By the time I got home it was 5:30 and I went straight to my bedroom, telling my mom that I'd already eaten. Half an hour later, she knocked on my door.
"Hi Sweetie, how are you? I bought you some cookies up, just in case you were hungry."
"Thanks Mom. You can come in, if you want to." I said, patting the clear bit of my bed in between my homework.
"Darling, I need to tell you something."
"You better not be pregnant. I can't deal with anymore pregnancies right now."
"No, it's not that. Don't worry." She laughed.
"Oh thank Goodness." I pause, "What is it?"
"Russell is coming over in twenty minutes to collect the last of his things." She went into panic mode, not allowing me space to talk. "Do you want to stay? You don't have to. I'm not making you see him again. He's horrible. You can go out if you like." She was avoiding looking at me in the eyes.
"Mom, there's no way I'm leaving you here on your own to deal with him. I am going to call Puck though; he only lives in the next street. I think we'd be safer with someone else here." My hands were shaking as I reached for my phone.
"Okay Quinnie. Thank you. I love you darling." She placed a kiss on my forehead and left the room.
"Puck, it's me." I said, before he'd even gotten a chance to say hello.
"Quinn, what's up?"
"Listen, I need a favour. Russell's coming back in twenty minutes to the rest of his belongings. Do you mind coming over? Just to try and protect Mom and I?"
"Sure. I'll come over now."
"Thanks Noah."
"Hey Quinn, you know I'll do anything for you. You're worth it."
"I'll see you soon." I end the call and throw the phone onto my bed.
"Hey Puck. Thanks for coming over." I say as I close the front door behind us.
"It's not a problem. How's your mom? Is he here yet?"
"Mom's just as nervous as I am. He's not here, but it won't be long. Do you want something to eat or drink?"
"Ah, I'm alright for now. Thanks anyway."
"Come and sit down, make yourself at home." It feels awkward, which is unusual between us. I suppose it's because Russell is coming over. I lie down and make myself comfortable in Puck's lap. I end up with my head on his thighs and my hands in his, resting on my stomach.
"Do you miss Beth?" What? Are we having this conversation now?
"Everyday, do you?" My head fills with memories of my precious baby girl.
"Yeah. She was beautiful." He took a deep breath. "Just like her mom."
"Puck," I sat up, "I'm sorry about everything. You shouldn't have had to go through any of that crap last year."
"I wouldn't change any of it. Apart from Beth; I'd keep her."
"Me too."
Puck went to reply, but our conversation was interrupted by the door bell, followed by a loud bashing on the door.
"Judy! Let me in!" He was drunk, I could tell already.
"I'm coming Russell." My mom was walking towards the door, but she stopped before she opened it.
"Are you two alright? Are you ready?"
"We'll be fine Mrs Fabray." Puck was such a gentleman when he wanted to be.
"Russel. Hi." Mom said.
"I need to get my things. Make me a scotch, will you?" Why is he such an asshole? "Quinn. Why are you here? Puckerman? What the hell are you two doing in my house? Where's the baby? I thought you gave her up?" Russell was getting even more aggravated.
"Daddy, I moved back in. Puck was just over to help me with some Cheerios stuff. Which I'm captain of; Daddy. We did give Beth up; she's living in New York with a single mother who loves her very much." Russell's breath smelt like scotch and cherries. He was right in my face. I was scared, really, really scared.
"Hey back off! We did the right thing. Go and get your things and leave. Quinn and Judy don't want you around anymore!" Puck had manoeuvred himself in between Russell and I.
"Puck," I whispered.
"It's okay Quinn. I got this." He was face to face with Russell.
"Noah! Don't you dare tell me about my family! You're not a part of this family! Do you understand?"
"You're no more a part of this family than I am. You remover yourself from this family when you beat them and cheated on your wife! Get your stuff and go!" Puck was tense and ready for a fight.
"Judy! Where's my scotch?" Russell backed away from Puck and turned to face the lounge room entrance.
"It's here, Russell. I made it the way you liked." Mom's hand was shaking as she handed him the drink.
He grunted, "I'm going to get my stuff. It better all be there. Quinn, Judy, come with me!"
"No Daddy. Mom and I are going to stay here with Puck. You need to hurry up, it's getting late. My voice went croaky and I choked back tears.
"Fine, you girls will realize that you need me. You'll take me back. This family is nothing without me."
"Well, I guess it's been nothing for a while then. We won't ever need an abusive prick in our lives ever again. Quinn's right, you do need to hurry up. Mom's never talked like that. It's good to see her stand up for herself.
"Okay, I'll be gone in a minute." Russell's face dropped, he kind of looked defeated.
"Good," I say.
"Girls, are you okay?" Puck said after Russell had walked off to the bedroom.
"I'm alright. Quinnie, are you okay?" They were both looking at me.
"Yeah," I lied. "I'm fine." Tears rolled down my face and I couldn't stop them.
"No you're not. Come here." Puck held his arms out.
"No, I don't want to. I need some water." I walk to the kitchen and get a glass out. Puck must've followed me, because after a few minutes I turned to walk out and jumped when I was faced with him.
"Puck, what are you doing?" I was trying for my Head Bitch voice. The kind of voice I use when Berry tries to talk to me, in public; but I could only manage a small whisper.
"Looking out for you. Russell's about to leave. I think you should come and say goodbye. If you want to." He grabbed my hand and after my small nod he led me into the family room. Mom was standing with her back to Russell.
"Quinn, try and talk some sense into your mother." He went from looking defeated, to looking like a prick again, right in front of my eyes. "If you've got time between your pregnancies. I am ashamed to call you my daughter. I can't believe she-" He stopped and pointed at mom, "let you back into this house. You're a disgrace. You know what? Fuck you both. I don't want either of you anymore." He opened the front door.
"Daddy, I'm sorry." I began, in my best child voice. "I'm sorry you're a jerk. I'm sorry God made you this way; it must be horrible for you, to constantly be tearing everyone down. I am really happy that you don't want us anymore, because you were like toxic waste all over our lives! Goodbye!" I walked to the front door, paused and smiled at the sick bastard, pushed him and the boxes at his feet out the door and slammed it shut.