Hello loves! I know it's been forever, but between school and moving things have been crazy! Which is why I made this a lengthy chapter to make amends for my absence! I'm also planning more gleek scenes and Quick scenes for the next chapters that I know you'll all love! Anyways the reviews as always have been amazing and I appreciate all of you wonderful readers! Keep reading and reviewing and let me know what you think! Thanks again sweeties!
"One foot in front of the other, that's it big guy, easy steps."
Puck and Finn gripped Balen tightly as they led him down the drive, the young boy's body flailing about as the two men drug him forward. They had been waiting for him over half an hour outside the bar, Finn finally growing frustrated and heading back inside to drag him offstage. But instead of finding Balen there he found the teenager asleep on the floor of the women's bathroom, Finn assuming he had wandered in accidentally and passed out mid-pee. He had yanked the boy up and half carried half tugged him towards Puck's truck, the two having enjoyed the ride home as they drew on and tormented the drunken teen.
"Errythings spinning," he slurred as he gripped Puck's shoulder tightly, his other arm wrapped around Finn's waist and pulling him closer, "I can't stop it-s'like a clausescope."
"Yeah buddy uh huh, sounds real pretty," Puck groaned, pulling Balen off of him and Finn and leaning him against the door, "Now I need you to listen up ok? This is real important what I'm about to say-"
"Oh no's, you pregnant too?"
"What? No, Balen-"
"Dude that's physically impossible," Finn added, furrowing his brows before cocking his head to Puck, "It is right? That can't-"
"Shut up," Puck interrupted, rolling his eyes and refocusing on Balen, "Look, we have to go inside now ok? Which means you have to be quiet, you understand? You can't make any noises or sounds, not even a goddamn peep, because if you do Mrs. Quinn is gonna wake up-"
"And attack?" Balen asked frightened, his eyes bulging and mouth drooping in fear.
"Er-yes, attack, so be quiet ok? Hold your breath if you have to, I don't care, but you have to silent understood?" Balen gave Puck a salute to show his obedience, he and Finn stifling laughs as they opened the door and pulled him inside. The house was silent and dark as they entered, Puck groping everything around him as he blindly wandered through the shadows.
"Fuck!"
"Shut up Finn!"
"I'm sorry! I stumped my toe!"
"Be quiet or she'll heeear yooouuu…"
"I don't give a-shit!
"What?"
"Now I stumped my toe!"
"Sorry!"
"Mr. Puckerman she's gonna attack!"
"Stuff it Bale!"
"Why the fuck do you have so much shit in your living room?"
"I didn't decorate!"
"Well it's ridiculous!"
"You're ridiculous!"
"We're all ridiculous!"
"SHUT UP BALEN!"
"Dude I think I found your couch!"
"We don't have a couch th-"
"Its soft and plush, it's good enough."
"Plush? Really?"
"Fuck you."
"Fuck me."
"Balen-"
"Just put him down on the fluffiness ok?"
"Ok, one-"
"Two-"
"Three!"
"OW!"
"Sorry!"
"Shut up!"
"Ok Finn, let go of my hand."
"What?"
"Ew."
"Dude, let go of my hand!"
"Dude, I'm not holding your hand!"
"Secret loveeeeeeerrrrrrrs, that's what they aaaare-"
"Dude, for real, you're creeping me out."
"Dude, for real, I'm not holding your hand!"
"Then who is?"
The click of the side table lamp illuminated the once black living room, light casting over them and revealing Balen in a laundry basket and a very angry Quinn. Her brow was furrowed, her eyes drooping sleepily, with her lips pursed firmly and her arms crossed over her chest so tightly Puck wondered how she was breathing.
"Uh-hey baby," he said slowly, casually stepping in front of Balen's crumpled body as he tried to shift the focus, "How ya doin?"
"How am I doing? How am I-well let's see, I spent the day with our pregnant and emotionally fragile teenage daughter, trying to convince her that everything would be ok, while you went out and got plastered with your friends-"
"Balen's not really a friend babe-"
"Hey-"
"Shut up," Quinn snapped, stepping closer to Puck and glaring up at him, "I've been up all night trying to get a hold of you, waiting for a call or text, smoke signal, carrier pigeon, anything! And you have the nerve to just show up smelling like a country music video and act like everything's fine?"
"Baby-"
"Don't baby me, don't even Puckerman-"
"Ooh last name basis? Clearly this is a family discussion-"
"Sit down Hudson, I'm nowhere near through with you two." She turned back from casting Finn an evil look to stare a hole through Puck, the bigger man suddenly feeling very small as his wife interrogated him.
"Look, Quinn I did what you said-"
"Are you kidding me? Are you freaking kidding me?" she asked as she threw her hands up, "I wanted you to help me, to help our kids, and your definition of help is getting him shit faced?"
"In all fairness Finn helped-"
"Hey-"
"I don't care Puck! I trusted you, to help me and Beth and you pull this crap?"
"Hey I didn't even want to get involved in the first place but you made me!"
"Because you screwed everything up!"
"Because you made me talk to him!"
"Because you're an ass!"
"EXCUSE ME!" The three adults turned towards the voice to find Balen slumped in the basket, lazily waving hello as he tried to wiggle out of his position, "I'm sorry to s'rupt you but, I gotta pee so 'less you want it on your delicates-"
"Oh for Christ's sake Finn help him," Quinn ordered, Finn not budging as he looked between Balen and her.
"Finn-"
"You told me to sit down!"
"Well I'm telling you to get up!" The man sprung up quickly and began tugging Balen up from his spot, helping support him clumsily as they made their way down the hall.
"Quinn just let me explain-"
"Oh you're gonna explain alright, and it better be good."
"Look I'm sorry ok? I shouldn't have taken him out and gotten him wasted-"
"Ya think?"
"But the kid was hurting ok? And as much as I hate having anything in common with that little shit, I know what that's like alright? It's miserable and awful, the kind of feeling that just makes you wanna die and that much pain? It doesn't just go away from having a good talk and slap on the back, it haunts you and makes your stomach and chest ache in this awful sort of way all day and all night. So yeah, I took him out and I gave him one night away from all those bad feelings. I get that you don't like it or approve, but you also don't understand." Puck sighed as he fell back onto the couch, rubbing his face and groaning in exhaustion. He was waiting for Quinn to fight back or argue that it still wasn't acceptable, more than surprised when he felt her rest beside him.
"Well Beth is going through the same thing you know-"
"I know Quinn-"
"But I guess I didn't do much better with her either," she moped, Puck flashing her a look of confusion as she winced, "I might have let Beth go a little overboard with your credit card." Puck felt his heart skip a beat as he noted her hesitance, knowing he was in no position to get angry so quickly playing it off.
"It's-it's ok," he nodded while forcing himself to relax, "It's ok, fine, I think we're both even and both learned our lessons the hard way."
"Agreed, " Quinn nodded, offering Puck her hand as they shook, "I just don't know how we're gonna explain this to Kurt and Jacob."
"Their kid got mine pregnant, I got theirs drunk, I think that's a fair trade." Quinn smiled as she smacked her husband, relaxing against him as he wrapped his arm around her, "Or maybe we just don't tell them."
"I think that's a much better plan," Quinn agreed, closing her eyes as she began drifting off. Puck gently rubbed his fingers through her hair softly, curiosity eating away at him as he finally opened his mouth once more.
"So when you say a little overboard, how overboard are we talking?" Quinn's eyes snapped open again as she bit her lip, mumbling incoherently while trying to shrug him off.
"Oh not too bad," she murmured nonchalantly, "Just you know…"
"How many zeros?" Puck interrupted.
"Just two," Quinn answered.
"Oh ok-"
"Plus another?"
"Quinn!"
"Puck!"
"You let Beth spend a thousand dollars on clothes!"
"You let Balen get wasted at a bar!
"Fair enough!"
"Touché!"
The bangs and groans coming from the hallway signaled the return of Finn and his nephew, the young boy now looking green as he slowly wobbled into the living room.
"Bale you look awful," Puck said as he fought back a smile.
"So does your mother," he grumbled, Puck growing angry as Quinn pushed him back.
"Yeah, he kind of upchucked on the floor," Finn informed them as he helped Balen onto the couch, "…and in the sink…and in the shower…there's-there's just a lot of vomit ok?" Balen moaned as he fell onto the couch, Quinn grabbing the trashcan from the kitchen while Puck blanketed the area around him.
"Make it stop," the young boy pleaded, holding his stomach as he rolled over, "Make it-just make errything stop."
"Just go to sleep Balen, you'll feel better in the morning," Quinn said comfortingly as she placed the trashcan beside him, flashing Puck and Finn a look of annoyance before heading to their bedroom, "We'll talk about this in the morning."
"Along with how you're gonna pay me back!" The flash of Quinn's middle finger signaled the end of their conversation, Puck cursing her under his breath as Finn prepared to leave.
"Hey thanks again for enduring this with me," Puck said as he patted his friend on the back, Finn shrugging it off while grabbing his keys.
"Nah it's nothing, besides it's the least I could do."
"You're right, it is." Finn revved back and punched Puck, the two shoving and pushing one another as they walked towards the door.
"Listen, Quinn and I agreed to keep this from Kurt and Jacob so if you wouldn't mind-"
"I know nothing," Finn smiled, high fiving Puck before stepping through the door.
"Have fun babysitting."
"Have fun being Berry's bitch."
"Make sure you relax when you take it from Quinn puss."
"At least one of us actually gets in her pants."
"Douche."
"Tool."
"Would you stop kicking me?"
"Would you stop hogging the covers?"
"Well I'll stop hogging when you stop moving."
"Well I'll stop moving when you stop hogging."
"Stubborn bastard."
"Crazy bitch."
The morning light shined brightly into Puck and Quinn's room as the couple tossed and turned, the two having spent the night battling each other in their sleep. Quinn was still pissed at Puck's immaturity and Puck was still pissed at Quinn's inconsiderateness, the two having kicked and elbowed the other throughout their restless night.
"I still can't believe you let a teenage boy get drunk at a bar."
"I still can't believe you let a teenage girl go on a shopping spree."
"Oh so when Balen hurts it's ok to ease the pain, but when it's our own daughter hurting it doesn't matter?"
"I never said that!"
"And since when did you all of a sudden get so defensive over Balen anyway? You used to hate him."
"I do hate him, and I'm not defending him I'm defending myself!"
"Real mature Puck, real mature."
"Shut up."
"Bite me."
"Please?"
"Fuck you."
"Anytime sweet cheeks, anytime." Quinn growled as she shoved the covers off, climbing out of bed and throwing her house coat on.
"Sometimes I wonder why the hell I even married you."
"Because I'm fucking charming as hell," Puck grinned, crossing his arms behind his head and smiling.
"Ah, that's right, you guilt tripped me with our daughter." Puck frowned as Quinn grinned evilly, taking his pillow and chunking it at her across the room.
"Well at least now I can sleep without some little elf stealing the covers," Puck grumbled, Quinn grabbing her ears quickly and pouting.
"You know I'm self conscious about them!"
"And with good reason Keebler." Quinn let out a shrill cry as she stomped towards the bed, yanking the covers off of Puck and throwing them into the hall.
"Yeah, well you're not that big!" Her robe twirled behind her as she stormed out of the room, Puck gasping at her last words. He tried to lay there but the chill on his toes kept him awake, Puck grumbling angrily as he pushed himself out of bed. He bombarded down the stairs as he entered the kitchen, Quinn clanging the pots and pans together loudly as she prepared breakfast. Neither spoke or looked at each other as they fixed their coffee, Puck heading to check on Balen as Quinn scrambled their eggs.
"Up and at 'em," Puck called as he grinned, "Time to face the day sunshine." Balen remained motionless as he slept, his lifeless limbs spread everywhere as drool trickled from his lips.
"Come on buddy, seize the day," Puck shouted as he knelt beside the teenager, smacking him repeatedly with the newspaper while whistling.
"Mnphm," Balen mumbled while swatting at Puck, squinting his eyes and rolling over.
"Yeah I hear ya, but we have a doctor's appointment so up, up, up!" Balen continued to lay there pathetically, Puck sighing as he got up and walked towards the living room windows.
"Come on Bale," he called sweetly, pulling the blinds up and letting the sunshine blare onto the boy's face, "Time to go."
"Ah, stop it!" Balen cried, shielding his face and crying out loudly, "Make it stop, make it stop!"
"Can't, now up! You've got a lot of explaining to do." Puck plopped down beside him as he sipped his coffee, enjoying Balen's misery far too much. His eyes were puffy and the bags that hung below them were huge, his face still tinged green with his hair sticking up in all directions.
"Wha-what happened?" he asked slowly, keeping his eyes closed while sitting up, "Did I-did we crash?"
"No, no my friend, that's the Tequila," Puck answered happily, "And she is one stern mistress I tell ya, still have Vietnam style flashbacks about her myself." Both men shuddered as they thought about drinking, Balen growing uncomfortably queasy while Puck patted his shoulder.
"So listen about last night-"
"My head has a heartbeat-"
"Yeah, good luck with that, but anyways I'm gonna need you to keep it on the down low ok? I'm already eating shit from Quinn over this fiasco and the last thing I need is your dad's exploding on me alright? So what happened last night stays just between us, got it?" Balen continued rubbing his temples as Puck waited for a response, reaching over and punching the teenager's arm.
"Shit, what?"
"Down low?"
"Ok, ok, down low," Balen muttered, Puck satisfied with their agreement and getting up, "But wait, Mr. Puckerman?"
"What?" Puck asked agitatedly.
"I kinda-I kinda did something last night-"
"Yeah, ruined my bathroom, which you will be cleaning by the way," Puck interrupted, his mood changing quickly when he noticed Balen's worried expression, "What? What happened?"
"Well," Balen fumbled nervously, avoiding Puck's eyes as he fingered a hole in his jeans, "I kind of-I might have-well I-"
"Spit it out Bale, I'm not getting any younger-"
"I kind of hooked up with someone ok?" Puck wondered if his jaw made a noise as he smacked the floor, his eyes bulging from their sockets as his stomach sank.
"What? You did what?" Balen remained silent as Puck sat back down beside him, knowing things were worse than he thought and that it was all his fault, "You-ok explain."
"You remember how I was singing right? On that stage?"
"All too clearly," Puck answered, fighting back a laugh as he envisioned Balen with the mic.
"Well it was after that, I don't really remember how, but somewhere between the Bon Jovi and beer I wound up in the bathroom with this chick."
"Did you know her?"
"No."
"And you just slept with her?"
"What? No! No!" Balen said defensively in disgust, "Please, I'm already one baby daddy I'm not gonna add another!"
"Well you said you hooked up-"
"I meant we just made out," Balen dismissed, Puck sighing in relief as his heart returned to it's normal beat.
"Well thank God, I thought you had shacked up with some girl in a stall."
"No, gross man, no! And besides, she wasn't a girl."
"She was a he?" Puck asked with wide eyes, Balen throwing his hands up as he shook his head fervently.
"Wha-what's wrong with you? No!" he cried out, "She was a woman! A crazy, crazy woman." Puck nodded in understanding as he leaned back, snorting into his coffee as he added another similarity to the list.
"Cougar's, check."
"What?"
"Nothing," Puck sighed.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Well what do I do?" Balen asked, "Should I tell Beth?" Puck quickly shook his head as he sat his coffee down, waving his hands across his chest and looking down at Balen.
"No, no, no, no! You hear me? No!"
"But I wanna be honest-"
"Honest my ass," Puck said flatly, "Look, I know this is probably terrible advice to give, and my record with helping you isn't great, but right now we're already in hot water. You still have to explain to your parents why you didn't come home last night and I still have to make this up to Quinn, much less add Beth into all this? No, no, no, no ok? I'm saving your and my asses right now alright? Just keep your little rendezvous to yourself you hear me? Trust me it's for the best."
"But what if-"
"But what if nothing! Look I appreciate you wanting to be a good guy to Beth, really I do, but take it from a boy who's been there, the last thing a Puckerman woman wants to hear is that you've been dicking around ok? I know, it's messed up, but just trust me on this Balen, what she doesn't know won't hurt. Physically too, cause Beth will kick your ass." Balen thought about the advice as guilt settled in his stomach, Puck trying his best to reassure him. Puck knew what he was doing was absolutely wrong, his advice an attempt to cover his own ass as well, but he and Balen already had enough shit to deal with, much less adding more to it.
"So have you ever cheated on Mrs. Quinn?" Balen asked curiously, wondering how exactly Puck knew what he was going through.
"Wait, what? No, I've never cheated on Quinn," Puck dismissed, "I mean…not while we were married. Look I was stupid when I was younger and I did a lot of shit I'm not proud of, including hooking up with a few of the Cheerios behind her back, so I know what you're in. I'm not saying it's ok to lie, I'm just saying you and Beth are already having enough problems, don't add more on."
"So lying is ok this once?"
"Just this once and besides, it's not lying its…not including every detail, ya know?" Balen nodded as he sunk back into the couch, his head throbbing from everything going on.
"I guess-I guess it would only hurt Beth more," Balen mumbled, trying his best to force himself into believing it was ok, "And I've already done enough of that and she is fragile, what with the pregnancy and all. Besides, if we're getting technical here me and Beth aren't even together, I mean it isn't cheating when you're single."
"Truer words have never been spoken," Puck agreed, not feeling right about the situation either but trying to focus on what was best for his and Balen's asses, "So this stays just between us, right?"
"Yeah, ok," Balen nodded, Puck shaking him a little as he stood, "I'd like to just forget this night ever happened anyway."
"I bet," Puck laughed.
"I'll never make out with another crazy redhead again." Puck went to laugh but a lurch in his stomach stopped him, pulling the coffee cup from his lips as his eyes widened again.
"Red…hey Balen?"
"Yeah?"
"You didn't happen to catch her name," he asked curiously, knowing he was probably being crazy but wanting to know, "The redhead from the bathroom?"
"Oh, uh yeah I did…something like-Lo-no, Jocelyn? No, Rosalind? Ros-wait, Ron-"
"Robyn?"
"Robyn! Yeah, that's it Robyn! Wait-how'd you know that?" The mug in his hands would've dropped and shattered if his fingers hadn't frozen around it, Puck's body stiff as he stared through Balen.
"Mr. Puckerman? Mr. Pucker-"
"Did she have big blue eyes and big red lips?"
"Yeah-whoa how'd-"
"And a southern accent? Call you things like sweet pea and honey and darling?"
"You're freaking me out Mr. Puckerman, how-oh my God were you there? Did you spy on me? How-you set me up!" Balen stood as he began freaking out, Puck quickly setting his coffee down as he ran to shush the teenager.
"Shut up! Shut up! Balen shut the fuck up!" Puck growled as he covered his mouth, Balen trying to push him off as he mumbled, "I wasn't there, I didn't watch, fucking gross dude, and I didn't set you up conspiracy theory! She's my ex ok, the woman you kissed is my ex!" Balen stopped fidgeting as his eyes widened, Puck nodding as he slowly removed his hand to reveal Balen's shocked expression.
"She's-what?"
"She's my ex ok? Ex fiancé to be exact." Balen now went from shock to terror, wondering if Puck wanted to kick his ass even more now.
"Ex-fiancé? When-"
"Do you remember hearing Quinn and Finn and your dads make jokes about the Dark Ages?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Well, that's her," Puck sighed, "She's the one I almost married, the one who faked being pregnant so I would. She tried to rearrange our wedding and trick me into marrying her and-let's just say it was a big fiasco, one I avoided thanks to Quinn." Balen was still stunned as he listened, now wondering if she looked that young or if he had been that drunk.
"Are you mad at me?"
"Not anymore than usual, why?"
"Cause I kissed your-you know-"
"Dude," Puck laughed, "I'm not mad, I just feel bad for you." Balen felt a little relief as Puck continued to chuckle, now fully realizing just how bad things would really get if he opened his mouth.
"So-so now we really can't tell right?"
"Exactly," Puck said forcefully as he glared at Balen, "Because if you do people will die. Seriously, Quinn will cut that bitch, and as for me? I'll be on the curb so fast-"
"I won't say anything," Balen interrupted, "I swear, I won't say anything, I wouldn't do that to you." Puck felt even more guilt as he watched Balen agree to cover his ass, knowing he had screwed the poor kid over more in the past two weeks than the young kid had ever done in his entire life. He also felt a sinking pit forming as he realized this is exactly how Quinn must have felt with Beth over her pregnancy secret, now wishing he had been more understanding to his girls now that he was going though it.
"Thanks Bale," Puck murmured softly, "I-I just-"
"I get it," Bale nodded while smiling, "I've got my own ass to save here too." A silence fell between them as they sat, not one of awkwardness but one of understanding and ease. Puck could only shake his head as he thought about their scenario, snorting once more as he sipped his coffee.
"What?" Balen asked perplexed, Puck sighing as he rubbed his forehead.
"You are, without a doubt and to a tee, a carbon copy of me," he smiled, "I mean we've even shared the same woman."
"It's not really funny yet," Balen said fiercely, Puck cocking an eyebrow and making him smile, "I mean I guess it is a little." The two sat quietly for a moment before bursting into laughter, Puck and Balen not really understanding why but both unable to do anything but chuckle through the awkwardness.
"Balen?" a voice said from the doorway as it halted their conversation, Beth standing in her pajamas with a confused face as she watched the two grow quiet, "What are you doing here?"
"Beth, hey," Balen fumbled, he and Puck both standing as they exchanged bewildered faces, "I uh-I was-well-"
"Balen's here to talk with you," Puck interrupted, Balen flashing him a wide eyed look as Puck tried to help, "He uh-he couldn't sleep last night so he wanted to talk and uh-we-we talked so long about you and the baby he just passed out." Beth's puzzled face soon morphed into one of understanding, walking towards the boy and grabbing his hand.
"Really?" she asked gently, "You haven't been doing good either?"
"No," he answered honestly, one time he'd actually be able to tell her the truth, "Not at all actually, I can't eat or sleep. I'm so sorry Beth, really I've been so stupid."
"Me too Balen, I've been completely overreacting at everything."
"No you're pregnant, I get it-"
"Still I've been awful to you and I shouldn't have been."
"I never meant to break up with you honest, I just didn't know what you wanted and I thought maybe you needed some space-"
"I didn't wanna break up either but I did need space, because while we were apart I realized how much I really do need you."
"I need you too Beth, and I'm so sorry I was such an ass."
"Well I didn't exactly make things easy with all my complaining and griping."
"I didn't either-"
"And I never should have gotten so defensive and let my pride interfere-"
"And I never should have gotten so aggravated and let my fear get the best of me-"
"I just really-"
"Really-"
"Missed you," they finished in unison, both smiling a little as they stepped closer.
"I know I told you I would step up and I will, I swear Beth-"
"And I promise to stop being so crazy and start controlling myself more." Balen nodded as he tugged her closer, wrapping his arms around her and pecking her cheek softly.
"I love you Beth."
"I love you too Balen," she replied happily, "Can we just go back to loving each other again? Just pretend like these last few weeks didn't happen?"
"Sounds perfect," Balen agreed, relief washing over him as he relaxed against her. Yeah, he was keeping something from her and yeah, he felt guilty, but he figured if they were wiping their slates clean then there was no sense in bringing it up anyways, they'd been through enough already and he longed for nothing but normalcy again. Besides he wasn't just protecting himself and Beth, knowing the domino affect his little secret would have on the others in their family as well, so he ignored the rumbling in his stomach and went back to enjoying the feel of Beth in his arms once more.
Puck smiled a little as he watched the two, waving a quick hand to Balen before turning and leaving the room. He closed the kitchen door behind him as he spun around to find his wife, angrily scraping away at eggs that had become stuck to the pan.
"Can I help you?"
"No," she snapped quickly, brushing a few loose strands of hair from her sweaty face as she sighed, "I'm fine on my own thanks, I don't need you."
"Aw come on babe, Beth and Balen made up, can't we?" Quinn looked up quickly as she backed away from the sink, throwing off her gloves and pushing the living room door open a tad.
"They made up?" she whispered excitedly, watching as the two continued talking and cuddling on the couch.
"Yep, everything's fine," Puck smiled as he rubbed her shoulders, "I went back and corrected my mistake."
"So then Beth knows you got Balen plastered?" Quinn asked while turning to face him and arching an eyebrow.
"Well…no, but they both agreed to start fresh so it doesn't matter."
"It does so!" Quinn protested while pushing him away, "Puck they need to be honest!" Puck grabbed Quinn's hand and yanked her back to the living room door, the sight of the two laughing teens making her smile once more.
"Fine, then you go in there and ruin that moment," Puck said flatly, pushing her closer and closer as she scoffed, "Yeah, he's not being completely honest, but would knowing how pathetic he is really benefit them? Would it really do anything for those two? No, now I'm not saying it's right, but I'm saying they're happy and they're back to the way they should be, and I think they've been through enough. But if you wanna go in there and break your daughters heart all over again be my guest." Quinn sighed as she rolled her eyes to Puck, pushing the door closed again and returning to the sink.
"I guess-I guess it's not that big of a deal."
"Exactly, I mean do you wanna hear about every time I got drunk?" Quinn flashed him an angry look in response, Puck throwing up his hands as he nodded, "My point exactly."
"I just hate all this lying!" she whined, "I mean we're gonna have to lie to Jacob and Kurt, now Beth, it's all such a bad mess."
"Like I've been saying, it's not lying it's omitting, and it's not bad when it's protecting people," Puck smiled, Quinn flipping her spatula at him and causing soapy bubbles to land on his nose.
"It must be snowing on the hills of hell because I never thought I'd see the day when you could ever have a point."
"So you admit I'm right?" Puck asked as he leaned in closer, Quinn trying to ignore his breath on her ear as she scrubbed the pan.
"No you're not right, you just have a point, there's a difference."
"So is there a difference between lying about Balen's night and Beth's day?" Puck questioned, Quinn growing stiff and tossing the sponge down annoyed as he interrogated her.
"Look I told you, I wasn't exactly right either. I shouldn't have let her do that just like you shouldn't have let Balen."
"So you admit you were wrong."
"Not wrong just-you know-misguided."
"I'll take that as an apology," Puck grinned, Quinn trying to protest but being cut off by Puck's lips.
"Just stop, for fucking once just stop fighting me," he whispered in her ear, Quinn wanting to resist his advances but succumbing to the way his hands felt on her hips as he forced her legs apart and onto the counter. He pushed her robe aside and began running his fingers up and down the insides of her thighs lightly, each time going higher before quickly moving back down to her knees.
"What'd you say earlier?" he whispered in her ear as he nibbled the lobe, his fingertips leaving a trail of goosebumps on her legs as they rested at the hem of her nightgown, "Said I wasn't what?"
"I-I don't know," Quinn mumbled incoherently, wishing his lips would stop talking and start sucking, "I dunno."
"You said I wasn't big didn't you? Insulted my manhood."
"I didn't mean it," Quinn gasped as her breath hitched in her throat, Puck continuing to tease her as he slid his fingers higher under her nightie, "I didn't mean it ok? Promise."
"You sure?" he asked as he pressed his fingers deep into her flesh, loving her reaction as she searched and fumbled for answers.
"Swear," Quinn breathed as she dug her nails as deep into his back as she could get them, Puck smiling against the soft skin on her shoulder as he sank his lips into the crook of her neck.
"Good enough," he grinned, finally letting his hands glide up her thighs and sending a sharp shiver down her spine.
"I hate you, God I hate you so much," she moaned as he sucked on her clavicle, smacking and kicking him every once in awhile as he pulled the robe off her arched back.
"I hate you too," he grinned mischievously as he jerked her forward hard while yanking her nightgown up, pulling her hair a little as she bit his lip.
"Stubborn bastard."
"Crazy bitch."
"Everything looks good," Beth's doctor confirmed as she flicked on the lights, "You're baby's at the perfect size and weight for twelve weeks, as are you." Beth smiled happily as she let the nurse clean off her stomach, Quinn awing at the tiny swell that was beginning to form.
"You know pretty soon people will catch on sweetheart," Puck joked as he poked her bellybutton, "They're gonna notice you're getting rounder and not just fatter."
"I know, I know," Beth grumbled, pulling down her shirt as she pushed herself up, "I already told Tess and Leslie I needed to talk to them, so after I tell them first I won't care who knows."
"Good girl," Quinn winked, everyone beginning to get up and head for the door as the doctor began scheduling the next appointment.
"So one more time," Jacob said as he stopped Puck in the hall, "Balen came over to…?"
"Talk," Puck nodded, he, Balen, Finn, and Quinn all having come up with a story about the boy's whereabouts the previous night, "Me and Quinn saw how hard Beth was taking things so Quinn thought I should reach out to Balen and help him go through the same."
"Huh," Jacob said as he smiled suspiciously, "It's just odd, the sudden interest you have in my son."
"Well I figure he's about to become a big part of my family, have to get along with him some time right?" Jacob nodded as he Quinn, Finn, and Balen all joined Puck in the hall, each rehearsing the story in their heads as they anxiously awaited the next question.
"And he just fell asleep?"
"Out like a light," Quinn agreed, nodding along as she patted Balen's shoulders, "Poor thing, I thought he was gonna cry himself to sleep."
"Tears, flowed," Finn interjected awkwardly, Jacob eyeing them all before he and Kurt turned, "Well if that's what you say happened-"
"It is!"
"Yes sir."
"Totally."
"Tears."
"Uh huh, well come on Balen let's go," Jacob signaled, he and Kurt walking ahead as Balen stepped forward to leave.
"Thank you guys so much," he whispered quickly, all three flashing thumbs up as he waved goodbye.
"So," Kurt said as they exited the office, "Do we believe them?"
"Absolutely not," Jacob shook.
"Something's totally up?"
"Absolutely certain."
"Are we worried?"
"…I guess not, I mean he's already gotten a girl pregnant, what more could he have gotten into?"