Disclaimer: I am just borrowing them for the fun of writing, BUT I do own the plot, ideas and original characters.
A/N: I edited this chapter, so all mistakes are mine.
A/N2: This story is mostly AU after Mash-up (1x08), but with some of the topics discussed in the later episodes and music used, I may sneak in a conversation, cover the same topic, or use the same song, but I will put my own twist on it and may use some of the music.
...
A/N3: Happy Birthday, Rachel (and me)! I didn't plan it this way; I really expected to be a lot further ahead than I am now, but this is so awesome! I get to post this on September 1st, which is Rachel's 17th birthday (here in 'Out of the Blue'), AND it's my 27th birthday in real life.
...
September 1, 2010
"I know we went to dinner when we were in Sandusky, but this seems different," Rachel commented as Puck pulled the door open for her.
"Could be that it wasn't your birthday," he replied, following her into the restaurant.
"It could be, but I don't know, my birthday has never been a big thing," she replied.
"Well, that is going to change," he told her, pressing a kiss to her lips, "a birthday is special, no matter how old you are."
Rachel smiled and as they stepped up to the hostess' desk, he told her his name for reservations and she led them to a table in a quiet area of the restaurant. Puck pulled Rachel's chair out for her and once she was seated, he slid it in and then took his seat as the hostess stepped away, "so chivalrous," Rachel told him.
He shrugged, "I try to be, sometimes."
"Most of the time," she clarified reaching across the table to take his hand, "I know I haven't really wanted much for my birthday, but thank you for taking me out."
"You're welcome," he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to it as someone filled up water glasses for them. He knew she didn't want him to make a 'big fuss' over her birthday, so this was his way to keep it simple, like she wanted, hopefully throwing off the scent to a party being planned, so then Sunday, they could really celebrate.
Before they started talking a lot, they looked over the menu and made their choices, so when their server walked up to them, they could place their orders and she left again, giving them some privacy.
Puck was toying with Rachel's ring on her left hand, staring at it intently and Rachel noticed the concentration, "Noah? Is everything alright?"
"Um, yeah, but I've been meaning to ask you something," he said looking at her.
"What is it?"
"Do you... Do you like our living arrangements? I mean, like us living together with Abby and neither really living with our parents anymore," he asked.
"I love it, Noah. Don't you?" Rachel asked, immediately concerned that he was having second thoughts about it.
"Yeah, I do, I love the way we're living," he assured her, and when she visibly relaxed, he continued, "I... I just wanted to ask you because you're on the phone with your dads a lot... Like nights they didn't come over for dinner, you'd call them... It's cool that you talk to them, and they're awesome... I just don't want you to feel homesick or miss them. We are young and what we're doing is like totally not normal, but I wouldn't change a thing."
Rachel sat silently for a moment, thinking about what he was saying and then reached over to take his other hand in hers, "I love how we're living, Noah, don't ever worry about that," she promised him, "I talk to my dads on the phone every day that I don't see them, because we're close and I'm still getting used to the transition of coming home from school to our house, and not living with them, that's all. I'm sorry if all the calls gave you the wrong impression," she told him.
He shook his head, "don't apologize. I just wanted to ask to make sure you're good with all this. It'd suck if you weren't," he told her.
Letting go of his hands, she got up and moved around the table and slid into his lap, hugging him, "I'm glad you asked and didn't keep wondering, but I promise, I'll always love living with you and Abby. You're my family now," she assured him, kissing him lovingly.
He smiled into the kiss and hugged her, "I love you, babe."
"I love you, too, Noah," she replied, kissing him once more before getting up and retaking her seat across from him, their hands joining together again.
"Speaking of family, I realized that over the summer we never did anything with your family," he commented.
"My family? Yeah we did. My dads did a lot of stuff with us," she replied, taking a sip of her water.
"Don't they have siblings and nieces and nephews, too?" Puck asked, "or, um... I mean... Given that..." He blushed.
"You mean, because they're gay, do they still have relationships with their families? Yes, they do," Rachel nodded, "the only people of their families who ever disliked their relationship is my dad's dad. Um, Alan's dad," she clarified. "Both of Alan's parents are gone, and so is daddy's dad, but daddy's mom is still alive."
Puck smirked, "I know the difference of dad and daddy," he smiled, "and I never wanted to bring it up because I was afraid it was a sore subject."
Rachel smirked, "I guess you would, sorry. As for it being a sore subject, both of their families have been accepting of their relationship and me as part of the family. Now that dad's parents are gone, both died when I was real young, he has a younger sister who lives in Indianapolis with her husband and their two kids. Daddy, is the oldest of four, he has two younger sisters and a brother. His sisters and their families live in Columbus and his brother and his family live in Dayton."
"I gotta ask, who was Berry?" Puck blushed.
Rachel giggled, "dad changed his name, much for the same reason why your dad first wanted to change his to Puckerman, to not share his dad's last name any longer," she explained.
"Wow, I thought that was like a fluke," Puck admitted.
"I think now-a-days it'd be more accepted for a man to change his name, I mean, if you want to change your name to Berry, that'd be fine by me," she winked at him.
Puck burst out laughing, "baby, I love you, and I'd do a lot of things for you without question, but that is one thing I wouldn't do, sorry," he replied calming down a little.
"I know, and I want to have your last name when we get married, anyway," she smiled, "I just wanted to see what you'd say," she paused a moment, "so why all the questions about me?" She asked softly.
"Because I'm tired of everything being about me," he told her truthfully. "I realized that over the summer not one time did you ever mention your dads' families, going to visit them, talking to them, other than the one cousin you are close to and since we've been together, it's been about my dad coming back, his family meeting us, my mom's family, my parents getting married, but in all that, you've been right there with me and never once suggested even going down to visit them. I didn't even know where they lived until you just told me," he explained, "our relationship is supposed to be fifty-fifty, and I don't want to take your life from you and sometimes I worry that I have. I mean, has your grandma even met Abby?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as he told her that, and she wiped them away, "you haven't taken my life from me. You're right, it has been about you for a while, but you've only just met your family. I've known them my whole life. My family has seen pictures of Abby; they are all friends on Facebook with me, but no, none of them have met her yet, nor have they met you. They would like to. The sister that is closest to my daddy's age has a daughter that is only a month and a half older than I am. She's the one I'm closest to. Her name is Anna and she is also a Junior in high school. I want you to meet them, too, so don't think that I'm embarrassed about you or Abby in anyway," she assured him.
Puck smiled, "good. I didn't think you were, but it's nice to hear," he admitted, "I'm sorry to upset you, that wasn't my intention, but we just never seem to talk about this stuff," he explained.
"No, it's alright," Rachel wiped her eyes again, "I think the conversation caught me off guard, that's all, but you're right, it should be fifty-fifty and it has been a lot about you, but I don't mind. I love you, and I want us to share everything, so someday soon we'll go visit them."
"Cool," he smiled, glancing up to see their salad arrive to start their meal. Once it was in front of them and they'd taken some to eat, he looked at her, "so aside from you and Anna being like the same age, why are you close?"
Rachel giggled, "she's the reason why everyone thinks that daddy is my biological father. We look a lot alike. We're both petite, have a lot of similar facial features, but she's... She's more girly than I am. She's always wearing makeup and has more fashion sense than I do," she smirked, "but we've always been able to relate to each other," she paused, thinking, "this is hard to explain. In thinking about it, we are more opposite than we are similar; she's always had boyfriends, and I didn't until you came along, she's popular, I'm not, but we work," she shrugged.
"It's okay. As long as you guys get along, that's cool," Puck replied with a smile.
"We do, I think it's because we both have dreams and that we want to pursue. She was concerned when told her I wasn't going for Broadway anymore, but she says now that I seem happier than I did before, so you're to thank for that," she admitted, "Anna wants to study English at OSU and be a book editor."
"So you guys relate because you both are book worms," he smirked.
"Yes, I suppose that could be part of it," she agreed with a smile.
Their dinner arrived and soon their conversation went from just about her, to their family, the Glee Club, school, and friends. About halfway through their meal, Puck looked over at her, "you know, I realized something Saturday," he commented.
Rachel thought back to what had happened on Saturday and then nodded, "what did you realize?" She asked.
He smiled, "you'd make a great photographer."
The comment struck her and she looked at him, "really?"
"Yeah, I mean you're already taking pictures left and right, and then when we were at the studio you seemed to be impressing the photographer at your knowledge of the things you were discussing and doing," he told her honestly.
Rachel thought for a long moment and slowly the same realization hit her, "yeah, I do enjoy it. I never thought of that," she admitted.
He nodded, "I... Um," he paused at how he wanted to say it, "I mean, sometimes when people take their hobbies and turn them into their careers it doesn't go well, but sometimes it works out great. I was thinking about you going to OSU and studying a program you don't plan to pursue anymore. Why force yourself into doing something that would hurt you? You could study something like graphic design or photography and become a photographer, just like that lady is at the studio. You could do weddings, graduations, anything, and I know you'd be great at it," he smiled, "and McKinley has some classes like that, and if you're going to be done with some of your other classes by the end of this year, next year you could take some electives with computer classes and photography, to see, before you go to OSU and have to pay for them."
A smile grew on her face at his idea, "I think that's an amazing idea. I will be done with my English requirement this year, as well as my science and I don't really have to take choir if I don't want to, since I still have Glee, but we'll see. Thank you for the suggestion."
"You're welcome. I just want you to see you have other options, because sometimes people don't realize them on their own," he paused, "but I'm not telling you what to do."
"I know you're not, and I appreciate the thought. You're right, I do have a lot of options out there," she leaned forward and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently, "I love you."
"I love you, too," he replied as they pushed their empty plates away from them.
"Thanks for bringing me, Noah, this has been a great birthday," she told him truthfully; even after the awkward conversation at the beginning that had been about her, she really did enjoy dinner and could see his concern for her future as he suggested a new career path for her, which warmed her inside.
"You're welcome," he replied, "happy birthday, baby."
A grin grew on her face and she stood up, moving to sit on his lap again, "I know what would make it even greater," she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek before whispering in his ear, "your jeep and a quiet spot where we could enjoy each others' company in a more adult way."
He groaned lightly and smirked, "I think I could arrange that," he replied.
...
The following day was Thursday, with Glee practice after school and once a few things were discussed, they jumped right into the vocals of 'Seasons of Love' and everyone was amazed at the sound; twelve voices were great, but the rich sound of double that brought chills to many of them as they realized what they now could accomplish with a lot more voices. As Rachel said, Mercedes did perfectly with the female lead and Matt took over the male lead, his voice more matching the person who sang it in the musical and the movie.
When Friday arrived, the school was pumped. There was a pep assembly during the last period of the day, celebrating the first home football game of the season that night. The Cheerios performed, the football team came out, all dressed in their football jerseys and introduced Ben to the rest of school for those who didn't have him as a teacher.
The Gleeks that weren't on the football team or on the Cheerios sat together and Rachel was so glad to see her boyfriend with the team, wearing his number and was really happy to see Quinn back in her Cheerios uniform, even if she had been a bitch to Rachel in the beginning of the year; a lot of things had changed.
When the assembly ended and the school began filing out of the stands to head to their cars, buses or to walk home, since it was the end of the day, the teams broke up to go hang out with their friends before practices, so Puck, Matt, Mike, Finn and Kurt met up with their Glee friends, along with Quinn, Brittany and Mandy.
"You guys looked great out there," Rachel said to everyone, hugging her boyfriend.
"Thanks," Quinn smiled, "it feels so good to be able to cheer again," she admitted.
"It is nice to be back on the field after what happened last year," Puck agreed.
"Let's not repeat that tonight, alright?" Jessica requested.
"Did anyone else realize that no one mentioned who you guys are playing tonight?" Tina asked, "don't they usually make a big deal out of it?"
"It's a surprise," Puck grinned, "well, we know, but no one else does. We challenged a team out of our league and they accepted."
"Who?" Rachel asked.
Puck shook his head, "not saying," he grinned. "You'll find out tonight."
Rachel huffed a little in disgust, but gave in, realizing they only had a few hours to go until they'd find out themselves.
...
The game was at six, so the Glee students, Ryan and TJ among them, were meeting at five at the front of the stadium. Deborah, Quinn, Ben, Puck, Finn and Kurt were already at the school with their respective teams, so their families also met up with the Glee members, too.
Decked out in red t-shirts or hoodies, the summer evening was still warm, but Rachel had come prepared with many layers of clothing for Abby, just to make sure she didn't get cold, and as they walked up, the competitive team was on the field doing sprints.
"Who are they playing," Ethan asked.
"Noah wouldn't tell me. Apparently it's a secret," Rachel said shifting Abby on her hip.
Ethan eyed the uniforms on the field, "I'll be back," he said once they got in into the gates.
"We sit on this side," Rachel motioned to where all the red and white was.
"I know, I'll be back," Ethan replied heading off in the direction of the visitors side.
"Okay, that's weird," Susan commented.
"I'm not familiar with a team called the Knights," Mercedes commented.
"Well, Noah did say that they challenged a team out of their league. Maybe it's a team from Eastern Ohio instead of Western, like where we are," Jessica suggested.
"Eastern?" Rachel's mind began to wander, "could it be Cleveland High School?"
Susan's eyes widened and then grinned, "it is! That's who Dayton played last year at the State Championship. Why would they challenge them?"
"Logan, Ethan's nephew, plays on it," Rachel said, now seeing Ethan hugging some people, but from a distance she couldn't tell who it was exactly; she was only able to tell who Ethan was because he was wearing a red hoodie and standing in a sea of blue and gold.
"Oh yeah! I remember him wearing a t-shirt at Puck's birthday party with his school's logo and them being state champions on it," Tina commented.
"Logan and his twin sister are Seniors this year, and since Noah is also one, I would think it would be a big deal for the cousins to play against each other one time before the end of their high school careers, and it would give Ben an opportunity to have his team win against them, to make up for the loss last year, without the stress of it being a championship game," Alan suggested.
"No offense to Ben or anything, but that would mean that McKinley would actually have to win the game, and I know it's a new team and a new coach, but the first game of the season? I don't know," Mercedes said skeptically.
"Home field advantage," Burt laughed as the group continued towards the stands.
Finding seats in a large group, Rachel sat Abby on her lap and adjusted the outfit she had on, making sure she wasn't cold.
"So is this your daughter?" Ryan asked, turning around, since he was sitting in the front with between Tina and Mercedes.
Rachel nodded, "yes, this is Abigail, but we all call her Abby."
Ryan smiled and held out his hand to her, "hey there, Abby," he said gently picking up her hand to 'shake' it. Abby studied him for a moment and then wrapped her hand around his index finger, a sign that she was comfortable with him. "You are adorable," he told her.
"Thank you," Rachel replied shifting her around a little more so her back was against Rachel's chest so she could look around.
"One of the drawbacks to being gay is not being able to have kids," Ryan commented.
Several people cleared their throats and looked around, turning their heads to Alan and David. "Ryan, I'd like you to meet my dads," Rachel said, stressing the plural word, "David and Alan."
Ryan's eyes widened as he turned to look at them, "I... I..." Ryan blushed completely eating the words he'd just said, "um, hi."
David and Alan laughed lightly, but knew what he was getting at. "It is difficult to have children when you're in a same sex relationship, but there are options out there. Surrogacy or adoption," David explained, slipping his arm around Rachel's shoulders.
"Right," Ryan nodded, blushing a bright shade of red. "I, um, I guess I mean it's just not as easy."
"Hey! So I might have grandkids after all," Burt grinned.
"Yeah, but somehow I don't know how well Kurt would take to caring for children," Mercedes admitted.
Burt thought for a moment and laughed, "good point. One can hope, still," he added.
"Eek! Rachel!" Laura exclaimed jogging up the stairs to her.
Rachel stood up, "hey! It took me a second, but once dad went over to that side, we kind of all figured it out," she said hugging her.
Kelly, Kevin, and Rich were right behind her, "we've had to keep our mouths shut for weeks!" Kelly sighed, hugging her, both girls decked out in blue and gold.
Puck's cousins all greeted Rachel and she quickly introduced them to the few that didn't know him, "so what number is Logan?" Rachel asked.
"Is there any other number the Ballard family wears?" Kevin asked.
Rachel looked at him and then turned to Ethan and he grinned, "twenty. Brian wore it when he played football here at McKinley and I wore it playing hockey. Logan is wearing it, and so is Noah, and Kevin wore it playing soccer."
"You played football?" Ryan asked him, "eh, sorry, soccer. Damn, after a year and I'm still calling it that," he laughed.
Kevin nodded and the two started talking about soccer, leaving the girls to chat. As it got closer to six, the blue and gold dressed kids headed back to their side of the field; being looked at strangely because they were in the opposing team's colors.
Will and Emma joined them just before the game was about to start.
"Good evening McKinley and our visitors from the north! Tonight is the Titans first home game of the season! These two teams tonight would not normally play against each other, but relationships between members of the teams came to light over the summer, so after some discussions, please all welcome last years State Champions, the Cleveland High School Knights!" As the visiting stands cheered for their team, and so did the large group with the Glee kids, getting odd looks from some as Logan and the starting players of the Knights moved out to the middle of the field, while the rest of the team lined up on the sidelines.
"And now, after major injuries and a change of coaches, please welcome to the field, the William McKinley High School Titans, coached by Ben Puckerman!"
When the team came out, dressed in their red and white uniforms, most carrying their helmets, the stands went crazy, calling out names and cheering for them as all of them jogged onto the field.
Rachel kept an eye on Abby, but looked up just as #20 jogged out and she smiled, waving as he turned to look in the stands.
Puck saw his family in the stands and his mom on the track and held his hand over his heart and pointed to his mom and then Rachel, Abby, Arin and Ethan in the stands.
"Please stand for the National Anthem."
As the Star Spangled Banner played from the speakers, everyone held their hand over their heart, or in Ethan's case, saluted the flag, and once the song ended, the stands cheered and Abby started fussing at the noise.
"Oh, shoot," Ethan grabbed something from his pocket and handed them to Rachel.
"What are these?" Rachel looked at the small package.
"Ear plugs. They're the disposable ones we use at work on the range. I forgot to give them to you before this all started," he motioned around to the screaming fans. "It'll help drown out the major screams so she doesn't get scared."
Rachel nodded her thanks and with Ethan's help, got them in her ears and she settled down.
"Traditionally the captains of the teams do the coin toss, but today is a treat. McKinley's Wide Receiver, number twenty, Senior Noah Puckerman, and Cleveland's Tight End and Defensive End number twenty, Senior Logan Ballard will be calling the toss. These two are cousins and Coach Puckerman for McKinley previously coached Dayton High School, who was the team that Cleveland beat last year by a field goal to win the State Championship..." The announcer paused while everyone stared at the field, waiting to see who would win the toss and then what the winner would pick to do.
"Never thought I'd see this day," Ethan admitted.
"For what?" Arin asked.
"Well for one, seeing Noah play football, but also see him play against your cousin," Ethan told her.
The referee pointed to Puck and then he motioned to Cleveland, where another ref handed Logan a football, "it looks like McKinley has won the coin toss and has chosen to receive the ball."
Logan and Puck shook hands and patted each other on the back before heading back to their sidelines to huddle up with their team.
"Talk about a family affair tonight. We've got Mrs. Deborah Puckerman as the Cheerios coach, Mr. Ben Puckerman as football's head coach and Noah Puckerman on the field, with his cousin Logan on Cleveland, who beat Ben's previous team... I bet the Puckermans and Ballards are torn on who to cheer for," the other announcer said through the microphone with a slight laugh.
"I bet dad throws his clipboard in the first half of the game," Jessica said looking at Susan.
"Winner has to do the laundry this weekend," Susan said holding out her hand.
"Deal," Jessica grinned shaking her mom's hand.
Rachel laughed, "what are you two doing?"
"Dad has a tendency to get very emotional on the field. Last year he threw his clipboard down almost every game when he'd get frustrated," Jessica explained. "Just because it's a new team, doesn't mean it's not gonna have issues, and it's the first game of the season."
McKinley received the kick off and the game had begun. With the back and forth of the teams, by the end of the first quarter McKinley had seven and Cleveland had ten; not a bad start to the season.
At the beginning of the second quarter, McKinley got the ball again and Puck made his first touchdown of the season and Kurt got the extra point, bringing up the score to fourteen to ten. When Cleveland got another touchdown and the extra point, they now led with seventeen, only three away from McKinley as the buzzer rang to end the quarter, beginning the twenty-five minute halftime.
"Looks like you're doing the laundry this weekend," Susan grinned.
Jessica crossed her arms over her chest and pouted, "I can't believe it! I've never seen him so calm."
"He has been working on calming down," Susan told her, "wait until later in the season and he might go back to his old self," she laughed.
...
Once both teams had gone into locker rooms to regroup, and the Cheerios performed a dance with the marching band, Orla, Ethan's mom, and his sisters and their families came over to switch sides, leaving Brian and his family on the visiting side to cheer on Logan still.
"Oh there's my great-granddaughter," Orla cooed reaching out for her, "I haven't seen her since Noah's birthday party and she's so much bigger now."
Rachel handed her off to her great-grandma, "she is, and she's almost completely sitting up on her own."
"That's wonderful," Orla smiled turning to her son, "how are you two doing on making me another grandchild?" She asked curiously.
"Whoa! I don't need to know about Uncle Ethan and Aunt Deborah's sex life," Kevin groaned, plopping down in spot, covering his ears.
"Yeah, grandma, save that question for when children are not around," Laura added.
"Well, this is my last shot at a grandchild. My youngest having another one," Orla commented, "and if you want to get technical, you should have been the first one to give me a great-grandchild, but Noah beat you to it, but you'll be next, Kevin," the woman teased.
"I don't even have a girlfriend," Kevin retorted.
Deborah came up and found her husband, "hey everyone," she said, sitting down on his lap and leaning her head against his shoulder.
"Hey Aunt Deborah, thank God you're here!" Kevin said.
"What's going on?" Deborah laughed, having seen the horrified look on Kevin's face a few moments prior.
"Mom was just wondering when you guys were planning your next child," Bree said.
Deborah looked at Orla, still holding Abby, "it's not like we'll plan it out, but we do want another one someday," she admitted, closing her eyes.
Ethan rubbed her back, "someone's not used to being up this long, huh?"
"Exactly," Deborah nodded, "I've been up since four-am."
While everyone excepted that as a reason for her being tired, Rachel was skeptical, "it's only like fifteen or sixteen hours... Are you sure that's what it is or are you really pregnant? Both of you kind of avoided that question with vague answers," she thought, keeping that tidbit of information to her self, "and you seem to be going to bed earlier at night."
...
It was anyone's game as the second half started. Puck got his second touchdown of the night and Kurt again, kicked the extra one point, bringing McKinley up to twenty-one. Cleveland took another field goal, but they were still one point down by the end of the third quarter.
McKinley got the ball at the start of the last quarter of the game, but they weren't able to go for a touchdown, so Kurt came out and kicked a three point field goal, bringing their score up to twenty-four and giving Cleveland the ball. The Knights got another touchdown, and the kicked point, so they were now leading twenty-seven to twenty-four.
With five minutes remaining, Finn passed the ball to Puck and he got to the thirty-two yard line before he was tackled to the ground, his cousin being the first one on top of him, with another guy on top of him.
"You okay down there, Noah?" Logan asked, groaning as his teammate got up.
"Yeah," Puck groaned, feeling his cousin getting up. Once Logan stood up completely, Puck pushed himself to his knees and then accepted his cousin's hand as he stood up the rest of the way, "thanks."
"No problem. You sure you're good? I don't think I'd be on the good list of the family if I hurt you," he smirked.
Puck laughed lightly, "I'm good," he assured him.
"Good," Logan nodded before patting Puck on the back and jogging over to line up with his team.
Lining up with the McKinley team, Puck waited until the ball was snapped back to Finn and as it was, Puck took off, running as fast as he could to the end zone, turning just in time to catch the pass and ran until he made a touchdown. Throwing the ball down on the field, he threw his arms up and his teammates surrounded him to celebrate briefly, seeing only thirty seconds left in the game.
Kurt jogged out and they all knew that no matter if he makes the point or not, they win the game, but he's still focused on the kick. Setting up both teams, as the ball is snapped back to Finn, he quickly sets it up and Kurt runs forward kicking the ball between the upright goal posts and the buzzer rings, ending the game.
"McKinley starts off their season with a win, thirty-one to twenty-seven. What a night. If this is any indication of the rest of the season, it looks like Coach Puckerman is just what McKinley needed to turn the team around."
...
Spectators, fans and families filed out of the gates of the stadium after the game ended. The players and cheer teams had gone off to the locker rooms to shower and change and slowly the Cleveland students were climbing onto their bus, while others met with their families that had come down to go home with them.
Those there to support Logan, Noah or the Glee members waited outside for the others. Deborah, Quinn, Brittany and Mandy were the last from the Cheerios to come out, so they joined the large group, greeting their friends and for Deborah, greeting her husband and daughters.
Watching guys come out of the visiting locker room and pile on the bus, they were surprised to find Logan hadn't appeared, and most of McKinley had come outside, heading to cars or to meet up with friends, cheering and celebrating their win, but Finn, Puck, Matt, Mike, Kurt or Ben hadn't joined them yet.
"Dude, what's taking them so long?" Mercedes groaned.
"Ben has to be the last one out of the locker room before he locks it up, but I don't know about the rest of them," Susan admitted.
As if the guys heard them talking about them, the five Glee Club members, four of them dressed in Letterman's Jackets and Logan, dressed in a blue and gold Letterman's jacket came out of McKinley's locker room and made their way towards their families.
Laura jogged over to greet her brother, "sorry you didn't win, Logan," she said.
"I'm not," Logan laughed, returning her hug.
Rachel, with Abby in her arms, walked around some of their family to her boyfriend and smiled at him, "you were amazing tonight," she told him.
Puck wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and daughter and kissed her lovingly, "thanks," he grinned, pressing a kiss to Abby's forehead as he took her from Rachel and settled her against his chest. Abby's hand pressed against the 'M' on his jacket as she settled against his chest. "I think someone's tired," he murmured wrapping the blanket around her a little more.
Slowly the group started to shrink as people began to go home, even Finn, Quinn, Carole, Brut and Kurt left, so it was down to the closer families.
Kegan, Brian and Brianna all had young children there to see Puck and Logan play football, and though they wanted to stay, it was a few hour drive back home, so they began to stay their goodbyes, doing their best not to mention some of them would be down on Sunday for Rachel's party.
Brian walked over to Puck and held out his hand, "great job tonight, Noah, you did the family number proud," Brian smiled.
Puck smiled and shook his uncle's hand, "thanks Uncle Brian."
Ben finally joined them, and after a brief conversation with him, the out of town family for the Puckermans knew they had to leave. His grandma, his aunts and some of his cousins hugged Puck, before they headed out to their cars, piling in and leaving the school.
"I'm so proud of you," Ethan smiled at his son, "this was the first time I ever got to see you play," Ethan admitted.
"Thanks dad," Puck threw his free arm around his dad and gave him a hug, "that means more to me than what Uncle Brian said," he told him, "I always wanted you to see me play."
Ethan smiled as they pulled apart, "I'm glad I got the opportunity to and I'll come to as many games as I can," he told him, "football and basketball."
Puck nodded, a smile on is face at his dad's words; a lot had changed in a little less than a year and now he had people coming to games to cheer for him; he was used to the past when no one could come because Deborah was always working and Arin was with Mrs. Morgan, but now he had his dad to come see him, his mom could watch play because she wasn't working long hours at the hospital anymore, he had a large extended family that was supporting him and though they couldn't be there every game, he knew they were rooting for him. The best part of all, on top of his parents and sister finally being there, was that he is in a relationship with an amazing girl and they have a beautiful daughter, and he knows that they will always be his biggest fans, whether or not they are at a game or not.
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A/N4: I hope you guys enjoyed. I've had the idea for the game between Logan's school and McKinley for a while, and I was thinking of doing it later in the year, but I decided it'd be fun for the first game of the season to be against the cousins. Review and let me know what you think.
A/N5: When I first posted Chapter 61, TJ's name meant Toren James, but after I looked up some other names, I found the name I had originally wanted the 'J' to mean was also Hebrew, so TJ now stands for Toren John, also known as Teyla's son's name in Stargate: Atlantis. Didn't know either were Hebrew until looking up names. I don't own that name, but it won't come up again; I will just be using TJ.
Up next: The surprise party for Rachel and she gets an unexpected gift.
Update on my family life: We have not found out anything. After sitting from the 23rd to the 26th with no information from anyone, finally on Friday, August 27th, the place in Seattle that my mom will be going to called to set up the appointment for an exam with the doctor. The earliest they could get her in is on the 14th of September, so we have a while to wait. It sucks. I hate waiting, and my mom's doctor here has not shared any information with us and the person on the phone told her that the results from the lab work was incomplete and the doctors were asking for it to be gone over again, so we probably won't find out if it's cancer until the earliest of the 14th, and even after that appointment, they still might not know. It's frustrating! ... I really appreciate all of your kind words in your reviews and your personal messages about this. It means so much. You guys and my writing is what is keeping me going. I love you all so much!
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