"I want us to be friends Puck."
Puck felt his left eye twitch when he read the text Lauren sent him three times. "What?" He texted back not believing what he had read.
A few seconds later his answer came. "I'm breaking up wit u Puckerman. U as well as I know that things aren't working out. We better as friends (^_^)
Puck gritted his teeth. "She could have at least broken up with me in person." He thought slightly irritated. "She even put a happy face." Puck sighed. His day was only getting shittier, but surprisingly Lauren breaking up with him was the last thing on his mind and it didn't affect him as much as he thought he would. Puck lay on his bed looking at the ceiling contemplating what to do with his Friday night. He could probably call Rachel up and try watching a movie with her and Alex, but thought against it. Alex was having his own issues with Santana and the guy didn't even come back to glee after running after her.
Puck found himself sighing again as he turned to lie on his stomach. "What to do?" he asked himself bored out of his mind. It was barely going to be 6:30 pm and his mom was still making dinner. "I wonder what Lea's up to?" he asked himself grinning as he thought of ways to bug her. He was brought out of his diabolical plans of making his younger sister's life a living hell for the day when his door burst open with a grinning Sam.
"Puck! What are you doing just laying down there? I thought we were going out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I told you…didn't I?" Sam frowned at Puck when he saw the confused look on his face. "I told Rachel…"
"Yeah Sam, like telling Rachel automatically means you told me."
"Well I thought I did. Anyways…" Sam walked over to Puck closet and pulled out a random shirt before throwing it at him. "Dress up I'm taking you to eat. Artie is downstairs with Lea at the moment and Alex is probably on his way toward Breadstix as we speak." When Puck opened his mouth to protest Sam shut him up with a glare. "If you don't cooperate we can always to do it the hard way, which involves me dragging you out the room, pushing you down the stairs which can result into a few broken bones here and there and then some more dragging until you're inside my car. I would refuse to take you to the hospital until after we have eaten."
Puck debated on provoking Sam to see if he would do what he said, but when he saw the hard look in his eyes Puck thought better of it. "Note to self: remember to try not getting on Sam's bad side." "Fine." Puck took off his wrinkled shirt. "Dude give me some privacy." He said when he saw Sam leaning against the doorway glaring at him.
"Shut it Puckerman, it's not like I haven't seen it before."
Puck stopped midway putting his shirt on as he raised an eyebrow at Sam. Sam realizing how wrong his words sounded turned red. "Damn it Puck! You know what I mean." He looked at the wall.
Puck chuckled. "It's ok Sam I won't tell Rachel." He winked.
Sam threw his hands in the air. "It's not even like that!"
"uhuh."
"I'll wait for you down stairs."
"Come on Sam don't be like that." Puck grabbed his wallet and put it in his back pocket as he ran after Sam closing the door behind him. "It's ok if you feel that way for me. I'm flattered."
"Shove it!" Sam flicked him off as he walked down the stairs ignoring Puck's laughter. "Artie we're leaving!" Sam walked past Lea ruffling her hair affectionately. "We're leaving Mrs. Puckerman. I'll make sure to bring Puck back safely."
Mrs. Puckerman walked out the kitchen and smiled at the boys. "Thank you Sam for taking my Noah out."
"Mom you act like I don't go out."
"Of course you do, but mostly with girls. It's nice seeing some boys around." Mrs. Puckerman looked at Sam and Artie. "The only two boys I have met that are his friends were Alex and Finn, but even they don't come over anymore." She sighed. "It would be nice to have you both over for dinner one day."
"That would nice." Artie smiled at her.
"It would be an honor Mrs. Puckerman. I'll even bring our friend Alex with us."
"Alex?" Mrs. Puckerman looked at them inquisitive. "Do you mean Alex as in Alex Rodriguez?"
"Yes that's him. You know him?" Artie asked curiously.
"Of course I know him!" Mrs. Puckerman exploded before glaring at Puck. "Why didn't you tell me he returned? I could have invited him over with my darling Rachel!"
"I kinda forgot." Puck scratched the back of his head in a nervous manner. "I'll tell him to come over with Rachel tomorrow."
"You better. I haven't seen that boy in three years. I can only imagine how much he has grown." She sighed wistfully. "I remember how you two used to play like it was only yesterday, running around the house yelling at the top of your lungs and almost falling down those stairs in more than one occasion." Her eyes softened when she looked at Puck reminiscing about a time when he used to be far more innocent, "The both of you using my Lea and Rachel as human shields against one another."
"Come on Mom if it makes you feel better I think Alex and I can reenact the past for you."
"Oh heavens no! Having two grown boys play fight in my house surly you will bring it down." Mrs. Puckerman chuckled. "Off you go I have taken too much of your time as it is. Enjoy yourselves and stay out of trouble." She warned.
"We will." Puck kissed his mother's cheek before practically pushing Sam and Artie out the house. "Lea take care of mom while I am gone!"
"Don't I always!" Lea yelled from the living room not taking her eyes off the TV.
Puck, Sam and Artie entered Breadstix looking for an open table only to see Alex sitting on one with two waitresses standing by it as they talked to him. "Hey guys!" Alex waved them over once he saw them. "I got the waitresses."
"We can see that." Puck said amused as he took a seat next to him, while Sam moved a chair away to let Artie roll up with his wheelchair before he took his own seat across from Alex. "Are you ready to order?" Alex asked them.
"Yeah I'm starving." Artie said barely scanning through the menu before placing his order. Sam and Puck ordered after him. "What are you ordering Alex?"
"I already ordered." Alex smiled at the waitresses who giggled when they walked away.
"You're such a damn flirt."
"You have no shame."
"I thought after the glares Santana threw at you, you would have already learned your lesson."
"What are you guys talking about? I smile at them and hold a conversation I may compliment them here and there, but every girl deserves to be told something nice by a guy."
"And you just have to be that guy, don't you?"
"No Puck I don't have to be, but it's not my fault if I turn out to be that guy."
"Since we touched the subject of Santana," Arties laced his fingers together as he placed his elbows on the table and leaned on them. "What happened today between you two?"
"I'd rather not say." Alex visibly gulped when he saw Sam and Puck narrow their eyes on him.
"You better spill Rodriguez."
"There's no way out of it especially after you ran out the room desperate for her."
"I wasn't desperate!"
"Yeah you were! You should have seen the craze look in your eyes!"
"…You're lying."
Puck shrugged. "Don't believe us."
"Fine!" Alex finally caved in under their gazes. "We made up."
"Does that mean you two are dating?" Artie asked curiously voicing the question before the other two had a chance to.
"No, I don't think so." Alex frowned at the table.
"It's alright Alex." Puck placed his hand on his shoulder. "You'll get there…eventually."
"…Thanks."
"So anyways," Puck said changing the subject. "What are we going to do tonight?"
"I didn't really think about after eating." Sam sighed. "I thought maybe one of you had an idea."
"Nope."
"Can't think of anything really."
"We'll figure something out." Alex waved a waitress over. "Can you bring us four bottle of apple cider?" he asked her once she was by their table.
"Of course, I'll bring them right over." She said before walking away.
"Why apple cider?" Sam asked confused.
"It seems that tonight we have to make our own fun and the only way to do that is to get hyped up, but we can't drink."
"How is apple cider going to help us with this?"
Puck and Alex shared a look as they grinned. "Trust us by your second bottle you'll feel it." Puck chuckled.
Santana woke up slightly disoriented when she noticed that she was not in her bed or room. It took her a moment to remember that she was in Alex's room. She reached for her cell phone to see it was already 7pm. Santana got off the bed and put her shoes on before fixing the bed. She grabbed the bags of chips, cookies and empty cans of soda as she made her way out the room and closed the door behind her. Santana made her way down the stairs and froze when she was a man around his late thirties standing in the living room. He wore dark blue jeans, a white t-shirt and had a slight muscular build.
"Rachel, do you know where I felt my Hairspray DVD?"
"It should be where all the DVDs are in the cabinet under the TV daddy!" Rachel answered from another room.
As if sensing someone looking at him he turned around and spotted Santana. "Hi." He said smiling gently at her. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes I did." Santana said feeling slightly self conscious under his gaze.
"How I could forget to introduce myself?" he sighed. "My name is Leroy. I'm Alex's uncle and Rachel's daddy." He walked over to her and grabbed the junk food from her. "Let me take that."
"Thank you. I'm Santana Lopez."
"I know." Leroy grinned.
Santana couldn't help, but to smile at the man. There was something about him that made it hard not to be comfortable around him. "You have a nice daughter." She blurted out randomly not knowing what to say.
Leroy burst out laughing. "Thank you for saying so, but I think you also noticed what a wonderful person my nephew is." He winked at her.
Santana felt herself blush knowing that he had seen her sleeping next to Alex. "Come on let me introduce you to Hiram. He's in the kitchen with Rachel." Without another word he turned around and led the way with a slight bounce in his step. Santana could feel another smile blossoming on her lips as she followed him into the kitchen to see Rachel making the salad, while another man around his late thirties or early forties stood next to her chopping tomatoes with expertise as the blade moved quickly under his hand. He wore black slacks, a white undershirt and had a far more muscular build than Leroy did.
"Guess who woke up?"
The man looked up with sapphire eyes and pierced Santana with a look. There was a slight hard glint in his eyes before it melted away replaced by a gentleness. A smile curved on his lips. "Sleeping beauty has woken up."
"Dad quit teasing Santana." Rachel smiled at her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling a lot better now." Santana said quietly.
Hiram moved away from Rachel and rinsed his hands before drying them. He walked over toward Santana and held his hand out. "I'm Hiram, Rachel's dad and Alex's uncle."
Santana shook his hand. "You have the same eyes like Alex." The words slipped from her mouth before she realized her mistake. She felt her face become flush once more.
Leroy chuckled. "She's adorable."
Hiram smiled at her deciding to give her a break he changed the subject. "I bet you're hungry. Alex told us you haven't eaten. You will eat dinner with us."
"It's ok I don't wa-" Santana stopped in midsentence when Hiram silenced her with a look as he raised an eyebrow that dared her to finish that sentence. For a weird reason the look comforted her. "I wonder is this how a father acts with their daughter." She was never close to her father. He was always working or with his mistress and when he wasn't Mr. Lopez was locked up in his study at home working. Her mother didn't help the situation. Instead she drank her problems away and it didn't take her long to find her own lover. Santana was used to seeing her mother parade her lover around the house when her father wasn't home, while her father at least respected his daughter enough not to flaunt his mistress.
"I'll take your silence at a yes." Hiram said with a finality that left no room for argument. He grabbed the plate filled with food that Leroy handed him and turned back to Santana. "You will not leave your spot on the table until at least more than half of the food on your plate is gone, is that clear?"
Santana looked up at him surprised when she saw the hard glint in his eyes as he placed the plate in her hands.
"Dad, quit trying to scare Santana, you're not fooling anyone." Rachel said as walked toward them with her own plate of food.
It was then Santana noticed the slight trace of humor dancing in his eyes. "Yes sir." She answered fighting back a smile when he grinned that. "That's the spirit." Hiram patted her head affectionately.
"Come on Santana. Let's go to our seats." Rachel grabbed wrist and led her to the dining room. She placed her plate on the table and took a seat, while Santana took the seat next to her. "Ignore dad. He tries to act really tough, but he's a huge softie inside."
Santana smiled at her. "He could have fooled me."
"Don't worry about them. They like you."
"How can you tell?"
"Well daddy is always nice to everyone, but dad tends to be more judgmental. If he doesn't like you he wouldn't bother to take the time to force you to eat with us or even waste his time greeting you." Rachel explained.
"Really?"
"You could ask Finn." Rachel chuckled. "The first time dad met Finn he did not like him." Rachel frowned slightly. "Now that I think about it dad seems to be more in touch with his sense of sight. It was almost like he knew that I would only end up in heartbreak with Finn. He wanted me to break up with him, but I wouldn't." A smile graced her lips as if she was remembering a pleasant memory. "The day Finn broke up with me I was driving home in tears by the time I pulled into the driveway Dad was already opening the front door as if he knew something bad had happened. I didn't say anything as he pulled me into his arms and hugged me as I cried my heart out."
Santana looked at Rachel in wonder. A part of her envied the girl next to her for having such a close relationship with her parents. "You're lucky for having amazing dads."
Rachel seeing the sadness in her eyes understood what she meant. "I can always share them with you if you want." She grabbed the Latina's hand.
Santana felt a bubble of laughter waiting to burst as she looked at Rachel. "You're too much, you know that." She grinned at her and squeezed her hand.
"So how was your first week of senior year?" Leroy asked as he walked into the dining room holding two plates of food. Hiram was right behind him holding cans of soda along with two bottles of water. Leroy placed one plate at the end of the table before placing his plate on the table and taking a seat across from Santana. Hiram placed a can of soda close to each their plates. Santana watched curiously as he placed the water bottles next to her and Rachel's plates. "I didn't know if you wanted soda or water, so I brought both."
"Thank you." Santana smiled at him seeing him in a new light after what Rachel had told her about the man. "It was eventful."
"Really?" Leroy looked between both girls curiously. "Do tell."
A second later Rachel began telling a story of epic proportions of what had taken place as she moved her hands animatedly. Santana threw in a few details here and there when Rachel turned to her to elaborate on a certain event. She busied herself eating when Rachel told them about how they got slushied and Leroy and Hiram looked at her worried for a moment before Rachel told them about the epic fight that broke out when Sam came in to defend them. Santana knew she wasn't the only who noticed Rachel practically glowed when she mentioned Sam. Leroy eyes were dancing with joy, while Hiram frowned slightly, but tried to hide it under a smile. When Rachel told them about the fight Santana had gotten into to defend her, Leroy grinned at her. Santana met Hiram's gaze shyly to see him looking at her with a hint of pride. She felt a warm feeling flow through her. After Rachel finished the epic tale they continued eating with Leroy teasing Rachel about him wanting to meet this Sam boy.
"So Santana, do you know anything about this Sam?" Leroy asked curiously.
"Daddy." Rachel pouted at him.
"I'm sorry baby girl, but you know how curious I get." Leroy chuckled. He looked back at Santana. "Is there anything you can tell me?"
"Well…" Santana glanced at Rachel as she sighed. "He's a nice guy and wears his heart on his sleeve, so he tends to trust people when he really shouldn't and he's very loyal. When he gives his word to someone he makes sure to never back down from it."
"Oooo, tell me more!" Leroy clapped his hands together. "Is he tall, dark and handsome?"
"He's tall, light and handsome."
Leroy gasped. "Oh my Rachel, I must meet this boy!"
"Daddy, we are not dating."
"And may I ask why not?"
"Daddy!"
"Fine I'll drop it for now." Leroy sighed.
"Thank you."
Santana looked between them amused. "You could always ask Alex to invite him if Rachel doesn't want to. They're like best friends."
Leroy looked at her hopeful. "Really?"
"Santana!" Rachel threw her a semi glare. "You're supposed to be on my side."
By the time they had finished eating Alex and Puck were both half way done with their third bottle of apple cider, while Sam was barely starting his third one and Artie was finishing his second. Alex clutched his stomach as he laughed leaning against Puck.
"Should we be worried about him?" Artie asked worried as he watched Alex wipe the tears from his eyes as he tried to stop laughing.
Sam looked at his the bottle of apple cider curiously. "I think Alex was right about this thing getting you hyped up." He looked inside the bottle curiously but saw nothing wrong with it. Instead of pouring it in his glass he chugged it.
Artie looked over at Sam to see his face slightly flushed. "How the hell did these three get this way by just drinking apple cider?" He wondered as Puck and Alex burst out laughing together. Alex pounded on the table as he laughed causing people to stare at them. "Alex calm down." Artie scolded.
Hearing Artie's disapproving tone Alex stopped laughing and sat in his chair with his hands on his lap as he frowned at the table like a child who had been scolded by his father. "Alex, what's wrong?" Puck asked worried seeing the drastic change in his best friend.
When Alex met Artie's gaze shyly as if he were afraid an image of a five year old that looked identical to Alex with his raven hair and sapphire eyes looking at him close to tears after being yelled flashed through Artie's head. "I'm sorry." The words slipped out his mouth before he realized what he said and just like that the smile returned to Alex's face.
"That's more like it." Puck wrapped an arm around Alex's shoulders.
The door to Breadstix opened. Alex turned to look and grinned at who he saw. "Blaine!" Alex yelled from across the room waving his hands in the air until Blaine spotted him. "Come over here!"
Blaine walked over to them and looked at Alex assumed. "Have you been drinking?"
"Only apple cider." Alex responded grinning. "Take a seat with us. Are you busy?"
"I was planning on surprising Kurt with a visit, while bringing him some food from here." Blaine answered as he grabbed a chair.
"You got time." Alex said as he filled a glass with apple cider and placed it in front of Blaine. "Drink, keep us company we're trying to figure out what to do for the night."
"Oh." Blaine drank the apple cider only for Alex to refill the cup again. "What do you guys have down so far?"
"Go to the arcades."
"Watch a movie."
"Kick it at the park."
"We can't get drunk."
"Hmm how about doing something creative?" Blaine asked looking around the table.
"Like what?" Sam asked curiously.
"Something outside the box." Blaine answered.
"Like TPing someone's house?" Puck asked grinning. "I got a few people we could do that too."
"That wasn't what I had in mind I was thinking more along the lines o-" Blaine didn't get to finish his sentence as Alex abruptly got up from his chair.
"They have a karaoke machine." Alex whispered in awe. "We have to go sing."
"Alex what are you talking about?"
"Sit down."
"No! Can't you feel it?"
"Feel what?"
"Love."
"Love?"
"Yes, love!"
"What about love?"
"Love is in the air!" Alex looked around to see couples of various age groups dining in the restaurant, while some ate with their family. "We must sing." He said valiantly. "Come on Noah you must join me!"
Puck was about to tell him that love was the last thing he wanted to sing about since Lauren broke up with him over an hour ago, but Alex had already tugged him on his feet and was pulling him toward the karaoke machine. Puck bit back a grin as he followed him. Once they were by the machine Alex quickly turned it on and began searching for the song he wanted until he found it. "Yes!" he fist pumped. He grabbed both wireless mics and handed one Puck as he turned his on. "Testing, testing 1, 2, 3." Alex said into the mic. The people in the restaurant looked over at them curiously. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. For tonight only my friend Puck and I will be your entertainment."
"Whoo yeah! You go Alex! Puck!" Sam yelled from his seat clapping breaking the silence that had taken over the restaurant.
"Thank you… thank you." Alex said into the mic as he bowed at to the crowd. "Now we will sing a song and if you know the lyrics don't hesitate to join us in singing it to your significant other."
"They can't be serious." Blaine said watching as Alex pressed a button. Music filled the restaurant.
"Yeah they are." Artie smirked watching them.
The moment the song began Alex slightly swayed to the beat as he sang.
L is for the way you look at me
Feeling the lively beat of the song lift his mood up Puck began to sing.
O is for the only one I see
Alex walked toward a couple close to him and gently grabbed the woman's hand as he sang the next line.
V is very, very extraordinary
Puck made his way down the small miniature stage.
E is even more than anyone that you adore
Alex walked further into the restaurant and turned to a five year old who was smiling up at him. He returned the smile as he sang the next line to her.
Love is all that I can give to you
Puck turned to an adolescent girl and winked at her as she blushed prettily.
Love is more than just a game for two
Holding up two fingers Alex crossed them.
Two in love can make it
Dramatically Puck placed his hand over his heart.
Take my heart and please don't break it
Alex turned to the elderly couple on the table next to him. He leaned toward the elderly woman as he sang the next. She patted his cheek affectionately.
Love was made for me and you
Alex and Puck paused in their signing as the music carried on in a solo. Alex placed the elderly man's hand over his wife's. The elderly man got up holding his wife's hand gently in his as she stood up. He held his wife in his arms as they swayed to the song beside their table. Puck watched as other couples got up from their seat and began to sway to the music in the small space provided next to their tables. He looked over their heads to see Alex giving him the thumbs up. Once the song returned to the same beat from the beginning Puck began to sing.
L is for the way you look at me
Alex pointed to his eyes before pointing at Sam as he sang the next line. Sam playfully fanned himself before sighing as he leaned against his hand as if he were in love. Artie smacked him upside the head causing Blaine to laugh.
O is for the only one I see
Puck zigzagged passed dancing couples.
V is very, very extraordinary
Alex passed by the little five year old girl he sang to earlier and poked the tip of her nose affectionately.
E is even more than anyone that you adore
Puck began to snap his fingers as he sang.
Love is all that I can give to you
Alex strutted back to the miniature stage with a slight bounce to his step as his body moved with the song.
Love is more than just a game for two
Puck put more emotion into his voice as he sang the next line.
Two in love can make it
Alex held a clenched fist in the air dramatically as he shook his head matching Puck's voice in emotion.
Take my heart and please don't break it
Puck jogged up the miniature stage and wrapped an arm around Alex's shoulders and he did the same to him. They both began to sway to the music as they sang the remainder of the song.
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
Once the song ended Sam had gotten up from his chair along with Blaine whistling like crazy over the thunder of applause that echoed throughout. "Those are my boys!" Artie yelled.
Alex and Puck bowed to the audience before they jogged over to their table. "I have a brilliant plan!" Alex said once he reached Sam, Artie and Blaine. The three boys shared a look before looking back at Alex to see him grinning.
Puck was never one to enter a flower shop and he still had no clue why they had come, but clearly Alex had an idea that involved a lot of flowers. He was off discussing with Blaine and the woman at the cashier about what he wanted to do. At the moment they were flipping through a catalog of different flowers. Puck looked around the shop taking in all the various flowers not really knowing the names for them except for the roses. He glanced at Sam to see him looking at a small white flower that hanged from long green stem fascinated. If Puck remembered correctly Rachel had once told him they were called orchids. He could understand a little why Sam couldn't take his eyes off the flower its white petals seemed to give off an ethereal glow under the light.
Puck was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the doorbell ring as the store door opened to signal the arrival of a customer. He turned around to see a girl dressed tomboyish in baggy black jeans and a dark green shirt with long black sleeves that was a size a bigger than her. 'I'M ON A MISSION' was written on the shirt. Her dark hair was in a ponytail and her dark eyes with a hint of blue lit up as her gaze swept over the flowers.
Puck felt his heart give painful thuds as she walked toward him without noticing him as her eyes continued to look at the flowers. A gentle smile curved on her lips. Even through the heavy scent of flowers he could smell a hint of vanilla. "Sophia." His heart began to beat faster the nearer she got. Just when she was a couple of steps from him she stopped walking. Her eyes widened in wonder as she caught sight of something. Before he knew what happened she walked toward the other side of the store where Sam was standing continuing to look at the orchids. Puck clenched his fists when he noticed how close they were standing. "Mine!" he gritted his teeth when he saw Sam smile at her.
"I wonder if I should buy them for Rachel." Sam thought as he continued to look at the orchids. He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt someone come stand next to him. "Do you think Rachel would like these if I bought them for her?" Sam asked without looking at the person next to him thinking it was Puck.
"Do you mean Rachel Berry?"
The moment Sam heard a feminine voice instead of Puck's gruff one his head whipped to the side to look at the girl next to him surprised. "Umm…yeah. I'm sorry." He rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed. "I thought you were someone else."
The girl smiled at him. "Don't worry about it." She looked away from him to look at the orchids. "Are you dating her?"
"No." Sam looked away from her.
"Do you know what they mean?"
"Huh?"
"Flowers have meanings. Do you know what orchids mean?" She asked once again specifying her question, but got her answer when Sam shook his head. "They mean love, beauty, refinement and magnificence." She said looking at the orchids thoughtful. "You give a white orchid to the person you love above all, the person who is the most special to your heart."
"Everything Rachel is." Sam whispered looking at the orchids in awe as he gently touched one of the petals.
The girl looked at him amused. "Why don't you give it to her and ask her out?"
"I…"
"What do you have to lose? She would be blind if she can't see the way you feel about her."
Sam looked at her surprised. "What?"
"You're like an open book, you're eyes say it all." She smiled at him.
Sam chuckled. "Your right, but she's not blind because she feels the same way."
"Then why aren't you two together?"
"I want to take things slowly with her. I want to give her romance."
"You mean a courtship?"
"Yeah that."
The girl looked at him with admiration. "I thought for sure that men like you have vanished off the face of the world." She winked at him. "Rachel is one lucky girl."
"I hope so… you never did tell me how you met Rachel."
"Oh yea…I helped her out when that bitch of a Cheerio slushied her."
Sam didn't know if he was more surprised by the venom in her voice when she cursed coming from such an innocent looking girl or the fact that she was the friend Rachel mentioned. "You're the friend that let her borrow the shirt."
"Yep. I'm glad she mentioned me." She stuck out her hand at him. "My name is Sarah Lancaster."
Sam shook her hand grinning. "I'm Sam Evans."
"It's nice meeting you Sam I am."
"You read Dr. Seuss?"
"Of course I did! He's an OG!"
Sam burst out laughing as she grinned.
"Hey Sam are you getting anything?" Alex asked from the counter.
"Yeah hold up!" Sam answered him before turning back to Sarah. "So you really think I should?"
"You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."
"Are you quoting Dr. Seuss?" Sam raised an eyebrow at her.
"Maybe…did it answer your question?"
"Yes it did and I will give it to her."
"That's good, but it's going to leave a huge dent on your wallet."
Sam looked at the price and shrugged. "She's worth every dollar."
"Awww you're too much. Away with you and your adorable ways." Sarah shooed him. "Go place your order before the store closes."
"Aren't you going to get something? I could buy it for you. It's the least I can do after you helped me decide."
"Sam I am, I am fine. I don't need any flowers I just came to have a look around."
"Are you sure?"
"Do I look poor?"
"No…I didn't mean it like that."
"I know," Sarah grinned at him. "and thank you for offering, but I don't need one."
"Alright." Sam sighed. "Hopefully we'll meet again."
"I sure hope we do Sam. Take care."
Sam watched as she turned away from him and looked at the white carnations. She leaned down and closed her eyes gently as she sniffed them before stepping away from them and watching her eyes lit up. Sam smiled at the scene before him as he turned around to see Puck standing a couple of feet away from them. He saw the pain mingle with longing in his eyes as he stared at Sarah. It reminded him of the few times he caught Alex staring at Santana when they had been in their Calculus class. Sam glanced between Puck and Sarah. "It can't be. Zane didn't have one girl…he had problems committing. Could it be that after I died he-" "Sam!" Alex broke through Sam's train of thought. "Are you ordering or not?"
"I'm going." He answered, but when he looked back at Puck the pain and longing was gone replaced by anger directed at him. "What did I do?" Sam wondered as he passed by Puck, but didn't bother to ask him knowing that Puck just might lash out at him.
It took everything Puck had not to take a swing at Sam. In the back of his mind he knew it wasn't Sam's fault that he got to talk to her, hear her laugh, see her smile and watch her eyes lit up as she talked to him. Puck knew that it was just a random chance encounter, but it did little to curve the jealously he felt toward Sam.
"Hey Puck! Are you getting anything for Lauren?" Alex asked breaking through Puck's dark musings.
Puck felt his body tense when he felt her gaze on him as he tried not to glare at Alex. He felt more than heard as she approached him. Puck took his eyes off of Alex to look at her as she approached him. The smell of vanilla becoming alluring to him as he breathed it in feeling it course through his body like a gently caress igniting his blood on fire. Her eyes were averted on the floor. "Excuse me." She whispered quietly. He felt his heart beat rapidly in his chest as wondered vaguely if she could hear it. He moved to the side. "We broke up." He said just when she was passing by him and he didn't know if he was answering Alex or telling her. Puck saw her turn her head slightly to face him and felt her breath on his shoulder sending a shiver down his spine. "Look at me." He felt a wave of longing hit him as ached for her to glance his way.
As if sensing his distress she met his gaze. Time seemed to slow for a moment as the surroundings around them disappeared. Instead of standing in the middle of a flower shop they were standing in a parlor. She was dressed in a midnight blue gown that brought out the blue in her dark gaze. Her hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall ending a bit before her waist. Her arms were wrapped around his shoulders as she smiled at him. "I love you." She said.
"I know." Zane smirked at her as he held her by the waist. He watched the smile slid from her face.
"…Zane?"
"Yes?"
"Are you not going to say it back to me?" She asked forcing a smile.
"I will think about it." Was his response before pain exploded behind his neck. "Women!" He grunted when she pulled away as he rubbed the back of his neck where she had pinched him.
"You can choose to sleep on the couch or in the guest room for the rest of the week."
"Don't be like that sweetheart."
"You are lucky enough that I am letting you even choose."
"You know I love you, I don't see the point in me having to repeat it."
"You I know I like to hear you say it, I do not see why you cannot simply say it when I want to hear it!" She turned away from him and began to make her way out the parlor.
"Love, you cannot be serious about this."
"Oh my dear Zane I am as you like to say…" She looked over her shoulder at him her eyes narrowing into a glare, "dead serious." With a flick of her hair she turned her head and began to walk out the room with her hips swaying slightly more than the usually did.
Zane bit back a groan as he watched her go wondering if it was normal for a man to be aroused by his wife when she was angered…maybe it wasn't so much as her being angry, but the fact that every movement she did with her body became more sassier when angered like the way her hips were swaying at the moment.
"Zane I would appreciate it if you did not look at my assets, while I am mad at you." She said without looking back.
"Sorry." He mumbled and quickly cursed himself for even answering when he heard her laughing. "How does she do that?"
The vision faded away as swiftly as it came. Puck was standing in the middle of the flower shop as he stared into her eyes. He noticed the small smile on her lips. A warm feeling washed over him as he ached to touch her and feel she was real.
"What do you mean you and Lauren broke up?" Alex asked breaking through their moment.
Puck felt like a bucket of cold water was thrown at him when he saw the smile vanish from her lips replaced by a look of hurt. His heart gave a painful thud once more. "Please don't look at me like that." He begged a part of him wanting to comfort her, but just as quickly as the pain came in her eyes it melted to anger. Puck didn't notice when she lifted up her leg but he sure as hell he felt when her foot came down on his with force. He sucked in a breath through gritted teeth when he felt pain travel from his foot up to his leg. "I waited for you, but you just couldn't." she hissed at him low enough for only him hear before leaving him there. Puck looked up to see Blaine looking at him worried, Alex was confused, while Sam was trying to fight back a smile, but failed miserably.
"Bye Sarah." Sam called out with a smile.
"See ya later Sam I am." She waved at him when she reached the door.
"Sarah, make sure to come by around 3pm tomorrow." The woman from the cashier said.
"Okay Sabrina." Sarah smiled at her before scowling at Puck when he turned to look at her. Without so much as saying a goodbye to him Sarah left the shop.
Puck watched her go ignoring the sting of pain coming from his foot. A smile curved on his lips even though his day had been shitty there were two things that had gone just about right. The first being Lauren breaking up with him and the second being that his woman was back. Even though he would have to work hard to get that spitfire back it would all be worth it in the end. Puck relished a challenge and he would not stop until he had her. Noah Puckerman was back in business. When he was done with her she won't be able to get enough of him. "Now where to start?" He thought grinning.
"You didn't have to drop me off." Santana said as Hiram pulled into her driveway. "I could have walked over."
"And let you walk by yourself in the street this late at night?" Hiram looked at the clock to see it was 10:30pm. "I know your parents would be worried. Do you want me to come in with you and tell them you where at my house?"
Santana gave a humorless chuckle. "You would think that." She sighed looking at her house and wishing she were somewhere else. Maybe she would call Brittany and ask if she could sleepover at her place.
"Santana I want you to know that if you ever need a place to go to you are welcome to stay over at my house." Hiram looked at her concerned. He noticed how she closed herself when they were nearing her house.
"I can't do that. I don't want to be a bother." Santana forced herself to say instead of telling him to take her back to the Berry Residence, that she would rather be there than here.
Hiram gently clasped her hand in his. "You're not and trust me when I say this. I saw the way you and Rachel were together tonight. You both acted like you had been friends for years and it's kind of strange since she didn't mention you when she talked about school except for Mercedes, Kurt, Noah and Finn."
Santana looked at him amused when he practically snarled Finn's name out. "You don't really like Finn, do you?"
"I'll probably always hold something against him for making my baby girl cry." Hiram glanced at her to see her smiling. "Anyway back to the subject at hand not only do you have a very close relationship with my daughter you seem to have a closer one with my nephew."
"I don't know what you are talking about." Santana said looking away as she felt her face becoming flush.
"He told us personally that even though you two aren't dating you are someone special to him." Hiram watched the smile that slowly formed on her lips. "I know without a doubt that your happiness means a lot to them, which automatically makes it important to Leroy and me as well. I'll let you in on a secret." Santana looked at him curiously. "I don't know why, but I have this feeling that one day you just might be part of our family."
Santana looked at him surprised at what he was implying. "I…" She felt her heart beat rapidly. She knew that she was going to end up with Alex no matter what and so did everyone involved in their past life, but Hiram was an outsider. He couldn't possibly know, but after what Rachel told her maybe Hiram could be an exception to the rule. "What makes you say that?"
"I don't know." Hiram shrugged. "Maybe it was something that I saw in Alex's eyes."
"Oh…" Even if Hiram was only guessing she felt flattered that he was okay with the thought of her being with Alex. "Is this your way of giving me a blessing to go out with your nephew?"
Hiram grinned at her. "I'll be expecting you be the house tomorrow during lunch and make sure to pack a bag for the weekend. You're sleeping over and if you try arguing with me Santana I am telling you now, that you're not going to win."
"Rachel said not to be intimidated by you. You're a big softie inside." Santana blurted out when Hiram pierced her with a look.
"Do I look soft and cuddly right now?" He asked as he bit back a smile.
Santana saw the laughter dancing in his eyes. "…Somewhat…"
Hiram chuckled. "It's hard not trying to push your buttons. You're emotions are like an open book."
"Haha very funny."
"Come on Santana cut an old man a break."
"You don't look that old to me."
"Please?"
"Fine then." Santana sighed before piercing him with a glare. "But next time you try punking me around I'm telling Leroy to set you straight."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me." Santana grinned as she got out the car. "Don't worry Hiram I'll be over tomorrow for lunch."
"You better."
"What was that?"
"I said goodnight Santana."
"You better."
Hiram laughed. "Don't sleep too late now."
"I'll try not." Santana smiled at him. "Goodnight." She waved before closing the door and running to the porch.
Hiram didn't pull out the driveway until he saw that she got inside her house safely. Once he was reversing he didn't notice his Mercedes Benz parked across the street from Santana's house or the two other cars that had people in them watching him carefully as he drove off.
"Who was that?" Sam asked he exited his car with Puck.
"That looked like Mr. B's car." Puck continued to look at the car until it was out of sight.
"Mr. B?" Sam looked at Puck confused.
"He's one of Rachel's dads." Puck explained.
"Oh."
"Is the coast clear?" Alex asked as he got out the Mercedes Benz.
Sam looked around the neighborhood to see no one outside and the only source of light was from the street lights. All was silent. "It's clear just make sure to avoid the street lights in case of prying eyes."
"Alright." Alex opened his trunk and pulled out Artie wheelchair. "Blaine you go first." He told the dark hair boy once he came out his own car. "Take this."
Blaine grabbed the bag that Alex handed him and looked around the neighborhood once more to see nothing amiss before dashing across the street making sure not to go under the light. He reached the other side and gave them the thumbs up before going to Santana's lawn.
Sam crouched down as he walked toward Alex and Artie with Puck behind him. "Who's next?" he asked once he reached them.
"I have to go help Blaine get started." Alex glanced at him. "Can I trust you and Puck with getting Artie across the street safely without attracting unwanted attention?"
"Of course." Puck grinned. "I can't believe we're busting some mission impossible shit right now."
"Remember if we get caught we're screwed, so no stupid shit. Is that clear?"
"Yep."
"Fine…"
"Crystal."
"Okay then men. I'll see you on the other side shortly." Alex waved at them before running across the street and joining Blaine on Santana's lawn.
"How do we do this?" Artie asked them.
"Sam can go first. I'll push you and he'll catch you. Then I will run last."
"Puck I don't think that's a good plan. What if you push Artie and the momentum ends up screwing him over, so instead of going straight his wheel chair looses direction and hits a car?"
"That's why you will be there to catch him. If he hits that car it's all on you."
"That's not fair." Sam frowned. "I think Artie should have a say if it involves him getting bodily injured."
Artie glanced between both boys glaring at each other. "I can always move myself across the seat. No one would give a handicap kid a second glance or think of him suspicious."
"No, you're right. They just might think you're lost and would want to help you." Puck frowned.
"I think we're just looking too much into the lines. Why don't we just cross the street together?" Sam asked. "I don't think anyone would find us suspicious and if they do we can always say we are taking a walk."
"At 10:35pm?"
"Shit happens."
Artie sighed. "Does it really matter how we get across? Let's just go." Without another word Artie maneuvered himself on his wheelchair as he crossed the street and pushed himself up Santana's driveway.
"He left us." Puck whispered.
"I told you we should have just crossed." Sam ran across the street toward Artie and helped push him toward the lawn where Alex and Blaine were working. Puck glanced around his surroundings for any disturbance, but when he saw none he ran across the streets to join the others.
"Blaine has finished with the outline." Alex looked over at them. "Everyone knows what part they are in charge of?"
"Yeah." Artie said grinning.
"Let's do this." Sam fist pumped.
"I might as well help since I got nothing better to do." Puck sighed.
They worked for an hour straight until they were done using the red and white rose petals that Alex had bought from the flower shop. Alex wiped the sweat that had gathered on his forehead as he got up from kneeling on the floor. "I think we're done."
"Too bad we can't really see how it turned out." Blaine frowned at the piece they created on Santana's lawn.
"I think it turned out fine." Sam grinned as he wiped the dirt from his hands on his jeans.
"I think it's best that we don't know how it looks like." Puck said from his place on the ground.
"It's the thought that counts." Artie frowned at him.
"That's what all girls say not to make the guy feel like crap when it blows up in their face." Puck snickered.
"Ignore him Alex." Sam smirked. "He's just still sour about Sarah stomping on his foot. He knows he ain't getting anything from her any time soon."
"Shut it Sam." Puck growled.
"I have to meet her." Alex chuckled when Puck looked at the floor scowling. "Don't get buttered Puck."
"I'm not buttered!"
"We can always give you tips on how to get on a girl's good grace again."
"I'm sure she will grow to want some Puckeroone."
"After all, no one can resist the Puckzilla."
"Haha very funny guys. I don't need your help, I know how I am going to her."
"Alright then, but don't come to us when she's not falling head over heels for your charm."
It was 12:30am when Rachel heard someone walking up the stairs. Her dads had gone to sleep an hour before. She opened her door to see Alex reaching the top of the stairs.
"Hey Rach." Alex smiled at her as he walked over to her.
"Did you have fun with the boys?" Rachel asked curiously when she saw how messing he looked.
"Yeah." Alex grinned. "Blaine joined us."
Rachel shook her head. "Please don't tell me you five did anything terrible."
"Naw, we were on our best behavior."
"You better."
"How did dinner with Santana go?" Alex asked curiously.
"My dads loved her." Rachel smiled. "Dad invited her over tomorrow."
Alex looked at her surprised as he gulped. "Really?"
"What did you do?" Rachel narrowed her eyes on him.
"Nothing." Alex tried not to fidget under her gaze. "…So Noah is feeling better."
"Really?"
"Yeah and he even got this girl named Sarah to stomp on his foot. You should have seen the smile on his face when she walked out the shop." Alex body shook with laughter.
"Wait…Sarah. Was she dressed as a tomboy?"
"Yeah. You know her?"
"She's the one that let me borrow her shirt." Rachel grinned.
"You have to introduce me to her. I need to know the girl that has Noah wrapped around her finger."
Rachel looked at him surprised. "You can't mean…that she and Noah have history."
"I don't know." Alex shrugged. "They might have after I died. Do you remember her?"
Rachel shook her head. "No, I don't.
"Hmm…I can't wait until Monday." Alex chuckled. "I'll see you later Rach. I'm gonna try to catch some shut eye before uncle Hiram and uncle Leroy come waking me up."
"Goodnight Alex." She hugged her cousin and closed the door as he walked to his bedroom.
"Rachel!"
Rachel whipped around in her room and looked around frantically, but saw no one. She could have sworn she heard someone call her name. Something hit her window making her jump. Rachel walked closer to it and almost jumped back when a pebble hit her window. "Rachel!" Another pebble hit her window. Rachel opened her window cautiously and stuck her head out to see Sam looking at the grass. A red rose was clutched within his hand securely. "Sam, is that you?" She couldn't believe her eyes until he looked up at her and smiled that boyish smile that made her heart skip a beat.
"There you are." Sam grinned. "I was starting to think that I was hitting wrong window with pebbles."
"It's a good thing you didn't because the next window is my dads."
Sam gulped nervously that had been the next window he had planned to throw a pebble at before Rachel opened her window. "Good thing I didn't."
"Why are you here?" Rachel asked bringing him out of his thoughts.
"I wanted to give you this." Sam held out the red rose he had been carrying and taking extra care that of it, so it wouldn't get damaged. "But now it seems kinda pointless since I can't give it to you in person." He said as he looked for a way to climb up her window, but there was none.
"Wait right there. I'll come down."
Before Sam could protest Rachel left her window. He didn't have to wait a long time as the back door opened with Rachel rushing toward him with only her nightwear and a pair of slippers. "You're going to get sick." Sam frowned at her worried when he noticed that she did not bring a sweater.
"It's not that cold." Rachel smiled gently at him. "So you only came here to give me a rose?"
Sam licked his dry lips feeling his heart beat loudly at a rapid pace in her presence. They only stood a few inches apart, but he could still feel the warmth of her body through the chilly air of midnight. "I know that I have yet to say it." He whispered as held the rose out for her and felt a shiver go down his spine when her fingers brushed against his as she grabbed the rose gently from him. "But I want you to know that I do and always will."
Rachel didn't need him to explain what he meant as she stared at the rose knowing the meaning behind them. "Love." She looked away from the rose and met his green eyes feeling her heart skip a beat. She knew at that moment that no matter what she loved him and there would never be another even if he was taken from her again. "I love you too." She thought but did not say the words instead she stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around him. "I feel the same way towards you and always will." She whispered into his chest and lightly pressed her lips against his chest where his heart lay.
Sam held her in his arms and let her presence surround him enjoying the feel of her. When he felt her lips against his chest he pulled away before she could protest Sam lifted her with ease. Rachel placed her hands on his shoulders and looked down at him as she wrapped her legs around his waist out of reflex incase he dropped her. Sam looked up at her and smiled at her before leaning up, but instead of kissing her he kissed her chest where heart was beating frantically.
Feeling Sam's lips against her chest Rachel buried one hand in his hair as her body clutched his desperately. The hand that held the rose slid down his back slowly feeling Sam arch toward her before slowly going back up. She ached for the feel of him as her eyes gazed over as she remembered what his body felt against hers when they were joined as one. "Sam." She moaned his name.
"Rachel." Sam groaned feeling a fire ignite in his veins the more he felt her touch. He needed her more than words could describe, but he couldn't have her at least not yet. Sam pulled away from her touch and set her back on her feet. "You should go inside." He glanced away from her when he noticed her flushed expression and the way her breasts brushed against the night gown that left little to imagination as she took deep breathes. His hands clenched at his side to keep from grabbing at her.
"Okay. Goodnight Sam." Rachel grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him down with a force that caught him off guard before her lips met his. Sam moaned deepening the kiss when he felt her tongue brush his in a slow seductive dance of dominance. His hands grasped her waist and pulled her body against his feeling himself become aroused. His self restraint weakening until there was barely an ounce left. Just when he was willing to let Rachel do whatever she wished with him she pulled away smiling. "Drive safely." She whispered against his lips before walking away from him with the rose he gave her safely clasped in her hand.
"I'm going to need another cold shower." Sam groaned as he watched the way her hips swayed as she walked back into her house. She winked at him right before closing the door. He stood there frozen willing the cool air around him to calm his body when he felt like he was being watched. He looked toward Rachel's window to see no one there from the corner of his eyes he saw a dark figure move in the next window. Sam turned to look at Rachel's dads window where he had thought he saw the dark figure, but saw no one there. "It's late. My mind must be playing tricks on me." He thought as he walked toward the front to get to his car.
"Santana!"
Santana sat up in bed waking up to her mother screaming her name. She threw the covers off her and ignored the way the cold hardwood floor bit into her feet when she stood up. "What could it be this time?" Santana opened the door to her room not bothering to put any slippers on as she walked out her room to see her mother standing in the hallway looking out the window that had a clear view of the front yard. "What is it this time mom?" she asked fighting back a yawn.
"Look outside. I think someone left you a message."
"What are you talking about?" Santana asked annoyed as she pushed a curtain aside and looked out the window. She gasped at what she saw not believing her eyes. Right there on her front yard was an abnormal heart with one side bigger than the other made of red rose petals and the words 'I LUV U S' were written sloppy with white rose petals. Santana bit back a smile.
"Is there another boyfriend I should know about?" Mrs. Lopez asked raising an eyebrow at her daughter.
"I'm not dating." Santana answered not taking her eyes off the scene before her.
"If it wasn't a boyfriend, do you have any idea who could have done this?"
"I think I have a clue." Santana whispered.
Mrs. Lopez looked at her daughter suspiciously when she ran into her room only to come back seconds later with her cell phone.
Santana grinned as she opened the window in front of her and snapped a picture of the heart and message with her cell phone before forwarding the pic to Rachel, Brittany, Kurt and Mercedes.
AN: I apologize for any grammatical errors. I hope you liked this chapter. The song Alex and Puck sang was L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole. I had planned a certain way for this chapter to go, but it completely went off tracks from how I had had envisioned it to go. I swear sometimes I feel that the characters write themselves. I hadn't planned for Sarah to show up again until about a chapter or two later, but the next thing I know I'm writing her into the scene, her relationship with Puck begins and the next thing I know I have her stomping on his foot. The same thing goes for the Sam and Rachel scene. I hadn't planned for it until I began to write it out. I hope you still enjoyed the chapter nonetheless. I know I said the flashbacks would return in this chapter, but I couldn't fit it in, they should return in the next chapter since those scenes themselves are a big part of this fic. If I could I would hug each and everyone one of you for reviewing. You have no idea how much it means to me hearing from you. Thank you! Please don't forget to leave a review telling me what you think. I love hearing from you guys!
