Here's chapter 7! There's another time jump here so hopefully it makes sense, also this chapter is the start of the 'goodbyes' so I hope you enjoy.

The days turned to weeks, the weeks into months, until Rachel was in her eighth month of pregnancy. She grew weaker by the day, and was soon in the hospital almost full time, where she was constantly being monitored, and was given regular tests to monitor the baby.

Everyone had been to visit at least once, but she could tell when it was their last time.

Quinn and Noah came last week. Quinn held Rachel's hand in hers, and whispered into her ear.

"This is hard. I can't stand seeing you like this."

Puck hardly said anything. He held her other hand in his and repeatedly said he was sorry. They had been more optimistic on their last visit. More hopeful. Rachel could tell that this was their goodbye.

She hated the goodbyes. Nobody ever said that it was their goodbye, but they were always distant and teary. She didn't resent them for it. She knew they were about to lose a childhood friend. But she hated that they had to be goodbyes. She knew there had to be something after death, so surely she would eventually see them. Right? She repeated this to herself before every goodbye. It helped with some people, but not with everyone.

When they got up to leave, Quinn asked for a moment alone with Rachel. She couldn't hold herself together as she spoke in a low, sorrowful voice.

"I'm sure you could tell this was our goodbye. I just want you to know that I love you. You helped me through my toughest times. You stuck by me when I had nobody else. I wish I could do something but..."

She broke down in tears as she placed a folded piece of paper in her hand.

"I can't get it out, but everything I want to say is in there. I love you, Rach."

Rachel coughed tearless sighs of sadness.

"I love you too Q."

After Quinn and Puck left the hospital, she carefully unfolded the piece of paper to reveal a note in Quinn's neat, curly handwriting.

Rachel,

I hate watching you go through this. I hate that you know your life is coming to an end. I hate that there's nothing anyone can do about it. I hate that I'll never see you perform on broadway, and I hate that this is the last time I'm ever going to see you.

You and your beautiful baby girl do not deserve to be going through this pain and torture. Cancer shouldn't be taking lives of innocent people like you.

The moment I first heard you sing in Glee club all those years ago is a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life. The moment we became friends. Mr Shue made us partners for duets. We bonded over our insecurities, something I've never felt able to discuss with anyone other than you.

At first, I was shocked that the confident Rachel Berry had any insecurities, but you taught me that you never know the full story until you get to know someone. Your stage presence was, and still is flawless, but it didn't reflect on who you were as a person.

You turned my life around, Rachel. I was the head cheerleader with the quarterback boyfriend. I was a walking stereotype. But when I met you, you made me realise there is so much more to life than popularity in high school.

During the darkest time in my life, you told Finn the secret I was to ashamed to admit. I hardly knew you, and hated you for it. But you were only doing the right thing, in true, dramatic Rachel Berry style.

You supported me during my pregnancy, you were understanding when I gave Beth to your mom, you kept me grounded every time things got too much.

You are the friend of a lifetime, Rach.

You deserve so much more then just 24 years in this world.

I cannot put into words how thankful I am that I got to be your friend for 10 of those short yet beautiful years. You gave me support and happiness, and I will forever be grateful.

I love you, Rach, and I will never forgive this world for taking you away from us in such a cruel way, after only 24 years.

You are an amazing girl, and a star that will forever be shining bright in the sky.

Goodbye, Rachel. I hope I'm lucky enough to see you again up there one day.

Your friend,

Quinn x

Tears were streaming down Rachel's face.

"I'm never going to see her again." She whispered to herself as her tears dampened the note. She held it close to her heart, wishing she had more time. Yet with every breath she took, it felt harder and harder to keep going.

Mercedes remembered getting the call about Rachel being sick. She was about to go out on stage, with not an ounce of nerves in sight. She became alarmed when her assistant, Sophia, came rushing up to her.

Sophia never panicked. She never became stressed or worried. Her usually blue eyes were now a steely grey, and her faced was creased with a fearful frown.

"Ms. Jones, I've just received some news concerning Ms Rachel Berry. Would you have a moment? I know you like to do you vocal warm ups before performing, but I'm not sure if this can wait."

Sophia patted the stool for Mercedes to sit down. What's up with her? I swear if this is something to do with booking tickets to her show...

"Soph, tell her if this is to do with her opening night, I've already bought a ticket for you and I, and my parents. So..."

"Ms Jones" she interrupted. She glanced down at her notebook with small tears in her eyes.

"Ms Jones, Rachel, as you know, is heavily pregnant. Since your schedule has been rather busy lately, a call from Rachel somehow ended up getting lost within your voice mails. I've only just found it. I'm so sorry I didn't realise this sooner, I know you insist we make friends and family your number one priority and I..."

Mercedes frowned, how come I didn't see the message myself?

"How long ago did she call?Why didn't she just text me? And why do you know about this? Shouldn't Rachel's messages be coming through to my personal phone, not my work phone?"

Sophia took a shaky breath and nervously twisted a strand of hair that had come loose from her ponytail.

"There was a mix up with your phone numbers since you changed them, and erm, well the call was from about three months ago."

"Three months Sophia? Oh god, how could I not have seen it for three months! I know there was a mix up with my number but I haven't been that busy."

Sophia remained silent. Mercedes hardly ever got mad, but she knew she didn't mess around when it came to her family and friends.

"What was it about? And can you fix my number as soon as possible."

"I, erm, Ms Jones. I'm so sorry about the mix up, I can assure you it will not happen again but, I'm not sure how to say it. Rachel, well, she has been diagnosed with cancer."

Mercedes processed the words for a few moments. Something inside her clicked.

"She's not..."

"No, no, I returned the call on your behalf as soon as I found it. It was Finn who answered and informed me of the situation. I sent apologies on behalf of both of us and he understood but-"

Mercedes dug her fingernails into her palms and stared down at the concrete floor beneath her. She glanced back up at Sophia.

"I'm not going out there tonight. Or tomorrow night. I've got to go see her."

"But Ms Jones you-" Sophia began but Mercedes has already made up her mind.

"I'm just the supporting act. They always bring back up for me in case of emergencies. Call in the emergency guy and book me a one way ticket to New York, I don't care how much it costs."

"Are you sure, it's a big crowd out there." Sophia asked, sounding hopeless. She knew it was hopeless, she had made up her mind.

"Explain the situation to the producers. Do whatever the hell it takes. I'm going."

Mercedes grabbed her bag from her dressing room and called her driver to collect her.

"The airport is it, Ms Jones?"

Mercedes looked into the review mirror and made eye contact with her driver.

"How'd you know?"

"Sophia contacted me. She had a feeling you might want to leave. I'm sorry to hear about your friend."

Mercedes sighed and allowed the realisation to kick in. In all the chaos she had forgotten Rachel was pregnant. She allowed herself to become lost in her thoughts, not even noticing when tears began rolling down her cheeks.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to have upset you, Ms Jones. I'm sure your friend will make it out the other side."

"But what if she doesn't?" She whispered.

As always, mistakes are all mine. Thanks for reading