Hello everyone! Enjoy!
Chapter 11
As they pulled up in front of Puck's house, Rachel could see the anger in his eyes when he noticed his mom's car out front.
"Puck take a minute to calm down," she warned him but he immediately got out of the car and started charging towards the door. Rachel quickly got out and followed him. "Puck!"
Ignoring Rachel's calls, he walked in the house and stormed over to his mother who was standing in the kitchen observing the damage.
"Are you happy now?" he asked.
Maria looked at him. "The fire was an accident Noah and it's not that bad. Where's Sara? She's not here."
"On her way to a foster home because of you."
"What?" she asked as her face went blank. "I don't understand."
"I told you her school was catching onto us. I told you they would call social services but did you listen? No because you were too busy getting drunk all the time."
"Noah I'm-"
"You're what, Mom?" he yelled. "You're sorry? You don't know how this happened? It's a little too late for your apologies. My sister is somewhere scared to death because her own mother didn't give enough of a shit about her to not start a fucking fire with her in the house."
Maria shook her head. "If I had any idea a fire was starting I would never have left."
"For years I have tried to keep everything together here," he said with tears in his eyes. "Ever since Dad left I've tried to be the man of the house and take care of everything but you just keep ruining it. And now you and your drinking cost us Sara. I'm going to figure out some way to get her back but to do that, I need to be away from you. You can keep screwing up your life but I'm done letting you screw up mine and Sara's."
Without another word, Puck went upstairs to his room and grabbed a bag to put clothes in. When he finished he went back down and took Rachel's hand before walking out of the house.
As they got into the truck, he laid his head against the steering wheel. Rachel put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Where are you going to go?"
"I'm hoping Finn would be alright with me crashing on his couch until I figure out my next move. You heard what that social worker said, if I have any hope of getting Sara back I have to move out of my mom's place." He paused before looking at her. "I'm really sorry about tonight. Not a great first date huh?"
"I couldn't care less about that right now. All that matters is getting Sara back with you and I'm going to try to help you."
"Rachel as much as I appreciate that, unless you have money for me to be able to get an apartment or something I doubt you can help me."
As he started to drive to take her home, Rachel sat in thought about the situation. Maybe she didn't have the money but that didn't mean she couldn't find some way to help.
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The next morning, Rachel went downstairs and found Leroy working on his laptop.
"Where's Dad?" she asked.
"He went to the gym for a little while. 'Working off steam' he says," he rolled his eyes. "How was your night with Mercedes?"
"It was fine," she replied, sitting in front of him. She thought about what she was about to do and second guessed if she should but when she remembered Puck's face when Sara was taken away, Rachel knew she had to try. "But I got some bad news about the new security guard at school, Noah Puckerman."
"Yes your father told me about him. He sounds like a really nice young man."
"He is. Which makes what happened to him even more awful. He has a younger sister and she was taken away last night by social services because of their mother being an alcoholic."
"Oh no," he frowned. "That is awful. How's he doing?"
"Not great. The social worker said she'd help him get her back if he moves away from his mom but he can't afford an apartment on his own. I was hoping you'd have some ideas of how to help."
Leroy paused and sat back in the chair. "Does he have any other family members he can stay with?"
Rachel shook her head. "No it's just been him, his mom and sister."
He thought for a moment. "Well I do know some places that he may be able to afford as long as he manages his money well. Let me make some calls and see what I can do."
"Thank you," she said hugging him.
"I guess you two are friends?" he raised an eyebrow at her.
"Yeah he's like another big brother next to Finn," Rachel quickly answered, hoping that would be enough. Luckily Leroy just nodded before going back to work as she sighed in relief and went upstairs.
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That Monday at school, Puck was clearly out of it. He spent the rest of the weekend trying to find options for him and Sara and nothing came out of it. All he could think about was Sara scared and alone in the foster home probably thinking she would never see him again.
His thoughts were interrupted when Rachel came over to him. "Hey."
"Hey," she smiled. "How are you holding up?"
"I can barely sleep. I'm too worried about Sara and how's she's doing and how that family is treating her."
"Well I talked to my dad and he wants to meet with you after school."
He looked at her confused. "Hiram didn't say anything about meeting."
"No my other dad. I told him what happened and he wants to help."
"You don't think it's a little suspicious that you're helping the security guard with personal issues?"
"No I told him we were friends. That you're like a brother to me just like Finn."
"Just as long as you don't actually think that, otherwise kissing you would be very awkward for me," he smirked.
She rolled her eyes as the bell rang and walked away to class.
After school, Puck met Rachel and Leroy in front of an apartment building.
"Dad this is Noah Puckerman," Rachel introduced. "Noah this is my dad."
Leroy smiled, holding out his hand. "Leroy Berry."
Puck nodded and shook it. "Nice to meet you sir. I have to admit, I'm a little surprised and confused that you're trying to help me."
"Well Rachel told me your situation and the last thing I want to see is a family torn apart. Have you seen your sister yet?"
"No, the social worker just told me this afternoon where she was staying. The first chance I get I'm going to see her to make sure she's okay."
"Good man," Leroy nodded. "Well let's get this done so you have some time to see her."
The three of them walked into the building and went up to an apartment. Puck looked around and saw that it would be the perfect place for him and Sara. It's not too far from her school or his job and he felt like this could be a safe place for them away from Maria.
"This place is really nice," he said.
"Do you think you and your sister would be alright here?" Leroy asked.
"Yeah definitely. I'm not sure I can afford it though."
"Actually you can. The owner of the building has this program for housing emancipated youths in need of shelter and he's willing to charge you a fair amount for rent each month."
Puck's jaw dropped. "Seriously?"
He nodded. "I told him your situation and he's a good friend of mine so he's happy to do it. And I'd be happy to help you with the process of becoming your sister's legal guardian."
"What do you think Noah?" Rachel asked.
Puck stared back at the two speechless with tears in his eyes. He didn't think it would be possible to get Sara back until now. "I don't know what to say. This means so much to me, I don't know how I can ever repay you."
"From what my husband and daughter tell me about you, it sounds like you're just a young man in need of a break. And I'm happy to be the one to help give it to you."
Rachel smiled at Puck and resisted the urge to take him in her arms. She knew how much this meant to him and she was so happy that her and her father were able to help.
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As Puck waited outside of the foster home, all he could think about was Rachel and how he couldn't believe she managed to help him. Even after he said that she couldn't, she still found a way.
His thoughts were interrupted when Sara came running out of the front door.
"Puck!" she yelled jumping in his arms. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too," he said. "Are you okay? How are these people treating you?"
"Fine, they're really nice. They gave me hot chocolate with marshmallows my first night because I wouldn't stop crying."
He frowned. "I'm so sorry I didn't keep my promise. I tried, I really did."
"Just please tell me that you're here to take me home. These people are nice but I want to be with you."
"I can't take you home yet but I will. One of Rachel's dads helped me get a place for us to live. Just you and me."
"Really?" she smiled excitedly.
"Yeah I'm going to get it ready then show the social worker so she can bring you back. We're going to be okay."
"What about Mom?"
Puck paused. Until that moment he hadn't thought about his mother. She was probably a mess without them but he was sure that she'd survive. "Mom has to figure out if she wants to be part of our lives. But in order for me to take you back we can't be living with her so it'll just be the two of us. Are you okay with that?"
"Yeah it's always been the two of us anyway," Sara shrugged. "Just hurry up and get it done so I can come back and see Rachel."
"I will do it as quick as possible. And Rachel's dad is going to help me become your legal guardian."
"What's that?"
"It means I'm going to be the one who takes care of you from now on and no one can take you away from me again. You okay with that?"
"Definitely," she nodded before hugging him.
Puck smiled to himself. Things were starting to finally come together for him. But then a thought creeped into his mind: Rachel's dad had done a very generous thing for him and he was repaying it by secretly dating his daughter. How was he supposed to be okay with that?
Let me know your thoughts! Bye for now :)
