A/N: Here's the longer chapter that I promised last week. I think it's going to become pretty routine that I only write and update on weekends as that's when I actually have a decent amount of time to just sit and let the creativity flow. But I should be pretty consistent with that posting schedule so just bear with me.
Anyway, thanks to everyone that reviewed the last chapter for what it was, I really do appreciate it.
Kiwiflea - Hopefully you enjoy where I took this chapter. Trust me there will be plenty written on how Rachel takes on Lima and what everyone there thinks of her.
RachelStBerry - yes I know, they are definitely much better together than they are apart.
donna14 - I'm glad you found this story as well! Thanks for taking the time to review.
Guest - Thank you! It's certainly an improvement from the job in retail that I left. I really do enjoy it so far.
ms allea- they do both have their phones but I wouldn't torture you, them, or myself with having them be apart for too long.
alexa - they're certainly attached to each other even if they still don't know what it all means just yet.
And on with the chapter. Trying to get the image link to work on my profile, I'm sorry it hasn't before. If I can't get it up you can find the link in the chapters of this story over at archive of our own, my username there is gleefanatic.
While Rachel had grown up used to being alone, she had grown so used to Noah's presence that it was a shock to her system. Though she knew her dads were probably worried, Rachel spent the next week or so locked in her room just crying and waiting for her phone to ding with the occasional message from him.
Hours away Noah was wrapped up with football though at the same time his mind never strayed too far from Rachel. On one hand that was distracting, but in a way it was also more motivation to be better. He wanted to be able to share these things with Rachel and for her to be proud of him. Though he hadn't known her long she was already right up there with his mom and little sister when it came to women he cared about.
When it was time for Rachel's next doctor's appointment nearly two weeks after Noah had left, Rachel's hopes weren't very high. She didn't feel any different physically, though her cramps had eased up a bit, a relief she contributed to her lack of physical activity. The drive was short though stressful, tiny little things like people not doing the speed limit grating on her nerves.
When she arrived at the office, Rachel signed in and took a seat, flipping through whatever magazine was next to her to try and force her mind away from everything else. Thankfully, it wasn't long before a nurse called her name and took her down the hall to take her vitals before leading her to an exam room and instructing her to change into the gown while she waited for the doctor.
Rachel certainly wasn't a fan of these exams and so once she had changed she sat on the bed just swinging her legs back and forth. Silently, she prepared herself to be told that they were going to have to schedule the surgery because either nothing had changed or the growth had gotten bigger.
Eventually, there was the familiar knock on the door before the doctor entered. He'd seen her enough recently to know that she had no desire for idle talk and instead he just asked her how she was feeling, only to be rewarded with a small shrug. Nodding he set up the machine next to the exam table before gloving up and instructing Rachel to settle her feet in the stirrups at the end of the bed. This procedure was never comfortable, and Rachel closed her eyes just wanting to block as much as she could.
With the machine turned on, the doctor focused the wand in the direction of the growth and after a moment Rachel heard him hum to himself before he shifted the device and flicked a switch. Immediately, a rhythmic thumping reached her eyes and the doctor spoke her name, asking her to take a look at the screen.
"Ms. Berry….that spot right there…." He pointed to a circular blob on the screen. "That's your baby. Congratulations, you're pregnant." Quickly tears filled her eyes as she took in the site of what would grow into her and Noah's child and the sound of a tiny heart beating filled her screen.
"Oh my god…" She choked out unable to believe that this was really real. "Are you serious?" She whispered her hand moving to rest on her upper stomach over the gown. Before answering the doctor took a few measurements on the screen before turning his attention back to her.
"It's still a little early to pinpoint an exact due date but it looks like you're somewhere between five and six weeks Rachel." That was absolutely crazy in her mind but she certainly wasn't going to complain.
"And the growth?" She questioned, now concerned for her baby's health more than her own. Finishing up with what he needed in relation to the baby, he shifted the wand back towards the growth.
"It looks like it has become less dense which is certainly a good sign. The size hasn't changed yet but I imagine that there will be a stark difference in the next few weeks." With that, he turned the machine off and handed Rachel a wet rag to clean herself up with before slipping the gloves off and making a few notes on her chart. "I'll have the nurse schedule you another ultrasound here in three weeks and that will give us a better idea on your baby's gestational age as well as how everything else is progressing. Of course, if you have any concerns in the meantime feel free to give us a call and we'll get you in."
Though she was still crying and somewhat in shock, Rachel was overjoyed and wished more than anything that Noah was here to be able to share the news with. Once the doctor stepped out of the room, Rachel redressed and grabbed a tissue for her tears before heading back to her car. After closing her door, Rachel pressed a hand to her stomach, just sitting in silence for nearly fifteen minutes, bonding with her unborn child.
The next thing Rachel knew, after stopping at a shopping mall and purchasing the cutest onesie that read 'hello daddy' in a pretty cursive script, she was driving past the sign that said welcome to lima. Rachel had never actually gotten Noah's address here so she aimlessly drove through the streets until she spotted a familiar truck in a driveway. Parking down the block, Rachel sent a text to subtly ask if Noah was indeed home and when he responded that he was just laying in bed playing video games she climbed out of her car and walked up to the house to ring the doorbell.
Rachel hoped that Noah was the only one home, there was only his truck in the driveway after all and though a younger girl came to the door, Rachel quickly spotted Noah running down the stairs behind her. The moment his eyes met hers, Rachel immediately started crying again and quickly he was pulling her against his solid chest, his hands gripping her tightly.
Quickly he barked an order to his sister to leave them alone and then she heard him whispering questions in her ear wondering what was going on. Without saying a word, Rachel tugged him towards the stairs and getting her message Noah led her to his room where he shut and locked the door behind them. Again he questioned what was going on and this time, Rachel tugged the onesie out of her purse, gently tossing it to him.
For what seemed like forever, Noah just stared at it before he finally looked back at her. "You're pregnant?" He exclaimed and as soon as Rachel nodded her head his mouth was on hers and his hands were on her stomach, pressing protectively. His reaction was everything that Rachel wanted and she giggled softly when they pulled back for air.
"I don't feel pregnant, but I went to the doctor today and low and behold, there is an embryonic sac and heartbeat." The awe on his face spoke volumes and Rachel rubbed her thumb along his cheek until he kissed her again, this time lifting her up and carrying her to his bed. There, he pushed her shirt up and knelt next to her stomach before pressing kisses to the soft flesh that was guarding their child. There weren't even words to describe how they were both feeling but this moment was more than enough. As he just laid next to her, alternating between her stomach and mouth, Rachel ran her fingers through her hair and whispered how grateful she was for him.