Wow! Once again I'm blown away by the response I got! Thank you all so, so much for the reviews and everything, it means alot! Anyways here's the next chapter for you all, so read, review and enjoy!

Bleach, that's all he can smell, bleach overpowering his senses as it fills his nostrils painfully. His eyes are blurry and foggy as they stare down at the smooth stark white tile that gleams, his skin tingling as it begins covering in goosebumps from the sharp cool air. His hands are knotted into painful red fists that are clutched by his side as the knuckles of his fingers bulge white, his nails piercing deeply into his tender flesh as he tries to grip something, anything. His body is rigid and tense as it sits plastered in the uncomfortable metal chair, completely incapable of moving or speaking as he breathes deeply through his bleach filled nostrils. He fucking hates waiting rooms and he fucking hates the cold, but most of all Puck fucking hates bleach, his surroundings stifling him agonizingly as he continues to stare into oblivion. He can see people moving about and talking animatedly out of the corners of his hazy eyes, nurses clad in scrubs and doctors wearing white coats bustling about as they "save lives," Puck unable to hear or understand anything that's going on around him. His mind that had once been swirling around with confusion and panic is now as blank as the floor beneath his feet and his body that had once been running on adrenaline and instinct is now frozen in the chair, numb to any and everything around as silence engulfs him.

Things weren't supposed to be this way, not this time anyhow, and he wonders if maybe he's having some sort of detailed dream sequence. He digs his nails harder into his palms and is met with a harsh sting, the throbbing in his hands letting him know he's not in fact being mind fucked. He knows from far away things look normal and perfect, like a scene stolen from some clichéd family comedy on Lifetime, him playing the role of the anxious father who waits nervously as she plays the pregnant damsel going into the emergency room. She's crying from the pain and gripping his hands tightly as he panics under pressure and assures her everything's going to be ok, the two of them actually naïve enough to believe they're some power couple who can actually beat the odds. But the scene quickly changes and the roles aren't pretend when they separate the two, Quinn being taken away from him down a cluttered loud hall as he's left alone in some empty waiting room, the pieces of them scattered between in one long dark trail.

Things were perfect this time, or at least that's the sentence he keeps repeating in his mind as he searches for answers. They were older and smarter and more adult now, with rings on their fingers and money to their names and everything. They had a house, a real one without moms and sisters, with their own cars and jobs and all the other things that made them grown ups and yet for some reason here they were, same place they'd been sixteen years ago only this time things were reversed.

Puck could still remember the last time he'd been in this God forsaken waiting room, the memory of his first baby flooding back slowly and replaying as he closed his eyes. He could still feel the sweat on his brow and the knot in his stomach as he paced the same stark white floor, Beth having just been delivered not a few minutes before. At first things had been intense, Quinn having summed him up in a few choice words as she clawed her way free from her mother, his baby mama having pushed and jerked all over that bed for what seemed like an eternity with no sign of his baby anywhere near her end of Quinn's birth canal (and believe him, he checked.) He'd been standing there and watching Quinn contort tirelessly as she yelled, wondering if at any given moment her ass would just explode or something, when a shrill cry suddenly filled the room abruptly and interrupted his thoughts. And there, shrieking and wailing in the hands of their doctor, was a seven pound, seven ounce wiggling pink mass of Quinn Fabray and Noah Puckerman. She was wet, and loud, and covered in who knows what, but goddamn it she was the most beautiful girl Puck had ever laid eyes on, following her tiny little body as she was handed to Quinn. And just like that, in one fleeting moment, he was a father, and just like that everything changed.

She'd barely been a minute old when the doctor left and the nurses entered, Puck not even getting the chance to get a good look at her or hold her little hand before they began badgering them with questions. The two had yet to decide on whether or not they could keep their little girl, decision time now calling as they both looked at each other blankly. Did he want to keep his baby? Hell yes, what kind of dumb fucking question was that? How could he not want her, with those bright eyes and chubby cheeks, the way she smiled at Quinn the first time they met almost making his heart bounce into his throat. Could he take care of his baby? Of course he could, he'd been saving his pool cleaning money for months now, skipping out on dip and even buying one of those frilly onesie things with the feet and everything. He answered the questions just like that too, each time directing his answers to Quinn as he silently pleaded to her with his eyes. The nurse had then turned towards her and asked the same, Quinn's answers not filled with quite the conviction Puck's were. She kept saying she wanted to, she hoped so, she'd like to, each time she spoke her voice trailing off as her eyes brimmed with tears. The nurse had then asked everyone to leave and give Quinn and her mother time to think, Puck being ushered away from his daughter as her fate was pulled out of his hands.

And it was in the very same waiting room he sat now where he had paced, his dress shoes having scuffed the floor over and over as he bore a hole into it. His stomach was churning loudly as anxiety gnawed on his nerves, a lump in his throat having choked him painfully as he tried to think of what to do. His mind had spun out frantically as he wondered what was happening back there, his hands shaking nervously as he rubbed the sweat off onto his slacks. Quinn couldn't give her up, she just couldn't give her away, Puck knowing she had wanted her just as badly as he had. He understood that she was scared and terrified of a future so uncertain, but he knew she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she did it. He tried to think about the talks they had over restless night and pin point what exact words she had used then, hoping desperately she remembered them too. He wanted her to think about the promises he made and the things he had done so far, needing her to realize he had and would continue to change. He tried to calm down as he continued to walk, picturing his life in the next few years and realizing that in every scenario he ended up with Quinn and Beth.

"Wait!" he shouted as he burst into her hospital room, the thud of the door against the wall startling everyone as he rushed in, "Quinn wait!"

"Sir I need you to please be considerate and-"

"Close your eyes," Puck interjected as he held his hand up to the nurse, Quinn's face etched with confusion as she stared.

"Pu-"

"Just do it, just close your eyes," he repeated, Mrs. Fabray matching her daughter's blank expression but keeping silent.

"Mr. Puckerman-"

"Quinn, listen to me," Puck said softer as he approached the side of her bed, taking one of her hands in his and rubbing it gently, "Close your eyes and listen to me." Quinn was on the verge of sobbing again but she followed his requests, her eyes closing slowly as her lids fluttered against hot tears.

"Quinn, picture the future," Puck said lowly as he continued to hold her hand, "Picture yourself in the next few years, graduating high school and moving on. Picture all the happiest moments and biggest milestones, the lowest points and the mistakes you make. Through all of that, during everything you go through, what do you see?" A single tear slipped down her cheek as her lips quivered, Quinn's fingers tightening around his as she envisioned her life.

"Because when I picture my future, all I see is this," he whispered softly as he squeezed her hand, "I see you and me and Beth. I see us up all night and exhausted, singing lullabies and changing the most disgusting diapers. I see us graduating and her waving from the audience, you starting school while she starts daycare. I see us living together in crappy apartments, with her toys always cluttering the floor and hurting our feet when we step on them. I see us teaching her how to ride her bike and stay away from boys, helping her do homework and watching her in plays. And maybe she'll have my smile and maybe she'll have your laugh, and maybe she'll grow up to cheer or maybe she'll always get into trouble, I don't know Quinn, but I want to find out more than anything." Puck tugged on her hand as her lids opened to reveal watery eyes, Quinn gasping a little as she tried to catch her breath.

"Quinn I can't promise to give you the perfect life, but I can promise to give you everything I am," Puck said as he leaned in closer, "It's gonna be hard and rough and a struggle everyday, and you may not always have the best of everything, but I swear you'll always have the best of me." Quinn's lips trembled as he placed his own against them, using every last bit of strength he had left to finally pull away.

"Mr. Puckerman-" Puck nodded as he finally stepped away, his eyes locking with hers longingly one last time before he turned towards the door.

"You," Quinn's weak voice whispered as he turned around from the door to see her smile, "I see you."

The doctor had come out later to tell him that everything was finalized and that his little girl was going home with him, still able to see how bright the mans eyes were as he told Puck the good news. His hands were warm and inviting as they shook Puck's firmly, the older man congratulating the young boy on his baby girl and making sure he understood his life had just taken the biggest fucking three sixty known to man. And yet despite the growing up he was about to do and despite everything he was about to give up Puck was the happiest he'd ever been in his entire life, hugging the doctor hard and overenthusiastically as he hollered and shouted in the waiting room.

It was this whole scenario that Puck had been replaying in his mind as he waited for news, the doctor finally emerging from the hall and walking slowly towards him. His eyes were much darker this time as he removed his surgical mask, no smile lighting up his face as he sighed before giving a much different speech than before. His hands were cold and his embrace was one of sympathy, gripping the other man loosely as he explained what had gone wrong. He had rambled away about chromosome abnormalities and hormone imbalances, spitting out numbers and figures in hopes of easing the pain. He kept saying random fragments like, "there's nothing you could do," and, "nature takes it's course," only able to offer Puck a caring nod before leaving him alone. And just like that, in one fleeting moment, he wasn't expecting, and just like that everything changed.

Puck closed his eyes as he rested his back against the cold of his metal seat and replayed the doctor's words over that had become permanently imprinted in his mind. He couldn't help but think about the two kids they used to be and how he would give anything just to feel that way again. They'd gone from a couple of scared shitless teenagers who never dreamed of having a baby to two focused adults who couldn't wait for another, Puck knowing he would have probably laughed at the irony of it all if he didn't want to fucking cry so much. He thought about how reversed everything was and how different it would be, no longer dreaming of the moment he would walk back into Quinn's room to see her. There was no anxiety or nerves as he slumped in the chair, no more butterflies or clammy hands. Nurses wouldn't coo and giggle as they left and balloons and flowers would fill the van as they pulled out, their arms barren and empty as they passed other joyous parents. There would now just be him and Quinn and void they would have to bear, leaving with one less member then when they arrived.

Blood, that's all she can smell, blood overpowering her senses as it creeps into her nasal cavity slowly. Her vision is distorted and her eyelids heavy as they stare up at the checkered gray ceiling that hangs above, her skin cold as ice as she tries to rub her feet together for warmth. Her hands are resting on her abdomen, one connected to an IV beside her, as she feels around for some sort of evidence or sign, trying to figure out something, anything about what happened while she was out. Her body is exhausted and fragile as it lays weakly on the soft bed, her legs and arms beginning to move around frantically as she tries to push herself up. She really hates hospitals and she really hates IVs, but most of all Quinn really hates blood, her small room closing in around her as she screams out for help. She can see people moving around outside through the tiny glass panel in her door and she cries out for one of the nurses and doctors to please help her, Quinn unable to focus or understand anything that has gone on. Her mind that had once been dazed and confused is now frantic and pulsating and her body that had once been frail and weak is now fighting mad as she pushes herself up and over the edge, ignoring the dull pain she feels down below as she tugs the needle from her hand.

Things weren't supposed to be this way, not this time anyhow, and she wonders if maybe she's having some sort of nightmare that she just can't wake up from. She looks down to examine herself and see's a few drops of blood trickling from her hand onto her feet from where she's detached herself, the warm feel of the crimson fluid letting her know she is in fact awake. She knows that things are far from normal and perfect right now, the nurse that enters her room frantically reminding her of some scene from some clichéd drama on Lifetime, treating her like some incompetent patient while keeping the truth of her situation to "protect her." She's crying from fear and grips the nurse tightly as she begs to know what's going on while the other woman simply coos and assures her everything's going to be ok, Quinn actually naïve enough to believe that she might actually be alright. But the scene quickly changes and her role isn't pretend when she finally notices the ache from her stomach and uncomfortable feeling she has when she walks, trying to put the pieces of her day back together as she slowly falls apart.

Things were different this time, or at least that's the sentence she keeps repeating in her mind as guilt eats away. They were older and wiser and more mature now, married and settled with everything they needed. They had a house, a real one with their daughter now, with their own vehicles and careers and all the other things that they could ever want and yet for some reason here she was, same place she'd been sixteen years ago still feeling the same sadness and blame she had then.

Quinn could still remember the last time she'd been in a God forsaken hospital room, the memory of her first child flooding back all of a sudden and replaying as she wiped her eyes. She could still feel the sweat dripping down her body and the searing pain between her legs as she collapsed onto that small, cluttered bed, Beth having just been delivered not a few minutes before. At first things had been ungodly, Quinn having barked at Puck while trying to grip onto anything that would provide her with comfort, her body having contracted and pushed in every different way she could for what seemed like an eternity with no sign of her baby anywhere near ready to come out (and believe her, she could feel it.) She'd been laying there and struggling to breathe as she pushed with every fiber of strength she had, wondering if at any given moment her vagina would burst from the burn she was now feeling, when a sudden release of pressure and loud cry filled the room instantly and interrupted her shouts. And there, cooing and sniffling in front of her finally, was a seven pound, seven ounce beautiful replica of Quinn Fabray and Noah Puckerman. She was soft, and sweet, and moving her tiny limbs about, the most beautiful child Quinn had ever seen before, unable to take her eyes off of her newborn baby as she was handed over. And just like that, in one fleeting moment, she was a mother, and just like that everything changed.

Beth had barely graced Quinn's arms when her doctor left and a nurse entered, Quinn having no time to hold her child close or kiss her tiny forehead before they began badgering them with questions. She and Puck had yet to decide on whether or not they could keep their baby daughter, decision time now arriving as they both stared at one another in confusion. Did she want to keep her baby? More than anything in the world but she didn't know if she'd be able to, fearing Puck wouldn't be able to step up as a father and help. Could the two of them take care of a baby? She'd like to think so. Puck did have a job and her mom was now back in her life, Quinn trying to figure out if it'd be financially possible to support another person. She answered the questions hesitantly, avoiding Puck's eyes each time as she stumbled along for answers. The nurse had already asked Puck the same questions, each time he answered his responses filled with hope and promises as he tried to convince her. He kept saying they could, he knew they would, each time he spoke his tone growing more and more confident and determined. The nurse had then asked everyone to leave and give Quinn and her mother time to think, Puck being ushered away from them slowly as the rest of her daughters life was left up to her.

And it was in the very same hospital she sat now where she had racked and searched her mind for answers, her wrist band scraping painfully across her skin as she twisted her hands nervously. Her stomach was nauseated and fluttering as she felt overwhelmed, the idea of altering the course of her little girl's life making her chest tighten painfully as she tried to think of what to do. Her mind had spun out frantically as she pondered all the possibilities, her body shaking and eyes streaming with tears as she watched her baby rest in the bassinet. Quinn didn't want to give her away and she just couldn't stand the idea of being away from her, having wanted her baby just as badly as Puck had. Quinn continued to wipe her cheeks as she stared at her daughter, her mother touching her arm affectionately as she tried to help.

"Honey I know it's hard-"

"It's not hard, it's worse," Quinn mumbled as she tried to steady her breathing, "I just-I just can't imagine letting her go."

"Well honey you don't have to, like I said we could make a nursery and-"

"But I'm afraid if ruining her life," Quinn interjected as she sniffled, "I want her to have the best life and everything a little girl should have, and I don't know if we can give her that."

"Quinnie-"

"But then I don't want anyone else to give it to her you know? I want to be her mom, I want to take care of her and watch her grow. I should be there when she walks and talks, I should be there when she likes boys and learns to drive."

"Well what's stopping you?" her mom asked curiously.

"I-I just want her to have the perfect life, with a nice house and a mom and dad, and I don't know if Puck realizes how important all of this is yet."

"Quinnie, do you love him?" her mom asked as she leaned forward, Quinn connecting with her eyes as she asked again, "Do you love him? Do you love Puck?" Quinn smiled a little as she played with the frayed edges of her blanket, her voice cracking a bit as she laughed.

"You know he drives me crazy," she said as she smiled, "I mean he drives me insane. He's loud and obnoxious, way too cocky and far too protective. He never picks up his shirts and he always leaves the TV on, and his taste in music is somehow worse than his taste in movies. But no matter how many shoes I trip over or how many fights over the remote we have, he's always there for me. He puts up with my moodiness and my attitude, and he always tries to cheer me up when I'm sad, and no matter how bad the fights get or how mean we are he always comes back. He never gives up or just walks away, he always fights for me and stands beside me even when he knows I'm completely wrong." Quinn thought about what she said as she felt an odd sensation growing over her, wondering how it was she got by before he'd ever come along.

"Imagining a life without Puck is like imagining a life without Beth," Quinn whispered as she looked over at the sleeping baby, "And I don't think I could bear to lose either of them, I love them too much." Quinn's mom was about to speak when the door to the room flew open, Quinn lighting up at the sight of Puck storming in. Like she said, he never gave up or just walked away, the fact that he had come back to fight once more giving her the reassurance she'd been searching for.

The nurse had left later and her doctor came in to bring her the birth certificate to fill out as everything was finally settled, his voice so sweet and his words so encouraging as he made sure she understood that her life was about to change completely. And yet despite the maturing she was about to do and despite everything she would have to sacrifice Quinn was the happiest she'd ever been, hugging the doctor tenderly as she tried to compose herself finally.

It was this whole scenario that Quinn had been replaying in her mind as she waited for news, her doctor finally entering her room and walking slowly over to her bed. His tone was much more serious and lower this time as he shuffled his hands and sighed, unable to offer her any warm sentiments as he finally explained what had happened. He had rambled away about her body's frail condition and her advancing age, spitting out statistics and examples in hopes of easing her pain. He kept saying random fragments like, "it's not your fault," and, "sometimes these things happen," only able to offer Quinn a tender pat before leaving her alone. And just like that, in one fleeting moment, she wasn't expecting, and just like that everything changed.

Quinn closed her eyes tightly as she fell back against the sheets of her hospital bed and replayed the doctor's words over that had become permanently imprinted in her mind. She couldn't help but think about how horrible she had been, all the fear and dread she had held over this pregnancy now overwhelming her as guilt filled her empty stomach. She should've been happier, should've been excited, another child in their family a blessing that she should have appreciated. But instead of being a good mother she'd been awful and ungrateful, wondering if this was God's way of punishing her for acting so cold. She thought about Puck and if he'd heard yet, wondering how her husband would react and if he'd ever forgive her. He'd been right the whole damn time and yet she'd pushed him away like she always did, bawling her hands into fists as she buried her face in them and screamed with anger at herself. She'd give anything to take it all back now, wishing for the first time ever that she could swap places with her sixteen year old self once more, the irony of the situation knocking Quinn in the gut as she wept. There would now just be her and Puck and void they would have to bear because of her, leaving with one less member then when they arrived.

It was later that day when Puck was escorted back into her room, the lights off and blinds closed as he made his way towards her bed. He could hear muffled cries coming from beneath the covers as her body shook, Puck fighting back his own as he crawled in beside her. Neither said a word as they entangled themselves in each others arms, Puck holding onto her as tightly as he could while she clung to the fabric of his shirt like a security blanket. He rocked her back and forth gently as he rubbed his fingers over her forehead, both of them cold and empty as they rested. He wanted to say something, anything to comfort her, trying to think of what it was she needed to hear. He wanted her to know he was sorry too and that he wished he could have helped her more, Quinn pondering whether or not now was the right time to apologize for her horrible behavior.

"Let's leave," he said finally after a few more minutes of silence, his words startling them both as she looked up to him from his his chest, "Get out of town, just go somewhere for a bit." Quinn looked around in his eyes only to find her shared pain, Puck desperate for an escape from everything right now. She knew this was the part where she would use her level head and tell him no, that Christmas was around the corner and they still had things to get, that they shouldn't leave Beth by herself and that they didn't need to take that much time off. But something inside Quinn was too numb to care and too dead to try, her need to free herself overpowering her urge for structure.

"Where?" she asked softly as she nodded.

"Anywhere," Puck shrugged as he pecked her forehead, "Anywhere but here."