Disclaimer: I am just borrowing them for the fun of writing, BUT I do own the plot, ideas and original characters.

A/N: Not beta'd; all mistakes are mine. Please mention them if you find any.

A/N2: Sectionals was amazing! I loved it! This story is mostly AU after Mash-up, but with some of the topics discussed in the later episodes, I may sneak in a conversation or cover the same topic, but I will put my own twist on it.

A/N3: Happy New Year! Let's start 2010 off with another chapter, eh? Thank you all for amazing feedback; keep it coming! You all are great!

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Warning: This part will end abruptly; please read the notes at the bottom.

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Puck had been planning that moment for weeks, hoping everything would run smoothly; and it came down to those last few seconds, where she would either return the gesture, or she wouldn't, but as she slid the ring onto his hand, he exhaled; the worry disappearing.

They weren't just 'high school sweethearts' like in a fairytale; there was a lot more to it. She was taking on the responsibility of mom, to a daughter that would never biologically be hers, so he had needed to ask some big questions before he did this to her and some others. He had to talk her dads; it wasn't like he was asking for Rachel's hand in marriage, yet, but he knew with Rachel, came her fathers, so he needed to make sure they were alright with the future of being grandfathers. Surprisingly they gave permission without any problems or odd requests, but in retrospect, Puck realized they probably figured it would come, since Rachel had been adamant since the beginning that she would be there for him.

He talked to his mom about what he wanted to do, not really needing permission from her, but he did want to make sure that she was alright with where things were going. She admitted she was nervous about them being so serious at such a young age, because she and his father had been there before, but she did really like Rachel and already saw her as a daughter, so she was glad that he was offering something to show Rachel he did mean what he said.

Quinn, being pregnant with his daughter, was also someone he conversed with. He knew she was giving him full custody, but at anytime, she could change her mind, which could throw a monkey wrench into things, but Quinn promised him she would never change her mind. He also talked to Quinn and Finn to make sure they wouldn't be uncomfortable being around when he gave Rachel the ring and they both said they wouldn't have a problem with it. Finding out when Puck was planning this, Finn said he'd let his mom know so she wasn't shocked, because she'd also be over that day.

Arin was the last person he told; he wanted her to know what he was doing, which lead to an explanation about what a 'promise ring' meant and the stages to a relationship. He knew she would be very happy to have Rachel as a 'sister,' since she already thought of her as one, but this just made it more real.

He had to be subtle about asking Rachel the questions, because he didn't want to raise her suspicions and ruin the surprise.

As Christmas morning turned into afternoon, the house was buzzing with activity. The 'kids' helped Puck in the kitchen with dinner, while the adults sat around talking, but also set the table for eleven. Their dinner would be mostly the same as Thanksgiving, though Mr. Schuester wouldn't be there; Kurt and Burt would be.

Each of the kids had 'jobs' that Puck doled out; dinner would be a little later since they really hadn't gotten back to it until after noon, so when Kurt and Burt arrived just before three, Kurt appeared in the kitchen with, "alright, lets see them!" He exclaimed.

"See what, Hummel?" Puck commented from the stove where he and Finn were dealing with the heavy turkey, while the girls had been by the island.

Rachel held out her left hand, knowing what Kurt meant, "Noah's is exactly the same," she smiled brightly.

Kurt took her hand and peered at it, studying it, "peridot, emerald and sapphire," he said, "I know my jewels... I get that emerald is May for the baby, who has the August birthday and who's is September?" He asked releasing her hand.

"My birthday is September first," Rachel smiled, "Noah was born August seventeenth," she explained.

"Well, congratulations dear, though I am surprised at your chosen," he grinned wrapping his arms around her in a hug.

"Watch what you're saying, Hummel, I am making the food you are going to eat tonight," Puck commented from across the room, a sly grin on his face.

Kurt's eyes widened, "okay, I'll shut up," he said quickly, unsure just how serious about that Puck was being.

"He's joking, Kurt," Rachel commented, shooting a death glare at her boyfriend.

"How in the fuck did you find out anyway?" Puck asked curiously.

Quinn held up her phone, "what? You didn't think I'd just sit back and watch, did you? Finn filmed it on Rachel's camera and I filmed it on my phone," she laughed, "and sent it to Kurt, so he and his dad would know when they came over."

Puck laughed a little, but went back to what he had been doing, while the girls talked Kurt into helping finish up the salads they were working on. As dinner came together, the girls headed into the living room with Kurt and Finn and Puck took care of putting things on the table and cleaning up the kitchen.

When everyone finally sitting down together, they passed around plates and bowls until everyone had what they wanted and finally the clanging subsided as everyone began to dig into their meal; complimenting the chef once more for his successful dinner. Kurt even paid Puck a compliment; previously Kurt had been unsure if his abilities until that moment.

Puck accepted the compliment, but kept quiet most of the dinner, his mind on other things. He had done his best the past forty-eight hours to keep his emotions in check and pretend that everything was alright, when he knew that a fireball was brewing. He didn't want to put a damper on the holiday, so he kept his mouth shut about his 'dad situation,' but knew he couldn't wait much longer.

"Oh my god," David commented, getting up to go over to the TV that was muted on a news channel.

"What?" Alan asked glancing at it as a David turned the volume up, "looks like there was an attempted terror attack on a plane about to land at the Detroit airport," he said.

"Not again," Burt shook his head, "just when things were getting back to normal."

"... And we're getting word that a Detroit SWAT officer is ready with a brief statement..." The live video was zoomed out, showing several reporters with microphones or tape recorders held up to a man dressed in a SWAT uniform; all black with 'SWAT' printed in white on the vest he wore. His head was turned slightly, speaking to someone in a suit next to him, but as the camera zoomed in, it was slightly fuzzy, but a mass of curly red hair could be seen and Puck groaned, an icky feeling in his stomach as "Lieutenant Ethan Ballard; Detroit SWAT" flashed on the screen.

Puck got up and moved into the kitchen with his plate; setting it on the counter as the deep voice he heard only two nights ago came from the living room.

"Dude!" Finn exclaimed.

"Oh my God," Rachel gasped.

Puck knew the two had figured out who it was; Finn because he knew him from years ago and Rachel had seen the picture just the other night. Needing to see for himself, he slowly moved towards the dinning room and glanced towards the TV. The voice matched with the face he knew; the face he never would forget, but as soon as he had a chance to see him once more, the interview ended and the screen changed.

"Is it just me or did that guy have an uncanny resemblance to Puck," Kurt commented, not realizing Puck was in the room.

Puck sighed from the back of the living room and locked eyes with his sister, who got up and moved towards him. He wrapped his arms around her, "that's because he's our father," he commented softly, turning to look at their mom, "did you know?"

She shook from her daze, "no," she whispered, "I knew he lived in Detroit, but he never wanted to talk about what he did; now I know why."

Puck still had his sister wrapped in his arms, but he felt another set wrap of arms around his waist and turned to see Rachel next to him. "Hey beautiful," he murmured, moving one arm to slip around her shoulders. She silently smiled at him and rested her head against his chest, "I'm okay," he murmured pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"You sure?" She asked softly.

He nodded, "yeah, I'm as good as I was... I'll deal with him later; I won't let it effect Christmas," he admitted glancing over to his mom who was sitting silently at the table.

An eerie cloud fell over the room, as David turned the TV off to avoid another video of Ethan, in case it bothered Puck, Deborah or Arin. No one really knew what to say, all of them just glancing at each other as if they wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

"You guys don't have to tip-toe around," Puck commented as he hugged his sister and Rachel one more time before pulled away, heading back to the dinner table and picked up a few of the dishes and headed for the kitchen, starting to put the leftovers away.

With Puck's comment, everyone seemed to relax about the situation and started to help out a little, taking their dinner plates into the kitchen and filling up the dishwasher or sink.

Quinn and Finn started washing the dishes while Puck and Rachel put the food away and Arin and Kurt brought things in from the dinning room. Quinn mentioned that she was gonna go back to Finn's for a few more days before she came back to the Berry's and Rachel said that would be alright, trying to make it sound like she didn't already know, since Quinn and Rachel had discussed it before.

Kurt and Burt were the first to leave, thanking everyone for dinner and Puck told Burt he'd see him on Monday, the next day the shop would be open, allowing a few more days off before reality got back to him. Carole, Finn and Quinn left after Quinn packed up some more clothes, promising to be in touch to let them know when she'd be back.

It was a little after seven, when Deborah commented she and Arin should head home. Puck was a little curious why she wanted them to leave, since she had the next day off, but Deborah wanted to sleep in her own bed. As they packed up their things, Puck helped them take their stuff out to her car and on their last trip in, he noticed David and Alan were dressing up in warm jackets, "uh, going somewhere?" He asked with his mom and sister right behind him.

"Oh, we forgot to mention it, but the last few years, some friends down the street have a little cocktail party on Christmas night. We're going," David said, "it usually gives Rachel some alone time," he added.

"Alright," Puck nodded and hugged his mom and sister watched them leave after they said goodbye to Rachel and her dads.

"Don't get drunk," Rachel commented to her dads as they headed for the door.

"Rachel, we don't get drunk," Alan said pressing a kiss to her forehead, "don't wait up. Don't know when we'll get back," he told them.

Watching them from the doorway, she waved at them as they walked down the front path before closing the door and locking it. Puck wasn't standing in the foyer where he had been, so she moved into the kitchen to find him sitting at the island drinking a bottle of water.

"The house is empty besides us," he commented glancing at her, "you wanna to watch a movie or something?"

"Or something," she replied, a grin on her face.

"TV then? Or did you have something else entirely in mind? What's going on in that head of yours?" He asked curiously.

Taking the bottle from his hand, she set it down and then linked their hands together and guided him towards the stairs. He followed her, intrigued at just what she was getting at; surprised when she motioned for him to sit on the end of the bed, "I'll be back. Wait right here," she whispered pressing a kiss to his lips.

Puck slipped his arms around her waist as they kissed, and he sighed as she pulled away and moved towards the door, "Rachel, what-"

She was already walking out the door when he said her name and she just glanced back with a grin and headed for her room.

Watching her leave, he groaned, "oh God, what is she doing?" He plopped back on the bed. "Empty house, she just brought me up to the bedroom and I know it's way too early to go to bed, so what is she planning? Wait a second... What did she say this morning?" He thought back, "oh yeah! She said I could have the rest of my present tonight; could that mean..? Okay, wait, just don't get your hopes up," he sighed. The whole day had gone perfectly and 'that' would make it even better, but for the moment he lifted his hand to study the ring that now lived on his finger; he could have skipped a ring for himself all together, but it was a symbol of their promise to each other and he wanted it there just as much as he wanted to see one on her hand. Hearing his door shut, he propped himself up on his hands and glanced over to see her leaning against the door with her hair down around her shoulders, dressed in a long red silk robe, "hey baby, you cold?" He asked softly, surprised to see what she had on.

"No," she shook her head with a smile, pushing herself off the door and stepping towards him, settling to stand between his legs.

As she neared him, he sat up a little straighter and moved his hands to rest against the soft material on her hips. He was curious, but he didn't want to get overly excited until he knew just where this was leading.

Grinning, she rested her hands against his cheeks, gazing into his eyes. "I've never been so sure of anything in my life, Noah," she murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips before stepping back just enough to untie the robe and let it fall to the floor, revealing a sheer red neglige that was held together by a small silk bow in the middle of her chest.

His eyes widened as the robe fell away, showing off her body and the small garment that covered her. His eyes gazed over her soft skin and grinned as the sheer material wrapped around her left nothing to the imagination, but the view was breathtaking. Letting his eyes travel up to her eyes, he could see her passion, but it was clouded with nerves, so he reached out and pulled her against him, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist as he pressed a kiss to bare skin just below her neck, "you look beautiful, Rach, stunning," he whispered against her skin, "tell me, baby, tell me what this means," he murmured, looking into her eyes as he brushed his hand through her brunette locks.

Taking a deep breath, she slipped her arms around his shoulders and pressed a kiss to his lips before pulling back to stare into his eyes, "I've never been so sure of anything in my life, Noah," she repeated, her voice soft, but her emotions were clear, "I love you, Noah," she whispered, "I want to know what it's like to feel loved," she brushed a hand along his cheek, "make love to me," the request falling from her nervous lips, "I want you to be my first and the only man I will ever sleep with."

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A/N4: I knew this had been coming and I've been struggling with how I should go about this. I never planned to even bring this up; I'm afraid I'd ruin it if I tried, because I'm horrible when it comes to writing 'sex scenes' and if I did put it in I'd have to up the rating. I want to keep it at 'PG-13' / 'T,' so unfortunately you're gonna need to use your imagination on just what they do, LOL. I hope you all understand. If I can muster up the courage to write it, I may post it post it as a 'shot story' with a higher rating, but I'm not sure if I will.

A/N5: When I heard about the Detroit thing on Christmas day, I was shocked... I had already picked Ethan's job out and where he would be living a good week prior to this happening, but this gave an opportunity to bring him in again.

A/N6: Rachel and Puck's birthdays - I know I've mentioned their birthday's being in 'August' and in 'September,' but unfortunately I can not find where, because I'm hoping I never listed dates; in case they don't match with what I said int his chapter. I gave Rachel my birth-date, September 1, and for Puck it's easy; Mark Salling's birth-date; August 17. :D

A/N7: Thank you all to those of you have been so supportive about this fic. I never thought that I would write an 'epic' story, but I guess I am, and I'm really happy at how it is turning out, so again, thank you all and don't forget to review, the feedback is loved!

A/N8: Posting this before I take a mini-road trip to Port Angeles and Port Townsend in the morning Saturday. PT (you may remember it when I talked about 'An Officer and a Gentleman') is a great trip and so is PA; PA is mentioned in the Twilight books if you read them and I'm sure we'll stop in the 'Dazzled By Twilight' shop in PA. It just opened a few months ago as a sister store to the first one in Forks. Forks is next on my list of road trips of 2010, lol.