AN: Okies, this is a little shorter than the rest. Enjoy!
Make Me Forgot
Chapter 10 – I Got You Babe
Driving to the hospital had been a nerve-wracking experience. Mr Shue and Finn had gone in the ambulance with Quinn and the rest of Glee and Miss Pillsbury had jumped into their cars and followed. Artie refused to wait for his dad and his special van, so Matt and Mike carried him into the Santana's car and put his wheelchair in the trunk. Rachel and Puck went in Kurt's car with Mercedes and Tina since it was clear Puck was in no state to drive. He hadn't said anything so far, he was still in shock. He just looked straight ahead, but he didn't seem so see anything. Rachel kept glancing over at him nervously wanting to help him so badly but not knowing how.
They met up with the rest of Glee in the car park and barged into the emergency room looking for Quinn. It took them a while to convince the admitting nurse that they were all Quinn Fabray's family; especially considering Quinn was Caucasian and some of them were Asian, Latino and African American but as soon as Mercedes pulled out the racist card they were let through without further questioning. Finn was waiting in the hallway pacing nervously and he waved them over when he saw them, thankful they were all there. He needed the support. They all crowded into the tiny room, Miss Pillsbury and Mr Shue as well, where Quinn was lying limply on a crisp white bed with two doctors attending to her. One doctor was finishing up putting Quinn's right wrist in a cast. The doctor who was examining Quinn's belly with ultrasound equipment looked up and was surprised to find them all there. The doctor had a strange look on her face.
"Only family are allowed in here," the doctor informed them sternly and Quinn locked eyes with each of the persons present.
"They are family," she managed to gasp and the Doctor looked down at her with disapproval.
"Miss Fabray," she began sternly but Quinn shook her head.
"I need them here," Quinn spoke harshly alarmed by the serious look on the Doctor's face. She absently reached out and took Finn's hand and then reached for Rachel's. Rachel moved forward to take Quinn's hand tugging Puck with her, his hand firmly in hers. All four of them squeezed hands nervously, though Rachel was careful with Quinn's broken wrist. Their hearts stopped at the Doctor's next words.
"I'm sorry Miss Fabray but in the fall the baby..." the doctor broke off as Rachel let out a sob and Puck's body stiffened. The other Glee members shook their heads in disbelief, arms wrapping around each other for comfort.
"Say it," Quinn demanded her voice shaking.
Her lip was trembling. They all knew what the Doctor was going to say but until the Doctor said it, the reality wouldn't sink in. The Doctor looked at the faces of the teens in the room. She felt sad for them, they were just kids, they shouldn't have to deal with this. No one should have to deal with news like this.
"The baby died in the fall Miss Fabray, she's gone," the Doctor apologized and Quinn broke down into weeping sobs. Finn hugged her, his own tears falling unashamedly.
Puck paced the room before punching the wall not caring about his now bleeding knuckles. Rachel released Quinn, leaving her in Finn's capable hands hurrying over to Puck trying to comfort him but Puck just shook his head pushing her away from him gently then he bolted from the room.
"What's wrong with Puck?" Kurt asked hesitantly not understanding Puck's reaction and Rachel turned to Quinn. There was no accusation in her eyes, just honest pleading.
"Let him grieve for his daughter Quinn, tell the truth," Rachel told her, choosing her words carefully as she tried not to break down and Quinn buried her face in her hands. She knew Rachel was right.
"She was Puck's baby," Quinn blurted out loud enough for all to hear then she looked up at Finn who was staring down at her in disbelief, "Finn, I'm so sorry."
"She wasn't mine?" Finn whispered disentangling his hand from hers. Quinn shook her head and Finn backed away from the bed. No one spoke as he strode from the room.
Quinn covered her face with her hands and sobbed while Rachel stood there watching her unsure of what to do. The Doctor cleared her throat, almost apologetically and Rachel froze. It wasn't over.
"The baby needs to be removed Miss Fabray, you need to deliver the baby. I will have to induce labor for you," the Doctor said regretfully and Quinn's just continued to sob harder unable to speak. Rachel turned to the rest of the Glee club who were huddled together holding each other up. They were all crying, all looking to Rachel to tell them what to do. Rachel took a deep breath.
"Guys, get Finn and Noah back in here. I don't care if you have to knock them out, get them in here. Right now," Rachel snapped moving over to Quinn's bedside and taking her hand. When the Glee club didn't move straight away she yelled louder, "Go!"
Matt moved first, grabbing Mike by his collar and tugging him from the room saying something about getting Puck. Santana and Brittany ran after them. Kurt took Mercedes by the hand and Tina hurriedly pushed Artie, probably going to get Finn. Mr Shue stood there in the corner in shock and Rachel bit her lip.
"You should help get Finn back in here, he listens to you," Rachel told him softly and Mr Shue nodded before vacating the room at light speed with Miss Pillsbury in tow.
Rachel turned her attention to Quinn whose body was shaking with tears. The doctor advised they would start and Rachel prepared herself whispering to Quinn her words of comfort. The sooner this was over the better.
Puck came back first, his face impassive as he entered the room and stood in a corner, arms folded across his chest. There were dried tears streaked down his face. Finn was close behind not looking any better than Puck. Mr Shue followed pushing Finn forcefully into the room. The two men glared at each other. Quinn was pushing, and weeping at the same time while Rachel held her hand coaxing her under the doctor's instruction.
"Come on Quinn, push," Rachel was saying, and Quinn sobbed painfully covering her face with her hands, giving up.
"I can't do this," she mumbled through her hands, sobbing hard and Rachel climbed into the bed beside her wrapping an arm around her shoulders to give her strength.
"Take her hands. This isn't about Quinn or any of us, this is about a baby girl," she glared at Finn and Puck and they both moved at the same time taking one of Quinn's hands. Quinn's sobs intensified as her body shook.
"Quinn, come on, push," Rachel whispered and Quinn did as she was told twisting her head to cry into Rachel's shoulder as she delivered her baby.
Not long after the doctor wrapped the baby girl in a blanket and then carefully placed the child in Quinn's arms. Quinn clutched the bundle close to her chest and cried. Puck lost his restraint and wrapped his arms around Rachel and Quinn looking down at his baby girl, his shoulders lifting with silent sobs. There were tears streaming down Finn's face as he leaned over to look at the child he thought was his. Finn thought the fact that the baby wasn't his would change his feelings but when he looked down at the still face of Quinn's baby he felt broken, feeling the loss deeply. He had spent months preparing himself to be a dad to this tiny little human being. It hurt. It felt like something was ripped out of him, leaving a deep painful hole in it's wake.
Rachel sent Finn and Puck out of the room when the nurses took away the baby. Quinn didn't say anything; she just stared at the white wall blankly, tears running down her face. Rachel had no idea what to say to her.
"We are going to keep your friend for a couple of days," the doctor informed Rachel who nodded her thanks and the doctor left the room. Rachel looked over at Quinn frowning, willing Quinn to say something but Quinn just sat there.
"Quinn, did you want to talk to someone?" Rachel asked her but Quinn didn't move or acknowledge her in any way and Rachel tried again, "I can get Miss Pillsbury to talk with you."
No reaction from Quinn. Rachel figured she must be in shock. Rachel was exhausted and wanted to stay but she didn't know how to help Quinn and Rachel hated feeling useless. Plus she was worried sick about Noah, he had lost his child as well. Miss Pillsbury would know what to say to Quinn, she was the school counselor after all. Rachel drifted out of the hospital room to find the others all sitting outside the room on the chairs provided. They looked up expectantly when Rachel exited the room. Finn was nowhere to be seen. Puck was sitting on the floor staring ahead of him.
"They want to keep Quinn for a couple of days," Rachel informed the group solemnly, rubbing her face tiredly. Puck finally looked over at her, his eyes empty. Rachel hated seeing him like that.
"Will she be okay?" Mercedes asked the question they were all wondering and Rachel shrugged her shoulders limply.
"I don't know," she said honestly, and then she turned to the red haired counselor, "Miss Pillsbury, I think she really needs to talk to you right now."
"Of course," Miss Pillsbury hurried into Quinn's room closing the door behind her quietly.
A silence came over the group and then Mr Shue stood up.
"I guess you should all go home, there isn't much you can do now," Mr Shue told them and slowly they all stood and said their quiet goodbyes heading for the exit.
Rachel and Puck didn't move to leave. Mr Shue sat back down beside them and then paced a hand on Puck's back. Puck felt himself overwhelmed with the urge to cry again and Rachel rested her head on his shoulder taking his hand in hers. Puck forced himself to focus on how small her hand looked in his so that he didn't think about what he had lost today. He felt like he couldn't breathe. Puck didn't know how long they sat there but it felt like a lifetime. Their peace was startled when Miss Pillsbury poked her head out of the door.
"Will, Quinn wants to speak to you," she said tightly not meeting Mr Shue's eyes and Rachel, Puck and Mr Shue took in the look on her face apprehensively. Miss Pillsbury looked pale and little sick to her stomach, she looked at Rachel and Puck, "You should come in too, Quinn needs support when she says this."
Rachel and Puck looked at each other in confusion but followed Mr Shue into the room. Puck stood in the corner, arms folded while Rachel went to Quinn's bedside taking her hand and squeezing it to comfort her. Quinn took a labored breath before speaking.
"Mr Shue, your wife was going to adopt my baby and pass it off as yours. She's not really pregnant. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner and I hope that you can forgive me. I was scared and I didn't know what else to do so I agreed to her deal. I'm so sorry for keeping this from you. After everything you've done for me and Fi...I'm so, so sorry."
Rachel wasn't sure she was understanding with Quinn was saying. Mr Shue's wife was pretending to be pregnant? It seemed Quinn had been keeping many secrets. Rachel looked over at Puck and he seemed just as surprised as she did. So this was a secret Quinn had been keeping from everyone.
"What? No, that's not possible. I've seen the ultrasound, I was there," Mr Shue stammered in shock, not sure whether to believe her or not. Quinn looked down at her quilt with shame.
"Check her stomach, she's not pregnant," Quinn repeated, her voice devoid of emotion and Mr Shue backed out of the room holding a hand to his head, not completely comprehending what Quinn was telling him.
Rachel squeezed Quinn's hand and whispered that she did the right thing telling Me Shue the truth then she and Puck followed after Mr Shue, not knowing what they could do but wanting to help him anyway. He was standing outside of Quinn's room just staring at the wall absently. His whole world was crashing down around him. They could hear Quinn crying in the room behind them and Miss Pillsbury talking softly to her.
"Will, Will is everything alright?" Mrs Shuester came barreling down the hospital halls and Rachel and Puck stood there staring at her. Her pregnant belly was poking through her top, but if what Quinn had said was true, her belly was a fake. The woman was faking her pregnancy and hadn't told her husband.
Will Shuester turned to his wife, his face blank of emotion. In one swift movement he lifted her shirt slightly and the fake padding was there to be seen by all. Terri Shuester squawked with indignation tugging down her shirt but the damage was already done. He knew the truth. It was over.
"No Terri, everything is not alright," Will said woodenly and then he turned and stalked down the hall towards the car park. Terri looked around the halls at Puck and Rachel's accusing faces before tears started falling from her eyes.
"I just wanted us to be a family, it's all I ever wanted," she whispered brokenly before running after Will crying out his name.
So much drama in the past couple of hours, it was all catching up to Rachel. She was quivering on her feet as Puck turned to her and he hugged her tightly trying to calm her nerves.
"What if I miscarry?" Rachel said out loud, her voice shaking and Puck felt his chest constrict at the thought of losing another child. He held her to him tighter.
"Don't say stuff like that," he whispered harshly and Rachel clutched at his shirt her tears seeping onto him. Her whole body was shaking.
"I'm scared," she told him softly and Puck kissed her gently wiping away her tears.
"I've got you babe, I've got you," he swore to her and Rachel nodded pulling away from him smiling bravely. Behind her Puck caught sight of Kurt who was frozen in place staring at them, having heard every word they just said, in particular about Rachel being worried about miscarrying.
"I'm going to check on Quinn," Rachel told him going on her toes to kiss his lips briefly before she hurried back to Quinn not even noticing Kurt there.
Puck reached Kurt in three swift strides staring him down.
"Rachel left her bag in the car," Kurt said lamely holding out the bag, not looking Puck in the eyes. Puck grabbed the bag then placed a hand on Kurt's shoulder, forcing Kurt to look up at him.
"Don't tell anyone," Puck was practically begging but he didn't care. He didn't care about his reputation or his pride. He was a father to a dead baby girl. The things that had happened today would change anyone.
"What I know the other three know," Kurt said honestly then he bit his lip, "But we won't say anything."
"I don't want her to worry yet; you saw what happened once the school found out about Quinn. Rachel doesn't need that, especially now, and neither do I. Plus Quinn and Finn won't want to hear about the baby, it's not the right time," Puck tried to impress on Kurt how serious this was and Kurt nodded, completely understanding.
"You have my word," he promised sincerely and Puck gave him a small, thankful smile.
"Thanks Kurt."
Puck moved to sit heavily onto the waiting room chairs. Kurt hesitated a moment before placing a hand on Puck's shoulder, squeezing briefly, before making his exit.
Miss Pillsbury came out of Quinn's room after a long wait and smiled weakly at him, coming to sit beside him on the chair with a soft sigh. The day had taken its toll on everyone.
"Rachel's fallen asleep with Quinn, I thought I better call Quinn's parents, they will want to know that she is at the hospital," Miss Pillsbury told him looking tired and more than a little nervous.
"They don't know about the baby," Puck told her blankly and Miss Pillsbury pursed her lips.
"I'll have to tell them, all part of the job I suppose," she tried to make a joke but neither of them laughed. Her wide eyes searched the halls, "Mr Shue..."
"His wife came here, Quinn was telling the truth. The crazy woman was pretending to be pregnant, I haven't seen him for an hour or so," Puck informed her and Miss Pillsbury pursed her lips again, this time clearly worried. Puck would have to be blind to not see the way Miss Pillsbury felt about Mr Shue, even though she was engaged to Coach Tanaka.
"Oh dear," she whispered to herself worriedly, then she took in the lines on Puck's face and said kindly, "Noah, maybe you should head to the cafeteria to grab some food, the girls will be asleep for a little while I think, they are both exhausted."
As she walked away Puck wondered what Miss Pillsbury really thought of him. He got Quinn pregnant and then he got Rachel pregnant in quick succession. He was really living up to his Quinn appointed title as King of the Lima Losers. Puck shook his head. Now he was just wallowing in depression. Miss Pillsbury was talking on the phone, presumably to Quinn's parents and Puck figured he may as well get something to eat like she had suggested. He would grab something for Rachel as well; he wanted her to eat properly, for their baby. Puck slowly made his way to the cafeteria and saw a familiar head of light brown, curly hair. Mr Shue was sitting at a table with his head in his hands. Puck walked over to him slowly.
"Are you okay?" Puck asked taking a seat opposite him and Mr Shue raised his head to reveal bloodshot eyes. Puck practically winced looking at him.
"No I'm not okay, but it's okay to not be okay once in a while," Mr Shue told him, looking pointedly at Puck. Puck knew that his piece of advice was for himself as well as Puck.
"I'm sorry," Puck whispered his apology for the pain he knew Mr Shue must be feeling. Not only did he find out that he wasn't going to be a father, but he found out his wife was lying to him. Focusing on Mr Shue helped Puck forget that his tiny daughter was lying in a morgue downstairs.
"I should have known, I should have seen, I can't believe that she did something like this," Mr Shue mumbled burying his face in his hands and this time Puck placed his hand on Mr Shue's back. This time the student comforted the teacher.
Neither man wanted the other to say everything would be okay, because it wouldn't. Puck and Quinn had lost their baby girl; Mr Shue had lost his baby and his wife. They sat there in comfortable silence mourning their losses.
AN: This chapter comes from a very emotional scene I watched on Grey's Anatomy once. Basically same thing happened; woman fell in shower and broke her wrist and the baby died in the fall. She had to give birth to a dead baby and I swear to goodness I feel like crying every time I watch the episode. She's sweating and crying and pushing and she just wanted to give up and Addison has to tell the woman's husband to make his wife push. It's so sad. I know this is a dark chapter. Unfortunately its stays depressed and angsty for a little while longer.
thanks to my Beta, she's awesome! REVIEW!