Chapter 25
Noah and Rachel began clearing the dishes, teasing back and forth and making mindless small talk as they put the leftovers in the refrigerator and filled the dishwasher. Noah set up the coffeemaker for a fresh pot and then took Rachel's hand, escorting her to the living room, where they both sat down on the couch.
"Noah, what's on your mind?" Rachel inquired. "You've been a bit on edge all evening."
Noah exhaled deeply, taking Rachel's hand as he turned to face her, looking into her eyes.
"Rach, my mom called this morning," he somberly began. "Apparently, my ex-father-in-law passed away. His attorney contacted her…told her there were some provisions in the will for my kids, and, as their guardian, I need to go to Chicago tomorrow."
"What do you think it means?" Rachel tentatively asked.
"No clue," Noah admitted. "The guy was loaded, but he barely acknowledged the twins when I was married, and, once my ex gave up her parental rights, I never heard from them again. Can't say I missed 'em, either. He was an arrogant prick, and her mother was one cold bitch." Noah ruefully shook his head, continuing, "If it was for me, I would tell 'em to 'shove it', but, if he left some money for Lily and Jase, I owe it to them to make sure that they have it."
"When do you leave?" Rachel posed.
"I have an early flight tomorrow morning, and I'll be back on Wednesday afternoon. Figured, since I'm there, I might as well spend some time with Ma and Becca. Mrs. Teitelbaum's gonna stay overnight, and Kurt's got a guest host lined up."
"If you're looking for moral support…or company…I'd be happy to accompany you, Noah," Rachel offered. "I can ask my understudy to fill in tomorrow and the Wednesday matinee…"
"Rach, thank you for that; I appreciate it more than I can say," Noah acknowledged, drawing her close and kissing her on the cheek. "I can do this alone, though. Don't worry about it; everything'll be fine, and I'll be back before you know it." He smiled encouragingly before concluding, "The only thing left is to tell the kids."
"How do you think they'll react?" Rachel gently prodded, finding his right hand and lacing his fingers with hers.
"No clue there, Rach," Noah divulged, squeezing her hand gently, grateful for the comfort she provided. "We've never discussed their mother. They were too young to know the truth, and, in all honesty, they never asked." He exhaled deeply, and then continued, "I guess I'll be as upfront as I can be without going into detail."
"Ya' know, though…" he mused, "I do have a dinner next Saturday; Kurt's getting an award, so we'll all be there. Would you come as my date, Rach?" Noah asked, hopeful hazel eyes meeting contented brown ones. "D'you think your understudy will be able to perform?"
"I'm sure that can be arranged," Rachel assured him with a smile. "Thank you for asking; I'd love to go. What should I wear?"
"It's formal, actually…industry event and all; I'm wearing a tux…we all are…well, the guys are, anyway," he added with a sly grin.
"Thanks, Noah," Rachel replied. "I have the perfect dress; I wore it to the Tonys last month. Blaine and I presented the award for 'Best Original Score'."
"I'm sure you'll look beautiful; you always do," Noah complimented.
"Why thank you, kind sir," Rachel teased, exchanging a gentle kiss.
A short while later, as Rachel and Noah were nestled together on the sofa, his arm about her shoulders, a key turned in the lock, the door opened, and excited conversation punctuated the otherwise subdued atmosphere. They instinctively pulled apart to a less intimate position, just in time for Lily to come bounding in the room, with the others close behind.
"Daddy, you guys really should've come with us," she advised. "Uncle Jake took us to Ample Hills, and the ice cream was amazing!"
Chuckling at his daughter's enthusiasm, Noah remarked, "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Princess." He turned his attention to the other adults, advising them, "There's fresh coffee in the kitchen; help yourselves."
Marley and the twins sat down and Jake entered the kitchen, returning shortly with two mugs of coffee, one of which he handed to an appreciative Marley, who moved over slightly to make room for him on the sofa.
"So, bro, are ya' gonna fill us in?" Jake prompted, looking pointedly at his brother.
Jason's focus slowly shifted toward his father; Lily's, on the other hand, immediately snapped, and she hesitantly queried, "Daddy? What's going on?"
"I'm going to Chicago tomorrow; I have an early flight, and I'll be back on Wednesday," Noah calmly announced. "Mrs. Teitlebaum will be here when you wake up, and she's staying over tomorrow night."
"Is Bubbe OK?" Lily concernedly asked.
"Yes, Lily, Bubbe's fine," Noah carified. He paused briefly, considering the outcome of his next words before continuing, "She called this morning. Apparently, my ex-father-in-law passed away, and…"
Jason immediately sat up straighter, his attention now fully engaged. Lily gasped, interjecting, "Wait, we had a grandfather? Why didn't we know this…why didn't we know him?"
"Lily, I'm truly sorry, but they cut all ties when your mother and I ended things," Noah carefully explained, looking into his daughter's increasingly skeptical eyes. "I haven't heard a word from any of them until now. Apparently, he left something for you…both of you, actually, and I'm going to see the attorney tomorrow." Noticing Lily's expression, which had changed from one of disbelief to curiosity, he quickly added, "And, no; I have no idea what it is."
"Did they, um, like, ever see us?" Jason hesitantly asked.
Noah's focus shifted to his son as he answered honestly, "Once, at your bris and baby-naming."
Lily exhaled softly, and she quietly uttered, "Wow…just, wow…"
Silence permeated the room; the adults sipped their after-dinner coffee while the twins sat in quiet contemplation. After a few minutes, Noah glanced at his watch and, noting the time, announced, "Guys, it's getting late. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me. Please say good-night to our guests and head off to bed."
Jason tentatively waived "Good-night" and, after thanking his uncle again for dessert, left the room. Lily hugged everybody in turn; Rachel felt the girl start to break down and whispered, "It'll be alright, Lily; don't worry."
Shortly thereafter, Rachel, Marley, and Jake were preparing to leave for the evening. Rachel reminded him, "Text me when the plane lands, please, Noah."
He kissed her tenderly, confirming, "I will, Rach."
"Everything will be fine," she whispered in his ear. She kissed him softly on the cheek and left the apartment, joining Marley and Jake for their journey home.
Noah finished up in the kitchen and was heading off to his own bedroom when he heard Lily tentatively call out "Daddy?"
Noah entered his daughter's room and sat down on the edge of her bed. "What's up, Princess?" he queried.
"What was she like, Daddy?" Lily hesitantly asked. "Our mother, I mean…"
Although Noah had done his best to move on, he still found it difficult to speak well of the woman who had wreaked so much havoc in his life. He carefully answered, "Well, Lily, when I first met her, she was very lively and fun to be with."
"Was she pretty?" Lily asked. "Do I look like her?"
"Yeah, she was pretty; at least I thought so at the time," Noah answered objectively. "But, no, you look like me and your Aunt Bex. Jason has more of her coloring; he's kind of a mix…but you're all Puckerman," he concluded with a soft smile.
"Oh," Lily commented, thinking a moment before hopefully continuing, "That's not a bad thing; I mean, Aunt Bex is, like, really pretty, so that must mean that I am too…"
Noah chuckled, affirming, "Yes, Princess; you are."
"Thanks, Daddy," Lily shyly replied. "Did you love her?" she timidly prodded.
Noah exhaled softly, answering, "I thought so at the time, Lily." He looked into her eyes before continuing, "Over the years, I've come to the conclusion we weren't really in love. Like I said, she was a lot of fun to be around, and we got caught up in the moment. We were both too young to make a serious commitment."
"What happened, Daddy?" Lily concernedly asked. "Why did she leave?"
Realizing the truth was more than his 12-year-old daughter could handle, he did his best to be honest without embellishing the situation: "Lily, she wasn't ready to be a mother. She didn't know how to handle one baby, let alone two. She wanted fun and parties and being the center of attention, not feeding babies and changing diapers."
"What about you, Daddy? You were the same age, right?" Lily prompted him.
"Lily, I was never happier than when I found out that we were having twins. You two have been the best part of my life, and I have no regrets where you're concerned."
"Thank you, Daddy," Lily acknowledged with a small smile and a yawn.
Noah leaned over and kissed Lily on the forehead. He stood up, asking, "Any more questions tonight, Princess?"
"No, Daddy; not tonight," she tiredly responded. She suddenly perked up, asking "Did you ask Rachel for a date?"
Noah chuckled, admitting, "As a matter of fact, I did."
"See, I told you…" a contented Lily commented. A self-satisfied grin now on her face, she snuggled into her pillow, closing her eyes.
"Good night, Lily," he softly stated, watching his daughter as she settled down to fall asleep. He turned, leaving the room and heading again toward his own.