It didn't take long for the three girls to find their routine: Rachel had Sundays and Mondays off as the theatre was closed and was generally around during the day as her matinee shows had tapered off due to her pregnancy, so she was around those days and it was on these days that Quinn would get the bulk of her workload done and go to meetings that couldn't be done over Zoom. Rachel and Beth had a lovely relationship, gossiping like sisters and tracking their pregnancies. Beth was almost at fourteen weeks and Rachel was coming up for twenty two, meaning they were going to their gender scan pretty soon. Rachel had a noticeable bump now and was counting down to her final week of performances until she could go off on maternity leave for eight months or so. Beth, although not showing quite as much, had noticed that her usually flat stomach was slightly more rounded and her clothes were becoming a little tighter.
Quinn meanwhile worked from home from Wednesday until Saturday, doing paperwork and scheduling court appearances. She rarely actually ended up having to be in court, she was able to give that privilege to some of her fellow lawyers, and she found that she actually preferred working this way as it gave her more time in her day and less stress.
Beth had adapted surprisingly well to the lifestyle of her mothers. She usually woke up around seven but had started going into Quinn and Rachel's room and having tea and coffee with them in the morning, and this was actually her favourite part of the day. Then she would shower and get dressed while Quinn started working, and depending on if Rachel was home or not, they would hang out or go out on walks, or go to each other's doctors appointments, of which Beth had more as her pregnancy had resulted in her having low blood pressure and anaemia, though she was assured that this was common in teenage pregnancies. Rachel's iron levels had also been low, so much to her chagrin, she had been advised to start eating meat or fish again.
On the last Sunday before Rachel's maternity leave was due to start, the girls all decided to go shopping. Beth's bump was growing and she was already having to borrow leggings and tops from Rachel so it was high time she had some maternity clothes of her own and also some things to make her bedroom feel like her own. Quinn also promised her a laptop so she could start online schooling within the next few weeks, though Beth had tried to keep her mind busy with reading and watching educational TV shows and documentaries; She knew that she couldn't give up her education now that she was pregnant, quite the opposite, she found that she actually had more drive to do well in school now that she had a baby to think about. The idea of online school during her pregnancy was perfect but she was thinking about doing some in-person classes at the local college after the baby was born.
"Is there anything you're in dire need of Beth?" Quinn asked, as they pulled up at the mall in Quinn's car.
"I know I need new leggings and tops. I can't keep borrowing Mimmi's" Beth said as Rachel let out a cough that sounded remarkably like the word "Stealing" before Beth cast her the 'Pregnancy Glare'
"And I need some new bras and underwear. My old ones don't fit any more"
"Heard and understood. Just wait until your milk comes in!" Quinn quipped and both Rachel and Beth looked at her in horror.
"What? I'm just making the observation that you're going to be needing special pregnancy bras for when that happens" Quinn said innocently and both Rachel and Beth exchanged glances between themselves and their chests.
"Hmm. Less observing and more parking this car Quinn!" Rachel huffed and Quinn leaned over and pecked her lips.
"Moms. I know Mimmi is already pregnant, I don't need a re-enactment!" Beth snarked, pretending to cover her eyes and both Quinn and Rachel laughed at her.
"Miss Pot, meet Mrs Kettle" Rachel replied, holding out her hand.
"You can't be a prude now Beth, we've all had sex before. Besides, she's my wife, I can kiss her whenever I want to. It's your choice if you keep your eyes open" Quinn smirked and Beth blushed scarlet and kept walking.
Quinn pulled them all into a shop that specialised in pregnancy and maternity clothes. Rachel picked up a basket and began filling it with various tops and bottoms but Beth hung back, occasionally pulling out the odd item but always hanging it back up. Quinn noticed that any time she passed an older woman who was visibly pregnant, Beth pulled her hoodie in front of her stomach, as though she was embarrassed of her growing bump.
"Hey kiddo" Quinn fell in step with her daughter
"Hey adult" Beth joked and Quinn smiled at her, happy that she was getting comfortable enough around her to make these jokes.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah. All good" Beth answered, not quite meeting her eye
"Okay, I'll bite. What's going on with you?" Quinn asked
"Nothing. I'm fine, promise" Beth smiled
"I smell smoke, liar"
"None of this stuff is my style. It makes me feel… well… old! How did you dress when you were pregnant with me?" Beth asked, feeling her face flush.
Quinn remembers back to her sophomore year and being able to hide her growing bump by wearing the control panel in her cheerleading uniform. Then, once she wasn't able to wear that anymore, she resorted to babydoll style dresses and thick cardigans. Once she became more heavily pregnant, her clothes became tighter and more modest, usually consisting of maternity leggings and a loose fitting smock top.
"Well I didn't wear anything like this" Quinn jokes, looking at some of the maternity dresses. Beth thought they were hideous, they all seemed to have flowers on them, perhaps it was a metaphor for pregnancy.
"None of this stuff looks like me. I know I'm pregnant and all but I just… I don't… I…" Beth stumbled over her words, trying not to seem ungrateful but wanting to get her message across.
"You just want to be fifteen" Quinn finished
"Yes!" Beth sighed as she looked over at Rachel, who was buying one of everything in the store it seemed.
"Rachel's never had much clue about fashion sense or what's in style. She used to walk about in argyle and knee socks with animal sweaters. And oh god, she would only wear Mary Janes unless she was performing. Kurt, thank God! Gave her a style overhaul when she moved here, and NYADA's dress code was far more relaxed and comfortable. She wore her dance wear half the time anyway." Quinn whispered and Beth stifled a laugh as she tried to picture Rachel in knee high socks and an animal sweater now.
"Once she's finished up in here, we can go to a different shop that might be a bit more 'you', how does that sound?" Quinn asked
"Sounds good. By the way, what did you mean earlier about when my milk comes in?" Beth asked and it was now Quinn's turn to stifle a laugh.
"Well, my milk came in a day or two before you were born, and Jesus! It hurt so much. My boobs had gotten bigger, obviously, but other than them getting bigger, I hadn't really paid much attention to them. Didn't stop a lot of the boys at school, but anyway. I remember waking up in the morning and my boobs were aching. I figured maybe I had slept funny or my bra had rubbed them weird, and as I sat on the side of my bed, I was thinking about you, feeling you shifting about and moving, and then all of a sudden, my top was soaking wet with milk. I was living with our friend Mercedes and she heard me gasp and then crying, in shock and pain, so she got her mother to come in and she told me what was happening. I was so embarrassed, but I was glad it happened at their house instead of at school or onstage. She helped me express the milk out so I wouldn't get an infection and then after you were born, they gave me pills to dry it up. I did feed you though, before Shelby took you away" Quinn smiled sadly
"Wait, you did?" Beth asked
Quinn nodded.
"You wouldn't take the formula milk in the hospital and I wouldn't let them give you donated milk when I knew I could feed you myself, at least until the social workers arrived. Turned out that the initial couple who wanted you pulled out at the last minute. So I was able to keep you for a couple of days."
"Does it hurt?" Beth asked
"Breastfeeding? It did for a bit. Until you latched on, then it went perfectly fine. You didn't need to be shown or helped. You just latched and fed and fed. They told me I was getting too attached, and yeah, maybe I was, but I couldn't listen to you crying from hunger. I remember this one time, I was sat in bed in my room, just feeding you and you hadn't really opened your eyes yet until that moment. You opened these big blue eyes and blinked at me and I knew then and there that I would never forget you. I knew I loved you from the moment I knew I was pregnant, but that moment, I knew I'd never forget" Quinn wiped at her eyes and Beth cuddled into her.
"There you two are! I thought I had lost you both! Quinnie? Are you okay?" Rachel asked, coming over to them with bags of clothes.
"I'm fine Rach, Beth just had some questions about breastfeeding" Quinn replied and Beth nodded, her blonde hair falling forward into her face.
"Do you want to breastfeed your little one, Beth?" Rachel asked
"I'm thinking about it. I know it helps get your figure back but I didn't really have one to begin with, so I'm not really too bothered about that side of it but I… think I like the closeness of it. Like, my baby can only be fed by me. They're only mine. Does that make sense?" Beth said
"Completely. It's entirely up to you. I'm planning on breastfeeding but I know I'll have to wean the baby off when I need to go back to work but I can always pump and top the baby up with formula" Rachel said and Beth nodded.
"let's go and get Beth some teenage maternity clothes" Quinn smiled and took hold of their hands.
Several hours and a few trips back to the car to deposit some of the bags, the girls admitted defeat. They were sat in a Starbucks, Quinn drinking a coffee and Rachel and Beth sipping on decaf fruity drinks when there was a sudden shriek from across the forecourt.
"Quinn and Rachel! As I live and breathe!" said a tall Latina woman who was holding hands with a blonde woman.
"Santana! Britany! What are you doing here?" Rachel gasped, her eyes lighting up in surprise
"Brit needs some new dance shoes and I wanted some new rehearsal clothes. I never thought that Broadway could be so tiring and would wear out my athletic tights so fast" the Latina joked and Quinn laughed at her.
"Tana, Brit, there's someone I want you to meet. You guys remember Beth, don't you?" Quinn wrapped her arm around the teen who blushed and gave a shy smile
"Beth. Wait a second. Not the Beth that you squeezed out of your lady parts Sophomore year?" Britany asked innocently, causing Quinn to blush lightly
"The one and only. She's living with us now" Rachel smiled as Santana and Britany pulled some seats over to their table.
"That's amazing! How did that come about?" Santana asked
"Shelby and Beth had an argument and Shelby threw her out. She tracked me down and asked if she could stay and I couldn't say no. Shelby also made us her guardians but if Beth decides that she wants to see her again, she's welcome to do it" Quinn explained
"Ouch! That's rough Beth. Are you okay?" Britany asked her kindly, as though they had known each other for years already.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I actually prefer it here anyway. Shelby didn't like the choices I made but mom and Mimmi have never once stopped loving and supporting me. I can't thank them enough" Beth smiled
"That's good you're all back in touch Q, but what have your told your darling daughter about us two?" Santana asked
"Hmm. All the bad things!" Quinn laughed and then yelped as Santana elbowed her
"What? There's plenty of them to go around!" Rachel interjected and then backed away to avoid being elbowed herself
"Santana! You can't elbow me, I'm pregnant!"
"So I can see. Congratulations Berry, I always knew Q was a bottom in the…" Santana was cut off in the middle of her sentence by Quinn loudly clearing her throat and pointing not-so-subtly at Beth
"oh, relax Q, just because you were a prude growing up, doesn't mean your daughter is as well!" Santana sassed and Beth fought not to laugh
"I was not!"
"Were too"
"Was not!"
"Come off it Q, the only one you're trying to convince is yourself" Santana smirked and Beth instantly felt at ease with the fiery Latina.
"So Beth, by my calculations you're what? Fifteen or so?" Britany asked
"Yep. Sophomore year"
"And how are you finding New York? Bet it's a culture shock from Ohio" Britany asked, having sent Santana up to get them both a coffee, to which Quinn coughed and made a noise that sounded vaguely like the word 'whipped' but quietened down after a glare from Santana.
"Yeah, I guess so. I've just been trying to settle in with Mom and Mimmi so far, we've only just started venturing out now that Mimmi's finishing up with her show. I'm starting online school soon too and I'm quite excited about that" Beth chatted away to the blonde without obvious embarrassment.
"Online school? That's unusual" Santana remarked, putting down a large mug in front of Britany
"I work better from home, less distraction and more hours in the day for me to study" Beth said, leaving out the part of how much easier it would be on her growing baby.
"Listen, whatever works for you. I did an online class during college and loved it. Have you thought about colleges yet?" Santana asked and Beth fell silent.
"N-no. not yet. I still have plenty of time for that, right Mom?" Beth asked, looking at Quinn for reassurance
"Plenty of time baby, no rush" Quinn smiled
"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry…" Santana apologised
"No, it's okay. I-I guess its just not something I've thought about yet. I've had a lot to adapt to recently, so better to get myself settled in and sorted out before I have to worry about moving again" Beth whispered and Quinn watched as her daughter shrank back into herself.
Beth remained subdued for the rest of the afternoon, though she voiced no complaints when Rachel asked if she was okay with them inviting Britany and Santana back for dinner. Rachel waited until they were all back in their car, with Britany and Santana following behind them in their own car before she spoke up.
"Beth? Are you okay?"
"Hmm?" Beth asked, pulling out her earbuds and looking at the brunette
"I asked if you're okay love, you've been really quiet" Rachel remarked as she watched Beth flinch a little.
"Y-yeah, I'm f-fine. Just tired. I'll be okay once we're home" Beth stuttered
"Beth, you know the rules on open communication. You clammed up right after Tana mentioned colleges. What's going on?" Quinn interjected from the drivers seat.
"I-I guess it just caught me off guard, you know? I don't know if I'll be able to do college, what with having a literal toddler hanging off my hip. I won't have the time, and I'll be tired all the time. I'll need to get a job and shifts won't be great…" Beth rambled until Rachel cut her off
"Woah, woah, slow down. Who said anything about you getting a job?"
"Well, its not exactly fair to expect you two to pay for everything for me and my baby. You'll have your own toddler to think about" Beth reasoned
"So? You're our daughter too. I don't care if you're eighteen years or eighteen months, you're always going to be our priority. Part of being our priority is letting us look after you. I don't just mean holding your hair back when you've got morning sickness and soothing you when you have nightmares, I mean letting us be your parents. Let us take some of the weight off those skinny shoulders. Yes, you'll have a baby, and yes, you'll be exhausted, but we want you to reach your full potential, and if you want to go to college, you can" Rachel said and Quinn nodded, trying to swap lanes at a busy intersection.
"Even though childcare in New York is so expensive?" Beth asked
"Even then. Most colleges have a preschool or childminder on campus, and I know Quinn would want you to dedicate your time to studying as opposed to working. You can live at home with us and let us help you. You're not alone in this Bethie, we're always going to look after you" Rachel soothed.
And Beth allowed this thought to settle in her stomach, the idea of her mothers caring for her and her child, so she could continue her education and also that this idea was second nature to them, as though it was a given. She felt herself grow warm at this, literally feeling the love and support fill her up and she couldn't help the smile that escaped her.
Back at the house, Rachel and Beth take their shopping bags upstairs and Quinn heads straight to the kitchen to decide on what the now group would be having for dinner. Not seeing anything in the fridge, she instead turned to the drawer that house the take-out menus. Quinn was a good cook, having taught her wife almost all of the skills she knows, but she doesn't feel up to cooking tonight, instead she quite prefers the idea of having food brought directly to her.
"Yo Berry-Fabrays. What's for dinner?" Came Santana's voice from the hallways as the pair took off their shoes.
"I'm thinking takeout. Any preferences?" Quinn asked
"Anything sounds good to me right now. San and I haven't had time to eat all day" Brittany responded
"Rach, Beth, come down here, we're discussing dinner options" Quinn called and barely two seconds later, the sounds of doors closing and footsteps on the stairs signalled the arrival of the stragglers. After much discussion and backwards and forwards, largely between Rachel and Santana, it was decided that they would order Chinese food. It was ordered and paid over the phone with the promise of arriving within twenty five minutes, Beth offered to set the dining room table and Santana offered to help her.
Waiting until they were safely out of earshot of the others, Santana took Beth's hand and gave her a genuine smile
"Hey, I just wanted to apologise for earlier. College talk is my kryptonite. I didn't mean to stress you out"
"It's fine Santana, you didn't mean to but you touched a nerve. I talked it over with my Moms and they've agreed to help me out, no matter what." Beth smiled shyly
"That's great, I'm glad you've got their support. You and anyone else who comes along" Santana gave a knowing wink and Beth's mouth fell open in astonishment.
"You… you know?" she whispered
"Well, I was speculating until now. Congratulations Beth, you're going to be a fantastic mommy to your little one" Santana grinned
"How? How did you know? I'm barely showing as it is" Beth gasped
"the look of fear when I brought up college. The discomfort when Brit gave you a hug. Needing to pee every ten seconds… any of this sound familiar?"
Beth nodded wordlessly
"Also, I know it will take time but you can call us your aunts if you like. We knew both Quinn and Rach in high school. We were all in the Glee club together and Q was our head cheerleader. She knew about you really soon, but she tried to hide it from us and the school, and her parents. I guess she's told you that they were bible-bashers and threw her out. My parents offered her a bed but she was dead against it. She thought I had a thing for your dad, which is almost funny now considering that we're both gay. I teased her so much even after she gave you up, I called her Tubbers, we even had a fight in the hallway when she told our coach that I had a summer surgery and was demoted to the bottom of the ranks. We settled our differences by the time Rach was on the scene as I lived with her in our first apartment. She's a right pain to live with though so if you ever need someone to rant to about her moisturising rituals, I totally understand. I love them both, together and separately, so by extension and default, I love you too." Santana spoke quietly, her long dark hair flicking across her face as she moved her head and gestured wildly.
"Summer surgery?" Beth asked
Quinn approached the doorway and didn't mean to eavesdrop on their private conversation but wanted to check in with her teenager and heard Santana talking about their colourful past.
"She got a boob job" Quinn said before she could stop herself
"Sure did" Santana laughed
"Why?" Beth asked
"Self esteem issues. I thought that if I changed the size of the girls, then I'd feel more secure in myself, but what I didn't realise was that I had such bad self-esteem because I was hiding who I was" Santana explained before narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Q, have you told your daughter about the one time we…"
"YES. I know! I know that you two hooked up in college!" Beth made a show of putting her hands over her ears while the older women fell about laughing at her.
"Actually I was going to ask if she told you about the night we snuck out of Lima and drove for miles, just us and Brit, and talked about our futures. But if you want to hear about the steamy college hookup at Mr Shue's wedding after we illegally drank wine while using fake ID's then I will happily tell that story!" Santana laughed
"If I wasn't already pregnant, I'd be disgusted at the thought of my mother having sex!" Beth groaned as Quinn wrapped her in a hug and kissed her forehead.
"What about the thought of your mom having totally hot lesbian sex with your Auntie Tana?" Santana laughed as both Quinn and Beth blushed.
"I need a brain bleaching. Pronto" Beth mumbled, but her eyes were laughing too.
Dinner was a remarkably comfortable affair, with Beth sitting between Quinn and Brittany with Santana across the table from her and Rachel beside Santana. The food had arrived and after helping themselves to a little bit of everything, conversation flowed easily. Rachel and Santana both asked about Broadway, and Beth learned that Santana was an actress as well, and Brits was a freelance dancer who also taught at a kids stage school.
"how's the show Tana?" Rachel asked, scooping rice into her mouth
"Tiring. Exhausting. Potentially the best and worst thing I signed up to do. But I know that come opening night, it will all be worth it" Santana replied, taking a sip of her glass of wine.
"What show are you in?" Beth asked
"I'm in rehearsals for '& Juliet'. It's a femme musical about Romeo and Juliet. I think you'd like it." Santana smiled and Beth nodded
"Who do you play?" Quinn asked
"I initially auditioned for Angelique, the Nurse. But I knew the director from one of Rachel's shows and he remembered me and asked me to audition for Juliet and Anne Hathaway. I booked Anne Hathaway and I cannot wait to show you how I play her" Santana grinned, and Rachel immediately started asking all about the rehearsal process and who the rest of the cast were amid Santana pleading with her not to break her gag order.
"Beth, what's your favourite colour?" Britany asked innocently
"Oh, um, green I guess. Why?" Beth replied, looking a bit confused
"Well, I'd like to know as much about my niece as I possibly can. What's your favourite song?"
"I don't really know. I listen to all kinds of music. I like Broadway and country best"
"Do you sing?" at this Rachel looked mildly interested
"No. I get really bad stage fright. When I was younger, I was given a solo in glee club and on our first day of rehearsals, I completely clammed up and couldn't sing a note. End of my solo singing career. Happy to just stand in the back and sway" Beth giggled
"What song was it?" Rachel asked
"Oh, um. I think it was 'Faithfully' but I honestly don't remember" Beth said, wishing this hadn't been brought up
"Hmm, maybe we can fix that. Q and I sing around the house quite a lot, why haven't you ever joined us?" Rachel asked and it suddenly dawned on Quinn that her wife had a point, Beth had never sung in front of them. She had heard her humming or seen her tapping her feet in time to the music through her earbuds but never allowed a single note to pass her lips.
"Well that's something we must remedy. Brit, Tana, how do you feel about reuniting a little girl group? Called the Unholy Trinity?" Quinn smiled and all three girls went to jump to their feet before Rachel reminded them that they were still eating.
"Why don't we just finish up here and then we can all let go and sing for a while? Takes the fright out of it and I know I've missed hearing Santana sing. Though please don't sing 'Don't rain on my parade' again!" Rachel suggested and everyone nodded.
Beth was nervous. She hadn't sung in front of anyone in years. The last time she had been ten seconds away from fainting when Shelby had told her to sit back down and had assigned her solo to someone else. What if that happened again? What if she couldn't get her words out? What if she was terrible?
"Stop thinking so loudly Beth" Santana broke through the teens thoughts
"Huh?"
"You're thinking loudly enough for the whole state to hear you. It's just singing. It's just some fun. Plus, you're the daughter of a fabulous singer and a fantastic guitar player. I bet you've got music running through your veins. Now, pick a song. And finish your food" Santana replied and Beth nodded quickly, running through some of her favourite songs in her head.
After dinner was finished and all the dishes were put in the sink, Rachel made herself and Beth a fruit mocktail as Quinn opened up another bottle of wine. They all made their way into the sitting room and lounged on the sofas for a bit, finishing off the lingering conversations from dinner when Santana suddenly cleared her throat.
"Well, as nice as this talking is, I feel in the mood to start singing. Rach? Dig out your karaoke machine?" and Rachel scrambled to her feet.
Beth's heart began thudding uneasily in her chest as Rachel and Santana began setting up the machine and connecting Rachel's phone. She picked up her own phone and scrolled through the song selection, watching Quinn and Britany do the same.
Once everything was set up, Santana stood in the middle of the floor with the microphone in her hand, waiting for her song to start.
The opening notes of her song began, Quinn wrapped her arm around Beth's shoulders and they both watched Santana as she began to sing and dance:
Well, get up, up on the dancefloor tonightI've got two left feetand a bottle of red wine
Making me feel like the beat and the bassline
Are in my blood, both hands up on her waistline
Get on up, baby, dance to the rhythm of the music
Don't care what the DJ chooses
Get lost in the rhythm of me
Place don't close until we wanna leave it
You and I
are flying on an aeroplane tonight
we're going
somewhere where the sun is shining bright
just close your eyes
and let's pretend we're dancing in the street
in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona
Well get up up on the dancefloor
move
it's a Saturday night
I fell in love with the sparkle of the moonlight
reflecting in your beautiful eyes
I guess that was destiny doing it right
and dance like they do in the
Mediterranean
yeah spin you around me again and again
you're like something that God has sent me
I want you baby, Sole Mente
You and I
we're flying on an aeroplane tonight
we're going
somewhere where the sun is shining bright
just close your eyes
so let's pretend we're dancing in the streets
of Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona
Oh Barcelona
oh let's pretend we're dancing in the street
of Barcelona
Las Ramblas, I'll meet you
we'll dance around
La Sagrada Familia
drinking sangria
mi nina, te amo mi carino
mamacita
rica
si tu
te adoro senorita
los otros
viva la vida
come on, let's be free
in Barcelona
Las ramblas, I'll meet you
come on and dance with me
in Barcelona
drinking Sangria
I just want to be in Barcelona
Mamacita
rica
feel that summer breeze in Barcelona
Los otros
Viva la vida
Siempre vida Barcelona
And as the song came to a close, Santana swept into a dramatic bow while everyone else clapped and cheered.
"Wow! Auntie Tana, you're amazing!" Beth exclaimed as Santana sat back down and took a large sip from her wine glass.
"I do try, Mi Nina, I try, now, who's next?" Santana looked at Quinn who sighed dramatically but got to her feet.
This time, Beth recognised the opening notes of Quinn's song
Salt air, and the rust on your door
I never needed anything more
whispers of "are you sure?"
never have I ever before
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
Cause it was never mine
and I can see us twisting in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
cause you were never mine
You're back, beneath the sun
wishing I could write my name on it
will you call, when you're back at school?
I remember thinking I had you
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
cause it was never mine
and I can see us twisting in bedsheets
august sipped away like a bottle of wine
cause you were never mine
Back when we we're still changing for the better
when wanting was enough
for me, it was enough
to live for the hope of it all
cancelled plans just in case you'd call
and say "you meet me behind the mall"
so much for summer love and saying "us"
cause you weren't mine to lose
you weren't mine to lose, no
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment of time
cause you were never mine
and I can see us twisted in bedsheets
august sipped away like a bottle of wine
cause you were never mine
Cause you were never mine, never mine.
Remember when I pulled up and said
"get in the car"
Then cancelled my plans just in case you'd call
back when I was living for the hope of it all
for the hope of it all
meet me behind the mall
And again, the song drew to a close and Beth was open-mouthed. Sure, she had heard Quinn singing, but mostly it had been mumbled to herself or occasionally snippets of lyrics between herself and Rachel, but Quinn had a fantastic voice.
"Mom, you never said you could sing like that!" Beth said as she clapped
"Nice to know that after all this time I can still surprise you" Quinn quipped, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead as she sat back down
"My turn!" Rachel declared, scrambling to her feet
"Best of Broadway, here we come!" Santana joked and Rachel glared at her but still smiled as her song began to play, dancing somewhat sexily and gesturing as she sang, never one to turn down a performance.
How bout a dance?
What do you say?
I got some moves that I'd love to show you
Let's find a spot and dance
The night away
How bout a dance?
It's always fun
Come over here
Let me get to know you
Can't beat a band to get
Your spirits high
You look so handsome
How bout a dance?
Let's make a start
Music like this
Can really throw you
You'll lose the blues
And you may lose your heart
Tonight is the night I've been waiting for
Even the moon looks just right
I'm sure the crowd will make room on the floor
When they see you
Look like you do
So
How bout a dance?
Let's make a start
Music like this can really throw you
Youll lose the blues and
You may lose your heart
You'll lose the blues
And you may lose your heart
After taking a deep curtsey, Rachel sat down and looked at Beth.
"Wanna take your turn kiddo?" she asked
"I-I really can't sing. I'll probably be awful but sure, if you think you can sit through it" Beth sighed and took the microphone, feeling her heart begin to pound and her palms grew sweaty. But as the opening notes of her chosen song began to play, she suddenly felt calm and began to get lost in the music.
It's not simple to say
that most days
I don't recognise me
that these shoes and this apron
that place and it's patrons
have taken more than I gave them
it's not easy to know
I'm not anything like I used to be
although it's true
I was never attention's sweet centre
I still remember that girl
She's imperfect but she tries
She is good but she lies
She is hard on herself
She is broken and won't ask for help
She is messy but she's kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone but she used to be mine
Beth felt tears begin to well in her eyes but tried to focus herself on the emotional song she was singing. She tried not to look at her audience who were watching her open-mouthed
It's not what I asked for
Sometimes life just slips in through the backdoor
And carves out a person
And makes you believe its all true
And now I've got you
And you're not what I asked for
If I'm honest I know
I would give it all back for a chance to start over
And rewrite an ending or two
For the girl that I knew
Who was reckless just enough
Who'll get hurt
But who learns how to toughen up when she's bruised
And gets used by a man who can't love
and then she'll get stuck and be scared
of the life that's inside her
Growing stronger each day
till it finally reminds her to fight just a little
And brings back the fire in her eyes
That's been gone but used to be mine
Oh used to be mine
She is messy
But she's kind
She is lonely
Most of the time
She is all of this
Mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone
But she used to be mine
"Bethy, oh my god! You have a phenomenal voice, and your acting through song is incredible! Oh, you're a born performer!" Rachel praised
"You really think so?" Beth asked shyly, feeling suddenly awkward
"She's right for once, you've got some real, genuine talent there kid, you wouldn't look out of place on Broadway in a few short years. Actually…" Santana mused as she pulled out her phone
"Who are you texting?" Beth asked, her heart thudding uneasily.
"Carmen Tibbideux. She's on the admissions panel for NYADA. Rach and I know her well and I think she gives private vocal lessons on the sly, especially if you're thinking of pursuing this…" Santana said, typing rapidly
"Wait, wait. I don't… i-I mean, i-I'm pregnant! There's no way she's w-want to see me like-like this" Beth stammered as Santana hit send.
"Mom?" Beth turned to her mother who had been silent throughout the whole thing
"Beth, you're amazing. You're a born performer. How Shelby couldn't see that and nurture this talent? I'm at a loss. I-I never once thought that you'd take after Puck and I this much. You're a star, sweetheart. A born star" Quinn whispered, her voice so quiet yet audible enough that everyone could hear her.
The rest of the night passed in a blur. Santana and Britany finished their drinks and left, hugging everyone as they walked out the door, and nothing more was said about Beth and her singing.
As she hugged the teen, Santana handed her a small card with two numbers on it
"The top one is my number and the bottom one is Brits. If you ever need anything, and I mean anything Beth, please don't ever hesitate to call us. You're family and Mi Familia is very important to me, you got that?" Santana asked
"Got it. See you soon Auntie Tana? Auntie Brit?" Beth asked
"See you soon kiddo. You look after yourself, you're carrying precious goods there" Santana smiled
"Later Bethy, you get some good sleep tonight and I'll text you for a lunch date if you like?" Britany asked and Beth nodded quickly.
After they left, Rachel loaded and switched on the dishwasher as Quinn and Beth put the living room to rights, folding up blankets and plumping the pillows.
"Are you mad?" Beth asked, hating how small her voice sounded in the almost empty room
"Hm?" Quinn asked, turning to face her daughter
"I asked if you're mad at me?" Beth repeated, feeling slightly sick
"Why would I be mad at you?" Quinn asked, furrowing her brow in confusion.
"I-I don't know, I just, I thought- because I- I kept it a secret. I never, I mean, I don't sing. Ever really. And then, everyone thinks I-I'm good…" Beth tried to explain
"Bethy, you're not just good, you're amazing and I know you think I'm just saying that, but I promise you, I'm not. You're a natural, maybe once you work on your stage fright, and build a bit more confidence in yourself, you'll find that actually, you've got some real potential and some real talent. How could I be mad at you for being exactly who you are?" Quinn smiled and Beth suddenly felt her heart flutter.
Rachel came to tuck her in that night, Quinn had jumped in for a quick shower, and Rachel loved the idea of sending the teen off to sleep feeling valued and loved and appreciated, especially since Shelby and the boy she had slept with had essentially completely rejected her due to the baby that she was growing.
"Mimmi?"
"Yeah kid?"
"Can you, I mean, can you feel your baby kicking yet?"
Rachel smiled, she had felt some light flutters, but not a proper kick yet
"Not yet baby girl, I've got a couple weeks before that's meant to happen. Why?"
"Just wondering. Are you going to find out if it's a boy or a girl?"
"We're not sure yet, I'd like to, but your mom wants a surprise. Guess we'll have to tag team her" Rachel laughed, sitting down at Beth's feet.
"Thanks for today Mimmi. I love you. And tell Mom that I love her too" Beth said, yawning and feeling her eyelids drooping shut.
"I love you too Beth, sweet dreams baby" Rachel smiled, pressing a kiss to Beth's forehead.
AN: And that's the end of Chapter 5!
Songs featured in this chapter are as follows
Santana sang "Barcelona" by Ed Sheeran
Quinn sang "August" by Taylor swift
Rachel sang "How 'Bout A Dance?" From Bonnie and Clyde the Musical
Beth sang "She Used to be Mine" from Waitress the Musical.
Any requests for chapter 6? I've got a light plan for this fic but I'm currently just writing whatever I feel like and hoping everyone enjoys it!
Also, please stop the reviews and DM's for custom art. It's not something I'm interested in, and I highly doubt that the entire custom art community are actively trying to reach out to a fanfic writer, so please, knock it off! It's getting really old and it's boring.
Thanks, KnownPrincess