Author's Note: Ficlet set after The Only Place I Wanna Be and before The Heart Is A Bloom.
With A Gentle Touch and A Foolish Love
I could be the one to give you all I am
With a gentle touch and a foolish love
~Sleep Baby Sleep, Broods
Rachel is in the middle of accepting her Tony for her brilliant portrayal of Fanny Brice from Barbra herself when the ground beneath her feet begins to quake—except it isn't the ground at all. It's a persistent hand gripping her shoulder, shaking her off balance, and Rachel whimpers as her beautiful dream evaporates into an urgently whispered, "Wake up, Rach."
Groaning, Rachel blinks away the sleep from her eyes to see a gorgeous face hovering over her in the darkness of the room. "Wh' time's'it?" she mumbles, turning her head to squint at the clock.
"Early," Quinn quietly replies just as Rachel registers the four-thirty taunting her from the nightstand.
"I thought I was supposed to the early riser in this relationship," she mutters sleepily, lifting a hand to shield her eyes from the harsh light of the lamp that Quinn has just clicked on.
"You are," Quinn assures her with a grin from her perch on the edge of their bed. "But it's Easter, and there's a sunrise service in the park that I'd like to attend."
Rachel frowns at her girlfriend. "And you're waking me up because…?"
Quinn rolls her eyes. "I want you to come with me."
"You do remember I'm Jewish?" Rachel challenges cheekily.
"Your dad's Episcopalian," Quinn needlessly reminds her, "and I know you've attended Easter services before."
"A few times," Rachel admits, finally pushing herself into a semi-upright position on her elbows. While it's true that her dads had primarily raised her in the Jewish faith, she'd grown up with more than a few Christian traditions mixed in here and there. The Easter basket had been fun right up until the moment Rachel had realized that most of her favorite candies aren't vegan.
"So you're coming with me this morning," Quinn commands eagerly, poking at Rachel's hip.
Rachel swats her hand away with a smile. "I suppose I can. It's only fair after you went to all the trouble of preparing the Seder for us on Friday night."
She really hadn't been expecting Quinn to observe any part of Passover with her. Honestly, Rachel doesn't even observe it in the strictest sense. Her vegan lifestyle plus her lack of cooking skills makes staying kosher during the holiday something of a challenge if she doesn't want to live on matzah and salad alone—and she really doesn't. Unless she's celebrating Passover with her dads, Rachel mostly just attends synagogue, rushes through one poor, subpar Seder (that she hadn't even bothered to attempt last year thanks to her performances in West Side Story), and goes on with business as usual. But her perfect, extraordinary girlfriend had actually spent time learning to prepare a vegan-friendly Seder just for Rachel.
Quinn blushes adorably. "I'm just glad I didn't have to impress anyone but you."
Rachel sits all the way up, smiling adoringly at Quinn. "It was an amazing first attempt," she praises, earning a bashful grin. "For a shiksa," she adds playfully, leaning in with the purpose of bestowing a kiss that's part gratitude and part good-morning-baby-I-love-you, but she ends up missing her intended target when Quinn turns her head at the last second and presents her cheek instead.
Rachel pulls back with a mild frown, a little miffed at being denied, before a horrifying thought occurs to her, and she quickly lifts a hand to her mouth to check her breath—which is not exactly fresh and minty. Quinn giggles at the action, and Rachel feels her face flush with embarrassment. "I should probably brush my teeth, huh?"
"It wouldn't hurt," Quinn acknowledges with a comforting pat on her leg before she stands up. "You can have the first shower while I make breakfast."
"Or you could just shower with me," Rachel suggests with her best come-hither expression. "After we brush our teeth, of course," she amends after a beat, immediately realizing that she's just cancelled out any bit of sexiness that she might have managed to convey.
Quinn's laughter more or less validates that, as does the easy way she says, "Not today, sweetie," before gliding out of the room.
With a sigh, Rachel shuffles out of bed and pads to the bathroom. After thoroughly brushing her teeth, she hops into the shower, careful not to linger too long. If they're heading to the park for a sunrise service, they'll need to allow enough time to get there. Rachel can't say that she's all that excited to be going. Aside from the fact that she's not Christian, the spring weather thus far hasn't been entirely spring-like, and even though the forecast claims that the temperature will reach the mid-sixties today, it won't get there until sometime this afternoon, and the morning promises to start out chilly. At least the last of the snow from the four nor'easters they'd been pummeled with in the past month has finally melted.
When she exits the bathroom, Quinn is right there waiting to take her own shower. "The dress code is casual, so pick something warm," she advises with a grin. "Coffee is ready and breakfast is in the fridge. I put together some fresh fruit to keep you kosher."
Touched by the small gesture, Rachel murmurs an appreciative, "Thank you, baby," and curls her hand around Quinn's wrist, aiming for that good-morning kiss now that she's suitably minty, but Quinn once again redirects her to a cheek.
"You're welcome. Now get dressed," she orders, gently nudging Rachel in the direction of their bedroom before she disappears into the bathroom behind a firm click of the door.
Rachel is left staring after her dumbfounded, wondering if she should read anything into Quinn's avoidance of her kiss. She supposes it's possible that Quinn merely wants to brush her own teeth first, but that's really never stopped them before. They keep mints in the nightstand drawer solely for the purpose of enjoying certain morning activities whenever the mood strikes them.
Finding it odd but otherwise lacking any evidence of a potential problem, Rachel shrugs and returns to the bedroom to get dressed. She chooses a nice pair of brown corduroy slacks in place of a skirt—she doesn't want to be shivering through Quinn's service—and a warm sweater, puts on some light makeup, and brushes out her hair. Then she heads to the kitchen to collect her breakfast and a cup of coffee to help her finish waking up.
It's not long before Quinn joins her, looking casually stylish in form-fitting black slacks, boots, and a lacy, white blouse. "Well, now I feel underdressed," Rachel mutters, taking in the vision before her.
"You look fine," Quinn assures her with a warm smile, reaching for her hand. "Are you ready? The service starts at six-thirty. We don't want to be late."
And with that, they're off to the park—after making sure to bundle up in their coats and grab a couple of hats that can't exactly pass for Easter bonnets.
There are a number of people already out and about, dressed in their Easter finery and undoubtedly off to early church services of their own before they indulge in the more commercial aspects of the holiday—like egg hunts and chocolate bunnies. The annual Easter parade won't begin until ten o'clock, and Rachel thinks that maybe she and Quinn might be able to attend for an hour or two this year before Santana and Kurt join them for dinner. Being Jewish doesn't stop Rachel from enjoying the spectacle of over-the-top Easter bonnets and outfits put on display all along Fifth Avenue any more than being an atheist stops Kurt from enjoying the Easter ham.
They arrive at the park with time to spare along with a crowd of other people gathering next to the turtle pond, some of them setting down blankets or folding chairs and others just standing around the temporary pulpit, and Rachel is a little surprised by just how many people have shown up before the break of dawn for an outdoor service on a still wintry morning. They find a spot near the back with Belvedere Castle behind them, and she tucks her hand inside of Quinn's and listens to the pastor wax poetic about the resurrection while she watches the beautiful sunrise over the trees and lets her girlfriend reaffirm her faith.
The service lasts exactly one hour, and then there's a mass exodus from the makeshift chapel when everyone rushes off to continue on with their own Easter plans. Rachel and Quinn take their time—in no particular hurry to be anywhere today but together.
Rachel's hand is warm inside of Quinn's despite the chill in the air, and Rachel turns to study her girlfriend's serene face. "That was a nice service," she comments, breaking the comfortable silence between them. It certainly didn't make Rachel question her own faith or feel any sudden urge to convert to Christianity, but the pastor had been charismatic enough with a musical voice and an engaging knack for storytelling. She hadn't been bored.
"It was," Quinn agrees, squeezing Rachel's hand as she sends a grateful smile her way. "Thank you for coming with me."
Rachel nods. "I know your faith is important to you." Quinn had abandoned the strict Catholic doctrine she'd been raised on years ago in favor of a more accepting church, and while she's nearly as inconsistent with her attendance as Rachel is with synagogue, her belief in God has never waned. She just tends to observe her faith in quieter ways now.
"It is important," Quinn confirms, slowing her steps until she effectively stops them and pulls them off the pathway. Rachel gazes at her in bewilderment at the sudden somber shift in her mood. "In fact, I've been thinking a lot more about that lately. About how…lax I've been in the last few years, and I want that to change," she announces, grasping both of Rachel's hands between her own. "I need to recommit myself to God."
Something about the way she says it strikes Rachel as funny, though she manages not to laugh. She does, however, feel a grin pulling at her lips. "As long as you don't join a nunnery," she jokes, expecting Quinn to laugh and roll her eyes and dismiss that as an impossibility. None of those things happen, however, and Quinn's expression remains completely serious—her lower lip caught between her teeth in silent contemplation. Rachel's smile slips. "You're not joining a nunnery, are you?"
"No," Quinn finally assures her. "But…I need to start attending mass regularly, and I might look into joining some sort of Christian group. I really miss being a member of Christ Crusaders and Chastity Club."
Rachel does laugh at that—she really can't help it when she recalls some of the decidedly unchaste things they've done together—but Quinn isn't laughing. In fact, she's scowling in a way that reminds Rachel a little too much of the Chastity Club president she used to be.
"Do you find something funny about that?" Quinn demands sharply, dropping Rachel's hands and crossing her arms.
Rachel presses her lips together, uncomfortably shifting her weight from foot to foot under Quinn's intense gaze. "I certainly have nothing against you becoming more involved with your church if that's what you want," she promises, meaning every word, "but…well, Quinn…as much as you enjoy teasing me with your old Chastity Club motto, you're not exactly chaste these days," she points out with a hesitant smile.
Quinn's posture relaxes slightly. "I know that, Rachel," she enunciates slowly. "That's why I need to make some changes."
"But not that," Rachel verifies on a nervous laugh. Once again, Quinn's expression remains stubbornly sober. "You're not changing that," she repeats doggedly, cringing at the trace of hysteria she hears slipping into her voice.
"Abstinence will bring us both closer to salvation."
Rachel's mouth falls open on a soft gasp, unable to comprehend what she's hearing. Quinn's features remain unflinchingly resolute, and Rachel feels like she's been flung back to high school, facing down the untouchable virgin who'd made her boyfriend stop kissing her so they could pray—well, before Puckerman had lowered her inhibitions with alcohol and empty flattery.
"But…you love sex," Rachel exclaims. She loves sex! Especially sex with Quinn. Sex without Quinn is just not a desirable option for her now that she's experienced enlightenment. This is not supposed to be happening at this stage of their relationship—at any stage of their relationship! They just moved in together, for Barbra's sake!
"Keep your voice down," Quinn hisses, hazel eyes darting all around them to make sure no one overheard Rachel's outburst before she primly declares, "I love Jesus more." She reaches for Rachel's hands again—which are currently hanging limply at her sides—and clasps them tightly. "And if you love me, you'll agree to be chaste with me."
"You've got to be kidding me," Rachel mutters sullenly, not liking this proposition one little bit.
Quinn's lips twitch slightly. "I am, actually," she informs Rachel before her mouth curves into a smug smile. "April Fools, Rach."
Rachel stares at her in confusion, still not understanding. "What?"
"April Fools," Quinn repeats, giggling as she lets go of Rachel's hands. "It's the first of April. You've been pranked." Then she dissolves into laughter, presumably at the expression on Rachel's face.
"You pranked me?" Rachel asks incredulously, still feeling extremely confused even as Quinn nods exuberantly. "With your religion?" Another nod; barely suppressed laughter; glittering eyes. "On Easter?"
"It's weird that it fell on April Fool's Day this year," Quinn muses, having managed to rein in her laughter but looking no less amused with herself. "I wonder how many kids are getting empty Easter baskets or vegetables instead of candy today."
Rachel wonders how she failed to even make the connection between today's date and that horrible faux holiday that serves as an excuse for jokers and mischief-makers to run wild. "I can't believe you pranked me." She shakes her head in disbelief, having never expected this from Quinn. "You don't even have a sense of humor."
"Hey," Quinn huffs indignantly, poking at Rachel's side until she's the one giggling. "Just for that…I'm really not having sex with you again."
Rachel grabs her girlfriend's hand, entwining their fingers and tugging her closer. "I'm kidding, baby," she appeases, not willing to let Quinn's idle threat go unattended. "You have a wonderful sense of humor."
"And I fooled you," Quinn boasts proudly, leaning closer.
"You did," Rachel admits, laughing at her own gullibility but more relieved that Quinn had actually been kidding about the no sex thing. "But I forgive you." She rocks up on her toes to claim a conciliatory kiss but once again ends up feeling her lips pressed to Quinn's cheek instead of that smirking mouth, so she pulls back with a scowl. "This cheek thing better be part of your little prank, Quinn Fabray."
Quinn laughs in delight. "Kind of," she reveals with twinkling eyes, "but you really did need to brush first this morning, sweetie."
Rachel feels her face heat, but she ignores her embarrassment and twists her fingers into the collar of Quinn's coat. "So what's stopping you now?" she demands.
"Absolutely nothing," Quinn confesses before finally giving Rachel the kiss that she's been after all morning, and Rachel knows without a doubt that there will be no recommitting to any vows of chastity for either one of them. Quinn won't fool her again.