PREVIOUSLY: We found out why Santana is mostly angry some of the time lately. She wants to have a baby like Rachel and Quinn, but she isn't prepared to cheat on Brittany, so she had to talk with Emma Schuester who assures her that she will help her find ways of getting a baby.
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And now the continuation:
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CHAPTER 63 - THE FOCUS IS NATIONALS AND A NEW ADDITION
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Will had split the New Directions up to work on a series of things.
In 1 group was: Finn, Blaine, Brittany, and Quinn.
In the 2nd group was: Artie, Mercedes, Mike and Jake
In the 3rd group was: Puck, Sam and Kitty
All 3 groups had band members helping play the songs for them. They were trying to sort out vocals.
Rachel was with Tina helping her work with her vocals.
Kurt was working with Wade, also focusing on his vocals.
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They were spread all over the Choir Room, and Will was going to give them a few more minutes before making them break for an hours break before tea, and then resuming in the Auditorium after that.
Will and Michael was watching everyone in their groups.
"Well done on calming the situation down, Mr Schuester," said Michael "I thought we were going to have a mass walk out on our hands."
"I thought the same thing," smiled Will "I'm just happy that I stepped in when I did, otherwise it might have been too late if I had left i a little longer."
"I can leave here in a few hours, happy in the knowledge that we are back on track, and focused."
"When are you back?" asked Will
"3 Weeks out from Nationals. Our next interview is set 2 weeks out as well as the live draw from D.C."
"Do we have to go to DC to perform a song with the other groups?"
"No we do one before the live draw, just for the Ohio Television Channel. They will then have a few hours showing everyone else's performances. So we can have a few hours of scouting the opposition."
"That's good then," replied Will
Just then the Choir Room door opened and in walked Santana with Emma not too far behind her.
Santana walked to the center of the room, and everyone in their groups went quiet.
Santana looked at everyone and breathed "I would like to apologize for the way I spoke and acted earlier. I was out of line. Kurt, Tina, you both sung well and deserved your solos at Nationals. Everyone has their roles to play, and well I've done a lot over the first two competitions so I shouldn't begrudge anyone else from getting lead vocals. I hope you all accept my apology. I'm trying to work through some personal demons, and you all know when I'm angry, I take it out on everyone. So I'll stop doing that."
Santana just stood where she was and Brittany got up from where she was sitting, and walked over to Santana and gave her a huge hug.
"I think I will speak on behalf of everyone here," said Will "We all understand the pressure you put on yourself and others, Santana, and expectations are high. You want the team to do well, and we all feel that. You are part of this team, Santana. Without you it's not the same, I'm happy that you are back. We are all happy. We can now move on and focus on Nationals.
Santana gave Will a semi smile "Thank you, Mr Schue. You always know the right things to say. Thanks to Mrs Schue too, she helped see certain things. I just want to forget the fuss that I made earlier on, and work with everyone, so we can have a great shot at winning Nationals.
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"Okay," started Will "I'll place you with Puck, Sam, and Kitty, and you guys can sort out the vocals for the group song, you would be working on."
"Sounds good," replied Santana
Santana went to head to where Puck, Sam, and Kitty were but was stopped in her tracks with Rachel, Quinn, Mercedes, and Finn giving her a hug.
"I don't deserve a hug," said Santana after receiving her 5th one
"You're part of us," said Finn "So you deserve a hug."
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Santana got settled back in, and worked well with Puck, Sam, and Kitty, to work out who would be best at singing the group song.
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The New Directions got back to focusing on what they needed for Nationals. Michael had spent a few more hours with the team before deciding it was time to head back to Texas. He would return like he said for the live draw, and the interview for Nationals which would be 2 weeks out from Nationals.
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For the next couple of weeks, both Tina and Kurt with the help of Rachel, Mercedes and Wade, focused on sorting out their solo songs. While everyone else focused on the group songs.
They had to find 4 group songs, and turn them into special parts for everyone to at least have a chance of leading a certain part.
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For the first group song it was decided to be broken into 4 main vocals, and those getting the parts would be: Finn, Santana, Sam and Kitty
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The second group song it was also decided to go for 4 main vocalists. They would be: Mercedes, Artie, Brittany and Jake.
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It was also decided that the song chosen just for Blaine to be the lead vocal would be used for the Top 10 Show down.
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And the final group song: Puck, Finn, and Mercedes were given the job to finish the last song off with a bang.
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As each day passed everyone was getting more and more comfortable with the roles they had been given, and by Week 5, halfway out from Nationals, almost all of the groups songs were looking good. It was just 2, Blaine's one, and the 2nd group song with Mercedes, Artie, Brittany and Jake that still needed work. Jake was struggling to keep up with Mercedes, Artie and Brittany, but he was trying his best.
Wade and Rachel helped out by giving him extra tutelage. This was helping.
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By Week 6, it was decided to give the New Directions half a week off, as Mercedes who had started to ween herself off from going back to her Health Retreat, or trying to, was starting to show signs of needing a break.
So Will let the whole team have half the week off. Most of them stayed back at the Training Center, while Mercedes took Sam back for the first time to the Health Retreat, while Finn, Rachel, Blaine and Kurt went to stay at Burt and Carole's.
Tina went back to visit her son, and to make sure her business was still running smoothly. Puck stayed with Quinn.
Rory still hadn't left the Training Center since he got there, as there had been sightings of press outside the building from time to time. Not just the fact that they were journalists but the fact that they were British Tabloid Reports. It was proof enough that Michael's brother Rick, who had let things die down for a while after the whole fiasco with Cedric Brewster, and was now trying to get proof that Rory was with the New Directions, but so far, Rory had been too clever and too stubborn to try and leave.
Security was away of the journalists outside the Training Center so they had stepped up security measures and were keeping an eye on the ever increasing media size.
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As for Rick Baxter, Michael, was getting in his nerves, by not talking about the Show Choir competition. His KHAOS team over in England had stormed into the English Nationals, whereas Rick learned the New Directions were lucky to make it through to the U.S. Nationals. Every time he brought the subject up, Michael would always shut it down, and walk away.
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The New Directions returned in the 2nd half of Week 6, and worked really hard right up until the Sunday, showing that they were refreshed and on song, so much so that Will let the team have the Sunday off, as a reward so that they would be ready for Week 7, and then the big television interview, and one song performance for Week 8, two weeks out from Nationals.
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The girls, and Kurt, decided to let themselves de-stress by going on an afternoon of shopping, and even took a heavily pregnant Rachel, who was a week out from her due date, and Quinn who was now 5 months pregnant, was even talking into going. Kitty and Tina who usually stayed behind, were also roped into going.
Finn had reservations about Rachel going, but was told that she'd be well looked after, and not to worry. He didn't have any other choice in the matter.
So out went Rachel, Quinn, Mercedes, Kitty, Santana, Brittany, Tina, Kurt, and even Emma joined them.
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Two hours into their shopping expedition, the group sat down for a break, outside a shop that had chairs for people who needed a break, in the mall. Rachel who had been slow all afternoon, was the last to arrive, and she walked over to a chair and sat down. She looked in a bit of discomfort. She sat down next to Quinn, who looked like she had, had enough herself.
"You okay Rach?"
Rachel nodded.
"Are you over this expedition like I am?"
Rachel nodded again, and then her face showed pain.
"What's wrong?"
"Cramps," said Rachel quietly
Emma turned her head when she heard the comment, she wasn't sitting too far away.
Quinn turned fully around to focus on Rachel, something about the way she was winching, and having cramps felt like there was more to it.
"How long have you been having cramps?"
"An hour or so," said Rachel making another face "Since the initial... 40 minute shop... without stopping."
"Are you having trouble talking?"
Rachel nodded.
Emma got up and knelt down beside Rachel.
"Where's it hurting Rach? Apart from the cramps?"
Rachel looked at Emma, tears were coming out of her eyes. She pointed to her stomach.
Emma felt Rachel's stomach, and suddenly felt a strong kick. The baby seemed fine. Both Emma and Rachel smiled with the kick.
"Baby seems fine," said Emma "Maybe it's just too much walking around. I think you should sit here for a few more minutes."
"Are we ready to go again?" came Santana's voice from up ahead
"You guys go on ahead," said Emma "We'll catch up soon."
"What's wrong?" asked Kurt noticing Rachel who was looking the other way
"Nothing," said Quinn "Rach, just needs a few more minutes. She just got here."
Rachel suddenly hunched over in pain. She seemed really in pain.
"Rach?" asked Emma
"It... Hurts," said Rachel trying to get the words out "I... I... want Finn."
"I'll give him a call," said Quinn looking through her bag for her phone.
"Tell him to meet us at the hospital," said Emma
"Why?" asked Quinn
Emma moved her line of sight down to the floor. Rachel's waters had just broken.
"What's happening?" asked Rachel feeling wet
"You're in labour," said Emma "You're waters have broken."
"I'll call an ambulance," said Kurt walking over and noticing the puddle
"It maybe a bit late," said Emma "Someone go get the Minder and bring the van around."
"I'll go," said Kitty and she sprinted off
"I'll give the hospital a call that Rach had organized," said Kurt "And give them the heads up."
"Great," replied Emma "Good thinking."
Rachel hunched over again, and she looked in even more pain. Mercedes walked up, and put her hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay Rachel, we're all here for you."
"Thanks... But I just... want... Finn."
"You'll have him," said Emma "But just right now, I need you to stay calm."
"What can we do?" asked Santana
Emma looked up at Santa "We need to move her to the car, but we can't let her walk."
"Surely this mall has a wheel chair equipment shop," said Santana looking around
"We passed one before," said Brittany "Hospital supplies and medical supplies shop."
"Do you remember where?"
"Yup."
"Let's go then."
Santana and Brittany sprinted off.
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Back at the Training Center, Finn was watching Puck and Artie playing a game on the game console in the Games room. He was tapping his fingers on his knee.
"Why are you so anxious?" asked Mike who was also watching and was sitting next to Finn
"Rachel's out with the girls, she's so vulnerable at the moment, in her last stages of her pregnancy. It'll be too much for her."
"She'll be fine," replied Mike
Suddenly Finn's cellphone rang, and he looked at the caller display.
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QUINN FABRAY
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"It's Quinn," said Finn looking at Puck "Why is she ringing me?"
Puck took a quick look at his phone "Not sure dude, she hasn't rung me first."
Finn answered his phone "Finn here, what's up Quinn?"
"Finn, it's Rachel," came Quinn's voice "You need to meet us at the hospital that you planned to have the baby at."
"What's wrong with Rachel, Quinn?" asked Finn standing up
Both Puck and Artie looked up from their game.
"She's in labour, We'll meet you at the hospital."
"Labour? Where are you guys now?"
"Finn, we'll meet you at the hospital. You being here won't help the situation."
"Did she say to meet her there Quinn?"
There was silence.
"Unless she told me to meet her there, Quinn, I'll go, otherwise I won't. Did she?"
"She's asking for you, but Mrs Schue thinks it's best for you to meet us at the hospital."
"Are you guys heading to the hospital now?"
"No, but soon."
"THEN TELL ME WHERE THE HELL RACH IS... FABRAY."
"Hey," said Puck standing up "Don't blame Quinn. She's pregnant too. Just calm down dude."
Finn looked at Puck, and then calmed down "I'm sorry Quinn. But I'm worried about Rachel."
"It's okay I understand," came Quinn's reply "Mrs Schue is with her. We are at the Mall."
If you guys move by the time I get there, tell me," said Finn heading towards the door
"Will do."
"Let Rach know that I am on my way."
"Will do."
Finn hung up and rushed to the door.
"Wait for me dude," said Puck "I'm coming too."
Puck put down his controller, and rushed after Finn. Artie and Mike watched them go.
"I think we should let Mr Schue know," said Artie
"Let's go then," said Mike
Mike and Artie headed for the door.
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Back at the mall, Emma was trying to keep Rachel from panicking.
"Finn's on his way, Rach," said Quinn putting her phone away
"Good," said Rachel looking at Quinn, she was looking very pale now.
Santana and Brittany returned with Santana pushing the Wheel Chair and Brittany was sitting in it.
"We've got a loan of this chair to get Rach to a car," said Santana
Brittany got out of the chair. Quinn looked at Emma.
"Mrs Schue, I don't think we should move her yet. She's lost a lot of colour."
Emma looked at Rachel and nodded "I agree, but we can't wait too long."
Kitty returned with one of the Minders, following her not too far behind
"The car is waiting around the corner," puffed Kitty
"Wait... for Finn... please," pleaded Rachel
"We can't wait too long, Rachel," said Emma "You're in a lot of pain, but we don't want to move you as you're too pale. It's a catch 50/50 situation."
Tina walked up holding her phone to her ear, and had a bottle of water, and handed it to Rachel.
"Rachel's lost too much fluids after walking around with re-hydrating the last few hours," said Tina looking at both Quinn and Emma "Coupled with the fact she's now in labour which isn't a good situation. If she drinks the water, and her colour returns we can move her."
Emma took the bottle and looked at Rachel.
"Rach, we need you to drink so we can get you to the hospital, and to a safe place."
"What about Finn?" asked Rachel quietly
"He should be here by the time your colour returns," said Tina
Rachel looked up at Tina, and then started drinking the water.
Quinn stood up "Where'd you get that tip from?"
"I've had a couple of friends who I've seen that happen to, and so I contacted my Doctor back home, and he said to follow that line," replied Tina
"Someone's using their head," said Emma still kneeling beside Rachel
"Yeah way to go Cohen-Chang," smiled Santana
"Thanks," said Tina semi smiling "But I was only doing it for Rachel."
"We're all here for you Rachel," said Mercedes "No one's leaving you."
"I just want Finn," said Rachel drinking some more water.
"He'll be here soon," replied Quinn
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For the next 10 minutes Rachel focused on drinking the water, her cramps seemed to dissipate. Colour finally returned to her face.
"Okay," said Emma "I think it's time to move you."
"Rach," came Finn's voice
"Finn," Rachel cried out
Finn and Puck came running up. Finn saw Rachel and knelt down
"Are you okay?"
"She got dehydrated while shopping," said Tina "Which brought on the labour. We made her drink plenty of water, she's okay to be moved now.
Finn looked up at Tina.
"Long story," said Quinn
"We've got something to take her to the car," said Emma "And then to the hospital."
Santana moved the wheel chair into view.
"Let's go then,"
Finn gently helped Rachel to her feet, and together with Emma guided her to the wheel chair. Puck gave Quinn a hug.
Finn then pushed Rachel, away, towards the exit. Everyone else followed.
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When they got to the hospital all the guys were there waiting, including Will.
Rachel was wheeled into the ward, Finn joined her as well, as Carole, Finn's mum, and Rachel chose Mercedes to be in on the birth as well.
Everyone sat down to wait.
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4 and a half hours later everyone was spread out across the waiting room. Will and Emma had their kids with them, Daniel, Joseph, and Isobel.
Quinn and Puck were cuddled up in one corner, Kitty was talking with Artie and cuddled up to him in his wheel chair.
Blaine, Kurt, Burt, Santana, Brittany, and Wade were all sitting together.
Rachel's fathers, Hiriam, and Le-Roy plus her birth mother Shelby Corcoran were also there, talking with Sam, Tina, Mike and Jake.
Suddenly the door to the waiting room opened, and in came Finn with Mercedes not too far behind. Everyone, bar Artie, all stood up
"Is Rachel okay?" asked Emma stepping forward
"According to the Mid Wife, and Doctors," started Finn "Drinking that water actually helped. So thank you guys for looking after Rachel."
"What's the news Finn?" asked Burt
Finn turned to look at Mercedes who smiled then looked at everyone else.
"I'm please to announce that about 20 minutes ago, Maria Carole Emma Hudson was born, she's very healthy 9 pound baby."
Everyone clapped and celebrated with Finn.
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So Finn's and Rachel's 1st born Maria Carole Emma Hudson was born into the world of the New Directions. Unbeknownst to everyone else she would be the first of many.
Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter.