Returning to school on Monday the majority of us kind of felt like we lost all hope of winning. With Coach Sylvester being one of the judges it made things just that much harder for us. I sat with Artie unsure of what sectionals was going to bring for us. Mr. Schue entered the room as he began writing 'Journey' on the board. "Mr. Schuester, Finn and I have something we want to say to you," Rachel said as she and Finn entered the choir room. "Me first. Have a seat," Mr. Schue said as Rachel and Finn took their seats.
We all looked to Mr. Schue wondering what he was going to say to us. "Nine months ago, there were five of you in here. And we sucked. I mean, we really sucked. Bad. One day, all of you are going to be gone. And all of this, all of us will be nothing but a hazy memory. It will take you a second to remember everyone's name. Someone will have to remind you of the songs we sung, the solos you got or didn't get. Life only really has one beginning and one end, and the rest is just a whole lot of middle. And I love you guys too much to let you not make the most of it. Now, I was going to quit once, but you guys brought me back with "Don't Stop Believing." It was a nine, but we are going to make it a ten," Mr. Schue told us. "We're doing "Don't Stop" at Regionals?" Rachel asked. "And then some. We are doing a Journey medley. Because who cares what happens when we get there when the getting there has been so much fun?" Mr. Schue said as we all nodded to agree. He was right. Win or lose we still gained a family. "Rachel? You had something you wanted to say?" Mr. Schue asked. "Just that we're all really glad you didn't become an accountant," Rachel smiled as we all laughed. "Regionals, here we come!" Mr. Schue exclaimed as we began rehearsals for our Journey Medley for Regionals.
The rest of the week we were dedicated to getting our Journey numbers perfect. No matter what the outcome of Regionals we were still going to give it our all. Saturday came quicker than we could've imagined as we all nervously entered into the auditorium to await our turn for Regionals. We were performing second with Aural Intensity starting off and Vocal Adrenaline finishing last.
I sat nervously backstage with the rest of the New Directions as we listened to a mashup Aural Intensity did of 'You Raise Me Up' by judge Josh Groban and 'Magic' by judge Olivia Newton John. I couldn't help but shake my head. They had to have been tipped off about the judges and were trying to play the sucking up card. "A mashup of Olivia Newton-John and Josh Groban. Are you kidding me?! Somebody tipped them off about the judges," Puck said annoyed. "Guys, we can't get distracted by what the other teams are doing," Rachel said. "We just got to keep our heads in the game and focus," Finn agreed. "Even though we know we can't win?" Santana said annoyed. "Yes," Mr. Schue said as he shut off the PA system. "If this is only about winning for you guys, then I owe you all an apology, because I've failed you. And we should just all go home, because it means we've already lost. Besides,we have got something that the other groups don't," Mr. Schue said. "What?" Artie asked. "Finn's dancing. Right? Come on," Mr. Schue said as we all bursted into laughter including Finn. "Now let's get out there. We got two minutes. Aural Intensity's almost finished. Bring it in. Come on. Come on. Let's go, go, go, go, go and..." Mr. Schue said we all got in with our hands. I couldn't help but feel a weird feeling but I decided to ignore it as I held my back.
We got ready onstage as the announcer began to speak "Ladies and Gentleman, our second competitors, winner of the Central Ohio Sectional, McKinley High's New Directions!" the crowd cheered as Finn and Rachel started us off singing 'Faithfully'. Towards the end of the song the curtain lifted up as the rest of us backed them up on the 'ohhhs'. The crowd seemed into the performance. I couldn't help but beam as we went into our next song which was a mashup of 'Any Way You Want It' and 'Lovin', Touchin' Squeezin''. I sang background proudly enjoying every minute of it. I was paired up with Puck for the choreography in some ways having him as my partner again made me feel safe like nothing bad was going to happen. The song ended as the crowd yet again cheered. We closed out our numbers with an amped up performance of 'Don't Stop Believin''. It felt like everything had truly come full circle. As we finished the song we all couldn't help but feel great about our performance.
We rushed backstage excitedly. "That was awesome!" Finn beamed. "Oh, my God!" Brittany grinned. "We've got second place in the bag," Tina smiled. "Screw that. We are going to win this!" Rachel exclaimed. I grabbed my stomach as I ran backstage the pain was starting to get intense. "Quinnie," my mom grinned at me as I turned around and smiled. "Mom," I hugged her. "You were wonderful out there. I'm so sorry I missed all the other times you performed, were their a lot?" she asked. I shook my head. "Quinnie...are you okay?" she asked noticing how I was acting. "I think my water just broke," I said as her eyes grew wide.
Puck then walked out. "Hey there you are I was looking for you," he said. I smiled a bit before wincing in pain. "Everything okay?" he asked worriedly. "I think the baby is coming," I whispered as Puck ran to get Mr. Schue and the New Directions. "I'll drive you to the nearest hospital," my mom told me. I nodded as the New Directions followed my mom's car heading to the hospital with us.
By the time we got to the hospital the pain was incredibly intense. "Ahhh...mom it hurts so bad," I whimpered as Puck wheeled me quickly into the hospital. "My daughter is having a baby," my mom told the nurse who looked at me concerned. "Uh, right this way," she said as she was taking us into a room to see how far along I was to having the baby. "Wait! Wait!" I screamed "I want Mercedes with me, too." Mercedes nodded as she went into the room with my mom, Puck, and me.
"She's about 9 centimeters dilated. We can't give her anything," the doctor said. I again screamed in pain. "Are you sure?" my mom asked. "I'm sorry Mrs. Fabray but if you had gotten here sooner we could've given her something," the doctor told my mom who shook her head. "It's going to be okay baby," my mom whispered as she stroked my hair. They got me changed and onto the delivery table. I whimpered crying in pain, especially as each contraction hit. "Mom," I whimpered as she continued to try to help me through the delivery. "I know baby I know," she whispered to me. "Okay we need you to start pushing," the doctor told me as I began pushing. The pain was unbearable as I screamed with each push. "It's never coming, ever!" I yelled. "Yes she will it'll be okay," Puck assured me looking nervously at me. "Shut up!" I yelled back "Ooh, you suck! You suck! You suck! You suck!" I screamed at him. "Come on," Mercedes encouraged as I continued to push. "Come on, Quinnie," my mom encouraged. "Let me go! Let me go! No! No! No! No!" I screamed wanting this to be over. "Okay, she's crowning!" the nurse said. "Push, baby," my mom said. "Come on, Quinn, push," Mercedes also encouraged as I finally pushed and out came a beautiful baby girl. I could hear her cry.
"Congratulations it's a girl," the nurse smiled at me. I teared up relieved that this was all over. The doctors were cleaning off the baby getting her prepared before they handed her to me to hold. "Hi there," I whispered looking at her. "Wow...she looks like you," Puck said emotionally as I smiled at him. "Thank you for being here," I said. "I'm glad...with all the screaming you just did at me I wasn't too sure," Puck said. "Sorry," I whispered. "It's okay," he told me seriously. "Okay we need to take her to the nursery. Do you have a name?" the doctor asked. "Beth," Puck told them. "Beth. Alright we'll put that down," the doctor said as they took the baby.
"You did amazing Quinnie," my mom told me. "Thanks mom," I said "It was a lot harder than I thought it would be," I admitted. "I know," my mom said as she stroked my hair. "Kids why don't you head back to the show...you need to find out if you won," my mom told Mercedes and Puck. Puck looked at me worriedly. "I'm okay...you should go...bring me back the good news," I smiled. "Okay...as long as you're sure," Puck said. "I'm sure," I assured him as he, Mercedes, as well as the rest of the New Directions made their way back to the theatre.
For the most part I did some resting before getting changed into a pink robe. I tried to walk around which I did feel a little sore at first but once I got on my feet, it felt fine. My mom walked with me to the nursery so I could see my baby girl. "She's just beautiful Quinnie," my mom said. "Thanks," I whispered looking at her. "Have you given any thought to my offer?" my mom asked as I looked at her. "I can't keep her mom...I mean you're just getting out of a relationship. The last thing you need is to have another mouth to feed," I told her seriously. "Are you absolutely sure about this?" she asked me. The truth was, I wasn't. Beth had grown to be a part of me. I didn't want to let her go. I just knew it was for the best for her life if I did. "Yes," I whispered as my mom nodded understandingly. "You're doing the right thing Quinnie, I'm proud of you," she told me. "Thanks," I whispered before asking "Do you think you could get me some food...I'm hungry." "Of course," my mom said as she left to get me something to eat.
After my mom left Puck walked over. "Hey..how did Sectionals go?" I asked as Puck sighed. "Not good...we lost," he said. I frowned a bit "2nd place?" I asked as he shook his head. "We didn't even place," Puck said. I sighed, Glee Club was really over. Who knew what lay ahead for me. "She looks like you," Puck told me as he looked closely at the baby. "Do you want to keep her?" "No," I lied "Do you?" Puck didn't answer. I knew exactly what that meant. He wanted her as much as I did. "Did you love me?" I asked. "Yes," he said as he looked me in the eye "Especially now." he smiled at me as I couldn't help but smile back. Our moment was interrupted by a voice. "Which one is yours?" Miss Corcoran asked. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "I see her now," she smiled at the baby "She looks like you. Does she have a name?" "No," I said not wanting to give out that information to Miss Corcoran. "Beth," Puck said. "Pretty. I like that name," Miss Corcoran said.
"You didn't answer my question...what are you doing here?" I asked. "I want to adopt your baby," Miss Corcoran said as my mouth dropped. I was shocked to hear that Miss Corcoran wanted to adopt Beth. "Do you have anyone else?" she asked. "No.." I admitted. "I'll go to the office and get the paperwork then," Miss Corcoran said. "Why? Why our baby?" I asked as Miss Corcoran looked me in the eyes "I lost my chance with my daughter. I'm not going to let another little girl slip away that I could have a chance to raise," Miss Corcoran said. I took a deep breath before saying "She's yours...if you want her," I told her trying to detach myself from the baby. "Thank you, Quinn," Miss Corcoran said. "You're Welcome Miss..." I began she shook her head. "Call me Shelby," she said. "Okay," I smiled a bit. I took one last glance at Beth, knowing this would probably be the last time I would see her. 'I hope Shelby gives you the life you deserve' I thought to myself as I said goodbye to my baby girl.
After staying in the hospital for a few days I was free to go home. I headed back to Mercedes' feeling incredibly detached from everything. Losing Beth had almost felt like I had lost a part of me. I had carried her for nine months yet somehow it felt like there would always be a piece of me bonded to her.
"Quinn...Quinn?" Mercedes said. "What?" I said confused. "I was asking when your mom is picking you up," Mercedes said. "Oh...she should be here any time now," I said. "Are you sure you're okay?" Mercedes asked concerned. "I'm fine....never better," I lied. Just then the doorbell rang. "That must be her," I said. "I'm going to miss you so much Quinn," Mercedes said as she hugged me. "I'm going to miss you too...thank you for letting me stay here," I told her with a smile. "It's the least I could do. Take care okay?" Mercedes said. "Thanks," I whispered as I brought my things down and got into the car with my mom.
It felt good to be home again. As much as everything wasn't the same anymore it felt nice to have a constant in my life. I walked up to my room, feeling like I had missed it so much in the time that I was gone. I just lay on my bed trying not to cry. It's funny how feeling unworthy and depressed got me into the situation I was in and now that it was all over, I was back to feeling that way. I closed my eyes, hoping that some sleep would do me some good.
We returned to school that Monday, almost solemn. Rachel had messaged us saying that she wanted us to perform one last time for Mr. Schuester before Glee Club was really over. We decided to meet in the auditorium. I sat next to Puck on a stool, barely looking him in the eyes. Seeing him reminded me of her. Rachel soon returned with Mr. Schue as she took her seat. "So we have something we need to say to you," Rachel said. "In the beginning of this year, I was just another football player," Matt said. "I had a stutter," Tina said. "I was a closeted diva," Mercedes said. "I used to be captain of the Cheerios," I said. "I was afraid to dance outside my room," Mike said. "I hated everyone in this club," Santana admitted. "So did I," Brittany said. "I wasn't honest about who I was," Kurt said. "I was tossing kids into Dumpsters," Puck said. "I had never kissed a girl before," Artie said as he and Tina looked at each other. "And I was getting slushied," Rachel said. "I didn't-I didn't have a father. Someone I could look up to. Model myself after. Someone who could show me what it really meant to be a man," Finn said. "We don't care what the judges say. We won. Because we had you as a teacher," Rachel said emotionally. "And Glee Club will never end, Mr. Schue, because... you are Glee Club. And you're in all of us now," Mercedes said tearing up as we then began to perform 'To Sir with Love' for our final performance together.
Mr. Schue seemed moved by our performance. It really seemed like we had done everything we could. It was sad to leave the group for what was probably going to be the last time. Not having Glee Club almost felt like another part of me got ripped out. I could feel myself spiraling more and more into a deep dark feeling that I had never felt before.
Days went by as nothing seemed to matter to me. My mom was completely worried about my lack of emotion so we went to see a doctor. They asked the usual questions of why I was feeling this way, had I gone through any changes recently. I told them the truth. I had just had a baby that I had to give away and I had lost almost everything that year from cheerios to now Glee Club. The doctor quickly diagnosed me with depression, postpartum depression. They advised that I see a counselor every week or at least talk to my school counselor about how I was feeling while I was in school. I knew that meant I would be spending a lot of time in Miss Pillsbury's office, not that I minded it. Miss Pillsbury had always been kind to us in Glee Club, I just didn't want word of what was going on with mee circulating throughout the school. I just wanted to finish my sophomore year in peace.
That Friday Mr. Schue had us all assemble into the choir room. We had no idea why. I sat with Kurt and Mercedes who I had grown close to since joining Glee Club. "You're probably wondering why I called this meeting," Mr. Schue said as we all waited anxiously. "We've got another year." "What?" we were all surprised. "Come on, we got another year!" Mr. Schue grinned. We all celebrated glad that we had another chance for Glee Club. I couldn't help but beam. At least something in my life was returning to some normalcy. Glee Club was back and I couldn't be happier. I hugged Kurt grinning that we had another year. "Okay, you guys, I think this is the perfect opportunity for us to start rehearsing for next year's Sectionals immediately..." Rachel began as Mr. Schue cut her off. "Guys, you've all worked really hard this year, and you deserve a break," Mr. Schue said. "But I have ideas," Rachel frowned. "Take the summer off. Have some fun. Oh, but before you go, I have something for you. You all sang for me the other day, so today I'd like to return the favor. Puck, if you're ready," Mr. Schue said as he and Puck began to perform 'Over the Rainbow'.
I couldn't help but smile watching Puck and Mr. Schue sing for us. I grabbed Mercedes hand, glad we had another year. Kurt held both of our hands as we grinned. We let go as I looked at Puck who was singing to me. I grabbed Kurt's hat as he fixed it giving me a smile as we grinned glad to have another year for Glee Club. The song ended as we all felt a sense of unity, we had another year and nothing was going to stop us from succeeding this time around.