This chapter is dedicated to Kialajaray for giving me the idea that sparked the creation of a couple more chapters for this story. Thank you so much for your review to the first chapter.
Chapter 2:
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!" The small voice continued to exclaim as she threw her small plastic bowl full of applesauce on the floor, causing small amounts to splatter on Rachel's face.
"Okay, so no applesauce Abby," Rachel spoke in a strained voice. "Well, how about some cheerios?"
"No!" Abby yelled and slammed her fists on the tray of her high chair. She giggled and screamed out one more time for good measure, "no!"
"That's it young lady. You are not allowed to talk to me like that. You are going to time out."
"No!"
Rachel restrained screaming back at her and simply pulled her out of the high chair and placed her in the specified time out corner in the front room.
"Hey, babe, I'm home," Noah's voice called from the doorway. He dropped some stuff by the door. "I got some great news…" He stopped dead in his tracks. Rachel stood in the middle of the front room, staring at him with her eyes wide, hair completely disheveled, and her shirt covered in applesauce and macaroni and cheese. "Babe?"
"She has been a nightmare today," Rachel let out, her voice quiet. "After you left she kept running in circles in the house, even though she kept falling and bumping her head. I tried to play with her outside but she started crying. I tried putting her down for a nap, but she just kept singing at the top of her lungs. Now she is refusing to eat anything! So, I put her in time out."
Noah's face fell a little. He stepped forward, pulling Rachel into his arms. "Oh Rachel. I'm sorry to hear she was like that. I love you for putting up with her while I work on Saturdays."
"It's not putting up with. I love being with her. It's just today was a day I didn't quite feel the love from her."
"I'm sorry. What can I do to make up for it?"
"Can you talk to Abby for me and start dinner while I take a quick shower and change into some clothes that aren't covered in food. Then you can tell me your great news."
"No problem. Take your time. I have everything under control." Noah kissed Rachel on the forehead before pushing her in the direction of his bedroom. She kept some spare clothes in his closet just for occasions like this.
Noah turned around and stared at his daughter that was currently sitting on the floor cross-legged facing the corner. Next week would be her 2nd birthday. He couldn't believe she was growing up so fast. He came over and ruffled the long, dark curls of his daughter. Her hair actually reminded him a little of Rachel's which made him happy. Abby may have not been Rachel's daughter, but when going out in public they looked like a family.
Noah took a seat on the floor, turning Abby around so she was facing him. "So, Abigail, I heard you weren't well behaved today."
Abby's face was streaked with tears and she hiccoughed loudly. "Didn't mean to."
"I think that's not true. It sounds you were being bad on purpose."
"Fun." Some days it was so blindingly clear that Abby was his daughter.
"Believe me I know. But you have to think about how that made Rachel feel. How would you feel if somebody kept yelling at you and screaming?" Puck continued patiently.
"Not good," Abby admitted after thinking for a minute.
"Exactly. I know how much fun it can to be bad, but you have to make the decision to be good. Trust me it pays off. I used to be bad."
Abby had a look of shock on her face. "Nuh-uh."
"It's true. Do you know what changed me?"
Abby shook her head.
Noah leaned forward, kissing his daughter on the forehead quickly. "You did. I found out you were arriving and I thought that I had to be a better person for my daughter. It was hard at first and sometimes I messed up but I'm better for it."
"So, no more bad?"
"I think we would all like that," Noah smiled softly. They sat in silence for a minute before Noah remembered that he had to get dinner started.
"Daddy?"
"Yes sweetheart?"
"Can I go?"
Noah thought for a moment. "I think you should stay put until Rachel comes out of the shower. Then you should apologize to her. She thinks you don't love her with how you were acting today."
"Oh no!" Abby gasped.
"You better convince her that's not true."
Abby nodded solemnly. "I will."
Noah left her where she was sitting and went into the kitchen. He pulled out the whole chicken that was in the fridge thawing. He plopped it into a casserole dish and sprinkled a couple of spices on it before throwing it into the oven. He washed his hand carefully before starting his search through the cupboards seeing what kind of options they had for side dishes.
He was looking forward to tonight. It was the first time in a month that everybody's schedules lined up and the Berry's were going to be able to come over for dinner. His mother was going to be getting off work in an hour so she would be home in plenty of time. And with any luck he would have some very happy news to share with them. His and Rachel's plans were finally falling into place. He used to think that college wasn't an option for him and when Abby arrived it was like the nail in the coffin of that idea. However, Rachel saw something in him and she had this way of getting things to happen. They had both been accepted into the state university and he was going to be able to bring Abby with him.
She walked out of the bathroom, throwing her dirty clothes into Noah's hamper. She was assaulted by a very small figure wrapping itself around her legs.
"I love you Rachel."
"I love you too, Abby," Rachel replied. She reached down and picked up the little girl, holding her closely in her arms.
"I'm sorry," Abby spoke honestly.
"Thank you baby girl. I forgive you. Let's just put it behind us."
"Rachel, I'm hungry?"
"Why do you think that it is?" Rachel replied sarcastically. In a more genuine tone, "let's get you a snack before dinner." Rachel placed Abby back in her high chair. She took a small bowl and poured a handful of cheerios in there.
Abby smiled. "Thank you."
"That's my girl," Noah praised, ruffling Abby's hair. "And how's my other girl?" Noah asked, pulling Rachel into his arms. He kissed her softly before hugging her tightly, smelling her freshly washed hair. She ran his hands through his now longer hair, ruffling it with her fingers.
"So, what's your good news?" Rachel's voice was muffled by his shirt.
Noah took a deep breath, pulling back from Rachel so he could look at her. "I got my financial aid package."
Rachel's face lit up with anticipation. "And?"
"And it is better than expected. Between the grants and scholarships they only gave me a thousand in loans, which I don't even think I need to take out because I have the savings from working."
"Oh my God. That is so amazing. So with my scholarships that means we are both completely set for next year."
"We are going to college." Noah couldn't believe that he had said that. He had never dreamed that he would be doing anything with his life. He going to college was living proof of the affect that both Rachel and Abby have had on his life. Here goes the big step. "With the all of the scholarship money I was thinking that you and I could swing getting an apartment."
Rachel shrugged turning back to attend to Abby. "I can't. As a freshman you have to live in the dorms unless you have kids or are married."
"I know," Noah said slowly, but significantly.
Rachel froze handing Abby a cheerio. She took a deep breath and then turned to face Noah who was currently kneeling on the kitchen floor, a ring held out in his hand. It was a delicate silver ring with a small pearl set in the center.
"Noah!" She was shocked. "You shouldn't have spent…"
"Before you say anything, it's my moms. I knew you wouldn't want me spending a lot of money on a ring. Let me just say I obviously can't offer you a lot and I come with Abby as well, which I know is not what you expected when you graduated high school. College won't be normal for us. But, I love you and I already think of us as a family. Will you marry me?"
"Yes. Of course I will." Rachel put out her hand and he slipped the small ring on her finger. "It's pretty."
"I wish I could afford more. Someday I will buy you a huge diamond, but for now this will have to do."
"It's perfect Noah. I'm glad you didn't spend money on it. And just for your reference I don't like diamonds, they are so generic. The pearl is beautiful and the fact that it's your mothers makes it better."
"Yeah my grandfather had the ring made for my mother on her 16th birthday. She offered it to me a couple of months ago to give to you. I think she thought this might happen eventually."
"Well, thank you Noah. Not to ruin the mood or anything, but there are a couple of things that we need to talk about."
"You wouldn't be Rachel if we didn't need to talk. Let me just check on the chicken and then we can talk." He opened the oven, making sure that the chicken was currently baking just fine. He then joined Rachel at the small breakfast table in the back of the room.
"The first thing we have to decide is when to get married."
"I have been thinking about it, actually. I know it's not the ideal situation but I was thinking that we should have a small wedding this summer, so that we can live together next year. It wouldn't be your dream wedding, but I thought maybe in a few years, once we save up some money we could have a proper ceremony."
"There's no need. Contrary to what you would expect, I really don't want some elaborate wedding. I really just want a small wedding with close friends and family. We can even have it in my backyard and it can be potluck. I don't want to waste money on some stupid party. All I care about is us getting married in front of the people we care about."
Noah couldn't believe that he was hearing this. "You know you are the most amazing woman ever."
"I know!" Rachel replied happily.
"There is one other topic I want to broach about us getting married."
"You really thought this through."
"I figured that I couldn't propose to you without having a game plan because you will have questions," Noah answered honestly.
"Well, I am flattered that you care enough to think about our future. So what is the other thing you need to talk to me about?"
"Abigail. This is really a serious subject and I don't want to throw too much at you, but it's important that you start thinking about it. I want you to consider maybe adopting her, so that she would be your child as well. If something happens to me, I want her to be in your custody. I know that is a lot of responsibility so I understand if you want to think about it. You don't have to decide right now, there is no rush."
"I don't have to think about it. I love Abby and I would do anything for her. I already think of her as my daughter. I would be honored to adopt her."
Noah looked a little skeptical. "Are you sure? I don't want you to feel obligated. This is not something you should take lightly. You have to consider your future and what she could mean to that."
"I know, Noah. The fact remains though that I would do anything for her and I want her to be cared for and loved. I know I can provide that for her. She is so important to me and I can't stand the thought of her not being in my future, wherever that may take me." Her face brightened a little and her voice became lighter. "Not to mention, if I have to divorce your ass then I can have custody as well."
"You can do that?" Noah looked a little flummoxed.
"Yup, I've already done research on adoptions. So, second thoughts?"
Noah shrugged, unconcerned. "Nah, I wasn't planning on letting you divorce me anyways. You are going to be stuck with me for a long time."
"Sounds good to me," Rachel replied happily, leaning across the table, planting a quick kiss on his lips.
Dinner was going well. There had only been one mess and in all fairness it was an accident as Abby got a little too excited at seeing the cupcakes that were for dessert. She had knocked over her sippy cup with her elbow. She looked fearful that she would be sent to time out again, but in response everybody just laughed.
Noah took the pleasant atmosphere as a sign and cleared his throat. He vaguely thought that he probably should have a champagne glass that he could tap and he would be standing, but he squashed that idea quickly. Noah Puckerman had changed a lot over the last couple of years, but he still wasn't that guy.
As everybody quieted around him he took a moment to take stock of his surroundings and thought how lucky he was. To his right was his mother, Judy, sitting at the head of the table, looking younger than he had ever seen her. Across from him Rachel's dads, Dave and Seth, were holding hands inconspicuously, smiling fondly at him and Rachel. Rachel was sitting to his left, helping his younger sister with the heavy pitcher of juice, pouring her a glass. Abby was sitting in her high chair between his mom and Dave, who kept doting on the little girl. This was how family was supposed to feel. Sure this family was a little different, but it was his nonetheless.
"I have some good news to tell you. I got my financial aid package back and I got a lot of grants from the state, and with the scholarships I have received so far, next year is covered."
"Congratulations son," Seth was quick to exclaim.
"Who would have thought, my son going to college," his mother responded tearfully. "And it's all because you Rachel."
Rachel blushed, shaking her head. "Noah had it in him the whole time."
"Oh I don't doubt that. You helped show him the way," she was quick to retaliate.
"She's right," I cut in. "There's something else, on a related note. I've, well, I have asked Rachel to marry me."
"And?" Dave leaned forward hopefully.
He looked at Rachel expectantly, wanting her to be a part of this announcement as well. "And I said yes. We are going to get married this summer so that we can live together in an apartment next year."
Now Noah's mom was really crying, but she had a smile on her face. She got up from her chair and started to hug Rachel then her son, blubbering on and on about how happy she was. Seth was trying to wipe his eyes inconspicuously. Dave looked happy as well. He walked over and clapped Noah on the back before shaking his hand. Everybody was standing now, hugging each other and congratulating the young pair.
"Oh we will have to start planning the wedding right away," Judy announced suddenly.
"We can take of the finances," Seth offered. "We have a savings account that has been set aside for both Rachel's education and for her wedding. Since we don't need the money for college it may seem, there is quite a bit that can be spent on a wedding."
Rachel had to speak up when she heard this. "Oh, no. I don't want a big wedding. I really don't," she added when she saw the dubious looks on everybody's faces. "I was thinking that we could maybe have a small backyard wedding at our house. It can just be close friends and family."
"Don't you want to get married in temple?" Judy questioned.
Noah couldn't stop his eyes from rolling. "Ma, that would be so stuffy and formal. We just want to do something casual."
"Noah, marriage is not a casual affair." His mother's voice was disapproving.
"Judy, they are right," Dave spoke gently. "There isn't much time to plan and if they want a low key wedding, then that is what they shall have. Plus it will be so much less work."
"I don't mind the work," Judy replied defiantly.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you will get to plan a huge extravagant wedding for Becky. She loves her fairy tales, don't you Becky?" Noah asked.
Becky brightened at being brought into the adult conversation. "Yeah I want a huge poofy dress. Also, I want a carriage and twinkling lights ever where." She continued on dreamily, although most of the adults turned their attention back to the topic at hand.
"Okay, well, if it makes you happy," Judy sighed.
"It will," Rachel assured her.
"Well, now that we are settled on a small wedding, we know what we are dealing with. There is still a lot to plan like guests, music, and oh the lawn should really be done up nicely," Seth gushed.
Noah raised his hand. "There is still one more serious topic to discuss before you start planning the wedding. Maybe everybody should retake their seats."
They followed his direction and he took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. This part he was still not completely sure about how they would respond to. "Something Rachel and I discussed when I proposed is Abby's place in all of this. Obviously she comes first in my life and I have to think about what is best for her."
The Berry's and his mom nodded, showing that they were with him so far. "I want Rachel to be Abby's mother…legally. I discussed with Rachel the idea of her adopting Abby legally and she has agreed. I know you may think that Rachel is young to become a mother but I trust her whole heartedly with my daughter and I think she will be the best mother possible to Abby. I especially wanted to tell you both Dave and Seth. This would mean that Abby would be your granddaughter as well. You don't have to be that to her if you don't want, but I want to give you option of being as involved in her life as you want."
Everybody was quiet for a second. Seth turned to Judy and stage whispered, "Do I look old enough to be a grandpa?"
Judy replied without hesitating, "Do I look like a grandma to you?"
Everybody laughed, breaking the ice. Dave blinked a few times before gathering his wits. "This has been quite a dinner I must say. I don't think I have ever gotten this much information in one evening. As for Abby, I think I can speak for Seth as well when I say we would be honored to be her grandfathers. We love her and admire you for keeping her at such a young age. We feel blessed that you have brought her into our life."
"Plus, I will get to spoil her rotten," Seth happily added.
"What about me?" Becky asked indignantly.
"What do you mean?" Seth asked, confused.
"Well, you are going to be Noah's father-in-law and Abby's grandpa. What does that make you guys to me?"
"Hmm." Dave tapped his chin exaggeratedly. "We could be your fun uncles. How does that sound?"
Becky brightened at the idea. "That will be so cool. I have always wanted an uncle and now I have two."
Noah leaned back in his chair, exhausted from everything that has happened today. It was so surreal to think that in a few short weeks everything would become official and he would have a complete family. He smiled at the thought. Rachel leaned her head on his shoulder but tilted it to look up into his face. Her eyes met his and the conversations of dresses and guests fell away. There was nobody in this world but him and Rachel. They were home.
A/N: Okay so I was so not going to continue the story but I have never had such positive feedback from any one shot or one chapter from a story before. Seriously you guys floored me. And well, I am a sucker to people saying they want more because they loved the story so much. I still wasn't going to continue until one reviewer gave me the idea of how I could continue the story. Thanks again Kialajaray. I have three more chapters planned. I really don't want to write the day to day life because I honestly have no idea what it's like to have children. I just have experiences with my siblings to draw upon. So, instead I am going to write a couple big moments in their relationship. The next chapter will be the wedding. The fourth and fifth chapters will take place several years down the road. And one of them may or may not include Quinn and Finn. :wink wink:
A couple things about this chapter I want to address really quickly. The whole adoption thing is kind of fuzzy to me, but I just know in Washington state it is an option because when my mom got remarried they considered having my brother and I getting adopted by my step-dad, even though my dad was still alive. I was like 8 at the time so I don't know the logistics of it, I just kind of vaguely remember that, so I don't kill me if it doesn't exactly work out the way I have it done. Also, some may think that Rachel is a little ooc not wanting a big wedding and ring and stuff. In this story I have Rachel calming down as she gets older. You will see that more in later chapters. I just don't picture her being that high strung as she grows up and I like what Lea said in an interview about how when Rachel is with Puck she is more relaxed. So I'm drawing on that.
Finally, thank you all for so many amazing reviews. I wanted to cry. It was so amazing to see so much positive feedback from one story. I have experienced that in a long time. Thank you so much. Please take a minute to review so I know whether or not you like how I continued it or if you wish I had left it as a one shot. Thanks again and hopefully you will hear from me again soon.
