A/N: So I think this is the last chapter. Normally I do an epilogue but since I will be doing a sequel I am not sure if I am going to do the epilogue for this. What do you guys think? Epilogue or not? I told you all I was speeding up, I hope you like how I did it. I don't thin I left anything important out, but you let me know. Thanks again to all my amazing reviewers. Thank you for being loyal and constantly coming back to read my updates no matter how much time passed between them. Thank you for review and being honest with me. your support has been so great and meant so much to me. I hope you stick around for the sequel. Thanks again! Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of its characters. Glee belongs its creator and FOX.
Ch.38
"I have told you I have a personal vendetta against pink right, and yet here I am in the land of pink." Santana whined as she moved through the racks of tiny pink clothing behind Brittany, Rachel, and Quinn.
"No one forced you to come." Quinn reminded her best friend while keeping her amusement to herself. Santana had been complaining from the minute they entered Babies R US but she'd not even hesitated in coming when Quinn had announced that one she was keeping her daughter and too needed to go to the story to register for the Baby Shower Judy was all giddy and hyped up about having.
"Yeah right, like I was going to let you come here unsupervised with Rachel, then my niece would end up in only sundresses with cardigans or animal print sweaters with mini Mary Jane's. Nope not happening, that kids going to be badass and look it."
"Santana you're not ever related." Rachel commented to which Santana glared at her and waved her hand dismissively, "Mote point."
Quinn just smiled, she wouldn't admit it but she loved that Santana considered them close enough to want to be the baby's Aunt.
"Actually I was kind of hoping you'd be her Godmother, S." Santana halted her eyes meeting Quinn's, she looked shocked then she started to smile, Quinn could see her eyes starting to water up. "You're shitting me."
"No I am being very serious." Quinn said sincerely, "Santana you're my best friend and I know you'll protect and love her with all you have."
Santana rubbed her eyes a moment then tackled Quinn in a hug, "Of course I'll do it." A second later Santana pushed Quinn away, "You bitch you made me cry," she then turned sharply to Rachel who had a smug smile on her face, "If you tell anyone about this I will go Lima Heights on your ass." The smile slid from Rachel's face and she nodded her head furiously.
"Alright move out of the way and give me the laser gun Brit Brit, there is no way that kid is dressing like the American freaking Dolls."
Quinn barked in laughter as she wobbled her way behind Santana, yeah San would be a great Godmother.
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Quinn sat in the audience as she watched Santana and Brittany lead the Cheerios in their final routine in the Cheerleading National Championship. They had lucked out that the championships were being held in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania so Quinn could make it to the event. At eight months there was no way she could have managed a flight or a longer bus ride than the four hours it took to get to Pittsburg. What had surprised her was that her Mom, the Berry's, and even Noah had driven out for the final day. Noah was seated next to her and actually seemed to be paying attention. Santana was just thrown in the air, did a double twist and was caught by a bunch of girls.
"Wow, that was kind of cool." He whispered to her, "Did you use to do that."
Quinn nodded the affirmative, "Yeah but actually, did you see the team two ahead of us?"
"Yeah the one with the dude cheerleader who caught the girl with his hands over his head?"
"Yes, I used to do that too." Noah's eyes went wide.
"No joke?"
"Nope, why do you think we won Nationals last year. With me doing that and us having a difficult and tight group routine it was hard not to."
"So you think that other team will win?"
"No, the duo was good, not great but good, but there team routine was subpar. No Belleville will be up there again this year, their routine was still really good even without me there, but I think we may have just pulled it out, Brits and Santana are captivating and little Kitty, the freshman, she has some awesome gymnastic moves."
"You okay seeing your old team?" Puck sounded concerned and his hand slipped into hers.
"Yes I'm good. It still stings, the way my friends just dropped me and didn't even call to see if I was okay, but I have such better friends now. San's my best friend; I've never had anyone like that before. Brits is great, she makes me laugh and just relax, Rachel's kind of becoming something like a sister, though that is hard for me to reconcile with, and then there's you, my best guy friend and the Godfather of my daughter." Perhaps now wasn't the best time to ask him, but their conversation had seemed to naturally go in that direction so, she went for it. Noah was oddly silent, he was staring at her in disbelief, his hand coming up and pointing up at his chest, "Me? You want me?"
"Why wouldn't I? Noah there is no one who makes me feel more safe than you, who can pick me up from a terrible mood in a matter of seconds, who instantly comes to defend me honor, and who understands what I've been through more than you. You're like my person. I know you already love her Noah, and I want her to know that she has you too look up. She needs a strong male figure in her life and I want that to be you." Maybe that was too much to ask of the sixteen year old boy, but it was how she felt and she need him to know.
Noah took both her hands and squeezed them tightly, "I would want nothing more than to be that for her." Both broke out into radiant smiles and hugged just as the Cheerios of McKinley High were announced National Champions.
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Judy was awoken to a frantic call of "Mom." She sprung out of bed and looked at the clock it was two in the morning. "Mom!" Quinn's voice rang out from down the hall. Judy rushed out of her room and into Quinn's room. Quinn was standing next to her bed hands clenching the bedside table and her face scrunched in pain. "Quinn what's wrong." Judy came over and pulled Quinn too her, Quinn's muscles seemed to relax. Quinn's pointed to her bed, hands shaking, "My water broke." Judy's gaze feel on the soaked sheets, "Oh my."
"Its too early, Mom, I'm only eight months."
Judy cupped Quinn's cheeks in her hands, "Everything will be okay, its not that early and she is a strong little girl and so are you. Now I want you to sit hear while I go get Hiram and Leroy. How far apart do you think the contractions are?"
Quinn shrugged, "I don't know my back has hurt off and on all afternoon, but I didn't have a contraction until just before you came in, the wetness woke me."
"Okay, just relax and we'll head out soon."
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It was nine in the morning and Quinn was still in labor and only six centimeters dilated. Leroy had driven them to the hospital while Hiram said he would bring Rachel in the morning. The two had just showed up. Rachel had brought Quinn her ipod and a book but neither were taken, not that Judy blamed Quinn, she looked exhausted and the hardest part hadn't even come yet.
"Do you want me to let Santana and Brittany know you're here?" Rachel asked Quinn who was relaxing between contractions.
"Please and Noah too? I want Noah."
Rachel smiled, I'll be back in a moment." The little brunette rushed from the room with Hiram and Leroy following saying they were going to get Judy a coffee from the caferteria.
"Hey sweetheart how are you feeling?"
"I'm so tired, I just want her to come out." Judy chuckled, "I know the feeling. You should try and sleep between contractions, I know it isn't long but you need to keep up your strength, this could be awhile longer."
"How much longer?" Quinn whined which turned into a grunt as a contraction rippled through her body. Judy let Quinn clench her hand. When the contraction subsided Judy took the rag dipped it in some cool water and whipped Quinn's fore head. "You're doing an amazing job, honey."
"I feel like I'm being twisted in a vice grip over and over again."
"That's not entirely inaccurate."
They grew quiet for a while before Quinn spoke again, "Is it weird that I want Noah and San here when she is born, like with you at my side?"
Judy smiled, "No not at all."
"Can they, if they want? I mean I know it will be really gross, but I really need my friend too." Quinn sounded so small and vulnerable in that moment. "I'll see what I can do okay?" Judy smiled. Most teens wouldn't want to be anywhere near a birth, but Judy had a feeling her daughter's Latina friend and best guy friend would jump at the chance. Quinn had developed and oddly strong bond with the two in such as short amount of time but Judy didn't mind. Santana and Noah were the two people Quinn was able to trust completely and lean on before she was able to with Judy, and for that Judy was grateful; even though Quinn and Noah's relationship did scare her a little.
"Thank you, Mom."
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At two pm, twelve hours after Quinn had woken Judy up, the doctor announced that Quinn was fully dilated and it was time to push. Judy, Santana, and Noah quickly scrubbed up. Judy took a hold of Quinn's right hand, Noah her left, and Santana stood by her head. Just before they started Quinn turned to both her best friends, "Both of you had better stay above my waist."
"Ewww." Both chorused.
"No way do I want to see your secret garden Fabray."
"Yeah Q, I am cool not seeing the miracle of birth up close."
Judy laughed at the three some and she was pretty sure some of the nurses did too.
Then it started. The contractions hit hard and swiftly barely giving Quinn time to breath.
"Ahhh, it hurts!"
"Get her out!"
Quinn yelled over and over eventually she was just crying. Judy's heart hurt for her daughter, seeing Quinn in so much pain and not being able to do anything about it was one of the worst experiences in Judy's life.
Quinn slammed back into the bed after a particularly tough contraction, "I… I can't."
Judy was about to speak when Noah leaned close to Quinn, "You can, you're doing amazing Quinn. Just a few more and that little beautiful baby of yours will be here."
"You think she'll be beautiful?" Quinn breathed.
"I know so, just like her mama. Beautiful and strong." Another contraction came and as Quinn pushed forward Judy looked at Noah and smiled mouthing a thank you, he blushed and nodded. Four pushed later a wonderful and miraculous cry filled the room.
"Congratulations it is a girl." The doctor said as he held up the new born to be seen. Judy's eyes were transfixed on her granddaughter who was loudly making it known she was in the world. The nurse brought her over and laid her down on Quinn's chest. Quinn hadn't let her eyes leave her daughter, the smile on her face was one that Judy had never seen before, it was so bright and happy.
"She's beautiful." Quinn said quietly as she held her baby close.
"Perfect." Noah sounded in awe as he leaned closer.
"Muy hermos y perfecto." Santana declared equally in awe as Noah.
Quinn smiled gently, "Hi baby, I'm your mommy and this is grandma and Uncle Noah and Aunt Santana."
Judy's heart swelled, here today she was blessed with another beautiful baby girl and though the pain and loss of Francine would never go away, Judy's heart felt fuller than it had in a long time. Never had she thought after the judges gavel fell declaring her permanent loss of her daughter would she be here today with Quinn in her life and a new granddaughter to brighten their lives.
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Quinn knew she should be sleeping, but she just couldn't. She couldn't let go of the baby girl sleeping in her arms. After holding her daughter for a few minutes, the nurses whisked her away to do a quick check up. Despite being nearly four weeks early the baby was completely healthy at 5lbs 12oz and 16in. Quinn was so relieved to hear that, she hadn't admitted to anyone but she'd feared that her lack of care at the beginning of her pregnancy would harm her daughter but luckily it hadn't.
"You ready to feed her?" The nurse came in and drawled Quinn's attention from her daughter. Judy had gone come to get Quinn a change of clothes and the rest had gone to get some food.
"Yeah."
"Will you be breastfeeding?" Quinn nodded. She'd gone back and forth on topic many times but ultimately decided she like the health benefits of breastfeeding best. She didn't want her daughter to be completely dependent on her though so she'd be pumping and using bottles too, that way Judy could do some night feedings.
The nurse showed her what to do and when her daughter latched on for the first time Quinn couldn't describe the feelings that rushed through her. It was simply amazing to watch her daughter suckling her breast and know that her baby's nourishment was completely reliant on her. For the first time in Quinn's life she was the care taker, the protector, and it was extraordinary.
After her daughter was done feeding the nurse took her baby to the nursery so they could both get some sleep. Quinn woke a few hours later to see Judy holding her granddaughter.
"Hey mom."
"Hey you, how are you feeling?"
"Exhausted but unbelievable happy." Her mom gave her a knowing smile before standing and handing the baby back to Quinn.
"Do you have a name yet?"
Quinn nodded, "I do, if it's okay with you."
"Why would you need my approval?"
"Because I want to name her Beth Francine Fabray, after Frannie and Frannie's favorite name for a little girl, she told me once that her first daughter would be Beth, not Elizabeth, just Beth. She thought it was so beautiful but not too old or formal."
Quinn saw tears on her mom's cheeks and was about to apologize when Judy hugged them both, "I love it, our little Beth Francine, it is perfect."
And it was. In that moment Quinn finally felt like she had a real family and it wasn't something that could ever be taken from her. Her mom was here to stay and now she had a daughter whom she loved more than anything. This was her family and she'd do anything to protect it.
PLEASE REVEIW!