment. "I think I am. I mean it's going to be weird but Rach will be there with me, so I think it'll be okay. I just don't know how it's going to feel ... seeing her after all this time, seeing her with another mother."
Santana nodded in understanding, offered a reassuring squeeze as she leaned the distance between the chair and the couch, before she drew her hand back. "You'll call me though, yeah? I wanna know how things go out there. Won't it be weird for you, too, Berry?"
"Most certainly. As you know my mother and I don't have an outstanding relationship," Rachel uncovered her face and glanced between Quinn and Santana, lacing her fingers through Quinn's and pulling it close to her torso. "As Quinn said, though, we'll be there together and I expect it will make things markedly easier on the both of us."
Santana seemed to be searching Rachel's face for something, and it interested Quinn. She almost looked sympathetic. "Must be hard," the Latina commented. "You know, losing people like you guys have."
Both Rachel and Quinn nodded separately, and Quinn squeezed Rachel's hand tightly.
"So ... how do you guys ... I mean, how do you trust your feelings? Aren't you afraid of losing each other? Other people?" Santana looked hesitant as she spoke, and her eyes darted about a couple of times before settling on the floor at her feet.
Quinn shared an understanding look with Rachel before she made her way to the recliner and sat in Santana's lap, wrapping her arms around her best friend's neck and resting her head atop Santana's. She felt the Latina's warm arms encircle her waist, "You won't lose Britt."
"You don't know that, I fuck things up."
"I don't agree," Rachel piped in, carefully, and she had scooted close enough to find Santana's hand. Surprisingly, Quinn noted, the Latina had allowed Rachel to interlink their hands. Rachel was holding Santana's hand in her lap.
Santana seemed to deflate a little, resting her head against Quinn's collarbone, "I don't know how you guys do it. Trust each other. I'm .. I don't know."
"I understand it though." Quinn murmured carefully.
"Quinn is much like you in that respect. Feelings are difficult to express and trust is hard to establish," Rachel appeared to be running a thumb over the back of Santana's hand. "I have feeling that you'll learn how to express yourself freely at some point, but until then I don't see Brittany growing impatient with you any time soon."
The Latina sighed, squeezed her arm tighter around Quinn's waist and simultaneously squeezed Rachel's hand, "Shit, you guys are so sappy," she rolled her eyes but Quinn felt her grip tighten, "don't know what I'd do without you, Q. And you too, I guess," Santana finished, offering a tentative smile at Rachel, who beamed in response.
They spent the next few hours talking and spending time together, but soon they were all yawning so much that conversation became difficult. At some point, Rachel had fallen asleep on Quinn and the blonde had carried the shorter girl in her arms up the stairs, Santana trailing behind them tiredly, having resigned herself to spending the night. Quinn delicately placed Rachel in the bed, pressing a kiss to the brunette's soft lips. Rachel sleepily smiled in response, eyes fluttering open briefly, before she curled herself beneath the covers. Quinn slipped into pajamas, and when she came back out, Santana was leaning against the door-frame, eyes lingering on Quinn.
"You okay?" Quinn spoke quietly, and Santana only nodded in response. She had a feeling Santana wouldn't say much more, so she went about setting up a few blankets and a couple pillows to make it more comfortable for Santana on the floor.
"I did miss you, Q," Santana stated after a moment, stilling her hand on Quinn's shoulder. Quinn nodded, and smiled a little in response as she squeezed Santana's hand and pulled her into a hug.
"I know you did. Don't worry so much about Britt. That's half your problem, you psyche yourself out before you even feel anything."
Rachel murmured some kind of sleepy agreement, and Santana chuckled. "She's not bad, you know," her voice was quieter now. She nodded in Rachel's direction, indicating the girl Quinn was very much in love with.
"Thank you," Quinn felt a wash of gratefulness. "Get some sleep," she murmured, running a hand over Santana's thick, dark hair. "Rachel's dads make the best breakfast."
Santana nodded and settled herself on the makeshift bed beside Rachel's. "Night Q."
"Night S."
"Night, hobbit."
"Goodnight Santana," Rachel murmured sleepily.
Quinn slipped into bed beside Rachel, sighing softly as she felt Rachel scoot back tightly against her and tug her arm around her waist. Quinn gladly complied with the silent request, pulled Rachel close against her, and fell asleep breathing in the smell of Rachel's shampoo and perfume, but not before placing a quiet kiss against the back of her girlfriend's neck.
###
The next morning, the Berry household was alive with music. Too much music. Quinn awoke without Rachel in her arms, and she groaned as she heard Hiram and Rachel singing in the kitchen, the smell of breakfast wafting up the stairs.
"Jesus, it's like the Sound of Music," Santana's voice rasped from the floor and she groaned, stood, and collapsed into bed beside Quinn.
Quinn chuckled, "Yeah, sometimes it's a little much." She grinned a little bit. "They're all great though."
"Mm, Rachel isn't bad and her dads seem pretty cool. Just all the damn singing and I am not a morning person," Santana rasped, yawned, and glanced over at Quinn. "Food smells good though."
Quinn nodded sleepily, stifled an answering yawn, and nudged Santana, "You sleep okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks for letting me stay."
"It's not really my house, but you're welcome."
"Breakfast!" Rachel sing-songed up the stairs, eliciting an eye-roll from Santana and causing Quinn to smile.
Quinn clapped Santana on the shoulder and her smile widened to a grin, "Welcome to the Berry household."
"I don't know how you stand all this damn chipper shit in the morning."
"It grows on you."
"Even the Barbra and showtunes?"
"Even that."
"Gross."