I don't own Glee or its original characters.

Chapter 10

Two days later, early on Saturday morning, Quinn shot up from the banging at the door. Before she could take a look at the watch, the door was thrown open and Santana with a wild bed head stormed inside.

"Get up! Were late, we overslept! Come on, move your butt and get Rachel going as well Fabray, or do you want to be late for your own wedding celebration?"

Quinn opened her mouth, then closed it again, turning to look at the alarm clock on her nightstand. Her heart hammered in her chest from the shock of being pulled out of her sleep so abruptly. Rachel started to stir next to her, sensing the commotion.

The blonde wordlessly reached for the clock and held it up for Santana to see.

"But…," the Latina sagged onto the foot of the bed.

"No but, it's five in the morning, Santana." Quinn yawned as if to make a point. "Go back to bed. We don't have to get up for another two hours."

"No shit."

"Yes shit, Lopez. Didn't you ever learn to read a watch?" Quinn teased, rubbing her eyes. Rachel sat up and the blonde quickly explained the situation to her, signing.

Rachel snorted. "Didn't you ever learn to set an alarm clock correctly?"

Santana rolled her eyes. "Jesus, you two really are meant to be together." She signed along and then explained to Rachel that Quinn had said almost the same.

The brunette laughed. "Well, great minds think alike. Not so great minds do get times confused, it seems." Then she yawned heartily and moved a little to the edge of the bed, pulling Quinn with her, "Come on."

She nodded at Santana who boldly plopped down on the other side of the bed, throwing an arm over her eyes.

"Damn, sorry. Guess it is all a bit much."

"Wow, Santana, I didn't think I'd ever hear you say that," Quinn teased.

"Well, all that planning and making sure everyone and everything is at the right place at the right time is quite a responsibility. Times two, with your changed plans." Her friend complained in a good natured way. Santana then turned and propped her head into her hand, looking at her friends. "Afraid of what your family will say?" she tried to sign with one hand, then gave up and used both.

"Guess we'll find out soon, enough, won't we?" Rachel piped up, before she snuggled against Quinn's back, enjoying a couple of minutes more of solitude before the onslaught of the day filled with celebration began.

"Oh yes, we will," Quinn mumbled and exchanged a look with Santana who raised her eyebrows.

"You know, as long as you are happy with your decision, then everything is okay. I'm sure you'll find a way to explain this to your folks. If not, I'm still here to help out," Santana wiggled her eyebrows and flexed her muscles, making Rachel and Quinn laugh.

"You eloped?" Judy asked incredulously.

"Well, not quite. We are still here, aren't we," Quinn answered quietly.

"But… you got married without us? Why? When? I mean…Why all this fuss with the whole celebration if you didn't want to have us there in the first place?" Judy threw a disbelieving look between Rachel, Quinn and her other daughter Francine.

Quinn and Rachel had gathered their family members around the table after they all had arrived Friday afternoon from various corners of the country. Santana leaned against the counter, showing her support for her two friends. After all she had been the only person to have known the secret.

Rachel's dads also sat at the dining table together with the rest of the family, digesting the news.

Hiram had to suppress a grin and got elbowed by his husband. Apparently he didn't see it as tragic as Judy. He was disappointed as well, but somehow felt that this was something his little girl would do, never playing entirely by the rules.

"What does elope mean?" Beth piped up innocently. She and her mother had also arrived a day before the originally planned wedding in order to have enough time to get ready for the big feast. Shelby shushed her, but the girl still looked questioningly at the newlyweds. Francine, who stood next to the small blonde bent down whispering her explanation into the little one's ear.

Beth's jaw dropped. "You already got married?" The big blue eyes became even bigger when she looked at Quinn and Rachel.

"Yes!" Judy exclaimed, throwing her hands up. Then her gaze softened when it fell on her granddaughter. She looked so much like Quinn when she was little, it was amazing. Like twins, only at different times. "Yes, Beth, they already got married," she explained then a bit calmer in order not to confuse or frighten the girl.

"So that's also why changed the plan and asked us to come on Friday not Thursday as originally planned," Francine, Quinn's sister stated, smiling a little. She had been surprised as well about the news. She could understand her sister, but also understood her mother's disappointment.

Quinn interpreted her sister's words for Rachel, then sighed.

"Mom, can we explain, please?" Quinn looked at everyone gathered around the table, collecting her thoughts. "We did want all of you there and originally we did plan to get married on the boat. But… But few weeks ago Rachel and I had a talk and… and we both noticed that after all we've been through the last few years, to get married and commit to each other was something so holy and private that we wanted to have this moment just for the two of us."

Even though Quinn had interpreted all her words, Rachel felt she had to jump in.

"Judy, dads, please don't think we didn't want to share this moment with you. We thought very hard and long about it and what it would mean for you to be excluded from the actual ceremony." She paused for a moment before continuing. "We just wanted the actual ceremony to be all about us and all for us, with no need to worry about anything else during that moment. It's hard for me sometimes, with trying to watch someone interpret for me and focus on exactly what's happening. We didn't want any distractions. We wanted to focus on each other. As we walked hand-in-hand along the aisle in the small chapel, we got exactly what we'd hoped for. It was intimate; we were so close and there was such a holy atmosphere. I understand that it's disappointing for all of you not having been able to witness this. But believe that we are happy and proud and we still want to celebrate our union with all of you and our friends."

Quinn added: "Sometimes a relationship has dramatic issues that your friends and family know about. We had a few rather large bumps in the road and in the end, in the most intimate moments, we managed to overcome those. This is why we chose to have this important moment to ourselves. It's hard to share a moment with your significant other when a hundred other people are watching you, waiting for certain reactions. And I know that Rachel is still not very comfortable in large crowds, so for us this was the best way to share our vows. After all, this is about us, for us. Eloping allowed us to focus completely on the promises we were making to one another and say them our way."

Rachel nodded and kissed Quinn on the cheek. "But we know that all of you and our friends have also been very important for us on the road we traveled; this is why we didn't want to bail out of a real celebration. And…" she looked at Santana and nodded. The Latina jumped in.

"They knew how hard it would be for you to miss out on the key moment, so we filmed the ceremony. They still had their privacy, but at least you can share it and they can share their important day with you this way."

Judy leaned back in her chair. "Now I know why you always called it the wedding reception and not the actual wedding. I should have known." She looked up at the two women.

Quinn still saw the disappointment and hurt in her mother's eyes, but there was also something else.

Judy slowly stood and then gathered Rachel and Quinn into her arms.

"My god, my little girl is married," she laughed as the tears spilled down her cheeks. "Congratulations you two!" She kissed them both on the cheeks. "Well, I am very proud of you. And I love you both."

"So we are still going to have a party?" Beth piped up gain and made everyone laugh.

"Yes Beth, we are still going to have one hell of a party," Santana grinned and ruffled the girl's hair.

The tension in the room seemed to dissipate slowly. Hiram and Leroy also got up to gather their daughter and daughter-in-law for a hug.

Hiram laughed, after he hugged Rachel. "You little sneak! I should have known that nothing that you do is ordinary! There always has to be a little drama. That hasn't changed."

His signing had become very good and Rachel was happy that she could have fluent conversations with her fathers again. That hadn't been easy in the beginning.

Rachel also laughed and drew her dad back into a hug.

"Well, you know me too well. I hope you are not angry," she mumbled against his chest. Hiram looked down and then stepped back a little to sign. Leroy also looked confused.

"Why would I be angry?" He asked back. "You found love, you found the courage to accept it and to live up to it. You have overcome so much, pumpkin, how could we be angry at you? You explained why you did it. We understand that. Of course we would have loved to be part of that special moment, but the most important thing is that you are happy. And if we get a glimpse of that moment, even if only on screen, we will be part of it somehow."

Leroy chimed it: "And as long as we still get to celebrate with you, everything will be fine! Speaking of which, where is the champagne?" He shouted the last question and Santana rushed to the fridge to pull the bottle out. Quickly she and Quinn placed the glasses on the counter and the group toasted the two women.

Then everyone wanted to see the rings, of course, and the family admired the simple, but beautiful design and meaning behind it.

Shelby also gathered her daughter into her arms in a more quiet moment after the whole excitement had died down a bit.

I'm so happy for you Rachel! You've come a long way, but you never let yourself be defeated. I know I haven't been there for you part of the way, but I am also very happy that we are closer now than ever. Also because of Beth. Shelby rested her hands for a moment and Rachel looked at the lively blonde girl.

"I know that we will have "the talk" with her soon." Rachel turned back to Shelby. "I'm sure that if we explain it right, she will understand. She knows that we all love her. But you two are right, it does not make sense to wait any longer." Rachel looked around the room again. "I have a great family, no matter how unconventional it is," she laughed, waving at the crowed, making Shelby smile as well.

Beth came over to hug the brunette after she had showered the other bride with her affection. She waved her little hands and started signing. "You know, I think you'll make great parents, when you have kids of your own. Your dads are great. I like them. They are just like you two, only the other way around. And look, you have become a great person!" She hugged Rachel again.

Rachel swallowed at so much insight and intelligence the girl displayed. "Thank you sweetie. That's … a nice thing to say."

Before she could add anything the blonde bounced off again, leaving a teary eyed Rachel and Shelby in her wake.

"She is something," Rachel then said, laughing and wiping a stray tear away.

Well, I guess it really doesn't matter if you are a single parent, a gay or lesbian couple, straight , hearing or deaf. You can always raise your child to become a great person with the right intentions.

Shelby smiled wistfully at Rachel who just nodded slowly

After the initial surprise and commotion had died down and talks came to the organization of the party the next day, Francine pulled Quinn into a corner.

"Hey sis, let me give you a hug as well," she said and embraced her sibling. "I'm proud of you, Quinn," she whispered and pulled back to look at her younger sister. "You're lucky to have found someone like Rachel. I wasn't sure if you'd ever let someone close to you again the way our father treated you."

Quinn nodded. "For a long time I was always afraid that the person I would give my heart would hurt me and leave me again. I believe it wasn't easy for Rachel in the beginning. I doubted myself a lot. But somehow I also knew that this was it. It was either Rachel or no one."

"It must have been hard when she left you that Christmas before last," Francine recalled. "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up. Especially not, when you are now so happy together."

"It's okay," Quinn shrugged. "It's part of our past. Luckily we managed to make up and clarify things. And especially in Rachel's case I understand that circumstances were anything but easy. And you know, even though the first months were very rocky, I'm sort of glad we – how shall I say, got these things out of the way rather sooner than later. You know what I mean?"

Francine nodded. "Yes, I do. This little woman has quite some strength in her. I definitely know that I would not have sailed thought all this the way she did. I'd still be a total wreck. I really admire her. And you. It can't always be easy with such a disability."

"No, but we manage. We openly talk about things, that helps a lot. And over time you find a routine and you think less and less about it. It just becomes part of you. I asked millions of questions in the beginning and Rachel patiently answered every one of them," Quinn laughed. "That really helped me in understanding what was going on and how I could support her. But you know, it's not just that I'm helping her, she also gives me such strength and support, I don't know how I could have ever lived without her, sappy me!" Quinn chuckled again.

"Wow, never would have thought of you being the sentimental type, Quinn," Francine smiled. "But regarding all the questions, I still remember how you kept asking me so many things about my first school day and later about other things. Sometimes I wanted to tape your mouth shut so you would stop grilling me. You know, mom and dad and I used to call you the 'question mark'. You always had this particular expression when another one of your questions was due. One of us would then say 'Look, here comes the little question mark again'," Francine laughed at the memory.

"And I remember how you kept throwing your books at me because you wanted me to shut up!"

"Oh yes, I remember that too," Judy chimed in. "I grounded you both for a day. You, Quinn, because you kept pestering your sister even though I had told you to lay off for a while and you, Frannie, for throwing things at your sister," their mother chuckled.

"Oh yes, Rachel was also very good at that," Leroy stated and quickly explained to Rachel what Judy had said.

"I didn't throw things!" Rachel exclaimed.

"No, you just stomped your food and stormed out of the room like a Tasmanian devil," Santana grinned and earned herself a slap on the arm from Rachel.

"Hey, which side are you on?"

"The truth's," Santana replied and dodged another slap.

"Hmf," Rachel grumbled. "I only threw a plate once. And I didn't aim it at anyone in particular," she then stated.

Quinn turned and looked at her wife with a raised eyebrow. "How come I don't know about that?" She then threw a look at Hiram and Leroy, pulling them aside. "I believe we still have some things to talk about!"

"Oh this is how this works now that we are married! You get to pull my dads away to spill all the little secrets about me?" Rachel shouted after them, but the trio just chuckled. Judy decided to jump in. She pulled Rachel close, scribbling something on a piece of paper.

You know, I also have quite a few more details to spill about Quinn, if you want to hear them.

Rachel laughed. "If I want to?" She asked incredulous. "You're on!"

The group spent the rest of the afternoon exchanging stories about the girls' childhoods, their own marriages and general stuff. In between Quinn made to phone calls to get some last things organized for the next day.

Santana's girlfriend Teresa came also over in the evening and together they all ordered pizza, before the guests drove back to their hotel. They'd gather again in the morning for a breakfast together before taking cabs to the harbor in the early afternoon.

Later in bed, Rachel let her index finger travel gently across Quinn's features.

"You think it went ok today?" She asked with a little frown.

Quinn opened her eyes. Yes, I think it did. We knew it would shock them a little. But I believe they understood why we did it and accepted it. Don't you?

"Yeah, I think so too. Your mom had the hardest time. But I guess it all consoled them a little to know that we taped it at least. It was also surprising that they all decided to watch it with the rest of the guests tomorrow evening. Not even your mom wanted to see the video before."

True. But I guess that's because this way she gets more the real wedding congregation feeling with the crowd tomorrow. That wouldn't be the case if she had already seen the video before, Quinn chuckled. That calls for a lot of tears and tissues.

"I'm excited about tomorrow. Happy to see all our friends and the rest of our families again. I'm also a little nervous, but I hope it's going to be another beautiful day."

Rachel turned further to Quinn and kissed her.

"You are so beautiful. I love you!"

I love you too, my gorgeous wife, Quinn answered smiling.

The celebration took place as planned.

All of the guests had been astonished that Quinn and Rachel had already gotten married, but most had taken the news well. They still got to celebrate with them their special day and that was what counted most.

Quinn, Rachel and the rest of their families gathered on the boat around one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday. The guests were to arrive at three. That gave them enough time to check that everything was in okay and organized.

The boat was decorated with pink, purple and white flowers that matched Quinn's and Rachel's dresses. They had decided to wear the same ones again that they had worn during their ceremony. This way it would bring the exchange of vows a bit closer, even if only on tape.

Little bouquets adorned the railing and bistro tables that stood on one side. In the front, slightly to the right of the ship's bow the instruments for the band had been set up already. In front of the instruments was left some room for dancing. Further in the back comfortable lawn deck seats and couches invited the guest to sit. Surely later on in the evening, after the dinner, the dining tables that stood in the middle of the huge deck would be pushed to the side to give more room for the dancers.

The first guests already arrived a little early. Rachel just discussed with the head waiter the final schedule of the day, when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and found a widely grinning Mercedes standing in front of her.

"Mercedes!" Rachel shouted and alerted Quinn to their first visitors. She wrapped her arms around the other woman and hugged her. "It's so good to see you again! I'm so happy that you managed to come!"

Mercedes held up a finger and quickly fished a pad and pen out of her handbag.

I moved heaven and earth to come here. My producer threatened me with cancelling my contract, but when he realized that I wouldn't back down, he let me go. Not without plenty of grumbling. But nothing would have let me miss this wedding! She wrote on the paper.

"I really, really hoped you would be able to come." Rachel and Mercedes hugged again, until Quinn pulled Mercedes out of Rachel's arms into her own.

"Hey girl! Welcome to New York!" Quinn smiled.

Artie rolled up next in his wheelchair with his girlfriend in tow. "Yo girls!" He greeted them.

"Artie!" Quinn exclaimed, rushing over to greet the next guest and old friend. She bent down to hug him, then shook hands with the young women beside him.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Quinn. And this flying purple cloud," she pointed at Rachel who came running to hug her old Glee Club friend, "is Rachel, my wife."

Artie's girlfriend took the offered hand. "Nice to meet you and thank you for inviting me as well. I'm Sarah."

Rachel straightened up again after hugging Artie and also shook Sarah's hand.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Rachel is deaf," Artie stated nonchalantly while Quinn interpreted.

"Hi I'm Rachel," the brunette greeted the other women and then arched an eyebrow at Artie's comment who only shrugged with a grin. He was saved from a comment by Mercedes.

"I'm so happy to see you, old man!" She greeted him. "This feels like a Glee Club reunion, with Puck, Kurt and Blaine and Santana also coming!"

Quinn shortly pulled Rachel aside. Not that you bail out on me again, ok? She half teased.

Rachel looked at her friends and back to Quinn, kissing her on the full lips. "No way. Never again. You're stuck with me, Fabray."

Artie came over, waving them closer. "Did everything go well? I gave Santana my equipment and showed her how to set it up correctly to get the best angle. She didn't say exactly what she needed it for, but I put two and two together," their old friend who had taken on a career in film making looked at them with a conspiratorial expression on his face. Quinn interpreted.

"Well, let's say everything went well and you'll see the result later," Rachel informed him and grinned. "Thank you for the help, Artie," she quickly squeezed his shoulder while he nodded and held a thumb up."

"Glad to be of help," he said simply and moved back to Sarah who was talking to Mercedes in the meantime.

Rachel found the head waiter again and quickly went over the list with him before more guests arrived. With final instructions she packed the paper away, straightened her dress and took a deep breath.

Next she saw Kurt and Blaine coming up the gangway and she was relieved to see them. She wouldn't have missed her best friend in the world for this celebration. Besides, she knew Kurt would help out interpreting whenever he could.

Rachel, wow, you look stunning! Kurt managed to sign, before the two friends hugged.

"Thank you. You two are very handsome as well," the brunette complimented the couple. "Hello Blaine," she greeted Kurt's other half. Blaine wore a normal tie for a change from the ever present bow tie he used to wear in high school. It gave him a much more mature look. Kurt looked as extravagant as ever in his ensemble.

"This location is incredible. How on god's earth have you found this?" Blain asked after the greetings. He looked around the boat and was deeply impressed. Behind them came Lauren and Max, the four of them had shared a cab.

Lauren and Rachel hugged for a long time.

Wow, your dress looks really nice! Rachel told her friend just by signing when she saw her in a yellow-white, short dress.

You look very nice yourself! She then complimented the bride.

Thank you, Rachel answered. I'm so happy to see you!

I can imagine, with all these hearing people you might want some deafie support, Lauren joked and made Rachel laugh. Quinn came over. She had seen the last comment. Come on, we're not that bad, she stated, before she hugged the newcomers.

"Naaaah," Lauren said and continued signing, You're okay I guess, the black haired young woman teased.

Quinn rolled her eyes. Just ok? Who invited these unfriendly people? She then asked looking pointedly at Rachel.

"Behave, Quinn," Rachel admonished her with a twinkle in her eyes. "Lauren, Max, come on board and get comfortable. Ignore that blonde brute," she told her friends while signing along.

While guiding her friends to the tables and other guests, Rachel signed to Lauren: You're right. It's good to have you here. Most of my folks have started to learn sign language, but it is still different for me. I might need some moral support here from someone who can relate.

Any time, Rachel, you know that! Then Lauren lightly bumped the smaller woman with her shoulder. You'll be fine. Believe me, with these friends and family, you'll have a great celebration today.

I know.

When all the guests had arrived and were assembled on the deck, Quinn and Rachel stepped in front of them and made a short announcement. They informed them about the slight change of plans, but that in no way and under no circumstance this meant that the celebration should lack any importance, energy and positive vibes. And, they promised, that they all would actually get to see the exchange of wedding vows.

This consoled most of the guests.

Rachel noticed from their body language and expressions that all were surprised and a bit disappointed, but the promise of a great celebration, wonderful food, drinks and company, not to forget the video, seemed to lift the spirits again.

There had been a moment of silence, after they broke the news, though. Puck then had made his way to the front to hug Quinn and Rachel.

"Wow, that's quite a stunt you pulled," he stated laughing. "But somehow it doesn't surprise me. Congratulations!"

Quinn interpreted for Rachel. Then Puck scribbled something on a piece of paper.

You'll watch out for my little girl's mom, right? He looked at Rachel with sincere eyes.

The brunette smiled. "You know I will. I always will," she answered just as sincere.

"And you," he pointed at Quinn, "you will make sure that Rachel never misses a beat! Promise!"

Quinn chuckled. "I promise. You know that."

He nodded. "Good!" He rubbed his hands together. "Now that we have covered this, let the party begin!"

Rachel tugged at Quinn's dress when Puck turned and walked away to make room for other guests to congratulate them.

"What did he say to you?" She whispered.

Quinn lifted her hands. Guess the same he said to you. That we have to watch out for each other. And she repeated his exact words.

Rachel shook her head fondly and showed her piece of paper to Quinn. "Guess we'll have someone to watch over us that we do this right, huh?" She half joked.

Yes, seems that way. Quinn looked at Puck who lifted a glass of champagne in a toast when he saw his former girlfriend watching him.

The other guests followed suite and someone shouted a salute and the rest chimed in.

Then the whole crowed rushed forward to congratulate the couple as well.

After the formalities were dealt with the festivities started with coffee and cake and continued with more toasts.

The afternoon wore on and the guests lounged on the comfortable chairs and deck sofas, chatting, enjoying the food and the breeze.

The boat had left the harbor after every guest was accounted for. They would cruise along the coast for a while before mooring back in the harbor much later in the evening.

The sun glinted off the water, sea gulls flew across their heads and everything just seemed perfect.

After coffee, when the day slowly wore on into the early evening, waiters served aperitifs and other drinks, rearranging the dinner tables.

Later that night, when it was dark, a screen was lowered at the front of the boat and the happy couple shared the actual ceremony with their guests during dinner.

Very few people were still upset to have been left out after watching the video; most understood Quinn's and Rachel's need for privacy and also found it very courageous to have gone through with it.

Across the table Rachel saw her father Hiram hand Judy a tissue so she could dab the tears away. Even though the guests only saw the ceremony on screen instead of in real life, it came across that it had been a very intimate and loving moment.

The beautiful church room only backlit with candles, the yellow sandstone reflecting the warm light, the two women in their beautiful gowns exchanging the vows… all this created a beautiful atmosphere that enveloped all. Candles flickered on the tables and helped transport the mood from the church onto the ship.

Santana sidled up to Quinn who sat next to her. She placed an arm around her friend's shoulders and pulled her close for a moment.

"You two did the right thing, Q," she whispered. "This couldn't have been any more perfect."

"Thank you." Quinn answered, also whispering and placed her head on Santana's arm for a moment. Thank you for getting Artie to help you set everything up. Thank you so much for your help us with all this."

"Aw, Q, come on, you know I do everything for the people I love," Santana grinned sheepishly.

Rachel leaned forward a bit and threw a look at the two friends next to her, placing a finger on her lips. "Shhhh," she uttered with a playful reproachful look.

Santana rolled her eyes and signed: That's about right that the only deaf person here is bothered by the noise.

Quinn elbowed her while Rachel answered: "First of all, I'm not the only one here, and secondly, shut up, Santana!"

That made the Latina laugh.

Their friendship had come a long and hard way. But the little banter showed how far they had come. The tall and dark haired woman switched her position and moved her chair next to Rachel, hugging her.

I love you too, Rachel.

Rachel just hugged Santana back and fiercely squeezed her against her own body for a moment.

When the little film was finished, Artie eyes sought Rachel's and when he received a short nod, he quickly gathered a little group who took up the instruments.

Rachel took Quinn's hand. The guests seemed to feel that something was in the air and fell quiet. The brunette's words: "May I have this dance?" were heard clearly by each and every one.

"Awww," Judy sighed and grabbed Francine's hand. "I didn't think they would do that, you know, with Rachel…" she waved her free hand at her ears.

Hiram next to her chuckled. "Well, you'll find that our daughter will always surprise you."

Rachel weaved her way through the crowd with Quinn in her tow to the front and nodded again towards Artie, who had taken up a seat behind the drums. He held up his fingers and counted to three. Then Rachel felt the first beat of the drum reverberating through her cells. Puck stood behind the microphone, with Mercedes bringing up the rear. Two other friends stood at the keyboard and guitar.

When Quinn heard the first beats, a smile spread across her whole features. She shook her head and kissed Rachel, who whispered: "You lead" as the tunes of Maid of Orleans from Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark floated up in the air.

It wasn't a typical wedding love song, but the rhythm with the drums was just perfect for Rachel. And the wooden planks sent the vibrations along from the instruments right up to her feet and she felt it pulsing in her chest. It wasn't hard to follow Quinn's lead through that waltz.

Quinn had always loved the song, which was why Rachel had requested it for their first dance.

Both women looked at each other, forgetting everything else around them. The only thing that existed at that moment was them and their love for each other. They knew that whatever might come, they would always manage. They were meant for each other.

"I love you!" both whispered at the same time as the music still flowed around them and sealed their words with a passionate kiss.

Everything felt right.

The walls that Rachel had erected around her, had crumbled some time ago. In their place she and Quinn had started building a new home. A place where there would always be an open door for friends and family.

Rachel embraced Quinn and knew she did not only embrace her soul mate and love of her life, but life itself.

A sentence was projected onto the screen after video had finished for all to see as they danced. Rachel's eyes skimmed across it and it struck a chord inside her chest. She noticed that Quinn had also read it and both knew that it described their path perfectly.

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom

Anais Nin

© by Phoenix2013, 2015

I will probably continue this story. If there is anything you'd like me to write about (except Rachel gaining back her hearing), drop me a message. Thanks to those who have already given me their toughts and what they would like to see. I'd be happy to fill in the gaps and keep on writing.