Episode 6

The Diner – Park Avenue – Tuesday Afternoon

"So I think everyone is going to get there for about 3, my parents are coming at 4 so we have time to drink before they get there" Quinn explained to Santana and Mercedes as the sat at their usual table at the Diner. NJ was tunring one that weekend so Quinn and Puck were throwing him a birthday party.

"Do you need any help setting up?" Mercedes asked even though she knew Quinn was too anal to let anyone help her, especially for such an important event for her son.

"No I think I have everything sorted, it's just going to be a small party" Quinn said, Mercedes and Santana shared an amused look before turning back to Quinn.

"Are you nervous about Joe meeting your parents" Santana asked. At NJ's birthday Kitty and Joe would both be there as well as Quinn's parents who would be meeting both Puck and Joe for the first time.

"No, I mean a little… Maybe… Okay yeah" Quinn sighed. Any time Quinn's parents came to see NJ, Puck made sure he wasn't around because Quinn and him knew her parents would have something to say to him but on satuday they would be no escaping them.

"I'm sure it will be fine, you said Kitty is nice enough and Joe is lovely and if he and Puck can get along then everyone else is a piece of cake" Mercedes reasoned, Santana gave her unsure look while Quinn went back to her list.

"Except my parents, thank god I convinced them not to invite Carole and Burt" Quinn said, shaking her head, she noted something down on her party do-list then shoved it back in her bag.

"Why would they even come?" Mercedes marvelled. While Finn's and Quinn's parents were close Mercedes couldn't believe that Carole and Burt would come all the way to New York for a one years olds birthday party.

"Because they are in a weird quado- marriage" Santana joked.

"Oh god maybe I should just cancel" Quinn sighed sadly. After everything had happened a month before Quinn had thought about cancelling but Puck had convicned her that Rachel and Finn needed something to look forward, although as it got closer they both knew it hadn't helped.

"No, Finn already told you not to do that! This is NJ's day" Mercedes affirmed, squezzing Quinn's hand "Rachel wouldn't want you to cancel"

"I just wish that she would talk to us, we can help her" Quinn said, sadly. Every since she had got out of hospital Rachel had refused to see anyone including her friends.

"She doesn't want any help right now, she'll come to us when she's ready, in the mean time we just have to keep going" Santana shrugged, half heartdiely.

"Have you spoken to Finn?" Mercedes asked. With Rachel not talking to any of them, they had all been talking to Finn instead to get updates on how their friend was doing.

Quinn nodded "Yeah he said she just the same"

Rachel and Finn's House – West Village – Tuesday Afternoon

"Hey babe, I have to go into work for a bit are you going to be okay" Finn asked as he walked into the living room from the kitchen. He slung his bag over his houlder and looked at Rachel who was once again staring at the TV.

Rachel hadn't moved from the sofa since she had come home from the hospital, she just sat and stared at the TV screen and unless Finn dragged her to bed she slept there as well. She hadn't been to work or spoken to anyone but Finn in almost four weeks.

"I'll be fine" Rachel said, not looking away from the television, Finn knew that Rachel probably didn't even know what she was watching.

"I can call the girls if you want, I'm sure they will stop by" Finn added, he walked further into the living room hoping Rachel would look at him.

"No don't, I'm okay" Rahel waved off.

"They really want to see you Rachel, they are worried about you" Finn said, he took a seat on the coffee table and took Rachel's hands but she continued to look at the television.

"I'm just not ready to see anyone" Rachel answered.

"Okay" Finn nodded "I'll be as quick as I can and I'll bring back some food okay"

Finn got up from the coffee table and picked up his bag. He was about to the leave the living room but tunred back to face Rachel.

"Rachel… Rachel look at me" Finn demanded lightly, Rachel finally glanced at him "I love you"

Rachel smiled slighty "See you tonight"

Quinn's Apartment – Upper East Side – Late Tuessday Afternoon

"So Kitty and I are going to get there at half 2 we can be there for everyone arriving if that's okay, my mom is going to get there for about 3" Puck explained as he unpacked NJ's things in his nursery while Quinn settled NJ in his crib for a nap.

"Yeah that's fine, Joe and I are going to be there at half 2 as well"

Puck smiled at her "Should be a good afternoon"

"Have you seen Finn today?" Quinn asked, she pulled a blanket over NJ then turned on the baby monitor before walking out of the room with Puck following behind her and into the kitchen.

"Yeah he was at school but he was in his office for most of the day"

"How was he?" Qunn asked, she handed Puck a bottle of water and leaned aginst the kitchen counter.

"He seemed okay, just worried about Rachel really. She hasn't left the couch in three days" Puck explained with a downcast expression "Have you seen her?"

"She doesn't want to see us, we've tried calling and going over there but she refuses to see us… She just needs time" Quinn answered. Puck took a drink of his water and gave Quinn a look before he answered.

"What she needs is for you guys to kick down the door and force her to talk" Puck affirmed.

"We don't want to upset her" Quinn argued, she shook her head and walked out of the kitchen, Puck followed after her into the living room.

"Rachel couldn't possibly get more upset; you need to force her to deal with it" Puck stated. Quinn looked away from Puck and he knew it meant the conversation was over. The parents stood awkwardly for a few moments before Quinn picked up a shopping bag from the sofa.

"So I bought this for NJ to wear, what do you think?" Quinn asked as she pulled out a Hungry Catapillar costume fro NJ to wear for his birthday.

Puck smiled "It's great"

Finn and Rachel's House – West Village – Tuesday Evening

"Hey Quinn, come in" Finn smiled as he opened the door for Quinn, he closed the door behind her then took NJ from her arms. NJ was tired so he curled his head onto Finn's shoulder and closed his eyes.

"Is she here?" Quinn asked as she walked further into the house and looked around.

"She's asleep on the couch" Finn nodded his head to the living room. Quinn looked through the archway to see Rachel curcled up on sofa with the blaring television as the only light in the room.

"I just wanted to drop by and see if you were coming on Saturday" Quinn said, a little awkwardly. After Puck had left her apartment Quinn realised he was right if she was going to get Rachel to talk to her, she would have to force her.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it, and Rachel said she will but I'll see how she is on the day" Finn explained, as he softly stroked NJ's head with a wishful expression. Quinn noticed the look and had to turn away from him.

"Well there's no pressure for either of you, they will be enough people there"

"Yeah Puck told me Kitty and Joe will be there, along with your parents"

Finn and Quinn walked into the kitchen and took a seat on the breakfast bar, Finn reponsited NJ in his arms as NJ was now fast asleep.

"Yeah it's going to be interesting, my mom might blow up when she sees Joe's dreadlocks" Quinn joked as she took a pastry from the basket on the counter. Quinn noticed there was a lot of baskets and Quinn could see that were condolsence baskets from their families and co-workers.

"He's a good guy though"

"You know my parents that's not going to matter to them" Quinn argued as she ripped apart the pastry before popping some in her mouth.

"Yeah I still remember the look on her face when she saw your prom date" Finn laughed, remembering Quinn's date from Prom who Quinn had felt to guilty to say no to despite not liking him at all.

"I thought she was going to combust when she saw his fanny pack"

"To be fair it was bright blue" Finn added giving Quinn an amused look. Quinn smacked him playfully before eating the rest of her pastry.

"As long as he makes you happy that's all that matters. You deserve some happiness" Finn enthused, Quinn glanced at him a appreciative smile.

"Thank you Finn"

The two sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes as Quinn ate her patsy and Finn watched NJ sleep. Finn let out a yawn as he glanced over at the living room to check on Rachel.

"I can watch her if you need a break" Quinn said, noticing the tired look on Finn's face.

"I was actually going to go out get some dinner, I'm really sick of pasties" Finn said as he looked around the baskets that littered the kitchen.

"You go, I'll stay here" Quinn said, taking off her jacket "Bring me back something nice"

Once Finn had left Quinn took NJ into the living room ready to talk to Rachel but once she saw her friend curled up on the sofa with tear tracks down her face Quinn just couldn't do it so instead she settled NJ on the love seat then moved over to Rachel's head she sat down on the floor and softly stroked Rachel's hair.

Norman & Jules Toy Shop – Brooklyn – Wednesday Afternoon

"So this is what Quinn said we should get" Santana said showing Mercedes the wooden fire truck and police car in her arms that she had spent the last ten minutes trying to find in the toy store.

Mercedes glanced at the toy "Yeah that's fine"

"So you know, with Quinn dating again, have you thought about doing the same" Santana asked looking over at Mercedes as they made their way to the cash regisatartor.

"I don't think I'm ready yet" Mercedes replied, walking down the toy aisle.

"Mercedes you do realise that you and Sam broke up on the day NJ was born and we are about to celebrate his first birthday" Santana quipped. She watched Mercedes look at all the toys instead of facing her.

"I'm well aware of that Santana, I'm just not ready" Mercedes said, firmly. Santana shook her head at Mercedes conclusive tone but continued anywhere.

"Are you still talking to him?" Santana asked.

"Sometimes" Mercedes muttered, over the past year Mercedes had shared a few phone calls and emails with Sam usually when something had happened but she always looked forward to them.

"That's probably why you're not ready"

"With everything going on, my love life is the least of our concerns" Mercedes grunted, crossing her arms.

"Exactly with everything that they have been through and Finn and Rachel can still hold on to hope that it will happen for them then you can certainly go out on one date even after everything with Sam" Santana argued. She had never understood why, with everything else going on, that Mercedes couldn't just let go of Sam.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore" Mercedes snipped, looking away from Santana "Should we just pay for this"

Santana waved her arm out "Lead the way"

Rachel and Finn's House – West Village – Saturday Afternoon

"Hey Rachel, we have to leave soon for NJ's party" Finn said as walked into the living room ready to leave for the party. He looked at Rachel who still laid out on the sofa in the same pyjamas from the day before. He knew what she was going to say before she did.

"I can't go Finn"

"I thought we agreed you had to get out of the house" Finn pressed. He took a seat on the coffee table just like he had done a few days before. Rachel sat up on the sofa and faced him.

"I know but I'm just not ready to be around everyone, not yet" Rachel argued, shaking her head. Finn should have known she wouldn't be ready, it was a party that would be full of babies – Rachel hadn't even seen NJ in a month she wouldn't be ready for to be in a room full of happy children after just loosing her second chance at one.

"Okay, I can stay with you if you want"

"No you should still go, give NJ his presents. I'll be fine on my own" Rachel said, smiling at him encouragingly although Finn could still see the pain and sadness in her eyes.

"Are you sure?" Finn asked, he felt like that day was the day Rachel would think about everything the most because it was also the anniversary of the adoption falling through. He didn't feel right leaving her but also knew Rachel wouldn't even know if he stayed or not.

Rachel nodded "I'm sure"

"Maybe tomorrow you and I can go out somewhere, just the two of us" Finn suggested. He tucked a piece of Rachel's hair behind her ear and softly stroked her face. Rachel leaned into his touch but then pulled away.

"Yeah maybe" Rachel said, absentmindedly as she went back to watching the television. Finn knew he wouldn't get anything more out of her.

"Okay, I better get going" Finn said as he got up from the coffee table "Love you"

Rachel didn't look away from the television "See you later"

Kids Fun House – Brooklyn – Saturday Afternoon

Half and hour later Finn walked into Kids Fun House Birthday Room, The place was already full with Quinn's and Puck's friends and families and there children. Quinn had decorated the place with the theme of the children's book The Hungry Caterpillar. It also had a sundae bar and arts and crafts table as well as arcade games and toys for the children to play with while the adults had a drink and some food. Finn dropped his present on the gift table then walked over to his friends.

"Hey guys" Finn greeted. Santana and Mercedes both gave Finn a quick hug as Quinn waved Puck over. Puck marched over with NJ in his arms.

"Finn!" Puck exclaimed "We weren't sure if you were going to come"

"I wouldn't miss it. Rachel wasn't up for it" Finn replied. Puck and Quinn nodded in understanding, neither of them had expected Rachel to come.

"Of course, is she on her own" Santana asked. Quinn passed Finn a bottle of beer while he answered Santana.

"I asked Tina to drop by to check on her, see if she can get her to eat something"

Santana nodded not sure what else to say, Finn turned to NJ with a wide smile.

"Hey NJ are you having a nice birthday, can Uncle Finn have a high five" Finn enthused with a large smile. NJ reached out for Finn, he high fived him then Finn took him in his arms "Wow, do you want the aeroplane"

Finn held up NJ high and pretended to fly him around the room not noticing the sad look on Quinn's and Puck's face.

"You okay Quinn" Mercedes asked when she noticed Quinn wipe away a tear.

"It's just really not fair" Quinn sighed as she watched Finn with NJ. Quinn had known since she was eighteen that one day Finn would make a fantastic father and hated he'd not been given the chance yet.

Puck nodded and reached over to squeeze her hand "I know but all we can do today is give our son a great birthday. Rachel and Finn will come to us when they are ready"

XoXo

An hour later Finn and Puck were stood by the buffet table, enjoying another beer as they watched over the party. Finn noticed Quinn's boyfriend talking to Quinn's parents, luckily for Finn they had kept there distance from him. He knew they were uncomfortable with any kind of emotion and Finn wasn't really in the mood for an awkward conversation with them.

"So that's Joe"

"Hmm" Puck muttered before taking another drink of his beer.

"You okay man" Finn asked, he glanced around the room, Kitty surprisingly seemed to be having a nice chat with Mercedes and Santana. The girls had met Kitty for the first time just before the party and they told Finn that just like Rachel they felt like Kitty was exactly like Quinn.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that" Puck quipped giving Finn a look.

"You first" Finn pressed

"I'm fine, NJ seems to like him" Puck shrugged. Finn knew that even though Puck was happy with Kitty it must still be uncomfortable to see another man with your son and the woman you once had feelings for.

"Not as much as he loves you" Finn argued, Puck nodded reluctantly. .

"I know I guess it's just harder than I thought, seeing another guy with my son and with – " Puck trailed off but Finn knew the end to that sentence

"He'll never replace you Puck, you are a great father. Quinn knows that" Finn enthused.

"Yeah I know" Puck nodded, before turning to his friend "Hey you okay man, you know if you wanna take off we understand"

"It's okay really, it's nice to get out of the house for a while, it's getting too much"

"She'll come around Finn"

Finn shrugged as he took a drink of beer, he wasn't sure when Rachel was going to start feel better or if she ever would, Rachel went into her shell when bad things happened and this was the worst one yet.

"Maybe" Finn sighed, sadly "I'm not sure this time, it too much heartbreak"

"I really don't know what to say Finn" Puck admitted, ashamed. Finn always knew how to help Puck with anything so Puck felt like a bad friend when he couldn't do the same.

"Its fine you don't have to say anything"

The guys drank in silence for a few moments until the noticed Quinn walking over to them with the NJ squirming in her arms, reaching out for his father.

"Noah, I think he wants his Daddy" Quinn smiled. She passed NJ to Puck and Finn noticed them share a sweet smile with NJ in between them.

Puck bounced NJ on his hip "Hey Buddy you want your Daddy"

NJ clapped and laughed with both of his parents reviling in his happiness and Finn couldn't help but smile at the happiness between them all, it was the first real smile Finn had had in weeks.

Rachel and Finn's House – West Village – Saturday Afternoon

"Hey Rachel"

Rachel looked away from the television to see Tina walk into the living room. Rachel hadn't seen Tina in three weeks and had only communicated with her through emails when Tina would give her updates on the magazine, emails that Rachel had barely read.

"Tina, what are you doing here?" Rachel asked, she wrapped the blanket tighter around herself as Tina took a seat on the chair to the left of the sofa.

"I knocked but you didn't answer"

"I'm not really up for visitors" Rachel said although she muted the television and tunred to face Tina. Tina nodded quickly then looked at the giant bouguet of lilies by the fireplace.

"These are nice flowers" Tina mused, Rachel rolled her eyes as she glanced at the flowers, with a snide look.

"There from Finn's parents, you're not getting your baby so have some nice lilies. When the adoption fell through they sent tulips" Rachel snipped, Tina nodded then got up from the chair.

"I'm going to get you something to eat"

"I'm not hungry"

Tina ignored her and went to the kitchen, she was back a few minutes later with a sandwich and a muffin she put them on the coffee table in front of Rachel. Rachel made no move to pick up the sandwich.

"I'm not going to leave until you've eaten the whole thing" Tina said, firmly, crossing her arms. She continued to stare at Rachel until she picked up the plate and took a small bite of the sandwich.

"Thank you"

"You look like you haven't moved in days" Tina mused, as she looked Rachel over, she was in dirty pyjamas and her normally styled hair was up in a bun on the top of her head.

"I haven't"

"I think this is the least you spoken in the 10 years we've know each other" Tina joked. She sat down on the sofa next to Rachel and got under the blanket with her.

"I don't really feel like talking"

"Do you remember the day we met" Tina asked. Rachel turned to Tina confused as to why she would bring that up but when she didn't say anything Tina continued.

"Did you ever wonder why I agreed to quit by job and join you at the magazine" Tina added. Tina and Rachel had had the same major in college and that's how they met, after college Tina got a job with another magazine but when Rachel had told her, her idea for a Broadway based magazine that she had started in college, Tina had quit her job immediately to join Rachel.

"I figured you were crazy" Rachel quipped, absentmindedly.

"I saw a fighter. I knew there was no way you were going to fail. When you said you were going to make the magazine a success I knew you would never stop until it happened… and boy am I glad I stuck around to see it"

"Why are you telling me this?" Rachel asked, curiously. She finished off half of her sandwich and quickly picked up the other half, she hadn't relaised just how hungry she was.

"Because you are still that fighter Rachel. You never give up on anything and I'm not going to let you give up now"

Rachel shook her head slightly "Tina I appreciate …"

"You are the bravest person I know, and I know after everything it feels easier to wallow in the pain but trust me it's not" Tina argued "If a baby is truly what you want then nothing in this world is going to stop you. It doesn't mean you forget but you move forward and accept the things that were meant to be and the things that aren't"

Tina didn't say anything else, she knew Rachel had listened to what she had said so she waited for Rachel to finish her lunch before she would say anything else.

"This was a good sandwich" Rachel smiled after a few minutes of thinking about what Tina had said. Rachel wasn't sure if it was Tina's words or maybe just enough time had passed but after three weeks Rachel finally wanted to get up off the sofa and face the world.

"What would I do without you" Rachel acknowledged, she leaned over and gave Tina a tight hug. Tina pulled away then got up off the sofa.

"Lucky for you, you don't have to find out" Tina enthused, smiling at Rachel as she held out her hands "Now come on time for a shower – you have a party to get to"

Kids Fun House – Brooklyn – Saturday Afternoon

"Okay everyone ready to sing happy birthday" Quinn beamed as she gathered everyone around the small table that held NJ's Hungry Caterpillar cake. Puck handed NJ to Quinn and lite the one candle on top of the cake.

"Wow what's that NJ" Mercedes enthused as she pointed to the cake. NJ clapped happily as he tired to reach for the candle. NJ got distracted when everyone around him starting singing loudly.

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear NJ, happy birthday to you"

"Big blow sweetie" Quinn said, happily. Puck and Quinn leaned down with NJ and helped him blow out the candles, Everyone cheered loudly after NJ third attempt he maganged to blow out the candle.

"Happy birthday NJ" Rachel said as she walked over to the group. She lopped her arm through Finn's and smiled at all her friends. Quinn teared up slightly when she saw Rachel.

"Rachel"

"Hey guys" Rachel smiled at them all before turning to NJ "Hey NJ have you had a nice birthday"

NJ reached out for Rachel so Rachel took him into her arms and gave him a tight hug and kissed him softly on the head.

XoXo

"How you doing, you look good" Santana said to Rachel. The girls were all sat on one the playmats with NJ as he played with some blocks. The older children were playing on the arts and crafts table with the playhouse workers.

Rachel nodded "I'm getting there"

"Anything you need Rachel, just tell us" Quinn enthused, happy that Rachel was talking to them for the first time in weeks. She wanted to make sure Rachel knew how willing they were to help her.

"Really, I just want things to go back to normal. I'm not saying I just want to forget what happened but I can't drown in sadness anymore either" Rachel explained.

"Rachel I know it must be hard –"

"It's not hard being here or being around NJ, he might be the only baby for a while" Rachel said, sadly looking straight at Quinn. Rachel knew Quinn was always worried about Rachel's feelings when around NJ and Rachel hoped one day she'd be able to stop her friend from worrying so much.

Quinn shook her head "Rachel – "

"I'm not giving up, it's just time to be realistic and that's as much as I want to talk about it now" Rachel concluded, she looked away from her friends and noticed Joe and Kitty helping Puck carrying all of NJ's presents to Puck's car.

"So that's Joe, very nice. How's it been with him and Kitty here" Rachel asked. Rachel hadn't spoken to Joe yet but knew she would before she left the party, she had to make sure he was good enough for Quinn and NJ.

"Awkward as hell" Santana admitted with a smirk, Quinn rolled her eyes "What it has, your mother accidently called Kitty your name three time and Puck keep watching you when he thinks no one is looking"

"He does not" Quinn said shaking her head. Mercedes and Rachel shared an amused look, they all liked Joe and Kitty but it still amused them how unaware Quinn was for her feelings for Puck as well Joe.

"She does look a lot like you" Mercedes mused as she looked at Kitty. The young woman had the ame blonde hair as Quinn, had fair skin like Quinn and was even wearing a dress that Mercedes had seen Quinn wear before.

"Please stop talking" Quinn sighed before pushing Mercedes plate back to her "Have some cake"

XoXo

"Here brought you some cake?" Rachel said as she passed Finn a plate, she took a seat next to him at one of the tables that scattered the playroom. All the adults were enjoying some cake while the children listened to one of the playroom workers read a Hungery Caterpiller to them.

"Thanks"

"Finn, I'm sorry I went away" Rachel said, sadly. As she was getting ready to go to the party Rachel realised she had to apologise to Finn, he'd been trying to help Rachel for weeks and Rachel had ignored all his attempts even though he was hurting as well, and it wasn't fair to him. Rachel knew that now.

"I understand Rachel I – "

"I know you're going to say something supportive right now but I'm sorry I let you deal with your own feelings all alone. It wasn't right we should have got through it together and we will from now on I want to be there for you in the same way you're always there for me" Rachel explained.

Finn moved closer to Rachel "I love you"

"I love you Finn Hudson, I hope you never question how much" Rachel enthused, she leaned over to Finn and solftly stroked his face. She kissed him deeply and held on to him tightly.

"It will happen eventually Rachel, I still have faith" Finn said once he pulled away but kept her close.

"Me too"