AN: So, no updates for ages, then two in under a week... hope you enjoy, but be warned, there's some major drama coming up at the end of the chapter... let me know what you think!
Chapter Seventeen: A Very Karofsky Christmas Eve
As nice as cuddling with her fiancée was, after several long minutes of sharing innocent caresses and gentle kisses as they sat side by side on the piano stool, Quinn reluctantly detangled herself from Santana with a regretful sigh, dragging herself to her feet. She still needed to take a shower before dinner, and she was running out of time. Years of etiquette instruction as a child had left her unable to contemplate throwing caution to the wind and showing up for dinner anything other than perfectly coiffed and attired.
Santana was not willing to give up so easily however, and she wrapped her arms around Quinn from behind as the girls headed up the stairs to their room, causing Quinn to whine weakly in protest.
"San, I need to take a shower," she insisted, as Santana affixed her lips to Quinn's neck, poking out her tongue to lick the sensitive flesh just below her fiancée's right ear. "My mom will kill me if I come down to dinner wearing the same clothes I wore on the plane. Besides, I'm all hot and sticky."
Santana's response was to snicker in her ear. "Mmm, just how I like you," she murmured, and Quinn felt her knees get weak. It took every last ounce of her willpower to wriggle out of Santana's embrace and stumble towards the bathroom, but Santana was nothing if not tenacious and she followed close behind, catching up with Quinn in the bathroom doorway and pulling her into a tight embrace.
Quinn gasped as Santana pressed her entire body against her, delighting in the feel of Santana's impressive curves rubbing against her. Santana's lips crashed against hers and the brunette's tongue was stroking against hers in a messy, desperate kiss. Quinn's fingers were fumbling with the buttons on her dress, but whether she was trying to undress for her shower or to feel Santana's hands on her bare skin she couldn't quite decide. Either way, the desire to be naked was prevalent, and she shrugged her arms out of her dress, letting it slip down her torso to pool at her feet.
Santana's gaze and hands were immediately distracted by the temptation of Quinn's bra-covered breasts, and Quinn took full advantage of her fiancée's preoccupation, stepping backwards into the bathroom and fumbling with the shower controls without looking at what she was doing until she heard the water start up with a pattering hiss.
Santana had helpfully decided to divest Quinn of her bra and she impatiently groped for the clasp before tugging the straps from her shoulders. Quinn barely had time to feel the air on her skin before Santana's hands replaced the lacy material, cupping Quinn's breasts and running her fingers over the rapidly tightening peaks. Quinn bit her lip and stifled a moan but then Santana's mouth replaced her fingers and she couldn't keep from gasping out a cry of pleasure. Santana's tongue was stroking and swirling, her lips were suckling hard, and when she grazed a sensitive nub with her teeth, Quinn felt her entire body erupt in goosebumps and a flood of desire between her thighs.
Hooking her thumbs into her underwear, she tugged the black, lacy briefs down over her hips and kicked them off, not really caring where they ended up. Santana was so invested in Quinn's breasts that she hadn't noticed Quinn removing her panties until Quinn reached for her hand and pressed it urgently between her legs. Santana seemed surprised and thrilled by her fiancée's audacity; she tore her mouth from Quinn's breast to gaze at her with a wondrous and suddenly ravenous expression.
"Kiss me," Quinn demanded, and Santana was eager to comply, even as her fingers stroked through the wet heat at the apex of her thighs. Then Santana's fingers were inside her, rubbing and curling, hard and fast, over and over in a practised rhythm. Quinn's need for oxygen caused her to tear her lips away from Santana's as she gasped and panted, her breath shallow and erratic. The pad of Santana's thumb brushed over the bundle of nerves at her center and Quinn felt her knees buckle. She stumbled backwards into the shower tray, desperate to find purchase and her back thankfully pressed up against the cold tile.
Quinn was barely aware of the fact that hot water was cascading over both of them despite Santana being still fully dressed, but at that moment she couldn't have cared less. Santana's fingers were taking her closer and closer to the brink with every thrust, unintelligible pleas and curses tumbled from her lips between moans and gasps. The brunette was kissing every part of Quinn she could reach and rubbing up against her in the most delightful way, trying to get as close to her as physically possible. Quinn ached to touch Santana, to strip her of her wet clothes and run her hands all over the brunette's stunning figure but instead she clung to Santana's neck, knowing that if she let go, even for an instant, she would fall. Santana was the only thing holding her up in that moment, and with one final press of Santana's fingers at the perfect spot inside, Quinn felt herself shatter into a thousand pieces, her fiancée's name on her lips.
Santana continued to stroke her through her orgasm and only removed her fingers when the last ripples had ceased and Quinn's breathing returned to normal. Santana's dark hair was plastered to her face and Quinn reached up a still trembling hand to brush dripping tendrils out of her eyes. The brunette seemed surprised and amused to find herself standing in the shower and Quinn couldn't help but giggle. It appeared that she wasn't the only one who'd gotten a little lost in the moment.
"You're all wet," she murmured as water droplets dripped from Santana's eyelashes. Santana's shirt was plastered to her figure and, Quinn was unaccountably happy to note, now completely see through.
"I am," Santana agreed. "That was…" she broke off and shook her head, water flying everywhere, "… hot," she said finally, and Quinn laughed again.
"But you didn't get to… you know," Quinn said softly and now it was Santana's turn to chuckle.
"Say the word, Q," she instructed softly. "Come on, you're a big girl, you can do it."
"Come," whispered Quinn, her cheeks coloring instantly. To her surprise, Santana groaned and bit down on her lower lip.
"God, do you have any idea how sexy it is to hear you say that word out loud?" she said huskily. "And, for the record, watching you – feeling you – come around my fingers is more than enough to get me off too."
Quinn wrinkled her nose at Santana's choice of phrase, but felt a secret jolt of pleasure that she could have that effect on her fiancée.
"Still," she mused with a sigh, "I really like to touch you too."
"And I really like it when you touch me," Santana agreed, "but your mom will be home any minute and do you really want to have to explain to her and the Karofsys that the reason you're late to dinner is because you couldn't tear yourself away from having sex with your fiancée?"
"Okay, okay," grumbled Quinn, aware that she was pouting like a spoilt child. "But since you're already soaked, why don't you stay and help me shower?" She beamed hopefully at Santana who chuckled and shook her head.
"No good will come of that, baby," she said, stepping out of the shower and instantly creating a puddle of water on the tiled floor. "But, since we had to get up at the crack of dawn, I don't think it would be too impolite of us to excuse ourselves after dinner to get an early night. I think I feel a headache coming on too." She grinned suggestively at Quinn, who felt a shiver of anticipation down her spine. She'd been dreading dinner time all day, and now she could hardly wait, safe in the knowledge that as soon as it was over she would be back in Santana's arms once again.
By seven-thirty, both Quinn and Santana were immaculately presented and ready to greet their guests. Quinn couldn't help but keep raking her eyes over her fiancée's figure, clad in tight black pants and a loosely fitted red shirt. Santana's hair tumbled in loose waves down her back – she hadn't had time to re-straighten it after her impromptu second shower. She looked simply stunning, Quinn thought to herself. She smoothed the corduroy skirt of her black and cream dress and tried to ignore the butterflies flitting around her stomach as she sipped a glass of non-alcoholic punch. The bar in the dining room was still well-stocked with an array of drinks, but Quinn wanted to support her mom's sobriety with a show of solidarity so she was sticking to soft drinks, even though she really wanted something a little stronger to take the edge off her nerves.
Judy Fabray was the picture of poise and elegance as she flitted around, perfecting the table settings and checking on dinner. She seemed unconcerned and unruffled about the imminent meeting of her daughter and her boyfriend. When the doorbell rang, her high heels clicked against the wooden floor as she hurried to answer it. Quinn took a deep breath at the sound of voices and laughter in the hallway, and reaching for Santana's hand she fixed her best smile onto her face and followed her mom's path.
Judy turned expectantly as she heard Quinn step up behind her, and Quinn was amazed at the light in her mother's eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her mom look so contented and happy.
"Quinnie, darling, there you are," her mom trilled, as though she hadn't seen Quinn all evening, despite having been in the same room moments earlier. "And Santana, too. Come and meet Paul, girls." She ushered them into the fray and Quinn offered Paul her hand as she'd been taught to do as a child. Her immediate thought was that Paul Karofsky looked like a great big, cuddly teddy bear, and she suddenly remembered him from the high school football games when he'd been there to support his son. Her parents had never once seen her cheer, and her mom had only made it to a couple of glee club performances, but she recalled seeing Paul in the bleachers on many occasions and she instantly warmed to him for this.
"Mr Karofsky," she said, smiling politely as he kissed the back of her hand.
"Call me Paul, please," he told her with a genuine grin. "It's good to finally meet you, Quinn. Your mother talks about you all the time."
"She does?" Quinn couldn't help the note of surprise that sounded in her voice, as Judy shifted uncomfortably beside her.
"Your mother's very proud of you," Paul told her seriously and Quinn felt a rush of affection for her mom as Paul turned his attention to Santana. "And you must be Santana," he greeted, reaching for her hand. "My son David's told me a lot about you."
"None of it's true," Santana assured him and everyone laughed. Santana turned her gaze onto David who was standing slightly back from the group, looking a little awkward, and she smiled warmly. "Hey, Karofsky."
"Lopez," he replied with a chuckle. He and Santana embraced quickly and a little awkwardly and then David leaned in to kiss Quinn on the cheek before Judy ushered everyone through into the living room for pre-dinner drinks.
"So, I hear that this is just a flying visit for you girls," Paul said congenially as they all settled themselves on the sofas whilst Judy fussed over them, making sure everyone had a drink, "but I'm glad we're finally getting a chance to meet. Your mother is becoming very special to me, Quinn." He squeezed Judy's hand as she passed, and Quinn was amazed to see her mom blush and giggle like a teenager. "I really hope that you'll give us your blessing."
"I just want her to be happy," Quinn said truthfully.
"As do I," agreed Paul. "I'm very grateful that she came into my life."
There was a brief, uncomfortable silence where everyone in the room seemed surprised by the serious note the conversation had so quickly taken. Quinn looked pleadingly at Santana for help, and the brunette squeezed her hand indulgently before clearing her throat loudly.
"So, Karofsky," she said conversationally, fixing her gaze of David. "Are you seeing anyone at the moment?"
David seemed startled by the bluntness of her question but he recovered quickly.
"Um, no, no one special," he admitted. "There was someone from school last year, but it didn't work out. I couldn't believe it when my dad told me about the two of you though. The two hottest girls to ever walk the halls of McKinley ending up together – who'd have thought it? I bet half the guys from school would freak out if they knew."
"Thank you," Santana said with a nodding grin. "I am hot."
"Modest too," Quinn said drily and everyone laughed. The tension was well and truly broken, and conversation flowed surprisingly freely over dinner. The girls and David talked about college, and shared high school experiences, and for an accountant, Paul had some pretty amusing work anecdotes. But it was Judy who surprised Quinn the most. She seemed relaxed and carefree, more natural than Quinn had ever seen her.
"So, when are you two planning on getting married?" David asked Quinn and Santana over dessert. Quinn choked on her mouthful of apple pie and Santana rolled her eyes as she rubbed her fiancée's back soothingly.
"Quinn doesn't like the 'm' word," she joked, as Quinn shot her a glare between splutters. "No, seriously, we're not planning anything for a while yet," she continued, as Quinn took a long drink of water and tried to regain her composure. "Between school and work, we're pretty busy, and we're happy as we are. We're committed to each other, and that's enough for me right now."
"So, Judy and I could beat you two down the aisle," Paul mused, and Quinn almost choked for a second time.
"You're engaged?" she asked incredulously and Paul shook his head, chuckling softly, as Judy smiled serenely.
"Not yet, but I hope that's where we're headed," admitted Paul. "I love your mother, Quinn, and I really would like us all to be a family one day."
Quinn took a deep breath before responding as she pondered Paul's words.
"I think I'd like that too," she admitted finally.
After dinner, Paul wanted to help Judy with the dishes, dismissing Quinn, Santana, and David's offers of help with a wave of his hand. Quinn and David exchanged looks, neither of them were fooled – they both knew that their parents wanted the chance to be alone together – so they allowed Judy and Paul to usher them into the den and close the door behind them as they headed for the kitchen.
"You want another drink, baby?" Santana asked Quinn sweetly, rubbing her fiancée's lower back affectionately, and David snorted as he settled himself on the couch.
"You are so whipped, Lopez," he teased, but his grin was good-natured.
"We're not really into whips," Santana told him nonchalantly without missing a beat. "Spanking, maybe, but not whips." She proceeded to pour Quinn a drink as though she'd commented on something as innocuous as the weather.
"Santana!" squealed Quinn, feeling her face turn scarlet, as the brunette shrugged, unrepentant.
"What?" she asked lightly, handing Quinn her drink and sitting down beside her, moulding herself to Quinn's side with a contented smile. "I'm just teasing, baby, Karofsky knows that."
Ignoring Santana, David and Quinn started to talk about their parents and it transpired that David had been watching their developing relationship for several months.
"That's the thing about living at home and going to college," he explained, "my dad tried to be all secretive about it at first but it didn't take long before he came clean. Your mom's been good for him though," he added thoughtfully. "After my mom left, I thought that he'd be on his own forever, eating TV dinners every night. For a while he wanted to be my best friend. It kind of cramps your style when your dad wants to go with you to a gay bar." Quinn and Santana chuckled.
"So, then he meets your mom and he becomes like this different person overnight. She's all he can talk about and suddenly he's throwing out all the junk food and clearing up the house, he's buying all these new clothes and going out to dinner every other night. Gave me a hell of a shock when he told me that her last name was Fabray and he'd met her at a support group for parents of gay teens. I have to say, Quinn, you did a pretty good job of covering in school – you're about the last person I would have put money on being a card carrying member of the rainbow alliance." Quinn didn't know what to say to that so she simply shrugged but David wasn't done talking. "It got me thinking," he continued softly, "how many kids we went to school with who might have been trapped in the closet, too afraid to be themselves for fear of ridicule. I tormented so many kids," he said sadly, "we all did. I couldn't stop thinking about it so I decided to do something about it. I changed my major and I'm planning on becoming a counsellor to help teens coming to terms with their sexuality."
"That's amazing," Quinn said, smiling softly. "You'll be great at that. And what you said about your dad – it's the same for my mom. I've never seen her so happy."
"So, how do you feel about me as a potential step-brother?" David asked, raising an eyebrow as he sipped his beer. Quinn laughed.
"I think we'll get along just fine as long - as you stay away from slushees," she admitted.
It seemed to take Judy and Paul an inordinate amount of time to clean up after dinner, and Quinn tried not to think about what they might be getting up to unsupervised in the kitchen. It was hypocritical, she knew, but although she was happy for her mom and Paul, she didn't want to picture them being affectionate with each other.
Santana and David chattered away animatedly whilst Quinn curled against her fiancée and listened to their conversation. She felt like she had fallen into some weird twilight zone universe where everyone she knew was happy and contented.
Eventually, Judy and Paul reappeared – Quinn tried not to notice that her mom's hair was mussed – and Paul kissed and hugged each of them good night as he and David prepared to leave. Judy excused herself and headed up to bed as soon as they'd gone, leaving Quinn and Santana to lock up and turn off the lights.
"Well, that went better than expected," Quinn said, as she closed the bedroom door behind them and unzipped her dress. "Thank you for tonight. You were amazing." Clad in only her underwear, she sidled up to Santana and wound her arms around her neck, brushing her lips lightly against the brunette's. "I couldn't have done it without you."
"You were pretty amazing yourself," Santana commented, running her fingertips up and down Quinn's spine. "I've never seen you in full on cotillion-preppy-princess-hostess mode before. It was pretty cute."
Quinn rolled her eyes. "I'm hardly a princess," she said drily.
"'Can I get anyone another canapé? Does anyone need their drink freshened up? This soup is simply delightful'," mimicked Santana, in a high pitched, girly tone.
"Shut up!" Quinn cried indignantly. "I do not talk like that, and I did not say the soup was delightful!"
"Whatever," shrugged Santana.
"Take it back," Quinn whined, her brow puckering as she pouted.
"Or else?" Santana said teasingly. She suddenly placed the palm of her hand firmly against the base of Quinn's spine and tugged her close, capturing her lips in a deep and sensual kiss.
"Stop trying to distract me," murmured Quinn, as her hands traitorously wound themselves into Santana's hair to hold her in place.
"Make me," taunted Santana before plunging her tongue into Quinn's willing mouth.
The rest of their clothes were shed quickly and without fuss and Quinn proceeded to trail hot, wet, open-mouthed kisses all over Santana's soft, coffee-colored skin.
"You taste so good," she whispered as she dipped her tongue into Santana's navel, eliciting a gasp from her fiancée. She continued to kiss her way down Santana's torso until she reached the apex of her thighs. She gently parted Santana's legs and settled herself between them, licking a tortuously slow path along the brunette's inner thigh.
"Q, I swear to God, if you don't touch me soon I'm going to do it myself," huffed Santana as Quinn blew a gentle stream of cool air against her core. Quinn was used to Santana's empty threats so she continued to take her time making love to her fiancée, stroking the tender skin where Santana's leg and torso met with the tip of her tongue. It was only when Santana bit back a whimper that Quinn took pity on her and plunged her tongue into the wet, silken warmth at her center. Santana was so turned on by this point that it only took a few moments for her to come undone, pressing her fist to her mouth to keep from crying out.
Quinn wasn't finished just yet however, and as the waves of pleasure began to dissipate, she pressed two fingers slowly but firmly into Santana, groaning herself at how tight and wet her fiancée was. Without breaking contact, she crawled up Santana's body to crush their lips together in a messy, passionate kiss, gasping as Santana's fingers began to stroke between her own thighs. Thrust for thrust, stroke for stroke, the girls matched each other, their gasps and moans mingling as they each sought to push the other over the edge. Santana was the first to fall and her fingers momentarily lost their rhythm inside Quinn as her orgasm consumed her, but then she began to move again with a vengeance until Quinn came with a soft cry. Sated, contented, and happy, Quinn cuddled close to Santana as her fiancée pulled the blankets over them both, and within seconds she was asleep.
Her first thought on waking was that it was still dark outside. Her second thought was that the music blaring from her cell phone was not her alarm, but her ring tone. Santana stirred fitfully beside her as Quinn groped for her phone in the darkness. The illuminated display showed that it was Rachel calling. It was three-thirty in the morning. A slow feeling of icy dread began to flow through Quinn as she pressed the button to accept the call and brought the phone to her ear.
"What's wrong?" she asked, not even bothering with a hello.
"Quinn?" Rachel's voice was tearful and shaky. Quinn heard her friend let out a sob on the other end of the phone. Santana sat up rubbing her eyes.
"Q? W-what is it?" she asked through a yawn.
"Rachel," Quinn told her softly, covering the microphone with her finger.
"Doesn't she know it's the middle of the fucking night?" Santana asked angrily, but Quinn pressed a soothing hand to her arm to quieten her.
"Rachel," she said firmly, trying not to let her voice shake. "Calm down and talk to me. What's happened?"
"There's been an accident," Rachel said through a fresh wave of tears. "You need to come, Quinn. It's Shelby."