Disclaimer: I am just borrowing them for the fun of writing, BUT I do own the plot, ideas and original characters.
A/N: Thank you so much to my beta, Heather! (Bookgurrrl)
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 please comment or review. :D
...
Puck quickly learned how his dad knew so much about remodeling houses; Liam Ballard, Puck's grandfather, owned a construction company specializing in building new homes. Now, his Uncle Brian runs the company, his dad being a co-owner, while his grandmother and aunts are 'silent partners' in the business. Ethan and Brian had worked with their father over the summers when they were kids, but Ethan broke all ties to his mom and dad. Liam died when Brian was 21. He took over the company, and over the years it had grown to be a successful construction company with a great reputation. Since Brain had maintained a relationship with his brother, they had been able to work together, along with some of the crew, on Ethan's renovation and flip projects. Both brothers enjoyed being able to work together, but knew they never could permanently without a lot of 'brotherly love'.
Puck figured all of this out when he went ask his dad something and heard his Uncle Brian and his dad talking 'shop'. The brothers gave him the cliff-notes version, avoiding discussing Noah's grandfather as much as possible. They did say his name was Liam and that he began working in construction as a boy with his father. He eventually started up his own business when his family settled in Lima and he hoped his sons could take over one day. Liam moved the company to Cleveland after Ethan and his parents had a falling out, so Brian and his young family also mod there, so Brian could continue and when Liam died, Brian took over the company. Brian asked Ethan to work with him, but with the brothers having a good solid relationship, Ethan didn't want to get in with him and spend their time bickering and fighting and possibly stop speaking, so Ethan chose a new path in life, but agreed to be co-owner and help Brian out with major decisions; letting Brian run the day-to-day business alone, while their mom and sisters are 'silent partners' in the deal to keep it in the family.
...
As the events of the family reunion slash birthday party came to a close, Rachel and Puck remained to help with the clean up while his parents went home, taking Arin and Abigail with them, so Abby could get some sleep since she'd been awake a good portion of the day, being passed around to friends and family, with only mini-naps in between.
With the area cleaned up and the decorations taken down, and the last few finally gone, Puck took Rachel's hand, "lets stay for a bit," he said softly.
Rachel smiled, "um, alright, but we should make sure it's alright-"
"I already asked them if they wouldn't mind watching Abby so we could stay a little longer," he responded, pressing a kiss to her lips before guiding her down to the lake where a bench was sitting near the bank. Taking a seat on it, he waited until she sat down next to him and then he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Rachel leaned against him, taking a deep breath and soaking in the free moment together. The day had been a success in more ways than one and she was so happy things turned out the way they had. He got to meet his dads side of the family, some for the second time in his life, but most for the first time, including his grandmother. "Today was amazing, Noah," Rachel smiled.
"Yeah it was," he nodded letting his fingers, gently trail along her side, "a lot of names I'll probably forget, but hopefully this won't be the only time I see them," he said with a smile.
"I don't think so. Your grandmother, aunts and uncle seemed pretty determined to keep in touch with us, besides I'm sure they will all be at your parents' wedding," she told him, "Not to mention that your mom's brother's daughter, Jessica, and I are the same age and we'll be in the same grade next year at McKinley, so she won't feel so alone being in a new school. I can't believe your mom's brother is going to be coaching at school next year."
"Neither can I; it's pretty awesome," he admitted, "He's the one who taught Finn and I how to play."
"Really?"
Puck nodded, "yeah, so it seems pretty... Full circle that the person who taught us to play is now going to coach us for our last season of high school ball... I need to figure something out with my number, too," he added.
She looked at him curiously, "what do you mean?"
"I always wore '20' because I knew my dad did. As it stands right now I'll wear it next year, but after that no one will wear it again, but I want..." He blushed a little, "I want our son to be able to wear it."
Rachel gasped at his words, "I never even thought about that," she admitted, "you're right as it stands right now he won't be able to wear it."
Puck raised an eyebrow at her, "I'm kind of talking hypothetically here, since we don't have a son, unless there's something you're not telling me and if there is, I need to make a doctor's appointment," he said calmly.
She giggled, "Noah, I'm not pregnant," she said, nudging him playfully, "but while I can't possible predict the gender of our future children, I know we will have more so there is at least a fifty-fifty chance we'll have a son."
He exhaled slowly and nodded, "okay," he took a deep breath and exhaled again, "you had me going there for a second," he admitted.
"I can hear your heart racing," she commented with a grin, leaning up to press a kiss to his lips, "but I don't want there to be a big age gap between Abby and our next child like there is between you and Arin."
His eyes widened as he stared at her, "whoa, what?"
She bit her lip, "well, seven years is a big gap and while I know I'm not ready for that step yet, I'd... I just don't want Abby to have a sibling so much younger. Two, three or four years I can see; seven, no."
He blinked his eyes and tried to process what she was saying, "so what you're saying is that before you get out of OSU you want to have a baby?" He asked softly, "Because if my math is correct, that's six years from now."
"Um, yes, I suppose you're correct," she agreed nervously.
Staring out to the lake, in shock, he kept his arm around her, "wow," he murmured, totally taken aback at her suggestion.
She stiffened, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought this up... It's not the right time... We're just... We've got a lot going on..." She trailed off and moved to pull away from him, afraid that she'd crossed a line.
Puck tightened his arm around her so she couldn't get away and then turned to press a kiss to her lips, his free hand going to brush against her cheek, "it's okay," he whispered, "stay."
She melted against him and closed her eyes, her arms wrapping around his body.
"You know I want to have kids with you, babe, I just never expected you'd want to have them before you got out of school," he admitted. "I'm not opposed to the idea, but I'm just shocked, that's all."
"I've thought about it, then after seeing all your cousins today; they all seem to be three or four years apart from their siblings, I realized that... It feels right to do that. And if we plan it right, then I could give birth over the summer and wouldn't miss school at all," she bit her lip, shifting nervously, "since you'll be gone a lot... We wouldn't see each other a lot, but I'd like to visit you wherever you go, Abby too, if I can take her."
"You'll be welcome wherever I end up," he kissed her, "how could this work, though?" he questioned softly.
She blushed, "well, um, I have hormone imbalance, so I should continue to take birth control, but if we did agree to try for a child, a few months before I would stop. It's recommended to go through two months at least before trying because it'll still be in my system, and with you being gone and the only person I'd ever sleep with, we wouldn't have to worry so much about, um, using a condom over that time, so when we did want to try, I um, could visit..."
His mind froze in shock, realizing she had put a lot of thought into this, but he also didn't need to know every detail, so when she paused, he let his hand slide down from where it was resting against her cheek and laid it gently against her flat stomach, the idea of her carrying their child inside of her a big turn on, "tell me when and where and I'll be there," he promised.
She grinned brightly, overjoyed that he was not upset about her idea, and placed her hand with his against her stomach, "I love you, Noah," she whispered, leaning to press a kiss against his lips.
As their lips parted, he smiled brightly at her, "I love you, too, Rachel, always."
As the sun set behind them, casting darkness over the lake, above their heads a crescent moon slowly appeared and two stars billions of light-years away twinkled to life, showing themselves to the young couple for the first time that night.
...
The young couple remained at the lake for a while longer, but wanted to get home to see their daughter. Arriving, they found the downstairs quite. It was just after nine, so they thought it was a little odd, but found a note on the table where they usually set their keys. "Abby had a bath, was fed and is asleep now. Arin is also in bed. Unless the house is burning down or the world is coming to an end, please refrain from knocking, dad."
Rachel read the note out loud and giggled, laughing harder when she saw the green look on her boyfriends face. "Oh, Noah, come on, it's their house, too."
"I know, but I really don't want to know," he muttered, pulling her against him, "but if they're busy, and Abby is asleep and so is Arin," he trained off, "we could, you know, have some fun."
"Why Noah, are you asking me to have sex with you?" She asked casually.
"No," he shook his head, "I want to make love to my girlfriend, there's a difference," he clarified.
Dropping the note back where she'd found it, she nodded, "by all means, I'm not going to stop you when you put it like that," she admitted wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him lovingly.
Reaching for the door, Puck turned the lock and then scooped up his girlfriend, carrying her upstairs and going right for their room, laying her on the partially made bed from that morning.
Biting her lip, she sat up on her elbows, "Noah, would you mind checking on Abby first?" She asked softly.
Staring down at her, he shook his head, "no, I don't mind," he murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips.
"I'll make it worth the wait," she promised, with a grin tugging on her lips.
He smiled, "it always is. Just knowing I've got you in my life forever makes up for the five minutes of checking on our daughter," he murmured before kicking his shoes off and padding to the nursery.
Once he was out of the room, Rachel got up, stripped completely, dropping her clothes where they fell and pulled the blankets back, laying against the cool sheets and sinking down in the pillows, waiting for him to return.
Checking on Abby, he saw her sound asleep, so he blew a kiss to her before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him, being careful not to make a sound. Stepping towards his and Rachel's room, he expected her to be where he'd left her, but the sight before made him go weak in the knees, "suddenly I feel over dressed," he murmured closing his door and stepping towards the bed.
Rachel grinned, "That's because you are, Noah."
"I can fix that," he smirked, making quick work to rid him of his clothes and crawled into bed with her.
Rachel slid closer, "much better," she grinned pressing a kiss to his lips.
"I love you, Rachel, so much," he murmured tugging her against him.
Snuggling up with him she smiled, "I love you, too, Noah," she replied, slipping her arm around his back.
...
Deborah's official birthday passed by uneventfully, but Rachel was crazily posting pictures from the prior day's events on her MySpace and Facebook pages, finding his cousins on there and adding those she found so she could tag them in her photos. Puck agreed he'd work at the shop all Sunday and all Monday since he had missed work on Saturday and Monday was a holiday.
Returning to school on Tuesday, New Directions has less than a week to be ready for their first performance at the first of three middle schools. Because of missing Monday's practice, Rachel talked them all into meeting a couple days during lunch and the following Monday was their final practice before the middle schools and they were finally ready with the nine songs they'd chosen; ones they had done throughout the year, most of them being songs from competitions.
Will didn't want them to miss the same classes three days in a row, so they set up two of the schools in the morning and the last school would be in the afternoon. First up on Tuesday they went to Pierce Middle where Kurt, Mercedes and Artie had attended. The club performed their nine songs they'd chosen. On Wednesday morning, they went to East Lima Middle School, where Quinn, Santana, Brittany and Travis had gone to school, so as something special, Ethan dropped Quinn off so she, Santana and Brittany could add 'I Say A Little Prayer For You' to the songs they were doing.
Thursday, their performance was in the afternoon, so after lunch, they left WMHS and headed for Fairview Middle School, where Puck, Finn, Matt, Mile and Tina had been students.
As with the previous schools, Will got up to the microphone and he explained why they were there and what a show choir was and then introduced Rachel and Puck as the president and vice-president of the club, before introducing the others who had attend the school. Will then went on to introduce the rest of the club and they took their places, the band beginning the music for their first song.
The performances at the middle schools had been welcomed with cheers, but all the members were nervous about what their school would do, given that the club was not seen as a 'cool' thing there.
As Friday rolled around, the school was much quieter and had fewer students in it. The Seniors had checked out of school the day before and were done with classes; the commencement ceremony was on Saturday, so there were about three-hundred-fifty less students in the hallways.
Instead of cutting out the last period of the school day, they shifted the schedule so all the classes would be done with an hour to spare and all the students went up to the gym, since it was easier to get all the students into the gym than into the seats in the auditorium.
As with the other schools, they chose to wear t-shirts and jeans with their Converse instead of dressing up, saving that for the performance for their family and friends that night.
Standing behind the curtain, all of the club members were nervous and Puck didn't give a care either way if the school liked what they were going to do, but he could see the scared faces, and the nervous look on Rachel's face and then it hit him why they were so worried; the last time they had performed on the stage was when it was only Tina, Artie, Mercedes, Rachel, Finn and Kurt, going against Will's choice and performing 'Push It'.
Clearing his throat Puck looked around, "guys, we've come a long way this year. The last time you guys performed here it was only six of you performing 'Push It' and I know you guys are all nervous about this being in front of our school, but I, for one, don't give a shit what the rest of the school thinks of us. We took second at Nationals; second; that means there is only one school in the entire US that is better than us and I think we can beat them next year if we just try. So don't think about who's out there," he motioned behind them towards where the rest of the school was, "we go out and perform just like we have for the past three days and like we did at competitions and we'll be just fine," Puck added looking at his girlfriend, "as long as you and Finn don't start humping each other on stage I'll be fine," he added with a grin.
Rachel turned a deep shade of red and so did Finn, but it was Mercedes to speak up, "he's right, guys."
"That why I wanted you to be vice-president," Rachel smiled giving him a hug just as Will called them out to the stage.
Getting through their set-list, the school wasn't booing like expected and they were actually being cheered on. The kept the set-list the same as they had used at the other schools, keeping 'Endless Love' as the second to last song of the showcase and as it ended and Puck kissed Rachel, the entire gym roared with echoing cheers, cat calls and comments about 'gettin' the girl'.
...
After a successful performance in the afternoon; where the students actually gave them a standing ovation at the end, New Directions realized they were finally being taken more seriously, and it hit them that a lot of the people that had problems with them were Seniors, even if Dave Karofsky was a Junior like Puck, Finn and some of the others.
Staying at school to run through their performance for the night's show; they changed the order of the songs on the set list so give them an opportunity to change in the middle during Mercedes' solo, and then after that, Puck, Rachel and Kurt would be on stage for 'Defying Gravity' so Mercedes had a chance to change.
Once the club was content with their organization, they went home, long enough to have dinner and return to school. Quinn offer to watch Abby that night so they didn't have to take her and while everyone wanted her to go, knowing they wouldn't have an issue with Abby being there, Quinn declined only because she was still nervous about being out in public, especially with Abby so near, because she knew everyone would know who gave birth.
Unable to sway Quinn, the family left the house, leaving Quinn there to care for her for a few hours, promising to bring home a video.
...
The auditorium was packed; New Directions had not only their families in the audience, but teens and their families from the middle schools as well as some of the McKinley students who came to support their friends and fellow classmates.
Dressed as they had for Nationals, the guys in black with blue ties and the girls in their blue gowns, matching the guys' ties; they were ready.
Principal Figgins quickly welcomed everyone to the event and then introduced Will as the lead director of New Directions. Will jogged up to the stairs to the stage and took the microphone from Figgins, "first off on behalf of the entire group of New Directions, the band and everyone else who has had a hand in it this year, thank you all for coming. These kids have worked hard all year. I, along with the other directors, are extremely proud of these kids behind the curtain. Among the songs tonight you'll see, there will be a song they did at Sectionals, where they took second, a song from Regionals where they also took second, and the three numbers they used to take second at Nationals. Some of the songs will be familiar to you, while others you might not recognized and as a finale, we have a special treat for everyone..."
As Will's voice echoed behind the curtain, the kids exchanged glances. "What special treat?" Rachel asked quickly.
Puck shrugged his shoulders from where he was by the band with Artie next to him, "I don't know. I know he motioned 'Come So Far' was ready, but he never said anything about it."
"I don't like surprises," Rachel muttered.
"I know, babe," Puck smirked, the curtain opening so their conversation ended.
They were in position for their first song of the night, 'My Life Would Suck Without You', the song they preformed at Sectionals. Puck had played the guitar on it since he was still recovering from his football injury at the time, so instead of reworking the choreography for one other person and making him learn the steps, he kept to what they had already and he played guitar, so as Will nodded at him, he started the song with a small guitar solo before they began to sing.
Their steps were the same as at Sectionals and were cheered on as the song progressed and everyone was smiles and happiness at the end of the first song. Puck removed the guitar and passed it to Artie who was playing it for the next song and Puck jogged over to take is place for the next song, 'Umbrella' that Mercedes and Rachel sang lead on at Nationals.
When 'Umbrella' ended, most everyone took places on the risers, but Puck and Rachel stepped forward and each took a microphone and he nodded at the band. Brad, their piano player started 'Endless Love' and the couple at the edge of the stage joined hands as Puck began to sing, "my love, there's only you in my life. The only thing that's right," Rachel smiled up at him, "my first love, you're every breath that I take. You're every step I make." Puck continued, "and I, I want to share," Rachel joined him, "all my love with you," Puck added, "no one else will do."
They had the option to dance, but chose not to, choosing instead to stay in the middle of the stage. Rachel looked up in his eyes, "and your eyes," she sang as he let her hand go and raised his free hand to brush against her cheek, him adding, "your eyes, your eyes," before they both continued together, "they tell me how much you care. Ooh yes, you will always be my endless love," knowing what words were coming next, they pressed their hands to the others heart, "two hearts, two hearts that beat as one. Our lives have just begun," their hands slid down to join together again, the entire time their eyes never left the other, "forever, I'll hold you close in my arms. I can't resist your charms," Puck smirked at her and she blushed as they continued, "and love, oh, love, I'll be a fool for you, I'm sure you know I don't mind," they sang together, but Puck added, "oh, you know I don't mind," Rachel nodded at him and with their hands joined together, she stepped away and he twirled her around while they continued, " 'cause you, you mean the world to me, oh, I know, I've found it you, my endless love," Rachel stopped twirling, now facing him and leaned against him for a hug as the music played.
At their cue to continue, they picked up with, "ooo, and love, I'll be that fool for you, I'm sure you know I don't mind," Rachel stopped and he sang the next line, "oh you know I don't mind," then they both continued, "and, YES, you'll be the only one, 'cause NO one can deny this love I have inside and I'll give it all to you, my love, my love, my love, my endless love."
As Rachel held onto the final note, she blinked her eyes and knew tears were falling. She'd been able to remain tear-free during practices and even the other performances, but at this moment, she couldn't help it. Since they'd chosen to work on it to sing at his parents' wedding, she realized it was not only a beautiful love song; it also fit her and her boyfriend. Noah was her first and only love.
Puck noticed her tears and reached up, gently wiping her eyes before pulling her against him in a tight hug and pressing a gentle kiss against her lips, "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, too," she replied smiling at him.
The entire auditorium was giving them a standing ovation, clapping and cheering loudly as the couple joined hands and bowed to them. Their friends walked towards them and were also clapping for them.
"We think you should say something about the next song," Finn whispered to Puck.
Puck narrowed his eyes, "what?"
"You used it to keep us together in Seattle, you know," Finn replied.
"Oh, okay, um sure, get in your places and I'll say something," he said.
Rachel set her microphone back where it had been and then Puck looked out over the audience, his eyes seeing some of his relatives and then his eyes landed on Will, seeing the confused look on his face, "normally we would have just gone onto the next song, but I would like to say something before we do. This next song is something we performed at Nationals and at the same time, we had a pretty big family emergency happen here, that honestly, we didn't know what would happen, but we quickly realized what this song meant and we all took the words to heart and believed that things would turn out alright. Thankfully those involved made it through okay and I think we're all stronger because we believed it would be okay, so this is for them, they know who they are," Puck looked at his dad, already shocked, "is tú mo ghrá, daidí." ('I love you, dad' in Irish)
Puck replaced his microphone and took his place next to Rachel, the band beginning to play 'When You Believe'. Following along the same choreography, Rachel and Tina sang the lead and at some point in the song, all the girls had tears in their eyes; Kurt was glad he had the girls use waterproof mascara.
At the end of the song, the audience was once more out of their seats, a loud applause echoing over the room and Puck was able to see his dad wiping his eyes. New Directions bowed to everyone and waved before jogging off the stage to go change, the only singer left was Mercedes. Taking a microphone, she started 'And I Am Telling You' and the band followed along; and she earned her own standing ovation and bowed several times before heading off the stage.
She passed Puck, Rachel and Kurt at the side, congratulating her before the three continued out onto the stage. Puck took a seat at the piano while Rachel and Kurt got microphones and when they were ready, Rachel nodded and Puck's fingers began to dance over the keys, playing 'Defying Gravity'; while his mind traveled back to November when he arranged it as a duet for Kurt and Rachel to share.
When the two Sophomores finished their song, Rachel hugged Kurt and her boyfriend and then Puck and Kurt shook hands as the rest of New Directions walked out on stage, each carrying a stool, some with two, and quickly formed a half-circle near the edge of the stage with the stools and took a seat. They were now all dressed in jeans and Converse, each of them wearing a different colored shirt. The band began to play 'True Colors' and Tina did an amazing job taking the lead on the song. As her final word echoed over the auditorium, the audience was out of their seats and even New Directions clapped for her as she bowed in thanks to them.
Moving their stools to the edge of the stage, the girls and guys separated and the band began 'You're The One That I Want' following the choreography from Regionals; Puck and Rachel just barely able to sing without laughing as they had fun playing 'Sandy' and 'Danny' for a moment and everyone in the audience could tell the couple was enjoying themselves.
For what they thought the final song was, the guys got up in front and Artie started with a guitar solo for 'I'll Be There For You', the other song from Nationals and Puck and Finn took turns with the lead. As the song came to an end and Artie played the last notes, the auditorium was full of echoing cheers and applause as all of New Directions headed to the edge, bowing and waving at everyone.
Will smiled and took a breath, heading up to the stage and picked up one of the microphones, "so what do you guys think? A success?" He called out getting more cheering from the audience.
He waited until they had taken their seats again and turned to the kids, "get ready for 'Come So Far'," he said turning back to the audience while they took their places for the song. "These guys have had an amazing week. We took trips to the three middle schools that feed into McKinley and got a chance to show off these songs and were inviting new members to join next year. The Glee Club has been here at McKinley for a long time and well," Will laughed, "I was a member of Glee Club generation one, when I was a student and one of these guys back here has parents who were also members when I was. Now we have Glee Club generation two, 'New Directions', the parents are now the directors and their son is a member, so I'd like to introduce them now... Please welcome up Deborah Puckerman and Ethan Ballard, both William McKinley High School graduates from the class of '1992'."
As Will said their names, Puck now noticed what Ethan had on and his eyes widened when he realized he was wearing his Letterman's jacket from high school. A little shocked at it, he nudged his girlfriend who was next to him.
Rachel realized her boyfriend was trying to get her attention and turned to him, her eyes giving a 'what?' look.
Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "my dad's wearing his Letterman's jacket."
Rachel's eyes quickly landed on Ethan and sure enough, Ethan was wearing his jacket. Both adults were taking microphones and stepping up to Will.
"Thanks everyone," Deborah said with a grin, "I have to say it feels a little weird to be back up here. It's been eighteen years."
"Nineteen for me," Ethan added, "because I didn't continue my Senior year."
Will smiled, "about a month and a half ago I gave the kids another song to learn because we're always learning new stuff and they've perfected it, so we'd like to sing it while they dance to it," Will glanced behind them at the shocked faces, "but we need another female singer."
"I know of one," Ethan commented, "she was a member when Deborah and I were Juniors. Come on up, Brianna," he said, motioning towards his sister.
Puck and Rachel and all the kids exchanged shocked glances and everyone was looking at him, "what? I didn't know," he said in a hushed voice, watching his aunt come up on stage and take a microphone.
"Why don't you just say my twentieth class reunion is next year and be done with it," Brianna laughed, "way to make someone feel old, but is great to be back here."
"So what do you say? Up for another song?" Will asked.
The auditorium laughed but applauded and cheered them on, so Will and Brianna moved to one side of the stage, while Ethan and Deborah went to the other side and Ethan nodded at the band.
As the band began, Brianna waited for the right beat and started, "hey old friend, let's look back on the crazy clothes we wore," and Will joined in quickly with, "ain't it fun to look back and to see it's all been done before." Ethan turned to Deborah and smiled at her, continuing with, "all those nights together are a special memory," and Deborah replied back with, "and I can't wait for tomorrow just as long as you're dancing next to me..."
While the adults were standing on stage, the teens were dancing; keeping to the type of dances seen in the movie that song was from and joined in with the adults to sing, "'cause it's so clear every year we get stronger." Ethan went on alone with, "what's gone is gone," Deborah added, "the past is the past," Will replied, "turn the radio up," and Brianna finished the verse with, "and then hit the gas 'cause..."
Everyone joined in for the next chorus, "I know we've come so far, but we've got so far to go. I know the road seems long, but it won't be long 'till it's time to go, so, most days we'll take it fast and some nights lets we'll it slow. I know we've come so far, but baby, baby, we've got so far to go..."
Will started the next verse, "hey old friend, together, side-by-side and year-by-year," Brianna continued, "the road was filled with twists and turns, oh, but that's the road that got us here." Deborah glanced at Ethan and took his hand in hers, "let's move past the bad times, but before those memories fade," Ethan smiled, "let's forgive but not forget and learn from all the mistakes we made..."
The adults, along with the dancing teens went on to sing the last bridge and chorus of the song, " 'Cause it's so clear, every year we get stronger, so don't give up and don't say when and just get back on the road again 'cause... I know we've come so far, but we've got so far to go. I know the road seems long, but it won't be long 'till it's time to go, so, most days we'll take it fast and some nights lets we'll it slow. I know we've come so far, but baby, baby, we've got so far to go..." As the final words trailed off and the band ended, letting the notes echo in the auditorium, the audience members all stood up and clapped loudly, cheered and whistled, giving them another standing ovation of the night.
Will quickly stepped up, "thank you all so much for coming and we all look forward to seeing you guys next year!" He re-introduced the three other adults on stage, then introduced the band and then called out each one of the members' names and they stepped forward and bowed to the audience as the clapping and cheering continued until the last person waved.
"Go change, we'll talk later," Ethan said seeing the confused looks on Puck and Rachel's faces.
...
Puck, Rachel and Finn were the last to enter the choir room to see the rest of the club in various states of changing. Kurt noticed them enter, "oh my God! I can't believe your aunt was also in the club!" Kurt exclaimed.
"Neither can I," Puck admitted, "I didn't know."
"Seriously? How could you not?" Kurt asked zipping up his costume bag.
"Dude, I just met her like two months ago. She never mentioned anything and it's not like we asked," Puck shrugged, "we'll talk with them after we change."
"Was your dad's family like into music or something?" Finn asked.
Puck shrugged, "I know dad learned to play the piano and guitar when he was a kid, but other than that, I don't know," he admitted, "it's kind of all new for me, so I'm still figuring things out. At the party I found out that my grandfather owned a construction company that my uncle runs and my dad is a co-owner of now. They used to work with him when they were kids; which is where dad learned about remodeling houses," he added, moving over to his stuff to change.
Slowly the large group of students slimmed down to the presidents, Will putting them in charge of making sure the room was put back together before locking the door for the night. While Rachel put the chairs back in order, Puck moved a few things back into their place, and looked around the room, "I think we're good here," he admitted.
Rachel moved towards their stuff and nodded, "yes, I believe the room looks in order," she replied.
Puck stepped over to her, pulled her against him and kissed her gently, but she reacted by standing up on her tip-toes and wrapping her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Surprised, but enjoying this, he tightened his arms around her waist and picked her up slightly so her feet were off the floor, but his lungs begged for oxygen; the last few days catching up to him, so he reluctantly broke the kiss, taking a couple of deep breaths before smiling, "wow, now that's a kiss," he grinned, gently setting her back down on the ground.
She blushed, but nodded, "yes, it was," she agreed. "Sorry about earlier," she whispered.
"Earlier? What about?" He looked at her confused.
"For, um," she bit her lip, "for crying at the end of our song," she replied.
He shook his head, "don't be sorry," he reached up and brushed some of her hair behind her ear, "it's okay; you're allowed to get emotional," he added kissing her lips once more.
She smiled against his lips and as they pulled away she glanced around, "I suppose we should go before someone comes looking for us."
"Yeah, and I got a bone to pick with the directors and my aunt," he shook his head, letting her go and picking up their costume bags.
"It was... They were all very good," Rachel admitted, picking up her purse, making sure they had everything before stepping towards the door.
Once she stepped out, Puck followed her, flipping the light switch off and pulling the door shut behind them. Taking her hand in his they headed out to the parking lot where a large group of people were still waiting for them, Will, Emma, Rachel's dads, along with a lot of Puck's family.
"There they are," David said stepping over to them and hugging his daughter, "great job to night, both of you."
"Thank you," Rachel beamed as she hugged him and then Alan.
Compliments were passed to them from everyone else and soon Puck looked at his parents, Will and Brianna, "so, can someone explain?" He requested.
"The club had a successful concert," Ethan said calmly, a grin tugging at his lips.
Puck smirked at his dad's sarcasm, but then sobered, "how about you guys singing... And Brianna being in the club?" His eyes turned to his aunt.
"What?" She giggled, "you guys never asked and the point was to surprise you all."
"Well you sure did that," Puck laughed.
"You guys did great; you all have amazing voices," Rachel smiled.
"Thank you, Rachel," Brianna replied.
"I agree with Rachel, it was just a shock... I knew mom and Will could sing and we already heard dad sing, but I just didn't know anyone else in his family had been in the club," Puck admitted.
"Just Ethan and I," Brianna explained. "I joined when I was a sophomore because a friend of mine did. I Knew Deborah so I talked her in to joining the next year and when I was a senior we got Ethan to join, even if it was just for the year," she laughed.
"I just wasn't a dancer," Ethan shrugged, "and you three were a hell of a lot better singers and dancers than I was," he looked at Deb, Brianna, and Will.
"Well, that is true," Brianna smirked, "sometimes I wonder who's the twins, me and Brian or you and Brian, because you two sure are a LOT alike."
The brothers exchanged glances, "nothing wrong with that at all," Brian smirked.
"Nope, not a one," Ethan agreed with a laugh.
Brianna laughed and turned to Puck and Rachel, "you two were amazing tonight, you could really see the emotion in your duets."
"Thanks," Puck smiled, "it helps when you sing love songs with the person you love," he added looking at Rachel.
Rachel blushed, "yes, I agree," she replied.
The large group continued to talk for a little bit, but those who had driven several hours to get there needed to get going, so with hugs to their family members, they left and the rest headed home. David and Alan promised to come over the next day and bring the video, so they could all watch it.
Getting back to the house, Rachel was out of the car and hurrying towards the front door before the rest of them had gotten out Puck just laughed, knowing why she was in a hurry to get inside; to see Abby. He wanted to see his daughter just as much, but she was quicker than he was. When he walked inside, he found his girlfriend holding their daughter and Quinn and Finn on the couch. "Hey," he greeted them, "long time no see, bro," Puck laughed, having seen Finn not even an hour earlier.
"Hey, hope you don't mind me being here. Just thought I'd come hang out until you guys got back. I know you had family visiting," Finn said.
"Nah, it's cool, you should know you're welcome anytime," Puck shrugged hanging the costume bags on the banister as his parents and sister came into the house. Puck moved over to Rachel and looked over her shoulder at their daughter, "hey baby girl," he grinned reaching around to tease her hand and she grabbed onto it and smiled at him.
With everyone home, Quinn and Finn remained for a little longer, telling her about the night, but as it got later, the two left to return to his house. Arin was tired so she said 'goodnight' to her family before going upstairs to go to bed.
Rachel passed their daughter to her father and they sat down on the couch and he tickled her lightly with the small stuffed animal that was sitting on the table. She smiled and batted at it as he teased her nose with it.
Deborah and Ethan stood by the stairs, watching the small family sitting on the couch and smiled at each other. "We're going to turn in also," Deborah said, "goodnight."
"Night mom, night dad," Puck called out looking at them.
"Goodnight," Rachel replied.
"Night," Ethan nodded at them and started up the stairs, but paused, looking over at his son, "hey Noah?"
"Yeah?" Puck glanced over at his dad.
"Is tú mo ghrá, mo mhac," Ethan smiled at him and nodded before continuing up the stairs. ('I love you, my son' in Irish)
Rachel saw the smile on her boyfriend's face as he turned to look back at Abby, "Noah, what did he say? And it sounded a lot like what you said tonight at the concert."
"I said 'I love you, dad'. He just told me 'I love you, my son'," Puck explained, "it's Irish," he added.
"Oh," Rachel smiled, "that's... I didn't know you knew the language," she admitted.
"I learned a few phrases. My dad and his siblings all learned Irish as they learned English; that much I do know," he said shifting Abigail so he could hold her with one arm and slipped his other arm around his girlfriend's back.
Rachel leaned into her boyfriend, content to just sit there, "I like this," she murmured.
"Yeah, me too," he replied turning to press a kiss to her lips. "I love you." Abigail made a tiny noise in his arms and he smirked, looking down at her, "I love you, too, Abigail," he added leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.
Rachel giggled at them, but as he pulled his head back, she took the opportunity to kiss him, "I love you, too," she replied and then looked at their daughter, "and I love you, too, Abigail," she said resting her hand gently on her tummy and tickling her lightly, getting a noise similar to a giggle.
After a fun, yet emotional night, the young family enjoyed the quite time together; something they didn't get a lot, but for the moment, they were going to soak up as much of it as they could.
...
Music: I don't own any of the music discussed in this or any of the other chapters of 'Out of the Blue'.
Songs mentioned in previous chapters:
Defying Gravity (Part 11)
My Life Would Suck Without You (Part 17) (Sectionals)
True Colors (Part 23)
You're The One That I Want (Part 26) (Regionals)
When You Believe (Part 33) (Nationals)
Umbrella (Part 33) (Nationals)
I'll Be There For You (Part 34) (Nationals)
New Songs never mentioned before:
'And I Am Telling You' performed by Amber Riley on Glee
'I Say A Little Prayer For You' performed by Dianna Agron, Naya Rivera and Heather Morris on Glee
'Endless Love' performed by Matt Morrison and Lea Michele on Glee
'Come So Far' from the 2007 Hairspray soundtrack sung by Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, Nikki Blonsky and Elijah Kelley.
...
A/N4: Whooo, it's done! I have been planning that 'Come So Far' song for so long! It finally arrived! Let me know what you think!
A/N5: So sorry to everyone! I have not been able to respond to as many reviews as I'd like, so I apologize if you haven't seen one from me in a long time. :( RL has kicked my rear, so to speak, but I do read them and appreciate them all!
...