Chapter 35

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Summary: Will the proud music teacher eventually find love with the beautiful kindergarten teacher or will he forever come second to the football coach? Rated M.

A/N: Thank you for all the lovely kind reviews and PMs you wonderful folks have sent me! I never dreamed my little story would get such a great response. Getting feedback is the best gift ever.

Disclaimer: None of these characters belongs to me except for any OCs found wandering. I own nothing save for this computer.


Donna slid into the booth of the dinky little Italian restaurant where Noah had said they should meet. She ordered a glass of their no doubt bathtub Chianti and when the server returned with it she took it with barely a glance or word of acknowledgement.

She drank deeply, her mind on whatever it was that Noah was bringing to the table, so to speak, with regards to their daughter. She sipped mindlessly and when the glass was empty, she stared at in surprise and then snapped her fingers for a refill.

Half-way through her third glass, Noah finally appeared. Donna eyed him as he strode towards the booth, having caught sight of the hand she'd raised to catch his attention. Hmmm, she'd quite forgotten how attractive her ex could be and now she watched the way his shoulders moved in the leather jacket as he stalked towards her. Her eyes drifted down his body to the tight bulge at his crotch and the faded material of his jeans that stretched across his thighs.

She wondered if it had been wise to have the third glass of wine. She was feeling a little overheated and Noah's undeniable sex appeal was not helping. Her head was feeling a little fuzzy and she looked away as she struggled out of the expensive fur jacket. She glanced up in surprise when she felt Noah's large hands helping her to slip out of the jacket before placing it beside her on the seat.

"Uhmm, thanks; you were always surprisingly suave," she sneered now even as her cheeks flushed. The proximity of his body along with its heat made her feel a little off-balance. She needed a clear head if she was going to do any serious negotiating (or, to be honest, threatening) and the wine had definitely not been a wise move.

Noah slid onto the seat across from his ex-wife and frowned. Her breath had smelled of wine and he just knew the glass in front of her had not been her first. That was one of the things that had made him fall out of lust with her. Donna could be a mean, falling down drunk and he had not wanted Judith exposed to that. That and Donna's general lifestyle had made him realize that he needed to step up and be a better dad than he'd been able to be to Beth.

He looked up as the server approached and smiled at the girl who simpered as she asked what he wanted to drink. He asked for coffee and ignored the way Donna's eyebrows climbed up her high, still-smooth forehead.

"Well, aren't we all boring now," she snarked, her full lips pulling to the side unattractively. She frowned when Noah ignored her and tried again. "What, doesn't the little 'wifey' like the taste of wine on your tongue?"

Noah simply stared at her and waited for the server to return with the coffee, thanking her as she left a carafe as well and then he turned to his ex.

He spoke as he prepared the hot beverage to his liking. "Unlike when we were together, I don't have to drink to get it on with Kurt."

All color drained from Donna's face and her reflexive move to fling the contents of the wineglass into Noah's face was halted abruptly when he grabbed her wrist. They stared each other down until she relaxed enough for him to let go.

"Let's get this clear, here and now," Noah said quietly after taking a sip of his coffee. "Every time you say something derogatory about my husband, it will go harder for you."

Donna stared at him, furious but knowing that Noah did not make idle threats. She nodded once, abruptly, before waving the server over again. When she had yet another glass of wine in front of her, she cleared her throat and then opened the 'negotiations'.

"Look, Noah, you have to be fair. Even though you have full custody of the… of Judith, I still have some visitation rights. I think that includes her being able to spend time at my home, too."

Noah listened calmly before saying, "No, legally you don't get to have her stay over with you. If you were anyone else, as her mother I wouldn't hesitate to let Judith spend time with you, no matter what the law says; heck, even for a month-long stay over the summer if she wished it… If you were anyone else."

Donna's eyes widened in fury at the embedded insult. She spluttered: "Wh-what the hell does that mean? I love the kid; she's my flesh and blood, too!"

Noah leaned back and eyed her derisively. "'The kid', huh?" and watched as she colored again. "Well, here's the thing. In all the years I've had full custody of Judith, you have never visited her once. Whenever you spoke to her on the phone, it was because I called you – when I could get hold of you."

Donna wanted to scream at the implacable way Noah was looking at and talking to her. She almost couldn't believe she had been married to this man. He was nothing like the Puck she had met and had had such fun times with in bed. He was like a whole different person and he looked and sounded like a hard-headed businessman.

She changed her tactics. Smiling softly, Donna leaned forward, allowing the front of her low-cut top to dip, showing off her cleavage. It was for naught; Noah's eyes didn't even flicker as he stared at her, suspicion in his brown eyes.

"Sweetie, don't you remember how good it was between us once? We made that little girl together; it's only fair I get to see her sometimes," Donna said now in a low, wheedling voice, her hand sliding forward to brush against Noah's hand. Unfortunately for her it was his left hand and when her fingers brushed the ring on his third finger, she jerked back and frowned at it.

Noah smiled broadly at her reaction, took another, longer sip of the hot coffee and placed the cup in its saucer. "Okay, Donna, here's what's gonna happen."

Donna straightened up and stared at her ex-husband. Was he going to concede, after all? Was she going to get the opportunity to go ahead with her plans for her future? Her breathing sped up as she scented victory in the air. Leaning forward eagerly she nodded. "Yes, go ahead."

Noah stared at her, knowing almost every thought that was going through her head. She'd always been transparent that way.

"You will not be getting Judith alone at any time; not until she reaches 18 … and only if she wants to meet you."

Donna sat frozen; she couldn't really believe what she'd just heard. No, she shook her head; Noah didn't really mean what he'd just said, did he?

"Puck… what? I thought… why?" She hated sounding like that; she was a strong, modern woman and here she was stuttering in front of the man she once knew very well.

Noah held up a hand, stalling her response. "I'm not saying you can never see Judith; you just won't be getting her to stay with you anywhere. Clear?"

"You can't do that! She is my daughter and if I want her to come and stay with me and my new hus_" she broke off as she saw Noah leaning back with a definite smirk on his face. "What are you smirking at, you bastard?"

Noah drank the last of his coffee, set the cup down deliberately and then looked back at his ex-wife. "I was waiting for you to mention your prospective husband."

She sat silently as she watched him remove a package from his coat which he had laid on the seat beside him.

"This, my dear ex, is a file on your husband. Also, interestingly enough, there's a file on you, as well."

Noah grinned as he saw her eyes widen and a flicker of fear pass through them. He continued.

"I have no intention of ever meeting with or contacting your fiancé; I also have no intention of letting him see what else is in this package." He let his voice lower to a darker register she had never heard before. "If, however, you fight me on what I'm about to propose, he will see everything. Not only that, he will have a little chat with our daughter, as well."

Donna's face flushed an unattractive red that was closer to purple and Noah had an irreverent thought, wondering how his husband would describe the exact color. He smiled as he thought that and noticed that Donna was now spluttering at him. Snippets of curse words escaped her but he didn't care. He watched as the blood receded gradually from her face and when she had calmed down, he spoke again.

"There's no need to say anything just yet, simply listen." He tapped the table in front of him, his fingers just skimming the packet lying between them. "I want Kurt, my husband, to adopt Judith."

The silence between them, but for the fact that they were in a semi-busy restaurant, was profound. Donna's eyes bulged as she stared at Noah, wondering who in hell was this man she'd once called husband.

Her eyes flickered as she let the words he'd just uttered sink into her brain, along with the threat he'd made earlier. She'd come prepared to fight dirty, backed by her fiancé's money but this… this was nothing like she had expected.

Her eyes moistened as she stared at him. "Noah, please, you can't mean that. Why would he want to adopt my baby?"

Noah frowned as he scoffed. "Your 'baby'? Please, Donna, you're a singer, not an actor; give it up. You don't care anything for Judith apart from how she can oil your way into your fiancé's super-conservative family!"

He sneered as her eyes widened. "Yes, I know all about him and your sweet, modern romance. You enjoy being in all the society pages, don't you? Well, how is it going to look to him and his wealthy family and future constituents when they find out how very much you don't care for your 'baby'?"

Donna glared at him as she snarled, "You bastard, you total shit! You might think you've won, Noah Puckerman; yeah, go ahead and have your pillow-biter adopt the brat. When you least expect it, you will get yours!"

As she moved to grab her coat and slide out of the booth, Noah grabbed her wrist and halted her movement. "Be at Sarah's at four o'clock on Friday. When you've signed everything and it's all squared away, then you will leave, marry your conservative and live happily ever after. If you behave, you will get to visit Judith." When he saw her eyes widen he smirked. "Oh, of course, you'll still be able to visit her. I'm not a complete bastard."

She relaxed slightly and looked at him, still angry but now a little puzzled. "But… why? Why do all this… and then still allow me to see her?"

Noah sighed and for the first time she noticed how tense he had been. "I know what it's like to lose a child; I wouldn't do that to you, too."

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Kurt brought in the dessert and smiled as Finn and Judith perked up, identically avid expressions on their faces. He shook his head as he placed the huge bowl of trifle in the center of the dining table. Kurt smiled over his shoulder as Sarah brought in the tray with the bowls and cutlery and directed her where to set it down.

Dinner had been loud and lively and if there had been an air of relief buoying things up, no one was mentioning it. Finn, Rachel and Sarah had been invited over to the Hummel-Puckerman home that evening, only hours after Noah had met with his ex-wife. Kurt, wanting desperately to lighten the mood, had suggested inviting the family over and then set about throwing a delicious dinner together.

"Kurt, you are a culinary genius!" Rachel smiled happily at her brother-in-law who positively glowed with happiness. Well, it could have been the heat from the kitchen, too, but there was no denying the look of contentment in his azure eyes.

"Aw, you only want the recipe to my special eggplant lasagna, you little spy!"

Everyone laughed and dug into the trifle that Kurt had dished out. It, too, was special because, in Judith's honor, Kurt had made the dish with an extra-special touch. He'd layered whipped cream, cake and sweet, succulent berries, interspersed with two layers of dense, home-made strawberry ice-cream. He knew it would delight the little girl.

When he sat down he looked about the table, his heart full almost to bursting as he realized that almost everyone he loved was seated there, eating the food he had prepared.

"Mmm, Kurt," Sarah mumbled as she almost licked her spoon. "Maybe you can do a TV show, a sort of chef for regular people reality thing."

Everyone looked at her except Judith who was happily struggling to negotiate the scrumptious layers of cool, creamy goodness.

Kurt raised an eyebrow at his new sister-in-law, tilting his head in curiosity. "Regular people – reality?"

Sarah laid her spoon down and leaned forward eagerly. "Yes, don't you see? It could be on the local channels first and when they see how awesome you are, it could be syndicated!"

Kurt stared at her and then giggled. "Who would want to see me on TV? I'm not even a trained chef."

Rachel shook her head. "That wouldn't matter, Kurt. Anyone who has tasted your cooking would attest to how great it is, right, Finn?"

"Mm-hmm, yeah, great; always said that." Finn could barely get the words out around his mouthful but Kurt didn't doubt his sincerity. In the years since they were teenagers and their parents had fallen in love and married, they had sung his praise regarding the healthy, delicious dishes he'd come up with. He had started taking cooking seriously from the time his dad had had his heart attack and then realized how much he loved it. The passion for cooking was right up there with his passion for music and fashion.

Noah added his tuppence now. Smirking with a hint of heat in his eyes, he stared at his beautiful husband and said, "Yeah, you could be the Lima version of that Nigella chick you're always going on about."

Rachel scoffed. "I know that one." She turned to enlighten Finn and Sarah. "She's that British chef who always looks as if she's flirting with the food and the camera!"

Kurt turned red as he laughed and then his eyes fell on Judith. The little girl was staring at him, her brown eyes shining with excitement. "Are you going to be on TV, Daddy Kurt? Really?!"

Kurt was torn between scolding the grownups and clearing things up with his daughter. "I don't thi_"

"Kurt, don't say no before you think about it!" Rachel hurried to interrupt him, causing Judith to turn big eyes onto her new auntie. Rachel smiled at the little girl, her own brown eyes sparkling as she leaned towards her. "Wouldn't you like to see your daddy on TV? All the little girls and boys in your class will think you're a celebrity!"

"Rachel!"

"Ugh, sweetie!"

"What? I can dream, can't I?" Rachel widened big eyes at her husband and brother-in-law, her lips curved in a mischievous grin.

Kurt looked at her, puzzled. "How is it your dream?"

Rachel turned to look at him, the same grin on her face. "Well, I'd be the sister-in-law of a celebrity, wouldn't I?"

There was laugher all around, amid which Finn was able to secure a second helping of trifle into which he dug just as enthusiastically as he had the first. Kurt shook his head and thought, 'At least there will be one person I can test my new recipes on… if I were mad enough to do this.'

They chatted and laughed for a long while, reluctant to leave the warmth and ambiance they were enjoying but soon enough it was Judith's bedtime. Finn, Rachel and Sarah took their leave, the hugs and kisses dragging on a bit as usual with a close-knit family.

Finally, with Judith all washed and brushed and clean, she demanded her usual bedtime story, insisting both dads had to be present while it was being read.

It was Kurt's turn that night and he imbued the story with all the charm and energy that he used in the classroom. Judith felt very special that her favorite teacher was now her daddy and she turned onto her side, yawning before settling in to let the words lull her to sleep.

When Kurt noticed that her eyelids were closing more often than they were staying open, he slowed the pace of his reading and lowered his voice. Finally, when her eyes hadn't reopened in more than two minutes, he let his voice drift to a halt. He didn't move immediately, though, and sat on the edge of her bed, simply staring at her.

Noah had phoned him as he'd left Breadstix earlier that evening to tell him how the meeting had gone with Donna. The relief that had swept through him had left him shaken and it was then that he'd decided on the impromptu dinner party.

He stroked back Judith's soft hair, marveling at its inability to stay neat and then, getting up and putting the book on her bedside table, leaned over to kiss her forehead. It was then that he realized that Noah was still in the room, watching him from the armchair in the corner.

Kurt tugged up Judith's blanket, turned off the lamp but left on the night light and turned towards his husband.

With a soft smile, Noah got up, held out his hand which Kurt took and they left their daughter's bedroom, Kurt pulling the door to but leaving it ajar.

They went down the hall towards their own bedroom and, once inside, Noah took Kurt into his arms.

"I love you… and I don't think there will ever be words enough to say it…" he murmured, his face buried in Kurt's fragrant neck.

Kurt relaxed against the strong body and smiled at the feel of Noah's lips moving against his skin. "I know, sweetheart; I don't ever doubt how much you love us."

Noah raised his head, stared into the depthless eyes and then leaned down to kiss him. It was a chaste kiss but full of love, nevertheless. Noah simply let himself enjoy the feel of Kurt's plush lips against his, reveling in the love he could feel radiating from his husband.

When they pulled back, Kurt stroked a hand down the back of Noah's head, acknowledging the weariness in his husband's eyes.

"Come, I think we both deserve an early night, don't you?" He smiled as Noah closed his eyes and leaned his head against Kurt's supporting hand.

He hummed in contentment and then said, "Yes, but I want a bath first." He opened his eyes to smile down at Kurt. "Join me?"

Kurt leaned up and before his lips met Noah's he murmured, "Always."

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oOo

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"So, do you think it will work," Burt asked his new son-in-law, watching seriously as Noah nodded.

"Yeah; she's a witch but she's not stupid." His full lips lifted at the side. "In a way it's a win-win situation, if she's sensible about it."

Burt nodded and then he turned his head before shifting over a bit. Carole's face appeared on the laptop screen and Noah smiled at her. She smiled back, her eyes soft as she looked at him.

"How is Kurt handling everything, Noah? He can sometimes be a bit of a worrier, you know?"

Noah chuckled but shook his head. "Well, this time he's been the strong one in all of this. He's been perfect."

His cheeks colored as his father-in-law eyed him seriously. God, he was a grown man but Burt Hummel could still be a bit intimidating. He relaxed, however, when Burt simply smiled at him.

"Yes, he is. Ugh, tell me, what's this cooking show thing Finn's been going on about?"

Noah rolled his eyes and then laughed out loud. "You know Finn; it's just that the other night Sarah mentioned that Kurt was good enough to have his own show on TV. Since then, she and Finn – oh, and Rachel, too – have been on Kurt's back about it."

Carole clapped her hands, almost startling her husband and cheered. "Oh, my goodness, yes! Kurt would be perfect. It also helps that he's quite easy on the eyes; don't you think so, Burt?"

Noah barely held back his amusement as he watched Burt try to negotiate an appropriate answer. Finally, Carole let him off the hook as she turned back to Noah.

"Oh, guess what? We will be able to come down in a few weeks. An unexpected break but I'm so looking forward to being home."

"That's great… ugh, you think maybe we should make it a surprise for Kurt?" Noah grinned conspiratorially at his mother-in-law. Carole had a surprising streak of mischief and he loved that about her. He watched as her eyes widened and took on a gleam.

"Oh, yes; oh, maybe you should just bundle him and Judith into the car – I'll tell you which evening – and come on over. He definitely won't be expecting it – you will not say anything, Burt Hummel!" She paused to throw a little glare at her husband who held up his hands in surrender. "Where was I? Oh, yes, and then you tell him you have to check on something at the house. When you come in we'll yell 'surprise!' How about that?"

Noah stared at her, wondering how she came up with all of that in basically what was a split second. He had no problem with the plans, though, because anything he could do to make his husband happy, he would move heaven and earth to do it.

He smiled now and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that sounds good."

They chatted for a bit and then signed off, Noah saying he had to go pick up Judith. Kurt was still at the store, grocery shopping and Noah marveled at the wonderful feeling of domesticity. It was just such a normal, everyday thing to be doing and he knew his face showed his contentment. He blew a kiss to Carole and then waved to Burt before signing off.

Noah got up, got his coat and while he checked for the keys in his pocket he strode towards the door of the condo. He looked up when the doorbell rang and, frowning slightly as he wondered who was coming by unannounced, he opened the door… and gaped.

"What the hell? What are you doing here?"

Despite the aggressive greeting, Donna smiled widely at him and pushed past him into the apartment, trailing the scent of expensive, musky perfume. Her long, dark fur coat opened slightly to reveal one of the skimpiest outfits Noah had ever seen her in. Her large, hard nipples showed clearly through the slinky material and suddenly he felt the fury rising within him.

"Donna, I said, what are you doing here! And how the hell did you get this address?"

Noah turned, the door still open behind him as he watched his ex-wife saunter unsteadily over to the couch. It was then he noticed the large bottle of wine in her hand and as she sprawled inelegantly, legs askew, he watched as she brought it to her lips.

With a trickle of dark red wine escaping the corner of her full lips, Donna smirked at her sexy ex and displayed herself as enticingly as possible. "Hey, what does it matter? Come on, baby, I think this is a much better way to 'negotiate'."

Noah stood rooted to the floor, emotions warring with him, not least of which was the desire to simply beat this woman to a pulp. Throwing his coat down behind him, he stalked toward her and Donna, loving the passionate look on his face, opened her arms and legs for him.

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TBC

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