6.17.12

A/N: Sorry about the delay. OK so I'm back It is quite a bit of fluff! There are lots of shared moments in Providence, RI on their first day. Just moments of Rachel and Quinn having a little down time. We hear from Kurt, and get a handle of the gossip in Nice! Enjoy !

Please keep reviewing, I love hearing from you.

Thx Taylor

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Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or any lyrics used in my story ( I wish) I try to use things accurately from the TV show or real locations in the Lima, OH & New York, NY & Providence, RI. But I am human and do make mistakes.

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"Aren't you worried that people will recognize you?" Quinn mocked as they headed out of the glass elevator. They were walking arm in arm, close but it could be mistaken for friendship close not relationship close.

"Well here, I'm not sure. I figure a few people will reorganize me, but I am counting on the paparazzi being very limited." Rachel smiled up at Quinn, flipping her sunglasses down on her face as they headed towards the front of the lobby. They waved off the valet and headed off on foot. Taking a left onto Westminster Street and headed to Downtown Providence (down city to the natives).

They hit a few stores on their one mile walk. Took pictures of buildings, and goofy ones of themselves. But Quinn noticed that Rachel was also a people watcher. She especially loved to watch children, she laughed at the antic of them. How their mothers would play the 'pick up game' or the 'oh crap where did they go!'. Both of them laughing hard when a set of twins nearly toppled their stroller to reach out for a beast of a dog as it passed, luckily dad had a firm grip on the stroller and it remained on at least 2 wheels the entire time. Mom was almost in tears, Quinn and Rachel immediately agreed out loud that mom needed a nap, which just made them burst into laughing again from their perch on the bench.

"We are both going to Hades!" Rachel muttered still unable to stifle the laughter.

"But at least we will be together!" Quinn smiled, stood and pulled Rachel to her feet. "I still can not believe you insisted in wearing 3 inch stiletto heels."

"When you are use to them, it isn't a big deal. I wear heels almost all day every day. Only when I am working out do I wear athletic shoes."

"Athletic shoes." Quinn mocked rolling her eyes. "Old habits!" she said when Rachel pinched her arm after catching Quinn muttering and the eye rolling.

They hit a small deli and had a quick salad that they shared when the waitress explained how large it was. It was here that they ran into someone that recognized them.

"Quinn Fabray?" came a masculine voice from over Rachel's shoulder. Quinn looked up and a HBIC smile froze on her face. Rachel finished chewing and tried to hide her smirk.

"Oh hello Ronald. It's so nice seeing you again." She held out her hand to shake his as he came around the table.

"Yes it is such a pleasure I haven't seen you since we graduated." he leaned over and forced a one arm hug around her, where she sat. "How have you been? What have you been up to?"

"I have been fine, thank you. How about you Ronald." Quinn said cordially trying to avoid Rachel shaking her head and trying to suppress her laugh, obviously she didn't want to be introduced to Ronald.

"Oh everything is wonderful, thank you for asking! We, the company I partner with just got this large project to put in a new school in Pawtucket. That is why I am here. My wife and children are in Danbury where we live. Miss them to pieces." Ronald smiled charmingly down at the blonde.

Rachel tried not to laugh she really did, but this guy was setting off her alarms. First off he was creepy, like a slick door to door salesman. The fact that he brought up a wife and children while trying to stare down Quinn's shirt annoyed the hell out of her, and weirdly her gaydar was going off. So with all that she tried to suppress she, lost the battle and started to giggle, like full on giggle like she was 12, and she wasn't able to stop herself, the more Quinn looked at her in concern the more she giggled. It was completely inappropriate but she could not stop herself,

"Rach you ok?" Quinn asked in concern, leaning over to pat her on the hand. Rachel looked up finally and Quinn noticed the tears running down her eyes.

"Yes I am fine. I just seemed overwhelmed in this moment in time. If you will please excuse me." Rachel quickly stood and headed to the ladies room still laughing, completely unaware that now all eyes where in her.

Quinn watched her leave and bit at her bottom to refrain from laughing herself, also for no apparent reason. "Who is your friend?"

"A friend from high school." Quinn smiled with her fake sarcastic smile.

"She looks familiar." Ronald scrunched his face in concentration trying to remember where he knew the celebrity diva, Quinn was glad that Ronald was completely clueless about what went on in the world, that didn't directly evolve around him.

"Well they say everyone had a twin." Quinn said wondering how she was going to get rid of him before Rachel came back.

"I hope not! There is only one of me thankfully, imagine two of me running around." he laughed, but Quinn saw that he was intrigued by the idea of another pompous ass like himself being let loose on the streets.

"Order number 52 up!" called the husky man behind the counter.

Ronald raised his hand. "That's me. We should get together soon. Are you living here in Providence?" he said getting out his business card from his wallet.

"No I am in New York now." Quinn smirked when his face showed the shock that he felt. He knew her as smart small town Fabray. He hadn't expected her to also be successful enough to work in a high paced pressured city.

"Order 52!" screeched the man behind the counter again.

"Ok well give me a call sometimes Fabray!" Ronald took off towards the counter just as Rachel came out o the bathroom.

Quinn watched as she was stopped by nicely dressed mature women. The Rachel Berry megawatt smile was in place as she spoke quietly to them, signing something for each woman in the booth. At one point Quinn noticed that Rachel seemed to be wiping a tear from her face and she leaned in and hugged one of the women who also seemed to be in tears. She watched as she reached into her purse and produced a small business like card, and handed one to each of them. The entire conversation took less then 20 minutes and then Rachel was heading back to their table, smiling though there were still tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong, did they say something that upset you?" Quinn demanded getting to her feet.

"Yes, but it isn't what you think." Rachel smiled motioned for her to sit back down. " Helen there is a fan of mine, her husband took her to see one of my shows last year. It was the last date that they had together, they had been married for 50 years and had a date once a month. He died two weeks later, she was just telling me about how much they both loved the show. I am sad and upset, but I want to touch my fans like that I want to have little pieces of their lives intertwined with my own, sometimes there are sad stories squeezed in with all the good ones. " Rachel shrugged her shoulders and leaned in and hugged Quinn.

Quinn felt Rachel's need for contact. Rachel had always been someone who was touchy feely, even when unwelcome back in high school, she was the first to reach out to someone who needed a hug. Without thinking about it she simply pulled Rachel into her lap and held her tight. Forgetting that they were in public, or that people would be staring at them, never mind that it was completely out of character for the Ice Queen of McKinley high. Rachel needed her, she needed a damn hug, and that was the thing that mattered that that moment. "It's ok. I'm here."

"Life kinda sucks sometimes!" Rachel whispered snuggling deeper into Quinn's warmth for a few seconds before pulling back, pecking Quinn's cheek with a whispered "thank you." and got to her feet. "I don't feel like eating anymore, are you ready to go?"

"Yes." Quinn gathered their tray, as Rachel piled what was left of their food. Slipping on her messenger bag, they dropped the items on the tray into the trash receptacle and headed out the door. She reached out for Rachel's arm pulled her in close and continued on the way. After walking a block pointed "Hey look at this place!" Quinn pulled Rachel to a stop. "Queen of Hearts! Look at that dress, I bet it would look great on you."

"We can go in, we both need something to wear for dinner." Rachel nodded and smiled when Quinn held the door open for her. Rachel looked around liking the feel of the eclectic store. It was too bad that they didn't carry anything from KHBA. She headed straight for the dress in the window that Quinn pointed out to her. And played with the material, feeling the texture of the lining. It was polyester, not silk like she was hoping. She pursed her lips and took it off the rack. She could pair it with one of her silk slips, no one but Rachel Berry wore slips anymore according to Yarin, but she did so everyone could kiss her butt. Thinking of Yarin she smiled. Then she thought about Kurt and Blaine, and pulled out her phone.

I am about to buy a polyester dress! Don't kill me! Miss you ~R

Kurt was quick to fire a text back to her.

Put down the polyester, and step away from the dress! ~ KH

Rachel laughed and shook her head at the phone, watching Quinn looking at the book selections.

No I am going out to dinner and I haven't packed anything to wear ~R

Rachel should not have been surprised when the phone rang less then 2 minutes later. She just pulled it back out of her bag, snapped a picture of the dress in question and sent it to Kurt as she answered.

"Hello love!"

"Do not even 'hello love' me Rachel Berry, I demand details." Kurt was muttering to Blaine about Rachel having a date. "Oh that is cute, that looks like chiffon not polyester!"

"Damn you are good! Even from a picture, it is chiffon the inner lining is polyester." Rachel laughed, smiling at the clerk that glanced over at her.

"Rachel Berry! A lot of designers use polyester linings as it is a less expensive to work with. I make all your clothes with silk linings because you prefer it. Now tell me who you are going on a date with , this dinner? Is it that blonde that we have seen pictures all over the place of? It is huge news here in Paris your fans are at our shoots. Seems quite a few of them are happy that you two are no longer together." Kurt laughed, there was no love lost between them.

"Kurt are you serious?" Rachel demanded glancing up at Quinn who looked up when she started hissing.

"Oh yes darling I am serious." Kurt laughed, Rachel could just imagine him messing with his hair. "You are apparently having quite the affair, with some beautiful blonde dinner at some vegan deli, late night sleepovers. The latest is that you have gone on vacation with her."

"Damn it ! Has it been leaked where we are?"

"It's true?" he demanded like a giddy school girl.

"No and yes! Damn it Kurt, did they release where we are? Did they name the source?" Rachel watched out of the corner of her eye as Quinn walked quickly over.

"No just that you were seen leaving the city together. So tell me is it anyone that I know?" Kurt laughed.

"Again Kurt are you serious? Of course it is someone who you know!"

"What's going on?" Quinn whispered. "Are you ok?"

"QUINN?" Kurt demanded in a shocked voice, when he recognized her voice. "Oh my god are you dating Quinn Fabray?" Kurt squealed into the phone, Rachel cringed and pull the phone away from her ear.

"Ouch! Keep it down!" she demanded. "Kurt is filling me in on the gossip of our supposed affair, apparently we are a hot item in Nice. All over the news, my fans are showing up at their shoot rubbing it into Xiomara's face." she said to Quinn who nodded in sympathy for the super model.

"Blaine has been doing damage control, as well as quite a few of the models here. Doing interviews that you guys have been broken up for quite sometime and that Xiomara is currently dating Remy. Who they have caught out and about almost the entire trip here, and they are half naked on tons of magazines, he is very popular with the ladies here. They are just happy to see proof that you have moved on. You have very loyal fans and no one ever thought that she was good enough for you."

"Please tell everyone that I said thank you." Rachel sighed, trying not to be upset about dragging Quinn into this nightmare. Quinn just pulled her into her arms for a quick hug. "Kurt can we talk about this later? Can you give me the third degree later, I am in the middle of shopping."

"Let me talk to Quinn. I want to catch up."

"No, you're only going to pump her for information ."

Quinn laughed and reached for the phone. " Hello Kurt."

"Well hello Lady Quinn." his voice drawled. Quinn laughed and squeezed Rachel who was shaking her head in worry. "So I hear that you're reconnecting with our little Diva."

"Yes, it appears that we are."

"It's about damn time!" he muttered hushing Blaine in the background. "You be good to our girl. We are back in town in five weeks, you hurt her you will have us to deal with."

"You and apparently her fans. I'll keep that in mind. Kurt I have no intention of hurting her, I hope that you realize that."

"I am just glad that you have finally realized what the rest of us have know for years!" Kurt muttered in irritation.

Quinn smiled down at Rachel who was still in her arms but looking over the book Quinn had handed her. "And what is that?"

"Oh nothing, just that you were meant to be together. It just took you guys 8 years to see what we all have know forever." he muttered in a superior tone.

"You know you're not the first one to tell me something like that." Quinn pursed her lips and kissed Rachel on the top of her head.

"I bet. Listen you be good, we'll see you in a few weeks. We'll have to have a get together then. Tell Mini Diva we love her and will talk soon."

"Will do." they hung up. Quinn gave Rachel another squeeze and handed her the phone. "They send their love."

"Quinn you can not by these for Santana and Brittany! 'Oh Crap I am having a baby' and 'Seriously bad baby names!' are not appropriate baby gifts!"

"They are gag gifts. Brittany is due next month these are really more for Santana. I haven't figured out what I am going to get them yet."

"Have you even thought about it?" Rachel demanded pulling away, her mind reeling already about a gift.

"Not really. Maybe you could help me come up with something." Quinn smirked to herself behind Rachel's back,

"Oh I would love to!" Rachel smiled so bright happily already thinking about what they could come up with. "Do they know what they are having yet?"

"Brittany wants to be surprised, so no and it is too early to tell with Santana." Quinn shrugged her shoulders.

"Ok so we will do a neutral pallet. If they have a girl you should design them a dollhouse when they are older. That would be the perfect gift from you." Rachel smiled. Once again concentrating on shopping. She snagged two black t-shirts that said I (heart) RI one for her and one for Quinn. Stopping to hold onto this coral vibrant colored short that was roughly 13 inches long, she noticed Quinn's shocked expression. "Can you wait to see Kurt's face when I pick him up at the airport in this ? Serves him right for leaving me for 8 months." Rachel laughed and Quinn just shook her head. "I like that art on the wall I wonder if it is for sale."

"What art?" Quinn asked looking around. "That 'rear view' panting. I like it for the office." Rachel pointed to it, Quinn nodded. Not knowing why Rachel buying art bothered her. "Ok did you find something that you like to wear to dinner?" Rachel asked looking up at her. "Because I saw this really cute tank dress that is fully lined and it is that yellow color that makes your eyes pop." Rachel led Quinn over and they picked out four more dresses each unable to decide on which to pick.

"Ladies if you would like I can take these and place them behind the counter so that you don't have to hold onto them." a very young beautiful brown haired woman dressed very stylishly came up to with her arms out stretched. Smiling gratefully they both handed over their items. "Also miss I see that you are interested in our Thatcher Dress, we have these shoes that will match them perfectly, I can have them brought over for you to glance at."

"Yes thank you." Quinn smiled and watched the girl as she sauntered behind the counter and hung up there items, and headed to the back room. Rachel browsed the art as they waited. The brunette came back smiling at them with two boxes. "I also found these shoes they match your dress and are aptly named." She handed them to Rachel with a slight smile, and the other box to Quinn. "Both shoes are animal friendly the leather is synethic." she winked.

Rachel looked at the box laughing when the box was labeled "the curtain call" looking inside Rachel purred at the four and a half heel in gray with cutouts on the sides of the ankles with a faux fur accent on the upper fron of the shoes with a peep toe.

Quinn's was a three and a half heel wooden wedge with a 1 inch platform, in the perfect hue of vintagey yellowy swirls in a graceful loop up to the ankle closure. It was perfect.

"They're perfect!" Rachel sighed petting her box with happiness.

"I am glad that you like them, are you guys all set?" at their nod she began ring up their purchases separately. Rachel only added the painting that she wanted and they headed to the door, after smiling one last time at the pretty brunette.

"What a nice shop!" Rachel chatted as she put her arm through Quinn's and heading back towards the way they came.

"It really is, you should tell Kurt and Blaine and see if they want to contact the owner and see if they can collaborate something." Quinn admitted smiling as the people watched them pass by.

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They shopped for a few hours after hitting different shops for an assortment of items. Rachel bought Christmas gift her boys for Kurt and Blaine (a 19th Century Italian Gilt iron and Marble Entry Console Table) and for Yarin and Nathen a (1900's Industrial Steel and Wood Plank Cart Coffee Table) from Heir Antiques, which she requested to have them shipped to her apartment. Rachel had gotten herself and Quinn a Providence map encased journal each to remember the trip. They had both gone a little over board in American Apparel Rachel for herself with leg warmers and dance clothing and Quinn for Beth as it appeared that Beth was just as focused on dance as Rachel had been.

They swung into the hotel swinging there adjoined hands the others boggled down with bags, lots of bags. Catarina nodded at them from her stand, not able to stop her smile that was on her face as they entered the glass elevator and headed back upstairs.

"I can't believe we spent five hours shopping and I am not crabby. I actually really enjoyed myself." Quinn said in slight disbelieve.

"Maybe you just weren't doing it right, before." Rachel laughed cheekily over her shoulder leading the way down the hall.

"Smart ass!" Quinn laughed as Rachel opened the door and they entered.

The first thing that Rachel noticed was the lilac sent. Then seeing in the middle of the room was a small potted lilac bush, reading the note attached she smiled

~Welcome to the Biltmore, we hope you enjoy your stay.

"Well someone did their research!" Quinn laughed sniffing the plant, placing her bags onto the dining room table.

"Yes it isn't widely known, that they are my favorites." Rachel breathed in the sent with a sappy smile.

"It isn't exactly the prettiest flower, but it is so fragrant." Quinn agreed. "But then Jasmine is a vine but it is one of my favorites." she took her clothing back into her arms and headed back to her room. "Dinner is in less then an hour, you might want to get moving."

"Yes Mom. " Rachel laughed, breathed in the lilacs again , before she headed off to her room carrying her bags. "Crap! less then an hour?" she put a little pep in her step and went into warp mode.

Quinn gave herself one more look over. She had put on the short yellow dress that Rachel had picked out, and the matching shoes the clerk had recommended. She left her hair down and it tickled the exposed skin on her back. She had applied a little makeup not her usual style at all she very rarely wore dresses these days. She was nervous and she wasn't sure why. Finally glancing at the small French wall clock she saw that it was 6:45. Taking a deep breath she turned off the light in her bathroom , walked across the suite to knock on Rachel's open door frame. "Rach we have 15 minutes are you almost ready?"

"Just about. Just putting on my shoes." Rachel called back from the bathroom. "I am not sure about this dress, Kurt loved it when I sent him the picture, but it doesn't fit perfectly. And the shoulders are a little loose, the pedals are a little heavy and want to slide down." Rachel laughed.

Quinn walked into the bathroom and forgot to breathe for a second. The dress hit Rachel about 7 inches above her knee, it was a loose flowing material. It had a vintage feel to it, it was the one that she picked out ,but she looked so much better then the mannequin in it. Her legs went on forever and add the 4 inch heels good lord! "You look amazing."

Rachel looked up at Quinn and had to agree. "So do you." the yellow dress was just the perfect length for Quinn a few inches above her knee, an Empire seam with a button front closure at the bodice and a pleaded skirt, and the shoes showcased her legs perfectly. Her heart began to race erratically.

"Eating is over rated, lets stay here." she whispered, blinking slowly as Quinn came closer, gently moving Rachel's long hair that liked to tickle the small of her back out of the way to reveal the shoulder straps.

Quinn smiled, chuckled softly and reached for the petals at the top of her straps. "We can fix this do you have your diva kit?"

"Never leave home without it." Rachel just stared at Quinn in the mirror, never taking her eyes off her she reached into her makeup case and handed it to Quinn. She watched as Quinn made quick work with a few safety pins and had the dress stabilized.

"All set. Ready for dinner?" Quinn placed a kiss at the base of Rachel's neck.

"Not if you keep that up, you tease." Rachel huffed trying to pull Quinn down for a real kiss.

"Rachel if we start that I am never leaving this room tonight." Quinn promised, then shook her head when Rachel shrugged her shoulders in a who cares motion.

"Come on, something to look forward to when we come back up stairs."

"I am so holding you to that Fabray!"

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They made it down to the restaurant with a light banter of conversation. They walked into the restaurant arm and arm stealing glances at one another as the Maitre d' looked at them quietly with a raised brow. Rachel was happy to see that there was someone in the Biltmore that didn't know who she was.

"Reservation from room 1815." she announced and felt Quinn bump her hip in mock wonder.

"Oh yes I see last minute reservation, yes right here." he said snottily. He looked around when there was muffled laughter coming from the women in front of him. "Well it appears we only have the balcony dining available, follow me." he led the way to a table that was indeed in a balcony like a theater. There were four of them in the restaurant. They climbed up about 10 stairs, he opened curtains and revealed a intimate setting for two. He pulled out their chairs for them. Handed them their menus "Is there anything else?

"Oh and on those cold lonely nights Horace, You can snuggle up to your cash regggisterrr, It's a little lumpy but it ringggggs." Rachel muttered, shaking her head and the man obviously clueless nodded and left.

"Hello Dolly? Really?" Quinn laughed tears falling down her cheek.

"Tell me that man isn't just like Horace Vandergelder, I could not resist! Never mind this set up is right out of that movie!" Rachel too laughed putting her attention to her menu. "Quinn have you ever heard of Vegan Shrimp?"

"I have to say this is a first for me!" Quinn muttered looking over the selections, quite surprised at all the vegan and vegetarian selections. "Is that what you are going to get?"

"Yes." Rachel smiled. "are you going to get the crab? I see they offer it with bacon."

"Am I that predictable?" Quinn murmured.

"I prefer the term consistent, and I like that about you. Change is good, but a little consistency is key ." Rachel winked and then leaned over to see the rest of the dining guests. The Jazz singer was very good, and so was the band.

"Excuse me are you ready to order." came a soft feminine voice from the other side of the curtain.

"Yes please come in." Quinn said while Rachel was distracted soaking in her surrounding. Quinn smirked while Rachel was consumed with the Jazz singer so she quickly placed their order with the petite blonde, who bobbed her head and said she would be right back with their bottle of Chardonnay, after filling their waters. They talked about the theater project as they waited for their dinner to arrive, sipping wine and humming along to the music as it played. Neither women where drinkers and one glass in they were happily buzzed, but not drunk.

Rachel stood, placed her napkin from her lap to the table and reached out her hand to Quinn. "Dance with me?" Quinn followed suit and took Rachel's hand and slipped into her embrace. They slow danced in the small space beside the table. Alone in their little bubble of the world. The song was beautiful and soulful and Quinn lost herself into the words and the woman in her arms.

You are the promised kiss of springtime

That makes the lonely winter seem long.

You are the breathless hush of evening

That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.

You are the angel glow that lights a star,

The dearest things I know are what you are.

Some day my happy arms will hold you,

And some day I'll know that moment divine,

When all the things you are, are mine!

By the end of the song Rachel was breathless again, and quite worried that this was going to be very bad on her health. Quinn was quickly becoming something that she was addicted to. Unable to go a few minutes without a touch or a look. Which was frustrating to her, because she wasn't that needy clingy girl from high school. She was very independent, but she liked knowing that she could rely on Quinn. Was that healthy? Was she getting too caught up ? What if Quinn wasn't feeling the same feelings? What if she had been alone so long that she was deluding herself. She was on the verge of a full on panic attack, when her face was tilted and Quinn's lips met hers. Breathless again!

They stood their in one another's sweet embrace until their waitress cleared her throat, blushing she held their entrees on the tray in her arms. Quinn smiling kissed Rachel one more time and pulled away leading Rachel back to her seat. They ate in silence, but a happy silence. They held hands on top of the table, and shared glances at one another.

After dinner they took a slow walk down the history hall of the 1st floor arm in arm, Rachel leaning into Quinn, slightly tipsy 2 glasses was her limit, she wasn't sure why she had the third. "Quinn?" she whispered when they stepped off the elevator on to their floor.

"Yes Rachel?" Quinn asked holding her arm leading the way to the room.

"I …I ..Listen I." Rachel stuttered unsure how to get across her feelings and fears and worries.

"Rachel, we're not ready. Don't worry about it, we're going to take this slow." Quinn bent down to whisper into her ear. "I think you're amazing, I love spending time with you." She opened the door and led Rachel in and shut it behind them. "I love kissing you, touching you, and dancing with you." she leaned back in as she walked her to her bedroom door. "But we agreed to go slow, and neither one of us is the type of girl to sleep with someone on the first date."

"Date?" Rachel asked softly looking up into the hazel eyes she adored.

"Oh yes this was a date Berry. Now that I am open to my true feelings I am not hiding them. But that is a conversation for tomorrow. We will talk everything out." Quinn took Rachel's hand. "It seems that I have been feeling this way for a very long time I just wasn't aware of it, I'm not letting you go now. But I'll be right here when you're ready, and still we move at your pace." Quinn leaned in and pressed a soft passion laced kiss onto the diva's surprised lips. "Good night Rachel, see you in the morning."

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A/N: Most of the shops that I mentioned in Downtown Providence can be glanced at .com or .org. I am a very visual person. And I feel sometimes it helps to see things to help tell a story ! ( I changed the way the Biltmore restaurant looks…mine is more fantasy then reality …think Hello Dolly and you got it )

Song: Ella Fitzgerald - All the things you are

Please review !

Thanks