I'm sorry for this episode's tardiness. I hope you guys don't hate me. Not much else to say other than I love you all and I hope you like this :) Enjoy!
"Will you calm the fudge down already?" Santana whined, Caleb in her arms tugging slightly at her hair. "If you didn't want to go out with Nick, why did you call him?"
"I do want to go out with him…" I think, she mentally finished. "I'm just nervous. I haven't really ever been out on a date before."
Santana sighed. "Rachel, it's going to be fine. Now go finish getting dressed. Puck should be here soon and I want to see you before I go to pick up Britt."
Rachel walked into her closet and continued to talk as she changed. "Did I mention how proud of you I am? After hearing everything you went through, I am glad you are finally happy."
"Yeah, yeah, don't go mushy on me now, Berry," she replied, fighting the smile that was threatening to form on her lips. "But thanks. I just hope I don't screw this up."
"You won't," Rachel promised. "I know how much you care about Brittany. You would never hurt her." She finally walked out of her closet and turned in a circle. "Well? What do you think?"
Santana looked up at her friend and smiled. Rachel was wearing a simple olive baby-doll dress. The sweetheart neckline complemented her bust and descended until it cinched in at her waist. The dress billowed out softly before resting just above her knees. Her legs looked incredibly tan against the color of the fabric, before disappearing into a pair of mid-calf black high-heeled boots. Her hair was in soft waves, her lips slightly red and glossy and her eyes a natural smoky look. Rachel walked closer and picked up her son.
"What do you think Caleb? Does Mommy look pretty?" She smiled when Caleb clapped his hands and blew a raspberry in her cheek.
"Dammmnnnn." Rachel turned to see Puck looking her over. "Looking good Rach."
She blushed and smiled. "Thank you, Noah."
He walked closer and took Caleb, lifting his shirt and blowing a raspberry onto his belly. "When's prep boy supposed to show up?"
"Nick should be here any minute," she clarified with a small glare when Puck chuckled. She looked over at the clock. "In fact, he should-" she was interrupted by the doorbell. "That must be him now." She smiled and grabbed her purse before walking down the stairs, Santana and Puck following with Caleb in his arms. Rachel quickly fixed her hair and dress, looking back at Santana for approval before opening the door. Nick stood on her doorstep in a pair of dark wash jeans, the front of his light blue button-down shirt tucked in but the rest lying loose around him. The top few buttons were unbuttoned, showing off a sliver of toned chest and undershirt. His arms looked amazing in the black hoodie he wore to complete the ensemble. Rachel unconsciously licked her lips at the sight of him before blushing when she realized he was checking her out just as blatantly. She heard Puck cough behind her, jarring her back into the present. "Oh, Nick, come in."
Nick kissed her cheek as he stepped inside and looked around. His eyes finally met the two other teens in the room. "Oh, where are my manners." He stretched his hand out to Santana. "Nick Duval."
"Santana Lopez," she replied with a polite smile. Two quick beeps from a car outside made her look past and through the door. "Oh, that's my date. Catch you losers later." She walked over and kissed Caleb's forehead, grabbed her coat, kissed Rachel's cheek, then strutted out the door to Brittany's car.
Rachel shook her head at her friend before looking up at Puck who was practically glaring at Nick. Nick looked up and finally locked eyes with Puck. He walked over and extended his hand. "You must be Puck," he stated. "Rachel's told me a lot about you. It's nice to meet you."
I wish I could say the same, Puck thought but opted not to say. He plastered on a fake smile and shook Nick's hand firmly. "Ditto." Rachel stood by awkwardly as the two boys stared angrily at each other.
"Well," she broke the awkward silence. "Shall we go?" Nick looked over and smiled.
"Yeah, let's go."
Rachel walked over and grabbed her coat and then went over to Puck and Caleb. "I have my phone so call for any emergencies."
"I know the drill," Puck snapped, immediately regretting it when Rachel winced. He sighed and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "Have fun." Rachel half-smiled and kissed Caleb's forehead before leaving with Nick.
"So where are we going?" Rachel asked as Nick held the passenger door for her.
"Uh uh, not telling," he smirked. "It's a surprise."
"Not even a little hint?" she pouted.
Nick chuckled. "Nope, you'll just have to wait and see." He shut her door, walked around and sat in the driver's seat, smiling over at her before pulling away. They drove for a while, definitely outside Lima and past some nearby towns before they pulled up to a seemingly deserted building.
"Nick, where are we?" Rachel wondered worriedly.
"Come on," he insisted with a chuckle. He got out and went around, opening her door and taking her hand. They walked into the building and Rachel's breath escaped her. It was a small restaurant empty except for a waiter and chefs seen through the kitchen door. The room was lit solely by strewn candles and twinkly lights.
"Good evening Mr. Duval," the waiter greeted. "Just this way." He led the couple over to a table in the middle of the room. Nick pulled out the chair for Rachel who smiled and sat down. On the table were two menus and two champagne flutes filled with sparkling cider with raspberries floating amongst the bubbles. "I'll be back to get your order."
Nick smiled over at Rachel who looked around absolutely dumbfounded. "How did you manage to pull all this off?"
"My uncle owns the restaurant," he explained. "I've been picking his son up from school every day for the past month so he kind of owed me."
Rachel smiled. "It's all so beautiful," she looked around at the room again.
"Not as beautiful as you," he replied, his eyes looked on her. Rachel blushed and looked down. She picked up the menu and looked through it, her smile growing when she noticed the wide variety of vegan options on the menu. "Kurt told me you were vegan, so I asked the chef to make a special menu." Rachel looked up and absolutely beamed at him.
"Thank you," she said. "No one's ever been that tentative of my nutritional preferences before." She looked at the menu before finally choosing a vegan eggplant parmesan.
The waiter took their orders, leaving vegan breadsticks and some herbs and olive oil. Their conversation was smooth and pleasant, Nick asking questions about Caleb, her friends, and school, and Rachel questioning him about Dalton, his family, and his other interests. He made her laugh for most of the night, telling stories about the shenanigans he and his best friend Jeff get into at Dalton. They were halfway through their meal when Rachel's phone started to go off.
She groaned and apologized, rummaging through her purse for the electronic. When she pulled it up, her face paled slightly at Puck's name flashing. He wouldn't be calling unless something was really wrong, she thought to herself. "I'm sorry," she repeated to Nick. "It's Noah and-"
"Answer it," he encouraged. "It's fine." He smiled at her.
Rachel nodded and pressed the green button. "Noah?"
"Rachel, I'm sorry for ruining your date or whatever, but something's wrong," Puck rushed out anxiously.
"What do you mean?" she asked panic-stricken. Nick looked at her concerned, reaching over and taking her hand.
"I don't know. He's got a really high fever and keeps crying and I don't know what's wrong," he replied. "I don't know what to do."
"Take him to the emergency room," Rachel started ordering as she gathered her stuff. "Ask for Dr. Fitzgerald and I'll meet you there."
"Okay, I'll see you there," Puck answered before hanging up.
"Nick, I'm so sorry," she spoke regretfully. "Something's wrong with Caleb and Noah doesn't know what to do and- and-" Tears start to pool in her eyes as Nick rose and put his arm around her, leading her to his car.
"It's alright Rachel," he promised. "Caleb comes first, come on." He settled her into the car, walked to the driver's side, slid in and drove away. Rachel's hand found his and she held on for dear life. She pushed away the desire for his hands to be just a little bigger and calloused.
What do you guys think? Please review! What do you want to see? This story's kind of open so give me your suggestions :) I love you all!