Thank you all for your wonderful reviews on the last chapter. As requested, I have continued to include little snippets from the present Rachel and children. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did writing them.

I've decided to split this story up into two stories. One is how Rachel and Quinn got together, and it will go right up until the birth of Alex. The next half will be about how and why Quinn and Rachel split. How Rachel ends up telling her children this, I have yet to work out.

Anyway, enjoy!

She's warm. Really quite warm. A moan escapes Rachel when she moves her leg and feels a cold spot on the bed. A shiver runs through her and she quickly retracts her leg, causing her knee to dig into a warm surface. Cracking her eye open very slowly, so not to disturb the pounding in her head, Rachel looks over at the body laying next to her. That's when the events of last night catch up to her.

With a gasp, Rachel sits up straight, clutching the sheets to her chest. She groans softly when pain shoots through her head at the sudden movement. How much did she drink last night? Christ. Her mouth feels like someone shoved cotton into it. She desperately tries to create some saliva to moisten her mouth. Rachel looks around the room, noticing that it is not her room. She runs a hand through her knotted hair and looks around for her clothes. Looking over at the sleeping body next to her, Rachel slowly starts to move herself out of the bed, keeping the sheet wrapped around her body.

When Rachel manages to pull herself out of the bed without waking the blonde next to her, she notices that she pulled all of the covers with her, revealing the naked, toned body of the woman. Rachel's slightly moistened mouth goes dry at the sight. She feels her breathing became laboured. Just looking at the woman is almost enough to get Rachel to lie down back beside her.

Quinn. Her name was Quinn. Rachel smiles. Quinn's a pretty name. Shaking her head, Rachel quickly rushes around the room, putting her clothes from last night back, grimacing at how dirty she feels wearing last nights clothes. Rachel doesn't bother putting her heels back on and turns around to face the still sleeping Quinn. Picking up the sheet, Rachel gently lays it over Quinn, covering up the blonde. When the sheet lands on the blonde's body, Quinn lets out a soft sigh and sleepily grabs hold of the sheet, snuggling her face down into the pillow.

Rachel's heart swells at the sight. That was just too adorable, she thinks with a smile. Grabbing her purse, Rachel leaves the room and the sleeping blonde, although she wants nothing more than to stay there.

As Rachel closes the door, she can't help but feel that she's forgotten something. Shrugging it away, Rachel makes her way to the elevator, patiently waiting. When the doors finally open, Rachel's mouth fall open in shock.

Standing in front of her is the man who hit on her last night. The man looks at her with a look of recognition on his face, before slowly, a smirk appears and he walks out of the elevator, coming to a stop beside Rachel.

"Well well, looks like someone is doing the walk of shame this morning." He says with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

Rachel rolls her eyes and quickly jumps into the elevator. She glares at the man as the doors close, fed up with him already. She sighs and leans against the back wall, just imagining her shower back in her room. She can almost feel the hot water running down her body, the soft hands that ghost across her stomach, the light, husky voice in her ear and thos ebright green-

"Miss."

Rachel opens her eyes, blushing when she notices two pairs of eyes staring at her. She smiles gently at the old man whom she guesses to have called her and sheepishly walks out of the elevator.

"Are you okay dear?" The old lady next to the man asks as Rachel walks past them.

Rachel's blush rises, she can feel the tip of her ears turn red and she nods hastily. "I'm just fine, thank you. Enjoy your day." She says before rushing out of the hotel and into the busy street.

"Fuck." She hisses when her feet touch the burning marble floor. She quickly places her heels back on and hails a taxi. As soon as the cab pulls over, Rachel jumps in and hurriedly says the name of her hotel.

When the vehicle begins to move, Rachel leans back in her seat and takes a deep breath. She places her hand on her chest, trying to calm her bfrantic heart. All she did was think about the blonde she left at the hotel and now her heart is acting crazy.

"You couldn't stop thinking about her, could you?"

Rachel looks away from the wall and to her daughter. A tiny smile graces her face.

"No, I couldn't."

If Rachel had known she was going to be ambushed with questions as soon as she arrived at their room, she would have taken some time to prepare herself. Unfortunately, she did not.

"Tell me everything."

Kurt rushes up to her as soon as she opened the door, an eager look on his face. Santana follows him, a smirk on her face.

"Looks like Berry got some last night. So spill, who was the girl?"

Rachel blinks at her two friends and shakes her head. She walks past them both to her bedroom, her friends following her like two puppies.

"Don't just ignore us, Miss Berry." Kurt says, placing his hands on his hips.

"Let us know who rocked your world last night, Hobbit."

Rachel rolls her eyes and strips off her dress. Kurt quickly covers his eyes, whilst Santana continues watching her, unfazed by the half naked Rachel.

"Guys, I'm really tired and dirty, can you please just let me have a shower and a nap before asking me anything that involves me thinking."

"Oh you are not having a nap, young lady!" Kurt exclaims, dropping his hand.

Rachel ignores him and grabs a nearby towel and her toiletries. She walks to her bathroom, hearing her friends following, she closes the door and locks it to keep them out.

"Why not?" She asks through the door as she begins to strip off her underwear. She reaches into the shower and turns it on, squealing at the burst of cold water that hits her arm.

"Because we are going to meet with ym models today before the show, which starts in four hours! We have to be there at least an hour before it starts."

"Come on, Berry, open up! It's nothing I haven't seen before."

Rachel rolls her eyes again and steps into the now warm shower, sighing at the delicious heat that hits her skin. She grimaces at the dirt and grime she sees swirl down the drainpipe before reaching for her shampoo.

"I won't have a nap." She shouts as she massages the shampoo into her hair. She hears Kurt yell triumphantly. "But, that's on the condition that when I am finished, you do not ask me question about last night."

There's silence, the only sound being the shower. Rachel smiles in victory and reaches for her soap.

"Fine." She hears Kurt grumble before footsteps walk away.

Rachel places her head against the tiled wall, sighing at the peace she's finally able to have. Her mind drifts back to the night before and the bright green eyes that grabbed her attention across the dance floor. To Rachel, the way she and Quinn met feels almost like a fairytale - stories she only heard or saw in movies, in the rom-coms that every girl watches, just wishing, hoping that such a meeting will happen to them. If she really thinks about it, if things between herself and Quinn were to progress any further, then yes, it would be exactly like those romantic comedies she watched when she was younger.

Their eyes met across a crowded dance floor, they approached each other. They flirted, Quinn made Rachel blush. There's this instant connection between the two. Then, they proceed to have the best sex Rachel has ever had together, full of lust and upcoming romance. Rachel leaves the next morning, only to have Quinn chase after her, admit her undying love for her and they live happily ever after.

Well, that is what would have happened if it was a movie. But it's not. This is real life. Though, Rachel has to admit that last night, whilst there was lust between the two of them, there was something else, something that Rachel couldn't recognise.

Turning off the shower, Rachel grabs her towel and begins her vigorous morning routine, starting with her ice cold water face wash.

Once she's finished feeling rejuvenated and minty fresh, Rachel changes into the outfit that Kurt obviously set out on her bed for her. Looking at the underwear laid out for her, Rachel can tell that Santana picked that out for her. Rachel rolls her eyes. She's not five years old, she can dress herself.

"Rachel!"

Rachel sighs and walks out of her room, fully dressed and glares at Kurt. "Yes?" She asks, running a towel through her wet hair.

Kurt stands at the door to their room and turns round, a smile on his face. The way Kurt is standing, he's blocking Rachel's view of whoever is on the other side of the door. Rachel glances over at Santana, but the Latina is sat on one of the armchairs, looking bored to death as she flicks through one of the magazines left on the table.

"You have a visitor." He says.

Rachel slowly walks up to him, a confused expression on her face. Before Kurt moves out of the way, he leans forward, placing his lips near Rachel's ear.

"Congrats, she's cute." He whispers before tapping her shoulder and walking away,giving Rachel the room to step up to the door.

When Rachel's eyes land on the figure standing in the doorway, her mouth falls open in shock. There, standing before her is none other than Quinn. Quinn from last night. Quinn, the woman who Rachel couldn't stop thinking about after leaving the hotel room. Quinn who is standing in front of her in a maroon t-shirt that says "free pugs", denim shorts and a sheepish, almost nervous expression on her face.

The Quinn in front of her looks completely different to the Quinn she met last night. She no longer look confident and although still beautiful, she's not looking glamorous like she did.

"Hey."

Oh god that voice. It sends shivers down Rachel's spine once again.

"Q-Quinn, what are you doing here?" Rachel asks.

Quinn glances over Rachel's shoulder before looking back at her. She licks her lips, causing Rachel's eyes to dart down to the movement. "You left this back in my hotel room."

Rachel looks down at Quinn's hands, a gasp escaping her when she sees the pillow mint she put in her bra last night. On the front of the mint lies the name of her hotel.

"That's what you thought you left behind."

Rachel nods at her son. "It is indeed."

"So the mint is important." Lucy says, her eyes wide with interest.

Rachel purses her lips and looks between her two children. Both of them have moved so they're lying on their stomachs, pillows under their chins.

"In some ways, yes." Rachel says, moving to mimic her kids positions. "But, soon you'll find out that the mint may not have been needed."

"Oh." Rachel says. "Thank you." She reaches out and grasps the mint. She feels goosebumps along her arm when her finger softly grazes the skin of Quinn's palm.

She watches as Quinn moves her hand back and rubs at her neck. She looks really nervous. It's cute.

"Actually, the mint wasn't the only reason why I came here. It helped a lot though, otherwise I would have had to of gone to every hotel in this area and that would have been extremely tedious." Rachel smiles at the blonde when she pauses in her talking and closes her eyes, shaking her head at herself. "Sorry, I tend to ramble when I'm nervous." Quinn says.

Rachel leans her head against the door and bits her lip to hold back a smile. Quinn glances over her shoulder again, causing Rachel to look over her shoulder. She glares at Kurt and Santana who are doing a very bad job at trying to look like they're not eavesdropping, with their heads poking out of their bedroom doors.

"Anyway," Rachel looks back to the blonde. "I was wondering whether you wanted to go for a walk with me? Along the beach or something." Quinn shoves her hands into her pockets, looking up at Rachel through her lashes.

Rachel melts at the sight, but sighs regretfully. "I would love to, Quinn."

"But?" Quinn cracks a small smile, though her eyes sparkle in sadness.

"Kurt wants me to come with him to-"

"No I don't! I have Santana, that's all I need." Kurt yells, quickly shutting Rachel up.

Not really wanting to argue with Kurt because, really, Rachel really does want to go with Quinn, it's sounds like much more fun than listening to Kurt bark orders out. Rachel grins at Quinn before quickly saying, "Let me grab my bag."

Rachel and Quinn walk side by side in silence as they walk on the beach. Rachel's flats sway in her hand as she walks. She loves the feeling of sand on your feet, especially sand as soft as this. She looks out to the water, marvelling at how clear and blue it is. The only downside Rachel can think of about living in New York is the fact there's no beaches nearby. It's just concrete jungle after concrete jungle.

"I'm glad you said yes."

Quinn's voice causes Rachel to look away from the sparkling blue sea to Quinn, who's also got her shoes in her hand, lightly kicking up the sand with every step she takes. Rachel feels like Quinn is holding back on her kicks, like the blonde just wants to run through the sand, making it fly everywhere.

Rachel bites her lip. "So am I." Rachel watches as Quinn sighs gently and runs a hand through her hair and then huffing when a few strands fall back into her eyes. It makes Rachel grin.

"You're holding back."

Green eyes dart over to her, a perfect eyebrow arches slowly. "What?"

Rachel motions down to the sand being lightly kicked up by Quinn. "You're holding back." she repeats. Rachel stops and places her shoes down on the sand. "If you're going to kick the sand, do it with more power." Then, before Quinn can reply, Rachel goes charging off through the sand, kicking her legs with all her power and sending sand flying in the air. She runs around Quinn, doing it a few times, grinning at the melodic laugh that escapes the blonde woman.

Scooping up her shoes and grabbing Quinn's hand, Rachel drags the woman along, kicking up the sand as she does so. She grins when Quinn appears at her side, also kicking up the sand as high as it can go. With a sly grin, Rachel angles her foot so she kicks sand in Quinn's direction. Thankfully, Quinn's reflexes were fast enough the she covered her eyes at the onslaught of sand heading towards her. Her laugh fills Rachel's ears.

"Oh you're going to get it."

Before Rachel can make a run for it, she feels Quinn's strong arms wrap around her mid section and lifts her off the ground. Rachel drops her shoes with a sqeuak and laughs and Quinn spins her around. Rachel feels the sand that was in Quinn's hair hit against her face as they spin.

Rachel hears it before she feels it, but Quinn loses her footing, causing a amused "Oh shit!" to sound in Rachel ear before she feels herself tumble towards the ground and land on top of Quinn.

Quinn groans in pain and slowly, her groan turns into a laugh. Rachel finds the blonde's laugh infectious and she too begins to laugh, acutely aware that she is still lying on top of Quinn. Blushing, Rachel rolls off Quinn to lie beside her.

"How come you and Momma always yelled at me and Alex when we kicked up the sand?"

Rachel gives her daughter a look, her chin now resting on one of Lucy's cuddly toys. "The sand you were kicking up, young lady, had rocks in. You could have harmed one of us." Rachel scolds, remembering the family holiday the four of them took together.

They were so happy then. She and Quinn as in love as the day they met. Everything's changed so much.

"Why do you always get to have the fun?"

"Because I am an adult and you are not."

"But children are meant to have the fun, adults are just boring."

Rachel gasps and looks over at her son who's softly giggling at the two girls. "Alex, you don't think I'm boring do you?"

"You're the best Mommy." Alex says with a grin.

"Suck up."

"Lucy!"

"What? He is!"

"Lets just continue the story."

Once their giggles simmer down, the two women just lay side by side, staring up at the clear blue sky.

"Wow, I haven't had that much fun since…"

Rachel turns her head to look at Quinn and raises her own eyebrow. "Since?"

Quinn turns to meet Rachel's gaze, a smirk pulling up on her face. "Well, since last night." She says with a wink.

Rachel feels the blush creep up again and looks away, clearing her throat. She fidgets slightly, feeling herself get a little hot.

"Rachel."

The serious tone that's overtaken Quinn's voice makes Rachel turn her head to the blonde, giving her her undivided attention.

Quinn hesitates and briefly looks away from Rachel. Rachel watches as she licks her lips, seemingly contemplating what she's going to say next.

"I don't normally do this."

Rachel's eyebrows furrow in confusion. "Do what?"

"What we're doing now. I don't normally wake up the morning after and feel disappointed that I'm alone in the bed. I'm normally relieved because then that means I don't have to kick the girl out and be an ass towards her. I don't normally wake up with thoughts of the girl I spent the night with on my mind, I don't normally want to see the girl again."

Rachel looks away from Quinn, dread coursing through her body. "Oh." She quietly says.

She hears Quinn sit up, grains of sand lightly falling onto her skin as Quinn does so.

"Rachel, I have never wanted to go out and find the girl I slept with. I don't crave to feel her touch again, to just look at her again, even if that's just one second."

Rachel nods and also sits up, turning her body so she's facing Quinn. She feels a smile tug at the corners of her mouth as she processes what Quinn is struggling to say.

"What I'm trying to say is - I really want to see you again. I want to spend time with you, away from a nightclub, away from a hotel room. Just you and me. Like we did today. I enjoyed just walking along this beach with you."

Before Quinn can continue, Rachel leans forward and very gently, places her lips upon Quinn's. She pulls back and tucks a strand behind her ear. She bites her lip before shyly asking "Do you wanna come to this fashion show with me this afternoon?"

Quinn looks at Rachel with slightly red cheeks and a lazy smile on her face. "Are you asking me to be your date?"

Rachel copies Quinn's smile. "Yeah, I am."

"I was going to ask you the same thing." Quinn says. "I think I'm going to the same show anyway."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, my friend, Brittany is modelling for some new up and coming designer. He's meant to be really good or something." Quinn says with a wave of her hand. She pauses then grabs Rachel's hand, tangling their fingers together. Rachel grins at their hands, loving the way they fit so perfectly together. "I will, of course, be your date."

"So that's why the mint wouldn't have been needed." Lucy says with a gasp.

Rachel nods. "We were both going to the same fashion show."

"It's like fate."

Rachel tilts her head down, her fingers lightly picking at the fur on the teddy bear. "Yeah, it was."

Thank you for reading. I was going to make this chapter longer, but I felt that this would be a nice place to end it. The next chapter will be the fashion show, but then also fast forward through a few things just to speed things up.