A/N: So it has been a while since I updated huh? I'm so sorry but school and endless amounts of reading have gotten in the way with writing. However, I finally finished this chapter and am looking forward to writing the others. Hope you all like it and please read and review!
It was amazing what the power of song could to someone. Will had always told the glee kids to sing what they were feeling, but he never thought that it could change his mind so drastically. Hearing Rachel sing those words to him, with so much meaning, made him rethink how he had been acting the past couple of days while he walked out to his car. Being a distant, heartbroken man was not going to be part of his future anymore. Instead, he was going to be a proud father and a reliable partner that Rachel could trust. It was going to be a struggle, but Will knew he could do it if he tried hard enough. Taking this next step with Rachel at his apartment was a start.
He left the auditorium and headed home to try and figure out something he could cook in such a short amount of time. As Will looked through his cupboards, he realized he had little to nothing stocked in any of the shelves. Deciding quickly, he pulled out the pizza take out menu and ordered dinner, hoping it would be enough for Rachel's taste.
Once he had ordered the pizza, he looked around his apartment and the mess that had been made in the past few days. The coffee table was still broken; the potato chip bags were everywhere. He had dishes in the sink still from when Emma tried to cook thanksgiving for him. It was a most disastrous mess that quickly needed to be cleaned up.
Realizing that Rachel would be over in an hour, he went around the house tiding up everything he could. He got the dishes in the washer, cleaned his front room, as well as even have the time to straighten and put new sheets on his bed.
Ten minutes before he finished, the pizza had arrived and ten minutes later, Rachel was knocking on his door. Will set the pizza on his kitchen table and then went to answer, smiling as he welcomed Rachel into his apartment.
"Hi," Rachel said as she stepped in, glancing around his apartment. She took off her coat and smiled in admiration at the cleanliness. It certainly looked much cleaner than it had been previously in the day. "I like what you have done with the place," she joked, as she saw Will blush in return.
"Thank you. I thought it was time to clean up my act," Will said with a grin, while he rubbed his neck in embarrassment.
"So, what are we having?" Rachel asked as she walked further into the apartment, making her way to Will's kitchen. Will followed behind, grateful that she didn't comment on his blush of embarrassment that had formed on his neck.
"Well, I know it isn't much, but I ordered some pizza. I didn't realize how little of food I actually had in my cabinets and refrigerator until today," Will said as he continued on his streak of embarrassment.
"That's okay. Pizza sounds great," Rachel said as she sat down at the kitchen table, Will bringing some cups and plates, a smile of relief on his face. He took a sip of water that helped cooled his face down a bit from the heat that flushed through his body. Once he was cool and collected again, he divided up the pieces and poured the drinks.
"So, I have to ask, before we talk about the baby stuff, what was going through your mind when I started to sing?" Rachel asked after both had taken a couple of minutes to enjoy the pizza. Will, in the middle of chewing, swallowed and then answered.
"Honestly, I was a bit shocked. When you texted me, I had no idea that what you were planning on telling me let alone that it was going to be told through a song," Will explained while Rachel listened to him, taking in how his eyes never left hers. It made her feel safe, protected, like she was the only thing that had his attention and nothing would break his stare on her.
"Well you have always told us to sing what we feel. It wasn't until Kurt suggested it to me that I actually selected a song and began to practice," Rachel said as she explained Kurt's idea that struck her inspiration towards him. She reminded herself to thank him later for his genius suggestion.
"I guess thanks are in order for Kurt then too," Will said with a bit of a chuckle while Rachel flashed him a smile as well. Once the laughter died down, Rachel spoke again, still wondering if he was happy that she sang to him her feelings.
"Are you glad I sang it, the song I mean?" Rachel asked while Will took another bite of pizza, chewing while he collected his thoughts.
"Yes, I am. I think it's what finally broke my spell of heartbreak," Will explained as he thought about how he was feeling during her song and how it was suddenly an awaking to him that Rachel was his choice not his obligation.
"Good, if I can get the old Will back, then it was a mission accomplished," Rachel said happy that Will was returning back to his old self of confidence and talent, no longer depressed and drinking away his sadness.
"Well I think he's finally coming around, Rachel," Will said with a smile. "And he's ready to be a part of this commitment," Will said with pride that he was ready to take on the father role in this relationship. He was ready to be there when Rachel needed him and he was ready to be depended on.
"Are you sure you want this though? Not that I'm not happy with your decision, but I want you to be happy too and not just do this for me," Rachel said as she began to ramble on about how this partnership had to be about equals rather than one just pleasing the other.
"Rachel," Will said as he cut her off. "I know I haven't acted like it lately, but I can do this. I can be a father and support you and the baby. The initial shock has worn off and now everyone has had some time to adjust to the news. I know we don't have a lot of supporters but the sky didn't fall completely so I think we'll be okay," Will said as he reached across the table and grabbed her hand in his, holding it tightly.
"I love that you're ready to do this, but I just don't want you to get overwhelmed with everything again, Will. You scared me these past couple of days with your attitude. I saw a side of you that I never want to experience again," Rachel said quietly, gripping onto his hand a little tighter just to make sure that he really was there and present. She didn't want to lose him again and needed reassurance that he wasn't going anywhere.
"I get that, Rach, but I know I can do better than how I have been," Will said truly hating how he had acted the past couple of days, even weeks since he found out about the pregnancy. Not anymore though. He was determined to be a changed man, for his sake and Rachel's.
Silence crept into the room as Rachel took in his words and his face. He showed compassion and caring and devotion, all signs that Rachel knew he was ready to continue on this journey with her. Yet, there was still a part of her that wondered what he truly wanted and if she was the option of his choice. Of course she wasn't, but she hoped that what he was saying about commitment was going to be true and that one day, she would be his only choice.
"So, tell me what you're thinking, Rachel," Will said as he stared at her intently, watching her facial features as well. He noticed that she seemed unsure of herself yet she was also happy as well. It was an odd mix of emotions and he could tell that she was still thinking things over in her head.
"Can I tell you something, Rachel? Something sort of personal about me that might make you believe me?" Will asked while Rachel just nodded at him, curious to know what he was going to say.
Will took a deep breath and then began.
"All I ever wanted in life were two things. The first was to have a child and a family to call my own. The second was to have Emma be my wife and be a part of that family dream. As things have turned out, I had a chance with one of those, but it was with a woman who wasn't an option. That's why this whole experience has been such a shock, Rachel, because even though I have always wanted a child, you were never the woman in my dreams that I saw holding my baby. It was always Emma, not even Terri, so to have her hate me like she did or still does, killed me. I couldn't function knowing that she was so mad at me. That's why I turned almost on the verge of depression these past couple of days because I was so down on myself for betraying her trust," Will said as he took a quick breath before he continued on.
Rachel stared at him, intently listening, a little surprised that he was telling her so much of his personal thoughts as well as a little hurt that he still held so much love for Emma. She was curious to know where this was going though so she let him continue on, interested to hear the rest of his explanation.
"It was just something I never thought I was capable of doing which was why she is so upset with me because she never thought I would do that either," Will said while Rachel nodded at him understandingly. She knew how much Emma meant to him. She was his dream woman and for him to turn his back on her was a slap in the face to their relationship.
For a brief moment, it made her think of her and Finn and how their relationship was very similar. Finn never expected her to get pregnant and most certainly not by someone who he considered a father figure. He had a right to be angry with her just like Emma was mad at Will.
"I love Emma and probably always will, just as the same as you and Finn. That, however, doesn't mean that I'm not ready for this though with you, Rachel. You have to believe me when I say that a baby is a gift and I'm ready to celebrate it with you," Will said holding back the tear in his eye that he didn't want to fall out.
Rachel watched his face as he tried to hide the sniffle. She knew how badly Will wanted to be a father ever since first joining glee and his ex-wife tricked him with a pregnancy. It just seemed to be a different Will now then what he was then. Of course people grow and change as she did but he wasn't the same Will. He was almost a completely new person to her and it dawned on her that she really didn't know him rather than her glee teacher. She didn't know his likes, dislikes, favorite food, like most partners know about each other and it suddenly bothered her.
It was apparent though, that the one thing Rachel did know about Will was that he was a caring man and one that was ready to start something new with her and throw away the old. Deep down she knew Will was able to do this and right now she gave him a chance to show her.
Rachel smiled at him and squeezed his hand still in hers.
"Okay" she said simply while Will took in her words, relief filling his heart.
"Really?" Will asked, a bit stunned with happiness that their second chance was actually going to happen, that it wasn't just something that was taken lightly.
"Yes, really. I want you in my life and on this journey with me, Will Schuester," Rachel said with a beaming smile while she watched the one tear finally escape his eye. Will stood up then, and made his way in front of her, whipping his face in the process.
"Thank you, Rachel. I promise I won't let you down again," Will said as he grabbed both hands in his, bringing them up to his mouth to place a gentle kiss on her knuckles.
"I know you won't because I trust you," Rachel said as she leaned her forehead against his.
"But if you prove me otherwise, it's going to be over between us, the end," Rachel said sternly as Will had to know the ground rules. He was either all in or nothing at all. She pulled away to see his reaction.
"Okay, but you don't need to worry about that happening," Will said with a reassuring smile, knowing that Rachel was completely serious with her ultimatum. If he messed up again, he was going to be out of the picture and truly alone. It was his duty now to make sure that he would never let that happen and always reassure Rachel of that.
"Good, thank you, Will," Rachel said as she brushed her thumb over his hand, getting the feel of his strong hand in hers.
"It's nothing to thank me for, Rachel. I helped create this baby so I'm going to do everything I can to make it right," Will explained.
"Now, when do you leave tomorrow?" Will asked as he took a seat in the chair next to her. Tomorrow was finally time for him and Rachel to return to different locations and he wondered how that would affect everything that had just blossomed between them.
"My flight is at ten in the morning. What about you?" Rachel asked as she wasn't sure of Will's flight time.
"Twelve, so you'll be back in New York before I'm in DC," he said.
"Yeah, I'll call you though later to discuss the next time we are going to see each other," Rachel said.
"Okay sounds good. When will be the next time we'll be together?" Will asked, unsure of when Rachel had any appointments coming up that he needed to be at.
"Well I have an appointment with the doctor soon so I'll let you know as soon as they call me," Rachel said as she knew her appointment was coming up rather quickly, hopefully at the end of the week but she had yet to hear back from the office.
"Please do, I want to be there for the first appointment and all appointments for that matter," Will said with a smile. He wasn't going to miss anything in this pregnancy if he could help it.
"That would be great but what about expenses?" Rachel asked as she knew it would cost money for him to take a train every couple of weeks back and forth to visit her as well as all the money for the baby appointments and necessities. They needed to start saving money as soon as possible.
"I'm going to talk to the panel about taking a leave of absence. This is a more important matter than arts education," Will said as he knew that leaving the panel would be the best thing. He still had three more months of being on the panel before he was finished. That equaled to three months of Rachel's pregnancy gone without him there. He couldn't do that to her when a second chance was to prove himself loyal.
"Are you sure? I don't want you giving that up," Rachel stated as she knew how hard Will worked to get on the panel and all that he sacrificed.
"Yes, I'm sure. I know they'll be disappointed at me but a baby is more important and so are you," Will said, making up his mind that once he returned tomorrow he would tell the panel that he was finished. "Then once I'm out of it, I can come up and find a place to stay in New York so I'll be closer to you," Will added.
"You'll stay in the loft with Kurt and I," Rachel immediately suggested, not wanting Will to be alone in a studio apartment. If he was going to go through the trouble of leaving the panel to be with her, then he was going to live with her.
"Are you sure? I don't want to take up more space and what about Kurt? He might not like the idea of me living there," Will said, unsure of how the living situation would turn out but secretly hoped that he could live with them. The closer the better and what was closer than him in Rachel's apartment?
"You won't take up space because you can share my room with me and Kurt will be fine with it because he knows what we are going through and is a supporter of us," Rachel explained knowing that her best friend would be fine with the situation.
"I mean it will probably be a little weird for him at first but he'll adjust," Rachel added.
"Well if you're sure, then it's settled. I'll talk to the panel this week and then see where things go from there," Will said with a smile at their progress. Living together would be a great exercise to see if they could be compatible together and be able to work around their quirks.
"I feel better, you know, about all of this. Being able to talk things out with you has been surprisingly helpful," Rachel said once silence crept into the room. Will nodded in agreement that it was nice to be able to discuss things as mature adults.
"It has been and that's how I want things to be between us. Talking and communication," Will said as he knew this relationship would only be able to work if a line of trust was built.
"Exactly," Rachel agreed.
"Anything else we should go over?" Will asked as he noticed it was getting rather late and that each had to pack and get ready for bed.
"Well while we were talking earlier, it dawned on me that we don't know each other that well,' Rachel explained as she saw Will's eyes raise up in an upward fashion.
"What do you mean?" he asked confused. They had known each other for three years, how could they not know anything about each other?
"For three years we have been teacher and student. It's different now between us and we should learn about each other in a different perspective," Rachel explained. Will took in her words and thought it over in his head. She had a point. The Rachel Berry he knew was still wearing animal sweaters and knee high socks in his mind. He wasn't used to seeing her so grown up and mature looking, holding a confident persona about her all the time.
"Okay, so how do we do that?" Will questioned, knowing that Rachel had some sort of plan or game in her mind.
"Let's play a game," Rachel said enthusiastically while Will held back smirk. "It'll be fun," Rachel added seeing his hesitation.
"Fine, how do we play?" Will asked, moving his chair to face directly in front of her instead off to the side as it had been.
"Just ask each other questions, whatever we want to know and they have to answer it truthfully," Rachel said as she explained the rules.
"I don't know about this," Will said knowing that it could make for some awkward answers or questions for that matter.
"We don't have to play for very long and before you change your mind and say no, I'm going to start," Rachel said as she thought of a question to ask him. She wanted to start small and not get too deep too fast.
"Okay, what's your favorite band?" Rachel asked while Will held back a laugh. She knew the answer to that one but he humored her and answered it anyways.
"Journey. What's your favorite musical?"
"Funny Girl. Your favorite color?"
"Periwinkle blue. Favorite food?"
"Vegan lasagna. Favorite glee club memory?"
Will took a minute and thought back to the good times of everyone in the choir room just laughing and singing their cares away. "Don't Stop Believing at Regionals." Will answered. "You guys should have won with that medley." Rachel nodded in agreement.
"Favorite solo you got to sing?" Will asked breaking the silence.
"Don't Rain on My Parade. It was my first big chance to show people what I could do," Rachel explained while Will nodded. Even though he missed that performance, he could still remember holding the phone proudly to his ear, taking in Rachel's beautiful words and how lovely she sounded.
"Least favorite glee club performance?" Rachel asked, keeping things going.
"Push it, that was humiliating on so many levels and I still can't believe you guys did that," Will explained as he relived the memory of the clubs first performance as a group in front of the students and faculty. "Or me doing toxic," he added, feeling a blush rise on his neck at the thought of him performing such a provocative song with the glee club in front of everyone.
"I'm still sorry about that performance by the way, and toxic sounded pretty good. It was just a little weird for you to perform it with us," Rachel said with a laugh while Will just smiled at her, shaking his head in embarrassment.
"Favorite place to be?" Will asked, reminding himself it was his turn to ask.
"The stage. I feel at home there," Rachel explained while Will nodded in agreement, knowing her thoughts. The stage was a place where they could just be themselves and sing whatever they wanted with no one judging. It was a home away from home.
"Something you wish you could take back?" Rachel asked as it was her turn again.
"Marrying Terri," Will said quickly, changing the light and friendly tone of the game to a serious atmosphere.
"I'm sorry about what happened that year, Will. You didn't deserve to be treated like that and be made a fool," Rachel said as she saw the disappointment of his marriage spark in his eye.
"It's okay. It's done and over with and now I have you to look forward to with a new little one on the way for real this time," Will said with a smile.
"Okay, one more question each," Rachel said noticing the time.
"Favorite thing about me," Will asked, watching Rachel think it over.
Rachel thought for a moment before answering. There were many things she liked about Will, but if she just had to choose one. "You're body," she laughed while Will looked at her in surprise.
"I'm kidding, although it is lovely. I love that your just you. Caring, warm hearted, looking out for others, talented," Rachel said with a true smile. Although Will hadn't shown those qualities these past couple of days or weeks, she knew they were still in him and part of who he was as a person.
"Favorite thing about me?" Rachel asked in return, as she watched a smirk appear on his lips at her explanation.
"Your talent, your beauty, your drive and willingness to succeed. You stay strong, Rachel, and that's something that is really a turn on," Will said with a wink, making her blush.
"Well then, um, I should probably get going," Rachel said in a rush, ending the game before her blush got too noticeable. She stood up with Will following behind, hand on the small of her back.
"Thank you for everything tonight," Rachel said as she slipped her coat on.
"You're welcome," Will said as he handed over her purse to her.
"I'll see you soon," Rachel said as she locked eyes with him, Will's eyes holding an intense heat that she found hard to break.
"I'll be waiting to hear. Have a safe flight," Will said, not breaking contact with her.
"You too," Rachel said, her eyes still lingering on his for a moment longer. She finally blinked and began to turn around to reach the door but a tug on her arm stopped her. Before she could even look up, she felt Will's lips lightly touch hers. She closed her eyes and focused only on the man in front of her.
After a couple of seconds of the lightest of pressure on her lips, he pulled away with a smile, leaving her to catch her breath.
"Bye, Rachel," Will said, running a hand over his neck to hide his forwardness.
"Bye, Will, talk to you soon," Rachel said as she finally left his apartment, marveling in the feeling of his lips on hers for the first time since their night together almost a month ago.