Chapter 17: Happy Seventh Birthday, Lauren!

It was June 19th, 2018. Thirteen days have passed since the perfect Friday night. Rachel hasn't been feeling herself. She felt dizzy, her back aching, and would sometimes throw up after eating a meal. Even her favorite foods, would make her feel sick.

She didn't tell anyone, not even Finn. And she couldn't because today was a very important day. Her daughter was turning the big seven. She went shopping for a birthday gift. She bought her some floral dresses, a summer hat, and pink sunglasses. She also went to buy a princess doll house. She told Finn what she bought her.

Finn told her that was too much. Rachel didn't agree. She wanted her daughter to have the best birthday ever, especially since she was around for the first time.

She was told that the guys gave her a Princess theme party. She dressed up as Cinderella. The guys got her a Princess theme cake.

The house was decorated with pink and yellow balloons. The paper plates, cups, spoon and fork were all Disney Princesses. There were tons of presents by the fireplace.

Rachel was the first one to arrive. "Happy birthday, Lauren!" She greets her daughter with the biggest warmest hug.

"Thank you, mommy!" She says during the hug. "Is that for me?" Finn laughs looking at Lauren who stared at the presents.

"It's for you. But you have to open them later, okay?" She kisses her daughter.

Lauren nods. Because of the home living situation, Lauren only had a few friends since she was being judge by her other classmates. "Mommy? I like you to meet my friends! This is Heather, Mackenzie, Abigail, Jessica, and Erica!" The girls wave at Rachel. Rachel greets them with a smile.

"No boys?" Rachel asked concerned. Lauren and her friends felt gross out of the mention about boys. "No way! This is a Princess party!"

Rachel laughs. "You are the cutest, Lauren." Rachel heads her way back to Finn and the guys.

"And no boys because daddy says so." Finn reminds Rachel.

"Finn.." Rachel rolled her eyes and Finn laughs.

"It's good to see you here, Berry." Puck admits. "This whole morning Lauren kept running around screaming, 'it's my birthday! It's going to be great because Mommy's here!' she's super happy."

Puck didn't mean to make Rachel cry. "Oh, I didn't mean too.." Finn rubs her back."It's okay.."

"Mom and dad can't make it. Some congress thing but Lauren isn't mad." Finn tells Rachel where her grandparents are.

"Quinn and Mercedes should be here any minute. They're wrapping presents." Rachel felt uncomfortable by the mention of Quinn and Mercedes. She's been home for a while, though she hasn't seen anybody.

"Don't worry. They don't bite." Sam tells Rachel.

"Quinn did." Rachel said looking down. Finn noticed how Rachel was happy and excited for a moment and the next she had the sad look on her face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Rachel lied, regretting it.

Suddenly Quinn and Mercedes came in with them. Lauren hugs them. "Auntie Quinn! Auntie Cedes!" Lauren said giving them groups hug. "I'm seven now!"

"We know that, bumble bee." Quinn says hugging them. "This is your present. " She hands Lauren a big yellow bag.

"It's so big!" Lauren squeals.

"And this is yours." Mercedes says kissing Lauren. "Wow! So many gifts!" She said full of happiness. The guys laugh. They greet Quinn and Mercedes.

The ladies notice Rachel looking down uncomfortable. "Rachel Berry? It's so good to see you!" Mercedes says carefully hugging Rachel.

"Hi, Rachel." Quinn smiles at her, hugging her as well. "We have plenty of time to catch up, girl!" Mercedes says. She was right. Lots of time but so much to catch up on.

Lauren had a piñata in her backyard full of candy and dollar bills. They played musical chairs and dress up. Each girl got to dress up as different Disney character Princess.

She took pictures with her friends and everyone. They danced to music and it was time for cake. They all sang Happy Birthday. Everyone gathered for chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. Since the party was till eight, all her friends went home. Lauren opened her tons of presents. She got clothes, dresses, and some make-up from her aunties. She loved all the gifts she received from Rachel but one stood out. She jumped up and down after opening the doll house from her mother,.

"I always wanted one! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She squeals and hugs Rachel so tight.

"You're welcome." Rachel says kissing her. "Can I play with it now?!"

"Hold on there, princess! You've got presents from us." Finn reminds her.

"Oh." Lauren smiles. She opens her gift from Puck. It was a pink jewelry box with a ballerina dancing along with pretty music and some dresses. "Ooh! I love this! Thank you, Puck daddy!" She hugs Puck and kisses him.

"Me next!" Sam says. He hands a bright green yellow bag with the words written Happy Birthday. She opens it excitedly. It's a silver bracelet with charms that's all about Lauren. "This is pretty! Thank you, dad!" She says giving him a hug and kiss as well. Sam puts the bracelet on her arm.

Next was Finn's turn. He was getting emotional before he even got a chance to give it to her. He carries her on his lap. "Princess? Seven is a very big deal. You're a big girl now. You're my special girl." He says kissing her. "I wish I could stop time so you can stay my little princess forever."

"Daddy, you're silly!" Lauren says.

"But Lauren? What I'm about to give you is your life." Finn says taking his gift out of the bag. It was a photo collage with decorated gold stars. There was a picture in the middle of her and Finn when she was just born. She's looking up at her daddy smiling. The others were photos of her first bath, first walk, first day of school, and first everything until she was six with no two front teeth.

"I want you to cherish this forever. This is the beginning of your child. Don't ever change, my baby girl, my princess." He cuddles with her and she buries her head on his chest. "I love you, daddy. Thank you!"

Mercedes had tears in her eyes, Quinn as well, and Rachel started crying worse than the two. "I think we should take a family photo with you three." Mercedes announces. Rachel wipes her tears and gets near her family. They're settled to take a photo. Sam told everyone to say 'Cheese' for the birthday princess and they did. Finn wanted to see how it turned out and everyone came by to see it.

The photo was everything. It was beautiful. It was the first family photo of the family. The birthday night went well until Rachel covered her mouth with her hands. She ran to the bathroom to vomit. Everyone looked at each other worriedly.

A very sweet chapter about Lauren's birthday! Oh no, what could be wrong with Rachel?!

Happy Mother's Day

And a Happy Birthday to our angel Cory 3