Singer in the back Chapter 25, a glee fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee. I do own Mouse, Sarah and Candy though.

(a/n: The solo song performed in Regionals is changed from the original one sung by the character Rachel Berry. Also, this Regionals competition combines 2010 and 2011 from the show.)

Thank you to those who read and reviewed, I appreciate it!

Read on, oh faithful ones...

...

Chapter Twenty Five

...

"Okay, remember boys, we're here for one thing, and one thing only. That means no looking up girls skirts, no heckling, and no fighting. Candy's singing today, and we are here to support him, got it?" Terrence said sternly, glaring at each of his teammates.

"What if someone else is heckling? Can we fight then?"

"No, because that'd make Candy upset. That's what the slushies are for," Terrence said, grinning slightly when Lee stopped drinking his slushie quickly. "Defend yourself if a fight is started, but do not instigate, understood?"

"Understood," they chorused.

"Good, now, let's get in there before the show starts. Who's buying the popcorn?" Terrence asked, leading his team into the large auditorium.

Above them, the banner reading Regionals 2011 was sparkling brightly in the sunlight.

...

The Warblers took the stage. From his position at the front of the stage, Kurt looked over to where Mercedes, Tina, Mouse, and Candy were standing off stage, grinning broadly and waving to them quickly.

"Oh, wow, he's really got it bad for Blaine, doesn't he?" Mouse murmured, seeing the dreamy expression on his face when he turned to look at his singing partner.

"Blaine kissed him yesterday," Mercedes said, grinning.

"Really? Ah, that's so awesome!"

"Fangirl much?" Tina asked with a small smirk.

"Shhh, they're singing," Candy said, his finger to his lips.

Mouse copied the action quickly, but couldn't stop smiling. Mercedes grabbed her hand tightly when they saw Kurt step forward with Blaine.

"He got the solo!" Tina said, grinning broadly in excitement.

Candy glared briefly, a pout on his lips that she was talking again. Tina quickly put her finger to her lips, and they all returned their attention to Kurt and Blaine, the two leads for The Warblers.

"Lost sight,
Couldn't see,
When it was you and me.
Blow the candles out,
Looks like a solo tonight,
I'm beginning to see the light.
Blow the candles out,
Looks like a solo tonight,
But I think I'll be alright," Kurt and Blaine sang together.

"Been black and blue before."

"There's no need to explain,
I am not the jaded kind,
Playback's such a waste," Kurt sang.

Blaine looked at Kurt with an encouraging smile before joining in.

"You're invisible,
Invisible to me.
My wish is coming true,
Erase the memory of your face.
Lost sight,
Couldn't see,
When it was you and me.

"Blow the candles out,
Looks like a solo tonight,
I'm beginning to see the light.
Blow the candles out,
Looks like a solo tonight,
But I think I'll be alright."

"One day,
You will wake up,
With nothing but you're sorries," Kurt sang, looking to Blaine tenderly.

"And someday,
You will get back," Blaine sang in return, his eyes softening as he smiled slightly.

"Everything you gave me,
Blow the candles out,
Looks like a solo tonight,
I'm beginning to see the light."

"Blow the candles out, (The candles out),
Looks like a solo tonight, (Solo tonight)," Kurt sang, Blaine echoing him.

"But I think I'll be alright."

There was a moment of appreciative silence before the applause began loudly, and Mouse had to refrain from calling out loudly.

"That was sweet," Mercedes said.

"I think I'm going to melt into a puddle of goo. Right about here," Mouse said with a laugh.

Before anyone had time to respond, or Candy to reprimand her again, Blaine stepped forward as the stage lit up and the tempo increased.

"Right, right, turn off the lights,
We gonna lose our minds tonight.
What's the dealio?
I love when it's all too much,
Five am turn the radio up,
Where's the rock and roll?
Party crasher, panty snatcha',
Call me up if you are gangsta.
Don't be fancy, just get dancy.
Why so serious?"

"So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways.
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be,
Anything but loud,
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks.
Won't you come on, and come on, and,
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on,
Raise your glass!"

Mouse grinned when the entire crowd began to call out, scream, clap, and dance in their seats. This was going to be one tough act to follow.

"So if you're too school for cool,
And you're treated like a fool, (like a fool)
You could choose to let it go,
We can always, we can always,
Party on our own...

"So raise your,
So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways.
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be,
Anything but loud,
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks.

"So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be,
Anything but loud,
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks.
Won't you come on, and come on! and,
Raise your glass!
Just come on, and come and,
Raise your glass!
Won't you come on! and come on! and,
Raise your glass!
For me.
Just come on and come and,
Raise your glass!"

"For me," Blaine finished with a broad grin.

The applause was so deafening that Mouse, Mercedes, Tina, and Candy couldn't even hear the official, and he had to tap them on their shoulders to get their attention.

"New Directions? You're up next!"

Grinning at them, Mouse and Tina squeezed Candy and Mercedes' hands tightly before heading to the other side of the stage to where Mr. Schuester was waiting. As she passed Kurt, Mouse couldn't help but stop to hug him tightly.

"You were awesome!" Mouse said excitedly.

"You will be too. Knock 'em dead," Kurt called.

"We will," she replied over her shoulder, grinning brightly.

"Mouse, Tina, just remember what we talked about. Deep breaths, and project your voices, okay? All the way to the back. Great, good. Just relax," Will said, looking nervous for them.

"We'll be fine, Schue. Go take a seat and just enjoy the show," Mouse said quickly, seeing that his wringing hands and worried expression was making Tina look queasy.

Truth be told, it wasn't helping her much either.

"Right. Well, good luck. You'll both be great!" he said, quickly leaving before the official came over and told him off - the man had heard about what happened at Sectionals, and Will was fairly sure that every event official now knew his name and face.

"Hey, we're going to be freaking awesome, all right?" Mouse said, hugging Tina.

She hugged her a bit tighter in response, taking a deep breath.

"I know. Let's go show them how it's done," Tina said, grinning broadly.

They took the stage, and looking over to the side area, Mouse could see Puck standing with Mercedes, Candy and Kurt. Candy waved, looking ecstatic and eager. She grinned in response, and hurried to take the microphone the official offered her.

The curtain rose, and Tina stepped forward when the beat began to sound.

"I'll be your inspiration,
But just so you know,
You can do anything if,
You put your mind to it.
Put all your strength behind it,
Dream big, live large, and..."

Mouse stepped forward to join Tina for the chorus.

"I'll be your inspiration,
I'll be your dream girl,
Your wicked little fantasy.
I'll inspire you, and be,
Your pretty little muse."

"Just don't blame me,
If you don't make it,
I'm not a miracle maker.
Not going to baby you, boy,
Not doing everything for you,
No, I'm not your mother, (Not your mother, boy)," Mouse sang with a grin, Tina echoing her.

"I'll be your inspiration,
But I won't do it for you.
You've got to stand up,
Take responsibility.
No st-st-stuttering,
No-no-no excuses," Tina said, her stutter perfect.

"I'll be your inspiration,
I'll be your dream girl.
Your wicked little fantasy,
I'll inspire you, and,
Be your pretty little muse," they sang together, both grinning at the audience clapping along.

"Just remember that,
Your biggest source,
Of creativity is you.
But if you want, oh..." Mouse stretched the note, louder than she'd ever sang before.

"I'll be your inspiration,
I'll be by your side,
And you, boy, you can,
Stay by my side too," Mouse and Tina finished together, taking a deep bow to the applause that seemed to come from everyone and everywhere at once.

Hugging Tina around the shoulders, Mouse couldn't hold back her grin, even as the rest of the New Directions glee club made their way on to the stage too. Puck smirked at her as she made her way to stand beside him. She just grinned again, squeezing his hand quickly.

The music started once more, and as they began to stomp their boots in sync with the beat, Rachel turned around and stepped forward.

"Yeah, you may think that I'm a zero,
But hey, everyone you wanna be,
Probably started off like me.
You may say that I'm a freak show, (I don't care),
But hey, give it just a little time,
I bet you're gonna change your mind," she sang, grinning over at Santana as she echoed her.

"All of the dirt you've been throwing my way,
It ain't so hard to take, (That's right).
'Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name,
And I'll just look away, (That's right)," Rachel sang, looking away from the audience.

Mouse had to concentrate on singing when she heard Kurt call out in the crowd.

"Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth,
So everyone can hear.
Hit me with the worst you got and knock me down,
Baby, I don't care.
Keep it up, and soon enough you'll figure out,
You wanna be, you wanna be,
A loser like me, a loser like me," they all sang together.

In the crowd, Mouse could see Terrence and the footballers helping Kurt and the Warblers to throw around big #1 foam hands.

"Push me up against the locker,
And hey, all I do is shake it off,
I'll get you back when I'm your boss.
I'm not thinking about you haters,
'Cause, hey, I could be a superstar,
I'll see you when you wash my car," Finn sang, Artie beside him imitating a washing motion.

"Yeah!" Mercedes changed the word until it was a note worthy of a diva.

Mike began to push a cart out, large slushie cups carefully balanced on them. They each took one as he passed, pushing the cart off to the side.

"Go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth,
So everyone can hear.
Hit me with the worst you got and knock me down,
Baby, I don't care.
Keep it up, and soon enough you'll figure out,
You wanna be, you wanna be,
A loser like me, a loser like me, a loser like me!"

They finished the last note, throwing the slushies at the audience. While not everyone present would understand the reference, it was something they'd all wanted to do. The audience began to stand up and applaud before the last note had finished, and most were covered in pieces of red glittering confetti.

Mouse's entire chest was heaving, her body trembling in excitement and nerves, and in a matter of seconds, she felt Puck's arms envelope her in a hug. She hugged him back, unable to stop smiling, no matter what happened. Looking at the others, Mouse paled slightly when she saw the familiar look Finn and Rachel were giving to each other. Before they could do anything, Candy stepped forward and took their hands, bowing deeply. He waved to Terrence quickly, grinning brightly. A few people laughed at his enthusiasm, but most of the crowd was still applauding too much to notice. Following his lead, the rest of the New Directions stepped forward and bowed as well, stepping back as the curtain closed. When they were out of sight from the audience, Candy turned to his sister, tugging on her hand to get her attention away from Puck's hug.

"Terrie's here with everyone!" he said, grinning brightly.

"Were they the group sitting right up the front and cheering loudly?" Mouse asked with a grin, her cheeks flushed from the adrenaline and excitement.

Candy nodded eagerly, swinging Mouse and Puck's hands in his own as they left the stage together.

"Oh, I didn't see them!" she said, laughing when he giggled at her.

"Okay, who spilled their water everywhere? This is a dangerous area to have a hazard," one of the technicians called, leaving before anyone could answer, ordering someone through his earpiece to get a mop and bucket.

There was a small gasp, and they all turned to look at Quinn, who had paled dramatically, her hand over her stomach.

Kurt, who had come backstage to congratulate them on their performance, blanched on seeing them all frozen and the small pool of water near Quinn, leaving two bright red spots on his cheeks.

There was a long moment of silence, and Mouse realised that no one really knew what to do. Letting go of Candy's hand, she stepped forward and looked to Mr. Schuester.

"Mr. Schue? Call 911, we need an ambulance to get to the hospital... Quinn, breathe. In, in, out; that's it. Candy, can you help Quinn breathe like that? Good boy, thank you... Finn, you hold Quinn's hand," Mouse said, looking at them in turn before turning her attention to the others. "Someone needs to stay behind to hear the results, and if we win, accept on behalf of all of us."

They were still silent, Mr. Schue looking at Quinn as he called 911, his eyes wide as she breathed in time with Candy, who looked wondrous and pleased about the arrival of the baby. Finn didn't look quite so happy when Quinn experienced a contraction, and tears sprang to his eyes as his hand was squeezed to white in her usually-tiny hand.

"I'm going," Puck and Finn said at the same time.

"So are we," Mercedes said, Tina and Kurt nodding quickly.

"Quinn? Oh, god, are you all right?" Josh asked, hurrying over.

"Kind of in labour here, Josh," she said between clenched teeth.

"I can see that..."

"Vocal Adrenaline! You're on next!" the official called.

"Do you want me to stay with you? I'll come to the hospital," Josh offered.

"Didn't you hear? You're up next," Tina said, blinking in surprise.

"After your performance, we don't have a chance in hell-o," he corrected, realising that Candy was standing beside him, "in winning. The others can survive without me."

"No," Quinn said, struggling to keep herself from screaming in pain as a contraction tore at her body. "You're going out there and singing. Do not argue with me, Joshua."

Josh frowned, not looking happy, but realising that it probably wasn't a good idea to argue with her when she looked like she was crushing Finn's hand easily. "Fine, but I'm coming to the hospital the moment we've finished."

"Good. Now go," she said, giving him a brief smile.

Nodding, he pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, and hurried to where his glee members were calling and waiting for him.

"The ambulance is on the way. You need an adult to go with you, Quinn. Are your parents out there?" Will asked, giving Mouse her phone back.

"No, they're not. You'll come, won't you, Mr. Schue?"

"Sure," he replied, looking surprised and delighted at being asked.

"Okay, so who's going to stay behind?"

No one wanted to miss out on the arrival of Quinn's baby, and so they were all silent at Mouse's question.

"I'll stay," Rachel said after a few minutes of silence. "If - when - we win, I would be honoured to accept the trophies on behalf of my fellow Glee members," she said, smiling at them all.

"Thank you, Rachel. We all appreciate it," Mouse said, squeezing her hand gently.

"I'll stay too," Artie said, giving a small smile.

"Are you sure? We can get your dad," Tina offered.

"No, it's all right. I'm not fond of hospitals anyway," he said with a shrug.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" Terrence asked, ignoring the official telling him that he couldn't be in this area.

"Terrie!" Candy called, waving over to him happily. "Quinnie's having her baby!"

Realising that he was being ignored, and still had more important things to do, the official huffed loudly and left, muttering under his breath about insolent teenagers.

Quinn was led to a seat, and she tried not to cry out in pain as she sat down slowly. Finn whimpered, his eyes screwed shut tightly as she crushed his hand again. Candy was stroking Quinn's stomach slowly, continuing his breathing and making sure she echoed his motion.

In a matter of minutes, the ambulance arrived, and Quinn was guided out of the area by the emergency medical technician and paramedic. Finn looked relieved that his hand was free of her grip, and flexed it gently.

"Okay, I've talked to the EMT; we can follow the ambulance if we're all in the car by the time they have to leave," Will called, hurrying outside.

They all followed him quickly, Artie and Rachel going down to where the footballers were sitting in front of the Warblers. Terrence picked Candy up, grinning when he laughed, and hurried to catch up to the others who were close to running out to the car park.

...

"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a land slide, no escape from reality.
Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see," Vocal Adrenaline sang together.

Josh stepped forward, trying not to focus on his worry for Quinn.

"I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy," Josh sang.

In the hospital, Quinn was being pushed through hospital on chair, screaming in pain as another contraction seemed to tear and squeeze her body at the same time.

"Because I'm easy come, easy go, little high, little low.
Any way the wind blows, doesn't really matter,
(To me) To me," Josh sang, the rest of Vocal Adrenaline echoing him.

Quinn was being admitted into the hospital and taken straight to the delivery room; the baby was ready to come out. Quinn calling over her shoulder for Mouse and Mercedes to come with her.

"Mama, just killed a man,
Put a gun against his head,
Pulled my trigger, now he's dead.
Mama, life had just begun,
But now I've gone and thrown it all away.

"Mama, (ooo-ooh) didn't mean to make you cry,
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow,
Carry on, carry on,
As if nothing really matters," Vocal Adrenaline sang together.

"Too late, my time has come,
Sent shivers down my spine,
Body's aching all the time.
Goodbye everybody, I've got to go,
Gotta leave you all behind,
And face the truth," Josh sang, looking out to the crowd as he stepped out alone.

"Mama, oo-ooh (any way the wind blows)
I don't want to die.
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all," he sang, the rest of his glee members backing him.

Quinn was screaming, using nearly every swear word she knew, cursing Puck even though he wasn't in the room.

"I see a little silhouette-o of a man,
Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango?
Thunder bolts and lightning, very, very frightening me.
Galileo, Galileo, Galileo, Galileo, Galileo Figaro
Magnifico-o-o-o," Vocal Adrenaline sang, a girl and boy singing each Galileo part from their place within the smaller groups.

"I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me," Josh sang.

"He's just a poor boy from a poor family,
Spare him his life from this monstrosity!"

"Easy come, easy go,
Will you let me go?" Josh sang.

"Bismillah! No, we will not let you go!" the boys returned.

"Let him go!" the girls begged.

"Bismillah! We will not let you go!"

"Let him go!"

"Bismillah! We will not let you go."

"Let him go!"

"Will not let you go!" the boys in Vocal Adrenaline sang, their voices firm.

"Let me go! (Never!)" the girls pleaded, the boys refusing again.

"Never let you go!"

"Let me go!"

Quinn was screaming to be let go, pleading to the baby inside her to come out, and to please, please, let her go.

"Ooooo,
No, no, no, no, no, no, no!" Vocal Adrenaline sang.

"Oh, mamma mia, mamma mia," Josh sang, a grin on his face.

"Mamma mia, let me go!
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me,
For me, for me!" they all sang together.

The guitar player did his solo, the girls dancing and being flipped by their partners, the beat increasing to a rock tempo.

In the hospital, Quinn was giving a final push, screaming loudly. Beside her, Mercedes' eyes were wide, and Mouse was telling herself that she was never going to do this to herself, ever.

"So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?
So you think you can love me and leave me to die?
Oh baby, can't do this to me, baby,
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right out of here!" Josh sang, his voice alone demanding attention and capturing the audience.

"Oooooo-ooh yeah, ooh yeah,
Nothing really matters, anyone can see,
Nothing really matters,
Nothing really matters to me," he sang, his voice much quieter as the others began to line up behind him.

"Any way the wind blows," Vocal Adrenaline finished.

Applause deafened them, every person in the crowd standing, applauding, and cheering. Once the curtains had fallen, Josh hugged a few of his glee members quickly, the rush from singing on the stage making his entire body buzz.

"I've got to go. Accept on behalf of me if we win, okay?" Josh called, rushing off the stage before anyone had the chance to question him or stop him.

...

"Excuse me, nurse? I'm here to see my daughter."

Looking up at the two women who had echoed the exact same words within seconds of each other, the nurse asked for their daughter's name.

"Quinn Fabray," they both answered.

Shelby and Judy looked at each other in shock.

"I'm not getting into this. Room 314, down the hall," the nurse informed them, grabbing a bunch of folders and leaving quickly.

"What on earth do you mean, you're Quinn's mother? I gave birth to her!" Judy said, the memory all too clear in her mind on returning to the hospital.

"I didn't mean Quinn was my daughter. I'm here to see my daughter; the baby Quinn just gave birth to. I'm adopting her," Shelby replied.

Judy didn't look entirely appeased, but they both went down to the indicated room. They both had a daughter to see.

...

Stepping out of the delivery room, feeling as exhausted as if she'd been the one to just give birth, Mouse made her way down to the waiting room where the rest of the glee club was waiting.

"Quinn's fine. Mercedes is in there with her while the nurses get the baby all cleaned up," Mouse informed them when they all waited for news expectantly.

"She's really all right?" Finn asked in concern.

"She's exhausted, and I'm fairly sure she won't be able to talk with the amount of swearing she did in there, but she's really all right," she replied with a tired nod.

"Sit down," Puck murmured, pulling her down onto his lap.

Candy was seated between Puck and Terrence, curled up on his seat. His head was resting on Terrence's lap, using his jacket as a pillow. He was smiling even in his sleep, and Mouse smiled at how happy he looked. Sweet and shy Candy had just sung and performed in front of more than a thousand people! She had no way to describe how proud she was of him, and she resolved to hug him very tightly when he was awake again.

"Mouse, right?" a familiar voice asked uncertainly.

Looking up from Puck's embrace, she saw Josh standing there, looking as if he'd just run from the competition to the hospital.

"Yeah. Quinn's fine. She's in room 314. Send Mercedes out; she'll probably need a rest," Mouse said.

With a quick nod and thanks, Josh hurried down the hallway.

In a matter of minutes, Mercedes came out to the waiting room. She sat beside Terrence, her head resting on his shoulder. He grinned at the action and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

There was a moment of silence as they all just rested. Mr. Schuester had stopped pacing and was sitting now that he knew Quinn was all right, but he still looked nervous for her.

A phone rang loudly, startling Candy out of his sleep with a tired noise of annoyance.

"It's mine. It's Rachel," Santana called when everyone checked their phones. "Hello?"

Will looked even more nervous and started to pace again. Everyone watched Santana with expectant looks, and she frowned at them, turning around to escape their gazes.

"Really? Wow, that's surprising... That bad, huh?"

"Does she mean us?" Candy asked, his eyes watering.

"I'm sure she's talking about another group," Mouse attempted to reassure him, smiling briefly.

After a few more minutes of one-sided conversation, Santana finally hung up from the call and turned to face them. No one said a word, too terrified to ask.

"Were we bad?" Candy asked, whimpering.

Santana's serious expression broke out into a broad and bright grin. "We were amazing, if I do say so myself... But, we didn't come in first," she added.

Again, she prolonged the silence before answering. Mouse muttered something about too many dancing shows on television and five-minute pauses from hosts, which Santana ignored.

"We didn't come in third..." Another pause. "We came in second!"

There was a fair amount of screaming for which they received harsh reprimands from the nurses and other patients. Unable to contain his own excitement, Will failed to get the students to calm down. He hugged each of them, his smile huge on his face.

"All right, quiet down now kids. I'm going to go call Emma, Mr. Figgins, and Ms. Sylvester. Heck, I'm calling everyone. Stay here," Will said, looking at them seriously, his grin betraying his expression.

Turning to each other the moment he was gone, they all started talking at once.

"Second. We came second against Vocal Adrenaline! They came first, right?" Mouse asked Santana.

"Yes, but apparently it was a really close vote. They loved you and Tina," she said, grinning. "The Warblers came third. Apparently their rendition of Candles lost them points, which is really disappointing, because Kurt was amazing," Santana said, shaking her head.

"Oh, someone's got to tell Quinn and Josh. They'll want to know," Tina said. "I'm going to go call Artie, be back soon," she added, leaving quickly.

"Can sweet tell them?" Candy asked, looking up at Mouse imploringly. "Please?"

"Can I come with you, sweetie?" Brittany asked, smiling at him.

He nodded and held out his hand for her. She took it and they walked down the corridor together, Brittany humming a tune as Candy bopped his head along.

...

Asking Josh to get her something to drink, Quinn explained to her mother that Shelby was adopting the baby, and while Judy didn't say anything, she had a mixture of relief and disappointment on her face.

Once Shelby had left to get the relevant paperwork signed, Quinn turned to face Judy. Her mother was surprised to see the tears in her daughter's eyes.

"Hey, mum? Why didn't you tell me?"

Judy looked uncomfortable, guilt already stabbing at her stomach, despite not knowing entirely what Quinn was going to ask. Instead of asking a question, she began to sing, and with every word that passed through Quinn's lips, Judy felt even worse than if she'd screamed at her.

"Why didn't you teach me a thing or two?
You just let me go out into the world,
You never thought to share what you knew.

"So I walked under a bus,
I got hit by a train.
Keep falling in love,
Which is kinda the same.
I've sunk out at sea,
Crashed my car, gone insane,
And it felt so good,
I wanna do it again."

Judy's knees gave up on her, and she sank down onto a seat, tears spilling from her eyes. After joining the glee club, Quinn had often told her that she sang when she couldn't think of a way to express her emotion. For Judy to have this sung at her was the equivalent of knives of guilt plunging into her and twisting horribly.

"Hey mom, why didn't you warn me?
Cause I thought boys were something,
I should have known.
They're like chocolate cake,
Like cigarettes,
I know they're bad for me,
But I just can't leave them alone," Quinn sang with a hollow laugh.

"So I walked under a bus,
I got hit by a train.
Keep falling in love,
Which is kinda the same."

A knock at the door startled Judy, and Quinn stopped singing to call for the person knocking to enter.

Candy looked in the room with a bright smile, and Brittany's head appeared above his a second later, smiling just as brightly.

"Can we come in?" Candy whispered loudly.

Quinn nodded, and Judy stood up, leaving before anyone could say anything to stop her.

Candy frowned slightly when he saw that the woman was crying, but Quinn was waiting so he went into her room instead.

As he and Brittany were telling Quinn about the Regional results, Josh returned with a large drink for Quinn, and was told about his own win. He thanked Brittany and Candy, and after giving Quinn a kiss, he went to call his glee members.

...

"There isn't a name on the adoption papers," the nurse said, looking to Shelby as she cradled the baby in her arms.

"Beth; her name is Beth," Shelby replied, smiling and unable to look away from her daughter.

"Excuse me, Ms. Corcoran?"

Looking up at her name, Shelby was surprised to see a young man standing beside her.

"Hi, I'm Puck. I'm the father of your baby," Puck said with a brief grin.

...

(a/n: The original song sung by Tina and Mouse was written and belongs to me.)

End of the twenty-fifth chapter.

Thank you for reading. I hope you liked it!