A/N: thanks to all for the reviews and kind words, this story is winding down but there is plenty of Finchel love left.
Chapter - 10 -
By the time junior year begins in September it is quite obvious Quinn Fabray is pregnant, since the tight red and white polyester cheerleader's uniform and high pony tail with the regulation twin ringlets, has been replaced by loose tops and stretch denim jeans, and a low side ponytail. The bitchy attitude though, seems to have stayed and even climbed a couple of levels on the bitch meter because anyone who even looked at her nowadays, gets a death glare and a vicious snarl of "What are you looking at loser?" it also seems that everyone in McKinley High knows what is going on with the blonde former cheerio, and that the mo-hawked leather jacket wearing Noah Puckerman is involved.
He on the other hand has surprised everyone who has ever had anything to do with him, by doing a complete 180 degree turn around over the summer. Gone is the badass who thought he was too cool for school and spent most of his day throwing slushies in the faces of the geeks and so called losers, or throwing them into the dumpsters, skipping classes and boasting that "he hadn't attended a math class in two years" he even shaved his 'hawk off, that alone was an indication that he was serious about changing.
Finn had spoken to Burt about Noah, his apology letter and how the two boys were embarking on a friendship of sorts. Also his change of attitude and dedication to his schoolwork, to give himself a better chance at getting a good job, so if it turned out the baby was his he could properly look after it. Burt told Finn to ask Noah to come into the tire shop after school one day in the next week, to have a talk about maybe getting him some paid time in the shop, but only if he was a 100% serious about turning over a new leaf.
When Finn pulled Noah aside at football training on Tuesday and told him what Burt said he was immediately pressed against the shorter boy's chest in a not so manly type hug
"Thanks man I'll be there this afternoon by 3:30, and tell your stepdad that I am real serious. I'm tired of being a fuckin' asshole and picking on the other kids and wasting my time in class. I want to be better than my loser old man and get some money behind me 'cause if Q's baby is mine I want to be a decent father and not a screw up. Ya know Finn I'd really like to be friends I know the past happened and we can't forget it but I was hopin' we could move on and start fresh."
He looks at Finn and holds his breath hoping that the tall quarterback will let him in, and not punch him in the face again ('cause man that hurt like a freakin bitch!). Finn sends Noah a searching look and decides that what he sees in the other's eyes is an honest statement and he really is trying to be a better person.
"Yeah that sounds like a cool idea, and you should know me an' Rach have decided that if you ever need any help, ya know with baby sittin' 'n stuff, we'd like to help out, but we won't do it if you're gunna go out being a jerk or getting' drunk or doin' somethin' stupid."
"Hey that part of my life is done man. I 'preciate the offer dude, maybe I can even get Rachel to help me with school shit seein' as she is smart and as a way of repaying you. I can be your wingman if that douche bag Brody comes to Lima, ya know like in top gun 'Iceman' and 'Maverick'."
Finn nods and a small side smile appears on his face, he holds up a closed fist for Noah to fist bump and he in turn smiles at his new friend, before coach Beiste's bellowing from the other side of the field turns their attentions, their faces fixed with a blank look.
"If you girls are finished with your gossip session could you please join us and stop staring at me like a donkey with a wooden leg, go get suited up."
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The next few months went by with a rush, and before Finn and Rachel had time to think about much apart from assigned reading and essays, with a minimum of 2000 words,( Finn wondered if he could write about how much he loves Rach and the things they do together, man! that would easily go over 2000 words, but it might be a bit too x rated for school and anyway he wouldn't want all those other creepy pervs thinking about his girl like that, 'specially that creepy Jacob with the two last names dude ) football and everything else a junior in high school has to deal with, it was Christmas break.
It was going to be an extra special celebration this year as Burt and Carole had chosen the 27th for their wedding. It was only going to be a very small affair at home with a celebrant officiating. With their sons and partners and their families, Burt's Mom Gladys his Brother Dennis and Wife Kathy were travelling in on Boxing Day morning from Miami where Dennis runs a car rental company. Carole's sister Lorraine and her 13 year old daughter Robyn were catching the train from Toledo, with hers and Carole's parents Tom and Rose, and were due to arrive early afternoon on Christmas eve.
Kurt had taken charge of decorating for the service and with Rachel's help, the games room, back deck and yard looked a picture. Luckily the deck was able to be closed off from the weather, so it was really quite comfortable. By the time the kids had strung strings of party lights and covered the windows with soft yellow drapes and covered just about every available surface in fresh flowers, the fire place was slowly burning and the soft plopping of the flames was reflected in the glass windows creating a soft romantic atmosphere.
Finn and Dennis had taken Burt out to dinner on Boxing Day night as a buck's night sort of thing, it had been ages since the brothers had caught up and was great for Finn to see how easily they reconnected. Kurt had commandeered the living room as a make over central and was treating all the ladies and even Finn's grandma Rose got in on the fun, as well as Rachel and Robyn to facials and manicures young Robyn thought being treated like a grown up was 'just the bomb' and formed a fast friendship with both Rachel and Kurt .
Finn was more nervous than he thought he'd be, as he was going to be walking his mom down the aisle, and said as much to Rach later that night when they were tucked up in his bed, after managing to make love without the rest of the house knowing about it.
"I'm nervous about walking Mom down the aisle tomorrow babe, what if I trip over the rug or slip on the flowers it will spoil it for her." Rachel takes his hand and kisses his palm telling him in a soft voice
"Finny you will wonderful and you won't spoil anything; trust me on this ok baby." She leans up to press a kiss on his lips before moulding her still tingling body as close as possible to his and laying her cheek on the left side of his warm chest so her ear is right over his strongly beating heart, the steady thump- thump-thump soon lulling her to sleep.
Finn was woken from his slumbers at 10:30am by his stomach growling at the smell of pancakes and bacon that had invaded his subconscious. Feeling around in the bed for his tiny girlfriend, only to find her side empty and cold the only reminder was her sweet scent lingering on the pillow. He groaned like the horny teenager he is when he remembered what they had done the night before wishing they could spend all day in bed. It was those thoughts that had him rock hard in an instant , so he throws off the bed covers and makes his way to his bathroom thankful he doesn't have to pass the throng of house guests in his current aroused state as his thin pyjama pants are doing nothing to hide his excitement.
A few minutes under the warm water has him calmed down and belting out 'Faithfully' at the top of his lungs, he always finds the shower a great place to sing, something to do with the acoustics Rach said the first time she caught him singing in there. So this morning as he scrubs his body with his new 'STUD' body wash, and makes sure to have an extra close shave( yeah he is surprised as well that he needs to shave, but seemingly overnight his facial hair started to grow) and while he is quite partial to the scruff, he knows it scratches Rach's delicate skin, and if he gives her too much of a stubble rash she might refuse to let him kiss her, and that would be a real tragedy, he loves kissing her so he willingly sacrifices' his whiskers.
When he finally reaches the kitchen and see's all his family (blood and step) he says a general good morning, and receiving the same he bends to kiss his grandma on the cheek, and fist bumps his grandpa. He looks around for Rach, after making himself up a plate from the dishes on the counter.
"Rachel went home to shower and get ready Finn, you must have really worked up a sweat last night with all your 'exercising'" Finn sends him a glare and mouths 'DUDE' while pointing to his grandparents and young cousin. Kurt just smirks cheekily at his soon to be brother and says with a smile "I'm sure you can cope without her for a couple of hours." Before running off to make sure his dad is up and showered and Carole's dress was all ready. After one final check on the deck and that everything was in order he claps his hands together and goes to get himself ready.
The guests were sitting and chatting comfortably with each other. Hiram and Leroy were keen to talk with Dennis and Kathy about Miami, and were excited to hear that they had some mutual friends there. Blaine's Parents Peter and Vivian, seemed to get along with everyone's family members and really it was more a like a family get together than a wedding.
By 1 pm Finn is standing nervously in the living room, his hands busily air drumming along to an imaginary song, waiting for his mom to walk down the stairs, he hears soft giggles as Rachel comes down first in a short dark red dress made from some shimmery material holding a bunch of white roses, Finn is speechless and for a brief minute she sees her in a white dress, before she is standing on the second to last step making their face's level and asking in a shy but sexy voice.
"Aren't you going to tell me how pretty I look?"
"You look amazing, I love you Rach."
"I love you too"
He bends to kiss her "Yucky, Oh man! Kissing is sooo gross", but Robyn's complaint shakes them from their amorous thoughts, "Come on Rachie, lets get in there Auntie Carole is ready to come down" she says tugging on Rachel's arm
Rachel shrugs at Finn, settling for blowing him a kiss which he catches in his hand and presses his lips against before pressing his hand against his heart."
"Finny?"
"Oh wow, Mom…, you look so beautiful."
"Thankyou darling, this is a lot to take in I know baby, it's been me and you your whole life but I'm so proud of the man you've become and know that the future holds only good things for you, and I know that this step isn't too far away for you, though a good few years down the road yet I hope." She notices the tears in her son's eyes and shakes her head willing herself not to cry. She cups his face and presses a kiss on his cheek, takes a deep breath. "Now let's get me married otherwise poor Burt might think I've changed my mind, then you and Rachel can have your own fun."
"Yeah lets do that" Finn holds out his arm for his mom to loop her arm through, bends down to kiss her cheek before they make their way through the games room and see Burt standing with misty eyes at the end of the short rose petal strewn aisle Kurt and Dennis standing next to him . Finn's eyes seek out his love and through their tether he passes his thoughts from before when it was Rachel in the white dress and himself standing in Burt's place. Finn smiles his crooked smile at her when she nods in understanding and sends him in return a wide beaming smile.
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Once school resumed after break it was pretty hectic, Quinn was only a couple of months away from giving birth, and had finally given up on her act and was just trying to get through, she had apparently been speaking to Noah (without yelling and cursing him with every word) and told him that she was not going to fight him over parental rights to the baby, and if he wanted to keep it she was fine with that but if he didn't want it she was putting it up for adoption. He told her that once it was born he wanted to have a paternity test done and if it was proved he was in fact the father he wanted full custody. She was at first insulted by his assumption that she'd slept around, but finally agreed once he reminded her about what she tried to do to Finn and Rachel, and as much as he wanted to believe her, the past lies and scheming were hard to forget. He was finding it hard to believe that she could be so callous and talk about the baby as though it was an old handbag or pair of shoes the way she kept calling the baby 'IT' and just giving it away, but was thankful she was at least allowing him a chance instead of just giving the baby away. He still didn't want her but sometimes wishes things were different or more accurately the timing was better. He is well aware of the hard work ahead of him but is willing to do it and prove not just to his mom or teachers or even the other kids but more importantly to himself, that just because his father was a useless fucker, he didn't have to be, and wanted to be the best father he could be to his son or daughter.
Finn and Rachel had found out from Burt through one of his business contacts in Columbus who just happened to be the local Police chief that Brody Weston was back and in big trouble. Apparently he'd left Perth earlier than expected, due to an altercation with his host father which nearly turned physical, after the man had found out about Brody sleeping with his wife. His wife had then admitted to being with another man and that he is most likely the father of the baby she was carrying, because she had been sleeping with him long before she and Brody started their little fling. Finn, Hiram and Leroy still wanted to 'speak' to the boy about his forceful approach to Rachel.
But after Rachel said "I know we should have gone to the police but, all he had done was leave bruises, and the fact I kneed him in the family jewels which thankfully killed any desire for any further thoughts of assault, or anything really at the time. As well as his reputation now having been shot to pieces because a four other girls in his home town had come forward with complaints of harassment, and him not understanding the word no, not to mention his teacher at the local drama/dance school he attended, who had apparently been sleeping with him since he was 17 and had his child . I wouldn't like to be part of that family for anything, you know, it wouldn't surprise me if they all just packed up and moved to some small town out in the middle of nowhere to escape their infamy." Then in a voice filled with sarcasm "I don't think it couldn't happen to nicer people."
She giggled at the thought
"I knew he was up to something from the first day at my new school when he kept on about me going out with him and showing me a 'good time' and why should I be lonely in a different country while Finn was most probably cheating on me anyway. I never took him serious for a minute; I was more worried about that crazy blonde witch and what she was planning for Finn. The couple of girls I befriended there had problems with him coming on to them, then turning nasty when they turned him down."
"Yes but Rachel, what about your stolen cell and those awful messages he sent." Leroy asked looking at Finn and Hiram who nodded and shared looks of anger at the whole business.
Rachel told her men "I think he has got his just deserts, don't you, I honestly don't think he will ever be game to show his face outside of his house."
"Yeah well I still might have to take a trip to Columbus and have a little 'chat' about him messing with a certain tiny brunette that is…"
In her 'don't mess with me voice' Rachel says to her still angry boyfriend "Finn Hudson you will do no such thing, do you hear me? You are a 1000 times better than he can ever hope to be, and I will not have you sully your good reputation by brawling like a common street thug…," her tone suddenly changes to her soft 'get what I want voice' "because Finny, if you damage your cute face I won't be able to kiss you, and that would be a real shame."
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Finn and Rachel were busy focusing on school and starting to sort through numerous college course books to try and nail down a few colleges that gave them the best options to stay together and study what they wanted they were both still very interested in teaching so that narrowed down their choices, they weren't that fussed on where they went as long as they went together. Rachel was helping Finn bring his SAT scores up and rewarded him with a kiss every time he got a question right.
Quinn goes into labour on Friday the 17th of February, her mother calls Noah at about 6:30pm just as he was sitting down to his dinner, so instead he rushes to the hospital his mom and little sister in tow and by the time they get to Lima Memorial Hospital, where they run into Carole Hummel, he is informed she is about 9cm dilated, but if he wants to see her she is in room 621.
Noah heads to her room and is told to "FUCK OFF and DON"T YOU DARE COME ANYWHERE NEAR ME YOU BASTARD, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT." he back tracks out of there as quick as he can and sits in the waiting room, where his mom explains that the pain a woman experiences with contractions and during the birth, can make even the sweetest one turn mean.
Noah just scoffs and says "Quinn has never been sweet Mom, so you would think she'd be the opposite now." Maria hugs her son tightly hoping she can ease his burden even just a little bit.
"Oh Noah I can't imagine what possessed you to sleep with that girl, but I'm so very proud of you for stepping up and being a man about your responsibilities and between us I'm sure everything will work out."
"I blame it on the alcohol Ma, and yes I learnt my lesson."
At just after 8:30pm a nurse finds the Puckerman's in a corner of the waiting room and lets them know that Quinn has had the baby, but is not interested in her at all. But they are welcome to go to the nursery and see her. Noah asked for a paternity test to be done as soon as possible and the next few hoursseemed to drag by until it was proven without a doubt that the little girl was in fact his. Mrs Puckerman is worried about how Noah will cope becoming a father at 17, but once she sees the baby girl who looks so much like her Noah and his little sister Rebecca, she pushes that aside to focus on her granddaughter. Baby girl Puckerman has a mop of dark hair, tanned skin and hazel eyes that leaned more towards the brown shade than green; it seems the only resemblance to Quinn was the tiny perfect shaped nose. Noah cried the first time he held his daughter who he decided to name Beth- Marie, (after the Kiss song and because Marie was similar to his Mom's name) and spent the first few hours after her birth just holding her.
Burt had taken Noah on at his tire shop a couple of months previously, even though he had been an ass and picked on both Kurt and Finn he was willing to give the guy a chance for which both Mrs Puckerman and Noah are more than grateful for. Noah has proven himself to be a reliable and dedicated team member at the shop. He has settled into fatherhood very well. Even though he has tested the bounds of Finn and Rachel's friendship to breaking point, after reading the letter he sent them, and understanding to a certain extent where all his bad behaviour and attitude stemmed from, they without wanting anything in return, besides asking he continue to grow and be the best person he can be and set a good example for his baby girl, offered to help him saying "They can't turn their back on him so they would like to help with baby sitting and stuff."
The day after she had the baby Quinn was discharged from hospital and just seemed to disappear, word around town was that her parents moved to Columbus, where Mrs Fabray's sister lives and no one knows Quinn's history. She even dropped off the social media network, not that that was seen as a big loss to anyone at McKinley. Especially a tall QB, a tiny brunette, and the new improved version of Noah Puckerman who spent his free time showing anyone, who cared to look at them, photos of his baby girl or studying for his math and geography tests or reading the manuals for his auto shop class cover to cover and making notes. Since he has been working for Burt Hummel he has realised he has a talent for engines and is working towards getting an apprenticeship somewhere close by. His Mom looks after Beth a couple of days a week and the days she works Beth goes to the local day care centre where she is cared for perfectly well.
A/N: Well we have finally seen the last of Quinn and Brody, (YAY!). Only another couple of chapters to go, so please keep the reviews coming. I do love to read your thoughts.
Till next time
cab4five