She never wanted this to happen. She was a Queen B, she was head cheerleader and she was the one little girls wanted to be. She was a perfect image of her school. And he was a school punk. He had sex with most girls in the school, never remembered their names and he was always wanted. All the girls wanted him…but her. He was surprised when she invited him to her house. He expected her to grill him on Fin and his sudden interest in Rachel, but she didn't. She got drunk, flirted with him and had sex with him in the end. He couldn't believe what happened to him. He had sex with the school virgin who didn't put out even for her long-term boyfriend. And she slept with him… He was not surprised she ignored him after that. She made sure not to be seen with him anywhere. He was hurt, but he would never let anyone know that. So he went back to his favorite route, Santana, Brittany, other girls… He had plenty of options. His not caring phase ended when Fin told him Quinn is pregnant. He knew it was his. There was no way Fin was the father. He told Puck about the hot tub incident as the moment of the ''conception'' and Puck had to restrain himself from bursting into laughter the school has never heard. He confronted Quinn who told him that the baby is Fin's and called him a Lima loser. He would hear that very often, but hearing it from her hurt him. Because she said it just to hurt him. She knew him more and better than anyone. When they were kids, they used to hang out in secret. They would meet by the lake and spend an entire day playing games and talking. She knew about his dad leaving and how hard it was for his single teenage mom to raise him. And she was proud of how far two of them made it. She remembered her parents trashing his mom and calling her names, but Quinn liked her a lot. And now she was in her position. Fin was complaining about not managing to find work, Quinn living with him and his mom and how he never needed to be a father. Puck was tired of his excuses. So, after practice, Puck would go and work at different places. He would fix things in the houses, do the gardening jobs, clean pools and hot tubs, do all he could so he could give money to Quinn. He put it in the envelope and brought it to Quinn.
''What is this?''
''Money for the baby…''
''What?''
''Finn kept complaining how you need money…''
''And you are giving it to me?''
''It's my baby, even if you want to keep it a secret…''
''Puck…''
''No one has to know, but I will not let anything happen to my baby because Fin can't wipe his ass by himself…''
Quinn knew he was right. Evens he managed to get some money giving French lessons to some girls living close to Finn and it was more than he ever got. For some time they had their system of exchanging money working and then the BABYGATE drama started. Rachel told Fin that Puck is the father. Quinn was six months pregnant by then and she needed somewhere to go. Puck took her to his house and his mom was very nice and welcoming towards her. Quinn guessed she was like that because long time ago, she need someone like that in her life. Quinn and Puck got along just fine. He took care of her and the baby and even at school he made sure no one touches her, and they didn't. He made impossible for anyone to dare to touch his baby mama and survive the attack. He even got Santana on board with this. He had to do some blackmailing on that, but he had her there. She was watching Quinn for him. Quinn's mom came to the house one day to tell her she and her dad are getting a divorce. She also told her she could come back home…when she gives the baby up for adoption. At first Quinn was pretty much against it, but as the time went by her mom managed to convince her to do it. Puck was not for it, but he told Quinn he will do what she wants him to do. Puck's mom was not happy about it either, but she knew that not many girls are cut to be mothers that young. Quinn didn't have…what it takes to face the world. When Shelby came to town, Quin found in her good mother for her child. She would let them see the baby because she did the same when she was their age. She could understand what they felt. So, at that moment everything was just perfect. Shelby wanted their baby, Quinn was going home after the labor and Puck could go back to being a playboy…
After few hours in hell, Quin delivered healthy baby girl. She didn't want to hold her or see her, but Puck did. He took his daughter in his arms and just stared at her.
''Welcome Beth…''
Mr. Schue, Shelby and Quinn's mother were in the waiting room with the rest of the Glee kids. Puck's mom was working but she was very happy to hear her granddaughter was finally born. She wanted her baby to live with Puck and her, but she had to respect their choice. Nurse took Beth back to the infirmary and Quin finally had some time to rest. Puck spent some time just staring at his daughter and thinking about what is the best for her. Since she was healthy, she could leave the hospital next day. Shelby's lawyer will come early in the morning and he and Quin will sign off the rights. When he went back to Quin's room, he couldn't get her to see the baby.
''Why not?''
''If I see her, I will want her…''
''She is ours… She is still ours… We can be with her…''
''She is Shelby's daughter…not ours….''
He left the room and couldn't come back. He spent some time in front of the infirmary. One nurse saw him there and approached him.
''One of them is yours?''
''Yes, the girl in the corner.''
''She is pretty…''
''Just like her mom.''
''You have amazing daughter…''
''Thank you…''
''Want to hold her?''
''Yes…''
He got in and picked up the baby. He held Beth and sung to her. She looked at him with eyes that were definitely Quin's eyes. She was her mother's miniature and he was falling in love with his daughter as much as he was with her mother. She started crying and nurse gave him a bottle to feed her. He managed to feed her, burp her, change her and put her to sleep. He, Noah Puckerman did all that and he didn't mess it up… That was huge thing for him. He watched her sleep and he was imagining teaching her to ride a bike, to rollerblade, even taking her to the ballet or some girly stuff. He was ready to be her dad. He was not going to be his dad. He made his decision. He went and he filled the baby's birth certificate. She was Elisabeth (Beth) Quin Puckerman, and she was his daughter. He put Quin's name under the mother too just in case she changes her mind.
''Mr. Puckerman, your daughter is ready to go home…''
Nurse gave him the baby and the present package every baby gets when they leave the hospital. When he got her out of the hospital his feelings were mixed. He was proud, scared, sad, happy….he was a dad… He called his mom. She was surprised to hear from him.
''Hey love, how are you?''
''Scared…''
''I'm sorry. But if it is best for her, than I support you and Quin.''
''I kept her mom…''
''What?''
''I spent a night with her and I can't leave her, not now…''
There was hint of happiness in her voice.
''Where are you?''
''At home… With her...''
''Oh, ok… We will need some stuff...''
''I got her bottle and some milk… Lady at the pharmacy gave it to me…''
''Did you feed her?''
''Yes… I am so bad at this…''
''You will get better…''
''I hope so…''
''I know so…''
''I am scared.''
''Ok… It will be ok…''
He hung up the phone and went back to his bed where Beth was. He got beside her and just stared at her. She was perfect. At ten o'clock Shelby came with her lawyer and went to Quin's room.
''We have all the paperwork ready for you…''
Quin signed where it was marked for her… Her heart was braking every second more but she had to do this for Beth. She wanted her to be happy… Shelby was happy she was getting a baby finally and Quin was having a weird feeling inside of her. Shelby's lawyer was looking at his watch.
''We are just waiting for Puck and you can take her home…''
Nurse heard them talk and she turned towards Quin.
''Oh, you don't know?''
''Know what?''
''Mr. Puckerman took his daughter out this morning…''
They all turned towards the nurse.
''And no one stopped him?''
''No, je is the father…''
''But…''
Lawyer took the papers out of the folder and noticed that Puck returned them without signature…
''He didn't sign off his rights… Quin did… He filed the space saying he doesn't agree, that this adoption would be against his will.''
Shelby was not feeling well…
''What does this mean?''
''It means that Quin has no rights over the baby and he is in all of his rights… She signed off her parental rights making him the only parent…''
''But she signed them off for me…She is the mother…''
''Doesn't matter. Hospital has it on record that Quin is mother…but also has him as a father. I guess he was faster than us.''
Quin got out of the bed and turned towards her mother.
''Take me to him…''
''What?''
''I must talk to him? How could he do it?''
Ride to Puck's house was very uncomfortable. Shelby was angry and disappointed, Quin's mom was not sure how she felt about this and Quin had all sorts of feelings mixed inside of her. When they reached the house Quin opened the door and just busted in. She found him in his room with Beth asleep on his chest. He was holding her and taking a nap with a baby. For a second she smiled and then she remembered she was supposed to be angry… She smacked his foot and he opened his eyes. He was not surprised to see them all… He put few pillows around Beth and joined them in the living room.
''What do you think you are doing Puckerman?!''
''I am taking a nap with my daughter.''
''We were over this… She is not our daughter.''
''You are right… She is not… She is MINE… You signed off the rights…''
''I promised to Shelby…''
''And you didn't ask me. I didn't want to give her up! She is mine too Quin…I have some rights too…''
Shelby was on the verge of tears.
''Please Noah…''
''I'm sorry. I don't want to wake up tomorrow and wonder what I missed in my child's life. She is my baby Shelby and I know you understand what I am talking about.''
Mentioning Rachel like that was low move, but he had to do all he could to keep his child.
''I will raise her. She is mine Quin… Your name is on the birth certificate in case you change your mind and choose to be a mom to her. Beth and I will be fine… We have my mom and some of the family already offered to help. I am capable of being a man and taking care of my little girl…''
''Puck…''
''No, Quin… My dad left when my mom was seventeen and pregnant. She made it with me… I will make it with her. Maybe we will not be most conventional family, but we will be family. I will not let anyone else raise my kid when I am alive and healthy.''
Shelby and her lawyer realized they couldn't do anything. Puck was within his rights and taking him to court would be useless. And there were three. Quin, her mom and Puck stood in silence. Beth started crying and he turned to Quin.
''It's time for her to eat. Do you want to breastfeed her or should I make her a bottle?''
Quin stood at one place and she all of the sudden felt so wet.
''Honey…khm… your milk…''
Quin was so ashamed of it. She looked at Puck who was already forking on the bottle. He had little bundle in the pink blanket in his arms and she couldn't see her face.
''Shhh… I'm sorry baby… I am new at this…But don't worry. You and your daddy will be amazing at this soon…''
Quin approached him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
''I'll do it…''
He turned off the heater and gave her the baby. She still didn't dare to look at her face.
''I need your help with the dress…''
He unzipped her dress and she lowered it and took a seat on the chair. That was the first time she held the baby. She started feeding Beth and she couldn't stop looking at her. She was perfect. Puck took a picture of them. After feeding her, Quin picked up her things and left Puck's house. She got into her mother's car and started crying. She went home and she left Lima for the entire summer. She promised her mother that after the birth and adoption, her part in baby's life was over. Shelby was supposed to take her to New York and she would go back to her old life…before the baby. So, since Puck took the baby, she had to be out of Lima and far from them. She couldn't be a mom… She had ten year plan… She had to stick to it. Yale, political career, being a woman of power. She had to do it… She always wanted that.
Puck and Beth were duo to beat. She was apple of his eye and he did all he could to be the best possible father to her. Kids from Glee couldn't believe he kept the baby and how much time he spent with her. Beth was even star of the football practices. She was in her carry on, on the bench and even in the boy's locker room. Puck would cover her with the diaper so she doesn't watch bunch of naked boys. His team mates teased him first few times and after that, she became sort of mascot to them.
When the school year started, it becomes weird. Puck was bringing her to school and she was in a scarf on his chest. She was everywhere with him. It was the first time Quin saw them since the day Beth got out of hospital. She froze in the classroom when Puck entered the room. He was late for class.
''Mr. Puckerman, you are late…''
Teacher lifter his gaze to tell him something more and then he froze seeing a baby on Puck's chest.
''Mr. Puckerman, what is that?''
''That is a baby Mr. Straus…''
''I know, but what is it doing at school?''
''It's going to school with me. As you know, I am single father and I have no one to take care of her when I am at school…''
''That is why kids don't have kids…''
''I know, but at least I am being responsible for mine…. I didn't quit school and I am working on giving her a chance to have good life…''
''Make sure she doesn't disturb.''
To everyone's surprise, Beth was a quiet one who liked to watch the world from her dad's chest. Quin would sometimes look at them. She was a bit jealous of him. Her little clone was cuddled up to him and sound asleep in the calculus class. He got to enjoy three months of their baby and she had nothing but the pain and feeling of emptiness. After the bell, she run out of the classroom and as some sort of punishment, she realized she had almost all of her classes with Puck…and the baby… Puck realized this must not be easy for her, so he kept as far as he could from Quinn. He even had lunch somewhere far from her. Good thing with lunch was that it was also Bet's time for food and after that for changing the dippers. He would feed her and change the baby in the boy's bathroom. Beth loved going to school. She was a very smart cookie... just like her mom. She was also stubborn just like her mom. Sometimes she just didn't want to sleep or behave. Puck loved the baby, but hated when she acted like that… She knew when to be quiet and when to ''talk'' to her daddy. For more than a week Quinn managed to ignore them. For a week she pretended not to see him in the bleachers with the baby or at practice. She even hated glee because all of them were all the time around the baby. Even Santana adored the child…and the baby loved her too…Quinn even stopped going to glee… She was getting back on top. She was in her cheerleading uniform again and she was getting back the head bitch image she had before. It was now her time to rule the school again and show Santana where she can shove her few months of being on top. Queen bitch was making a comeback and the baby couldn't be a distraction. She had to fight the urge to get to know her baby…NO….that baby…