I don't own Glee or its characters.
*/*
"Why do you want this job, Mr. Puckerman?" Russell Berry asks and shifts slightly in his leather chair.
Puck isn't going to lie. He's pretty intimidated by this whole interview and it doesn't help that he has Rachel's dad across from him, knowing full when that Puck's been balls deep in his daughter.
"I uh…" Puck clears his throat loudly and runs his hand over his mohawk. "I honestly don't know, Sir."
"You don't know why you want the job?" Russell questions. "Or you don't have a clue why you're even here? I think you're going to have to do a lot better than that, Noah. That is, if you really want this job. My daughter spent all of dinner last night gushing about how great with music you were and how passionate you were to get into this business. You aren't really showing much enthusiasm, Noah."
Puck sighs and leans forward in his chair. "Honestly, Sir, I'm exhausted right now. I spent all weekend alternating between shifts at Sheets N' Things, Cracker Barrel, and the Minute Mart in town. I haven't slept since Thursday night when Rachel called me to do a late night run to that 24/7 kosher Chinese restaurant. I'm not complaining and I don't mind doing whatever the hell Rachel wants because she's having my baby. And by some miracle she actually believes in me. She believes I'm going to be a great father to our baby and she believes I'm good enough for her. But I'm tired all the time because babies are expensive and we don't have any money. I don't want to ask Ma or you and Stephen for any money so I have to work all the time."
Russell leans back in his chair and narrows his eyes at Puck, watching the young man rant in front of him.
"I barely see Rachel anymore unless we're at school and I'm sleeping through most of my classes because it's the only time I have to sleep. I don't want to be your assistant, Mr. Berry, or anyone's assistant for that matter. I like being my own boss and I hate people standing over my shoulder all the time. But if taking this job means I might get a few minutes with Rachel every now and then, I'll take it. I'll do whatever I have to for this job because I need it, Mr. Berry. I guess that's why I want this job."
"You care about my daughter?" Russell narrows his eyes a little more.
Puck nods quickly and wipes his hands on his jeans. "Very much, Sir."
"What makes you think you aren't good enough for Rachel?"
"I don't think it's a secret that I was in a situation very similar to this one just a few years ago, Mr. Berry. And I know you know about the slushies and how I used to be to Rachel. There's a reason people call me a Lima Loser."
Russell nods slowly and takes a few seconds to collect his thoughts. "If my daughter had heard what you just said, Noah, she would have kicked your ass. You're no Lima Loser, Mr. Puckerman. That's one thing Rachel is very adamant about. Yes, Stephen and I know about the slushies and the mean words and mocking… but we also know about how happy she is when you're around. We know she can't help but smile every time someone even mentions your name. We know you're good enough for our daughter. You wouldn't be in this office if I didn't think you were. It seems you're the only one that thinks otherwise."
Puck swallows the lump in his throat and grins slowly. "Does this mean I got the job?"
Russell smiles as well and says, "Rachel's making your congratulatory dinner tonight. Why don't you invite your mom and sister to come as well? I'll see you tonight, Mr. Puckerman."
*/*
"I got the fucking job," Puck says as soon as he's safely in Rachel's room, with her door shut and locked for a little extra privacy.
She turns away from the bed, a little surprised to see him, and frowns. "You aren't supposed to be here. I'm wrapping up my gift to you so… so close your eyes or turn around!" She huffs loudly and tries to cover whatever is half-wrapped on her bed. "Sometimes, Noah Puckerman…" She trails off when Puck turns back towards her door and she rushes to finish her surprise. "Was Dad nice to you?"
"Yea, actually," Puck tells her with his back still to her. "I start next week."
He hears her shove whatever it was under her bed and then she's walking towards him, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her cheek into his back. "I'm so proud of you, Noah," She whispers the words and he twists so he's facing her. "You're going to love this job; I just know it. But you really do need to do some research on my Dad's studio. He's going to be working you as much as possible and you don't want to seem like you have no idea what you're doing."
"Yea, I get right on that," He teases and leads her back against the bed, slowly lowering her down until he's hovering over her. "Where are your dads?"
"Dad doesn't usually leave his office until around five and Daddy has a day off so he's probably doing laps in the pool right now." She tilts her head back to look towards the window. "What did you have in mind? You do remember we have our first birthing class at two, right?"
"Of course, baby," He sounds a bit like he's just humoring her, but she can't find it in her to care.
She knows he's still a little worried about having sex with the baby still in her belly, but that didn't mean Noah isn't willing to get them both off in other ways. She has to admit Noah is quite skilled with both his hands and his mouth.
Puck figures they have at least forty-five minutes before Rachel shoves him away and freaks out about being late to their first class.
*/*
"Aren't you excited, Noah?" Rachel asks. "I think we're a little behind on starting the classes because Santana's Aunt started her classes when she was just twenty-five weeks along and I'm twenty-nine. But we have plenty of time before the baby comes, or at least, I hope we do. I spoke with the instructor yesterday and she says it's perfectly normal for first-time parents to be behind." Puck wants to interrupt her and say he's done these classes before with Quinn, but decides it would be in his best interest to keep his mouth closed. "The instructor, her name in Mrs. Benson, is really sweet. She says that these sessions will help us prepare for the birth and she even offers a class for what to do after the baby arrives! Isn't that great?"
"Totally." He fights back the urge to roll his eyes and leads her down another hallway.
"Plus, we'll be able to make friends with other pregnant couples," She blows out a breath. "Santana and Quinn are great company, but I'd like to make friends with another woman who is pregnant. You know, so we can compare notes and make sure everything is normal. You can even hang out with the other dads."
Puck smiles a little at that for the mere fact that he loves whenever Rachel calls him a dad. It makes his chest swell a little. "That'd be cool."
Rachel walks into the large room first, Puck not far behind, and all eyes turn to them. It doesn't seem as though Mrs. Benson was there yet, but most of the couples had already taken their spots on the floor. There was only one mat left and Rachel grabs Noah's hand before leading him over.
Puck feels out of place among all of the couples since he and Rachel are by far the youngest ones there. Rachel doesn't even seem fazed by it though, and jumps right into an intense conversation with the woman next to her about breast soreness and some kind of discharge Puck doesn't really care to hear about.
"First kid?" The man next to him asks Puck quietly. "This is me and my wife's first." He gestures to the woman in front of him that was in deep conversation with Rachel.
"Yea, uh, it's my first baby with Rachel," Puck replies. "It's a boy."
"I'm Kevin," The man shakes Puck's hand. "And this is my wife, Sarah." The woman halts her conversation with Rachel long enough to acknowledge Puck and then jumps right back in with something about nursing bras. Puck doesn't even try to follow along with that conversation, choosing instead to bring up last night baseball game with Kevin.
*/*
Their first birthing class is pretty low-key, mainly just the instructor welcoming everyone and all the couples introducing themselves and all that boring shit. But Rachel enjoys it so Puck smiles along and lets her have a good time.
Rachel exchanges phone numbers with Sarah and both the couples are supposed to start little double dates. Puck isn't so sure about all that, but Rachel assures him that it will mainly be Kevin and Puck hanging out in Kevin's 'man cave' while Sarah and Rachel talk upstairs. Puck just assumes they'll be swapping stories about baby outfits and names or something. He really doesn't care all that much if he's being honest. Besides, Rachel's pretty much called dibs on buying all the baby supplies. Puck's pretty sure it's only because Rachel thinks he'll mess up if he goes to the store.
But now, he just wants to get back to Rachel's house so she can start on that dinner she promised him. He texted his mom earlier, letting her know to be at the Berry house around six with Becca.
"What are you making for dinner?" He asks as he pulls into her driveway.
"It's a surprise," She smiles over at him. "My dads thought up this plan to distract you with this big elaborate speech about parenthood. I just told them to put on some movie with lots of explosions and violence instead."
Puck chuckles and leans over to kiss her lips chastely. "Thanks, babe."
"By the way," She tells him as they're walking into the house. "My dads want to set up a schedule soon. You know, for the baby. I thought we'd do it tonight since your mom is going to be here. I know it's soon, but if we do it now it will be one less thing we'll have to worry about when the baby arrives."
"What kind of schedule?"
"Well, we won't have to worry about who will watch the baby during the day since we won't be in school then, but we'll have to discuss who will keep the baby on what weekends and all that. I'm not sure what my dads had in mind, but it shouldn't be too hard to get all this squared away." She shrugs and pushes him into the den with her dads while she moves to the kitchen to get started on dinner.
*/*
Puck really doesn't like how the conversation is going right now. Rachel's dads are basically saying the baby isn't allowed to be alone with Noah at all. Or rather, he's not allowed around the baby without proper supervision. And they think the baby shouldn't stay overnight at the Puckerman's house, either. That's shit isn't kosher. Especially since Rachel's sitting there, her head hung low as she bits her bottom lip nervously, not saying a word.
"Now we aren't saying that baby can't come over to visit at your house, Noah," Russell tells him. "We just want your mother to be there as well. In the same room if that's possible."
"I don't understand," Puck shakes his head. "Are you saying you don't trust me with my baby?"
"We're just a little wary leaving you alone with a child. It's a big responsibility. What if you get distracted and the baby gets hurt? Don't you remember what happened when you were babysitting for Mrs. Cooper down the street?"
"The kid was fine," Puck defends himself since no one else is speaking up for him.
"He fell out of a window!" Stephen's eyes widen dramatically and Puck now knows where Rachel got her dramatic side.
"He fell two feet into some bushes!" Puck rolls his eyes and looks to his mom for support.
"Noah was much younger then," Debra tells Stephen and Russell. "He helped that gentile he impregnated a few years ago babysit and he did very well."
"I think you just proved our point for us, Debra," Russell sighs. "Noah is a bit immature. I just don't think it's a good idea if the baby sleeps over. You can have the baby during the day as much as you'd like, but I have to put my foot down on anytime after dark."
"This is bullshit!" Puck clenches his teeth and Rachel's head shoots up to stare at him. "This is my baby and I have a say in this, too. Rachel and I will figure something out. We'll set up a schedule and you three," he glowers at his mom, Russell, and Stephen, "will stay out of it."
Rachel looks around the table quickly, her eyes flying from face to face, hoping everyone keeps their calm. "I think," Rachel says and all eyes turn to her, "Noah has a point. He is the father of this baby. Dad, Daddy, I know you're worried, but Noah and I promised to see this through. If he and I can't set up a simple schedule without your help, how can we raise a baby on our own? I'm not saying you three can't be involved because Noah and I are going to need you, but we have to do some things without you breathing down our necks."
Puck lets a slow breath out through his nose and nods at Rachel, silently thanking her. She stands then, holding her hand out to Noah and when he takes it, she leads him upstairs to her room without another word to their parents.
Becca clears her throat loudly and successfully gains the adults' attention. "More mashed potatoes, please."