Author's Note - This idea has been in my head since reading Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares. Prompt credit goes to her and the book, and all Glee characters belong to Fox, the writers, and the show.

A few disclaimers, PLEASE READ to avoid confusion - This story takes place a year after Finn dies. The primary characters are all 21 or 22 (I think I have that math done right?) In my world, Quinn and Puck gave Beth to Shelby, but never attempted to get her back in the way that they did on the show. And nothing ever happened romantically between Puck and Shelby.

This is, for the most part, completely AU. Mentions of canon story lines from the show will be made but most of this spawns from my own head.

Enjoy!

Prologue

"You sure you want to do this?"

Quinn closed her eyes and nodded. When she opened them again, Puck was gazing at her with tears falling silently down his face.

"Puck," she chastised gently. "We said no tears."

"Fuck that!" he said stubbornly, wiping his eyes as more tears continued to fall.

Quinn smiled sadly and shook her head. She held out her hand to him.

"Come here."

Puck walked over and sat down on the small hospital bed with a heavy sigh.

"I don't know if I can do this, baby mama."

She reached over and smacked his head, earning a scowl from him.

"You can do this, and you will not call me that! Not even on my deathbed."

At her words, even though they were spoken playfully, Puck felt his heart shatter. He took Quinn's hand in his own and gripped it tightly.

"You know if it was anyone else who had asked me to do this, I would've said hell no and laughed in their face."

"I know," Quinn murmured quietly, nodding.

"But it's not anyone," he said. "It's you."

"It's me."

"I mean Christ, Q, they have no idea what's coming."

"I know."

"You could always just tell them now," he said desperately, hesitantly. "They would come. You know they would. There's still time."

But she shook her head like he knew she would.

"I can't, Puck. You know I can't. That's why—"

She cut off and gestured around her. Puck looked around the room at the countless stacks of letters, all addressed and organized in true Fabray fashion. He sighed.

"You're sure?" he asked one last time.

Tears filled Quinn's hazel eyes, but she didn't hesitate.

"I'm sure."

Puck brushed away her tears and kissed her forehead.

"Okay."

The blonde closed her eyes at the sensation of his touch.

"Thank you, Noah."

Puck drew back, his eyes wide.

"You've never called me Noah before."

She shrugged, "Better late than never, right?"

He squeezed his eyes shut to prevent the already-forming tears from falling. When he opened them, Quinn was smiling sadly at him again and the sight of her made him breathless.

She was forever the most beautiful girl in the world, and he was about to lose her.

He would do this for her. He owed her.

"I love you, Noah Puckerman."

"Back atcha, babe."