Fic: A Secret Relationship Unlike Any Other - Epilogue
Epilogue
Chap 1, Chap 2, Chap 3, Chap 4
Rachel shot a quick, nervous glance at her alarm clock, iPod docked and crooning a gentle, supposedly calming melody, before resuming her stare at her bed.
Well, more accurately, she resumed staring at the mess of shirts and skirts, along with the occasional headband, that used to be her bed. With a disgruntled huff, Rachel went back to work, picking through the mess to find that one perfect outfit, the one combination of clothes that would work together to make Quinn’s mouth drop.
She wasn’t having much luck.
She really, really wanted tonight to be perfect.
Losing National’s had been rough, though not for the reason most would think. While she was disappointed, who wouldn’t be, she also found it incredible that their little group of misfits, with barely enough members to compete, somehow managed to make 12th place. She got to visit New York City, the land that will one day be her home, with the her favorite group of people.
Still, losing because of a stupid kiss was indescribably disappointing. She had told Finn at least five times that she didn’t want to get back together with him, that she wanted to focus on National’s, that she couldn’t have any distractions. Somehow, in his little mind, he could ignore all that, only seeing that she had helped him with Quinn, that she wasn’t dating Jesse, that she had gone out on the town with him.
He said it was a captain’s meeting. She felt a little dumb for believing him. But she had told him!
It wasn’t even anything personal. Her and Quinn were keeping their distance during National’s too. Since Mr. Schuester decided to wait until the absolute last minute for them to set up everything (and at National’s!), Rachel had to remain focused if she wanted to bring her team to victory. And Quinn, still not sure how to announce their relationship to the world (or her mom or even just the Glee Club) seemed mostly okay with that. But she wasn’t okay with being ignored in favor of Finn Hudson.
Quinn might have some issues involving that particular situation, to be honest. Rachel has a sneaking suspicion that Quinn’s brand new haircut, along with the smirking and giggling faces of Santana and Brittany (respectively), may have been caused by those insecurities.
It had taken Rachel a little while, plus a couple of brand new trust exercises she had googled on her smart phone, to get Quinn to believe she wasn’t out canoodling with Finn, she wasn’t taking him back, and the gigantic smile was only because she met Patti Lupone.
(PATTI LUPONE!!!)
(Seriously, though, Patti freaking Lupone!!!!)
For some reason, her gushing over the Broadway legend also wasn’t quite appreciated. But Rachel sucked it up, persevered, and finally got Quinn to calm down.
Which is why, when Finn kissed her in front of a live audience, forcing her to kiss him back or really screw up their chances, Quinn just about had a breakdown. Rachel had researched more trust exercises on the plane home, ignoring the glares from her teammates, the puppy dog eyes from Finn, and the utter nothingness from Quinn.
Nothing ever went her way. But Quinn eventually got over it (they made-out in the airplane bathroom - unsanitary, but thoroughly satisfying!), and, by the end of the day, the entire Glee Club knew they were dating, even if some of them had a hard time believing it and others wouldn’t stop imagining it. With their not-so-secret relationship out in the open, the two of them were finally ready to go out on their first real date.
Which is why everything had to be perfect.
It would be a very daunting situation under any circumstance, but it was so much worse because Quinn, having gone temporarily insane, insisted on organizing the date herself and keeping Rachel completely in the dark.
Rachel appreciates the sentiment, that Quinn is trying to prove she’s not just dating Rachel for the perks (which was a little bit of a shock), but it is also madness.
She’s more than a little nervous. The only thing Quinn advised was a joking remark about dressing to impress or some such nonsense.
Rachel Berry always, always dressed to impress, and, as far as Rachel could tell, Quinn was never impressed.
She glanced again at the clock. Crap.
Only 32 hours and 27 minutes until their designated date time. She was doomed.
With a trembling hand, she reached out for her phone, quickly gliding through her contacts.
“Kurt - yes, I- no, that’s not why I’m calling it’s- Oh good for you, I’m glad that the two of you finally exchanged - NO! I didn’t mean finally as in it was taking too- what? Really? Mercedes and Sam? That seems somewhat unlikely, although I guess I did sort of bring them toget- hmm. Oh right! Kurt, I have great need of your assistance. I am in a dire, dire situation. I have nothing to wear! Can you- well, you don’t have to sound so eager or so smug…I’ll see you in ten.”
****
Sitting in her living room, Rachel was ignoring the flickering television, more engrossed in the slowly ticking clock. An hour, she still had an hour to go.
She, of course, was already ready. In fact, Kurt, who had not only picked an outfit that he had labeled casual, but dressy and “made her natural beauty pop” but also styled her hair and did her make-up had only left a half an hour ago. She was a little weary about the slightly indecent smirk he was wearing, but was fairly sure they were close enough that he had not sabotaged her again.
Part of her wanted to be up in her room, pacing and rechecking her make-up, but the room was soundproofed, and Rachel would not miss the doorbell. It was times like these she wished her fathers were present a little more.
An idea, fast and maybe not the best, popped into her head, pulling out a smile from her tense, nervous face.
Standing up suddenly, Rachel pranced across the room, eager to create at least one part of this date, even if it was only the stern, overprotective figure greeting her suitor at the door. She undid the lock from her basement door and hurried down the stairs, smile firmly in place.
The smile on faltered slightly at the sight that greeted her.
“Jesse St. James,” Rachel bellowed, hands on her hips, “it is five o’clock in the afternoon. Why on earth are you sleeping right now?” Her only response was a small grumble as the boy burrowed deeper into the couch.
With a small frown, Rachel began pulling off the blankets until she could see the college drop-out and could shake him awake.
“Ugh,” he muttered, eyes still closed as he tried feebly to push away her hands, “Noooo, I’m sleeping.”
“Jesse!” Rachel said sternly, not relenting in her shaking, “I need you. Come on, get up. You didn’t do anything all day. There is no reason for you to be tired.”
“Fine,” he finally snarled, opening his eyes and falling right off the bed. He righted himself nonchalantly, bending and pulling his body into a number of stretches until he finished with a small, content sigh.
Finally, he turned back to her with a smile on his admittedly handsome face. “So what’s up.”
One thing Rachel could admire about Jesse was his ability to go from sleep to wide awake in very little time, something most likely instilled in him from Shelby during his time in vocal adrenaline. It was an ability Rachel had been born with, but one she had also noted in all three of cheerleaders taught by Coach Sylvester.
“Quinn’s going to be here in T-Minus 47 minutes. I need you to man the door while I properly prepare myself in my room,” she explained, gripping at his shirt.
He gently pushed at her shoulders, pulling away so he could smooth out his rumpled shirt. “I told you before, Rachel,” he stated with an eye roll, “I really don’t want to be involved in any of this lesbian drama.” Rachel let out an affronted gasp, which caused Jesse to smile slightly.
“Jesse St. James, do not label me!” she ordered, wagging her finger menacingly. “I know that you are slightly heartbroken from how everything turned out, but you are still my friend and this is a friendly request. Besides, I promised to be there for your when you go through your experimental gay phase once we reach New York.”
He nodded, acquiescing at the reminder.
“Fine, whatever. Just remember, every second you force me to play along to this charade of a relationship shatters my soul just a little more,” he told her, staring meaningfully into her eyes. She nodded in solemn understanding.
“Good, now while you wait upstairs, I’m going to call some delivery for myself,” he said with an easy smile as he made his way out of the basement. Rachel hurried after him.
“Jesse, no,” she lectured, chasing him up the stairs with a pout, “you just ate an hour and a half ago. You should be saving your money for more important things.”
“I didn’t eat,” Jesse patronized, giving her a slightly condescending look, “that vegan food you gave me was gross, dry, and unworthy of me, so I hid it under the couch. I need a steak. Or a burger. Something meaty and juicy.” Rachel shook her head in despair. At least he didn’t want to try and cook again. She still hadn’t gotten some of the stains of the ceiling.
“So,” Jesse started, changing topics, “what is my direction here? When I greet Quinn at the door I mean. Am I the scorned lover? The protective older friend? An experienced and wise mentor figure to give her advice and guidance? Should I be dangerous and scary or jovial and welcoming?”
Rachel smiled in glee, keeping in mind that they were down to a half an hour, less if Quinn decided to show up early. This was why she still adored Jesse, even if he was a complete failure.
She quickly briefed him on his role. She gave a definite no to the advice or guidance, but she also dangerous and jovial. He needed the perfect mixture of scorned lover and protective brother figure. He should be protective, maybe a little jealous, but willing to try for Rachel. Then she scurried up the stairs to wait.
A scant twenty minutes later, time spent evenly between pacing, glancing out the window, and one rushed, panicked call to Kurt, and Quinn had arrived.
She may or may not have squeaked as Quinn’s car pulled up. She began her meditative breathing, waiting for Jesse to call her downstairs. Her room was completely soundproofed, though, to prevent her from disturbing the outside world as well as the other way around, so she kept her eye on the little light she had personally installed above her door. It would light up when the one of the buttons conveniently located around the house were pressed and indicate that her presence was requested.
Jesse had thought it was brilliant.
The light flicked on.
.
.
.
The light flicked on!
Rachel abandoned any pretense of calm, hopping off the bed and rushing to her door, lest she keep Quinn waiting. She grabbed the door and flung it open, ready to skip down the stairs.
To her shock, and her loud gasp proved it, Quinn was already on the other side of the door.
“Quinn,” she gasped, trying to regulate her breathing and her heart rate, “what are you doing up here? I thought you’d be downstairs with Jesse.”
Quinn eyes skimmed over her, probably making sure she was dressed appropriately for their excursion, and answered in a somewhat distracted tone, “Yeah, uh sorry. He was being creepy, though, and inappropriate. He kept asking weird, unnecessary questions. I gave up after he started talking about…intimate stuff, you know, so I locked him in your closet. Sorry.” Quinn shifted her gaze downward, looking a little embarrassed, but Rachel didn’t answer, having found herself a little distracted at Quinn’s appearance.
Like Rachel, Quinn had dressed a little outside her normal attire. Rachel, though, had only switched it up a little bit, ditching the argyle, knee socks, and animal prints, but keeping her general style - albeit a more fashionable, seductive version of it, at least according to Kurt. She had almost brought out the little black dress again, but was vetoed on grounds Rachel really didn’t understand. Quinn, though, had completely shifted her wardrobe, and Rachel wondered if she also got some advice from an outside source.
Instead of her normal baby doll dress and cardigan combo, Quinn was wearing dark jeans and a dressy shirt. Along with the smart jacket she was wearing, Quinn definitely didn’t look as feminine as she normally did but, combined with her new haircut and the way her clothes hugged her body, she destroyed Rachel’s ability to use her words.
“Gah?”
Quinn looked back up hesitantly at the noise, and smirked confidently when she saw Rachel’s eyes jerk up to Quinn’s face. Rachel knew that Quinn had dated enough boys to know where they had been a moment earlier, but, luckily, she seemed to let it slide.
“So, uh, are you ready to go,” Quinn asked, a tad bit more confidently. She even stuck her arm out, offering it to the shorter girl.
“Yeah,” Rachel responded dreamily, taking the offered arm and exiting her room. They left the house together, arm in arm, and walked together all the way to the car, where Quinn opened the door for Rachel before quickly getting in the driver’s seat.
“You look really pretty tonight, Rachel,” Quinn suddenly said as they pulled out into the road, “Sorry, I meant to say that before, but I got a little flustered. You look great.”
Rachel beamed at the compliment, glad her preparation and hard work had paid off. She smoothed out her skirt a little and eyed Quinn in her peripheries.
“You look fantastic as well, Quinn,” she stated, her tone light and airy, “It’s a little different from your usual, but you wear it exceptionally well. One could be jealous at how well you pull off just about any look, but I’m just grateful to be in your company with you looking so lovely.”
She rather enjoyed the light blush that danced across Quinn’s cheeks.
“Yeah, it’s..it’s a little different, but I figured you’d be in a skirt and I…well, Santana helped,” Quinn said hesitantly, her voice barely heard over the radio (which, as an admittedly nice touch, was playing the cast recording of Wicked). Rachel frowned in confusion, not really sure what her wearing a skirt had to do with anything, but shrugged it off as another fashion thing she wouldn’t understand.-*-
“Hmm,” was her noncommittal response as she looked out the window at the passing buildings. Lima was a fairly small town, and they were rabidly leaving it.
“Now that we are on the date, can you tell me where we’re going?” she asked Quinn, plucking nervously at her skirt.
Quinn pulled her eyes off the road just long enough to give her a small smirk, “You’ll see.”
Rachel pouted to herself, knowing Quinn wouldn’t see it, and raised the volume as “As Long As You’re Mine” started and began to quietly sing along, Quinn easily joining in as the male part. It helped ease her nervousness.
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Quinn, because she did. She really did. Despite her initial, if unspoken, fears that Quinn really was just confused and longing for companionship and Rachel’s incredible date planning, she had quickly figured out that Quinn was just as invested, if not more, in this relationship than Rachel.
Rachel admired Quinn, her beauty, her grace, her intelligence, her strength, and truly wanted to see her happy, but it wasn’t like she had ever had an intense crush on the other girl. Honestly, she had never really put much thought on her sexuality, believing what would come would come, so Quinn’s proposal had been a bit of a shock, but when they kissed, she had felt the buzzing, electric chemistry and decided to give it a shot.
She could do, and had done, a lot worse than Quinn Fabray, even if it ended an explosion of panic once the other girl calmed down and realized what she was doing.
But Quinn never panicked, wanting only not to allow their new relationship to become a spectacle, and Rachel never regretted taking the chance.
But Rachel really didn’t like surprises. She liked drama, liked big presentations and actions, but she liked being in control and knowing what was going on even more. She just didn’t have a great track record with surprises. She had learned pretty quickly that surprises could very easily be used to lure someone away from a crowd as to, oh, let’s say throw eggs at them.
It was easier to take control, micromanage everything, than wait for a potential disaster to unravel.
But she bit her tongue. This was clearly important to Quinn, and she trusted Quinn. She did.
“Hey, you okay?” Quinn asked worriedly, “Are you bored with the songs? Do you want to talk some more?”
Rachel gave the other girl a pleasant smile, masking her unease.
“Oh yes, I’m fine. I was just thinking. I’m super excited, you know. So I was thinking about that. Trying to guess stuff. In my mind,” Rachel stuttered out, trying to reassure Quinn.
It was not her best performance. Quinn’s furrowed brow proved this.
“Truly Quinn, I’m fine. Just really excited. As you might have guessed, I’m not the most patient person and the suspense is killing me,” Rachel tried again, doing much better this time. It helped, a little, mixing in a little truth. Quinn looked reassured.
The resumed their comfortable silence, Rachel keeping calm by observing Quinn’s perfect cheek bones and, well everything. She really adored the haircut. She was also quite amused by the occasional emotion that flickered across Quinn’s face. Eventually (and it was quite a while), once they were good and out of Lima, Quinn pulled into an unfamiliar restaurant.
Quinn quickly jumped out of the car as soon as the engine was turned off and rushed to get Rachel’s door for her. Giggling, Rachel allowed it, and the two held hands as they walked into the restaurant, The VegiTeranean.
That sounded familiar. From the name, Rachel could guess it was a vegan restaurant, which was probably why it sounded familiar. Upon turning to veganism the previous year, Rachel had taken to looking up any restaurants near the area (and those in New York), so it was probably one of the…
Wait!
With a gasp, Rachel figured out where they were and started bouncing excitedly, beaming at the smiling Quinn.
This was Chrissie Hynde’s, from The Pretenders, restaurant. This was perfect. Rachel ended up dragging Quinn the rest of the way to the restaurant.
Rachel doesn’t know how Quinn managed it, but they are sat quickly and she is soon scouring over the menu.
It’s amazing, really. Rachel is vegan for a number of reasons, some moral and some vanity, but in a small town in Ohio, it can be a bit difficult. Or, rather, very difficult. Because of her own admittedly atrocious cooking ability, which she had repeatedly tried to remedy, she found herself eating mostly whatever she could find out restaurants around town.
The few options she could find were truthfully getting a little stale. Lima didn’t offer much more than plain salads and whatever Rachel could hassle the staff into preparing for her. Sometimes the staff wouldn’t even do that much, like Breadstix that couldn’t even prepare marinara sauce without meat.
So seeing all these choices - pizza, pasta, soups, entrees, and some amazing salad choices - made Rachel giddy. She had never been much of a food person, but Rachel could’ve ordered one of everything at that moment.
“Oh Quinn,” she squealed, “This is amazing! How did you…I can’t believe…You’re so…” She couldn’t even get the words out. People just did not do this sort of thing for her. Most people treated her veganism as a joke, or another annoying thing about her that they had to deal with. No one, especially not Finn Hudson, went out of their way to accommodate this particular trait.
The thought behind the gesture was even more pleasing than any of the food could ever be. She would have to make sure Quinn knew just how much she appreciated it.
Quinn just smiled indulgently throughout her gushing.
They shared a very nice, pleasant meal. Quinn seemed to enjoy her chick’n fried Portobello steak with white bean mashed potatoes and braised greens and the charcuterie plate they had shared as a starter, and Rachel absolutely adored her Tuscan grilled eggplant parmesan.
More than the food, Rachel really enjoyed the easy conversation the two of them shared. Rachel talked in more detail about her future and New York, and Quinn actually listened, and, eventually, began to hesitantly share some of her own thoughts about the future.
In fact, their conversation had taken a rather serious turn.
“Quinn,” Rachel was saying, “what I said at prom was true. You are capable of so much more than you think.”
Quinn’s gaze was fixed at the table as she pushed her food around with her fork, apparently unable to meet Rachel’s eyes.
“I’m not like you Rachel,” she finally said, “I don’t…I want to get out of here, I do. But even before- before last year, I really didn’t have many plans for myself. I did everything I was supposed to just so I could have a chance to go to college, get out of this Podunk town, but I never had plans for what I’d do then. And I couldn’t even handle that.”
Her voice was low and hesitant as she shared her fears in a very uncharacteristic manner. The fact that she was sharing anything at all meant that she trusted Rachel, a trust Rachel certainly would do her best to live up to, and that had to start now.
So she did her best to mend what seemed broken, just like she always did.
“There are people in this world who work to live and those that live to work,” Rachel started, reaching out to catch Quinn’s hands, “People who love what they do and those who work so they can work to survive. When I was younger, my fathers were the ones who put me in dance and singing classes, and pageants, and I loved it. I loved every bit of it, the stage and its audience, even the harsh heat of the spot lights. So I set out to make it so I could do that for the rest of my life. All you need to do right now, is figure out what you love enough that you want to do it for the rest of your life and then work for the chance to do just that. But Quinn, you still have a whole year to figure that out, longer really, and you have everything you need to get to that point. So trust yourself to find happiness, because I certainly trust you to help me find mine.”
Quinn gave her a watery smile and soon the conversation turned to lighter topics, allowing the two to really enjoy the rest of their time in the restaurant. But even without the heavy topics, the conversation stayed interesting and equal. Rachel didn’t have to dumb herself down or talk to an zoned out audience, which was a bit of a difference.
In fact, Rachel rather liked that they could talk about sensitive, serious topics. Not only about themselves, but also about the going-ons in the world and the news. It was a relatively new experience, being able to hold serious, intelligent conversations - sometimes debates, without either side condescending the other or zoning out.
Finally, they finished up and left, Quinn picking up the substantial check at her insistence, and Rachel thought it had been a rather incredible first date.
But Quinn wasn’t finished yet.
It really was a good thing they had such an early start because, on the way back to Lima, they pulled off at an old-fashioned drive-in theater that was playing some of Rachel’s favorite old classics, still in black and white. Quinn pulled out some snacks and water from the back seat and the two enjoyed the snacks, the old films, and the cuddling.
It was magical.
They finally made it back to Rachel’s house, minutes before Rachel’s self-imposed curfew, and Quinn walked her to her front door.
“Thank you, Quinn,” Rachel said sincerely, looking up into Quinn’s eyes, “Though I was at first dubious about being kept in the dark for this evening’s plans, as well as letting someone else create said plans, this evening was marvelous and romantic.”
Quinn smiled back, looking at ease and comfortable, reaching out to grab one of Rachel’s hands.
“I know you like planning and everything, and you can bet I won’t take that away from you. I enjoy those dates too much for that, but I wanted to show you it wasn’t about the dates you can think up. I like you, a lot, more than I ever thought possible. With you, it’s like I’m living someone else’s life. I wanted to make you feel just as special as you make me feel,” Quinn said, playing with Rachel’s hands.
“Well,” Rachel smirked, “You certainly did just that. Now, I assume we will have a goodnight kiss, which you will of course instigate, so let me inform you now that I will be taking you out, with your agreement of course, in exactly one weeks time. I imagine we will spend lots of time together in between then and now, but it is always best to plan these things well in advance, as you know. This will give you time to check your Lion Calendar and inf-”
Quinn cut her off with a kiss. Despite how long it had been since they first decided to date - a whole two weeks! - the drama caused by Finn and Regional’s and everything in between had led to them not really pursuing anything…intimate during that time.
Sure, they had that first kiss, along with a couple of rushed pecks and that one quick, messy make-out sessions, but they hadn’t had much alone time and no true romantic moments.
That first kiss with Quinn, after all the tears and talking, hadn’t quite been what Rachel would consider a magical first kiss. Quinn, after all, had been at wits end and desperate and, to be honest, Rachel wasn’t sure how great an idea the two of them dating would be.
Yes, Quinn liked her through Finn, but she seemed to despise her most of the time, even if they had gotten better and had a few moments. And even if Quinn did like her, did want to be around her, there was a great deal of distance between that and actually liking her in a romantic way. Quinn had been so out of her mind at the moment, Rachel doubted she had considered the full ramifications of her actions during everything.
And Rachel, despite being a rather open and forgiving person, still had a lot to deal with and get over to truly date Quinn. Sure, she had always thought of Quinn as pretty much perfect (beautiful, smart, talented, and popular), but Quinn’s actions toward had always prevented her from really liking the other girl.
But the kiss. Like she had said, it wasn’t the most romantic kiss, but it had shown her something. Her and Quinn had that ever elusive, electric chemistry. It was something that, no matter Quinn’s desperation or Rachel’s doubt, could not be faked. That kiss had made her buzz.
They had connected with the one kiss, and, if nothing else, it convinced Rachel to give them a chance. And Rachel was all about taking chances. So she dove in head first with all her enthusiasm.
And, so far, everything was going wonderfully.
The kiss they were sharing now, soft and sweet and romantic in front of Rachel’s door…well, it certainly made up for anything that first kiss lacked. Rachel was buzzing again, connecting again, but it was explosive. There was no emotional exhaustion wearing her down, no taste of salty tears. Just Quinn, tilting her head at just the right angle and moving her lips just the right way.
It was their first kiss without any other emotions wearing at them. No jealousy or desperation fueling them. No self-consciousness battling against curious eyes. No worries creating a million expectations. Just the two of them and a doorstep.
Rachel, eyes closed and foot popped, found herself deepening the kiss without even realizing it, bringing her hand up to grasp at the taller girl. She felt, heard, and saw firewor- rocke- just magnificent explosions as the other girl’s lips moved against hers, body moved against hers.
How could Finn ever break up with such a girl.
Eventually, of course, the two separated, breathing a little harsh. It was most definitely a worthy goodnight kiss. Guaranteed! And Rachel would inform Quinn of this as soon as she remembered how to do more than stare at the other girl in awe.
Words, Rachel! Everyone knows you can use them!
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow, maybe?” Quinn asked, apparently able to find her words a little quicker, hesitant and awkward though they were.
Rachel licked her lips.
“Right…I’ll see you then…or call you! Yeah, call you tomorrow!” Quinn rushed out, starting to appear nervous in face of Rachel’s silence. Quinn began to back away from the door hurriedly and that, like always, managed to jolt Rachel into action.
“Wait,” she shouted, reaching out for Quinn’s hand and pulling the two of them close again. Their finger easily intertwined as Rachel, a breath away, looked up at Quinn.
“This really was the best date I have ever had the pleasure of being treated to. I loved the restaurant and the movies, I even loved the car ride. But my favorite part was the ending. Thank you for a fantastic evening Quinn Fabray, and I will definitely see you tomorrow,” Rachel whispered and, before she could lose her nerve, delivered one soft, quick kiss and an enthusiastic hug before running inside.
The second she was inside, she leaned against her closed door and let out a content sigh. That really had been perfect and so much more than Rachel expected. Maybe surprises weren’t so bad after all.
And then she looked at her house.
She was going to kill Jesse! She told him to never try cooking ever again, especially when she wasn’t home! Yet, it looked as if the kitchen had exploded into the living room…and why was the closet door on the floor?
The End
A/N: Okay, just so everyone is aware, I am taking liberties with locations here. Lima, Ohio and Akron, Ohio are really far away. Lima is actually pretty far from anything, it really is small town. But if the show can ignore this, so can I. Either everyone drives futuristic cars that travel three times the speed, or Akron and Lima are magically closer together.
Also, that restaurant really exists, but any information I got was from the internet, thus the lack of detail. The menu, though, looks fabulous.
I think the main reason I wrote this epilogue, at least in this way, was because I wanted to show that the relationship really would end up being equal between the two. This is the end though, while I might write up the occasional date, I do slightly doubt it.