I am so glad you guys like this story because I am having a bunch of fun writing it for you! I really hope I can keep doing you justice! Love you guys, please read!
Beth's fingers shook a bit as Penelope read the numbers off the card. Beth hesitated as her thumb loomed over the Call button. Penelope sighed, "It'll be awkward but you have to do it." She smiled reassuringly. Beth mulled it over then finally tapped the button.
The three buzzes were a relief, she could get out of this yet. But then a groggy voice picked up. It was a woman. "Hello?" she yawned. Beth felt her heart pound. "U-um, Hi, uh, is this Noah's phone?" she mumbled. The girl said, cautiously, "Yes. This is his girlfriend, Lauren. Can I help you?" she emphasized girlfriends so theatrically Beth tried not to laugh.
"Um, I'd really like to talk to him if that's okay . . ." she squeaked. She quickly added, "This is Beth." Lauren made a distinct gasp on the other end, "Oh, of course sweetie." The tone in this woman's voice becoming very nurturing. There was a rustle and Beth guessed it was Lauren handing the phone to Noah.
"Hello?" he asked clueless. Beth cleared her throat. "Uh, hi." She rubbed her neck, unsure of how this would go. "Beth?" Noah asked. "Hey." He said. "Uh, I was wondering if I could meet with you because I have some questions. I just . . . it would mean a lot if . . ."
"Of course." Noah said. "Where do want? I can do anything." Beth twirled her hair, nibbling on her lower lip, "The Cheesecake Factory on West Hill Road? Is that okay?" Beth liked it there. It was her favorite restraunt and made her feel good.
"Yeah", Noah said with a smile in his voice, "That's my favorite restraunt." The corners of Beth's mouth twitched up. "Um, okay, great. So, how about tomorrow?" she smiled at Penelope who was pleased with herself at how well this was going. "It's a date." Noah said simply, he laughed and Beth's breath caught in her throat. She laughed the same way. "Bye." She said lightly. "Bye, Beth." He said in the same tone.
Beth stood outside of the restraunt. Penelope put her hand on her friend's arm. "You need me, just text. I'll be on the other side of the restraunt." She smiled. Beth nodded, her stomach knotted up like her failure of a tent at Girl Scouts back in third grade.
Beth swept her hair behind her ear, a scent of Miss Chanel trickling out as she did. "Ready?" Penelope urged. "As I'll never be." Beth smirked. Penelope just giggled and pulled her friend through the thick, glass doors.
"Um, Puckerman?" Beth smiled nervously at the young waitress. "Right this way!" she smiled as Penelope went for a non-reserved table. "Good luck." Penelope whispered. Beth just smiled and followed the girl who wore a name tag that said Brenda. The E was a smiley face.
Beth saw Noah immediately. Next to him was a tall, thin dark haired woman with stylish glasses. Lauren, she guessed. "Hi." Beth waved a small nervous shake. "Hi." Noah said with a smile plastered on his face. Lauren smiled at her, too.
The waitress sensed she wouldn't be needed and left. Beth sat down in the booth, opposite to the couple. "So . . . I know this might sound weird but . . . Do I need to know something about when I was born. Like who you are and my mom. She never gave to graphic a detail of when I was born. And I just really want to know if there's something that I'm not in on."
Noah nodded, "Are there any specific questions you want to ask?" the way he said it implied he meant before he unloaded a cement truck on her. Beth fidgeted in her seat. "Are we related?" Noah nodded. "And, uh . . . what about Rachel?"
Noah's eyes widened. "You met Rachel?" Beth nodded, "She was at the funeral. She left as soon as she gave her condolences." Noah rubbed his eyes. "In . . . a way. Um, Beth, sweetie, it might just be easier if I tell you everything." Beth took in a deep breath.
Lauren whispered something to him. He nodded and she got up, leaving to an unknown destination. Noah played with his fingers like Beth did. "First off, you need to know how much Shelby loved you. And no matter what happened or will she will always be your mom, okay? No one can ever take away what a wonderful mother she was to you and the memories you made."
Beth felt her heart beating faster. She nodded wordlessly, her nose getting that pressure-y, burn-y feeling it did before she started crying. Noah took on of her hands that was on the table, tracing small circles on it with his thumb. ". . . But . . . biologically . . . Shelby is not your blood mother." He sighed. Beth's heart imploded on itself.
He continued, knowing it would be easier for Beth if he said it all at once. "Your birth mother was a girl named Quinn. When you were born she was sixteen." Beth cut him off, "And my dad?" she asked, already knowing the answer. Noah ducked his head. Beth felt her voice crack, "D-dad?" she asked.
Noah nodded. "I'm your dad." Beth had a head ache. "Did . . . did you guys not want me?" her chin went wobbly. Noah's eyes got glassy and watery, "Oh, baby girl, I wanted you so badly. I named you! You can't conceive how badly I wanted to be a part of your life. But I was seventeen. I couldn't even do my own laundry, let alone take care of a little baby while I was in high school." Beth understood.
"And Shelby could provide for you, way beyond what I ever thought I could do! Please don't hate me." Noah pleaded. Beth's sides ached, "I don't . . . it's just a lot." The truth was, Noah's words were comforting and made her feel loved. "Why did Shelby adopt me? And how does Rachel fit into the conundrum?" she asked.
Noah smiled lightly and mumbled what sounded like, 'You're so smart.' But Beth couldn't be positive. "Well, Rachel was actually Shelby's daughter. But Shelby had just been an egg doner for Rachel's dads. So, by the time they met each other, Shelby's want of a baby girl had passed by. Rachel was sixteen then. But after Rachel was born there had been complications. Shelby couldn't have babies. And then you, a little miracle, came along. And she had the opportunity."
Beth smiled and wiped away the tears that were streaking her face. Noah shook his head, "Beth, I am so sorry I couldn't be there for you. And even though it doesn't change it, I'm here now. Here in any way you need me."
Beth nodded, breathing out shakily. "Well, can I have a hug?" she chuckled a little and Noah smiled at his little girl. "Of course." They got up and clamped onto each other. Beth just sobbed a little, feeling bad about drenching his hoodie. But he just held her like dads do.
"Can we get something to eat? All this crying is making me a little hungry." Beth smiled. Noah nodded, "Sure, kiddo." Beth signaled for Keith, her favorite waiter, to come over. She was being cool on the outside. But on the inside she was mulling over the fact that her entire childhood had been a lie.
It made her feel sad and angry. But it also made her feel fortunate that she had gotten a mother like Shelby. And no matter what, like Noah said, Shelby would always be her mom. As she ate the fish and chips she ordered, Hands of Time came on. Rachel Diggs belted out the chorus, 'You Can't Turn Back The Hands Of Time! Just let it go and you'll be fine! What's done is done and it's all right! You can't turn back the hands of time!'
No you can't . . .
Hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! I'll try my best to get a new one to you soon! Love you plz REVIEW! U don't review I don't write!
