Broken
Chapter 16- Someone Like You
A/N: Well...I guess I fail. So sorry for such a long wait. I unfortunately still own nothing. I wish I could say I owned it all, I mean, if I did...did you see Quinn's hair?
Okay, you have no idea how sorry I am. Real life just got in the way, between work and family issues, it was next to impossible to sit down and right a chapter out. I hope you all enjoy this chapter! :)
Elizabeth stalked up the stairs towards the room her grandson was sharing with his girlfriend. She hated that term; she did not like this girl. Elizabeth only wanted one girl with her Noah and this girl was not her. Scoffing she pushed open the bedroom door, only to find her table on the opposite end of the room and both beds pushed together. Puck and Rachel curled together with the small dog in between them. Moving across the room, Elizabeth roughly tossed the dog out of the way.
Puck woke up to the feeling of Pixie being moved and whimpering at whoever had moved her. Snapping his eyes open, he found his Grandmother moving about the room.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Puck sat up, reaching for the small dog. Unfortunately, in moving so fast to get Pixie, he jolted Rachel from her sleep.
Rachel sat up to see what made Puck move away from her. "What's going on Noah?" She asked groggily, letting the blankets fall away from her body, forgetting she never put a t-shirt on, sleeping in only a sports bra.
Elizabeth's eyes widen in seeing a bra clad Rachel, with a six inch scar along her rib cage. "Oh good, maybe she is just a charity case." She mumbled to herself.
Rachel could feel Elizabeth's eyes lingering on her scar, she shrank back into the bed, trying to cover them up. "It's from surgery," Rachel tried to explain one of her biggest insecurities.
Puck knew what the scar was from, it was just another part of her he loved. "What do you want?" Puck glanced at the clock and groaned, it was only five thirty in the morning.
"I just wanted to let you know coffee and breakfast will be ready shortly. Remember to be dressed properly and meet us in the breakfast nook, not the kitchen." Elizabeth turned on her heel, "That's in fifteen minutes." She threw over her shoulder.
As soon as the door shut, Puck collapsed with a sigh, "Have I told you how much I hate this place?"
"This was your idea Noah, not mine. Let's just get dressed and hope your mother and father actually make it today. I still can't believe their car broke down in Westbrook. Where is that Noah?" Rachel questioned as she moved around the room.
Puck sat up and watched as Rachel's hand lay across her scar. "On the coast line, we have to pass through it to get to Westerly. Hey, your beautiful Rach, and I love you so much." Puck tried to reassure her.
Rachel heard him but didn't really listen. "Hmm, maybe we can stop there next time? I love you too Noah."
"Maybe." Puck patted a now sleeping Pixie as he moved to put his clothes on. He had a feeling that today was not going to be fun or relaxing.
…***...***
"Morning darling, I just woke the kids. Did you know they slept together last night?" Elizabeth screeched towards her husband, who was already sitting at the table, reading the morning paper.
"Honey, I'm sure Noah wouldn't disrespect us to that extent. Give him a break, it seems like he found a great woman..."
"She's Jewish!"
"And so is he. What do you expect? You know he would never marry outside of his religion, it was always his plan to settle down with someone who believed the same as him." Jonathon looked up from his newspaper. "Oh by the way, that man from Ohio, you know St. James, is being released this week."
Elizabeth scoffed at her husband's changing of the topic, "That's nice darling." She busied herself around the kitchen, "You know, I still feel bad for that boy, they were dating. She just realized her mistake afterwards and called rape."
"Elizabeth." Jonathon looked up at her, warning her not to take the sentence further. She knew how much he disliked her saying that poor girl was just being mean.
Puck and Rachel headed hand in hand to the breakfast nook; Puck heard his grandfather's stern warning which could only mean his grandmother was still in her mood. "Morning Pops, Rachel this is my grandfather, Jonathon. Pops this is Rachel."
Rachel reached her hand out for a handshake but instead was swept into a hug. "Good morning Rachel, it's so very nice to meet you."
"Oh! Good morning Mr. McCambell..."
"Now, now, you can either call me Jon or Pops, none of this Mr. McCambell stuff. Sit down, coffee?" Jonathon motioned to the coffee pot sitting on a pot holder.
"Oh, yes, please. Coffee would be wonderful," Rachel smiled at Jonathon; she could already tell she would like him better.
Puck watched the interaction, his heart warmed with seeing Rachel and his Pops getting along so well. When he glanced down table, seeing the paper opened to a random page but that random page happened to have a headline he couldn't let Rachel see. Quickly picking it up, he made a comment about another article. "Lions and tigers and bears...oh my!" Puck chuckled to himself. "Poor zoo keeper killed himself in Ohio and now his animals run free on the interstates. Imagine seeing the cheetah running next to you on the high way?"
Jonathon joined in with Puck's light laughter, but Rachel had a grief stricken expression, "Oh no! Are the giraffes okay?"
Puck could only shake his head, "They sure are babe, they're free!"
"That's not nice Noah!" Rachel dropped her voice to a whisper, "They were my friends..."
Elizabeth started laughing. "Exotic animals cannot be your friends dear, now let's eat." As soon as Elizabeth turned her back to the group, she realized she let the term of endearment lose, Elizabeth knew it was because she was just too caught up in the moment.
…***...***
"I told you we should of taken the Range Rover. This stupid piece of crap BMW! Never again will we spend our money on something like this!" Hanna complained, getting out of the car.
Aaron sighed; they had paid for a hotel in Westport while waiting for car to be fixed. Then again he saw it as a sign that maybe they just shouldn't be here. Her family didn't like him anyways. Aaron had suggested when the car had broke down that they just turn around and go home but Hanna had smacked him and reminded him that poor Rachel, his sons Jewish, girlfriend was there. "Yes dear, the next time your parents suggest the expensive car, we'll go the opposite!"
"Well, yes, it's the only logical thing for us to do." Hanna smiled over at her husband before looking into the back of the car; Bridget was sound asleep, headphones in place. "Bridget, honey, we're here." Hanna gently coaxed her daughter awake as Aaron unloaded the bags. "Come on dear, I can see Grandmother and Grandfather at the door." Hanna smiled gently knowing how much Bridget loved her grandparents.
Bridget sat up, "Are Noah and Rachel here yet?"
"Yes, they were here last night. Let's go put our bags away and get settled in." It was close to two, which meant they had missed lunch but dinner would be served soon.
The door opened and Noah and Rachel stepped out of the house. Bridget jumped from the car upon seeing her older brother. "Noah!" She ran to him, nearly knocking him over with the force of her hug. She hadn't seen him since the funeral, and truth be told; she really missed him. "How long are you here for? How are you? I missed you. You haven't called me. Why haven't you called me?"
"Whoa Brig, breathe." Puck laughed as he hugged his sister. "I know I suck. We're here for a week. I'm doing good. I'm sorry I didn't call you. I've been busy with school and stuff." He kissed the top of her head. "Why don't you go on inside? Grandmother and Pops want to see you." Puck hugged his sister tightly for another second before letting her go to grab the bags. "Jeez, did you bring enough? You have like, your whole closet." Puck joked as he started carrying his sister's fourbags into the house.
Rachel stood off to the side, waiting for Puck to finish greeting his family. She really didn't want to be in this place any longer but she knew it would be rude of her to ask to leave just as his parents and sister arrived; and she didn't want to give Mrs. McCambell a reason to hate her more than she already did. She felt something rub against her legs and bent down to pick up Pixie. "Hey Pix, what's up? You don't want to be here anymore than I do, huh?" Rachel asked her dog, scratching behind her ears.
"Talking to animals? You know they can't talk back, people will think you're going crazy. Then again I think you're already there." Elizabeth remarked in a scathing voice, pushing past her to walk outside to hug her granddaughter and daughter. "Bridget, darling. How are you dear?" Elizabeth asked her granddaughter, forgetting about her grandson and his girlfriend.
"I'm well grandmother. How are you? Do you like Rachel?" Bridget asked, hoping her grandmother loved Rachel just as much as the rest of the family did.
"I'm wonderful now that you're here. How about some pie? Are you hungry?" Elizabeth asked, leading Bridget into the kitchen, diverting the attention from the unanswered question.
…***...***
Rachel headed towards the stairs to the room that Noah and she were staying in. Have I really gone insane? I've always talked to Pixie... Noah always talks to Pixie. Rachel found herself thinking as she found a new outfit to change into, although the real reason was so she could cry in peace. Tears formed in her eyes as she thought of everything that had happened already; it was clear Noah's grandmother didn't like her but Rachel couldn't understand why. She didn't tell Noah, because she knew he'd be mad at her and she didn't want that. He shouldn't be mad at his own grandmother.
Rachel stared at the blade that lay at the bottom of her suitcase. She always brought one-just in case. She was having such an awful time since they got back from Ohio, Rachel didn't think she could keep it together anymore. He's going to be free...oh god, he'll find me. He can get to me again...Rachel found herself in the corner of the room, shaking with tears falling from her eyes. He'd warned her that if she told anybody, he would kill her. He'd kill her whole family, make sure she knew he was coming for her, and then kill her slowly. Rachel was so distraught, she didn't hear the knocking on the door that turned into insistent pounding as the person on the other side tried to get the door open, and realized it was locked.
"Young lady! I may not like you very much, but you will show my family and I some respect. I invited you into my home against my better judgment because for some reason, my grandson likes your freakishly large nose and crazy personality. Open this door and get downstairs for tea, now. Or I will break it down and put you on the first bus back to New York." Elizabeth tried the door one more time, only to find it still locked. "Fine, stay in there. You can explain to Noah why his perfect little girlfriend, wasn't in the family picture!" Elizabeth laughed sarcastically before walking away.
Rachel sobbed harder, covering her ears, trying to unheard the words. Once she was sure Elizabeth was gone from the door, she crawled over and was going to unlock it so she could text Noah, asking him to hold her, when she saw his phone sitting on the bed. Instead, she went over to her bag and took out her razor; contemplating if life was even worth it anymore.
…***...***
Elizabeth walked downstairs after that girl wouldn't open the door. The nerve of some people, she thought, you let them into your home, and they repay you by being rude. She huffed and walked to where Noah was with his mother and father. "Noah, your friend is upstairs. She's locked herself in that room. I told her to come down for tea and she ignored me. I think it would be best if you went and got her. Maybe explain the rules of this household to her."
"What did you say to her mother?" Hanna asked her mother, glaring. She knew how her mother was, how sensitive Rachel was, and she had a feeling her mother played on that.
"Nothing dear, just that she needed to come down for tea," Elizabeth sighed, "Really, she can't follow simple instructions." Elizabeth shook her head.
"Grandmother, Rachel is my girlfriend. I would appreciate it if you could be nice to her. I will try to get her to come downstairs, but she didn't sleep well last night. She's probably tired." Noah said, leaving no room for argument. He walked up the stairs and tried the door only to find it still locked. "Babe? It's me. Can you let me in? I promise I won't make you go down there. We can stay up here until dinner. Please?" He knocked on the door lightly, getting worried when she didn't open it. "Come on Rach, for me? I'm sorry my grandmother sucks. We can go home tomorrow if you want." He was all but pleading with her, and he heard no movement from the other side. "Rachel, seriously. Open the door for me. Quit playing around. This isn't funny." He thought about banging on the door, but knew it would do no good.
Rachel sat against the bed trying to get her bearings. If she let him in, blade still in hand, he would be upset that she didn't just call for him. She knew there was a possibility he would be so mad that he might leave her. She couldn't open the door, not yet. Seeing what she was still in, found a pair of sweats and Noah's shirt to slip into. Sitting on the bed, she stared at the door, hoping Puck would leave soon.
Puck knew she wouldn't open just yet for him, she needed to let herself think. Putting his forehead to the door, he sighed softly, "Baby, I'll be down stairs if you need me. I love you Rachel, so much. I don't care what other people say or think, I love you. I'll never leave you." Puck waited a minute to see if maybe she changed her mind but when she still didn't open up, he slowly stepped away and walked back downstairs.
Rachel felt more tears come to her eyes as Puck said those words; she didn't deserve someone so understanding. Rachel saw her phone light up with a text, reaching over to see who it was, she saw the unknown number across the screen.
***Hey baby. Miss me? I missed you. We have so much to catch up on. I'm coming for you.
Rachel's hand hovered over her mouth containing the scream that wanted to come out. And couldn't be him, he wasn't supposed to be released for a few more weeks. She deleted the message before dropping the phone to the floor, letting sobs wrack her body. Slipping off the bed and onto the floor, she picked the phone up, typing a quick message to Hanna.
**Can you send Noah up here, please? - Rachel*
…***...***
Noah was livid as he walked down the stairs. "What did you say to her? What did you tell her? What did you do? She won't talk to me. She wouldn't open the door. I swear to god, if she hurt herself because of you, I will never come back here again. I will never consider you my grandmother again! What did you tell her?" He was fuming, and not at all caring that he was yelling at his grandmother, in her home, in front of his parents and sister.
"Young man. You knock that off, now. This is my house. I can speak to her however I please. You need to show me some respect. It's not my fault you found a basket case."
"Rachel is not a basket case. She is my girlfriend. What is your problem? Are you that dense? Did you really think Santana and I would end up married? Seriously lady? We were only ever fuck buddies. Way to pick a fucking whore for your grandson to be with." Puck stormed out of the room and the house before anyone could say anything more.
Just as the door slammed shut, Rachel came wandering down the stairs, tears in her eyes. When Noah hadn't come upstairs, she figured maybe Hanna didn't hear her phone or it was still in the car. "What's going on? Where's Noah?" Rachel could feel a panic attack coming on. She couldn't figure out if Pick had left or if he just didn't want to be with her.
"Rachel!"Elizabeth ignored Rachel and tore her out of the mid panic attack. Elizabeth had enough, something needed to change. "Go take a shower, you look like shit. Then, come back down here. We need to have a talk about my grandson's future and where you fit into it."
Rachel was taken aback at the harshness of her voice but nodded, going back up the stairs; maybe it would be a turning point in the trip, maybe Elizabeth would accept her. She could only hope, but then again she didn't want to get her hopes up...again. She curled up on the bed, staring at the wall, she needed to think. Looking next to one of the windows, she saw a picture she hadn't seen earlier. One of Noah and Santana. She felt the sobs coming, they even look perfect together. Looking at her phone she saw all the texts messages left all by the same person. She didn't want to believe it was him, not yet.
***Hey baby. Miss me? I missed you. We have so much to catch up on. I'm coming for you.
***Hey baby. Pick up your phone.
***I'll find you.
***Have fun in Connecticut. It's the last trip you'll take.
At that last message, Rachel screamed, sending Aaron and Hanna running up the stairs. "Rachel, Rachel. Sweetheart what's wrong?" Hanna asked, smoothing the girl's hair, realizing this was no longer just about Noah leaving.
"I need...Noah..." Rachel leaned into Aaron's side, letting Hanna stroke her hair. "Where is he? I need to go home." She had tears streaming down her face so fast she couldn't see anything.
"Sweetheart, he went out. He'll be back. I promise. Can you tell me what's wrong?" Hanna asked softly, to which Rachel just shook her head. "Do you want us to leave you alone?" Rachel shook her head at first but then nodded. "Are you sure?" Hanna asked, softly.
"No, can you please stay Hanna, just until Noah comes back? Please?" Hanna nodded, hugging Rachel's small frame close to her body, trying to soothe the poor girl who was shaking like a leaf. Aaron slowly stood and left his wife to calm down the girl he already thought of like a daughter.
…***...***
An hour after he left, Puck returned, slightly buzzed. He went to the first bar around and ordered a few shots; they helped, he felt calmer and lighter than he has in months. He noticed Bridget had taken post by the door most likely to alert the parents when he came in.
Instead he found her with tears brimming in her eyes. "Noah. You need to go see Rachel. She was screaming and crying after you left. I think something bad happened..." Bridget said softly, concerned for the girl she thought to be like her sister.
"'Kay Brig. Give me a minute." Puck said, going into the den. He couldn't let Rachel see he'd been drinking.
"No, Noah. Now! She needs you. She only wanted you, but you left. She's scared, and crying. I think something bad happened. She fell asleep shortly after mom went in there. I think she's still sleeping."
Puck sighed, and headed up the stairs. "Rachel, what's going on? Why're you crying? You've got Brig scared half to death." When he didn't get an answer he walked over to the bed sitting down, rubbing her back gently. "Rachel! Come on wake up, I'm home now." When he still got no response from her, he stood back up, all intention of going back down stairs.
Rachel woke up when she felt the dip. She kept her eyes though, she could smell alcohol and was instantly reminded of him. He always smelt like alcohol. She felt like crying, only thinking of the last time he was drunk. She was left alone in a town she didn't know. It was happening all over again. "Noah, why are you drinking again? You know it makes me scared of you...After what happened last time you drank. Why would you do it again?" she whispered, hoping he would hear her.
Puck stiffened at her words, that night flashed in his mind. Taking a deep breath he went back to the bed, sitting down softly. "Baby, I'm so sorry. I just needed to get out of here. I'm sorry." Puck whispered, gathering her in his arms, rubbing her back and dropping gentle kisses to the top of her head. "I hate scaring you, I'm sorry. I will try next time to not drink, I'll come to you; I promise." He felt her nod and kiss his neck, continuing his menstruations, "Can you tell me what happened?" He felt Rachel shake her head and point at her phone. He picked up her phone and read through the open messages. He could feel his anger growing more and more. Getting to the last one, he was livid. He couldn't believe he got a hold of her number, and he was either tracking it or someone they trusted told him where she was. "It'll be alright baby. It'll be alright. He won't get to you. I won't let him." Puck rocked her back and forth, holding her tightly to his chest kissing her head, cheeks and nuzzling his face into her neck. Assuring himself she was okay and for the time being she was safe.
"Noah, I have to tell you something," Rachel whispered, "Can you close the door first, please?"
Puck complied, slowly moving Rachel off his lap, quickly standing and shutting the door, locking it to be on the safe side. "Rach, what is it?"
"You're going to be mad at me. You're going to hate me and make me go back to New York." She looked down, staring at the blanket.
"Never princess. I'll never be mad at you or hate you. I promise. Now what is it?" He kissed the top of her head.
"I...I kind of..." she sighed, ashamed and showed him the razor that was hidden in the bedside draw.
"Oh baby, why? Why didn't you come get me? Did you cut yourself?"
"I tried...you left." Rachel whispered into his chest as he held her tightly.
"Where?" Puck really didn't want to see, but knew he had to so he could help her properly clean them.
Rachel shook her head, "No! I almost did. I was so close to just putting that blade to my skin and feeling the emotional release that I know comes with it and then I thought of you. And how you'd leave me because they only made me uglier. That your grandmother would get her wish and you'd finally be with Santana and I just couldn't let her win...not yet..." Rachel sighed, fresh tears coming to her eyes.
"You're not ugly. You can never be ugly. I don't want her. I want you. And baby you've already won, the moment I realized I loved you." He kissed her cheek gently.
"I love you too. C-can I show you something?" Rachel pushed away from him, not meeting his gaze. She trusted him, and needed him to know what she really looked like. "Wh-what I look like?"
Puck gently pulled her face back to meet his, "Babe, I know what you look like. Your beautiful, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. But show me, I'll always think that."
Rachel nodded and slowly stood up off of the bed. She took a deep breath and slowly pulled the shirt she had on off, showing him the long, older scar on her ribcage. Rachel watched as Puck stood up and ran his fingers over the long scar, caressing the skin there. Pulling her sweatpants down a little past her hipbone, she allowed him to see the ones on her lower stomach. She heard Puck's sharp intake of breath but never showed any sign of repulsion, he just let his fingers skim down her skin and caress those too. Rachel let her sweats fall to the floor, trying to show him the ones on the inside of her thighs.
Puck took in all the scars she was showing him. The only thing he could do was run his fingers over them and kiss the ones he could reach.
"Did they hurt?" Puck whispered.
"Some more than others..." Rachel admitted as she slowly pulled the pants down so he could see her legs. You could tell where she had cut some deeper than others, some more jagged.
"Babe," Puck looked at Rachel with tears in his eyes. "Is this because of him?"
Rachel nodded her head, "Well, after what he did to me, this was the only way I could live. It was the only way I could emotionally escape, it was all so much." Rachel collapsed into Puck's arms, burring her face into his neck. "And today, Elizabeth was so mean. Told me I was crazy and didn't know why you were with me. I wanted to so bad! But I didn't want to go back there!" Rachel sobbed, she felt safe to cry about it now, she had Noah, her Noah.
"Shit babe, that's how she is. She says crap like that to everyone. I'm just sorry I didn't warn you. I thought she'd be nicer. Now come on, let's get you cleaned up, okay?" Puck helped Rachel pull her shirt and sweatpants back on and started to lead her down the hall to the bathroom.
"Noah, I'm sure she's capable of showering on her own. You know my house rules." Elizabeth spat at her grandson when she saw him leading Rachel into the bathroom.
"Elizabeth, stop it. Can't you see the poor girl is upset about something?" Jonathon said to his wife, guiding her back downstairs so Rachel could calm down without her there.
Puck guided Rachel into the bathroom and shut the door. He found her a cloth and wet it with some cool water, wiping her face of the dried and fresh tears. After finishing her clean her face, he knelt down in front of her, lifting her shirt, kissing all the visible scars, whispering 'I love you' after each kiss.
Rachel could feel her love grow for the man in front of her, every kiss made her glow. He replaced her shirt, standing back up and kissing her soundly on the lips. "I love you, forever."
"I love you too." Rachel smiled a true smile to Puck. He led her back down the hall and to their room. Once in, they were called down to dinner. "I don't want to go back down there."
"I know, I know." Puck hugged Rachel tightly, "I promise, we'll go home tomorrow. But for now let's get dressed."
"Do we have to be dressed for dinner?" Rachel asked softly, to which Puck nodded in response.
"I'm afraid so babe. Which means we have to get dressed now, or else...?"
"Fine." Rachel sighed tiredly, pulling out a nice pair of dress pants and a long sleeved shirt. Hoping that brushing her hair back and the light lip gloss would make her look okay.
…***...***
Downstairs, Elizabeth was waiting for her grandson and Rachel to come down for dinner. She had called them down nearly ten minutes ago. She had a surprise for Puck, one she was sure he would love and would send Rachel running at the same time.
"Grandmother, this dinner looks wonderful." A voice called from the kitchen.
"Oh dear, thank you. You were always too kind Santana." Elizabeth walked into the kitchen smirking.
"I have to say, I was surprised when you called and invited me to dinner. We haven't really talked since graduation. What brought this up?"
"Oh, nothing. Just Noah is in town, and I thought it might be nice for him to have someone to talk to at dinner besides his parents and grandparents." Elizabeth shrugged, leaving out the part where Puck brought his girlfriend. "Now dear, help me bring this food into the dining room please? And run up and tell Noah to come down for dinner."
Santana nodded and brought the salad to the table before running up the stairs to the room Puck normally stayed in when him and his sister would come to visit. "Puck," she said while knocking on the door, "Get your ass downstairs for dinner now." When she didn't hear a response, Santana opened the door.
As the door opened, Rachel looked up, "Oh, I'm sorry. We'll be right down..." her voice trailed off as she saw who stood in the doorway. "What are you doing here?"
"Grandmother dearest invited me," Santana scoffed, "Why are you here?"
"I'm Noah's girlfriend..." Rachel trailed off slowly, looking down. She wasn't ashamed, it's just that she was kind of afraid of Santana, and this house, and his grandmother; she wasn't feeling herself right now.
"Oh." Santana replied shortly, turning around. "Well, when Puck comes back in here, tell him it's time for dinner." She turned and walked down the stairs quickly.
…***...***
Ten minutes later, Noah and Rachel were both downstairs with Santana in between them. Rachel kept her head down as she slowly ate, praying nobody noticed how little food she was actually eating versus what was just being pushed around on her plate.
Santana truly did feel bad for Rachel. She knew how judgmental Elizabeth could be, and how sensitive Rachel was; and due to what Quinn told her about what happened back in their hometown, it wasn't a shock. So, when she saw Rachel pushing around her food, she nudged Puck and pointed at Rachel. Puck smiled sadly at Santana acknowledging what she was trying to tell him.
Elizabeth watched Rachel throughout dinner, she was barely eating anything. This made her upset. She took her time to make it. "Is my food not good enough for you? Is there something wrong with it that I should know about?"
"N...no ma'am," Rachel whispered into her plate, "Just not very hungry. I'm sorry." She tried to hold back even more tears that she knew would fall anyways. Seeing a fork reach over onto her plate, she looked up confused. Seeing Santana taking a portion of her chicken, she smiled gratefully.
Elizabeth saw the food being passed from one plate to another and stood up, "So, it's not that my food isn't good enough for you, it's that you have an eating problem? Well Noah, you sure know how to pick them don't you? Good job," she huffed and walked into the kitchen.
Rachel sat there with her mouth open, crying. "I'm...sorry...I didn't mean to ruin...dinner," she hung her head and stood up, walking up to the room she and Noah were staying in. She didn't want to be here anymore, she wanted to be in New York and working on what was going on. She was tired of this woman doubting her. Her cell phone chirped again, tears finally falling when she saw what it read.
**Pretty swanky town for you, isn't it 'princess'?
…***...***
After hearing his wife, Jonathon was upset. No, he was livid at how someone could treat another human being. He watched Rachel go upstairs crying, and followed her to make sure she was okay. Even though the door was open, and he could hear her crying; he knocked anyways. "Rachel? Can I come in? I want to apologize for my wife's actions."
"O...okay," Rachel said tiredly, still staring at her phone.
Jonathon walked into the room, and upon seeing Rachel staring at the phone, tried to make a joke out of it; hoping to ease her discomfort, "Those damn phones are always more interesting than people, huh?" he asked, adding a chuckle on the end.
Rachel shook her head, "I'm sorry about dinner," she mumbled, "Could you please get Noah for me? We need to leave tonight."
Hearing the pure fear in Rachel's voice, Jonathon called for Noah to come upstairs and sat down at the edge of the bed, "What's the problem Rachel? Why do you have to go home tonight? Surely you can leave in the morning if you want to?"
"No, we need to leave now. It's not safe for me to be here...I can't be here anymore."
"Why not dear?"
"He knows where I am. I'm putting you all in danger." Rachel was shaking with fear and sat down, leaning against Jonathon. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how he got my number. I don't know how he found me, but he did...I'm putting all of you in danger because of him. I don't know how he got out of jail." Rachel was crying and let Jonathon hug her until Noah came upstairs.
Puck came bursting into the room, frantic. "Rachel? What's wrong?" When she didn't answer, he turned to his grandfather.
Jonathan could only shake his head, he was confused as to who he was. He had no clue what the poor girl was talking about. "I-I don't know! Someone...guy...some guy is coming for her. Said we're in danger. He got out of jail? What's going on Noah?" Jonathan untangled Rachel from his arms and let Noah take her.
"Rachel, no. No he's not. No one's going to touch you. Baby, I won't allow it. Let's turn off that phone. We'll change your number..."
"He knows I'm here!" Rachel sobbed, clutching onto his shirt.
"Baby..." Puck was cut off by a knock on the door.
Bridget cleared her throat, "I wanted to make sure Rachel was okay..." Bridget came over to kneel by her, "Don't listen to her, I love you, my brother loves you, and our parents love you; we're who count. Come down for dessert. Santana is going to sing a song and mom made chocolate cake."
Rachel could only nod, she couldn't deny Bridget, "Okay Brig, we'll be down shortly. Noah, can we talk after that of when we're going to leave. I still want to leave soon. Go back to our home." Puck nodded, understanding she wanted to be out of here. Taking a shuddering deep breath Rachel stood to follow Bridget out.
…***...***
"Mother! Enough is enough! I will not sit through this! I did not come here to watch you ridicule the girl my son loves. Sure she is damaged but she is a good girl, and she loves Noah!" Hanna followed her mother into the kitchen, after seeing Rachel leave she felt horrible.
"I don't care! I already lost you..."
"You didn't lose me mother!" Hanna cut her off, furious that her mother would bring that into this.
"You changed religions..."
"It was easier mother! I loved Aaron enough to know it would be easier to raise children under one religion and he can't leave his! Get over it mother!" Hanna felt a hand on her shoulder, looking over to see Santana.
"It's okay Mrs. P, I would never love Puck like the way Rachel does. She's good for him and he's good for her. I'm sorry Grandmother, we're more like brother and sister than lovers. I'll always love you guys though." Santana sighed, "Grandmother, can we have dessert in the sitting room? The one with the piano? I'd like to sing to them, to show Rachel I'm not a threat. And I've already sent Bridget to get them." Santana smiled, patting Hanna's shoulder before leaving the room.
"Get the plate's mother. I have the cake." When Hanna made it to the sitting room, Puck and Rachel were curled up on the couch, Bridget sitting by Rachel's feet, Aaron and Jonathan chatted lightly on common topics and Santana sat at the piano, softly playing an opening to the song she was about sing. Her voice captivating everyone on the first line.
I heard that you're settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true.
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you.
Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light.
Santana looked up from the piano, seeing Rachel smile softly at her. She was hoping that the point was across. She didn't want to be the threat she wanted to be a friend.
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,"
Yeah.
You know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised
In a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days
Puck knew this was Santana's way of waving a white flag, he would always love Santana as his best friend but he couldn't offer her anything else. His heart was not meant for Santana, he couldn't love her like he loves Rachel. Puck smiled to himself, leaning down to place a lingering kiss on Rachel's head.
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."
Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
They are memories made.
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."
Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don't forget me, I beg
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."
Santana took a deep breath, it felt so good to get that off her chest, she felt lighter, and now maybe they could move on. She could take Rachel shopping, maybe even get to know her as a friend, grow to love the person who so dearly loved her best friend, and brother in life. When Santana glanced around the room, Bridget smiled brightly at her, Rachel had tears in her eyes and Puck held her tightly; Hanna and Aaron were smiling at each other, lost in their own little bubble. Elizabeth had a sad smile on her face, and a single tear rolling down her cheek, Jonathan stood close, trying to comfort her. "I'm sorry Rachel, I hope you can forgive me. Maybe start over, be friends." Santana smiled gently, looking at Rachel.
"I'd like that Santana." Rachel tried her best to smile, at least my night can end on a high note. Rachel thought watching Santana move to sit next to Bridget, talking about the latest style, Santana included Rachel in the conversation with what they could do when they get back to New York. I think I can handle having Santana as a friend...
A/N: Don't own Adele's Someone Like You! Hope you liked, leave some love and ideas! People I need ideas!