Rachel woke up early the next morning and headed straight downstairs. Usually, she would get a shower or at least moisturise but this morning she wanted to pay Puck back for the wonderful night they shared the previous night. She started to get everything ready by boiling the kettle and getting the pop up waffles from the cupboard. She then got everything that she needed to make pancakes and then got to work. However, just before she started getting all the mixture together, she took of her precious ring and put it in her pocket for safe keeping as she didn't want to get it covered with flour.
Just as she was about to get all of the pancake and waffle toppings out of the fridge, her fathers walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, princess," Hiram greeted. He then swooped down and kissed Rachel on her forehead and Leroy wrapped his arms around her.
"Morning, Dads," she replied and then pulled herself out of Leroy's arms and continued with what she started.
"What's with all the effort?" Leroy asked as he looked round the kitchen.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"I suppose it is," Leroy muttered. "I'm guessing you had a lovely night last night then?"
"I always have a lovely night when I'm with Noah," Rachel replied. She stood back from the kitchen side as her work was finally finished. She would begin cooking when Puck came downstairs.
"Where's the ring?" Hiram asked not being able to keep it in anymore.
Rachel wiped her hands on a tea towel before putting her hand in her pocked and taking out the ring. She slipped it back onto her finger before placing her hand into her father's outstretched palm.
"It's so beautiful," Hiram stated. "I'm surprised he went with white gold seeing as your usual is a golden star."
"I know, I thought the same, but this matches me better, I feel," Rachel replied and smiled brightly at her father.
Footsteps were heard coming down the stairs and not a minute later, Puck was stood in the kitchen. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he said grinning proudly at the scene in front of him.
"Of course not," Leroy replied.
"I must say, Noah, I'm proud of your taste in rings," Hiram muttered. "Who helped you?"
"Shelby and Kurt actually," Puck admitted before walking over to Rachel and kissing her hello. He glanced at all of the preparations on the side. "Have you done all this for me?" He asked looking over at Rachel.
"It was the least I could do," Rachel murmured and then she ran towards Puck and threw her arms around him.
Carly joined them about half an hour later and she and Rachel fawned over the ring that Rachel had placed back on her finger before they got on with the day. Carly was going to Sugar's house and Rachel had plans with the unholy trinity. Puck, on the other hand, was going to the tyre shop to get in some more hours so he could have more money for when the babies were born. The car and the ring took a hefty amount from his wallet but it was all worth it to him.
oOoOo
Rachel and the unholy trinity had plans to go shopping for over a week so they could buy each their Christmas, or in Rachel's case, Hanukah, presents. It also gave Rachel a chance to by presents for Carly, her mom, Will, Beth, Kurt and her dad, Leroy. It also gave her a chance to by a present for her daddy, Hiram and Puck for Hanukah.
In her family wasn't the most religious but they went through the business of lighting the candles for Hanukah and they decorated the house with the Christmas tree. As Carly was spending Christmas with her this year, there were now two Christians and two Jews living in the house so this year the celebrations would be equal.
Rachel and the unholy trinity had originally decided to do a secret Santa, but with Brittany being Brittany, when she pulled out Santana's names, she squealed, "Oh my gosh, San, I'm gonna get you the best present ever." Santana had forgotten to remind her girlfriend that it was meant to be secret. Instead, Quinn suggested that they should go shopping to point out what they liked and then the other three girls would contribute towards it. Rachel wasn't too happy at first; she was planning on buying all her best friends presents anyway.
Santana picked her up just after eleven and drove to the mall with a quick detour to Quinn's house. Rachel sat on her left hand the entire ride and only spoke up once Santana had turned off the ignition.
"Guys, I have something to tell you, well show you…" she began and trailed off as she brought her hand up to show the other three girls the ring that was glistening on her finger.
"I cannot believe he had the nerve!" Santana said. "I mean, he told me the whole plan and it was fool proof but I can't believe he actually had the balls to do it."
"Oh wow!" Was all Brittany said.
"Aren't you two a bit young?" Quinn asked bringing the mood down completely.
"Quinn…."
"No, Rach, you're eighteen. It's too young for marriage," Quinn snapped.
"I love Noah and I don't want to be with anyone else," Rachel replied quickly. "And who says we're going to marry at eighteen. I don't want that either, that's why we're waiting until we're both ready."
"Oh, thank God," Quinn said with relief. "Then I'm sorry and let's get going!"
Santana and Brittany took one last look at Rachel's ring before the four of them hopped out the car and hit the shops.
The beginning of the shopping trip was a little slow as there were far too many people squeezed into the mall but eventually they got into the zone and spent at least three hours shopping and managed to get the presents that they wanted.
Just as they were leaving, Rachel's phone rang.
"Hold on a second, guys," she called to her friends who were heading back to Santana's car. She then pulled her phone out of her pocket as saw that her mom was ringing her. "Hey, Mom. What's up?"
"Hey sweetie, do you fancy coming over to mine this afternoon?" Shelby asked. "I want to discuss New York with you."
"I can come over now if you want," Rachel replied.
"Perfect," Shelby said and the hung up the phone.
Rachel then got into the back of the car with Quinn and asked Brittany to turn the radio down. "San, can you drop me off at my mom's instead please?"
"Sure thing, chica," Santana replied and then started to drive.
Once the car started moving, Rachel clung on for dear life. She trusted Santana with her life when it came to secrets but not when it came to driving; she drove like a maniac. But with Santana's crazy driving, Rachel got to Shelby's apartment in record time.
"I'll see you later," Rachel called as she got out the car.
"Still coming to my party?" Santana asked.
"I'll be there."
Rachel shut the door and grabbed her many bags from the boot of the car before heading up the many stairs to her mother's front door. With her hand's being full, she had to kick the door slightly instead of knocking. There was barely a pause for Rachel to take a breath when the door was opened to reveal her mother.
"Do you just stand behind the door when you're expecting me?" Rachel joked as she walked over the threshold.
"She may as well do," Will replied for Shelby as he walked up behind her. "Let me help you with them," He added when he saw Rachel's many bags.
"Been shopping with the girls?" Shelby asked as she walked with Rachel into the kitchen to put on the kettle.
"Yes, and don't go peaking," Rachel replied, "Will, I'm being serious. Get your nose out!" She added when she saw him about to look into one of the bags.
Will quickly backed away from the bags and headed into the living room, leaving the mother and daughter alone in the kitchen. Shelby made them both a drink and they sat around the kitchen table and started to discuss New York which was going to happen the week after Christmas.
They talked about New York for a couple of hours and Rachel thought that she was going to be off the hook with the engagement. However, she was proved wrong when she absentmindedly rubbed under her eye with her left hand.
"That ring definitely suits you, I must admit," Shelby said.
Rachel grinned. "I still can't believe he asked me. Though, I don't want to get married yet, I'm far too young."
Just as Rachel said that, Will walked into the room with Beth on his hip. "I can't believe he asked me for my permission," he revealed.
"You're like a dad to me now, Will," Rachel admitted, "It was only right."
Will beamed at Rachel proudly. He sat Beth down on the sofa next to Shelby and then leant over to hug Rachel. "You're a daughter to me too, Rach."
oOoOo
Later that night, Puck arrived to take Rachel home since she didn't have her car with her. There was also the fact that she couldn't really fit behind the wheel any more. Puck helped her carry her bags inside and helped her put all the clothes away.
"How many things have you bought for the kids?" He said as he put away the fourth bag full of more baby clothes.
"I don't really know but I just see things and think 'oh that'll look adorable' and then I buy it," Rachel replied.
Puck shook his head in amusement and carried on putting the clothes away. When everything was where it should be, Puck took Rachel's hands and led her downstairs to join her fathers and Carly for a night of movies.
Part way through the second movie, Rachel got a phone call. She looked down and saw that it was her gran. Rachel stood up and excused herself from her family members and headed into the kitchen.
"Hey, Gran," she said as she answered the phone.
"Hello, darling," Daisy replied, "A little birdy has told me that you're engaged to be married."
Rachel didn't like the tone that her grandma was using. It was very disapproving.
"Yeah, I am. Noah surprised me for my birthday yesterday."
"Don't you think you're a little young sweetie?" Daisy asked gently.
"I know, but I don't plan on getting married any time soon. He just wanted to let everyone know that I'm his and only his. I don't want to be with anyone else but Noah, Gran. Do you understand where I'm coming from?"
Daisy sighed and paused for a moment before replying. "Yes, you're right. I knew once I met your grandfather that I didn't want to be with anyone else despite his annoyances sometimes."
Rachel giggled slightly at her gran. "Does this mean I'm off the hook?"
"For now," Daisy laughed, "Oh, before I go, I just wanted to know if you were aware that your glee club is competing against Tommy and Jamie's."
"I'm aware," Rachel replied. "Could you tell the twins not to get too upset when we beat them at Regionals?"
"That confident are you?"
"Oh please, Gran. We've won every competition apart from two and that was because we were against Vocal Adrenalin, who is amazing thanks to my mother."
"Very well," Daisy said. "Naomi, Amelia, Jack and I will be there to support you all."
"Thanks, Gran but I have to go," Rachel said as she saw Puck waving at her to go back into the lounge.
"Bye, Rachel darling."
"Bye," Rachel replied and hung up her phone before sliding it back into her pocket. Once she was back into the lounge, she sat next to Puck and snuggled into his side as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.
Carly was sat in between her fathers with both of them having an arm wrapped around her. Her attention wasn't on the film though; it was on Rachel and Puck. She hadn't seen Finn outside of school in such a long time and it hurt. He never made any time for her anymore. All he did was play football in hopes that Beiste would give him captain back despite the fact that the football team was winning now Puck was the captain. If Carly had it her way right now, she'd end it with him but she couldn't not with the baby.
"I'll be right back," Carly murmured as she stood up and made her way to the kitchen, pulling her phone out of her pocket as she went.
Once in the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of water and dialled Finn's number.
"Hello?" He finally answered just before the rings died out.
"Hey, Finn, how are you?" Carly asked.
"I'm not so good if I'm honest," he replied after a short pause. This was new to Carly. "You see, I miss my girlfriend and I don't know what to do about it."
"Why don't you take her out on a date sometime soon?" Carly suggested smiling at how it was going.
"I'll pick you at seven tomorrow," Finn replied and then hung up.
Now that annoyed Carly. Finn was definitely up to something now with the blunt end to their conversation. Just as she thought it was getting better. Carly sighed before slipping her phone back into her pocket and returning to the lounge with her glass of water in her hand.
oOoOo
Carly told Rachel about her date with Finn early the next morning and she agreed to help her sister get ready for her date as Carly had done that the last few times Rachel had gone out with Puck.
Finn arrived at seven on the dot and knocked on the door which Hiram opened.
"Good evening, Finn," he greeted.
"Good evening, Mr Berry," Finn replied and stepped over the threshold with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other.
"Carls!" Leroy shouted up the stairs and not two seconds later, Carly was making her way down the stairs in a beautiful pale green dress.
"Carly, my darling, you're beautiful!" Finn gasped as she walked up to him.
"I'm glad you think so," she replied.
After a few pictures that Leroy demanded, the two made their way out the house and into Finn's car. They drove in near silence but it was comfortable as they sang along to the radio in perfect harmony. They drove for a fair while too, meaning that Finn wasn't taking her to Breadstix.
"I'm sorry for the blunt end to our phone call yesterday," Finn murmured after half an hour of their car journey. "I just had an amazing idea and I needed to start planning it."
"It's okay," Carly replied and smiled at her boyfriend.
Finn then looked over to Carly and smiled at her brightly but then something neither of them expected happened. One moment there was nothing and the next, a huge truck was flying towards them and hit the side of the car. Finn's car skidded and both of them blacked out.
oOoOo
Leroy and Hiram Berry were sat in front of the television watching old Doctor Who episodes when the phone began to ring. With Leroy being closest, he lifted up the phone and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Is this one of the Mr Berrys?" Someone asked at the other end of the phone.
"Yes, it's Leroy Berry. How can I help you?"
"Your daughter, Carly, has been involved in a car accident. It is vital that you come to the hospital as soon as possible. It's not looking positive."
Leroy's face drained of colour before replying, "We'll be right there." He then hung up the phone and turned to his husband. "Carly's been involved in a car accident. Get Rachel and Noah, we're going to the hospital!"
oOoOo
The three Berry's and Puck got the hospital in record time and were met by Burt, Carole, Kurt and Blaine. Carole's eyes were puffy and red and Burt was trying to calm her down. Blaine looked like he was trying to do the same to Kurt whose eyes were also slightly red. Rachel ran straight over to Kurt as they were both in the same positions.
After a few moments, a doctor came over to them.
"They're both still unconscious," the doctor revealed, "but we've been able to run some tests and there are some things we need to tell you. The good news is that they're both going to be okay, however," the doctor then paused and took a breath before revealing the thing they were all hoping wouldn't happen. "Carly has lost her baby."