Good Lord! Once again, you all continue to blow me away! I was so nervous for how you all would take the story, but I'm so glad to see you liked it! Anyways, another lengthy chapter for you all and I'm sorry I posted it kinda late, but I hope you enjoy! Read and review, thanks again!
"We're dead."
Beth and Balen sat on the bathroom floor, motionless and speechless as reality of what those two pink lines meant sunk in.
She was pregnant, the sentence repeating over and over again in her mind. How could she have been so stupid? The one thing that her parents had feared and protected her from, the one thing that they had preached about and warned her of and she had run out and done it anyways. She could see their faces as she told them, her mom's long eyelashes dripping tears down from her hazel eyes onto her cheeks as she shook her head in disappointment. Her dad would be clenching his fist as he pounded on anything he came in contact with, yelling and growling as he paced the floor. Her mom would be heartbroken while her dad would threaten Balen, grabbing that axe he had mentioned and shoving it between Balen's legs like he had always wanted to.
Puck had always made a point to intimidate and terrify Beth's boyfriend, even having Finn join in occasionally for an added affect despite the boy being his nephew. They would make comments about shotguns and "That One Time In Highschool…," completely petrifying Balen until Quinn made them stop. Her favorite, even Beth could admit it was funny, had been when Puck had taken poor Balen into the backyard, motioning to the woods and talking about how beautiful the trees were.
"Yeah Mr. Puckerman, they're real pretty," Balen had mocked, laughing at how crazy he sounded.
"Well I'm glad you like them Bale, pick one."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, pick one, your favorite one." Balen had been confused but randomly pointed to a tall oak, Puck sighing as he slapped his shoulder.
"That's a good choice Balen, big and strong tree."
"Yeah, it's big."
"And it's gonna need to be," Puck growled as he jerked Balen forward, "because if you lay a goddamn hand on Beth you'll be hanging from it. Got it?"
Then there was the rest of her family she would have to tell, her Aunt Tina and Uncle Artie, not to mention Balen's dad's who she adored. She wondered if she'd still be her Uncle Finn's rug rat and if her little cousins would still look up to her, Beth knowing they would all be just as upset with her as her parents were. They had all been there when it was her mom going through it and she knew they would share her parent's disappointment, Beth wondering if anyone would ever see her the same again. The idea of watching as she broke her family's hearts made her chest ache and her stomach lurch, Beth resting her face in her hands as she sobbed harder. She couldn't believe that she had gotten herself into this mess, guilt and fear gnawing away as she pictured telling them.
"What are we gonna do?" Balen finally asked as he looked at her, Beth sliding her tear stained face out of her hands and turning towards him.
"I don't know," she choked out.
"I mean what do you-what do you wanna do?" he asked nervously, his face a slight green as he waited for an answer, "Should we tell-"
"I can't," Beth said as she wiped her face, "Not yet, I don't-I just-I can't." They fell silent once more, Beth's whimpers the only sound escaping the bathroom.
"But I mean…you don't-I mean what do you wanna do about the baby?" Balen asked slowly, Beth only shrugging as she hiccupped,
"I just don't know," Beth said as she shook her head, "I don't want to not have it but Balen what are we gonna do? We can't have a baby, we aren't ready for that…but we can't not have it-"
"I know Beth, I know," he said frustrated, "I just can't imagine telling my dads. They're gonna be so-"
"Disappointed?" Beth cut in, "Mine too." The two teens could only stare as their minds continued to run rampant, Beth still thinking about her mom while Balen thought about her dad. She was confused and overwhelmed, her thoughts fighting back and forth between whether she should tell her parents first or make a decision of what to do with it first. She wished she had her mom to confide in, Quinn always able to calm Beth down and help her realize what was right in front of her, but now Beth was on her own and having to keep the biggest secret of her life from the only person she actually trusted.
"Can my dads un-adopt me?" Balen asked suddenly as he interrupted her thoughts, his eyes growing wide with terror, "'Cause that would totally suck-"
"Focus!" Beth said as she smacked him, "This isn't funny-"
"Am I fucking laughing over here? I'm just as lost as you are!" Beth turned away from him as she continued to cry, clueless as to what she was supposed to do next.
"Well what did you're mom do?" Balen asked as he patted her leg, "When she got pregnant? I mean I know she kept you and all but-"
"She lied about my father and hid me under a Cheerio outfit for four months," Beth answered quickly, Balen raising his eyebrows as he shook his head.
"Ok, well we know what not to do." Beth continued to think about her mom, wondering if she had been as scared as she was now and wondering if she had thought the same things as Beth. It wasn't that Beth didn't want to keep the baby, no she wasn't ready but she knew it was right, but it was the idea of having to tell everyone that killed her. She knew she should and that she shouldn't be making any decisions until she did, but just couldn't imagine having to actually utter the words out loud and see the sad reactions on their faces.
"I just keep thinking about having to tell them I'm pregnant," Beth whispered, "The way they'll look at me-"
"I can't imagine telling my parents either," Balen chimed in, "My dads…they'll lose it."
"I mean we're my parents Balen," she croaked out, "I've become what they never wanted, I've made their mistake and their gonna feel like failures because of me."
"They're not failures-"
"No, we are," Beth shot back, Balen stung by her comment as she sighed, "Should-should we not have it?" Balen's green tint turned darker, the boy looking at Beth uncomfortably.
"I don't know Beth-"
"I don't either!" she exclaimed, "Look I wanna be as brave as my mom was and be strong enough to be honest, but I can't break their hearts, I just can't."
"I know babe, I know," he sighed. Beth was about to speak when the door to her bathroom suddenly jerked open, the two kids fumbling around frantically as Puck entered angrily.
"What the hell are you two doing in here?" he snapped, his eyes glued on Balen then shifting to Beth, "Doors stay open you-why are you crying? What'd you do-"
"No dad it's not Bale-I-I cut myself!" Beth said frantically, gripping the pregnancy test behind her back in one hand while showing him a pretend cut on her other, "Yeah I was cutting an apple and I nicked my finger so we came up here to get band aids." Puck glared at her and then back to Balen, fully aware something was up but having no proof.
"And then you decided to just hang out on the floor?" he asked sarcastically, Beth tensing a little as she thought of another lie.
"No, well-er-the band aids are under the sink so I sat down really quick to get one and Balen helped," she said as she forced a smile, "Such a good boyfriend." Balen could only nod as Beth leaned against him, pecking his cheek as Puck grimaced,
"Fine, but its getting late so I think it's time you head home Balen."
"Yes sir! I'm sorry sir, I'm on my way!" Balen said frantically as he bolted up quickly, shooting past Puck and grabbing his things before pausing to talk to Beth, "I'll see you tomorrow. Think it over and we'll talk then." Beth nodded as he left, her dad turning back to her and softening a little.
"Think what over?" Puck asked curiously, crossing his arms and cocking an eyebrow.
"Oh uh there's a… a back to school dance! Yeah and he was just wondering if I wanted to go." Beth felt nauseous as she told yet another fib, already lying to her parents more in one day than she ever had.
"Oh, rad," Puck said flatly as he leaned against the doorframe, "Seriously though, I get you're teenagers but making out on the bathroom floor is just weird."
"I swear dad, we weren't doing that-"
"I know, I know, you're not like that," he smiled, a knot forming in her gut as he continued, "But really is your hand ok? You want me to look-"
"No, it-its fine," Beth said quickly, keeping her front to her dad as she backed away, "I'm fine, just gonna go back to my homework now." She quickly shuffled past Puck and managed to slide the test in her jeans, throwing herself in her bed and on top of it.
"Alright well you're mom want's to go out for dinner, you interested?"
"I'm good," Beth said awkwardly as she shook her head, "Just gonna stay here."
"You sure you're ok Beth?" Puck asked as he walked towards her, Beth having a panic attack as he sat down next to her, "You feeling alright?"
"Oh uh, my stomach," she mumbled, actually not having to lie this time as it twisted into another knot. Puck made a pouty face as he bent down, gently pushing aside her bangs and pressing his lips to her forehead.
"You don't feel hot," he muttered, rubbing her cheeks before pulling away, "You want anything? I'll get mom if its some weird chick thing-"
"No dad," Beth smiled, "Its fine, I'm fine thanks."
"Alright, well I guess it's date night then," he said as he messed up her hair and stood up, "Gonna shower and get nice, we're still working on your little brother or sister so I don't want to completely repulse your mother-"
"Dad," Beth said as she frowned, a new pang of guilt hitting her as she held back tears.
"Too much?"
"Little bit." Puck grinned as he headed for the door, waving behind him as he closed the door.
"See ya kid!" Beth sighed as she relaxed, rolling over and pulling out that stupid plastic stick. The pink lines had faded a bit but the reminder was still there, not only that she was having a baby but that the one Puckerman who deserved a child had yet to have it.
Beth pulled the comforter over her head as she disappeared in her sheets, letting her tears flow once more until she cried herself to sleep.
"Cannonball!"
Quinn screamed as Finn jumped into the pool next to her, water splashing her in the face as his huge body slammed into the pool. They were all gathered for Jacob's birthday that Saturday, their friends and family all having turned out for the party.
"Finn I swear to God!"
"Swearing isn't nice Auntie Quinn," he said playfully, splashing her in the face as he came up. She looked around and found a water gun, grabbing it quickly and pointing it at him.
"Finn I'm gonna get you-"
"Child! Child!" he screamed loudly, pulling on Emory's float suddenly and putting his son between him and Quinn, "You wouldn't squirt a child would you? "
"Cheater! No fair!" Quinn yelled as Finn twirled Emory around in the water, "You're chickening out!"
"Uhm, what? That's nonsense I'm a man," Finn said flabbergasted, "I'm just merely interacting with my son."
"Oh whatever!"
"Would you two knock it off and come eat?" Rachel called, carrying a tray of food in one hand and her little girl in the other.
"Coming!" Quinn called as she headed towards the stairs, pointing to Finn menacingly before getting out, "But when I get back in-"
"Oh its on," he finished. The clan dried off and began digging in, Quinn searching for Beth in the crowd of bikinis.
"Puck, have you seen Beth?"
"Oh she's in the house," Kurt answered as he stepped onto the patio, "Balen just had to show her his new video game. I swear, I'll never understand." Quinn laughed as she headed inside, making her way through the kitchen and into the living room.
"I'm not doing this today-"
"I don't want to either but-"
"Hey Beth," Quinn called, stopping abruptly as she saw the two of them arguing. Beth looked to be on the verge of tears and Balen's face was red in frustration, but stopping suddenly and staring at Quinn.
"Mom-"
"Is everything alright?" Quinn asked as she stepped towards her daughter, not wanting to but in but noticing her strange behavior.
"Yeah, just-nothing," Beth murmured, breathing deeply as she walked away from Balen, "We'll-"
"Yeah," he mumbled, following behind her as they joined the party. Quinn looked around confused for a moment, wondering what had been going on lately. For the past few nights Beth had shut herself in her room, barely talking to her parents and avoiding anyone else. When asked by her mom or dad what was wrong she'd give some half answer about school or homework, Quinn convinced something had happened between her and Balen. She shook it off as she walked back outside, Beth old enough to handle her own personal life, and sat back down beside Puck and Rachel.
"Everything alright?" Puck asked as he pushed his sunglasses up.
"Yeah, yeah its fine," Quinn lied, not even getting her husband on the subject of Beth's boyfriend.
"Well when do you wanna-you know," Puck said as he winked, Rachel grimacing as she chunked a grape.
"Please you two, children are around," she said as she motioned to her daughter, the four year old giggling as Puck tickled her.
"Hetero's, just because they can marry in public they think they can screw there too," Kurt groaned, "And who are you to talk Mrs. Had Sex In A Church Parking Lot?" Rachel blushed at the memory of Kurt and Jacob's ceremony, covering Michaela's ears while shushing Kurt.
"I was ovulating!"
"You were fornicating!"
"Language!"
"Bite me!"
"Settle down, settle down, it's not that pervs," Puck said lowly, "We have a surprise."
"If you say its in your pants-"
"Oh my God you're pregnant!" Rachel interrupted as she squealed, a twinge of sadness hitting Quinn as she shook her head.
"No uh not yet," she bit out, "It's something for Beth."
"Oh, oh crap I'm sorry," Rachel said embarrassed, "I just thought-"
"That's what we call a win right there," Kurt said sarcastically, Rachel pouting as she tried to make amends.
"Oh no really, I'm-"
"No, its cool," Puck said as he tossed the grape back to her, pretending as if the comment hadn't stung a little.
"Well what's the surprise?" Rachel asked quickly while trying to shift the topic.
"You'll see!" Quinn said excitedly. They all continued to celebrate and enjoy the day, Quinn finally getting her much deserved revenge on Finn as Puck tossed each member in the pool. The day was just about to come to an end when Beth heard her dad whistle loudly.
"Beth, come here baby," he called from the patio, Beth having isolated herself in a deck chair. She got up nervously and walked towards him, wondering what was going on and why everyone was smiling.
"Dad what're you-"
"Close your eyes," Puck interrupted, running his fingers over her lids as he placed his hands on her shoulders, "Now walk with me." He began guiding her blindly through the house, Beth terrified of what in the world he was doing.
"Dad-"
"One minute, hold on," he said as Finn opened the front door, Puck finally removing his hands to reveal Beth's new car.
"SURPRISE!" Finn exclaimed with jazz hands, Quinn sitting on the hood and jangling the keys while pretending to be Vanna White.
"Oh my God," Beth said in awe as Puck dragged her towards it, "Dad-"
"Do you like it?" he asked as he patted the shiny red hood, "I know it's not a Nissan-"
"Dad its-its just too much," Beth protested.
"Wha-please kid come on," Puck dismissed as he slid Quinn off, "You deserve this Beth, you really do."
"No dad, really-"
"Beth look at me," Puck said as he pulled her close, bending down as he rested his hands on her shoulders, "You keep straight A's, you sing in glee, you baby-sit your crazy ass relatives and you do any and every thing your mother and I ask without complaining about it. I know I'm a little hard sometimes, but I like to think its helped you become the girl you are today. You're smart and sweet and beautiful, and you've never let us down even when its too much. Trust me sweetheart, you've earned this, you deserve this. I only regret not giving it to you sooner. " Beth's eyes welled up in tears as she threw her arms around Puck, squeezing her father as tears streamed down her face.
I love you dad," she whimpered in his ear, Puck not expecting that reaction as he hugged her back.
"Well I love you too Beth, I'm glad you like it." Beth wiped her eyes as she pulled back, Quinn throwing her arms around her daughter and making the twist of guilt in Beth's stomach tighten even more.
"We're so proud of you Beth," she whispered as she kissed her cheek, "So what do you say? Wanna go for a drive?" Beth felt her stomach lurch as their smiles got wider along with her conscious, Beth shaking her head as she backed away.
"I just-I have to-I'll be back," she mumbled quickly, turning away and running inside.
"Well I wasn't expecting that," Puck laughed, the two completely unaware of their little girl's heartbreak.
Beth jingled the handle as she flushed, having unloaded the contents of her stomach. She wasn't sure whether it was the baby or her guilt making her sick to her stomach, wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed and cry.
The looks on her parents faces had done her in, Beth unable to stand their supportive grins when they didn't know the truth. She was a fraud and a liar, and she didn't deserve anything they had to give. She continued to beat herself up as she wiped her cheeks, emotionally and physically exhausted from everything. She pushed herself up and wandered to the sink, splashing her face with cool water to calm down.
"You know I wish that I had Jessie's-oh shit! Sorry Beth!" Finn squealed as he backtracked, having walked right on in to find her crying, "I didn't think-hey are you ok?"
"I'm fine," she snapped quickly, drying off her face and trying to push past him, "I need to get back-"
"No, no, no," Finn said as he shook his head, "You're not pulling one over on me, now what's wrong?"
"Nothing Uncle Finn, I'm fine-"
"Ah, the "I'm Fine" line. Were you girls taught that in Home Ec while we went to shop?" Finn asked while crossing his arms, scoffing as he closed the door and leaned against it, "Now you're gonna talk to me and tell me what's wrong. You're mama said you'd been acting weird lately-"
"She did?" Beth panicked.
"Yeah, and you're gonna tell why right now." Beth looked him over as she thought, wondering if she should confide in him. If there was anyone she thought she could trust it was him, seeing as she herself had kept more secrets from Rachel than she had known what to do with. Finn was different from the others, he was soft and always understanding. She knew she needed to get it off her chest to at least someone, thinking that maybe he would be able to offer her comfort.
"I just-I don't know," Beth said as she cried.
"Don't know what sweetie?" Finn asked as he bent down.
"If-if you're gonna hate me." Finn laughed as he pulled her in, shaking his head while he rubbed her back.
"Beth I could never hate you, I love you! You're my rug rat!"
"You promise you won't get mad?" she asked childishly, Finn nodding as he stuck his pinky out.
"Swear."
"And you promise you won't tell mom and dad?"
"Double swear."
"No, really you can't tell them ok? Please promise!"
"Ok Beth I promise, on Emory and Michaela," Finn said as he began getting worried, "But sweetie what is going on?" Beth paused as she gathered her words, breathing slowly and closing her eyes while opening her mouth.
"I'm pregnant Uncle Finn."