Glad you all liked the last chapter and thanks again for the continuous love!

"…so then I guess our next issue is Beth?"

Quinn nodded as she crossed her right leg over her left, her position in the armchair growing uncomfortable as she readjusted. She and Puck had been going at it for almost an hour now, the time spent going over any and every issue they'd ever had as they picked them apart and tried to make amends. She complained about his carelessness over her feelings in the beginning of their marriage and he called her out on her inability to ever put him first, both of them doing pretty well on being honest as they tried to find solutions. Quinn had to admit that she was pleasantly surprised at how open Puck, and herself for the matter, were with each other, both spouses having opened up more than the other thought they would.

"I mean, not saying that our daughters an "issue" but-"

"No, I understand," Quinn nodded as Puck sat up on the bed, him having spent the time sprawled out across the sheets as he talked to his wife.

"Ok, well," he began as he moved to sit Indian style, looking at Quinn directly while trying to find the words, "I-I guess…the fact that Beth got pregnant didn't upset me." Quinn held back the scoff in her throat as she stared through her husband, her eyes lowering as her brows rose.

"Puck-"

"No, no, now don't get me wrong I was pissed to know she had gone behind our backs and…you know…" he trailed off as he wiggled his eyebrows, "But that's what sixteen is. It's hormones and urges and-God this is sick-but that, all that stuff, I understood. I mean hello, kettle? You're black." Quinn chuckled a little as he snorted, shaking his hands as he tried to get them back on track.

"Look I'm a lot of things, but a hypocrite ain't one. I can't judge my daughter for doing the same thing I did, no matter how disturbing or wrong to me it is."

"So what was it then?" Quinn asked politely as she rested her cheek on her hand, "What made you upset?"

"I guess I felt like a failure, like a bad parent," Puck mumbled as he tugged on a loose string from his socks, "Like I didn't do a good enough job. I mean we didn't even know the kid was having sex Quinn, shouldn't we have known that?"

"She wasn't having sex Puck, it was the one time-"

"See, I didn't know that! And I wouldn't because I always get pissed or jump to conclusions, and I scare her away from talking to me."

"But no girl tells their dad about their sex life Puck, that's just weird."

"No, but they talk about other stuff, like their relationships and boys or whatever, and my daughter doesn't because I can't stop freaking out all the time." Quinn watched as he sighed, growing frustrated with himself as he tried to figure out what he meant.

"What I'm saying is I know I have to work on my reactions ok? I know that I flip first, think later, and the way I handled finding out about Beth was horrible. But it wasn't because I was disappointed in her, I was disappointed in me."

"I can understand that," Quinn nodded as she met his eyes, "I mean she wasn't talking to me either. I think we spent too much time scaring her with our stories and not listening to hers." They both paused a moment as they silently agreed, Puck now clenching his jaw tightly as he moved on to his next problem.

"But as sorry as I am for the way I handled everything," he said lowly as he furrowed his eyes, "You keeping that from me was wrong Quinn. I know what you were trying to do, I get it, but in your efforts to save everyone you ended up hurting us all." Quinn's stomach flipped as she braced herself for him to continue, knowing the backlash she would get was well deserved.

"I'm her father, ya know the other parent, and for you to know something like that, something so important and to not tell me? I mean it made me wonder what else you were keeping, or what else you had lied about. It just made me feel unimportant, like I didn't matter to either of you."

"I know what I did wasn't right," Quinn said slowly as she as she admitted her mistakes, "And I'm not trying to make up excuses for it. You're my husband and as your wife I shouldn't have lied to you about our daughter, but as her parent I just wanted to protect her for as long as I could. From disappointment and judgment, but I know I shouldn't have hurt you in that process and I am truly sorry. You're not meaningless or unimportant Puck, and I've never lied to you abut anything else I promise. I love you too much to do that, you know it." Puck could hear the sincerity in her voice as it cracked, Quinn managing to keep herself together as she explained.

"But when you left-"

"I know Quinn-"

"No let me say this," Quinn interrupted as she leaned forward in her chair, "When you left it wasn't just Beth you walked away from. I know you were hurt Puck, and I didn't do anything to help, but you can't walk away from things when they get bad. I know you'll always come back, you always have and you always will, but seeing you turn and walk away from us like you've given up is like relieving sophomore year over and over again. And I'm not saying you're my father because you're not Puck, you're a man, but it just hurt to see you leave. Please don't give up like that, even if it's for the moment just don't. Stay with me and work it out until we're blue in the face, just like right now." It was now Puck's turn to nod as he scooted towards the edge of the bed, rubbing his hands on his knees slowly while trying to admit he was wrong.

"I-yeah, I'm sorry for that, really," he said in a small voice as he looked down ashamed, "Like I said, I'm working on this whole reaction thing." Quinn smiled a little as she sat upright in her chair, Puck watching her movements as he brought up his next problem.

"I hate when you get us involved in other people's issues," he said as lightly as he could, "I hate that you put other people before us. I know it's how you deal, but it feels like you're saying I'm less important than Beth and Balen, or Jacob or Kurt, or Mercedes and whoever." Quinn felt a twinge of sadness and guilt as she slid off the chair, walking towards Puck and joining him on the bed.

"Puck I don't mean to put you last, honest I don't," Quinn spoke as she nudged his knee, "But I-I have this faith in us, that no matter what we'll always be ok." Puck looked over surprised as she explained, Quinn feeling suddenly nervous as she poured her heart out.

"You and I, Puck we've been through it all," she began as she smiled, "I mean from making babies in high school to breaking up in high school, you and I have dealt with a lot." Puck smiled to himself as he thought about their never ending trail of drama, sophomore year flashing back as Quinn rubbed his hand.

"And yet despite it all, no matter how hard it got or how frustrated we were, we never gave up on each other. So I have this confidence in us, and I know with everything that I am, that you and I will always make it through. Ex-girlfriends, babies, houseguests, none of it is ever going to touch what you and I are."

"I just didn't know you felt that way."

"I know and that's my fault," she said softly as she nodded, "Puck I don't think you understand how much security and strength you give me, and how I always know you'll be here. So when I see Mercedes struggling or Kurt and Jacob fighting, I instantly want to help them or protect them because they don't have what I have, the knowledge or confidence in their partners like I do in you, and I want to help them have what you and I do. And I know I shouldn't focus on them more, and I feel guilty every time I do, but I just feel like their more fragile than us, like I should fix them because you and I will never be broken." Puck felt like a chick as he listened intently to his wife, his stomach actually fluttering a little as she told him all the things he had needed to hear.

"And I know that just because I'm sure of us and our relationship that that doesn't mean I can put us off, and I promise to never make you feel like that's what I'm doing. But Puck you haven't been last in my heart since I was sixteen. You've always been first, you've always been everything, and from now on I promise to make sure I show you that." Quinn finally finished as silence filled the room, her eyes avoiding her husband's as she waited for him to say something.

"We have been through a lot huh?" he asked jokingly as Quinn looked up to see him smile, "Baby scandals, crazy parents-"

"-graduations and college applications-"

"-breaking up-"

"-making up-"

"-crazy red heads and overly buff gays-"

"-ruined weddings and-hey speaking of, what happened to her?" Puck looked over at Quinn as she asked curiously, rolling his eyes as he swatted a hand.

"She's gone, finally," he moaned while shaking his head, "Finn said he heard she shacked up with some old oil tycoon. Apparently their in love and getting married."

"So basically she's in need and wants his money?"

"Exactly," Puck nodded, Quinn feeling almost nauseous at the thought of the other woman.

"You know though without her we might not have gotten here," she said softly as she squeezed his hand, "I mean she was the push I needed to…you know…"

"Punch your way into my heart?"

"Exactly," Quinn smiled, Puck shaking his head as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Nah babe, we would've gotten together," he whispered softly as he leaned in close, "Might have taken longer but we would've. You and I, we were meant to be." Quinn rested her forehead against his as he leaned in closer, Quinn suddenly growing hesitant as she pulled back.

"Puck-"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said quickly as he pulled away, putting his hands up innocently as he backtracked, "I didn't mean to, I forgot."

"It's not that I don't want to," Quinn told him as she tried to explain, "But when I think of that I think-"

"I get it, I do, you don't have to explain," Puck understood as he tried to relax her, "It's ok babe, really, it's gonna take some time." Quinn felt awkward as silence filled the space between them, neither quite knowing what to say as they shifted.

"You know I don't blame you, right?" Puck asked as he finally spoke, "Quinn I could never blame you." Quinn looked over at him solemnly as he waited for her to say something, her nerves untangling a bit as she spoke.

"I just felt guilty because I spent so much time being unhappy about it. I should've been thrilled and more grateful to finally get what we wanted, but instead I moped and complained.

"We were going through a lot Quinn, it's normal."

"I know that, in my head, but in my heart I wish I would've been more excited."

"Quinn, happy or not, we still would've lost the baby," Puck said nervously as he waited for her reaction, not trying to sound cruel but having finally accepted the truth, "It wasn't up to us, we didn't have control."

"I know, I know." The two sat together quietly as they thought over their conversation, both less uncomfortable and more connected.

"Kinda proud of us, handling things so maturely and all," Puck mumbled as he tried to lighten the tense mood, "Almost like we're grownups."

"Almost," Quinn smiled back, "Ya know if this all happened at thirty two, I wonder what happens when we turn forty."

"Apocalypse?" Puck shrugged as Quinn laughed, his arm finding its way back around her waist as he pulled her in once more.

"Well whatever, I think we'll be ok," she said confidently as she looked over, Puck leaning in for her lips only to remember her hesitance and plant them on her forehead.

"Yeah, I do too, I think we'll be just fine." Quinn slid her own arm around his back as she rested her cheek against his chest, Puck rubbing her back as he tickled her slightly.

"I love you, you ole stubborn bastard."

"Love you too crazy bitch, I love you too."

"…oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh-"

"Hey! Shut up!"

"Don't be jealous of my man's mad singing skills."

"Oh Artie who are you kidding hun?"

"Wow Tina, totally uncalled for."

"What's uncalled for is the amount of tinsel in my hair."

"I think you look nice dad."

"I think you're being an ass son."

"Don't say ass dad."

"Has anyone seen the singing snowman?"

"I think I might have accidentally deflated him."

"Beth!"

"I didn't mean to Merc! My stomach knocked it into a tree limb-"

"I said that thing was deadly!"

"Stop being such an ass Balen!"

"I'm not being an ass Beth!"

"Don't say ass son."

"Jingle all the way!"

"Home sweet home, here we come."

Puck grabbed the last of their suitcases as he shoved them into the trunk, wiping the snow that covered the lid off quickly before slamming it down. He and Quinn were on their last day of vacation, the rest of their trip having been much more relaxed and peaceful.

"Alright babe, you ready?" Puck called as he noticed Quinn standing by their cabin, her back to him as she faced the other direction, "Quinn?"

"Yeah," she shouted back as she turned slowly, Puck walking over and staring as he saw what she'd been looking at.

"That's cute," he cooed sweetly as he watched the ice skaters go by, one of the local ponds that had frozen over now being used as a skating rink. There were some kids playing hockey or fishing while others rented skates from a nearby stand, Quinn seeming to be completely captivated by it all as she watched intently.

"Come on," he said suddenly as he lightly grabbed her hand, Quinn completely caught off guard as he dragged her to the skate stand.

"Puck, what-"

"You wanna ice skate? I'll ice skate," he said flatly while shuffling around for his wallet, grabbing a ten and handing it to the man as he gathered their skates.

"Puck you hate ice skating."

"I don't hate ice skating, I'm just, ya know, not very good at it," he dismissed as he grabbed their skates, "But you can teach me." Quinn grinned as she took her pair and they sat down on the bench, sliding off their shoes and quickly shoving their cold feet into the skates.

"You sure Puck? We don't-"

"I wanna do what you wanna do," he interrupted as he grabbed her hand, "And if that means busting my ass on the ice, so be it." Quinn laughed as they stood and slowly walked over to the ice, Puck wobbling clumsily as he gripped the railing.

"One foot at a time, there ya go," Quinn cheered encouragingly while helping steady him, "Almost there." The two of them finally made it onto the ice and slowly began skating, Quinn gliding gracefully across the ice as Puck held onto the edge.

"You want me to help you?"

"No, go ahead," he mumbled awkwardly as he tried to balance himself, "I'm gonna warm up…over here…against the wall." Quinn laughed as she waved and took off, feeling light and free as she slid across the ice. It was the first time during their whole trip that she felt at ease and serene, moving past other smiling couples and feeling ecstatic that she too was finally just as happy. She made a few more laps around the rink, running her hands over Puck's shoulder and waving each time she passed, before she decided to turn back and help him, Puck still clinging to the wall as he jerked his stiff feet back and forth.

"Come on," she cooed sweetly as she skated over to him, grabbing his hand softly as she tugged lightly, "Come on out."

"I am, I am," he insisted as he slowly released each finger from the rail, his body swaying side to side as he moved away from the wall.

"There ya go, nice and easy." He began walking stiffly beside Quinn as she pulled him along, his body twitching abruptly every once and while as he tried to steady himself.

"I'm doing it, kind of," Puck muttered optimistically as he gained a bit of speed, his legs stretching out a little more and more with each stride they took. He continued to get better and better as they finished their first lap around the ice rink, Puck still squeezing Quinn's hand tightly as they moved in unison.

"You having fun?" he asked curiously as Quinn looked up at the sky, having felt something wet land on her cheek.

"Absolutely," she sighed happily as she looked back down, Puck grinning ear to ear as the skated. They were doing fine and almost done with their second lap, when the abrupt rush of a skater speeding by threw off Puck's focus. His legs wobbled and his body jerked forward suddenly, Quinn's hand still in his as he tried to catch his balance.

"Shit-"

"Puck!"

"Quinn!"

The ice was freezing as it slammed into Puck's backside, his body instantly numb and wet as he landed on the ground. He tried to push himself up and off the ice but struggled a bit, leaning his head up painfully to see his wife scattered across him. Her hair was everywhere and her limbs were tangled with his, their hands still clasped as they laid on the ice.

"Well that was abrupt," he joked casually as he pushed himself upright, taking his free hand off the ice and using it to push the locks of blonde hair out of his wife's face. He could see she was trying hard not to laugh at the predicament they lay in, her lips sealed tightly as she held back a grin. Her clothes were becoming wet from the ice that melted beneath them and her cheeks were red from the sharp, cool air, Quinn unable to care as she crawled clumsily towards her husband.

"You totally pulled me down, how could you do that?" she pouted playfully as she sat in his lap, her legs wrapped around his waist as she linked her arms around his neck.

"If I'm going down you're coming down with me," he answered lowly as he pulled her beanie down over her eyes, Quinn squealing defensively as she pushed it back up.

"Hey, stop that," she whined while swatting his nose with her gloved hand, Puck smirking a tad as he played with her scarf.

"It's good to see you happy."

"It feels good to be happy," Quinn shot back as she rubbed her nose against his, Puck bringing his hand up from her neck to her cheeks.

"Think I can kiss you now?" he asked sweetly as rubbed his fingers along her jaw, Quinn's feeling of uneasiness and fear replaced by a new burst of warmth.

"Yeah, I think that'd be ok," she nodded as she leaned in, Puck's lips barely inches away from hers as she placed her hands over his own. She closed her eyes in anticipation but felt nothing as she waited, her lips still cold as they puckered. She opened her eyes quickly to see what was wrong, finding her husband staring back at her in wonder while chuckling.

"What? What?" she asked nervously as she felt suddenly self conscious, Puck reaching out with one finger and tapping the tip of her nose lightly.

"It's snowing again," he said softly as he wiped a damp drop from her nose, Quinn looking up only to have something wet hit her eye. She wiped it away quickly before blinking to clear her vision, noticing light white flutters falling onto Puck's jacket.

"It's beautiful," she said in awe as she noticed the kids running around with their mouths open, each of them trying to catch a snowflake eagerly as they skipped from spot to spot.

"You're beautiful," Puck whispered as he reached his hand up to her ear softly, gently running his fingers through a few wisps of hair that had collected snow while pulling her closer. And despite the damp cold chill that was spreading through his body as the ice melted beneath, and despite the freezing, chill winds that whipped against his hands Puck held onto his wife as he kissed her softly, no amount of frozen toes or iced fingers able to get in the way of their kiss. They might not have been whole again or completely fixed yet but that kiss was all the proof they needed, their moment on the ice a sign to them that just maybe everything would be alright.

The sun had barely set when Puck and Quinn pulled onto their street, the drive back home having been much more calm and enjoyable then the one before.

"Look at the houses, their so cute!" Quinn squealed as they passed by, their neighbors having decorated their lawns and homes for the Christmas season.

"I prefer the way we spent our last few days over theirs if I do say so myself," Puck smiled as he took Quinn's hand in his, his wife still staring out the window as the lights brightened her face.

"So do I, so do I," she agreed as she squeezed Puck's hand back, "But maybe we can throw something up really quick when we get home."

"I don't think we'll have to," Puck mumbled in shock as he leaned forward, breaking the car slowly as he pulled into the drive.

"What do you-oh my God," Quinn awed as she sat forward in her seat, the expressions on their faces matching as they stared at their home in disbelief.

Strings of lights, numerous yard ornaments and flashing signs filled the Puckerman front lawn as the two pulled in, eight reindeer and a sleigh perched on their roof as a chubby Santa figure rested by the chimney. Streamers and ribbons decorated the porch while a Nativity scene adorned the middle of the yard, a snow globe blowup resting by the mailbox as candy cane poles lined the walkway. Neither Puck or Quinn could speak as they climbed out of the car and headed towards their front door, having to step over and around elf figurines as they clambered onto to the porch.

"This is insane!" Quinn laughed as she opened the now red covered door, Puck ducking underneath a green wreath as they shuffled in, "I mean-" Both stopped once more as they surveyed the inside of their home, the hallway matching the outside only with more music. The two of them continued on until they reached the living room, the bright glare from the Christmas tree lights almost blinding them as they looked around.

"It's so-"

"Much?" Puck finished as he flicked a singing reindeer doll, Quinn smacking his arm as she walked towards their fireplace.

"No, it's so sweet," she corrected as she marveled the heavily decorated mantle, small bells jingling as she touched her stocking.

"How could she have done all this?" Puck asked while looking at the tree, "I mean this must have taken-"

"Three sleepless days and nights? Something like that." Both parents turned around suddenly to see Rachel standing in the doorway to the kitchen, Quinn squealing in delight as she made her way towards her.

"You helped?"

"We all did," Finn spoke up as he too appeared, Puck and Quinn's mouths dropping as the rest of their friends and family all exited the kitchen.

"You guys I-I don't know what to say," Quinn almost cried as she began hugging them each, "It's so-"

"Much?" Puck tried again as he spoke up, Quinn shooting him a teasing glare before turning back.

"No, it's so thoughtful," she finished while wrapping her arms around Tina's neck, "I mean you didn't have to do this for us."

"Yeah we did," Mercedes disagreed as she shrugged, "I mean after all you guys have done for us, we just wanted to repay you and show how much we appreciate it. Throw a little happiness your way."

"We threw a lot actually," Kurt mumbled sarcastically as he flicked a red and green pompom, "But if you're gonna do it right-"

"Go fab or go home," they all finished simultaneously, Kurt shooting them all the finger as he headed for the couch.

"Well thank you guys, really," Quinn said sweetly as she looked around, "I really, really don't know what else to say."

"I do, where's-"

"You guys are back?" Puck and Quinn turned to see their daughter running down the hall as fast as her legs would carry her, flinging her purse into Balen's chest as she headed for her parents.

"Hey mama!"

"Hi baby!" Quinn cooed as she wrapped her arms around her daughter, "Oh how I missed you."

"I missed you guys too," Beth sighed as she pulled back quickly, remembering her bump and trying to pull away.

"Beth, it's ok," Quinn whispered softly as she rested her hands on her daughters stomach, rubbing little circles gingerly while shaking her head, "You don't have to feel guilty." Beth didn't know exactly how her mother knew about her feelings but she was more than glad she did, leaning back in quickly as she rested her chin on her shoulder.

"How was your trip?" she asked excitedly as she pulled back, Quinn looking over to Puck and catching his wink as she answered Beth.

"It was perfect, just what I needed."