Hi guys!
As we say in spanish "Lo prometido es deuda". Here's another chapter that I hope you find it to your liking, we are leaving the angsty (not angsty angsty, I don't know how to do angst if i'm completely honest hehehe, but the saddest one at least) and now we move on to a more lighter tone and healing part with the help of Jesse ;)
Thank you Truman B for your kind words, welcome to this fic, and can't wait for your next reviews!
Gina you are the best as always! and beyond grateful to your support since the beginning. Yey! You read chiquislover25's Daddy! there's going to be a lot of differences between the stories (her's is beyond amazing and heartwarming) but also some similarities.
"Everything keeps on progressing just fine Rachel and you even put on some weight since our last appointment" said Dr. Green smiling satisfied reassuring both Rachel and Jesse while cleaning her ultrasound probe, she witnessed the nervous way Jesse's leg was bouncing up and down and the way Rachel rubbed her hands on her lap every now and then.
Jesse let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, he spent this past month watching Rachel dart to the bathroom every time she caught a whiff of Lili's perfume, the girl playing Martha on the workshop, and barfing a good portion of the balanced breakfast that Jesse made Rachel eat in the morning before entering the workshops. He feared that her frequent visits to the bathroom would take a toll on her bloodwork and weight, and part of that is what almost compelled him to tag along again to her OB/GYN – he really needed to make sure she was fine. Despite Rachel not being able to hold anything much, hearing Dr. Green saying Rachel and the baby were fine made him believe that he would be able to sleep comfortably tonight without worrying for his petite friend.
Get a grip St. James, not your girlfriend and definitely not your kid. He thought a bit annoyed by the instant wash of relief that went through his body. And he got even grumpier when he saw the faint glimmer of amusement in Dr. Green's eyes.
"That's fantastic news, Dr. Green!" said Rachel in better spirits than her last appointment. She no longer had that sick greenish look and no longer had those purple circles beneath her eyes and Dr. Greens finally saw something resembling a smile in her face.
Rachel was aware that she was beginning to heal; she still missed Finn every second of her days, but at least she got to be a functional human without feeling as if she existed through a bubble that separated her from the rest of the world - and as Jesse had said, he was with her in spirit and was looking at her from wherever he might be, that thought alone was what made her move forward every morning and what made her take care of herself and their baby.
"Your first trimester has ended so no more morning sickness for you, perhaps more trips to the washroom to pee and more mood swings, Jesse beware of them" she joked amused and Jesse snorted at that, because if Rachel was already a piece of work to deal with just as it is, a pregnant Rachel with mood swings was going to be quite the challenge.
Rachel heard him snort, and she knew immediately what he was implying by that, as if his own miva-self was a walk in the park. So, in return she stomped on his feet and directed a sweet innocent smile at him to which he had the good sense to not say anything and just nurse his throbbing feet. "I do expect a little bit more of weight gain from you by next appointment Rachel, you are still a little bit below of what I would want according to your height"
Jesse, still nursing his aggravated feet asked "Dr. Green, Rachel is having a very difficult time with some smells, will that stop also? I mean, that can´t help in her weight gain, right?"
"I'm afraid sensitivity to smells is not going to stop; if there is a way to avoid them, it would be my preference, now about your pre-natal prescription…"
While Rachel was hearing attentively to Dr. Green's instructions, Jesse was thinking how he was going to stop Lili from using that god-awful perfume; sure, it made Rachel pour all her stomach's contents in the bathroom, but it made the rest of the cast queasy also.
"Jesse" Rachel called him out from his inner musings. He followed her out of the consult still thinking of strategies for Lili to change her perfume selection.
Rachel was finally in her 12th week, out of the routine of bolting to the bathroom when she opened her eyes in the morning, but most importantly growing anxious of the conversations that were past due to happen. Jesse had advised her to do it all in one so it was more like ripping a band aid out than a repeating torturous never-ending experience; the conversation with her dads would need to be a separate one though, she owed them that much. But at least, Kurt, Carole and Burt could be grouped in the same one.
That's why after an impromptu pep talk - that she gave herself in front of her mirror - she called for Kurt from her spot on the couch saying she had to talk to him and the Hummels. Kurt agreed quickly but not without a streak of suspicion on his face and was already facetiming Carole and Burt as he joined her at the couch.
"Hi guys!" Rachel forced herself to form a smile when they finally took the call and appeared on the screen.
"Hi sweetie" answered Carole lovingly, these past weeks Carole had been checking up on her and they had developed a closer relationship; that had her feeling constantly guilty of hiding this from her for so long even if she had a very valid reason to keep it from her. As if she was hogging her tiny little hope from someone who would be as thrilled as she was, as if she didn't want to share her glimmer of hope and happiness with anyone. But as Jesse had also assured her - they really shared a lot with each other - better to be safe and share the news when she was out of the woods of her worrying low weight and her risk to lose it.
Hearing Jesse's words from their last conversation, she tried to calm herself and looked at Kurt with a soft smile knowing that she was going to knock the air out of him. Kurt was past suspicious and now was just plain curious as to what was the reason of the group facetime, something she never had organized before.
Rip it like a band-aid she thought to herself.
One last steadying breath before turning their worlds upside down.
"Right, so instead of beating around the bushes I'll try to be direct. Finn and I… we shared a night last time I was in Ohio and it turns out… I'm pregnant" she said rapidly almost spitting out words with a nervous smile assessing each of their reactions. "I'm 12 weeks pregnant as a matter of fact" she added now a bit calmer but blushing furiously and bracing herself for their reactions.
Kurt and Carole were awestruck at first just looking at her with their mouths open but after a few seconds a small smile was blooming on their faces. Burt was laughing with joy. And Rachel felt as if all the weight of the world was off her shoulders. She knew this was good news, maybe not in the best time and not according to anyone's plans, but good news all the same. And she loved that she could give at least a little bit of happiness to this family that had been through so much.
Carole began to bombard her with questions about if she was taking her vitamins, and her symptoms and many other things while Kurt just hugged her with tears in his eyes. Burt looked content.
"Sweetie would it be okay if we went with you to your next appointment?" Carole inquired shyly.
Rachel couldn't say no to her - of all the people in the world - Carole had a green pass in her life, so she just nodded without giving it a second thought. They proceeded to work out some details with Burt for both of them to come and visit Kurt altogether.
"Please don't tell my dad's, they still don't know and I'll try to give them the news as soon as possible, I'm not sure how they will take them though" she said biting her lip nervously. They nodded in acknowledgment and emotion made its way through them again celebrating this new life that was a remaining piece of Finn.
"Burt, I'm going to be a grandmother!" said Carole before they hanged up.
"So that's what got your panties in a bunch all this time midget" said Santana sneaking out of God knows where.
"Do you have to eavesdrop every conversation? Do you have any sense of privacy?" retorted Kurt miffed while rolling his eyes.
"Yes Santana, I am having mood swings" Rachel rolled her eyes too at her sudden appearance. The idea of putting one of those cat collars with a bell, to know where she's hiding while listening to conversations that weren't for her, didn't sound too crazy.
"And just because I like to watch the world burn, does St. James knows of this twist of events" asked her with a devilish smirk. Either way it was going to end with an upset Rachel if she hadn't told him or an upset Kurt since he was so pissy of the existence of this boy in Rachel's life. And Rachel knew what she was doing so she glared at her reading perfectly her intentions.
"Yes Santana, he knows, he spends various hours with me in the workshops, and has been there to lift my hair when I'm puking my heart out" she replied with a tense smile not sure of what Kurt's reaction might be, she could manage Kurt's temper tantrum but not Jesse's hurt face when he realized she was lying about their friendship and everything he had done for her lately. That's assuming he cares though, but this last month they got even closer and their friendship became this huge treasure that she wanted to protect along with his feelings.
"He does? How come he knows and I don't? I'm your best friend!" he instantly asked frowning at her and no longer hugging her looking offended with a scowl.
"Kurt when I decided to keep this baby, I knew what it would mean to you and Carole, I wanted it to be a more secure thing by the time I told you. I wouldn't bear to get all your hopes up and then lose this baby" she responded gauging his reaction, whenever she mentioned the possibility of losing her baby she felt as if her saliva turned to ash and her stomach plummeted to the floor but she knew that it was a sobering thought that even Kurt could understand.
That made her think about that there was no way she would tell them about how she almost aborted this baby, that was something that Jesse and her would take to their graves. And not because it wasn't her right since it was her body, but because she knew that this baby would be the precious little gift that everyone would want to take care of and dote; if they knew selfish cut-throat Rachel tried to get rid of it, she would never hear the end of it.
That made her shiver.
"Oh, well that makes sense" that did the trick apparently since he deflated instantly. Nothing a little bit of emotional manipulation couldn't do - it was a very valid and very real reason but she also knew how to play her cards well to avoid unwanted confrontations).
"You are no fun Berry; Kurt gets all bloated and puffed up when he is such a sour puss" Santana snickered "That would have been so fun to witness"
"Stop trying to cause World War 3 Satan, I'm pregnant and a drama queen, it won't turn nice for you" she quipped back.
Into the second month of the workshop the cast was beginning to become as tight-knitted as Broadway families usually were and Rachel enjoyed spending time with them and not even needing Jesse as a buffer between them. Rachel could relax, be herself and not be all tense or with her guard up about being labeled as a princess or difficult to deal with. When they invited her to a bar close to the theatre after rehearsals were over, she was elated. Her very first outing with people she considered to be her friends and equals.
"You sure you are up to a night out Rachel?" Jesse asked a little bit dubious about how great of an idea this could be.
Each day it passed he was growing to feel more protective with her, and Rachel thought it was cute. He didn't smother her; he knew the perfect balance of taking care of her and not suffocating her. It mostly was Jesse anxiously checking up on her and asking if it was ok or managing things from afar without getting in her way.
"Jess, I'm pregnant not disabled. Besides I will not drink anything besides water, if I get uncomfortable, I'll tell you and we can leave" she said unaware of Jesse's conflicted face. He really needed to get shit-faced, Rachel's soap opera life was a bit too much and he needed to feel something aside from an emotional support pet. Which he didn't mind most of the time actually but that was the primary incentive that made him want to drink even more, he should mind or find it tiring or annoying, instead he liked being her person, he was a bit possessive with her attention and the sense of importance of being someone she could rely on made his heart soar to the sky.
With each passing day he grew more wary of the quickening of his heart beating every time they shared a look or they grazed faintly their hands.
That's why he needed to do some damage control.
A night out with alcohol included and a nameless girl to spend the night with.
Something that he couldn't do in good conscience with Rachel by his side - not that it would bother her since they were just friends - but he didn't want her to witness him in his man-whore persona. He found it a bit shameful for reasons he didn't want to even try to comprehend.
"Hey Rach, ok, there is no easy way of saying this" he said nervously and frantically rubbing his two hands which startled Rachel, she had never seen him like this. "Rach, I'm in desperate need to get drunk and tonight was the night I was hoping to get plastered. I don't think I can responsibly be on Rachel-duty for night"
"Oh" she mustered, after two months of relying entirely on Jesse it was only natural of him wanting to unwind one night and be a normal guy, right? The slight pang of pain in her chest was completely unfounded, so she tried to ignore it and plastered a smile on her face "It's fine Jesse, I'll call Kurt or Santana to walk me home"
Resisting Rachel was proving each time more difficult, and looking at her all disappointed was something that he could not bear most of the time – he even could see a hint of hurt but that was mostly his hopes searching for something more from her.
But tonight, he needed to feel normal and besides he had a plan concerning Lili's perfume, of course Rachel would get all pissed off at him for trying to meddle if he did it as obviously as just calling her out for the nauseating smell of her perfume and besides, he liked Lili and knew chicks were sensitive about this stuff so he had come with a sneaky way to stop her from using it, and tonight his plans for himself and his plans for the end of Lili's perfume and Rachel's constant trips to the bathroom aligned perfectly.
At the end, all roads led back to Rachel. He inwardly groaned because he couldn't be anything more than a simp for that tiny brunette.
"Let me tell you what we can do, I'll drink moderately until you want to leave and then I'll accompany you to your subway station" he added not able to resist her sad and discontented face.
And that worked because her smile returned almost instantly.
"Yey thanks!" she said with a mega-watt smile and Jesse knew he had been played, but he didn't care.
I should though He reminded himself.
"What's with the long faces guys" Rachel laughed with a know-it-all smile when they all entered the theatre in their own version of walk of shame after last night's outing.
"Ugh Berry, you speak in such high decibels, you are banned from talking to me after I have my coffee" said Skylar rubbing his temples and scrunching his face making his way past through her.
"Yeah Rachel, you only drunk water, you have no right to speak right now" countered Lili with a pale look in her face.
"Lil, dear, I hope you don't take this the wrong way but right now I can't smell your perfume" said Jesse squinting his eyes and making a disgusted face. He didn't even need to exaggerate his disgust; it was quite honest after last night's bomb.
"Yeah, Lil I think that a hungover mixed with any smell right now doesn't sit well with me either" joined Remy.
"You know what, you are right, I think I might need to throw it out after all, I'll associate it with tequila and bad decisions" she agreed nodding slightly and sniffing her pulse point with a similar expression as Jesse's.
"Oh, you don't need to call me a bad decision honey" joked Gideon with a devilish smile "We all are experimenting"
"Ugh" she just rolled her eyes and went to the bathroom to clean off the smell of her perfume.
Rachel who had attentively paid attention to all of that looked at Jesse suspiciously with a raised eyebrow.
"Did you got hammered just to…" she began inquiring.
"I don't know what you are talking about Rach" Jesse interrupted her before anyone could hear her, winking at her with a mischievous smile.
Hope you liked it!
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