"Oh my god, this is so cute!"
"Well, someone has to look out for this child's well being appearance wise. I figured I might as well rise to the challenge and start early."
Quinn smiled and set the pink sequined baby dress down. "I love it. Thank you Kurt."
It had been a few months since the disaster that was Sectionals had occurred, and a lot had changed. Puck and Quinn had started acting like a couple, Finn and Rachel had made their relationship official, and Finn had finally forgiven Puck and Quinn for everything they did.
Now the entire Glee club, Mr. Schuester, and Ms. Pillsbury were sitting in the choir room enjoying a baby shower Rachel had organized for Quinn, Mr. Schuester had even cancelled rehearsal for the day so they could have the party.
"Open mine next." Brittany said excitedly. "It's the one with the green bow."
Puck grabbed the small package and handed it to Quinn.
"Um, Brit? I don't understand." Quinn held up the two bars of soap and loofa with a confused expression on her face.
Santana sighed and rolled her eyes. "Brittany, I thought we went over this."
"Yeah, but I still think you're wrong." The blonde shook her head stubbornly. "It has to be called a shower for a reason. So I decided to go with my idea."
Quinn let out a small giggle. It was easier just to let it go than to hurt her friend's feelings. "Thanks Brit, I'm sure the baby will love it."
Brittany grinned and gave Santana a smug look, obviously happy that her assumptions had been correct.
"Okay, this one is from Finn and I." Rachel pushed a large package wrapped in pink paper with gold stars and a large gold bow towards her.
Quinn and Puck quickly tore off the paper and identical looks of shock flashed across their faces.
"You got us a stroller?"
"The seat comes off so you can also use it as a carrier or a car seat." Rachel told them. "My dads said it was the best of both worlds and completelyvital when caring for an infant."
"This must have cost a fortune." Puck muttered, still examining the box with interest.
Finn shook his head. "Don't worry about it."
"Thank you both." Quinn stood up, which proved to be a bit difficult with her large stomach, and gave them each a firm hug.
Puck followed her actions, only to substitute Finn's hug for a handshake, and nodded. "Yeah, thanks guys."
"Okay, let's not get all sentimental and stuff." Mercedes stood up. "You've opened all the gifts and we've ate and played games, now it's time for the big finale." She glanced at Mr. Schuester, who nodded.
"Wait, what are you doing?"
"Just sit there and watch." Artie ordered as he and everyone else headed to the front of the room where Mercedes was giving directions.
"Ya'll ready? Okay Mr. Schue: one, two, three, four!" Will hit the play button on the boom box, and the group all began humming, grins on each of their faces as they began to sing.
"So no one told you life was gonna be this way *clap*clap*clap*clap*
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA." Rachel sang.
Finn chimed in for the next part, "It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year
but.."
"I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too.." The group laughed a little at the cheesiness of the words as they sang in harmony.
Tina began to sing her part. "You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast so far... things are goin' great."
"Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
Oh but she didn't tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees that.." Artie added.
"I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too..."
"No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me," Mercedes sang passionately.
Kurt smiled as he sang his part, "Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst I'm best with you, yeah!"
"It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month,
or even your year..."
The group put their arms around each other for the last part, swaying together and laughing hysterically.
"I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too...
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too..."
As the kids held the last note their voices slowly faded to silence, only to be quickly replaced by applause from Quinn, Puck, Mr. Schuester, and Ms. Pillsbury.
"You guys, that was so sweet!" The young mother-to-be said tearfully. "Come here!"
Grinning, the teenagers gathered around the crying blonde and joined for a group hug.
"That was awesome." Puck said sincerely. "Seriously, it was kick ass."
Will sent him a warning look language, but kept his mouth shut. After all, it was partly Puck's shower too….
"Best baby shower ever." Quinn agreed.
"Okay guys, I think that's it." Will stood up and got their attention. "Real quick, before you head out, I just want to remind everyone that we have one last rehearsal on Friday before Regionals. Now, nobody has talked to Sue about our songs, right?" he eyed Brittany closely.
"She's clear; we've all kept an eye on her." Santana spoke up.
Will nodded. "Good. Everyone remember to be here Saturday in the parking lot by 9:30AM with your bags. The bus should be here at ten and I want us all ready to go." He smiled. "Get pumped guys; this is your big moment."
"I thought Sectionals was our big moment." Kurt reminded him.
"Well, this is your bigger moment. Now go home and get some rest."
Regionals were being held in Richmond, which was nearly four hours away from Lima. So instead of getting back at around one in the morning, Will had decided it would be easier just to rent hotel rooms for the night and head back to Lima the next morning. Now that they actually had funding from the school, and since Sue's fallout with Figgins, they finallyhad the money to do so. And his brief disqualification was over, so he and Emma would be going along as chaperones.
Friday came and went, the final rehearsal having been their best performance yet, and when Saturday morning rolled around Will was positive that New Directions was ready for the competition. Everyone had showed up on time and fifteen minutes after the bus had arrived, the luggage was packed in and they were on their way. Soon the entire bus was occupied; Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury were talking quietly at the front of the bus, Santana and Brittany were looking through fashion magazines with Mercedes and Kurt and arguing over whether or not leopard print was still in, Tina and Artie were listening to music while Matt and Mike played games on their cell phones, and Quinn was fast asleep on Puck's shoulder.
"I'm so excited for this. I really think we have a shot." Rachel said as she rested her head against Finn's chest.
"Me too. It would be really cool if we won."
"We just have to stay calm and focused. We can only do our best."
Finn smiled. "Yeah, but come on Rach, you have to admit that we're pretty awesome."
"We are quite excellent." She agreed.
"We're beyond excellent. Confidence is key, that's what you always tell me, remember?"
Rachel smiled as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. "You're right."
"Um, try and keep it PG please." Puck spoke up from across the aisle. "Some of us don't enjoy watching the two of you make out."
Will and Emma glanced back at them from where they sat at the front of the bus.
"Guys-" But he was interrupted by a certain blonde waking up.
Quinn stirred a bit before sitting up. "What's going on?"
Puck rolled his eyes. "Finn and Berry are being gross."
She laughed. "Leave them alone, Puck."
"How are you feeling Quinn?" Rachel asked.
"I'm okay. A little nauseas but other than that I'm fine."
"Here," She passed a water bottle over to Quinn. "This might help."
"Thanks."
The rest of the ride went smoothly, most of the kids sleeping almost the entire trip, and only one bathroom stop had to be made. (Everyone except Emma had gone, because she claimed that she would never have to go badly enough to use a fast food restaurant's bathroom.) By two-twenty the bus had arrived at the hotel where Will checked in and began to hand out room assignments.
"Okay, there are two beds and a couch in each room, so we're splitting into threes with Em- I mean, Ms. Pillsbury and I sharing a room."
"Wonder if that means they'll be sharing a bed too." Mercedes muttered.
The two teachers' faces went bright red as snickers were heard among the students.
"Anyway, Ms. Pillsbury has your room assignments and I have the keys. So, Emma, if you will…"
"Oh, of course." Emma glanced down at the clipboard in her hands and began reading off groups. "In room 406 is Finn, Puck, and Artie. In room 410 will be Mike, Matt, and Kurt. Across the hall in room 405 are Rachel, Mercedes, and Tina. Room 409 is Quinn,
Brittany, and Santana. And Mr. Schuester and I are in room 407."
"A few quick rules to remember: everyone sleeps in their assigned room- no exceptions. Everyone is in their room with the door closed and locked by midnight- no exceptions. You are not to leave the hotel without me or Ms. Pillsbury- no exceptions." Will ticked each item off on his fingers as he spoke. "You are to always have a cell phone with you at all times- no exceptions. And if you go anywhere in the hotel, even to grab something from the vending machines, you don't go alone,"
"No exceptions," the all recited dully.
"And if you need anything after you're in your rooms, you call either mine or Ms. Pillsbury's cell phone, no matter what time it is. I think that's it. You guys can go up to your rooms and get settled, meet back down here in the lobby at three sharp, we have to be there by three-thirty. Go." Everyone grabbed their keys and headed to the elevators, nervous and excited for what was to come.
-GLEE-
"Alright, you guys are up next."
New Directions was backstage at regionals and Vocal Adrenaline was in the middle of their performance. "Now I know these guys are good, but we have something that they don't: heart. And that makes us great. So when you go out there, don't think about the competition or winning or anything else. Just be in the moment, do your best, and have fun." He smiled. "You're ready. Go out there and show them that we already know that."
The group of misfit teens nodded, for some strange reason Mr. Schue's cheesy pep talk actually seemed to work this time. Hearing a huge round of applause, they knew that Vocal Adrenaline had finished their performance with a bang, and were now clearing the stage.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, McKinley High School's New Directions!"
Will grinned encouragingly at the group. "Go get em!"
As usual, it had been decided that Rachel would take the beginning solo, but this time the group had voted with a genuine unanimous answer being reached. Their costumes were similar to the ones from Sectionals, with everyone in black, but this time the girl's dresses were strapless with black lace at the top; the guys still wore black pants and shirts, but the sashes on the dresses, headbands, and boy's ties were all emerald green.
As the spotlight hit Rachel, who was standing center stage, she opened her mouth and began to sing in the clear and beautiful voice that left no room for questions concerning what she was born to do.
"I don't need a lot of things
I can get by with nothing
Of all the blessings life can bring
I've always needed something
But I've got all I want...
When it comes to loving you
You're my only reason
You're my only truth
I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you…"
The crowd was clearly getting into the music, and by the time Rachel had finished the song the rest of the Glee Club walked out from the wings of the stage. They launched into their second number, "Life Is A Highway" from the cover by Rascal Flatts, and their big finish had been Tina's idea.
"You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand…"
Together they stood indeed. And finally, after everything they had been through, they were all happy to be there.
-GLEE-
Hope you liked it J Oh, and the song Rachel sang was I Need You by LeAnn Rimes. Don't forget to review! There's more on its way!