"Rachel? You need to check out Jacob's page." Quinn's low voice said over the phone. It was a strange request, Quinn calling her at nine thirty at night, but Rachel obliged. She dropped the phone in terror as the page loaded. Next to her yearbook photo was the headline "McKinley High's gold star preggo at 17."
"Rachel? Rachel are you ok?" Quinn called.
Rachel picked up the bedazzled cell phone. Her throat was dry. "I'm here."
"Why would he print such a story?" Quinn asked her voice full of disbelief.
"Because. . . I'm . . . um I gotta go." Rachel quickly hung up the phone. She slipped on her Ugg boots and a cardigan and quietly tip toed down stairs. She peered into the living room where her dads were asleep on either end of the sofa, Modern Family blaring from the TV. She slipped out the door without a sound and started walking not really knowing where she was going. Before she knew it she was knocking at Will's apartment door. "Just a minute!" he called. The door opened and she was greeted by Will in gray sweats and no shirt. His mop top of curly hair was soaking wet.
"Rachel?" he asked, his eyes widening. He quickly tugged a thin white tee shirt on. "Sorry, I just got out of the shower."
Rachel stared at him, the shirt clinging to his Pecs where he was still wet. "I. . . .um. . . I needed to talk." Will motioned for her to come in. "its ten p.m. isn't it a little late?"
Once again the words just spilled out. "I'm pregnant. Jacob Ben Israel blabbed it to the whole school. She tried her hardest to fight back tears. Will stood frozen in total shock. After a moment he sat down on the couch and wrapped his arm around her. "Did your dad kick you out? Are you ok? Is Finn ok?" Rachel just sobbed into Will's shoulder.
xxx
No matter how he tossed and turned Will could not get comfortable. His thoughts just kept circling back to Rachel. Once she had finally subcumed to sleep, her tiny bed curled up on his couch, Will stood watching her. Her long dark hair spilled across the cushion, boldly contrasting with the cream colored fabric. He wanted to run his fingers through it so bad, but he resisted. He had to draw the line, even if it had been crossed. He still couldn't believe she was pregnant. She was still so innocent. Even after that night in New York. That night. About two months ago. Rachel was about two months pregnant. Fear spread through his body, his arms and lips going numb. This wasn't Finn's baby. This was his.
He stumbled into the dark living room. "Rachel! Rachel wake up!" she didn't reply. "Rachel?" he called as he flipped on the lamp. She was gone. Her blanket was folded neatly; there was no trace of her. It was almost as if it had just been a dream. "If only." He thought.