Chapter Eight

My alarm went off at six am, and so I woke up, slowly to the sound of the waves. During the night Darcy, had come into our bed and Noah was asleep holding her so very closely, I took a picture as it was just to cute to pass up. I got out of bed and went out to sit on the balcony for a while since we didn't actually have to start rehearsing until eight; I just liked to be ready. The sun wasn't warm yet, but the town looked so pretty, I would happily live here or at least somewhere like this. "Hey mommy," mumbled a voice.
"Good morning sweetie," I said picking her up and kissing her. "Did you sleep well,"

"Yes, I had a dream about a prince and princess," she said.
"That sounds wonderful," I said smiling. I felt a pair of arms wrap around the two of us and relaxed into Noah's embrace.
"Morning girls," he said.
"Morning daddy," said Darcy. I simply kissed him good morning.
"Okay so let's start getting ready then, Darcy some with me and we can have a shower together okay," I said.
"Yes mommy, can I wear pink today," she said.

"Of course you can," I said. "Noah can you find out a pink dress for her, please," I showered quickly and then showered Darcy, washing her hair. I wrapped a towel around my hair and took Darcy back into the room. Noah went to have his shower and I got Darcy dressed into a pink checkered dress and a white cardigan. I wore my white t-shirt and jeans, since we would be changing into our costumes later. I was towel drying Darcy's hair when there was a knock at the door, Quinn, Santana and Brit were at the door.
"Hey guys," I said. "Good morning,"
"Is it," said Santana. "I never get up this early on a Saturday,"
"Yeah how are you up so early," said Brit.

"I'm used to it," I said. "Having a child does that to you,"
"She looks super cute today," said Quinn.
"Yeah she does," I said. "Darcy tell the girls about your dream," as she began to tell them about how the prince saved the princess, I took Noah some clothes and put them in the bathroom, "Hey babe, the girls are in the room so I thought it best you get dressed in here," I said.
"Thanks babe," he said. I plaited my hair since I wanted to have it wavy later.

"She is going to be gorgeous when she's older," said Brit. "She'll leave guys drooling,"
"She ain't having any boyfriends," said Noah walking out of the bathroom.
"I love the cute over protective dad," said Quinn.
"Hey don't go spreading it around," he said. "Okay I'm hungry let's go and get some breakfast," I picked up Darcy and held Noah's hand with my free one and we walked down the restaurant we'd eaten in the night before. I had some pancakes covered in cream and strawberries, and Darcy had some with syrup and sprinkles.

"We have arrived," said Kurt as he sat down at the table.
"Whoop de do," said Darcy, causing us all to laugh.
"Yeah she is definitely Puck's daughter," said Will walking in. "Okay guys, we need to be at the centre for nine, so if you all go and grab your things since we probably won't be coming back here,"
"Are we going home tonight then," said Noah.
"Yes we'll find out the results at five, our performance is at two," he said. My stomach was in knots as we made sure we got everything from the hotel.

We got onto the bus and drove the half hour drive to the centre, my nerves intensified when people stared at Darcy like she was a freak. Even Noah's death glares didn't stop them staring. "OMG it's the freaks from McKinley," said a girl who I recognised from Carmel High's Vocal Adrenaline.
"You're nose is big," said Darcy.
"Why you little brat," she said.
"Don't you dare call her anything," I said. "She's two, not an adult,"
"Rachel Berry," she said.
"Amanda McQueen," I said.

"You have no chance you little whore," she said.
"Like you have one too," I said. "You're good dancers, I'll give you that, but you lack the emotional bond that we have,"
"Well we'll see," she said. "One of the judges knows us well,"
"Doesn't mean anything," I said. "Come on guys, before I hit her,"
"You wouldn't dare," she said. "Oh you know I will,"

We walked into the room we had been assigned, and practiced for hours. Two house later we heard a knock at the door. "Come in," said Will.
"Hey guys," said my dads.
"Dad, Daddy," I said I ran over to them and gave them a hug. "You got here safe,"
"Well duh," said my daddy. "Hey Noah,"
"Hey guys," he said bringing Darcy over.
"Darcy, you have to go with granddad and grandpa now," I said. "You'll be able to watch the show with them,"
"Okay," she said sadly.
"We'll be with you soon," I said. "We have to practice a bit more and then you will see us on the stage,"
"Like the ballet we went to," she said.
"Exactly like the ballet," I said. I kissed her cheek, and Noah hugged her and then she latched onto my dad's hands. "Don't let go of their hands okay, and that goes for you too, don't let her out of your side,"

"Rachel relax," said my dad. "She'll be fine, you need to focus now, you have a big performance ahead of you,"
"Way to help the nerves," I laughed.
"Oh come on we both know you're gonna nail it," said my daddy.
"I love you two," I said.
"We love you too," they said. "Now practice, and that goes for all of you,"
"Bye Mr and Mr Berry," said the rest of the club.

We practiced a little more, we were doing Don't Stop Believing, followed by Proud Mary, and then my big solo. I was really beginning to regret having breakfast, but it is the most important meal of the day. I took a deep breath and rehearsed the words in my head. About another hour later we were being called to the stage, we got through the first songs with great ease, and now it was all down to me. 'You can do this' I repeated to myself over and over again.
"You'll be fine Rach," said Noah. "Now get out there and show them that amazing voice of yours,"

I walked out behind the curtain at the back of the arena and opened my mouth…