Hello everyone! I am so so sorry for such a long wait. I've been having writer's block every time I sat down to write this chapter. But I'm back on track now and that's all that matters. Now that we are finally pass Puck and Rachel being upset with each other over the secret of Hailey's paternity, we can see them start to get in the habit of co-parenting. Enjoy!
Chapter 8
Two weeks have passed since the discussion with Hailey and things have finally settled down. Everyone has come to terms with Puck being a father and were anxious to see how he and Rachel would handle this situation. However much to their surprise, Puck and Rachel were actually handling everything very civilly. It surprised even themselves but they knew they had to make it work for Hailey's sake.
But Rachel hasn't been able to shake what Hailey asked them after their discussion. Could she still be in love with Puck? He was the one that she chose to give her virginity to, even if the circumstances weren't the best. After finding out that Finn had his heart set on Quinn, she didn't know what to do anymore. She felt like no one really wanted her. But then she noticed Puck standing alone and she realized that out of everyone, he had been the one that was always there for her. And she loved him for it. That's what made her sure that he was the one she should lose her virginity to. But could it be possible that she could still harbor those feelings for him?
While getting ready to go out with Quinn for the night, Rachel was getting Hailey ready to go with Puck and the guys for the night. She knew that he had been wanting to spend more time with Hailey and decided that she should finally let Hailey stay with him overnight. It was a huge step and while she wasn't sure how she would feel going home to an empty apartment, Rachel knew that this was what Hailey had been wanting and it was time that she got it.
While she was giving Hailey a bath, Hailey looked at her. "What do you think me and Puck will do tonight?"
Rachel shrugged. "I don't know angel. But if Noah is anything like he was in high school, he'll probably start talking about Super Mario Brothers or something. You know, boy stuff."
"Oh okay. Why do you call him Noah? He always says his name is Puck."
"Well I've always called him Noah. I refuse to call him by that ridiculous name that he created all because he simply didn't like his given name."
Hailey laughed as Rachel finished washing her hair. When the bath was finished and Hailey was getting dressed, Rachel packed her overnight bag, taking a deep breath while doing it. She could do this. She could be a co-parent. Even if she couldn't, she would have to find the strength to because it's what's best for everyone.
XXXXXXXXXX
Twenty minutes later, Rachel and Hailey were walking up to the boys' door. This was it, Rachel thought. After this, there's no going back. Hailey eagerly knocked on the door and seconds later, Puck appeared.
He smiled at Hailey. "Hey kid. You ready to have some fun?" She nodded excitedly and ran inside to set her things down while Puck turned to Rachel. "So what are you and Quinn going to be doing tonight?"
Rachel shrugged. "Probably go and enjoy a karaoke night. What will you and Hailey be doing?"
"Probably watch movies, make sundaes, fun stuff like that. Think you'll be able to handle being away from her for the night?"
Rachel sighed. "I don't know. I mean she spends days with Sam and Finn, sure, but she's never been away from me overnight. It's going to feel so strange being without her."
Puck placed a soothing hand on Rachel's arm. He understood Rachel's nervousness and sympathized with her. He didn't want her to start feeling like he was trying to steal Hailey. He just wanted to take some time and get to know her. "Don't worry, I promise I'll take good care of her."
Rachel smiled at him. "I know you will. I trust you, otherwise I wouldn't be letting Hailey stay. But I hope you two have a lot of fun tonight."
"Thanks," he smiled back. They stood there, awkwardly not knowing what else to say. Luckily, Hailey ran back out into Rachel's arms to end the silence.
"Bye Mommy. I'll miss you."
Rachel smiled at the little girl and kissed her forehead. "I'll miss you too angel. Have fun tonight and I will be back to get you tomorrow afternoon."
Hailey nodded and went back inside as Rachel turned to Puck. "Well I'll leave you two to your evening of fun. I'll see you tomorrow."
Puck nodded. "Okay, see you then."
She walked away as he closed the door and took a deep breath. She could do this. She can be able to share Hailey and not have a problem with it. It was just going to take a while to get used to all of this but if it kept Hailey happy then it would be worth it in the end.
When she met up with Quinn, they went to a karaoke bar but when they got there, Rachel felt very out of place. All she could think about was Hailey and if she was okay. It's not that she didn't trust Puck. She just worried that Hailey might not have as much fun with Puck as she thought she would.
Quinn noticed how distracted Rachel was and gave her a gentle shove. "Come on, the point of tonight was to have fun. Not worry about Puck and Hailey."
"I can't help it. I just want her to be okay with him but I don't want her to like it so much that she starts to dislike being with me."
Quinn gave a sympathetic smile. "Rachel that will never happen. Even if she had a great time with Puck tonight, you're the one she knows the best."
Rachel thought about it and began to smile. "Yeah I guess you're right. Come on, I have a song in me."
She pulled Quinn up to the stage and while Quinn was getting the mics set up, Rachel went over to the DJ and told him what song to play. While he was getting set up, she went back over to Quinn as the music started.
Rachel Quinn Both
Rachel stepped forward on the stage, immediately turning on the performer inside of her.
Last night, I got served a little bit too much of that poison, baby
Last night, I did things I'm not proud of
And I got a little crazy
Last night, I met a guy on the dance floor and I let him call me baby
She backed up and took her place next to Quinn as they began to belt out the chorus.
[Chorus:]
And I don't even know his last name
My momma would be so ashamed
It started off, "hey cutie where you from"
And then it turned into oh no, what have I done
And I don't even know his last name
Quinn took a step forward as she began to her verse.
We left, the club, 'bout around 3 o'clock in the morning
His Pinto, sitting there, in the parking lot, well it should have been a warning
I had no clue what I was getting into
So, I'll blame it on the Cuervo
Oh where did my manners go?
[Chorus:]
I don't even know his last name
Oh My momma would be so ashamed
It started off, "hey cutie where you from"
And then it turned into "oh no, what have I done"
And I don't even know his last name
Here we go!
During the instrumental break, Rachel and Quinn just danced around the stage as everyone cheered for them. While she was having fun up there, Rachel noticed a guy staring at her, obviously taking an interest in her. She blushed as she and Quinn began circling around each other to sing the next part.
Today, I woke up, thinking about Elvis somewhere in Vegas
I'm not sure how I got here
Or how this ring on my left hand just appeared outta nowhere
I gotta go take the chips and the Pinto and hit the road
They say what happens here, stays here, all of this will disappear
There's just one little problem
[Chorus:]
I don't even know my last name
Oh My momma would be so ashamed
It started off, "hey cutie where you from"
And then it turned into "oh no, what have I done"
And I don't even know my last name
What have I done
What have I done
What have I done
Oh, what have I done
I don't even know my last name
Well it turned into, oh no what have I done
And I don't even know my last name
Yea, Yeah, Yeah
I don't even know my last name
It started off "hey cutie where you from"
And then it turned into, oh no what have I done
And I don't even know my last name
Oh, yeah
While the crowd cheered for them as they left the stage, the guy who was eyeing Rachel went over to them.
"Wow, you sure know how to get an audience going," he told her. Rachel nervously smiled back.
"Thanks. I've been performing all my life so I would hope that I'm good at it by now."
"Well you are." He held out his hand. "I'm Derek."
She shook his hand. "Rachel."
"So Rachel can I buy you a drink?"
Realizing where this was heading, Rachel took a step back. With everything going on with Puck and Hailey, there was no time to be dating anyone. Especially with her conflicting feelings about Puck. "I'm sorry Derek. You seem like a lovely person but I don't think that would be a great idea."
His face fell but he tried not to look too disappointed as he walked away. Quinn's jaw dropped as she gently nudged Rachel. "What are you doing? He was really cute."
"I can't date anyone right now. I'm too focused on Hailey."
Quinn gave a knowing look. "Rachel I've known you for years. What's the real reason?"
Rachel sighed, realizing she had been caught. "Okay, I may still have feelings for Noah."
Quinn's jaw dropped as she jumped up and down. "I knew it! I knew you still liked him."
"I said I might, I didn't say I did."
"You might as well have Rach. But have you thought about telling him this?"
She shook her head. "Absolutely not. No, he just wants Hailey. Things between us are over."
"Well with that attitude they might as well be. But if you do still have feelings for him, you owe it to yourself to pursue those feelings."
As Quinn walked away to get another drink, Rachel sighed to herself. This whole situation was complicated enough. She didn't need to add her possibly being in love with him to the mix.
XXXXXXXXX
While Hailey was choosing a movie to watch, Puck was busy making them both ice cream sundaes. He couldn't remember if Rachel ever mentioned him not being allowed to give Hailey sugar so he was assuming that it was alright. He looked up at the little girl who was still struggling to pick a movie.
He chuckled. "Kid just pick a movie. You'll probably end up falling asleep in front of it anyway."
Hailey took out a DVD and tried to read what it was about. "Yeah, but I want to make sure it's a good one."
"They're all good. Hey you're not allergic to anything right?"
Hailey placed the DVD on the couch and went over to sit on the stool in front of the counter. "Yeah, I'm allergic to nuts."
Puck nodded. "Got it. No nuts on your sundae."
He grabbed the two bowls and led Hailey back over to the couch. As she sat down, he put the bowl in front of her before going to put the DVD in. When he came back to sit next to her, Hailey scooted closer to him.
While the previews were playing, Puck turned to her. "So do you like any sports?"
Hailey nodded. "I like soccer but I like dancing more."
"What about singing?" If she was any kid of Rachel's, she could most likely sing.
"I sing a little but I like dancing more. It's way more fun."
Puck nodded and continued eating his ice cream as the movie came on. Halfway through the movie, he felt Hailey leaning against him. He looked down and saw that she was fast asleep. Shaking his head at the fact that ice cream seemed to have an opposite effect on her than it did any other kid, Puck carefully picked her up trying his best not to wake her and carried her to his bedroom. After tucking her into bed, he took one more look at her before turning the light off and closing the door. So this is what fatherhood is like, he thought. Even though his father went AWOL when he was a kid, he knew there was no way he could do the same to Hailey. He had only known he was her father for three weeks but he was already in love with her. But the question is how did he feel about Rachel?
Ever since Hailey asked them if they still loved each other, that's all he could think about. He wondered if Rachel was still in love with him. He already knew that despite all the hostility that's been going on, he definitely still had feelings for her. Being around Hailey reminded him of how Rachel used to be in high school and what made him fall for her. If he and Rachel rekindled their sparks, Hailey would get to have two parents together and they could be that family they should've been the whole time. He would love it if he could have Rachel back as his girl. He just had to figure out how to convince her to give him another chance.
Looks like Puck is going to find a way to get Rachel back. Think he'll succeed? And it also looks like he and Hailey are getting closer. Do you think she should stick to calling him Puck or start calling him Daddy? And if you think she could call him Daddy, how soon do you think it should happen? Tell me what you think. I promise the next chapter will come much quicker. Bye for now :)
