Because I can't update as frequently, I'm trying to make the updates longer!
Also, when I mention Defying Gravity, I'm referring to the version I wrote before Wheels was on TV (I really hated the way they did it on the show, and if you'd like the full version of my rant, please let me know)
Also, I made the executive decision that Tina is a Tim Burton fan… go with it :)
If I owned Glee I'd pay someone to do my uni assignments…hahahahahah
***
Rachel and Quinn checked their appearances in the mirror. They were both wearing dresses for their baby shower tea party.
"The only part I'm not looking forward to today is the free for all on my belly." Quinn said. Rachel tugged at the neckline of her maxi dress. For the first time in her life she actually had to worry about her cleavage.
"Oh would you relax! You get the pregnant glow without actually having to get fat! Embrace it; you've never looked this good!" Quinn said.
"You both look beautiful girls. Now let's move! The guests of honour have to be there on time!" Jesse said. Quinn and Rachel hustled out the door and into the car. It only took a few minutes to get to Mercedes' house.
"You girls have fun. Call me when you're ready to get picked up!" Jesse said. They waved and headed inside. There were purple and white balloons everywhere. There were several Its a Girl signs on the walls.
"Hey girls!" Mercedes called out. She headed over and hugged both of them.
"Mercedes, you've found your calling. This looks amazing!" Rachel said. There were lengths of purple and white chiffon hanging from the roof, and fairy lights were twinkling discreetly around the room. Any spare table space was decorated with tea light candles.
"I got a Polaroid camera so we can take photos of the day. Come take a seat." The girls sat down with Brittany and Tina and their moms and Anita; Brittany looking gorgeous in her yellow dress from the girls mash up, Tina dressed in a replica of the teapot dress from the new Alice in Wonderland movie.
"You both look lovely." Rachel said. They looked over to see Deborah and Naomi Puckerman and Carole Hudson had arrived, and was chatting politely with Mrs. Jones.
"Hi Deborah" Rachel said, standing up to hug her.
"Hey sweetheart, Noah told me all about the decision you made. It's very honourable. You look beautiful." She said quietly. She moved to hug Quinn, whom she'd only recently started to warm up to. Rachel smiled at Mrs. Hudson.
"It's fantastic to see you again. Quinn and I really appreciate your coming." Rachel said sincerely.
"I don't like what Quinn did, I really don't, but I know exactly why she did it. Of course I came; I gotta support the moms of my granddaughter." She replied. One by one, everyone arrived. All the Glee moms were invited, as well as the Glee girls, Kurt, Anita, Naomi, Arianne and Ms. Pillsbury.
"Ok, please come and take your seats. High tea is ready." Mercedes said. They headed to the table and saw their names written on place cards written in calligraphy.
"Excuse me Rachel and Quinn. After the baby is born can you please let me bring her in for show and tell? Nobody believes that I'm gonna be an aunt before I'm ten, and I'm sure a real live baby will be way cooler than Bobby Campbell's dumb frog anyway." Naomi said seriously.
"I think it's very necessary that she comes in for show and tell." Quinn said. She fist bumped Naomi lightly and sipped on her orange juice.
"Have you decided on a name yet?" Arianne asked.
"We've made a short list of possible names, but we won't decide until we meet her." Rachel said. Quinn stood up.
"I'd just like to take a moment to thank you all for the baby shower. It's more than I ever could have imagined. I'd just like to say a very heartfelt thank you to Ms. Pillsbury; because of her advocating for girls in my situation, I'm going to be able to continue my education at McKinley." Quinn said. She raised her orange juice for a toast.
***
It had been a lovely day. They'd played games, eaten copious amounts of junk food, and there was now a competition running for the day Quinn would deliver as well as for the weight of the baby. People started to clear out, so Rachel called her dad and asked him to come pick her and Quinn up.
"Thank you so much for everything Mercedes! It was the best afternoon!" Rachel said. Mercedes helped them load the trunk with their gifts and waved as they drove off.
"I just have to make a detour to pick up some paper for your daddy." Jesse said, before driving into Lima's town centre. He spent a good fifteen minutes in the stationery store before finally returning.
"Sorry girls. I couldn't remember the brand we normally use and there are just so many paper options these days." He said. Rachel shook her head. He was refusing to meet her eye. There was more to his paper scenario than he was letting on. She was content to ignore whatever he had going on. He pulled up at the house.
"You girls go on in and head into the living room," He said. They walked in and saw Finn and Noah waiting there, looking confused.
"Do you guys have any idea of what is going on?" Quinn asked. They both shook their heads.
"Ok, you need to put on these blindfolds please." Malcolm said. Rachel looked at Malcolm dubiously and put it on. They were led gently out of the room.
"Ok, you can open your eyes." The four of them removed their blindfolds.
"SURPRISE!" The whole Glee Club, as well as Deborah, Carole, Naomi, Mr. Schue, and Ms. Pillsbury were there.
"What is this?" Quinn asked.
"When we built the pool house, we built it so that we'd have plenty of room if anybody ever needed a place to stay. We want you four to have it." Jesse explained.
"Your dad mentioned it me in passing at the victory party, and Kurt approached me about buying some bedroom stuff for the baby as a club, it turned into all of this." He said. The entire room had been decorated. Rachel's old crib sat to the side; set up with the Manchester that Quinn had seen while they'd been shopping. Finn's old rocking chair was in the room, as well as the change table that Deborah had used for Noah and Naomi. Quinn's old teddy that she'd brought with her from her parents house was on the rocking chair. There was a mural of an enchanted forest painted across the back wall.
"Who did that? It's beautiful!" Rachel said. Tina raised her hand.
"This is way too much! You can't be serious." Noah said hesitantly.
"We want you guys to have the best possible start in life. You won't have to worry about rent, and it means you'll be able to finish school and get out of this town someday." Deborah said. Quinn and Rachel were both crying silently.
"Thank you" Quinn managed to gasp out, before throwing herself at her dads. They exchanged hugs with the whole room.
"Quinn, Rach, can you open your presents? I cry any more I'm gonna look like a raccoon." Kurt said. It wasn't long until they were seated in the main living area of the pool house, surrounded by gifts. Artie had nominated himself as gift recorder for thank you notes. Rachel opened the first card.
"Mercedes, you and your mom gave us a fabulous afternoon, you don't have to give us a gift as well." Rachel said.
"Oh, just open it!" Mercedes replied. They tore back the paper to reveal a gorgeous velveteen rabbit and a matching jumpsuit, as well as baby bath lotion.
"Oh, that is so CUTE! And it's big! She can wear it her first winter!" Quinn said. Brittany and her mom bought baby bath towels, a baby bag and several picture books. Kurt had gone nuts in the baby girl department, buying clothes in all shapes and sizes (he claimed he wanted to keep her well dressed and uninfluenced by Rachel for as long as he could).
Malcolm brought in boxes of Chinese as Quinn opened an envelope. Her jaw dropped.
"This is from Jimi. She said she's sorry she couldn't make it today, and that her gift is that she's paid for diapers and all the other stuff we need until Drizzle is two! Oh my goodness! That is so generous!" Quinn said. She carefully tucked away the card. After a pit stop for stir-fry, they moved onto the gift from Carole, Deborah and Naomi.
"Oh my gosh! We were looking at this one!" Rachel said. It was a pram, with two matching baby carriers (a sling for when she was tiny, and then an upright carrier for when she could support her neck). Matt and Mike's moms had thrown in to get a baby car seat, and Santana and her mom had bought a breastfeeding pillow, as well as several ointments for mom and baby in that time frame, and they had gotten a Jolly Jumper, which was basically a spring that attached to the roof with a seat for when Drizzle was about 8 months old.
Tina had created a photo album for as far back in the pregnancy as she could manage. Tina's mom had added a voucher for the local maternity store for Quinn, as well as several bibs and baby underclothes. Rachel peeled back the wrapping on the present from Artie's mom and Arianne. They had gotten Drizzle at least twenty onesies in a variety of sizes, and a baby bouncer.
They moved to the present from Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury. They had gotten a purifier for pacifiers, the most stunning baby dress they'd ever seen, and a candid shot taken from a Glee rehearsal, with all four parents with their hands on Quinn's belly.
"Thank you all so much! This is amazing. We appreciate it more than we can say." Rachel said. They spent the rest of the night eating Chinese and hanging out.
***
The benefit was tonight. They had roped the junior high's Glee club into serving food (thank you Arianne) and Mercedes had sweet-talked her way into getting food at pretty much cost price. Ticket sales alone had already covered flights and basic accommodation in once they got to Napa, and they had decided that any money they made would be used to bump up their accommodation to a nicer place, and then the rest would be put into a savings fund for the Glee club.
Rachel was in the dressing room, trying on dress after dress. She couldn't get anything to fit. Mercedes and Kurt had nearly had a heart attack when they realised Rachel's new and improved chest meant that she was risking indecent exposure in her costumes (her dance teacher had thrown a similar fit), and they'd busted their butts fixing the group costumes to fit her.
Bra shopping with Deborah the week before had been interesting. The shop assistant had been nice as pie until she realised that Rachel needed to be fitted for maternity bras. Rachel and Quinn had encouraged all the Glee girls into a running boycott of that particular lingerie store. Rachel groaned and pulled on one of Tina's dresses. Kurt shook his head.
"Why do they have to be so MASSIVE?" Rachel groaned.
"They're massive because God loves me." Puck said. He walked in and hung up a costume bag. Rachel glared at him playfully. Santana went through the stack of dresses she bought.
"Oh, Rach, try this one!" Santana said. She pulled out a dark grey dress with a feathered bottom. Rachel pulled it on. It fit her perfectly.
"Just keep it. It looks better on you anyway." Santana said. Rachel smiled and thanked her.
***
They were doing the first few numbers in their outfits from Sectionals. Rachel smiled politely as she served coffee to a group of lawyers whom Matt had approached with a ticket book (he'd sold two tables, so that was way awesome). Eyeing the time, she handed the tray she was holding to one of the junior high kids and took off her apron. They'd set the room up so that they could use the seating that the gym provided as part of their stage. The opening number had been chosen because it combined the traditional song choice of a Glee club with the feeling of New Directions, as well as giving off their personalities.
Rachel walked up the tiered seating and took a seat. She started thumbing through the sheet music she'd placed up there. She couldn't remember the name of the acting technique, but basically what happens is each of the actors move onstage before the starting of the show and start to behave as their characters would. As they were playing themselves, this would be fairly easy. One by one, each Glee member joined. Artie tuned his guitar, Brittany stretched. Rachel started playing with her phone as she saw the house lights go down. She felt the stage lights warm her face. She continued what she was doing. Rachel slid her legs off the side of the seating and leaned her head against the railing to look longingly at the boys as Artie played the opening chords of the song. She began to sing
In the midst of this nothing. This miss of a life.
Still there's this wanting to see you go by.
Tina got up and sat in the same fashion next to her
It's almost like lovin'. Sad as that is.
Mercedes and Quinn came and joined them, and Mercedes sang
May not be cool, but it's so where I live.
Quinn stood and poked her head over the railing as Santana and Brittany walked over to the clump when she took her solo
It's like I'm your lover or more like your ghost.
I spend the day wondering what you do, where you go.
Mercedes kneeled up
I try and just kick it but what can I do.
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you.
The girls moved to a stair each and stood hanging over the banister as they sang the chorus
See us, winter walking after a storm.
It's chill in the wind but it's warm in your arms.
We stop, all snow blind, may not be true.
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you.
The girls moved to sit together and to sneak glances at the boys as the Artie began to sing
Well, you'll have to excuse me, I know it's so off.
I love when you do stuff that's rude and so wrong
Mike stood on a table and faced towards the stairs,
I go up to my room, turn the stereo on,
Shoot up some you, and the you is some song.
The girls leaned back away facing the audience and began to sway as Mercedes took the lead
I lie back just driftin' and play out these scenes
I ride on the rush of all the hopes and the dreams.
They stopped as Quinn stood up and sang
I May be neglecting the things I should do.
But we've all got our junk, and my junk is you.
Both groups stood up and began to move towards each other slowly
See we still keep talkin' after you're gone. It's like we stop time. What can I do?
You're still with me then feels so good in my arms.
They say you go blind, maybe it's true.
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you.
We've all got our junk, and my junk is you.
They each met up with a partner and began to interact as they sang the final lines
My junk is you.
My junk is you.
You. You. You.
None of them could help the wide grins that spread across their faces at the applause. They quickly moved into their positions for Don't Stop Believing. They smashed out three more group numbers before leaving Artie onstage to sing his version of Hey There Delilah. The girls changed into their yellow dresses for their mashup. They performed, and Matt and Mike filled in time with a dance off. Brittany blew them kisses before walking on stage in a top hat and tails, accompanied by a chair to perform Hey Big Spender. Soon after they headed out for another group number. Mercedes smashed I'm Telling You and Kurt did MJ's memory proud with Rockin' Robin. Rachel and Quinn took the stage to sing For Good, Rachel leaving Quinn to her tear educing solo of The Winner Takes It All by ABBA (Mr. Schue had suggested Papa Don't Preach may not be the best song choice). Rachel smiled when she heard Finn singing I'll Stand By You and they ran onstage to close the first act with Viva La Vida.
"We are KILLING it!" Mercedes shouted backstage. They all cheered. Rachel checked the set list and slipped into her Proud Mary costume. They rolled onstage and performed it to a standing ovation. Santana slipped off and ran back on with a Selina song as her solo. Matt covered a roof raising Usher song. Rachel walked on stage. Her rendition of Don't Rain on My Parade was perfect. Looking over at the wings, she noticed someone gesture frantically for her to keep singing. She nodded discreetly. She whispered something to the band before moving to the grand piano (which had been a bitch and a half to move around the school).
"This isn't exactly what most people expect when they see me, but I like to keep people guessing" Rachel said. She heard the band play the intro of the song and she began to play.
So close, no matter how far Never opened myself this way Trust I seek and I find in you never cared for what they do So close, no matter how far never cared for what they do Never opened myself this way Trust I seek and I find in you never cared for what they say So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they know
but I know
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they know
but I know
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
Every day for us, something new
Open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters
never cared for games they play
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
and I know
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No, nothing else matters
Rachel smiled as she felt the music wash over her. Kurt joined her onstage to sing Defying Gravity. As they walked offstage Tina walked out in her Red Alice in Wonderland dress to reclaim the Alice song from Avril Lavigne's deathly throat. Rachel knew exactly what went wrong. Tina needed to be pinned into her dress.
Artie and Mercedes did an old school blues duet. Rachel really didn't appreciate the way she was dragged to the wings by Kurt and Quinn when she was half dressed. She softened when she heard the song Noah was singing
Hey where did we go, Whatever happened Do you remember when we used to sing, So hard to find my way, Do you remember when we used to sing
Days when the rains came
Down in the hollow,
Playin' a new game,
Laughing and a running hey, hey
Skipping and a jumping
In the misty morning fog with
Our hearts a thumpin' and you
My brown eyed girl,
You my brown eyed girl.
To Tuesday and so slow
Going down the old mine
With a transistor radio
Standing in the sunlight laughing,
Hiding behind a rainbow's wall,
Slipping and sliding
All along the water fall, with you
My brown eyed girl,
You my brown eyed girl.
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da
Now that I'm all on my own.
I saw you just the other day,
My how you have grown,
Cast my memory back there, Lord
Sometime I'm overcome thinking 'bout
Making love in the green grass
Behind the stadium with you
My brown eyed girl
You my brown eyed girl
Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da.
Rachel grabbed him and kissed him when he got offstage and they were safely hidden in the wings.
"You know I was talking about Nay right?" He whispered. Rachel shoved him.
"You and I both know that Nay has green eyes. Also, read the lyrics perve!" Rachel whispered back. Mike got a surprising round of applause for his performance of the original songs from The Hangover. Noah went onstage to perform the guys mashup. Rachel ran back to the change room and finished changing for the last two numbers. They closed with the Rolling Stones and then Higher Ground.
Rachel fell to the ground, adrenaline coursing through her veins. They ran backstage as Mr. Schue took to the stage, giving an inspiring speech about why the audience should be donating to Glee club.
***
Changed back into their normal clothes, the Glee club headed out to mingle with Lima's elite.
"Excuse me Miss, I have to tell you what a pleasure it was to see you kids performing tonight. I certainly hope my donation helps to getting you far in your next competition. If you don't mind me saying, you're far better than Barbara at her own song." Rachel smiled at the older lady who had stopped her.
"Thank you very much ma'am! Every little bit helps, and we're certainly hoping to do our best in Napa. I'll keep that Barbara comment to myself." She replied, winking slightly. She turned to speak to a woman whom she vaguely recognised from Temple and thanked her for coming.
***
The gym was back to its usual splendour quickly. Mr. Schue got them to sit down before they left.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to announce that we made close to $20 000 tonight! Congratulations!" he said.
"This means we're upgrading our accommodation, right?" Quinn asked. Mr. Schue nodded fervently.
***
Ok, I tried to keep the staging talk to a minimum, but I know EXACTLY how I'd stage My Junk and it was really hard to translate it onto the page. Also, Rachel's dress is the one she wore to the Grammys.
Nationals are next… can anyone give me a suggestion of how long a Lima-California flight is, and are they on different time zones? (I plead ignorance!)
Also, I'm kinda looking forward to Jesse St. James! I feel like a bit of a bitch for my evil version of Jon's character, (Nathan, duh). I'm excited for St. Berry, Lea and Jon don't seem like brother and sister; however, I think Ingrid is a way cooler name than Shelby.
Also, I hear rumours of a Mercedes/Puck thing…aka MUCK… join in with me, Ryan Murphy, what the fuck are you thinking? Its freaking vile man! Please join me with your indignation!
Join the Puckleberry love on Twitter. Chatting with Glee Twits seriously makes my day! #youguysrockmyworld
Reviews=crack!