Author's Note #1: As an English citizen, I haven't been able to catch many Glee full episodes, just small clips of the songs they have done. An apology as this affects my knowledge of names and situations, but thankfully I'm not as 'in the dark' as Glee has finally hit our shores on Monday 11th January 2010 with an awesome double-bill. Small note, because I'm English, there may be a term that you're not familiar with and that is 'sleepies', basically they're the little, crusty lumps that settle between your eyes when you wake up. Sorry for the confusion! So excited about GLEE, I've even put it on the family calendar so no-one forgets! If this chapter seems to repeat the situations of 'Sectionals', the flashback that is present is set between Showmance and Preggers, as unlike the show, Quinn joins because Finn has been neglecting his training (which doesn't seem to be very Quinn-like, but what the hell?!), this story also runs on my original timeline or like you all like to call it AU?, so Quinn already knows that she's pregnant before Preggers. I apologise now before we continue. The following chapter takes place between 8:00pm and 9:00pm.
Chapter Three: Did That Really Just Happen?
I'd take another chance,
Take a fall, take a shot for you.
I need you like a heart needs a beat,
But it's nothing new.
Puck smiled, trying to remember the last time he'd spoken to Quinn. Rachel still clung to his arms, reassuring him with her gentle words. He shared fewer words with his 'baby-mama', trying to provide for their baby but Quinn was still resilient in believing she would be raised as Finn's. No-one had ever assumed what the absent father-to-be was thinking or feeling at this moment, their world seemed to revolve around the baby who was hours away from making an entrance.
Carole read the pages of her magazine meticulously, trying to survive the boredom that came with childbirth. Although, her son was apprehensive and eager for his 'daughter' to be born, Carole seemed distracted with other things, particularly the new friends he had made.
"When is the baby coming?" Kurt screeched, almost tearing his hair out in frustration. Mercedes groaned as she opened her eyes, wiping the sleepies from her eyes. Tina had been busy finishing her Science homework, trying to ask Artie for help, was a chore as he'd been the most successful in falling asleep, cuddling up to his sweater, which was scrunched up loosely in a ball.
"It's not like on the TV, Kurt" Tina took out a diagram of the female genitalia, that she'd been told to copy and label, and showed it to Kurt, who wasn't too impressed.
"A baby's head measures 10cm, it has to get through a hole this big" Tina squeezed her thumb and index finger together, demonstrating the birthing process. Kurt was almost beginning to wretch as the demonstration carried on. Puck struggled to laugh or smile like the others, Rachel understood why but instead she giggled at Kurt's unbelievable melodramatics.
Rachel knocked gently on the door, poking her head around curiously. Seeing Quinn and Finn, content in sleeping through the pain, she slipped out quietly. Puck smiled weakly, glancing up at Rachel's blank expression.
Finn smiled, her hair swept across his chest deliciously. Quinn's chest rose and fell with every calm breath that escaped her lips. Her eyes were tearful and closed, her lips were poised and red and her cheeks were rosy and glowing. Finn shifted her weight onto the bed, settling her head against the cushion. Quinn slowly knelt on her right arm, trying earnestly to combat the burning sensation that soared up her spine uneasily. Squeezing his hand gently, Quinn sobbed as Finn sat beside her in the hospital chair. Finn smiled, rubbing her rounded bump smoothly. With every gentle breath, Quinn held Finn's gaze calmly. Finn with his hand still surrounding her stomach lifted himself up from the chair. Quinn raised her eyebrow, but quickly smiled as her boyfriend walked toward the door.
"It's getting a little hot in here" Finn shook the neck of his shirt, puffing quickly. Quinn nodded, tiredly rising from the bed and opening the window. Rachel poked her head around the door again, this time walking up to Quinn and kneeling beside her warmly. Quinn smiled, trying to dab her eyes with the edge of her finger. Taking the hair from Quinn's eyes, Rachel held her hand supportively. Kurt crept in, trying to catch their attention quickly. Quinn smiled, ushering him over to her side.
Another contraction blazed through her spine, causing Rachel to hold out her hand for support. Kurt meanwhile, poured another glass of ice chips and gave it to Quinn quickly. Gulping down the ice chips, Quinn squeezed Rachel's hand tightly. Trying to calm down, Quinn took a deep breath, whilst Rachel rubbed her back softly. Quinn screeched, trying to squeeze the life of Rachel's palm.
Finn paced the floor patiently, rocking back and forth on the heels of his feet. Carole watched her son grin, thankful for the easy escape. Shaking her head, Carole continued to flick through the crumpled pages of Women's Weekly. Mercedes rose with her fingers clasped firmly round her polystyrene cup. Patting Finn on the shoulder lightly, she apologised as she had to get home before her mum got back. Finn nodded, before going back into the room again quietly.
"Another one, the nurse hasn't come yet" Rachel informed him as Finn sat in the chair beside the bed. Quinn held his hand, trying to reassure him calmly. Finn knew nothing, his hands grew sweaty and his pulse quickened. Quinn, settling comfortably underneath the covers, smiled and stroked his cheek. Rachel leant over her friend, smoothing out her hair softly. Silently, Rachel slipped out, leaving Quinn to tiredly drift off.
Finn leant back against the chair, stretching out his fingers. Tucking his legs underneath his chin, Finn curled up against the ragged fabric of the small hospital chair.
Moments passed, Quinn lay across the bed, her arms roughly aligned either side of her body and her legs rose up to support her back neatly. Finn was still curled firmly in the chair, breathing heavily.
The rain ran down the window pane, the moonlight streamed through from the crack in the window. There were now fewer cars parked outside, the visitors had gone home and the patients were discharged, unlike the large group of Glee members who had congregated outside Quinn's hospital suite.
Quinn writhed against the bed, sweating fiercely. Still napping under the dull lighting of their hospital room, Finn grumbled at the slight disturbance.
"Stop it! Get off me!" Quinn screamed, waking Finn from his casual nap. Trying to recollect her thoughts, Quinn grew scared. Finn whispered gently in her ear some calming endearments.
"Hey, hey, Quinn, Quinn, calm down" Quinn, still terrified from her recent nightmare, wept until her eyes were red raw. Her legs fell against the metal bed frame, bruising her skin harshly. Finn watched as Quinn held her head in her hands, sobbing meekly.
"I couldn't stop it. His hands were all over me, like some monster" Quinn's hands shook as she clasped her hands around the glass. Finn smiled, running his fingers against his girlfriend's cheek gently. Quinn held his hand, gripping it tightly as she took in a deep breath.
"You're alright now though" Finn crossed his arms, leaning against the back of the bed. Surprisingly cool, Finn stared into her deep brown eyes. Both of them stood a foot apart, knowing that Quinn's recent nightmare had something to do with the boy who was struggling with his suppressed feelings outside of their door, Noah 'Puck' Puckerman. Quinn watched Finn's eyes turn dark and focus on the door that separated the two 'loves' in Quinn's life.
"I'm outside if anyone needs me" Quinn, tired from her unusual nightmare, slipped her arms into the hoodie that lay across the bedrail. Opening the door, she slipped out quietly. Puck nodded his head, acknowledging her politely. Walking quickly down the corridor, Quinn retreated to the hospital gardens. Opening the conservatory door, she smiled as the flowers blew gently across her hands and the aroma flew lightly through the air. Sitting down on the nearby bench, she slipped her hands underneath her bump, swinging her legs back and forth.
"Thought I'd find you out here" Puck whispered hoarsely, sliding across the bench. Quinn, smiling, glanced up her hospital window, a slow daydream about Finn surfing through her mind. Puck rubbed his hand against her leg warmly; Quinn quickly bent it away from him.
"Men are so lucky sometimes" Quinn laughed, rubbing her hand downwards. Puck scratched his head, trying to remove any awkwardness between them.
"With our good looks, I'm not surprised" Quinn grinned, Puck slid his arm around Quinn's shoulder. Throwing his arm off her neck, Quinn walked to the door, trying to open it.
"Even when I'm in labour, you're trying to hit on me" Puck rushed toward her, trying to apologise for his brash actions. Quinn shook her head, running her hands through her hair quickly. Puck pulled her back gently into his casual embrace. Quinn wrestled with his arms, resisting Puck's obvious charm. Puck wrapped his fingers firmly round her neck, kissing Quinn along her jaw-line. Quinn's eyes darted open, her fingers caught Puck's collar and she pulled away harshly.
"If Finn knew what you've done, he'd…" Quinn pulled her hood over her head, zipping the sweater up to her neck warmly. Puck smiled, tugging on the strings of her hoodie pathetically.
"He wouldn't know" Quinn directed Puck towards the door, watching him glance at her forlornly. Quinn smiled, thankful he'd finally disappeared. Quinn leant against the sodden back of the bench, trying to clear her thoughts of any 'Quinn/Puck' questioning.
Puck walked down the hall, looking surprisingly pleased with himself. Rolling up his sleeves, he sat down with the others, who seemed strangely reserved and astonished at his sudden appearance. Kurt smiled, tapping his fingers against his propped up leg. Artie scratched his head, trying to fall asleep.
Quinn paced the floor as the rain fell across her arms, soaking the thin hoodie she was wearing. Finn watched her from the bedroom window, trying to wipe the tears from his eyes. Taking his jacket, he ran out of the door tirelessly. Quinn watched him open the door, greeting her with a warm but absent smile.
Quinn slipped her hands casually underneath her bump as Finn sat down beside her. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she sobbed gently into her clenched fist. Finn smiled, rubbing her shoulder gently.
"You've been crying a lot lately. Mum says it's just pregnancy hormones" Quinn shook her head, knowing that what she would say next wouldn't leave her relationship with Finn as happy as she'd hoped.
"Puck tried to kiss me" Quinn took her head in her hands and glanced at Finn quickly between her fingers, trying to calm herself before the situation grew worse. Slowly, Finn's expression turned inwards as Quinn watched patiently for the hurt their small and worthless escapade had caused.
Finn's face creased up in frustration, his hands grew sweaty and his eyes grew sore with tears. Quinn glanced quickly in Finn's direction, quietly concerned over the news she had just delivered. Rushing hesitantly inside, Quinn watched his pale expression from behind the glass panel in the door.
Finn brushed past her unusually skeletal frame, reaching for the door that led to the stairs. Quinn tried to chase after him, clutching at her stomach tirelessly. Finn, still angry and hurt at his former friend's deception, wiped the tears from his sunken eyes. Quinn still intent on stopping her boyfriend beating Puck to death ran through the crowd as fast as her aching limbs would permit. Noticing some familiar voices, Quinn neared the corner running to her boyfriend's side.
"Me and Quinn, we were back on track, we were back on track!" Finn screamed, bending over Puck's cowering frame as he held his hands up in mock surrender. Quinn wrestled Finn out of harm's way, throwing him into a nearby seat. Puck held out his arm, trying earnestly to be lifted into her forgiving arms. Quinn stood beside her boyfriend, desperately consoling him as he watched her with hurt eyes and a blank expression gracing his face.
"Hey! You cannot keep punching people; you have to stop torturing yourself. We both made a mistake" Quinn gripped his hands, the baby had been swiftly ignored by this point, but another contraction ran down her spine, which left her aching limbs burning. Finn asked her intently to squeeze his hands as tightly as she liked. Quinn accepted his fervent apology as they walked toward her room. Puck walked away sullenly, dressing his wounds childishly. Rachel followed after him, throwing her coat around her shoulders.
"Puck, you better go home" Rachel smiled as she watched Puck enter the crowded elevator, waving him a sullen goodbye. Returning to her chair, Rachel smiled at the rest of the group in her usual sickly grin. Tina smiled as Artie wriggled tiresomely in his wheelchair.
"Give me some drugs please!" Quinn screamed at yet another nurse who had visited them on her rounds. Finn quickly apologised for his girlfriend's actions before standing beside her gentle frame. Quinn gripped his hand quickly, pulling him firmly into her eye-line.
"Quinn, calm down" Finn whispered hesitantly as she pulled him harder by his hand, Quinn shook her head and told him to shut up as politely as could. Finn knew although she was legendary for her angry rants, addressing everyone, including her bemused boyfriend.
Smiling gently, Quinn pulled his hand down toward her prominent stomach. Finn reciprocated the feelings with a kiss atop her golden curls, she watched him hold her hand as tightly as he could. Quinn whispered softly in his ear as she leant forward.
"I'm not doing this again seriously" Finn smiled, rubbing her stomach warmly as she continued her argumentative rant. Quinn stroked the hair back from her eyes, threw her hands round her stomach and she slowly leant forward during another burning contraction. Sitting himself across from her, Finn tucked up his feet and waited patiently for the burning sensation to pass. Quinn shook her head as she began to complain about his recently subdued behaviour. Finn knew this would hopefully disappear and the nicer, more maternal Quinn would immerge.
"Squeeze my hand. The pain's going to die down" Quinn accepted his generous offer and grasped onto his hand tighter than she ever had before. Finn smiled supportively, insisting decently that the dying pain would eventually subside. Quinn grinned as Finn's prediction came true and she leant back gently against the headboard.
Laughing gently and slowly recalling a moment where they had taken a trip to the park after a long hard day of classes. The crisp, summer air warmed their naked shoulders as they lay across the rough woollen blanket and the sun danced around the rim of their plastic glasses. Quinn wore a dark blue summer dress, hugging all her well-proportioned curves and enhancing her much-loved 'assets'. She was a fully-fledged virgin but that had never stopped her from enhancing her appearance. The small white embroidered flowers were dotted randomly on the soft cotton material. Quinn leant in gently as she took a soft, moist fairy cake to her lips, watching her boyfriend with her soft brown eyes. Finn laughed as Quinn thumped him hard across the chest, after he commented on her craving for fairy cakes. Quinn said it was only because she hadn't eaten very much at lunch and the cafeteria food smelt disgusting. Finn was reluctant in believing his girlfriend's quick excuse, but deciding not dwell on it further, he leant back and took a blade of grass to his lips and blew gently.
Quinn chuckled as her boyfriend unscrewed the cap of their lemonade bottle unsuccessfully. The sticky, clear liquid flew in several directions, covering everything in sight, including the naked legs of his girlfriend as she slid them underneath her lap. Quinn smiled, mopping the excess lemonade from her cheek and throwing the damp cloth into her boyfriend's face. Finn flinched as the cloth hit his neck quickly, rolling down his jumper as Quinn laughed, pulling the towel from his knees. Finn took her hand gently, pulling Quinn into his lap, enveloping her warmly in his arms. Quinn wrestled with his surprisingly lanky arms, tightly pulling them round her waist.
"What happened to your muscle?" Quinn squeezed Finn's forearm, watching most of the muscle bulge slightly under her firm grip. Finn winced fervidly, pulling his arm away from her prying fingers. Quinn, with her dark blonde hair tracing down her back deliciously, leant back against his chest. Finn struggled to hold her tightly in his arms as Quinn became restless and wriggly.
"I haven't been training as regularly as I should. It's Glee; it keeps getting in between you, football and homework" Quinn smiled, patting him gently on the cheek, before getting off of his inviting embrace and taking another fairy cake from the plate. Finn followed her, taking her hand in his gently.
"Hey, I didn't mean it to come out like that" Taking her hand and squeezing it tightly, Finn bent down in front of his girlfriend clumsily. Quinn shook her head and gently let out a sweet and forgiving smile. Finn lifted her into his arms, taking her around the park in a quickly tiresome run. Quinn held her arms high above her head, throwing her hair over her shoulders. Finn threw her over his shoulders, patting her back gently.
"All those fairy cakes are starting to give me indigestion" Quinn covered her mouth quickly, before thumping her boyfriend hard on his back to help herself free from his softly suffocating grasp. Finn threw her from his back, bending down after he had been briefly winded by his feisty girlfriend.
Back to her normal reality, Quinn smiled, noticing Finn sleeping peacefully in the chair beside her. His hair was crushing underneath his hand as the gel seeped precariously onto his palm. Quinn leant over to the bedside table, pulling out the bottom drawer and smiled; her present was there, wrapped up in crisp, blue tissue paper and fastened tightly with a strip of thin, plastic ribbon. Quinn smiled, trying to painlessly fight through another burning contraction as her boyfriend slept comfortably in her presence. Kurt smiled, opening the door as Quinn reached for his hand furiously. Quinn leant forward as Kurt knelt down beside her warmly, taking a crumpled tissue from his pocket and dabbing her eyes quickly.
"I want to die; this baby is slowly killing me from the inside. I'm not going to make it. It hurts, so bad" Quinn shook her head furiously, trying to calm herself down with Kurt's firm grasp trapped in her palm. Kurt smiled, looking and trying in earnest to help his friend through her heavy tiredness and mild bout of depression.
"Quinn, come on. You've been doing this for at least four hours, you can't give up" Quinn twisted her hospital band between her fingers, watching Finn intently with her sore, red eyes. Kurt smiled, taking a small bundle out of his pocket which Quinn took from him gently. Taking off the tissue paper carefully, Quinn held out Kurt's present out in front of her; a tiny, green baby-grow with the line 'Green babies rule!' firmly emblazoned in tiny, green lettering.
"It's the most fantastic but slightly weird gift anyone's given me" Quinn laughed as she laid the tiny onesie on her bump, flattening out the creases in the arms and legs. Kurt also took his Ipod out from his pocket, clicking and twisting away at the clickwheel. Finding the perfect song that they should both listen to, Kurt shuffled along the bed until they each shared an equal supply of bed-sheet. Putting one earphone in, Quinn smiled as the short musical interlude began.
"My mum used to play this for me whenever I was upset or scared. Hopefully, it'll do the same thing for you" Kurt smiled, hugging her frail body tightly. Quinn hummed in her unusually quiet voice along with the song as Kurt tucked the tiny baby-grow back into its wrapping. Quinn smiled, settling down in his arms, laughing as Kurt screwed his face up to yawn. Kurt laughed as Quinn took out the earphone to talk to him. Quinn took her cup of ice-chips and gulped back the cool melting liquid.
"Why can't you drink real water?" Kurt asked with a slight croakiness to his voice. Quinn shook her head, trying to answer her friend's probing question. Taking out her pregnancy book and flicking through the pages quickly. Quinn threw the book back into the drawer and folded her arms.
"Because I don't want to barf all over your shirt" Quinn laughed as he took the cup from her and examined its content. Kurt somehow, found this explanation too hilarious to comprehend and began to burst out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
"Why are you laughing? You're not supposed to laugh" Quinn couldn't help but chuckle a little, until their continuous laughing woke her boyfriend from his long but worthwhile nap. Finn stared at them, trying to figure out what Kurt was doing on his girlfriend's bed and why they were laughing as if their sides were splitting. Quinn still laughing pulled him to her side, trying to speak with him clearly. Kurt wound the earphones round his Ipod, slowly lifting up his head from the pillow.
"Hey, how are my two girls?" Quinn smiled, watching him intently as Kurt smiled, dipping his fingers into the ice-chips and sucking the water from his fingers. The taste seemed unsatisfying as Kurt flicked his hand free from the melting liquid.
"We're fine, tired but doing well" Finn, with his hands fluttering about with hers. Quinn smiled, trying to explain her uncontrollable laughing to her bewildered boyfriend. Kurt cut into their conversation, stating that water was considerably better than 'ice-ships'. Quinn smiled and corrected his pronounceable mistake as ice-ships' wasn't considered a word and ice-chips was the correct phrasing.
"Hey, baby-girl" Finn smiled, cupping his girlfriend's bump in his hands. Quinn watched him speak to their child gently, with a slight fragility in his voice. Kurt waited until Quinn gave him a slight assurance that everything was fine and it would be best to leave them. Kurt kissed her forehead gently, taking another ice-chip, throwing it into his mouth roughly and swiftly exiting the room.
Quinn smiled as her boyfriend continued to talk to their daughter, who was yet to make an appearance. His soft voice rested heavily on her, the pangs of guilt fled through her mind as she lay patiently on the bed. Quinn turned to the window; the grey, bleak landscape had taken her by surprise as they sat there in the subdued darkness. Quinn had begun to complain about the pain, taking another sip from her cup. Finn tried to open the drawer, watching Quinn's fingers stretch over the opening.
"Please, let me" Quinn took out the dark-green onesie from the drawer and smiled. Finn laughed, holding up the tiny green baby-grow and imagining their 'daughter' in it; with her mother's eyes and her father's dark hair and strong chin. Quinn knew that it was going to hard to raise a child that was only one half of their creation. Their 'daughter' was waiting, unaware of the world she would come into, the unintentional trouble her conception had caused and the truth behind her paternity.
Finn watched patiently as Quinn settled herself amongst the pillows, trying to make herself as comfortable as best she could. Taking another sip as the door slowly opened, Quinn stared at the visitor intently. Puck watched Finn's eyes glare up at him as he stood there weakly as the silence set in. Quinn concentrated on her bump, smoothing out the material from her papery nightgown. Puck almost leant down on the bed, stopped as Finn stretched out his hand, the muscles flexing in his arm.
"Tina and Artie are going; they need a ride so I'm taking them back" Puck smiled as Quinn nodded her head slightly, trying to divert the aggression in Finn towards something more productive. Finn managed a slight smile, tending to Quinn's lack of ice-chips by walking down the hall and politely asking the nurse. Puck remained silent and still before sitting down on the bed, trying to focus on Quinn. Uneasily, Quinn lifted up her feet in the bed-sheet; tossing her hair over her shoulder.
"You can't do this, don't apologise" Quinn shook her head, trying to comprehend his actions. Puck smiled, knowing that he couldn't easily accept this brush-off by Quinn. Still persistent in crawling back into her life, Puck took her hand and squeezed her fingers together gently. Letting go shortly, Puck slipped his hand along her leg, whispering breathily.
"I'm not apologising because of what we did before, and the kiss, they're not mistakes" Puck smiled, trying to bring Quinn down to his level. Their baby moved tirelessly inside of her, tossing and turning under her gentle touch. Quinn threw the covers off, heading toward the door desperately.
"You're gone by the time Finn gets back" Quinn whispered as she stood out of her room and in the almost empty corridor amongst Kurt and Rachel. Both glanced at her with a questioning glare or harsh word, sitting down a seat apart from one another, clutching at their schoolbags. Kurt reached out toward her, pulling Quinn into the spare seat beside him. Quinn leant her head against his shoulder and took his hand in an attempt to metaphorically protect herself. Kurt took this gratefully, squeezing at Quinn's trembling fingers.
"Hey Blondie, what's up?" Quinn began to relay everything that had happened to Kurt and Rachel listened for a split-second before concentrating on Puck who sat inside of the hospital room. Quinn watched her walk into her room silently with a slight smile across her face which slightly unnerved her. Rachel turned to face her, with dark, fluttery eyelashes which seem to have a mind of their own as she sauntered into the room to console Puck.
"Finn's taking a long time with those ice-chips" Kurt laughed awkwardly, trying to ease her situation as best he could without adding anything inappropriate to their conversation. Quinn smiled as Kurt released her hand from his, trying not to make her uncomfortable. Kurt watched as Quinn took a hand to her prominent stomach as she leant against the back of her chair comfortably. The contractions had grown too close for her to comprehend as Quinn rested her feet up against the coffee table. Kurt grabbed her hand for support as Quinn leant her head against his shoulder.
"That was a big one" Quinn smiled, trying to prove to Kurt and herself that she was braver than she first anticipated. Kurt knew Quinn had surpassed his expectations because of the baby, every major disruption that came with it, including Finn finding out about his 'baby's' false paternity. Far from being the self-obsessed, bitchy Cheerio, she was once known for; Quinn had grown into a well-respected member of Glee and one of Kurt's close friends.
Puck glanced back as he came out of the unusually large hospital suite, gripping Rachel's hand tightly. Quinn focused her attention on taking her labour as slowly as possible. Giving her friend and 'baby-daddy' a occasional, forgiving glance, Quinn gritted her teeth and rubbed her swollen stomach tirelessly.
Sitting in the awkward silence that fell between them proved too difficult a task for Kurt to undertake, as he stumbled down the corridor to search for Finn. Carole saw this as an opportunity to talk to her son's girlfriend about the impending birth of her bastard child. Slipping into Kurt's empty seat, Carole threw the tabloid magazine onto the table beside her and locked her fingers together politely. Quinn sensed her unease and gave Carole a polite smile.
"It only gets worse, believe me. But you're a strong girl, and you have my son and me" Quinn smiled at the mention of Finn's name, quietly wishing he were here now. Carole laughed to herself, patting Quinn's leg gently. Watching her son's girlfriend sob gently was an all too familiar sensation Carole had once experienced. Taking her gently in her comforting arms, Carole spoke in her gentle, warm tone, rocking Quinn back and forth against the chair.
"You're going to make a great mum and some day you'll have a baby on your own terms with Finn or whoever you choose" Quinn smiled, trying to calm herself without feeling too embarrassed. Carole let go of Quinn's shaking body, glancing at her wiping away the tears from her frozen cheeks.
"My mum should be doing this, not you. No offence, Mrs Hudson but I ruined your son's life, there's no way I wouldn't ever forgive myself for that" Quinn shook her head as Carole listened to her shaking voice, watching her bottom lip quiver gently. Taking this as an opportunity, Carole smiled and consoled Quinn gently.
"Quinn, my son obviously thinks the world by how many times he mentions your name. You made a mistake; you're 16" Carole took the strand of hair from Quinn's eyes, diverting the awkward tension away from her unusually close proximity to her boyfriend's girlfriend. Quinn hugged her tightly, still waiting patiently for Finn to return with her much-needed ice-chips.
Elsewhere, Finn held the plastic cup firmly in his hand, walking down the corridor quietly. Kurt held his schoolbag under his arm, the strap rubbing harshly against his shoulder. They'd been chatting quietly about Quinn which all they ever seemed to do for the past nine months as it had occupied Finn's mind more than anything else, including football. The baby had been preoccupying Quinn and therefore it had been doing the same to Finn. The constant tossing and turning as they slept, the tearful journeys to the bathroom, the hormonal backlashes if Quinn faltered during the rehearsals quickly heading towards the next major choral competition; Regionals. Finn smiled, trying to hold together his nerves during the lengthy and painful labour. Kurt had given him a handful of friendly advice before taking his seat once more being the only Gleek left for support. Finn smiled, watching Quinn chat quietly with his mum. Both were laughing amongst themselves, without taking notice of Finn's arrival. Carole gladly diverted Quinn's attention to Finn who stood upright, holding the plastic cup. Quinn grasped the cup in her hands and leant her head against his chest as a polite gesture of gratitude. Carole handed Quinn back her hoodie as she stood up to gather her belongings together. Explaining that she had to make sure everything was ready at home before the baby arrived; Carole excused herself until she came back. Finn smiled, hugging his mum tightly. Quinn watched Mrs Hudson as she walked carefully down the hall.
"Do you want a lift back home, Kurt?" Kurt shook his head as Carole nodded politely and continued down the hall. Quinn noticed that Kurt was now on his own outside, bending down awkwardly in front of him, she smiled. Finn retired to their room as Quinn spoke to her friend quietly, without the fear of being disturbed.
"Come on, I need to give you something" Kurt raised a quizzical eyebrow, walking into the hospital room as Finn tidied away his girlfriend's belongings, trying to make use of his ill-spent time. Quinn guided Kurt to the chair as she set another out for Finn eagerly, lifting her weight wearily with every cautious step. Finn pulled Quinn into his arms, trying to stop her from tiring herself out.
"Finn, will you stop fussing? I'm absolutely fine" Quinn squealed, trying to escape from his firm grasp. Finn laughed at his girlfriend's failed attempt to free herself from his warm embrace. Kurt propped his legs up against the bed, watching his pregnant friend giggle lightly underneath her boyfriend's chin. Quinn remembered the reason Kurt had joined them, gripping Finn's hand tightly. Unnerved by Quinn's sudden elation, Kurt held his hands up in protest.
"Kurt, we want you to be little baby Drizzle's god-daddy" Quinn grinned, ecstatic at delivering the news to him. Finn reached out to shake his hand gallantly, holding Quinn's waist protectively. Kurt contemplated the idea of being responsible for another human being, scratching his head thoughtfully and taking his legs off the corners of the bed.
"I'd be honoured" Kurt hugged Quinn as tight as her prominent bump would allow. Finn still held out his hand as they stood beside one another, Kurt ignored this act of gratitude, enveloping him gladly in a slightly awkward hug. Quinn lay against the bed, holding Finn's hand as a means of support. Kurt smiled, trying to imitate Finn's calm nature and cool disposition.
"So are we calling her 'Drizzle'?" Finn knelt down beside the edge of the bed, taking Quinn's hand calmly. Quinn pursed her lips thoughtfully, trying to tell Finn as softly as she could.
"Could we just use it as a nickname? She's still going to be called 'Drizzle', just not by everyone" Quinn giggled as Finn wrote the name on the back of his hand for future reference. Quinn smiled, taking a book into her hands and opening it at a bookmarked page. Finn listened to her throw a few names into the air, hoping to pick one before 'Drizzle' arrived.
Kurt watched them together and a small, inconsistent lump formed in his throat from seeing them so happy in each other's company. Stepping out from the sickeningly sweet moment, Kurt maintained his composure until he reached the toilets.
Stretching his fingers either side of the toilet cubicle, the once so resilient and outspoken Kurt Hummel was reduced to soft, substantial tears that fell into his lap. Knowing what he truly desired in this world would never truly be his turned Kurt's stomach into a mush of guilt and self-loathing, but he also knew that he had to take charge of their baby's life and that Finn and Quinn were dependant on him. Baby 'Drizzle' would need him to teach her the life-lessons that he was once forced to undertake by his fellow peers and his teachers during the treacherous years of high-school, that in two years time would soon be over.
"The sooner the better" Kurt whispered silently, unlocking the catch. Walking out into the crowded hall, Kurt held his coat over his arm courteously. Nearing the corridor leading to Quinn's hospital suite, Kurt gasped. Quinn lay unconscious in her bed; Finn gripped her hand as they flew down the hall. The doctors surrounded her frail body, checking the usual things with a flick of their wrists as they wrote quickly onto their charts and showed them to their colleagues. Finn watched the doctors and midwives talk and comment amongst themselves, this natural action made him increasingly anxious and distressed.
"Finn, what's going on? What's wrong with Quinn?" Kurt watched Finn slowly edge towards him, still firmly attentive at watching Quinn's frail body being wheeled through a mass of people. Kurt smiled, glancing quickly at Quinn before listening to Finn's gently quivering voice. Holding his head in his hands, Finn groaned until Kurt gave him a warm and friendly smile.
"I don't know, she was shaking and foaming at the mouth, they're wheeling her into another unit" Finn's bottom lip quivered as Kurt rubbed his shoulder supportively. Quinn still lay on the bed, her face drained of life and her skin was cold. Her fingers lay flexed either side of her body, left untouched. Finn listened to the screech of the trolley wheels, rushing after his unconscious girlfriend. Kurt smiled, trying to support Finn as Quinn lay uncomfortably; sprawled out on a sterile hospital trolley, further down the hall.
"Finn! She's going to be okay" Finn nodded, taking her hand gently. Quinn responded to his pleading gesture; a slight tingle in her fingers as they entered the lift, surrounded by all the medical staff they would need. Kurt sat down beside the large aquarium that took up most of the waiting room, hugging his clear mackintosh helplessly. Letting out a resounding sigh, Kurt was quickly reminded that Quinn was his new best friend, although it sound prolifically cliché and unorthodox, their blossoming relationship had not seemed to falter through the final months of Quinn's pregnancy.
Taking out his mobile phone, Kurt dialled furiously into the number keys. Holding the phone to his ear, Kurt began to sob quietly until the receiver picked up.
Author's Note #2: Apologies for the weaker chapter, it took a while for the pace to either pick up or remain steady. If you seem uneasy at the reason why Kurt and Quinn were laughing uncontrollably, I wanted to mirror those times when you're with friends and somehow you laugh about anything and everything. It all seems a little weird and out of character but this is only because although they are the legendary Ryan Murphy's characters, I choose to minutely alter a small part of Finn's 'aggressive' nature. GLEE has finally arrived as of last week on the 11th of January! As you can well imagine I was unbelievably excited, especially about not having to watch them all solely on the Internet which is annoying, especially when it comes to loading the bloody thing!