Nate and Quinn had both been busy that week. Quinn didn't mind it was probably a good thing not to see each other all the time. They'd managed a few lunches in the week but Quinn had been working a few nights at the diner and Nate had networking events to go to. She would have liked to have gone with him but it wasn't possible that week. The only downside was the pictures of him and Dianna appearing everywhere but Quinn knew they didn't mean anything.
Quinn fell back on her bed after another close at the diner after a full day at the paper. Santana lay down next to her. Santana was staying over because they hadn't had much time together outside of work either.
"I can't keep doing this" Quinn groaned.
"I don't know why you are" Santana said unable to hold in a yawn.
"I love the singing part but I was thinking about quitting now I've got this job and my Dad has been sending me money, My Mom gave him my address, I feel so bad" She admitted.
"Don't they owe you" Santana said simply "You can have time to go to auditions and see me and Nate more"
"So how's things with Chuck?" She asked closing her eyes.
"Well I caught him sleeping with Blair" Santana replied with no hint of emotion.
"What!" exclaimed Quinn sitting up.
"It's ok I was only there to tell him I got back with Dani" Santana continued "We're still friends"
Only two people like Santana and Chuck could remain friends when they were both cheating.
"Maybe Nate will have to start coming here" Quinn said choosing not to comment on the cheating but still friends situation.
"I know I can't imagine seeing her every day" Santana agreed.
Both girls quickly fell asleep. It had been too long a day but in the morning Quinn was going to quit the diner and speak to Rachel about auditions for the show she was in.
Quinn woke up feeling much better about everything the next day. She had called the diner and told them she wouldn't be back. Rachel had arranged an audition for her and she had the whole day to herself. A rare treat. Santana had headed home around 11. Quinn had decided to call Nate and invite him over.
"Sorry beautiful I'm in meetings all afternoon, I can come over tonight" He told her.
"Ok I'll see you tonight" Quinn replied putting down the phone.
She tried not to sound like it bothered her. Nate was spending more and more time at the office. She knew the paper was important to him and she had to be supportive. She had been just as busy when she was working both jobs she couldn't expect Nate to drop things just because she had a bit more free time now. She decided to go and see Shelby. She knew Puck and his fiancé were in town to see Shelby and Beth and she wanted to meet this new woman in Puck's life.
She put on a red jacquard print dress and curled her hair. When she was happy with her make-up she headed down to the café where they were all meeting. Shelby and Beth were already there waiting.
"Hey" she said warmly giving Shelby a kiss on the cheek and hugging Beth kissing her head.
She took a seat and ordered a coffee.
"So how have you been?" She asked.
"We're good Beth is really enjoying school and my business is going great, I heard from Puck you may be seeing someone" Shelby replied.
"I am its going really well, he actually wants to meet you both" Quinn replied "But I wanted to wait a while longer"
"We'd be happy to meet him Quinn, I'm just so happy you're doing so well"
"I've actually got an audition for the show Rachel is in, I quit the Diner and I'm only having to work one job"
"That's great"
"My four favourite ladies all in one room" Puck said interrupting the conversation.
"I'd like you to meet Kim my fiancé "He continued "Kim this is Quinn, Beth and Shelby"
Kim was around Quinn's height she had long curly dark hair and big brown eyes, she was beautiful and Quinn was truly happy for them.
"It's so nice to finally meet you" Quinn said kindly giving them both a hug.
It was nice to all be able to sit down to lunch and get to know each other. Kim meant a lot to Puck so Quinn wanted to make an effort to be friends with her. It turned out they had a lot in common. Kim loved drama and music, she used to be a cheerleader and she was a Christian.
Quinn looked around the café and spotted Nate.
"Oh my god" she said
"What?" Asked Puck.
"That's Nate" she said looking over to the table in the window
"So invite him over we want to meet him"
Quinn went to stand when she saw Serena walk over to the table. Serena hugged Nate kissing him on the cheek before taking a seat.
"Who's that?" Asked Puck
"That's his friend Serena" She replied evenly.
Nate had told her he was going to be in meetings all afternoon, he had lied to her and she really didn't know what to think but it wasn't something she wanted to talk about with Puck and Shelby.
"So we should all eat together" Shelby said brightly.
Quinn sighed she knew they weren't going to let it go.
She walked over to the table smiling brightly.
"Hey" She said as they both looked up.
"Hey beautiful" He said standing up and kissing her.
It put Quinn's mind to rest instantly.
"I thought you had a meeting?" She asked hugging him.
"I did it was with Serena and Dianna but it just finished so we decided to get something to eat" He replied.
"My family would like you both to join us" She said with a smile.
"Family?" Serena questioned looking over.
"My daughter Beth, Shelby Puck and his fiancé Kim, you said you wanted to meet them" She replied looking at Nate.
"I'd love to" He said following Quinn back to the table.
Serena didn't look impressed but she had her usual bright smile by the time she reached the table.
"So you're the famous Nate" Puck said shaking his hand.
"You know I have to give you the third degree about how you're treating my girl"
Quinn rolled her eyes "Ignore him"
"Quinn means the world to me" Nate replied taking her hand.
"We should go for a drink later" Puck suggested.
"No you really shouldn't" Quinn interrupted.
"Quinn its guy talk you wouldn't get it"
"Oh I get it alright" She laughed.
After they had finished Shelby and Beth had to go. Beth had a birthday party to go to. She ran up and gave Quinn a hug and kiss goodbye.
"Bye bye angel" She said kissing her head.
"Bye Princess "Puck said scooping her up into a big bear hug "Make sure you get hyped up on lots of sugar for Mommy"
"Thanks Puck "Shelby said rolling her eyes "It was lovely to meet you all"
Puck turned to Nate.
"So has Santana filled you in on everything about our Quinn?" He asked.
"I guess so" Nate replied "So has Quinn"
"About becoming one of the skanks in school and getting a Ryan Seacrest tattoo?" Puck teased smiling at Quinn
"Really?" Nate laughed.
"Puck dated Santana and Rachel Berry and was in Rachel's music video" Quinn retorted. "Run Joey Run"
"Leave Quinn alone" Kim said hitting him playfully.
"Seriously though, she's had a rough time I just want to make sure you're looking out for her"
"I am" Nate replied "In fact there was something I wanted to ask you"
"What is it?" She asked.
"I know it may be a bit soon but I was wondering if you want to move in together." He asked
"At the empire with Chuck and Blair?" She asked.
"I've been looking at a few apartments" He replied "But I understand if it's too soon for you"
"That is pretty fast Nate" Serena interrupted.
"I'd love to" Quinn replied ignoring her and kissing Nate.
"I was hoping you could come and meet my family next weekend, It's the annual Van der Bilt get together so my Mom and my Grandfather will be there and my cousins "
"Do you think they'll like me?" She asked.
"Of course they will" Puck and Nate replied at the same time.
"I need to go, see you later Nate" Serena said excusing herself.
"How long til you need to go back Puck? " Quinn asked.
"We're leaving in 2 days" He replied.
"Make sure you see me before you go" she told him.
"Yes mam" he replied with a mock salute.
"You should both come to the benefit the paper is throwing tomorrow night, it's dinner and a dance, not so interesting but it would be great to see you there" Nate suggested.
"We'd love to" Kim replied squeezing Puck's hand "It means I get to go dress shopping"
"I can take you" Quinn giggled seeing the look on Puck's face "We both know he has no taste and isn't helpful at all"
"That's true" Kim agreed
"Hey!" Puck exclaimed "Fine that means Nate's coming for a drink with me"
"Behave" Kim warned as they went their separate ways.
Quinn was looking through the racks of dresses trying to help Kim find a dress for tomorrow night. She pulled out a red column floor length dress with a sweetheart neckline.
"I found the perfect dress for you" Kim said excitedly.
"I found one for you, I'm just wearing a dress I've already got"
"Nate kind of insisted I force you to get something new on him" Kim said sheepishly.
She pulled out the most beautiful dress, Quinn knew she wouldn't be able to say no.
It was a one shouldered A-line chiffon dress in ivory. It had a gold beaded and sequin belt and beading embellishment on the shoulder. It was split to mid-thigh and Quinn knew she would look amazing in it. She had been going to wear her senior prom dress but this was so much better.
Both girls raced into the changing room to get dressed. It was an easy pick and they both paid for their dresses.
Quinn met up with Nate and they went back to her place. She was looking forward to tomorrow night now one of her friends was going. Two really, Kim was so nice she already felt like a friend.
Nate had ordered Chinese food and they were watching a movie. His choice this time. Quinn thought back to her afternoon with Kim. Kim had told Quinn she thought she should be wary of Serena, that it was obvious she had feelings for Nate. But Quinn was sure she could trust Nate and his judgement. If he thought Serena was just a friend then surely that's all they were.
"So you've been looking at places for us?" She asked.
"I kind of already bought one, I was going to take you to see it in the morning" He replied.
"Oh my god you did?" She practically squealed "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"I meant it earlier when I said you meant the world to me" He assured her.
"Do we get to decorate together seeing as you picked it?" She asked.
"Anything you want" He replied.
"So we can get a puppy?"
"You want to get a dog?"
"I was never allowed one before because my sister is allergic"
"We'll see" He laughed
The next morning they were up bright and early to see their new apartment. It felt weird but nice saying it. Nate had picked a penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side. She was sure it was too expensive but she was sure Nate's grandfather had something to do with it. She had seen the car his grandfather had sent him.
"It's huge" she said taking it all in "Is it really just for two people?"
"We can have people over" He replied with a shrug.
"When is it officially ours?"
"Now" he said handing her a key.
"Are you serious?" She asked in disbelief "How long have you been planning this?"
"I found it a month ago" He admitted "I was looking just for me at the time but you know"
"It's amazing" She said looking out of the window.
"I've hired decorators so you just need to pick what you want and we can move in a couple of weeks"
"You're perfect you know that" She said kissing him lightly.
"I know" he agreed with a smirk "I'll design the kitchen though I'm not sure you can handle it"
"That joke is getting old Archibald"
"Who's joking?"
They headed their separate ways so they could get ready for the benefit. Nate had to be there early so she was going with Puck and Kim to meet him there. Quinn had pinned her hair up. With her dress she looked like a Grecian goddess. Kim looked amazing in her red dress. They were like an angel and devil on Puck's arm as they walked into the empire.
Quinn spotted Nate straight away stood with Serena. Serena looked amazing as always wearing a beige dress with mesh and crystals giving a nude illusion. Quinn thought it was a little too sexy for the benefit but she turned her attention back to Nate who looked so cute in his tux.
He spotted her straight away and she couldn't help but blush as a smile lit up his face. He came straight over to them.
"Hey" He greeted kissing her "You look beautiful"
"You don't look so bad yourself" She replied.
"Quinn sweetie love the dress, I hope you don't mind but Nate and I have some people to see" Dianna said linking arms with Nate.
"Oh Dianna I didn't see you there" Quinn replied with a forced smile.
"I'll come find you soon" Nate said squeezing her hand.
The night was made better just having Puck and Kim there with her. Being with Puck was like old times and always made her feel good. Kim was a lot of fun as well. She really felt happy for Puck. He needed someone like Kim in his life. They left the main party as it quietened down. Quinn led them to one of the hotel lounges to talk. Puck had gone to his room and picked up his guitar.
"Kim would love to hear you sing" He told her.
"No she wouldn't" Quinn laughed.
"Of course I would" Kim said with a smile "I never get to hear Noah sing but I love all his stories about Glee club and how much it did for him"
"He did it all" Quinn said fondly.
"Aww you'll make me blush" He smirked
Quinn smiled as she recognised what Puck had started to play even though it was slowed down.
You may think that I'm a zero
And everyone you wanna be probably started off like me
You may think that I'm a freakshow but give it just a little time
I bet you're gonna change your mind.
Puck joined in and Quinn could feel herself getting emotional.
All of the dirt you've been throwing my way
It ain't so hard to take
Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name
And I'll just look away
Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the worst you got and knock me down
Baby I don't care
Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out
You wanna be….you wanna be a loser like me.
"You two are really good" Kim told them with a smile
"She's right that was just precious" Came a familiar British accent.
Quinn looked over to see Dianna, Serena and Nate standing in the room.
She blushed realising they'd probably heard the whole song.
"We should probably go" Puck said standing up "Early flight"
"Bye" she said as he pulled her into a hug.
"Take care of you" he told her before turning to Nate "You take care of her too"
"I will" Nate said shaking Puck's hand "It was really great meeting you both"
Quinn and Nate decided to head back to her place. The next day she was meeting his family and she wanted to look her best.
"Do you think they'll like me?" She asked sleepily as they cuddled in bed.
"Of course they will" he replied pulling her closer.