THUNK.
The sound of the man's forehead hitting the glass made a soft, echoing noise in the quiet hospital corridor.
Looking toward the source of noise, a nurse realised she was not alone. Standing up, she crossed the corridor and joined the man, looking beyond the window he was positioned at.
"You can go in if you like, Mr Puckerman", the nurse whispered.
"Thanks." Noah "Puck" Puckerman replied, walking to a nearby door.
As he tip-toed into the room, he was hit by the scent of baby powder and creams. As he crossed the room, he noticed the other residents of the room; a little pale figure, wrapped in blue, another little figure wrapped in blue. And hey, a little pink one.
He smiled to himself. Babies were kind of cute, he thought to himself. In the corner of the room sat a woman, nursing a baby. She looked like was going to cry, but in a happy way. He walked past more 3 more rows of cribs before he stopped abruptly at the end of one. Peering into the little crib, he was suddenly in awe. In the crib was a baby girl, loosely wrapped in a pale cotton blanket. She had light blonde-brown hair, and a chubby face. As she moved, ever so slightly, puck took a step back. Oh wow, he though, she's adorable...and I helped make that. He smiled wider than the Cheshire cat.
As he moved closer, he lifted the little girl from her crib, comfortably placing her in his arms. He let a single tear escape his eye as he looked down at the angel in he's arms.
Puck wasn't usually a crier. But at that moment, he realised he couldn't just let her go. She was a little person. His little person and he were willing to keep her, although she was supposed to be getting adopted...
Lookingat her name sign, it said "Beth Corcoran". I choose that name. My Beth, he thought, as he left the nursery room, and descended the corridor.
There's no way my baby's going up for adoption, Puck thought.
As he climbed the stairs to the next level, Puck found himself talking to Beth.
"I think I'm having second thoughts, Beth", he commented. 'But even if we don't end up keeping you, I'm still gonna love you"."So will your mum", he said doubtfully, even though deep down he knew Quinn will always love her.
When he finally reached his destination, he prepared for what was about to come. Maybe this is a bad idea, he though. No, Beth needs to meet her Mummy, he argued with himself.
He looked down at his daughter, and bent his head down to kiss her brown- haired head.
As he straightened himself up, he imagined the family of 3, living together, being an actual family.
He stood outside the door, rooted to the spot. Looking down at Beth, he smiled. "Here it goes, bubby", he sighed, as he shifted Beth, allowing his hand to knock on the door.
"Come in", a woman's voice was heard from inside.
Opening the door, Puck crossed the threshold, sideways, so Quinn could see both her visitors.
"Puck, what..?" Quinn asked, but Puck interrupted her.
"Say hello to Beth. It's our Beth, our little girl. Isn't she awesome?
"Puck, she isn't ours. She's Shelby's. Remember?" Quinn replied, robotically, not looking at the child, or her boyfriend, but out the window.
"Babe, I wanna keep her" Puck said confidently, walking up to her bed, where she lay, half upright.
"Noah. We agreed that Shelby would take her. Our lives will go back to normal". As she said this, Puck eased he sleepy child into her arms.
"Look, Quinn, she's waking up." Puck whispered, trying not to startle Beth.
"Ha-ha, she sleeps so much, it's like she-"Puck was interrupted by Quinn.
"Puck, no, I can't. She's not mine. It doesn't feel right", she said honestly, even though she took the unsettled baby.
As Quinn gently rocked Beth back to sleep, Puck thought he would try again.
"I want to keep her. We should keep her, I mean" he ventured timidly, touching Beth's little fingers.
It was silent for a long time. The only audible sound was the slow, steady breathing coming from Quinn's arms.
Passing Beth back to Puck, Quinn finally began to speak. "No Puck. I can't do this. No...I just...we can't...", she finished, looking out the window again, not looking at the other two.
"Fine", he spat out, furious. Quinn isn't taking any interest in her daughter, he though, as he turned around and left the room.
He began jogging, steadily, trying to keep Beth still. He slowed into and even stroll. He didn't stop walking until he was out in the hospital courtyard. Sitting on a bench, he held Beth close. "Oh Beth", he sighed.
Holding the now awake baby in one arm, he pulled a mobile out of his jeans pocket. He dialled a number, and waited impatiently for someone to pick up.
"Hello?" the voice at the other end of the phone said.
"Shelby. We need to talk, now. I can't wait much longer." Puck urgently said informed her, not even bothering to say hello.
"Lima Hospital, in the courtyard." He said, hanging up. Even with a baby, he couldn't help being a bad ass.
As Puck waited, he sat and cuddled Beth, occasionally stroking her hair, or re-arranging her position. He looked into her deep green eyes. Quinn's eyes.
As he sat watching a young family across the courtyard, he was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Noah, what's the problem?" Shelby asked, concerned.
Puck turned to face Shelby, who had sat down next to him. "It's Beth. I want to keep her", replied, indicating the little girl, now fast asleep again, in his arms.
Puck glanced at Shelby's face, searching for an answer.
Her eyes became wide. Her mouth opened slightly, although no words came out.
"Puck, I..."
...