Thank you for the reviews and the numerous story alerts and also for not being angry about the last chapter. Not only are those two not making wise choices during their grieving process, but this just needed to happen. Enjoy!
The shrill of the cell phone startled Rachel as she sat on the living room floor, feet spread wide and pictures scattered all over the floor. She moved a few pictures, finding the phone buried beneath. Glancing at the screen, she tossed it back on the floor. She picked up a handful of photos, flipping through them with a smile. She had found a few duplicate copies of their wedding photos. Finn looked so handsome in his suit, she thought as she continued to flip through them. There was one of her and Kurt and Finn laughing, another of Kurt, Blaine, Tine and Mike enjoying the reception, and one her shoving wedding cake into Finn's mouth. The final picture in the pile made her breath hitch in her throat. It was of Finn and Puck, Finn's arm slung around Puck's shoulder, both men smiling.
The sharp ring of her cell phone caused her to jump slightly, dropping the photo. Her heart was beating rapidly, her stomach churning. She snatched the phone off the floor, peeking quickly at the screen to see who was calling, before throwing it across the room in a fit of anger. The phone bounced off the floor, hitting the front door just as it opened. Carole poked her head around the door, spying the cell phone lying on the floor. She glanced up to see Rachel sitting on the living room floor, all color drained from her face.
"Hey, I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time." Carole apologized, closing the front door behind her. She walked into the living room, immediately recognizing many of the photos surrounding Rachel. "I saw your car in the driveway, so I thought I'd stop by and see how things were going."
Rachel tried to compose herself, gathering the photos quickly, stuffing them back in the box they had come from. Carole bent down to help her, plucking several photos up and smiling triumphantly.
"He always was so photogenic." Carole smiled, handing Rachel the photos. Rachel smiled numbly, placing the last of the pictures back into the box.
"Yes he was." Rachel whispered, wondering when she'd ever get used to the word was. It never seemed to get any easier to think of him in the past tense.
Carole sat in Finn's favorite recliner, while Rachel pulled herself up and took a seat on the couch. She and Carole never had trouble conversing before this tragic event, now they both sat in complete silence. Rachel was sure her mother-in-law could sense her guilt, maybe even smell Puck's sweat on her. She had taken a shower and practically scrubbed her skin raw, trying to erase every trace of what had occurred the night before. Sleep had escaped her, and the brief period she did rest, all she could do was replay her and Puck's tryst in her mind. Her phone began ringing around 10 a.m. and continued for most of the day, all calls from Puck and all unanswered by Rachel.
"Kurt and Blaine are coming up this weekend; we'd love to have you over for dinner." Carole finally said, interrupting Rachel's thoughts.
"I'm not sure if I can make it." Rachel managed a feeble smile. Carole stood up, coming over to sit next to Rachel on the couch. She tool Rachel's hand in hers, her eyes glistening.
"Look Rachel, I know the pain is still very raw for you." She squeezed Rachel's hands. "You don't have to remind me; I lost a son in this too. This is a devastating loss for all of us. But you know we're your family too. I feel like you're shutting us out. Kurt says you haven't returned any of his calls and I feel like you've been avoiding me."
"I've been trying to keep busy with work and just started going back to the theater. I thought that would help pass the time." Her throat was dry as she spoke.
"How about Puck?' Carole asked. "I know he's been taking this hard too." Rachel felt her hands turn cold and clammy as Carole spoke.
"I, uh, um, guess he's doing ok." Rachel tried to change the subject. "If the rehearsal at the theater is brief this weekend, then I'll do my best to come by for dinner."
Carole nodded her head, smiling triumphantly. She patted Rachel's hand, bringing her closer for a hug.
"You know Burt and I are always here if you need us, right?" She stood, gathering her purse.
"I do." Rachel smiled, accompanying Carole to the front door. "I'm glad you stopped by."
Rachel opened the front door for Finn's mother, nearly colliding with Puck as he attempted to knock on the door. Puck eyed Carole then turned his gaze to Rachel. They all three stood in awkward silence for a brief moment, before Carole grinned at Puck.
"Well, what a surprise. I was just asking Rachel about you." Puck stood completely still, an uncomfortable look on his face.
"Oh yeah?" Puck raised an eyebrow, his eyes meeting Rachel's, who looked away quickly.
"You shouldn't be a stranger either, Noah. Stop by and see Burt and I some time." She patted him on his arm as he moved out of her way. She turned and smiled at both of them, an almost pained look on her face. "Remember what I said, Rachel."
Rachel nodded silently as Carole walked towards her car. She and Puck both waited until Carole has started her car, disappearing down the street, before either made a move. Rachel simply swung the front door shut before Puck could say anything. Throwing his hand against the door before it closed, he pushed it back open, walking in after her and shutting the door behind him.
"You can't keep ignoring me." He sighed. Rachel walked over to the box of photos. Picking it up, she carried it back to her bedroom. Puck trailed behind, waiting for a response. He looked around her bedroom, noticing a few empty boxes, along with some of Finn's clothing lying on the bed. Rachel placed the box of pictures on her dresser and turned, surprised that Puck had followed her.
"What do you want me to say, Noah?" She asked, watching him eye the contents of her room.
"About last night, I'm sorry. I never…" Rachel cut him off.
"Last night was a mistake. I shouldn't have come over in the first place." Rachel pursed her lips. She pushed past Puck, ramming her shoulder into his arm as she stomped out of the room. He reached out, grabbing her arm and spinning her around. She bent her head, avoiding his stare.
"We both had a bad judgment call Berry; I get it, but stop acting like you're the only one who lost someone. Finn was my friend too." He let go of her hand, willing her to look up, but she didn't.
"Do you always make it a habit of sleeping with the wives of your friends?" Rachel finally looked up, anger flashing in her eyes.
"God dammit Rachel, you were there too. You know this little pity party for one is getting old." Puck's voice boomed throughout the bedroom, as tears fell from Rachel's eyes.
"You should leave." She demanded, taking a few steps away from him.
"I'm sorry." He stepped towards her, as she wiped her eyes with the palm of her hand. "I shouldn't have lashed out like that…"
"Just go." She swatted at his arm blindly, retreating instead to the bed. She fell on top of the pile of shirts that were lying on the bed. Through her sobs she could faintly hear the door slam as Puck left, only making her cry harder into one of Finn's shirts.
So much pain…don't despair, some good things will happen. Bear with me.