"Hey Puck, we need to talk," Finn says to Puck the next morning as he is getting his books out of his locker.
"About what?" Puck asks.
"Quinn and I were talking last night and there's some things about the baby we want to talk to you about."
"Okay, what about the baby?"
"Puck, why don't you just come over tonight, so you, Quinn and I can all talk about this together."
"Talk about what? Is there something wrong with the baby?" Puck asks, trying to hide the fear in his voice. He's never considered her to be his daughter, so why should he be concerned, he tries to reason with himself.
"Like I said there are just some things about the baby we need to talk to you about," Finn says without answering Puck's question.
"Fine, if it will make you guys happy, I'll be over sometime tonight so we can talk about whatever it is you and Quinn think we all need to talk about," Puck says.
"Thanks, Puck," Finn says, grateful that the conversation between them hadn't been as awkward as he had expected. Although, in some respects Finn and Puck were friends again, hell, Puck even helped with Quinn's baby shower, there was definitely still an unspoken tension between them.
"Yeah, whatever, man," Puck says, as he walks away.
GLEEGLEE
"So is there something wrong with the baby?" Puck asks later that night as he sits down at the table in Finn's kitchen.
"No, everything's fine with the baby," Quinn says. "Finn and I just want you to know that if you want to be involved in Libby's life-"
"Libby?" Puck says.
"That's what we're going to name her," Finn says, defending Quinn. "Anyway, what Quinn's trying to say is that if you want to be involved in Libby's life, we're okay with it. I mean, who's to say that both of us can't be her fathers'?"
"Well, thanks for the offer, but uh, and don't take this the wrong way," Puck's says, looking at Quinn, "but I've never considered her to be my daughter, so uh, well I don't really see any reason to be involved in her life. I mean, maybe as sort of like an uncle or something, but not as a father figure, that's Finn's job."
"I knew it!" Quinn exclaims. "I knew you would say no. What are you ashamed to admit you got me pregnant? The whole school practically already knows, so what do you have to hide? Are you afraid your mom will find out or something?"
"Actually, my mom already knows, Puck says, "once everyone found out, I figured I better tell her before someone else did. Believe me, she was pissed, I got this whole lecture about how could I let her down like that and everything."
"Puck, I think what Quinn wants to know is why you're choosing not to be a part of your daughter's life?" Finn asks, speaking up.
"Because like I said I don't consider her to be my daughter," Puck says. "Besides, look at me, I'm not ready to be father."
"And I am?" Finn asks.
"Yeah, you are. I mean, okay, yeah you're only 16 too, but since Quinn told you she was pregnant, you've stood by her and told her you'd be the best damn father you could be."
"Yeah, because I love Quinn and I love my daughter, so of course I'm going to stand by them. But Libby is also your daughter too."
"Look, I'm sorry I screwed up your life by knocking you up", Puck says looking at Quinn, "I really am, but I'm not father material, but I know Finn will be a great father. I mean, I've moved on and am dating Rachel now and everything."
"Wait, how does you not wanting to be involved in Libby's life have anything to do with you dating Rachel?" Finn asks.
"Yeah, she already knows you got me pregnant and she's still dating you, what the hell she sees in you I have no clue, but I highly doubt wanting to be involved in Libby's life would ruin your relationship with her," Quinn says.
I just think it would be best for uh, Libby, if we just put this behind us –"
"You'd like that, wouldn't' you?" Quinn exclaims. Well, guess what, you can try to forget about what you did to me, but I can't! The fact is, you got me drunk so I would have sex with you, took my virginity and got me pregnant and in a little over two months I'm having a baby! You need to face reality, Puck, and I realize that you fathered a child!"
"Quinn, like I said, I'm sorry, I really am, but like you said I can't take back what I did to you. I really do think it would be best for her if I'm not involved in her life and just allow the two of you to raise her. So, if it's okay with you guys, my answer is no."
Finn looks over at Quinn not knowing what to say.
"Okay, fine, if you don't want to be involved that's fine, because forcing you to be involved in Libby's life would be even worse than her not having you in her life at all, so if you once again want to do the irresponsible thing and walk away, go ahead," Quinn says.
Puck then looks at Finn to see if he agrees with Quinn.
"If it's okay with Quinn, then it's okay with me. I was always going to be her father, regardless of your decision. I made my decision to be her father, in spite of her not being my biological daughter, months ago, and well, obviously you made yours."
"Sweet, so I'm free to go?" Puck asks, as he starts to get up out of his chair.
"Yeah, sure you're free to leave, that seems to be what you do best," Quinn says bitterly.
"Uh, well, when it comes to like legal stuff, I guess I will have to sign her birth certificate won't I?" Puck asks.
"Yeah, sorry that is one thing I can't do for you," Finn says sarcastically.
"Well, I'll do that for you, sign her birth certificate that is. But like I said I think its best that she never finds out I'm her biological father" Puck says.
"Fine, then, I'll be the only father she ever knows," Finn says.
"Well, I guess I'll see you guys at school tomorrow," Puck says, as he walks out of the kitchen and heads straight out to his truck to drive home, the faster he can get away from this situation the better, he thinks.
GLEEGLEEGLEE
The second Quinn hears the front close, she bursts into tears.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," Finn says, as he stands up and walks over to Quinn and just holds her. "We knew he was probably going to say no."
"I know, but it's just not fair!" Quinn cries. "He's able to act as if this never happened and I can't do that! My life will never be the same and he gets to act like nothing happened. "
"Yeah, it isn't fair, but life isn't always fair, Quinn" Finn says, as he takes her hand and they head upstairs to their room.
"It's just the fact that he has doesn't have to deal with the consequences of his actions," Quinn says as they walk into their room and start getting ready for bed.
"No consequences? Quinn, he has to live with the guilt he has for getting you pregnant and now he'll also have to live with the guilt of deciding to abandon his daughter," Finn says. "I know he'll end up regretting the decision he made to not be involved in Libby's life."
"You think so?" Quinn asks, as she climbs into bed.
"No, I know so," Finn says. " But Puck made his decision and I made mine. I want you to know that I don't regret my decision for a second. Quinn, before we go to bed there's something I want to do for you and Libby, but you have to promise not to laugh."
"Okay," Quinn says somewhat hesitantly.
"You know how my Mom found out you're pregnant, right?"
"Yeah, she caught looking at the DVD of the sonogram."
"Well, that's only half true, I was actually singing the song "I'll Stand by You" to the sonogram. At the time, I was really struggling with the fact that you were planning on giving up our daughter for adoption, so Kurt suggested I sing that song to her, to let her know that I will always love her no matter what. So, if it's okay with you, I'd like to sing that to you, to remind you that I will always be there for you and Libby.
As Finn starts to sing, Quinn can't help but smile as the tears fall from her eyes.
Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
Don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
And when...
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
You won't be on your own
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
and I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
"Thank you," Quinn says after he finishes singing.
"I love you, Quinn," Finn says, as he kisses her good night.
"I love you too, Finn."