Hey guys good and bad news. First, as usual these days, I'm sorry for the super long delay. With holidays and what not it's hard to find time to write as I'm sure most of you understand but still I'm sorry. Good news is that I'm going to hopefully finish writing chapter 26 and 27 tonight though I'll probably not post 26 until tomorrow or Friday. The bad news is I'm without a laptop for a couple months so though i can check email and answer reviews on my Nook I got for Christmas, I can only write on my grandma's computer so my writing is going to be back to whenever I can get to the computer. I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and that you enjoy this chapter and I'm sorry for the lack of review replies but I"m trying to hurry back to my writing. Special thanks to Lwrnld, GingerGleek, Allielovesyou Julie, Alex, and Tia for your support on all of my stories and just for being your amazing selves. Thank you to all of my readers as well. Love you guys!

They walked into the house and immediately Rachel heard "RACHEL!" as there were little arms wrapped around her knees.

She hugged Dani back and said, "Hello, Dani, how are you doing?"

"I'm great, you'll never believe what happened today!"

Rachel allowed herself to be pulled into the kitchen by the little girl as she babbled on about a boy, firecracker and a flagpole when she felt herself suddenly engulfed by another set of arms, "Oh dear girl, I was afraid that Noah would have chased you off by now. I missed you, you really should come around more often!"

"Ma we were just here" Noah interrupted what was sure to be a tangent by his mother.

She waved him off as she took Rachel's arm, ignoring the glares of both of her children, "I made my world famous beef stew tonight and homemade snickerdoodles."

"I love snickerdoodles! they're my favorite! How'd you know?" She asked, excited.

Noah grinned at that, forgetting he was supposed to be glaring at his mother, see he remembers shit that's told to him, if he deems it important enough and his girl's favorite cookie is definitely important.

Dani quickly grabbed Rachel's arm away from her mother and started chattering away again. She led her into the living room and the girls started going over Part of your World again for Dani's talent show, leaving Debbie and Noah in the kitchen finishing dinner.

"She's perfect for you, Noah" Debbie said as she was stirring the beef stew and giving him 'the look' that meant pay attention or I will bug you forever about it.

"I know ma" He answered because he did know this, the look wasn't necessary.

"So what are you doing about it then?" she asked, eyebrow raised.

"Well, we are technically on a date right now but you ordered us to make an appearance so here we are"

"A date? Really? Why didn't you say so?" Debbie squealed a little too loudly.

The song shut off and Rachel called, "Did you need something, Mrs…Debbie?"

"No dear, sorry. You girls sound lovely."

Dani came running in then, "Mommy do you really think I sound lovely? Really?"

Debbie barely nodded before Dani had turned to Noah, "What about you?"

"It sounds bad ass, squirt" he answered winking at her even as he got smacked in the head by his mother and heard a scandalized "Noah!" from Rachel who was now in the doorway.

He just shrugged, reached around his mother and took a sip of the stew before deeming it done. His mom rolled her eyes but agreed with him and said, "Dinner time, Dani set the table please."

The little girl skipped over to the table giving Rachel enough time to sneak back to Noah's truck and grab the presents she had bought for the two female Puckermans.

Walking back in she heard laughter from the kitchen and smiled as she leaned in the doorway to the kitchen watching the family interact. Noah was flicking paper at Dani who was trying to retaliate in kind without Debbie seeing while Debbie was watching out of the corner of her eye, smiling even as she shook her head and turned the stove off.

Rachel loved this feeling, even though she wasn't really a part of it, just seeing a family act like a family made her smile. Her daddies were great when they were home but that was next to never so she hadn't had the full family experience in years.

"Rachel! Help me!" She heard Dani shriek, snapping her out of her thoughts as she saw Noah picking the little girl up and dangling her upside down. Debbie was watching them too and instead of reprimanding them was openly laughing at them.

Rachel couldn't help but laugh to even as she marched over to Noah, hands on hips and said, "Noah put her down this instant"

Noah made as if he was going to drop her, causing Dani to shriek again then laugh when she felt him pull her back up. "Or what?" He asked once that was over.

She thought about that for a second before saying, "Or I'll give the present I bought you today to someone else"

He raised an eyebrow at that, "You bought me a present?"

She nodded, smugly knowing that Noah wouldn't be able to resist knowing what it was now.

Glaring at her as he set his sister upright, "Not fair, Berry. Teaming up with my sister against me, not cool"

Rachel just smiled sweetly at him, patting his cheek with her free hand before handing a stuffed polar bear to Dani and a dolphin snow globe to Debbie, "I got presents for you two as well, I hope you both enjoy them"

"You went to the zoo?" Dani asked, excited, "Noah, I want to go to the zoo. You promised you'd take me"

"Danielle! What do you say?" Debbie snapped before saying, "Thank you, Rachel. It's beautiful"

"Thank you Rachel" Dani said, giving Rachel a hug before turning a glare at her brother.

Noah threw his hands up, "You got me squirt, we'll go soon, alright"

"Promise? Rachel too?"

"Promise" They both agreed which was enough for her so she skipped over to her seat, bringing her polar bear with her, grinning.

The rest followed suit and they all started eating. Everything was remarkably calm, which surprised Puck until his mom said, "So how is your date going so far, Rachel?"

Rachel choked a little on the stew before swallowing and smiling at her, "It's going wonderfully, thank you. I've not been to the zoo since I was a very little girl so it was very exciting to get to see all of the animals again."

Debbie nodded smiling but then asked, "But Noah told me that you were on a date yesterday, did things not work out?"

Rachel blushed, unsure how to answer this question because she wasn't supposed to be thinking about Mike today but she couldn't just say she was torn between two guys to one of their mothers, could she?

Noah saved her by saying, "Ma, no more questions about mine or Rachel's love lives. They're complicated enough without your input."

"I was just curious, Noah, that's all. I didn't mean any harm"

"It's complicated, Debbie. If you don't mind I'd like to leave it at that for now. Maybe some other time I'll be able to tell you the whole story" Rachel answered politely.

"Of course, dear. What are you two planning after dinner?"

Rachel turned to Noah expectantly, hoping to find out herself but of course he just shook his head, "Sorry, ma that's a surprise"

Rachel pouted again and Dani said, "If you do that long enough or if you cry Noah'll give in, he can't handle crying and pouting."

"Shut up, squirt" Noah snapped, playfully glaring at her and causing all three girls to laugh. All of them knowing what Dani said was true.

Rachel just winked at Noah however, instead of pushing and turned to Debbie, telling her how wonderful the stew was and that started them on a back and forth conversation about recipes and cooking in general that left the younger Puckermans just staring.

When they finished dinner, Noah said, "Thanks Mom, that was great but we really need to get going."

Before Debbie could answer, Rachel pouted at him, "But Noah, I wanted to try Debbie's snicker doodles" she whined slightly, causing Dani to giggle and Debbie to smirk as Noah rolled his eyes.

"They're coming with us, doll. Who do you think asked her to make them"

"Really" Rachel clapped, acting very much like a small child on Christmas morning. She then proceeded to turn and throw her arms around Debbie, "Thank you! For everything, you're amazing"

Noah was now glaring as Debbie hugged the girl, he'd put thought into this shit and his mom was the one getting the credit was how he saw it before she turned and hugged him as well, "Thank you, Noah, for remembering."

Was all she said but he got what she meant and just shrugged, smiling now that he was being remembered, "Don't mention it, Rach. Now come on, say your goodbyes and whatever so we can go"

She hugged Debbie again and Debbie whispered, "Whatever happens, come back soon"

"I will," Rachel promised before pulling back and hugging Dani who thanked her again for the polar bear and asked "Can we go to the zoo next Saturday?"

"Sorry, I have plans on Saturday but if you and your brother want…"

"NO" Both of them said.

"I want you to go too" Dani said firmly.

"Well perhaps the following weekend then, if that's alright with Noah"

Noah nodded, "Sounds good to me"

With that set, they waved goodbye again and Noah lead Rachel, who was now carrying the plate of snicker doodles, out to the truck.

"Where to now, Noah?" She asked, noticing the now dark sky.

"You'll see soon," He promised.

She sighed at that answer but then she reached for a cookie and when he didn't try and stop her she took a bite and her eyes widened a little at how delicious they were. These cookies almost made

Mike's cookies and brownies seem average and that was saying something.

"These are amazing!"

"I know, right? Don't go spreading that around. Ma's snicker doodles are my best kept secret from the gang"

"Why are they secret? Why not share?"

He looked at her, as if she were crazy, for a second before looking back at the road and taking his final turn, "Like I'd share those with just anybody"

For some reason, that sentence struck something in Rachel that made her smile softly at him before taking another bite. Not saying anything else because there was nothing else to say.

He pulled into the park parking lot, reached into the back of his truck and grabbing what he had back there that she hadn't seen him slip in and went over and helped her out, taking the cookies from her and placing them on top of the basket he was carrying.

She eyed the basket he was carrying even as she had a bag of her own in the hand that wasn't in his.

She didn't ask any questions just let him lead her to the spot they had spent many, many hours talking and just hanging out with one another before the rest of the group had came into the picture.

It was an area away from the main part of the park. It had a little two swing, swing set, a merry go round and a picnic table and that was it.

He put the basket and the plate down on the table and started pulling things out of it. She couldn't help but stare, amazed at his thoughtfulness.

He placed a bottle of sparkling apple juice and two champagne glasses down in front of them first before reaching in again and bringing out some dipping chocolate and a thing of strawberries next and finally he handed her his penguin he had bought for her at the zoo.

She looked at it, taking it in one hand before hugging him, "Noah, you shouldn't have" she said even as she held onto him tightly.

He chuckled as he realized even as she was telling him he shouldn't have, she was holding onto it tightly, as if he was going to try and take it back at any moment. "I wanted too. Now what's in the bag doll?"

She rolled her eyes, but reached in and brought out the tiger she had bought him.

He grinned, because tigers were bad ass, everyone knew that. He took it from her, kissing her cheek, "It's awesome, thank you"

She bit her lip, self consciously, "Really? I know buying a stuffed animal for a boy really isn't something that…"

He cut her off with a finger over her lips, "I love it, babe, really"

She just nodded, a small smile on her lips as she reached for a strawberry.

"How'd you get all this without me noticing?"

"Slipped it in while you were talking to the brat. Ma had the basket ready for me I just had to get it to the truck."

"I can't believe you actually remembered all of this, Noah. My favorite cookie, dessert and drink. I only brought it up once ages ago."

He just shrugged as he poured the apple cider. He wasn't good at the words part but he was good at the other shit. The listening and the doing he could do.

She couldn't believe the amount of thought he had put into this day. It had been absolutely perfect and something she would never had imagined in a million years. They sat there for an hour talking about everything and nothing and snacking.

They packed everything up around 9:30 and walked hand and hand to the truck, putting it all up before Noah helped her into the truck and hopped in his self.

She turned the radio on for the short ride to her house and the song Perfect Day by Lady Antebellum came through the speakers and she couldn't stop herself from singing along. In her mind, this had been as close to a perfect day as one could get. They pulled up to her house and Noah shut the truck off and jumped out. He opened her door and helped her out, both of them smiling as she looped her arm through his while holding her penguin and her shirt he had bought her in the other hand. They walked up the walk to her door, stopping there instead of going inside. Both of them knew that after this, things were going to change one way or another. Sure no matter what they would be friends but it wouldn't be the same after today.

"Noah, this day has been perfect, thank you"

"A perfect day has to have a perfect ending" Noah replied before leaning down slowly, capturing her lips with his.

She threaded her free arm around his neck and felt his wrap around her waist. It had been a while since their last kiss but both of them quickly slipped back into their old pattern. Noah pulled away first but only because it was either that or pinning her to the door and not letting her go at all.

She looked up at him through her eyelashes, smiling shyly as she said, "That was the perfect ending. Goodnight Noah. I'll miss you this week."

He kissed her nose and said, "I'll miss you too. Sweet Dreams and don't let Satan bully you too much and tell Princess to keep his nose out of your business and baby mama…"

She cut him off by kissing his lips again, quickly before pulling away and saying, "Goodnight" and slipping inside while she could still make herself leave.

"Goodnight" Noah whispered to the now closed door. He turned and walked to his truck, a smile on his face, thanks to the little diva whom he was fairly sure he was already in love with. He drove home singing to himself the Perfect Day song.

Coming up, Rachel making a decision, talking to Santana, Kurt, Quinn and Matt. Mercedes and some others make an apperance too, then glee club and her actual choice and then one or two chapters of aftermath. Thanks again! Have a happy New Year!