There were many things in life that were not certain, but my dreams were not debatable. I had a list and no one was going to come between me and my dreams.
Graduate valedictorian
Acquire as many solos as possible
Find a steady boyfriend
Become a STAR!
I know that many people never attain their dreams, but I am not most people. I am Rachel Berry and I am a star. I know that as a sophomore my grades are stellar compared to my fellow classmates so I must keep that up. With the exception of Mercedes' and Kurt's cheerios debacle, I have no real competition in glee. Now that Finn is broken and Jesse St. James is currently mine hurray for my dreams. As for becoming a star, I am well on my way.
I thought of my dreams as I made my way through the empty hallways of Mckinley High. You see, even though most of my dreams have been realized there is still as catch in my almost perfect life. However, I chose to ignore said problem as I made my way to the bathroom. As I walked inside, I heard the distinct sounds of someone's breakfast finding the toilet. I made my way to the stall only to see Quinn Fabray make her way out of the stall. She looked at me and I couldn't help but glance down at her belly and feel that stabbing sensation that always accompanied seeing her.
"What are you doing here so early?" Quinn noticed the direction of her gaze and put a hand over her belly breaking Rachel's stare.
"Oh, I always come in at this time hoping to get in some rehearsing; the auditorium is deserted in the morning."
"How are you coming along?" she couldn't help but glance down as her thoughts betrayed her yet again.
"The baby is great, but I am actually not so great." Quinn couldn't help but trust Rachel she knew that it wasn't the smartest thing seeing as how it was Rachel who told Finn, but she just knew that Rachel would make her feel better because that was just how she was programmed.
"What do you mean? I thought everything was good. I heard that you were staying with Noah and his family."
"I am but that was only because I had nowhere else to go but the truth is that it isn't working. Puck is horrible and his mother is trying to be nice, but I know that she doesn't like the fact that I am not Jewish. I can see it every time she asks Puck about you even though she thinks I can't hear her." Quinn took a deep breath and held in her next one in order to see Rachel's open mouth awaiting her long encouraging speech knowing it wouldn't be too long.
Rachel had no idea what Quinn had been going through and she couldn't help but feel guilty for her previous thoughts.
"I am sorry that your stay has been unpleasant. What I think you should do is either try talking to your parents, try talking to Mrs. Puckerman because she really is an amazing woman or you can try to find another place to live."
"I actually already spoke to Ms. Pillsbury and she offered to let me stay with her, but I know that my constant morning sickness would make her late to work every day." They laughed at her last comment.
"Look, Quinn, I can honestly say that I am very proud of the way that you are handling everything that has been thrown at you, but you need to remember that everyone is also adjusting. Noah is a loose cannon. You knew that going in. I personally think that you should be somewhere that makes you feel comfortable. Even though you don't want admit it, you know that you have never wanted to be with Noah."
"You're right. I know that he is going to be great father, but he and I are not compatible. This baby is not a mistake, but us trying to be a couple is." Quinn couldn't stop the tear from falling down.
Putting her arms around the crying teen, Rachel guided her out of the bathroom and towards the parking lot. She had an idea that was starting to form into a well thought out plan.
Quinn took a look at her surroundings and at Rachel wondering why they were stopping in front of her car.
"Why are we here?"
"I think that we should take the day off and go to my house and think of some alternatives for your living situation. Not to mention that I don't think that you are in the space of mind to be in school today. So I think we should take the day to eat while we brainstorm and give you some breathing room from living in Noah's house.
Quinn could only nod her head in agreement. She couldn't believe that Rachel was going to condone skipping school least of all just to help her out with a problem. She knew she did the right thing by opening up to her. Rachel was the one person that she had ever met that could come up with a solution to the craziest of problems.
"So the game plan is that we are going to spend the day at my house seeing as you do not feel comfortable as your current place of residence and we are going to treat ourselves to baked goods that we will be making. And do not feel as if the food is not good for the baby because I read that a certain amount of sugar is good for her development. Also, keep in mind that this will be brain food which will be easily burned by our strenuous thinking."
By the time Rachel finished her last sentence, she was pulling into her empty driveway. Quinn was amazed by the size of the house.
Rachel couldn't help but smile at Quinn's expression. "I know what you are thinking. What is the point of having such a big house when there are only three people living in it? But you see one of my daddies is an interior decorator and he just couldn't resist. I think their plan was to adopt more children, but they felt the need to dedicate all their time to my development and all of their energy towards helping me realize my dreams."
Quinn could actually picture her fathers' going with her to dance recitals and listening to her practicing in her room encouraging her to keep moving forward. Unlike her own parents who couldn't stand to even look in her direction after her announcement. Just the thought of them brought new tears.
"Now, now, no crying. Today is a new day and worrying about the past isn't going to change it. Do you know what is? The fabulous idea that I have in mind. When you hear it you are going to be amazed and then you are going to forget every bad thing that has ever happened in your life. Now in we go."
Quinn made her way into the house taking in all of the family photos, pictures of Rachel as a baby up until this year's school picture. There were so many little things around the house to make it feel homey which was a difficult task with the sheer enormity, but personal keepsakes made it less intimidating.
"This is the living room which is why daddy said it should be lived in hence all the family photos and handmade projects from my childhood." As she gave Quinn the grand tour, she was texting her daddies letting them know of her plan. They already knew everything there was to know about Quinn and her situation. They knew all about the baby gate scandal. All that they needed to know was about Quinn's current situation to be completely filled in. She knew that there would be a discussion, but she was almost positive that they would go with her plan to help Quinn.
As she made her way to the kitchen she could see Rachel taking out all of the ingredients they would need to make a sugar feast. At the thought of food, her stomach rumbled loudly making Rachel stop what she was doing and making her way to the fridge and taking out eggs, bacon, cheese and last a fruit bowl which she immediately handed Quinn before cracking two eggs and frying some bacon. Quinn just looked at Rachel in awe before eating the best fruit she had ever tasted in her life. She must have made some sound because Rachel turned around and smiled before explaining, "My daddies feel the need to buy all organic fruits and vegetables. I have noticed that you have bags under your eyes and skin color is a tad pale so that is why you must eat the fruit to improve your coloring and give a boost to your immune system and the protein of a hearty meat lover's omelet to improve your iron intake."
Quinn couldn't help the smile that was forming. "Who would have known that you would know so much just from looking at me? My doctor has been telling me the same thing for about a month, I tried telling Puck's mom but she just said it was nonsense."
Rachel had just finished putting the cheese on the omelet and placed it in front of Quinn taking the empty fruit bowl and rinsing it off. "Well then we really need to get you out of that house. Mrs. Puckerman is very stubborn and I'm certain that there will be no changing her mind when it comes to cooking kosher. But I am very surprised that you didn't tell Puck. I am sure that he would not have had a problem telling his mother to let you eat anything you pleased."
"The truth is that I have avoided telling Puck anything about his mother because they had a huge argument when she found out about me, especially because she loves Finn and was appalled when she found out that her beloved son impregnated his best friend's girlfriend. She cried and then turned to me noticing that I was crying as well. She smiled and asked if it was a boy or girl while she simultaneously walked me to Noah's room while he just stood there with this look on his face."
She looked down at her hands which were shaking as Rachel made her way over and held her which comforted her and gave her the support she desperately needed.
She shook her head as if that would make her tears disappear. "Rachel you know how cocky Puck is but in that moment he was broken. I know that it is both our faults and we are in this together but it was almost like his mother's disappointment was the last straw, he barely speaks to me he doesn't even come home most nights. No one knows where he disappears to. Santana even confessed to me that she is one hundred percent sure that he hasn't slept with anyone since I moved in. When we're in school he'll stand by me even hold my hand but he is never really there. The most emotion he displayed was in that bad reputation assignment and we both saw how he reacted to that. Old Puck would never have even batted an eyelash at being triple casted, he would have found it funny."
Rachel couldn't help but agree with Quinn's assessment of Noah. "You are very right he would have thought it was badass as he so often claims to be. Maybe after we fix your situation we can fix him?"
"I couldn't agree more Puck has been more than accommodating and now I feel as if he is barely holding it together and I can't help but feel responsible."
Their conversation was interrupted by the oven's timer "Cookies are ready" Quinn couldn't help but laugh as Rachel took them out put them to cool on a rack and put three more trays in. Turning back towards the counter that Quinn was sitting at she noticed that her plate was empty and smiled knowing how hungry she had been.
"Now we need to focus, from what we have discussed it is clear that you need to move out of Noah's house as soon as possible so I suggest discussing that idea first. What do you think?" Quinn nodded in agreement while she stirred the bowl of frosting Rachel handed her.
"I know that you and I have had our ups and downs, but we are gleemates and I feel that we must help ourselves in times of need. I understand if you don't trust me seeing how it was my fault that Finn found out about you in the first place but I really would like to help you in any way that I can."
"Take a breath Rachel and believe me when I say that I do trust you. I told you after the baby gate scandal that you only did what I didn't have the courage to do and I am very grateful for that. Also, even though you may think that I hate you, that isn't the case. I know you're like crazy determined and genius when it comes to planning, making lists and above all else you always come up with these solutions that only you could possibly carry out. I really need your input because I don't want Puck's mom to hate me for moving out. I really don't want her to think that I don't appreciate everything that she has done for me and if I could help fix her and Puck as well that would be great."
Rachel couldn't help but smile as it was her turn to say, "Quinn, maybe you should take a breath as well."
They both laughed as they began frosting the cookies and the planning commenced.
Two hours later
Every surface of the kitchen was covered with cookies. Quinn's eyes were red from crying and Rachel's were as well. Rachel had come up with the perfect plan: cookies for Noah, his mother, Ms. Pillsbury, Mrs. Hudson, Finn, Mr. Shue and Noah's little sister who Quinn said was the best kid she had ever met. After they frosted them with thank you's, Quinn could not help but feel a tad nervous at Rachel's plan.
Her brain was working overtime while it relayed a mantra over and over 'Quinn Fabray was moving in with Rachel. Berry.'
They had logically reached the conclusion that she could not move in with her parents and that it would be excruciatingly difficult for her to pay for her own rent because she would have to conjure up a job that would allow a pregnant high school student to work, maintain a decent grade point average, get enough sleep for the baby and maintain her head from imploding from the weight of it all. Those were all Rachel's words. All in all that would be a disastrous plan so she then began to tell her all the pluses to moving in with her: there was more than enough space for her, she could eat healthy for the remainder of her pregnancy, Rachel would make sure that her grades remained spectacular and there would be no judging. The only thing that worried Quinn was Rachel's parents and how they would feel about this arrangement. As if sensing her unease Rachel explained.
"My daddies already know about your situation, but once they find out exactly what you are going though, they will gladly go along with our plan. I already told you that they have always wanted more children; they would gladly offer you any accommodations even if we never planned any of it. They are special that way."
Quinn silently prayed that she was right because right now this was the only plan that seemed remotely feasible especially after Rachel had gone though the only options she really had none which were in any way appealing.
They were packing all of the cookies into disposable platters that Rachel had for just the occasion when there was the unmistakable sound of the front door opening. Rachel squealed and ran toward the door while Quinn remained right where she was. She felt as if she was going to fail the inspection as she thought of one of Rachel's fathers looking at her with reproach just as she was accustomed to find in most adults as of late. However, she was surprised to find that was not the case as she found herself being engulfed in an embrace as Rachel's father released and looked at her with could only be described as a grateful smile. All the while, Rachel was standing by the doorway observing the interaction.
"Well Ms. Fabray I would like to introduce myself. My name is Allen Berry and if you are wondering I am the artist of this house." He finished his statement with a bow to which Quinn could not contain the giggles that escaped her which just made Allen glad he added it to his introduction having seen her guarded eyes knowing what thoughts had just been going through her mind.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Rachel has told us so much about you and I must admit you are truly gorgeous. I hope you're little girl comes out looking like you."
"Thank you Mr. Berry." Quinn was slightly thrown by the warmth with which he spoke. There was no judgment in his voice or malice in his words. He was so sincere that Quinn could not help but look in Rachel's direction as she made her way to her side before grabbing her arm and taking her towards the kitchen where her father had gone to.
"Honey, have you been baking since you came from school?" he asked, already knowing the answer from the amount of cookies in the platters.
"Why yes daddy I have. As you know, Quinn has been living with the Puckermans. What you don't know is that Mrs. Puckerman is very picky when it comes to food and has made it so that Quinn here has had to resort to a rather strict diet that is in no way fit for an expecting mother. Her situation is dastardly and we have been brainstorming all morning and have come to a conclusion which I believe you will agree is genius." Rachel nodded in agreement with herself which was quite funny from her daddy's standpoint.
"Well then pumpkin, what is this fabulous conclusion that you have both reached?"
The girls made eye contact and Rachel squeezed Quinn's hand and Quinn understood the request for her to carry on.
"Mr. Berry, we went over my options of asking my parents to take me back, staying with the Puckermans and getting a place of my own all of which are not very good for me physically, mentally or emotionally. So Rachel suggested that I could move into your house. And I know that you don't know me, but I can assure you that I am not a criminal and although I have not made the right decisions I am a not a bad person. And if you -" she was cut off by Mr. Berry's hand waving in the air.
"Quinn please I know that you are a good person and even if I didn't, I trust Rachel's instincts and I would never turn my back on someone in need. We would be more than happy if you were to stay in our home. This is your house as well and if you decide to move in we will be very happy to help you feel at home in any way we can."
Quinn was stunned. She could not believe her luck at how understanding he was but then she knew that Rachel had to get her infinite kindness from somewhere. She could still feel Rachel's hand in her own and she just had to say it knowing that it was redundant, but she had to make herself clear.
"Mr. Berry, thank you so much for your kindness you have no idea how much this means to me."
"Believe me when I say that you have no idea how much it means to us to have you here. And you can thank me by letting me have one of your cookie platters."
Rachel sprung to action, "Now Daddy you know very well that you cannot have cookies. Dad would not be happy with me if I let you con your way to breaking your pact."
"But pumpkin it's been two months and I have been good."
"I know that is not true. Just last night I saw a Twix wrapper in the car's trunk."
He looked at Quinn and raised his left hand saying, "I was framed I tell you, I am innocent."
Rachel shook her head at her daddy's antics, "Yes, Roger Rabbits, now we are going on with phase two: the job of distributing the cookies. I say that we take them to the school first which will leave us with three. Then we take them to Mrs. Hudson and last we stop by Mrs. Puckerman's."
"See you later, Daddy."
"Goodbye Mr. Berry and thank you again."
"No problem. Just one question before you leave."
Quinn nodded her head and began stacking the platters as he asked, "Which is your favorite Disney princess?"
"Sleeping Beauty," she answered without hesitation.
"I should have guessed. Well then be on your way and call when you are on your way back. I am guessing that you are bringing your things tonight?"
"Yes sir. I don't have much, just my clothes really."
"You know what this means girls?" he said, dancing around the island.
"Uh oh Quinn I know what that look. So much for having a restful weekend." Quinn looked at Rachel and was beyond confused.
"Well, I don't know what the look means."
Allen could not contain his joy as he began planning the weekend. "Don't worry, hun. You will find out tomorrow. Now hurry along and take all the time you need."
Rachel could already see her daddy and his mind at work. There was no doubt that when they came back Quinn would have her very own room with the theme being Sleeping Beauty.
Quinn and Rachel had already given everyone at school their cookies except for Puck who had apparently left early. Finn had taken his without a look in Quinn's direction.
Mrs. Hudson had opened the door and she was obviously surprised as she let the girls in.
"How have you been Quinn?"
Quinn couldn't help but feel guilty as she responded, "I've been better." She went into a long apology which left her almost empty. As she finished, she was taken aback as Mrs. Hudson let her know that all was forgiven.
"I actually have something for you. I'll be right back"
When she came back, she was holding a white frame that had an 8x10 picture of her sonogram in pink letters it read It's a girl. Mrs. Hudson hugged her before asking to be kept updated.
Mrs. Puckerman answered the door and was surprised to see Quinn with her darling Rachel. She ushered them inside and closed the door.
Quinn prepared herself and launched into her speech.
"Mrs. Puckerman, I just want to say that I really appreciate everything that you and Puck have done for me and I don't want you to think that I am ungrateful or trying to cut you out of my life, but I think that it would benefit everyone concerned if I were to move out. I know that we both know that Puck and I are just too different to have a healthy relationship. Please understand that I am just trying to make this situation just a tad more bearable for all of us by my moving out." Quinn finished her speech and looked at Mrs. Puckerman who had this peculiar expression on her face before sparing Rachel a glance only to see her with this huge smile on her face.
"Well Quinn I can't actually say that I am surprised but I would love it if you would visit me often and I am curious as to where it is that you will be moving to?"
"Oh Mrs. Puckerman she's moving in with me and my daddies. We decided that Quinn needs some girl time and she can't really do that when Puck is around so it will give her some time to relax before the baby comes."
"Well have you discussed any of this with Noah?"
"We tried reaching him at school but we couldn't seem to find him. Do you know where he is? Because we brought his cookies," Rachel said, showing her the platter and knowing that Mrs. Puckerman was a sucker for her famous sugar cookies.
"Oh my why thank you! You can just sit them on his bed then he will be sure to run into them eventually. As to your question, I have no idea where he has been disappearing to, but I haven't been called from the school in quite some time, so there is no way that he has been cutting classes."
"Quinn if you would like I could help you pack your things and seeing as how you will be living with the Berry's, I could visit you from time to time if you wouldn't mind."
"Of course Mrs. Puckerman, I told you that I want you to be a part of my life as well as the baby's."
Rachel jumped up sensing that tears were soon to follow and began her trek to Noah's room.
"Well then we better hurry we still have to pack and unpack and get enough rest for tomorrow's adventures."
"What do you mean by that, dear?"
Rachel turned to look at Mrs. P as she opened Noah's bedroom door.
"Daddy wants to make sure that Quinn has everything she needs."
Mrs. Puckerman knew how eccentric Allen Berry was and she knew first hand just how much he loved to shop. "Oh my, you are in for it Quinn. I hope you can keep up and remember to take it easy."
"I can keep up." She finished her statement with her head held up high as if the thought was absurd.
"Quinn you see how fast Rachel is? Well, she can't keep up when her father is on one of his shopping binges."
"Oh, Rachel do you think we can stay home?" she looked kind of scared as she looked at Rachel who was emptying drawers.
"No way. Daddy will not let us sit this one out. He is probably going to drag Dad along as well."
"Now Quinn I want to make something very clear so please take a seat."
Quinn sat on the edge of the bed and made herself comfortable seeing the intake of breath Mrs. Puckerman took.
"I don't want you to think that I am happy that you are moving out, but I will say that I am happy that you are finally smiling. From what I can tell you have not been happy about much since you have been here. And I know that that is partially myself for not being more flexible. But I hope you know that everything I have done has been with the best intentions for you and the baby. I could tell that you had a problem with my food choices and I applaud your resilience. I also admire the way you were trying to keep the peace between Noah and I by continuously covering for him when he disappeared in the middle of the night. I am terrified when I think of what he could possibly be up to every night. I never see him anymore. Do you see him at school?" Mrs. Puckerman already had tears in her eyes.
"Mrs. P I can assure you that Noah attends school regularly and that he attends glee practice as well." Rachel took hold of her hand where it lay over his dresser tightening her hold as she saw the look of relief in her eyes.
"Thank you Rachel for watching out for Noah even if you have drifted apart these past few years. I know that he would appreciate everything you are doing for Quinn and their child."
"Of that I am sure, I just feel awful that we were not able to talk to him properly in order to avoid him being surprised when he finds Quinn has moved out. I am sure that he won't be happy when he gets home and realizes that Quinn is no longer staying here. I wouldn't want him feeling as though we left him out of it deliberately. We all know that Noah worries even if he puts up his defenses. He has never enjoyed feeling left out. So if you could immediately relay today's events to him as soon as he steps foot inside that house that would be wonderful. I t doesn't matter the time if he wants to come over to speak with Quinn. Please let him know that he is welcomed to come.
They were already done packing and Quinn had remained quiet through most of the conversation as everything was slowly sinking in. She was beginning to see just how close Rachel had once been with the Puckermans as she saw the emotions both Rachel and Mrs. Puckerman were demonstrating as they hugged goodbye. And she was confused at how they could have drifted so far apart.
Mrs. Puckerman seemed to have collected herself as they made their way down the stairs to the living room. "Well then I will let you get to the remainder of your evening. If I know Allen he is probably ecstatic that Quinn will be staying with you. Goodnight dears and be careful driving. And thank you for the cookies. That was very thoughtful of you girls. And I may just eat Noah's as well for making me worry.
Having said their goodbyes they made their way to the car just as they put Quinn's two suitcases in her trunk, Rachel felt her phone vibrate. Rachel laughed when she read the text message from her daddy. What are you girls in the mood for? LASAGNA or Parmesan chicken?
Quinn didn't want to be nosy but her curiosity was squelched as Rachel handed her the phone. Quinn found it amusing that he had already made his decision yet he asked. Rachel shook her head as if reading her thoughts. "He is special. What can I say?" She ended the question with a shrug making her way down the road.
"Now that we have your things is there anything you need to get before we go back home?"
Quinn knew there were a bunch of things that she needed, but she didn't have the money and there was no way she was going to ask Rachel who had already gone above and beyond the call of duty. Shaking her head, she missed the disappointed look Rachel gave her.
Rachel thought that Quinn was getting comfortable around her, but maybe she was wrong. If they were going to be living together, they needed to communicate. Her daddies would make sure that she was comfortable. It was just their way. As they pulled up in her driveway, Quinn grabbed her arm with a vice grip.
"Rachel, I just want to say thank you. I know that I have already said it but I think it's important that you know that I am very thankful. I am so sorry for every bad thing that I have ever done or said to you. I was a horrible person and here you are in effect saving me. I don't know how I'm going to make it up to you."
"Quinn, I would like to think that now we are friends. If this day could be anything to go by, it should be clear that you can count on me. Think of it as a clean slate. As of today you and I are friends and anything that we used to be in the past does not exist. Is that ok?"
"Only you could possibly come to that conclusion Rachel Berry." With a quick hug they made their way in the house only to be assaulted with a feast. In the living room there was a drink cart as Allen handed the girls two champagne flutes explaining that it was club soda. Her Dad whose name was Richard took hold of Quinn's hands before pulling her into a big hug letting her know how happy they all were for her to move in. They each had a sip before Allen was rushing them all in the dining room where he had their appetizer ready. When the salads came out, Quinn was already speaking freely about today's events and she could barely believe it herself. Her family dinners for the most part were spent in silence. Just one day with Rachel and she was a different person. Maybe she was just letting go and finally learning to not be so uptight. It was clear that Rachel had a great relationship with her fathers. Something she could only hope for. They were so accepting. Never once did they ask her what she was planning to do with the baby. They just took her in and added her to the family all at once. It was weird, but it seemed as if her parents were as Rachel had said 'special that way'.
When dinner was over Allen once again hauled them up the stairs to the third door and stopped.
