AN: So this is an AU multi-chapter Wemma fic. They are the same age as in the show, but Will has a ten-year-old son, Jacob. Jacob's mother is going to be somewhat of a mystery throughout the story, but you will find out more about her later. Emma is a single fifth-grade teacher, and she doesn't have OCD, but she does have some of that anxiety, and she still has all of her cute little quirks. :)

Please please please comment, criticize, anything is appreciated! Happy reading!

"Well…" Will Schuester said, surveying his surroundings. "It's not too big." He smiled down at his anxious ten-year-old son, Jacob, and put an encouraging hand on his shoulder.

The kid looked apprehensive as ever, and Will hated to see his only son looking so scared. He hadn't wanted to move, he would have stayed in California if he could. But he knew it was for the best for the two of them to leave their old life and start a new one. They both needed to get away from Jacob's obsessive mother, and although Will hated to tear his son away from his school and his friends, he knew making the move to Ohio was necessary.

Will had chosen Ohio because of his parents, firstly. It was so saddening to be so many miles apart from them, especially as they grew older. It would be nice to have them somewhat nearby, so that Jacob could get to know his grandparents and establish some kind of a relationship with them. Also, Will was fond of the small town of Lima. He had grown up there, and still felt connected to the quiet town.

So there they were, father and son, standing in front of Jacob's new school, McKinley Elementary. The small boy was not looking forward to being the new kid, but at least he was starting at the beginning of the school year, not popping in right in the middle of it.

Will stood with his son in front of the intimidating school for a few minutes, not quite ready to let his son go yet. After a while, Will sighed and took his hand off of Jacob's small shoulder.

"All right, I guess you should go in now. I don't want you to be late on your first day," he said.

"Okay," Jacob replied hesitantly. He wrapped his arms around his strong father, giving him a quick embrace before running off into the big building with a wave.

Will stood there for a couple minutes, before turning around and driving home. There was no denying it, it was difficult for Will to see his son go to a whole new school in a completely different part of the country. Ever since his wife had become problematic, Will had admittedly become much more protective of his quiet son.

"Room 408… 408… 408…" Jacob kept muttering to himself, as he kept his eyes pealed, searching for his classroom. Where the heck was it? There was 402… 403… then 500?

Rrrriiiiinnnnggg! The small boy jumped as the bell sounded loudly, and all of the energized kids suddenly disappeared into their designated classrooms. Jacob's heart raced and he began to panic as he still had no success in finding his class.

Finally, with the help of a janitor, he located room 408 and tugged open the heavy door. Every single kid turned their head and gave the latecomer a snooty look, except for one. The teacher, a petite woman with soft red hair, looked up at Jacob with a sweet smile.

"S-sorry I'm late," the nervous newcomer stuttered.

"Don't worry about it, it's the first day of school! It's easy to get lost. Are you new here?" The pretty teacher smiled warmly at Jacob.

He nodded nervously, sliding into a seat in the back row, eternally grateful to have an understanding, nice teacher. It could have been so much worse.

Outside of the educational bubble that was McKinley Elementary School, Will spent the day looking for work. Another reason for his decision to move to Lima was the knowledge that there were numerous job openings in the architectural industry. However, his job search proved more difficult than he had hoped, and he had little success in finding a job.

Later that day, Will drove back to the school to pick up Jacob. Scanning the massive crowds of energetic kids, Will fervently searched for his son's curly brown hair, small but strong body, and hopeful, excited face. Finally, Jacob appeared out of the throng of students, spotted Will's old blue mustang, and ran towards it happily.

He slid into the passenger seat quickly, giving his father a smile. "Hi Dad!"

Will returned the grin. "Hey buddy. How was your first day of school?"

"Good."

"Good? Did you make any friends?"

"Umm… I don't know, I don't really like the kids very much." Jacob looked down at his hands.

"Why not? Were they mean to you?" Will asked immediately, his voice raising slightly to show a deep level of concern and protection.

"No, no, they're just… different than the kids back home." Jacob's boyish voice trailed off as he thought of sunny California. "But Dad, there's something else."

"What is it, Jacob?"

"I'm in love."

Will raised his eyebrows curiously. "Is that so?" Jacob nodded, unable to keep the smile off his face.

"Who's the lucky gal?"

"Oh Dad, she's so amazing. She's pretty and nice and funny… and she smells like vanilla. Yummy vanilla ice cream." He paused for a second. "There's just one problem."

Will was grinning, amused by his son's confession. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

"She's my teacher."

Will rolled his eyes good-naturedly and smiled at his lovestruck son. He reached his arm over and ruffled Jacob's mousy brown hair, before starting the car and backing out of the school parking lot. It was just like his odd son to announce that he was in love with his fifth grade teacher on the first day of school. He decided to play along, shaking his head at his son's antics.

"Well, what's her name?"

"Miss Pillsbury." Jacob smiled. "Like the dough boy!"

"Maybe you should find someone your own age, Jake," Will chuckled as they drove off toward home.

Back to school night. Will wasn't particularly fond of it. The last one he had been to, his wife had embarrassed the both of them. Shaking his head at the foul memory, Will slipped on his favorite leather jacket and grabbed his keys.

"Kay, Jacob, I'm leaving now. Behave for the sitter, okay?" He gave his son a kiss on the top of his head and rubbed his shoulders.

"I will, Daddy, I promise."

"Alright. Thanks so much," he said to the sitter. "I shouldn't be home any later than nine."

After multiple hugs and kisses exchanged between father and son, Will finally left the house, speeding away to McKinley Elementary. Because of his drawn-out goodbyes, he was running late to back to school night. Upon his arrival to the unfamiliar school, Will found his son's classroom and walked in (ten minutes late). As the door squeaked open, a wave of heads turned to look at him and Will Schuester experienced something quite similar to what his son had experienced not too long ago.

"Sorry I'm late," Will breathed with a sheepish smile. He tried to explain his tardiness, but his voice was caught in his throat as he caught sight of the beautiful redheaded woman standing at the front of the classroom. She was giving him a somewhat irritated smile, although under the irritation he could easily sense warmth and forgiveness.

Emma Pillsbury looked up at the man who had just burst into her classroom, out of breath and pink in the face. She was slightly annoyed by his grand (late) entrance, but once she caught sight of the disheveled man, her mouth curved into an involuntary smile. She knew who it was instantly. His messy brown curls, slim stature, and grand entrance reminded Emma exactly of his quirky son. She held back a giggle at the father-son similarities and motioned for him to sit down, trying to morph her face back into seriousness and continue her little speech to the parents.

Throughout the hour, Will listened attentively to his son's teacher, intrigued by her soft voice, her subtle sense of humor, her apparent knowledge and wisdom. And Emma couldn't help but glimpse back at her favorite student's father every few seconds, noticing adorable similarities in the way he sat with his hands under his chin, the way he paid so close attention to her, seeming to cling to her every word, the way he chuckled softly at her jokes that no one else seemed to get.

"Thank you all so much for coming," Emma concluded. "I have a wonderful group of kids this year, and I'm so grateful to have such a nice group of parents as well. I'm excited for this year to get going!"

The parents began to file out of the room, coupled off, hand in hand or arm in arm. Emma turned her back to the chattering parents, straightening up some papers that sat on her desk. After a few seconds, she felt a strong presence behind her, and she quickly turned around, immediately smiling at the sight of Jacob's father holding his hand out to her. She shook it, noticing his firm handshake.

"Hi," he said, grinning. "I'm Will Schuester, I'm Jacob's dad. You're Miss Pillsbury, right? I missed the introduction, sorry." His lopsided grin stayed, and he shrugged in apology for his late entrance.

"Emma," she said with a confident smile. "I figured you were Jacob's father. You two look so much alike…" she smiled back at him, noticing that he even mirrored his son's cute chin dimple, which became even more prominent as he smiled wider. By this time, all the parents had left the room, and it was just the two of them. Emma usually felt awkward and shy around parents, but for some reason, Will made her feel extremely comfortable.

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Will said. "I secretly love to hear it." Emma laughed, sounding like beautiful bells on Christmas morning.

"So, where's Mrs. Schuester tonight?" Emma couldn't help but ask curiously. Will's smile faded and he looked down at his shoes.

"There, um… there is no Mrs. Schuester."

Emma's eyes instinctively flew to Will's left hand, which was very much ring-less. Her heart fluttered a little, and she reprimanded herself inside her head.

What are you doing, Emma? Flirting with your student's father? You are so messed up.

Although she wondered to no end what had happened to Jacob's mother, she scolded herself and brought the conversation to a different subject, talking about Jacob instead. She had nothing but praise for the quirky boy, and Will loved to hear it. After a while of easy conversation, Will looked down at his watch. 9:30. Ugh, he was late for the sitter.

"Well, uh, it's late… I don't want to make your husband worried…." Will looked up at Emma through his lashes to see her reaction.

"Oh I don't… I don't have a husband," Emma replied much too quickly, scolding herself again inside her head.

"Boyfriend?" Will inquired.

Emma shook her head, playing with the buttons on her cardigan. There was an awkward pause as the two stood there, unsure of what to say next.

"Well," Will broke the short silence. "I should go, I don't want to keep the sitter waiting…" he gradually backed away from his son's lovely teacher until he reached the door. Once he got to the door, he hesitated for a moment and scratched his head.

"Um… can we exchange numbers?" he said hastily. "Just so… you know, you can let me know how Jacob's doing in school and stuff…" Will's cheeks reddened and he played with his curls nervously.

Emma smiled hesitantly. "Of… of course," she said. "For Jacob's sake. That's a, um… that's a good idea."

They exchanged cell phone numbers, and Will gave a sort of salute as he backed out of the classroom.

"See you around, Emma," Will said with a smile.

"Bye, Will."

He walked out to his car, unable to keep the grin from spreading across his face. She was so lovely, and so sweet… Will stop it, he scolded himself. It's so inappropriate for you to have those thoughts about your son's fifth grade teacher.

But still… she was so wonderful. Will hadn't met a woman like that in a long, long time.