Author's Note: This chapter features both Tina and Finn's POV, but all the chapters after this – except the wedding – will only feature the singular POV of one or the other.
~*~Chapter Eleven: A Couple Of Kooks~*~
Day 300
Will you stay in our lovers story/If you stay you won't be sorry
"Kooks" - by David Bowie
Tina's POV -
Suddenly the CVS on Maple Lane looked like the abandoned hotel from 'The Shining,' and definitely not the plain, ordinary building I had been in at least a hundred or so times since I was little. I seriously believed that Jack Nicholson was going to run out of the automatic doors, swinging an ax and yelling, "Redrum, redrum, redrum!"
Thank God that didn't happen. Cause I so did not need to deal with crazy ax murderers right now.
I had bigger fish to fry.
Thinking about fish had my stomach tumbling violently and for a split second, I thought I might throw up in the parking lot, but to my relief, nothing happened.
Steeling myself, I walked through the automatic doors and hoped no one I knew was around. As much as I didn't need to deal with crazy ax murderers, I needed to deal with my friends even less. But luck clearly wasn't on my side today because as I turned to my right, Rachel's crazy doe eyes met mine.
"Tina!" She gasped, dropping Sam's hand and rushing toward me.
She hugged me so tight, I swore I could literally feel my lungs constricting as if I was trying to replicate 18th century England with a corset or something. "Rachel," I wheezed. "Y-y-you're ss-squeezing me."
"Babe," Sam chuckled under his breath as he shook his head, big pink lips stretching wide. "I think Tina kinda, like, needs to breathe."
"Thanks, Avatar." I replied once Rachel let me go.
"I am sorry for constricting your respiratory system with my enthusiasm." Her cheeks flushed as she smiled softly. "But I just couldn't help myself. It's not that often that Samuel and I have the pleasure of reuniting with a fellow former gleek. Especially one who has recently celebrated such a beautiful moment as yourself."
I didn't have to ask to figure out how she knew about me and Finn; between Kurt and Mercedes, the whole universe probably knew by now. Blushing, I fumbled with the ring on my finger and smiled as I murmured, "Thanks."
Clapping her hands, she bounced on the heels of her feet. "You must tell me every little detail." She gushed, her hands moving to clutch at her heart. "Hearing the details from Kurt is not the same as hearing them from you."
"Why don't you call Tina later, Rach?" Sam suggested. "We have that thing with your Dads and you're like never late and stuff. And if we're late, they'll probably think we were in some horrible accident or something crazy and Leroy will have to stop Hiram from calling every hospital within like a hundred miles or whatever."
"You're right." Rachel was suddenly more subdued and I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach.
Looking between the tiny brunette and the tall blonde, I could tell something was off. My lips twisted and I slowly my brows furrowed. "I didn't just, like, stumble into an alternate universe, did I? Because I suddenly feel like I did. You just agreed with Sam like," I paused to snap my fingers. "That. No arguing, no stomping of your feet, no arm-crossing, pouting, nothing."
As she huffed and stomped her foot, I caught a glimpse of the Rachel that was much more familiar to me and I relaxed just a little. "I do not appreciate you're implication that I engage in immature acts, and I am incapable of admitting when another person is right."
Shaking my head, I tried hard not to laugh. "No offense, Rachel, but how many Glee club rehearsals did you storm out of because you thought Mr. Schue was 'holding you back' or because you thought he was 'unable to understand a talent such as yours'? Not to mention, whenever any of us disagreed with you, you would always pout or stomp your feet or cross your arms like you were in time out or something. I'm just stating the facts."
"We'll just have to agree to disagree." She replied haughtily, sticking her nose high in the air. "Now as Samuel was saying we really must go; my Daddy does get irrationally worried whenever I am late for an engagement as I have been punctual my entire life."
"Is everything okay?" I don't know why I was so concerned about Rachel and Sam leaving; like, honestly, what was the big deal? I'd see them again at the wedding, maybe even before, so why was I doing this?
"I don't mean to pry and stuff." I tugged on the strap of my bra that was exposed from the purple off-the-shoulder 'Angry Birds' T-shirt I was wearing. "It's just like one second you want me to re-cap Finn's proposal and the next Sam's saying you have to split. Did I say something?"
I could feel my eyes go wide as I sputtered out the last part. The last thing I wanted was to upset Rachel or Sam. We weren't that close, but still; who wants to upset their friends?
"You didn't say anything." Sam assured, his clear green eyes warm and understanding. He let out a long breath, pursing his big, pink lips together as he sifted his fingers through his much shorter hair. "Maybe you and Rachel should, like, talk alone and stuff. Girl to girl or whatever. She'll tell you what's up, but don't be afraid that you said something; cause you didn't. It's all good, Tina."
Him walking away only had me more confused. Finding Rachel's doe eyes and seeing the way they were shining had me panicking. A crying Rachel Berry was something I was definitely not prepared for.
"It appears as though biology has dictated that I may be with child."
Mercedes' voice suddenly appeared in my head; It appears as though biology has dictated that I may be with child? Is this chick for real?
Suppressing the snort I could feel rising in my throat, I couldn't help but wonder if something was in the air? I thought I was pregnant and so did Rachel...Did that mean Cedes was going to appear out of nowhere looking for a pregnancy test too? Or Quinn?
Shuddering at the thought of Quinn suddenly appearing, I nodded and murmured, "Biology decided it would be fun to screw me over too."
"Don't say that!" Rachel gasped, her features wrought with a mixture of horror and scandal. "This could very well be a blessing in disguise. You should look at your situation the same way. It is always better to be positive. And it's not as, though, you have to worry about ending up alone; you and Finn are prepared to make an endless commitment to each other."
"Right." I said slowly, elongating the word. Sighing, I twisted my bottom lip between my teeth before running my fingers through my hair. Looking at the tiny brunette levelly, I told her, "It doesn't matter if Finn and I are engaged or if we were already married; we're not ready to have a baby. This could change everything."
"Would you like to do this together?" She offered. "We could be each other's moral support and such."
"No thanks." I whispered trying to smile as best as I could. "And don't think it's because you're not Mercedes or Kurt; it's got nothing to do with that, I swear. You need to do this with Sam and I need to do this with Finn. I'll see you later, okay?"
"To say that I am as close to you as you are to Mercedes and Kurt would be a false statement, but do know that I am here for you, Tina. It's logical to assume – given our similar situations – that we will both be in Lima for an extended period of time, and you know where to find me."
"I'll keep that in mind."
As I paid for the First Response test, I half expected the clearly bored cashier to look at me and make a sarcastic quip about my eggo being preggo, but I was Tina Cohen-Chang not Ellen Page so that didn't happen, which was comforting in a weird sort of way.
The stupid test felt like a bomb in my purse as I walked home. I swore I could hear it ticking; even though I knew that was logically impossible. Rushing up the stairs to my childhood bedroom, I pushed the door open and was surprised to see Finn sitting there waiting.
Before I could even open my mouth, he was standing right in front of me; his long legs making up the small distance between the bed and the door fairly quickly. He wrapped his arms around me and it was like I was suddenly boneless as I collapsed against him. He didn't have to say anything; I knew Kurt told him what was going on because I had confessed to him about being late and how I was tired and my boobs hurt and everything.
"When Kurt said you needed to talk to me," His voice was muffled by his face being buried in my hair. "I thought you were gonna give me the ring back and stuff. I don't know if this sucks less or more."
I moved out of his embrace and shook my head. "There's no way I'm giving this ring back, ever. I'm too head-over-heels crazy in love with you to. But," A shaky breath escaped my chest as I blinked over and over, my eyes stinging with tears. "I'm so scared right now, Finn. This – if I am, I mean – it changes everything. And we are so notready to have a baby."
His brows furrowed together and I could see the wheels turning in his head. "D-d-d-does t-th-that mean y-yy-you w-ww-would...Y-yy-you know?"
I knew what he was asking; the word he actually couldn't say and suddenly, I felt my stomach sink all the way to the soles of my feet, just like my heart. "I don't know." I squeaked; my breathing rushed and my head spinning.
Before I could blink, I felt him lifting me off the carpet and into his arms. The way he was cradling me was 'bridal style' like he had just carried me over the threshold and I clung tightly to the strength in his broad shoulders, my face buried in his neck.
I opened my eyes (that I didn't know had closed) once I knew that he was sitting on my bed. Pulling away from his neck, I stared into his eyes and I could count the flecks of hazel around the chocolate of his irises, and my breathing was as unsteady as ever.
"Whatever you want," His voice was shaky as he stroked my cheek. "It's okay by me. Th-tt-this is, like, your life and your body and all that feminist stuff you talk about sometimes. I know saying vows is still a while away, but you've got me for better for worse, richer or poorer and until we're dead and whatever."
I couldn't believe I was laughing – even though it sounded more like hiccuping over and over – but I actually was. I felt my whole body relax as the roughness of his thumb brushed along the apples of my cheek, taking the wetness of my tears away with every stroke. "You tell me, I'm super awesome, but really you're the super awesome one."
He shook his head, the little dimple in his left cheek appearing as he smiled softly. "Nah." He dismissed, bending just a little to rub my nose with his own. "You're way more super awesome than I am, Tina. But you know what we have to do now? You've gotta go take the test. We need to know before we start making all these big decisions."
I nuzzled into the warmth of his strong frame, not wanting to leave the comfort of his arms and face the reality I had to; peeing on a stick, waiting three minutes and then hoping for a minus sign while dreading a plus sign. Swallowing thickly, I asked, "Can you get me a glass of water?"
He tapped the top of my nose and that boyish grin flourished across his handsome features, his chocolate eyes twinkling as he teased, "You sure you don't want some Sunny D?"
Rolling my eyes, I scrambled to my feet. "Please. I'm way hotter than Juno and you're definitely hotter than Bleeker. But seriously, do you really think my parents would keep that over processed fake juice in the house?"
~*~T&F~*~T&F~*~T&F*~T&F*~T&F*~T&F*~T&F*~T&F*~T&F*~T&F~*~T&F*~T&F~*
Finn's POV -
I laughed under my breath at Tina ranting about how Sunny D was over processed and fake. She sounded just like her Mom. My mind drifted to thinking about if our kid would sound like her or me, but quickly I shook it off.
She hadn't even taken the test yet, so why was I thinking about that?
Swallowing this giant lump that was suddenly stuck in my throat, I felt my stomach get all twisty as I remembered how excited I was about Driz...I mean Beth before she was born and I thought I was her Dad. It was probably stupid of me to be excited; cause, like, I could have been a Dad at sixteen and stuff, but I just couldn't help it.
Not that it mattered; she was never mine even when I told Quinn we should name her Drizzle.
Sighing, I ran my fingers through my hair and made my way over to the fridge. I grabbed a bottle of water and one of Sobe green tea cause Tina always drank tea when she was upset and stuff. Walking back up the stairs, I stopped halfway when I noticed the pictures that lined the wall. They were all of Tina; some with her parents and some of just her. In one it looked like she was just born, another she was finger painting when she was all chubby and had rosy cheeks and stuff, her first day of school was there too and all the way up to when we placed at Nationals for senior year and her in the graduation cap and gown.
Out of nowhere my heart started beating really fast as I just stared at all the pictures. There was even one that her Mom took of us after we told her parents we were getting married. Her pink lips were stretched wide and she stuck out her left hand – showing off the ring – while I had her in my arms and lifted high off the ground.
I knew I shouldn't be thinking like this, but I couldn't stop from wondering if I would have a wall just like this with pictures of mine and Tina's baby. Because, like, yeah there were times when I would go there and stuff. But it was like way in the future, like, after college and when we had a house and jobs and weren't broke and eating Ramen noodles. Then we'd have little me's and little her's running around with her eyes and smile and those little freckles across her nose and cheeks and my nose and hair and stuff.
Walking back into her room, I handed her the bottle of water before sitting down next to her on the bed. She didn't say anything, she just twisted the cap off and started guzzling like I had only seen Puck do with beer. She wiped her mouth and her head fell against my shoulder, her eyes drifting up to mine as she whispered, "I'll be right back."
I squeezed her whole body, nearly lifting her into my lap, but I stopped before I did. Kissing the top of her head, I watched as she walked across the hall to the bathroom and my eyes settled on the floor.
Slowly they drifted up and I looked around her room; remembering all the stuff we did. My lips curved just a little as I thought about when we were broken up and I kept sending her letters. Then I thought about how awesome it was when she let me get to third base. Then there was the time she thought it would be a good idea to let me paint her toenails.
My stomach clenched when I heard the door to the bathroom open and she came back in. Instead of sitting next to me, she sat in my lap and said, "Three minutes and counting."
"Okay."
I didn't know if I should say something or if I should just keep being quiet, but three minutes was a long time and the silence was already, like, messing me up or something. "Do you remember when you thought it was a good idea to let me paint your toenails?"
Her eyes were wide and her perfect mouth was open in that (even now) super distracting "o" shape. "Seriously, Finn?" She practically yelled as I winced; thinking I had majorly screwed up. "You want to talk about that? While we're waiting to see if our lives could be changed forever?"
"Silence freaks me out, okay? And, like, I don't know what else to talk about. Anything else I can think of is all heavy and depressing."
I was surprised when she brought her hand to her mouth to cover up her giggles. I totally hadn't expected to make her laugh. Pulling her closer, I felt her warm breath against my neck and I tilted her chin upwards so our foreheads were touching.
Giving her a small smile, I teased, "Your parents won't, like, disown you cause you could be pregnant with a Half-Asian baby, right?"
She half-rolled her eyes. "That All-American charm of yours doesn't just work on hot Asian girls, Frankenteen; it apparently works on the parents of hot Asian girls too."
Reaching for her hand, I linked our fingers together and I started rambling, "Our baby's gonna have brown eyes cause we both do, but like what about feet and hands and stuff? If it's a girl, they should have your hands and feet; cause dudes with tiny hands and tiny feet are weird. But if it's a girl or a boy they should have those little freckles you have across your nose; they're really cute. And then you always talk about how much you like my nose, so I guess they should have mine; though, yours is, like, awesome so it probably doesn't matter..."
"Finn!"
"What?" I blinked, my whole face heating up when I realized was getting, like, carried away and stuff. "Sorry." I mumbled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. "But I just, like, really hope they're way smart like you. You know a brainiac and stuff."
"You're smart." Her eyes narrowed in that way that told me she was gearing up to argue and I chuckled. "Don't laugh." She insisted, jabbing me with her elbow. "You don't have to be labeled a "brainiac" to be smart. But if you're that concerned about it, I'm sure my Asian genes will prevail."
"We can do this, you know. If we have to, I mean. Cause I'm with you all the way, Tina."
Her long eyelashes fluttered before she looked away, hoping that I didn't see her eyes getting all shiny with tears, but I did. Turning her head back to me, I swiped my thumb underneath her eye, catching a tear before it could fall.
Her lips trembled and then her whole body started to shake and I felt sick as she buried her face in my neck and started crying. Her tears wet my skin and I wished I knew what to do to make her stop; cause, like, she was not supposed to cry, ever. She was happy and bubbly and warm and her being sad meant something was wrong with the universe and stuff.
"Ti..." I barely got the first part of her name out, when her phone started playing "Bela Lugosi's Dead," which meant the three minutes was up, and I felt even sicker.
"Y-y-you hh-h-have t-tt-to look. I c-cc-can't."
I nodded but before I reached for the test, I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers. She didn't kiss me back, but with our lips pressed together, I could feel her body slowly stop shaking. Just as I started to pull away, she gave in; her lips moved against mine, soft and light and warm, and I thought about our first kiss outside her door on her birthday and I wasn't feeling all that sick.
Pulling back for good, I took a deep breath and took the test from her. Flipping it over, I didn't know what I wanted it to say. Like, honestly, I just hoped I could read it and know what was positive and what was negative. I wasn't there when Quinn took her test, so it's not like I had experience with this sort of thing, you know?
Swallowing thickly, I closed my eyes and then looked down. I don't really know what I felt as the little minus sign stared back at me. "It's negative." I whispered hoarsely.
It was like I had just proposed to her all over again because suddenly, I was pinned to the bed with her on top of me. Her face was buried against my neck and she was crying again as her shoulders shook. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her cheeks were blotchy and her nose was rubbed raw, but she still looked beautiful.
"I don't know why I'm crying. Ugh. Or why I'm..." She hiccuped as she tried to catch her breath. Swallowing, she shook her head, her hair tickling my face and I put my hands on her wrists, holding her still. "I'm happy and I'm said." She confessed, big brown red-rimmed eyes staring into mine. "Someday I'm gonna have your Half-Asian babies, Finnegan Christopher Hudson, and I want you to know that; cause it's true. We're gonna have babies. I promise."
"Pinky swear?" My lips curved as I stared back at her.
"Pinky swear."
I let go of her wrists so we could link pinkies and then she laid down on top of me. Feeling her so close, had my head spinning and my stomach doing the twisty roller coaster thing. Her smell of jasmine and lilies was all over and as her lips touched my neck, I let my hands roam up and down her back before settling on her butt; giving it a squeeze, she laughed and I smiled.
"Sing." She whispered, her lips hovering over my ear.
When she lifted her head away from my ear, I pushed her hair behind hers and I leaned in to kiss her long and slow. Pulling back, I murmured, "You know those babies you pinky swore we were gonna have?"
Her head tilted in that totally cute way as she arched a brow. "What about them?"
"We're gonna sing this song to them after their born."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah." I said before I pecked her nose with my lips and then I began to sing an old Bowie song, I knew she would like.
(We bought a lot of things
To keep you warm and dry
And a funny old crib on which the paint won't dry
I bought you a pair of shoes
A trumpet you can blow
And a book of rules
On what to say to people
When they pick on you
Cause if you stay with us you're gonna be pretty kookie too) ("Kooks" - David Bowie)
She laughed and for the first time I saw the brightness in her eyes I loved so much. "It's perfect." She whispered, stroking my arm up and down with her fingers.
Nuzzling deeper into my arms, she sighed as she looked up at me through her long, velvet lashes. "Let's sing the rest together, okay?"
"You got it."
(Will you stay in our lovers story
If you stay you won't be sorry
Cause we believe in you
Soon you'll take a chance
With a couple of kooks
Hung up on romancing)
Song used "Kooks" by David Bowie
