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: Feedback keeps me writing, so keep it coming :D
...
"Where is the family science class room?" Puck asked Rachel at lunch.
"Yeah, I don't even know where it is," Finn said.
Tina joined in, "isn't it by the home economics room?"
"We have a home economics class?" Matt questioned curiously.
"What's that?" Mike asked with a raised eyebrow.
Rachel rolled her eyes and laughed at them, "home economics is learning to cook. Yes, Tina, the family science classroom is next door to home economics classroom. It's on the second floor of the school, by the greenhouses," she explained.
"We have a cooking class?" Puck raised an eyebrow, "why haven't you taken it yet?"
Rachel blushed, "actually that was going to be one of my four electives next year."
"Good," he grinned, "I'd rather our kid not grow up on fast food for every meal," he laughed.
"So what's your mom got planned for us anyway?" Finn glanced at Puck for the answer.
Puck shrugged his shoulders, "don't have a clue. I guess we'll find out after school."
...
Stepping into the classroom, with Rachel guiding him, Puck looked around and saw several tables covered in baby dolls, "oh hell no!" Puck shook his head, "I'm not carrying one of those things around! I'll have my own personal one in a few weeks."
Deborah laughed, "you guys won't be carrying them around," she replied.
"Oh thank God," he muttered, "so what's with the crazy looking dolls anyway?" He asked picking up one by the foot and holding it up, immediately wishing he hadn't when it started crying.
"Noah!" Rachel exclaimed grabbing the doll from him and holding upright.
"And this one took care of Arin?" The unfamiliar woman in the room asked as she looked at Deborah.
"He's being a brat right now," Deborah responded with a laugh.
"I didn't think the damn thing was turned on," Puck defended himself, "and yes I helped raise my sister and did a damn good job, if I do say so myself," he commented, now noticing Quinn and Arin sitting next to each other.
Quinn laughed, "we're leaning how to change diapers," she explained holding up the baby by her and Arin with a diaper on it, compared to the rest that didn't have anything on.
"So this is what Rachel's nervous breakdowns causes," Puck muttered plopping down at one of the seats nearby.
"Noah, I think it is a very valuable tool for all of us to learn. Not everyone has a younger family member they helped care for, so it's going to benefit everyone, and will let all of us feel more at ease if they ever need to babysit Abigail," Rachel responded.
During Rachel's lecture, Finn, Matt, Mercedes, Kurt, Tina and Artie all came in, looking at the tables confused, but greeted their friends and took seats, Finn taking one next to Quinn.
Rachel sat down next to her boyfriend, the doll being set back on the table and they waited until the rest of the club entered. Will and Emma came in, knowing what was going on already and greeting Deborah and the other woman still in the room.
Mike and Brittany were the next ones in, followed by Brit's dad, Dr. Brad Stevens.
Puck saw him and said the first thing that came to mind, "what's up, doc?"
Brad laughed, "you know I really should get used to hearing you say that, but every time I'm around you, I just can't help getting caught off guard by it."
"Come on, it's classic Bugs Bunny," Puck laughed.
"Yes, I know what it is," he agreed moving over to Deborah and greeted her.
Once everyone was there, Will got everyone's attention, "when Deborah mentioned this idea to me, I thought it was great. I know not everyone needs the practice, but for those who don't know much about caring for a child, this is a great way for all of us to learn and ask questions," Will explained.
"So what exactly is this for?" Mike asked curiously.
"Everyone here at some point has offered to babysit Abigail and though some of you helped your parents with your younger siblings, like Puck did, others like Finn, Kurt and Rachel don't have siblings, or are like Quinn and is the youngest, so not everyone has the experience. If Puck and Rachel needed someone to watch Abigail, who would know how to change her? Feed her? I admit I know very little about caring for children, or God forbid we need it, infant CPR or what to do if they're choking, so today we're going to learn that," Will explained.
Deborah stepped up, "I think you all know Brit's dad, Dr. Brad Stevens, and this is Laura Mason, she teaches the family science and health classes here at McKinley. So grab a partner and we can get started," Deborah said.
Splitting up into groups, most of the couples stayed together, but a few split up to help friends. Santana bring the youngest and Kurt an only child, Matt, who had a younger sister worked with Santana, while Mercedes and Kurt partnered up, so at least some of the groups had a person who knew what they were doing.
Passing out a couple diapers to each group Deborah stepped up to the front and held up one of the babies, "nowadays the diapers are easy to tell what side is what, because on the outside of them are always character decorations," Deborah said showing the differences between the inside and outside. "Usually after you take a dirty diaper off you've gotta wash with some sort of baby wipe and then put powder on before putting on the diaper, so pretend you did that," she laughed, "cause I don't think Laura wants the room covered in baby powder."
Deborah showed them how to put the diaper on, and by following her directions, the club slowly figured it out; Finn got his on backwards the first try, but by the second shot he got it right. Most of them picked it up quickly, while a few took a few tries to get it right with some others..
"I don't know why you're concerned," Puck commented resting his head on his arms that were folded on the table, "you're doing great," he told his girlfriend.
"Yes, but this is a fake baby. When Abigail is moving around and there is more to it, it's going to be difficult," she responded.
Puck sighed, "you're not doing this on your own, you know that right? I'm not just gonna leave you to take care of her. She's my daughter, too."
"I know, but you've got the experience so I don't want to let you be the only one taking care of her. Fifty-fifty, remember? I need to learn this," she told him.
Puck smiled and took her hand in his as his mom started explain how to hold the baby along with the tips to feeding and burping, which everyone seemed to pick up easier than the diaper changing, but there were still a few, Matt and Travis, who tipped the baby too far and it started crying, causing everyone to laugh.
"This is all good to know, cause I didn't, but how are we supposed to feed the baby?" Mike asked curiously, "I thought the mom's job was that."
Deborah smiled, "a bottle. Quinn will nurse if that's what you're getting at, but by the time school gets out, Abigail will be on bottle, probably all the time, so by the time anyone babysits, she'll be on formula," Deborah explained.
Kurt sighed in relief, "oh thank God! For a second there I thought we were going to..."
"KURT! That's disgusting!" Mercedes exclaimed from next to him.
"Well, I didn't know!" Kurt retorted.
"Okay, guys, settle down," Deborah shook her head with a grin, "so you seem to have the diaper changing and the holding down, so Brad is going to take over for why he's here," Deborah said taking a seat next to her son, Arin moving to sit in her lap.
Brad got up and moved to the front of the class, a smile on his face, but looked around, "caring for babies takes a lot out of a person and it's not easy. For the first few months, they'll spend most of their time either laying on their back or being held and you do have to be careful with how you hold them, as we already heard," he laughed, "but something more serious is that all of a sudden they could stop breathing or start choking. Their mouths are small and you don't always know what they put in them and trust me, everything attempts to go in their mouth. Has anyone heard of CPR? I hope you all raise your hands." Thankfully everyone did, "but does anyone know how to actually do it or are trained to do it?" He asked, which got most of their hands down, leaving only Brittany, Puck and Mercedes' hands left up. "And who has actually had to do it on a living individual?" He asked.
Two of the three hands went down, leaving only one up, and everyone in the room gasped at who that person was; Puck. He sighed, "you could have just said mom told you," he admitted, putting his hand down.
"My hero," Arin grinned, patting his hand.
Puck blushed a little, "yeah," he shrugged.
"I think Puck is blushing," Kurt commented.
"Are you sure?" Santana asked leaning forward to look.
"Shut up, guys," Finn snapped, "I remember it, okay?"
Puck nodded at his friend in thanks and Brad looked at him, "do you wanna talk about it?" Brad asked him, unsure if he'd be willing.
Puck shrugged and rubbed his neck nervously before giving in, "I was ten, Arin was three, we were at the lake, she was walking by the edge of the water, and we all were watching her, but she stepped to far in, lost her balance and fell. I got to her first, but she had already taken a breath of water, so when mom reached us, she started telling me what to do and I did it. Arin's here now, so I did something right. Since then, every summer I go and get re-certified in first-aid and CPR," he explained. "Not something I want to relive, either," Puck added.
After Puck's story, Brad showed them the basics of CPR on an infant with the dolls they had and everyone started trying it out, being careful not to push too hard since they weren't dolls for that type of lesson. Brad kept an eye on them, "something to remember with this if you find the infant or child not breathing, you have to start CPR right away. Your first reaction is to call 9-1-1, but it's found that with infants and young children, if you start right away, and then call, there is a larger survival rate. Since Deborah was a nurse, once Arin came to, they were able to take her to the hospital without calling 9-1-1 because she could keep an eye on her and knew what to look for," he explained. "Now, the other thing we're gonna learn is what to do when a baby that is choking," Brad turned to Puck, "they teach that in training right?" He asked.
"Yes," Puck nodded, "I can't remember what one, though. It's several classes in one day."
Brad nodded and picked up the doll, starting to go through the steps. Flipping the baby over, he laid it on his forearm and held it's face with the same hand. Kneeling down towards the floor, he laid his forearm along his thigh so it was at about a 45 degree angle and with the head supported in his hand, he hit the babies back five times, hard, but gentle enough not to break it's back.
Several kids gasped at the movement, but watched him intently, "normally whatever is choking them, usually food or sometimes a foreign object will be dislodged by now, but if not, then you lay your other arm on the baby's back and hold it's head with your hand and then flip your arms, so now the baby is laying on it's back on your other arm. Once there, press your index and middle fingers to the child's breastbone and thrust five times, in a way to push out the object. Keep repeating both until whatever is dislodged and they baby can breath again," Brad finished, standing up and setting the doll on the table again.
The kids tried to do what he showed them, but not all the dolls had been turned off, so the teacher had to run around the class to turn them off so they wouldn't continue to cry while they were held upside down, which caused more laughter, before they settled into trying to do what Brad had done.
As everyone seemed to get it, they took their seats again and Deborah stood up, "we don't want to freak you guys out, but this is a good skill to have. Not every parent knows this when they have kids, but it doesn't hurt to learn," she started.
Rachel stood up and turned to everyone, "may I say something, Deborah?" She asked.
"Go ahead?" Deborah motioned to them.
"Thanks," she smiled at her, "I know you guys might think this is a little crazy, but I had a little meltdown-"
"Little?" Puck asked from his seat.
"Noah!" She huffed, "okay, I had a meltdown the other day because I was concerned about this. I have never changed a diaper before or fed a baby, so it's all new to me and I know many of you have offered to babysit, which I'm sure once the summer is here, we'll need, so it also concerned me that not everyone here is familiar with this, so Deborah came up with this to show you guys and hopefully ease all of our minds about you babysitting, not only from the parents point-of-view, but also you as a sitter."
"As long as she doesn't spit up on me, I'm game," Kurt commented.
Kurt's comment broke the serious silence over the room and caused everyone to laugh, ending the day on a high note.
...
Friday rolled around and Rachel was excited. She and Puck were leaving after school and going up to Sandusky, Ohio for the weekend and was going to stay at the Castaway Bay hotel, totally away from friends and family. The hotel itself has its own waterpark and plenty to do without leaving, but if they wanted, they could drive a short distance to Cedar Point, a park home to seventeen roller coasters, as well as several waterparks. Their hotel and the park are affiliated, so they will have passes to get into the park, but they were only going to be there for forty-eight hours and though they wanted to have some fun, they also wanted to spend some time together in private, so they weren't sure if they'd go to the park.
At the end of sixth period, Rachel gathered up her books and walked with Kurt to their lockers, "where's your boyfriend?" He asked with a laugh, surprised Puck wasn't already at their door, waiting for her.
"He was having a lab today for his class, so he might be running late," she responded reaching her locker and opening it. "I just hope he gets here soon, we still have to finish packing before we leave."
"Leave? Where are you going?" Kurt ask quickly. "Please don't tell me you two are flying off to Vegas!"
Rachel giggled, "no, we're not," she shook her head. "We're going to Sandusky for a few nights," she replied, "our last getaway before Abigail arrives."
"Oh," Kurt paused, "Sandusky is pretty pricy," he commented, "how are you swinging that?"
Rachel paused a moment to stuff her English book and binder into her bag, thinking, "now I know why I never said anything before... Think Rachel, think!" She glanced at him, "just after his dad and him met, Ethan gave us some money to put away and said to use it for a last getaway before Abigail is born. We weren't going to use it, but we both need it. We haven't been alone since Seattle, really, and we have some things we want to talk about that we can't just talk about with friends and family around," she replied.
"Uh oh, is everything alright?" He asked, now concerned.
Rachel nodded, "alright, yes, everything is great, I just," she blushed a little, "I have some personal things I'd like to discuss with-"
"You're not pregnant are you?" Kurt asked in a hushed voice.
Her eyes widened, "oh no!" She shook her head quickly, "nothing like that."
Kurt sighed in relief, "than whatever it is, I know things will work out," he told her closing his locker. "You're taking work home with you? And you're going away?"
"Yes, I told Noah I would go, but we still need to do our homework for Monday. We're not letting our grades slide," she explained.
"Oh, good, you're still here," Mercedes said as she, Tina and Artie came up to them, a large gift bag in Artie's lap.
"We have something for you and Puck," Tina added looking at Rachel.
"You do?" Rachel asked, noticing her boyfriend coming down the hallway, "what is it?" She slid her math book and notebook into her bag, then zipped it up.
"Finish up and you can find out. Where is Puck, anyway?" Artie asked.
"Right here," Puck commented coming around to Rachel to greet her with a kiss on the lips.
She returned the kiss gently and smiled at him as she glanced into her locker to make sure she had everything, then closed it to turn back to their friends, "so this is ours?"
Artie passed the bag to them, "yep. Open it and look at them before I tell you, or it'll spoil the surprise," he smiled.
Rachel set her bag down on the floor and took the gift in her hands, feeling the weight of it. Pushing the paper back, she gasped, seeing folded up material. Reaching in, she pulled out a smaller one, "oh wow, this is beautiful," she exclaimed looking over the baby quilt she was holding up. The back was one type of material, purple and pink squares, but the other side was random squares of baby things, mixed in with squares of footballs, musical notes, basketballs and other things that went along with their lives. "How did you... When did you have the time to do this?"
"Artie's mom makes quilts all the time and we asked her if she could help us make one for you guys. We had everyone in the club help pick out fabric, so it's a little bit of all of us and she helped us put it together," Tina explained.
"I have never touched a sewing machine in my life until I helped with these," Artie laughed, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "There are two baby quilts, same fabric, just arranged differently, because we know how easily they get ruined," Artie laughed, "and one for you guys."
Puck was stunned; three quilts for them, "guys, I don't... Wow," he shook his head, "you already did amazing with the baby shower, you didn't have to do this, too, but thank you," he said with a smile.
Kurt shook his head, "we wanted to have them done by the shower, but it's hard to get football players to go into a craft store, so we didn't have all the pieces yet," he explained with a roll of his eyes.
"Your mom, sister and all your dads picked out fabric, too. We know we should have asked you, but with all that is in there, it describes you guys, so we hope that's alright," Mercedes said, "Artie's mom also wrote up a little bit on how to take care of them and wash them, too, so that's in there."
"No, it's alright that you didn't ask," Rachel smiled, "thank you all so much," she wiped her eyes quickly and folded up the blanket to carefully put it back in the bag, "this a beautiful gift," she replied.
"Good, we hoped you guys would like it," Artie responded.
"Oh yeah we do," Puck answered.
Puck shook Artie and Kurt's hands and then gave each of the girls a quick hug in thanks, while Rachel hugged them all. "Do you have your books, Noah?" Rachel asked.
Puck nodded, "yeah, only have some criminology homework to do, aside from our Math and English," he explained.
"I heard you guys are going away this weekend," Kurt grinned.
"Yep, no friends, no family, and I think I'm turning my cell off," he said looking at Rachel.
"Where are you going?" Mercedes asked.
"Sandusky," Rachel replied.
"Isn't if awfully cold to be going up to Lake Eerie? I didn't think much was open until May," Artie commented.
"The waterparks are closed, but the roller coasters are open," Rachel said, "the hotel we are staying at has an indoor waterpark and we're not even sure if we're going to Cedar Point."
"What? You have to!" Mercedes exclaimed, "it's like awesome! We go every summer."
Puck nodded, "yes it's a cool place, but this is our last chance to get away before Abigail is here, so we want to spend it together and not run around the whole time. I want to just kick back and relax and not worry about anything for a few days."
Rachel shouldered her bag again and took his hand, starting to walk out of the school with their friends, "I hope you guys have, fun, though. You both need it," Tina replied.
"Thanks," Puck nodded.
...
Stopping at Rachel's for her to get a few things, they returned to the Puckerman's house, where they finished packing and loaded up his jeep with their bags before saying goodbye to his mom and sister and hopping into the jeep.
"You know, this will be the first time I've really used this," Puck admitted, removing the GPS unit from it's holster on the window and turned it on to put the address in.
"Dad and daddy got it for this reason," Rachel explained. "Most of the places we've gone we knew where they were, but this time we don't."
He laughed, "I know, babe," he replied gently, tapping in the address and setting it back in it's base before sitting back, "you sure we've got everything?"
Rachel nodded, "yes. If we don't, we can survive two days without it," she grinned.
"Okay," he smiled and started the engine, pulling away from the curb moments later, "want to get food here, or wait?"
"I'm good for a few hours; it is only a two hour drive," she said.
"Wait it is," he replied and headed for the interstate.
"Would you like to listen to some music?" She asked.
"Sure," he shrugged, "up to you."
"I've complied a list of songs on my iPod of love songs that I think we could sing at the wedding," she explained, reaching for the cord hooked into his stereo and put the other end into her iPod.
"Alright, but I don't want to spend the entire reception singing," he commented.
"I know, but there are a lot out there and though I'm sure duets would be the best, I have a few others that I think would work. These are just the ones that I found, but if you know of any others let me know," she said.
Puck nodded, "is 'Up Where We Belong' in there?" He asked curiously.
"Who sings it?"
"I don't know," he shrugged, "it's on my iPod," he replied tugging it from his jacket pocket, "it's a duet and I think we should sing it at the wedding."
Rachel took his iPod and hooked it into his stereo and then looked through the songs until she found it, "by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes?"
"Sure," he laughed, "I don't know, I just know it's a good song."
Rachel hit the play button and moments later a piano filled the car and a female voice started off, singing the first few lines before a male voice took over, and Puck sang along to it, knowing the song by heart. As the chorus started, Rachel narrowed her eyes in concentration, "I know this from somewhere, but I can't place it."
"It's the theme song to 'An Officer and a Gentleman,' this is what's playing when Zack sweeps Paula off her feet at the end," he smiled.
"We have to sing this!" Rachel exclaimed. "It's your mom's favorite movie!"
"You remembered," he glanced at her with a smile.
"I tend to remember the important things," she laughed a little, "and it was a really good movie," she added seriously.
Rachel pulled a notebook out of her bag and wrote down that song, and plugged her iPod back in and they started going through her songs. When he really liked one, she wrote it down to make sure she wouldn't forget. Some of the songs he recognized from the radio or because they were classics, while others were unfamiliar to him and he needed to hear them a few times before he even really caught the words, but Rachel was enjoying the chance to share some of her favorite songs with him.
Puck didn't mind listening to the music, but as a few really slow songs came on, he couldn't take it any longer, "babe, can we put that away for a while? I really don't wanna fall asleep at the wheel and we're about half an hour from the hotel," he muttered.
"Oh, um, sure," she turned her iPod off and slipped it into her bag, "sorry," she said softly.
"Don't worry about it. Just need a break, that's all. All the songs mean the same thing and they're starting to mash up in my head," he explained gently.
Rachel could tell he was getting tired, "I think when we get to the hotel, we should go to dinner and then get to bed early tonight and skip the park all together," she suggested, reaching over to brush her hand along his neck, massaging it gently.
"Oh, that feels good," he murmured as his eyes remained on the road. "Probably a good idea. As much as I'd love to hang out at the park all day, we didn't come for that. I just want to kick back in bed with my girlfriend and talk to her, not worry about when we have to go do something or meet someone," he explained quietly.
"I understand," she nodded, "and I admit I have a few things I'd like to talk to you about."
Puck glanced at her, "everything alright?" He asked a little concerned.
"Yes, I just," she blushed, "just wanted to discuss a few things I've been thinking about."
"Alright," he said slowly, "now you've got me concerned. What did I do wrong?"
Rachel giggled, "nothing," she assured him, "why does everyone always assume that when I say I want to talk, it's because something is wrong or I'm pregnant?" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You're not, right? I mean you just had your-"
"I know! I'm not pregnant," she sighed, "Kurt asked me the same thing."
"Oh," he bit his lip, "sorry, but given the whole fiasco with Quinn, I'd like to hold off on that until we're at least out of school," he admitted.
"You want to have more kids?" She asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.
Glancing at her again, he nodded, "of course, just not until we get a little more stable. Abigail was a shock, but we're making things work and the job I have is great, but I think your dads would kill me if I got you pregnant before you graduated and I probably would have the ole 'snip-snip' if I did, too," he laughed a little.
"Good, I mean, well, not that you'd have to think those lines, but good about having kids, because I was worried you wouldn't want to," she told him carefully.
"Nah, just not right now. I think we'll have our hands full with Abigail, anyway. Besides, I don't want our kids so close together that we've got three running around in diapers, ya know? Or so far apart like Arin and I. She's going to finish fifth grade when I graduate; she's seven years younger than I am, so I'm thinking three or four years apart would be great."
Rachel smiled at his explanation, "I want to have kids with you, Noah... I want to know what it's like to be pregnant with your child. I love Abigail and I'll never think any less of her because she isn't biologically mine, but I just want at least one that has my DNA-"
"I get it babe," Puck nodded softly, reaching over to take her hand in his, "I feel bad that you're putting yourself in this situation when you don't have to, but I'm so thankful that you are sticking with me, it means a lot and we will have the chance to experience more children together, out children," he replied, "and I'm glad you're accepting Abigail as your daughter and you don't see her as your step-daughter."
Rachel shook her head, "no, I'm not going to be like that. A lot of girls would, but no. She's our daughter, not my step-daughter. I just hope when she's old enough to understand that she's not biologically mine she won't hate us for keeping that from her."
"It takes more than carrying a kid for forty weeks to be a mom," Puck commented, "you'll be there for her when she cries, laughs, has fun, is sad, everything; Quinn doesn't want that. I've talked to her and she is dead set on staying as Aunt Quinn, which is fine by me. My biggest fear is that she looks like Quinn and always wonders why she doesn't look like you. If she is blond, we'll have issues, but I hope she turns out brunette, like you," he smiled lightly at her.
Rachel nodded, "though I do not know much about genetics, I think blond hair is a recessive gene and brunette is dominant, so there is a good chance she will be brunette; I hope the same thing. It won't be so hard when she's a baby, but as she grows up, it'll be harder to explain."
"We can't really control DNA," Puck commented softly, shrugging, "so I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
"Yeah, that is true," she agreed.
...
"I love you. I have loved you all along and I miss you. Been far away..." Deborah heard her phone singing her new favorite song and reached for it, not even looking to see who it was, "hey babe."
"Hey beautiful, how are you?" Ethan asked happily.
She could hear him pulling tape from the roll, the sound echoing through the phone, "I'm alright. It's too quiet around here. Noah and Rachel are gone and Arin's over at her friends," she replied with a laugh.
He smiled, "oh yeah that's right, they finally dug into the money I gave them and took a trip. Where did they go again?"
"Sandusky," she said.
"Really? You know, my sister and her family live up there."
"Which sister?"
"The twin, Brianna," he said casually.
"Really? Wonder if they'll bump into her."
"Probably not, she works like twelve hour shifts," he responded.
"Is she a nurse?" Deborah asked.
Ethan laughed, "no, a concierge at one of the bigger hotels for Cedar Point," he explained, "whoa, where are they staying?" He asked quickly.
"Um, hang on. Rachel left a note with the hotel information," she replied getting up and heading towards where the note was, "Castaway-"
"Shit, damn it! Crap! I should have asked sooner!" He snapped.
"What's wrong? Is that the hotel she works at?" Deborah questioned, now concerned.
"Yeah, and if she sees him she'll know he's my son and probably say something; she's the family gossip! Though my family knows I'm getting married to someone with kids, I haven't said your name yet. I wanted to wait until we sent out invitations to surprise them."
"I know that," Deborah admitted, "we talked about it, remember? They should be there by now. They left here at four and it's just after six. I also know Brianna is a gossip," she laughed, "she and I were pretty close, remember?"
"Yes," Ethan sighed, "gee, look who's on the other line," he muttered, "hang on a second." The line went dead for a moment before it clicked open again and Deborah could hear a female voice.
"Oh my God! You're never going to believe who I just checked into the hotel! A mini-you! Oh my God! And he knew who you were! It's Noah Puckerman! They must still live around here... Well he said they were from Lima-"
"Brianna-" Ethan tried to stop her from babbling.
Deborah had to put the phone on mute so she could laugh without them hearing her.
"...so they stayed in Lima after your stupid mistake, but oh my God! I just had to call. I can't wait to tell mom! God, he looks just like you, a little shorter... And when I asked if he knew you, he said you were his dad... So he either doesn't hate you or doesn't care... But... God, I wonder how Deborah is doing... Even after you left I should have stayed in touch... And wasn't she pregnant when you left?"
Brianna finally came up for air, so Ethan answered her, "yes, she was pregnant when I left."
"Do you know what she had? I know I have a nephew, but did she have a girl or a boy? Well how would you know? You left... But I mean... I should just go up and talk to them... I think I will-"
"NO!" Ethan exclaimed through the phone.
"What's your problem? It's your son; don't you want to know what's going on with him?"
Ethan sighed, "Deborah had a girl, her name is Arin and she's ten now."
"Oh, so you do know? How did you find her? Wait, you're on those social networking things. You must have found her on them, huh?"
"MySpace," he replied, telling her the truth.
"She actually talks to you?" Brianna asked in shock.
"Yes, but Bree, there's something I need to tell you," he said softly.
"Oh my God! He didn't seem upset about it when I mentioned you because you've talked to him? How did he seem? Have you been back to Lima?"
"Yes, I've been back to Lima and yes, I've talked to him; a lot actually... Bree, you should know..." Ethan sighed.
"How did he take your engagement?" She asked and as the phone was silent she gasped, "Wait a second... Are you Deborah... Did you and... You never told me her name, but now... Are you guys..."
Deborah removed the phone from mute, "we're getting married again, Bree," she replied.
"Deborah? Oh my God! I can't believe it! I can't wait to tell mom! This is epic! I can't wait to tell Brian and Kegan! Why haven't you said anything?"
"First off, you're not going to say anything to mom, Brian or Kegan. Deb and I will do that. Second, don't bother Noah and Rachel; this is their last weekend away before they become parents so let them have their peace."
"Parents? She looks pretty small to be pregnant," Bree replied.
Deborah explained, "Noah made a mistake and got someone pregnant. She doesn't want to keep the baby, but Noah does, so he and his girlfriend, Rachel, are going to raise her as theirs."
"Oh, so interesting. Why can't I say anything to our family? Come on Ethan," she begged.
Ethan sighed, "I wanted to surprise everyone when we send out wedding invitations. We're getting married in July," he replied.
"This is awesome! Come on, please..."
"Deb, what do you think?" Ethan asked.
"It's up to you, Eth," she replied holing back a laugh.
"Fine, okay you can tell them, but if they're pissed at me for not telling them, it's on you," Ethan gave in, knowing his sister would be bursting at the seams if she couldn't tell the rest of the Ballard family.
"Yes! I'll make sure they know why you haven't said anything. Mom will be so much happier knowing who you're getting married to. She was afraid you got with a girl with kids because you missed yours, this is even better!" She exclaimed, "my breaks almost over, so I have to go, but I'm so calling you later, Deborah! We have so much catching up to do! Number still the same?"
"Yes," Deborah laughed.
...
"Okay, so that chick at the front desk weirded me out," Puck commented as they sat down in the hotel's restaurant, TGI Fridays.
"I'm sure she just recognized you. Maybe she went to school with your parents," Rachel suggested.
"I wish I knew, but I also don't know if I want to," he admitted.
"It did seem odd that she quickly asked about your dad by his first and last name," she agreed.
Puck pressed his hand to his forehead, deep in thought, and then glanced up to see the woman they were talking about walking towards them, "great, here she comes," he muttered.
Rachel casually turned her head and saw her nearing them, taking a seat next to Puck, "okay, I'm on strict orders from my little brother not to bother you two, but I felt as through I should to explain myself," she said glancing at Puck, "I'm Brianna Olsen, but my maiden name is Ballard. Ethan Ballard is my little brother," she explained, "and I haven't seen you, Noah, since you were six," she finished with a smile, holding her hand out to him.
Puck exhaled and shook her hand, "this makes so much more sense now. You kinda freaked me out back there."
"I know, I'm sorry. It just shocked me; you and your dad look so much alike. After you guys left the desk I called him and he, your mom and I talked. He told me they're back together. We, um, I mean, me, our brother, sister and mom knew he was engaged, but apparently he was waiting until the wedding invitations went out to surprise the family," she said, "but this is so awesome," she admitted with a grin.
Puck smiled, "yeah it is and now that you tell me your name, I remember you, Auntie Bree," he smiled, "this is my girlfriend Rachel."
The two shook hands from across the table, "okay, so now that I've cleared the air, have fun and enjoy your stay. Your dad told me whats going on, so I'll keep my distance, but it was really good seeing you again, Noah, and meeting you Rachel. I'm a concierge here, so I'm sure I'll see you around," she replied standing up.
The teens nodded, "yeah, probably," Puck admitted. "Hey, do you and your siblings have picture phones?" He asked with a grin.
"Uh, yeah, why?" She asked curiously.
He grinned tugging out his phone, "I have a family picture if you want to send it to them, picture's worth a thousand words, right?"
"I like how you think," she sat back down and gave him her number and he quickly pulled up the photo Rachel had taken a few weeks prior of him, his sister and their parents. Adding it to a message, he sent it to her and moments later her phone beeped. She added his number to her phone before looking at the picture, "oh wow," she grinned, "that's your sister? God, my brother was an idiot."
"Yes he was," Puck nodded, "but we've dealt with it and we're cool," he admitted. "It feels really good to have my dad back," he smiled.
Bree smiled and stood up again, "I'm sure it is. Take care guys, call if you need anything," she replied, waving at them before disappearing from the restaurant.
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References for the baby stuff: (just remove spaces)
http :/ www . ehow .com/ how _ 7162 _ treat-conscious-choking . html
http :/ www . firstaidweb .com/ infant . html
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Music mentioned: "Up Where We Belong" by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes. It's the theme song to "An Officer and a Gentleman." The lyrics won't be mentioned until the wedding.
Did you catch Deborah's ringtone? "Far Away" by Nickelback ;)
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Special thanks to elbbubniaevili and knkykty / KittyGoddess415 for inspiring some of the scenes in this chapter.
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A/N4: Wow, long time since my last update, but here it is. I try to keep one chapter ahead, so when I post one, I already have the next chapter done or almost done, that way I'm not totally empty in case something happens and I don't have as much time to write. Had a major case of writers block for a few days, so though this chapter was finished, the next one was barely started so I chose to hold off until I had more of it done. Writers block gone for now, so here's the new chapter, and since I'm off for the next few days, I hope to get the next part posted soon, because part 41 is the beginning of the birth, which I'm totally excited to write. ;)