Author's Note: I am so sorry for the very long absence of updates lately. It has been so hard to actually stop and write. I'll be eternally grateful for all the reviews you guys leave.
Disclaimer: No, RM, the Insane, hasn't adopted me yet. Not even close.
To Be a Father
Eight
In the aftermath of their emotionally charged conversation about what they wanted for their future, Rachel and Noah grow much closer. Santana and Brittany smile knowingly at each other as Rachel seems more at ease initiating contact with Puck. Somehow they're always somehow touching each other. It's like they can't be in the same room without their skins connecting to each other.
Puck's arm around Rachel's waist, caressing her flat stomach. Rachel's arm around Puck's, fingers digging on his bicep as she talks animatedly. Their fingers laced together as they take long walks on the park… There are countless samples of Puck and Rachel's physical affection for each other. For Rachel it's not surprising, but Puck is definitely not the touchy-feely kind of guy. For him to be so openly affectionate, it's a proof of how much he has changed.
Besides, Puck has stopped the partying altogether. Santana has lost track of how many times the Cheerios have bitched that he simply didn't show up at their parties, social happenings that were his favorite place to go on the prowl for new fresh meat or for a second round on the sack with one of them. Brittany giggles every time she hears someone pouting and complaining. "It's funny", she justifies to Santana every time the Latina stares at her as she's laughing. "They don't see Puck loves Rachel!"
"I don't think even Puck sees it, B", Santana says truthfully as she watches the young pair, snuggled together as they wait for the nurse to come fetch Rachel. The four teens are all on the waiting room of Rachel's physician, the two Cheerios having tagged along because Brittany wanted to see the baby. Rachel and Puck are talking quietly amongst themselves, an excited glimmer inside their eyes.
"Berry-Puckerman". An older, motherly-looking nurse appears on a doorway. Puck shoots up immediately, holding out a hand to Rachel, who giggles at his excitement and entwines her fingers with his. Right after the couple that isn't, Brittany and Santana exchange a meaningful look.
Eloise watches as the four teens fill up her office, a small smile on her lips. But as Rachel's doctor, she's no silly. Every now and then she catches the sad shadow that fogs the cheerful brown eyes, a fog that was thick at their first appointment, but slowly has been growing thinner. Curious at this, she slowly reads the file and follows after Rachel. "Rachel?" The physician asks before Rachel can change into the scrub to the examination. "Can I ask you a very personal question?" Rachel smiles at the slightly older woman and nods silently, fingers stroking absently her stomach. "Is Noah really your baby's father?"
The small brunette freezes up, turning sharply to look at Eloise's eyes. Ever since the first appointment, Noah has introduced himself as the father and Rachel never mentioned Jesse. After all, Rachel isn't stupid. She knows that if anyone ever thinks the baby is Jesse's – besides those few chosen people who already know: Brittany, Santana, her dads, Noah's mother and Noah himself – she'll be even more judged than she is now. But Eloise's eyes are sweet and understanding, not a hint of judgment or malice inside them. The soft look crumbles Rachel's defenses, and she shakes her head slowly, negatively.
"My former boyfriend got me pregnant", she whispers. "But, for all intents and purposes, yes, Noah is the father". Taking a deep, calming breath, Rachel looks straight at Elise's eyes. "Before you ask – Jesse St. James. He's my ex". She then retreats to the safety of the washroom, to put the scrubs on.
Eloise takes her time to recompose herself. Jesse is to be a father? Her cousin got his girlfriend pregnant, and isn't taking responsibility? A spark of anger flares inside Eloise, because like everyone in her family she was taught since very little to atone to her actions. It isn't fair to Noah, to go through that because of a child that isn't his. It isn't fair to Rachel to live through the pregnancy alone.
Meanwhile, inside the washroom, Rachel herself is working on her composure. Eloise's question brought back the ocean of pain and heartbreak, the reminder of Jesse's refusal to be in their baby's life. No, she thinks as she examines her reflection on the mirror. Jesse made his decision. He doesn't want to be a daddy. This is my baby. Mine and Noah's. Squaring her shoulders, she leaves the room and walks to the office where Noah, Santana and Brittany are waiting.
As Rachel settles into the bed for the exam, Eloise walks in. She is determined to call her aunt, Jesse's mother, Claire, to tell her about the new grandbaby, a child Eloise is sure Jesse hasn't mentioned to his mother. But, as she turns into the machines, she freezes. She catches a glimpse of something, something deep inside Rachel's eyes as she and Noah hold hands, with childishly excited smiles.
Eloise sees love inside her patient's eyes. A deep and strong love. As she notices it, she hesitates in her drive to make Jesse take responsibility for this new life. Rachel is happy, healthy, clearly in love. Noah is almost like a little boy on Christmas morning. "Doc?" He asks as Eloise muses. Startled out of her reverie, she smiles and presses the radar on Rachel's stomach.
"Sorry. I was just so far away… Family issues". She shakes her head back into focus and turns the monitor on. "Let's see how this little baby is, okay?"
The image never fails to bring tears to Rachel's eyes. But this time she's not the only one. Brittany is openly bawling next to her, and even badass Santana has a thin sheen of tears in her eyes. Noah, squeezing Rachel's hand every now and then, smiles proudly. He's the one who tears his eyes away from the screen to make a question that Eloise has heard from hundreds of expecting parents.
"Can you tell us what it is?"
As soon as the question is done, Brittany squeals, nodding cheerfully. "Yes, yes, what Pucklebaby is?" Santana is more reserved, but her dark eyes betray her curiosity, as she rolls her eyes, amused, at Brit's nickname to Rachel's child.
The young doctor chuckles. "Does mommy want to know too?"
Glowingly happy, Rachel nods, eagerly. "Yes, please. I have been thinking and I decided I do want to know. A surprise delivery has its merits, but knowing early on makes easier for us to plan the nursery, the themes, buying clothes…"
Eloise laughs lowly and slides the radar against the cool transparent gel on Rachel's belly. The pregnant girl shivers and groans in displeasure, making Puck chuckle, and she pouts up at him. "Yeah, go ahead, laugh at your baby mama", she says in a whining voice. "You laugh because you're not the one feeling cold because of this", she adds, and even Santana laughs now.
As the pair bickers back and forth, with Santana offering her input every now and then and Brittany giggling all the time, Eloise examines the baby. It's growing nicely, its development progressing like expected. A big smile curves her lips as she detects the baby's sex, and she turns to the four teenagers.
"If mommy and daddy are ready to listen, I already know what – how did you call it? Oh, yes – Pucklebaby is".
Rachel and Puck stop bickering immediately, turning excited and expectant eyes to the smiling doctor. From the corner of her eye, Eloise sees Brittany and Santana lean forward, pinkies entwined, and it warms her heart. It's so rare to see a pregnant teenager with such a strong support system, especially when support pours out from other teenagers.
"Well?" Rachel says, squeezing Noah's hand every now and then. Eloise leans back and her smile blooms into a grin.
"Congratulations, Noah, Rachel, it's a boy".
