A/N: Hey everyone! Here's chapter 13! It's definitely one of my longer ones so I hope you all like it! Please read and review and have a great weekend!
When morning rolled around, Rachel for once had a good night's sleep. The image of Will's lips pressed against hers kept reappearing in her mind which only sent a smile straight to her lips that stayed there for most of the night.
She woke up, feeling refreshed and renewed with energy, something that had been lacking the past couple of days. She silently thanked their talk while she stared at herself in the mirror as she got ready to head to the airport. If they hadn't discussed everything that needed to be decided upon and talked about, Rachel was sure that their relationship would have failed before the pregnancy was over, but now that they did, she had faith again that things were going to work out.
With a smile on her face, Rachel headed down stairs with her luggage in hand and greeted her fathers.
"Someone's happy," Leroy said surprised that his daughters pep had returned. He smiled wide while Rachel nodded in agreement.
"I assume everything went well with Will then?" Hiram added in, interested to know what had happened between the two to cause such a change. Rachel had gotten back rather late so the family didn't have much time to talk and discuss what had gone down at Will's apartment. By the look on Rachel's face though, he knew that some sort of progression had happened which in turn made him happy. He finally started to believe that things would be okay with Rachel and the baby.
"Things went more than well," Rachel said with a beaming smile, the image of the kiss between them still appearing in her mind.
"Good, I'm glad, honey. What's your guys plan then?" Hiram asked as he took in the dazed look on Rachel's face that told him her mind was somewhere else. She had the look of puppy love and Hiram knew that something bigger than talking occurred last night.
"Well Will's going to try and leave the panel so he can move in with Kurt and I," Rachel explained but Leroy gave her a look of concern.
"Move in?" he asked a bit shocked that things had turned so abruptly around between them in just one night.
"Well yes. He is the father of the baby and deserves to be around him or her as much as I do. It wouldn't be fair for me to make him live in a studio apartment by himself," Rachel explained. She took in Leroy's face and knew that he was having some sort of issue with the idea. Rachel didn't understand why though as she was eighteen and an adult who could make her own choices.
"Okay, what's wrong?" Rachel asked the both of them, looking back and forth between the two, the silence being too much to handle.
"Nothing, it just seems a bit fast doesn't it?" Leroy said as he stated his concern while he rubbed his chin back and forth.
"Fast? I'm already pregnant by him. He can't do any more harm," Rachel said defending her choice. She wasn't about to let her still slightly confused fathers ruin all the progress her and Will had made. They must know that she wasn't a little girl anymore and had desires and needs to be filled and more importantly by filled only by Will. Will living with her was the only option that made sense in order for them to properly work on their relationship.
"We know that sweetie, but just yesterday you were almost in tears because you were so worried about Will's mental state of mind," Leroy explained, remembering the distressed look on Rachel's face as she came home from his apartment yesterday. He never wanted to see Rachel that upset again and would do everything he could to prevent that from happening, even making a rule that Will couldn't live with her if need be. They understood that Rachel was eighteen but she was still a teenager, not yet affected by the harsh reality the world could offer.
"He's different today. Our talk last night really made him change his mind and he's ready to do this with me. In fact he even kissed me yesterday before I left. If that doesn't say that he's changed his mind set, then I don't know what will," Rachel explained in one breath, briefly closing her eyes to block out her father's stares of concern. Perhaps she shared too much information that would only hurt her chance of living with Will, but she needed to tell them something that would make her father's see that things really were changing and for the better.
"We just don't want you to get hurt by him, Rachel. He's a grown man and up until now you've only been his student. Things aren't the same between you anymore and living together might add unexpected stress, which mind you, you don't need any more of," Hiram said sternness slightly showing through his voice.
"I won't get hurt by him okay? I wish you guys had faith in our relationship," Rachel said feeling her good mood start to slip away as her eyes drifted to the floor.
"We do, we just want you to think about this, honey. Really think about the situation. Yeah he's a good looking guy, but what else can he offer you?" Leroy said making Rachel stare at him in disbelief.
"Dad! Give me some credit please. I know him better than you think," Rachel said slightly offended that her dad made that comment about Will's physical appearance. Of course he was right in the sense that she was attracted to his body, but that wasn't the only reason that she wanted to be with him. Will knew those reasons as they shared them with each other last night.
After a couple minutes of silence, Leroy finally apologized for his comment, realizing he may have stepped over a line with his daughter.
"I'm sorry, Rachel. I didn't mean that to sound the way that it did. It's just that we love you so much and would hate for you to be disappointed over this if things don't work out," Leroy said as he moved closer to her, giving her a tight hug and a light kiss to her forehead, hoping to add comfort that would show his support.
"I know you worry, but I'll be fine. Trust me, please?" Rachel asked knowing that was a hard request for her father's to do given the circumstances, but prayed that they would allow her to live with Will and give them space.
"Okay. He can live with you, but if we hear anything out of the ordinary from Kurt or you, or anyone, he's out," Leroy said while Hiram nodded in approval at the given statement to Rachel. Rachel nodded in appreciation and understanding, knowing the line had been drawn with her and Will in regards to her parents' eyes.
"Thank you. Everything will be fine between us, okay? It just takes time. Now, can we please go to the airport? I don't want to miss my flight," Rachel said as she noticed the time, quickly glancing to the clock on the kitchen counter. They would be cutting it close to her departure time if they didn't leave now.
"Yes, let's get going," Leroy said as he grabbed a suitcase with both Rachel and Hiram following behind.
Meanwhile across town, Will was just waking up, rolling out of his bed with his feet hitting the carpeted floor with a soft thud. He rubbed his eyes to rid the sleep and then made his way slowly into the bathroom.
He yawned as well as scratched his morning scruff on his chin. It had been a relatively good night's sleep for once and Will welcomed the change. Instead of feeling the constant guilt every night, last night was the first time he was just able to close his eyes and drift away and he figured it was all thanks to last night.
The talk he had with Rachel not only patched things up, but brought them closer together. It made him believe that he and Rachel could actually be a couple, and stepping over his invisible line, he had kissed her. Where it was only the lightest of pressure on her lips it was still an improvement and he would take that over the awkward and empty feelings he previously had.
Deciding it was time to get ready and head to the airport, Will jumped into the shower and did a quick shampoo and rinse, quickly drying off ten minutes later. Pulling out a red flannel shirt, dark washed jeans, and a beanie, Will dressed himself.
Once he was finally done with his morning routine, he quickly grabbed his packed bag and headed towards the kitchen to get his already brewing coffee.
As he sat at the kitchen table, he couldn't help but feel disappointed and a little sad that the next time he came back home, Emma would not be there in the apartment. She made it clear that once he had returned to DC she was moving back to her old place. He sighed as he spotted a picture of them on the wall and for a moment, considered removing it. He decided against it though and chose to let Emma take down what she wanted and didn't want to take with her when she moved back out.
Feeling the over powering emotion of sadness and unfinished business suddenly sweep over him, Will stood up and grabbed a piece of pen and paper. Pulling off the cap, he took a deep breath and began to write. As he started to fill up half of the page, he couldn't help but feel a tear start to trickle down his cheek. He was pouring his forgiveness onto the page that he hoped would once and for all, bring closure with Emma. Even if she never bothered to open it when she came back, Will would be fine because he had gotten the chance to say what he wanted to say regardless if she listened to him.
Leaving the letter with a final good bye and a hope to hear from you soon, Will folded the piece of paper in half and placed it on the kitchen table in a viewable spot. Surprisingly, he felt slightly better about his decision and did feel a little closure. He hoped Emma would read it and call him to discuss things so once and for all they could make peace with each other, but only time would tell if or if not that would happen.
Standing up and grabbing his now finished coffee, Will took one last look at his apartment and headed out the door and to the airport to catch his flight.
As Rachel landed first into New York, she smiled; relived to be back at the place she now called home. It was a surprisingly nice feeling knowing that she wouldn't have her fathers' watching her every move. Where she knew they were just being parents and worrying about her as they naturally do, she couldn't help but feel annoyed. They still viewed her as a child and not yet a young woman having her own child which was the problem that was causing all the frustration.
The next time she would see them, which was going to be in a couple of weeks for Christmas and the Jewish holidays, she hoped that they would be calm enough and settled with the situation to actually show enthusiasm that a baby was on the way. In a months' time, hopefully things would be back on the right track and that everyone would have had enough time to adjust to the news. Will would be well moved in by then and everything would be running smoothly. That's what she had hoped for anyways.
Stepping off of the air plane and making her way through the luggage claim, Rachel collected her bags and flagged down a taxi in true New Yorker style.
She couldn't wait to get home and see Kurt and fill him in on everything that had happened as well as call Quinn so they could have a girl's day together. She missed her apartment too and couldn't wait to jump into her bed and relax.
Rachel arrived in a short amount of time, paying the driver and quickly walking up to their door. She gave the sliding door a big tug and was immediately greeted with Kurt flinging his arms over her in happiness.
"Rachel, I'm so glad you're back," Kurt said as he hugged her tightly, Rachel smiling into his warm embrace.
"Me too, how was your Thanksgiving?" Rachel asked, when he finally let go.
"It was fine. Kind of lonely but alright," Kurt said with a quick half-smile. It was just him and his friend Adam that had spent it together in the loft so nothing too special or memorable.
"How about you? How did things turn out with Will? Did you sing to him?" he asked enthusiastically while Rachel just smiled at him, letting her facial expressions do the talking.
"I sang to him, yes, and it turned out beautifully. It was like everything suddenly made sense in his mind that he was important. Then later that night he invited me over and we had dinner and just talked everything out. It was so great to finally be able to do that with him and I feel like things are finally going to get better. And," Rachel said before she paused, thinking carefully about how she was going to tell him they would have a new roommate soon.
"And what?" Kurt asked, urging her to continue. He missed all of her craziness and was dying to catch up with the details. He was enthused to see Rachel happy again and wondered what else was going through her mind.
"Will's moving in," Rachel said quickly while Kurt's smile turned to confusion.
"What do you mean moving in?" Kurt replied, taking in her words. He was in DC for another three months, unless he was planning on leaving the panel for good to come help with the baby, there was no way he could go back and forth between the two cities.
"He wants to quit the panel so he can come be with me and the baby. I didn't think it would be fair to let him live alone," Rachel explained yet again.
"Rachel, we're already full on rooms. Where's he going to stay?" Kurt asked as he looked around their apartment. It was big but just big enough for the two of them and all of their things. He didn't think there would be enough room for another person.
"In my room. I know it might be weird at first, but I really want him to move in with us so we can work on being a couple. I think it's the only way that we can truly see each other for who we each are," Rachel explained with hope that Kurt wouldn't mind and say yes.
After a couple of minutes of silence, Kurt answered. "Well, okay. I'm not sure how this is going to work out but I guess he can come live with us," Kurt said watching Rachel jump up and down with happiness.
"Thank you so much Kurt. I promise to make it as not awkward as possible," Rachel said as she kissed him on the cheek, causing him to let out a small laugh.
"So when does he move in?" Kurt asked as he watched Rachel walk into her room and place her bags down.
"Well he was going to talk to the panel when he got back home this week so depending on how all that goes, this weekend probably," Rachel said working out a mental calendar in her mind of what was going to be happening in the next week.
"That soon?" Kurt asked slightly surprised that everything was moving so fast.
"Yeah, I know it's quick but trust me please, Kurt?" Rachel asked with pleading eyes, hoping he wouldn't be like her fathers.
"Okay, but I don't want this to be weird. I mean six months ago he was still our teacher," Kurt said still thinking of Will as Mr. Schuester. He hadn't quite got used to calling him by his first name yet.
"I know, but that can be fixed with the more time we all spend together," Rachel replied as she remembered their game of questions the night before and how they were learning little new things about each other even if they weren't necessarily important. She figured that once Will had moved in they could all play so things wouldn't be as awkward.
"I guess you're right," Kurt said. "So how have your parents been taking everything?" he asked as silence began to creep into the room.
"Not great but I guess not as horrible as it could have been," Rachel said as she thought about how things could have gone. Images of Will being beaten to a pulp and thrown out of the house was one of the many that appeared in her mind.
"They're still not really used to the idea and still see me as their little girl," Rachel added while Kurt nodded in understanding, knowing that it must be hard to watch someone you love as a child have their own child, especially at such a young age.
"They're coming over the Christmas holidays so expect more people then too," Rachel commented.
"Why don't I invite my parents and we can have a big holiday celebration at the loft? It would be fun to get everyone together and in the same room for the holidays, don't you think?" Kurt asked as Rachel thought it over. Bringing peace and love back was definitely something she had wished for so she happily agreed.
"That would be great," Rachel said with a smile.
"Great, I'll call them later and arrange things," Kurt said while Rachel nodded in approval.
"So I'm going to go call Quinn," Rachel said as silence began to creep into the room. "We talked back home briefly but promised to meet soon so I'm going to go make plans," Rachel said as she headed back into her room.
"Okay," Kurt said as he began making tea in the kitchen.
Rachel pulled out her phone and waited for the rings to be picked up as she sat on her bed. After the second one, it finally picked up.
"Quinn, hi," Rachel said while Quinn returned her greeting on the other line.
"Rachel, it's good to hear from you. So how's everything been?" Quinn asked, interested to know what had happened in the baby world.
"Better," Rachel simply said with a smile.
"That's great. What did you do?" Quinn asked.
"Well before I go into details, how about we catch up this week?" Rachel asked, preferring that she would rather talk about this in person than over the phone.
"Okay, I'm pretty busy in the week but maybe this weekend?" Quinn asked, really hoping they could meet and talk.
"Well depending on how this week goes, Will may be moving into the loft with Kurt and I this weekend," Rachel said as she heard a squeal on the other end.
"Really?" Quinn asked, excited that things were getting better between Rachel and Will than she had realized.
"I'm hoping," Rachel said with a laugh.
"That's great, Rachel. I'm happy that things are improving with you guys," Quinn said with a smile.
"Me too," Rachel said as she felt her own smile forming on her lips.
"Well maybe I could come up Thursday and spend Friday with you? I don't have class on Fridays," Quinn suggested as she thought of her schedule.
"That should work perfectly because I don't have class either," Rachel said silently thanking the skies that she only had to deal with Cassie July two days this week instead of three. She dreaded telling her about her pregnancy in fear that she would be kicked out of the class and wanted to avoid her at all costs.
"Great, I'll book a train ticket for Thursday and spend Friday and maybe Saturday with you," Quinn said with excitement as this would be her first time visiting Rachel in New York since they graduated. She could finally use the train pass she had bought six months ago.
"Sounds perfect, oh and the apartment might be a little crammed with moving Will and what not so I hope you don't mind," Rachel said thinking of all the visitors that would be in the loft by the end of the week. She, Kurt, Quinn and Will would all be living together for a couple of days and that thought alone suddenly became a little overwhelming. She gave a deep breath though and regained focus that it would be good for her to talk to a woman rather than the constant males she was always around.
"That won't be a problem. I'd like to help set things up if he moves in with you Saturday, actually if you don't mind," Quinn commented, trying to offer as much help as she could so Rachel wouldn't have to do much labor with the baby.
"That would be great, Quinn, thanks," Rachel said with a smile.
"It's the least I can do to help you guys out," Quinn added as a brief pause came on the line as she ran into a friend from the dorm.
"Listen Rachel, I need to go and talk with a friend, but I'll see you at the end of the week okay?" Quinn said confirming travel plans.
"Okay sounds good. I can't wait," Rachel said truly happy that Quinn was going to come and visit for the first time. They had always talked about it but never made it official but now it was finally happening and at the perfect time.
"See you then," Rachel added as they finally said their good byes and hung up.
Rachel smiled as she put her phone down next to her bed, excited for the end of the week. It was going to be a little hectic, but she knew that it would all work out in the end. Will would be moving in, Quinn would come so they could have girl time and Kurt would be there as her best friend. It was everything she needed all in one place and for once, things didn't seem so bad.
"So Quinn's coming?" Kurt asked as he leaned against her door frame, briefly over hearing some of their conversation.
"At the end of the week for a few days," Rachel said with a smile and nod.
"It's going to be a packed house then," Kurt commented, mentally counting all the people in his head that would be over, Rachel nodding in agreement.
"What's that?" Rachel suddenly said as she thought she heard footsteps outside their door. Kurt stopped talking and listened as well.
"It sounds like someone's here," Kurt said as he peaked his head around the corner of the wall and towards the front.
Just as he leaned in, the door slid open and revealed someone he least expected.
"Lady Hummel and Barbra impersonator, where are you so you can greet my grand entrance," the voice said as Rachel's mouth dropped open. It couldn't be who she thought, could it? But she knew that voice and it very well was who she suspected as she and Kurt walked out of her room and into the living room.
"Santana, what are you doing here?" Kurt asked, certainly surprised to see her in the middle of their apartment, not sure if he should hug her or run from her. He was never certain about what Santana was going to do so he made a mental note to stay clear from her.
"I've decided that my dream is here in New York and since I knew that you two had a place, I thought, why not add a third, right?" Santana said as she dropped her suitcase on the ground, already making a statement that she wasn't leaving.
"Well, that's something to consider," Kurt said with hesitation as he looked over to Rachel who had the same look he did, shock and confusion.
"But, you can't," Rachel finished for him, finding her voice.
"What do you mean I can't?" Santana said as she folded her arms across her chest. "I have money for rent and I thought that it could possibly be fun living together," she explained, arms still resting over her chest but lightening her tone.
"We, we already have a third person moving in," Rachel said as she realized that Santana was blind to her pregnancy and everything that was going on. She didn't know about her and Will or in Santana's mind, still Mr. Schuester.
"Don't tell me the whale is here. I thought he was being Schue 2.0 back in Lima," Santana said with a smirk that made Rachel quickly glance over to Kurt, him widening his eyes at her, not sure what to say.
"No, Finn's not here," Rachel said but was cut off.
"Q's here then? What happened with her and Yale?" she asked, looking around the apartment for a sign of her.
"No, not Quinn," Rachel said wondering how long this guessing game would go on for. Knowing that she would never guess though, she finally blurted out the answer.
"You're not going to guess so I'm just going to say it," Rachel said, breathing quickly.
"Will's moving in this weekend, well hopefully," Rachel stated as she looked into Santana's eyes.
"Will as in Mr. Schue? Why would he move in with you and Lady Hummel?" Santana asked, confused, looking back and forth between the two.
"Well because I'm, well I'm pregnant and he's the father," Rachel said quietly as Santana's mouth flew open in shock.
"Shut the front door. You're having his kid, Berry?" Santana asked, while Rachel nodded silently.
"I never thought you were the type, Rachel. I'm surprised but also impressed. Good job," Santana said as she lightly clapped her hands in approval. Rachel rolled her eyes in return.
"Okay, nothing happened between us while we were still teacher and student," Rachel tried to explain.
"But you did cancel his wedding and ruin his relationship with Ms. P and that is a day's well done by itself," Santana interrupted with a snarky tone, causing Rachel to deeply breathe out, trying hard to not get infuriated with her.
"Santana, stop okay. If you can't be supportive about this then you need to leave," Rachel said as she folded her arms defensively across her chest. She didn't need Santana's attitude especially when she thought she had left it back in Lima.
"Okay, whatever. I was just saying that banging a teacher is pretty hot, even for you," Santana said while Kurt rolled his eyes at her colorful words.
"Okay that's enough," Rachel said as she threw her arms up in the air to stop her words.
"Calm your self's down, you think you would be used to me by now," Santana said as she moved and sat on the couch, making herself comfy. Silence crept into the room as Rachel kept glancing over at Kurt. Realizing he wasn't going to say anything, Rachel interrupted the silence.
"Santana, while it has been lovely to see you, Kurt and I are busy so you can't stay here," Rachel said as nice as she could while Kurt silently nodded in agreement. Santana had only been there for ten minutes and he had already been insulted and intruded on. He didn't think he could deal with her living there as well as Will. His and Rachel's sanctuary of a loft was turning into a zoo.
Santana opened her mouth to speak but Rachel's phone going off stopped her, smirking while raising an eyebrow up in the air.
"It's Will. I'm going to take it in my room," Rachel said with a smile as she turned and left the two alone to argue without her.
"Rachel?" Will asked as he had trouble hearing her. He had just landed back in DC and remembered to call.
"I'm here," Rachel said as she went to her room, pulling the curtain to block the sound and give her privacy.
"You okay?" Will asked as he noticed a slight annoyance in her voice.
"Well let's just say a former New Directions member just thought they would drop by unexpectedly and live with Kurt and I," Rachel said, suddenly sounding tired and worn out.
"Let me guess, Santana?" Will asked as he narrowed down all the graduated members of the glee club and the most likely to go to New York as well.
"Good guess," Rachel said with amusement.
"It wasn't hard. Everyone has that tone when they have either just seen Santana or just talked to her," Will said with a slight chuckle.
"Yeah well she doesn't seem to be leaving any time soon so don't be surprised when you see her here this weekend," Rachel said and then instantly remembered that she didn't ask about his flight or if he had talked to the panel yet.
"How did your flight go and have you talked to the panel yet?" Rachel asked.
"It was good and no not yet. I just got in but I'll talk to them as soon as I can okay?" Will said reassuringly.
"Okay, let me know as soon as possible," Rachel said.
"Have the doctors called you yet?" Will asked as he knew an appointment was supposed to be coming up.
"Not yet, but I'll call you. Hopefully you'll be here already and won't have to travel," Rachel said with hope filled in her voice.
"Yeah, hopefully, well listen Rachel, I got to go and check back in. I'll call you as soon as I have everything figured out," Will said while Rachel nodded her head in approval even though he couldn't see it.
"Okay, sounds good. Thank you for calling me," Rachel said happily that he had made the effort and had actually sounded okay. He seemed relaxed and not tightly wound up like previously.
"No problem. Please remember that I'm going to try and work on this Rachel, and that I didn't just say that the other day with no purpose, okay?" Will said feeling that he had to reassure her that he was going to be committed to this. He wasn't going to fall back into his old ways again.
"I know that, Will, I do. We're going to work on this starting the minute you get back here, okay?" Rachel replied.
"Okay," Will said with a smile that she was still on the same track as him. It may take him a while to adjust, but Will knew that he could do it. He was glad that Rachel knew that too.
"By, talk to you soon," Will said as he hung up the phone. Rachel said good bye as well and then made her way out to her still arguing friends.
"Stop guys, okay," Rachel said as she clapped her hands in between them so they would quiet down.
"Look Santana, you can stay here for a few days but it can't be permanent okay?" Rachel said as she looked to her and then Kurt, making sure that he was okay with this arraignment as well. He slowly nodded his head in agreement and then went to his room, leaving Rachel along with Santana.
"So was he good?" Santana asked as soon as Kurt had left, causing Rachel to shake her head, slightly irritated with her.
"That's the first thing you say when I give the chance to live with us?" Rachel said as she folded her arms as well.
"Well was he? If I was straight, I totally would have done him a long time ago," Santana said, still interested in the question.
"That's none of your business," Rachel fired back, trying hard to not let the blush appear on her neck.
"Whatever, I'll find out some way," Santana said with confidence.
"Okay, whatever you say," Rachel said with a shake of the head. "Just be nice when he comes this weekend, please?" Rachel added after a silent pause. "He's already been sort of down about this so I don't need you to make him depressed again by saying some inappropriate comment," Rachel warned while Santana just rolled her eyes at her, already tired of Rachel's uptight attitude.
"I'm serious, Santana," Rachel said with more force, not backing down.
"Okay, I won't say anything," Santana finally agreed.
"Good. You're sleeping on the couch by the way, since we don't have any more rooms," Rachel added with a grin because it felt like it was some sort of pay back for her just randomly dropping by.
"Now, I'll be in my room rearranging things for when Will comes next week. I should also add that Quinn is coming up from Yale too so it's going to be a packed house," Rachel said while Santana just silently nodded her head.
Silence began to make its way into the room so Rachel gave a deep, tired, sigh and made her way to the direction of her bedroom, leaving Santana alone on the couch. Wondering how she and Kurt could live with three extra people in the loft made her stressed, but Rachel remembered that these were people she had grown to love and that thought alone made her not so overwhelmed anymore. With this reassuring thought, she took a deep breath to calm herself, and then began to plan for the crazy weekend ahead of her.