A/N: New chapter! I finished my other story Anonymous and it felt so good so I am going to make a concentrated effort this summer to finish this story as well as my other two stories, I'll always be there for you and She's Quinn Fabray: The Recovery. Hopefully I can finish them all by the end of the summer but who knows. Anyway new chapter, It picks up from where it left off with Rachel deciding to keep her baby. In case you haven't realized this is a Rachel and Quinn story, they will both have there own story lines but we will follow Quinn's through the eyes of Quinn so there is a lot of Rachel thinking about Quinn and Quinn's past, present, and future. I just don't want anyone to think I am neglecting Rachel in favor of Quinn when this story is written in Rachel's POV. Sometimes it is easier to focus on other people's problems or lives than our own, and that is what Rachel is doing with Quinn. I hope you like this new chapter. Rachel starts to plan the future and we get another glimpse into Quinn's life post high school. Please continue to review, it helps more than you know. Thank you to those of you who have reviewed. Disclaimer: I do not own GLEE or any of its characters.

Ch.6

Quinn had been surprisingly quiet on the way back from meeting Beth. Shelby had allowed Quinn a good hour with Beth alone while we caught up. I told her about my crazy dance teacher, I told her about Brody, and I even told her about my fling with Finn over Valentines. She mainly listened adding a comment here and there like "I remember her, very talented," and "You might want to listen to Santana about Brody, something seems off Rachel and Santana, well she has street smarts," and finally, "First loves are the hardest to let go, sometimes it is best to cut yourself off completely, just for a little while to gain perspective. If Finn is your future you will find your way back to one another. Focus on yourself and your baby right now." Soon though Beth was tired and Quinn came back carrying the little girl. Shelby informed Quinn she'd call her later and they could set up a time when the two of them could met themselves and set up some type of visitation schedule. Quinn had just nodded and thanked Shelby.

So yes Quinn hadn't said anything on the subway ride home, and she hadn't said anything to Santana and Kurt when we got back, instead she walked into Santana's room and shut the curtain. Kurt gave me a questioning look while Santana just sighed and asked what we wanted for lunch.

I was approaching Santana's curtain an hour later to tell Quinn lunch was ready when I heard her voice. I know I shouldn't eavesdrop especially when Santana could see me but I couldn't help but be curios about who Quinn felt the need to call now.

"She's gorgeous Noah." Puck that made sense, if anyone understood what Quinn was going through it would be Puck.

"It…it felt like I was whole again but someone was stabbing me through the heart at the same time…I know…She really looks like me but she has your coloring, her skin tone's darker than it was last year, and her smile, Noah it is all you. I told her not to try and go up the ladder to the big slide and she turned and smiled at me, this glint in her eye that you get when you're about to do something you know would make me upset and then she just started climbing. If I wasn't so afraid she'd fall I would have laughed. Shelby is in big trouble she definitely has your mischievous and adventurous curiosity and my stubbornness…It's hard not picturing what could have been, I see it so clearly the three of us but, we did the right thing Noah, I really believe that now. Seeing her so happy, seeing the beautiful little girl she has turned into, I feel at ease almost even if this pain won't ever go away…I miss you too. Nobody understands, not like you… Maybe you can come visit and we can see her together? Good I can't wait. Take care Noah. Call me next week. Bye love you too."

I'll admit the intimacy and familiarity of the conversation between Quinn and Noah took me by surprise. I never knew they'd become so close, I mean it makes sense they had a child together, but right after Beth was born Quinn seemed to throw up wall a mile thick between herself and Noah. They barely spoke Junior year and Senior year I guess they got closer, especially after Quinn's accident, but I hadn't realized that their relationship had turned into this. Were they together? Quinn said she loved him, was that 'I love you because you are the father of my daughter' or 'I'm in love with you lets get married." I didn't know. I thought of Brody and I didn't feel either way towards him. Sure he was the father of my baby but I didn't feel connected to him, at least not in the way Quinn and Noah seemed to be.

"Are you going to listen to her private conversations all day or are you actually going to tell her lunch is ready." I jumped turning to see Santana glaring at me.

"I…I"

"Stop stuttering Dwarf. Not cool listening but I know you are hardwired to be a snoop, go get lunch I will get Quinn." Santana whispered harshly to me. I suddenly felt guilty, Santana was right I did love to know everyone ones business, but it wasn't because I was a gossip, it was because I cared and wanted to help my friends.

I was sitting as Quinn and Santana came out from the curtain. Quinn smiled at me and Kurt but still remained quiet during lunch. As soon as it was over she disappeared. I stood and was going to go to talk to her when Santana held up a hand, "Don't." Frustrated at how Quinn could just go so cold and hot on me and how Santana seemed to be my blonde best friend's personal bodyguard I made way to my room. Midterms were this week and I had a paper to finish, a monologue to memorize, and a solo song to prepare. I also needed to start figuring out what I was going to do. I really didn't want to drop out of NYADA. I wondered if I could take a year off and come back when things settled down. Could I do that finish school while raising a child, most likely alone. I know Brody said he would support me but I hadn't heard from him since I told him about the baby, would he really step up when push came to shove. Then there was Santana and Kurt I know they would do everything for me but I couldn't ask them to sacrifice so much to help me take care of my baby. Quinn would help, but she was in New Haven, I'd only see her a couple times a month at best. Suddenly I felt overwhelmed. What was I thinking, this was impossible, there is now way I could stay in NYADA, I'd have to drop out.

"Hey." Startled for the second time today I saw Quinn standing just inside my curtain with he pajamas on. Looking at the clock I saw it was eight o'clock at night, wow time really flew when you let your mind wonder to and obsess over your problems

"Hey." I replied. Quinn bit her lip and started playing with the hem of her shirt. I have to admit it was cute to see her so nervous.

"Quinn can I help you?"

She looked up and looked away before making eye contact with me, "Can, do you mind if I stay in here for awhile?"

And we were back to warm, I swear Quinn Fabray was the most complicated and frustrating woman I had ever met. Part of me wanted to say no, I wanted to be the cold one, but I couldn't not when her hazel eyes looked so lost and her white teeth worrying her bottom lip like that, it be like saying no to a baby or kicking puppy. "Sure."

She smiled and came over falling on the bed next to me. I expected her to speak but she didn't she just lay there, her head on my shoulder, her eyes closed. I guess we weren't talking. I'd much rather talk, so if she wasn't going to talk about herself and today then I would. "I'm keeping it, my baby I want to keep him or her."

Quinn flew up her eyes wide gazing down at me, now that was the response I was looking for, "really?"

"Yes."

"Are you keep keeping it or are you keeping it to give it up for adoption?" This was the first time Quinn had flat out asked me a question in regards to my chooses; now I worried if my answer is what she wanted to hear. Why am I worried about what Quinn thinks, well she is my best friend so I guess it make sense I would want her approval. "I am keep keeping it."

There was that smile again, big and bright smiling at me, "You're going to make a wonderful mother."

I sat up crossing my legs Indian style across from her. "You think?"

"No." My heart sunk, "I know so." My heart skipped but I ignored. It.

"You were great with Beth today." She looked away, okay so maybe I just ruined our moment but I just felt she should know that.

"Do you have a plan for next year?" Quinn skipped over my Beth comment.

I shook my head, "No clue except I am going to have to drop out of NYADA." My chest tightened as the words fell out of my mouth. It was one thing to say it to myself it was a totally different thing to say it to out loud, it became real. I failed at holding back my sobs. The pain was too much. Strong thin arms embraced me and pulled me in, my head resting against soft firm breast. "Shh I have you…shh your so strong, you'll get through this I promise…shh you're amazing you know that to make such a brave decision…sh I have you, you're not alone." I kept my eyes closed and listened to Quinn gentle voice sooth me. I let out all my pain, all the frustration, all the fear. I felt safe in her arms so I just let myself go.

I don't know how long it took me too stop but when I did she took a lone finger and raised my chin with it so that I was looking into her eyes. I'd never seen such compassion and warmth in eyes before. "You are not dropping out." She said it like it was fact.

"I can't raise a baby and go to school." I retorted. I could feel the tears returning.

"I refuse to let you give up. You are not dropping out Rachel Berry. You will go and ask Ms. Tibideaux for a leave of absence for a year, I don't care what you tell her but you get the year off. We'll have year to make a plan, you will finish school Rachel Berry and you will make it on Broadway."

I stared at her in disbelieve, she glared at me, I was used to her glares but this wasn't the same as the annoyed and exhausted ones I received in high school, no there was determination and fire in this one. There was will, she was willing me succeed. With her HBIC tone and that 'don't you dare give up' look I felt the smallest amount of belief and hope well from my soul for the first time since I saw that little blue plus. "We?" I choked.

"Yes we. Rachel this baby wasn't planned and this is a huge bump in the journey to your dreams, but it is not a dead end or a cliff. You'll succeed I know you will, if anyone can do this it is Rachel Barbra Berry."

I smiled. We feel into a companionable silence. After a while I felt a need to come clean, "I heard you on the phone with Noah."

She nodded. "You're not upset?" I asked hesitantly.

She shook her head, "I kinda already knew, I heard Santana reprimand you, curtain walls and all."

Yeah curtain walls and privacy did not go hand in hand.

"You're close to him."

She nodded.

"I didn't know."

She turned and faced me our face mere inches apart. I searched her hazel pools, there was no tell. "No one does. Well Santana but that's it."

"You love him?"

"I do." She said it as if this wasn't news. She was direct.

"Are you together?" I had to know, my stomach was churning, nausea raising, the baby took a great moment to make him or herself known. I swallowed keeping the urge to barf at bay.

"No."

Alright these short answers were really annoying, why can't she just explain without me having to play twenty questions with her. I huffed in annoyance. She giggled.

"I'm sorry, No we aren't together."

"Why not if you love him?"

She shrugged and rolled back onto her back, "Puck was my first love. I still love him and I probably always will but I am not in love with him anymore. I knew after I gave Beth away that we would never work, no matter how much I wanted it at the time. So I cut him out of my life so that I could begin to move on. We both needed the separation. He agreed with me at the beginning of junior year."

I was learning so much about high school that hadn't known. So much more went on then I or any of the glee club knew. We all assumed Quinn broke Puck's heart, but the distance was a mutual decision.

"I thought that you choose to shut him out." I admitted.

"No, we were both in pain and we needed to let go in order to either find our way back to each other or to at least come to a place where we could be good friends. It took us until my accident to get there. We both got lost along the way but, almost dying it makes you reevaluate your life. At the beginning of junior year we needed to be apart, but we did need to be anymore. We realized that to really heal, properly heal we needed to do it together."

"That was really mature of you guys." I felt a little ashamed that I was surprised that Noah could make such and adult decision. Though as I was finding out first hand, having a child changes you instantly. Makes you grow up. "So you are friends now?"

"Best. Behind Santana and you, he is my best friend. No one understands like he does."

"Well yeah he gave his child up too."

Quinn shook her head, "It's not just our connection with Beth. Noah, he…" she paused I could see her biting her lip again nervously. My heart speed up, was I going to be let a little further into the secret world of Quinn Fabray, a world that apparently only Santana and Noah had been too.

"Our fathers they were very similar, there…there nature. His left before mine, years before but Noah never forgot, and when he found me one day in the summer before freshman year, well I guess you could say that was the beginning of the Quinn and Noah story. He was so gentle and understanding that day, I never forgot it."

I wanted to ask what happened that day, what she was alluding too, part of me could guess but I preferred to not too, I don't think I am ready to know the truth so I didn't probe further. "I always wondered what you saw in him, to go to him that day you felt fat."

Quinn laughed then became serious, "I didn't go to him that day because I felt fat or even because I saw Finn kiss you in the auditorium."

I gasp; she knew Finn kissed me when they were dating. "Quinn, I…I didn't," she cut me off by holding up her hand. "That is neither here nor there Rachel. It was the past, I don't care. The point is I didn't go to Noah because I felt fat that day."

"Then why?"

She looked away, "That is a story for another day. Okay enough deflecting, we were talking about you."

I hadn't been deflecting, in fact now she was the one deflecting, but I let it go. "When are you telling your Dads?"

I groaned, "I have no clue."

"You should do it soon, now even. If I learned anything with my pregnancy it was that the longer you wait the worse it gets."

I really didn't want to tell my dads, I didn't want to see the disappointment in their eyes. They'd done their best to teach me about safe sex for both woman with men and woman with woman and I had completely disregarded them. I was 19 and had already had unprotected sex with two different men.

"I can't do it." I whispered.

I felt Quinn squeeze my hand. "You can. The question is do you Skype them or do you wait until you get home."

I know that I should tell them in person, but the safety that several hundred miles provided was appealing. Besides by the time I went home this summer I would surely be showing. At my appointment the doctor said I was six weeks which meant that I was now eight weeks. My baby was due November 3rd, it seemed so far away but so close at the same time. April was upon us and Spring Break started next weekend. I hadn't planned on going home, but I guess I could.

"Are you on Spring Break next week?"

"Yes."

"Will you go home with me to tell them?" I didn't even know if she planned on going home, I doubted it, if there was anyone who wanted to stay away from Lima, Ohio it was Quinn. She'd only been back twice, for Thanksgiving and Mr. Shue's non-wedding.

It took her a few moments to answer me, but finally I felt her hand take mine, "Sure Rach. Its time I be your courage." I smiled at that, Quinn had been my courage for longer than she knew.

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My childhood home looked the same as it did the day I left for New York, the blue shutters and door, the red brick, the front porch with it's six white columns. It was quaint and homey. I never thought I would fear stepping through that door.

"I'm right here." Quinn came up beside me resting a hand on my shoulder squeezing gently. We'd flown home together with Santana and Kurt. Mr. Hummel picked us up and dropped Quinn and I off before taking Santana home. We'd parted with our friends with a promise to call as soon as we could.

Gathering my strength I walked up to my door and pushed to door open, my father's were horrible at locking up. I could hear them in the kitchen so I motioned for Quinn to leave her bags at the stairs and come with. They were singing Cabaret and I giggled and rolled my eyes at Quinn who was stifling her own laugh.

Stepping in I smiled "Honey I'm home!" I sang out startling my fathers. They both stopped mid song and turned, before I knew it I was in there arms and I finally felt at home. I held in the tears I wanted to shed, I couldn't cry yet, not until I told them I was pregnant. They doted on my for several minutes before Daddy noticed a shy Quinn leaning against the kitchen door frame.

"Why Quinn Fabray, I didn't see you there, honey." My Daddy smiled before leaning in and kissing her on the cheek.

"Hello Mr. Hiram." Daddy shook his head. "Just Hiram, Quinn how many times do I have to tell you that?"

"Just once more, Sir." Some things never changed. Ever since Quinn started coming over to my place halfway through senior year my dads tried to get her to call them Hiram and Leroy but she refused, the most she budged to was Mr. Hiram and Mr. Leroy.

"Quinn, stunning as ever." Papa said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Mr. Leroy you look well too. Hitting the gym?" Papa laughed and flexed a muscle. "At least someone noticed." He shot a mock glare at Daddy.

"I've notice."

"Please Dads." I moaned. They could be very embarrassing. Quinn was laughing though and I had a feeling she set that up.

"So not that I am complaining, but I thought you were staying in New York for Spring Break?"

I shrugged, " I changed my mind, a little home sick I guess."

My dad's accepted my reason and after finding out that Quinn was staying the night, her mother was still away at a conference until tomorrow, we settled in for the day. We watched a movie and then made dinner together. I always enjoyed cooking with my dads, they blasted the music and we danced around the kitchen as we each made a dish. Quinn had cooked several times with us so she easily joined in.

Once dinner was over I knew I couldn't procrastinate any longer especially with Quinn giving me the stink eye. The plan was to tell them tonight so one Quinn would be here for me all night and two so my dads and I would have all week to talk and make plans.

"Daddy, Papa can we move into the living room I have to talk to you." They both looked at me confused but nodded. We moved to living room my Dads sitting across from me and Quinn. Quinn held my hand and I drew my courage from her.

"Honey what's wrong?" Daddy asked quietly. I noticed his gaze on Quinn and my joined hands and couldn't imagine what was going through his head.

"I…" a squeeze of my hand, "I am pregnant."

Silence.

I felt my eyes waters as my fathers stared at me. Then they looked at one another, more silence.

Quinn's hand moved up my arm and she slid it around my shoulder and pulled me close. The movement seemed to knock my fathers out of there shocked state.

"Oh honey." Daddy cried and moved to me followed by Papa. Once again I felt both of their arms around me. Just like I had with Quinn a week ago I let go and I cried. My fathers weren't throwing me out, they weren't yelling me. They were hugging me and telling me how much they loved me and that everything was going to be okay.

Once we were all cried out we parted. I noticed Quinn was gone. I looked around for her only to find her coming back in the room, three glasses of water in her hand. She handed the star glass to me and then the other two to my fathers. I expected her to come sit beside me but instead she stood behind the couch and simply placed a hand on my shoulder, as if she was my guard.

"Rachel," I turned to my Papa, "I won't ask how this happened all I ask is you tell us who the father is and if you have spoken to him."

"Brody, you met him over Christmas, he is the father. I have spoken to him. He says he will support me no matter what my decision is."

Papa just nodded, his features harder now. Daddy was stroking Papa's hand with his thumb.

"What is your decision? Have you thought about it?"

"I have Daddy. After talking to Quinn and going through the pamphlets she got me I've decided that I want to keep my child." I decided it wasn't a good idea to tell them I had talked to Shelby before them.

"Alright. I think that is a very brave and selfless decision Rachel, however have you thought about school and Broadway."

Now the hard question would come. "I have. I want to finish school and I still want to be on Broadway. I realize that that will be very difficult with a child but I am determined to achieve my goals. Quinn, Santana, and Kurt have offered to help me."

"Quinn is in New Haven and Kurt and Santana have their own schooling and dreams." Papa pointed out. I felt Quinn rub my shoulder slightly, an assurance that she was there for me no matter what.

"I know that and I have told them that I don't expect them to help me, but at this time all three are adamant to help. I know that I have disappointed the both of you and I am so sorry for that. I won't burden you with this. I will find my way."

Daddy gasped and Papa's eyes narrowed at me. "Rachel Barbra Berry what type of parents do you think we are that we would leave you to deal with this by yourself. I am offended and hurt Rachel as is your Daddy."

"We are not disappointed Rachel," Daddy cried. Papa wrapped him in a hug. I didn't mean to hurt them or upset them, I just, I know this isn't what they wanted for me.

"No Papa, Daddy, I know you wouldn't I just. I don't know Papa I am disappointed in myself; I just thought you would be too. I made a mistake and it's my responsibility to deal with the consequences. I didn't mean to imply that you wouldn't be here for me."

Papa stood and kneeled in front of me so our eyes were level, "Rachel you are our daughter and we love you no matter what. As your parents it is our pleasure to help you no matter the mistake. We are here for you and will support you in any way you need."

I started to cry and again and threw myself at my Papa and he held me tight. "I love you," he mumbled into my ear. "I love you too." Daddy joined us and we hugged for a long time. Once again we parted.

Quinn was still standing guard behind my seat. I looked up at her, trying to gauge her reactions but her mask was firmly in place and I couldn't see any emotion, she was stoic.

"Quinn." Daddy called to her. She turned her eyes to him still not showing any emotion.

"Mr. Hiram?"

"I wanted to thank you for being there for our Rachel."

"It was nothing Mr. Hiram." She waved off his thanks. "If everything is alright here now, I will go upstairs to give you three time to talk." She looked down at me for permission and I nodded slightly. She'd been here for the hard part, no I need to discuss my options with my fathers alone. Quinn said goodnight to my dads and disappeared quietly.

"She become quite the friend." Daddy noted.

"She has. I don't know if I'd survived that past four weeks without her. Kurt and Santana have been amazing, but Quinn, she's been, I don't know my rock. She came down no questions asked; she didn't pressure me, only supported me and let me come to my decision on my own."

Papa looked upstairs, "Must be hard on her." I knew he was alluding to Quinn's own teen pregnancy.

"I wouldn't know, she hasn't broken down to me, though I think she has too Santana. She's only been happy and supportive to me."

"She wouldn't break down to you." Daddy said matter of factly. "So your plan, what is it?" Daddy moved on and I followed his lead. We talked for nearly an hour about all my choices. I didn't make a decision but it relieving to know that whatever I decided my fathers would be there for me. As I slid I passed the guest room and looked in on Quinn I felt guilty. I was getting the parental support she never did. I sympathized with her back in high school but now I empathized with her, in the seconds it took for my fathers to respond to my confession I felt a fraction of what she felt when her parents cast her aside and I couldn't imagine feeling anymore.

Shutting the door quietly I made my way to my room. Tomorrow was another day and somehow it seemed brighter than today.

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