Summary: Shelby gets a call from school, and for once, it's not because Quinn is in trouble.
(Timeline: Late February 2011)
A/N: My Muse has been AWOL as of late and I've been sick for two weeks and counting. But this story wouldn't leave me alone...
Truth be told, "story" might be too strong a word. It's a moment in what has become my comfort zone. I wrote it because I've been sad and sick and needed something sweet and wholesome. If I'm lucky, it'll tick some of those boxes for you, too.
A Call From School
Shelby Corcoran had finished all three of her morning singing lessons and was just heading upstairs to figure out what she wanted for lunch when her phone rang. Fishing it from her back pocket, she groaned when she saw 'William McKinley High School' flash across the screen. She'd gotten this particular call three times before, once from a teacher and twice from the Principal's Office. But every time had amounted to the same: Quinn was In Trouble.
With a growing sense of dread and wondering what Quinn had gotten up to this time, Shelby answered the call.
"Hello. May I speak to Ms. Corcoran?" a female voice greeted from the other end. Shelby noted she sounded younger than the principal's secretary (and much more personable).
"Yes, speaking," Shelby answered.
"Oh, good. Hi, Ms. Corcoran, how are you today?" the woman asked.
"I'm doing well, thank you. And yourself?" Shelby's unease grew despite the pleasantries.
"I'm good, thanks for asking," the caller replied. "I'm calling in regards to Quinn, Ms. Corcoran—"
'Here it is,' thought Shelby with a forlorn sigh.
"She's with me here in the Nurse's Office—"
Shelby's eyebrows shot up in surprise and she breathed a sigh of relief as her heart rate calmed. Quinn wasn't in trouble.
"Her second period teacher sent her to me because she had her head down on the desk—Quinn said she wasn't sleeping, just that she's got a bad headache. I checked her temperature and she's currently at 99.8—not technically a fever, but not far off. At 100.1, it's an automatic call to be sent home. She insists she's fine and wants to go back to class but I told her we'd have to call you and see what you thought."
"Can I talk to her, please?"
"Sure thing!" came the chipper reply. Shelby could hear shuffling as the receiver was passed to her daughter, then a low sigh from the girl.
"Hey, baby. Not feeling well?" Shelby said in way of greeting.
"I'm fine, Mama. I told the nurse she didn't need to bother you. It's just a headache. I can go back to class," Quinn answered. Despite the petulant tone, Shelby could hear the raspiness in Quinn's voice. She'd bet good money the girl's throat was killing her.
"Honey, I can tell you don't feel good just by listening to you. And, for the record, anything that has to do with you isn't a bother, Little Miss," Shelby said, and she could practically hear Quinn's eye roll through the phone. She shook her head. "I'm coming to get you."
"No! Mama, I'm fine!" Quinn asserted (a bit too aggressively, if the resulting coughing fit was anything to go off of). "I'm…probably starting a cold," the girl relented when she finally caught her breath. "But that's no reason to leave school over or—You're busy. You said today's one of your busiest days this week with lessons. I don't need you to—"
"Quinnie, you're clearly coming down with something. You don't feel good. I'm coming to get you," Shelby reiterated, her tone gentle.
"But Mama—"
"Put the nurse back on, baby. I love you. I'll be there soon." Shelby heard Quinn sigh but did as she was told.
The remaining talk with the nurse was brief. Shelby was already in her car by the time she ended the call. Then she was off to collect her sick little girl and bring her home.
oOo
Quinn groaned as she lay back on one of the rock hard 'beds' in the nurse's office. Still, as she shut her eyes and then covered them in the crook of her elbow, she couldn't deny that it felt nice to rest. Her head was pounding—had been since she'd woken up this morning. And no amount of coffee or medicine had helped it. The persistent little tickle in the back of her throat started up just as the first period bell rang, and by her second block, she felt as if she was swallowing razor blades.
She'd been the first to arrive to Calculus and took advantage of the free moment to bury her aching head in folded arms atop her desk. She'd only meant to rest for a minute or two while her classmates filed in, but the next thing she knew, Mr. Larkin was tapping her on the shoulder. The hard lines on his face softened as he got a good look at her and she was sent off to the nurse without further comment.
The young nurse had been far too bubbly for Quinn's liking, bustling about her as she checked her vitals and asked Quinn about her symptoms.
"I just have a really bad headache. Can I get some Tylenol so I can get back to class?" Quinn had asked.
"Your temp is elevated, so I think it's more than just a headache, Quinn," the nurse had answered. "I think we should call your mom. Hang tight for me."
Quinn had tried to argue that they didn't need to call Shelby—the woman was busy. But the nurse wasn't to be dissuaded and soon enough, she was exchanging pleasantries with a no-doubt baffled Shelby.
The phone had soon been passed off to her and Quinn hadn't had any better luck convincing her mama that she was fine. And she was fine. So she had a headache…and her throat was fast becoming raw. She could feel the congestion building in her sinuses and she'd started to cough. Okay, maybe she had a cold—but that was still not reason to make a nuisance of herself for Shelby!
Quinn sighed and cleared her throat, which triggered a deep, hacking cough. The razor blades cut deep and Quinn gagged at the irritation, scrambling into an upright position. Her head swam at the sudden shift and she all but fell off the bed in her haste to grab her water bottle. Unscrewing the cap, she took a few slow, small sips as she willed her breathing under control. Her throat thrummed with stabbing pain and Quinn swallowed instinctively. Another dry heave hit her and she shivered as it passed. She couldn't stop the whimper that escaped her lips, or the sudden longing for her mama.
She'd no sooner had that thought than Shelby appeared, sweeping back the curtain to Quinn's makeshift 'room'. The fluorescent lights hit the woman's head, bathing her in a bright glow—an angel come to save her.
One brief look was all it took for Shelby to know her baby was well and truly sick. In two steps, she was at her daughter's side, brushing back fly-away hair from her forehead. Her hand lingered a moment, feeling the steady heat creeping in. She didn't miss the way Quinn's eyes closed as she leaned into her touch.
"C'mon, baby. Let's get you home and into bed," Shelby murmured.
oOo
Unlocking the garage door back at the house, Shelby let Quinn go in before her. They made quick work of their shoes and coats and then Shelby steered the teenager upstairs.
"Are you hungry at all?" Shelby asked as they entered the kitchen. Quinn groaned and shook her head. "Okay, honey. Then why don't you head upstairs and change into some pajamas? I'll be up in a minute." She turned the girl towards the staircase, sending her on her way with several light pats.
Quinn went without a fuss. She really was starting to feel awful. Cold and achy now, she was looking forward to getting into her favorite over-large Carmel t-shirt she'd swiped months ago from Shelby and crawling into bed.
The teenager's breathing was ragged by the time she'd finished stripping out of her Cheerios uniform, not bothering to pick it up from where it'd landed on the floor. She shivered as she unhooked her bra and tossed that aside as well. Crossing over to her bed, she then searched the tangled blankets for the t-shirt she'd left there that morning. She'd just finished getting her arms through the sleeves when a small rap on her door announced Shelby's arrival.
"Come—Come in," Quinn managed to choke out before she devolved into another coughing fit.
The door opened and Shelby bustled in. "Oh, Quinnie," the woman cooed. She twisted the cap on the bottle of water she'd brought and handed it over for Quinn to drink, rubbing her hand up and down the girl's back in comfort.
The cold liquid felt good on Quinn's sore throat and quieted her cough for the moment. She handed the water back to her mama and then allowed herself to be ushered over to her bed. Quinn climbed in and was just starting to lie down when Shelby stopped her. She couldn't stop the pout that formed as she looked up to see her mother brandishing an ear thermometer.
"Just real quick," Shelby preempted any protest, already reaching to snag Quinn's ear in a gentle pinch. The thermometer was in and out within seconds, trilling out three quick beeps to alert to a fever. Shelby let go of her child's ear and then turned her attention to the digital read-out on the thermometer's screen—101.2.
"Well, you'll be home with me tomorrow, too, kiddo," she commented as she wiped the device's tip against her pants' leg and then set it down on the nightstand. She grabbed up the bottle of Motrin she'd brought in with her and quickly shook out two tablets. She passed them and Quinn's water to the girl and waited for her to take them. Once that was done, Shelby replaced the water bottle on the table and turned her attention to Quinn's ponytail. Deft fingers worked the black elastic band from blonde hair, sending a wave of golden silk cascading down the teen's shoulders.
Quinn sighed and closed her eyes as Shelby ran her fingers through her hair and scratched lightly at her scalp. She hummed and leaned into her mother's touch as the light scratches turned to gentle massage.
When Quinn's head grew heavy and began to lull, Shelby stopped, earning a low whine and angry pout from the girl. The mother bit her lip to keep from smiling as blurry eyes blinked up at her.
"Lay down, sweetheart," Shelby murmured, nudging Quinn's shoulder. The girl complied and Shelby drew the blankets up just the way Quinn liked them. "Do you want me to lay with you until you fall asleep?" she asked as she smoothed the covers over the girl.
Surprised eyes darted to hers and Shelby could see the longing reflected there. She also saw the exact moment resignation clouded them. Quinn shook her head.
"I'm not a baby," the teenager declared. Shelby saw right through the gruff exterior to her hurting little girl underneath. She let out a small sigh as she sank down beside her child, smoothing the hair back from Quinn's flushed face.
"Well you're my baby," Shelby said as she ran her fingers across Quinn's forehead. The girl's eyes fluttered and she inhaled a deep breath. It was the same sort of thing Beth would do whenever she was fighting sleep and losing the battle. And like Beth, Quinn wasn't going down without a last hurrah. Hazel eyes snapped open and the teenager shook her head more fiercely this time.
"I'll get you—oohoo—sick." Quinn whimpered and reached up to hold her head where it now throbbed.
"Oh honey," Shelby cooed, her own hand moving to replace her daughter's. She rolled her thumb over the girl's temple, earning a low groan of relief from the teen. "Beth's coughed and sneezed straight in my face more times than I can count at this point. And I've survived all of that."
"But you've got lessons," Quinn continued stubbornly. Shelby shook her head.
"Yes, at 1—it's barely 11:30. I have time." Bringing her legs up, Shelby shifted down, getting comfortable next to Quinn. Rolling to her side, her hand immediately went back to rubbing a blonde head.
"But I don't need you to…" Quinn's words came out soft and slow and ended in a huge yawn. The girl's eyes fluttered, the span between her opening them growing longer every time.
"You may not need me to, but there's nothing wrong with wanting it, sweet girl," Shelby whispered, her fingers continuing their lazy scratching. Quinn breathed in deeply, her body relaxing further into the mattress. Shelby watched her child drift off, remaining with her until she was sure Quinn was out. Easing from the bed, she crept from the room on silent feet. Shutting the door with a soft click, Shelby made her way downstairs. She had her own phone call to make.
oOo
When Quinn woke some time later, it felt as if she'd slept for decades. Afternoon sunlight streamed in through her windows and Quinn yawned and rubbed at sleep-crusted eyes as she regained full consciousness. Rolling over, she fumbled for the digital clock on her nightstand and was surprised at the time. 2:30—That would mean she'd been asleep for close to three hours!
Sitting up, the girl took stock of herself. Her head felt heavy and foggy, but was no longer throbbing. There was a dull ache running through her entire body and her throat was definitely sore. But overall, she felt better than she had before her nap.
Her stomach chose that moment to remind her that she hadn't eaten since 6-something that morning. It was time to venture downstairs and find some food. Untangling herself from the sheets with a groan, Quinn clambered from her bed and made her way to the bathroom on wobbly legs.
When she reentered her bedroom several minutes later, she made a beeline for her closet, picking out a pair of sweatpants and some socks. Once dressed, Quinn headed for the stairs, taking an unexpected detour into her mother's room to snag one of Shelby's crewneck sweatshirts she loved so much. The woman had offered to just give Quinn one or two of them for good, like she had her old Carmel t-shirts, but Quinn had refused. She liked that the sweatshirts always smelled like Shelby in a way the t-shirts just didn't anymore. It was like being wrapped up in a warm, invisible hug, surrounded by the whispers of her mama's love.
The main floor was quiet as Quinn descended the stairs. Assuming Shelby was still busy with a vocal lesson, the girl headed straight for the refrigerator. She poured herself a glass of apple juice, drinking nearly half of it before she'd even set the jug down. It felt wonderful against her sore, scratchy throat. She quickly refilled her drink, setting her glass on the counter, and then returned the juice jug to its shelf inside the refrigerator door. Now, she just had to decide what she wanted to eat.
She'd settled on toast with butter and grape jelly, eating it at the kitchen island before padding into the living room and curling up on the sofa. She flicked through the channels, watching as flashes of trashy daytime tv passed in a blur. She caught glimpses of old westerns and reruns of I Love Lucy and The Brady Bunch. She slowed as she got to the channels that interested her, catching a few minutes of House Hunters and then Chopped. Her search ended when she flipped again and the Friends theme song came on.
Quinn lost herself in the episode where Rachel and Monica fight over who gets to go on a date with the G. -looking muscle-man and Chandler dates an old classmate played by Julia Roberts. It was one of her favorite episodes and never failed to make her laugh. This time was no exception and Quinn soon found herself gasping for air as she tried to catch her breath after a particularly nasty bout of coughing. Reaching for her glass on the coffee table, she drained the last of her juice.
A commercial came on, and Quinn decided now was as good a time as any to get a refill. She'd only just stood up with her empty glass when she heard a car door shut outside. Curiosity getting the better of her, the teenager hurried to the bay window to look out. Eyebrows raising in surprise, she watched Shelby's father shuffle to his open trunk and grab out two large paper bags. It was when the man started heading for the front steps that Quinn got herself in gear.
Jacob Corcoran was just fumbling with his keys to let himself in when the door opened to reveal his granddaughter. Surprise gave way to delight as he eased past her into the house. "Well hello there, sweetheart! I wasn't expecting you to be up and about."
"Zayde! What are you doing here?" Quinn asked as she reached out to take one of the bags from the man. He ignored her, carrying them through to the kitchen.
"Your mama called earlier and told me you were sent home sick and asked if I wouldn't mind picking up a few things from the supermarket. I tried to time it so I'd get here as her last lesson was ending. I'm a few minutes early, it seems."
Zayde bustled about, unpacking the groceries and setting the items out on the counter. Quinn tried to help but was ushered over to the nearest stool and told to sit. She obeyed, watching in stunned silence as more and more items came out of those two paper bags. She was reminded of the carpet bag in Mary Poppins.
In the first bag, there were two jugs of juice, three family-size packs of cough drops, and what looked like half the pharmacy's supply of cold medicines for both day and night.
The second bag held even more. Quinn watched as her adopted grandfather pulled out carrots and celery, a yellow onion, chicken broth, a packet of chicken breasts, and a bag of egg noodles. Next came crackers and applesauce and bananas. A box of apple cider drink mix joined the growing pile, along with some honey and lemon tea.
Just when Quinn thought there couldn't possibly be any more items hidden in those bags, Zayde pulled out one more thing—rainbow sherbert. He gave Quinn a little wink as he put it away in the freezer. "It's a little known fact, but sore throats don't stand a chance against rainbow sherbert."
"It's true, you know. Science."
Quinn wasn't expecting the voice from behind her and jumped, nearly falling off of her stool in the process. Hands grabbed her and steadied her, and Quinn's heartbeat began to slow as she breathed in her mother's scent.
"I didn't mean to scare you, honey," Shelby said, rubbing circles on Quinn's back. She felt the girl's weight shift as she leaned back, and Shelby adjusted accordingly, wrapping her right arm over and around her daughter's shoulders. Her left hand went to Quinn's forehead. "Oh, you're nice and cool," she commented, placing a kiss to the top of a messy mop of hair. "How are you feeling?"
"Better than I was before," Quinn said, her jaw cracking as a sudden, wide yawn overcame her. Her eyes watered as it ended and she rubbed at them with closed fists.
"Looks like it's time for someone to head on back to bed," Zayde observed as he dug out a large skillet and soup pot from the island cabinets. "I'll get started on the chicken, Shel. When Quinn's settled, come help me with the veggies, will you?"
"Sure, Dad. C'mon, Quinnie—" Shelby's hands snuck beneath Quinn's underarms, lifting her up from the stool with ease. "—let's get you snuggled up."
"I don't want to go back to bed," Quinn whined. "I just woke up. I'm not tired." A second big yawn escaped saying otherwise and Quinn grumbled under Shelby's placating pats moving her along.
"You don't have to go back to bed, but I want you to rest. Lay down on the sofa now," Shelby directed, her hand continuing its steady encouragement. Quinn huffed and fussed, but didn't fight Shelby as she was forced to sit. Shelby made quick work of fluffing and then stacking a few throw pillows, nudging Quinn's shoulder until the girl rested her head against them. Quinn yawned again, a deep pout forming on her lips as she caught sight of Shelby's knowing gaze. Shelby just shook her head with an amused smile and grabbed the folded blanket that lay draped over the back of the sofa. Fanning the blanket out over the teenager, Shelby bent down to press a kiss to Quinn's forehead, brushing the hair back from her face as she pulled away.
"Stay here and rest. Here's the remote. I'll be back in a few minutes with something warm to drink."
"You'll make me too hot," Quinn whined and kicked the blanket down, tossing one leg out from under it. "I'm already getting hot." The girl huffed and gave a feeble cough as she tried to get her other leg out. Her efforts brought on more coughing, a deep, hacking fit that angered her throat and made her gag. And she didn't even free herself from the blanket! All she'd done was tangle herself up in the thing!
Shelby jumped into action, pulling Quinn upright and untangling her all in one quick move. The poor girl was still coughing, her body shaking as she desperately tried to catch her breath. Gagging again, Quinn clawed at Shelby, eyes wide with panic and brimming with tears.
"Oh, baby. Hang on. Let me get you some—"
"Here. Here's some water!" Shelby's father appeared at her side then, thrusting a glass of water out to her. Shelby took it and immediately brought it to Quinn's lips. Water sloshed and spilled down the front of the teen's shirt, but neither cared as Shelby helped Quinn to drink.
"That's it, baby. Easy does it. Small sips." Quinn focused on her mama's hushed tones, letting the woman's calm presence settle her own racing heart. The water helped too.
Shelby let out a relieved sigh as Quinn's coughing quieted and the girl's breathing returned to normal. Well, mostly normal. Shelby could hear the congestion settling in the girl's chest.
"That's a nasty cough you've got there, sweetheart," Jacob said, drawing two pairs of hazel eyes to him. He held up a dosing cup of red liquid as he approached the pair. He'd been able to slip away, measure out cough medicine, and return before either of them had realized he had gone (or perhaps remembered he had been there in the first place).
Shelby gave her dad a grateful smile as she took the medicine cup and turned back to her child. "Take this, baby. It'll help that cough."
Quinn grimaced as she took the little cup. Deciding a second of gross medicine was worth it if it stopped her cough for a while, the girl knocked the nasty shot back. Shelby was ready and waiting, exchanging the dosing cup with the glass of water. The girl took a big gulp, diluting the taste of the "cherry" medicine, and handed the glass back with a tired sigh. She was rewarded with fingers running through her hair and a quick kiss to her head.
"Mama—" Quinn's voice came out weak and shaky, and she met the woman's eyes with tearful ones of her own. "—I really don't feel good."
"Aw, baby," Shelby cooed, slipping in next to Quinn on the sofa. She wrapped her arm around the girl, drawing her into her body. Quinn melted against her, nuzzling her head into Shelby's neck. Shelby kissed her and ran her fingers through blonde hair. "Mama's right here, sweet girl. I'm not going anywhere. Rest now."
Jacob watched the sweet moment with warm eyes, then crept back into the kitchen undetected.