A/N: Welp...here's another chapter. It just seemed to keep going and going and I didn't want it to get too long so the actual dance will have to wait one more chapter. Still, I think there are a lot of good things in this one and I hope all of you agree.
Thanks to akd25101, my 3 guests and for your wonderful comments. I'm glad you're all excited about Rachel getting a normal high school experience and we'll have to wait and see how the pregnancy comes to light. (Honestly, I don't really have any ideas yet so I'm open to suggestions.) Also, thank you for your well wishes on law school, I'm anxious but also excited to move forward into something I'm passionate about.
Also, you can find the link for Rachel's homecoming outfit in my profile.
The first Friday night in October had brought brisk temperatures and the homecoming football game. Rachel had dressed in jeans and one of Noah's sweatshirts as she attended the game with his mother and sister, dragging the former along for the first time in Noah's high school career. It had been fun, though Rachel had immediately gone home after to warm up under a steaming hot shower, her fingers and toes half numb.
Having instructed Noah to at least make an appearance at one of the parties, Rachel stirred awake when he slipped into bed beside her the clock reading just after midnight. While there was a faint tinge of beer on his breath, when her eyes met his she could tell that at max he'd had one drink. Rolling onto her back, Rachel yawned and shifted to try and alleviate the slight ache that had appeared in the tight muscles of her lower back.
"Did you have fun?" She whispered, smiling when Noah took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"A little." He responded, his voice also soft and when Rachel questioned his answer he simply shook his head. If he were honest, spending time with people whose only ideas of fun were getting wasted and then hooking up with whoever was there just didn't appeal to him. But he understood Rachel not wanting him to completely stray from the things he would do if they hadn't met and weren't becoming parents, he didn't want her to lose the things that made her who she was either. "Rather be here with you though." He added, his voice slightly gruff from exhaustion and the waves of sleep that were eager to take over the second he let them.
The sound of his voice made Rachel shiver as it always had and after twisting to peck his lips, she turned to settle back into sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day, and she was nervous about arriving at the dance on his arms when she was a complete stranger to the rest of the student body. They were sure to have questions and answering them was going to be complicated.
As always, Rachel was up fairly early and for once the morning sickness didn't send her straight to the bathroom. She was nauseous, yes but it wasn't as horrible as it had been. That was a win in her book and after slipping back into a pair of pajama pants she headed downstairs to have a cup of tea and some fruit. Noah's mother joined her soon after and inquired about whether she was ready for the dance that night.
"I guess so…" She murmured as her hands clasped around the mug in front of her seeking its warmth. "I was able to find a dress at a secondhand store thankfully." It had honestly taken her most of her Wednesday to find a dress that she could afford with the knowledge that she needed to reserve as much money as possible for the baby growing inside her.
"I'm sure you're going to look stunning." His mother had told her causing her to smile. "I know this hasn't gone exactly the way you've planned and that I wasn't thrilled about it but I do want to thank you for the positive impact you've had on Noah. He's not the same boy that he was last year with everything that happened, he's turning into a man and I know that I have you to thank for that."
Hearing those words from his mother's mouth made Rachel tear up and when the older woman noticed, she was quick to step around the counter and to pull Rachel into a hug. "You are going to be a wonderful mother. And if we're both lucky my son will make an honest woman out of you someday." Having never had a mother, the embrace and the words of faith were exactly what Rachel didn't know she needed and after a long moment, she finally pulled away, brushing the tears from her eyes.
"Thank you. For everything. I know this isn't easy for you either but you've never given up on Noah, on me." It was then that the aforementioned boy stepped into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and he felt his heart swell seeing the moment that his mother and girlfriend were sharing. Without saying a word he simply moved to kiss his mother on the cheek before pecking Rachel's lips and pressing a hand to her stomach.
"G'mornin'" He mumbled to them both before turning to the fridge to get himself breakfast. Over breakfast, Noah and his mother talked about the game from the night before and Rachel sat down to complete an assignment for Monday, wanting to work as far ahead as possible. When Sarah awoke, she joined them and eagerly started talking about the sleepover she was going to that night since Noah's mother had to work and obviously, Noah and Rachel had other plans. Rachel couldn't help but smile at the younger girl, being accepted into Noah's family had given her both a mother as well as a younger sibling, something that she had always wondered about having.
The majority of the day was spent like most Saturday afternoons, in front of the tv while Noah watched college football and the girls worked on the ever-present puzzle that was set up on a folding table in the living room. It was an activity that Rachel had suggested since it wouldn't cost much but it was something that they could work on together throughout the week whenever they had time. Sarah and Noah's mother loved it and it made Rachel feel even more a part of this family, a feeling she cherished.
Around four that afternoon, Rachel headed upstairs to get ready knowing that it would take her awhile to shower, dry and curl her hair, do her makeup and then actually get dressed for the dance. She wanted to look absolutely perfect for Noah.
When Rachel climbed down the stairs ready to go, she found Noah already waiting in the kitchen having used his mother's room to get ready himself. Hearing her heels clicking across the floor he turned to look at her and his jaw dropped as he took her in.
"Damn babe." He breathed causing Rachel to smile brightly. The plum color of the dress accented her tan skin and all Noah wanted to do was to take her back upstairs to get her out of the dress. Her tiny little bump was completely invisible as well, something that she had insisted on when she went dress searching so that no one would start spreading rumors and their secret would remain a secret until they decided otherwise.
"So I did okay?" She murmured softly her hand moving to cup Noah's cheek after twirling for him.
"You are stunning." He assured her, smiling as her perfume reached his nose. "Absolutely stunning." Her cheeks flushed and she leaned up to kiss his lips gently before turning around with a giggle when his mother called their names from across the kitchen. She was dressed in her scrubs for work but the camera in her hand signaled that she wanted a few photos before they all walked out the door for their evening plans.
Standing in Noah's arms, Rachel smiled toward the camera and after a few pictures, Noah insisted that they needed to get going if they were going to get dinner before the dance. To Rachel's surprise, instead of heading to one of the many restaurants in town that were bound to be filled with other teenagers that had similar plans, Noah instead headed straight to the school. When they arrived he came around to help her out of the truck before reaching into the back for a blanket and picnic basket.
"Come on…" He directed her, taking her hand with his free one after locking up the truck. Curious as to where they were going, Rachel just let him lead the way, smiling when he led her through one of the side doors to the school and then into the theater.
"Noah…" Rachel murmured as he headed toward the stage. "I don't think we're supposed to be here." Her words had Noah setting their supplies down on the lip of the stage before turning back to her.
"Would you relax?" He insisted but knowing she wouldn't, continued after a moment. "I got permission okay. The choir teacher was a little confused about why I wanted to use the theater but when I told her my plans she okay'd it. She's a sap for shit like this." His last statement caused Rachel to giggle softly and after a brief pause, she took his hand.
"If you're sure." She conceded, climbing the stairs to the stage before sitting down when Noah had spread the blanket out. "This idea was wonderful, thank you." She murmured, her fingers brushing against his thigh as he worked to empty the basket out in front of them. There were two servings of pasta, some bread as well as a bottle of sparkling cider, the perfect dinner for them to share.
"You're welcome. I know we're trying to save money and this seemed like something you would appreciate. I only ask for a performance from my girlfriend in return." That seemed doable though Rachel obviously didn't have anything prepared ahead of time. She was certain she could come up with something and it had been too long since she'd had a stage to sing on, so she was eager to perform even if it was to an audience of one. So far today had been absolutely perfect and she could only hope that the dance would go just as well.