Chapter 8 – June – Summer after Sophomore year – Age 16, Charlotte age 3 mos.

Finn was a dad and had been for three whole months. Three months of feedings, diaper changes, spit up, and crying. In his mind, he wouldn't trade it for the world. He was in love with his baby girl. He got three weeks off from school before his tutors came out. Ms. Pennett came for English on Mondays for two hours. Mr. Key came on Tuesdays. Artie came over every Wednesday to tutor biology, with Puck being the baby sitter. Thursdays brought Dave to teach geometry and trigonometry. Fridays brought Mr. Schue to give Spanish lessons. Saturday mornings brought Coach Beiste over for health class tutoring. They gave some new information, but mostly Finn was giving the bookwork and pretty much able to teach himself what was going through.

Finn also started going back to church about two weeks after Charlotte was born. When she was six weeks old, Finn began to work there as well. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to be their janitor. He would leave Charlotte with the ladies who ran the day care while he worked. It would be a trial run for when he went back to school full time. The ladies were enthralled with Charlotte. Once Charlotte was eight weeks old, he got Carol to babysit while he went to Burt's shop on Saturdays. Carol was all too pleased to take her granddaughter for a few hours every Saturday.

When they took Charlotte to church on Sundays, Mercedes got to see her little goddaughter. It was a special bonding time for both of them. She took the baby every second that she wasn't up singing with the choir. She even convinced Finn to start singing with them. He might have been the only white man in the choir, but he loved being up there.

One Wednesday, just before school let out, Artie was over to give his science final. Puck was there as well. He immediately took Charlotte and disappeared somewhere in the house. Finn chuckled. Uncle Puck was well and truly smitten with his niece. "Alright, you have two hours to do the test. I have the approved formula sheet. You're allowed a calculator and scrap paper. Time starts now," Artie announced.

Finn put pencil to paper and got to work on his final. Artie turned out to be a good tutor. He related things to do the concepts that Finn actually understood. The final was a five page exam with multiple choice, fill in the blank, short answer and two essay questions. It took Finn nearly the whole two hours for him to finish his essays the best he could.

"Hey man, you done yet?" Puck asked, bouncing Charlotte in his arms.

"Yeah, just finished," Finn replied, putting his pencil down.

"Good, now I can tell you about game night," Puck grinned. "Me, you, Wheels, Rutherford, Chang, and Karofsky. Saturday."

"I don't really go out any more guys," Finn said, pointing to his wriggly daughter in Puck's arms.

"Ah man," Puck said. "I wish you could get out for a bit. I know you're a dad and everything, but you gotta be craving to get out."

"Well, yeah, sometimes I think it would be easier to be a teenager again, but then I look at Charlotte and I remember."

"If you can come, it's at Artie's house, starts at 6," Puck said, handing over his niece.

"Thanks man," Finn said. "And thanks Artie, I think I did pretty well this school year."

"You kicked ass this semester," Artie commended.

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"So what are your plans today, Finn?" Carol asked early Saturday morning. Charlotte had just gotten up, was changed and fed.

"Well, I was thinking about taking Charlotte down to the park, walk around in the fresh air," Finn said, trying to get his daughter to burp.

"That sounds good. It's definitely supposed to be a gorgeous day," Carol agreed. "Anything else?"

"I don't think so. I have two more finals," Finn replied. "I'll probably study a bit while she naps. I'll finish the laundry and get all our stuff put away."

"You don't want to go play video games with your friends?" Carol prodded.

"Did Puck text you?" Finn groaned.

"Yes he did. And I'm glad he did. You've not left this house without Charlotte," Carol said. "You're gonna go crazy."

"But I can't just drop everything to go play video games," Finn protested.

"I would very much like to have Grandma and Charlotte time tonight," Carol said. "You're gonna get out of his house for a few hours."

"But what if she needs me?" Finn said pitifully. Carol game him a look.

"You act as if I've never raised a kid before," she said. "I went out when you were three months old. Your father had just died but I needed to clear my head. I had your grandmom come over and watch you for the night."

"I never knew that."

"Did you ever feel neglected growing up?" Carol asked.

"No, you were always there for me," Finn said, not getting it.

"So I left you with your Grandmother once in a while so I could go out on a date or just let loose a bit," Carol explained. "You need to decompress from Daddy-mode."

"So… you're kicking me out?" Finn asked.

"Tonight, after Charlotte's five o'clock bottle, you are going to drive over to Artie's and play video games with your friends." Finn sighed. He was grateful that his mom was willing to take Charlotte.

"Are you sure?" Finn asked.

"Yes I'm sure," Carol smiled. She went over to hug Finn before going off to start breakfast.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Finn took Charlotte to the park, and let her wriggle around on a blanket for a while. There were quite a few families around with young children and some single moms, but no single dads. No dads by themselves with their kids, anyway. After a few hours of walking around and relaxing at the park, he brought Charlotte home. Since he put sunblock on her, he got her all hunkered down for her bath. She tolerated baths, which he was grateful for, but they were far from her favorite thing.

Five o'clock snuck up on Finn. As he was giving Charlotte her bottle, Carol came to see him. "Are you going to crash there or come home late?"

"I don't think I can crash there."

"I'm sure Artie's parents won't mind," Carol said.

"I don't think I would want to stay away that long," Finn corrected.

"And that's fine," Carol assured him. "You don't have to go whole hog the first night, but you need to be able to separate from her."

"I know, but it's hard," Finn groaned.

"It really is, but just think of this as a dry run for when you go back to school in September," Carol said.

"I know," he sighed. "I guess I'll go get ready to go to Artie's. I just need a quick shower."

"Go, we'll be fine," Carol nudged.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

*Ding Dong* "Go answer the door Puck," Artie said as he took out Matt's character.

"Fine Wheels. I call winner," Puck said. He got up from the couch and went to answer the door. When the door opened, he saw his best friend standing there looking sheepish, hands shoved in his jean pockets.

"Hey, that invite still good?" Finn asked.

"Of course man," Puck said grinning. "Come on in. Karofsky is running a little late, so you're not the last one here." Finn followed Puck into the living room. Artie, Mike, and Matt muttered a hello. Finn knew that he made the right decision to come tonight, but that didn't stop him from missing his little girl.

"So what are we playing?"

"COD right now, but who knows later. Kinda free for all," Puck explained. They both grabbed a seat on the couch and watched at the current bout took place. Mike seemed skilled, but Artie was in his own class. Matt was more here for moral support. They played a few rounds, and Finn didn't do too bad, especially since he really hadn't played since Christmas before last.

Finn has been there for about an hour before Artie's parents came home. They didn't come off as the warmest people that Finn had ever met, but when Artie made the introductions, Finn was distinctly rubbed the wrong way.

"This is Finn," Artie said. Finn got up from his place on the couch and went over to shake the hands of the Abrams, but they were hesitant.

"Ahh, you're the boy who has a child," Gwen Abrams said, distain in her voice.

"Yeah, my Charlotte is three and a half months," Finn said with a smile.

"And you're here?" she said critically.

"Well, my mother practically kicked me out," Finn gave a small chuckle. "I didn't really want to leave."

"Hmm," she replied before leaving without shaking his hand. Arthur Abrams also left without shaking Finn's hand. Finn turned back to his friends, and sat down quietly.

"That was not right," Artie said. He wheeled off in the direction his parents went without another word.

"Don't let them get to you," Puck said.

"You know you did the right thing," Karofsky piped up. The group could hear some muffled arguing from the kitchen on the other side of the house. "Damn, Artie is letting them have it."