Disclaimer: I own nothing. Okay? Nothing.

Author's Note: Oh, so close! Nine reviews! I would've updated sooner, but I had to go to camp all weekend and I just got back less than an hour ago. I wrote this chapter when I was gone and I hope you like it, because all I had for inspiration was a bible, a bunch of snow and some trees. Not the best thing to pull inspiration from, but I think this chapter is arguably the best so far. This chapter will be entirely in present time (well, technically the future, but you know what I mean) and have a touch of Pezberry friendship. Once again, seven reviews get you an update. ~Jackie

Ava flipped over the notebook page writing "Puck" at the top in big, bubble letters. Then she wrote "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours. If they don't, they were never yours to begin with," below that before looking up at me.

"Don't stop now!" She said. "I want to hear about how you and Puck fell in love and what happened with Finn and more about Sam and who's the fourth person who might be my dad and-"

I cut Ava off. "Not tonight sweetie. It's past your bedtime, Ava."

My daughter moaned, but obediently crawled under the covers. "Night Mom."

"Goodnight Ava,"

"I love you Mom."

"Love you too, Ava." And then I turned out the light and shut the door.

I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep with all the thoughts whizzing in my brain, so I sat down on the couch and just…sat there, thinking, with my Wicked soundtrack playing in the background. I was listening to one of Elphaba's solos (her voice sounded oddly familiar…) when the phone rang suddenly. I got up groggily and looked at the caller ID before answering.

"Santana Lopez, why are you calling me at eleven thirty on a Saturday night?" I demanded. "Shouldn't you and Brittany be drinking your weight in tequila and making out to Melissa Etheridge?"

"First off Berry, its Britney Spears." Santana corrected. "And everyone needs to come up for air sooner or later."

I snorted.

"Listen," Santana said softly. "Hummel told me that Ava knows about her dad. I was thinking about it all throughout Britt's and I's sweet lady kisses. Are you sure she's ready, Rachel?"

"Ava's very mature for her age." I replied. "And very curious. Sooner or later she was bound to ask about her dad. She is entitled to that, don't you think?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "You're right. I was overreacting."

I couldn't help but smirk. "Thought so,"

Santana laughed. "I'm glad we're friends Berry…Rachel."

"Me too," I smiled. "Tell you what, how about you, me, Brittany and Ava go out for lunch tomorrow. I'll buy."

"Sounds great," Santana answered. "Now goodnight Rachel."

"Goodnight Santana,"

When I woke up the next morning, I groaned to myself. It was already nine o' clock, I was supposed to meet Santana and Brittany in a little over two hours. I rolled out of my bed and took a shower, letting the warm water soothe me.

Ava was already in front of the TV, dressed and watching the Disney channel.

"Morning Ava Bear," I greeted her.

"Morning Mom," Ava said. "Did you sleep well?"

I laughed. "Yes, how about you?"

"Well…not so good." She answered

"Really? Why?" I inquired. Ava turned off the TV and followed me into the kitchen. "Hot chocolate?" She nodded and I tore open a pack of cocoa.

"I had a strange dream last night," confessed Ava. "It wasn't a nightmare, exactly…I had a dream about my dad."

I poured the packets of hot chocolate mix into two mugs of hot water. "Tell me about the dream," I said. "Were you scared?"

Ava shook her head. "No, at least not right away. When the dream started I was talking to a man. There was a shadow over his face, but I didn't care. I felt…happy. Peaceful, almost." Ava's face fell. "Then he leaned forward and I saw his face. He said to me 'Ava, I'm your dad,'. But before I could say anything, his face…changed. A second later he was Sam and then Puck and then Finn. Everyone said the same thing, 'Ava, I'm your dad,'. Then I tried to run. The door was locked." Ava's eyes filled with tears. "They were suddenly behind me, all four of them, each one begging me to believe them. I didn't know which one to look at. All around me, 'Ava, Ava, Ava,'. Then I screamed. 'Stop!' I screamed. 'Stop, stop, stop all of you!'. And then you appeared Mommy."

I sat down with Ava at the table and placed a mug in front of her. She wiped her eye with one finger.

"All of their attention went to you. 'Rachel,' they called. 'Rachel, don't you love me more? Don't you love me best?'. You threw me behind you and they all swarmed around us, Sam and Puck and Finn and the other man. Then you began to cry and that's when I genuinely felt scared."

I traced the ring the hot chocolate left on the table with my finger and swallowed. "Then what happened sweetie?"

"Nothing," Ava said. "That's when I woke up." Ava looked up at me and sipped her drink. "Who was the other man, Mommy?"

I rose from the table and went to the hall closet. I picked up a small, cardboard box. Inside were several photos and mementos. On top was Ava's birth certificate and christening dress as well as a picture of her as a newborn in her father's arms, her hospital bracelet attached. I pushed those aside, below were many other items such as my wedding ring, a yearbook from 2011, a DVD from the glee club performance at Nationals senior year and what I had been looking for, a small scrapbook with a large glitter heart on the front. I took out the first picture I could find with him in it, Jesse St. James.

I took the photo to Ava and pointed at Jesse's face. "Is this the man you didn't recognize?"

Ava nodded. "Yes. Yes that's him."

Then the doorbell rang. I half rose in my chair but Ava stopped me. "I'll get it, Mom." She took the last sip of her hot cocoa before answering the door. "Hi Aunt Brittany! Hi Aunt Santana!"

"Hi Ava," I heard Brittany chirp as I exited the kitchen. Sure enough, the blonde was hugging my daughter and peppering her face with kisses.

"Let the girl breathe, Britts," Santana laughed before turning to me. "Why aren't you dressed yet Berry? We have to be at the restaurant at noon."

I nodded and excused myself to go change. When I returned, Ava, Santana and Brittany were all in the family room talking nicely.

"So Ava," Brittany said. "We heard your mama told you about your dad."

Ava nodded. "Yeah, but-"

"We know it must be hard to hear your father left you." Santana was saying. "But your mother and F-"

"Santana!" I cut her off. All three girls looked at me. "I haven't finished the story yet,"

"It's a mystery story," Ava explained. "I have to guess who my father is." My daughter smiled at me. "But I think I'm narrowing it down."