(Puck's Mother's Point of View)
I stifled a yawn when I walked through the door. I wasn't getting any younger.
I sighed.
I made it to the couch, calling the familiar number.
Santana answered on the first ring.
"Mama, it's Puck." She said, being serious.
Was that concern in her voice?
"What's wrong hija?" I prompted.
"He's in the hospital. He got into a car accident and is in a coma." She rushed.
My mouth went dry.
Not my Noah.
My mouth found my hand, and just like that, I was on autopilot, waking his sister and shoving through the front door with his incoherent sister in tow to go and see my boy.
(Quinn's Point of View)
Today, a smile met my lips as I reflected on Puck and his sayings.
We spoke about his contract with the military and how he's escaped disasters. I was worried that someone would come to the house with a flag if he was in any longer than he had to be.
He kept it light.
Flashback
"Hun, if I die, I'll get you the cheat sheet from heaven. Of course, God wouldn't need it or miss it. In fact, he'd be proud that I'm willing to share." He beamed.
I laughed soo hard, I could barely make out my words.
"Puck, God is all knowing. Of course, He wouldn't see eye to eye with you on that." I managed.
I wiped at the tears that were forming from my fit of laughter.
"Yeah, but that's not the point." He said grinning.
My hand found his chest as the light in his eyes became warm.
"The point is, just like He wouldn't allow me to send you guys cheat codes, I wouldn't allow myself to die without fighting for my last breath." He admitted.
I smiled a sad smile leaning my forehead into his chest.
His hand found my chin and tilted my face up to his.
"I promise." He whispered and kissed our joined hands and then held me close to him.
I let out the sigh that I didn't realize I was holding.
End Flashback
I chuckled softly and then got serious.
"Shelby and Beth are on the way here. I don't know what to tell them." I admitted looking down at my hands.
"San spoke with them. I couldn't face them." I said as I held my head low.
The EKG beeped, cutting the silence that hung between us.
"I'm scared Puck. As much as a cheat sheet would really be nice, I hope to God that you come back to us." I trailed off.
A few moments later, Santana walked in with Shelby and Beth.
My eyes met hers briefly before she shrieked and jumped to her dad's side.
"Daddy!" She screamed, tears welling up in her eyes.
Shelby was frozen at the door with her hands over her mouth.
San was immediately rubbing Beth's back as the tears came freely.
I grabbed one of Beth's hands.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Your dad was in a car accident." I said softly.
"He promised he'd never leave me." She admitted in agony.
Shelby recovered and hugged her as she wailed in her arms.
My heart broke and just like that, my fears came true.
Beth wouldn't be able to handle this, especially if I couldn't.
Determined, I did something unusual.
"I'm going to head back home and change my clothes and rest. Will you drive me?" I asked calmly.
Santana nodded.
Shelby continued to hold Beth.
I left Puck's side and planted a kiss on his forehead and then on Beth's.
Beth started hiccupping as I approached the door.
"Wait, are you coming back mommy?" She asked tears in her eyes.
"Yes." I managed.
"Mommy's been here for a while." I began.
Her eyes were understanding and soft. She stroked her father's forehead where I kissed him and said "ok."
Shelby nodded and encouraged me to do what I need to with a warm heartfelt gesture.
And with that, we were headed home.
…
When Santana and I got back to the hospital, we were joined by Puck's mother and sister, my mother and Finn.
I internally groaned.
Santana sensing how crowded I felt, spoke first.
"Quinn had a really long day. If you're here to support her and Puck, that's acceptable. But, respectfully, she doesn't need any questions about Puck's condition. We all have the same information and are hoping for the best until we find out more." Santana said in a warm yet stern voice.
His mother and sister nodded and quietly sniffled, saddened by his state.
My mother was equally in tears and Finn looked pink in the face.
I didn't see Beth or Shelby.
His mother approached me and embraced me in silence.
I held her as she shook in my arms.
After what seemed like forever, we pulled away, and she spoke first.
"Thank you for looking out for him. I knew that from the moment you got back, you unlocked something in him that I have not seen since his father left." I stepped back, but she squeezed my hand gently.
My heart was in my throat.
"He adores you Quinn. If it's anyone that can bring him back, it's his love for you and Beth." She finished wiping at her tears.
My lip trembled.
That was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.
"Thank you." I replied.
My voice cracked.
His sister simply hugged me and smiled shyly at me.
"We will check on you guys later. Someone has school in the morning." His mother stated.
With one more quick hug from both of them, they were gone.
My mother approached me next.
"Quinn, you look better. I was starting to worry when you two didn't come back, so I called him, no answer and then you, no answer." She said, looking stressed.
"So, I called Santana who brought me up to speed. I'm so sorry honey." She said rubbing my arm tenderly.
"He'll pull through. He always does." I assured myself more than her.
"Call me if anything changes." She said, kissing my cheek.
"I will." I promised as she turned to leave.
Finn finally approached me.
"Hi. Your mom was worried and so she called and said you could use another friend." Finn offered, waving awkwardly and giving me flowers.
"I know these aren't manly, but I also know that this is what people get when they are in the hospital." He said, embarrassed.
I smiled, pulling him in for a hug.
He was stiff at first and then the tension and awkwardness in his body left as he responded to the hug.
Immediately, I remembered that this was the hospital where Beth was born. The last time Finn was here was to let her go forever.
With that realization, I let him go.
He noticed how abruptly things ended and rubbed his neck.
"Did I do something wrong?" He asked.
"No." I said too quickly, not sure that I should say more.
I sighed.
"Beth was born here." I whispered.
He tensed, and the softness about his eyes changed to guarded.
He cleared his throat.
"I know, I remember." He said recovering, taking my hand in his.
The smile met his eyes, and he was back to his old pleasant self.
I relaxed some, comfortable with Finn.
"So, you eat? Do you need anything?" He asked.
"I'm fine." I stumbled.
"And Beth is okay?" He asked.
Finn and Beth had a great relationship.
We named him her God father as a personal touch because he was the 'intended' father, but we skipped the explanation, simply telling Beth that she has a backup dad or a second dad for when Puck isn't around.
She beamed and laughed cheering about how she has two moms and two dads and now she's even.
Finn teared up and until this day he swore it was sweat from him getting nervous. Santana and Puck laughed and challenged him, I sided with Finn only because I knew he'd never admit that being a God father to Beth made him an honorary father, which definitely made him cry.
I opened my mouth to speak, but my best friend cut me off.
"Ask her yourself." Santana said, Beth trailing behind her.
Beth ran into Finn's arms and cried.
Finn stroked her hair and rocked her.
Shelby trailed the corner after hanging up the phone. She held her purse looking like she needed to say something but didn't want to ruin the mood.
I joined her where she stood.
"How are you holding up?" I asked.
She let out a long sigh.
"I'm so sorry for what happened. I have no words." She offered.
I nodded.
"I feel bad. I hope he's not in any pain." She said.
She finally said what she knew I'd ask.
"I have to go back home to Chicago. That was my agent. I have another opportunity that opened up and I don't want to miss it, but I also don't want to leave her." She finished, referring to Beth.
"It's ok. You're here now, and that's all that matters." I said sincerely.
A tear escaped her eyes before she embraced me.
When I first came back and felt overwhelmed and guilty, those were the very words that she shared with me. Shelby was a blessing in disguise.
"She'll need you. All of you." She whispered, still hugging me.
She released me, smiled and rubbed my arm before going to interrupt her and Finn's moment.
I saw her kneel and tell Beth, and Beth nodded, hugged her and held onto Finn's hand.
Finn volunteered to drive Shelby to the bus station.
Beth looked at me.
I looked at Finn.
He nodded and I nodded at Beth.
She ran and hugged me, kissed me on the cheek and said "I love you mommy" before following in between Shelby and Finn.
I spun on my heels and saw Santana waiting by the door to his room.
"Are you ready?" She asked.
I gawked at her and then glanced at Puck.
There were more bandages and needles and tubes coming from his body.
My lips parted, but no sound came out.
Santana held me by the elbow.
I felt wobbly.
You need to be strong Quinn, I said to myself.
I blinked a few times and went to lay by his side.
Feeling satisfied, Santana smiled and turned for the chair.
"You don't have to stay. I promise I'm ok."
"What about when Beth comes back." She prompted.
"I'll ask Finn to take her to my mother's house."
She seemed impressed and got up.
She squeezed my hand, placed a kiss on Puck's forehead and left quietly.
I texted my mother to ask if Beth could stay and texted Finn asking him to take Beth to my mother's house.
I didn't wait for any replies before placing my phone on the bed next to me.
I opted for silence, until I remembered what Dr. Tobias said.
That I had to make him come back to me.
I instantly pulled my phone out and found our song.
The story of our love by ZOE worship easily brought tears to my eyes when he sang it and played it on the guitar for me.
I was hoping to return the favor.
I found it on Apple music and basked in the memory of it.
I didn't get a notice
You came with no regard
You didn't even tell me
What you were coming for
I pictured him taking my hand and spinning me around.
Even in the tribulations
You always hold me down
I pictured him kissing my neck.
And throughout
All these phases
You've always been around
I heard him sing the words in my ear, imagining him holding me like he did that night.
All of your words are like thunder
When I'm alone in the dark
Picking me up when I'm under
I shoulda known from the start
All of Your words hold me down
Under the weight of your arms
And I can't get enough
It's the story of our love
It's the story of our love
I saw us dancing under the gentle glow of the moonlight.
No I'll never walk away
Cause you're where I want to stay
And you'll never let me down
No you won't
Even when the seasons change
When I'm feeling down and gray
I know I'll be okay
Cause you're enough
It's the story of our love
It's the story of our love
I had it on repeat, knowing with everything in me that our love would bring him home. It had to.
My eyes closed on their own accord taking in the warm of his love.
(Rachel's Point of View)
My alarm went off and I smashed it, sending it flying across the room.
7:20 AM.
I sighed.
It had been 2 weeks since Finn surprised me in New York, and I haven't heard from him since.
Ever since he saw me with Jessie, it's like he disappeared taking everything I thought we had with him.
I sighed, putting my air pods in and pulling the sheets over my head.
I screwed up.
I guess Apple read my mind because Wonder by Spencer Sutherland played.
I imagined Finn singing it.
I wonder if you hold your breath
Or am I just being selfish as hell
I wonder why my tongue gets tied
Too many headaches behind my eyes
Yeah there's champagne on the ceiling
Tell me how'd we get here
Is this just a feeling
Or is it just the new year
A pink Tropicana sunrise
Still can't see it clear, but sometimes I
Oh, I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If I'm ever gonna stop wondering about you
And I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If you ever stop and just wonder about me too
I groaned.
Jessie was the charming brunette who was an excellent dancer and vocalist from vocal adrenaline and he just so happened to be helping me with my projects while I was attempting to date his enemy, Finn Hudson from New Directions of McKinley High.
All the while, I was lying to my so-called boyfriend about who my dance partner was and so of course when he showed up at my apartment, he thought there was something going on.
Of course.
I imagined Jessie singing this part.
I wonder if I'm still myself
'Cause lately I'm acting like someone else
I'm trying hard to talk to you
'Cause our conversations just don't feel new
Yeah there's champagne on the ceiling
Tell me how'd we get here
Is this just a feeling
Or is it just the new year
A pink Tropicana sunrise
Still can't see it clear, but sometimes I
Imagined them singing together.
Oh, I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If I'm ever gonna stop wondering about you
And I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If you ever stop and just wonder about me too
My alarm buzzed again reminding me that today was another day to get through.
Sad, I pushed past the sheets and into the bathroom to tame my bed hair and get my day started with a hot shower.
(Puck's Mother's Point of view)
Days went by with no call from Quinn.
I sighed.
"Nothing has changed yet." My daughter said.
She convinced me that her brother wouldn't like to know that I'm stressing about him, especially if there was no progress.
My hands slid down my face.
If I couldn't see my son, I'd imagine he was here.
I found my way to the kitchen sink to wash some dishes, when the soft hum of the radio got my attention.
Yo no se manana by Luis Enrique played and soothed my heart.
The day their father walked out on the children and I, we rebuilt and decided to live and love each day like it's our last.
This song was our promise from that day that we made to ourselves.
Yo no sé si tú, no sé si yo
Seguiremos siendo como hoy
No sé si después de amanecer
Vamos a sentir la misma sed
Para que pensar y suponer
No preguntes cosas que no sé
Yo no sé
No sé dónde vamos a parar
Eso ya la piel nos lo dirá
Para que jurar y prometer
Algo que no está en nuestro poder
Yo no sé lo que es eterno
No me pidas algo que es del tiempo
Yo no sé mañana
Yo no sé mañana
Si estaremos juntos
Si se acaba el mundo
Yo no sé si soy para ti, si serás para mí
Si lleguemos a amarnos, odiarnos
Yo no sé mañana, yo no sé mañana
Quien va a estar aquí
Soon, I wasn't washing dishes, I was crying and swaying to the music, grateful for wonderful children who taught me how to live again when it was too hard to do it on my own.
Even though I was sad that my son was in a coma, I felt the life flow through me and knew that he would be alright.