Disclaimer: Based on character names and incidents within the TV show we know as Glee. The events from season 1 have been altered to fit my imagination, this is sixteen years in the future. No ownership claimed or implied.
A/N: This has the potential to become more than a one-shot. Let me know.
"Mom," came the whispered voice from the doorway. "Mom." A little louder this time but still whispered. Quinn woke with a start, she shook her head and glanced to where she thought she'd heard a sound. Beth stood in the partially open doorway.
"Beth, what's wrong?" Quinn whispered, looking over her shoulder at her sleeping husband.
"Mom I need you," Beth whispered, her voice breaking. Quinn got out of bed and pulled her robe on over her shorts and top.
Out in the hallway she said quietly to Beth, "Are you ill? What's wrong? It's only 5.30, what are you doing up at this time?"
"I need to talk to you," Beth whispered, leading the way to her bedroom. Inside she went and sat on her bed. As soon as Quinn followed her in Beth handed her a white plastic wand. Beth closed her eyes and couldn't help but start crying.
Quinn closed her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't say the words out loud but she wanted to scream at her daughter, "NO NO NO NO NO NO! WE DID NOT WANT THIS FOR YOU!" She opened her eyes and looked at the wand. The screen showed just one word, 'pregnant'. "Oh Beth." Quinn sighed, sitting beside her on her bed. Beth had one foot on the bed, her arms round her lower leg, her mouth on her knee keeping the sobs from spilling out. Quinn pulled her daughter into her arms, Beth's head on her chest, her cheek on Beth's head, her hands rubbing and soothing her back and shoulders. "How far?" She asked. She felt Beth shrug. "You must have some idea. When was your last period?"
Beth lifted her head slightly. "I've missed two. I was hoping it would just go away….." then broke down again.
"Yeah, I know that feeling," Quinn murmured so very quietly, remembering back 17 years. "Who is it?" She asked Beth. "Who's the daddy?"
"Keegan." Beth whispered.
"Keegan Hudson?" Quinn asked, dreading the answer. She felt Beth nod.
"Please don't tell dad, not yet. He'll be so disappointed." Beth begged. She was right. Noah Puckerman would be disappointed. And ready to kill.
"He'll have to know Beth. It'd be better for you to tell him than for him to find out any other way." Quinn advised. "What do you want to do? Have you thought about your options. Have you discussed it with Keegan?" Again Beth shook her head.
"Keegan doesn't want to know. He said it was just a one night thing, he doesn't want a relationship with me. And he says it can't be his because he pulled out. It is his mom. That was the only time. Ever." Beth couldn't stem the tears.
Quinn's arms tightened round her daughter. "It's ok sweetie, try to calm down." Quinn buried her lips in Beth's hair, trying to hold back her own tears. "Try to get some rest and tomorrow we'll make an appointment to see Dr Chin, ok?" Quinn's head was buzzing, she knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep but she knew she had to try otherwise she would be no use to Beth later on in the day.
"S'up?" Puck murmured as Quinn got back into bed, "kids ok? Was that Beth at the door?" His voice was husky from sleep.
"It's fine, go back to sleep," Quinn whispered back, tucking herself in his arms.
Puck rocked against her, "Someone else is awake," he smiled, his eyes shut as he rolled Quinn to her back, coming over the top of her and claiming her mouth in a long hot kiss. Quinn wrapped round him tight, needing him. After all these years they still couldn't resist each other.
At brunch Beth was notably subdued. She sat in her usual place, a piece of toast being ripped to shreds on her plate but not actually being eaten. Puck glanced at Beth then back at Quinn. He looked around at everyone at the table, 13 year old Jesse, 9 year old Evie and 4 year old Reuben. None of them were taking notice of their oldest sister, who, on closer inspection looked ready to burst into tears at any given second. Quinn didn't look much happier.
"Somebody want to tell me what's going on?" Puck asked, glancing round. He saw Beth freeze for a split second and Quinn's eyes widen before she swallowed hard and tried to force out a laugh.
"What makes you think something's wrong?" Quinn asked brightly, shaking her head.
"Q. How long have we known each other?" Puck asked. "A long time," he answered himself, "you've never been able to lie to me, so don't even start with that. I know something is going on and I know it has to do with Beth because she's the only one who can't look at me. So, come on. Spill. What's up?"
"Is it to do with Beth throwing up in the mornings?" Evie asked, "cos it wakes me up. It's not fair we have to share a bathroom."
Puck looked first to Quinn. From her expression he knew that she knew. Then he turned to Beth. Her head was still down only now he could see tears falling on her plate. "Jess, can you take your brother and sister upstairs please?" Puck asked, very quietly, not giving Jesse room for argument. "Now, please." The three younger Puckermans left the kitchen. The three older Puckermans sat where they were. "Right. Now do you want to tell me there's nothing going on? Or are we going to hear the truth?"
Beth raised her head, her face tear stained. "I'm sorry, daddy," she whispered, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for it to happen, it just happened."
Puck looked at Quinn, "Did you know about this?" He asked.
"Beth just told me this morning. I'm waiting till Dr Chin's office opens tomorrow to get her an appointment to discuss her options." Quinn told him steadily.
Puck threw his napkin down, "Come on Q. There aren't any options, we both know that. Who better. Would you have done anything differently? Cos I damn sure wouldn't have." He sighed and looked at his eldest child. "Who is it? Do I know the guy?"
Beth and Quinn exchanged a look, "It's Finn and Rachel's boy, Keegan. He's denying it though." Quinn told him. Puck looked murderous.
"He'll fucking deny it when I get hold of him. He knows I have a gun, right? He knows I'm a cop and he still thought this was a good idea?" Puck pulled his phone from his pocket. After scrolling down his list of contacts Puck made a call. "Hey, it's Puck, have you got a minute?"
The reply must have been positive because Puck made arrangements for Rachel, Finn and their three children to come over to visit. This morning.
Sundays in the Puckerman household were usually relaxed. Not this Sunday. Jesse, with the bribe of a new video game agreed to watch Reuben and let him play in his room. Evie happily went to her room to draw castles for her princesses to live in. She was willing to let Finn and Rachel's 7 year old twin daughters play with her when they arrived.
Puck answered the knock at the door. He welcomed the Hudsons, the twins grinned at him, "Hi Uncle Puck." They chimed together, as usual. Keegan didn't dare look up from the door step. Rachel kissed his cheek, "Hello Noah."
Puck replied, "Hey Rach, Finn," he nodded, tight lipped to the guy who had been his best friend for years. For the second time in their life an unplanned teen pregnancy was going to rock that friendship. He hoped they were strong enough to weather the storm.
"Hey Keegan, how are you?" Puck asked him, deliberately making him lift his head. As soon as Keegan glanced at the man who'd been introduced as 'Uncle Puck' when his parents adopted him at the age of 8, he knew. He knew that Puck knew. And he knew that Puck was going to kill him. If his dad didn't get there first.
"Girls? Evie is upstairs in her room waiting for you. Do you want to go up and play?" Puck asked, gently steering them towards the stairs. They were frequent visitors to each others' houses so the girls knew the way.
"What's going on?" Finn asked, puzzled.
"I think you're going to want to sit down for this. We're in here." Puck led the way to the kitchen. Beth was still sat at the table, pulling at the cuffs of her sleeves, head down. Quinn was making coffee and getting cups ready.
"Hi," she smiled brightly, too brightly, then glanced at Keegan then at Beth.
"Crap." Was the only thought in Keegan's head.
"Take a seat." Puck offered and sat down himself next to Beth. Once Quinn had distributed coffee and everyone was sat, the usual pleasantries out of the way, Puck decided that it would be better to get everything out in the open. He didn't want to be the one to say it though, he wanted Keegan to man up. "So," he said, taking Beth's cold hand in his, "do you want to tell your mom and dad why we're here, Keegan?"
Keegan shrugged, looking at the table, then looking out of the window, then back to the table. Puck waited a good few minutes but Keegan didn't speak. He swallowed a lot but he didn't speak. Beth was in tears again.
"Well, ok, if you're not man enough," Puck started.
Finn butted in. "What do you mean? Not man enough? What's going on? What's Keegan done? Or what do you think he's done?" Finn sounded very protective.
Keegan looked up then, at Beth, at her dad. He looked to the opposite side of the table at his parents, "I'm sorry. I never meant it to happen" he whispered.
"Never meant what Keegan?" Rachel asked, desperate to know how to help her son.
"I didn't mean to get Beth pregnant. I'm sorry." Keegan's voice was barely audible.
"Oh my God." Finn sank back in his seat.
"So you're not denying it?" Puck asked. "I'm just making sure because Beth was convinced you'd told her it couldn't be yours because you'd 'pulled out'." Puck used air quotes. "And that was way more information than a father wants to hear from his daughter let me tell you."
Keegan closed his eyes and shook his head. "It's mine." He looked at Beth. "I'm so sorry Beth."
"Yeah, well, sorry just isn't going to make this go away now is it?" Puck's voice was hard. Finn and Rachel had yet to even make a comment, they were still processing. "What possessed you, either of you to have sex without protection?" Puck couldn't help but ask. "To have sex at all at your age, come to that."
"Oh that's a good one coming from you." Finn finally found his voice. "I seem to remember something similar happening with you when we were the same age. With my girlfriend." He looked pointedly at Quinn.
"Arguing about the past isn't going to change the future," Quinn put in. "I'm going to take Beth to see Dr Chin tomorrow. Keegan you're welcome to come too if you'd like, this involves you as much as it does Beth."
Keegan looked to his parents as if seeking permission to go with Quinn and Beth tomorrow. "I think you should," Rachel managed, her voice thick with tears. "You need to know what options are available to you and you both need to decide." Rachel couldn't go on any further.
Beth spoke up for the first time. "I want to keep it." She whispered, looking at her parents first, "I know it was hard for you when you made the choice to have me and bring me up. You could have had me adopted or had an abortion but you didn't. I can't either."
"Beth, sweetie," Puck began, "it's not going to be easy, but you've got me and your mom. We'll help all we can. And if Keegan is willing to be involved…." he looked over at the boy who looked just as scared as he had been 17 years ago when he found out from Finn that Quinn was pregnant.
"I'll come with you." Keegan said, making up his mind that he couldn't abandon Beth. His initial reaction when she'd told him she thought she might be pregnant was something he regretted. Words he couldn't take back. "Can my mom come too?" He asked. Beth nodded her agreement.
"I think you two need to talk." Puck told them. Beth and Keegan stood and left the kitchen. As the four parents watched them leave and head for the stairs Puck called after them, "family room, don't even think of going upstairs."
"Isn't that like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted?" Commented Rachel.
"As long as Keegan keeps his stable door closed from now on I won't need to bolt him to anything." Puck replied. "How far on is she?" He asked Quinn.
"Well, from the dates she's about two and a half months." Quinn said, tracing patterns on the table with her finger, not wanting everyone to see the tears in her eyes.
"That'll make her just seventeen when it's born." Puck put his hands on his face, his elbows on the table. "Fuck," he whispered, "grandparents at thirty-fucking-three. Thirty three? Grandparents are supposed to be old, white haired, retired. Fuck." He shook his head sadly. "I know how my mom felt now when we told her you were pregnant with Beth. Ah crap. Who's going to tell her about this?" His hands going back over his face.
"She's your mother Puckerman." Was all Quinn said, knowing his reply would be fast.
"Yeah but she likes you more than she likes me." Puck always said that about his mom. It wasn't really true, but he always said it.
"What were they thinking?" Rachel asked. "I mean, we've had 'the talk' with Keegan plenty of times. He knows how to be safe and the consequences."
"Sometimes, at that age a guy isn't thinking with the brain in his head Rach." Puck sighed, "I know I usually wasn't."
"Still don't," Quinn nudged his shoulder. "At least you'll be a sexy hot grandpa."
"I'm glad you're finding this amusing Quinn." Finn said, stuffily, "I'm not finding anything to laugh at about the whole situation."
"Amusing? You think I find the thought of your son fucking my daughter amusing?" Quinn hissed. "And that he couldn't even be bothered to protect her? Oh yeah, I'm just having the best fucking day ever."
Finn leant back in his seat, his eyes wide as Quinn had leant forward, the anger she genuinely felt flashing in her eyes. He remembered Scary Quinn from when they were at school. Scary Protective Mommy Quinn was in a league of her own.
"Come on Quinn, chill." Puck took her hand. "What's done is done. We can't change that, we can only help them go forward. They might change their minds after the appointment tomorrow. As much as I'd hate them to even consider the other two options, they might decide against keeping the baby."
"I don't think they will." Rachel said softly, "I mean, Keegan hated that he was adopted. He wanted to be with his birth mom, not with us. I know he was older but it's taken a long time for him to accept that he is as much a part of our life as Lily and Cora. I don't think he'd be able to give up his child for adoption.
As the parents sat drinking coffee in the kitchen, Beth and Keegan sat in the family room barely talking. "You know they're all going to be talking about us at school, don't you?" Beth whispered, breaking the silence. "My mom, when she was giving me 'the talk' told me how it was for her and my dad when she was pregnant with me. I mean, when she got pregnant she was dating your dad then lied to him telling him he was my dad. He eventually found out that he wasn't and who my dad really was and it nearly ruined their friendship, they've been friends for I don't know, nearly thirty years. Anyway, right up until I was born my mom was going to give me up for adoption, she said my dad was too immature to take care of us and her parents had disowned her." Beth swallowed hard wondering what her life might have been like in another world. "The day I was born they'd been on stage singing in a Glee competition," Beth indicated towards the kitchen, "all of them, have you never heard this story before?" She asked Keegan. He shook his head. Beth shrugged and carried on, "you know Uncle Kurt obviously and the others, Artie, Tina, Mike, Mercedes, Brittany, Aunty Tana and another guy they haven't seen for years, I forget his name. Anyway when they came off stage my mom's water broke, they rushed to the hospital, I was born and when they were looking at me through the nursery window, just the two of them, my dad admitted to my mom that he did love her, always had. Then he asked her if she wanted to keep me and she said yes. And they've been together ever since." Beth sniffed back a sob.
The four adults at the table were no closer to a solution than they had been an hour ago when Finn and Rachel became aware of the situation. They all turned towards the front door and saw Puck's mom let herself in.
"Hey Ma," Puck smiled. Great. Just what we don't fucking need today, my mother for Sunday lunch.
"Hi Rosa, how are you?" Quinn stood to greet her mother-in-law.
"I'm good." She kissed Quinn's cheek and in passing smacked a kiss on top of Puck's head. "Don't get up son, it's ok, it's not like I raised you with any manners anyway." She teased. "Hello Rachel, Finn." She nodded at them.
"Did you invite yourself for lunch again Ma?" Puck asked her.
"Err, no. I invited myself to spend time with my grandchildren if you must know." Rosa said, the hesitation at the beginning of her sentence barely noticeable. Barley. Quinn caught it and gave her a narrow eyed look. She knew. Rosa knew. Rosa had probably been the one to encourage Beth to tell her mom.
"When did she tell you?" Quinn asked, her gaze on Rosa's face.
Rosa thought about denying all knowledge but from the look on Quinn's face realised that it would be a waste of time. She sighed, "Yesterday, after Temple."
"And you told her she should tell us, right?" Quinn asked. Rosa nodded.
"And obviously she has." Rosa took a seat and accepted the coffee Quinn brought her. "How is she? I take it the test was positive?"
"Yeah." Puck confirmed. "You're going to be a great nana." He looked at his mom and saw from the sad smile she gave him she was remembering the day he brought Quinn home with him and told her she was going to be a nana.
"Has she said anything at all?" Rosa asked, "I mean, yesterday she didn't say who did the deed. I take it from you two being here," she glanced towards Rachel and Finn, "and the super happy atmosphere that it's possibly Keegan who's responsible?" All four nodded. "I thought so. I mean, they've always been close, ever since he came into your lives."
"A lot closer than we ever realised." Puck muttered. "You know Q, I have a total understanding of how your dad felt now. Not that I'd react the same way, but God. My baby girl. Sorry Finn, but I just want to rip his fucking heart out."
"Don't do that dad," Beth gave him a little smile from the doorway, "I'd hate for you to have to arrest yourself. Hey Nana."
"Hi sweetie," Rosa smiled at her oldest grandchild, noting the scared looking boy stood behind her, "how are you today? Feel better for everything being out in the open?"
"Yeah, I kinda do actually," she nodded. "And you were right, they didn't kill me."
"I told you they wouldn't." Rosa smiled again. I mean, what could they do? Their daughter was only treading the same path they had, and they'd survived. It hadn't been without hardship but they'd survived. They'd help their daughter to survive too. That's what families do.