The Beginning [3/3]
Title: The Beginning
Pairings: Santana/Brittany, Rachel/Quinn, Puck/Anna (OC) Minor/Mentions: Quinn/Finn, Santana/Finn, Rachel/Finn, Rachel/Jesse, Quinn/Puck, Brittany/OC
Minor Characters: Allison Fabray, Rachel’s dads, Rachel’s “Pop” Berry
Rating: PG-13
Length: ~5,300 for this part. ~14,700 total
Summary: Before their lives were perfect there were a few bumps in the road.
Warning: Minor character death
Author’s Note: See Part 1
Part 1 | Part 2
--August 2012 - May 2014--
Santana and Brittany
The first year in Chicago was good for Brittany and Santana. Santana came out of the school year with a 3.99 GPA and Brittany was in love with teaching dance to her young students. They went to Lima for a few weeks early in the summer because that’s when Rachel, Quinn, and Allie planned on being there. They were both happy for Rachel signing onto the show and Santana boasted that her GPA was higher than Quinn’s and the blonde just shrugged her off citing that she had a daughter and her course load was more than Santana’s because she was going to try and finish school in three years instead of four.
Santana, Brittany, and Rachel took Allie to the park a few afternoons when Puck had to work and Quinn needed to get something done for her online classes. The shorter brunette droned on and on about the show she was starting and how she felt honored to be in the lead. Santana felt like she was going to pull her hair out but Brittany looked genuinely interested in the musical so the Latina gritted her teeth and smiled through it.
When the pair got back to Chicago and their tiny apartment Santana started working as much as she could at a second job so she could hopefully save up and not have to work as much during the school year. Brittany didn’t complain but the Latina did see the look in the blonde’s eyes that told her she was missed. Santana missed Brittany, too, but she was sure that it would pay off in the end and they’d get to spend more time together.
“B, I picked up an extra shift tonight so I'll be home late, okay?”
Brittany whined.
“Hey, why don’t you go out while I work tonight, hm? See if some of the other teachers want to go out or something.”
Brittany shrugged. “I guess. It won’t be as fun, though.”
“I’m sure you’ll have a great time.” Santana smiled and kissed the blonde’s forehead.
The Latina finally got out of her shift waiting tables an hour late and she stumbled into the apartment around midnight. Brittany wasn’t home yet and Santana furrowed her eyebrows. She picked up her cell phone and dialed her number and it rang several times before Brittany’s voicemail came on. Santana shrugged, it wasn’t like Brittany had never stayed out late with the other teachers before. Santana changed into her pajamas and settled into bed. She was awoken from a deep sleep by the apartment door rattling and finally opening.
“B?” Santana yawned. “Babe, what time is it?”
“I don’t know,” came a weak response.
“Mmm, come to bed.”
“S…I…something happened.”
Santana sat bolt upright and stared into the darkness. She got out of bed and fumbled for the light switch. Brittany was disheveled, her makeup smeared and her hair a mess.
“What happened? B did someone hurt you?” Santana cupped the blonde’s face and pushed her hair back looking for any sign of bruising.
Brittany shook her head and dropped to sit on the edge of the bed. “No.”
“What’s wrong?” Santana joined her girlfriend and put a hand on Brittany’s shoulder. “B, just tell me what happened.”
Brittany started sobbing and Santana pulled her in. The blonde wrapped her arms around the Latina’s shoulders and buried her face into Santana’s shoulder. Santana stroked Brittany’s hair and tried to soothe the seemingly inconsolable blonde.
“B…babe, come on. Tell me what happened.”
“I…I slept with someone,” Brittany finally choked out.
Santana froze. “What?”
“This guy…he was there and he bought me drinks. And he took me to his apartment and…”
Santana stood up and dropped to her knees by the bed. She pulled out Brittany’s bright pink duffel bag and took it to the dresser. She began emptying the contents of the drawers into it; her heart was pounding so loud she couldn’t hear Brittany’s pleas for her to stop. Once the drawers were empty Santana moved to the bathroom and pulled out Brittany’s drawer and dumped the contents into the bag.
“San…I didn’t mean to! I was drunk and…and I’m so sorry! Please, I want to talk! Please!” Brittany tried to pull her into an embrace but Santana shrugged away.
“Get the fuck out. Just get out!” Santana zipped up the bag and threw it on the bed.
“No…no we can fix it! I’ll fix it! Just tell me how, please!” Brittany begged.
“You want to talk? Fine. Let’s talk. Let’s talk about how I’ve been working my ass off so that we can live close to your studio and not have to eat fucking ramen noodles all the time. Let’s talk about how I’ve taken care of you every fucking day since we moved here and I’ve never once even thought about anyone else, B. I know I fucked up in high school but you knew early on that it was just sex. You knew that. Don’t play the dumb card and say you didn’t. When I told you I wanted it to be just us that was it. I never thought about anyone else. You broke it, Brittany. You broke everything.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Brittany whimpered. “Please…I can fix it.”
“Get the fuck out of my apartment.”
Santana grabbed the bright pink duffel bag and opened the apartment door. She tossed the bag into the hallway and stood with her arms crossed over her chest and tried to be stoic as she watched Brittany sob a few more times and then drag her feet out the door and leave. The Latina slammed the door behind her and dropped to the floor and cried.
The Latina made excuses when Quinn or Rachel called as to why Brittany wasn’t there and all signs said that Brittany was doing the same because neither Quinn nor Rachel asked what was going on. A month went by, Brittany called and texted every single day. Santana’s school year began and she threw herself into her classes and into her job and kept her second job just so she could make ends meet. She found an envelope that had been slid underneath the apartment door with a check in it bearing Brittany’s signature that had “my part of rent” written on the “memo” line and with it a small piece of paper.
"I still want to fix it. Please?
I’m living at the studio if you want to talk.
Love always,
B"
Santana tore up the check and crumpled up the paper and tossed them both in the trash. Brittany’s mail stopped coming to the apartment after that and the Latina didn’t get as many texts or phone calls. Santana pretended not to notice. Another month went by and another envelope appeared with another check and another note.
"Please take it this time. I know you’re still working a lot and I want to help.
I still want to fix it. Pretty please?
Love always,
B"
Santana again tore up the check and crumpled up the note and went to work. Three days later she was cleaning empty tables and she spotted a tall blonde step into the restaurant. Brittany looked tired, her eyes didn’t sparkle and she barely whispered when the hostess asked to seat her. Santana’s feet carried her up to the blonde and she nudged the hostess away.
“What do you want? I’m busy.” Santana crossed her arms over her chest and made sure her glare was as cold as it could be.
Brittany’s eyes darted around the empty restaurant and she sniffled. “I want to fix it.”
“I don’t have time for this right now.” Santana turned to walk away but Brittany caught her shoulder.
“Please,” she whispered. “Pretty please? Can we just talk? That’s all I want.”
Santana sighed. “Fine.” She took off her apron and led Brittany to the break room. They huddled at a table in the corner and Santana raised her eyebrows expectantly.
“I’m sorry,” Brittany said. “I’m so, so sorry and I promise I won’t ever do it again. I want to come back home, I don’t like living at the studio. I was stupid and I’m sorry. I love you, S. I don’t know what to do without you.”
“Brittany, you cheated on me. I don’t think you get it.”
“I do! I do get it! Remember all those times you slept with all those guys? It hurt me, okay? I never told you it did because you were always saying that sex didn’t mean anything but it always meant something to me. I always loved you.”
“You knew how it was gonna be.”
“I know I did but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. I know I’m not book smart like you and Quinn…but I know that it sucks to get hurt and I’m sorry I hurt you and I don’t ever want to do it again.”
Brittany buried her face in her hands and sniffled again. Santana sighed.
“Brittany…why did you do it? Why’d you go home with him?”
“I don’t know…he bought me a lot of drinks and he was really nice and he told me I was pretty.”
“And you didn’t think about me at all?”
“I did…because he said all the things you used to say to me. You always told me I was pretty and that you wanted me and then you stopped. We…we didn’t do anything for a while and I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Then you didn’t even want to talk to me and you just threw me out but I didn’t want to give up…I love you too much.”
“So you cheated on me because I was exhausted? Brittany, I was working a lot, that didn’t mean I didn’t want you. I thought you knew I was tired.”
“You never talked to me. I’m not…that thing…I can’t read your brain.”
Santana stared down at the table and threaded her fingers through her hair. “I thought you understood, B. I-I’m sorry…I should’ve told you.”
“I still want to fix it,” Brittany sighed. “But if you don’t want to…I guess I’ll go back to Lima.”
Santana shook her head. “Don’t leave,” she finally whispered.
“Santana!” One of the Latina’s co-workers called to her from the door. “Dinner rush is about to come in, you gotta get out here.”
Santana looked up and her gaze met Brittany’s hopeful eyes.
“Do you still have your key?”
Brittany nodded.
“If…if you want…we can talk after my shift.”
Brittany nodded again, this time with a smile and tears in her eyes. “Okay.”
“I’ll see you tonight.”
Santana stood and grabbed her apron and led Brittany out. The blonde leaned in for a kiss and Santana shied away.
“I want to talk first, okay?”
Brittany sniffled and nodded yet again. “I’ll see you later.”
Santana did her best to keep focused on her work that night and when her shift was over she hung back in the break room for a while and took a few deep breaths before she headed home. When she opened the apartment door Brittany was standing there with a yellow rose and a smile. Santana gave a weak smile and went to sit down at their small table, Brittany followed obediently and put the yellow rose down in front of the Latina.
“You didn’t tell Rachel and Quinn,” Santana pointed out.
Brittany shook her head. “I wanted to fix it and I know they would have tried to fix it for me.”
Santana nodded. “I get it.”
“One of the other teachers took me to the doctor after it happened. I didn’t get pregnant or anything but they did tests and they said I should do more later to make sure I didn’t get sick or whatever but they said I’m not sick now.”
“That’s good. I’m glad you did that. Listen, Brittany-“
“I love you, S. I-I don’t know what to do to fix it but whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.”
“I love you too, B,” Santana whispered.
“Can I fix it? Will you let me fix it?”
Santana swallowed hard and nodded. “We’ll fix it, B. I promise I’ll talk to you more, okay? I won’t throw you out like that again.”
“I promise I’ll never do it again. Never, ever, ever.”
Santana slid her arm across the table and took Brittany’s hand. The feeling of her digits entwining with the blonde's was familiar and comfortable and absolutely right.
It wasn’t easy. It’s not that Santana was paranoid or anything but every time they got into even the smallest fight after that, Brittany would wind up in tears and beg Santana not to throw her out. It got frustrating and Santana had to remember to keep her temper in check to try and calm the blonde down. By the end of Santana’s sophomore year things were back to normal and Santana had surprised Brittany at Valentine’s day with a pair of rings.
--August 2013 - July 2016--
Rachel and Quinn (with an appearance by Brittany and Santana, and Puck and Anna)
Rachel’s hours were grueling for the rehearsals for the play but both she and Quinn knew it would be worth it in the end. All day before opening night, Rachel was a nervous wreck. She paced around the house with her script mumbling her lines and singing scales. Quinn didn’t dare get in her way. Instead the blonde picked out her outfit for the night and made sure she had her ticket in her purse and ready to go.
“I’m going,” Rachel said softly from the bedroom door that afternoon. “You’ll be there, right?”
Quinn smiled up from going through her jewelry box and skipped over to her girlfriend with a huge smile.
“I’ll be there, front row. And you’re going to do magnificent.” Quinn kissed Rachel’s forehead and the brunette nodded.
“I’m really nervous.”
“Rach, you’ll be fine.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t come. Opening night is always…”
Quinn silenced Rachel with a kiss and the brunette relaxed a little.
“I will be there,” Quinn whispered. “Front and center for my sweetheart’s big debut.”
Rachel blushed. “I should go.”
“I love you. Break a leg.” Quinn smiled.
“Love you, too.”
Three hours later Quinn was waiting in the lobby of the very small theater. She could barely move because it was so packed. The doors finally opened and she was ushered to her seat, literally front row center. She looked around behind her and the theater was slowly filling up and by the time the house lights went down it was completely packed.
The first time Rachel stepped out on stage Quinn felt herself grin like she never had before. Rachel never faltered, never missed a cue, and never missed a note. It was perfect, just like Quinn knew it would be. The blonde had helped Rachel run lines and listened to her practice but seeing it on stage was very, very different. By the end if the show everyone was on their feet and Quinn could see Rachel glance down at her and grin.
Quinn quickly made her way back stage to the dressing rooms and snuck up behind Rachel who was chatting animatedly with one of her co-stars. The blonde pounced on her from behind and Rachel squealed. She whipped around and immediately threw her arms around the blonde.
“There wasn’t an empty seat in the house,” Quinn said. “Completely sold out.”
“I saw!” Rachel jumped a few times. “I can’t believe this!”
“Believe it, babe, the show is good. And that’s not biased just because I’m sleeping with the star.” Quinn winked and Rachel chuckled. “And speaking of sleeping with the star, any idea what time you’ll get home?”
“We’re having a meeting in a few minutes. You’ll know when I’m there, though.”
Quinn smirked.
Rachel’s show sold out week after week after week. Quinn heard other students on campus talking about it and people mentioning it in the grocery store. When they went home for Thanksgiving they brought a DVD with them and had a viewing party. Even Puck agreed that it was “kind of awesome”.
-*-*-*-*-*-
Christmas was hard that year, Rachel got a phone call from her dads the day before they were scheduled to leave that her Pop Berry had a heart attack and her dads were going down to Florida to see him. Rachel spent hours online trying to get plane tickets but ultimately came up with nothing. She and Quinn drove to Lima and gave Allie to Puck, stayed the night, and then drove down to Florida the next day, taking shifts so they didn’t have to stop for the night. They got to the hospital room just as Rachel’s dads were being ushered out by a nurse.
“He’s gone, sweetie,” Rachel’s Dad whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
Rachel’s Daddy was silent and attempting to look stoic but Quinn saw the immense pain behind his eyes now that both of his parents were gone. She couldn’t help but relate to him. Rachel stood in shock and Quinn stepped around her to hug Rachel’s Daddy.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered into his chest when his strong arms wrapped around her. He kissed the top of her head and she heard him sniffle.
They spent the next few days in and out of law offices and banks and trying to get things at Pop’s assisted living home packed up to donate to the other residents as he had indicated he wanted. The funeral was small, Rachel’s Daddy seemed to want to stay near Quinn as much as possible. She knew he felt the connection, too.
During their last night in Florida, Rachel and Quinn settled into their hotel room bed and lay there, staring up at the ceiling. Christmas had passed and was completely forgotten. Puck had sent video to Quinn’s phone of Allie opening her presents and both Rachel and Quinn cried at missing it.
“I don’t know what to do with the money,” Rachel whispered. “I feel bad getting it because the only reason I have it now is because he’s gone.”
“He wanted you to have it.”
“It’s a lot of money, Quinn. Not even Daddy knew that he had all of it. I thought about giving it to a socially conscious charity but the will already apportioned some of the estate for that.”
“Why don’t you just leave it alone for now? See what happens in a few years.”
The drive back to Lima was slower than the drive to Florida. When they got there they were met with big hugs from Allie and condolences from Puck, and Brittany and Santana who had been helping him out.
“So like, I know you guys had a long drive and stuff,” Puck said when Rachel and Quinn dropped to the couch in his living room. “But I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Rachel perked up and straightened her shoulders, Quinn nodded.
“I don’t want to work at the Pick-n-Save forever so I was thinking about it and I know what I want to do.” He pulled a brochure out of his pocket and handed it to Quinn. “There’s a police academy down in Columbus, I’m thinkin’ that maybe I’ll go there.”
Quinn raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “You want to be a cop? Puck, you sold pot cupcakes in high school. You stole baby books! You want to be a cop?”
“I know I screwed up then but I think it’d be pretty badass. I’d totally be good at it, I know how to bust underage kids. I gotta be 21 to go so I have to wait another year but I figure I can keep working and save up for it and a place to live while I’m there.”
“I’m very proud of you, Noah,” Rachel said with a smile.
-*-*-*-*-*-
The next year flew by. Rachel's show was doing extremely well and things just seemed to get easier. Quinn graduated a year early as planned, class of 2015, and she and Rachel decided to use some of money that Rachel had been left to lease their own two bedroom apartment. Rachel’s show went on hiatus for a month so the producers could find a bigger venue and do a little more advertising and she spent it helping Quinn secure a job at the school Allie was enrolled in kindergarten for and organizing their new home. They went to Lima for two weeks and helped Puck move into his apartment in Columbus so he could start the police training program in August.
“There’s a lot of chicks in this building,” Puck smirked when a woman walked by his open door.
“Puck, you’re a pig.”
“Chick cops are hot.”
“I really hope that’s not the only reason you’re doing this.”
“Nah, don’t worry about it Baby Mama. I’m doin’ it for the kid. I don’t want her going to career day saying her old man works at fuckin’ Pick-n-Save. I have to bus tables while I go through training but whatever, in a few months she’ll be able to tell everyone I’m a badass cop.”
Quinn sighed. “You really need to watch your language.”
“She’s not even in the room.”
“Momma! I heard Daddy say a bad word!” Allie shouted from the kitchen.
Quinn raised her eyebrows. “Told you.”
“Kid’s got supersonic hearing or something,” Puck mumbled.
-*-*-*-*-*-
Rachel and Quinn both held back tears as they walked Allie to her kindergarten classroom. Each of them had cried when they went school supply and clothes shopping, the night before, and again early that morning before they took Allie to school.
Rachel knelt down and fixed the girl’s white shirt and pink argyle sweater vest that Quinn had argued against but Allie demanded she get when they had gone shopping for school clothes. Rachel proudly helped pick out the matching pink skirt and picked up white tights and shiny black shoes. Allie's hair was up in a high curly ponytail, as per her request, and she gave her mothers a final hug before she turned and took a dramatic deep breath. After Allie confidently walked into the classroom the teacher waved at Rachel and Quinn and the pair stood in the doorway.
“You need to get to your classroom,” Rachel said.
“Uh-huh.”
Neither one moved. They watched Allie put her backpack and purple lunchbox in its designated cubbie and take her pencils, paper, and art box to the desk with her name on it. Quinn sniffled.
“Stop, you’re going to make me cry again!” Rachel hissed.
Quinn nodded. Allie cautiously approached a girl who was staring at the goldfish swimming around in its tank in the back. The young blonde extended her hand.
“I’m Allison Violet Fabray but everyone calls me Allie.”
The young girl looked down at Allie’s hand and carefully took it.
“I’m Daisy.”
“I like that flower.” Allie grinned.
“Me too. My daddy named me it ‘cause he said I was made ‘cause he gived my mommy some daisies and she liked ‘em.”
“Oh no…” Quinn mumbled.
“My momma just liked my name.” Allie shrugged. “My daddy lives in Ohio but I got a mom and a momma here. My mom is a singer and she’s gonna win lots of awards and stuff.”
The other young girl smiled and squealed. “My cousin David has a dad and a daddy!”
“So does my mom!”
Quinn sighed and pulled away from the door with a smile. “I think we’re good here.”
Rachel nodded and escorted the blonde to her third grade classroom where a few students were already putting their things away. They hugged before Rachel left and wished the blonde good luck. The brunette had no idea what to do with herself for the rest of the day since she had the day off.
Rachel and Quinn decided not to go to Lima for Thanksgiving because Puck told them he would be out of town and Rachel’s dads decided to take a cruise. When the trio went home for Christmas, Puck had informed them that he had a surprise for them. Their first stop was to the Berry house to drop off their things and then to the Puckerman house where Puck said he was staying for Christmas break so they didn’t have to drive to Columbus. Rachel and Quinn were both nervous because for all they knew, Puck’s surprise was a gift to entice them into a threesome. He answered the door with a huge smile and immediately picked up Allie and swung her around.
“Come on,” he said. “I got somebody I want you to meet.”
Rachel and Quinn arched their eyebrows and followed Puck into the kitchen. His sister was at the table and Allie ran to her and hopped up on her lap. Puck’s mother was standing at the stove with another brunette right next to her. Puck slipped an arm around the other woman’s waist and tugged her around.
“Babe, they’re here,” he whispered to her.
The young woman turned around and with a bright smile she extended her hand to Rachel and Quinn. Quinn shook it first, then the shorter brunette.
“Guys, this is Anna. She’s a senior at OSU and…she’s kinda my fiancée.”
Quinn’s jaw dropped. Rachel shrieked.
“When did this happen!?” the blonde gasped. “You never said anything!”
“I told you, I wanted to surprise you. We met a few weeks after you guys left and I was with her family in Cleveland for Thanksgiving and that’s when I asked her to marry me.”
“We met because he was doing a ride-along with an officer and I got pulled over.”
“Forty-three in a thirty-five,” Puck said with a smirk. “I wrote my number on the ticket.”
“I thought he was kind of cute and so I called him.”
Puck walked over to the kitchen table and picked up Allie and settled her on his hip.
“Hey Al, this is Anna. You wanna say hi?”
Allie thrust out her hand. “I’m Allison Violet Fabray but everybody calls me Allie.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Allie. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”
“Are you my Daddy’s friend?”
“Well,” the brunette smiled nervously. “I’m his fiancée, do you know what that means?”
Allie shook her head.
“It means we’re going to get married, if that’s alright with you of course.”
“Like a wedding?”
“Yes, next summer.”
“Can I be in it?”
“Of course, you get to be the flower girl. It’s a very important job!”
“Can I wear pink?”
“You sure can.”
“Okay!”
Over dinner Anna told how she was majoring in business and once she and Puck graduated they would be moving back to Lima if Puck got a job with their police department and Anna was interested in selling real estate. She was excellent with Allie and the young blonde seemed to immediately take to her which both Rachel and Quinn agreed was a good sign.
Both Rachel and Quinn were still absolutely stunned when they returned to the Berry house after dinner. They sat with Rachel’s dads in the living room and told them the news. Both men were equally stunned.
“I like her,” Rachel said. “She’s got a college education, she has plans for after school. She’s very solid and grounded and exactly what Noah needs and she was very good with Allie.”
Quinn shook her head. “I just still can’t freakin’ believe it.”
Brittany and Santana were just as shocked when they found out the next day. Them, Quinn, Rachel, Allie, Puck, and Anna met at a diner for lunch and hot chocolate, Santana and Brittany mostly sat there with their mouths hung open while Puck was sweet and a complete gentleman.
“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” Santana finally asked.
“Santana!” Rachel squeaked. “That was inappropriate.”
“What?! It’s Puck!”
“Dude, I’m right here.”
Anna smiled a little and slipped her hand into Puck’s. “Noah has told me about his history but he’s been nothing but a sweet gentleman to me since our first date.”
Puck smiled and kissed his fiancée’s forehead and Santana shook her head a little.
The discussion was discontinued when Rachel’s phone rang, since she was sandwiched in between Quinn and Brittany in the booth she apologized and then answered it. There was a silence followed by a few yeses and a “that sounds wonderful”. When Rachel hung up the phone she was shaking as she dropped it on the table and blinked a few times.
“Rachel?” Quinn asked softly. “What was that?”
“The producers,” Rachel squeaked. She was still trembling.
“Okay…”
“Th-the show just got picked up for Broadway starting in June. He said something about some investor and record ticket sales or something…I don’t really remember…”
“You…you’re going to be on Broadway?” Quinn repeated to clarify. “Your show?”
Rachel nodded slowly and took a sip of water. “My show.”
Puck reached over and covered Allie’s ears. “Holy shit.”
Rachel nodded again. “I’m trying very, very hard not to scream right now,” the brunette said calmly.
“You owe me ten dollars,” Brittany said as she poked Santana’s shoulder.
Rachel arched her eyebrow.
“In high school, like before glee club and all that stuff, you always said you’d be a star and Santana said you were um…what’d you say she was?”
“Delusional,” Santana mumbled.
“Yeah, that. Anyways, I bet her ten dollars you would be a star.”
Rachel let out an offended squeak.
“Don’t look so offended, Berry,” Santana said. “It was like freshman year or whatever.”
Rachel nodded and Quinn slipped her arm around the brunette’s shoulders and kissed her cheek.
“I cannot wait to celebrate this,” Quinn murmured into Rachel’s ear.
Quinn sat front row center the next June and watched Rachel take the stage in a sold out theater. She met the star immediately afterward with a deep kiss that Rachel returned with enthusiasm, silently thanking the blonde for the dozen pink roses she’d sent.
They met Brittany and Santana in Lima later that month for Puck and Anna’s wedding where Allie was the flower girl in her puffy pink dress. Quinn stayed the week after with Allie at Rachel’s dads while the brunette flew back to the city to do her show. When Puck and Anna came back from their honeymoon Quinn helped them move into the house they had decided to buy.
With tears in her eyes the blonde said goodbye to Allie, leaving her to spend her first summer in Lima, and Quinn drove back to New York City. Ten hours by herself gave her plenty of time to think.
Santana and Brittany drove in the opposite direction back to their tiny apartment in Chicago. Their pinkies were linked the entire way. Each of them knew what the other was thinking.
Rachel let out a content sigh when she closed her phone after Quinn had called her that she was starting the drive back to New York. The brunette smiled at the picture stuck to her dressing room mirror of Quinn and Allie just after the little girl was born.
Their beginnings had been unusual, at best. The road had no doubt been a little rocky for all of them to get established and prepared for the future but the two couples were definitely eager to spend the rest of their lives together. They all figured that if the beginning was any indication, it was going to be a hell of a good ride.
Next: Mother's Day
Pairings: Santana/Brittany, Rachel/Quinn, Puck/Anna (OC) Minor/Mentions: Quinn/Finn, Santana/Finn, Rachel/Finn, Rachel/Jesse, Quinn/Puck, Brittany/OC
Minor Characters: Allison Fabray, Rachel’s dads, Rachel’s “Pop” Berry
Rating: PG-13
Length: ~5,300 for this part. ~14,700 total
Summary: Before their lives were perfect there were a few bumps in the road.
Warning: Minor character death
Author’s Note: See Part 1
Part 1 | Part 2
--August 2012 - May 2014--
Santana and Brittany
The first year in Chicago was good for Brittany and Santana. Santana came out of the school year with a 3.99 GPA and Brittany was in love with teaching dance to her young students. They went to Lima for a few weeks early in the summer because that’s when Rachel, Quinn, and Allie planned on being there. They were both happy for Rachel signing onto the show and Santana boasted that her GPA was higher than Quinn’s and the blonde just shrugged her off citing that she had a daughter and her course load was more than Santana’s because she was going to try and finish school in three years instead of four.
Santana, Brittany, and Rachel took Allie to the park a few afternoons when Puck had to work and Quinn needed to get something done for her online classes. The shorter brunette droned on and on about the show she was starting and how she felt honored to be in the lead. Santana felt like she was going to pull her hair out but Brittany looked genuinely interested in the musical so the Latina gritted her teeth and smiled through it.
When the pair got back to Chicago and their tiny apartment Santana started working as much as she could at a second job so she could hopefully save up and not have to work as much during the school year. Brittany didn’t complain but the Latina did see the look in the blonde’s eyes that told her she was missed. Santana missed Brittany, too, but she was sure that it would pay off in the end and they’d get to spend more time together.
“B, I picked up an extra shift tonight so I'll be home late, okay?”
Brittany whined.
“Hey, why don’t you go out while I work tonight, hm? See if some of the other teachers want to go out or something.”
Brittany shrugged. “I guess. It won’t be as fun, though.”
“I’m sure you’ll have a great time.” Santana smiled and kissed the blonde’s forehead.
The Latina finally got out of her shift waiting tables an hour late and she stumbled into the apartment around midnight. Brittany wasn’t home yet and Santana furrowed her eyebrows. She picked up her cell phone and dialed her number and it rang several times before Brittany’s voicemail came on. Santana shrugged, it wasn’t like Brittany had never stayed out late with the other teachers before. Santana changed into her pajamas and settled into bed. She was awoken from a deep sleep by the apartment door rattling and finally opening.
“B?” Santana yawned. “Babe, what time is it?”
“I don’t know,” came a weak response.
“Mmm, come to bed.”
“S…I…something happened.”
Santana sat bolt upright and stared into the darkness. She got out of bed and fumbled for the light switch. Brittany was disheveled, her makeup smeared and her hair a mess.
“What happened? B did someone hurt you?” Santana cupped the blonde’s face and pushed her hair back looking for any sign of bruising.
Brittany shook her head and dropped to sit on the edge of the bed. “No.”
“What’s wrong?” Santana joined her girlfriend and put a hand on Brittany’s shoulder. “B, just tell me what happened.”
Brittany started sobbing and Santana pulled her in. The blonde wrapped her arms around the Latina’s shoulders and buried her face into Santana’s shoulder. Santana stroked Brittany’s hair and tried to soothe the seemingly inconsolable blonde.
“B…babe, come on. Tell me what happened.”
“I…I slept with someone,” Brittany finally choked out.
Santana froze. “What?”
“This guy…he was there and he bought me drinks. And he took me to his apartment and…”
Santana stood up and dropped to her knees by the bed. She pulled out Brittany’s bright pink duffel bag and took it to the dresser. She began emptying the contents of the drawers into it; her heart was pounding so loud she couldn’t hear Brittany’s pleas for her to stop. Once the drawers were empty Santana moved to the bathroom and pulled out Brittany’s drawer and dumped the contents into the bag.
“San…I didn’t mean to! I was drunk and…and I’m so sorry! Please, I want to talk! Please!” Brittany tried to pull her into an embrace but Santana shrugged away.
“Get the fuck out. Just get out!” Santana zipped up the bag and threw it on the bed.
“No…no we can fix it! I’ll fix it! Just tell me how, please!” Brittany begged.
“You want to talk? Fine. Let’s talk. Let’s talk about how I’ve been working my ass off so that we can live close to your studio and not have to eat fucking ramen noodles all the time. Let’s talk about how I’ve taken care of you every fucking day since we moved here and I’ve never once even thought about anyone else, B. I know I fucked up in high school but you knew early on that it was just sex. You knew that. Don’t play the dumb card and say you didn’t. When I told you I wanted it to be just us that was it. I never thought about anyone else. You broke it, Brittany. You broke everything.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Brittany whimpered. “Please…I can fix it.”
“Get the fuck out of my apartment.”
Santana grabbed the bright pink duffel bag and opened the apartment door. She tossed the bag into the hallway and stood with her arms crossed over her chest and tried to be stoic as she watched Brittany sob a few more times and then drag her feet out the door and leave. The Latina slammed the door behind her and dropped to the floor and cried.
The Latina made excuses when Quinn or Rachel called as to why Brittany wasn’t there and all signs said that Brittany was doing the same because neither Quinn nor Rachel asked what was going on. A month went by, Brittany called and texted every single day. Santana’s school year began and she threw herself into her classes and into her job and kept her second job just so she could make ends meet. She found an envelope that had been slid underneath the apartment door with a check in it bearing Brittany’s signature that had “my part of rent” written on the “memo” line and with it a small piece of paper.
"I still want to fix it. Please?
I’m living at the studio if you want to talk.
Love always,
B"
Santana tore up the check and crumpled up the paper and tossed them both in the trash. Brittany’s mail stopped coming to the apartment after that and the Latina didn’t get as many texts or phone calls. Santana pretended not to notice. Another month went by and another envelope appeared with another check and another note.
"Please take it this time. I know you’re still working a lot and I want to help.
I still want to fix it. Pretty please?
Love always,
B"
Santana again tore up the check and crumpled up the note and went to work. Three days later she was cleaning empty tables and she spotted a tall blonde step into the restaurant. Brittany looked tired, her eyes didn’t sparkle and she barely whispered when the hostess asked to seat her. Santana’s feet carried her up to the blonde and she nudged the hostess away.
“What do you want? I’m busy.” Santana crossed her arms over her chest and made sure her glare was as cold as it could be.
Brittany’s eyes darted around the empty restaurant and she sniffled. “I want to fix it.”
“I don’t have time for this right now.” Santana turned to walk away but Brittany caught her shoulder.
“Please,” she whispered. “Pretty please? Can we just talk? That’s all I want.”
Santana sighed. “Fine.” She took off her apron and led Brittany to the break room. They huddled at a table in the corner and Santana raised her eyebrows expectantly.
“I’m sorry,” Brittany said. “I’m so, so sorry and I promise I won’t ever do it again. I want to come back home, I don’t like living at the studio. I was stupid and I’m sorry. I love you, S. I don’t know what to do without you.”
“Brittany, you cheated on me. I don’t think you get it.”
“I do! I do get it! Remember all those times you slept with all those guys? It hurt me, okay? I never told you it did because you were always saying that sex didn’t mean anything but it always meant something to me. I always loved you.”
“You knew how it was gonna be.”
“I know I did but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. I know I’m not book smart like you and Quinn…but I know that it sucks to get hurt and I’m sorry I hurt you and I don’t ever want to do it again.”
Brittany buried her face in her hands and sniffled again. Santana sighed.
“Brittany…why did you do it? Why’d you go home with him?”
“I don’t know…he bought me a lot of drinks and he was really nice and he told me I was pretty.”
“And you didn’t think about me at all?”
“I did…because he said all the things you used to say to me. You always told me I was pretty and that you wanted me and then you stopped. We…we didn’t do anything for a while and I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Then you didn’t even want to talk to me and you just threw me out but I didn’t want to give up…I love you too much.”
“So you cheated on me because I was exhausted? Brittany, I was working a lot, that didn’t mean I didn’t want you. I thought you knew I was tired.”
“You never talked to me. I’m not…that thing…I can’t read your brain.”
Santana stared down at the table and threaded her fingers through her hair. “I thought you understood, B. I-I’m sorry…I should’ve told you.”
“I still want to fix it,” Brittany sighed. “But if you don’t want to…I guess I’ll go back to Lima.”
Santana shook her head. “Don’t leave,” she finally whispered.
“Santana!” One of the Latina’s co-workers called to her from the door. “Dinner rush is about to come in, you gotta get out here.”
Santana looked up and her gaze met Brittany’s hopeful eyes.
“Do you still have your key?”
Brittany nodded.
“If…if you want…we can talk after my shift.”
Brittany nodded again, this time with a smile and tears in her eyes. “Okay.”
“I’ll see you tonight.”
Santana stood and grabbed her apron and led Brittany out. The blonde leaned in for a kiss and Santana shied away.
“I want to talk first, okay?”
Brittany sniffled and nodded yet again. “I’ll see you later.”
Santana did her best to keep focused on her work that night and when her shift was over she hung back in the break room for a while and took a few deep breaths before she headed home. When she opened the apartment door Brittany was standing there with a yellow rose and a smile. Santana gave a weak smile and went to sit down at their small table, Brittany followed obediently and put the yellow rose down in front of the Latina.
“You didn’t tell Rachel and Quinn,” Santana pointed out.
Brittany shook her head. “I wanted to fix it and I know they would have tried to fix it for me.”
Santana nodded. “I get it.”
“One of the other teachers took me to the doctor after it happened. I didn’t get pregnant or anything but they did tests and they said I should do more later to make sure I didn’t get sick or whatever but they said I’m not sick now.”
“That’s good. I’m glad you did that. Listen, Brittany-“
“I love you, S. I-I don’t know what to do to fix it but whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.”
“I love you too, B,” Santana whispered.
“Can I fix it? Will you let me fix it?”
Santana swallowed hard and nodded. “We’ll fix it, B. I promise I’ll talk to you more, okay? I won’t throw you out like that again.”
“I promise I’ll never do it again. Never, ever, ever.”
Santana slid her arm across the table and took Brittany’s hand. The feeling of her digits entwining with the blonde's was familiar and comfortable and absolutely right.
It wasn’t easy. It’s not that Santana was paranoid or anything but every time they got into even the smallest fight after that, Brittany would wind up in tears and beg Santana not to throw her out. It got frustrating and Santana had to remember to keep her temper in check to try and calm the blonde down. By the end of Santana’s sophomore year things were back to normal and Santana had surprised Brittany at Valentine’s day with a pair of rings.
--August 2013 - July 2016--
Rachel and Quinn (with an appearance by Brittany and Santana, and Puck and Anna)
Rachel’s hours were grueling for the rehearsals for the play but both she and Quinn knew it would be worth it in the end. All day before opening night, Rachel was a nervous wreck. She paced around the house with her script mumbling her lines and singing scales. Quinn didn’t dare get in her way. Instead the blonde picked out her outfit for the night and made sure she had her ticket in her purse and ready to go.
“I’m going,” Rachel said softly from the bedroom door that afternoon. “You’ll be there, right?”
Quinn smiled up from going through her jewelry box and skipped over to her girlfriend with a huge smile.
“I’ll be there, front row. And you’re going to do magnificent.” Quinn kissed Rachel’s forehead and the brunette nodded.
“I’m really nervous.”
“Rach, you’ll be fine.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t come. Opening night is always…”
Quinn silenced Rachel with a kiss and the brunette relaxed a little.
“I will be there,” Quinn whispered. “Front and center for my sweetheart’s big debut.”
Rachel blushed. “I should go.”
“I love you. Break a leg.” Quinn smiled.
“Love you, too.”
Three hours later Quinn was waiting in the lobby of the very small theater. She could barely move because it was so packed. The doors finally opened and she was ushered to her seat, literally front row center. She looked around behind her and the theater was slowly filling up and by the time the house lights went down it was completely packed.
The first time Rachel stepped out on stage Quinn felt herself grin like she never had before. Rachel never faltered, never missed a cue, and never missed a note. It was perfect, just like Quinn knew it would be. The blonde had helped Rachel run lines and listened to her practice but seeing it on stage was very, very different. By the end if the show everyone was on their feet and Quinn could see Rachel glance down at her and grin.
Quinn quickly made her way back stage to the dressing rooms and snuck up behind Rachel who was chatting animatedly with one of her co-stars. The blonde pounced on her from behind and Rachel squealed. She whipped around and immediately threw her arms around the blonde.
“There wasn’t an empty seat in the house,” Quinn said. “Completely sold out.”
“I saw!” Rachel jumped a few times. “I can’t believe this!”
“Believe it, babe, the show is good. And that’s not biased just because I’m sleeping with the star.” Quinn winked and Rachel chuckled. “And speaking of sleeping with the star, any idea what time you’ll get home?”
“We’re having a meeting in a few minutes. You’ll know when I’m there, though.”
Quinn smirked.
Rachel’s show sold out week after week after week. Quinn heard other students on campus talking about it and people mentioning it in the grocery store. When they went home for Thanksgiving they brought a DVD with them and had a viewing party. Even Puck agreed that it was “kind of awesome”.
-*-*-*-*-*-
Christmas was hard that year, Rachel got a phone call from her dads the day before they were scheduled to leave that her Pop Berry had a heart attack and her dads were going down to Florida to see him. Rachel spent hours online trying to get plane tickets but ultimately came up with nothing. She and Quinn drove to Lima and gave Allie to Puck, stayed the night, and then drove down to Florida the next day, taking shifts so they didn’t have to stop for the night. They got to the hospital room just as Rachel’s dads were being ushered out by a nurse.
“He’s gone, sweetie,” Rachel’s Dad whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
Rachel’s Daddy was silent and attempting to look stoic but Quinn saw the immense pain behind his eyes now that both of his parents were gone. She couldn’t help but relate to him. Rachel stood in shock and Quinn stepped around her to hug Rachel’s Daddy.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered into his chest when his strong arms wrapped around her. He kissed the top of her head and she heard him sniffle.
They spent the next few days in and out of law offices and banks and trying to get things at Pop’s assisted living home packed up to donate to the other residents as he had indicated he wanted. The funeral was small, Rachel’s Daddy seemed to want to stay near Quinn as much as possible. She knew he felt the connection, too.
During their last night in Florida, Rachel and Quinn settled into their hotel room bed and lay there, staring up at the ceiling. Christmas had passed and was completely forgotten. Puck had sent video to Quinn’s phone of Allie opening her presents and both Rachel and Quinn cried at missing it.
“I don’t know what to do with the money,” Rachel whispered. “I feel bad getting it because the only reason I have it now is because he’s gone.”
“He wanted you to have it.”
“It’s a lot of money, Quinn. Not even Daddy knew that he had all of it. I thought about giving it to a socially conscious charity but the will already apportioned some of the estate for that.”
“Why don’t you just leave it alone for now? See what happens in a few years.”
The drive back to Lima was slower than the drive to Florida. When they got there they were met with big hugs from Allie and condolences from Puck, and Brittany and Santana who had been helping him out.
“So like, I know you guys had a long drive and stuff,” Puck said when Rachel and Quinn dropped to the couch in his living room. “But I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Rachel perked up and straightened her shoulders, Quinn nodded.
“I don’t want to work at the Pick-n-Save forever so I was thinking about it and I know what I want to do.” He pulled a brochure out of his pocket and handed it to Quinn. “There’s a police academy down in Columbus, I’m thinkin’ that maybe I’ll go there.”
Quinn raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “You want to be a cop? Puck, you sold pot cupcakes in high school. You stole baby books! You want to be a cop?”
“I know I screwed up then but I think it’d be pretty badass. I’d totally be good at it, I know how to bust underage kids. I gotta be 21 to go so I have to wait another year but I figure I can keep working and save up for it and a place to live while I’m there.”
“I’m very proud of you, Noah,” Rachel said with a smile.
-*-*-*-*-*-
The next year flew by. Rachel's show was doing extremely well and things just seemed to get easier. Quinn graduated a year early as planned, class of 2015, and she and Rachel decided to use some of money that Rachel had been left to lease their own two bedroom apartment. Rachel’s show went on hiatus for a month so the producers could find a bigger venue and do a little more advertising and she spent it helping Quinn secure a job at the school Allie was enrolled in kindergarten for and organizing their new home. They went to Lima for two weeks and helped Puck move into his apartment in Columbus so he could start the police training program in August.
“There’s a lot of chicks in this building,” Puck smirked when a woman walked by his open door.
“Puck, you’re a pig.”
“Chick cops are hot.”
“I really hope that’s not the only reason you’re doing this.”
“Nah, don’t worry about it Baby Mama. I’m doin’ it for the kid. I don’t want her going to career day saying her old man works at fuckin’ Pick-n-Save. I have to bus tables while I go through training but whatever, in a few months she’ll be able to tell everyone I’m a badass cop.”
Quinn sighed. “You really need to watch your language.”
“She’s not even in the room.”
“Momma! I heard Daddy say a bad word!” Allie shouted from the kitchen.
Quinn raised her eyebrows. “Told you.”
“Kid’s got supersonic hearing or something,” Puck mumbled.
-*-*-*-*-*-
Rachel and Quinn both held back tears as they walked Allie to her kindergarten classroom. Each of them had cried when they went school supply and clothes shopping, the night before, and again early that morning before they took Allie to school.
Rachel knelt down and fixed the girl’s white shirt and pink argyle sweater vest that Quinn had argued against but Allie demanded she get when they had gone shopping for school clothes. Rachel proudly helped pick out the matching pink skirt and picked up white tights and shiny black shoes. Allie's hair was up in a high curly ponytail, as per her request, and she gave her mothers a final hug before she turned and took a dramatic deep breath. After Allie confidently walked into the classroom the teacher waved at Rachel and Quinn and the pair stood in the doorway.
“You need to get to your classroom,” Rachel said.
“Uh-huh.”
Neither one moved. They watched Allie put her backpack and purple lunchbox in its designated cubbie and take her pencils, paper, and art box to the desk with her name on it. Quinn sniffled.
“Stop, you’re going to make me cry again!” Rachel hissed.
Quinn nodded. Allie cautiously approached a girl who was staring at the goldfish swimming around in its tank in the back. The young blonde extended her hand.
“I’m Allison Violet Fabray but everyone calls me Allie.”
The young girl looked down at Allie’s hand and carefully took it.
“I’m Daisy.”
“I like that flower.” Allie grinned.
“Me too. My daddy named me it ‘cause he said I was made ‘cause he gived my mommy some daisies and she liked ‘em.”
“Oh no…” Quinn mumbled.
“My momma just liked my name.” Allie shrugged. “My daddy lives in Ohio but I got a mom and a momma here. My mom is a singer and she’s gonna win lots of awards and stuff.”
The other young girl smiled and squealed. “My cousin David has a dad and a daddy!”
“So does my mom!”
Quinn sighed and pulled away from the door with a smile. “I think we’re good here.”
Rachel nodded and escorted the blonde to her third grade classroom where a few students were already putting their things away. They hugged before Rachel left and wished the blonde good luck. The brunette had no idea what to do with herself for the rest of the day since she had the day off.
Rachel and Quinn decided not to go to Lima for Thanksgiving because Puck told them he would be out of town and Rachel’s dads decided to take a cruise. When the trio went home for Christmas, Puck had informed them that he had a surprise for them. Their first stop was to the Berry house to drop off their things and then to the Puckerman house where Puck said he was staying for Christmas break so they didn’t have to drive to Columbus. Rachel and Quinn were both nervous because for all they knew, Puck’s surprise was a gift to entice them into a threesome. He answered the door with a huge smile and immediately picked up Allie and swung her around.
“Come on,” he said. “I got somebody I want you to meet.”
Rachel and Quinn arched their eyebrows and followed Puck into the kitchen. His sister was at the table and Allie ran to her and hopped up on her lap. Puck’s mother was standing at the stove with another brunette right next to her. Puck slipped an arm around the other woman’s waist and tugged her around.
“Babe, they’re here,” he whispered to her.
The young woman turned around and with a bright smile she extended her hand to Rachel and Quinn. Quinn shook it first, then the shorter brunette.
“Guys, this is Anna. She’s a senior at OSU and…she’s kinda my fiancée.”
Quinn’s jaw dropped. Rachel shrieked.
“When did this happen!?” the blonde gasped. “You never said anything!”
“I told you, I wanted to surprise you. We met a few weeks after you guys left and I was with her family in Cleveland for Thanksgiving and that’s when I asked her to marry me.”
“We met because he was doing a ride-along with an officer and I got pulled over.”
“Forty-three in a thirty-five,” Puck said with a smirk. “I wrote my number on the ticket.”
“I thought he was kind of cute and so I called him.”
Puck walked over to the kitchen table and picked up Allie and settled her on his hip.
“Hey Al, this is Anna. You wanna say hi?”
Allie thrust out her hand. “I’m Allison Violet Fabray but everybody calls me Allie.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Allie. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”
“Are you my Daddy’s friend?”
“Well,” the brunette smiled nervously. “I’m his fiancée, do you know what that means?”
Allie shook her head.
“It means we’re going to get married, if that’s alright with you of course.”
“Like a wedding?”
“Yes, next summer.”
“Can I be in it?”
“Of course, you get to be the flower girl. It’s a very important job!”
“Can I wear pink?”
“You sure can.”
“Okay!”
Over dinner Anna told how she was majoring in business and once she and Puck graduated they would be moving back to Lima if Puck got a job with their police department and Anna was interested in selling real estate. She was excellent with Allie and the young blonde seemed to immediately take to her which both Rachel and Quinn agreed was a good sign.
Both Rachel and Quinn were still absolutely stunned when they returned to the Berry house after dinner. They sat with Rachel’s dads in the living room and told them the news. Both men were equally stunned.
“I like her,” Rachel said. “She’s got a college education, she has plans for after school. She’s very solid and grounded and exactly what Noah needs and she was very good with Allie.”
Quinn shook her head. “I just still can’t freakin’ believe it.”
Brittany and Santana were just as shocked when they found out the next day. Them, Quinn, Rachel, Allie, Puck, and Anna met at a diner for lunch and hot chocolate, Santana and Brittany mostly sat there with their mouths hung open while Puck was sweet and a complete gentleman.
“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” Santana finally asked.
“Santana!” Rachel squeaked. “That was inappropriate.”
“What?! It’s Puck!”
“Dude, I’m right here.”
Anna smiled a little and slipped her hand into Puck’s. “Noah has told me about his history but he’s been nothing but a sweet gentleman to me since our first date.”
Puck smiled and kissed his fiancée’s forehead and Santana shook her head a little.
The discussion was discontinued when Rachel’s phone rang, since she was sandwiched in between Quinn and Brittany in the booth she apologized and then answered it. There was a silence followed by a few yeses and a “that sounds wonderful”. When Rachel hung up the phone she was shaking as she dropped it on the table and blinked a few times.
“Rachel?” Quinn asked softly. “What was that?”
“The producers,” Rachel squeaked. She was still trembling.
“Okay…”
“Th-the show just got picked up for Broadway starting in June. He said something about some investor and record ticket sales or something…I don’t really remember…”
“You…you’re going to be on Broadway?” Quinn repeated to clarify. “Your show?”
Rachel nodded slowly and took a sip of water. “My show.”
Puck reached over and covered Allie’s ears. “Holy shit.”
Rachel nodded again. “I’m trying very, very hard not to scream right now,” the brunette said calmly.
“You owe me ten dollars,” Brittany said as she poked Santana’s shoulder.
Rachel arched her eyebrow.
“In high school, like before glee club and all that stuff, you always said you’d be a star and Santana said you were um…what’d you say she was?”
“Delusional,” Santana mumbled.
“Yeah, that. Anyways, I bet her ten dollars you would be a star.”
Rachel let out an offended squeak.
“Don’t look so offended, Berry,” Santana said. “It was like freshman year or whatever.”
Rachel nodded and Quinn slipped her arm around the brunette’s shoulders and kissed her cheek.
“I cannot wait to celebrate this,” Quinn murmured into Rachel’s ear.
Quinn sat front row center the next June and watched Rachel take the stage in a sold out theater. She met the star immediately afterward with a deep kiss that Rachel returned with enthusiasm, silently thanking the blonde for the dozen pink roses she’d sent.
They met Brittany and Santana in Lima later that month for Puck and Anna’s wedding where Allie was the flower girl in her puffy pink dress. Quinn stayed the week after with Allie at Rachel’s dads while the brunette flew back to the city to do her show. When Puck and Anna came back from their honeymoon Quinn helped them move into the house they had decided to buy.
With tears in her eyes the blonde said goodbye to Allie, leaving her to spend her first summer in Lima, and Quinn drove back to New York City. Ten hours by herself gave her plenty of time to think.
Santana and Brittany drove in the opposite direction back to their tiny apartment in Chicago. Their pinkies were linked the entire way. Each of them knew what the other was thinking.
Rachel let out a content sigh when she closed her phone after Quinn had called her that she was starting the drive back to New York. The brunette smiled at the picture stuck to her dressing room mirror of Quinn and Allie just after the little girl was born.
Their beginnings had been unusual, at best. The road had no doubt been a little rocky for all of them to get established and prepared for the future but the two couples were definitely eager to spend the rest of their lives together. They all figured that if the beginning was any indication, it was going to be a hell of a good ride.
Next: Mother's Day