Part 9

Rachel studied her reflection in the mirror. A part of her felt a little silly getting so worried about what she was wearing on her date. Puck has seen her when she first gets up in the morning, all wrinkled pajamas and bed head and he still asked her out. None the less, here she was, trying on her third outfit. There were certain things she knew Puck liked. He liked her hair down, her short skirts and would prefer no animals on her sweaters. She currently had on her favorite black skirt, a red sweater set and a pair of black heels. As her eyes strayed back to her closet again, she stopped herself, grabbed her purse and headed out the door.

As she made her way downstairs she heard Puck and her father's talking. She found herself smiling, again, at the weird situation they found themselves in. She was being taken out on a date by the boy she was raising a child with while they lived in her father's house. Yet, it totally worked for them.

"We thought your closet might have swallowed you," her dad teased.

"Ha ha," Rachel responded, feeling a blush settle on her cheeks. "Noah won't tell me where we are going so I wasn't sure what to wear."

"All in good time, Rach," Noah smiled at me. "By the way, you do look great."

"Thanks," I feel myself blushing again and look down at the floor.

"You guys should get going," Daddy said with a chuckle in his voice. "Don't want to miss your reservations."

"Reservations?" I squeak, looking at my ensemble again. "Are you sure I am dressed okay?"

"You look perfect," Noah assured me. "Besides, if you go slip into an evening gown, I don't think my khakis and shirt will look as nice."

"Did Kurt dress you?" I blurt out before I can stop myself. Looking at his outfit, he looked amazing, but it wasn't quite him.

"He tried," Noah chuckled. "If it were up to him I would be in dress pants and a tie would be involved. This was our compromise and I dressed myself. Now let's hit the road before Beth decides to wake up and we start feeling guilty about leaving her."

GgLlEeEe

"I've been wanting to try this restaurant for AGES," I gush to Noah as he parks the car. "They have an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu."

"So I was told," Noah smirks at me. "Tina, Kurt and Mercedes all texted me today about how you have been trying to get someone to go with you here. Though I don't know why I didn't know about it."

"It's not your thing," I reply immediately. "You are very much a steak and potatoes kind of guy."

"True," he agreed as we exited the car, "but I am still willing to try things for my girl."

"Your girl?" I flush.

"Sure," Noah shrugged and takes my hand. "This date just makes it official."

"I like the sound of that," I smile happily as we walk into the restaurant.

GgLlEeEe

As we pull back into the driveway at the house I see an odd expression on Noah's face.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I'm not sure what to do now," Noah shrugged. "Normally, you walk a girl to her door, give her a kiss and go home. What do you do when you live in the same place?"

"Walk me to the door," I smile shyly, "give me a kiss and then we will both go in and check on Beth."

"And after we check on Beth?" Noah asks before exiting the car to walk around to my side and open the door for me.

"Maybe we will watch a movie or something," I shrug, trying to sound nonchalant, but feeling very nervous none the less.

"Hhmmm," Noah seemed to consider that. "I don't want you to think I am easy or anything. This is just our first date."

I can't help but laugh.

"We can sit on opposite ends of the sofa," I offer through my giggles. "I wouldn't want you to feel like I was pressuring you or anything."

"And what would you like to pressure me into, Berry?" he smirks at me and I can feel the atmosphere around us change. We have made it to the porch and I am leaning against one of the posts with him leaning over me.

"You know me," I shrug, trying to sound casual, but I can hear the breathy quality that has creeped into my voice. "I'm a sex shark and if I stop moving, I'll die."

"You did not just say that," Noah laughs and pulls me into his arms, burying his head against my neck.

"I believe I did," I smile and hug him back.

Noah pulls back slightly, looks into my eyes then leans in. As his lips lightly brush mine, my eyes close and I think I either moan or whimper, I am not sure which. I knew Noah and I always had chemistry, our failed attempt at dating last year was a testament to that, but with actual feelings added in, I don't think anything had ever felt so perfect. This was nothing like kissing Finn or Jesse. Those were nice, but nice is not how I would describe this. This kiss is like those ones you see in Disney movies where magic seem to start to swirl around the participants or something. My body tingles, my toes curl and all too soon he is pulling away with a smile on his face.

"Let's check on Beth and get to that movie."