Author's Note: So originally, I thought that this was going to be Chapter 10 of 12. But I think that there may actually need to be 13 chapters instead of 12… I guess I'll see as I continue to write!

Also (shameless plug time), I would love it if you would head on over to the Glee Awards on LiveJournal and vote for me. I'm nominated as an author and several of my stories, including the precursor to this story, "All Roads Lead to You", have been nominated. The address is [www .community/ livejournal/ . com/ gleeawards / 4556. html] (remove spaces) and THANKS! I'm excited and honored because I'm competing against some great authors who are also friends!

Puck was a third of the way through his bowl of Cheerios when he heard Rachel clomp down the stairs, muttering to herself and nearly out of breath. She stomped into the living room and stood at the edge of the couch, staring at him as he chewed and checked the latest news on ESPN.

"What are your plans for the day, Noah?" She asked, rooting through her massive purse for God-only-knew-what.

Puck looked up from the Honey Nut goodness in his bowl and said, "Well, right now, I'm eating these Cheerios and wondering why in the hell I continue to be loyal to the Seahawks when they continue to just break my heart and fuck me over. After that, I have to meet Kurt at Clise Mansion to let him in to decorate since I have the key and apparently, the best man is the fucking key holder. And then, I have meet Tina's and Nick's mothers to help them transport stuff over to the mansion so they can set up for the reception. And then I'm going to get my hair cut and after that, when it's time for the actual wedding, I may fucking pass out from exhaustion. You?" He plunked his spoon down in his bowl again, scooping a heap of the small-ringed cereal up into his mouth.

Rachel lowered herself down next to him on the couch, her 32-weeks-pregnant belly jutting awkwardly out in front of her. When she finally made it into the cushions, she dropped her hands down onto her belly and leaned back. "I'm meeting Tina for breakfast and then we're heading to the salon for massages, pampering, hair, and makeup. And then we'll head over to the mansion and get dressed there." She turned her head toward her husband, who was now tipping the bowl up to drink the remaining milk. "Noah, you're going to remember to bring my dress with you, right?"

Puck dropped the bowl and spoon onto the coffee table, ignoring the clatter of the dishes, and took Rachel's hand in his. "Babe, I got this. Your suit and my dress and the bags with shoes and all your sexy lacy shit are all ready to go. I'll take them with me and we'll meet up at the mansion. I can handle this, I promise."

Rachel flexed her head to kiss him sweetly before tucking her chin against his shoulder and closing her eyes. "Is it sad that it's 8:30 in the morning and I'm already exhausted?"

Puck laughed and gripped her knee with his hand. "Nah…it's just the baby. Just take it easy today and don't overdo yourself. I do wanna dance with you tonight and I can't do that if you're dead on your feet."

"Okay…I promise to take it easy. Besides, I'll probably nap during our massages and mudpacks today at the salon."

Rachel went to push herself and Puck stood up, helping her into an upright position again. When she was steadied on her feet again, he pulled her to him and kissed her, sliding his lips across her before dropping to kiss along her jawline. Rachel shivered and pushed him away. "Don't do that right now, Noah. You know how I react to that. And we cannot possibly have sex at this moment!"

Puck threw his hands up innocently, a smirk playing across his features. "Whatever, babe…just kissin' ya. Besides, don't you need to leave?"

Glancing over at the clock, Rachel let out a huff and quickly kissed his cheek. Grabbing her purse, she tossed it over her shoulder and headed toward the door. "Don't forget the stuff, Noah! And I love you!"

Puck watched her, rolling his eyes. "Dammit, woman, I won't! And I love you, too!"

When she was gone, Puck flopped back down on the couch and turned the volume up. He'd leave for the mansion in a few minutes. No sense in showing up on time…

"I can't believe it's this afternoon," Tina said wistfully as she and Rachel entered the salon. Breakfast was done and now they were on to a late-morning appointment for pampering and beautifying. The woman behind the counter motioned for the two to follow her and soon, they were led to a changing room. Once they were both in the salon robes, they took their places for the first thing on the list: pedicures.

Rachel closed her eyes and relaxed as her feet were scrubbed and massaged in water that smelled of lemon and sage and other oils.

"Are you nervous?" Rachel questioned.

"Nah," Tina answered automatically. "It's actually about freaking time, considering we've been together since the weekend that you and Puck got married. Nick sure took his damn time, that's for sure. But…he's worth it."

Rachel popped an eye to look at her friend, who was smiling so brightly that it nearly lit up the room. She reached across the open space to squeeze Tina's hand and said, "who knows, maybe by this time next year, you'll look like me!"

Tina snorted. "God, no! No offense, of course…but considering it took Nick this long to marry me, do you think he's in a hurry to have children? No way! Besides, I want us to be married for a few years before we have a baby."

"It is a good thing to do," Rachel advised. "I'm glad that Noah and I waited four years. We had so much time together, just the two of us, and it let us grow and get to know each other better."

Tina looked at Rachel incredulously. "Get to know each other better? Rachel, you've known him for most of your life. You've loved him for nearly half your life it seems!"

"You'd be surprised, Tina. You learn so much about a person once you're married to them." She thought for a moment and then shook her head. "Or maybe it's that you learn to read them so much better. It's hard to explain but…. It's amazing how much Noah and I have grown together in our years of marriage."

"Ya know, Rach," Tina said, her eyes finally closing as she began to relax, "it still shocks even me that you two got together. And if you hadn't, I'd probably still be living in Lima and I never would have met Nick and…"

"It's just funny the way things turn out?" Rachel offered.

"Absolutely," Tina agreed.

Rachel sighed contentedly. "And I wouldn't change any of it, not a single moment, for anything in the world. Everything in life happens for a reason and all those reasons brought us here today."

It was Tina's turn to reach across the space and grasp Rachel's hand. She squeezed it and then the two friends settled into the quiet, hands still clasped, their minds playing over life's adventures and how, without them, they both might be in very different places. Leave it to weddings, Rachel thought, to make you think of the past.

As expected, Rachel slept through her massage and felt somewhat normal by the time she and Tina made it out to Clise Mansion. When she parked, Rachel smiled happily because Puck's truck was already parked. She leaned in and checked to make sure he hadn't left her dress in it and, pleased that his truck was empty, she and Tina headed inside. The rooms were bustling with caterers, mansion staff, and she could hear Puck and Nick talking from nearby.

"We're here!" Rachel announced.

"Don't come out, Nick! You can't see me before the ceremony!" Tina shrieked, picking up the pace to run to the room where she would get ready.

Nick's laughter wafted from the other room and then Puck sauntered out, clasping his strong arms around his wife. His eyes swept over her make-up and her curly up-do. Brushing his lips over hers, he whispered, "You look fuckin' hot already, baby. Can't wait to see ya in the dress."

Rachel blushed happily and kissed his cheek. "I'm going to go help Tina. Guests will start arriving in about 90 minutes." Looking around, she noticed that Kurt was nowhere to be seen. "And where's Kurt?"

Puck pulled back, eyes shifting from left to right, and then he said, "He should be back in a few. He had to run out and get something that he forgot, I think."

Rachel looked at Puck curiously because of the cautious way he'd spoken but then brushed it off. Ruffling her hand through his hair, she said, "I like your hair cut."

"Thanks, baby," he kissed her again and then slid away. "Gonna go see if Nick needs anything. See ya at the ceremony, babe."

The two parted and Rachel slipped into the bridal suite area and found Tina's mom henpecking her daughter. "Hello, Mrs. Cohen-Chang, Rachel said sweetly.

"Oh hello dear! My, you're looking beautiful as your pregnancy progresses! How much longer?"

Rachel rubbed her belly and said, "Well, I'm at 32 weeks and I've been told that I'll go into labor either early or late since it's my first child so I have absolutely no idea, really! We just want her healthy when she gets here!"

At that moment, Tina slapped her mother's hand from her hair. "Mom, I just paid an insane amount of money for this hairstyle. Please don't mess it up. I love it just like it is."

"Fine, fine," Mrs. Cohen-Chang acquiesced. "I'm going to go make sure the caterers are on task and the wedding cake is here. Kurt has everything decorated and it's gorgeous, honey. He did such an amazing job. I can't wait for you to see it!"

When Tina's mother exited the room, Tina's shoulders wilted. "Please, Rachel, don't let me kill her today."

Rachel rubbed her hand along Tina's shoulder blades in comfort. "She means well, Tina. Her daughter is getting married! Just remember, if you get blood on your dress, I won't have time to get it out before the ceremony."

Tina let out a laugh and then hugged Rachel quickly before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "Okay, I can do this! Let's get dressed."

Just then, the door pushed open and both girls swiveled around to watch Kurt stride through.

"Hello, ladies, I'm here! Now, let me see the dress."

Tina beamed at her friend, shooting into the dressing room and returning with her flowing silver dress. Holding it high for Kurt to see, Rachel watched curiously as Kurt tapped his lips with his index finger. Finally, he turned to Tina. "I love it! I was worried but this? This is practically ethereal! Where did you find it?"

"Rachel spotted it, actually. She thought it would be perfect and she was so completely right," Tina offered.

Kurt turned on his heel, eyeing Rachel curiously. "Wow, Rachel. I guess time really does help. I mean, your fashion sense is affected right now, obviously, due to the fact that you're carrying the Spawn of Puckerman but this is an incredible find. Good eye!"

He turned back toward Tina and the dress and Rachel stared after him, unsure of whether she should be insulted or not.

"Now, Tina…I have Edward in with Nick and Puck to make sure they dress properly, put the cummerbunds on right, et cetera. He'll also make sure their ties are straight and that they are missing the overgrown jock appearance that they usually have when they step down that aisle."

Rachel glowered. "Kurt, first you've insulted me and now you're insulting my husband. I don't appreciate it!"

Kurt blew Rachel a kiss. "Oh, Rachel, relax. You know I love you and Puck and I think you're both so sickeningly sweet together that I want to toss up my espresso all over those hideous shoes of yours."

Rachel crossed her arms and glared harder. "If you make me cry and cause my makeup to run, I'll pluck your eyes out."

Tina snorted, watching her two old friends banter back and forth.

Kurt casually wandered over to Rachel, reaching out to pull her into a hug. "I'm sorry, Rach. I don't mean to pick. I just happen to pick my men for their looks, earnings potential, and sense of style."

Scoffing, Rachel wiggled out of his hug. "Are you saying I don't?"

"Oh, I'm not saying that, Rachel. But you have to admit that a lot of Puck's attraction is that rippling body of his and that face, specifically that jawline and those cheekbones…and he does have those eyes that when he looks at you, you can just imagine…." Kurt let his voice wander off and he winked at Tina, who was watching the exchange with silent amusement.

Rachel placed her hands on her hips, her bulging belly reducing the intensity of the defiance in her gaze. "You know what else attracted me to him, Kurt? His compassion, his huge heart, his sense of humor, his musical talent…" Rachel met Kurt's eyes. "And the fact that he's an amazing lover and is exceptionally well-endowed!"

Tina sputtered, her gum shooting from her mouth as she choked with laughter. Kurt's mouth dropped open before he, too, started laughing.

"Wow, Rachel…you tend to over-share while pregnant." Kurt snickered. "I think I like you this way. You're entertaining."

Rachel smiled sweetly and blew Kurt a kiss. Reverting back to her composed self, she asked, "Does anyone need anything to drink? I'm so thirsty."

Tina and Kurt watched Rachel flit from the room and then Kurt smiled. "After all these years, I still get immense pleasure from pissing her off. Will that ever stop?"

"No, Kurt, probably not. Because, face it, Rachel will always be Rachel."

At 3pm on that Saturday afternoon in early November, Puck watched as his pregnant wife sweep down the short aisle in a dark maroon dress, flowers in her hand, and low heels on her feet. Her hair was perfectly styled and the dress accentuated her breasts and flowed out, minimizing her baby bump and showing off those fantastic legs that he could stare at for days, even after all the years they'd been together. She looked gorgeous and he couldn't wait to get her out of that dress and get those legs wrapped around him later. Puck winked at her before she turned to take her place on the left side of the officiator and then the entire crowd turned their attention toward the door. As Tina made her way down the aisle on the arm of her father, Puck glanced at Nick out of the corner of his eye. After a few seconds, he reached out and tapped Nick on the back, forcing Nick to finally take a breath. He sheepishly grinned at his best man before turning his eyes back on his beautiful wife-to-be.

As the vows began, the loud sniffling coming from Nick's mother nearly had Rachel laughing in the middle of the ceremony. When the two said their "I dos", Rachel's eyes traveled across the aisle and her brown eyes locked with Puck's hazel eyes and held them as they both remembered their own vows. Puck gave her a nearly indiscernible smile and Rachel forced herself to bite her lip so that she didn't grin at him broadly. I love that man, she thought happily as she watched Nick slide the band down Tina's ring finger.

Minutes later, it was done. The crowd stood and clapped, Rachel hugged Tina and then Nick and Puck shook Nick's hand and kissed Tina's cheek. Then Puck clasped Rachel's hand in his own and they walked back down the aisle and out the back of the room to head over to the reception.

Puck's arms went around Rachel's waist, pulling her pregnant belly against his body.

Rachel blushed pink and swatted at his chest, embarrassed. "I'm getting so big, Noah. I know I just look horrible…and so awkward to dance with!"

Bending to kiss her, Puck pulled away again as they began swaying to the music. "You're fuckin' beautiful, babe. I love the dress… I'm glad you didn't let me see you in it before because I think it woulda taken away from the huge urge I have right now to rip it off you."

Rachel cocked her eyebrow at him in disbelief. "Really?"

Puck chuckled, bending down to inhale the scent of her hair. "No, probably not," he admitted.

Puck stared down into Rachel's eyes as they danced to the soft music and Rachel murmured, "This reminds me of our wedding day."

"Ya think?" Puck questioned, his eyes looking around. "Because I don't see Mrs. Bern-fucking-baum anywhere, telling everybody about how she got us together."

Rachel giggled at the memory and then let out a little "hmph." Leaning her head against Puck's shoulder, she closed her eyes. "I just remember being so worried that the weather would be horrible since we were marrying on the ferry or afraid that the caterers would get lost or that you'd change your mind…"

Puck scoffed. "Change my mind? After the shit we went through just to get together? " He was quiet for a moment and then dropped his head, his lips against her hair as he murmured, "But I do remember worrying, right up until you said 'I do,' that you'd wake up and realize that I wasn't worth it…that you didn't love me after all and that everything we'd gone through to be together wasn't enough."

"That was an absolutely insane thought of you to have, Noah," Rachel admonished.

"I know that, now, Rach. But that day? Scared off my ass…"

Rachel sighed, leaning her head against him again. "Is it too early to leave?"

Puck chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "Are you tired?"

Nodding, Rachel yawned. "Exhausted. I just want to go home."

Puck looked around and spotted Nick and Tina dancing a few feet away. Tina met Puck's eyes and mouthed, "Is she okay?"

Puck shook his head and mouthed, "She's really tired."

"Go home," Tina mouthed.

"Babe," Puck said. "We have Tina's permission to leave. C'mon." He hooked his arm around his waist and they went and hugged Nick and Tina goodbye. Kurt grabbed Rachel's arm and said, "I'll be over tomorrow, you two. And Puck, don't forget to show her!"

As they walked out into the evening light, Rachel asked, "show me what, Noah?"

Puck grinned, opening Rachel's car door so she could slide in. When he made sure she was buckled properly, he brushed his lips over hers softly and said, "You'll see when you get home. Be safe. See ya there."

He closed the door to her car and then jogged over to his truck. By the time he'd backed out of his space, Rachel was already long gone, her lead-foot meaning that he'd have to drive fast to catch up.

A while later, he pulled into the driveway behind her and hopped out just as she was unlocking the door. Puck followed her in and then yanked his tie off, tossing it over the back of a dining room chair.

"What are you supposed to show me, Noah?"

Puck grinned and took Rachel's hand, leading her up the stairs and into the nursery. He flipped on the light and Rachel looked around, trying to spot anything that looked new or out of place. Finally, she glared at Puck in frustration. He smiled and pulled open the closet door and Rachel gasped. Inside, there were what looked like dozens of outfits in all sizes and pastel, girly colors.

Rachel's mouth agape, she shot a questioning glance at Noah.

"They're from Kurt. He brought them by this afternoon. I gave him a key to the house so he could get in. He said that since he couldn't be here when she was born, he wanted to give us a gift now."

Rachel went to the closet, sliding her hands over the clothes and pulling out a purple jumper and then a pink ballerina dress. "Oh, Noah…there must be at least a hundred outfits here…"

Puck nodded. "I know. He insisted on it…"

Rachel felt tears forming and she let them fall. "This is so wonderful of him."

Puck hugged Rachel to him and they stared in silence at the closet full of clothes that in just a few months time, their daughter would wear. "He'll be by tomorrow. We can thank him then." Nudging Rachel away from the closet, he pushed her down the hall and into the bedroom.

"Let's get you to bed, baby." Puck slowly unzipped Rachel's dress, helping her to step out of it. While he put it on a hanger and back in her closet for safe-keeping, she slid out of her pantyhose and bra and then reclined on the bed in her panties, sighing when her back hit the cool sheets.

Puck quickly took his suit off and joined Rachel in just his boxers. He draped his arm over her belly and kissed her shoulder. "You okay?"

Rachel nodded, her eyes closed. "Just so tired. I can honestly say that I think I'm ready to have this baby. I know I have a while to go but I'm just so tired of being so tired all the time. I'm used to having unending energy and now? I'm useless!"

Puck rolled over on his knees and crawled up into the bed. Tapping Rachel on the forehead, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. "C'mon, babe…we can't sleep with you hangin' off the bed like that."

With her body protesting, Rachel crawled under the blankets with him and sunk into the blankets. When Puck flipped off the lights and Rachel curled into his body, he whispered, "Good night."

Rachel's eyes opened again. "I thought I was going to get ravaged tonight, Noah?"

"D'you wanna? Or do you wanna sleep? I mean, I can be ready in, like…four seconds…if you wanna but I think you're too tired."

Rachel reached up and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Noah, but I would really like to sleep right now, honestly."

Puck chuckled and pressed her against the blankets, rolling over to lean over her and kiss her passionately. His hand slid up and cupped her breast, his fingers brushing over her nipple. "Sleep, babe. I'll wake you up in the morning and you'll make it up to me then, okay?"

Laughing into his mouth, Rachel kissed him again and nodded. Before Puck could even roll away from her, she was already asleep.

Next up: The birth gets closer and closer.