Disclaimer: I do not own glee or Hoobastank.
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Finn dropped the bag of clothes he brought for him and her. He slipped next to the pretend-to-be-strong girl. His hands wrapped around her head. She no longer played the strong girl, she was soaking his shirt. "I'm sorry." She whispered, her voice muffled by his shirt. He just hugged her tight, not saying anything, because he knew that was all she needed at the moment. She just needed him to hug her tight. The tears seemed endless to the both of them, but of course it wasn't. Those tears drifted her to sleep. The sleep she finally took after 2 sleepless nights. He rubbed the lids of her eyes, still wet from all the crying and kissed her forehead.
"I'll never leave you alone." He whispered to the sleeping figure in his arm. Her body leaned towards his, as if she was insecure. Afraid to lose another person she loved. Her eyes were tired, but strong. Her breath weak, but loving. Her grasp needy, but mature. She was complicated to him, but simple at the same time. For a moment, he just stared at her, wishing that there was something he could do, but he knew there wasn't much to do. Wasn't much he could do except being there for her. Slowly, the soft swings of the AC swift him to sleep as well. Tomorrow will just be another school day. The last day of school.
She woke up in his arms, and realized how he truly loved her. How he kept his promise. How he will always be there for her. She whispered his name, but lay her head back down on his chest. She was too tired for a normal day, but she knew she couldn't just stay there. She had to do something to distract her from always thinking about Beth. He rubbed his eyes and he felt the tiredness of his back. He didn't care, he smiled at her. She forced herself to get out of the thin bed and get herself ready for school. At first, he shrunk into the bed and pulled the thin cover of the hospital bed over him, but she pulled him out with a laugh. Of course that laugh wasn't her best laugh, but at least she laughed, he thought.
Breakfast was simple. He grabbed some stuffs out of the vending machine, and ate them with her. Or that was his plan. She would put nothing but a gulp of mineral water into her mouth. He forced her to eat, but she just stared at the emptiness of her arms. The ride to school was also silent. The rhythm of Finn's fingers drumming the steer wheel filled the air. The sound of the world outside their car filled the emptiness of their ears. The loneliness of the street accompanied the loneliness of their hearing organs. Finally, the silent ride was over.
As they walked down the hallway, everyone's faces were filled with beaming smiles. They both casted a smile on their faces, proud to let everyone see they were an item again. Pairs of eyes darted a sharp look to her flat stomach. Not that they didn't know, of course news spread really fast. It's Ohio, it's not like there are a lot of people around, yet they look at her as if it was something… Strange.
The day was pretty ok. Last day of school, lessons are over, and the glee club gathered together. That at least, made Quinn pretty comfortable. Mercedes would include her in their conversations, but she would suddenly tune out, tune back in, and find herself lost in their conversations. Finn would wrap his arm around her shoulders or squeeze her hand, but he could feel that she wasn't there. Finally, she engaged herself to the moment of the day as she saw a figure that cooed over a beautifully dressed baby.
"…Finn," she squeezed his hand, with a voice that was probably too loud. The laughter that filled the air silenced. The smiles that took over their faces faded. All eyes turned to the figure that was standing in the doorway. Finn's heart stopped for a second and he turned to his girlfriend. He knew how bad she wanted to run to the 2 and let the baby fill the emptiness of her arms. Her knees turned weak. He was right, she wanted to snap the baby out of the lady's hand and let the baby fill the emptiness of her arms. The lady approached her. Slow but deliberate steps. Before she reached the baby's biological mom, her biological daughter stopped her.
"M-mom? What are you doing here?" She dragged her mom's arm slowly, making sure that it wouldn't jerk her friend's daughter, her step-sister. Quinn's eyes followed the 3 female figures. Still hoping to hold that baby. Her fingers twitched in her boyfriend's grip.
"Go." He whispered in her ears. She forced her weak knees to hoist her weight. The confused eyes followed her steps. Confused from what they just witnessed. There was too much drama in a split second. There wasn't supposed to be one. She looked at her daughter and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Mr. Schue," now her voice faded, "I… I would like to… I have something to say. I have a song to sing." Her eyes were still fixed on the baby dressed in a soft pink dress that matched her creamy pink baby doll and soft pink cardigan. "May I?" It felt weird for her. Asking another person's permission to hold her baby. She was her baby. And she'll always be. But she'll have to ask another person's permission to hold her, talk to her, or even meet her.
The lady handed the baby and she held the baby carefully. As if she forgot what it was like to hold her. It had only been a day, but as she expected, it felt like a long time. The baby's eyes twinkled, as if she knew it was her mom who held her. She let out a giggle and it brought a smile to everyone's face. When everyone saw Quinn smiled so free and light, they realized how precious Beth was to her. Then her mouth opened as she rubbed her daughter's delicate skin.
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
There were no instruments, no piano, no guitar, no drum, just her soft voice. Her voice was soothing. The baby's eyes were locked on her mom's, not interested in anything else. Quinn blinked a tear out of the corner of her eyes, realizing what she had missed in such a short time, and what she will miss for the rest of her days.
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
Shelby tried to keep her tears from falling. She realized this was what her "child" will miss. This was what her child will never have. This was what she took away from her. Mr. Schue stared at the baby, then her mother, reflecting back to the time when he thought Terri was really pregnant. If he never found out, that baby would be his. He would be the one taking away Quinn's happiness. He would be the one taking away Shelby's happiness. He would even be the one taking away the baby's happiness. He would be the one who lets the baby miss her mother.
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with every day
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
The glee club stared at Quinn and Beth, loving what they saw. Their visions were blurry. They didn't even know why they were tearing up. Was it because they were too happy for Quinn and Beth? Or was it because they were sad because Quinn and Beth will be parted again?
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
Tears ran down her cheek, dropping softly on her daughter's cheek. The baby raised her hand, reaching for her mom's face. Quinn lowered her face, letting her little angel touch her face. Her touch felt so soft, so soothing. Quinn shut her eyes for a moment, absorbing the moment. She wished she could stop the moment. Ask people to take tons of pictures of her and her baby at that moment and just hang them in around her house. She wished she could just freeze the moment to frame.
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
Her voice was softer and weaker this time around. Almost as if she had no energy left, because she knew, soon she'll have to whisper her daughter another goodbye. Her arms turned weak, but she knew she'd have to stay strong for the baby in her arms. She pulled herself together and sang the last bits.
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
The glee club, Mr. Schue, and Shelby came closer to Quinn, making sure that she knew she'll always have them to lean on. Shelby pulled Quinn into a hug, with her still holding her –their – baby. Quinn knew she'll always be able to watch Beth grow up, just not as her –and only her– daughter. Fear rushed through her. She could only hope for everything to get better. She could only hope for the best.
Quinn loosened her grip, but still holding her baby close. Beth buried her face on her mom's chest, not wanting to let go. Quinn pulled her baby tighter one more time, wishing that she'll always be there when Beth takes her first steps, says her first words, even first report card. She wiped her tear. She wanted to be there for Beth's worst days, Beth's best days. If only, if only, she thought. "Tomorrow night, Beth. We still have time. We'll always have time. Tomorrow night will never come for me. For us." The baby let a tear drop from her eyes, she stayed silent, it was a painful, heartbreaking tear. "I love you and I'll always love you." Quinn whispered in her angel's ear then kissed Beth's forehead.
The moment was kept safe in Quinn's memory. In the glee club's memory. And in Beth's memory. Quinn handed Beth to Shelby as tears uncontrollably ran down her cheeks. What she didn't know is that her daughter was crying with her.
Thank you for reading. Please review. :)
And do you think I should continue or just stop here? Cause I might stop here. :)