Hi everyone. Thanks so much for the reviews on the last chapter. As always, I appreciated them. I recently was asked if I plan to do a Season 7 - and I definitely would be interested if you guys were. So, even though my Season 6 isn't over yet, let me know if you'd like to see a Season 7. And as always, enjoy this chapter and review if I should keep going!

Chapter 17: Too Small

Ever since Finn had found out he and Rachel were expecting a baby, Finn's life had become more and more stressful. He felt so much more pressure to do well in school, fufill all his responsibilities at the diner, and have the glee club at their best. If they did decide to keep the baby, this way they'd have the most money possible saved and the best for the immediate future.

Working with the glee club was a nice distraction, too. With Regionals less than two months away, their setlist was sounding better and better. "Okay, guys, I want you to do run through that number we've been working on for Regionals," Finn told the glee club. "You've sounded great when we've been working on it before, but for Regionals, it needs to be PERFECT. From the top!"He montioned to the band as the music began.

Boys: Winter is here again oh Lord,

Haven't been home in a year or more
I hope she holds on a little longer
Girls: Sent a letter on a long summer day
Made of silver, not of clay
I've been runnin' down this dusty road
Choral Inspiration: Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
I don't know where I'll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
Josh: I've been trying to make it home
Got to make it before too long
Caitlin: I can't take this very much longer
I'm stranded in the sleet and rain
Choral Inspiration: Don't think I'm ever gonna make it home again
The mornin' sun is risin'
It's kissing the day

"So, is that the number you have in mind for Regionals?" a voice interrupted.

Finn turned and saw Collette Goulde walking in. Finn rolled his eyes. "Yes it is. The kids have been working really hard on it these past few weeks and I think it'll be great."

"No, Mr. Hudson," Collette said. "That song is from about 40 years ago. You should do something more modern, like Five Seconds of Summer."

"You always had us do whatever was at the top of the charts, and we always lost Sectionals," Caitlin told her former director.

"Oh please," Collette snapped.

"This is a private rehearsal," Finn told Collette. "And I appreciate your input, but we're doing this song for Regionals."

"The judges aren't going to like it," Collette said. "I'm warning you."

"Why are you here anyway, Ms. Goulde?" Miranda asked. "Finn told you this is a private rehearsal."

"Finn, huh?" Collette asked. "Aren't you going to maintain any sort of professionalism?"

"He is professional," Mark said. "He got us a Sectional win. If we got to Nationals, that would be so cool. Lots of us have never been to the west coast."

"Yeah, so thank you for your input, but we need to get back to rehearsal," Finn said.

He looked back up at the group. "Okay, let's try that again, hopefully this time we'll get to go all the way through."

"Yeah, and I hope none of you guys kiss your crushes in the middle of it," Collette said. "Did you know that once 'Finn' kissed his girlfriend on stage at a glee competition?"

"Yes, they know about that," Finn answered for them. "Now, this is a CLOSED rehearsal."

After some more rehearsals, Finn dismissed the glee club as Josh and Caitlin came up to him. "Finn, Ms. Goulde's a bit crazy," Josh said.

"Oh, I know she is," Finn admitted.

"That's not it," Caitlin said. "She gave us both Fs on the test we took the other day in her class."

Finn didn't know what to say to that. Everyone had a bad test now and then, and he knew Josh and Caitlin were both decent students. "Well, I wouldn't assume it's because of glee club. We all make mistakes."

"No, it was because of how we stood up for you the other day," Caitlin said. "I know it was." She reached into her backpack and handed Finn the test. Finn looked over the test. It was an open answer question, and Collette had taken points off some of Caitlin's answers for spelling and punctuation mistakes and for leaving out details that probably weren't necessary. He now had a feeling his glee clubbers were right - this wasn't about the test.

"Yeah, that's what happened with mine, too," Josh said. "That's what I lost points for."

Finn didn't know what to say. "I'll talk to the principal about this. You guys just focus on school and Regionals for right now."

After Josh and Caitlin left, Finn began to walk to the principal's office when Collette came up to him in the hall. "Well, hello Finn Hudson. I was listening to the kids practicing, and I don't think those songs are what the judges will be looking for."

"You already shared your input," Finn said, tempted to mention the tests. "I'm the director. I've already selected my songs for Regionals."

"Who do you think you are?" Collette asked. "You're just a college boy, who thinks he's a director, but you're not. I've seen videos of your high school glee club online and that club always just performs songs from the past. I don't want that happening with MY glee club."

"It's not your glee club anymore," Finn shot back. "You gave it up. Nobody forced you to quit."

"I quit because I thought they weren't good and I didn't want to be the coach of a losing team," Collette said. "But they're going to Regionals, so maybe they are good."

"Not maybe," Finn said. "They are good. And I'm taking them to Regionals and to Nationals."

He walked into the principal's office, where the principal was on his computer. "Hi," Finn said.

"Finn, may I help you?" the principal asked.

"Yes please," Finn said. "Ms. Goulde doesn't seem to understand that she gave up the glee club, and that I'm the one who makes decisions now. She came into the rehearsal today and started telling me what to do with my setlist and was kind of rude, and she failed two of the students on a test for stupid reasons."

"Stupid reasons?" the principal asked. "Yes, like grammar mistakes and not including some details," Finn said. "I just feel like she's being really unprofessional."

"Well, Finn, when you're a teacher, you'll realize that every teacher grades tests differently," the principal said. "I doubt the failed tests had anything to do with your kids being in the glee club."

Finn sighed. "Maybe. But she seems to be causing trouble with the glee club, and I was wondering if you could talk to her. With Regionals so soon, I need these kids to be at their best, and if she keeps distracting them, they won't be that."

"I'll talk to her," the principal said.

"Okay, thank you," Finn said, leaving the office. Somehow, he had a feeling the principal didn't fully understand the situation.

x

Rachel had off of rehearsals today and had worked the early morning shift at the diner, so now she was on her way to go look at dresses for Quinn and Puck's wedding with Quinn, Santana, Mercedes, Tina and Brittany. Quinn was coming into New York to look for a dress because she thought the dresses here would be better, and Brittany had off this week from U of Lima, so she was spending the week visiting in New York. Since Brittany was in town, Quinn decided that this would be a good time to look for dresses since most of the girls were in the same place. (Quinn's sister lived in California, and Puck's sister could get hers next time she visited Puck.)

Rachel decided before she arrived that she was not going to tell Quinn and Brittany about her pregnancy. Since they were looking at dresses for Quinn's wedding, today was going to be about Quinn. She walked into the bridal shop, where the other five girls were waiting. "You're here!" Quinn said.

"Yeah, sorry I'm a little late," Rachel said.

"It's okay," Quinn said. "So, I was thinking pink for the bridesmaid dresses. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, you know I like pink," Rachel said. "Mine were blue and Kurt and Blaine used purple, so we haven't had pink yet."

"Great," Quinn said.

Rachel looked at Brittany. "Nice to see you."

Brittany had arrived during Rachel's classes, so Rachel hadn't seen her yet. "You too," Brittany said. "I see Santana's girlfriend isn't here."

"Okay, that's enough, Brittany," Santana said.

"Why would she be, she's not one of Quinn's bridesmaids," Tina pointed out.

Mercedes gave Tina a look. "All right, Quinn. Show us some of the dresses you have in mind."

Quinn held up a dress. "What do you think of this one?"

"It's pretty," Tina said. Quinn tried on the dress and then came out to the girls.

"That one looks kind of like mine," Rachel said.

"Okay, then this one's out," Quinn said. "Sorry Rachel. I want it to be unique."

Rachel giggled. "Okay. Let's see the next one."

Quinn tried on another dress and came out. "What about this one?"

"That has too much lace," Santana said. "You look like an old lady."

"Santana!" Mercedes snapped. "No, she has a point," Quinn said. "This one is too itchy."

She went back into the dressing room and then came out. "What do you guys think of this one?"

"Oh, I really like that one," Rachel said.

"Yeah, that one's pretty," Santana added.

"So we'll put this on the maybe list," Quinn said. "This is my favorite so far, but we haven't seen the others." For the next hour, Quinn tried on dresses before finally selecting the third one, and then it was time to try on bridesmaid dress.

Rachel immediately felt herself getting nervous. This dress wasn't going to fit her by the time the weding came around no matter what they selected.

"This one is pretty," Quinn said as she looked at the dresses the girls had in mind for the bridesmaid dresses. Rachel looked at the dress Brittany had suggested. It was kind of tight around the middle. What was it going to be like when the actual wedding came around?

"Yeah, I like this one best too," Santana said.

"Great," Quinn said. "I'll have the clerk get some in your sizes for you to try on."

Rachel leaned over to Santana. "What's going to happen to me when the wedding actually comes around? I'll be huge by then..."

"Just wait until closer to the wedding to get it," Santana whispered back.

Rachel went into the dressing room to try on the dress. Even now, zipping it up was a challenge. She was prety good at hiding her small bump by wearing clothes that were a bit big, but this dress wasn't going to do her any favors. "Are you almost ready, Rachel?" Brittany called.

Rachel finally managed to zip up the dress and came out. "Yeah, sorry, this is just a little small. I'll have to get the next size up."

"Okay, I can tell the clerk that," Quinn said. "But I really like these dresses. My sister and Puck's sister will probably like them, too."

"I love this dress!" Tina said. "I'm getting mine today!"

"Yeah, me too," Brittany said.

"So will I," Mercedes said.

"I think I will too," Santana said.

"What about you, Rachel?" Quinn asked.

"I'm going to wait," Rachel said.

"Do you not like it?" Quinn asked. "Because if you don't like it, we can look at another one..."

"No, I like it," Rachel said. "It's just... money's been kind of tight lately?"

"Tight?" Quinn asked.

"Yeah, Rachel had a root canal a few weeks ago and it wasn't covered by insurance, so she had to pay for it out of pocket," Santana said.

Rachel gave Santana a grateful look for coming up with that story. "Yeah, like what she said. "I'll get mine soon."

Quinn gave Rachel a suspicious look. "Okay. Just let me know when you get it."

x

While the girls were at the brial shop, the guys invited Puck over to the apartment. Right now, they were watching a football game on TV. Well, Finn, Sam, Blaine, Artie and Puck were watching the football game. Kurt was reading Vogue. Finn was tempted to say something to Puck about Rachel's pregnancy, since Puck had been there before, but he wanted to wait until Rachel was ready to tell more people.

"So, is your glee club almost ready for Regionals?" Puck asked Finn.

"We're getting ready," Finn said. "The woman who was in charge of it before me wants it back, so that's been annoying."

"Yeah, she doesn't like how Finn's having the kids sing classic rock songs," Sam added.

"That's stupid," Puck said.

"It is," Finn agreed. "And she failed two of the kids on a test in her class for dumb reasons."

"Finn, you didn't tell us that," Kurt said. "That's not okay!"

"I went to the principal, and he didn't seem to think it was a big deal, but if she keeps this up, I'm going back to the principal, or maybe to the board of education," Finn said.

"Yeah, she sounds like Coach Sylvester," Blaine said. The door opened as the girls came in.

"Where's your dress, Quinn?" Puck asked.

"I can't show it to you," Quinn told her fiance. "I had it sent to their Lima branch so my mom can keep it at her house."

"We brought our bridesmaid dresses home today!" Mercedes said, reaching into her bag and pulling hers out.

"I can't wait to see you in it," Sam told Mercedes.

"Well, everyone got it but Rachel," Brittany said. "She's saving money because she just had... I forget what it was called."

"A root canal," Tina said to Brittany.

Artie looked at Rachel. "You had a root canal?"

Rachel was typing on her phone. "Yeah, it wasn't too serious, so I didn't bother mentioning it, but I had to pay out of pocket because my insurance didn't cover it."

Finn noticed his phone was vibrating, so he picked it up. There was a message from Rachel. "I didn't really have a root canal. I'm just not ready to tell more people just yet, so I made up an excuse to not buy my dress today when it won't fit for the real wedding anyway."

x

Rachel looked at herself in the mirror in the NYADA bathroom. It wasn't quite obvious that she was pregnant, but there was definitely a bump in her stomach. Wearing clothes that were too big worked at school and when she went out, and she'd gotten a bigger spotlight diner uniform, but she knew that once she started the Funny Girl performances as Fanny, she'd have trouble hiding it from her costume designers.

"Well, look who's here," a voice said. Rachel saw Harmony.

"Hi Harmony," Rachel said. "How's it going living with Sebastian?"

"I actually get my own bedroom!" Harmony said.

"You've put on a little weight, haven't you?" Rachel didn't know what to say to that.

"Yeah, my appetite's gotten bigger lately..."

"Oh," Harmony said. "Well, you know that I want to play Fanny, so you'd better watch it."

She left the bathroom, leaving Rachel nervous. Had Harmony somehow guessed that Rachel was pregnant? What if word got to Funny Girl?

x

The rest of the day at NYADA went relatively normal, so Rachel figured that was a good sign. When she arrived, Rachel sat down with the other understudies, when Jean looked over at her. "Rachel, Sebastian Smythe was saying some things about you at NYADA today."

Oh no. Harmony had told Sebastian that she thought Rachel was pregnant, hadn't she? "What did he say?" Rachel asked.

"He said that you're pregnant," Jean said. Rachel didn't know what to say to that. Harmony wanted this part and Rachel knew that. She and Sebastian were probably telling people at NYADA in hopes of it getting back to Funny Girl. After all, Rachel knew that when Harmony was in New Directions, she was always doing everything in her power to get Marley, Kitty and Kylie's solos given to her. "What do you think?" Rachel asked.

"That doesn't sound like something that you would do," Jean said.

Before Rachel had a chance to respond, Rupert came over. "You mean those rumors about Rachel being pregnant? Some boy from NYADA recognized me at the coffee shop today and said something, but I know Rachel wouldn't get pregnant right after getting her dream role."

Rachel forced a smile. This was bad. Sooner or later she was going to have to tell the truth.

SONG: Wheel In The Sky by Journey

Chapter 18 preview: A troublemaker from earlier in the story is back as well, and might cause trouble for Finn's growing conflict. Funny Girl staff find out about Rachel's pregnancy.

10 reviews unlock Chapter 18!