Summary: Sequel to Dirty Little Secret.
Pairing: Rachel/Quinn
Notes: Sorry this has taken so long guys.
Warning: Language cos you know Santana is just impossible sometimes LOL
Disclaimer: I own nothings, but the random ramblings of which occur in my brain. Glee and any other copyrighted content used belongs to their respective owners.
"Rach," she places her hand on a shoulder, "we gotta go".
Her eyes are trained on her daughter, her fingers running through the fine wisps of dark hair sprinkled a top of the infants head, "I know...I just..."
She can sense her partners apprehension, she can remember her own difficulties the first day she had dropped Beth off, "You can do this".
"I don't think I can...," she places her free hand atop of the one resting on her shoulder, "Quinn, what if she needs me? What if something happens and I'm not here to take care of her?"
"Nothing's going to happen, I promise you. She'll be perfectly fine".
A figure in the doorway waits patiently, the scene all too familiar.
"But what if-"
"I promise you Rachel," she grasps the small girl in front of her by the shoulders and turns her around, "she's gonna be ok".
"I know..."
A pale hand strokes a tan cheek before cupping and lifting the chin, "You can do this".
"I..."
She senses her cue, "If it makes you feel any better you can always call me during your lunch".
"See?" Quinn smiles warmly, "It's all covered sweetheart".
Rachel turns to look at her daughter before locking her eyes with Lauren, "You promise," she felt so immature in asking, "that you'll call if there are any problems?"
"Absolutely," Lauren nods, "and if I can't get hold of you on your cell, I'll call Quinn".
Her face filled with panic, "What if you can't get hold of either of us? Oh my God, Quinn! I can't do this!"
"Rach!" the blonde wrapped her arms around the panicking brunette, "You can do this, it's ok".
"If I can't reach either of you by cell, I've got the number for the school, I'll call there," her words were calm, sure and confident.
"See?" Quinn ran her fingers threw the dark locks, "It really will be ok baby. Hey, look at me..."
Rachel reluctantly looked into those captivating hazel eyes, she knew she was being over-dramatic and that her fears were only fuelled by nightmares that held no route in reality but still she couldn't shake her fears.
Quinn's face soften, her voice was soft but firm, "Do you really think I'd leave Beth with Lauren if I didn't trust her to take good care of my daughter?"
"No..." embarrassment filled face and tainted her speech, "I'm being irrational...aren't I?"
Quinn smiled softly, "Just a," she held up her hand, thumb and forefinger held close together but still with a space between them, "little bit".
"I'm sorry," she hung her head, her dark hair concealing her face.
"No need for sorry," Lauren said earnestly, "you've done nothing to be sorry for, trust me".
"I called into question your ability to perform your job...that's plenty enough reason to be sorry".
"Trust me," Lauren laughed, "I've dealt with a lot worse, one guy had to literally drag his wife away in tears the first time they dropped off their little one".
"Really?"
"Really," she nodded, "it's natural to be reluctant to leave your child with someone, but I promise you this. I treat everyone of the kids here like they were mine. I'd do anything for them".
Rachel took a moment to process Lauren's words and nodded to herself. "Ok," she muttered more to herself than anyone else. When she spoke again her voice was louder, a little shaker but slightly more sure of herself, "I guess we should go before you have to drag me away," she said to Quinn.
The girls made the drive to school in silence, Quinn kept glancing at Rachel, she found herself worrying that the return to McKinley was going to set her chocolate eye girl back, 'What if it's too much? She's come so far, what if this just reminds her of everything that's happened?'
As if sensing the thoughts running around the blondes mind Rachel reached over and laced her fingers with the slender ivory skinned digits resting atop of the gear stick, "I'm ok you know".
"I know," she tried to keep the worry out of her voice as she pulled into the car lot.
"I mean it Quinn," her thumb traced ghostly lines on the outer edge of her girlfriends palm, "I'm ok, I really am. It's just school right? We've been here so many times".
"I know that Rach, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about you".
"I know that. I wish you wouldn't worry so much though".
"You're my girl, of course I worry. I'll always worry about you. You're a big part of my life now Rachel and whether you like it or not I'm going to worry about you".
"I love you Quinn Fabray, I really do," Rachel spoke with pure sincerity, adoration in her eyes as she cupped the blondes cheek, "but you worry too much. We're here, I'm ok. The hard part of the day is over providing Glee isn't as horrific as Santana made it out to be anyway".
"Speaking of," Quinn nodded her head towards the figure approaching the passenger side.
Rachel turned around in her seat just in time for her door to open.
"You two done making out?" The Latina greeted, a huge smirk tugging at her lips.
"You're such a bitch," Quinn laughed in reply.
"I know," Santana polished her nails against her top, a pretend look of boredom on her face, "I love that about me".
Rachel rolled her eyes at the exchange between the two best friends. Something about the familiar exchange between the two friends filled her with a sense of bravado that only the Latina, Quinn and Artie could bring out in her. Her eyes quickly scanned the car lot, "You know Lopez, your ass makes a better door than a window," she leant across the centre console and locked lips with her blonde counterpart, all the while Santana stood there dumbfounded. Quinn let out a muffled shriek before returning the kiss, knowing that it would probably be the last kiss of the day until they got out of Glee club.
"OK!" Santana exclaimed, "You've made your point Berry. Seeing as this is your first day back I'll give you that one for free".
A smile tugged at the once divas lips, forcing her to break away from the kiss, "Miss me Santana?"
"With every bullet so far," the smile carried in the Latina's voice.
"You know I'm not sure what's worse," Quinn started as she got out of her car.
"What's that Q?"
"You two hating each other or the two of you being friends".
"Ha freaking ha," Santana deadpanned.
Rachel shut her door and readjusted the straps of her backpack, "I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that although yes, there were times in the past where I would not describe myself as Santana's number one fan, I never once hated her despite her tendencies to go" her words died as Santana's arm draped across her shoulders.
The Latina exchanged a quick knowing glance with her best friend before squeezing the slightly baffled Rachel close to her as they headed towards the schools entrance, "It's good to have you back Berry".
"Glee club really must be horrifying if you're saying it's good to have me back," Rachel laughed.
"You have no idea!"
"It has not been THAT bad," Quinn interjected.
"Shut it blondie," Santana threw at her friend, "Anyways as I was saying before I was RUDELY interrupted," Quinn snorted, "it is THAT bad and worse, I swear Berry, you have to fix it before these noobs sink us. That chick I told you about has got it into her head that-"
"RACHEL!" a high pitch squeal interrupted the still air.
Rachel let out a small "Ooof!"
Quinn couldn't help but laugh, "I did tell you you've been missed right Rach?"
"B, put her down".
"Hi Brittany," Rachel managed to laugh out as the tall Cheerio finally released her from the vice hug she had on her.
"Hi!" Brittany practically bounced with every word that came out of her mouth, "I've missed you!"
"I missed you too," Rachel smiled warmly.
Brittany linked arms with Rachel and started dragging her towards the school, talking excitedly as they went.
Quinn just shook her head, "Typical Britt," she laughed.
"Yeah," Santana smiled, "you just gotta love her".
"Finally owning up?" the blonde playfully arched a finely shaped eyebrow.
"Screw you!"
"No thanks," Quinn set off at a leisurely pace after the aesthetically odd pair that is Brittany and Rachel.
"Yeah, like you'd be so lucky," Santana laughed.
"Please, like you're Gods gift".
"And so much more," the Latina winked.
Quinn rolled her eyes, "Keep talking like that and maybe one day someone'll believe it".
"Haha," Santana grabbed the young mother by the elbow, forcing them both to stop just outside of the school doors, her voice taking on a serious tone, "You doing ok?"
"Aww," Quinn cooed, "you really do care!"
"Cut the shit Q! I know you're stressing about Berry being here. You're probably more uptight about it than she is and she's the one coming back after popping out a sprog".
"Do you really have to be so crass about Rachel?"
"Fabray answer the damn question!"
"I'm good, everything ok on my end," her eyes followed Rachel's movement through the glass doors.
"Really, cos you can't take your eyes off her".
"You hardly take your eyes off of Britt, you don't see me grilling you about it".
"I'm not the one that quite literally worries themselves sick".
Quinn glanced down at her feet, she had no comeback for the truth.
"You need to stop worrying Q".
"You sound like Rachel".
"It's true, you worry too much. It's catching up on you. She may not have noticed yet, she wasn't there for the last time, but I was. She's ok Quinn, look at her," she nodded her head in Rachel's direction. "At most she looks tired, but hey even you weren't fresh as daisy after you had Beth".
"I didn't have to deal with nightmares that really happened".
"Q, you gotta let it go. It's time to move on. That's what she's doing, do you think she'd be in there laughing with B otherwise?"
"She fooled us all before," she argued half-heartedly.
"That's bullshit and you know it. Look Q, it's shit, it really is but what happened happened. None of us can ever fix it or take it away, all we can do is heal and move on. Berry's doing exactly that, she ain't gonna be miraculously better over night but she's dealing. It's time you deal".
Quinn saw Rachel wave in her direction and took that as a way to escape the conversation that she so desperately did not want to be a part of, "Rach is waving us in".
Santana muttered curses under her breath in Spanish as she headed after the blonde.
"Sanni..." Brittany looked at the Latina in puzzlement, "why so angry?"
"It's nothing B," Santana glared at Quinn, silently sending her a message. 'I ain't through with you yet Q!'
"Are you guys fighting?" the dumb blonde asked innocently in a sing-song voice.
"No Britt," Quinn hated to lie, but she didn't want Santana to drag Rachel and Brittany into this, "we're not fighting".
Rachel gave Quinn a skeptical look, to which she received a small nod signalling that everything was ok.
"See B? We're playing nice," Santana laughed.
"Good," Brittany beamed, "I hate it when people fight, everyone should just be happy".
"Hello ladies!" a voice called out as it approached.
"Sup sit and spin".
"Hi Artie!" Brittany bounced.
"Hey Artie," Quinn greeted.
"Whoa..." Artie looked at Rachel playfully, quickly cutting off her greeting, "is it me or have you lost weight?"
Rachel put one hand on her hip, "Is it me or are you still sitting on your ass?"
The Latina let out a loud laugh at the exchange, "Now I remember why I was beginning to like you sit and spin, cos you an Berry are a right act".
"I'm not sure if I should be insulted or if I should take that as compliment..." Artie puzzled.
"If I were you, I'd take it as a compliment," Quinn chuckled, "trust me, it's the closest you're ever going to get to one from the ice queen".
"Watch it Q, or I might just show you how icy I can truly be".
"Pfft! You don't scare me S, you forget I know what you keep in your closet".
"That's where Sanni keeps her clothes," Brittany smiled, she knew exactly what was kept in head Cheerio's closet, "and the things that she doesn't want her parents to find like mmph!"
Santana's hand clamped around Brittany's mouth, "That's enough about what's in my closet B".
"I'm not sure whether I should be intrigued or frightened as to what you keep you in your closet," Rachel laughed.
"Maybe it's where she keeps the bodies," Artie added.
"Shut it wheels or you might just join the rest of them," Santana threatened half-heartedly as she began to release Brittany's mouth from the palm of her hand.
As the halls became busier with students arriving Rachel took a step closer to Quinn, her hand gently brushing with the blondes.
The blonde turned to look at the short dark haired girl, discreetly entwined their fingers togethers ensuring their hands were well concealed between them and asked, "You ok?"
"I'm fine," Rachel swallowed nervously, "I just forgot how loud it can be in these hallways".
"Want to head to class now?" Quinn tried to hide the concern from her voice.
Rachel squeezed her girlfriends hand gently, "I'm ok...just a lot of new faces and voices to get used to".
"See Q?" Santana interjected, she'd been eavesdropping, "Berry's fine, quit worrying".
"Yeah Quinn," Brittany beamed, "Rachel's back at school. It's a good thing. You should be happy".
"May I interrupt?" Artie asked, having somehow managed to manoeuvre his way through the throngs of students in the hallways so that he was now right behind Rachel.
"I'm surprised you asked permission," Rachel teased.
Artie ignored his best friend and glanced at the ex-Cheerio, "May I?"
"Knock yourself out," Quinn laughed but was interrupted before she had a chance to finish what she was going to say.
"Feel free to take that literally," Santana jabbed.
"Play nice Sanni," the tallest blonde scolded.
"I'm not responsible for any injuries you may get from this," Quinn stared meaningfully at the boy.
The smallest standing member of the group turned to face her girlfriend, "Quinn, what is going," her voice shrieked the last word, "ON!" Artie had rolled himself with a gentle force enough to cause Rachel to loose her balance and fall back onto his lap.
"Nice of you to join me," he beamed.
"I'm going to kill you for this Artie!" Rachel laughed between breaths as she tried to calm herself from the anxiety that came with her falling.
"Don't look at me," Quinn interjected, "I had nothing to do with this!"
"I'll deal with you later!" Rachel said playfully, sticking out her tongue.
"Oh yuck!" Santana spat, "Would you two control yourselves? I thought you were trying to keep everything under wraps for fucksake!"
"Santana," a voice came from behind the Latina, "please tell me that I did not just hear you using such foul language".
"Fuck!" the Latina mouthed silently before turning around to face the incoming telling off.
The group snickered behind her back, it was always funny to watch Santana bullshit her way out of trouble, she always had some way or worming her way off of the hook she had always got herself caught on.
"I have no idea what you're on about Mr. Schue," she was all sugar and spice and everything nice the way girls should be when around certain people, of course there was always an angered beast lurking in her eyes.
"I didn't think you would somehow," Mr. Schue smiled knowingly, he had no intention of reprimanding the head Cheerio at all. It had nothing to do with him not wanting to listen to Sue go on a rant about how dare he do such and such to a member of her precious squad, no, Santana was one of his kids. He felt that he had come to know all of the Glee club quite well over the past couple of years, he knew that she was a bit of a firecracker and liked to act the hardass but at the end of the day she was always there when the group needed her, when her friends needed her. "Perhaps you should be brushing up on your vocabulary," he suggested emptily.
"Sure Mr. Schue," her voice was full of sarcasm as she rolled her eyes, "which language am I brushing up on?"
Mr. Schuester shook his head. Sometimes there's just no winning with her. Ignoring the challenge that Santana was baiting him with her turned his attention to the girl that had been M.I.A for more of the fall, "It's great to see you Rachel".
"Thanks Mr. Schue," Rachel said from her spot on Artie's lap.
"Will you be joining us in Glee today?"
"I have every intention of being there providing I'm not required to go pick up Charlie before then".
"Christ Berry!" Santana chuckled, Rachel really did seem to be getting more of herself back, "You couldn't have just said yes?"
"That's great Rachel," Mr. Schue couldn't contain his smile, he had been worried that after the long break from Glee that perhaps she would be reluctant to return, "maybe if you're up to it you can show our newest members why we're heading to Regionals this year".
"I don't know Mr. Schue..." she said thoughtfully, she honestly hadn't given any thought as to whether or not she would sing in Glee club practice, if she was honest she was just hoping that someone could fill her in on what she had missed, catch her up to speed and perhaps tell her who was who in regards to their newest members so that she had a clue what Santana was on about when she had started spewing names at her and listing their offences.
"C'mon Rachel," Brittany begged, "you've gotta sing! I've missed listening to you sing".
"I'm gonna agree with Brittany," Artie joined, "plus it'd be nice to knock a certain someone down a few pegs".
"See Berry," Santana jumped in, "I'm not making it up, she really is nuts!"
"I'm going to ignore this conversation now," Mr. Schue butted in, "Rachel it's great to have you back, we've all missed you. I'll see you all later".
"Damn...if I'd known that was all it took to get rid of him I would've said something sooner," Santana laughed.
"Is it me," Quinn started, "or are you in full bitch mode today?"
"It's you," the Latina replied without batting an eyelid, "I'm in a good mood, is that allowed? Berry's back, she can finally shut that annoying little-"
"Sanni," Brittany whined, "no more mean names".
"I'm sorry B, I'll play nice from now on unless someone deserves it".
Artie waved his hand, "Wuh-tsh".
"I don't need to know about the kinky shit you're into sit and spin".
"So what because you're Latina you don't understand the international sound for whipped?" Artie felt brave, he knew he was antagonising Santana but she no longer put the fear of God into him the way she used to. In a weird roundabout way they were friends.
"Hey baby girl!" Mercedes called out as she approached the group.
"Hi Mercedes," Rachel went to stand but Artie had his arms around her although she couldn't tell you when he had put them there.
"Artie let the poor girl up," Mercedes sassed.
"Fine," he sighed sarcastically.
As soon as Rachel was up and free of Artie's arms she was wrapped within Mercedes.
"It's so good to see you baby girl," she squeezed the small girl tightly, "How's Charlie?"
"She's ok...I think," Rachel said nervously, she had been trying not to think about her daughter left with her pseudo sister at daycare.
"She's ok Rach," Quinn could practically hear the worries rushing round her girlfriends brain. "I promise you". She shot Mercedes a scolding look.
Mercedes glanced at Quinn apologetically knowing she was going to get an ear-full in second period. "I was just asking generally, I haven't seen her in what feels like forever! I don't think anyone but Quinn has seen her recently. I miss that little girl is all".
Rachel couldn't contain the heart warming smile that came across her features and filled her eyes, she would never be able to explain to her friends how much it meant to her that they all loved Charlie, "Maybe we can arrange something for this weekend and you can fill me in on everything I've missed out on these last few weeks and catch up on your Charlie cuddle quota".
"I'm gonna hold you to that baby girl," Mercedes chuckled.
"Ok," her smile began to fall from her face, her fingers tightening their grip around Quinn's.
"You ok Rae?" Mercedes voice was full of concern, "You look like you've seen a ghost".
"Rach?" Quinn could feel the slight tremble in her girlfriends hand, "Talk to me".
Santana studied Rachel for a moment, trying to figure out what had suddenly silenced the small girl. Her eyes followed the direction of the diminutive singers gaze and gritted her jaw as she spotted what had caused the sudden change in Rachel. "Hudson," she snarled.
Quinn ignored the fact that they were stood in the crowded hallways of McKinley and pulled Rachel close to her, wrapping an arm protectively around the girls waist, "You're ok baby," she uttered quietly.
Finn flashed a smile in Rachel's direction, but it fell as he spotted Artie rolling up to him.
Brittany had looped her arm through Santana's, keeping the Latina by her side and out of trouble.
Rachel couldn't help but lean into her girlfriend, she didn't care who saw, she felt safe and that's what she needed. "Is it to early to go to class?" she asked sheepishly.
"Not at all," Quinn answered soothingly, "you want to go now?"
Rachel nodded wordlessly in reply.
"We'll see you at lunch Rachel," Brittany chirped.
"Ok," she had to force the words out. She knew she was probably overreacting but in the lead up to her return to school her biggest concern had been her daughter. She had never once given any consideration to Finn and now here he was, large and awkward as always with that same goofy grin that once gave her butterflies but now made her skin crawl.
"Does anyone give a rats ass if I go kill Hudson?" Santana dead panned as the group watched Rachel and Quinn walk down the corridor and disappear around a corner. "I'm gonna take lack of response as permission to kill him".
"You can't kill Finn San," Brittany was thankful she'd had the idea to loop her arm through the hotheaded Latina's.
"B's right," Mercedes reluctantly agreed.
"Why the fuck not? It's not fair that he gets to scare the shit outta her," Santana snapped. Ok, she'd admit to it now. Rachel was her friend and friends in her book were family.
"I know that," Mercedes agreed, "but judging my the look on Finn's face Artie's told him to back off".
"And Puck's here now," Brittany added helpfully as she watched the once badass join the other two male glee clubbers.
"We should head to class," Mercedes tried to distract the head Cheerio, "leave the boys to take care of Finn. If they don't take care of it then I promise I won't hold you back".
"Fine!" Santana huffed as she slung her bag over her shoulder and reluctantly headed off with Brittany to their first period.
"So she's really ok?" Santana asked her oldest friend as they left their class for lunch.
"Yeah," Quinn replied, "she's actually beating herself up for reacting that way to seeing Finn believe it or not".
"Of course she is," the Latina said dryly, "Artie and Puck had a little talk with Flubber after you guys headed for first period. Apparently he's agreed to leave Berry alone, give her some space".
"Good".
"I don't believe that shit for a second and neither should you".
"I don't," she stopped just outside of the cafeteria, "not at all but I'm gonna act like I do for Rachel. Last thing I want for her is something else to be worrying about".
"Apart from you," Santana added pointed.
"Yes mother," hazel eyes rolled.
"I mean it Q, you either start talking to Berry," she pushed the doors open to the cafeteria and joined the lunch line, "or I'm gonna beat it outta ya".
"And I'm going to ok," Quinn sighed, "you're making it so I can take Rachel out for a date remember?"
"I am," Santana grinned wickedly.
The pair grabbed their lunch and headed over to the table that the rest of the Glee club, Rachel included, were already sitting.
"This seat taken?" Quinn greeted her girlfriend.
"Actually I was reserving it for someone," Rachel toyed.
"Oh?" Quinn placed her tray beside Rachel's, "anyone I know?"
"Not really," Rachel smiled.
"Well then," Quinn made a show of looking around the lunch room before sitting next to her girlfriend, "looks like you've been stood up. Their loss is my gain".
"Oh barf!" Santana supplied. "You do realise you guys are about as discreet as a sledge hammer right?"
"Greetings to you too Santana," Rachel laughed.
"Oh shut up Berry," Santana smirked, "you paying close attention now so I can fill you in on what you've got to work with this year?"
"Straight to business S, really?" Quinn asked, "You're not gonna let her eat her lunch first?"
"She can eat and listen at the same time," the Latina shot back before turning her attention back to the Glee captain. "Right...pay attention cos I really don't want to repeat myself".
Rachel rolled her eyes, Quinn had warned her about this earlier that morning when they were getting ready for school, "I'm listening".
"Right then," Santana turned her head to the opposite end of the table where all the newest members were sitting. "See trouty mouth over there?"
"Trouty mouth?" Rachel's face scrunched in confusion.
"She means the blonde guy sitting next to Finn," Quinn added helpfully. "S, maybe you should introduce them to their nicknames after Rachel knows who they are?"
"Ugh fine! Now stop interrupting and eat your lunch". Santana rolled her neck, "As I was saying, the blonde guy that's all chummy with Finn cos apparently they're BFF's or gay for each other, whichever you wanna believe. That's Sam Evans. He's alright I guess. Transferred from I-don't-know-the-fuck-where. Yeah we got a shit load of transfers this year".
"Ok..." Rachel waited for the Latina to go on.
"Anyways he's on the football team with the other guys. He's a junior. He's not that bad of a singer. Better than Dough boy but let's face it, that's not exactly hard. The dreadlock guy is Joe, can't remember his last name. Don't really care. Bit of a JC freak but what d'ya expect for someone that's been home schooled their entire life. He's a sophomore I think. And sad to say that's the only new blood we have for the guys, so not got much to work with there".
Rachel nodded as she took a bite of her salad.
Santana continued, "Now the three girls are where you're gonna have to do some serious ass kicking to get them into shape. Well I say three, only one of them needs an ass kicking as well as her hearing checked cos she can't carry a tune to save her life. See the one that won't shut up with the awful dress sense? Yeah well that's Sugar and she thinks she's hot shit. She's gonna be a royal pain in the ass".
"Great," Rachel said a little down trodden.
"Not to fear though. The other two aren't that bad. The one talking with with motor mouth, that's Marley. She's a freshman, she's pretty good. Probably take your spot after we graduate. She's a bit of a raggedy Anne but she can sing so I guess we'll set Kurt on her to fix her up or whatever. And that quiet one on the end, that's Courtney. She's another transfer. I honestly don't know shit about that girl. She's not an awful singer, but she's real quiet. Only time I've heard her sing by herself was when she auditioned, otherwise she just sings with the group. Seems nice enough".
"So that's everyone? We got five new members?"
"Yep".
"Well that's better than what I was expecting," Rachel admitted.
"I like Marley," Brittany joined now that Santana had finished, "her singing is pretty".
"Yeah?" Rachel smiled at the tall blonde, "Who else do you like Brittany?"
"Hmmm..." the blonde Cheerio gave it some thought. "I like Courtney, she's nice. She talks to me sometimes in Glee. Sam is nice too. I don't know Joe that much but I like him too".
"You like everyone Britt," Quinn chuckled.
"I'll be back in a minute," Rachel said as she started to stand up.
"Where you going Berry? We still got at least fifteen minutes before we gotta head to class".
"I'm coming back," Rachel defended herself, "I'm just going to step outside the cafeteria where it's a little quieter so I can call and check on Charlie".
"Hurry back," Quinn smiled.
"Ready for Glee Houdini?" Artie asked as he rolled up to Rachel's locker.
"I think so," Rachel replied as she shut her locker.
"Walk with me," Artie instructed as the pair made off towards the choir room.
"You're so weird," she laughed.
"Says the one that used to wear animal sweaters".
"Hey! They were cute!"
"The important thing is you believe that".
"Quiet you or I might push you into something or off something".
"You love me too much," he began to slow his pace, causing Rachel to slow down beside him, "Quinn keep you filled in on the new members?"
"Santana filled me on everyone at lunch. I think she's making it sound worse than it is".
"Probably. Except for Sugar".
"Is she really that bad?"
"Worse. I think Mr. Schue actually regrets his everybody gets in rule".
"Yikes!"
"Yeah," he stopped outside of the choir room, "it's good to have you back Houdini. I've missed you".
"Awww," Rachel bent over and hugged the boy she considered to be her best friend, "I've missed you too Artie".
"Fair warning Rach," he turned serious, "Sugar's probably gonna try get you to sing. Don't do anything you're not ready for ok? It's your first day back, no one expects you to sing".
"I know. All the more reason to do it," she smiled half-heartedly.
"Ok, I saw that. What was that all about?"
"I want to sing. I just...new members, and I'm out of practice and I'm not sure if I'm ready to share something with the new members when I don't know any of them yet. So while I want to sing I have no idea what to sing".
"I see...well, I know you and I know there's no way you don't sing to Charlie. Why not sing something you sing to her? Even if it's just a lullaby".
"What would I do without you?"
"You'd probably still be lost on a swing".
"Oh haha".
"You know I'm funny. C'mon, we should probably head in".
"We really should, we're already late".
The pair finally entered the room to find that everyone else had arrived through the other door to the room, including Mr. Schue. As Rachel and Artie took their seats Mr. Schue clapped his hands together grabbing everyone's attention.
"Right guys, I'm glad to see that everyone," his eyes glanced over at Rachel, "is here".
"You ok?" Quinn whispered to Rachel as she laced their fingers together, knowing that Glee club was the one place they'd always be safe.
"Yeah," Rachel squeezed her girlfriends hand reassuringly, "Artie was just giving me a heads up".
"I'm happy to say our family is complete again," Mr. Schuester continued, "and while she's more than familiar to most of you, there are a few of you who have yet to have the pleasure to meet our one and only Rachel Berry. It's good to have you back Rachel, I think everyone will agree with me when I say it's not been the same without you".
"Thanks Mr. Schue," she smiled.
"Mr. Schuester," a hand shot up.
"Yes Sugar," the exasperation was clear in the teachers voice.
"I think Rachel should sing," Sugar said smugly, "we've heard so many wonderful things about her over the last few weeks but we've never heard it for ourselves".
"I think maybe we should let Rachel settle back in first".
Rachel spoke up, "I don't mind Mr. Schue, I think I've missed enough practice for my voice to well rested".
"Are you sure Rachel?" he asked, genuinely concerned about the young woman doing too much too soon.
"I mean, as long as no one else minds".
"Go on Mr. Schue," Santana joined, "Berry probably needs the practice anyway," she offered Rachel a friendly smirk.
"Ok Rachel, if you're sure. The floor is all yours," Mr. Schue went and sat in an empty chair.
Rachel hurried over to Brad and the band players and whispered her song choice, checking that everyone knew the music for the song. She was grateful to discover that they all knew it. Of course they know it, how can they not know such an iconic song. Standing in front of the group Rachel shuffled nervously, this was her first performance since she'd had Charlie. As Brad and the band began to play the opening Rachel spoke, "I hope you guys like this as much as Charlie and Beth seem to," she smiled as Quinn knowing that the blonde would know exactly what she meant.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
As she sang she forgot about the Glee members watching her and thought of her daughter, the many times she had sung this to her. The love for her daughter carried through into the song without her even meaning for it to.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
One of her favourite memories was of her singing this song in Charlie's room while Quinn cradled Charlie in her arms, rocking back and forth in the chair and Rachel sat on the floor with Beth on lap.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
"And that right there," Artie said looking at each new member of the group, "is how it's done".
Author's note: Hi guys, you should all go thank my fiance that this chapter got finished and while you're at it check out her stories cos she's awesome!
I'm tired and can't thing of any questions right now, but that doesn't mean I'll think of some after sleep and add them on later. I just wanted to get this up before I went to bed.