PREVIOUSLY: Finally Sectionals had arrived, and the New Directions performed, and now it was time to see who would be progressing onto Regionals. Warblers 2.0, or the New Directions.
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And now the continuation.
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CHAPTER 48 - THE ROAD TO REGIONALS BEGINS
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It seemed to take eternity for the M.C. to read out the name of the winners, everyone in the New Directions hated the tension.
"The New Directions, which means the Warblers 2.0 finish 2nd."
The whole of the New Directions started jumping up and down in relief. Finn and Rachel walked out to receive the 1st place trophy, as did Wes for the Warbler 2.0, who went to accept the 2nd Place trophy. Finn and West shook hands, and Rachel gave him a hug.
Wes went back to his group but got intercepted by Blaine.
"Sorry dude," said Blaine
"It's okay," said Wes "You guys deserved to go on, you were a lot stronger, and performed well."
"No hard feelings?"
"Never Blaine, not with you anyway. Good luck for Regionals."
Blaine and Wes shook hands and both headed back to their respected groups.
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Just a little while later back stage the New Directions were joined in celebration by Mercedes, Emma, her kids, Daniel, Joseph, and Isobel, Burt, and Carole, and the New Directions Alumni who had come to support them. Matt, Lauren, Marley, Sugar and Joe.
Kitty and Jake sat down next to Marley.
"Have you heard from Ryder and Unique?" asked Jake
"I haven't heard from Ryder for a couple of years," replied Marley smiling at Jake "I thought I heard that Unique may have gone back to Vocal Adrenaline."
"That's a shame," said Kitty
"Did you ever consider joining a team?" asked Jack looking at Marley
"No, my time was over the moment we lost Nationals, my heart wasn't in it anymore."
"That's a shame," smiled Jake "You're voice was really good."
"Thanks Jake," blushed Marley
"Oh please," said Kitty rolling her eyes "Not this again."
"Go away, then, Kitty," said Jake looking into Marley's eyes who was doing the exact same thing to him.
The tension was getting hot.
Suddenly a clanging glass made everyone look to the front of the dressing room. Michael Baxter was standing there. The room went silent.
"First and foremost I want to congratulate the New Directions on a great performance. All the little problems that you had leading up to today were all put aside and you all performed almost flawlessly.
"As a fan I never saw those side of things, you guys always just pulled out all of the stops and I never saw those kinds of pressures, so I apologize for my stress levels. I especially apologize to Mrs Rachel Hudson. Everyone had faith that you were going to step up and break free of those chains, that had kept you from singing for almost 10 years. I didn't. I thought you were going to freeze again, but you didn't. You sung like the Rachel Berry of old.
"So I can admit when I am wrong, and I was well and truly wrong about you Mrs Hudson. I hope you will forgive me."
Rachel smiled back "Totally."
"I also gave out voting slips to the New Directions Alumni, to Mrs Schuester, Master Daniel Schuester, Mr Hummel, Mrs Hudson-Hummel, Miss Jones, and a few of the obvious New Directions supports who were sitting in the front row. I told them to vote for the MVP of the night for the New Directions, and predictably it was close between two people. Mrs Hudson and Miss Lopez.
"It came down to 1 vote, and the winner of this trophy for this tournament," said Michael holding up a small trophy "Is... Miss Santana Lopez."
Everyone started clapping. A smile appeared a mile long on Santana's face. Michael walked up to her and gave her the trophy and a hug. The next person in line was Rachel. She gave Santana a hug hug.
"You deserve that girl," said Rachel "You kept the energy going, and you sung very, very well."
"Thanks Rach," smiled Santana "That means a lot coming from you."
"Okay," continued Michael "I've spoken with Mr Schuester, and we've both agreed that because Miss Jones is taking a much need week's break, we will be letting the rest of you also have a well deserve week off. Starting tonight. Which means when you all come back there will be 9 weeks to practice until Regionals. The hard work will begin. I will allow you to go where you want without a Minder. But if you wish to still stay at the Training Center you are most welcome to. The bus is heading back to base in 10 minutes."
There was a cheer from everyone about having the much needed week off. They all felt like they needed it.
Marley whispered into Jake's ear "Do you want me to come back with you?"
Jake looked at Marley and nodded "What are you suggesting?"
Marley whispered again.
Then Jake looked at her with surprise in his eyes "Are you sure?"
Marley smiled "Positive."
"For sure then," replied Jake.
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10 minutes later with the adrenaline of victory starting to wear off a very tired group of New Directions performers plus those people who had come with them for support, plus Marley, got onto the bus, and headed back to the Training Center.
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Everyone was tired as the bus returned to the Training Center, as it was almost around 9.30 p.m. and even though there was a late meal put on, hardly anyone wanted to eat, instead most retired for the night.
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Jake got special permission for Marley to stay over and they were both lying on Jake's bed kissing, and staring into each other's eyes.
"I have missed you since the good old days," said Marley quietly
"I have missed you too," said Jake "What have you really been up to these last 12 years?"
"Experiencing life," replied Marley "And trying to find out where you were."
Jake smiled "What do you mean by experiencing life?"
"The way you use to do it, by opening yourself up to others."
"How so?"
Marley sat up, and got out of bed, and started stripping off her clothes. Jake just laid there with a hungry look on his face. Marley got down to her underwear.
"Your turn," whispered Marley
Jake clambered out of bed, and took everything off bar his t-shirt and undies. Both he and Marley stood up right. Marley was the one who walked around the bed and over to Jake. She leaned in for a kiss as well as taking Jake's t-shirt off of him. Jake took off Marley's bra and let it drop to the floor. Jake looked down at Marley's breasts.
"Do you like what you see?" whispered Marley
"I do," smiled Jake
They came together, and started kissing as well as taking off each others underwear, before Jake led Marley back to the bed. Marley fell gently onto the bed, Jake slowly made his way down on top of her, and he whispered in her ear.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Positive," came the reply
Jake kissed Marley's neck, and she moaned. He smiled and gently put himself between her legs.
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Rachel breathed hard as he laid back down on the bed.
"Oh... my... gosh..." panted Finn "I... thought... because... of... babe we... couldn't... really do... it."
Rachel chuckled "Apparently... it's... good for ... baby... but I... wanted to... apologize... for being... so distant... for most... of the day."
"It's okay," said Finn rolling over to face his wife and placing his hand on Rachel's baby bump "I knew you needed the time to yourself."
Rachel smiled as she felt the bay kick, and Finn felt it too.
"She agrees," smiled Rachel
"You're pretty certain we're having a girl?"
"Nearly 100 percent positive," smiled Rachel rolling over on her side to face her husband "And how would you feel about that?"
"Any baby who I have with you will be amazing," replied Finn "Whether it's a girl or a boy. I'll be very happy. But please promise me something?"
"What's that?"
Finn looked down at Rachel's body "You and I both know what it was like as an only child, as long as we have more than one I'd be very happy."
"How do you want?" asked Rachel
"As many as we can have," replied Finn
"I was hoping you would say that," said Rachel kissing Finn and pushing him back over on his back "That's all the fun of having kids, it's the build up to them. Are you ready for Round 2?"
"Sure," smiled Finn
Rachel got back on top ofFinn, and Finn placed his hands on her breasts, and she moved her head back in pleasure.
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Puck stood at the door holding Quinn's hair over her head. This was the third time in the space of 30 minutes that Quinn had been sick in the toilet.
"It's okay Quinn," whispered a concerned Puck
"I'm fine," said Quinn with her head towards the toilet "I wish you didn't call the nurse!"
"That's 3 times babe you've been sick, in half an hour."
"I remember I was like this when I found out that I was pregnant with Beth. But that was severe morning sickness."
"Are you saying you're pregnant?" asked Puck
"I dunno, but the signs are pointing that way," replied Quinn
The Nurse came into the room from where she had been giving Quinn test.
"Well Ms Fabray, your theory is correct. You are indeed pregnant."
Quinn looked back at Puck. Puck sat down beside her, and was still holding her hair.
"You have lost a lot of fluid also," said the Nurse "I have spoken to the Doc, and he has agreed, that I need to attach an I.V. drip to you for a few hours, which means that I'll be back after midnight to take it out. I'll go and get the I.V."
Puck just nodded at the Nurse, who then left the room, to go get what she needed.
"How do you feel about being pregnant again?" asked Puck
"How do you feel?" replied Puck "Do you want another kid? I mean you had Beth, now Bobbie with Tina."
"Babe," started Puck "We never had much of a chance to be involved in Beth's life. I never had a chance to be involved in Bobby's life until now. But if you want to keep this one, I want to support you as well. I love you Quinn. I'm glad that we are back together."
Quinn smiled "It's going to be a boy!"
"Why? How can you tell?"
"Like I said before, with Beth, I had morning sickness in the mornings, so if I continue to get sick at night, then I'm sure it'll be a Boy!"
"No giving him or her up this time," replied Puck
"No!" said Quinn placing her head on Puck's shoulder "Don't go breaking my heart again."
"I won't," whispered Puck "Never again."
They stayed in that seated position for 10 minutes before the Nurse came back with the I.V. Puck helped move Quinn to the bed. There was a knock at the door. Puck went and answered it, and found Santana standing there.
"Brit, was coming back from the cafeteria when she saw the nurse come in here. Is everything okay?"
"Quinn's lost some fluids from being sick," said Puck "So the nurse is sorting her out now."
"Can I see her?" asked Santana
"Tell Santana to come in," came Quinn's voice
Puck stood aside, and Santana walked in. Puck then closed the door.
"Hey Fabray, what's wrong with you?" smiled Santana
Santana looked down at Quinn who was lying on a couch being attended to by the Nurse. She knelt down beside Quinn.
"I've been sick for over an hour. It just came on. So I've lost too much fluid, so I am having fluid replacement," said Quinn
Santana looked up at Puck who was hovering around. She looked back at Quinn.
"You sly dog you, Fabray. Are you pregnant again?"
Puck shook his head in shock, and walked around. Trust Santana to figure it out quickly.
"I swear Lopez, you and your intuition is going to get you in trouble one of these days," said Quinn.
Santana smiled "You deserve to be happy. Are you going to keep this one?"
"Yes," said Puck
"When are you due?"
Quinn looked at the Nurse
"We'll do the test in the morning," said the Nurse
"I have a feeling it maybe around Hemispheres," smiled Quinn "So I could be ready by Worlds to perform."
"Well we'll get Rachel back at Hemisphere's, so that would work in our favor," smiled Santana
Quinn laughed.
"Nurse," started Puck "Will Quinn be able to travel to San Francisco tomorrow? We're planning a few days away.
"When tomorrow are you going?" asked the Nurse
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"Yeah, Miss Fabray should be fit enough to travel provide she see's the Doctor in the morning."
"Yeah, I will," replied Quinn
"Where are you guys off to?" asked Santana
"We're going to San Francisco with Tina, so I can spend time with Bobby, Quinn felt like coming along too."
"I want to see Tina's cafe," smiled Quinn.
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Sam was hugging Mercedes as they lay in bed facing one another. Mercedes was all ready to go to her Health Retreat, she was leaving first thing in the morning.
"I'm going to miss you," whispered Sam "I would come with you but you need time away for yourself."
"Thank you for understanding," smiled Mercedes with a raspy voice still "I'm going to miss you though."
Mercedes and Sam kissed, before they went back to hugging each other.
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Jake was going fast, and hard and Marley was pulling on the sheets enjoying the sensation, and then it was getting too much, and she let out a rather loud, and long groan as she released herself. Jake kept on going and then stopped as he looked down at Marley, he released himself and waited before falling off of Marley, and collapsing onto his back.
"Wow..." breathed in Marley "That... was... worth... waiting for."
"You... were... worth waiting... for," smiled Jake
"That was cheesy," laughed Marley
Marley moved her head onto Jake's chest and they both fell asleep.
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Morning soon came, and nearly half the team took Michael and Will's advice to spend the week away from the Training Center, on holiday.
Finn, Rachel, Kurt and Blaine, decided to spend the week at Burt's and Carole's.
Tina, Puck, and Quinn, who had seen the Doctor to confirm that she was at least a month pregnant, went to San Francisco, where Tina's and Puck's son, Bobby, lived, to visit him for the week.
Mercedes of course went to her Health Retreat.
Jake decided to take Marley up on her invitation to spend a few days hanging out with her at her place.
Santana, Brittany, Kitty, Artie, Mike and Sam were the only ones who chose to hang back and stay at the Training Center.
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Michael spent a few days with Will planning how to attack Regionals, and their possibly opponents by looking at reports of teams who won their Sectionals across Ohio. 6 teams including the New Directions would compete for 1 Regional placing which would send them to Nationals. One of those teams were their old adversaries Vocal Adrenaline., who seemed to looked the most dangerous of the other teams.
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Meanwhile unbeknownst to Michael, and Will, Artie had managed to contact an old friend over in Europe just before Sectionals to see if he could get footage of their opponents, and was waiting for a replay. He hadn't heard from him for a few days and was getting worried about him.
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Coming up next you'll be surprised who the person in Europe is, and what he has to do to help Artie. Stay tuned.