A/N: Okay here is the final installment of the SIB saga I didn't intend on this being a three part story but as I have said in the past; the story tells itself and I hope you all enjoy what I have left for Quinn and Rachel.
The chapters will alternate between book/author quotes, and song lyrics so that it combines the themes from SIB and MMH. Also they will still be in the same format of the school year even though they are no longer in school; it's just easier for me that way so each year will go from June to June and I'll do my best to make it not confusing because there will only be 6 to 7 chapters each year; also the chapters are shorter around 5k words.
I put this in the summary but after the nightmare that was MMH I feel the need to say this one final time. (And I promise it's final) In this verse Puck did NOT rape Quinn; he is a part of their lives and will continue to be. If you don't like it- I will not be offended if you do not read it. Without further ado I bring you the conclusion of this verse.
Thank you all and Enjoy!
Warning: Mild sexy times
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, anything mentioned, any songs, quotes, or books used.
Chapter 1: Every Moment Returns Again
"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson; Emerson in his Journals
/
Rachel held onto Quinn's arm as they followed their group of friends and family into Beth's Hideaway. It wasn't officially open as there was still a load of work to do before it would be ready. However it was just as good a place as any to celebrate Rachel's Broadway debut; and subsequent engagement.
Engagement.
She still couldn't believe she was- finally- engaged to Quinn Fabray.
She knew way back in high school that Quinn wanted to marry her someday because Quinn told her so; but she also knew that Quinn was waiting until her Broadway dreams came true because even though she wouldn't have; Quinn didn't want to stand in the way by having Rachel promise herself to her…
Not until now.
When her dream was coming true.
And her other dream was beginning again.
Once everyone was piled into the room and Sawyer was behind the bar pouring champagne into glasses while Puck was handing them out; he stopped in front of Rachel and Quinn holding glasses out for each of them to take.
"I'm so proud of you Rachel," he said sincerely and she pulled him into a hug. They held each other tight and both knew that this was a small goodbye and another small moment in their lives.
All of their lives were going to be very different now that their lives were finally beginning and they'd see less and less of each other. Rachel thought back to Quinn's valedictorian speech where she talked about how they'd grow up and apart. Rachel knew that Noah; as well as everyone in the room with her would always matter in her life and would always be important to her.
But she also knew that they wouldn't be in her everyday life as much as they had been over the course of the last eight plus years. She would miss them.
But it was exciting… this new chapter, and she looked forward to every single second of it.
Once Noah pulled out of the hug he turned to Quinn and smirked. She took the glass from him with one hand and tugged him into a hug with the other. As he hugged her back he thought about how much having these two girls- women- in his life had changed his life in the most spectacular ways.
He thought about how they were standing in a building that he owned, as the love of his life made everyone drinks. He thought about how the people that saved his life in high school were-mostly- still around him. And tonight they all were here.
He thought about how his daughter was not only in his life; his bar was named after her. He hugged Quinn tight as he thought about all that they had shared together.
Including loving the same woman.
In very different ways.
"I'm proud of you Q," he whispered and felt her nod. She was hugging him just as tightly as she let the events of the evening sink into her brain. She knew things would be different from this moment on but just like always… every moment returns again in time.
So even though it would be different.
It would remain the same… at least in some way.
"Alright enough of the gay love fest," Santana bellowed. "I want to hear Berry make a speech about how awesome we are."
"How awesome we are?" Kurt wondered and Santana looked at him with a well duh expression, and she nodded.
"Uh yeah," she snapped with an eye roll. Rachel merely laughed and looked over at Quinn with a wink before she made her way to the stage. Once on the stage, she looked around at all of her friends. Mercedes and Sam were cuddled in the corner with his arm draped over her shoulder and Rachel thought about junior prom and how Mercedes just wanted a boy to dance with who would tell her she was beautiful.
And she certainly found that in Sam.
Her eyes then moved to Artie who sat next to them and she hoped the boy who put his own fears and disappointments aside in order to help Quinn with her injuries… she hoped he would one day find a girl that loved him for all that he was in spite of the awful hand that life had dealt him.
She then looked over at her new but still very good friend Brody as he stared longingly at Sugar; there was a part of her that thought nothing good would come of this but then she saw the way that Sugar was looking back at him and she realized that maybe-just maybe Sugar Motta was the one for him. Maybe she always had been… which would explain why none of his relationships had ever worked out. She winked at Sugar who giggled.
When her eyes landed on Tina she couldn't help but beam at the girl. Tina was the single most unselfish person Rachel had ever known and if it wasn't for Tina she may have never made it to NYADA. She thought back to how Tina convinced her to go after Carmen Tibideaux and ask for another chance.
A chance that she got.
A chance that saved her dream.
And then her eyes darted to the boy- the man- that had loved Tina completely and unconditionally for almost as long as she and Quinn had loved each other. She thought about how Mike put his own dreams and desires aside without even a second thought after Quinn's accident and not only helped keep her grades up but also helped her walk.
She would never forget Michael Chang and how he chose his friends over everything else time and again… just like they all did.
They really were the best people she had ever known. She winked at her smiling friend and her eyes moved to Kurt and Blaine. She loved them both like brothers and knew that their relationship was very much like her own with Quinn. They fought for it, and they proved that sometimes love is enough. She winked at Kurt and that was when her eyes landed on Finn Hudson.
There were times- many in fact- over the course of the years in high school where she wanted to beat the shit out of him.
And she did a few times.
But then he grew up and became a man and as she looked at the man standing before her in his full Army uniform she knew that it was all worth it. Everyone has to forge their own path along this journey of life.
Her path was forged beside Quinn.
And Finn's was a bit more difficult but here he was still standing beside her; just like he did many times over the years as her male lead.
And this time; he finally understood that friendship was all they were ever meant to have together.
Her eyes landed on Noah again; as he was hugging Sawyer close to himself and she could only grin. She knew that Noah deserved the kind of love that she and Quinn had found… and she was so happy that he did find it. He was so in love with that girl and Rachel would always be happy and grateful to Sawyer for loving him back just as much.
Then her eyes moved to Santana and Brittany who were in a similar position, and she smiled. For all of Santana's garbage she knew without a shadow of a doubt that without this girl in her life she would not be standing here today, so she put up with all of Santana's garbage because she knew.
She just knew… that was Santana's way of loving her back.
And Brittany, she thought back to freshman year and how Brittany was the very first person to be nice to her in high school. She hadn't forgotten that and she never would… Brittany with her quiet acceptance of everyone and everything.
And also how she gave Rachel the courage to stop being afraid of Quinn and talk to her.
Of course it took a whole other year before that happened… but that is another story all together.
Then she found her parents… all of them.
Rachel thought that growing up with two fathers made her special; and it did. But what young Rachel Berry didn't know was that having four dads and two moms might actually be better… and make her even that much more special.
Paul was new to this family but he was every bit as important because he was the man that made her mother happy. Shelby was staring at her with love, pride, and adoration in her eyes. Rachel winked at her mom and then moved over to Richard and Judy.
Richard was more of a man and more of a father than Quinn's actual father had ever been and she was proud that she would one day call him her father-in-law; and Judy… well there wasn't much to say about her except that she was just an incredible woman, mom, and mother-in-law.
She loved them all.
And that was when her eyes met the loving eyes of the two men who had done everything in their power to get her to where she was standing and she felt like she could burst with the amount of love she had for them. And she knew they felt the same way, she could see it in their eyes.
Then her eyes landed on Quinn.
And then, there really was no words…
Because there were literally not enough words to describe how Quinn made her feel but if she had to choose only one… she'd pick… home.
Quinn was home.
She always had been, and she always would be.
"We don't have all fucking day Berry!" Santana shouted breaking her out of her thoughts. "Stop staring at us and talk… or sing," she made a gagging motion as she said that. "Because you always have to sing every- fucking- thing." Rachel giggled.
She hadn't intended to sing but that was actually a really good idea and she knew exactly what song she wanted to sing.
"I just wanted to thank you all for being here for me today. It means the world to me that you put your lives on hold, and some of you took a trip across the country just for me," she felt the tears coming on but held them back. "I love you all so much and even though things are going to change and we'll start to see less and less of each other as the years pass," she could see that everyone was now fighting the tears as well. "I want you all to know that every moment returns again in time, and this isn't goodbye because goodbye isn't something we'll ever say to each other… as least I won't," she bowed her head and wiped the tears away.
She didn't have to see everyone to know that most of them were wiping tears away as well. When she looked back up she smiled.
"And now as per request from my good friend Santana," she heard Santana groan. "I'm going to sing for you all… technically speaking this is meant to be a love song, and it does pertain to Quinn and I… but aside from the love it's about how I feel for all of you… because there are many different forms of love." Santana may have been grumbling but once Rachel started to sing- without music accompaniment- she stopped grumbling and just basked in the moment.
A small moment.
A big moment.
A moment that would have to be cherished because once upon a time she would see these people every single day of her life, sometimes three and four times a day, and now it may be days, weeks, months… and even years before she would see some of them again.
And suddenly she was just as emotional as Rachel was as she sang.
I can't remember when you weren't there
When I didn't care for anyone but you
I swear we've been through everything there is
Can't imagine anything we've missed
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do
Through the years, you've never let me down
You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you
Through the years
I can't remember what I used to do
Who I trusted, who I listened to before
I swear you taught me everything I know
Can't imagine needing someone so
But through the years it seems to me
I need you more and more
Through the years, through all the good and bad
I KNOW how much we had, I've always been so glad
To be with you ... Through the years
It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years
Through the years, when everything went wrong
Together we were strong, I know that I belong
Right here with you ... Through the years
I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out
I've learned what life's about, by loving you
Through the years
Through the years, you've never let me down
You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found
I've found with you ... Through the years
It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away
As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you
Through the years...
/
Once the song was over and everyone had cried.
The party really began.
Rachel found Brody and Sugar who were locked in an embrace; Quinn caught up to her and they stared at their friends. After a few uncomfortable minutes where it appeared that Brody and Sugar had no intentions of stopping Rachel finally cleared her throat and Brody pulled out of the kiss.
Well he tried to, but Sugar cupped his cheek and pulled their lips back together.
"Really Sugar?" Rachel was annoyed. It was not only obvious by her tone but also by her hand on her hip. But this time the kiss did end when Brody laughed into the kiss and Sugar pulled away.
"Oh please Rachel… you and Quinn never once cared if anyone was around all through high school so shut it!" She shouted and Rachel huffed and then looked at Brody with pleading in his eyes.
"Really Brody? Her?!" He laughed and hugged Sugar tighter.
"Really Rach," he told her and she knew he was already falling for the girl he only met a few hours prior.
"Okay," she said with an exaggerated huff. "But please be careful I-"
"Oh fuck off Rachel… I know I annoyed you a lot by teasing you about Quinn but I am a good person and I-"
"I know Sugar," Rachel cut her off this time and Sugar looked up at her. "I meant that for both of you," she waited to see if Sugar was going to interrupt her again. When it was clear she wasn't going to; she continued. "I think you're great Sugar… despite you always hitting on my girlfriend-"
"Fiancée," Quinn spoke up and Rachel looked at her with giddy excitement in her eyes and even let out a little squeal. "Sorry continue."
"Sugar you're great and a much better choice than anyone that he has ever dated," she saw Brody frown and Sugar's smile widen. "But you've known each other for only a few hours… all I'm saying is Brody," she met his eyes. "You have a tendency to fall hard and fast," her eyes moved to Sugar. "And you… well you're kind of nuts," Sugar giggled. "All I'm saying is please just take your time, and get to know each other because really… now that I think about it. You guys would be great together."
"Thanks Rachel," Brody said with love.
"Yeah thanks Rachel."
"And plus… with him, maybe you'll stop hitting on my girlfriend."
"Fiancée," Quinn cut in again with a dopey grin on her face.
"Right fiancée," Rachel yelped and Quinn pulled her into a heated kiss. Sugar rolled her eyes and got off Brody's lap.
"This is exactly what I was talking about Rachel," she said with a grumble and walked away; Brody followed.
Quinn and Rachel continued to make out.
As the night wore on Rachel wasn't drinking too much as she had a show the next day.
And she got excited all over again every time she thought about it. Every week for the foreseeable future she would be lighting up the Broadway stage to packed crowds.
It was overwhelming.
And incredible… and a dream come true.
And then her eyes met Quinn's across the room and she thought about the other dream that was also coming true.
"Hey," she heard Finn's voice behind her and it broke her out of her thoughts.
"Hey," she said with a grin and pulled him into a hug. "Have I told you how happy I am that you're here?" He nodded.
"Yeah only like a few thousand times," he replied with his signature grin. "But it's cool Rach, there was no way I'd miss this."
"What are you going to do until you have to leave again?"
"I don't know… I was thinking maybe you could show me around New York… until you have to leave for work that is," she was nodding before he even finished talking.
"I'd love that… so tell me Finn what have you been doing since we last met? We haven't had a chance to talk much."
"Well I got married."
"What?!" She shouted which effectively caught everyone's attention and all eyes landed on them as Finn held up his left hand. And yup there was a ring on it.
"What the fuck?!" Santana shouted as she rushed over and grasped Finn's hand. "Who the fuck married you?" She said and watched as hurt crossed his face. She smiled realizing how mean that jab sounded. "I-I mean who um… who is she?"
"Yeah Finn, and don't you think this is something that maybe you should have led with," Rachel reprimanded.
"Well I uh… I thought nothing was more important than you on this day," he told her and she smiled while Santana crossed her arms over her chest, waiting- not so patiently.
"That's true," Rachel said with a lip bite that had Finn flashing his dopey grin. "But seriously Finn why'd you wait so long… this is big."
"I just," he shrugged. "We were celebrating you… a- and Quinn too." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and for a brief second Rachel saw the boy he used to be, but it was brief and then before her stood the man he had become.
The wonderful man he had become.
"Okay well… tell me everything," she tugged his hand toward the center of the room so that everyone could hear; as they were all interested.
"It's about fucking time," Santana said following them.
"We met on base," Finn began. "Her name is Gena, and we met in basic training, she's in the Army too, well she was…" he said and didn't notice that everyone was giving him strange looks as to why he said that. "Anyway, we hit it off right away."
"Yeah right," Santana cut in and Finn blushed. He always hated how well Santana knew him.
"Okay well she didn't like me at first because I wouldn't take no for an answer," he waited for Santana to laugh but was surprised when she didn't. He met her eyes and she knew what he was thinking so she just shrugged; and he continued. "But one day she was getting yelled at pretty hardcore by our D.I. and I saw her fighting tears and taking the punishment. Later on, as she was running I caught up to her." He shrugged again and could see that everyone was riveted. "I just ran alongside her and didn't say anything. I wanted her to know that I was there for her even if it was just company. A few weeks later, I was the one doing the running after getting yelled at and this time she joined me. We didn't say anything but I knew she was returning the favor."
"Aww," Rachel cooed and Quinn smiled at her girl.
"Shut it Berry," Santana waved her off and Rachel smirked at the fact that Santana was genuinely interested in the story. "Continue Finnocent." He smiled at one of Santana's many nicknames for him; he kind of missed hearing them.
"After that was when I shot myself," he heard Santana sniggering but ignored it. "When I returned she wanted to know what had happened and why I disappeared. I asked her if she was worried about me. When she answered with a smile, I asked her out again. This time she said yes-"
"Aww," Sawyer and Quinn said at the same time. Santana curled her lip and Finn just smiled at all of his amazing friends. He really did miss them sometimes… most of the time. "We've been dating ever since and last Christmas I asked her to marry me, she said yes, and we were married New Year's Eve on base."
"But why?" Puck's voice rang out and Finn looked at him.
"Because I love her."
"Yeah man I got that… but what I meant was why the rush," he met Finn's eyes knowing there was more to the story. "Why not wait until you're discharged in a few months and have a big family wedding?"
"Because in the Army, you live for today… you never know what tomorrow will bring," Finn said and could tell that everyone bought it.
Well almost everyone.
"Bullshit," Puck shouted and saw Finn's face blush.
"What?"
"I call bullshit… there is more that you're not telling us."
"I don't know what you're talking about man."
"Puck," Sawyer tried to stop him on whatever mission this was but Puck gently pushed her off.
"It's cool babe," he told her and stepped away from her; closer to Finn. "Earlier you said she's on leave of some sort. So what is it bro?"
"Yes you did… you said she's was in the Army with you, so why isn't she anymore?"
"She's pregnant okay," Finn blurted out.
"What?"
"Oh MY GOD!"
"That's so great Finn," Quinn, Kurt, and Rachel said respectively; which was pretty much the consensus of the room. Puck held out his hand and Finn looked at him oddly before he shook it.
"Congrats bro… and word of advice, never… ever be ashamed of your kid."
"I'm not… I-I wasn't I just-"
"You what Finnessa?" Santana cut off his stammering.
"I just didn't want you guys to think I only married her because she's pregnant… I mean I love her, and I wanted to marry her, I was just waiting for the right time and when she told me she was pregnant I knew it was the right time."
"And why'd you think, we'd think less of you?" Sam wondered.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "I…"
"You stepped up as a man to take care of your child Finn," Quinn told him taking his hand into her own. "There is nothing about that, that you should be ashamed of," he smiled his dopey grin at her and they had a moment where they were sharing the same thought.
This wasn't the first time Finn stepped up when there was a child involved.
"You're going to be an amazing father Finn," Quinn told him before pulling him into a hug.
"I agree," Rachel said and hugged them both.
"Same mentality… so yeah, it might work." Santana said catching Finn's eye over Quinn's shoulder. She mouthed the word congratulations and he nodded accepting Santana's way of doing things.
They celebrated each other well into the night before Rachel finally told everyone she needed to get home and get her beauty rest.
"Yeah you'll need all the help you can get," Santana shouted as she and Quinn exited. Once they were in the taxi on the way home, Rachel let her tired body finally relax against Quinn.
"Tired?"
"Mm," Rachel hummed. Quinn rested her head against Rachel's head. "But don't worry babe I'm not too tired to let you congratulate me properly and to celebrate our engagement with what we do best," Quinn giggled.
"Rachel, I wasn't asking because I want sex."
"You so were," Rachel said with a giggle and Quinn blushed bright.
"Did not?"
"Did too… face it babe you're a sixteen year old boy with a hard-on sometimes," Rachel said and to that Quinn pushed her off. "Hey," she whined but Quinn was already crossing her arms over her chest with her lip out in a pout.
"I take it back… the engagement is off," Quinn grumbled and Rachel gasped. Rachel knew she didn't mean it so she continued teasing her.
"No it's not… I have the ring."
"I'll say you stole it."
"You wouldn't," Rachel tried and then she saw Quinn's fierce HBIC glare land on her and she was instantly turned on.
"Try me," Quinn growled.
"Baby," Rachel moved closer and tried to tug Quinn's arms out of their crossed position; but Quinn didn't budge. So instead she rubbed as much of her body against Quinn's as she could in the tight back seat of the taxi. She leaned close to Quinn's ear and felt the girl shudder at her words. "I didn't say your teenage boy boner was a bad thing," Rachel then cupped Quinn's hot and very wet center; and Quinn let out an involuntary moan. "In fact your sex drive is one of my favorite things about you," she started to rub circles over Quinn's clothed center. As Quinn's breathing became ragged she started to suck on her neck.
"O-O-One o-of your… um… favorite things?"
"Mm hmmm," Rachel dragged out the moan.
"What else?"
"Hm."
"What else is your favorite… oh fuck," she whispered as Rachel continued to slowly set her on fire with her words and her fingers.
"There is your ass."
"Mm."
"And those loooooong fingers," Rachel continued as Quinn's hips started to jump under her manipulations.
"Mmmm… oh fuck," she whispered again. If they didn't get to their apartment soon she would be coming… probably very loudly in the back of this taxi; Rachel knew this… but that didn't stop her one bit.
"Also the fact that you want to spend your life with me baby," Rachel said sweetly and met Quinn's eyes. Quinn finally opened her arms and pressed her lips against Rachel's.
And Rachel muffled most of her moans when Quinn fell apart.
And the driver didn't know at all.
At least they didn't think he did.
After having sex all over the apartment; including Quinn finally getting her wish of eating Rachel out on the kitchen counter that she had been denied for so many years after her cockblock of a mom walked in on them.
They finally collapsed into the bed.
Both of them were exhausted beyond belief; they knew they should be sleeping as they had a big day the next day. It would involve having breakfast with all of their parents before sending Quinn's mom and dad, and Rachel's dads back home on a plane. They also agreed to spend some time with Finn before he had to get back.
They found out that he was going to be discharged in the fall and would be home in time for the birth of his son.
They were tired, they had a full day ahead of them, but they were both still thrumming with arousal and excitement over what happened during the course of the day and as Rachel cuddled close to Quinn to listen to her heartbeat slowly going back to its normal speed; she knew Quinn's mind was on overdrive as it often was.
"What are you thinking?"
"That today was one of those big moments," she said and Rachel lifted her head so that they could see each other. "We always talk about the small moments, the ones that are in between the big moments… and those are my favorites. But there is something to be said for the big moments as well," Rachel could do nothing but smile at that.
"I know what you mean."
"I mean, you performed on Broadway tonight Rachel," she said with bewilderment and astonishment and for the first time all day, Rachel felt it.
Like really felt it.
She had made it.
She was a Broadway actress.
"I know," she said giddily.
"When I saw your name up in those lights baby… on that fucking street-"
"The greatest street in the world," Rachel cut her off and Quinn could only nod.
"When I saw your name I felt like crying… you've made it baby and I'm so glad it's me that gets to be the one on your arm… I'm glad I get to be the one that watches it happen. I'm so proud of you Rachel."
"I'm so in love with you Quinn," Quinn sucked in a breath and pressed her lips to Rachel's in a kiss that said so much more than I love you. When she pulled out of the kiss she pressed their foreheads together.
"I'm so in love with you too Rachel," she felt Rachel nod. They stayed that way for several moments; both just reveling in the other's touch.
And knowing that there was no greater feeling in the world than this.
After several moments of comfortable silence Quinn pulled back, looked deep into those eyes, and spoke.
"What are you thinking?"
"That I want to start planning the wedding right away," Rachel said and watched as Quinn's eyes lit up and a smile took over her face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah Quinn… I mean we will have to wait a while because of Broadway and stuff but yeah I want to plan this… I am so ready to be your wife," with that Quinn kissed her deeply, sweetly, and quickly.
"Mrs. Rachel Berry-Fabray?" Quinn wondered and Rachel nodded wildly.
"Yes Mrs. Quinn Berry-Fabray," and with that Quinn was kissing the hell out of Rachel again. And even though she knew that they'd be dead tired with all that they had to do the following day. Rachel couldn't bring herself to stop kissing Quinn.
She had never been able to resist Quinn.
And she hoped that would never change.
A/N 2: The song Rachel sang was Through the Years by Kenny Rogers and the title of the chapter comes from the song Meet Me Halfway by Kenny Loggins.
I hope you all enjoyed what I have planned for this story as Rachel and Quinn journey into being married, and motherhood, while also keeping their careers on track. There will be good times, sad times, fun times, and new hellos as well as old goodbyes. I hope you all join me and enjoy the next five years of Rachel and Quinn's life story.
Also I will be updating once a week on Sunday's until I finish the last three chapters of the story. But once it's done I will go back to updating every Sunday and Thursday as usual. Thanks again.
Stay tuned…