AN:

I am a bad person. But I blame it on life and my muse. Life for being so darn busy and my muse for focusing on everything but this story. I apologize for it being so long between updates but it couldn't be helped.

This isn't what I wanted to post, I had hoped to get more done before I put this out but decided to give you guys what I had. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 15:

Rachel woke up and swallowed thickly her mouth dry before moving her head just enough to take in Santana and Quinn, who were sitting on either side of her, hands resting on her legs, and seemingly content just to be there for her. She could feel Brittany's heart beat, slow and steady, keeping pace with her own and calming her.

These three angels were here with her and wanted her to stay with them.

They wanted her. Rachel shook her head still not able to believe that they would want her.

Rachel decided she would oblige and put aside her more destructive tendencies for the time being.

She would need them again when the trio decided she wasn't worth the trouble.

#SQBR#

Christmas was a welcome distraction from everything that had been going on.

The trio watched Rachel carefully for a few days after her breakdown, trying not to smother her, but also not taking any chances.

Christmas morning dawned cold and bright, sunlight dancing across Brittany's giddy face. She was making the bed vibrate, even with her attempts to control her excited bouncing, Santana and Quinn on either side of her dead to the world.

When the clock read 7:00am Brittany shook both her companions awake before sliding off the bed and dashing down the hallway to knock on Rachel's door.

The blonde and brunette groaned but grinned when on opening their eyes they saw each other's tired pouts. They quickly got up and poked their heads out the door to see what Brittany was doing.

Brittany knocked on Rachel's door and moved to try the door knob, stopped by the door opening before she could.

"Hello Brittany. Excited for presents?"

Rachel's happiness was genuine and Brittany's excitement grew. She had been worried Rachel would never truly smile again. Giving the diva a quick hug before letting go, Brittany bounced on the balls of her feet.

"Yep. Come on. Time to open presents. I want to see if you like yours."

Brittany missed Rachel's surprise look as she grabbed Rachel's hand and pulled her downstairs to where the tree was.

Rachel just stared at the tree, mouth open as Brittany skipped around dividing the presents under the tree into four piles. Santana and Quinn could be heard in the kitchen. The banging of pots and pans along with Spanish curses and soft giggles brought a smile to Rachel's face, which turned into a giggle as Brittany came up behind her and picked her up in a hug, carrying her into the kitchen and depositing her gently on a stool with a kiss to the cheek.

It was an amazing morning.

Singing along to the Christmas songs, enjoying breakfast, Brittany and Santana's antics when trying to steal Quinn's bacon, all of them getting in a food fight.

The smile on Rachel's face outshined the sun as she bounced down the stairs, still damp from her shower.

It was creeping up on 11 and they had not even touched the presents yet, although that was partially due to Santana dragging Brittany upstairs for a shower first.

"Go keep Brittany from opening her presents, I'll be down after a quick shower." Quinn said, smile on her face as she bounded up the stairs.

Rachel walked into the living room to see Brittany sitting in the arm chair she had dragged next to the tree, bouncing up and down in excitement and not taking her eyes off of the presents. She laughed and went to give Brittany a hug, getting caught in the blonde's arms and pulled into her lap.

Santana came down the stairs to find Rachel snuggled intro Brittany, with the dancer's arms wrapped around the small singer, both basking in the other's presence.

Rachel moved, breaking the circle of Brittany's arms by stretching, not liking the feeling of being confined. She dropped a kiss on Brittany's cheek before slipping off her lap and walking around the tree, admiring the decorations and remembering the fun time they had setting all the Christmas material up.

When Quinn finally set foot in the living room Brittany flitted around handing out presents.

They tore open the wrapping paper, squealed over gifts, chuckled over gifts, and just hung out, enjoying each other's company and the Christmas movies.

Rachel fell asleep in the middle of a cuddle pile, surrounded by warm skin and enveloped by a feeling of happiness.

For the next week falling asleep, all together in the living room, became their nightly ritual.

The Cheerios were ecstatic, hoping this meant Rachel was feeling more comfortable with them.

Rachel was enjoying the warmth and happiness, but scared things would change, and still thinking this was a temporary thing.

They made an appearance at Puck's new year's party but left after an hour of mingling to snuggle on the couch and watch a movie.

The trio was dozing when the movie ended so Rachel changed out the disc, and noticing the time, turned off the TV.

As the clock struck midnight Rachel bent down and kissed Brittany, Santana, and Quinn on the forehead with a whispered, "Happy New Year's." before attempting to cover the girls with a blanket and escape up the stairs.

She ended up caught by Santana's arms and pulled into the Latina's embrace.

After a few minutes to adjust to the hold Rachel soaked up the safe feeling she got from Santana and feeling lighter than she ever had, drifted off to sleep.

##RQSB##