A/N: Hey everyone! Happy Fourth of July to those who live in the US! Hope you have a fun celebration. Anyways, here's chapter twenty! Please read and review to let me know what you think! Enjoy!
After seeing Quinn off at the train station, the rest of the afternoon was spent back at the loft as Rachel was eager to start picking out songs to sing at the showcase and Kurt, Santana and Will did not have any plans that needed tending to in the city.
When they walked back into the loft, Santana took to the couch while Kurt went back in his bedroom, saying Blaine wanted to Skype with him. They were on speaking terms again and were slowly starting to forgive each other over Blaine's cheating. Where Kurt wasn't sure what their relationship held for them, he was willing to start things slow again.
Will sat down next to Rachel who was searching on her laptop for sheet music. She glanced over and smiled at him.
"I wish we were back in the choir room," Rachel said causing Will to raise an eyebrow up at her.
"Why?" he asked. Everyone back in that room and McKinley in general knew of their situation. Finn was still upset at the news as well as Emma and Will didn't even want to think about what the New Directions thought of their baby.
"It has all the sheet music," Rachel said with a smirk, causing a sigh of relief to escape from Will.
"We did have a diverse collection, didn't we?" Will replied as he thought back to how many of the songs the glee club actually did sing as well as choreographed. All of it was back in Lima along with most of his belongings that Emma had yet to send to him.
"I just don't know what song to pick," Rachel sighed as she leaned her head back in the chair, briefly closing her eyes in the process. She was becoming stressed as this performance had to be perfect and show her true talent.
"Give it time. You have always picked the right song before so I wouldn't stress it. Go with your instinct," Will advised as he placed a hand over hers that was lying on the table.
"I know but what I sing here could make or break me at NYADA," Rachel replied in distress. "The showcase is a big deal and I'm the only freshman in it," she added, worry written all over her face as the thought of everyone counting on her to deliver a spectacular performance.
"Just relax, Rachel. You'll do fine with whatever song you choose because you always do," Will encouragingly replied.
"I know you have what it takes," Will added with a sincere smile. He never understood why Rachel ever doubted her talent. She knew she was a great performer and had the ability to pull off any song, so it confused him when he saw he doubt herself like this.
"Okay," Rachel calmly breathed out, a look of stress still in her eye though. She did a few more deep breathing exercises while at the table to help calm herself down. Will watched her and felt her stress. She was trying her best but he saw it wasn't working. She needed an afternoon to relax and unwind in order to start clearly thinking about the showcase.
"Rachel, come with me," Will suddenly said as he stood up from his seat, a bit unsure of what he was doing himself but nonetheless excited. Rachel looked at him in confusion as she remained seated.
"Where and why?" Rachel questioned but Will didn't answer as he didn't have an idea of where they were going. It was going to be spontaneous and something that would show he could support her.
"I don't know but come on," he urged as Rachel slowly stood up, still slightly unsure of what Will's intentions were. She hadn't seen him act like this in a long time, but it made her excited that the Will she used to know was returning again.
"Rachel and I are stepping out for a bit," Will called out to Santana and Kurt. Kurt poked his head of his bedroom and gave Will a smile and Rachel a smirk. Rachel stared back at him with uncertain eyes but nodded along with Will's words, trusting that his intentions were to help her. Santana, however, just nodded her head, to preoccupied to put her phone down to look at them or care.
"Have fun," Kurt called out with enthusiasm, happy that Will was taking action for Rachel's problems and worries.
"We will. We'll be back later," Will replied as he slipped his coat on while handing Rachel hers. He also pulled out his wool hat as the air was a bit brisk out earlier. The weather report even called for a small snow shower in the evening.
"Will, I still don't get what we're doing," Rachel questioned as they stepped out of the loft and made their way down the stairs.
"I'm trying to help you, Rach. You're stressed about the showcase and I think we just need some time for us, an unofficial date I guess," Will said proudly. He hadn't planned for a day out but figured they could both use a distraction from their everyday stress. He hadn't exactly been showing support for Rachel either, and it was time he tried his best to be involved in her life.
"Well thank you," Rachel replied back sweetly, touched by his gesture.
"When is our official date going to be though?" Rachel asked out of curiosity as the two began to walk out onto the busy street. Will stopped and glanced at her before speaking.
"It's a secret," he said, not wanting to ruin when the date was but also protecting his plans if something were to come up where he would have to move it.
"I see," Rachel replied with a smirk. "I hate to ask again, but where are we going?" Rachel asked as she followed Will's lead. He was keeping a steady walking pace which was becoming harder for her to keep up with her small legs.
"Why not get some coffee and walk around the river or the park?" Will asked as he rubbed his cold hands together, the thought of a warm coffee cup in his hands the perfect solution to a cold day.
"Okay," Rachel nodded in agreement as the weather had shifted to a cold front.
"Great, but since you have been in the city longer than I have, where can we get coffee?" Will asked with a smile.
"Well I usually just get it at NYADA before class, but we can just get it from a cart or somewhere closer. NYADA is a bit out of the way to walk," Rachel explained while Will nodded.
"Okay, well if you don't mind, I'm sure there is a coffee cart in the park," Will said as they continued to walk down the street.
"I don't mind at all," Rachel replied with a smile.
"I'm happy we are doing this, Will," Rachel said as she reached down and grabbed his hand. It was freezing in hers, making her grab it tightly. Will smiled at her gesture and returned the grab with a reflex of his own.
"Me too, it will be good for us," Will replied as he continued to hold her soft hands.
As they continued to walk, it wasn't long before they reached the entrance to the park and luckily enough, a coffee cart was stationed to the right of it.
"I'll have one regular coffee and one mocha," Will ordered as he reached for his wallet in his back pocket. Rachel smiled as she saw him fumble through the wallet to find the right amount of cash. He finally pulled out the right amount and once they had received their coffee, Will lead Rachel over to a bench, almost the same spot where Rachel and Quinn had sat the day earlier.
"I thought we could sit first," Will said as he sipped on his coffee, the warm liquid immediately taking effect. He wrapped his hands around the cup for warmth which was slowly starting to defrost his hands.
"How's your drink?" Will asked as Rachel sipped hers quietly next to him.
"It's good, you know I probably won't be able to have coffee anymore in a couple months' time," Rachel said as she thought about how caffeine could affect pregnancies.
"I think coffee is okay, Rachel, but obviously no wine or alcohol," Will stated while Rachel nodded, agreeing.
"Absolutely, that shouldn't be a problem either as I don't drink or am legal yet," Rachel replied, in a matter of fact way.
"How have you been feeling?" Will asked even though he knew Rachel was probably tired of the question. She had been asked the same question for the past week by Quinn, Kurt, and even Santana at times that she was on the verge of yelling at the next person to ask her. She replied kindly to Will though as he was he one that mattered the most when answering the question.
"I'm doing okay. It's funny, other than the morning sickness I don't really feel pregnant yet," Rachel replied while Will listened with interest.
"I mean I'm not showing and won't be for at least another month or so. The baby is too small to move or kick yet so I feel the same as I've always been," Rachel explained as she instinctively wrapped her hand over her belly.
"That's all going to change though, Rachel. I have a feeling that you will be all belly once the baby starts growing because you have such a small frame," Will replied as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Great, I'm going to look like a balloon," Rachel scoffed at the thought of her stomach being the size of a watermelon and only getting bigger as the months go by.
"At least the fat will go away once the baby is here," Will reassured even though Rachel just continued to scoff even more at the thought of having fat.
"I can't believe I'm going to have a baby. After everything that happened with Quinn and how emotionally draining it was to see her go through that, I told myself I would never get pregnant unless I was truly ready," Rachel explained as silence began to creep in. Will remained seated, listening to Rachel's words.
"And here I am, not ready and having a baby in seven months," Rachel finished.
"I know it was a surprise, believe me I do, but that doesn't mean we can't do it," Will replied back encouragingly, trying his best to be supportive.
As things quieted down, Will saw the stress in Rachel's eyes, only making his spontaneous day backfire. "I don't want any more of this baby talk," Will said, causing Rachel to look back at him in surprise. She wasn't used to seeing Will take control and be in charge, but she honestly liked it and thought it was a bit refreshing.
"Okay?" Rachel replied back, voice a bit hesitant but nonetheless with a smile.
"What should we talk about then?" she asked as most of their daily conversation was either about the baby or trying to find work. They never really talked about interests and likes each other had.
"I think we should try and get to know each other better. I know we have known each other for a long time, but only on a professional level," Will explained as he saw Rachel agree with him.
"When was the last time that we just talked about something that wasn't about the baby?" Will asked, reading Rachel's mind. She sat quietly as she thought about his question.
"Exactly," Will replied after a few minutes of silence.
"Okay, should we play twenty questions again like we did back home?" Rachel asked as she remembered that night. They both asked each other goofy questions but they were questions that helped each other see into their personalities.
"Sure," Will replied with a smile.
"What is your favorite book?" Rachel asked, beating Will to the first question.
"The Hobbit, I've read it so many times that the pages are bent and creased," Will replied with a chuckle. "You?"
"I don't know, maybe Charlotte's Web. It was the first book I remember reading as a child," Rachel recalled.
"Favorite movie?" Will asked.
"Would Funny Girl count?" Rachel asked with a smile.
"Sure as it is both a musical and a movie," Will replied with a smile of his own. "Then Funny Girl," Rachel replied with a grin. "You?"
"Singin in the Rain," Will replied quickly. "Really?" she asked. "Yeah, I watch it every time I am sick. It helps me feel better," Will replied with a sheepish grin as he felt his cheeks redden a bit.
"Where did you learn to sing?" Rachel asked switching up the questions a bit, Will looked at her, intrigued by her question.
"In elementary school my parents made me take choir because they couldn't afford to let me play an instrument. The teacher thought I had potential so I guess I just started singing. As I got older though I became a soccer player and lost interest. It wasn't until I was about to graduate that I had to choose which one I liked better," Will explained while Rachel listened with interest. She had never known this about him and was surprised to hear him say he was an athlete.
"I didn't know you played soccer," Rachel replied while Will shook his head.
"I did, I was on varsity too," Will added with pride, causing Rachel to smile in return.
"Why did you choose singing over soccer?" Rachel asked, interested in what made him like the performing arts more.
"I liked it more than soccer. I had more fun performing on the stage than I did playing on the field and back then, glee club was cool," Will said with a smirk, causing Rachel to playfully roll her eyes. She had heard Will call the glee club cool multiple times in order to persuade the group to do something or perform a certain song.
"I think you made the right choice," Rachel replied back with a smile.
"Thanks, so what about you and singing? I know your dad's wanted you to but I'm guessing there is more?" Will asked as Rachel nodded in reply.
"My dad's started me off young and I won my first competition when I was just three years old. From there, musical theatre became my dream and Broadway had always been my goal in life," Rachel explained with a smile.
"I haven't told anyone yet, but a revival of Funny Girl is supposed to be happening soon after the showcase and Fanny Brice is my dream role," Rachel beamed.
"That's amazing, Rachel," Will replied. "Are you auditioning?" he asked, however Rachel looked back at him unsure and like he had just asked a stupid question.
"I don't know. I'll be really pregnant by then so the chance of me being cast is slim to none," Rachel replied with a frown.
"Well maybe it won't matter and you'll have the baby before the show is set to premier," Will explained with a hopeful face. Rachel smiled at his supportiveness but shook her head no at him anyways.
"Still it won't matter. I'll have to take care of the baby and that's a twenty-four seven job on its own," Rachel replied. She couldn't imagine raising a baby and performing six shows a week.
"I'll be here and so will Kurt and Santana," Will said with reassurance, but Rachel gave him a look at the mention of Santana taking care of their child.
"Okay, maybe not Santana, but I know Kurt would want to help and I'm the father after all," Will stated as he took another sip of his coffee.
"I know and I'm happy you're finally willing to help, but I just don't think it will work out. I'm going to have to put my dream on hold for a while and that's something I'll just have to accept," Rachel replied with a slightly disappointed face.
"It will all work out, Rachel. You will be on Broadway one day. Maybe not in a year's time but in the future most definitely," Will replied with a smile. He had hope for her and that nothing would slow her down to reach her goal.
"I hope so," Rachel said as she took a sip of her coffee, while Will did the same, almost finishing his cup.
"So should we walk around a bit or stay on the bench?" Will asked once he removed the cup from his lips.
"We can walk around for a bit. It's a bit chilly sitting for a long time," Rachel replied as she adjusted her coat around her small frame.
"Okay," Will agreed as he stood up, Rachel following behind him.
As Will and Rachel continued to talk and walk around the park, they stopped at the bridge that overlooked the water. Will deeply breathed out as he placed his arms against the railing.
"You must be cold," Rachel replied as she saw a gray cloud of his breath leave his lips. Will chuckled a bit before responding.
"I am a bit, yeah. Aren't you?" Will asked as Rachel seemed not to be bothered by the weather.
"Not really, maybe I'm used to it already," she replied. "I know it helps to share body heat though when one is cold," Rachel added as she inched closer to Will. She slipped her hand out of her pocket and reached down to grab his. Will smiled out of confusion but nonetheless held onto her hand. It was soft and warm, the exact mixture that was needed to thaw his still slightly frozen hands.
As Will was staring down at Rachel standing next to him, he noticed a light speck falling from the sky. He looked up and noticed that more than one speck was falling at a time and smiled to himself.
"It's snowing," he laughed, as he continued to watch the snow fall slowly from the sky. Rachel looked up as well and smiled.
"The first of the season," she beamed while continuing to look into the sky.
"I guess we should head back to the loft. We don't want to get caught out in a snow storm," Will commented while Rachel nodded back in agreement.
"Better to be safe than sorry," Rachel replied but laughed as she thought about that particular saying. She hadn't realized how much it had applied to her own life until now. Will was watching her laugh and was curious to know what was funny.
"What's so funny?" Will asked with a smile.
"It's just that saying, better safe than sorry. I actually understand what it means now," Rachel explained. "I guess we didn't follow it as we weren't safe and are sorry about the outcome," Rachel added.
Will's smile faded as he thought about her explanation. He had never thought about the expression either and was now intrigued by its meaning.
"I guess you're right," Will replied back.
"Would you do that night all over with me if we were safe?" Rachel suddenly asked as she stared out over the bridge, the atmosphere between them suddenly changing to a more tense feeling. Will rubbed his neck a bit uncomfortably
"Are we still playing the game?" he asked as the questions had stopped some time ago.
"I just want to know, for reassurance I guess," Rachel replied, turning her direction to him.
"Honestly, I think I would have," Will confessed, voice a bit unsure but all the more confident. Rachel smiled at his answer.
"I was an engaged man, but I think there had always been a connection between us," Will said as he thought back to all of their moments together as teacher and student, some more inappropriate than others.
"I felt it too. I'm glad I'm not the only one," Rachel replied back with a smile and a relieved sigh.
"We better head back. The snows coming down rather hard now," Will said after a beat as he looked up into the gray sky, white flakes quickly falling and sticking to the ground.
"Okay," Rachel agreed as she began to lead the way back to the streets to catch a cab back to the loft. It was a bit far to walk in the snow even though they had walked there previously.
"So what do you think about Christmas in New York?" Rachel asked Will as they exited the park.
"I think it would be nice," Will replied, a bit of hesitance in his voice but he tried to cover his concern.
"I know it's a little intimidating with my dad's and Kurt's family being here too but, we are just going to have to get used to it," Rachel commented while Will quietly nodded. He knew that was the truth, but being together since the announcement of the pregnancy made Will's stomach ten times heavier.
"I know we will because these people are our family, but it's the first time we will all be together since the news went out," Will reminded her.
"Yeah but we can't avoid it forever," Rachel said back while Will just stared at her, unsure of what to say.
In the few moments of silence that had appeared between them, a cab had pulled up that Rachel had called its attention. Will opened the door and ushered for Rachel to get in first while he climbed in after.
Once they were situated, the driver began on the busy street back to the loft in Bushwick.
"Are your parents coming?" Rachel asked as she hadn't heard anything from Will's family. She knew he had told them the news but that was it.
"I don't know. I didn't ask yet," Will replied back nervously.
"Well you should see because it would be a great addition," Rachel smiled back encouragingly.
"If you are sure, I don't want this to be overwhelming," Will commented but Rachel shook her head back in reassurance.
"I know, and I don't think it will," Rachel replied back with a positive grin.
"Okay, if you are sure, I'll call them later and ask. Two weeks is enough time for them to make a decision," Will said. "Why are you celebrating Christmas anyways?" Will asked as he remembered Rachel was Jewish.
"Well Kurt's family celebrates the holiday and although I am Jewish I do love this time of year. I don't think there is anything wrong with spreading a little holiday cheer around," Rachel explained.
"There isn't," Will confirmed as he patted her hand next to his in the back seat.
"I've also always loved singing along to Christmas music in the car or around the house. I don't know why but it's something that just puts me in a good mood," Rachel added.
"Maybe you should sing a Christmas song at the showcase?" Will suggested, but Rachel shook her head no.
"I don't know if that's the right forum but if I can't find another song, I'll consider looking into it," Rachel stated.
As Rachel finished her sentence, the cab driver pulled up in front of the loft. Will climbed out first and then used his hand to help Rachel out next. After Will had paid the driver, both went up the stairs and to the loft.
Will slid the door open to find Kurt at the kitchen table and Santana on the couch, reading a magazine.
"I was wondering when you guys would be back. It's really coming down out there," Kurt said as he took a sip of his tea.
"Yeah, it started snowing while we were at the park," Rachel replied. "We decided to come back before we were stranded," she added with a small laugh.
"Did you have fun?" Kurt asked.
"We had a nice time, I think," Will said as he slipped off his coat and hung it on the rack. Rachel nodded along in agreement.
"Well Santana and I were just about to watch Moulin Rouge. Would you like to join us?" Kurt asked as he stood up from the table with his coffee, walking past the pair and to the couch.
"Sure," Rachel replied. "Will?" she asked.
"Okay," Will said with a shake of the head.
After Rachel took off her coat, both headed over to the couch where Rachel took a seat on the end and Will in the middle with Kurt to his left. Santana, then, sat in the arm-chair that was off to the side of the couch.
Kurt pressed play and the opening credits began to scroll.
"Oh Blaine is coming for Christmas," Kurt said as he placed the remote down. Rachel smiled at him.
"Really? That's great Kurt," she happily replied.
"We aren't back together but who knows, maybe something will change," Kurt said with a hopeful smile. "Also my dad as well, he confirmed with me today," Kurt added after a beat.
"No mention of Carole or Finn joining us though," he said as he saw Rachel about to ask him.
"Good," she simply replied, neither disappointed nor excited.
"Not that I care but the movie is about to start and I hate when people talk in the middle of it," Santana commented from her chair. Rachel rolled her eyes but turned forward in her seat. Will grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before placing them over his lap.
As the movie played, Rachel couldn't help but think about Finn and whether or not he would really arrive in New York for Christmas. It was a long shot but with Kurt being his stepbrother, it made it all the more possible.
She wondered how he would be when he would see her pregnant and if he would even talk to her at all. It had been about two and a half weeks since she had spoken to him at Thanksgiving. If he was still acting as he had reacted to the news, Rachel almost guaranteed he would not talk to her or Will for that matter.
She snapped out of her thoughts as she caught herself staring at the floor. No one seemed to notice that she was distracted though, so she directed her attention back to the screen inconspicuously.
The movie continued to play and made it half way through before the power abruptly shut off. Will stood up and looked out the window that overlooked the streets of Bushwick and took note that all the power had been cut off.
"Must be a power outage," he said as he walked back to the couch.
"Great, the best part of the movie too," Kurt complained as he stood up and made his way to the kitchen to place his mug in the sink.
"What time is it?" Rachel asked.
"Only about six in the evening," Kurt said as he pulled out his phone. Rachel sighed, thinking it was later than it was.
"What are we supposed to do now?" Santana asked in a snarky tone.
"I don't know," Rachel replied. "Wait for the power I guess."
"That could take all night," Kurt replied, a bit aggravated himself. "I guess it will be an early night then," Rachel commented.
"We can find something else to do," Will interjected, as he watched them argue among themselves.
"Like what?" Santana asked.
Will stood up and pulled out his phone. He shuffled through his songs and playlists and hit his favorite Christmas cd.
"We can sing," he said with a smile as the music started to play, however Santana scoffed at him. "We aren't in the choir room anymore. Singing doesn't make all our problems go away," she said with a roll of the eyes.
"Come on Santana, get in the holiday spirit," Rachel commented as an upbeat version of Jingle Bells came on.
Rachel began to sing along with Kurt harmonizing with her. Will joined in as well by switching off verses and then joining together again for the choruses. Santana glared at them but after a few minutes of watching them sing together, she did a deep sigh and joined in, finishing the last few bars of the song.
"I love this song," Rachel beamed as O Holy Night came on next.
"It's yours, take a solo," Will said as he sat back down. Rachel nodded at him as a light blush appeared on her neck.
She breathed deeply though as the words began to play. Rachel joined in and immediately captivated the others attention. Her voice was a perfect fit for the song and Rachel was able to hit all the notes perfectly without trouble.
As she sang through the verses and choruses, Will couldn't help but stare. She had amazing talent and Will always felt a sense of pride when she sang. He couldn't help but wish that their child would inherit the gift of singing from her.
Rachel noticed Will's gaze on her as she held out the last note. It was powerful but surprisingly quite. She ended with a smile and Will clapped loudly along with the others.
"I think you found your song for the showcase," Will said with a smile.
"Maybe I have," Rachel replied back with a smirk.
"I have the next song," Kurt said breaking the silence and the eye contact that Rachel had on Will. Will laughed at his eagerness though and once again pressed play.
For the next half hour, the group switched off between songs before the power finally turned back on. They then continued to watch the movie as well as order a pizza from a local store down the street before the power shut off again as the snow was still coming down rather hard.
When the power was still on, Rachel switched on the weather report which predicted snow for the next few days. As she was watching the news, she received an email from her classes that NYADA was closed for the following day due to the weather. Rachel read the email off happily as having another day to rehearse for the showcase.
"You're lucky, it wouldn't hurt you to have a day off," Kurt said with a smile.
"I know, I need it," Rachel exclaimed.
"Pizza is here," Will said as he opened the door of the loft. He paid the man the money and grabbed the two large boxes. Once the man had left and Will shut the door, he placed the boxes of pizza down on the kitchen counter.
As Will placed the pizzas down, Rachel went to grab plates but as she was reaching her phone went off. She placed the plates down and answered the call that was coming from her phone.
"Hi dad," Rachel said cheerfully as it had been a while since she had talked to them.
Will watched her talk as she stood in the kitchen but then moved into her room. He heard her quietly talking to them and wondered what the conversation as about. It wasn't long until Rachel came back out of the bedroom with a slightly disappointed look on her face.
"What's wrong?" Will asked as she sat down at the table next to him. Kurt and Santana glancing up from their pizza as well.
"There is going to be a change of plans for the holidays," Rachel stated while Will stared at her confused.
"Either we come celebrate with them in Lima or they aren't coming at all," Rachel said with a disappointed sigh.
Will's heart skipped a beat at Rachel's words and the thought of going home. He thought he wouldn't have to go home until he made his mind up about his job, which he was still unsure about. He sat back with a look of concern with not only his job on his mind but with the thought of possibly running into Emma and Finn, and suddenly his holiday spirit was filled with dread.