Finn woke up early Friday morning, really hoping last night was a dream. But, he knew it wasn't, because he was still at Shelby Corcoran's house and was still holding Rachel protectively in his arms. As soon as he opened his eyes, the full impact of the situation hit him. He pulled his arm out from under Rachel and rolled over.

"Shit." That one word summed up his feelings perfectly, because the word was somewhere included in every thought running through his head right now. Shit…. My girlfriend's pregnant, again. Shit…. I'm going to be a father. Shit…. Rachel had two dads, double beating. Shit…. If her dads don't kill me, mom will.

Finn sighed and stood up, walking to the door. A note written in Shelby's intricate handwriting was taped up on the door at his eye level.

Finn,

As a teacher, I should probably tell you to go to school.
But, as Rachel's mother, I want to tell you to stay with her.
Do as you wish, but I think you should go to school.
That way, you won't get into any more trouble than you're already
going to be into when your mom find you weren't at your friend's house.
Besides, Rachel will probably need some cool down time anyways before
she talks to you. Replace this letter with the one for Rachel if
you go.

Shelby

Finn stared at the gold star beside Shelby's name and smiled….. like mother like daughter. He looked back and forth from Rachel and then to his car, which he could see through the bedroom window. Finally, after at least five minutes, he sighed and replaced the letter on the door. He read it quickly.

My Dearest Rachel,
I had to go to work. I'll be back as soon as I teach my English
classes for the day and give Jesse an earful for being a
jackass. I'm canceling our extra rehearsal today. Oh, and when you
see Finn later today, don't be too hard on him. He knows, I told
him. Just, be patient with him. It's hard for him too and he loves you.

I love you,

Mom

Finn grabbed his keys and phone and jogged down the steps and out the front door, locking it on the way out. It was 6:30 now…. If he drove fast he could go home and change and still make it too school on time. He really hoped the day went by quickly, maybe then he could hurry up and get back to Shelby's to talk to Rachel.

**GLEE**

Finn had been sitting in Shelby's driveway for what…. 15 minutes now? No, maybe five, but it felt much longer than that. He was tapping the steering wheel nervously. Finally, he built up the courage to walk to the door. He knocked slowly and Rachel opened the door, making Finn kind of wish Shelby wasn't yelling at Jesse.

"Finally build up the courage to get out of the car?" Rachel didn't sound mad, actually, it sounded like there was a hidden joke to the words. But, Finn couldn't really tell, because she immediately went back to serious. "She told you." Rachel stated. Finn nodded, rubbing the back of his neck and preparing for the beating he was bound to receive.

Rachel moved towards him and he flinched, but he didn't get punched or slapped. Rachel fell into his chest and bursted into tears. The initial shock left Finn staring at her, unsure of why she wasn't yelling and screaming at him. He soon realized it didn't matter, though. Finn wrapped his arms around Rachel tiny body and pictured her in Quinn's currently swelled bodily condition. It seemed weird, even in his head.

"I'm sorry, Rachel. I'm so, so sorry. I my fault. I'm sorry." Finn whispered and laid his head on top of Rachel. She loosed her grip on his shirt.

"Finn…. You didn't m…make me do any… anything I did… didn't want to do." Rachel said, breathing deeply to try and prevent sobs from escaping her throat. "Do not blame yourself."

"Rachel…. Be pissed at me. You should. I ruined all your dreams to be on Broadway. You may never be famous." Finn said quietly. Rachel smiled, but the usual effect her smile had on Finn was lost in her tears.

"Finn, all I want is to be with you. No Broadway role is as important to me as you and our baby." She whispered. Finn put his hands on either side of Rachel's face and wiped her tears away with his thumb. He kissed her forehead.

"I love you." He whispered. Rachel laid her head back against his chest. "Everything's going to be okay, baby. I promise."

"I know." Rachel mumbled against his chest as Finn sat her down in his lap on the couch, covering her with a blanket. "I love you too." The door opened and she opened her eyes.

"Hey, mom." Shelby smiled at Rachel and shut the door behind her.

"I take it you two are okay?"

"Yea…. We're fine. Scared and confused, but fine." Shelby smiled sympathetically.

"You'll be okay. I'm here when you need me and I have faith in both of you."

"Thanks, mom."