We might fall fast. We might fall hard (4/?)
Title: We might fall fast. We might fall hard (4/?)
Author: appleswithin
Rating: PG-13 (Swear words in this ch, but not loads)
Length: 4000+
Spoilers: Season One
Summary: How one slushy changed everything for Quinn and Rachel.
Authors Note: This is a mix of AU/canon (probably) UnBeta’d. It’s my first fic and utter fluff.
And I don't own Glee and lots of other stuff mentioned in here.
Authors note 2: Had a few days off work for my birthday, so naturally I spent my time writing chapter four for this fic. Yeah, I don’t have a life.
Chapter Four
When Quinn woke up in the Berry Guest room she stretched herself out like a cat. She missed being able to sprawl across a bed. She looked at her phone and saw that she’d slept undisturbed for a considerable amount of time, and that she had a message from Santana.
You owe me Juno. I know spent the night at Stubbles. Puck’s Mom called to check on you. You’re lucky my sister likes you enough to cover for your fat ass.
Crap.
She picked up the towels; toothbrush and spare clothes David left for her last night and went into the bathroom, looking through all the products and picking out the most suitable ones. She turned the water on putting her hand under the stream to wait for the right temperature.
She liked shower time, she did her best thinking there, all her problems seemed to get worked out easier and plans fell into place. Right now her thoughts were of Rachel, and how the world had apparently shifted on its axis and had completely messed with her reality in the last few days. Someone who made her laugh didn’t come along very often, and Rachel being one of these special few was surprising. And watching how the little Diva behaved in her natural habitat, as it were, was also another glimpse into a life she realised she knew nothing about. Rachel was more than the two dimensional cartoon character that she’d created in her head that only cared about being famous.
As far as Quinn was concerned the Diva was a big ball of contradictions. She’s self absorbed but she’s also considerate, she’s a force to be reckoned with but vulnerable too, she can be abrasive and sweet. All of those negative attributes that seem to be the primary make up of her personality are actually complimented by all the positive ones that people rarely get a chance to see.
She regretted not seeing the girl for what she was because of stupid high school politics, and she knew that if she hadn’t have become pregnant then she never would have found out.
She also liked shower time because the acoustics were fucking amazing.
Once she was done in the bathroom she put on the spare t-shirt and sweats, which were baggy and very comfortable. She figured that they belonged to Lucas because David was a giant and Rachel was small enough to put in a jar. She looked down at the ‘Don’t Hassle the Hoff’ shirt and wondered if she could get away with borrowing it indefinitely.
She walked into the kitchen to find the other girl sitting at the table with dozens of little chocolate balls in front of her and a bowl of chocolate flakes. “Morning.” She said as the Diva dropped a ball into the bowl.
“Oh you’re up.”
Quinn frowned. “Was that a dig at the amount of sleep I had?”
“No.” Rachel looked confused. “It was just one of those redundant statements that people make. You know how if someone comes in from outside soaking wet and someone asks if it’s raining. It was like that.”
“Like that ‘Here’s your sign’ guy.”
The brunette looked at the wall for a moment. “I don’t know what that means.” She smiled and got up from the table. “Are you hungry? I’ll make you some breakfast.”
“I’m always hungry, and there’s no need.”
“There most certainly is a need. Baby needs nutrition and I’m here to supply that.” Rachel went over to the fridge and stuck her head inside.
The pregnant girl couldn’t deny it any longer; Rachel Berry was cute as button.
“Would you like pancakes?” The question was muffled from the appliance.
“If that’s easy for you, I don’t want to put you out.”
Rachel emerged from the fridge holding a carton of eggs and a half smile across her face. “You aren’t, I assure you. What would you like to drink?”
“Thanks. I’m not sure what I’d like to drink; I get odd cravings when I’ve woken up.”
“Have a look and help yourself.” The Diva got out the ingredients and started work on breakfast. “I always make Dad pancakes.” She said as she grabbed a mixing bowl. “He can make a ten course meal, but claims he can’t make them, I’m dubious myself but he always makes happy noises when he eats them so I don’t mind.”
Quinn listened as she got herself a glass from the cupboard and put it on the island opposite the girl speaking. That was another thing that had changed with reality being distorted; she was oddly comforted by Rachel’s chatter. She opened up the diet coke she found and poured it in half way, then filled the rest with orange juice. The Diva glanced at the beverage and quirked an eyebrow at her questioningly.
“Santana’s sister Izzy calls it ‘The Thames’ apparently because it’s so murky.” She shrugged.
“Dad calls it ‘Diarrhoea’ I think I prefer your version.”
“Me too.” Quinn took a gulp of her drink and smacked her lips together. “Mmm acidy. I think I can feel my stomach lining dissolve as we speak.”
“Sounds pleasant.” The brunette smiled.
“It’s the best.” She smiled back. It shouldn’t be this simple should it? Did Rachel just forget everything that she’d done to her over the years? Or was she just willing to put the past cruelties behind her? This was something that had been bothering Quinn over the last few days. She would ask, but not now. She had to see if this new friendship actually had some sturdy foundation first.
She ate her breakfast at the table watching Rachel putting the balls of chocolate into the flakes and shaking the bowl. “Whatcha doing?”
“I’m covering the chocolate truffles. Would you like to try one?”
She gave the Diva a wide grin. “Yes. I would’ve thought you’d worked out by now that my life revolves around eating.”
“I didn’t want to assume you’d have one.” She chuckled handing a sweet over to the expanding blonde.
Quinn bit it in half and froze. “What’s in this?”
Rachel looked anxious. “Chocolate, cream, vanilla essence and a thimble of brandy. There isn’t enough alcohol in there to affect the baby.”
“No.” Quinn shook her head.
“No?” The Diva asked then bit her lip.
“No. That can’t be all that’s in there. You are clearly some sort of sorceress who makes magical desserts that tastes like heaven.”
The brunette laughed. “You had me worried Quinn, I thought something was wrong.”
“You’re like a Domestic Goddess. Not only am I moving into your chair, I’m making you my wife.” That was not appropriate; she really should learn to control her facetious comments.
Rachel rolled her eyes and carried on with her truffles. “Not if that’s the way you’re proposing you’re not.”
“I’d get down on one knee, but there’s a good chance I wouldn’t be able to get up again.” She should also learn to not grab a joke and run with it past the point of funny too. This was a lesson that wasn’t going to be learned anytime soon though. “What if I sat on a normal chair and you sat on a high stool so it sort of appeared that I was kneeling down. Would that work for you?”
“Here, have another truffle.”
“Thank you I shall.” Quinn picked up one of the pancakes, putting the truffle in the middle and rolled it up. It really was the food of the Gods. “Om nom, nom.” She said with a full mouth and grinned at the other girl, rubbing her stomach.
When her phoned beeped she growled, and shoved the rest of her food in her mouth. She opened up the message.
Remember you’re meeting us at the mall in hour Tubbers. Don’t be late.
She’d forgotten about that. “I need to get going. I have to go to the mall.” She got up and as an afterthought asked, “Would you like to come? It’ll just be me, Santana and Brittany.”
“I can’t I’m sorry, I need to finish these off before Dad leaves. I don’t think Santana would appreciate me being there either. Thank you anyway.”
“Okay.” She handed the Diva her phone, “Put your number in there.” When it was handed back she called it and heard the music come from near the sink. “If you get ahead of schedule and fancy joining us, let me know, we’ll be there til around five.” She smiled at the other girl before running up the stairs to collect her stuff then run back down.
“Rachel?” She asked when she returned to the kitchen.
“Yes?” The brunette answered looking up.
“Thank you for, you know, everything.”
“You’re welcome.” The brunette beamed.
__________
She’d made it to the mall with ten minutes to spare after going back to the Puckerman’s to get changed and make small talk with Ruth and Maya. She was waiting for the two girls in their usual place near the pretzel cart and was playing with her phone.
“You look happy.” Brittany’s voice penetrated her concentration.
“Do I?” She asked tearing her eyes away from her scrabble game.
The taller blonde nodded. “Yeah. You’re all smiley.”
“It’s really disturbing.” Santana grumbled.
“Why is Quinn being happy disturbing?”
“It isn’t that her happiness is disturbing B, it’s the reason why she’s so happy that’s disturbing.”
“Why? What’s the reason?”
“Okay, enough talking about me like I’m not here, are we going shopping or what?”
“Are you buying someone a gift?” The Latina smirked. “I got a suggestion. How about, ‘Be Mine’ in gold stars.”
“I fucking hate you.”
“Rachel likes gold stars.” Brittany said. “If you need any help with that I’d ask her, she probably an expert on them. Who you buying gold stars for anyway?”
“No one, Santana thinks she’s being funny.”
“No I don’t. I’m just trying to help you get the right present. How about a sweater with an animal on it?”
“Rachel likes those too.”
“Can we go now?” The pregnant girl huffed.
The three girls had a routine, it was the same one they’d had since they were thirteen. Clothes, accessories, food and drink, more clothes, miscellaneous, then end the day with sitting in Starbucks using all the patrons inside to play real life Guess Who. Eight times out of ten Brittany won.
First stop was the small Indie store that the Latina could spend all day in. It was a little known fact that Santana Lopez was a bit of a rock chick, and if she didn’t have to keep up appearances she would spend all her time in ripped jeans, skinny T’s and Doc Marten’s. Quinn and Brittany would often just wait outside for her.
The next store was one more to both the blonde’s tastes, all dresses and skirts of varying pastel colours. Santana usually spent this time putting all the clothes on the wrong size hangers and making faces at the equally bored children being dragged around by frustrated parents.
The accessories store had a pretty wide selection; it managed to keep all three of them interested.
“Hey Q?” Santana sidled up to the blonde who was looking at some bracelets.
“What?”
“Look.” The brunette shoved a gold star pendant in front of her. “You could get her this. It says, ‘I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch to you, be my friend and please stop wearing knee high socks’ admittedly it’s a little erratic in its message, but she’d probably think it was pretty.”
“I could kill you and claim temporary insanity you know.”
“True dat.”
When it was time for snacks they always went for the quietest eatery, today was the bistro run by the Italian guy with Tourette syndrome, for the most part nobody knew what he was shouting, they did see him get smacked by one of the female customers once and that was damn funny. Quinn pulled out her phone and started typing out a message, then deleted it and wrote out another one, read it, reread it then erased that one too.
“Who you sexting?” Santana asked sweetly.
“No one.” She answered through gritted teeth and shut her phone.
“If you’re having trouble coming up with something to say, I could write out a message for you.”
“I was sending a message to Ruth.”
“Yeah right. Telling her how much fun you had at mine last night? You still owe me.”
“Don’t I technically owe your sister?”
“You used my name, so that means you owe me.”
“Whatever. Where are we going next?”
“Izzy wants me to get her a fedora.” Santana said balancing a spoon on her nose.
“Of course she does. B, you ready?”
“Yeah.” The taller blonde nodded as she finished building her breadstick tepee.
They went to the men’s department to get the hat and the Latina got herself a studded belt while she was there. Then they went back to their usual stores, one of which Quinn was banned from because she’d lost her temper with one of the clerks who told her that she couldn’t try on a dress she liked because she was pregnant and might stretch out the fabric, so the blonde shoved the item of clothing over the bitch’s head and threw a shoe at her.
She didn’t think it was an overreaction; she thought the judgmental cow deserved it.
Quinn didn’t have a whole lot of money to spend on frivolous items, which was basically anything that wasn’t related to the baby. So when Santana informed her they were “Going to the weird store with all the random shit in.” she was happy. Everything was so cheap in there.
While Brittany was watching the owl clock with the moving eyes the Latina picked that moment to ask her some questions.
“So seriously, what is going on with you and RuPaul?”
“Don’t call her that.”
“You came up with it!” The brunette raised her voice and waved her arms. “And stop avoiding.”
“Nothing is going on, I told you before she’s nice and I like her.”
“See this is where I start to think that thing,” Santana poked her bump, “is affecting this.” And she flicked her forehead.
“I don’t have to justify my actions to you.” Quinn said grabbing hold of the Latina’s hand, throwing away from her.
“I’m not asking you too. I just don’t see any difference in her.”
“It isn’t about seeing a difference in her; it’s about seeing her differently. And how do you even know that’s where I was last night?”
“I drove by her house and saw your car.”
“Why were you driving past her house?”
“Because I knew if I called you’d deny you were there, and I wanted proof. Next time you lie and drag my name into it, at least have the decency to tell me.”
“Sorry.”
Santana frowned and regarded her for several seconds. “This really isn’t some elaborate prank right? You do actually like her?”
The pregnant girl covered her face with her hands. “Yeah.”
“Okay. For the record, I think it’s odd, but I’m guessing you don’t care.”
Quinn shook her head. The brunette gave her a small nod and walked away to find the other blonde, leaving her to peruse the shelf she was standing in front of. There was a small music box that was in her price range, she wanted to get it for Rachel, but would it be crossing a line? Do you get a probably new friend a gift after only a few days? It could be part of what would more than likely be a very long apology for treating her so badly for so long. She wiggled her jaw and picked up the box, strode towards the cashier and placed it on the counter, giving the woman a smile.
Brittany came and stood next to her and opened her hand out. “I’m getting this ball.”
Quinn looked at the small pink rubber ball, then up to the taller girl. “Is that a spare or the only one we have?”
“Spare.”
“Thank God. Maybe one day we’ll find all the ones we lost.”
“There must be hundreds.”
The Latina joined them, putting her Admiral Cain action figure next to the cash register. Quinn looked over to her friend. “Santana, there’s something on your face.” She sucked in her top lip to stop herself laughing as the brunette ran both hands over her nose and cheeks. “Wait, sorry. My mistake, it was just your nerd showing.”
“Oh you are so funny, see how I guffaw.”
“I need to pick something up for my Mom before we go to Starbucks.” Brittany said after paying for her item and moving out of the way for Santana.
“Last time you said that we ended up having to carry a coffee table around with us for two hours.”
“Don’t worry; it’s not a coffee table.”
“Good.”
The taller blonde led the way and the other two girls didn’t pay much attention as they followed. When they walked through the door, they were welcomed by a vaguely familiar looking man.
“Hello, welcome to Sheets-N-Things, my name is Howard Bamboo may I take your order.”
The three girls looked baffled.
“Howard! That isn’t how you do it. I gave you the official Greeter’s handbook for you to read.”
“I’m dyslexic.”
Quinn recognised that voice. “Oh shit.” She said before sprinting out the door. Last person she wanted to deal with right now was Crazy Terri Schuester.
Santana followed her out. “What’s up with you?”
“Nothing. I’m going to get us a table, I’ll meet you there.”
“Whatever.”
She ordered the drinks and took a seat at an empty table. She was a little disappointed that Rachel didn’t come, but she didn’t think she could take any of Santana’s comments, and she knew there would be many.
She was glaring at a group of women on another table who were blatantly talking about her when her two friends came and sat down. The Latina looked at her and frowned, then looked over to the other table. She picked up a sachet of sugar and hurled it at them. “It’s rude to fucking stare.” She growled at the women and turned back around. “You’d think they’d never seen a pregnant girl before. Ingrates.” Nobody messes with Santana Lopez’s friends, except Santana Lopez.
“Okay S, you get to start the game this week.”
Santana looked around the room and nodded. “Right, I’ve picked one.”
“Is it a man?” Brittany asked.
“Yeah.”
“Is it that guy with the red shirt?”
“How do you do that?” The Latina asked looking confused.
The taller blonde shrugged. “My turn to choose. Quinn?”
“Is it a man?”
“Yes.”
“Does he have glasses on?”
“No.” Great, that narrowed it down to about fifteen people.
“Is it that guy with the red shirt?”
“Quinn. Why would I pick the one Santana picked?”
“I was just hoping you would, I suck at this game. Does he have a hat on?”
“No.”
The pregnant girl groaned. Even when she had two people left she still managed to pick the wrong one.
__________
She got back to Puck’s around six and he was actually there, but clearly about to leave.
“Hey baby mama, I haven’t seen you in days.”
“Been busy.”
“Good times. I’m going over Matt’s to play COD, see you later.”
“Yeah, have fun.” She waved at the mother and daughter as she bypassed the living room to head down to the basement. The new maternity dress she’d bought joined the others in her case and the little music box she put under the bed. She pulled out her phone again opening a new message and stared at the blank screen.
This was stupid. Sending a text to someone wasn’t this hard.
She exited the menu and went straight to Rachel’s number and pressed send. It was answered after the third ring.
“I was just thinking about you.” Was the first thing Rachel said.
“Were you? That’s weird, we must be connected somehow.”
“It really isn’t that strange, we have spent quite a lot of time together recently, so it’s inevitable that many of my thoughts revolve around you. Did you have a nice time with Santana and Brittany?”
Quinn smiled. “I did.” A loud rumble filled the room preventing her from carrying on with her sentence. When it was over, the Diva asked,
“What was that?”
“The furnace.”
“Where are you?”
“Basement.”
“Why are you in the basement?”
“It’s where my bed is.”
“Quinn. That is not a suitable place for a pregnant girl to be sleeping. Why hasn’t Noah offered you his room?”
“Even if you threw out everything from in there it would still smell like feet, sweat and general boy-ness. I was in the basement at Finn’s too; I’m used to being the deformed freak that needs to be hidden from the world.”
“You are not a deformed freak. And I don’t like that you’re made to sleep there. I think you should come over tonight. Dad is out schmoozing some Big Wigs for work and Daddy has his Air Guitar group, they’re practicing for the national competition. You would be keeping me company.”
“Haven’t you had enough of me yet?”
“No. Are you coming over?”
“Yeah.” She moved the phone from her mouth to take a deep breath. “I’ll be about thirty minutes?”
“Excellent. I’ll see you soon.”
After Rachel hung up she kept the phone to her ear for a few seconds, then realised what she was doing and threw it on the bed. She got up, put on her IPod dock and pressed play. ‘What You Waiting For’ came out of the speaker quietly, she liked the song but couldn’t help but think that Gwen Stefani was nuttier than squirl shit. As she packed an overnight bag she danced to the music and used her hairbrush as a microphone.
She retrieved the music box from under the bed and realized she didn’t even know what music it played; she opened it up and heard a tinny version of ‘Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1’ and smiled at a memory of watching one of her sister’s cello recitals when she was a kid. She sat in the front row and watched Cassie lose herself in her instrument, when it was over the first person her sister looked for was Quinn.
She closed the box and put it in the backpack, squashing it in between her clothes so it wouldn’t get damaged. She turned off her dock and picked up her bag throwing it over her shoulder then made her way upstairs. Ruth and Maya were still watching TV when she went into the room.
“I’ll be staying out again tonight.”
“Will you be at Santana’s?”
“No.” She gave the woman a small smile. “I’ll be at Rachel Berry’s.”
“She’s the tiny girl who talks a lot isn’t she?”
“That’s the one.”
“She’s nice. Have fun.”
“I will.”
__________
When Rachel answered the door she looked disheveled and flushed. Quinn smirked at the girl’s appearance.
“What you been doing Berry?” She asked walking over the threshold.
“I was changing the duvet cover and got stuck inside it.”
The blonde laughed. “You are too cute, you know that?”
“It’s because of my small staure.” The brunette smiled.
“Yeah.” She nodded. “So what the plan? You asked me over, how will you be entertaining me?”
“I hadn’t realized that you’d assigned me the role of court jester for this evening. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have invited you.”
“Liar.”
“Yes, well.” The Diva shrugged. “Would a movie be an acceptable activity your majesty?”
“You know, I think it will.”
__________
Quinn had forgone the movie option when she found the ‘Gilmore Girls’ in the large trunk filled exclusively with TV shows. It was one of those programs she loved but was ashamed to admit out loud like she liked. Rachel had made her a sandwich and they both sat on Divine Snugglebottom ready to be amused by people talking too fast. She almost choked on her food when the other girl mimed the piano for the theme tune, in truth she’d done it herself in the past, but it was funnier when the Diva did it.
Half way through the second episode she picked up her bag. “I got you something.” She said, and realized that she hadn’t wrapped it, so she tore out a page from her notebook and covered the box messily while hiding it from the other girl. “There.”
Rachel took it with a smirk. “Thanks, I can see you’ve put a considerable amount of effort into wrapping this; I don’t think I can bring myself to spoil its beauty.”
“If you’re going to be sarcastic about it I’ll take it back.” Quinn went to grab it off the girl but Rachel was quick and turned on her side sticking her arm out, the blonde lunged over to grab it but couldn’t reach.
“No! Quinn I’m sorry, I promise I won’t be sarcastic again.”
“You’d better not be.” She leaned into the other girl’s ear. “I don’t just get anyone presents you know.” It was at this point she noticed that she was essentially spooning Rachel and she fumbled her way back to sit down giving the Diva a sideways glance. Charlie was out of his box, but he was on a very short leash.
Rachel relaxed back into the chair and looked over before removing the paper. She took out the box and lifted it up to study it then opened the lid and smiled an unusual smile as the music played.
Quinn watched nervously as the brunette gazed at the box, and after what felt like an age she finally asked, “Do you like it?”
“I do” Rachel closed the box and squeezed her hand. “Very much.”
The pregnant girl smiled. “I thought you might think it was weird.”
“Why would I think it’s weird?”
“I don’t know.” She lied.
“Mmm hmm. It was a very sweet gesture, thank you.”
“When I saw it I thought of you.”
“Because I’m small, oblong and only have the one tune in me?” Rachel giggled.
“Way to ruin a perfectly nice moment.” She said nudging the brunette and shaking her head. She closed her eyes and leaned into the other girl.
The earth had moved and reality had changed. There was only one thing to do. Accept it and embrace the new world with open arms.
Author: appleswithin
Rating: PG-13 (Swear words in this ch, but not loads)
Length: 4000+
Spoilers: Season One
Summary: How one slushy changed everything for Quinn and Rachel.
Authors Note: This is a mix of AU/canon (probably) UnBeta’d. It’s my first fic and utter fluff.
And I don't own Glee and lots of other stuff mentioned in here.
Authors note 2: Had a few days off work for my birthday, so naturally I spent my time writing chapter four for this fic. Yeah, I don’t have a life.
Chapter Four
When Quinn woke up in the Berry Guest room she stretched herself out like a cat. She missed being able to sprawl across a bed. She looked at her phone and saw that she’d slept undisturbed for a considerable amount of time, and that she had a message from Santana.
You owe me Juno. I know spent the night at Stubbles. Puck’s Mom called to check on you. You’re lucky my sister likes you enough to cover for your fat ass.
Crap.
She picked up the towels; toothbrush and spare clothes David left for her last night and went into the bathroom, looking through all the products and picking out the most suitable ones. She turned the water on putting her hand under the stream to wait for the right temperature.
She liked shower time, she did her best thinking there, all her problems seemed to get worked out easier and plans fell into place. Right now her thoughts were of Rachel, and how the world had apparently shifted on its axis and had completely messed with her reality in the last few days. Someone who made her laugh didn’t come along very often, and Rachel being one of these special few was surprising. And watching how the little Diva behaved in her natural habitat, as it were, was also another glimpse into a life she realised she knew nothing about. Rachel was more than the two dimensional cartoon character that she’d created in her head that only cared about being famous.
As far as Quinn was concerned the Diva was a big ball of contradictions. She’s self absorbed but she’s also considerate, she’s a force to be reckoned with but vulnerable too, she can be abrasive and sweet. All of those negative attributes that seem to be the primary make up of her personality are actually complimented by all the positive ones that people rarely get a chance to see.
She regretted not seeing the girl for what she was because of stupid high school politics, and she knew that if she hadn’t have become pregnant then she never would have found out.
She also liked shower time because the acoustics were fucking amazing.
Once she was done in the bathroom she put on the spare t-shirt and sweats, which were baggy and very comfortable. She figured that they belonged to Lucas because David was a giant and Rachel was small enough to put in a jar. She looked down at the ‘Don’t Hassle the Hoff’ shirt and wondered if she could get away with borrowing it indefinitely.
She walked into the kitchen to find the other girl sitting at the table with dozens of little chocolate balls in front of her and a bowl of chocolate flakes. “Morning.” She said as the Diva dropped a ball into the bowl.
“Oh you’re up.”
Quinn frowned. “Was that a dig at the amount of sleep I had?”
“No.” Rachel looked confused. “It was just one of those redundant statements that people make. You know how if someone comes in from outside soaking wet and someone asks if it’s raining. It was like that.”
“Like that ‘Here’s your sign’ guy.”
The brunette looked at the wall for a moment. “I don’t know what that means.” She smiled and got up from the table. “Are you hungry? I’ll make you some breakfast.”
“I’m always hungry, and there’s no need.”
“There most certainly is a need. Baby needs nutrition and I’m here to supply that.” Rachel went over to the fridge and stuck her head inside.
The pregnant girl couldn’t deny it any longer; Rachel Berry was cute as button.
“Would you like pancakes?” The question was muffled from the appliance.
“If that’s easy for you, I don’t want to put you out.”
Rachel emerged from the fridge holding a carton of eggs and a half smile across her face. “You aren’t, I assure you. What would you like to drink?”
“Thanks. I’m not sure what I’d like to drink; I get odd cravings when I’ve woken up.”
“Have a look and help yourself.” The Diva got out the ingredients and started work on breakfast. “I always make Dad pancakes.” She said as she grabbed a mixing bowl. “He can make a ten course meal, but claims he can’t make them, I’m dubious myself but he always makes happy noises when he eats them so I don’t mind.”
Quinn listened as she got herself a glass from the cupboard and put it on the island opposite the girl speaking. That was another thing that had changed with reality being distorted; she was oddly comforted by Rachel’s chatter. She opened up the diet coke she found and poured it in half way, then filled the rest with orange juice. The Diva glanced at the beverage and quirked an eyebrow at her questioningly.
“Santana’s sister Izzy calls it ‘The Thames’ apparently because it’s so murky.” She shrugged.
“Dad calls it ‘Diarrhoea’ I think I prefer your version.”
“Me too.” Quinn took a gulp of her drink and smacked her lips together. “Mmm acidy. I think I can feel my stomach lining dissolve as we speak.”
“Sounds pleasant.” The brunette smiled.
“It’s the best.” She smiled back. It shouldn’t be this simple should it? Did Rachel just forget everything that she’d done to her over the years? Or was she just willing to put the past cruelties behind her? This was something that had been bothering Quinn over the last few days. She would ask, but not now. She had to see if this new friendship actually had some sturdy foundation first.
She ate her breakfast at the table watching Rachel putting the balls of chocolate into the flakes and shaking the bowl. “Whatcha doing?”
“I’m covering the chocolate truffles. Would you like to try one?”
She gave the Diva a wide grin. “Yes. I would’ve thought you’d worked out by now that my life revolves around eating.”
“I didn’t want to assume you’d have one.” She chuckled handing a sweet over to the expanding blonde.
Quinn bit it in half and froze. “What’s in this?”
Rachel looked anxious. “Chocolate, cream, vanilla essence and a thimble of brandy. There isn’t enough alcohol in there to affect the baby.”
“No.” Quinn shook her head.
“No?” The Diva asked then bit her lip.
“No. That can’t be all that’s in there. You are clearly some sort of sorceress who makes magical desserts that tastes like heaven.”
The brunette laughed. “You had me worried Quinn, I thought something was wrong.”
“You’re like a Domestic Goddess. Not only am I moving into your chair, I’m making you my wife.” That was not appropriate; she really should learn to control her facetious comments.
Rachel rolled her eyes and carried on with her truffles. “Not if that’s the way you’re proposing you’re not.”
“I’d get down on one knee, but there’s a good chance I wouldn’t be able to get up again.” She should also learn to not grab a joke and run with it past the point of funny too. This was a lesson that wasn’t going to be learned anytime soon though. “What if I sat on a normal chair and you sat on a high stool so it sort of appeared that I was kneeling down. Would that work for you?”
“Here, have another truffle.”
“Thank you I shall.” Quinn picked up one of the pancakes, putting the truffle in the middle and rolled it up. It really was the food of the Gods. “Om nom, nom.” She said with a full mouth and grinned at the other girl, rubbing her stomach.
When her phoned beeped she growled, and shoved the rest of her food in her mouth. She opened up the message.
Remember you’re meeting us at the mall in hour Tubbers. Don’t be late.
She’d forgotten about that. “I need to get going. I have to go to the mall.” She got up and as an afterthought asked, “Would you like to come? It’ll just be me, Santana and Brittany.”
“I can’t I’m sorry, I need to finish these off before Dad leaves. I don’t think Santana would appreciate me being there either. Thank you anyway.”
“Okay.” She handed the Diva her phone, “Put your number in there.” When it was handed back she called it and heard the music come from near the sink. “If you get ahead of schedule and fancy joining us, let me know, we’ll be there til around five.” She smiled at the other girl before running up the stairs to collect her stuff then run back down.
“Rachel?” She asked when she returned to the kitchen.
“Yes?” The brunette answered looking up.
“Thank you for, you know, everything.”
“You’re welcome.” The brunette beamed.
__________
She’d made it to the mall with ten minutes to spare after going back to the Puckerman’s to get changed and make small talk with Ruth and Maya. She was waiting for the two girls in their usual place near the pretzel cart and was playing with her phone.
“You look happy.” Brittany’s voice penetrated her concentration.
“Do I?” She asked tearing her eyes away from her scrabble game.
The taller blonde nodded. “Yeah. You’re all smiley.”
“It’s really disturbing.” Santana grumbled.
“Why is Quinn being happy disturbing?”
“It isn’t that her happiness is disturbing B, it’s the reason why she’s so happy that’s disturbing.”
“Why? What’s the reason?”
“Okay, enough talking about me like I’m not here, are we going shopping or what?”
“Are you buying someone a gift?” The Latina smirked. “I got a suggestion. How about, ‘Be Mine’ in gold stars.”
“I fucking hate you.”
“Rachel likes gold stars.” Brittany said. “If you need any help with that I’d ask her, she probably an expert on them. Who you buying gold stars for anyway?”
“No one, Santana thinks she’s being funny.”
“No I don’t. I’m just trying to help you get the right present. How about a sweater with an animal on it?”
“Rachel likes those too.”
“Can we go now?” The pregnant girl huffed.
The three girls had a routine, it was the same one they’d had since they were thirteen. Clothes, accessories, food and drink, more clothes, miscellaneous, then end the day with sitting in Starbucks using all the patrons inside to play real life Guess Who. Eight times out of ten Brittany won.
First stop was the small Indie store that the Latina could spend all day in. It was a little known fact that Santana Lopez was a bit of a rock chick, and if she didn’t have to keep up appearances she would spend all her time in ripped jeans, skinny T’s and Doc Marten’s. Quinn and Brittany would often just wait outside for her.
The next store was one more to both the blonde’s tastes, all dresses and skirts of varying pastel colours. Santana usually spent this time putting all the clothes on the wrong size hangers and making faces at the equally bored children being dragged around by frustrated parents.
The accessories store had a pretty wide selection; it managed to keep all three of them interested.
“Hey Q?” Santana sidled up to the blonde who was looking at some bracelets.
“What?”
“Look.” The brunette shoved a gold star pendant in front of her. “You could get her this. It says, ‘I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch to you, be my friend and please stop wearing knee high socks’ admittedly it’s a little erratic in its message, but she’d probably think it was pretty.”
“I could kill you and claim temporary insanity you know.”
“True dat.”
When it was time for snacks they always went for the quietest eatery, today was the bistro run by the Italian guy with Tourette syndrome, for the most part nobody knew what he was shouting, they did see him get smacked by one of the female customers once and that was damn funny. Quinn pulled out her phone and started typing out a message, then deleted it and wrote out another one, read it, reread it then erased that one too.
“Who you sexting?” Santana asked sweetly.
“No one.” She answered through gritted teeth and shut her phone.
“If you’re having trouble coming up with something to say, I could write out a message for you.”
“I was sending a message to Ruth.”
“Yeah right. Telling her how much fun you had at mine last night? You still owe me.”
“Don’t I technically owe your sister?”
“You used my name, so that means you owe me.”
“Whatever. Where are we going next?”
“Izzy wants me to get her a fedora.” Santana said balancing a spoon on her nose.
“Of course she does. B, you ready?”
“Yeah.” The taller blonde nodded as she finished building her breadstick tepee.
They went to the men’s department to get the hat and the Latina got herself a studded belt while she was there. Then they went back to their usual stores, one of which Quinn was banned from because she’d lost her temper with one of the clerks who told her that she couldn’t try on a dress she liked because she was pregnant and might stretch out the fabric, so the blonde shoved the item of clothing over the bitch’s head and threw a shoe at her.
She didn’t think it was an overreaction; she thought the judgmental cow deserved it.
Quinn didn’t have a whole lot of money to spend on frivolous items, which was basically anything that wasn’t related to the baby. So when Santana informed her they were “Going to the weird store with all the random shit in.” she was happy. Everything was so cheap in there.
While Brittany was watching the owl clock with the moving eyes the Latina picked that moment to ask her some questions.
“So seriously, what is going on with you and RuPaul?”
“Don’t call her that.”
“You came up with it!” The brunette raised her voice and waved her arms. “And stop avoiding.”
“Nothing is going on, I told you before she’s nice and I like her.”
“See this is where I start to think that thing,” Santana poked her bump, “is affecting this.” And she flicked her forehead.
“I don’t have to justify my actions to you.” Quinn said grabbing hold of the Latina’s hand, throwing away from her.
“I’m not asking you too. I just don’t see any difference in her.”
“It isn’t about seeing a difference in her; it’s about seeing her differently. And how do you even know that’s where I was last night?”
“I drove by her house and saw your car.”
“Why were you driving past her house?”
“Because I knew if I called you’d deny you were there, and I wanted proof. Next time you lie and drag my name into it, at least have the decency to tell me.”
“Sorry.”
Santana frowned and regarded her for several seconds. “This really isn’t some elaborate prank right? You do actually like her?”
The pregnant girl covered her face with her hands. “Yeah.”
“Okay. For the record, I think it’s odd, but I’m guessing you don’t care.”
Quinn shook her head. The brunette gave her a small nod and walked away to find the other blonde, leaving her to peruse the shelf she was standing in front of. There was a small music box that was in her price range, she wanted to get it for Rachel, but would it be crossing a line? Do you get a probably new friend a gift after only a few days? It could be part of what would more than likely be a very long apology for treating her so badly for so long. She wiggled her jaw and picked up the box, strode towards the cashier and placed it on the counter, giving the woman a smile.
Brittany came and stood next to her and opened her hand out. “I’m getting this ball.”
Quinn looked at the small pink rubber ball, then up to the taller girl. “Is that a spare or the only one we have?”
“Spare.”
“Thank God. Maybe one day we’ll find all the ones we lost.”
“There must be hundreds.”
The Latina joined them, putting her Admiral Cain action figure next to the cash register. Quinn looked over to her friend. “Santana, there’s something on your face.” She sucked in her top lip to stop herself laughing as the brunette ran both hands over her nose and cheeks. “Wait, sorry. My mistake, it was just your nerd showing.”
“Oh you are so funny, see how I guffaw.”
“I need to pick something up for my Mom before we go to Starbucks.” Brittany said after paying for her item and moving out of the way for Santana.
“Last time you said that we ended up having to carry a coffee table around with us for two hours.”
“Don’t worry; it’s not a coffee table.”
“Good.”
The taller blonde led the way and the other two girls didn’t pay much attention as they followed. When they walked through the door, they were welcomed by a vaguely familiar looking man.
“Hello, welcome to Sheets-N-Things, my name is Howard Bamboo may I take your order.”
The three girls looked baffled.
“Howard! That isn’t how you do it. I gave you the official Greeter’s handbook for you to read.”
“I’m dyslexic.”
Quinn recognised that voice. “Oh shit.” She said before sprinting out the door. Last person she wanted to deal with right now was Crazy Terri Schuester.
Santana followed her out. “What’s up with you?”
“Nothing. I’m going to get us a table, I’ll meet you there.”
“Whatever.”
She ordered the drinks and took a seat at an empty table. She was a little disappointed that Rachel didn’t come, but she didn’t think she could take any of Santana’s comments, and she knew there would be many.
She was glaring at a group of women on another table who were blatantly talking about her when her two friends came and sat down. The Latina looked at her and frowned, then looked over to the other table. She picked up a sachet of sugar and hurled it at them. “It’s rude to fucking stare.” She growled at the women and turned back around. “You’d think they’d never seen a pregnant girl before. Ingrates.” Nobody messes with Santana Lopez’s friends, except Santana Lopez.
“Okay S, you get to start the game this week.”
Santana looked around the room and nodded. “Right, I’ve picked one.”
“Is it a man?” Brittany asked.
“Yeah.”
“Is it that guy with the red shirt?”
“How do you do that?” The Latina asked looking confused.
The taller blonde shrugged. “My turn to choose. Quinn?”
“Is it a man?”
“Yes.”
“Does he have glasses on?”
“No.” Great, that narrowed it down to about fifteen people.
“Is it that guy with the red shirt?”
“Quinn. Why would I pick the one Santana picked?”
“I was just hoping you would, I suck at this game. Does he have a hat on?”
“No.”
The pregnant girl groaned. Even when she had two people left she still managed to pick the wrong one.
__________
She got back to Puck’s around six and he was actually there, but clearly about to leave.
“Hey baby mama, I haven’t seen you in days.”
“Been busy.”
“Good times. I’m going over Matt’s to play COD, see you later.”
“Yeah, have fun.” She waved at the mother and daughter as she bypassed the living room to head down to the basement. The new maternity dress she’d bought joined the others in her case and the little music box she put under the bed. She pulled out her phone again opening a new message and stared at the blank screen.
This was stupid. Sending a text to someone wasn’t this hard.
She exited the menu and went straight to Rachel’s number and pressed send. It was answered after the third ring.
“I was just thinking about you.” Was the first thing Rachel said.
“Were you? That’s weird, we must be connected somehow.”
“It really isn’t that strange, we have spent quite a lot of time together recently, so it’s inevitable that many of my thoughts revolve around you. Did you have a nice time with Santana and Brittany?”
Quinn smiled. “I did.” A loud rumble filled the room preventing her from carrying on with her sentence. When it was over, the Diva asked,
“What was that?”
“The furnace.”
“Where are you?”
“Basement.”
“Why are you in the basement?”
“It’s where my bed is.”
“Quinn. That is not a suitable place for a pregnant girl to be sleeping. Why hasn’t Noah offered you his room?”
“Even if you threw out everything from in there it would still smell like feet, sweat and general boy-ness. I was in the basement at Finn’s too; I’m used to being the deformed freak that needs to be hidden from the world.”
“You are not a deformed freak. And I don’t like that you’re made to sleep there. I think you should come over tonight. Dad is out schmoozing some Big Wigs for work and Daddy has his Air Guitar group, they’re practicing for the national competition. You would be keeping me company.”
“Haven’t you had enough of me yet?”
“No. Are you coming over?”
“Yeah.” She moved the phone from her mouth to take a deep breath. “I’ll be about thirty minutes?”
“Excellent. I’ll see you soon.”
After Rachel hung up she kept the phone to her ear for a few seconds, then realised what she was doing and threw it on the bed. She got up, put on her IPod dock and pressed play. ‘What You Waiting For’ came out of the speaker quietly, she liked the song but couldn’t help but think that Gwen Stefani was nuttier than squirl shit. As she packed an overnight bag she danced to the music and used her hairbrush as a microphone.
She retrieved the music box from under the bed and realized she didn’t even know what music it played; she opened it up and heard a tinny version of ‘Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1’ and smiled at a memory of watching one of her sister’s cello recitals when she was a kid. She sat in the front row and watched Cassie lose herself in her instrument, when it was over the first person her sister looked for was Quinn.
She closed the box and put it in the backpack, squashing it in between her clothes so it wouldn’t get damaged. She turned off her dock and picked up her bag throwing it over her shoulder then made her way upstairs. Ruth and Maya were still watching TV when she went into the room.
“I’ll be staying out again tonight.”
“Will you be at Santana’s?”
“No.” She gave the woman a small smile. “I’ll be at Rachel Berry’s.”
“She’s the tiny girl who talks a lot isn’t she?”
“That’s the one.”
“She’s nice. Have fun.”
“I will.”
__________
When Rachel answered the door she looked disheveled and flushed. Quinn smirked at the girl’s appearance.
“What you been doing Berry?” She asked walking over the threshold.
“I was changing the duvet cover and got stuck inside it.”
The blonde laughed. “You are too cute, you know that?”
“It’s because of my small staure.” The brunette smiled.
“Yeah.” She nodded. “So what the plan? You asked me over, how will you be entertaining me?”
“I hadn’t realized that you’d assigned me the role of court jester for this evening. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have invited you.”
“Liar.”
“Yes, well.” The Diva shrugged. “Would a movie be an acceptable activity your majesty?”
“You know, I think it will.”
__________
Quinn had forgone the movie option when she found the ‘Gilmore Girls’ in the large trunk filled exclusively with TV shows. It was one of those programs she loved but was ashamed to admit out loud like she liked. Rachel had made her a sandwich and they both sat on Divine Snugglebottom ready to be amused by people talking too fast. She almost choked on her food when the other girl mimed the piano for the theme tune, in truth she’d done it herself in the past, but it was funnier when the Diva did it.
Half way through the second episode she picked up her bag. “I got you something.” She said, and realized that she hadn’t wrapped it, so she tore out a page from her notebook and covered the box messily while hiding it from the other girl. “There.”
Rachel took it with a smirk. “Thanks, I can see you’ve put a considerable amount of effort into wrapping this; I don’t think I can bring myself to spoil its beauty.”
“If you’re going to be sarcastic about it I’ll take it back.” Quinn went to grab it off the girl but Rachel was quick and turned on her side sticking her arm out, the blonde lunged over to grab it but couldn’t reach.
“No! Quinn I’m sorry, I promise I won’t be sarcastic again.”
“You’d better not be.” She leaned into the other girl’s ear. “I don’t just get anyone presents you know.” It was at this point she noticed that she was essentially spooning Rachel and she fumbled her way back to sit down giving the Diva a sideways glance. Charlie was out of his box, but he was on a very short leash.
Rachel relaxed back into the chair and looked over before removing the paper. She took out the box and lifted it up to study it then opened the lid and smiled an unusual smile as the music played.
Quinn watched nervously as the brunette gazed at the box, and after what felt like an age she finally asked, “Do you like it?”
“I do” Rachel closed the box and squeezed her hand. “Very much.”
The pregnant girl smiled. “I thought you might think it was weird.”
“Why would I think it’s weird?”
“I don’t know.” She lied.
“Mmm hmm. It was a very sweet gesture, thank you.”
“When I saw it I thought of you.”
“Because I’m small, oblong and only have the one tune in me?” Rachel giggled.
“Way to ruin a perfectly nice moment.” She said nudging the brunette and shaking her head. She closed her eyes and leaned into the other girl.
The earth had moved and reality had changed. There was only one thing to do. Accept it and embrace the new world with open arms.