The Berry family typically ate their meals at a reasonably sized round table in the kitchen. It was a practice Elias brought with him from his time spent at the Sylvester home. There was no head at a round table. Everyone was equally strong, equally important, equally in control, and equally accountable. They were all within reach of each other if there were any problems- food needing cut, accidental choking, etc. A round table in the kitchen had ensured that Sue, Elias, and Jean were able to cook, eat, and plot how to survive like a well oiled machine. It served the same purpose in the Berry household. The round table was for trusted family or a small, comfy number of guests. But when there were too many guests, people who weren't trusted, or people who needed to be intimidated, they were put in the dining room. The extremely formal dining room.

Hiram and Elias might not have been the most fashionable or had the best sense of taste or dress, but they were intelligent enough to be able to mimic someone else's aesthetic. They spent months watching movies, looking through magazines, and reading horror and mystery novels in order to craft the perfect room that could reflect either peaceful extravagant beauty or sheer terror and intimidation depending on the dinner conversation. The wood of the floors, rectangular table, and chairs was dark. The legs ended in claws. The walls were a deep wine red and all of the light fixtures, knick knacks and are in the room were made up of sharp edges and tasteful bone. It had worked well on several occasions, including talking some sense into a cocky rookie cop and dissuading a very persistent door to door vacuum salesman from knocking again. Currently, it was also working very well on Rachel's guests.

Her parents had gone all out to celebrate her successful placement on the football team. There was a rather large pink banner exclaiming 'Congratulations' and a mix of star and football shaped balloons either floating on the ceiling or tied to various surfaces. The disposable plates and napkins were in McKinley red and black and the table was absolutely loaded with food- cookies, vegetables, hummus, and cheese platters, bacon wrapped green beans (vegan, turkey, and traditional pork), chips and salsa, pickled beets, tiny sandwiches of assorted varieties, and much more. However, even the cheerful decorations and delicious smelling food couldn't completely disguise the slight hint of menace in the room, and, as Rachel and Quinn sad down at the table, Rachel had the niggling feeling that it was purposeful.

Her daddy and aunt sat at the two end or head positions of the table. Her dad was on her daddy's right and Puck was on his left. Santana was on Sue's left and Brittany sat between Santana and Hiram. That left Quinn on Sue's right and Rachel sitting across from Brittany and in between her best friend and her girlfriend. The expressions around the room were mixed. Her daddy seemed completely calm, in control, and perfectly pleasant as he chatted with Noah. It was the perfectly pleasant part that had Rachel's sixth sense going off because her father was never perfectly anything. He believed in messes, mistakes, and greatness, but not perfection, and so the perfectly pleasant facade was a clear indicator that something was going on. Puck seemed only a little fidgety but mostly relaxed and happy. He'd always liked her parents. Her dad was in an animated discussion with an equally animated Brittany and a Santana who seemed one part begrudgingly amused and three parts acutely aware that she was sitting next to Sue Sylvester. Sue, who looked far too pleased if the smirk on her face was anything to go by. That was the face she wore when everything was going according to plan. And Quinn, poor Quinn… She had a small pleasant smile plastered on her face, but had yet to let go of Rachel's hand and the brunette could feel the tension radiating from her body. Really, Rachel wasn't sure how much more the blonde could take. She'd had to sit through tryouts, watch Rachel get tackled, have Sue taunt her, come to a party with Puck and both of Rachel's parents, only to find out that Sue was Rachel's aunt. Rachel was fairly positive that her aunt wasn't finished causing mayhem, possibly aided by her perfectly pleasant father. Rachel sighed inwardly. She really hoped everyone survived the night.

"Attention! Attention," Hiram exclaimed, standing and raising his glass. He looked around, smiling warmly as everyone turned their focus onto him. "Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for attending our celebration on such short notice. Secondly, I'd like to call your attention to the colored toothpicks on the edges of the plates. Yellow indicates a vegan dish and green indicates non kosher and or pork product. Thirdly, I would like to extend my congratulations. Though we're here to celebrate Rachel's achievements, I've been informed she's not the only one who has accomplished something today. So, to Quinn and Santana for becoming co captains of the cheerleading squad, good luck. I'm sure you know with Sue that you're going to need it. To Noah, for pulling himself together and maintaining his position on the team. To Brittany, for maintaining her position on the squad. And, finally, to Rachel, our little star. I'm not sure why you're determined to give me a heart attack by playing this barbaric sport, but I admire your tenacity and determination and I congratulate you on making the team. So, masel tov, prost, and cheers!"

Quinn released Rachel's hand in order to clap along with the rest of them as they cheered and Puck whistled loudly. Rachel felt relaxed and happy as Quinn smiled genuinely next to her.

Elias cleared his throat, "Alright everyone, let's eat!"

Rachel smiled contently as everyone began reaching for various dishes. She could honestly say that she'd never experienced this before, never expect to be able to experience it while she was in highschool. She was surrounded by people who cared for her, friends and family, or at least people who were happy for her. Santana might not truly care for her yet, but she had acknowledged Rachel's football skills and stopped insulting her and that was progress. Puck nudged her out of her thoughts.

"Superstar! This tastes exactly like the salsa from the b- that one place we went."

Rachel bounced a little in her seat, "Really?"

"Yeah! How did they get the recipe?"

Elias chuckled, drawing their attention. "You mean how did we get the recipe from the bar you're not supposed to go to until you're twenty one?"

Puck winced, "Shi- Mr. Elias…"

Elias waved his hand, "Don't worry about it. What's important is we have the recipe so you and

Rachel don't have to go to the bar to get it ever again. Got it?"

Puck nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Wait, wait, wait." Santana leaned forward eagerly, "Berry snuck off to a bar?"

Rachel sniffed delicately, "I assure you nothing untoward occured."

"Untoward?" Santana cackled, "Did you get grounded?"

Rachel sent her her fiercest glare, "I don't believe that's any of your business."

Brittany put her hand on Santana's arm, "S, be nice. Sorry Rach, she's super nosy. She collects secrets like she collects Wonder Woman stuff."

"Brittany!" the other girl squawked.

Rachel bit her lip to hide a smile. Quinn had no such reservations. "Oh, S, your geek is showing."

Elias spoke up, "Hey, no superhero hate in this house. The girl obviously has good taste. Us DC

fans have to stick together."

Santana straightened her shoulders and mimed popping her collar, "Damn, er, dang straight, Officer B."

"Language, she-devil," Sue barked, "Hiram gets hives if you use grown up language around him."

Hiram blustered, "I do not, you harridan!"

"Anal retentive troll doll."

"Demented barbie."

Elias rapped his knuckles on the table, an amused smile on his face, "Hey. Timeout. I think you broke the kids."

Rachel was used to her dad and her aunt bickering back and forth. It happened at least once every time they spoke to each other. They didn't even have to be in the same room. She had long ago learned that was how they expressed their affection for each other. It also extended to pretty epic April Fools day pranks that were only allowed on that day to avoid general destruction and mayhem throughout the year. It was the only time her dad participated in "such frivolous nonsense." Rachel's guests, however, looked on with wide eyes as Sue and Hiram exchanged rather fierce glares.

"Oh!" Brittany gasped, "Now everything totally makes sense."

Santana blinked, "What does, B?"

Brittany smiled brightly, "I was confused at first about Coach being Rachel's aunt but I just realized they totally have the same scary face. Like the face Coach uses whenever one of the baby cheerios messes up is the exact same face Rache uses when nobody listens in glee."

There was a beat of silence before Puck slapped Rachel in the arm, "Dude! You unleash the Sylvester glare of Doom on us?!"

Rachel wiped her mouth delicately, "Any good leader knows that one must utilize everything at his or her disposal in order to motivate the team."

Sue nodded, "Absolutely everything, whether that's sheer terror, jazzercise pants, or a secondhand cannon. I'm glad you pay attention at our meetings."

Quinn leaned toward Rachel and murmured, "You have meetings?"

Rachel simply replied with a sheepish smile.

Puck raised his hand, "Can I just say that I'm completely freakin awed and totally confused. This a like a big freakin secret and it's cool you're telling us, but why are you telling us?" He paused for a second, "Oh shit, are you going to kill us now?"

Sue and Elias shared a long look.

Hiram gasped, "Elias Johnathan Berry! Susan Rodham Sylvester! There will be no dead bodies in this house!"

Sue rolled her eyes, "Technically-"

"No matter what Rachel says the animals we're eating don't count!"

"Dad!"

"Sorry, pumpkin, but there's a big difference between dead pig and dead teenager."

Quinn muttered under her breath, "If it's Puckerman, there isn't that much of a difference."

Pucked squeaked, "Hey!"

"Well, if the hoof fits…"

"Ladies, gentleman," Elias called, "Let's all take a minute to calm down." Leaning over, he placed his hand on Hiram's, "Sweetheart, you know Sue and I would never kill anyone in front of you."

Sue snorted, "I for one am deeply offended that you would think either of us is incompetent enough to kill people whose parents are fully aware of their location. You never assassinate someone if your presence or location is linked to their last known whereabouts."

Brittany popped a piece of cheese in her mouth, "Actually, me and San's parents think we're at Quinn's house."

Santana clamped her hand over the blonde's mouth. "B! Don't tell them that," she hissed.

Hiram waved his hand towards the two girls, "Look! The two of you are scaring the children!"

Elias patted his hand and continued confidently.

"Let me finish. We are are not going to physically harm anyone, but Sue and I thought it was supremely important to take this opportunity to clear a few things up. I know you don't really like confrontations. Just trust us."

"The last time I trusted Sue, Rachel ended up signed up for capoeira!"

"Hiram…"

"Fine," he sighed, "Grant us you secrets, O Great Ones."

Elias looked over the table, making sure to catch everyone's eyes at least once, "First, I feel obligated to remind you that you're free to leave at anytime. But, if you do, you're likely to be unwelcome in my home for a long time."

"Daddy!" Rachel cried, confused and a little embarrassed.

He held up his hand, "Rachel. Stop." He looked at her intently. "Do you think we're good parents?"

Rachel blinked, "What?"

"It's a simple question. Do you think your dad and I are good parents?"

"Yes, of course," she said softly.

"Then let me continue to be a good parent. I was going to wait until after the dessert, but…" he shrugged, and looked out over the table again, "It would be entirely irresponsible of me to invite you all into me home without having a frank discussion about the fact that all four of you have, in one way or another, been responsible for bullying, abusing, and tormenting my daughter for the last two years."

Rachel felt Quinn tense beside her so she placed her hand on Quinn's. Quinn squeezed back, never taking her eyes off Elias. Rachel took note of the frown growing on Brittany's face and the tension in Santana's shoulders, as if she was ready to battle her way out of the room if necessary. She looked to her right and saw Puck's slumped shoulders and she reached out and grabbed his hand too.

Her father continued speaking.

"I can't tell you how many times I've had to comfort my daughter after she's been attacked, how many times I've gone up to that school and complained and been told their hands were tied or there wasn't enough proof, how many hundreds of dollars of clothes have been destroyed. And now, you're in my home telling me you're her friends at the very least. As far as I can tell, you're all sincere. Especially you two, Noah, Quinn, I can see that you generally care for my daughter and that Rachel has given you a clean slate. But, as a parent, I can't. I can't until I know that you're aware of what exactly was on your slate to begin with. Do you understand?"

Quinn nodded solemnly, "I know I've done some stupid, petty, horrible things."

"But I'm not sure you realize how horrible. At least, I hope you don't. I hope that you're not that viciously cruel. Because I'd be very concerned about what kind of adults you'd become. Are you willing to sit and listen?"

Quinn nodded again and Puck straightened his shoulders as if he was facing an executioner. Brittany still seemed confused, the frown continuing to grow.

"Miss Lopez?"

Santtana shifted, "I'm not sure I want to sit here and be yelled at."

"I promise you, I will not raise my voice, stand up, or make aggressive movements or gestures. If you want to leave, I understand. But you're not welcome back until we have some form of this conversation."

Sue spoke, "Lopez, I just made you captain and since I've not mastered the necromatic rituals to reanimate a corpse, nothing will happen to you."

Santana nodded once, chin tilted upward in defiance, "Fine."

"Now, I'm sure you think it's not a big deal, a little culling of the herd, keeping order, just a little humiliation. I've here to tell you it's a very big deal. The things you've done are criminal. If you'd done those things in any other building besides that school, you'd have been charged with a crime, sued for damages, or both. And your language is some of the most transphobic, racist garbage I've heard in a long time and you're bordering on catching a hate crime."

Santana sputtered, "Racism? Whoa. I don't do racism."

"Exactly that. And I'm not saying you specifically. After all, it can be hard to pinpoint which cheerleader said what without a warrant I don't have. But one of the most repeated comments on Rachel's videos is that she should sterilize or kill herself. Now, I want you to think about that for a minute. You all were probably thinking, what, she needed to stop spreading her 'loser' genes or something like that? And maybe, maybe, that's all you were thinking. But I doubt it and I'm not sure you're even aware of your own prejudice. Because Rachel is a woman of ethnicity, a woman of color, and it's not the first time in history a group of those in charge thought a women like her should be sterilized. Hiram's parents were lucky, some of his aunts and uncles, his grandparents, not so much. They burned because some of the popular kids didn't like them spreading their loser genes. And my ancestors, people of color, there are still horror stories coming out of men being attacked and castrated, women being injured to the point they can't reproduce, both men and women being tricked or cornered into being sterilized by medical professionals or government officials. And that's in this country in the last sixty years. And when you go online and post those comments, or sit back and laugh while it's happening, those are the voices you're speaking with and laughing with."

He paused for a moment, letting that information sink in. Rachel was almost certain her hand was turning purple with how tight Quinn's grip was. The blonde looked particularly green. Rachel hadn't seen that color on her since morning sickness had kicked in. Across the table, Santana looked angry and pale and Brittany's eyes were burning with tears. Puck's jaw was clenched tightly. Her daddy continued.

"That's the slate you're trying to wipe clean today. A big, ugly slate. But it means something that you're here. It means something that you've stayed and listened. You can't change until you know what you did wrong, and it would not be fair or responsible for me to let you around my family into our safe space, without letting you know." He looked them all in the eyes again, "And I want you to know that this is a safe place, not just because I'm a cop or Hiram's a doctor, or because we're gay men. We've always believed that everyone should have a safe spot. It's no Fortress of Solitude or Themyscira…"

Santana's eyebrow arched upward.

"...It's just a house in the subarbs of Lima with far too much tofurkey…"

"Daddy!"

"...But we have some edible food and comfortable couches. And if you ever need them, they're yours. No questions asked. Now that I've said my piece, you're welcome here."

Sue sneered, "Now that the lovey dovey mush for Hiram's sake is out of the way. The Berry Sylvester family has several rules that must be followed in order for you to survive. One, if you insult Jean, you die. Two, all Nazis must be squarely punched in the face. Three, any property destroying shenanigans are saved solely for April Fools day. Four, no unapproved persons may learn of our secret until graduation. Congratulations, you've been approved as conditional members. The only way out is death or a blood oath that names me as heir to your fortune. Fifth, there are some insults that are out of bounds. Elias named them. Any others are fair game and encouraged."

Brittany raised her hand, her eyes still watery.

"Yes?"

"What if I don't have a fortune? Does Lord Tubbington count? Or my collection of duckies? You'll only take them if I break the rules, right?"

"Yes. Or I'd consider your first born child or adopted, I don't discriminate."

"Susan! That's enough."

"It's only enough when I say it's enough. Besides, technically I already own their souls until they graduate per their cheerleading contracts."

Rachel blinked, leaning over to Quinn, "Is that clause really in there?"

Quinn shook herself, still a little pale, "It's twenty seven pages long in five point font. I'm not sure what was in there."

Rachel winced, "Oh Quinn, it's entirely necessary to read contracts, even if it requires a microscope and five different reference books."

Quinn frowned, "McKinley didn't have an English to Kurdish dictionary."

Rachel pursed her lips, "I'm not certain the contracts would be legally enforceable then, arguments about ownership of a soul, or even the existence of the soul aside. That said there are some fascinating studies about cell memory that some people argue counts for some of the instances of documented reincarnation and-"

She swallowed as Quinn's finger rested on her lips.

"As adorable as your babbling can be, I'm still trying to figure out if Coach was bluffing about the necromantic ritual."

"Sue Sylvester never bluffs," Sue barked, "And if she did, her bluffs would be so entirely convincing they would become truths and thus never be bluffs at all."

Puck ran his hand over his mowhawk. "Babe, is that a riddle kinda like those two doors where one always tells the truth and one always lies. You know, the movie with the sparkly owls and the crotch bulge."

Rachel was scandalized, "The movie with the crotch bulge? That's how you refer to the David Bowie classic, The Labyrinth?"

Puck shrugged, "It was pretty epic. Dude looked like he was wearing a codpiece."

"Oh! Does that mean he had a fish in his pants?" Brittany asked. "That seems like it would be cold and slimy. Lord Tubbington dropped a goldfish in my shoe once. I named it Goldilocks, but my shoe wasn't just right so my dad took it fishing with him."

"The Labyrinth?" Santana scoffed, "Glittery owls?"

"I think they sound pretty. Rachel is a glittery owl and she's pretty."

"Why thank you, Brittany." Rachel smiled as Quinn's grip on her hand changed from desperate to possessive. "But Santana, surely you're not implying you have never seen the cinematic and musical phenomenon known as the Labyrinth? The perfect blend of whimsy and terror, fairy tale and reality?"

Santana scowled, crossing her arms, "I'm not implying, I'm stating."

"Unacceptable." Rachel quickly stood from her chair, "Dad, Daddy, Aunt Sue…" The three adults looked up from their rather intense discussion, "...There is an absolute emergency. Santana Lopez doesn't know about the babe. We must rectify it immediately or I'm afraid she will spend the rest of her existence unenlightened."

"Wonderful," Hiram explained, "Take whatever snacks you wants and go to the living room and put it on while the three of us continue our discussion on hosting etiquette."

Brittany practically leapt from her seat, "Yay movie time! Oh, I don't have my slippers."

Elias smiled at her, "I have a pair of fake monster feet you can use."

"Ooo, I bet they're super warm." Tugging Santana with her, she hugged both Elias and Hiram. "I'm sorry people were mean and I'm sorry I was mean and let them. I won't ever let anyone set Rachel on fire."

Hiram patted her gently on the back, "I know you won't. Go enjoy the movie. Rachel will get you those feet."

Santana simply nodded to both of them, tense and thoughtful and Brittany pulled her into the living room.

Puck stood. "You'd better not hog all the blankets!" He called after them. For a moment, he looked guiltily at Hiram and Elias.

Hiram waved him away, "No guilty face. You're always welcome here." Elias nodded in agreement.

Puck's shoulders relaxed, the confident swagger returning as he sauntered into the next room with a plate of sandwiches stacked high. "What the hell? That doesn't mean take the pillows instead."

Rachel tugged at Quinn's hand, trying to get the blonde to stand.

Quinn refused to budge, instead taking a deep breath, her eyes intense and focused as she addressed Rachel's fathers. "How could you trust me with her? If you believe all that you just said, how could you trust me with her? How could you forgive me?"

Elias leaned back in his chair, respect in his eyes, "Because you listened and you're considering it. You're aware now and you're going to think about it. Because as nearly grown as you are, you're still children, as much as Rachel likes to insist otherwise, and I can't expect you to know everything. Ignorance is forgivable, willing ignorance isn't. We all make mistakes, Quinn. Rachel is smitten with you, you make her happy. Even if it doesn't work out and the two of you break up, you'll still be welcome here if you need a safe place. Everyone who shows a willingness to change deserves a second chance."

"No one is perfect, Quinn." Hiram said kindly. "Life is a wonderful, terrifying thing. We make lots of mistakes, good and bad during it. Rachel sees something in you and she's told us many things about you. I look forward getting to know you. Now go watch that movie. Rachel is going to vibrate out of her shoes if you make her wait much longer."

Rachel huffed, her cheeks warm with embarrassment. "I will have you know that the frequency of vibrations required to-"

Quinn chuckled, finally standing. "Come on. Show me this glitter bulge."

Rachel gasped as she pulled the cheerleader toward the living room, "Quinn, surely you're not suggesting that you've never seen-"

Out of sight of her parents, Quinn kissed her quickly, her lips warm and soft. "I'm suggesting that we share your spot and you keep me warm."

Rachel blushed, "I think that would be a perfectly acceptable arrangement."

"Despite my ignorance?" Quinn teased, though there was something serious in her eyes.

Rachel brought Quinn's hand to her mouth and delicately kissed her knuckles. "I knew who you were when I agreed to date you and I look forward to being by your side as you grow into the person you're going to be. I hope we grow together."

"So do I," Quinn said softly, "So do I."