A/N: Alright. Last chapter. It didn't end like I was expecting it to, but I'm sticking with it. It's finished yet kind of open ended as well. Mainly because I might do a sequel to it later down the road. But right now, I'm planning on wrapping up the other story and taking a break for a bit. It's going to be longer than my last five day break, but I will be back with the sequel to BWYDT when I do. I'm hoping to start writing ahead with that story so I might be able to actually use a beta to proof it.

So, once again, I have to thank all of you (and I mean there are a lot of you) who have read this story. Another huge thank you for everyone who reviewed. I mean, just twenty chapters and over 500 reviews is just insane! I do, however, fear that some of you wont be completely happy with the ending because it leaves some things open. That's why I'm saying there is a possibility of a sequel or at least a quick 5 chapter or so wrap up later. Just with the move and everything going on, it can't happen anytime soon.

But again, thank you all for showing your interest and support. Enjoy!

~/~/~/~

"Hey, Mom? Can I talk to you?" Quinn asked quietly after a knock on the woman's bedroom door. The older blonde was sitting in bed, reading a book which to Quinn's surprise was not the Bible. After a quick nod of her mother's head and a concerned smile, Quinn pushed the door open further and took a seat near the foot of the mattress. "What are you reading?"

Judy hesitated for a second and blushed before closing the book and handing it to Quinn. The younger blonde was a mix between embarrassed and proud at the same time. Her mother was reading a book on how to handle the discovery of your child's sexuality in a positive light. "Bryan Berry suggested it for me. It's been... insightful." Quinn just smiled as she returned the book. "But what did you want to talk about?"

"I..." She paused, unsure of how to continue. "I wasn't ready to come out to you, but it worked out pretty well." She stated as she picked at the blanket in front of her. "And we hadn't planned on coming out to Rachel's dads... or I hadn't planned on coming out to Rachel's dads just yet but it worked out pretty well too."

Judy nodded her head. "We're your parents. We aren't going to just stop loving you because of this. It is just going to take some time for us to fully adjust."

"I know that." Now. "But... I don't know if I'm ready to come out in school."

The older woman took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she set down her book on her night stand to give her daughter her full attention. "And why not?"

Quinn shrugged reflexively. "I guess that I know for a fact that most people aren't going to be okay with it. I've seen how they've treated Kurt, so I know what's coming."

"So this is about popularity again?"

"No!" Quinn cut her off. "Well, sort of, but not the whole thing. It's just... you knew Kurt was gay, right?"

"Of course." She nodded with understanding. "You had told me as much several years ago.

"Exactly. I told you. So there are other's who are going to tell their parents as well. This is where most of my reluctance comes in. Because this is going to impact you as well. You're co-workers are going to find out. The church is going to find out. You'll be shunned just as much as I am. And what about Daddy? What do you think he's going to do when he finds out?"

Judy took another deep breath. She had been thinking about all of these things. The congregation at church had actually applauded Russell on his handling of Quinn's pregnancy and were currently lifting their noses to the teenager's presence there now. Sure they had welcomed her back, but only so they could use her as an example of what not to do. A show of how church and prayer can fix people's sin filled souls. But this would be too much for them to handle. Then there was Russell. They had finally gotten him to stop pounding on the doors at three in the morning. She couldn't even begin to imagine what he would do after he found out.

"I understand your concerns, but don't worry about me. Okay?" Judy tried to reassure her with a warm smile. "I told you. You're my daughter. You come first to me. Not other people's opinions anymore."

Quinn's mouth tweaked in a forced smile but only for a second. "You'll end up alone though. You're friends-"

"Aren't really my friends if they turn away because of who my daughter... has feelings for. Just like yours. Am I right?"

"You are." She admitted hesitantly. "But what about Daddy? Are we really ready to deal with him when he finds out this news? When things at school go bad, I have this house to come back to to try and forget about it all. But if he's here all the time again. Or worse," Quinn exclaimed with excitement, having not thought about this possibility before now. "What if in his drunken rants, he goes over to the Berry's house. You know how he can be. He'll push until he either gets his way or feels he has had his revenge in some manner. He will blame them."

"Quinn, calm down." Judy stated, leaning forward and placing her hand on her daughter's shoulder. Despite the fact that she was telling her daughter to relax, Judy was freaking out internally herself. She had always considered Russell acting out against this discovery, but never thought of him taking up his issues with the Berry family. That was something that he would do.

"But how can I relax, knowing what he will do. I can see him starting a picket line on the sidewalk in front of their house, stating that it's public property and he has the freedom of speech and assembly."

She could see him doing that too. The Berry's would probably end up getting nasty phone calls in the middle of the night as well. "I'm sure that Bryan and Mark have thought about this as well. They said that they have dealt with difficulties because of how they live their life and are accustom to these things."

"But they aren't use to Daddy." Quinn tried to plead and Judy closed her eyes in frustration. She was trying to take the pressure off of her daughter's shoulders but at the same time could very much understand why it was there and had no other place to displace it to.

"What are you saying, Quinn?"

The younger blonde got quiet. "I'm not sure coming out in school would be the wisest decision just yet. I mean,with time. Once you have gotten use to it and have... I don't know, like, found solid ground to stand on. Once I've had the opportunity to explain Daddy to the Berry's so they know exactly what's going to happen, or could possibly happen. Then I would like for Rachel and I to come out."

Judy sat in silence for a moment, trying to ignore the instant sigh of relief she was wanting to let out. This was about Quinn, not her. "And what would Rachel think about this idea?"

"She left it up to me." The older woman arched an eyebrow, having been filled in on the girls' issues on the topic already. "She did. Today actually. She stopped by and we talked for a while. She said that what I did with Santana and with you and her dads was the proof she needed to trust me. She knows I really care about her and would give everything up for her. She's just not so sure I actually need to. Not yet at least."

"And you would be alright with going through the school day ignoring her?"

"I wouldn't ignore her." Quinn stated firmly. "We would be friends in the eyes of the school. Best friends even."

"And the rumors?" Judy inquired, trying to poke holes in this plan if Quinn hadn't really thought about it all.

"Ignore them. Let them talk."

"And you'd be alright with that? You don't think that kids would still go back to their parents with the rumors?"

Quinn shrugged and resumed picking at the blanket with her fingers. "They would just be rumors. I think there would be a difference in reaction compared to Rachel and I strolling into school holding hands." Judy couldn't argue that and Quinn found finality in her silence. "So... what do you think?"

"I think... that it's your choice."

"Mom! I'm looking for your opinion. I've already told you what I think would be best. Now I'm wanting to know what you think."

There was no getting around it. Her daughter needed her support. "I'm just not sure what's best for you. This book," she began, lifting the book from her night stand, reading the back cover. "Talks about how important it is to let you be yourself and encourage you not to hide. But I think that our family doesn't exactly fit the norm it is referring to."

"So..."

Judy finally relented. "If, and only if, you are one hundred percent sure that Rachel would be okay with it, I would suggest waiting a little. That way we are all better prepared for what could possibly happen with your father. I've been trying to keep myself out of the equation but I would feel more comfortable with having some time to process everything before having to deal with him and everyone else on the topic. I know it's selfish of me-"

"No it's not. It's understandable. Especially since you're going to be my main source of support. It's not exactly fair to you to throw this at you and say now deal with it in forty-eight hours so you can comfort me when I come home in tears and covered in multiple colors of slushie."

The older woman dropped her eyes, still learning of the new things she was going to have to be prepared for. "Okay, well even if you don't think it would be selfish of me, that is still my belief. Perhaps you could set a time to revisit the decision so Rachel isn't just left hanging."

"Exactly. It's not that I'm just wanting to hide, there's a reason for it. It's just temporary though. Once everyone is fully prepared, then we can move on to the next step. I just feel like throwing us all into this right away isn't going to work. Or it could be done better."

Judy nodded her head slowly. "Just make sure Rachel really is okay with this. Her emotions are involved as well."

~/~/~/~

Quinn had decided that she liked this sneaking out business. Even though she could have gotten permission from her mother and Rachel's fathers, the adrenaline rush of running through the night towards Rachel's house was just too much to deny. The big goofy grin on her face was enough proof of that. This time though, she avoided the pebble toss and opted to climb the lattice to her girlfriend's second-story window. She was once again thankful that she had been on the cheerios for as long as she had been in order to get over her fear of heights. But even that wouldn't have stopped her tonight.

Rachel's bedroom light was on and Quinn peaked inside, hoping not to scare the brunette. The diva was just coming out of her en-suit bathroom, already dressed in her pink pajamas when Quinn tapped lightly on the window. Rachel quickly looked at her bedroom door and shut it before running over and opening the window quietly. "What are you do-"

Her words were cut off by Quinn's lips on hers in a deep kiss that knocked the air from her lungs. The blonde held the connection as she slipped one leg into her girlfriend's bedroom, pushing her backwards to allow her to fully enter the room. "Get dressed." She ordered when she finally pulled away, both girls panting after the extended connection.

"I just got dressed." Rachel playfully argued as she draped her arms around Quinn's neck and the blonde placed her hands on the shorter girl's hips, gently kissing her lips again. Things were definitely different since they had sex earlier. There was much more of a comfortable atmosphere between them. They had made a special, unbreakable bond.

"In street clothes."

"You don't have another picnic planned do you? Because I just brushed my teeth and everything would taste funny afterwards."

The blonde laughed lightly and placed a quick kiss on Rachel's nose. "No. I just want to take you somewhere just to be away from the houses. That's all. Nothing's planned. Just talking."

"Just talking?" Rachel asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well... I wouldn't be opposed to anything if you had something else in mind."

"I bet you wouldn't be." The diva teased as she gave in to yet another perfect kiss form those perfect lips.

Quinn pulled away and rested her temple to the shorter girl's. "You need to get dressed before we end up doing something on that bed right behind you that I don't think your father's are fully prepared to listen to just yet."

"But I still have to return the favor from earlier if I remember correctly."

The blonde lifted her eyes to the ceiling, asking for strength. "Maybe we can get to that tomorrow after school. But right now... you need to get dressed so I can sneak you out."

"Fine." Rachel relented, releasing her girlfriend and grabbed some clothes before returning to the bathroom. Quinn smiled to herself when she heard the door lock behind her. Where was the trust? "Happy now?" Rachel asked as she emerged a few minutes later in a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt.

"Very. Especially if it starts to rain again because I could see right through that shirt." The diva rolled her eyes and grabbed a jacket just in case, before following Quinn out the window. Once they both descended the lattice, Quinn grabbed the brunette's hand and began running. There really wasn't a reason to run, but she just felt the urge. Spirits were high and free.

"Where are we going?"

"The park."

"Is that a safe place to be at night?"

Quinn smiled at her girlfriend's typical worry. "I'll protect you from any boogeymen. I promise." Both girls giggled as they ran the two blocks to the nearest park, instantly finding themselves in a familiar embrace when they reached the first picnic table. Rachel's hands were resting on Quinn's shoulders as the blonde held her close around the waist, each trying to catch their breath. "I love you."

The confession always brought a smile to Rachel's face, but it grew even bigger during moments like these when she wasn't expecting to hear it. I mean, this was Quinn Fabray who never showed her feelings, let alone broadcast them routinely. "I love you too."

"Here. Have a seat." The blonde stated as she checked to make sure the top of the picnic table was dry from the earlier rain shower they had.

"This must be important then." Rachel teased lightly. If Quinn hadn't been in such a good mood, she would have been a little worried as to what this was all about.

"It is. Well, it's about what you said before you left today. About letting me decide if I wanted to wait or not." Quinn explained quickly, standing in front of Rachel, holding her small hands in hers. "I wanted to really talk to you about it to make sure you meant it."

"I did mean it." She really had. She hoped that Quinn wouldn't want to hide, but she wasn't entirely ready to come out herself either. Things had grown a little bit more complicated lately and having to explain her emotions to Finn was going to be tough. She had professed her deep love for him so many times now. It was going to be difficult to explain that perhaps she was wrong or that she might have let her dramatic side get the best of her. She cared for him, but what she was feeling for Quinn dwarfed it in comparison. She also wanted this to be Quinn's choice because she couldn't live with herself, having to watch the girl she loved be tortured because she wanted everything right now and was too selfish to wait. "I thought we were going to discuss it tomorrow before school?"

"We were, but... After talking with my mother and getting her thoughts on things, I've already made that decision." Rachel mashed her lips between her teeth and nodded. "I want to wait." Quinn paused to try and read the brunette's reaction but couldn't quite place it. "Not just because of the teasing though and not forever. I just want everyone, you, me, Mom, and your dads to have time to adjust to everything. We need that base of support and right now, it's kind of wobbly."

"That is... true."

"I also need time to prepare you for my father's possible reaction." Rachel pulled her head back slightly, not having even considered Russell in the equation. "I mean, you saw him that one night you stayed over. He's out of control when he drinks. I'm afraid that if he finds out about us, that he will flip out again and maybe... show up at your place instead of ours."

Rachel definitely hadn't thought of that.

"I just think that it would be better for all of us to have a firm grip on the reality of the situation. It's not as simple as going to school, raising your hand in the air, and confessing that we are dating only having to deal with the slushies and name calling. It's a little bit bigger than that and will take some..."

"Planning?" Rachel suggested and Quinn nodded her head. The brunette could see the shame in the blonde's eyes. "Quinn, it's okay. I understand. I hadn't even thought about your father and I know for a fact that my dads will also be concerned about that possible development. I agree that an understanding between your mother and my dads is required before anyone is put in the position to have to deal with a drunken Russell Fabray."

Rachel smiled as Quinn let out a sigh of relief. "I just wanted you to know that I'm not hiding. I'm just being cautious with us. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed to be with you. I just want to protect you. To protect us and my mother. So, I propose a one month postponement on coming out to everyone at school. That should give our parents time to adjust and develop an understanding about how to handle my father and when or if to involve the police."

"What about Santana? What about the rumors?"

"I'm still not a Cheerio, so she can pretty much do what she wants. But whatever she comes up with, I plan on ignoring. I'll try your suggestion of standing up to her to see if she'll back off out of fear of further embarrassment, but if she doesn't... I'm not going to worry about it. Like I said," She assured Rachel with a smile and a gentle squeeze of her hands. "I'm not ashamed of who I am and what we have."

Rachel nodded her head and smiled. "So with the rumors?"

"I will neither confirm nor deny them." She beamed, proud of herself for feeling so strongly as not to deny her girlfriend. For once, she had no doubt in her mind.

"I can live with that. It will give me some time to come up with an idea of how to deal with Finn. You know how he is. He only wants what he can't have. If he's with me, he wants you. If he's with you, he wants me. For him to know that he can't have either of us, he'll want us both."

"And I'm not down for sharing." Quinn stated with an arched eyebrow.

"And neither am I."

"Good." The blonde leaned forward and pecked her lover's lips, but Rachel pulled her back in with a gentle hand to her neck. She could kiss this girl forever and never get tired of it. Her lips were perfect, her breath minty fresh from her night time brushing. Everything was soft and gentle yet passion filled and unrestrained. "But just so we're clear... we still get to do this, right?"

Rachel smiled slyly as Quinn closed her eyes and rested her forehead against hers. "This and so, so much more."

"You're killing me, you know that?" Quinn stated breathlessly as Rachel placed light, tender kisses down her jaw to her neck.

"And how am I managing to do that?"

"By showing me what I'm going to be missing for a month while at school."

"Well," Rachel began, flicking her tongue against Quinn's earlobe before suckling it for a second. "The way I view things as the opportunist I can tend to be, is there are many, many moments we could steal away together."

"Yeah?" Quinn asked absently as her mind was torn between the hot breaths and lips on her neck and the hands running over her sides and stomach.

"Yeah. Lunches off campus or hidden away in the auditorium. Choir room retreats between classes. Extra Glee club rehearsals for just the two of us. But that's just for a month. Four weeks. Then..." She moved her lips up to brush against Quinn's ear, sending shivers down her spin. "Then you're mine."

Quinn suddenly turned her head and captured Rachel's lips forcefully, bringing and hand up to cup her cheek and hold her in place. There was only so much teasing she could take before she had to act and she had reached her limit for the evening. Things quickly escalated as heated kisses were exchange, hair was lightly pulled, and Rachel began working at the blonde's belt. Until that is, a loud boom of thunder echoed over them and the rain began to fall, instantly cooling down the rising temperature between them.

"I guess our plans for tomorrow after school will have to suffice." Rachel beamed as she fixed Quinn's belt and followed as they both began running back towards the singer's house, giggling the whole way. Things were too perfect. They knew school was going to be the kink in their chain of perfection, but they were sure what they had was strong enough to hold up to it.

"I don't want to let you go." Quinn confessed as she pulled the smaller girl into her, pressing their foreheads together as the rain trailed lines down from their hair over their faces. The brunette swallowed hard, always wanting to hear these things, but not having a way to follow through with them just yet. "I know I have to, but I just don't want to."

Rachel pulled away, blinking her eyes as the light raindrops fell on her long lashes while she studied her smiling girlfriend's face. This was going to work. They were going to make it work. "Maybe one day you wont have to. Maybe," She shrugged and dropped her eyes, hesitant to push the topic again. "You'll decide to go to college near Julliard and you wont have to. We could share an apartment or something off campus."

Quinn gently lifted her index finger to the underneath of Rachel's chin, lifting it so their eyes could meet. The look in those deep brown eyes always melted her heart, but especially now as the rain continued to fall around them, moistening the brunette's lips, tempting her even more. She licked her own and returned her eyes to Rachel's waiting gaze. "Maybe I'm already planning on it."

"You... what?"

The blonde shrugged and ran the back of her fingers along the brunette's jawline until the hooked behind her neck. "Without Cheerios practice taking up my time, I think I might try and get my job back and save up some money for the move."

Rachel stood dumbfounded for a second. She knew a lot could still change between now and then but hearing that Quinn was so seriously considering the option caused her heart to burst with happiness. If the blonde didn't know her girlfriend as well as she did, she wouldn't have realized that tears of happiness were mixed in with the rain water running down her cheeks as they both stood there, soaked and content.

"You really are a fairytale come true."

"Not yet. But I plan on being one."

With that, both girls shared one more smile before passion took over them and they leaned in slowly until their lips joined once more. It wasn't overpowering or rushed, but rather a cherished connection. They broke for a quick gasp of air before they met again, Quinn closing her eyes tightly at the sweetness of her lover's kiss and the unique sensation of the cooling rain on her lips. This was so cliché, kissing in the rain, but it felt so perfect that she didn't want to stop. Rachel's hands found her neck and encouraged her further, neither caring about their surroundings, just each other as they slipped into another loving caress. It was only when Rachel started to shake that Quinn pulled away, resting their temples together.

"You're cold."

"I know. I don't want to go but my shaking is giving me away."

"Yeah, but I was also referring to something else."

Rachel looked down as Quinn pulled the flaps of her jacket back to exposed her soaked white tee shirt. "Excuse me." The singer retorted, slapping her jacket closed while Quinn smiled broadly. "Those are not yet yours."

"They aren't?"

"No. They are very much still mine. I only allow you to play with them when I like."

"So when can they be mine for keeps?"

"When I have a ring on my finger." Rachel informed her as she moved away and began to climb the lattice up to the room.

"Any ring?" Quinn smiled up at her. "Because I can have one for you tomorrow."

"Quinn Fabray!"

"Rachel Berry!"

They stood there, Rachel standing on the roof, looking down at the blonde as she smiled up to her, batting away the falling raindrops from her eyes. "... I love you. Now go home."

"And what if I don't want to?" She asked seriously.

The diva hesitated for a second, looking back into her bedroom to see if there was any sign of her discovered absence. "Then be quiet and get your ass up here."