She's So Lucky, She's A Star. [5/?]
Title: She’s So Lucky, She’s A Star.
Author: gabbie217
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Quinn/Rachel
Spoilers: None, this is set in the future.
Summary: Rachel goes through a transformation. Quinn silently cries out for help, but will the new Rachel hear her when no one else will?
Disclaimer: I own neither the song, nor the characters. All rights go to their respective owners.
A/N: Unbeta'ed. I wanted to get this out really quick like. All mistakes are mine.
John greeted the girls enthusiastically. He offered to take Quinn's coat... even though she didn't have one. He didn't seem bothered by that little fact though. He wanted his daughter's first friend-at-home experience to be perfect.
Quinn took in the house, silently as Rachel gave her a quick tour. The house was big, but had a nice lived in feeling, that Quinn's house lacked. Instead of the shrine-to-Rachel that she half expected, there were a few pieces of tasteful paintings hung on the walls, but not much else.
"I hope you like lasagna. It's a vegetable lasagana." John looked slightly worried that Quinn wouldn't want a vegan meal.
"It sounds great Mr. Berry," Quinn reassured him.
"Oh please, call me John. Mr. Berry... too formal and too confusing." John shook his head. He led Quinn back to the living room, offering her a cold or hot beverage.
All three Berry's looked so eager and ready to please, that Quinn felt a pang of guilt. It was due to her that Rachel had never had any friends. And due to her father that the Berry men weren't really accepted here in Lima. They were some of the nicest people she had ever met. And it almost brought her to tears as she saw how hard they were trying to be good hosts and hostess'. Because of her family, they didn't have much practice in entertaining guests.
Eric brought Quinn her sweet tea, green tea for Rachel, and cookies for both. "Enjoy," he said, his southern accent coming out in his excitement.
"Thank you," Quinn smiled tremblingly. She felt so guilty.
Rachel was chattering about something or another that Quinn couldn't focus on. She just stared at the girls mouth, appreciating the full lips that quirked in funny shapes as the owner tripped over her words.
10 minutes later, John announced dinner was ready. The four ate -kind of. All were laughing so hard, it was hard to chew or swallow without choking. Eric was telling stories about his days in the army. Rachel and John must have heard them a thousand times, but Quinn's reactions made the stories seem new and even funnier then before.
Quinn loved the way Rachel threw her head back as she giggled helplessly. The singer looked more comfortable then Quinn had ever seen her. Little bits of the old Rachel began showing up, mixing with the new Rachel quite nicely.
Eric brought out an eggless cake, which tasted better then it sounded.
After that, the two men excused themselves, leaving the girls to spend some time alone.
"Your dads are awesome." Quinn told Rachel seriously. "I've never had this much fun at dinner... ever."
Rachel flushed with pleasure. "They're the best. I couldn't ask for better parents."
Quinn looked down at her lap. "I've never told you this... but I am really, truly, very sorry about how I treated you..." Her eyes welled with tears. "When I see how I acted, and the things I did... I hate myself. I don't know how you can be so nice to me, when I was so awful."
"Quinn, there is no need to get into something I've long forgiven you for. I don't like seeing you put yourself through such misery." Rachel said gently.
"I don't understand why though... why you could forgive me."
"Because..." Rachel said shyly. "I like you. And when you like someone... you'll forgive them of anything."
"You.. you like me?" Quinn asked, hardly daring to believe it.
Rachel got up from her spot on the couch, walked unsteadily over to Quinn. She bent down and kissed Quinn softly on the lips. "Now do you believe me?"
Blushing, Quinn nodded. Kissing Finn had been awkward. Kissing Puck had been rough and blurry, as she was drunk. Kissing Rachel felt right. And the most amazing feeling ever. The way their lips molded together, even in that brief kiss... Quinn had never experienced anything lie it before.
The two girls sat in a comfortable silence. Just sitting next to each other holding hands. Rachel leaned her head on Quinn's shoulder, closing her eyes in contentment. Quinn felt a sort of glow ignite in her heart, and she rested her head on top of Rachel's, notcing and loving the way they seemed to fit perfectly together.
**
Eric drove Quinn home later that night. For awhile the car ride was silent. Then Quinn spoke.
"I'm sorry."
"For?" Eric looked at her, a kind and confused smile on his face.
"For everything. The way my father treated you. The way I treated your daughter. For judging you before I ever got to know you." Quinn's throat tightened.
"I would never hold you responsible for your father Quinn." Eric said seriously. "We cannot control our parents, or atone for their wrong-doings. However, I appreciate you apoloigzing for your own wrong doings. No matter how unnecessary it is, I still appreciate it. And for what it's worth, I forgive you."
"I don't deserve your forgiveness. Yet you give it to me." Quinn wiped two tears from her cheeks. "I was awful."
"You loved her. Hate is a passionate feeling. Often it masks our true feelings." Eric squeezed Quinn's hand gently. "What's done is done."
They stayed quiet the rest of the time, only speaking when Eric needed directions. He couldn't see all too well in the dark.
As she climbed out of the car, Quinn whispered, "Thank you."
Eric understood that it was more for their talk, then dinner and the car ride home. "Have a good night."
Tonight Quinn cried for the Berry's. Round and round her head spun how eager they had been. So desperate to show they were not scum or bad people. It brought a deep ache to think of what she and her father had done to that family. But the feel of Rachel's lips... the feel of her touch... the tears went away.