(Quinn's Point of view)
DDDINNNNGGGG!
Near by a locker slammed as everyone shuffled to first period.
Summer went by in a blink. Other than a few occasional trips to the only beach in Ohio, I worked out at my favorite gym downtown. I needed something to distract me. Besides, I decided to just stick to Glee club this year. Next year would be my senior year, and I wanted my grades to be strong so that I could apply for Yale's Law program. I wanted to focus on me, and I guess so far it's been working.
I stopped crying myself to sleep, and after a much needed few therapy sessions, I challenged myself to get back up again. I needed a change, which is why I grew out the pink streaks in my hair. I needed a fresh wave. I needed to learn how to live again, without her, and without him. As if he heard me thinking out loud, Puck walked through the main doors just as I ducked into the bathroom.
Relieved, I sighed only to find myself awkwardly staring into the eyes of Jacob. I swallowed, and mumbled a 'sorry' before turning around to the door swinging open.
"I'm sorry to interrupt." Puck said jokingly.
I froze.
"It's good to see you Quinn." He said casually with a genuine smile. I swore he leaned in closer.
It's great to see you too, I thought. I couldn't find my voice, so I just smiled.
"Quinn, your outfit is really nice. Maybe I can write about your post baby outfits sometime." Jacob mentioned as he passed us.
My gaze dropped as my cheeks turned red. Puck's expression must've chased him off. Great way to start the first day of school I thought. Frustrated, I hugged my books to my chest ready to push past Puck when he did something unexpected.
He shed a tear. Confused, I watched his frame tense up.
"I did that. I did that to you." He said as his eyes closed. He stood with one hand over his eyes, and his head bowed.
I didn't know when my hand found his arm. I didn't realize I closed the distance between us until it was too late. I kissed the trail that the tear left.
"I have no regrets." I whispered after a few seconds. As soon as it left my mouth, I realized that it was the truth. Not sure what to do next, I tensed up remembering where I was; in the men's room with Puck. Before he could move, I hugged him for dear life. I took in his smell, his warmth, him, and for once I was at peace. Even though I knew that this was the end for moments like these, I was okay with moving on. As if he sensed the end, he pulled away first and just smiled.
"Take care of yourself Quinn." He said and kissed my forehead.
That might have been the last time I heard his voice. After a week of not seeing him in Glee, I asked Finn and that's when I found out that Puck transferred to another high school because they allowed him to do the Split-option program with the Army the summer before he turned seventeen. Although a piece of me wasn't the same, I never took it for granted seeing Beth where I found I could pretend to get that piece of him back.
(Puck's Point of view)
Lecrae's song "No Regrets" came through my headphones.
Just let them know that when I come to the end of my road
And they ask me was it worth it
The hurt and the pain and the life I chose
I'll do it again in a heartbeat heartbeat
Heart heart heart beat
I tell them I do it again in a heartbeat heartbeat
Heart heart heartbeat
And I die with no regrets
I smiled remembering the last time Quinn was in my arms, and she whispered 'I have no regrets." I had a few, like not getting a locket with my girls in it. In the last letter, Shelby mailed me a picture of Beth, and I guess out of courtesy she didn't mention Quinn. I mean I didn't expect her to, but I also didn't know that I had to ask.
It was only hours before we had to be awake for PT. Army never let up. Thinking back, I'm glad that I joined the military. It gave me a fresh start, a chance to be there for my kid, something my dad wasn't able to do. I sighed. I glanced at my reflection only to meet a 6-foot tan man looking back at me. He looked tired, but the love in his eyes reminded me of where I came from. My eyes dropped to my hands. I wanted a better life for my family, and I couldn't think of a better way than to help heal the wounds of soldiers.
….
5 years later
(Puck's Point of view)
It must've been close to seven in the morning when the Walls group blasted through my speakers in the dining room of my apartment. And it just so happened to be my favorite song by them: On the other side.
Ain't no use in crying it'll be alright
Ain't no use in worrying cuz it'll be okay
I turned up the volume with the remote before finding the ingredients for pancakes.
You may not understand what you're going through
But I got real good news just for you
You got a home on the other side
I said you got a home on the other side
I was digging in the fridge for the Orange juice dancing and singing like I was in Glee club all over again. I never said it out loud, but sometimes I wondered if I made a mistake moving away without saying goodbye.
I mean, Santana ignored me for a whole week, until one night I sang outside her window with my guitar.
Finn and I grew apart, and I'm not sure it's because he found out. I think when he found out that she was giving up the baby, it crushed him and everything that reminded him of that just made him sad.
As for Quinn, I didn't look back. I knew I couldn't have her and she didn't want to keep Beth, so I made my choice: Raise Beth without her.
But if there's one thing I realized, I love being a dad!
I danced some more as I fumbled to get the pancakes on a plate.
No more worries
No more pain
No more trials
No more rain
I'll be alright
I'll be ok
Over there
Over there
I sang into the spatula in my underwear in the middle of the kitchen.
Just when I was about to hit a high note, I found out that I had an audience.
Beth's soft giggles made me smile all while wondering how long she stood there watching me.
"Good morning Princess." I said as I kissed the top of her head.
"Morning daddy." She beamed as I set the table for breakfast.
I lowered the volume before reaching for the syrup.
"Today is your big day sweetheart! Are you excited?"
Her eyes, Quinn's eyes lit up like she heard good news. I smiled and turned away right when I began to imagine what Quinn must've looked like on graduation day.
What would her face show if she was here with us today, helping Beth get ready for her first day of school? What would our lives be like?
"All done! Can I have some juice now?" Beth asked cutting me from my thoughts.
"You sure can." I said pouring the juice when the doorbell rang.
"Mommy's here!" Beth screamed as she ran to answer it.
Ever since she could talk, Shelby and I explained to Beth that she had two moms: A God mommy and a mommy. If one of them couldn't be there, the other would. It seemed to work for us all, until last year when Beth found a picture I had of Quinn. I never thought it would be easy, and calling Shelby 'mommy' definitely surprised us both even though she knew that Shelby wasn't her mom.
"It smells good in here. Good morning." Shelby commented.
Beth plopped in her seat to finish her juice.
"Good morning." I greeted her as I hugged her.
Shelby covered her mouth laughing softly as I let her go. Confused, I looked at Beth who was also laughing.
"Daddy's naked."
I sighed shaking my head, until I too laughed. How could anyone not love their family?
…
(Shelby's Point of view)
I found my old wicked Broadway soundtrack and popped it in when Beth's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.
"Mommy, what's wrong?" Beth asked.
"Nothing sweetheart."
"You listen to this song a lot." She said. I froze. Did I listen to it a lot?
I paused gripping the steering wheel a little harder than before.
"You know sweetheart...sometimes when you can't think of words to say, you sing what you feel."
"Like Daddy?"
"Yes, like Daddy." I said as I smiled.
My thoughts drifted back to Rachel.
5 years ago, I lied to protect her from learning the truth about Beth. I didn't know how it would make her feel that I could help Beth and be there for her in ways that Rachel wanted. It's almost like it was yesterday.
FLASHBACK
5 years ago
"Are you babysitting?" She asked confused. My eyes closed. This was the moment I hoped to avoid.
"No." I said. I paused, watching her carefully.
"Oh. Okay, so why do you have diapers in your hand?" She asked, her voice unusually quiet.
My eyes dropped to the ground. My ears went hot. I'm not sure when the room started spinning, but it did. Rachel must have noticed my discomfort.
"Shelby?" She asked with a worried tone.
"It's for my God daughter." I said referring to Beth and that's when it occurred to me that that's who I will be to Beth.
Pleased with my answer, she changed the subject.
'Shelby, since we're here this might be a little odd but I was hoping that we could start over? I have a song that I want to sing for Glee and I'd really love it if you sang it with me." She rambled.
I smiled a warm smile, my hand finding her shoulder.
"I'd like that a lot." I beamed.
Excited, she embraced me.
Taken aback, I paused.
It wasn't long until my arms found their way around her small frame returning the hug.
END FLASHBACK