"Rachel?" Mr. Shue asked tentatively, "Is that you?"
"Hey, Mr. Shue, long time no see." I stepped toward the piano walking over to be embraced in a tight hug.
"Listen I would love it if you stayed for the rehearsal and then after we can catch up, but I have a new song to pass out in your honor." He said smiling widely.
"Sure, I'd love too!"
"Here is a great piece, from the Broadway hit Wicked!" He said passing the piece around. Lea raised her hand.
"Mr. Shue, can I be Elphaba, please, it's only my dream!" The brunette was bouncing up and down until he gave her the right.
"Then I want to be Galinda." A tall, tanned blonde in a Cheerios uniform raised her hand.
"Sure, Alana, you can be Galinda." This was going to be interesting, if Quinn and I ever sang "What Is This Feeling?" it potentially would have been bad, and this was obviously the relationship the two shared.
Luckily, everything went smoothly, and surprisingly the two were rather good. They blended well. But when the bell rang they sprinted out.
"So, how have you been Miss Broadway star?" Mr. Shue chuckled.
"Pretty good, how have you been? What's new?" I asked.
"Well, I'm married to, I don't know if you remember, Ms. Holliday, and we have a son. His name is Logan, I have a picture somewhere, but other than that, everything is the same."
"Awe, he is adorable!" I said, looking at the toddler. His cheeks were the color of roses, his eyes were milky chocolate, and he shared the trait for Dimples with Mr. Shue.
"Anybody special in your life?" He questioned me. I turned my head, holding back tears.
"There was somebody, but, it…" I drifted off. I didn't want him to think I was a failure.
"Hey, that's okay, how's the city? Broadway?"
"It's nice, you should come visit sometime! My next show is undecided though."
"I saw your others, Wicked, Spring Awakening and Les Mis."
"Yeah, quite an adventure…" I trailed off
"Mr. Shue, I was wonder if James has done his share in Glee, should I let him start on Friday?" A male voice brought me back to a special performance of Sweet Caroline. The infamous Noah Puckerman was standing in front of me. He smiled at me, but the kind of smile that says, hey I think your cute and deserve the "Puckzilla" as he called himself in High School.
"Yeah, I think he has done a good job in Glee, he is stronger than ever, let the man start!" Mr. Shue playfully smacked him on the shoulder; Noah's masculine physique more appealing than ever.
"So, Who is this lovely lady in front of me?" Puck asked smoothly.
"Hello Noah." I answered with a gentle smile.
"Oh my goodness. It would be you. Berry, how'vya been?" He stumbled, hiding behind a chair.
"It's been a while," I said avoiding the question.
"Why don't you come with me, we'll go for lunch and you can tell me about what you've been doing." He reached for my hand, pulling me up and out the door.
"Bye Mr. Shue, It was nice talking to you, I'll come by again a little later." I said waving at him. It was weird being escorted by Noah, he was nice to me in School but, I was the girl that nobody wanted to hang out with. I was, actually, I still am a Diva. There is no changing me, it's who I am.
Noah led me to his car, it was nicer than I expected for a Phys Ed teacher. He opened the door of the passenger's side and I got in. When he was sitting next to me, he began to chat.
"So, how was your life in the City? Was it everything you wanted?"
"It was great, the city is so brimming with people, there are just so many. They are everywhere! You can get the best pizza and see the best shows." I said this with a fake smile.
"What shows were you in?" I told him my short list of lead roles, and he rolled his eyes. I may have also given him a plot summary of each, and maybe a character analysis or two.
"How's uh, life Noah?" I asked pulling my hair away from my face.
"It's good, you know you are the only one to leave the state? Pretty much the whole Glee club stayed here."
"How is everyone? Did anyone get married? I know Sam and Quinn were engaged, and Blaine and Kurt were still together, but how are Artie and Brittany, and Mike and Tina, and Santana, and What happened to Lauren?"
"They are good, Sam and Quinn are married and I think Blaine and Kurt are still dating. Artie and Brittany broke up; Brittany said something about Artie not being able to dance with her at their wedding and she broke it off. Mike and Tina are now engaged, they tried to invite you to their engagement but you were too busy. Santana will be home any minute, and Lauren left me, she got a wrestling scholarship and left."
"Wait, What? Are you and Santana married? That would have been good to know, wouldn't it? Before I, uh, came over. I'm sorry Lauren left you."
"No, Rachel, Santana and I are not married, we're not even dating. She just lives with me, we share rent and stuff."
"Oh, okay." I was quiet, for like the first time in my life. Noah leaned over to me wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
"I'm single, Rach, and we could be two smoking hot Jews. We still have a chance! Come on, let's watch a movie, have some wine, get comfortable, and maybe we can sing something." I was a little apprehensive, but I haven't sung a duet in a while, for fun at least. It could be fun, so I agreed.
We sat on his couch, snuggling, watching Funny Girl. It was my choice but Noah obliged. He rubbed my back, his touch was tender and careful. He nuzzled into my neck giving me small kisses.
"David, NO! Please don't do this, not now, please it's been a long day." I struggled under his firm grasp, his fingers only curled tighter around my arm.
"Staying quiet will save your voice, it'll do you good to shut up!" He screamed into my face throwing me ahead of him. His force pushed me down onto the stairs, and he stripped me of his jacket. He pulled off his shirt, showing his large muscles, he did this to impress me when we first dated, and now it scared me. He pulled me up, watching my face for the pain, he dragged me into the bedroom.
"Rachel, get the hell off the floor!" I was laying there crying, but with his brute strength he threw me on the bed, pulling each piece of clothing off. He pinned me down. I let out a gasp in pain, and he slapped me.
"You listen to me. You don't talk back!" He growled. I knew I would pay.
"Noah! Please!" I cried out, my tears running down my face. He backed off, then seeing my face he pulled me in tighter. My hands pawed at him, I wanted to leave his arms but I couldn't leave. He whispered soothing words in my ear. I let him hold me. What else could I do? I needed it, and it felt good.
"Puckerman! What the hell! I get home from work, I expect Dinner!" Santana walked in the door, screaming as loud as she often had in Glee. She set a baby carrier on the kitchen table, making goo goo eyes at the thing inside. She pulled a small child away from the seatbelts and into her arms.
"Alia and I are hungry! Aren't we baby?" She bounced the little girl gently. "Who's that? Another girl Puck?"
"Hello Satan. You must remember Rachel." Puck defended, loosening his grip on me to go greet her.
"Rachel who? That girl from like two years ago that you "dated". Like I remember every girl you date!"
"Rachel Berry, from Glee." I answered, my voice still a little thick from crying. She looked me over, and decided that she remembered.
"Hello, Berry. It's been a while." She glared at me. I walked over to see the baby.
"She is adorable, her name is Alia? How Old is she?" I asked curiously.
"Yes, that's Berry. Her name is Alia Harlow Lopez, after my grandmother. She is almost 5 months old. Enough with the 20 questions." Santana hasn't changed since high school.
Santana passed the baby to Puck, and began to put together a sandwich. I looked at Noah and then the baby, questioning. He mouthed "Later." I carefully took Alia into my arms. She was warm and heavy in my arms.
"Are you excited?" I patted my stomach, my little peanut.
"I am, David, we will be great parents!" David smiled at me, curling his body around me in protection.
"I'm glad we finally get the chance to be parents." He threw me a glance, I shrank a little.
"Yeah, Who should we tell first?" I asked, hoping he would say my dads.
"Nobody. This baby, and you are mine. We will tell them when I say we can." He stared me down.
"Okay, not even my dads?" I asked.
"NO." he pulled me down the street, a strong grip on my hand.
"She's so sweet." I whispered. Santana whipped around, upset that I was holding her. She came over to me snatching the little girl up. I felt myself flinch at her action.
"She's mine, Berry, and no one gave you permission to hold her."
"I have to leave. Good Bye Noah." I left, and he didn't follow me.
I walked home. In tears.