So, I think I'm getting better at posting. Since the last chapter was a filler, I figured I should put something in. Hope you guys like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee… I really hate to admit it….. whatever..

After I was sure he had left, I stopped dancing with Brittany, and went to sit down, Quinn and Kurt appearing at my sides. I sat for a moment, just staring into space. What had just happened?

Well, let's recap. I had been at my reunion, having a great time. Sam had just taken Eli to the bathroom, and I had decided to go take a breather at the tables with Santana. I'm walking to the tables, and BAM! He walks in. Turns my whole world upside down. There's yelling, Eli's scared eyes, protective mother mode, a little more heated conversation, and then I agreed to meet him for lunch…. Ok, I understand everything but the last part. Why did I agree to meet him?!

Right… Because I want answers. I need answers. I deserve answers! I mean, come on, he owes me so much more then just that, but that's all I want from him. All I need from him.

I shook my head to clear it, then looked up to see Quinn and Kurt's sympathetic stares. I smiled weakly and blew out a shaky breath.

I'm fine. His being here isn't going to bother me. I don't care anymore. I don't.

Guess that will be my mantra for the next few days.

I grasped their hands and gave them a little, reassuring squeeze. They got the message, smiled, stood up, and left the the table. I followed suit, picked up my coat and purse from a nearby table, and waked out.

It might have been a bit rude not saying goodbye to anyone, but under the circumstances, I knew everyone understood. I needed to go see my son.

Sam was already in the car, engine running. I hopped in, buckled up, and we sped of to the house.

I had told Santana to take Eli back here, so that he would be calm and away from all the drama. I also didn't want him hearing the whole conversation. I didn't want the first memory of his father as him being the guy that all his aunts and uncles yelled at during that one party they went to.

We pulled up to the house and I jumped out, rushing up to the house and unlocking the door. I could hear Sam right behind me, talking to Santana as I rushed around the corner and down the hallway to Eli's room. I just needed him in my arms, I needed my rock to keep my from slipping into the sobbing mess I knew i would become soon. I opened his door, and saw him tucked into bed, reading a book. He looked up, eyes wide.

"Mom, your home."

I smiled, relaxing as I walked over to his bed and sitting on the edge. "How are you sweetie?"

He looked at me confused. "Well, IM ok. Auntie San just brought me home and gave me some ice cream before saying I should go in here and chill until you came back." He stopped, putting his book down beside him, and turning fully to face me, reaching out and taking my hand. "Are YOU ok? I asked Auntie San what happened back at the party, why you looked so pale, and about that guy," My hand tightened around his, "but all she said was that it was nothing, and that I should just wait and talk to you later. So, are you ok mom?"

I smiled slightly, looking at my little boy, pride swelling up in my heart. He was so mature for his age. I scooted him over a bit, climbing under the covers and positioning him in-between my legs, so that his head was lying on my chest.

"I'm ok baby. Just shaken up a bit I guess." I wound an arm around his waist and rested my chin on his head, contemplating what to say next. I didn't really know how to explain Puck to him. I was too mentally and emotionally drained to even contemplate how I wanted the whole "father talk" to go, or even if I want to have it in the first place, but I didn't want to lie to him either, so I settled with telling him the truth, but just leaving out some details.

"That man, he is just someone from the past darling, and, well, he didn't get along with everyone. That's why it was a little tense, but everything is ok now, so don't worry about it, ok?"

I kissed the top of his head after he nodded. "Well then, why don't we rest now. It's been a very busy day."

I slid down and turned over, wrapping an arm around Eli's waist. His breathing slowed quickly, and a couple of minutes later he was asleep. I squeezed him a bit tighter, and closed my eyes, letting a few tears slip as I drifted off to sleep.

She was up at 6:00am the next morning. The house was silent, a few chirps here and there. Even with everything on her mind, she had slept peacefully last night, with Eli in her arms.

She slipped out of bed without waking Eli, nearly falling on her face when she tried. She forgot how small his bed was. She regained her balance and tiptoed out the door, shutting it softly behind her. She went out into the kitchen, making some coffee. If she was going to make it thru today, she was going to need some coffee. Maybe a lot of it.

As she stood there waiting, she almost screamed when she heard snoring. Cautiously, she made her way to the living room, a rolling pin in her hand raised above her head (what? It was the only thing weapon worthy within her reach). When she turned the corner of the living room, she giggled a bit, letting her right hand fall to her side. There, sprawled across her couch was Santana, mouth wide open, arm falling over the side of the couch, and on her floor was Sam, the source of the snoring.

Rachel smiled. Her friends camped out in her living room all night.

She went back into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee, setting out two extra cups for her visitors when they woke up. She decided that making breakfast would probably be a good idea, so she got to work, turning on the small radio she always kept in her kitchen on at a low volume, so that she wouldn't wake anyone up.

Her philosophy? Cooking is always more fun when there's music involved. Well, anythings is more fun with music involved.

It was about 7:03am when she went to wake everyone up. She had made a feast, enough to feed a full army. She cooked when she was nervous, and she was very nervous about today.

She went to wake Eli up first, knowing he would love to help her wake up Uncle Sam and Aunt Santana.

Eli and Rachel tiptoed into the living room, Rachel crouching down next to Santana, and Eli kneeling next to Sam. Both moved in close to their sleeping guests ears, and Rachel counted down with her fingers

3…..2…..1…..

"GOOD MORNING!" Rachel and Eli screamed at the top of their lungs.

Another thing Eli inherited from his mother? His loud, booming voice.

Santana jumped a foot in the air, screaming things in Spanish, while Sam shot across the room.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Santana, language!" Rachel admonished.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I was just woken up by screaming in my ear. Excuse me if I'm a shaken up! What the hell possessed you to do that anyway?"

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I don't know. I woke up to see two people dead asleep in my living room, thought I'd have some fun."

Sam had lowered himself into one of the air chairs across the room, his breathing finally back to normal.

"That was messed up. Why'd you agree to that Eli? I thought we were friends?"

Eli shrugged, smiling. "Sorry Uncle Sam. I'm with mom on this one. It was fun."

Sam chuckled. Santana on the other hand wasn't so amused.

"So I stay here all night, sleeping on your lumpy excuse for a couch, just to make sure my best friend is alright, and how does she repay me? Rach, I thought you were better than that." She shook her head disapprovingly.

Rachel smiled. "Well I guess no one wants the breakfast I made then. Fine, Eli and I will just enjoy it ourselves, you two can let yourselves out. Bye!" She yelled as she walked of into the dinning room where everything was set out. She sat down, smiling wider when she heard everyone rushing in.

Santana took one bite of the pancakes and moaned. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Rachel laughed. "Love you too."

After everyone was done eating, Eli went to go get ready. Sam started to clean up while Santana and Rachel sat down in the living room.

"So…." Santana broke the silence. "How ya holding up? What happened after I left? Brit and Kurt texted me the details, but I wanna hear it from you."

"Well, not much. I agreed to meet him today." Rachel stated calmly.

"I heard. You doing ok?"

Rachel nodded, flashing a quick smile. "Yeah, I'm completely…" She stopped. Why was she doing this? Pretending she was ok? This was Santana, she didn't need to lie to her. So, she let herself brake.

She started sobbing. "San, I have no idea what I'm going to do! What am I suppose to say to him? I have all these questions, but i know when the moment comes, I'm going to get all shell-shocked and not ask him. How am I going to be alone with him? I haven't been alone with him in 6 years. I don't know. I'm so scared San! I'm scared of what he is going to say. I… I just…" She started sobbing uncontrollably.

Santana took the girl in her arms, rocking her back and forth, shushing her. "Everything is going to be ok, Rach. I promise. Just calm down sweetie. Everything is going to ok."

"God, and Eli! What am I suppose to say to Eli, San?! What is he wants to meet Eli? They can't meet. They just can't. How do you explain all this to a 6 year old? He is going to be so confused. And hurt! I can't hurt him, San, I just can't!" Rachel babbled, hot tears rolling down her cheeks in an endless waterfall.

"Eli is going to be fine. He is a smart and mature kid, Rach. You raised him well. This is one meeting. You ask the questions, he answers them, okay? We will cross the Eli bridge when we come to it ok? Everything is going to be fine."

Rachel cried for a little while longer, Santana holding her, whispering comforting words into her ear.

After a little while, Rachel stopped. She sat up, wiping her eyes, and straightening her clothes.

"Thanks San. I needed that."

Santana smiled. "Anytime Rach. I'm always here for ya. I promise."

Rachel smiled back. "I know, and thank you for that. I love you San."

"Love you too Rach."

Rachel stood up, a determined look in her eye. "I'm going to go get ready, then I'm going to go and get my answers. I'm a single mom, I'm tough. I gave birth. If I can do that, I can do this."

Santana laughed. "There's the Rachel I know."

She smiled. "Would you mind making sure Eli is getting ready?"

"Got it. And Rach?"

Rachel stopped and turned around. "Yes?"

"You got this."

Rachel laughed. "I know."

Rachel walked into the kitchen, walked up behind Sam, and wound her arms around his waist.

"Hey. Thanks for the help." She rested her head on his back.

"Anytime, babe." He turns around, returning the embrace, looking down at her. "You ok?"

"Better now actually. I just wanted to ask if you could watch Eli while I'm out."

"Course I will. He needs a day with Uncle Sam anyways. Can't have him going all soft." He winks.

Rachel laughed "Yeah, sure. Thanks Sam. I'm going to go get ready." She leans up and kisses him.

"Sorry you have to deal with all this."

"It's ok. Better just to get it over with and move on right?"

Sam smiled down at her. "Always the optimist."

"I try."

"I love you Rach. Don't forget that."

"I won't Sam, promise."

Rachel was in her room, putting the final touches on her makeup (What? She wanted to look good, show him what he was missing), when it hit her.

She was going to meet Puck. She was going to sit down with Puck.

Her breathing became shallow, and she made sure she looked extra good. She needed to look perfect. Then her confidence would be higher, and she would feel better. She could get through this. She was woman, she was STRONG!

Ok, a little too far, but whatever.

She did a last minute touch up, got her purse, kissed Eli, Sam, and Santana on their cheeks, and walked out the door.

The Lima Bean. She never hated the place as much as she did now. It wasn't the places fault, but she needed to hate something right now, and since it was going to house this dreadful meeting, she was blaming it.

She took a few deep breaths, thinking the words that had been in her head all morning: She was fine. She could do this. Everything would turn out ok.

She.

Could.

Do.

This.

She opened the door and shrugged off her coat.

She quickly scanned the room, knowing he was probably already here.

Then she spotted him sitting a booth in the far corner.

Their booth.

That little….. Whatever, it's just a booth. A no memories made here booth…

Hmmph.. This wouldn't faze her!

As she neared the booth, he looked up from his coffee and smiled, his hazel eyes shining.

She could do this. She could do this. SHE. COULD. DO THIS!

Damn….

Did he have to be so attractive?

Hehe I liked writing the ending. So, next chapter? THE MEETING!

Please R&R!

Thanks for reading :)

3, D