Ch. 10

The New Directions were in the choir room, all in their seats minus a certain pregnant teen and her tall oof of a boyfriend. Mr. Shuester glanced at their empty seats before turning to the whiteboard and writing "SECTIONALS" on it, underlining it and adding exclamation points.

"Alright, class so today-" Will began, pausing as Finn and Alison walked into the room, their hair significantly mussed. Alison smoothed down her dress, turning to the teacher.

"Sorry we are late, Mr. Shuester. Finn and I were just so concentrated on brainstorming ideas for Sectionals that we forgot the time," Alison said with an innocent smile, Finn smirking behind her. The group sniggered as Will looked suspiciously at them.

"Sure…" Will trailed off. Alison slightly blushed before grabbing Finn's hand and leading him to the empty chairs in the second row, placing their intertwined hands in his lap after they sat.

"Sectionals is in two weeks, guys. I have an idea for the group number but we still need to nail down what the solo and duet are going to be," Will said to the group. The teens just looked at each other and shrugged, minus Rachel who opened her binder and was reading her ideas to herself.

"Um, Mr. Shue?" Alison asked, raising her hand. Will nodded at her, everyone turning around to look at her.

"Well, I was thinking that since my…my due date is around Regionals and it's likely l that I won't be able to compete, that I'd be able to sing the solo for this competition," Alison timidly suggested. Finn smiled next to her, immediately nodding. A few others were murmuring in agreement around her.

"Ah, hell to the no! I am done with this background singing nonsense. Why is it that Little Miss Pregnancy Case gets all the solos but I just belt some notes at the end of the song?" Mercedes asked, standing up from her seat in the front row. Alison blinked her eyes in surprise, her mouth hanging open slightly.

"Mercedes, you sang lead in the group number last year. Besides, Alison won't be here for Regionals and this is her senior year," Finn said, glancing at his girlfriend and then back to the known diva.

"It's my senior year too, white boy. I want to get a solo just like the Berry twins do every single day," Mercedes replied.

"Alison and Rachel are twins?" Brittany asked, the group ignoring her as Santana rolled her eyes but shot her best friend a small grin.

"Alison, are you sure you can handle a solo? You're going to be further along in your pregnancy," Mr. Shuester said with concern, his eyes shooting down to her stomach quickly.

"Mr. Shuester, I will be five months along. It's not like I'm going to blow up like a balloon in the next month. I'll just have to do lighter dancing than everyone else, but since I'm usually paired with Finn that's not a problem. We all know he's not the greatest dancer," Alison joked, most of the New Directions laughing as Alison winked at her boyfriend, who had a pout formed on his face.

"What makes you think that you deserve it? Don't you think everyone else should have a chance at the solo?" Mercedes rebutted. As the group thought this over, Will turned to both girls with a smile.

"Why don't you sing for it? You two can perform a duet. The group will vote for who they think should get it and majority rules. Does that seem like a fair solution?" Will suggested. After both girls pondered this over, Alison stepped forward from her seat to where Mercedes stood.

"It's a deal, Miss Mercedes. We can discuss suitable song choices whenever you are available," Alison said with a smile, sticking her hand out. Mercedes contemplated this before grabbing Alison's hand in hers.

"It's on, Preggers," Mercedes said in return, a determined look on her face.

-ITIT-

Finn walked into his house, hearing laughter from the kitchen as soon as he did. He sighed as he closed the door, rubbing his hands over his face tiredly. He had just finished a shift at the tire shop and really just wanted to relax before starting his homework. Finn walked into the kitchen, planting a kiss on his mom's cheek as she prepared dinner and shot a smile at Kurt who was helping her.

"S'up bro?" Finn said, taking a piece of carrot that Carole was chopping. Carole shot her son a look and Finn backed away with his hands up, smiling at her as he did.

"I'm doing marvelous, Finn. I bought the most fabulous scarf on sale and it compliments my skin beautifully," Kurt replied. Finn nodded his head, not really understanding why his brother was making such a big deal about a scarf.

"Cool. I'm gonna go change before dinner," Finn said, stealing another carrot stick and running out of the kitchen before his mom could catch him. As he ran up the stairs he heard Carole yell out his name, laughing as he went up to his room.

When he walked in, he saw Alison standing in front of the mirror, her shirt pulled up mostly, exposing her growing stomach. Finn immediately smiled and walked over, placing a kiss on Alison's lips.

"How's it going, babe?" Finn asked as he pulled away, placing his hands on Alison's hips.

"Pretty good. My nausea and tiredness are completely gone so I'm feeling much better now. My belly is growing a lot more now though," Alison answered. Finn nodded before placing another kiss on Alison's lips before, moving to sit on the bed as he took his shoes off. Alison moved to put her shirt down.

"Wait, babe. We gotta take the picture," Finn said, taking his phone out.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Alison exclaimed, grabbing her phone off the dresser and tossing it to him. She moved to stand against the wall, smiling as Finn took pictures of her stomach with both phones. After he finished, Alison pulled down her shirt and jumped onto the bed, grabbing her phone away from him.

"Let's check the app," Alison said, already starting it up on her phone. After realizing that she was pregnant, Alison had downloaded an app that told her the weekly developments of her baby. When she had shown it to Finn, he had become amazed at the picture that it had shown, saying "It sorta looks like a sea monkey. Does that mean we're having a sea monkey?". Alison's phone "dinged" as the app finished loading, opening the page for 16 weeks.

The page showed what the baby looked like at this stage and even how it looked inside the womb. It said how large the baby was and how much it weighed, along with other facts about its development.

"Finn, it says here that the baby has toenails," Alison read, before lifting a hand to her chest.

"Finn, our son or daughter has toenails," she repeated, smiling largely before jumping into Finn's arms. Finn caught her easily, surprised when Alison began kissing him repeatedly but quickly returning them. After a few kisses Alison sat up and jumped off the bed, moving to the desk in the room. She began to read something as Finn sighed and began changing. As he put his new shirt on, he turned his head to hear Alison softly singing.

"What're you reading, babe?" he asked, moving over to stand behind her. Finn wrapped his arms around Alison, resting his hands on her stomach as she leaned back against him.

"The song Mercedes and I are going to be singing. It took quite a while for her to agree to any of my song choices, but we finally picked one out," Alison answered.

"What are you guys singing?"

"An Alicia Keys song. Mercedes thinks she is going to win, but she doesn't know that I've sung Alicia many, many times before. She obviously doubts my musical repertoire." Finn took the paper out of Alison's hands.

"You shouldn't stress out about it, babe. You're totally going to own Mercedes with the song," Finn said.

"I know, but I still have to practice this song until it's perfect." Alison grabbed the song sheet again, looking at it almost frantically. Finn rolled his eyes and took the sheet again, holding it above his head.

"Ali, you can't stress so much. The doctor said it could hurt the baby," Finn said, watching as Alison's face softened. She reluctantly nodded, sighing as she did.

"You're right, Finn. But I can't lose to Mercedes; even though we are friends I still want to get this solo so badly." Finn gently led Alison to the door, his hand against her lower back.

"I know you do, babe. You can practice later after dinner; you need to relax right now." Alison sighed once more, allowing Finn to lead her downstairs.

"Fine, but as soon as dinner is over I'm practicing until bedtime, so no distractions," Alison said, looking at Finn purposefully. Finn just rolled his eyes playfully at his girlfriend.

"Yes, dear," he mockingly said, laughing when Alison pushed him lightly.

-ITIT-

The next day, the New Directions walked into the choir room, the air feeling tense. Alison was talking to the band, Mercedes giving her a glare from behind. Mr. Shuester walked in and smiled at the group, Alison and Mercedes sitting down.

"So, today is the sing-off for the solo spot at Sectionals. Girls, the floor is yours," Will said, motioning to the center of the room before sitting down in a seat in the group. Alison and Mercedes stood up, Alison smiling excitedly at the group as Mercedes continued to glare at her.

"Fellow glee-clubbers, today Mercedes and I are going to perform the classic by one Miss Alicia Keys, "If I Ain't Got You". Please base the decision purely on the performance, not on personal preference," Alison said.

"Yeah, yeah, Shamu. Let's just get this over with so I can win," Mercedes said with an eye roll. Alison's smile dropped before she nodded, motioning for the band to start.

*Alison=italicized, Mercedes=bold, Both-bold italicized*

Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game (ooh)
Some people think that the physical things The girls began harmonizing, looking at each other and back to the group.
Define what's within
And I've been there before (been there before)
But that life's a bore (it's a bore) Alison shook her head, moving a hand to her stomach.
So full of the superficial
Some people want it all As Mercedes began belting, Alison looked on with a smile.
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings Alison began belting, turning to the group and singing to them, her eyes on Finn.
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you
Hand me the world on a silver platter The girls turned back to each other, switching sides, moving past each other.
And what good would it be
With no (no)
One to share (share)
With no one who truly cares for me
Some people want it all Alison looked back at Finn, singing to him, emotion clear in her voice.
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't you baby Alison held the note as Mercedes began her line.
Some people want diamond rings (oh)
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, you, you Mercedes belted the note as Alison continued with her line.
Some want it all
Yeah Mercedes held the note long and high as Alison sang.
Woohoo
Yeah
I don't want it baby
If I ain't got you Mercedes went into her falsetto as Alison continued singing.
Yeah
I don't want it baby
I don't need it
If it ain't you

The girls ended the note together, Mercedes with her arms open as Alison continued looking at Finn, her eyes slightly wet. The group broke out into loud applause, Alison turning to Mercedes with a smile.

"Mercedes, you were amazing," Alison said, moving towards the girl with her arms open. Mercedes looked at her open arms before giving her a hug, patting her on the back as she did.

"Yeah. You were pretty good too, A," Mercedes replied. Alison laughed as she sniffled, moving a hand underneath her eyes.

"Pregnancy hormones," Alison announced, turning to the group with an apologetic smile, her eyes still slightly wet. Mr. Shuester stood up and walked towards the two girls, a large smile on her face.

"I think I can speak for everyone when I say that you two were amazing. And I have made my decision," Will began, pausing as he looked from the group to where Alison and Mercedes stood. Alison was grasping her hands tightly, her nervousness apparent on her face, while Mercedes stood with a smug grin.

"You both get it!" Will let out, everyone's eyebrows crinkling in confusion.

"I don't get it," Brittany said, the group murmuring in agreement.

"What I mean is that instead of getting the solo, you two can take the duet. You two blew us away, just like you would the judges and audience," Mr. Shuester explained. Alison nodded before a grin formed on her face.

"Thank you, Mr.-" Alison began, being cut off by Mercedes.

"Aw, hell to the no! I want the solo, Mr. Shue. I'm not sharing the spotlight with her, I want it only on me," Mercedes argued.

"Mercedes, this is the fair option considering you both did a spectacular job," Mr. Shuester reasoned.

"I don't care! I want to be the one finally getting praise, not swaying in the background," Mercedes replied.

"Mercedes, can you please let me have this solo?" Alison asked quietly, the whole group turning to look at her.

"And why should I do that? You've already been given enough solos as it is."

"Because this will be the last moment I have before my life is completely ruined. Before I throw my whole future away because I got caught up in stupid teenager hormones," Alison answered loudly, her voice full of anger. Finn shot up, stepping in front of her.

"Is that what you think? That I ruined your whole life?" he asked, his voice full of hurt and anger. Alison's face filled with regret and she tried to place her hand on Finn's arm, surprised when he moved his arm away.

"F-Finn, of course not. You didn't ruin anything," she answered, her voice pleading. Finn just shook his head at her, leaving the room silently. Alison watched him leave sadly, turning back to Mercedes and the group.

"You know what? You can have the solo. I quit," Mercedes announced, storming out of the room. Alison stared at the door once more, tears leaking from her eyes as she looked back at Mr. Shuester.

"I guess you have the solo now, Alison," he said tightly, not looking at her as he glanced out the door.

"Rehearsal is over for the day," Will announced before walking out. Alison stood in place as everyone else grabbed their stuff and walked by her, some offering looks to her as they passed. After Alison heard everyone leave, she began to cry, moving to grab onto the piano for support. She had been crying for a few minutes when she heard someone reenter the room. Alison turned around, hoping to see Finn but deflating slightly when she saw it was Quinn.

"Here to tell how bad of a person I am?" Alison asked, looking down at her hands. Quinn stepped closer to Alison, stopping next to the piano.

"No. I'm here that Finn's truck is gone so you don't have a ride," Quinn said. Alison breathed in quickly, her tears falling down faster.

"Thanks for telling me, Q. I guess I'll just walk home," Alison announced, moving to grab her things. Quinn caught her arm, causing Alison to turn around.

"A, I came here to tell you I understand. And that if you want, you can stay at my place tonight," Quinn said, a small smile on her face. Alison smiled through her tears, nodding her head.

"Thank you, Quinn," she said, grabbing her things and following the blonde. Just before they left, Quinn turned back to Alison.

"Alison, if you ever need anybody to talk to, about anything really, I'm here. I've been there before, and our situations are really similar. I can help," Quinn offered. Alison nodded, wiping the tears off of her face.

"Thank you. I really mean it too, Quinn." The blonde smiled before leading Alison into the hallway, politely ignoring the small sniffles she heard from the brunette girl as they walked to her car.