Second Chance

9

Quinn took Beth's seat between Finn and Puck. Kurt and Blaine sat down across the hall together.

Quinn took Finn and Puck's hands while they all waited anxiously.

Puck looked at Quinn and saw that her eyes were closed, which meant she was probably praying again. He gently squeezed her hand and she squeezed his hand back.

After what felt like an eternity, Rachel and Beth returned. They were both crying heavily.

Puck let go of Quinn's hand and picked Beth up. He hated seeing her cry more than he hated seeing Quinn cry, and he hated that a lot. He hated that there was nothing he could do to help her.

Instead, Puck just held Beth and rubbed her back while she cried into his shoulder.

"Thank you guys for..." Rachel took a deep breath and wiped her eyes as she looked at her friends. "For being here. All of you."

Everyone nodded and continued comforting Rachel and Beth while holding back their own tears and emotions.

When Rachel parted from Finn, she wiped her eyes. "I should get home and call my dads and Shelby's lawyer and start making arrangements."

"All of that can wait." Finn told Rachel.

Rachel shook her head. "I wanna start taking care of things now. It'll be easier for Beth."

"Don't worry about her." Puck added. "She's gonna be okay."

"I know." Rachel said. "I just wanna get things done so she can start adjusting to her new normal. Whatever that is."

"She's gonna be okay." Puck repeated as he rubbed Beth's back. "Wanna go back to Finn and Rachel's, B?"

Beth didn't respond or even pick her head up.

"Let's get her back." Rachel said. "She needs to sleep."

"Alright."

-

The group of seven went back to Finn and Rachel's apartment. Rachel excused herself to her bedroom to make some phone calls.

"I'm gonna see if Beth will take a N-A-P." Puck informed everyone, excusing himself and Beth to go to the guest room.

Puck pulled back the blankets and laid Beth down, covering her up and tucking her in.

"Daddy." Beth said softly. "Stay here. And Mama Quinn."

"You want Mama Quinn in here, too?" Puck asked.

Beth nodded.

"Sure, B." Puck nodded back. "Try to get some sleep though, okay?"

"Okay." Beth repeated.

Puck tucked Beth in before walking to the door. He opened it and peeked out into the living room.

"Quinn."

Quinn turned and looked at Puck.

"She wants both of us." Puck told the blonde.

Quinn nodded and stood up. She excused herself from the boys before joining Puck and Beth.