Well, Well, Well, I see some of you are still alive and ready to join me on the rest of this magic carpet ride...LoL Cheesy, I know.
Read on babes, I'll annoy you on the other side ;)
Thoughts are in Italics.
I do not own Glee, but I'm pretty sure no one gives a shit anymore LoL
Santana's POV
Ten days. Ten long, miserable days. I've spent the last two hundred and forty hours of my life trying to talk to Quinn about what happened.
After she refused to talk to me when Jennifer finally left the apartment, I started waking up at ungodly hours to catch her before she left. When that didn't work, I started sleeping on the couch, but she never came home. I'm sure the number of times that I called and texted would definitely classify me as a stalker; I was minutes away from placing a restraining order against myself.
She wouldn't respond. I tried to tell her I was sorry. That I meant everything I had said to her. That I felt everything she had felt. That we could figure things out. That I wasn't in love with Jen. But nothing.
Regret is what consumed me as soon as I opened the door to see Jennifer standing there. Quinn opened up to me and let me know that we could exist as something more; That we had been existing as something more, just not together and Jen completely ruined that moment for us.
As soon as I found my voice, I had asked Jen to leave. I told her that she shouldn't have come and that I needed space. I shut the door behind her and went looking for Quinn.
I knocked, but there was no answer. "Quinn, can we please talk?" I knocked again still nothing. "Quinn, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was her." I figured I'd give her some time and maybe she would be ready to talk after a few hours. "Please Lucy Q. Te necesito." We couldn't go back to how things were. We needed to figure this out. We would make things right in the morning. Or maybe, we wouldn't.
"Hey San, you do know the whole point of celebrating Friendsgiving is to have a good time being thankful with friends and pigging out on delicious food as a pre-game to the real deal?" Brittany crashes through the Brunette's mental breakdown, joining her on the steps of the sorority house.
"Why are you out here sulking by yourself?" the blonde questions while taking a seat next to her friend.
"I'm sorry Britt-Britt. I don't even know why the hell I came to this thing. I hate this place. I hate that Jen decided we should have assigned seating. I mean come on, who does that?" The Latina continues to rant, "It's not a wedding reception, for the love of God. It's some lame attempt to get the sorority together before everyone shoves off to be with the people they really care about. Plus, I hate that there's like zero rice and beans to eat with that dry ass turkey and I just fucking hate that I'm even here!"
Brittany knows exactly why the brunette is truly upset.
"She's still not talking to you, huh?" the blonde questions, knowing the answer already. "She probably just needs some time to get her feelings together, San."
"She didn't even show up today, Britt. That's the only reason I came to this stupid shit." Santana finally looks at her friend, trying her best to not look and sound so vulnerable. "I thought that maybe she would be less likely to run with so many people around, but instead she'd rather not show up at all."
Brittany wants to tell her best friend everything she knows; The things that Tara and Ally have uncovered about her scuzzbucket girlfriend, but she promised not to disturb everyone's holiday and give them time to confront Jen.
"To be honest Sanny, I haven't seen much of her either. It's going to be ok, I promise." Brittany rubs soothing circles over Santana's back.
"Come back inside with me for thirty more minutes and then we'll head home. Your parents will be over for Thanksgiving tomorrow, so I was thinking we could prep some of the food tonight and watch whatever cheesy movie is on the hallmark channel."
"That sounds like a tempting plan Ms. Pierce, but if I go back in there with you, will you please stay by my side?"
The Latina thinks about how she has had to dodge Jenny for days and as soon as she walked into this Friendsgiving disaster, the brunette was all over her trying to talk and get answers.
"I really don't need Jennifer all up in my grill about what happened the other night or why I haven't called her."
Brittany tries her best to shield her face, as it contorts into a look of disdain.
"Ugh, she needs to stay the hell away from you, San."
The brunette doesn't miss the change in her best friend's tone, or demeanor for that matter.
"Protective much?" Santana questions with a cocked eyebrow.
"Of course, Sanny. I could care less about what Jen has to say to you." Brittany tries her hand at indifference instead. "Consider me your invisibility cloak."
Santana smiles for the first time in ten days. Leave it to her blue-eyed bestie to make her feel as though there is a shred of light at the end of this dark tunnel.
"You're better than some magical cloak Britt…You're my best friend."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~CM~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey strangers." Jennifer greets her friends as she makes it into the living room area of the sorority house.
"Hey, Jen." Allison and Tara both turn to face their once best friend.
"What are you guys so deep in conversation about?" Typically, the threesome would join in on conversations without hesitation, but Jen noticed the tension that filled the room as soon as she sat down.
"Oh, nothing." Allison replies, "Tara and I were just talking about Thanksgiving tomorrow."
"Oh yea, well I haven't seen much of you two lately. Everything ok?"
"Yea Jennifer, couldn't be better." Tara finally chimes in.
Jennifer believes her friends seem somewhat abrasive and keep giving her very short replies. Something is definitely up, but she puts on her poker face and decides to move on.
"Ohhh k. So, what are your big plans for turkey day?"
"Well, I'll be with Nate and his family for most of the day and then we'll be meeting up with Tara and Britt."
Jen tries to hide her jealousy, as no mention of including her and Santana was made.
"Wow, sounds like you've got it all planned out."
"How about you." The blonde questions, "What time is the grand Grayson dinner?" Allison tries her best not to roll her eyes as she speaks, but quickly loses the battle.
"It's at five, but I won't be attending this year." Jen states matter-of-factly.
Tara, who had been sitting in silence for most of the conversation, knows where Jennifer is heading with this and the anger that she had been harboring for her friend is starting to bubble.
She decides to question her friend further.
"You won't be attending? Are your parents feeling ok?"
"Yea, they're fine. I just figured Santana would want me to come meet her parents. Liam is going to have Quinn take my place this year at dinner."
And there it is. The plan that Nate had overheard is still happening. Allison can't hold it in anymore.
"Um, not to sound like a complete bitch, but what happened to the six-month rule about meeting parents?" The blonde doesn't really care if she sounds like a bitch. She's actually aiming for that title at the moment.
"Aren't you guys moving a little too fast for your own Grayson standards?"
"Well, um Liam wants Quinn to meet mom and dad and like I said, meeting Santana's family is more important to me."
"Did Santana ask you to come meet her folks?" The redhead takes her turn, eyes boring into Jen's as she continues her interrogation.
"Well not in so many words but she, we- had talked about how they would be in town for Thanksgiving."
"Was that before or after you barged into her apartment with your little random outpouring of I love you's?" Ally can't help herself. They've had enough and apparently so has Jen.
"Ok, what's up with you two? Why are you giving me the third degree?"
"Is that what we're doing Jenny?" Allison speaks in a condescending tone, "Are we giving you the third degree? Or are we simply trying to figure out what our dearest friend has up her sleeve…for the holiday of course."
"I feel like I'm having a conversation with Sherlock Holms and Watson instead of my two best friends."
"Hmmm, seems like you may be suffering from some type of guilty conscience. We're merely asking about your plans, just as you had asked about ours." The blonde is oozing with sarcasm and ready to destroy this whole act Jennifer is putting on.
"But I can give my detective synopsis if you'd like." She bats her eyes as she prepares to speak her mind.
"I don't think Quinn should be filling in for you with your parents. She and Liam have only been dating a couple of months and they know nothing about her. Furthermore, she's the one that will have to deal with the Grayson's wrath once their sweet princess doesn't show up for the family dinner but instead flees to spend the holiday with "a girlfriend" that she may or may not still have."
"Watson?" Allison looks to Tara, making sure to use the nickname that the brunette branded them with.
"Thank You, Sherlock." The redhead doesn't miss a beat as she accepts the invitation to provide her two cents on the matter.
"Frankly, I don't know that you should push yourself onto Santana knowing that her parents are in town. If you cared about her at all, you would know how much she has been looking forward to their visit. Also, with Quinn having to fill the Jennifer Grayson void with your family, she wouldn't be able to spend any quality time with the Lopez family, which Quinn has referred to as her own second family."
Jennifer sits in shock. Since when do her two best friends gang up on her? Why are they so upset and why do they give a damn about Quinn and her being around all of a sudden.
"Looks like the Grayson kids are doing whatever they can to get what they want." Allison breaks Jen from her thoughts.
"Liam gets to be the charmer as per usual and Jen, well Jen gets in good with the in-laws. After all, you have to make sure your prize is a hundred percent secure before you show her off to mommy and daddy, right?"
"We're really disappointed in you Jen." Tara looks at the sorority president, sadness filling her eyes as she speaks. "How long have we all been friends? Trust, loyalty, respect everything we've gone through together. We knew who you were, but now we have no clue who you've become."
"When you find Jenny Celeste Grayson, the girl who magically made the monster disappear from under Tara's bed when we were six. Or the one who gave Bradley Hunter a shiner for making fun of my braces in middle school. Or hey, maybe even the one who set the frogs free in biology class, let her know we're looking for her; When you find her, tell her she's missed."
"Wait, guys please." Jennifer desperately wants her friends to understand. To take side and support her no matter what.
"Don't be like this. I'm sorry ok. You have no idea the amount of pressure I'm under."
"Jen everyone has shit to deal with. We were raised with you, we get it. It doesn't give you the right to mess with people's lives for your own benefit." Tara finally stands, ready to walk away from the brunette she once thought of as a sister "Your excuses have run out."
With that, Allison and Tara start to walk away, leaving behind the girl they had grown up with. Jennifer remains silent, tears threatening to spill, as Ally speaks again.
"By the way, I'm much more of a Nancy Drew than a Sherlock Holms. My best friend Jenny would've known that though."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~CM~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Jen relax. Everything is going to be fine. Allison and Tara need to mind their own business."
"You should have heard them last night, Li. I don't think I've ever seen them so upset with me."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. Just stick to the plan and don't worry about your so-called friends."
"But what if they say something to Santana or Quinn?"
"They won't. They were just trying to guilt trip you into doing what they think is right. They don't walk in your shoes and should keep their opinions to themselves."
"We're in this together sis. I'm on my way to pick up Quinn from Rachel's place now. Get yourself together and get ready to meet your in-laws. Remember who you are Jenny. Nothing will stop a Grayson from getting who or what they want."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~CM~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Alright Rach I'm leaving. Liam just texted me that he's downstairs." Quinn grabs her coat off the rack and makes her way to the door.
"Hmm, that's different."
"What is?" The blonde questions.
She turns to see her friend sitting at the table with her fingers crossed as if making a proposition.
"Well call my crazy, but I remember a time when Liam would meet you at the door, give you a proper greeting, you know, all of the chivalrous things that you would go on and on about."
Quinn releases a heavy sigh. She's been staying with Rachel and Kurt for several days now and she doesn't want to have yet another conversation about where or with who her heart truly lies.
"You act as if he's honking the horn to get my attention Rachel."
"No, just an observation is all." The short woman states while skimming her fingertips along the top of the table.
"You know Quinn, I once lived with someone that was quite the charmer. They reminded me, in their own way of course, that I should have standards and taught me to fight hard for what I wanted and to never accept anything less than what I deserve."
The blonde can feel the migraine creeping in through her temples.
She let's out a humorless chuckle, knowing exactly who Rachel was referring to, but feeling like her own thoughts regarding the Latina's characteristics are so much more appropriate.
"You also lived with someone who was practically a gigolo, was terrible at decision making when it came to feelings in general and wouldn't know the first thing about real commitment."
"Quinn, you know that's not tr-"
"Save it Rach, I gotta go. You guys have fun tonight." She slides the door open, a sad smile now gracing her lips.
"Please let Maribel and Victor know that I miss them and that I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~CM~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Liam your house is beautiful." Quinn states, thinking about the house where she was raised. Most of the people in Lima would refer to her house as a mansion. She wondered what those same people would consider a home of this magnitude.
"All of the houses in the Hamptons look like this Luce. Plus, it's my parents' house, not mine…yet."
"I'm sure they don't all look exactly the same."
She gently touches the roman statue that is situated in the long foyer. It's as if she's walking through a museum.
"Your parents obviously enjoy the finer things in life."
Her boyfriend takes this opportunity to wrap his arms around her waist, their lips only separated by inches as he speaks.
"As do I. That's why I had to snatch you up before anyone else could."
"Is that so?" She replies with a mischievous grin.
"Mmhmm" Liam nods as he captures her lips in kiss, only stopping at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
"Mr. Grayson your parents are ready for you to join them. Hors d'oeuvres have been served in the grand room and dinner will follow shortly. Can I get you and Ms. Fabray anything? Perhaps a beverage?"
"Yes Harold, Romanee-Conti would work fine for us. Thank You."
"Right away Sir."
"Water would have been fine for me Liam."
"Oh come on Q Bear, when was the last time you had the chance to drink sixteen-thousand-dollar chardonnay?" Liam questions as they walk towards the area that Quinn believes to be the grand room.
"Plus, it will help ease your nerves."
"Who says I'm nervous?"
"You're meeting my parents for the first time. Aren't you the slightest bit worried about their perception of you?"
"I stopped worrying so much about what people thought of me after I gave Beth up for adoption. No matter how prim or proper I may act, people will still form their own opinions."
Liam brings them to an abrupt stop just before they enter the room.
"Shh, Quinn. Please don't bring that situation up tonight. I don't want my parents thinking I'm dating some sort of harlot."
The blonde's jaw drops. Did he just refer to me as a prostitute?
"I beg your pardon, what did you just call-"
"Son, so nice to finally get a glimpse of you. You've been quite the site for sore eyes these last few months."
Quinn straightens her posture a bit, taking in the similar features of the woman hugging her boyfriend.
"And this must be the very reason why." Liam's mother addresses the blonde.
"Mother this is Quinn Fabray, my, uh, my girlfriend."
The older woman's eyes examine her from top to bottom, a tight lipped smile plastered across her face.
"I see. Well it's a pleasure to meet you Quinn, is it?" She feigns memory loss as she extends a hand to the blonde.
"Yes, Mrs. Grayson." Quinn shakes her hand, already dreading the interaction and the night that awaits. "Nice to meet you as well."
An older version of Liam stands beside his mother, making his own analysis of the blonde but never having acknowledged her presence.
"Liam you never mentioned you had a girlfriend."
"I'm sorry dad. I was just waiting for the perfect time to introduce her."
"Understood." The older man firmly states, before finally speaking to the blonde.
"Hello, my name is Richard Grayson and this is my wife, Margaret."
Forgoing any additional pleasantries or lack thereof, he moves his attention back to his son.
"Liam may I have a word with you in the study?"
"But Richard dinner is almost served."
"Yes that's fine Margaret; we will join you and Ms. Fabray in a moment."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~CM~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So Quinn, Liam tells me that you're studying law at NYU. Very impressive."
The family and Quinn sit at the dinner table, Richard Grayson having taken the thrown at the head of the table.
"Thank you Mr. Grayson, I've always had a knack for winning arguments." Quinn cheekily replies, trying to lighten the mood.
Instead, she receives a shocked look from Liam, who is currently sitting next to her.
"She's kidding." He nervously chuckles. "My girl and her sense of humor."
"Surly she's no girl, Liam." Margaret chimes in, "Quinn seems to be quite…a woman."
"Yes mother, that she is. Intelligent, beautiful and soon to be very successful." Liam can see his father relax in his seat again.
"He also tells me that you've joined the Delta Pi sorority."
"Yes sir." The blonde decides that the only thing these people want is dry conversation, so that's what she'll give them.
"Oh, now that's an interesting bit of news." Margaret's eyes light up, the topic obviously having peaked her interest.
"Tell me Quinn, what do you think of our daughter Jennifer?"
"She's…" Lord, how to answer this loaded question? "I think she's…"
"Quinn and Jen are pretty close." Her boyfriend lies. "They're great friends actually and sometimes even make me feel like a third wheel."
"Hmm, I wasn't expecting that your sister would be able to keep a friend that has such high aspirations, when her own standards of career and life as a whole are pretty lack luster."
Margaret sips from her wine, not caring that she has practically belittled her absent daughter in front of someone she has just met.
"Mother please. Jenny is doing very well in school. She manages her workload and runs the entire Delta Pi chapter."
"Your mother is right son. Your sister continues to march to the beat of a different drum. As you can see, she's chosen to not attend Thanksgiving dinner with her own family. She shows very little concern or respect for us as her parents and the Grayson name."
Liam's mother nods in agreement.
"Jaqueline Andrews told me that she ran into Jennifer a few weeks ago, while visiting her daughter Heather at the Delta Pi house. Apparently, your sister has been frolicking around with some girl who Jackie described as being pretty rough around the edges."
Quinn had sat silently listening to her boyfriends parents, never thinking they would speak so badly about their own daughter.
Talking ill of Jen was one thing, but now they were treading on thin ice at the possible mention of Santana. No way were these people speaking of her Latina.
"Wait a minute, are you talking about Sa-" The blonde is cut off by her boyfriend.
"Sa-turday. Are you talking about Saturday? Because Quinn and I were at the sorority house looking for Jen and she wasn't even there."
"I'm not sure what day it was son, but Jaqueline certainly wouldn't lie. She said the girl had on a dress that was excessively tight for any formal dinner and that your sister was so busy flirting with the girl that she didn't even notice her and Heather enter the room."
Liam can see the fire in Quinn's eyes.
"It was probably just one of Jenny's friends mother." He knows how Quinn feels about Santana and wants to end this conversation immediately.
"I hope you are right. Your sister has a tendency to scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes selecting appropriate suiters. We are still waiting for this phase of gender preference to be over."
The blonde slams her hands down on the table, rising at a menacing pace.
"You know, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson, I do agree that your daughter Jennifer does leave a lot to be desired."
She glares at Margaret.
"However, you have absolutely no room to talk about the woman she is seeing. You've never seen her, you've never met her, and I pray to God you never do, because she is much more of a decent human being than the two of you. Your daughter should be thanking her lucky stars that she has a woman like Santana by her side."
The blonde pushes her seat aside and starts making her way towards the foyer where her purse and coat were housed in a closet.
"Oh and by the way," She turns to address the shocked yuppies before exiting the dining room, "One of Santana's best qualities is in the bedroom. I know she definitely had a lot to do with my gender preference between the sheets."
She feels heat rising throughout her body as she grabs her belongings.
Who the hell do they think they are?
"Quinn wait a minute. Come back here!" Liam rushes after her, beating her to the front door.
"I'm not going to sit there and be a part of your little performance Liam. I'm not going to act like the obedient little girlfriend while they talk about Santana. They don't know the first thing about her!"
"Right, here you go defending your tragic girl crush. I'm not blind Quinn." He grabs her wrist as she turns the nob of the front door.
"You're also not who I thought you were Liam. I started to see it, but of course, I kept thinking it was me. That I was the one with the problem. I'm done pretending."
"Listen Quinn, you can't just walk out on me in front of my parents like that."
She snatches her wrist from his hand.
"Watch me."
Mic Mutha Fuggin DROP!
Son of a bitch thought he was about to manhandle Q? Uh Uh Richie Bitch, not on my watch. LoL
See you next chapter...The Lopez Thanksgiving ;)