Chapter Thirteen: Norah Puckerman

After getting home from Kurt's, Noah was more than ready to tell his mother about the pregnancy. However, upon entering his own home, he was struck with the thought that Kurt should be there. When Quinn had been pregnant with Beth, although he would never admit it outright, he felt as though something – someone – had been missing when he had relayed the news to his Ma. With Quinn, though, he hadn't felt the impending emptiness he knew he was bound to feel as he told his mum of Kurt's condition. It made him seriously doubt any feelings he had had for Quinn and question the twinges of something in his chest every time he saw the countertenor's face.

With a heavy sigh he sat at the kitchen counter; on its surface there was one of his mother's magazines and the local newspaper. He moved the glossy-paged magazine away (careful not to lose the page at which it was opened) he turned his attention to the newspaper, instantly directing his eyes to the jobs column. If I want to prove myself, getting a job – a real one – would be a good way to go... He selected the red pen he used to correct his sister's essays and began circling the ads that appealed most to him.

It took him half an hour, but he felt as though he were one step closer to earning a part in his kid's life. He sat back on the kitchen stool and pondered the next move. Whipping his phone out of his pocket be began going through his 'Pool Cleaning' contacts. Noah ran a hand through his Mohawk before he dialled the first number, Mrs. Hernandez, to quit his pool business.

He had always known that he was worth more than this. Perhaps he had just needed the push that Kurt had given him. As he had told the countertenor, being around Kurt made Noah feel as though he was worth so much more, that he could be so much more, and that was a feeling worth more than anything. Even the hottest MILFs in Lima.

When Norah Puckerman arrived home, Lily in tow from their mall shopping trip, Noah was standing in the kitchen, he smiled widely holding up a finger; One moment, he mouthed. Norah nodded, grinning at her son and ushering Lily into the living room to offload their shopping bags onto the sofa.

"Hey, Ma." Noah said as he wandered into the living room, phone in hand. He hugged Norah from behind and held her around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. Norah Puckerman was a relatively tall woman, with the commanding presence needed to survive as an editor for a newspaper, but she had a soft heart for her children.

"What's the matter, Boychick?" She asked, patting the top of his Mohawk from an awkward angle. Norah was in no way Orthodox, but growing up in a household where the primary language was Yiddish rubbed off on her, although more often than not, other than the little endearments she would use, the Yiddish phrases would come through when she was under stress, upset or ecstatic. "Who was on the phone?"

Noah shook his head and kissed Norah on the cheek before moving to hoist Lily into the air. "Nothing's the matter, Ma." He smiled at her, the dimples in his cheeks still the same as when he had been a child, "And I'm calling around the job advertisements in the 'paper. I want a job. One that's more reliable."

"Oh, Noah." She put a hand over her heart, her chest swelling with pride, "You know you don't have to get a job, it's not like we're short on money."

"I know, Ma, but it'd be nice to be able to buy birthday presents for you and Lily out of my own pocket." It was true. Norah effectively ended up forking out for two presents for lily and her own every year and while it wasn't really the reason for needing a job, it would tide him over as a white lie for the time being.

Norah shook her head and gently patted her son's cheek, "You're such a good boy, Noah." Puck smiled, putting Lily back down as she started squirming and reaching for her shopping.

He followed Norah into the kitchen, putting the coffee in the pot and waiting for it to percolate. "Ma, I have a friend I want you to meet. I have to talk to him first, but maybe he can make it to dinner tonight, would that be okay?"

"Sure, I was thinking about making stew anyway, so there should be plenty to eat... Provided it's not Finn you're inviting we should be good." They shared a laugh before Lily started screaming about Noah having a look at her new dress.

"Thanks Ma." He said as he scuttled away, jumping for joy inside, despite feeling a little disheartened about his job search – most had said that he was too young or weren't willing to hire him because he had no experience.

"Kurt."

"Hey, Puck." Kurt sighed tiredly on the other end of the line.

"Hey. Princ—Kurt, I know you told me I could tell my Ma, but, well... I want you here, too." Noah held his breath and Kurt went completely silent. "Kurt? Did you hear –?"

"I heard, Noah. Just give me a second." Noah heard the countertenor taking a few deep breaths and he could see him rubbing a hand over his abdomen to help calm himself. "Couldn't you tell her that you've... knocked up a girl? There's no way she'll believe you – us – that we've conceived a baby."

"You don't know that."

"How many men do you think can have babies, Noah?"

"I know that there are only a few in the world, but that makes this so much more special." Noah sighed, "Please, Kurt. I don't know why, but I just... I feel like I need you here for this." Kurt remained silent. "I don't want to do this on my own. I know you've told your dad that you're pregnant and I'm sorry that I wasn't there to support you, but if you ever decide to tell him that I'm the other dad, I want to be there."

Noah heard Kurt sigh on the other end of the line, "You know, I don't much appreciate the guilt tripping going on here... But I can understand what you're saying. When," he stressed, "I tell my dad about who the other dad is, I'll want you there. When do you want me to come over?"

Inside, Noah felt as though he should be dancing a victory dance. "Thank you so much, Kurt. Uhm, could you be here at about six? We just have to get the food done."

"It's okay, Noah. I'll see you then." Kurt hung up the phone before Noah could answer. With a sigh, Puck put his mobile in his pocket and moved away from his bed. He took a moment to take out his wallet and stare, in awe, at the little black and white photograph. In a second of sappiness he pressed a quick kiss to the picture and, more than a little embarrassed by his actions, swiftly folded the wallet and put it back in his pocket.

"Hey." Kurt greeted with a shy smile on his face as Noah opened the door. Noah felt his breath hitch a little. It was relatively cool outside and Kurt was wearing a blue scarf that set off his eye colour and a dark grey military-style coat. On his feet, Kurt was wearing some practical Doc Martins and a pair of dark blue skinny jeans clung to his legs.

"Hey. Come on in." Puck opened the door wider and Kurt gratefully accepted the invitation, he could already feel his cheeks burning from the chill.

Lily came barrelling into the hall, just as Kurt was removing his coat – after having practically slapped Noah's helping hands away from himself – and grinned broadly when she spotted Kurt. The countertenor smiled back.

Lily clasped her hands behind her back, "Hello. I'm Lillian."

"Hello, Lillian. I'm Kurt." Kurt extended his hand with a flourish, bending at the waist. Lily giggled and put her hand in Kurt's. Kurt pressed a chaste kiss to the back of the little hand in his before standing. "I've seen you before, but it's nice to finally meet you at last." Kurt sent a look in Noah's direction and the taller boy held his hands up in surrender.

"No-No! He has manners! Are you sure he's your friend?" The little girl gasped and Kurt giggled. "And he's so pretty!" The countertenor blushed and lowered his head, embarrassed.

"That he is, Lily." Noah murmured, gazing intently at Kurt who turned to look at him a tiny frown on his brow and minutely shaking his head. Puck's lips twitched sadly. "Right. Lily, go get washed up, I'm just gonna introduce Kurt to Ma."

Noah signalled for Kurt to walk ahead of him into the kitchen and he couldn't help but admire Kurt's ass in those jeans.

"Oh! Hello, you must be Kurt!" Norah exclaimed, coming around the breakfast bar to greet the countertenor with a hug. "It's so good to meet you. You're different from Noah's other friends."

"I pride myself on being different, Mrs. Puckerman." Kurt said, smiling at Puck's mother though a blush stained his cheeks.

"Pah! You must call me Norah. My mother-in-law is 'Mrs. Puckerman'."

"Nice to meet you Norah."

"It's good to meet you too, Kurt." Norah smiled warmly and gestured to the table. "Take a seat, I'll just get the food."

"I'll help you, Ma." Noah muttered, swiftly sorting out bowls and cutlery.

Dinner was not a quiet affair. Lillian was rather loud despite her small stature, and Kurt suspected that it was born from having to compete with her brother for attention. Norah was interested to know what Kurt's plans were for his future and, although it made him a little uncomfortable concerning his current situation, his overall plans hadn't changed; he still wanted to go to New York, but thus far he could no longer see himself taking on Broadway with a babe-in-arms. Noah was surprisingly quiet, nodding now and then at what Lillian was saying but staring at his food. Kurt cast the odd glance at the footballer knowing that Noah was trying to figure out what to say to his mother once dinner was over.

"Noaaahhhhh!" Lily chimed when the plates were taken through to the kitchen, clean of any food as the dinner had been divine – Kurt was beginning to understand where Noah's culinary skills stemmed from. "It's your turn to do the dishes!"

"Okay, okay. Brat." Noah replied, sticking out his tongue and ruffling Lily's hair.

"I'll dry." Kurt said as he got up from the table.

When they were left alone in the kitchen, the rhythmic washing and drying and the TV blaring from the living room making the soundtrack for them.

"Thank you for this, Kurt." Noah murmured intimately, elbow deep in sudsy water. "Really."

Kurt tentatively reached out to touch the shoulder of the taller boy, "It'll be ok, Noah." Then he turned back to drying the dishes just as Noah placed the last one on the draining-board.

Puck wiped his hands dry and gingerly turned Kurt towards him, "I wish I'd been there for you when you told your dad." Kurt looked up at him before carefully putting the dish rag and plate on the counter. Noah placed his hands about the countertenor's waist and rested his forehead on a slim shoulder. Hesitantly Kurt ran his hand over Noah's hair. "I'm sorry for making you come over Kurt, but when Quinn was pregnant..." Kurt shushed him gently.

"This is different." He murmured, letting the silence settle between them again, before Kurt shook himself and extracted himself from Noah's arms. "You ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Noah replied, silently mourning the loss of the comfort he'd gained in holding Kurt.

Noah led the way to the living room and signalled silently for Lillian to go upstairs. Kurt was somewhat surprised to find that she did as she was asked without putting up a fight. Noah took the TV remote and muted the programme that was on before pulling Kurt to sit in the armchair as he stood before his mother. Both boys were tense and Kurt sat very still, looking at his knees with his hands clasped primly in his lap.

Norah cast her gaze from one boy to the other.

"Alright, Bubbalas, out with it." Norah sat back in her seat looking tired, not angry. As though she'd simply had enough of Noah's escapades.

"Ma... I don't know how to say this. I... Uh... Kurt and I have been fooling around." Kurt looked to Noah in shock before realising Puck's plan. I suppose in this situation, this is one way to see how Norah will deal with it...

Mrs. Puckerman was very quiet as mother and son stared at each other in an almost challenging manner, as though Noah was daring his mum to throw him out or something similar. Kurt grimaced to himself. When he had told his dad that he was gay, while he had hoped that his father would accept it, it was the scenario farthest from his mind.

"Your Bubba owes me fifty bucks." Norah finally responded, leaning forward with a grin on her face.

Kurt whipped around to face her, his eyes wide. "What?"

"Noah's grandmother owes me fifty bucks." Norah smiled at the two boys and patted the space next to her for Noah who sat with her gratefully, refusing to admit that his eyes were a little damp as his mother wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "We'll get back to that, though. I'm going to assume that there is something else on your mind, Boychick...?"

"Yeah, Ma." Noah sighed heavily, "Have you ever heard of the drug Seahorse?"

Norah nodded and when Kurt seemed to sigh in relief, her son cast him a little glance, her eyes widened and her mouth opened to form an 'O'.

"Oy Vey!" She gasped, suddenly turning an intense gaze towards Kurt. "I knew I recognised you." She got up from her place beside Noah and crossed the room to hold Kurt's face in her hands. "You look so much like your mother! Did your parents ever tell you that I was in Elizabeth's Lamaze classes?" Kurt shook his head. "Well, when I was carrying Noah, and your mother you, we would go to the local Lamaze classes together. It pays to have women around you during pregnancy who understand what you're going through, believe me." She sat once again beside Noah. "Both your mother and I went to the same doctors too and, although my course dosage was shorter, both of us were subjected to Seahorse and all the new mother and soon-to-be mother's were told of the effects of the drug."

"You knew my Mum?" Kurt's eyes began to water – damn hormones! – and Noah, attuned to Kurt to a frightening degree since learning of the baby, immediately went to comfort him. He sat cautiously on the arm of the chair and was surprised when Kurt turned into his side for comfort briefly.

As he smiled sadly at the top of Kurt's head he told Norah. "Kurt's pregnant." Norah nodded and allowed a cheerless smile to slip onto her face mirroring her son's.

"Have decided whether to go for an open adoption?" Kurt looked up at her and shook his head vigorously, furiously wiping at his tears and not realising his hand was still attached to Noah's shirt.

"I'm keeping it, Norah." Mrs. Puckerman was stunned for a moment, "I could never do what Quinn did. I just know that as soon as he or she is in my arms I'll never be able to let them go." Kurt looked to Noah for a second and, noticing his hand still clinging to the other boy, pulled his body away from the footballer, "I suppose in that respect, I'm really very selfish. I'm not ready to have a child, financially or emotionally, but I... I know that Noah and I could be the best parents around if we're given the chance."

Norah smiled, "I don't think you're selfish, Kurt. In fact, I think you're very brave." She looked sad for a moment before composing herself. "For a long time, I resented the fact that Quinn allowed for Beth to be adopted, but deep down I understand why she did so. Neither she or Noah would have been good for her, no matter how much we all loved her." Noah smiled at his mother. "So this is why you were scouring the newspaper's jobs column?"

Kurt looked up at Noah surprised. "You're looking for a job?"

Noah ran a hand over the back of his neck as the top of his cheeks turned red. "Yeah. I know you said that you don't want my help, or money, but I'd like to be able to should you need."

"Noah..." Kurt breathed, his eyes stinging a little. "That's really sweet of you and everything, but you really don't need to."

Puck touched his fingertips to Kurt's cheek. "I want to. I want to be a good dad, and this is one step in the right direction. Allow me that."

Kurt swallowed audibly and nodded. "Ok, Puck, but I don't want any of it. I... I want to be able to do this on my own. If I accept your kindness now and I am then left with nothing in the future, I don't know what I'd do." Noah seemed as though he were going to protest, but dutifully he closed his mouth and nodded, pulling his hand away from Kurt.

"I'm... Uh, I'm going to tell Lillian." Noah said before he ran up the stairs to his sister's room. Kurt watched him go before turning back to Noah who had watched the exchange between the two boys.

Norah was gazing at Kurt so intently the countertenor wondered for a moment if it was one of those dreams when he was naked.

"Kurt," Mrs. Puckerman leaned forward and conspiratorially lowered her voice a little, "are you in love with Noah?"

Kurt suddenly took on the facial features of a rabbit caught in the headlights. "I... Uhm... That's to say... Err." The countertenor regarded his knees once again. "Yes." He whispered. "I've been in love with him since my – our – first time... You know, together." He merged his hands together and looked up sadly at Norah. "But I'm aware that it could never work between us. I'm not..." he sighed heavily, "I'm not a girl."

Kurt fell silent and Norah spoke up, "There's something else too?"

"Yes. The only reason he was ever with me in the first place was because I 'couldn't get pregnant'. That didn't quite turn out as planned. I know he's not his dad and I know he'd be a good father, but I have to protect my heart for my sake, his sake and our child's sake. I don't want to tie him to me and I don't want him to miss out on the opportunity to be a dad."

"He told you that that was the only reason?" Kurt nodded, sullenly. "That Schmuck! Listen, Noah's Bubba and I have had a bet on his sexuality for a long time. How long have you an Noah known each other?"

"I'm not sure. I think I was about ten... Maybe eleven?"

"Thought so. When Noah was eleven, he came home from school one day raving about a new kid. He said that he was a sad looking boy with eyes that changed colour and pale skin. 'He's the prettiest boy you'll ever see, Ma!' he said. When I asked him the name of this boy he wouldn't tell me so I asked if he introduced himself. 'Yeah.' He told me, looking annoyed with himself and ashamed, 'I told him that he was a 'fag' and pushed him and his lovely clothes in the dirt.' Sound familiar?"

Kurt's eyes widened and his mouth opened before he covered his face with trembling hands. "That was the first day we met."

"Uh-huh. I told is grandmother there and then that her grandson was a Faygala."

"A what?"

"Yiddish for gay, it means 'little bird'." Kurt nodded at the explanation and muttered something about it sounding like a lovely way to describe himself, "Have you ever thought that maybe Noah is over compensating with sleeping with as many women as he can?" Kurt shrugged, "All I know, Kurt, is that since that time he gushed to his grandmother and I about a certain little boy who he enjoyed pushing around, he has never once spoken about anyone else in such a way. Not even Quinn." Kurt looked up at her to find her smiling, "Just... Give him a chance. Not many people give him the option to be anything other than the screw up, and he is such a good man if he only had the opportunity."

"I... I'll try." Kurt whispered as they heard the Puckerman siblings rushing down the stairs.

"I'm gonna be an auntie!" Lily screeched, running at Kurt to hug him around the neck and press a kiss to his cheek. "I'm gonna be an auntie."

Kurt patted her awkwardly on the back and looked to Noah for help who smiled gently and pried her off of the countertenor. "Careful Lily, you don't wanna hurt him or the baby."

Lillian seemed terrified for a moment, "Did I hurt you?" She gasped.

"No, sweetie." Kurt smiled at her before he glanced at the time. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Norah, and lovely to meet you, Lillian, but I really should be getting home, my Dad will be worried."

"It was wonderful to meet you, Kurt." Norah replied while Lily just beamed at him, "You be careful, now and I expect to see you soon." She glared pointedly at her son.

"I'll walk you out." Noah muttered, pushing Kurt ahead of him.

They stood on the doorstep staring at one another. Kurt was seeing Noah in a new light, but that didn't mean that he was ready to let him into his heart. Noah was trying to convey how much it had meant to him that Kurt had been there with him.

"Kurt, I..."

Kurt pressed a slender finger to his mouth and stopped him talking. "Sh." Blue eyes searched hazel as Kurt let his hand slide from Noah's mouth to his cheek, "I appreciate what you're doing for me," gently he took Puck's hand and put it over his tummy, "what you're doing for us and if you're serious about getting a job," Noah nodded, "go and talk to my Dad at the shop. He was telling me that he's looking for people at the moment. I'll put in a good word for you, too."

Noah was stunned for a moment. Kurt was giving him a chance. Someone was giving him the chance to be better than himself. Affection for the slight boy rolled off Puck in waves and without warning he hugged Kurt close.

"Thank you, Kurt." He murmured in his ear, "Just... Thank you." Kurt squeezed him back briefly, enjoying the closeness, before pulling away.

"I really have to go, so I'll see you at school." Kurt smiled shyly, his cheeks flushing attractively, "I won't avoid you anymore, but we have to try and act 'normal' until I'm ready to tell people, okay?"

"Whatever you want, Kurt." Noah smiled warmly at him, dimples on show and Kurt felt his knees give a little.

They bid one another 'Good-Bye' and Noah watched Kurt drive away until he couldn't see him anymore. Before re-entering the house he stood against the doorframe and pondered his feelings towards the smaller boy.

It's just because he's carrying my child, he thought, but then a voice at the back of his mind whispered, then why are the feelings so much stronger than they were with Quinn, why are you standing in the cold watching him leave? He turned to go into the house, Shut up!

Sorry for the wait guys! I'm not entirely sure what happened here, but I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to review.